Here’s to 2010

Have a happy, healthy, safe and enjoyable New Year’s. And remember if you are stupid enough to drink and drive, the popo will be on your tail!

And a side note – Let’s Go Rangers! Be back next week.
(Photo: Reuters)

Fan of the Week

This week’s fan of the week is Pat Kane, because I wasn’t aware that the guy can both play for the Blackhawks on the ice and then cheer for them on the other side of the glass. That takes a ton of talent which I hope he can bring to the US hockey team.
(Photo: AP)

Jets Fans Continue to Suffer

The Jets are giving their fans a little bit of surprise and I am not talking about the return of Mark Gastineau -who I had no idea he was even out of jail. Fans attending Sunday’s match-up with the Bengals will not be allowed to purchase alcohol once they enter the facility. The decision was made after the team talked to the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority aka the No Fun Zone. But don’t worry; the Jets will open the parking lot five hours before the 8:20 PM start so you have plenty of time to pretend you are Mark Sanchez and get blitzed.

Along with the no alcohol decree, the Jets plan on celebrating the close of Giants Stadium with a halftime ceremony that will feature a player from every year the Jets have been in the Meadowlands. And of course Ochocinco will probably bring his own halftime performance, hopefully involving an orange jumpsuit and some soap to remind Mark of his time in the big house, but we’ll have to wait and see.
(Photo: Getty Images; source)

Say Goodbye to 2009

Baseball: The Cardinals and Matt Holliday continue to talk. And why not, Holliday could bring home $100 million!....Former Brave Kelly Johnson has landed in sunny Arizona...Hideki Matsui thinks he'll be playing in the outfield for the Halos. Yeah and Danny Glove will be managing while Christopher Lloyd will be manning centerfield with a couple of Angels...The way things are going the Red Sox first baseman will be -- Casey Kotchman? On the upside, he never comitted an error while he played for the Braves.

Basketball: LeBron James celebrated his 25th birthday with 48 points and a Cavs 106-101 victory over the Hawks...For the first time this season the Nets beat the Knicks, 104-95...The Blazers topped the Clippers, 103-99 but lost LaMarcus Aldridge to an ankle injury in the process...Portland also pickedup Shavlik Randolph with a hardship exemption from the league...The Suns swept their season series with the Celtics, 116-98 as Kevin Garnett watched from the bench.
(Photo: Getty Images)

College Basketball: Cincinnati downed Connecticut, 71-69...Their return to the top 25 will be short lived for Northwestern as they fell to Illinois 89-83 in OT. Well it was fun for a while, huh?

College Football: Mike Leach is going to start his new year unemployed. Welcome to the recession Mikey...More light is being shed on Urban Meyer's health problems. The Florida head coach was rushed to the hospital with chest pains after the SEC championship game...Nebraska decimated Arizona, 33-0. I am guessing the Arizona marching band was probably doing better than the football team. (see: Arizona circa 1967)...Idaho stunned Bowling Green, 43-42. Bowling Green WR Freddie Barnes set a NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision record for most receptions in a single season in the loss.

Football: There's a lot of jawing going on for the final week of the NFL regular season. First you have Ochocinco running his mouth (what's new about that?)...And then there's Pittsburgh linebakcer LaMarr Woodley who is predicting that New England will lay down. Like it's ever a good idea to piss off Bill Belichick. He'll come to your house and beat you with the missing parts of sweatshirt sleeves...Look for more starters on the bench for the Colts this weekend...But don't look for Brandon Jacobs to be on the field for the Giants because his season is done...Not everyone is happy about having an uncapped year next season...Bill Cowher is reportedly not disgusted with taking the Buffalo job.

Hockey: It's never good when the Rangers don't have Henrik Lundqvist in goal, it's even worse when he gets chased in the first period. So it shouldn't come as any surprise that the Rangers got embarassed by the Flyers, 6-0. As if my stomach wasn't killing me enough, I had to sit through that debacle...Meanwhile across the river, the Devils were shutting down the Penguins, 2-0. I blame this all on the bus incident in Buffalo. They just haven't been the same since...The Bruins beat up the Thrashers, 4-0...The Sharks win streak hit six after they battled past the Capitals, 5-2...Marty Brodeur is heading to his fourth Olympics...While Teemu Selanne is going to his fifth...Canada edged the US, 2-1 in a women's exhibition...Don't forget as you're recovering tomorrow to tune into the Winter Classic on NBC!
(Photo: AP)

Best of the Rest: It's getting ugly and the actual fight hasn't even started. Manny Pacquiao is suing Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Sr. among others for making false and defamatory statements about him.

Check this Out: Saturday Night Live has announced its first two hosts of 2010 and they are --- Charles Barkley and Sigourney Weaver. Fine, you've got me SNL, I will watch at least one episode this year.

Hump Day Hair

Shout outs, for this week’s Hump Day Hair, go to the makers of Danillo Gallinari’s hair gel. The fact that his hair can stick up like he put his finger in a light socket from the first minute of the game to the closing seconds is a tribute to the strength and hold of this product. I am sure it’s the same stuff Pauly D from the Jersey Shore uses.

