The American outlasts Australian Lleyton Hewitt in five dramatic sets and will face Scot Andy Murray, who will have the crowd solidly on his side, on Friday.
By Chuck Culpepper
Reporting from Wimbledon, England -- Bound suddenly for his first Wimbledon semifinal since 2005, Andy Roddick bent over in exhaustion and relief with his racquet at his feet after Lleyton Hewitt's last volley sailed past him and long. He rose to share a warm handshake with Hewitt, did a curtain call and exhaled considerably.
He had endured.
Nobody could tell if he would through almost all of his 6-3, 6-7 (10), 7-6 (1), 4-6, 6-4 win at a rowdy Court No. 1 in a Wimbledon quarterfinal Roddick said "certainly wasn't short on drama" and Larry Stefanki, Roddick's coach, called "a dogfight, teeter-totter thing, and who knew which was it was going to go?"
When Roddick broke Hewitt's serve through a four-deuce game at 4-4, then held his own from 30-30 while serving at 5-4, it had gone in the direction of a very loud semifinal booked for Friday. That will feature Roddick, the No. 6-ranked American, against Scotland's Andy Murray, the No. 3-ranked player who reached his first Wimbledon semifinal by tearing through Juan Carlos Ferrero, 7-5, 6-3, 6-2.
"I'm just going to pretend, when they say, 'Come on Andy,' they mean me," Roddick said.
As Murray bids to become the first male British Wimbledon finalist since 1938 and its first champion since 1936, his support on Centre Court will boom, but so will the serves of an opponent who reached the Wimbledon finals in 2004 and 2005, losing both times to Roger Federer, who just qualified for his record 21st straight Grand Slam semifinal with a masterful 6-3, 7-5, 7-6 (3) win over Ivo Karlovic.
Almost certainly before Roddick and Murray get going on Friday, Federer will oppose the 31-year-old Tommy Haas -- who beat No. 4 Novak Djokovic on grass for the second time this summer, 7-5, 7-6 (6), 4-6, 6-3, and found his fourth Grand Slam semifinal but first in the Northern Hemisphere -- yet, oddly, for a five-time champion such as Federer, all the pre-Friday noise will steer elsewhere.
It will go toward Murray as it has all fortnight, but it will go also to the 26-year-old veteran Roddick: the serve Stefanki calls the best in the game, the tete-a-tete against one of the game's best returners, and Roddick's very presence, a berth which brought him relief.
Since losing to Federer in three sets in the 2005 final, he had agonized through bleak and dour Wimbledons. Seeded No. 3 in 2006, he found Murray in the third round, took a 7-6 (4), 6-4, 6-4 defeat and bemoaned the slowing of the All England Club grass courts. Seeded No. 3 in 2007, he reached the quarterfinals and led by two sets, but saw Richard Gasquet of France hit a stunning 93 winners and appeared crushed. Seeded No. 6 in 2008, he lost in the second round to Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia in four sets and sounded distraught.
"You know, when you've seen the Rolling Stones from the front row, and then all of a sudden you're like, seven or eight rows back . . . " he said then.
All that counted as baggage he carried in against Hewitt on the same court and with the same eventual twilight as against Gasquet in 2007. So, after serving 43 aces and fending off three break points at 2-2 in the fifth set, the last with "the best half-volley I've probably ever hit in my life," and wriggling through in the last two games, Roddick felt he'd changed his seating.
"Getting closer," he said. "I can see what Mick Jagger is wearing now."
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009
Nadal loses in 4th round at French Open
PARIS -- Rafael Nadal's unbeaten run at the French Open is over.
The four-time defending champion lost to Robin Soderling of Sweden 6-2, 6-7 (2), 6-4, 7-6 (2) Sunday in the fourth round, ending his record 31-match winning streak at Roland Garros.
Soderling, seeded 23rd at this year's tournament, ran Nadal ragged on center court with his hard serve and booming forehand.
"When one player plays bad, (he) must lose," Nadal said. "(It) was my fault. ... I didn't play my best tennis and for that reason I lose."
Nadal has dominated the French Open since his first match on the red clay at Roland Garros. In his 31 previous matches, he had lost only seven sets - the last one coming against Roger Federer in the 2007 final.
"He can't feel good right now," said Soderling, who called Nadal "the greatest clay-court player of all time."
Defending women's champion Ana Ivanovic also lost, while top-seeded Dinara Safina advanced to the quarterfinals with another easy win.
Also on the men's side, No. 3 Andy Murray of Britain and No. 12 Fernando Gonzalez of Chile made the quarterfinals.
Soderling finished with 59 unforced errors, more than twice as many as Nadal's 28, but the Swede's 30 forehand winners made up some ground on the top-ranked Spaniard.
"He didn't surprise me because I know how he plays and how dangerous he can be," said Nadal, who said he failed to attack Soderling. "I didn't play aggressive."
The last time two defending champions lost in the same round at a Grand Slam tournament was in 2004 when Justine Henin and Juan Carlos Ferrero lost in the second round of the French Open.
Nadal had won three of the last four major titles, missing out only on the U.S. Open. After winning the Australian Open, he had a chance to complete a Grand Slam this year.
Defending his Wimbledon title will be Nadal's next major goal, but that will come after a little rest and relaxation.
"Right now, my preparation is for the swimming pool at my house," joked Nadal, who was also trying to become the first man to win five straight French Open titles. "Give me three more days."
The draw has now opened up for three-time finalist Roger Federer. The former No. 1 needs only to win the French Open title to complete a career Grand Slam, and his road got clearer Saturday when potential semifinal opponent Novak Djokovic was eliminated.
The eighth-seeded Ivanovic did little right on Court Suzanne Lenglen, converting only two of five break points and making 20 unforced errors in her 6-2, 6-3 loss to Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.
Before the final game of the first set, Ivanovic called for a trainer to look at her neck. Azarenka then held to take the lead, and broke Ivanovic's serve in the first and third games of the second set to take a 4-0 lead.
"I started really well, and I felt really good in the beginning. Then after the third game, actually after (the) first point in the fourth game, I just suddenly started feeling so dizzy, and I completely lost my balance," said Ivanovic, who won her only Grand Slam tournament title at last year's French Open.
"Ever since then it was really hard. I struggled with looking up. I started feeling very dizzy, and I was struggling a little bit to find my balance."
The 19-year-old Azarenka lost in the fourth round at Roland Garros last year, and will next be playing in the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time.
Safina had a much easier time on center court, advancing to the quarterfinals with a 6-1, 6-0 win over Aravane Rezai of France.
The top-seeded Russian won 11 straight games to close out the match. She has lost only five games through four rounds, and has won four of the eight sets she has played at love.
"I'm just surprised that it's really like five games that I lost before getting into the quarters," Safina said. "It's not a bad feeling, and I hope if I continue like this I can go a long way."
Safina took over the No. 1 ranking this year, but she has yet to win a Grand Slam title. She lost to Ivanovic in last year's French Open final, and fell to Serena Williams in this year's Australian Open title match.
No. 20 Dominika Cibulkova advanced by beating No. 29 Agnes Szavay of Hungary 6-2, 6-4 in a sloppy match that had a combined 17 winners and 66 unforced errors.
"I felt like I was going to cry because I was just so happy," Cibulkova said of how she felt after winning match point. "This moment - for this, I play tennis, for these moments."
Back on the men's side, Gonzalez became the first player to reach the quarterfinals, beating Victor Hanescu of Romania 6-2, 6-4, 6-2, and Murray soon followed with a 7-5, 7-6 (4), 6-1 win over No. 13 Marin Cilic of Croatia.
Gonzalez, who reached the 2007 Australian Open final, ended the match with his 21st forehand winner. He finished with 50 winners and only 16 unforced errors.
"I tried to win every point," said Gonzalez, who will face Murray in the next round. "And then I'm trying to not be risky if I don't need it. Maybe I got a break, and then I can start to hit my huge shots. ... When I have to use my shot, I use it, because I know I'm going to win the match with my forehand and my serve."
Florida, Washington meet for NCAA softball title
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The finals of the Women's College World Series will begin Monday night with a matchup of the national player of the year and the No. 1 team in the nation.
Ace pitcher Danielle Lawrie will lead Washington into the best-of-three championship series against top-seeded Florida as both schools pursue their first NCAA softball title.
Third-seeded Washington (49-12) will be playing for the championship for the third time in school history and the first time since 1999.
Florida (63-3) is making only its second appearance at the World Series and made it to the championship round for the first time.
Lawrie outdueled Gators ace Stacey Nelson and threw a two-hit shutout as Washington beat Florida 1-0 in nine innings in the teams' only meeting this season in February.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Michael Vick leaves prison for home confinement
Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick left a federal prison in Leavenworth, Kansas, early Wednesday, according to his publicist and the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
Michael Vick, left, arrives at federal court with attorney Billy Martin in Richmond, Viriginia, in 2007.
He will serve the last two months of his 23-month sentence in home confinement in Virginia, his publicist Judy Smith said. He is a native of Newport News, Virginia.
Vick, 28, pleaded guilty in August 2007 to a federal charge of bankrolling a dogfighting operation at a home he owned in Virginia.
He will return to professional football as soon as September if reinstated by the NFL, according to the sports agent who negotiated Vick's 10-year, $140 million contract with the Falcons. Meanwhile, Vick's attorneys have said he will work at a Newport News construction firm following his release, and he has also agreed to participate in a documentary for $600,000.
Last month, a federal bankruptcy judge denied a Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan presented by Vick, urging him to offer the court another plan to emerge from bankruptcy. The plan called for Vick to come up with $750,000 to $1 million in cash to be paid to creditors, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Frank Santoro said, but added he saw no evidence Vick could come up with that much. Santoro suggested Vick's next plan not call for him to keep two houses and three cars, as did the rejected proposal.
In testimony, Vick acknowledged committing a "heinous" act and said he should have acted more maturely. He said he has been earning 12 cents an hour as an overnight janitor in prison. His Falcons salary, he said, was between $10 million and $12 million. He acknowledged failing to handle his money well.
Following his release, Vick plans to work with the Humane Society of the United States on anti-dogfighting campaigns following his release, Humane Society President Wayne Pacelle told CNN on Tuesday.
Vick will work on programs aimed at preventing youths from getting involved in dogfighting, and also on programs to assist young people who have already been involved in the blood sport.
