Yardbarker: All Sports

Williamson Shares Insight into the Mindset of Kiffin, J-Rock and Run DMC

Oakland Raiders — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:44:46 -0500

I don't know about you but I'd been looking for any scrap of news that would give a sense of Oakland's determination to turn the slide around. Well- here it is! Williamson's report on the mindset of the Raiders new young, but talent cadre of leaders is definitely very encouraging.

Rocky Marciano vs. Brian Stann : Who would win?

Brian Stann — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:44:40 -0500

If undefeated boxing legend Rocky Marciano and former WEC light heavyweight champion Brian Stann in an MMA fight, who would win? Assume that they are in peak condition due to their daily training and that they fight on one-week's notice. They would fight at 205 lbs, the MMA light heavyweight limit, for three rounds.

Podcast @ 2pm

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:43:07 -0500

Tune in for another podcast from yours truly today at 2:00pm. Joining me this time around is Brian from PhilliesNation.com and David from MetsLifers.com. I hope I can keep their names straight. (Ed. note: Had the wrong writer from Mets Lifers. It will be David Marine.) Check here for last weeks podcast.

What Is It Like To Learn You Are A Dallas Cowboy?

Dallas Cowboys — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:39:15 -0500

Ask rookie tight end Martellus Bennett. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones never knows what he'll get on the other side of the line when he informs a rookie that he is officially a Dallas Cowboy. Second round pick Bennett summed up the feeling in this clip.

Penis Envy In Dallas Cowboys Locker Room

Dallas Cowboys — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:39:14 -0500

Maybe Kissing Suzy Kolber was right. Maybe there is a climate of penis envy in the Dallas Cowboys locker rooms. This certainly doesn't help fuel the rumors. Rookie tight end Drew Atchison's signing bonus may have been a Subway footlong sub, but his hazing exercise was to hold a fake penis and sing a song. [...]

Troy Aikman Will Not be a Top Seed in ESPN's Who's FAVRE? Tournament

New York Jets — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:36:08 -0500

Prior to Brett F***e's trade to the Jets -- a move which Favre accepted after he was persuaded that he'd be "the face of the franchise in the Big Apple" (per Sal Paolantonio) -- Fox's number one football analyst Troy Aikman opined on the drama on the 2 Live Stews radio show Wednesday.

Among other things, Aikman stated that Favre flirts with retirement every year and has been doing so for quite some time.

The statement was as obvious as it was refreshing:

"This has been going on for over a decade. Going in to '96, the Super Bowl that he won, he talked about it prior to that game that if he won the Super Bowl he may in fact retire; and since that time -- it's been 12 years now -- we've been talking about whether or not Brett's going to retire."

Aikman more or less defended Packers management for sticking with the least popular man in Green Bay, Aaron Rodgers.

"He has been there all offseason. They drafted him in the first round. They told him that he was going to be the starter this year and I think you risk losing him for the rest of his career, however short that may be with the Packers, to get one more season out of Brett Favre."

It's nice to have sensible people in the mainstream media. Thanks, Troy. I'll wear my child-size Troy Aikman jersey that I bought for a Cowboys/Indians themed party in college with much pride the next time I drink heavily.

Step aside, Tom; she's Ray's girl now

Baltimore Ravens — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:35:20 -0500

Ravens/Patriots... preseason football! Even I have a hard time getting excited about this. Then again, the game isn't being televised on the west coast. If were able to actually watch the game, then certainly I would feel differently. I'd love to see Boller trip over his feet, fumble, and then be replaced by either Smith or Flacco. Smith isn't getting any love, and it's becoming more clear to me that Flacco is the future. One of these days I'll man-up and get on the bandwagon. Not today, though. I'm busy. I've got things to do. Like search for Gisele photos online. It'd be nice to see Ray Rice in action tonight, even more so considering Willis won't be playing. And who will be the third-string back? All exciting roster questions. None of which I'll be able to follow tonight. Instead I'll cry myself a river, and pretend that I actually care about the outcome of the game while I follow the score online. In the meantime, I'll just fantasize about [fill in the blank]. The season can't get here soon enough. I'm tired of not watching football.