Downgrade this week goes to David Lee and whatever he is attempting to do with his hair right now. Someone needs a hair cut, or a dime sized drop of whatever Danillo’s putting in his hair!
(Photos: Reuters & AP)

Captain Idiot

The DC popo are investigating a claim that weapons were found inside a locker at the Verizon Center where the Washington Wizards play. The latest report should come as no surprise after it was revealed that Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas was being investigated by the NBA for keeping unloaded firearms in containers inside his locker. Arenas acknowledged the investigation and has reportedly been very cooperative.

“They've been (investigating) for the last two weeks…They just want to know where I got them from," Arenas said. "They want to make sure they're not dirty guns."

I don’t think their major concern is if they are legal or not. They are probably more worried that you are storing firearms at the same place where 23,000+ people gather to watch an NBA event. There is no reason to keep firearms – loaded or not – legal or not - in an NBA arena. You want to have guns, fine leave them in your house or the very least in your car.

Watch out Gilbert, because the popo are on your tail!
(Photo: AP; source)

A Dish Worth Serving

Baseball: If you were waiting for the Mets to make a splash this offseason (and yes I include myself in this category) well then here's a towel to wipe the water off your face, the Mets have signed Jason Bay to a four year, $66 million contract with a vesting option for a fifth year...Now that Bay's off the market, the Cardinals continue to feel upbeat about keeping Matt Holliday...Even though they couldn't trade Mike Lowell, the Red Sox remain interested in Adrian Beltre...The Nationals signed former Phillie Eric Bruntlett.

Basketball: The Cavs outlasted the Hawks, 95-84...The Bulls blew a 19 point lead only to rally to a 104-95 victory over the Pacers. Yeah, that's not giving you any bonus points Vinny...Kevin Durant threw up 30 points as the Thunder boomed past the Wizards, 110-98...Also scoring 30 points was David Lee who helped push the Knicks past the Pistons, 104-87. It was Detroit's eighth straight loss. Like the poor city isn't suffering enough what with that attempted terrorist attack and the Lions and all...The Kings have given GM Geoff Petrie a three year extension...Ron Artest's memory of his Christmas Day fall is still a little fuzzy.

College Basketball: John Wall set a Kentucky record with 16 assists as the Wildcats demolished Hartford, 104-61...Da'Sean Butler's buzzer beater allowed West Virginia to avoid an upset with a 63-62 win over Marquette...Purdue remains unbeaten after winning their first Big Ten match up against Iowa, 67-56...Speaking of the Hawkeyes, suspended guard Anthony Tucker pleaded guilty to public intoxication. Watch out Tony, because the popo are on your tail!...Duke hammered Long Beach State, 84-63.

(Photo: Getty Images)

College Football: Mike Leach isn't ready to watch the Alamo Bowl from the comfort of his La-Z-boy. He has filed an injuction to get his butt on the sidelines...Jeremy Shockey is going to be pissed after the U fell to Wisconsin, 20-14 in the Florida Citrus Bowl...Meanwhile UCLA rallied in the second half to stun Temple, 30-21...Vols head coach Lane Kiffin thinks Eric Berry will be heading to the NFL next year.

Football: The Pro Bowl selections were announced with Peyton Manning taking charge of the AFC and Mr. Sax Machine Jared Allen bringing the pain for the NFC...Troy Polamalu may not be ready for Sunday's game. With one game left and no chance at the playoffs, why don't you just call it a season Troy?...Lions QB Matthew Stafford underwent successful knee surgery...Saints defensive end Bobby McCray was charged with DUI early Tuesday morning. Watch out Bobby, because the popo are on your tail!

Hockey: No Ryan Miller, no problem for the Sabres who overcame a 3-0 deficit to beat the Penguins, 4-3...The Coyotes topped the Canucks, 3-2 (SO) for their 10th straight home record. That is giving the 10 fans in Phoenix a reason to come out for sure...Also winning in a shoot out were the Islanders who edged the Blue Jackets, 2-1...Steve Ott had two goals as the Stars nipped the Blackhawks, 5-4...The Capitals have sent goalie Semyon Varlamov to the AHL...Jaromir Jagr has been named to the Czech Republic's Olympic squad along with Patrik Elias and Tomas Plekanec...Sad news, High School hockey player Matthew McCarthy collapsed and died following practice. McCarthy was only 17 years old.

Best of the Rest: Ralf Schumacher would be willing to return to F1 for the right offer. Or really any offer.

Check this Out: It's almost time for those New Year's Resolutions. So if you need some inspiration, check out these ladies and men who are literaly half their size!

Real Team Work

Mother Nature tried her best, but she was no match for the Penguins and their coaching staff when their team bus got stuck a few blocks from the team hotel. Turns out they really really really wanted some free cable TV! Coach Dan Bylsma was joined by assistant coaches Mike Yeo, Tony Granato and Gilles Meloche, Senior Director of Team Operations Frank Buonomo, Vice President of Communications Tom McMillan, Head Athletic Trainer Chris Stewart and Video Coordinator Jim Britt in pushing their luxury coach out of the snow.

Judging from the photos above, someone is going to get quite the dry cleaning bill!
(Photo: Penguins.com; source via Puck Daddy)

Trust Falls

Baseball: With the recent signing of Mark DeRosa it is quickly becoming clear that the San Francisco Giants are becoming a haven for some of my favorite non-Braves players (See: Aaron Rowand not Barry Zito)...Is Juan Uribe heading back to the Bay Area?...Speaking of the Giants, their former reliever Bobby Howry has signed with the D'Backs...Justin Duchscherer is getting $5.5 million from the A's for one year...The Nats continue their offseason splurge picking up Matt Capps...The Mets have a brand new member, Kelvim Escobar...The Angels gave Fernando Rodney a two year deal...In fun law suit news, Chan Ho Park is suing his former battery mate Chad Kreuter after Chad allegedly failed to pay back a $460,000 loan.