Pacelle said the Humane Society was approached by Vick's representatives. He said he has traveled to Kansas twice to meet with the former quarterback, and during the second visit, the two discussed how Vick could use his sway over youths to discourage them from involvement in dogfighting, as well as help those who were apprehended in connection with it.
Details have not yet been hammered out, Pacelle said, but will be in the next couple of days.
More attention has been paid to dogfighting as a result of Vick's case, Pacelle said. The Humane Society, which offers rewards for tips involving dogfighting, has recently paid out $40,000 in five different cases, he said.
Michael Vick, left, arrives at federal court with attorney Billy Martin in Richmond, Viriginia, in 2007.
He will serve the last two months of his 23-month sentence in home confinement in Virginia, his publicist Judy Smith said. He is a native of Newport News, Virginia.
Vick, 28, pleaded guilty in August 2007 to a federal charge of bankrolling a dogfighting operation at a home he owned in Virginia.
He will return to professional football as soon as September if reinstated by the NFL, according to the sports agent who negotiated Vick's 10-year, $140 million contract with the Falcons. Meanwhile, Vick's attorneys have said he will work at a Newport News construction firm following his release, and he has also agreed to participate in a documentary for $600,000.
Last month, a federal bankruptcy judge denied a Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan presented by Vick, urging him to offer the court another plan to emerge from bankruptcy. The plan called for Vick to come up with $750,000 to $1 million in cash to be paid to creditors, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Frank Santoro said, but added he saw no evidence Vick could come up with that much. Santoro suggested Vick's next plan not call for him to keep two houses and three cars, as did the rejected proposal.
In testimony, Vick acknowledged committing a "heinous" act and said he should have acted more maturely. He said he has been earning 12 cents an hour as an overnight janitor in prison. His Falcons salary, he said, was between $10 million and $12 million. He acknowledged failing to handle his money well.
Following his release, Vick plans to work with the Humane Society of the United States on anti-dogfighting campaigns following his release, Humane Society President Wayne Pacelle told CNN on Tuesday.
Vick will work on programs aimed at preventing youths from getting involved in dogfighting, and also on programs to assist young people who have already been involved in the blood sport.
Pacelle said the Humane Society was approached by Vick's representatives. He said he has traveled to Kansas twice to meet with the former quarterback, and during the second visit, the two discussed how Vick could use his sway over youths to discourage them from involvement in dogfighting, as well as help those who were apprehended in connection with it.
Details have not yet been hammered out, Pacelle said, but will be in the next couple of days.
More attention has been paid to dogfighting as a result of Vick's case, Pacelle said. The Humane Society, which offers rewards for tips involving dogfighting, has recently paid out $40,000 in five different cases, he said.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Matt Vasgersian's MLB Network apology
By Kevin Allen
The MLB Network ran into its second Vasgersian-related hiccup Monday night after a scary moment that involved Rockies outfielder Brad Hawpe being taken off of the field in a neck brace.
Analyst Matt Vasgersian made an awkward attempt to inject humor into the situation by remarking that one of the field workers resembled Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb. Oops:
Last night, Vasgersian and the network took the gaffe in stride and made easy work of an apology that's generally getting a good reception from those who pay attention to these types of things.
What do you think? They definitely seemed to like it over at The Big Lead: "Apologies are often clunky and forced often; the delivery nervously strained. Wasn't the case here. This one seemed effortless, and the network didn't cut directly to commercial, as is sometimes the case in these situations."
The MLB Network ran into its second Vasgersian-related hiccup Monday night after a scary moment that involved Rockies outfielder Brad Hawpe being taken off of the field in a neck brace.
Analyst Matt Vasgersian made an awkward attempt to inject humor into the situation by remarking that one of the field workers resembled Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb. Oops:
Last night, Vasgersian and the network took the gaffe in stride and made easy work of an apology that's generally getting a good reception from those who pay attention to these types of things.
What do you think? They definitely seemed to like it over at The Big Lead: "Apologies are often clunky and forced often; the delivery nervously strained. Wasn't the case here. This one seemed effortless, and the network didn't cut directly to commercial, as is sometimes the case in these situations."
Monday, April 20, 2009
Detriot Lions new uniforms
By Bill Shea
THE NEW: The leaping lion mascot sports a fresh look, complete with teeth.
The Detroit Lions took another step in their franchise overhaul effort Monday when a new uniform and logo was unveiled to the public and media after months of speculation.
The biggest change is a more aggressive and defined “Bubbles” — the leaping lion mascot that’s adorned the team’s helmets since the early 1960s.
The classic Honolulu blue, white and black colors remain unchanged, the team said in a news release.
The uniforms themselves have tweaks to some stripes and piping, making the overall changes more of a clean-up than a drastic overhaul.
The new trademarked typeface is called “NFL Lions” and will replace the current “Lions” painted across the Ford Field end zones and just about everywhere else the team name appears.
The team held a press conference and unveiling at a Madison Heights Dunham’s Sports on Monday afternoon.
Dunham’s will be the exclusive retailer of the new logo merchandise for a time. Gear also will be available online at the official team and NFLShop.com sites.
THE OLD: The old Lions logo lacks some of the subtle changes unveiled today.
Photo credit: Detroit Lions
The Lions said in January that the team would deploy a plan to revitalize the franchise after becoming the first NFL team to lose every game in a 16-game season.
Word of the cosmetic changes has been floating for some time, and NFLShop.com accidentally displayed a toy truck with the new logo for a time, further fueling rumors and speculation.
However, the logo changes were in the works prior to the winless season. The NFL and team confirmed that any change for the 2009 season first had to be approved by the league headquarters in March 2008, with final approval in November 2008.
“We will consistently present the Lions as a first-class organization with a clear sense of mission and direction,” team President Tom Lewand said in the news release.
“We have made several significant changes this off-season in accordance with that commitment. The introduction of this new brand identity is another element of that process. Today is an exciting and historic day for this franchise.
“The new identity retains many important aspects of our history in terms of our primary mark and our colors. However, the evolution allows us to present our Lions brand and visual identity in new, versatile and distinctive ways. We stand firmly committed to improving the team on the field. That success is always the most determinative factor of any NFL brand.”
Poor Lions! Another tough decision to make
By DAVE GOLDBERG
The Detroit Lions didn't get to 0-16 by drafting wisely — think Charles Rogers, Joey Harrington, Mike Williams and the like.
Now they face a dilemma. Even if they make what's considered the "right" pick with the first selection in Saturday's draft, they could prolong their decade-long agony.
That's because having the No. 1 overall spot commits the Lions to guaranteeing more than $30 million to an unproven player. If it's potential franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford of Georgia, it's hardly a guarantee.
Stafford has all the tangibles: big, strong-armed, reasonably mobile. He worked out wonderfully at his pro day, the orchestrated party his university threw for scouts. Then he worked out wonderfully when the Lions had him in.
But his career at Georgia was a mild disappointment — he was so-so in some of his biggest games, making bad reads, throwing key interceptions and demonstrating that what you see in shorts isn't necessarily what you get when the game is played for real.
The Lions could play it safe by taking Baylor offensive tackle Jason Smith or Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry, and use Daunte Culpepper at QB. Smith could be this year's Jake Long, a solid left tackle with a dozen good years ahead of him. And Curry is likely to be a starting linebacker for 10-12 years even though he's not spectacular; he's never been used as a pass rusher, for example.
So Stafford is the likely choice: pass rushers, left tackles and, of course, QBs tend to be the most coveted players.
Yet the failure rate for first-round quarterbacks is still pretty high.
Basically, there are good years and bad years, 2004 being a good year with Eli Manning, Philip Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger, 2006 being not so good with Vince Young and Matt Leinart sitting on benches in Tennessee and Arizona. Even Jay Cutler, the third QB taken that year and by far the most successful on the field, has issues. Cutler got himself traded to Chicago after owner Pat Bowlen got tired of his non-responsiveness to messages.
Smith and Curry are safe picks. But Detroit gambles on ...
MATTHEW STAFFORD, QB, Georgia.
Just for fun, this first round includes seven players from a state that normally doesn't produce NFL players the way Florida, Texas and California do. (Answer at the bottom). For those who keep score and mock everybody's mocks, please note that these are for guessing purposes only. One trade or one unexpected pick and everything is thrown off.
2. ST. LOUIS: Orlando Pace was released. JASON SMITH, T, Baylor, is drafted. Easy transition. Or so the Rams hope.
3. KANSAS CITY: This should be simple. AARON CURRY, LB, Wake Forest, is the obvious choice. But he was an outside LB in college, so where does he fit in the 3-4 defense that Scott Pioli and Todd Haley, the new GM and coach, plan to install? Probably inside between newly obtained veterans Mike Vrabel and Zach Thomas. He could drop if the Chiefs go for someone like offensive tackle Eugene Monroe.
4. SEATTLE: Matt Hasselbeck has a bad back. MATT SANCHEZ, QB, Southern Cal, might not be ready yet, but he fits Seattle's West Coast offense and may have a higher upside than Stafford.
5. CLEVELAND: The Browns are trying to trade Braylon Edwards. MICHAEL CRABTREE, WR, Texas Tech, is insurance, although he's recovering from a stress fracture in his foot.
6. CINCINNATI: The Bengals used to be able to score. Even with Carson Palmer back, they need help up front. EUGENE MONROE, OT, Virginia.
7. OAKLAND: The draft is now a three-month process, which is why ANDRE SMITH, OT, Alabama, can fall from a top five pick to the bottom of the round, then rise again.
8. JACKSONVILLE: What the Jags need are wide receivers. Even if they sign Torry Holt, they take JEREMY MACLIN, WR, Missouri.
9. GREEN BAY: The Packers dropped last year because of defensive failures. Switching to the 3-4, they take a 330-plus pound nose tackle, B.J. RAJI, DT, Boston College.
10. SAN FRANCISCO: The 49ers' defense isn't bad. But Manny Lawson, a No. 1 three years ago, hasn't quite fit, so they clone him with BRIAN ORAKPO, DE/LB Texas.
11. BUFFALO: How do you complement T.O? By beefing up the defense. ROBERT AYERS, DE, Tennessee.
.
12. DENVER: Suddenly the Broncos are a team that needs a young QB, although Josh McDaniels may like Kyle Orton enough to consider this less than a major need. AARON MAYBIN, DE/LB, Penn State, for a defense that STILL needs all the help it can find.
13. WASHINGTON: The Redskins are old on the OL and slow on the DL, even with Albert Haynesworth. EVERETTE BROWN, DE/LB, Florida State, for some outside speed.