Phillies suck,lose,and make BIG TRADE, plus boogerking gets drunk

Philadelphia Phillies — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:35:00 -0500

Phillies suck royally behind Hamels scoring NO runs.BONUS DISGRACE!!!!!!!!!! - we trade a A prospect with a winning record and a 2.22ERA for a bag of crap from the CUBS.Some a**hole named Eyre (possibly Jane Eyre,going on the boredom factor here) who has posted a losing (miserably) record and a whopping 7.50ERA. Awesome! Someone new to boo!! Jimmy Rollins is batting about 2.65 now as our leadoff hitter. Great!!! This team sucks. A good team would be running away with this division but instead we remain a the best pile of s*it on top of a bigger pile of sh*t that represents the NL East.Fu*k..........................aarrrgggghhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ronnie Brown Will Be Game-Time Decision

Miami Dolphins — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:34:54 -0500

Miami Dolphins HC Tony Sparano seems to have softened his stance on whether RB Ronnie Brown will see time in the preseason opener. Earlier today, Sparano said Brown, who is less than 10 months into rehabilitating his surgically repaired right knee, will be a game-time decision for Saturday's game vs. Tampa Bay. According to Sparano, a lot will depend on how Brown looks leading up to kickoff.

DEREK JETER IS OFFICIALLY HAVING THE WORST YEAR OF HIS LIFE

Derek Jeter — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:33:08 -0500

by WCT, The Ship of Fools

Once again, nobody else going to say it? Fine. I will: Derek Jeter is having the worst season since he was a 21 year-old late-season call-up in 1995.

Not only is the American League's 2008 All-Star starter at SS (ugh!) on pace to have his worst full-season totals in HR, batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and stolen bases; but his numbers have seemingly taken a tumble all of the sudden.

In 2006, just two seasons ago, Jeter finished 2nd in the MVP balloting while amassing a .343 batting average, a 900 OPS, and 34 stolen bases. This season he is batting .281, with a 738 OPS (below league average), and 6 (6!) stolen bases. He has the same number as stolen bases in 107 games as somebody named Justin Christian has in 18. And to add insult to injury, he has grounded into the second most double plays of anyone in the American League.

His home run numbers the last 4 years read like this: 23, 19, 14, 12, and this year: 6. Slugging percentage: .471, .450, .483, .452, and in '08:.393. So while the (career low) batting average is still respectable, and he still hits better with runners in scoring position, it is inarguable that he has lost (or is in the process of losing) his power.

Joe Morgan said something very profound recently (I'm just as surprised as you are). He said, if you're in your 20s and you have a bad year, its a bad year. If you're in your 30s and you have a bad year, people start to whisper that you might be done. I'm not saying that Jeter is done -- he may kill it in the final few weeks of the '08 season, and/or he may bounce back and have an '09 season that is similar to his '06 season -- but his numbers have fallen off significantly and abruptly, and it may be cause for concern for the Yankee fans that have worshipped at his feet all these many years.

FAVRE FIASCO IS LIKE THE ENERGIZER BUNNY

New York Jets — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:33:07 -0500

by Moondog, The World According to Moondog

Now that the New York Jets have acquired quarterback Brett Favre, one might think the month-long circus surrounding his pending return will come to an end.

I hate to acknowledge the facts, but with Favre playing in the world's largest media market, the coverage will only increase, at least for the next few months, until the end of November when the Jets are 4-8 and out of the playoff picture.

That is exactly what has perplexed me about this whole process. Favre had to realize the Packers weren't going to allow him to remain with the team. They certainly weren't going to trade him to a team within their own division, much less another team in the NFC.

Common sense should have dictated Favre's only option was to land with a team that needed a quarterback, and a team that needs a QB usually needs a lot of other players too.

