http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/tmgsportsblog/home Recent tmgsportsblog Posts en-us New York Rangers head coach John Tortorella announced that Brad Richards will be a healthy scratch for tonight's Game 4 against the Boston Bruins. The Rangers will also play defenseman Roman Hamrlik in place of the injured Anton Stralman. Richards has been struggling throughout the playoffs and has been playing on the fourth line. Richards played a postseason-low 8:10 in Game 3's loss to Boston. Richards has only one goal and a -3 rating so far in this postseason. Richards said of the scratch, "I'm surprised, I guess. I'm disappointed." Tortorella hasn't said very much about his lineup tonight other than Richards being out and Hamrlik in. At this time, Tortorella hasn't announced who will take Richards place in the lineup. Hamrlik hasn't played since April 1st against the Winnipeg Jets. Hamrlik will replace the injured Anton Stralman who took a hit to head from Milan Lucic in Game 3 and as a precaution will miss the all important Game 4.    Thu, 23 May 2013 12:17:11 -0400 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/tmgsportsblog/article/brad_richards_scratched_for_game_4_roman_hamrlik_will_play/13679294 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/tmgsportsblog/article/brad_richards_scratched_for_game_4_roman_hamrlik_will_play/13679294 Brad Richards Scratched for Game 4, Roman Hamrlik Will Play http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/tmgsportsblog/article/brad_richards_scratched_for_game_4_roman_hamrlik_will_play/13679294 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Tim Tebow may not have any NFL offers as of yet, but he does have at least one suitor vying for his services... for $75 a game. The Omaha Beef of the Champions Professional Indoor Football League (rolls right off the tongue) have reached out to Tebow's agent, Jimmy Sexton, and have offered a contract to the former New York Jet. The Beef are willing to give Tebow $75 a game, a far cry from the $2.1 million he made last season in Gotham. Beef assistant general manager Andrew Mather said that he doesn't expect to hear back from Tebow's camp, but thought it was worth a try to contact him. The Beef have a starting quarterback right now, and a pretty good one at that. James McNear has led the Beef to a 5-1 record so far this season and has completed 70 percent of his passes. McNear has also thrown 21 touchdowns and only two interceptions. McNear doesn't seem to be fazed by the news of the Beef contacting Tebow. In fact he feels that he is the better quarterback, saying, "I think Tim Tue, 30 Apr 2013 19:35:39 -0400 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/tmgsportsblog/article/indoor_football_team_offers_tebow_contract/13523333 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/tmgsportsblog/article/indoor_football_team_offers_tebow_contract/13523333 Indoor Football Team Offers Tebow Contract http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/tmgsportsblog/article/indoor_football_team_offers_tebow_contract/13523333 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png TSN's Dave Naylor is reporting that the CFL's Montreal Alouettes own Tim Tebow's CFL rights and would welcome him onto the team as a backup. Alouettes general manager Jim Popp told TSN that if Tebow were to join the Alouettes, his role would be similar to his with the New York Jets, saying: "If he wants to come to Canada he would be in the same situation as the one he was in with New York. He can come here and compete to be the backup to Anthony Calvillo and learn the game, just like Jeff Garcia did (behind Doug Flutie). And one day he might be the guy; that's our vision. He can learn from the best." Current Montreal Alouettes coach and former Colorado Buffaloes coach Dan Hawkins is said to be a big fan of Tim Tebow's work. Hawkins' interest in Tebow is a big reason why Montreal still retains the rights to Tim Tebow. Previous Montreal Alouettes coach and current Chicago Bears coach Marc Trestman was a fan of Tebow's as well. Popp has no plans to contact Tebow and Mon, 29 Apr 2013 11:57:00 -0400 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/tmgsportsblog/article/montreal_alouettes_own_tim_tebows_cfl_rights_would_be_backup/13511495 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/tmgsportsblog/article/montreal_alouettes_own_tim_tebows_cfl_rights_would_be_backup/13511495 Montreal Alouettes Own Tim Tebow's CFL Rights; Would Be Backup http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/tmgsportsblog/article/montreal_alouettes_own_tim_tebows_cfl_rights_would_be_backup/13511495 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png After one uneventful season in New York, the Jets have released Tim Tebow after a logjam was created at the quarterback position. After the New York Jets drafted highly touted quarterback Geno Smith of West Virginia, it left the Jets with six quarterbacks, including Mark Sanchez and Tebow. The release of Tebow had been expected due to his inactivity with the Jets. Coach Rex Ryan benched Sanchez in gave the starter's job to third stringer Greg McElroy leaving Tebow very upset. Tebow became expendable when the team signed former Jacksonville Jaguar and Miami Dolphin David Garrard. Ryan released a statement that read: "We have a great deal of respect for Tim Tebow. Unfortunately, things did not work out the way we all had hoped.  