Basketball: The Suns lit up the Lakers, 118-103...Phil Jackson is hoping Ron Artest will return to the team on Tuesday after Artest was injured in a freak Christmas day accident at his home...Oh no, the Celtics have lost two games!...Call me when their skid hits 10, like the Nets who fell to the Thunder, 105-89. Kevin Durant had 40 points in the win...After Nate Robinson was fined $25,000 for asking the Knicks for a trade, I wonder what will happen to Tracy McGrady. Probably nothing considering the Rockets are just are eager to get rid of T-Mac as Tracy is to get out of Houston...Vinny Del Negro is not being fired -- or at least that's what Vinny is saying.
(Photo: Getty Images)

College Basketball: It took 40 years, but Northwestern is back in the AP Top 25...New Jersey native Dexter Strickland helped UNC roll past Rutgers, 81-67.

College Football: It's been a wild few days for some of the top college coaches. First Urban Meyers announced he was stepping down from his position with Florida for health reasons only to say he'd instead be taking some time off...Then Texas Tech head coach Mike Leach was suspended indefinitely while the school investigates a complaint from receiver Adam James and his family...Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor has a partially torn knee ligament...Georgia hammered Texas A&M, 44-20 in the Independence Bowl.

Football: This was one game that Brett Favre's usual late game heroics could not save as the Bears overtook the Vikings, 36-30 in OT...Let's just say I don't want the Giants involved in my going away party...The Colts have come under some scrutiny after they removed their starters in the second half of the 29-15 loss to the Jets...For the rest of the scores from week 16 click here...The Eagles have lost center Jamaal Jackson after the big man tore a knee ligament...Eric Magini's future may not have been decided, but the coaching staff and GM Marty Hurney of the Panthers will have jobs in 2010...Jim Zorn knows what's coming, but seriously, can't the Redskins conduct interviews more secretly?

(Photo: AP)

Hockey: With his two goals, Zach Parise ended a 12 game goal-less streak. And even better for Parise, the Devils nipped the Thrashers, 3-2...Pascal Leclaire may have scored the Canadiens 20,000th goal, but it was not enough as Montreal fell to the Senators, 4-2...The Wild topped the Kings, 4-3...Even worse for LA, they placed Justin Williams on IR with a broken right leg...In other injury news, the Rangers will be without Vinny Prospal for at least 10 days after he underwent arthroscopic knee surgery. Great, just when things were starting to click for the Blueshirts...The Capitals traded Chris Clark and Milan Jurcina to Columbus for Jason Chimera...Meanwhile the Blue Jackets ended a nine game slide, upending the Red Wings, 1-0 in OT.

Best of the Rest: Sad news, a crew member for Richard Childress Racing Donald "DJ" Richardson has died from complications from the H1N1 virus...The Nevada boxing commission is ordering Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, Jr. to take urine tests before their proposed fight on March 13th...Congrats to Roger Federer and Serena Williams on being named the ITF's World Champions of 2009...I've been following this story for quite some time so I figured I should note that French tennis player Richard Gasquet has been cleared of all cocaine charges. Let it be known that I'd like Richard to handle any legal dispute I may get into from here on out.

Check this Out: TV Guide reviews the best movies of 2009 here.

Hump Day Hair

Clay Matthews
This is the type of photo you find in the girls locker room with a heart painted around it. Talk about a real sax machine (sorry Jared Allen)


Brendan Chillar
Ugly green mouth guard aside, Brendan's got all the makings of a really cool guy.


Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers has had his ups and downs. There was that creepy porn stache and then the mountain man look, but it appears he has settled into just the right balance between the outdoorsman with the beard and then the straight up business man with the short hair.
(Photos: AP)

Free Pizza, Come and Get it!

Thanks to that nifty midcourt shot made by Papa John's owner John Schnatter everyone who attended last week’s Oral Roberts – Louisville battle will receive a free one topping pizza from Papa John’s. Now I’ve never actually eaten there so I can’t say if that’s a prize worth accepting or not, but hey, if you’re a hungry college student, let’s be honest, you’ll probably eat anything – hence ramen noodles!
(source; video via ballhype)

I am dealing with the tortoise here

Baseball: The Nationals continue to be aggressive this offseason, signing Jason Marquis to a two year, $15 million contract...Are the Mets interested in bringing Pedro Martinez back? Sure Omar like this is going to save your job...Cardinals youngster Tyler Bighames was suspended 50 games for testing postive to a drug test - his second positive test. He should probably have a chat with Josh Hamilton or at the very least read his book...The Yankees were charged $25.69 million in luxury tax or Alex Rodriguez's yearly salary...Chip Caray has landed with FoxSports South calling Braves games for the channel. I have to admit, I don't mind Chip calling Braves games, playoff games, not so much...MLB and the umpire's union are close to agreeing to a new deal...A New Hampshire woman has been convicted of second degree murder after she backed her car into 29 year-old Matthew Beaudoin after he taunted her for being a Yankees fan. Watch out Ivonne Hernandez, because the popo are on your tail!