14. NEW ORLEANS: Reggie Bush will never be an every down back. BEANIE WELLS, RB, Ohio State, is from the Deuce McAllister mold.
15. HOUSTON: No premium pass rushers left to supplement Mario Williams. So take a cover man in VONTAE DAVIS, CB, Illinois.
16. SAN DIEGO: Lost Igor Olshansky to Dallas, replace him with TYSON JACKSON, DE, LSU.
17. NEW YORK JETS: The Jets need a quarterback and this is probably where Stafford deserves to go. But if you can't take a pitcher, get a catcher, PERCY HARVIN, WR, Florida.
18. DENVER: Josh McDaniels likes Orton, the QB he got from Chicago for Cutler. But JOSH FREEMAN, QB, Kansas State, has an upside that, in a couple years might make him this draft's best quarterback.
19. TAMPA BAY: BRIAN CUSHING, OLB, Southern California, is bigger, stronger and a bit slower than Derrick Brooks. He fits a rebuilding Bucs defense.
20. DETROIT: The Lions no longer have Shaun Rogers. PERIA JERRY, DT, Mississippi, may be as good. He certainly has a better attitude.
21. PHILADELPHIA: The Eagles need someone who can push the pile and take the load off Brian Westbrook. KNOWSHON Moreno, RB, Georgia, is a steal this low.
22. MINNESOTA: Even with Antonio Winfield, the secondary needs help. MALCOLM JENKINS, CB, Ohio State.
23. NEW ENGLAND: Bill Belichick likes his players versatile. CONNOR BARWIN, DE-LB-TE, Cincinnati, has been rising quickly and is the perfect replacement for Mike Vrabel, who played all three of those positions. Barwin also might last to No. 34, the pick the Patriots got for Matt Cassel.
24. ATLANTA: Keith Brooking and Michael Boley are gone, which provides a slot for CLAY MATTHEWS, LB, Southern California.
25. MIAMI: Relatively simple, assuming DARIUS HEYWARD-BEY, WR, Maryland, is still around.
26. BALTIMORE: Bart Scott went to the Jets with Rex Ryan. REY MAUALUGA, LB, Southern California, replaces him.
27. INDIANAPOLIS: BRANDON PETTIGREW, TE, Oklahoma State, is an old-fashioned type who can block and catch and allows Dallas Clark to do what he's been doing anyway — function as a wide receiver.
28. BUFFALO: Traded Jason Peters. His long-term replacement is MICHAEL OHER, T, Mississippi.
29. NEW YORK GIANTS: The Giants have a lot of extra picks for an Edwards trade. If this choice doesn't go to Cleveland, LARRY ENGLISH, OLB, Northern Illinois, to solidify a position where they need a playmaker. Not enamored of local kid Kenny Britt, a WR from Rutgers, although Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina could fit here.
30. TENNESSEE: Did a lot last season with no deep threat. BRITT may take a year or two, but he has size and speed.
31. ARIZONA: DONALD BROWN, RB, Connecticut. Plenty of first-rounders from UConn in the NBA and WNBA but never before in the NFL. He's also the seventh first-rounder from the trivia state.
32. PITTSBURGH. ALEX MACK, C, Cal, is the quintessential Steelers pick.
Raji, Monroe, Cushing, Moreno, Jenkins, Britt and Brown all grew up in New Jersey.
THE NEW: The leaping lion mascot sports a fresh look, complete with teeth.
The Detroit Lions took another step in their franchise overhaul effort Monday when a new uniform and logo was unveiled to the public and media after months of speculation.
The biggest change is a more aggressive and defined “Bubbles” — the leaping lion mascot that’s adorned the team’s helmets since the early 1960s.
The classic Honolulu blue, white and black colors remain unchanged, the team said in a news release.
The uniforms themselves have tweaks to some stripes and piping, making the overall changes more of a clean-up than a drastic overhaul.
The new trademarked typeface is called “NFL Lions” and will replace the current “Lions” painted across the Ford Field end zones and just about everywhere else the team name appears.
The team held a press conference and unveiling at a Madison Heights Dunham’s Sports on Monday afternoon.
Dunham’s will be the exclusive retailer of the new logo merchandise for a time. Gear also will be available online at the official team and NFLShop.com sites.
THE OLD: The old Lions logo lacks some of the subtle changes unveiled today.
Photo credit: Detroit Lions
The Lions said in January that the team would deploy a plan to revitalize the franchise after becoming the first NFL team to lose every game in a 16-game season.
Word of the cosmetic changes has been floating for some time, and NFLShop.com accidentally displayed a toy truck with the new logo for a time, further fueling rumors and speculation.
However, the logo changes were in the works prior to the winless season. The NFL and team confirmed that any change for the 2009 season first had to be approved by the league headquarters in March 2008, with final approval in November 2008.
“We will consistently present the Lions as a first-class organization with a clear sense of mission and direction,” team President Tom Lewand said in the news release.
“We have made several significant changes this off-season in accordance with that commitment. The introduction of this new brand identity is another element of that process. Today is an exciting and historic day for this franchise.
“The new identity retains many important aspects of our history in terms of our primary mark and our colors. However, the evolution allows us to present our Lions brand and visual identity in new, versatile and distinctive ways. We stand firmly committed to improving the team on the field. That success is always the most determinative factor of any NFL brand.”
Poor Lions! Another tough decision to make
By DAVE GOLDBERG
The Detroit Lions didn't get to 0-16 by drafting wisely — think Charles Rogers, Joey Harrington, Mike Williams and the like.
Now they face a dilemma. Even if they make what's considered the "right" pick with the first selection in Saturday's draft, they could prolong their decade-long agony.
That's because having the No. 1 overall spot commits the Lions to guaranteeing more than $30 million to an unproven player. If it's potential franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford of Georgia, it's hardly a guarantee.
Stafford has all the tangibles: big, strong-armed, reasonably mobile. He worked out wonderfully at his pro day, the orchestrated party his university threw for scouts. Then he worked out wonderfully when the Lions had him in.
But his career at Georgia was a mild disappointment — he was so-so in some of his biggest games, making bad reads, throwing key interceptions and demonstrating that what you see in shorts isn't necessarily what you get when the game is played for real.
The Lions could play it safe by taking Baylor offensive tackle Jason Smith or Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry, and use Daunte Culpepper at QB. Smith could be this year's Jake Long, a solid left tackle with a dozen good years ahead of him. And Curry is likely to be a starting linebacker for 10-12 years even though he's not spectacular; he's never been used as a pass rusher, for example.
So Stafford is the likely choice: pass rushers, left tackles and, of course, QBs tend to be the most coveted players.
Yet the failure rate for first-round quarterbacks is still pretty high.
Basically, there are good years and bad years, 2004 being a good year with Eli Manning, Philip Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger, 2006 being not so good with Vince Young and Matt Leinart sitting on benches in Tennessee and Arizona. Even Jay Cutler, the third QB taken that year and by far the most successful on the field, has issues. Cutler got himself traded to Chicago after owner Pat Bowlen got tired of his non-responsiveness to messages.
Smith and Curry are safe picks. But Detroit gambles on ...
MATTHEW STAFFORD, QB, Georgia.
Just for fun, this first round includes seven players from a state that normally doesn't produce NFL players the way Florida, Texas and California do. (Answer at the bottom). For those who keep score and mock everybody's mocks, please note that these are for guessing purposes only. One trade or one unexpected pick and everything is thrown off.
2. ST. LOUIS: Orlando Pace was released. JASON SMITH, T, Baylor, is drafted. Easy transition. Or so the Rams hope.
3. KANSAS CITY: This should be simple. AARON CURRY, LB, Wake Forest, is the obvious choice. But he was an outside LB in college, so where does he fit in the 3-4 defense that Scott Pioli and Todd Haley, the new GM and coach, plan to install? Probably inside between newly obtained veterans Mike Vrabel and Zach Thomas. He could drop if the Chiefs go for someone like offensive tackle Eugene Monroe.
4. SEATTLE: Matt Hasselbeck has a bad back. MATT SANCHEZ, QB, Southern Cal, might not be ready yet, but he fits Seattle's West Coast offense and may have a higher upside than Stafford.
5. CLEVELAND: The Browns are trying to trade Braylon Edwards. MICHAEL CRABTREE, WR, Texas Tech, is insurance, although he's recovering from a stress fracture in his foot.
6. CINCINNATI: The Bengals used to be able to score. Even with Carson Palmer back, they need help up front. EUGENE MONROE, OT, Virginia.
7. OAKLAND: The draft is now a three-month process, which is why ANDRE SMITH, OT, Alabama, can fall from a top five pick to the bottom of the round, then rise again.
8. JACKSONVILLE: What the Jags need are wide receivers. Even if they sign Torry Holt, they take JEREMY MACLIN, WR, Missouri.
9. GREEN BAY: The Packers dropped last year because of defensive failures. Switching to the 3-4, they take a 330-plus pound nose tackle, B.J. RAJI, DT, Boston College.
10. SAN FRANCISCO: The 49ers' defense isn't bad. But Manny Lawson, a No. 1 three years ago, hasn't quite fit, so they clone him with BRIAN ORAKPO, DE/LB Texas.
11. BUFFALO: How do you complement T.O? By beefing up the defense. ROBERT AYERS, DE, Tennessee.
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12. DENVER: Suddenly the Broncos are a team that needs a young QB, although Josh McDaniels may like Kyle Orton enough to consider this less than a major need. AARON MAYBIN, DE/LB, Penn State, for a defense that STILL needs all the help it can find.
13. WASHINGTON: The Redskins are old on the OL and slow on the DL, even with Albert Haynesworth. EVERETTE BROWN, DE/LB, Florida State, for some outside speed.
14. NEW ORLEANS: Reggie Bush will never be an every down back. BEANIE WELLS, RB, Ohio State, is from the Deuce McAllister mold.
15. HOUSTON: No premium pass rushers left to supplement Mario Williams. So take a cover man in VONTAE DAVIS, CB, Illinois.
16. SAN DIEGO: Lost Igor Olshansky to Dallas, replace him with TYSON JACKSON, DE, LSU.
17. NEW YORK JETS: The Jets need a quarterback and this is probably where Stafford deserves to go. But if you can't take a pitcher, get a catcher, PERCY HARVIN, WR, Florida.