Tim is an extremely hard worker, evident by the shape he came back in this offseason. We wish him the best moving forward." The Jets had been trying to shop Tebow around during the Draft, but no one took the bait and now it appears his future is very murky. The Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:03:28 -0400 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/tmgsportsblog/article/new_york_jets_release_tim_tebow/13509890 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/tmgsportsblog/article/new_york_jets_release_tim_tebow/13509890 New York Jets Release Tim Tebow http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/tmgsportsblog/article/new_york_jets_release_tim_tebow/13509890 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png UCLA cornerback Marcus Rios will miss the college football season after he was diagnosed with a very rare, deadly fungal infection. Rios, projected to be a starting cornerback for the Bruins, originally had a sinus infection that later developed into something more serious. The infection turned into a fungal infection that was found behind his eye and between his brain. Rios said of the diagnosis, “It’s very rare. Only 12 people have ever had it and eight of them have died. Two others recovered and then died later.” Rios has spent the majority of the offseason in-and-out of hospitals and is currently taking antibiotics through a PICC, peripherally inserted central catheter, line in his arm. Since Rios has the PICC line in his arm, he said that he cannot do any running and is slated for another surgery. Coach Jim Mora said that Rios will be out six months and Rios added that he is probably out for the season. Football has to take a backseat for his health and here's hoping for a speedy re Mon, 29 Apr 2013 00:37:58 -0400 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/tmgsportsblog/article/ucla_cornerback_diagnosed_with_deadly_infection/13508642 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/tmgsportsblog/article/ucla_cornerback_diagnosed_with_deadly_infection/13508642 UCLA Cornerback Diagnosed with Deadly Infection http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/tmgsportsblog/article/ucla_cornerback_diagnosed_with_deadly_infection/13508642 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Former NFL running back Brian Westbrook has said that he is now experiencing memory loss at the age of 33, that he believes is due to the concussions that he has suffered throughout his career. Westbrook, who played for nine seasons in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers, has told the AP that he is having trouble remembering names, recall facts, and retain new information and he fears that the symptoms will only get worse. "Hopefully, they won't continue to progress", Westbrook said. Westbrook was knocked unconscious in a game against the Washington Redskins in 2009, but came back a few games later only to suffer a concussion in his first game back. “I thought I took enough time off to rest and recuperate. I thought I was healed completely,” Westbrook said. “But I got hit, I got my bell rung. I was out for another few weeks with another concussion.” Westbrook's concussion looked bad back then and now it appears to be even worse, as now it looks like he w Sat, 16 Mar 2013 13:29:41 -0400 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/tmgsportsblog/article/brian_westbrook_experiencing_memory_loss/13157446 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/tmgsportsblog/article/brian_westbrook_experiencing_memory_loss/13157446 Brian Westbrook Experiencing Memory Loss http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/tmgsportsblog/article/brian_westbrook_experiencing_memory_loss/13157446 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png According to Adam Schefter, the New England Patriots and cornerback Aqib talib have agreed to a one year deal. After Wes Welker, Aqib Talib was considered the top priority for the Patriots. The Patriots acquired the troubled cornerback from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a draft pick after the NFL had suspended Talib for four games due to a positive test for Adderall. Talib quickly made a difference in the Patriots secondary. In his first game with the Patriots, Talib picked off an Andrew Luck pass and returned it 59 yard for a touchdown in the Patriots 59-24 win over the Colts. Talib quickly solidified himself as the number one cornerback in New England and it was of the utmost importance that the Pats re-sign him this offseason. In six regular season games with the Pats last season, Aqib Talib recorded 19 tackles and tacked on 10 more in the playoffs. Talib was injured in the first quarter of the AFC Championship and did not return to the game, a turning point for the Ravens as they went on to defeat Sat, 16 Mar 2013 13:07:20 -0400 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/tmgsportsblog/article/aqib_talib_patriots_agree_to_one_year_deal/13157350 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/tmgsportsblog/article/aqib_talib_patriots_agree_to_one_year_deal/13157350 Aqib Talib, Patriots Agree to One Year Deal http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/tmgsportsblog/article/aqib_talib_patriots_agree_to_one_year_deal/13157350 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png I'm almost sure there is a Borat joke in this story somewhere, but during a match between Kazakh teams Ekibastuz and Almaty, it appears as if a water main broke on the pitch. Rather than delay the game until its fixed, the officials decide to continue the match. As you can see in the video above, a