Basketball: Lovie Smith may not be the only Chicago area coach on the verge of umeployment after the Bulls blew a 35 point third quarter lead, eventually falling to the Kings, 102-98. Vinny are you nervous now?...J.J. Redick apparently got some good advice from former coach Mike Krzyzewski on Monday, because the former Duke standout netted 20 points as the Magic nipped the Jazz, 104-99...Paul Pierce drained three tres as the Celtics pounded the T'Wolves, 122-104.

College Basketball: Kentucky got their 2,000th victory in convincing fashion, doubling up Drexel, 88-44. No jitters there!...Nic Wise's three pointer with 0.1 seconds left in OT lifted Arizona over Lipscomb, 83-82...Guess who is still number one...UCLA senior forward Nikola Dragovic pleaded not guilty to felony assault after an alleged fight outside of a concert in Hollywood. Watch out Nikola, because the popo are on your tail!...New Jersey sure knows how to grow them, 16 year old Marvadene Anderson was named the world's tallest teenage girl after checking in at 6-11. The teen, not surprisingly has already earned a scholarship to play for Rutgers Prep basketball team in Somerset, NJ. Ok, she's actually from Jamaica, but she does play in NJ!
(Photo: AP)

College Football: When it rains it pours all over Southern California as three players Anthony McCoy, Tyron Smith and Averell Spicer have been ruled academically ineligible for Saturday's Emerald Bowl. Joe McKnight did not travel with the team now that he has SUVgate hanging over him...Don't worry USC, your not the only team that will be without three of its players for their bowl game, Ohio State will be without Bo DeLande, Rob Rose and Ray Small after the trio violated a team rule...Florida will be without leading rusher Brandon James after he underwent surgery on his right foot...Just in time for the National Championship, Texas has reinstated kickoff returner/receiver D.J. Monroe.

Football: The Giants kept their playoff hopes alive, stomping the Redskins, 45-12...Brett Favre was just pissed off Brad Childress wanted to take him out in the third quarter. How dare he make decisions like he's running the show - oh wait, he's the head coach...Hold onto your resume Eric Mangini, because Mike Holmgren is coming to Cleveland...The Cowboys have found a replacement for the less than reliable Nick Folk, Shaun Suisham...The Bengals will be traveling to New Orleans to attend Chris Henry's funeral.
(Photo: Getty)

Hockey: Three in a row baby! Three in a row!...Marty Broduer stands all alone at the top of the career shut out list after the Devils blanked the Penguins, 4-0...Penguins center Jordan Staal left midway through the second period after taking a puck to the face, but did return in the third. And that is why I love hockey...Tim Thomas and the Bruins stood up to the Senators, 2-0...Although I think even a loss couldn't take the smile off Mike Fisher's face after he got engaged to country singer Carrie Underwood over the weekend. Congrats to the happy couple...Patrick Marleau's two goals were the difference in the Sharks 4-2 win over the Stars...Ryan Malone scored two power play goals in the final period to lead the Lightning past the Islanders, 4-2...Another Ryan was at the heart of the Sabres 3-2 win over the Leafs, Ryan Miller. Can he be our goalie for the Olympics now team USA?

Best of the Rest: Congrats to Jimmie Johnson on being named the AP male athlete of 2009. He is the first racecar driver to win the award...Congratulations also go out to AJ Allmendinger who received just probation and community service for his DWI. Watch out AJ, because the popo are on your tail!...Congrats to Lionel Messi who was named the World Player of the Year...Brazil's Marta earned the honor for the ladies...Good news football fans (soccer for those in the US), arrests at football matches were down by 2% in England and Wales this year. That resulted in only 3,752 arrests. Wow that's a number you can really hang your hat on.

Check this Out: Last year it was gang from How I Met Your Mother bringing the Olympics to life and this year Big Bang Theory' Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki and Kaley Cuoco show us a little something about 2009, here.

Fans of the Week

These guys, for making Ron Artests trip into the stands at the Palace at Auburn Hills a much more enjoyable (see: not arrest worthy) than the last time he was there.
(Photo: Getty Images)

snow! snoW! snOW! sNOW! SNOW!

Baseball: The Cubs have sent Milton Bradley to the Mariners for -- who cares? They've gotten rid of a big problem, if they got an Ichiroll back in the deal they would come out ahead...In other Seattle news, they signed outfielder and former Baby Brave Ryan Langerhans to a one year, $525,000 contract. Yeah Ryan!...The Yankees brought back Nick Johnson. Johnny Damon, it's now time for you to look elsewhere...The Reds have restructured Scott Rolen's contract, giving him two extra years...The A's are close to signing outfielder Coco Crisp...While the Rangers are close to bringing back reliever Darren Oliver...The Orioles signed former Braves closer Mike Gonzalez to a two year, $12 million contract. Well at least the Braves have Billy Wanger. I think I just threw up a little in my mouth!...Surprise, surprise, the Phillies picked up Jimmy Rollins $8.5 million contract for 2011...Mike Lowell's wonky thumb will undergo surgery. Note he's still with the Red Sox.