18. DENVER: Josh McDaniels likes Orton, the QB he got from Chicago for Cutler. But JOSH FREEMAN, QB, Kansas State, has an upside that, in a couple years might make him this draft's best quarterback.
19. TAMPA BAY: BRIAN CUSHING, OLB, Southern California, is bigger, stronger and a bit slower than Derrick Brooks. He fits a rebuilding Bucs defense.
20. DETROIT: The Lions no longer have Shaun Rogers. PERIA JERRY, DT, Mississippi, may be as good. He certainly has a better attitude.
21. PHILADELPHIA: The Eagles need someone who can push the pile and take the load off Brian Westbrook. KNOWSHON Moreno, RB, Georgia, is a steal this low.
22. MINNESOTA: Even with Antonio Winfield, the secondary needs help. MALCOLM JENKINS, CB, Ohio State.
23. NEW ENGLAND: Bill Belichick likes his players versatile. CONNOR BARWIN, DE-LB-TE, Cincinnati, has been rising quickly and is the perfect replacement for Mike Vrabel, who played all three of those positions. Barwin also might last to No. 34, the pick the Patriots got for Matt Cassel.
24. ATLANTA: Keith Brooking and Michael Boley are gone, which provides a slot for CLAY MATTHEWS, LB, Southern California.
25. MIAMI: Relatively simple, assuming DARIUS HEYWARD-BEY, WR, Maryland, is still around.
26. BALTIMORE: Bart Scott went to the Jets with Rex Ryan. REY MAUALUGA, LB, Southern California, replaces him.
27. INDIANAPOLIS: BRANDON PETTIGREW, TE, Oklahoma State, is an old-fashioned type who can block and catch and allows Dallas Clark to do what he's been doing anyway — function as a wide receiver.
28. BUFFALO: Traded Jason Peters. His long-term replacement is MICHAEL OHER, T, Mississippi.
29. NEW YORK GIANTS: The Giants have a lot of extra picks for an Edwards trade. If this choice doesn't go to Cleveland, LARRY ENGLISH, OLB, Northern Illinois, to solidify a position where they need a playmaker. Not enamored of local kid Kenny Britt, a WR from Rutgers, although Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina could fit here.
30. TENNESSEE: Did a lot last season with no deep threat. BRITT may take a year or two, but he has size and speed.
31. ARIZONA: DONALD BROWN, RB, Connecticut. Plenty of first-rounders from UConn in the NBA and WNBA but never before in the NFL. He's also the seventh first-rounder from the trivia state.
32. PITTSBURGH. ALEX MACK, C, Cal, is the quintessential Steelers pick.
Raji, Monroe, Cushing, Moreno, Jenkins, Britt and Brown all grew up in New Jersey.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Women's pro soccer back for more
WPS giving women’s pro soccer another shot at the spotlight
By Ryan Wood
All boys who play sports growing up find their role models through professional sports. They admire professional athletes, hoping to one day join the ranks of Major League Baseball or become a pro football, basketball, hockey, or soccer player.
Girls never really had that chance. The Women’s United Soccer Association suspended play in 2003 after the league collapsed when expenses far outweighed revenue.
Before the WUSA, which ran from 2001 through 2003, and from then until now, the only chance that girls had to play at a high level after college was to tryout for Team USA. Dreams of becoming a professional soccer player dwindled. But now there’s a resurgence with Women’s Professional Soccer, a league that will feature the world’s top soccer players.
“It’s great for any profession, whether it’s a sports profession, business profession, for young girls to see women doing things that they want to,” said Kristine Lilly, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and member of two U.S. women’s teams that won the World Cup. “Because if you don’t see that, you tend to not think it’s possible. So now that we have women’s professional soccer back, these young girls can say, ‘You know what, maybe I’ll do that one day.’ So they have that goal. They have that vision to do something. I think that’s so important. Guys have that dream. They want to be in the NBA, they want to play professional baseball. Even though the majority of them won’t make it, they can see that and want that.”
Lilly is a member of the Boston Breakers, who will play their home games at Harvard Stadium. The Breakers look to add to the lore of Boston sports, Lilly said. A midfielder/forward has the a ton of experience, Lilly is the most capped U.S. soccer player (male and female) with 340 appearances.
“It’s great to have women’s soccer back because we need a women’s sports team in Boston,” Lilly said. “We’re hoping to continue the tradition that the Boston teams have had so far and bring a championship here to Boston.”
Breakers head coach Tony DiCicco has coached at the highest level and is the most successful U.S. national team coach. The former U.S. Women’s National Team Head Coach, who led the U.S. to the 1996 Olympic gold medal and the 1999 World Cup victory, brings an unheralded 103-8-8 record to Boston.
“Boston’s a great sports city, and we want to be part of the success every year Boston enjoys with their sports,” DiCicco said. “There’s a lot of talent in the league. I think we have players that can light it up. Have we shown that, yes, but we’re a little inconsistent, and we need to get our attack to the next stage. But we have a lot of players who have been in big arenas and big matches before.”
Locally, high school and college players and coaches are buzzing. The girls know they have something to aim for after college. They have the opportunity to fill one of more than 100 roster spots throughout the league rather than fighting for one of roughly two dozen spots on the U.S. national team.
“I think it’s awesome,” said two-time Atlantic Coast League all-star midfielder and Plymouth North High School senior Tiffany Aguiar. “I used to go to the games all the time. I’m really glad it’s coming back. Soccer being my main sport, I’ve always wanted to play. I think it’s awesome that it gives an opportunity to play after college. You can look forward to playing in college. The more opportunities for females is even better.”
That sentiment echoed throughout Monday’s Boston Breakers press conference at Harvard’s Murr Center. After DiCicco presented the team, each player talked one-on-one to the media about the Breakers, the WPS, and the opportunities that the league gives to younger female athletes.
“Kids coming out of college, they have something to look forward to,” said two-time Olympic gold medalist Heather Mitts. “I’m able to do something that I love for a living. For me, I only had male role models growing up. I think that it would’ve been a lot better and productive for me growing up if I had a female, and I think that’s why we take advantage of the role that we’re in now because we know how rare it is and how special it is.”
Peabody’s Ashley Phillips, a keeper who finished her career at Clemson University as the team’s all-time career saves leader (326), agreed with Mitts and Lilly.
“The WUSA came out when I was in middle school, so that was cool, but then when it collapsed, I was going to college, (thinking), ‘Well, what am I going to do after college?’ Our only hopes were the national team, which is only 24 people,” Phillips said. “Your chances are pretty slim there. Hopefully (the WPS) gives younger kids something to look forward to, especially girls in high school who are going off to college.”
And that’s exactly what Carver High School head girls soccer coach Jason Tassinari hopes. Tassinari, who coached Emerson College’s women’s soccer team from 2004-2007, looks forward to the start of the Breakers season.
“I’m very, very excited,” said Tassinari. “It’s giving girls female role models within their sport, which I think is important. “We’re a sports town. Soccer is big here. Having a professional team in your own backyard is so important. And the women’s game is tremendously exciting to watch.
The Breakers open their season this Saturday (April 5) in California against FC Gold Pride, a team featuring 1999 World Cup champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brandi Chastain, as well as 2008 Olympic gold medalists Nicole Barnhart and Rachel Buehler. Boston plays its home opener Saturday, April 11, at 7 p.m. at Harvard Stadium against St. Louis Athletica, a team that features Team USA keeper Hope Solo and defender Kia McNeill, who played from 2004 through 2007 at Boston College, and earned Big East Rookie of the Year honors in 2004.
Speaking of Boston College, the Breakers recently scrimmaged the Eagles. Current Eagle and former Braintree High School star and two-time All-America selection Amy Caldwell said the game against the Breakers was “an eye-opening experience.”
“It’s probably the highest level I’ve played in a while. I was impressed,” Caldwell said. “I was definitely nervous, especially with Kristine Lilly out on the field, but once the game got going, you forget about who you’re going against.”
Caldwell, who registered 112 goals and 58 assists and helped Braintree win two state titles during her four-year high school career, said she likes that soccer doesn’t have to end in college.
“It’s definitely exciting and just something else to be playing for,” said Caldwell, who earned New England Women’s Intercollegiate Soccer Association first-team honors. She scored three goals to go along with 12 assists. “I would say the speed of play was the biggest difference (comparing college soccer to the professional level). Everything is played so fast. After playing them we worked on switching our point of attack.”
Duxbury High School Head Coach Emerson Coleman, who led the Lady Dragons to the Division 2 state title in the fall, said the WPS provides an opportunity for high school and college players to learn what it takes to play at such a high level.
“Now they have a chance to watch the game at an elite level and support them,” Coleman said. “I think it’s great for women’s athletics and to have it locally. There’s a chance that it’s not the end of their dream. It’s like the WNBA. Before that, there was no place (for female basketball players) to chase their dream. I think it’s wonderful, and I hope they do a good job managing it.”
Mitts has confidence that the league will survive this time around. According to women on the Breakers, the former league was owned by one entity, whereas now, each team has an individual owner. Add the level of talent that each team has - the Breakers’ roster also includes Angela Hucles (midfielder) and Amy Rodriguez (forward), who played for the U.S. team that won gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Hucles, along with Lilly played for Breakers during WUSA campaign.
“We know how great we can be, and I think it’s a matter of gelling, it’s a matter of accepting a new philosophy and going with it,” Mitts said. “It’s just a matter of the players that have been asked to come over here, the international players, the national team players, so we can be the best team in the league.”
Each WPS team is allowed to have five international players. The largest contingent in the league comes from Brazil, including Brazilian superstar Marta. The Breakers have the female version of David Beckham in Kelly Smith, who played for the Arsenal Ladies in the English Women’s Premier League and has served as a member of England’s national team for the past 14 years.
“There are some of the best female players from all around the world to teach us their style of play so that we can continue to evolve our game. Obviously when I’m practicing against Kelly Smith, and when I’m practicing against these players they’re going to make me a better player. It just helps to make us better overall,” Mitts said. “You look at the success the U.S. team has had, and I think that all countries try to emulate that. Our style of play is a little bit different than (it is) internationally. So we can bring the best international players over here so that they can teach us something, and we can teach them something as well. I love it. I think that it’s so important for us to have them over here.”
Will the international players gel with the U.S. national team players and some of the best college soccer players this country has to offer? Will the Breakers become part of Boston’s storied sports history and bring a championship to the city?