Favre's desire to play and build upon an already secure legacy will now look more like a sad ending to a bad soap opera. Landing with the Jets may initially be newsworthy, but with teams like the Patriots, Colts, Steelers and Chargers all legitimately having a chance to be in the Super Bowl, his presence on the Jets roster will largely be irrelevant.

In other words, Favre's return will, for the most part, be without glory. That being the case, it makes you wonder why he would bother making a return to play for a team that's going nowhere.

In some respects it's sad to see it end this way. I don't dislike Favre, I just consider his actions of the past month have made him look like a buffoon. For a future Hall of Fame player to look clueless and desperate may actually serve a long-term purpose. Perhaps in the future we won't see mini-dramas like this happen again because of how bad Favre has been made to appear.

For the next few months we'll be inundated with his every move, but in the end, he'll fade from the American consciousness and will be long forgotten when the NFL playoffs begin.

At least I'm hopeful as much because I'm tired of listening to it.

THE AFTER PARTY

Brett Favre — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:33:07 -0500

10 Reasons Why Packer Fans Shouldn't Be Sad to See Favre Go
Top Eleven Things Brett Favre Needs To Know About New York
A Lesson For Any Jet Fan Against the Trade
The Big City Brett experiment begins
Pacman Jones Really Makes It Rain

Fantasy Extravaganza: The Top 20 QB's
Top 5 SEC Football Overtime Games, EVER, Video
C.J. Wilson is a pud - Ron Washington is a stud
Rough Night for Relievers
The worst coaches to ever be called "champions"

F-Bomb On ESPN Live Commercial
Playboy Celebrates Olympic Speedos
2008 Medal Count Map
How does a mediocre tennis player nab a star model?
The NBA's Biggest off-season winners

Panthers Speak On Dwayne Jarrett, DeAngelo Williams

Carolina Panthers — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:32:40 -0500

Carolina Panthers OC Jeff Davidson sat down and gave his thoughts on RB DeAngelo Williams and WR Dwayne Jarrett. He said he's been impressed with Williams' approach. "One thing that we noticed right away, and it started even before we went on break a little bit, was that he was taking a more active approach in the leadership of our team," Davidson said. On Jarrett, Davidson admitted they're still looking for more from him. "You know, Dwayne I think is, each day we try to make steps with him," Davidson said.

I’ll Just Hold On To Mine In Case Tampa Bay Decides To Acquire Ally Sheedy

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:30:15 -0500

Jimbuktu had asked me if I could try to throw this together for the Weekly Burn a couple of weeks back, but because I'm so awesomely reliable, I didn't get around to it until a few days ago and by the time I was done with it With Leather had already beaten me to the [...]

Brett “Schaefer” Favre

New York Jets — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:30:15 -0500

Had enough Favre yet? Sorry, you are getting more. It is my duty as Jets fan to post this next item. According to the video below, Favre drank a case of Schaefer the night before winning his first college football game. Favre, a 17-year-old college freshman at the time, played quarters with a roommate and polished off the [...]

Just A Reminder Red Sox: Playoff Frosted Tips Aren’t Even Remotely As Cool As Playoff Beards

Jacoby Ellsbury — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:30:15 -0500

All I'm saying is that if you make this move, the next thing you know, Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia are carpooling to CVS to pick up some hair bleach and tin foil as a sign of team unity and that just wouldn't be good for anyone.

Westbrook gets new deal?

Philadelphia Eagles — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:29:26 -0500

According to ProFootballTalk.com, Brian Westbrook might be getting his wish of a new contract. The site hears that Westbrook is telling people that he has struck a deal with the Eagles, probably worth something close to the 3 years, 30 million that he wanted. ProFootballTalk.com is not always the best source, but it's good to hear that a resolution could be coming soon. As the Eagles primary weapon, Westbrook deserves his money. If he sits out any games while demanding a new deal, the Eagles would be pretty weak offensively. On that same note, let's hope Westbrook can stay healthy throughout most of the length of his new deal. I'll post more details later if anything becomes official.