player tries to throw the ball in from the corner because, you know, you can't really hit a ball that is half submerged in water. They retry and finally get the ball in only to have it kicked back from whence it came. See, I kind of got a Borat joke in there. Kind of. Fri, 08 Mar 2013 10:29:40 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/tmgsportsblog/article/in_kazakhstan_soccer_is_played_on_water/13085278 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/tmgsportsblog/article/in_kazakhstan_soccer_is_played_on_water/13085278 In Kazakhstan, Soccer is Played on Water http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/tmgsportsblog/article/in_kazakhstan_soccer_is_played_on_water/13085278 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The organizers of the Las Vegas Rugby Sevens had planned a grand entrance for the game ball for the first place match between New Zealand and South Africa. The had planned on having a parachutist fly into the Sam Boyd Stadium with the game ball. Wouldn't expect anything grander for a rugby match in Las Vegas. One problem though. He landed on the field during the third place match. The third place match between Fiji and Samoa went into overtime, thus delaying the start of the first place match between New Zealand and South Africa. I guess no one bothered to inform the parachutist as we clumsily comes in during the WRONG match. The game ball made it safe and sound, albeit a bit early, and South Africa reigned supreme at the Las Vegas Rugby Sevens defeating the All Blacks, 40-21. Mon, 11 Feb 2013 10:54:27 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/tmgsportsblog/article/parachutist_lands_on_field_during_rugby_match/12890461 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/tmgsportsblog/article/parachutist_lands_on_field_during_rugby_match/12890461 Parachutist Lands on Field During Rugby Match http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/tmgsportsblog/article/parachutist_lands_on_field_during_rugby_match/12890461 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Philadelphia Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon said on Saturday that he received Toradol shots during his days as a member of the Boston Red Sox. This news comes off the heels of former Boston pitcher Curt Schilling's claims that the team encouraged PED use. Toradol is a legal anti-inflammatory drug that is injected. The use of Toradol has become increasingly controversial in the world of sports. Papelbon doesn't recall who introduced him to the drug, but says that he started using it in 2007, the year the Red Sox swept the Colorado Rockies to win their second World Series in four years.   "It was kind of a word-of-mouth thing," Papelbon said. "You got in the clubhouse and said, 'Man, I feel like crap,' and somebody would say, 'Oh, you should get a Toradol shot.' All players talk about what gets you through a 162-game season." Papelbon claims that he never say another player use it, but pitcher Clay Buchholz has acknowledged that Toradol might have been to Mon, 11 Feb 2013 10:39:11 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/tmgsportsblog/article/papelbon_red_sox_gave_me_toradol_shots/12890350 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/tmgsportsblog/article/papelbon_red_sox_gave_me_toradol_shots/12890350 Papelbon: Red Sox Gave Me Toradol Shots http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/tmgsportsblog/article/papelbon_red_sox_gave_me_toradol_shots/12890350 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png According to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman, Daisuke Matsuzaka and the Cleveland Indians have agreed to a minor league deal. Matsuzaka will reunite with his former manager in Boston, Terry Francona, and try to regain some of his success he had in his first couple of seasons while playing in the Hub. Daisuke won 33 games in his first two seasons in Boston, going 18-3 in his second season, but has only won 17 games since that point while suffering from numerous injuries and inconsistencies. Heyman goes on to report that Matsuzaka can stand to make as much as $4 million, if he reaches certain goals with the Indians. Cleveland made another minor league move today when the Indians signed veteran first baseman Jason Giambi to a minor league deal, according to the Denver Post's Troy Renck. The 42 year old Giambi is expected to play designated hitter if he makes the team. If Giambi makes the team, he would make $750,000 plus incentives.    Sun, 10 Feb 2013 12:36:04 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/tmgsportsblog/article/daisuke_matsuzaka_indians_agree_to_minor_league_deal/12884299 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/tmgsportsblog/article/daisuke_matsuzaka_indians_agree_to_minor_league_deal/12884299 Daisuke Matsuzaka, Indians Agree to Minor League Deal http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/tmgsportsblog/article/daisuke_matsuzaka_indians_agree_to_minor_league_deal/12884299 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Ottawa Senators star Jason Spezza will miss two months after having back surgery to repair a herniated disc, general manager Bryan Murray announced at a press conference today. "I can't give you a time frame (on Spezza's return) simply because until the surgery and rehab starts we won't know the total extent," said Murray. "We are hoping that he gets back at the later part of the season and, if we're in the [Stanley Cup] Playoffs, [he] will be able to participate at that time." Spezza