“There’s going to be a lot of talent on every team, and I know that we really look good on paper, said Rodriguez, the league’s number one draft pick, who’s nicknamed A-Rod. “But it’s how it all comes together on the field.”
By Ryan Wood
All boys who play sports growing up find their role models through professional sports. They admire professional athletes, hoping to one day join the ranks of Major League Baseball or become a pro football, basketball, hockey, or soccer player.
Girls never really had that chance. The Women’s United Soccer Association suspended play in 2003 after the league collapsed when expenses far outweighed revenue.
Before the WUSA, which ran from 2001 through 2003, and from then until now, the only chance that girls had to play at a high level after college was to tryout for Team USA. Dreams of becoming a professional soccer player dwindled. But now there’s a resurgence with Women’s Professional Soccer, a league that will feature the world’s top soccer players.
“It’s great for any profession, whether it’s a sports profession, business profession, for young girls to see women doing things that they want to,” said Kristine Lilly, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and member of two U.S. women’s teams that won the World Cup. “Because if you don’t see that, you tend to not think it’s possible. So now that we have women’s professional soccer back, these young girls can say, ‘You know what, maybe I’ll do that one day.’ So they have that goal. They have that vision to do something. I think that’s so important. Guys have that dream. They want to be in the NBA, they want to play professional baseball. Even though the majority of them won’t make it, they can see that and want that.”
Lilly is a member of the Boston Breakers, who will play their home games at Harvard Stadium. The Breakers look to add to the lore of Boston sports, Lilly said. A midfielder/forward has the a ton of experience, Lilly is the most capped U.S. soccer player (male and female) with 340 appearances.
“It’s great to have women’s soccer back because we need a women’s sports team in Boston,” Lilly said. “We’re hoping to continue the tradition that the Boston teams have had so far and bring a championship here to Boston.”
Breakers head coach Tony DiCicco has coached at the highest level and is the most successful U.S. national team coach. The former U.S. Women’s National Team Head Coach, who led the U.S. to the 1996 Olympic gold medal and the 1999 World Cup victory, brings an unheralded 103-8-8 record to Boston.
“Boston’s a great sports city, and we want to be part of the success every year Boston enjoys with their sports,” DiCicco said. “There’s a lot of talent in the league. I think we have players that can light it up. Have we shown that, yes, but we’re a little inconsistent, and we need to get our attack to the next stage. But we have a lot of players who have been in big arenas and big matches before.”
Locally, high school and college players and coaches are buzzing. The girls know they have something to aim for after college. They have the opportunity to fill one of more than 100 roster spots throughout the league rather than fighting for one of roughly two dozen spots on the U.S. national team.
“I think it’s awesome,” said two-time Atlantic Coast League all-star midfielder and Plymouth North High School senior Tiffany Aguiar. “I used to go to the games all the time. I’m really glad it’s coming back. Soccer being my main sport, I’ve always wanted to play. I think it’s awesome that it gives an opportunity to play after college. You can look forward to playing in college. The more opportunities for females is even better.”
That sentiment echoed throughout Monday’s Boston Breakers press conference at Harvard’s Murr Center. After DiCicco presented the team, each player talked one-on-one to the media about the Breakers, the WPS, and the opportunities that the league gives to younger female athletes.
“Kids coming out of college, they have something to look forward to,” said two-time Olympic gold medalist Heather Mitts. “I’m able to do something that I love for a living. For me, I only had male role models growing up. I think that it would’ve been a lot better and productive for me growing up if I had a female, and I think that’s why we take advantage of the role that we’re in now because we know how rare it is and how special it is.”
Peabody’s Ashley Phillips, a keeper who finished her career at Clemson University as the team’s all-time career saves leader (326), agreed with Mitts and Lilly.
“The WUSA came out when I was in middle school, so that was cool, but then when it collapsed, I was going to college, (thinking), ‘Well, what am I going to do after college?’ Our only hopes were the national team, which is only 24 people,” Phillips said. “Your chances are pretty slim there. Hopefully (the WPS) gives younger kids something to look forward to, especially girls in high school who are going off to college.”
And that’s exactly what Carver High School head girls soccer coach Jason Tassinari hopes. Tassinari, who coached Emerson College’s women’s soccer team from 2004-2007, looks forward to the start of the Breakers season.
“I’m very, very excited,” said Tassinari. “It’s giving girls female role models within their sport, which I think is important. “We’re a sports town. Soccer is big here. Having a professional team in your own backyard is so important. And the women’s game is tremendously exciting to watch.
The Breakers open their season this Saturday (April 5) in California against FC Gold Pride, a team featuring 1999 World Cup champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brandi Chastain, as well as 2008 Olympic gold medalists Nicole Barnhart and Rachel Buehler. Boston plays its home opener Saturday, April 11, at 7 p.m. at Harvard Stadium against St. Louis Athletica, a team that features Team USA keeper Hope Solo and defender Kia McNeill, who played from 2004 through 2007 at Boston College, and earned Big East Rookie of the Year honors in 2004.
Speaking of Boston College, the Breakers recently scrimmaged the Eagles. Current Eagle and former Braintree High School star and two-time All-America selection Amy Caldwell said the game against the Breakers was “an eye-opening experience.”
“It’s probably the highest level I’ve played in a while. I was impressed,” Caldwell said. “I was definitely nervous, especially with Kristine Lilly out on the field, but once the game got going, you forget about who you’re going against.”
Caldwell, who registered 112 goals and 58 assists and helped Braintree win two state titles during her four-year high school career, said she likes that soccer doesn’t have to end in college.
“It’s definitely exciting and just something else to be playing for,” said Caldwell, who earned New England Women’s Intercollegiate Soccer Association first-team honors. She scored three goals to go along with 12 assists. “I would say the speed of play was the biggest difference (comparing college soccer to the professional level). Everything is played so fast. After playing them we worked on switching our point of attack.”
Duxbury High School Head Coach Emerson Coleman, who led the Lady Dragons to the Division 2 state title in the fall, said the WPS provides an opportunity for high school and college players to learn what it takes to play at such a high level.
“Now they have a chance to watch the game at an elite level and support them,” Coleman said. “I think it’s great for women’s athletics and to have it locally. There’s a chance that it’s not the end of their dream. It’s like the WNBA. Before that, there was no place (for female basketball players) to chase their dream. I think it’s wonderful, and I hope they do a good job managing it.”
Mitts has confidence that the league will survive this time around. According to women on the Breakers, the former league was owned by one entity, whereas now, each team has an individual owner. Add the level of talent that each team has - the Breakers’ roster also includes Angela Hucles (midfielder) and Amy Rodriguez (forward), who played for the U.S. team that won gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Hucles, along with Lilly played for Breakers during WUSA campaign.
“We know how great we can be, and I think it’s a matter of gelling, it’s a matter of accepting a new philosophy and going with it,” Mitts said. “It’s just a matter of the players that have been asked to come over here, the international players, the national team players, so we can be the best team in the league.”
Each WPS team is allowed to have five international players. The largest contingent in the league comes from Brazil, including Brazilian superstar Marta. The Breakers have the female version of David Beckham in Kelly Smith, who played for the Arsenal Ladies in the English Women’s Premier League and has served as a member of England’s national team for the past 14 years.
“There are some of the best female players from all around the world to teach us their style of play so that we can continue to evolve our game. Obviously when I’m practicing against Kelly Smith, and when I’m practicing against these players they’re going to make me a better player. It just helps to make us better overall,” Mitts said. “You look at the success the U.S. team has had, and I think that all countries try to emulate that. Our style of play is a little bit different than (it is) internationally. So we can bring the best international players over here so that they can teach us something, and we can teach them something as well. I love it. I think that it’s so important for us to have them over here.”
Will the international players gel with the U.S. national team players and some of the best college soccer players this country has to offer? Will the Breakers become part of Boston’s storied sports history and bring a championship to the city?
“There’s going to be a lot of talent on every team, and I know that we really look good on paper, said Rodriguez, the league’s number one draft pick, who’s nicknamed A-Rod. “But it’s how it all comes together on the field.”
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
The Calipari Era Begins At UK
LEXINGTON, KY - John Calipari says he is "humbled and excited" to lead such a "storied program" during his first press conference as Kentucky's basketball coach.
Calipari was introduced Wednesday after the Kentucky athletics board approved an eight-year, $31.65 million contract that will make Calipari the highest paid coach in the nation. Athletic director Mitch Barnhart said Wednesday that the university paid a premium price, but that Calipari "can flat out coach."
"I'm a regular guy, folks," Calipari said. "I do not walk on water; I do not have a magic wand."
The 50-year-old Calipari agreed to terms on Tuesday night to take over college basketball's winningest program. Calipari is 445-140 in 17 seasons, leading both Memphis and Massachusetts to the Final Four.
LEXINGTON - The Calipari era will officially start Wednesday at the University of Kentucky.
The school reached an eight-year deal worth $35 million with Calipari to be the Wildcat's new men's basketball coach. The contract makes him the highest paid college coach in the country.
A press conference has been scheduled for 8:30 a.m. CDT Wednesday to officially introduce Calipari, and you can see it right here on news25.us.
Our Sports team is in Lexington and will have complete coverage tonight on NEWS 25.
Calipari was introduced Wednesday after the Kentucky athletics board approved an eight-year, $31.65 million contract that will make Calipari the highest paid coach in the nation. Athletic director Mitch Barnhart said Wednesday that the university paid a premium price, but that Calipari "can flat out coach."
"I'm a regular guy, folks," Calipari said. "I do not walk on water; I do not have a magic wand."
The 50-year-old Calipari agreed to terms on Tuesday night to take over college basketball's winningest program. Calipari is 445-140 in 17 seasons, leading both Memphis and Massachusetts to the Final Four.
LEXINGTON - The Calipari era will officially start Wednesday at the University of Kentucky.
The school reached an eight-year deal worth $35 million with Calipari to be the Wildcat's new men's basketball coach. The contract makes him the highest paid college coach in the country.
A press conference has been scheduled for 8:30 a.m. CDT Wednesday to officially introduce Calipari, and you can see it right here on news25.us.
Our Sports team is in Lexington and will have complete coverage tonight on NEWS 25.
Len Berman to leave WNBC after long, successful run
By Neil Best
Here is my newspaper article about Len Berman's coming departure from WNBC-TV after 24 years.
Berman is the latest casualty of the cost-cutting that has hit local TV news in general, and Ch. 4 in particular, with sports departments always a popular target.