Basketball: The Mavs rolled over the Cavs, 102-95 without the help of Dirk Nowitzki...The Mavericks have officially filed an appeal of their Friday overtime loss to the Rockets...The Lakers cruised to a 93-81 victory over the Pistons...Carmelo Anthony's 41 points were not enough as the Nuggets edged out the Grizzles, 102-96...The Knicks held off the Bobcats, 98-94...Is Nate Robinson heading out of New York? Not Kryptonate!

College Basketball: Florida State ended Georgia Tech's 17 game win streak, 66-59...Meanwhile UCONN narrowly escaped an upset bid by UCF, 60-51...Connecticut and Jim Calhoun are working on an extension...Iowa's Anthony Tucker, 20 has been suspended for one game after being arrested for public intoxication. Shouldn't he also get hit up with some sort of underage drinking charge as well? Watch out Anthony, because the popo are on your tail!...Duke's backup forward Olek Czyz is planning on transferring...Kentucky is sitting one win away from 2,000. I hope the pressure doesn't get to you!

College Football: This seems a bit fishy, an SUV being driven by USC running back Joe McKnight was reportedly purchased for his girlfriend as a favor. Johana Michelle Beltran does make the payments for the Land Rover. What junior in college needs a Land Rover?...Cincinnati's interim head coach Jeff Quinn has been hired as the new head coach of Buffalo. He will coach the Bearcats in the Allstate Sugar Bowl. Good idea, because at this rate they'll have to use a super Senior to coach...Dwight Dasher rushed for 201 yards, the most by a quarterback in a Bowl game, as Middle Tennessee topped Southern Miss, 42-32.

Football: With heavy hearts, the Bengals took the field only to fall to the Chargers, 27-24. San Diego clinched a playoff spot with the win...Chad Ochocinco stuck with #85 even though there was some thought that he would wear #15 to honor the late Chris Henry...Despite being spanked by the Panthers, 26-7, the Vikings still wrapped up the Division after the Packers fell to the Steelers, 37-36...Although the loss did put a bit of a strain on Brett Favre and Brad Childress' relationship...Also clinching their division were the Cardinals who stunned the Lions, 31-24. Who am I kidding, it's the Lions, they'd probably be more stunned if they didn't lose a game in the closing two minutes...The Eagles are heading back to the playoffs after stomping over the 49ers, 27-13...The Bears stumbled to a 31-7 loss to the Ravens, making Lovie Smith's stay in Chicago very questionable...For more of Sunday's scores click here.
(Photo: Reuters)

Hockey: The hits just keep coming for the Red Wings, if it's not losing Henrik Zetterberg for two weeks, it's being blanked by the Hawks, 3-0...David Backes scored two goals in the Blues 3-1 win over the Canucks...The Rangers doubled up the Flyers, 2-1. What does this mean they've actually won two in a row?...The Montreal Canadiens got to discover the beauty of Long Island for one extra day thanks to that crappy winter storm over the weekend. This of course came after they shut out the Isles, 3-0. So not all was lost...The NHL wants to expand to two Winter Classics next season.

Best of the Rest: Danica Patrick turned her first laps in a stock car at Daytona...CJM Racing has suspended operation...While the Milwaukee Mile has announced it will not host any racing events in 2010.

Check this Out: EW looks at the Best and worst of TV for 2009.

Separated at Birth

Not only are these guys young, talented and rich, but I have literally babysat people who are now older than both Michael Del Zotto and Sidney Crosby. Now all Sid has to do is grow out his horrible haircut and they’ll be twins once again.

Something Randy Moss could get behind

A little late on this one, but I thought it deserved to be mentioned

A man who works as Pat Patriot, the mascot for the New England Patriots, was arrested in a prostitution sting in Rhode Island over the weekend after a new law went into effect that closed a loophole that had allowed indoor prostitution. Way to take all the fun out of Rhode Island. What are you going to do next? Close the casinos? Turn the smallest state in the country into one large dry county?

Robert Sormanti of Warwick was among the 14 people busted in an undercover sting held at a local hotel, hopefully somewhere classy like a Motel 6.

Not surprisingly, Sormanti has been suspended by the team. But don’t worry Pats fans, he is just one of the many people who play Pat Patriot from time to time. Oh, no did I just have a “no Santa Claus” type slip?

Watch out Robby, because the popo are on your tail!
(Photo: AP; source)

Hump Day Hair

Brett Favre sees his future and it’s awesome!
(Photo: AP)

Job Well Done

Baseball: The Dodgers have traded Juan Pierre to the White Sox for two minor leaguers...The Phillies have reportedly reached a deal with Roy Halladay...And Cliff Lee would like everyone to know he did not ask to be traded out of Philly...Mets GM Omar Minaya is on the hot seat and I don't know the signing of Japanese set-up man Ryota Igarashi is going to change anything...Congrats to the Blue Jays Adam Lind on winning the Edgar Martinez Outstanding DH Award...Tony LaRussa and Joe Torre are just two of the 14 members of a "special committee for on-field matters"....An ownership group which includes Nolan Ryan are talking with Rangers owner Tom Hicks about purchasing the team...Sad news, Cal State Long Beach player James Wernke was found dead in a rain-swollen creek near where he was last seen walking his girlfriend's dog. He was just 21 years old.

