http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/players/mike_richardson/22440 Recent articles about Mike Richardson en-us To break in a new season of "YouTube Memory Lane" on the Fantasy Fox blog, let's hearken back to a simpler time 1983 when a fledgling, fly-by-night cable network called ESPN was entering its fourth year of televising the NFL draft. Here are nine things we learned from that landmark draft, along with ESPN's primitive coverage of the event. To view the entire clips, click below: Part I Part II Part III Part IV 1. Who are Leandra Reilly and Greg Wyatt? In 1988, Reilly would become the first woman to call play-by-play for an NBA game (Nets-76ers for Sports Channel New York); but in 1983, she was merely a cog in ESPN's draft-day machine, interviewing prospects and shaggy-haired at restaurants (part 2). Wyatt, one of ESPN's original Bristol, Conn.-based anchors (1979-81) and then the network's West Coast bureau correspondent (1981-86), gets top billing in the opening intro, but only gets a quick, post-pick interview with Rams head coach John Robinson. 2. Leave it to old ES Thu, 11 Apr 2013 13:12:20 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/youtube_memory_lane_1983_nfl_draft/13374598 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/youtube_memory_lane_1983_nfl_draft/13374598 YouTube Memory Lane: 1983 NFL Draft http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/youtube_memory_lane_1983_nfl_draft/13374598 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png To break in a new season of "YouTube Memory Lane" on the Fantasy Fox blog, let's hearken back to a simpler time 1983 when a fledgling, fly-by-night cable network called ESPN was entering its fourth year of televising the NFL draft. Here's my breakdown of that landmark draft, along with ESPN's primitive coverage of the event. To view the clips in its entirety, click below: Part I Part II Part III Part IV 1. Who are Leandra Reilly and Greg Wyatt? In 1988, Reilly would become the first woman to call play-by-play for an NBA game (Nets-76ers for Sports Channel New York); but in 1983, she was merely a cog in ESPN's draft-day machine, interviewing prospects and shaggy-haired at restaurants (part 2). Wyatt, one of ESPN's original Bristol, Conn.-based anchors (1979-81) and then the network's West Coast bureau correspondent (1981-86), gets top billing in the opening intro, but only gets a quick, post-pick interview with Rams head coach John Robinson. 2. Leave it to old ESP Thu, 11 Apr 2013 13:12:20 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/youtube_memory_lane_1983_nfl_draft/13374445 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/youtube_memory_lane_1983_nfl_draft/13374445 YouTube Memory Lane: 1983 NFL Draft http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/youtube_memory_lane_1983_nfl_draft/13374445 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png (TAMPA, Fla.) The second annual Blue-Grey National All-Star Classic is set to kick off on Saturday, January 12, at 8 p.m. at Raymond James Stadium. The game will feature some of the best high school football players from across the country and be carried by FOX Sports Florida, which will stream the game live on FOXSportsFlorida.com viaPrep Zone. We are excited to be back in Florida and are looking forward to a great ball game, Blue-Grey Director Gus Bell said. Because of last years exposure, many of our uncommitted prospects were flooded with phone calls from college coaches. The talent this year is even better than last years as our All-Star game grows each year. The South squad features players form Florida, Texas, Missouri, Kansas, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Louisiana and Oklahoma. Headlining the South team is Texas quarterback Mike Richardson and Florida defensive end Wade Forde Jr. Richardson (6-foot-1, 195-pounds) will make the trip to Tampa from Marble Falls, TX. He holds the s Thu, 10 Jan 2013 16:28:36 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/blue_grey_national_all_star_classic_to_be_streamed_on_fox_sports_floridas_prep_zone/12627775 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/blue_grey_national_all_star_classic_to_be_streamed_on_fox_sports_floridas_prep_zone/12627775 Blue-Grey National All-Star Classic to be streamed on FOX Sports Florida's Prep Zone http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/blue_grey_national_all_star_classic_to_be_streamed_on_fox_sports_floridas_prep_zone/12627775 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png (TAMPA, Fla.) The second annual Blue-Grey National All-Star Classic is set to kick off on Saturday, January 12, at 8 p.m. at Raymond James Stadium. The game will feature some of the best high school football players from across the country and be carried by FOX Sports Florida, which will stream the game live on FOXSportsFlorida.com viaPrep Zone. We are excited to be back in Florida and are looking forward to a great ball game, Blue-Grey Director Gus Bell said. Because of last years exposure, many of our uncommitted prospects were flooded with phone calls from college coaches. The talent this year is even better than last years as our All-Star game grows each year. The South squad features