Ohio State All-Time Lineup

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:28:20 -0500

I agree with most of this guys picks, but i dont agree with the quarterback and linebacker spots.

Game versus USC likely to determine Ohio State's fate

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:25:39 -0500

Few things about the BCS can be considered predictable. But when it comes to the polls, there are some established patterns. Teams drop in the rankings after a loss. West Coast teams other than USC won't catch any breaks. Non-BCS schools won't be in the preseason top 15. And then there's this one. In the 10-year BCS era, every final regular-season poll -- coaches, Harris and AP -- has put the top three teams in sequential order by number of losses. There have been times when the top three all were undefeated (2004) or all had one loss (2003), but a one-loss team has never been ranked ahead of an undefeated team, nor a two-loss team ahead of a one-loss team. Not with a spot in the BCS Championship Game on the line.

Oakland Raider opponent preview-10 Questions to a 49ers writer from TFDS-Thoughts from the Other Side

Oakland Raiders — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:25:06 -0500

The feel of game week is in the air. Tomorrow, the Raiders kick off their first preseason game against the hated San Francisco 49ers. This is a match-up for the rival fan bases, so Rob and I linked up with a 49ers fan who knows a thing or two about football for a question and answer exchange. Samuel Lam of MVN's Mining the Gold Rush was brave enough to step over to the Dark Side and work with Rob and I on this project. We answered some of his questions for his site and he was kind enough to answer ours.

Red Sox News: Quick Hits

Los Angeles Dodgers — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:23:50 -0500

Get the latest Red Sox news at The Bottom Line blog... Sox claim Giles... Youkilis: x-rays negative... Sox, all smiles, now that Manny is gone.

Watch UFC 87: Seek and Destroy on a free, live stream!

Georges St. Pierre — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:20:59 -0500

One of the best MMA cards all year will be on tap this Saturday, August 9th brought to you by UFC. The fights start at 10 PM EST/7 PM PST. Check out this main card: * Welterweight Championship bout: Jon Fitch vs. Georges St. Pierre* * Lightweight bout: Kenny Florian vs. Roger Huerta* * Heavyweight bout: Brock Lesnar vs. Heath Herring* * Lightweight bout: Manny Gamburyan vs. Rob Emerson* * Middleweight bout: Jason MacDonald vs. Demian Maia* Loaded, right? Yes, I thought you'd agree! Here's how to watch.

The 2nd Annual Beat My Wife Tournament!

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:18:23 -0500

After last year's rousing success and the overwhelming command my wife had over most everyone who attempted to beat her, it's time to do it again. So, without further ado, here's your chance again to beat my wife in NFL Pick 'Em. Step 1: If you don't already have a Yahoo! account, you'll need one. Step 2: Go here: http://football.fantasysports.yahoo.com/pickem/register/joingroup Step 3: Group ID - 12401 Password - armass Step 4: Choose your pick set name Step 5: Inevitably lose to my wife in NFL Pick 'Em. Same as last season, anyone who ends the season with a better pick record than my wife will win a shiny new 2009 RotoDestroyer Fantasy Football Draft Kit, but this year you'll also win a season's subscription of the brand spankin' new, yet to be announced, RotoDestroyer Project-o-Rater that will project out each week's NFL scores and player stat totals for gamblers and fantasy types alike. Anyhow... Sign up, beat my wife, and win stuff. But, remember, if you lose, you lost to my wife... See you there!

Ohio State Buckeyes Preview - Odds to Win the 2009 BCS Championship

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:17:07 -0500

n our Ohio State Buckeyes preview, we should point out that the Buckeyes have been ranked #3 in the 2008 USA Today Coaches Poll. Likewise, odds makers at SBG Global have given this team +450 odds of winning the 2009 BCS Championship - That would amount to a $450 payout on every $100 bet.