Basketball: In his first game back, Tracy McGrady was a little rusty, scoring only three points as the Rockets ended the Pistons five game win streak, 107-96. Well that ends the debate about voting someone to the All-Star team who hasn't played...Kobe Bryant scored 42 points with a broken finger as the Lakers sunk the Bulls, 96-87...The Cavs beat up the Nets, 99-89. Not that that is a very difficult feat...Seriously, yesterday I was flipping between the Knicks game and the Pens/Flyers rumble and I swear I turned the Knicks games off in the middle of the fourth quarter confident they'd wrapped up a victory and I flipped back with 6 seconds to go and they were losing 94-87. What the hell happened? A 15-2 run would be what happened. Oh and shout outs to Nascar driver Denny Hamlin who looked to have very nice courtside seats for the game...Ron Artest called Tiger Woods the perfect role model. Well if you mean in terms of sleeping with a vast amount of women and not getting anyone but your wife pregnant then yes, he is the perfect role model.

College Basketball: Jon Scheyer had a career high 36 points as Duke trampled Gardner-Webb, 113-68...Tennessee outlasted Wyoming, 77-58...Arkansas self-reported a secondary voilation concerning its athletes and the use of their photos...I know I said I was bored yesterday after looking at the AP Poll which had Kansas and Texas at the top again, but that's nothing compared to the Women's which features UCONN in the number spot for the 30th straight week.
(Photo: AP)

College Football: After having six players named All-Americans, it's easy to see why Alabama is fighting for the National title this year...Two Ohio State players have been ruled ineligible for the Rose Bowl...Cincinnati is looking at Central Michigan coach Butch Jones as a replacement for Brian Kelly...Not everyone is happy about Mack Brown's $2 million raise...Congrats to TCU's Gary Petterson on being named Sporting News Coach of the Year...Keith Easterwood will not be talking to the NCAA about Tennessee's hostesses...The Big ten could expand by two. So that would make it the Big 12?

Football: Watch out Eric Mangini, the Browns are continuing to talk with Mike Holmgren...Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald has a sprained knee...Clinton Portis' concussion does not seem career ending. But will it end his time in DC?...Someone may want to put a muzzle on Cowboys receiver Roy Williams. Just saying, it's probably not a good idea to provoke a team that is 13-0...The Rams have released Richie Incognito after his spat with coach Steve Spagnuolo. Clearly he was not being a good Incognito...Vikings back-up linebacker Erin (spelt the girl's way) Henderson was suspended four games for violating the League's PED rule...Just in case you were wondering, the NFL has ruled the Redskins did not tamper with Albert Haynesworth.

Hockey: Sidney Crosby had a goal and two assists as the Penguins punched out the Flyers, 6-1. Can't wait for Thursday when these two go at it again...Speaking of the Kid, he was named the top athlete in Canada for 2009...Also winning big were the Caps who shelled the Avs, 6-1...The Kings nipped the Oilers, 3-2 to take over the top spot in the West...It was fun night in St. Louis. They retired Brett Hull's #16 and then edged the Flames, 4-3...New day, same old Rick DiPietro, the man made of glass.
(Photo: AP)

Best of the Rest: Look at that, Yanina Wickmayer will be allowed to play tennis after all...Kurt Busch didn't have to look far for his new crew chief, he just took the one his brother gave up. Steve Addington should change his business card to include "The Official Crew Chief of the Busch Brothers."...There will be one less week of festivities for the Indy 500 this year.

Check this Out: The Camel totally steals the show in this clip.

Drunken Birds

I think the Cardinals may need to change their logo to include bars after a third member of their organization was busted for DUI over the weekend. Rookie third baseman David Freese was stopped for a traffic offense in suburban St. Louis when the Maryland Heights popo decided to give him a sobriety test. Guess who failed?

Freese was booked and released. A date has not been set for his court appearance.

David’s agent released a statement along the lines of his client is very remorseful, but glad he wasn’t the only member of the team to throw caution to the wind and drive drunk. He also mentioned that at least he didn’t fall asleep at the wheel, something I am sure Tony LaRussa appreciated.

This was the fourth alcohol and driving related incident for the team since 2007. In that year Tony LaRussa was busted at a stop light and then a few months later reliever Josh Hannock was killed when his car plowed into a tow truck parked on Interstate 64 near St. Louis. It was later discovered that Hannock was speeding and talking on his cell phone when the incident happened. A year later, the always reliable Scott Spezio was arrested in California after a car accident.

Watch out Cardinals, because the popo are on your tail!
(Photo: Getty Images; source)

Lesson Learn #819

Swinging an elbow like you're five and someone stole your cookie will get you a one game suspension, Trevor Ariza.
(via The Baseline)

Blockbuster

Baseball: It's far from official, but it's looking like the Phillies have won the Roy Halladay sweepstakes, although it's coming at a big price. Philadelphia would have to trade Cliff Lee to the Mariners as part of this three team trade...Also winning big is John Lackey who is reportedly signing with the Red Sox for $85 million...Boston is also close to signing outfielder Mike Cameron...Oh and the BoSox have offered Cuban left-hander Aroldis Chapman $15.5 million. This is a nice pre-Christmas shopping spree Theo, I hope you got your wife and kid a bunch of goodies as well...The Angels may have lost Chone Figgins and John Lackey, but they could end up with Hideki Matsui. Hey he was World Series MVP...The Cardinals are really trying to bring back Matt Holliday...The Brewers finalized their contract with Randy Wolf and also re-signed Craig Counsell...Guess who will be opening up the baseball season on my lovely birthday/Easter -- the Yankees and Red Sox. I would have so rathered the Braves, but what can you do?