Then again, "casualty" might not be the right word, given how upbeat Berman sounded about the whole thing when I spoke to him Tuesday night.
The man had a heck of a run. I'm so old, though, that to me he still seems like the new guy who just replaced Marv Albert on the Ch. 4 news.
Now it's time for the channel to do the right - and no-brainer - thing and make Bruce Beck its lead sports anchor officially.
Then again, he's the only sports personality left, so perhaps it's an obvious move.
Here is my newspaper article about Len Berman's coming departure from WNBC-TV after 24 years.
Berman is the latest casualty of the cost-cutting that has hit local TV news in general, and Ch. 4 in particular, with sports departments always a popular target.
Then again, "casualty" might not be the right word, given how upbeat Berman sounded about the whole thing when I spoke to him Tuesday night.
The man had a heck of a run. I'm so old, though, that to me he still seems like the new guy who just replaced Marv Albert on the Ch. 4 news.
Now it's time for the channel to do the right - and no-brainer - thing and make Bruce Beck its lead sports anchor officially.
Then again, he's the only sports personality left, so perhaps it's an obvious move.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Memphis signee Xavier Henry reconsidering college choice
Putnam City High School’s Xavier Henry is one of the top basketball recruits in the country, and it appears he will be looking for a college.
Henry signed with Memphis in November, but according to multiple media reports, he will reopen his recruitment now that coach John Calipari has left the school to become the new head coach at Kentucky.
Henry is a 6-foot-6 guard who averaged 28.3 points per game and led his team to the Class 6A state championship this season. He’s a McDonald’s All-American and is widely regarded as one of the top 10 recruits in the country.
According to several reports, Henry said that he and Memphis had an agreement: If Calipari left, Henry would not be bound by his letter of intent with the school.
In an interview today with draftexpress.com and posted on YouTube, Henry said he wasn’t sure what Calipari would decide to do. But “if he goes (to Kentucky), me and my family have some talking to do.”
It’s possible that Kansas could be a frontrunner in the new recruiting race for Henry. During his recruiting process, Henry had Kansas high on his list.
Henry’s father, Carl, played at KU in the early 1980s. Xavier Henry’s brother, C.J., was a Kansas recruit before pursuing a professional baseball career. C.J. Henry has since returned to basketball, where he redshirted for Memphis this season.
Henry signed with Memphis in November, but according to multiple media reports, he will reopen his recruitment now that coach John Calipari has left the school to become the new head coach at Kentucky.
Henry is a 6-foot-6 guard who averaged 28.3 points per game and led his team to the Class 6A state championship this season. He’s a McDonald’s All-American and is widely regarded as one of the top 10 recruits in the country.
According to several reports, Henry said that he and Memphis had an agreement: If Calipari left, Henry would not be bound by his letter of intent with the school.
In an interview today with draftexpress.com and posted on YouTube, Henry said he wasn’t sure what Calipari would decide to do. But “if he goes (to Kentucky), me and my family have some talking to do.”
It’s possible that Kansas could be a frontrunner in the new recruiting race for Henry. During his recruiting process, Henry had Kansas high on his list.
Henry’s father, Carl, played at KU in the early 1980s. Xavier Henry’s brother, C.J., was a Kansas recruit before pursuing a professional baseball career. C.J. Henry has since returned to basketball, where he redshirted for Memphis this season.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Report: UConn Violated Recruiting Contact Rules
University of Connecticut men’s basketball coaches broke N.C.A.A. contact rules in the recruiting of Nate Miles, a former player, according to a report by Yahoo Sports on Wednesday. The article drew on cellphone records to detail contact among Miles, UConn coaches and a former student manager.
Yahoo cited multiple sources in establishing a relationship between Miles and Josh Nochimson, who became an agent after his years as a UConn student manager. By N.C.A.A. rules, Yahoo reported, Nochimson would be a representative of the college’s athletic interests. Therefore, providing Miles with lodging, transportation and meals, which the report alleges, would be a serious violation.
UConn officials declined to comment for the Yahoo article.
The controversy surrounds Miles, a 6-foot-7 swingman from Toledo, Ohio, who signed with UConn in 2007 and was expelled as a freshman in 2008 when he violated a restraining order obtained against him by a female student. (Miles played this season at the College of Southern Idaho, a junior college.)
N.C.A.A. rules limit contact to one phone call a month to recruits (or their family or associates) still in their junior year of high school, but Yahoo reported a stream of communications with Nochimson and significant phone calls and texts to Miles himself. Tom Moore, a former UConn assistant coach, was reported to have made 27 calls to Miles’s guardian and a man Miles called his uncle as well as three calls to Miles in December 2006 alone.
The Yahoo article, by Adrian Wojnarowski and Dan Wetzel, includes cellphone records obtained by a Freedom of Information Act request.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Lance Armstrong in hospital after race crash
It will be interesting to see what this does for his comeback. I am sure Armstrong should be fine after his fall.
(CNN) -- American cyclist Lance Armstrong, the only man to win the Tour de France seven times, crashed on the first stage of a five-day race in Spain on Monday and was taken to a hospital by ambulance.
American Armstrong was competing in Spain to regain full race fitness after coming out of retirement.
Armstrong announced in September last year that he would be returning to the saddle after a three-year break.
The 37-year-old won the Tour, considered the premiere bike race in the world, a record seven times from 1999-2005.
Armstrong launched his comeback in January when he raced in the Tour Down Under in Australia, finishing 29th.
He then played a key supporting role as Astana teammate Levi Leipheimer won the Tour of California title in February.
He was riding in this week's Castilla and Leon race to conti
(CNN) -- American cyclist Lance Armstrong, the only man to win the Tour de France seven times, crashed on the first stage of a five-day race in Spain on Monday and was taken to a hospital by ambulance.
American Armstrong was competing in Spain to regain full race fitness after coming out of retirement.
Armstrong announced in September last year that he would be returning to the saddle after a three-year break.
The 37-year-old won the Tour, considered the premiere bike race in the world, a record seven times from 1999-2005.
Armstrong launched his comeback in January when he raced in the Tour Down Under in Australia, finishing 29th.
He then played a key supporting role as Astana teammate Levi Leipheimer won the Tour of California title in February.
He was riding in this week's Castilla and Leon race to conti
Top 3 seeds in each NCAA bracket all advance - Sweet 16 Bracket
Well my favorite teams are out of the tourney, but my bracket at least is mostly in tact. The #1 seeds haven't had much trouble lately disposing of teams with ease, except for a little scare from Texas.
The top three seeds in each bracket in the NCAA have all advanced to the Sweet 16. And the Sweet 16 includes five Big East schools. The Sweet 16 lineup looks like this: In the East, top-seed Pittsburgh plays fourth-seed Xavier and second-seed Duke is against three-seed Villanova. In the South, top-seed North Carolina takes on fourth-seed Gonzaga and second-seed Oklahoma plays three-seed Syracuse. In the West, it's top-seed Connecticut against fifth-seed Purdue and second-seed Memphis against third-seed Missouri. In the Midwest, top-seed Louisville plays 12th-seed Arizona and second-seed Michigan State is against third-seed Kansas.
Tiny Siena was leading top-seed Louisville by six with seven minutes left in that David vs. Goliath Midwest Regional second-round game. Then Louisville forward Terrence Williams took over and wouldn't let the Cardinals lose. Williams finished with 24 points and 15 rebounds as the top-seeded Cardinals reached the Round of 16 for the second straight year with a 79-72 win over Siena. The senior forward had nine points, five rebounds, a steal and two passes for layups down the stretch.
The top-seeded Pitt Panthers had another close call before pulling out an 84-78 triumph over Oklahoma State to reach the East Regional semifinal. Sam Young poured in 32 points and had seven rebounds for the Panthers, who were tied at 74 with 2:42 left before closing on a 10-2 run.
Pittsburgh next faces Xavier, which put together a 13-4 run late in the second half to beat Wisconsin 60-49. B.J. Raymond scored 15 points and the Musketeers held the Badgers to 29 percent shooting, including 3-for-20 from three-point range.
Syracuse reached the round of 16 with a 78-67 win over Arizona State in the South Regional. Eric Devendorf scored 21 points and Andy Rautins added 17 to lead the Orange. Devendorf drained a pair of three-pointers after the Sun Devils trimmed a 15-point, second-half deficit to 61-57. Syracuse plays Oklahoma next.
Kansas is four wins from its second straight NCAA championship following a 60-43 win against Dayton at Minneapolis to reach the Midwest Regional semifinals. Cole Aldrich posted the sixth triple-double in tourney history, finishing with 13 points, 20 rebounds and 10 blocks. Sherron Collins had 25 points.
Michigan State's Travis Walton, the Big Ten defensive player of the year, scored a career-high 18 points to lift the second-seeded Spartans to a 74-69 victory over 10th-seeded Southern California. That puts Tom Izzo's club in the round of 16 for the eighth time in 12 years.
No. 12 Arizona is the lone double-digit seed left standing after the Wildcats knocked out No. 13 Cleveland State 71-57 in the Midwest Regionals at Miami. Arizona had four players with at least 15 points, led by Nic Wise's 21. Jordan Hill added 16 points and nine rebounds for the Wildcats, who entered the tournament with just one victory in their previous six games.
Missouri freshman Kim English came off the bench with 5.5 seconds left and made two free throws for the hurting J.T. Tiller to lift the Tigers to an 83-79 victory over Marquette in the West Regional. English, who scored 15 of his 17 points during an amazing four and a half minute stretch in the first half.
The top three seeds in each bracket in the NCAA have all advanced to the Sweet 16. And the Sweet 16 includes five Big East schools. The Sweet 16 lineup looks like this: In the East, top-seed Pittsburgh plays fourth-seed Xavier and second-seed Duke is against three-seed Villanova. In the South, top-seed North Carolina takes on fourth-seed Gonzaga and second-seed Oklahoma plays three-seed Syracuse. In the West, it's top-seed Connecticut against fifth-seed Purdue and second-seed Memphis against third-seed Missouri. In the Midwest, top-seed Louisville plays 12th-seed Arizona and second-seed Michigan State is against third-seed Kansas.
Tiny Siena was leading top-seed Louisville by six with seven minutes left in that David vs. Goliath Midwest Regional second-round game. Then Louisville forward Terrence Williams took over and wouldn't let the Cardinals lose. Williams finished with 24 points and 15 rebounds as the top-seeded Cardinals reached the Round of 16 for the second straight year with a 79-72 win over Siena. The senior forward had nine points, five rebounds, a steal and two passes for layups down the stretch.