injured his back during Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. On Monday, Spezza consulted with team physicians and visited a specialist in Toronto and then decided that surgery is the best option for him. In five games with the Sens, Spezza has five points (two goals and three assista) and is the team's number one center. General manager Bryan Murray has said that the team will look within the organization for a replacement to Spezza before considering any trades. Thu, 31 Jan 2013 12:44:28 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/tmgsportsblog/article/jason_spezza_out_indefinitely_after_back_surgery/12803128 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/tmgsportsblog/article/jason_spezza_out_indefinitely_after_back_surgery/12803128 Jason Spezza Out Indefinitely After Back Surgery http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/tmgsportsblog/article/jason_spezza_out_indefinitely_after_back_surgery/12803128 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Current NFL on CBS studio analyst and Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino fathered a child out of wedlock with a former CBS employee back in 2005. Marino had an affair with former CBS Sports production assistant Donna Savarette, and the two had a daughter, Chloe, as a result of their tryst. "This is a personal and private matter. I take full responsibility both personally and financially for my actions now as I did then," Marino said in a statement. "We mutually agreed to keep our arrangement private to protect all parties involved." Marino, who had long had a reputation as one of the game's squeaky clean players, has been married for 28 years and has six children, four biological and two adopted.  "My wife and I have been married for almost 30 years and have six children together," Marino said. "And we continue to be a strong and loving family." Marino agreed to pay millions to Savarette and she moved from New York to Texas to keep to matter private, bu Thu, 31 Jan 2013 09:59:47 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/tmgsportsblog/article/dan_marino_fathered_a_child_with_cbs_employee_in_2005/12801577 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/tmgsportsblog/article/dan_marino_fathered_a_child_with_cbs_employee_in_2005/12801577 Dan Marino Fathered a Child with CBS Employee in 2005 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/tmgsportsblog/article/dan_marino_fathered_a_child_with_cbs_employee_in_2005/12801577 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez is unlikely to play for the Yankees this season and possibly beyond, according to the New York Daily News. No matter what happens with Rodriguez's new steroid allegations, the Yankees may just cut ties with the beleaguered third baseman. According to numerous sources, A-Rod's hip injury could derail his career and could limit him to a reduced role and he could just retire. "I don’t know why he would want to go through the pain of rehabbing and trying to play up to the caliber of player he was, and come back to a game where nobody wants him," said a baseball official. "If he did that, he’d be a part-time player and presumably unable to achieve any of the incentive clauses in the contract or even the milestones." Before his new steroid allegations even surfaced, the Yankees have had private meetings about the potential options the Yanks can take if Rodriguez doesn't finish his contract. He still has five years and $114 mi Thu, 31 Jan 2013 09:42:48 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/tmgsportsblog/article/a_rods_career_with_the_yanks_mlb_may_be_in_jeopardy/12801376 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/tmgsportsblog/article/a_rods_career_with_the_yanks_mlb_may_be_in_jeopardy/12801376 A-Rod's Career With the Yanks, MLB May Be in Jeopardy http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/tmgsportsblog/article/a_rods_career_with_the_yanks_mlb_may_be_in_jeopardy/12801376 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick's college coach, Chris Ault, was on the Petros and Money show on Fox Sports Radio today where he discussed, among many things, Kaepernick's versatility and skill set. Ault said this on his initial impressions of Kaepernick, "I thought to myself, ‘If he can't play quarterback, he looks like he's a good enough athlete that he could play free safety or wide receiver.' At that time, Kaep was maybe 6-foot-4, about 183 pounds, built like a fork." Chris Ault wasn't too impressed with Kaepernick's quarterback skills as a redshirt freshman and really wanted him to convert to free safety for the Nevada Wolf Pack, saying: "He could have been a great free safety, without question. And you know, his freshman redshirt year, guys, he was OK. There was nothing that told us he was a special athlete. He threw sidearm a little bit. He's a great pitcher and he had that little pitching motion from the sidearm. We had to try t Tue, 29 Jan 2013 23:04:46 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/tmgsportsblog/article/colin_kaepernicks_college_coach_wanted_to_convert_him_to_safety/12789385 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/tmgsportsblog/article/colin_kaepernicks_college_coach_wanted_to_convert_him_to_safety/12789385 Colin Kaepernick's College Coach Wanted to Convert Him to Safety http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/tmgsportsblog/article/colin_kaepernicks_college_coach_wanted_to_convert_him_to_safety/12789385 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png