Basketball: The Celtics are red hot after notching their 11th straight win, 110-105...The 76ers ended a 12 game lossing streak, dropping the Warriors, 117-101...Kevin Durant may have topped Carmelo Anthony is the points column, but it still wasn't enough for the Thunder to take out the Nuggets...Houston Rockets coach Rick Adelman is not thrilled with the Rockets "ridiculous schedule." I guess not thrilled would be putting it mildly.
(Photo: Getty Images)

College Basketball: It's starting to get very boring looking at the new polls and seeing Kansas and Texas still sitting at the top...UPENN coach Glen Miller has been given his walking papers. Jerome Allen will take over as interim head coach...Meanwhile South Carolina coach Darrin Horn was given a two year extension.

College Football: Jake Locker must really love college life because he's staying at Washington...Probably because unlike at USF, he doesn't get hit by his coach (Allegedly -- of course)...Kansas State kick returner Brandon Banks was arrested on charges of battery and unlawful possession of a stimulant early Sunday morning. Watch out Brandon, because the popo are on your tail!

Football: Do you want the bad news or the other bad news Cardinals fans? Well with the 24-9 loss to the Niners, Arizona was unable to clinch the NFC West...Oh and Larry Fitzgerald got injured. Sorry to be such a Debbie Downer..Like any good coach and QB, Bill Belichick and Tom Brady are defending Randy Moss...DeMarcus Ware could play on Saturday against the Saints...And Bengals QB Carson Palmer says his elbow is 101 percent...Raiders QB Bruce Gradkowski is iffy for Sunday's game, but instead of going to JaMarcus Russel, will Oakland turn to Charlie Frye?...Get excited Jaguars fans, because for the first time all season, their game will not be blacked out!

Hockey: The Thrashers bested the Rangers, 3-2 (SO). Well at least the Rangers got a point in Brandon Dubinsky's first game back from injury. Who am I kidding, this is getting to be very difficult to watch...The Sabres held off the Canadiens, 4-3 for their fourth straight victory...Just when you think the Islanders are improving they get their asses handed to them 7-1 style by the Panthers...Steve Sullivan scored a hat trick as the Predators beat the Blue Jackets, 5-3...The Red Wings stopped the Coyotes, 3-2 but lost Jonathan Ericsson in the process...After putting Andrew Ebbett on IR, the Wild have now lost four players to concussions.
(Photo: AP)

Best of the Rest: Just when you think the worst is behind you, your doctor becomes involved in a performance enhancing drug probe. Oh well, Tiger at least you have your millions to buy a private island and never have to worry about dealing with people ever again...The International Tennis Federation does not play around. They will not allow Yanina Wickmayer to play despite a court injunction that supsended her one-year ban for violating anti-doping rules.

Check this Out: The Golden Globe nominations are in, so click here for movies and here for TV. Yeah Glee!!

Fan of the Week

“It’s cold, a man has got to do something to keep warm” – Drunk Santa in Miracle on 34th Street

(Photo: AP)

Incognito

Baseball: Jason Bay is reportedly moving on from the Red Sox...Atlanta has re-signed Matt Diaz and cut Ryan Church and Kelly Johnson...The Nats have reportedly locked up Scott "Tazzy McSusan" Olsen for one year...The Blue Jays signed catcher John Buck to a one year, $2 million contract...Buck was not re-signed by the Royals who gave catcher Jason Kendall a two year, $6 million contract...Kansas City also reached one-year deals with Brian Bannister and Kyle Davies...Kevin Correia is sticking with the Padres...The Rangers have put their trade for Mike Lowell on hold as they evaluate his thumb...The Reds cut outfielder Johnny Gomes...While the Mets have let Tim Redding, Jeremy Reed and Cory Sullivan go...And the Rockies have parted with Garrett Atkins...Chien-Ming Wang is a free agent.

Basketball: LeBron James seemed like he just couldn't miss as he accumulated 44 points in the Cavs 102-89 knock out of the Thunder...Not to be outdone, Rudy Gay put up a career high 41 points as the Grizzles stiffled the Heat, 118-90...Things were going so well for the Nets, they won two games and then they go and get crushed by the Hawks, 130-107...New Jersey is awaiting the results from an MRI on Chris Douglas-Robert's knee...After three years away from the NBA, the Knicks have signed forward Jonathan Bender.

College Basketball: Juan Fernandez drained seven three pointers as Temple upset Villanova, 75-65...Also winning in stunning fashion was Xavier who outlasted Cincinnati 83-79 in double OT...You may want to avoid heckling UNC when Roy Williams is around.
(Photo: AP)

College Football: Congrats to Mark Ingram on winning the Heisman Trophy. He is the first player from Alabama to garner that honor...Kansas announced their hiring of Turner Gill as their new head coach...With Turner leaving, Buffalo named Danny Barrett as their interim head coach as they begin their search.