players form Florida, Texas, Missouri, Kansas, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Louisiana and Oklahoma. Headlining the South team is Texas quarterback Mike Richardson and Florida defensive end Wade Forde Jr. Richardson (6-foot-1, 195-pounds) will make the trip to Tampa from Marble Falls, TX. He holds the s Thu, 10 Jan 2013 16:28:36 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/blue_grey_national_all_star_classic_to_be_streamed_on_fox_sports_floridas_prep_zone/12633649 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/blue_grey_national_all_star_classic_to_be_streamed_on_fox_sports_floridas_prep_zone/12633649 Blue-Grey National All-Star Classic to be streamed on FOX Sports Florida's Prep Zone http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/blue_grey_national_all_star_classic_to_be_streamed_on_fox_sports_floridas_prep_zone/12633649 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png For the second consecutive year, a Darlington Raceway staff member was recognized by NASCAR and his peers for success in the industry. Roger Garland, Darlington’s Director of Emergency Services, was honored as the recipient of NASCAR’s Track Services Innovation Award, which was announced on Monday in Charlotte, N.C. Garland received the award for his creative management of the track’s SAFER barrier inventory. “I was totally surprised with this award,” Garland said. “We are always looking at ways to improve the way we do things at Darlington to be more efficient and timely with our response when something occurs on a race weekend. I am humbled that NASCAR recognized those efficiencies by selecting me as their innovation award winner.” Garland has been in charge of the fire and emergency response teams over the past three years overseeing all fire and EMS efforts at the track Too Tough To Tame. He was in charge of the track’s wrecker response services prior to his appointment as direc... Tue, 08 Jan 2013 09:55:27 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/darlington_raceway_director_of_emergency_services_robert_garland_honored_by_nascar/12605104 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/darlington_raceway_director_of_emergency_services_robert_garland_honored_by_nascar/12605104 Darlington Raceway director of emergency services Robert Garland honored by NASCAR http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/darlington_raceway_director_of_emergency_services_robert_garland_honored_by_nascar/12605104 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Jim Finks was a winner. He won with the Vikings, he won with the Bears and he won with the Saints.His ethic was to "keep sawing wood", in other words, if something went wrong keep working through it.Don't panic and keep your eyes on the ultimate goal.Jim Finks "sawed wood" in professional football for over 40 years. Time to fire up the Wayback Machine, first stop early 1950's Pittsburgh.August 31, 1927–Pro Football Hall of Fame Member Jim Finks was born in St. Louis, Missouri.Jim Finks is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and played quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1949-1955.Neither of these two accomplishments have anything to do with each other, even though Finks was good enough to appear in a Pro Bowl in 1952.The most memorable accomplishment of Finks’ playing career would make an excellent trivia question for a bar bet. What raw, unpolished, undrafted free agent quarterback did the Steelers feel could be released after Finks won th... Fri, 31 Aug 2012 20:21:33 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/dropping_back_in_nfl_history_the_master_builder/11600527 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/dropping_back_in_nfl_history_the_master_builder/11600527 Dropping Back In NFL History: The Master Builder http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/dropping_back_in_nfl_history_the_master_builder/11600527 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png In the history of the NFL Draft from its beginnings in 1936, the Chicago Bears have chosen 1,291 players. Trying to pick the 10 best out of that list is going to leave numerous great, and even some Pro Football Hall of Fame players on the outside looking in. In the end, I was finally able to narrow the list down to ten players. Keep in mind this list is purely subjective and “For Entertainment Purposes Only.” Here are some of the honorable mentions:1951 – Bill George, Hall of Fame Linebacker, 1962 – Ed O’Bradovich, defensive end, made the key interception of quarterback Y.A. Tittle for the Bears in the 1963 Championship Game against the Giants, 1979 – Dan Hampton, Hall of Fame defensive end/tackle, 1986 – Neal Anderson, running back, and now for the rest of the list; 10. 