The top-seeded Pitt Panthers had another close call before pulling out an 84-78 triumph over Oklahoma State to reach the East Regional semifinal. Sam Young poured in 32 points and had seven rebounds for the Panthers, who were tied at 74 with 2:42 left before closing on a 10-2 run.
Pittsburgh next faces Xavier, which put together a 13-4 run late in the second half to beat Wisconsin 60-49. B.J. Raymond scored 15 points and the Musketeers held the Badgers to 29 percent shooting, including 3-for-20 from three-point range.
Syracuse reached the round of 16 with a 78-67 win over Arizona State in the South Regional. Eric Devendorf scored 21 points and Andy Rautins added 17 to lead the Orange. Devendorf drained a pair of three-pointers after the Sun Devils trimmed a 15-point, second-half deficit to 61-57. Syracuse plays Oklahoma next.
Kansas is four wins from its second straight NCAA championship following a 60-43 win against Dayton at Minneapolis to reach the Midwest Regional semifinals. Cole Aldrich posted the sixth triple-double in tourney history, finishing with 13 points, 20 rebounds and 10 blocks. Sherron Collins had 25 points.
Michigan State's Travis Walton, the Big Ten defensive player of the year, scored a career-high 18 points to lift the second-seeded Spartans to a 74-69 victory over 10th-seeded Southern California. That puts Tom Izzo's club in the round of 16 for the eighth time in 12 years.
No. 12 Arizona is the lone double-digit seed left standing after the Wildcats knocked out No. 13 Cleveland State 71-57 in the Midwest Regionals at Miami. Arizona had four players with at least 15 points, led by Nic Wise's 21. Jordan Hill added 16 points and nine rebounds for the Wildcats, who entered the tournament with just one victory in their previous six games.
Missouri freshman Kim English came off the bench with 5.5 seconds left and made two free throws for the hurting J.T. Tiller to lift the Tigers to an 83-79 victory over Marquette in the West Regional. English, who scored 15 of his 17 points during an amazing four and a half minute stretch in the first half.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Missing NFL players boat is found, Man clinging to it
Corey Smith, left, and Marquis Cooper are two of the men missing, officials said.
BREAKING UPDATE:
The Coast Guard has found an overturned boat with one person clinging to it. It's unknown if it's the vessel of four missing boaters.
The Coast Guard vessel, Tornado, was traveling from Mississippi on a training exercise, but joined in the search. Coast Guard officials said another boat has left to aid in the search. Officials said if medical attention is needed, a helicopter will be sent out.
PINELLAS COUNTY (CNN) --The search for the four boaters missing in the Gulf of Mexico since Saturday night has expanded.
Two NFL players are among four boaters missing off Clearwater.
Coast Guard officials said Monday that three planes are searching the area and the Nantucket, a Coast Guard vessel from south Florida, has traveled to the Gulf and is now aiding in the search.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquis Cooper and NFL free agent Corey Smith, who played for the Detroit Lions for the past three seasons, are still missing from the trip, family members and colleagues said Sunday.
Cooper and Smith both formerly played for the Buccaneers. Cooper was with the Bucs in 2004 and 2005 and Smith played for the team from 2002 to 2004.
The Coast Guard began searching around 2 a.m. after it learned that four men -- Cooper, Smith, and former University of South Florida football players William Bleakley and Nick Schuyler -- had not returned from their fishing trip Saturday evening as expected.
Rough weather has hampered the effort, but "it's still a very active search," Coast Guard Capt. Tim Close told reporters Sunday afternoon.
Poor visibility from heavy waves forced the search-and-rescue effort to be conducted primarily by air, though authorities deployed patrol boats as well, Close said.
Searchers have expanded their search to 1,600 square miles although they have focused on 750 square miles of open water in the Gulf of Mexico, about 50 miles west of Clearwater Pass.
From there, the men had left the Seminole Boat Ramp in a 21-foot single-engine boat about 6:30 a.m. Saturday, the Coast Guard said.
Rebekah Cooper said she became worried Saturday night when she didn't hear from her husband. She called her one of her husband's fishing buddies, Brian Miller, who contacted the Coast Guard with the coordinates of where the men planned to fish.
"Usually I'm on the boat. It's a little difficult wondering if something would have been different if I had been there," Miller said. "Or who knows? They may be just sitting out there with a broken motor -- and that's what we're hoping for."He said it was clear something was wrong when Cooper didn't call Saturday night.
William Bleakley, from Crytal River, played football at USF.
"He should've been within range to use his cell phone, and he knows enough to shut it off when he goes out so the batteries are still there," he said.
Close said weather conditions were relatively good Saturday, "but the weather picked up overnight."
"It's a small vessel for the conditions that are out there right now," Close said Sunday afternoon.
Rebekah Cooper said her husband was aware of Sunday's weather forecast and for that reason picked Saturday for the trip.
"Fishing is his first love, it always has been," she said, adding, "I have a lot of faith in him out there."
Cooper's father said he learned of the situation Sunday morning from his daughter-in-law. His son "routinely stays out on the water 12-14 hours," Bruce Cooper, a sports anchor in Phoenix, Arizona, said in a statement.
Close said authorities had not received a distress signal from the boaters. Close said Cooper owns the boat.
Bruce Cooper called his son an "avid fisherman."
"He goes deep sea fishing any opportunity he gets," Cooper said in the statement. "Two years ago I went deep sea fishing with him. I swore I would never do so again; I didn't like the fact that I couldn't see land. Needless to say I am very concerned. I am praying and hoping for the best."
The boat, a center-console vessel manufactured by Everglades Boats, is billed as "unsinkable," Close said.
The Detroit Lions released a statement acknowledging that Smith was among the missing men, adding, "Our thoughts and prayers are with all the passengers, their families and all those involved in the search efforts."
Schuyler's father, Stu, told reporters that the four men knew each other from working out at a gym, and that his son had accompanied Cooper and Smith on a fishing trip last week that lasted 15 hours.
Bleakley lettered from 2004 to 2006 as a tight end for USF, according to a spokesman for the university's athletics department. Schuyler was a walk-on defensive end for USF in 2006, but he never played in a game, the spokesman said.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Will and Nick, as well as the Florida Coast Guard as they continue their search," USF Athletic Director Doug Woolard said in a statement Sunday.
The Coast Guard asked anyone with information on the boaters to contact its St. Petersburg, office at 727-824-7506.
BREAKING UPDATE:
The Coast Guard has found an overturned boat with one person clinging to it. It's unknown if it's the vessel of four missing boaters.
The Coast Guard vessel, Tornado, was traveling from Mississippi on a training exercise, but joined in the search. Coast Guard officials said another boat has left to aid in the search. Officials said if medical attention is needed, a helicopter will be sent out.
PINELLAS COUNTY (CNN) --The search for the four boaters missing in the Gulf of Mexico since Saturday night has expanded.
Two NFL players are among four boaters missing off Clearwater.
Coast Guard officials said Monday that three planes are searching the area and the Nantucket, a Coast Guard vessel from south Florida, has traveled to the Gulf and is now aiding in the search.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquis Cooper and NFL free agent Corey Smith, who played for the Detroit Lions for the past three seasons, are still missing from the trip, family members and colleagues said Sunday.
Cooper and Smith both formerly played for the Buccaneers. Cooper was with the Bucs in 2004 and 2005 and Smith played for the team from 2002 to 2004.
The Coast Guard began searching around 2 a.m. after it learned that four men -- Cooper, Smith, and former University of South Florida football players William Bleakley and Nick Schuyler -- had not returned from their fishing trip Saturday evening as expected.
Rough weather has hampered the effort, but "it's still a very active search," Coast Guard Capt. Tim Close told reporters Sunday afternoon.
Poor visibility from heavy waves forced the search-and-rescue effort to be conducted primarily by air, though authorities deployed patrol boats as well, Close said.
Searchers have expanded their search to 1,600 square miles although they have focused on 750 square miles of open water in the Gulf of Mexico, about 50 miles west of Clearwater Pass.
From there, the men had left the Seminole Boat Ramp in a 21-foot single-engine boat about 6:30 a.m. Saturday, the Coast Guard said.
Rebekah Cooper said she became worried Saturday night when she didn't hear from her husband. She called her one of her husband's fishing buddies, Brian Miller, who contacted the Coast Guard with the coordinates of where the men planned to fish.
"Usually I'm on the boat. It's a little difficult wondering if something would have been different if I had been there," Miller said. "Or who knows? They may be just sitting out there with a broken motor -- and that's what we're hoping for."He said it was clear something was wrong when Cooper didn't call Saturday night.
William Bleakley, from Crytal River, played football at USF.
"He should've been within range to use his cell phone, and he knows enough to shut it off when he goes out so the batteries are still there," he said.
Close said weather conditions were relatively good Saturday, "but the weather picked up overnight."
"It's a small vessel for the conditions that are out there right now," Close said Sunday afternoon.
Rebekah Cooper said her husband was aware of Sunday's weather forecast and for that reason picked Saturday for the trip.
"Fishing is his first love, it always has been," she said, adding, "I have a lot of faith in him out there."
Cooper's father said he learned of the situation Sunday morning from his daughter-in-law. His son "routinely stays out on the water 12-14 hours," Bruce Cooper, a sports anchor in Phoenix, Arizona, said in a statement.
Close said authorities had not received a distress signal from the boaters. Close said Cooper owns the boat.
Bruce Cooper called his son an "avid fisherman."
"He goes deep sea fishing any opportunity he gets," Cooper said in the statement. "Two years ago I went deep sea fishing with him. I swore I would never do so again; I didn't like the fact that I couldn't see land. Needless to say I am very concerned. I am praying and hoping for the best."
The boat, a center-console vessel manufactured by Everglades Boats, is billed as "unsinkable," Close said.
The Detroit Lions released a statement acknowledging that Smith was among the missing men, adding, "Our thoughts and prayers are with all the passengers, their families and all those involved in the search efforts."
Schuyler's father, Stu, told reporters that the four men knew each other from working out at a gym, and that his son had accompanied Cooper and Smith on a fishing trip last week that lasted 15 hours.
Bleakley lettered from 2004 to 2006 as a tight end for USF, according to a spokesman for the university's athletics department. Schuyler was a walk-on defensive end for USF in 2006, but he never played in a game, the spokesman said.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Will and Nick, as well as the Florida Coast Guard as they continue their search," USF Athletic Director Doug Woolard said in a statement Sunday.
