seriously frozen tundra

Football Update:
I can barely believe that the Giants are going up against the Packers on Sunday in the NFC title game. It seems like only a few weeks ago I was praying that they'd beat the Patriots in the regular season because I was sure they'd lose in the first round of the playoffs. Now they are one game away from getting a second chance against the Pats, but this time it would be in the Super Bowl. First things, first, they have to go up against a resurgent Brett Favre and his talented Packers team in Green Bay with game temperatures expected to be hovering around zero. Tune into Fox at 6:30 PM/est to catch all of the action.

Over in Foxboro, the Patriots look to keep their undefeated season going against an ailing Chargers team. Temperatures are expected a tad bit more tropical (in the 20s) than the game in Wisconsin, but most likely a little less exciting. The game starts at 3:30 PM/est on CBS.

Justin Tuck is staying with the Giants through 2013 after signing a five year extension that could net him up to $30 million.

Jason Garrett is staying in Dallas collecting a paycheck around $3 million to remain as an ASSISTANT! The money's good, but in the long run, is it ever a good idea to turn down a promotion?

...And the Boys gave offensive line coach Hudson Houck a three year extension worth $3 million.

The Colts have a back up plan if Tony Dungy decides to throw in the towel and his name is Jim Caldwell.

It was surgery day for the Seahawks as five players went under the knife including Shaun Alexander, Patrick Kerney, Walter Jones, Deion Branch and Chris Spencer. Gee, I hope they got a two-for-one deal out of this.

After the October Giants and Dolphins game held at Wembley Stadium, the NFL has decided to return to London in 2008. While the game was sold out, the performance on the field was less than great due to heavy rains and horrible pitch (field) conditions. Teams and a date have yet to be announced.

Baseball Update:
Bud Selig agreed to a three year extension keeping him baseball commissioner through 2012.

The FBI began investigating whether Miguel Tejada lied under oath...While word around the street is Congress will probably not grant immunity to Brian McNamee.

The sale of the Chicago Cubs is not imminent.

The Oakland A's re-signed Huston Street to a one year, $3.3 million contract.

The Blue Jays locked up five players, Scott Downs (3 years, $10 million), Marco Scutaro (2 years, $2.65 million) and Jason Frasor (1 year $1.125 million), Gustavo Chacin (1 year, $725,000) and Briand Tallet (1 year, $640,000). The Jays have one remaining player to sign, Alex Rios and they are hoping to lock him into a mutliyear deal.

Other signings: The Royals gave Jimmy Gobble a one year, $1,312,500 contract...Jason Kubel and the Twins agreed to a one year, $1.3 million deal...The Nats kept Tim Redding for one year with his $1 million contract...Chris Capuano got a raise on Thursday agreeing to a one year, $3.75 million deal with the Brewers...Jose Bautista agreed to a one year, $1.8 million deal with the Pirates avoiding arbitration in his first year of eligibility...And finally Matt Treanor is staying with the Marlins for another year.

The average baseball salary increased 7% to $2.82 million while the Yankees have the highest average salary, $7.47 million.

Sad news, former baseball executive and Detroit Tiger player John McHale died at the age of 86...also passing away on Thursday was former Phillies pitcher Steve Ridzik. He was 78.

Braves Update:
The Braves and first baseman Mark Teixeira agreed to a one year, $12.5 million deal on Thursday, avoiding arbitration. The Braves also signed relievers Mike Gonzalez (thank goodness) and Tyler Yates as well as infielder Omar Infante. The Braves have only two other players to sign reliever Rafael Soriano (give him whatever he wants) and outfielder Matt Diaz.

The Braves picked up left-hander Jeff Ridgway from the Tampa Bay Rays for infielders Willy Aybar and Chase Fontaine. Can we not give away all of our infielders. Chipper Jones is not playing 162 games, we need a solid replacement when he inevitably goes on the DL for 5 weeks!

Popo in my crib News:
The Reid family saga continues as Britt Reid, who is already incarcerated because of road rage charges, pleaded guilty to DUI and drug possession for an August parking lot incident. Reid reportedly got into his truck at Dick's Sporting Goods parking lot, after having trouble finding his vehicle and ran into a cart. He was then arrested. Watch out Britt, because the popo are on your tail!

Former NHL player Rob Ramage was sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of five charges stemming from a 2003 car accident which killed former Chicago Blackhawk Keith Magnuson. Ramage had four times the legal blood-alcohol limit at the time of the crash. In addition to his jail time, Ramage will have his driver's lisence revoked for five years following his release from prison. Watch out Robby, because the popo are on your tail!

News & Notes: Like we didn't see this coming, the editor of Golf Week Dave Seanor who put a noose on the cover of this month's issue has been fired...Sad news, Chess prodigy Bobby Fisher has died at the age of 64...Another year, another early exit for Andy Roddick...This is getting exessive, Rich Rodriguez is claiming WVU is staging a smear campaign. You have a job, don't they have another coach, why can't you two move on?...South Carolina men's basketball coach Dave Odom is expected to retire on Friday...Cleveland State upset Butler 56-52...Vandy got trounced by Tennessee 80-60...The Cavs squeak out another win, this time a 90-88 victory over the Spurs...Jarome Iginal and Vincent Lecavalier were named NHL all-star captains...The Stars made it 6 in a row with a 4-2 win over the Sharks...Meanwhile the Leafs end their six game slide with a 3-2 shoot out win over the Bruins...Well wishes go out to Colorado Avalanche center Paul Stastny who underwent an emergency appendectomy on Thursday. How Zach Effron of you.

Check this out: Is it a sign of things to come? I hope so. Click here to read about the Director's Guild new agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, the same group the Writers are striking against.

It's been fun blogging wtih you,
Kate