1985-William Perry, Defensive Tackle                   First Round, 22nd overall There have been other draft picks in Bears’ history that turned into better football players but none of them had the oversized per Wed, 25 Apr 2012 08:35:51 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/chicago_bears_10_best_draft_picks_of_all_time/10638901 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/chicago_bears_10_best_draft_picks_of_all_time/10638901 Chicago Bears: 10 Best Draft Picks of All Time http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/chicago_bears_10_best_draft_picks_of_all_time/10638901 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The Columbus Blue Jackets don’t seem to care that the trade deadline is on Monday. In the past two days they’ve traded away two of their top six most expensive contracts. News broke Thursday night that Jeff Carter was traded to the Los Angeles Kings for Jack Johnson and a conditional first-round draft pick, while Antoine Vermette was shipped to Phoenix the previous day. In the Carter trade Los Angeles gets what it desperately needs, a forward who can score goals. The Kings sit last in the NHL in scoring and are clinging to the final playoff spot in the West. Carter has scored more than 30 goals in his previous three seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers, including a 46-goal campaign in 2008-09. He has struggled in Columbus this season and has had two separate injuries, a broken foot, and a separated shoulder. Despite these troubles, he has 15 goals and 10 assists in 39 games this season. A major benefit for L.A is the instant chemistry he’ll have with former teammate Mike Richardson ... Fri, 24 Feb 2012 15:04:25 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/fire_sale_in_columbus_is_rick_nash_next/10099801 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/fire_sale_in_columbus_is_rick_nash_next/10099801 Fire Sale in Columbus: Is Rick Nash Next? http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/fire_sale_in_columbus_is_rick_nash_next/10099801 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/1/1/11d63cd058b6d45a0b9dc6f633e4958afecbccc0/mini/Columbus_Blue_Jackets_1350.jpg Basics Who: No. 19 Michigan (15-4, 5-2 B10) at Arkansas (13-5, 2-2 SEC) Where: Bud Walton Arena, Fayetteville, AR When: 2 p.m. ET, Saturday, January 21st, 2012 TV: CBS / Free Stream Radio: MGoBlue, WWJ 950AM, WTKA 1050, Sirius 85, XM 85 It’s back to the road for Michigan as the Wolverines open a six game stretch that will feature five games away from home. First up is a unique non-conference game sandwiched in the middle of Big Ten play as Michigan travels 900 miles to Fayetteville, Arkansas. Michigan will leave the trudging pace of the Big Ten back in the Midwest and face the nation’s third fastest major conference team, the Arkansas Razorbacks. Arkansas averages 72.5 possessions per game, 14th fastest in Division I, which is over nine possessions (15%) more than Michigan’s 63.3 (314th) possessions per game. The Wolverines have played just one game as fast as the Razorbacks’ season average and the Razorbacks’ slowest game of the season would be Michigan’s fourth ... Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:11:07 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/game_20_michigan_at_arkansas_preview/9468101 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/game_20_michigan_at_arkansas_preview/9468101 Game 20: Michigan at Arkansas Preview http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/game_20_michigan_at_arkansas_preview/9468101 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The spotlight that documented the journey leading up to the clash between the Philadelphia Flyers and their arch-rival New York Rangers in the 2012 NHL Winter Classic is finally behind them. The daily, all-encompassing glare of HBO's "24/7" cameras is gone, and things are slowly getting back to a state of normalcy."HBO is the big thing about it," said head coach Peter Laviolette in his post-Winter Classic press conference. "The Winter Classic is a tremendous event, and our organization is thrilled to be a part of it. To play in an atmosphere like tonight, you know, the only thing disappointing for us was the result. HBO is what makes it, having the cameras around, the way they put on the show for the last month, is very different from what's normal in the hockey world."Not everyone saw the additional attention as a bad thing."It was a little different coming in today and not having the HBO camera around," said defenseman Matt Carle via... Thu, 05 Jan 2012 10:45:00 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/flyers_looking_for_post_classic_rebound/9145750 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/flyers_looking_for_post_classic_rebound/9145750 Flyers looking for post-Classic rebound http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/flyers_looking_for_post_classic_rebound/9145750 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Cornerback's drug convictions come into playMike Richardson has traveled a rocky road since his glory days in the 1980s, when he was a star cornerback for the Bears and helped the team win a Super Bowl title. Sat, 17 Dec 2011 17:43:00 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/85_bear_richardson_dropped_from_blood_drive/8795464 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/85_bear_richardson_dropped_from_blood_drive/8795464 '85 Bear Richardson dropped from blood drive http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/85_bear_richardson_dropped_from_blood_drive/8795464 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/b/0/b0fbcd71315c95159d31e4f6b14e8c1908387e20/mini/NFL__New_7661.jpg