Football: The Colts clinched home field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 28-16 win over the Broncos. The win also kept them undefeated...Kind of like the Saints who held off the Falcons, 26-23. The win allowed New Orleans to clinch a bye...Broncos WR Brandon Marshall had a record 21 receptions in the loss to the Colts...With Dallas falling to the Chargers, 20-17, the Eagles took advantage with a wild 45-38 victory over the Giants to take sole possession of first place in the NFC East. PS if I have to hear that lame E-A-G-L-E-S chant one more time in the New York area I am going to go postal (and remember that term came from my hometown)...The Patriots doubled up the Panthers, 20-10 but it's Randy Moss' attitude that is making all the noise...For all of Sunday's scores, click here...Good news, Dallas linebacker DeMarcus Ware was "aware and alert with full movement and strength in his extremities" after leaving the field on a stretcher on Sunday. Ware was diagnosised with a sprained neck.

(Photo: AP)

Hockey: The Avalanche edged the Flames, 3-2 to take the Northwest lead...Antti Niemi got his third shutout in seven starts as the Blackhawks blanked the Lightning, 4-0...Alex Kovalev scored his 400th career goal on a night where he picked up a hat trick for the Senators who topped the Canes, 4-2...Are the Coyotes close to being sold?...Can you believe it's only 18 days until the Winter Classic? As such, the Flyers and Bruins got their first look at Fenway.

Best of the Rest: Milka Duno will try her hand at stockcar racing. Good, because the IndyCar career went so well...An appeals court has rejected a claim that International Speedway Corp has violated federal antitrust laws. Yeah, because it's not like the people who run ISC also run Nascar. Wait a second -- ...Felipe Massa could drive a Formula 1 car in the "next few days." Excellent news for a guy who suffered life-threatening injuries in a crash in July...Could Michael Schumacher be headed back to F1?

Check this Out: I may have to take a trip to Vegas soon, especially after Garth Brooks kicked off what could turn into a five year run at the Wynn this weekend. For details, click here.

Friday Funnies

(Photo:AP)

I think I have Tom Coughlin face, thank you old man winter!

Baseball: The Mets are emerging as a big bidder for Jason Bay. Why this isn't the Braves when they apparently had $7 million to spend of Billy Wagner, I don't know...The Yankees and Johnny Damon are talking...The Astros continue their busy offseason by signing Pedro Feliz to a one year, $4.5 million contract...The Pirates gave Bobby Crosby a one year, $1 million contract. Wow, even $1 million couldn't get me in a Pirates uniform...The Twins traded Boof Bonser to the Red Sox for a player to be named later...The City of Oakland unveiled three possible sites for the new A's Stadium.

Basketball: The Celtics streak is up to nine after edging the Wizards, 104-102...Meanwhile the Magic is gone for Orlando who fell to Utah, 120-111...The Wizards will wear a patch to honor their late owner Abe Pollin...The Pistons topped the Nuggets, 101-99 despite Carmelo Anthony's 40 point performance...Robin Lopez is very -- ah -- passionate about basketball...Ever wonder why people don't really trust the fans to vote for important things? Well take for example the NBA All-Star voting which could send the injured Tracy McGrady to the Western Conference's starting line-up. Seriously people he hasn't even played a game yet. This isn't a lifetime acheivement award!
(Photo: Reuters)

College Basketball: Syracuse remains undefeated after downing Florida, 85-73...Draymond Green had a career high 19 points as Michigan State hammered Oakland, 88-57...The NCAA is discussing expanding the Tournament past the current 65 teams. I think 65 is just fine. Remember, not everyone deserves to make the tourny!

College Football: Notre Dame has a new head coach and his name is Brian Kelly...Lane Kiffin is claiming Tennessee didn't do anything wrong...Colt McCoy has racked up the Awards, but is a Heisman in his future?

Football: It's getting really bad for the Steelers who fell to the Browns (yeah that Browns team), 13-7. Cleveland picked up their first rushing touchdown of the season and it only took them 14 weeks to do it!...Patriots linebacker Adalius Thomas was not happy about being sent home early on Wednesday...Tom Brady is falling apart at the seems. If it's not his finger, it's now his rib...Vince Young had to ice his knee. What is this world coming to?...Wilhelmina modeling agency has signed Terrell Owens. Well at least he has something to fall back on as his career winds down...A woman is suing Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs for $70 million claiming he fathered her child and also abused her. Who has two thumbs and is looking for a payday? Candace Williams! (Assuming she has two thumbs)
(Photo: Getty Images)

Hockey: Mark Recchi scored twice in the final three minutes to help the Bruins hold off the Maple Leafs, 5-2...Pascal Dupuis' third period goal handed the Penguins a 3-2 win over the Canadiens...Justin Williams' goal in the eighth round of the shootout allowed the Kings to end the Coyotes five game win streak, 3-2 (SO)...The Senators blanked the Flyers, 2-0...Daniel Sedin outscored the Thrashers all by himself with his three goals in the Canucks' 4-2 victory...Wings forward Dan Cleary will miss a month with a separated shoulder...Lightning forwards Steven Stamkos and Ryan Malone are listed as day-to-day...The Rangers have sent Matt Gilroy to the minors. A little suprised about this move. Although it is nice to hear that Brandon Dubinsky is skating even if a return date is not set. When you lose five out of your last six, you need to look for the silver lining!

Best of the Rest: Dinara Safina has withdrawn from next month's Brisbane International...Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario has been ordered to pay 3.5 million euros in unpaid income tax...Is Real Madrid star Raul headed to the MLS?

Check this Out: Jenny Sanford, the wife of disgraced South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford has filed for divorce. What took you so long?