The Coast Guard asked anyone with information on the boaters to contact its St. Petersburg, office at 727-824-7506.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Ravens Willis McGahee carted off on a stretcher
It looked like a clean hit. Both players were down for awhile until Clark was able to walk off the field under his own power. Steelers currently lead Ravens 23-14.
Willis McGahee was carted off on a stretcher after taking a big open-field hit from Steelers FS Ryan Clark in Sunday's playoff game. The Ravens say McGahee has "severe neck pain."
Willis McGahee was carted off on a stretcher after taking a big open-field hit from Steelers FS Ryan Clark in Sunday's playoff game. The Ravens say McGahee has "severe neck pain."
McGahee finished quite possibly his last game as a Raven with 60 tough yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries. He was hurt on a fourth-quarter play and lost a fumble after Clark's hit. McGahee could move all his limbs, so it's possible doctors were just being extra cautious using the stretcher.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
No Charges Against Harrison
I guess when your rich and famous you can do anything you want. But I got news for Marvin Harrison. He is likely to be cut from the Colts this offseason. Good luck trying to find another team with a quarterback like Peyton Manning throwing you the ball.
The Philadelphia district attorney's office does not plan to file criminal charges against Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison for his possible role in an April shooting in the city, District Attorney Lynne Abraham announced today.
Abraham said at a news conference that investigators had received too many conflicting accounts of the incident to proceed with a prosecution.
She did leave open the possibility of a prosecution in the future if more reliable information surfaces in pending civil litigation.
"Police have been unable to locate anybody else, to date, who may have been there that day," Abraham said at a news conference. "We have at least before us nine or so various versions of what is supposed to have happened.... We cannot as prosecutors vouch for the credibility of any of these witnesses because they have given so many contradictory, false, misleading, incomplete statements and so forth.
"There may yet be the possibility of a prosecution, although we don't yet know, depending on the outcome of depositions which will be held by civil counsel."
A gun owned by Harrison reportedly was involved in the shooting and a man who contends that he suffered a wound to his hand in the incident has sued Harrison.
Harrison's representatives have denied that he was involved in the shooting.
The Colts' season ended with their loss Saturday night in San Diego in the first round of the AFC playoffs.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Fiesta Bowl preview: Texas vs. Ohio State
When Ohio State runs: Starting left guard Jim Cordle is just back from a late-season knee injury, meaning Ben Person will get the start in the mountainous offensive line. Texas faced a large Oklahoma offensive line and held the Sooners to 48 rushing yards. Edge: Ohio State
When Ohio State passes: Freshman Terrelle Pryor has thrown better than expected. Brian Robiskie has caught a pass in 36 consecutive games, and Brian Hartline has averaged 22.8 yards per reception. But after facing Big 12 spread offenses, the young Texas secondary should be ready. Edge: Texas
When Texas runs: While Texas ranked a respectable 35th nationally in rushing, it struggled when it needed key yards. Neither Fozzy Whittaker nor Vondrell McGee emerged as the go-to running back. Ohio State held opponents to 3.7 yards per carry. Edge: Ohio State
When Texas passes: Quarterback Colt McCoy completed 77.6 percent of his passes with 32 TDs and just seven interceptions. Ohio State counters with All-American cornerback Malcolm Jenkins. Edge: Texas
Special teams: Ray Small averages 15.1 yards on punt returns for Ohio State. Texas' Jordan Shipley has returned kickoffs and punts for touchdowns. Ohio State kicker Ryan Pretorius is just 2-of-5 on field-goal attempts beyond 40 yards. Texas has used Hunter Lawrence and Ryan Bailey, who have combined to hit 10 of 13 field-goal attempts. Edge: Texas
Intangibles: The big question: Who really wants to be here? Ohio State saw its Rose Bowl hopes evaporate with a home loss to Penn State. Texas' national title hopes evaporated when Oklahoma won the Big 12 tiebreaker on BCS standings. The mindset of a team can be all-important in the bowl. Edge: Ohio State
Key matchup: Texas DE Brian Orakpo vs. Ohio State LT Alex Boone
Brian Orakpo represents the kind of athlete who has plagued Ohio State in its recent high-profile losses to Florida, LSU and Southern California.
Powerful and quick, Orakpo registered 10 ½ sacks despite missing 2 ½ games with a sprained left knee. Orakpo won three of the nation's highest profile defensive awards: the Lombardi, Nagurski and Hendricks.
Orakpo's ability makes him the perfect counter to athletic Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor.
Left tackle Alex Boone will probably see a lot of Orakpo and has been embracing the challenge in the bowl buildup. He brings impressive credentials, including imposing size (6-8, 312 pounds). Boone was an All-Big Ten choice and has started 35 games.
Yet some people see a mismatch. One blogger likened the matchup to a Ferrari vs. a minivan. Orakpo has been respectful, praising Boone in interviews and sounding like his agent.
Meanwhile, Boone sees an opportunity if he can battle Orakpo to a standstill on a national stage.
"I'm getting a lot of phone calls from people saying, 'Hey, look, if you have a great game this weekend, it will kind of silence a lot of people,' " Boone told the Columbus Dispatch. "A lot of people think the world of Orakpo. They think that he's everything. So if you shut him down or if you force him to the other side, that's going to say a lot about you."
Edge: Orakpo
Key's to the game
Beanie power: While Texas ranks second nationally in rushing defense (73.6 yards a game), it hasn't seen a back all-season like Ohio State's 237-pound Beanie Wells. Defensive coordinator Will Muschamp described Wells succinctly as a "downhill one-cut" runner. He has missed three games with a foot injury but would undoubtedly like a big game in what might be his final game as a Buckeye. Texas DT Roy Miller and LB Roddrick Muckelroy will be a key to defending Wells.
Next Vince? Terrelle Pryor was projected as Vince Young 2.0. For the moment, he's just highly skilled freshman with an 8-1 record as a starter. Pryor may be better as a passer than Young was at this stage. He's completed 62.5 percent of his passes, with 12 touchdowns and just four interceptions. His biggest asset might be the ability to turn a broken play into a big game. The Texas defensive line must contain him as well as apply pressure.
Need for speed: The Buckeyes have looked overwhelmed in high-profile games against Florida (2006 title game), LSU (2007 title game) and Southern Cal (this season). In those three games, the Buckeyes have been outscored, 55-7, in the second quarter and were essentially finished at halftime. Speed has been a key factor in each of the losses. If the Buckeyes can avoid another crushing early blow to their psyche, they may start believing they have a chance to end the big-game skid.
Blue collar: Throughout the season, Texas has shown remarkable focus. The Longhorns weren't even ranked in The Associated Press Top 10 to start the season and developed a blue-collar mentality at a blue-blood college football power. Now, can Texas do what it has done all season, despite a significant BCS disappointment and more than a month's layoff? Much remains at stake for the Longhorns. But somehow summoning that will one time can be a challenge.
Double coverage
Ohio State offensive coordinator Jim Bollman acknowledged that the Buckeyes might use starting quarterback Terrelle Pryor and backup Todd Boeckman for one or two plays during the bowl.
He also chuckled when he said it, which only added to speculation that all the talk might be a smokescreen. Stranger things have happened in bowls.
Texas may or may not be biting.
"The thing about bowl games is you have a lot of time off, so you can chase ghosts," Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp said.
Texas will win if...
It continues what has worked so well, from Colt McCoy's accuracy and grit to a team mind-set. That might be easier said than done. The Longhorns firmly believe they should be in the national title game instead of Oklahoma. They have said all the right things. We really won't know until the game begins if they're focused on what they have to do.
Ohio State will win if...
The Buckeyes are able to play the physical, rush-oriented game that had so much success in the Big Ten. Ohio State grinds down opponents with a big line and big backs. Defensive players like All-American linebacker James Laurinaitis swarm the football. Ohio State has allowed more than 21 points just once.
SportsDay staff predictions
Chuck Carlton: It won't be as easy as some think, but McCoy will deliver a win at the end. Prediction: Texas, 31-27
Tim Cowlishaw: Longhorns struggle to join Utah and USC as teams that have demonstrated their rights to play for No. 1. Prediction: Texas, 31-27
Brandon George: Longhorns DE Brian Orakpo makes it a long day for Ohio State freshman QB Terrelle Pryor. Prediction: Texas, 31-17
Kate Hairopoulos: Ohio State can't save the Big Ten or their own BCS reputation. Prediction: Texas, 35-21
Tim MacMahon: Big Ten stinks worse than the Big 12 South. Prediction: Texas, 42-28
Bobbi Roquemore: Terrelle Pryor runs wild on Longhorns. Prediction: Ohio State, 35-31
Kevin Sherrington: No-win situation for Texas. If Horns win, it's same old Buckeye bowl showing. If Horns lose ... Prediction: Texas, 28-17
Jean-Jacques Taylor: As a Buckeye, it pains me to admit we're not that good. Prediction: Texas 24-14
Friday, January 2, 2009
sugar bowl 2009 Utah 28, Alabama 17 in 3rd
Just as the Crimson Tide was pulling into range of the Utes, they answer back with a touchdown to make it a two score game again. Stay Tuned
the ball on offense. The Tide gained 103 yards in the second quarter after gaining only 43 in the first, while the Utes gained only 50 yards in the second quarter following their 150-yard opening period.
The Tide is starting to turn in the Sugar Bowl.
Alabama's Javier Arenas shook off tackler after tackler for a record 73-yard punt return for a touchdown down the left sideline midway through the second quarter, and the Crimson Tide pulled to within 21-10 of the Utah Utes at halftime at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans on Friday night.
The Tide's Leigh Tiffin had kicked a 52-yard field goal to start the second quarter, after the Utes had scored on their first three possessions in the first quarter and staggered the heralded Alabama defense.
But the Crimson Tide seemed to start to figure out the Utes, forcing them to punt on all three of their possessions in the second quarter and finally beginning to move
| Photo galleries |
Quarterback Brian Johnson completed 15 of 22 passes for 181 yards and two touchdowns in the first half for the Utes, with scoring passes of 7 and 18 yards to receivers Brent Casteel and Bradon Godfrey, respectively.
Running back Matt Asiata scored on a 2-yard touchdown run in between, following an interception by safety Robert Johnson. The Utes have sacked Alabama's John Parker Wilson four times.
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