Red Sox Owner Soon To Be Boston's Most Eligible Bachelor

Boston Red Sox — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:15:17 -0500

Ladies, listen up! Are you at home right now, watching re-runs of Facts of Life, drooling over a young George Clooney and asking yourself if you'll ever get your chance with a hunky piece of stud like that? Well, if you can hold out for just a few more days you may get the chance to grab yourself a man once described as, "A cross between James Bond and Mr. Burns." That's right, the beloved owner of the Red Sox, Mr. John William Henry II is getting a divorce from his wife, Peggy Sue, after nearly 10 years of marriage.... continued...

Beason Likely to Miss Preseason Opener

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:11:12 -0500

Linebacker Jon Beason will likely miss Saturday night's preseason opener against Indianapolis. Beason injured his ankle during Monday's practice and is listed as day-to-day. Beason told reporters he would probable play if this were a regular-season game. Rookie running back Jonathan Stewart may also miss the game as he recovers from a toe injury that [...]

Top 10 Reasons We All Hate Notre Dame

Notre Dame Fighting Irish — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:09:47 -0500

Media Bias, Check. Continually Overrated, Check. 9 Consecutive Bowl Losses, Check. Undeserving Heisman Winners, Check. This list very well could have had 25 reasons, but I didn't want to mention them in another Top 25 list despite the fact it would be the only one they deserved...Here are the Top 10 reasons everyone Hates Notre Dame....

Perspectives on the Joba injury

New York Yankees — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:08:28 -0500

Perspective is often a difficult thing to maintain when it comes to the New York Yankees. With the amount of media covering them every day and the passions they inspire — both love and hate — it can be difficult to find an un-biased opinion. With that in mind, I figured I would look for some [...]

The poster boy for self-centeredness is no longer in the NFC North. He won’t be missed

New York Jets — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:08:23 -0500

I know I declared SLR a "You Know Who Free Zone," but this being a Lions and NFL blog, I have to at least mention the latest in the Mississippi hick's saga Peter King's BFF is the AFC's problem now… I'm sure you've heard by now John Madden's lovechild was traded by the Cheeseheads to the New York Jets late last night. As Mr. I Need Attention has tormented the Lions for more years than I care to remember, I'm not exactly heartbroken to he him go, for one very big reason. Whenever a highlight reel of the Cheesehead's demigod is run, it's always the Lions we see being scored upon/beat/embarrassed by Aaron Rogers' worst nightmare. I've been seeing that God damn pass to Sterling Sharpe over and over and over since this Packers sideshow started. Can we now get back to actual football, rather than ESPN manufactured drama? I've seen enough film footage of the 4 Letter's favorite son on the road between Hicksville and Cheeseland to make 3 quite boring travelogues. At least the trade to the J-E-T-S JetsJetsJets means there will be less of the pill popping QB in my life. Thank fucking God!

Phillies acquire Scott Eyre, lefty reliever

Philadelphia Phillies — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:03:24 -0500

The Phillies finally got their second left hander out of the pen, something they had been looking for since Spring Training. Scott Eyre, formerly of the Chicago Cubs, was acquired today in exchange for Single A pitcher Brian Schlitter. Eyre has had a rocky season this year, posting a 7.15 ERA while dealing with some nagging injuries. In the past he has been pretty reliable, but you have to wonder how useful he could possibly be if the Cubs, who are also in the middle of a pennant race, wanted to get rid of him. He had been the odd man out in the Chicago bullpen, but if he was useful at all you can believe the Cubs would have held on to him. He will only be a LOOGY (Lefty One Out GuY) for the Phillies, so he won't have a huge role anyway. With Eyre coming to the team, the Phillies will have to make a move to clear up a roster spot. The likely candidate to go is J.A. Happ, who has barely pitched at all since he was called up. The Phillies don't need three lefties in the pen, and Happ won't be a starting pitcher anytime soon, so he will probably have to go back to Lehigh Valley. Click the link for Scott Eyre's career stats.