Bears go to 3-0

Didn't think that one-time offensive guru Mike Martz had it in him, but he's managed to turn the Chicago Bears offence around enough that they're now 3-0.  Sure, they were aided by a garbage, but accurate, call against Detroit, and a self-defeating Dallas team, but they were very much deserving of the win last night at home to Green Bay.

Tampa Bay Rays star pitcher David Price banged out his tweet last night: "Had a chance to clinch a post season spot tonight with about 10,000 fans in the stands....embarrassing."  Evan Longoria also called it embarrassing. So, for those that think players are fine with apathy and empty seats, think again.  But maybe it is just a Tampa thing?  After all, the Bucs are looking at a full-season of no sellouts and locally blacked out games.  And if those two can't sell tickets, the Lightning have to be sweating bullets.

Only the Buffalo Bills spend an entire off-season getting a guy ready to be starting quarterback - namely, Trent Edwards - start him the first two games, and then cut him after Week 3.  At least the Philadelphia Eagles have left Kevin Kolb on the bench.  And speaking of the 2007 QB Draft Class, not exactly a great output thus far from JaMarcus Russell, Brady Quinn, Edwards and Kolb.

For the second straight week, Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Shaun Smith has been accused of fondling an opponents genitals. Classy.

Asks an emailer to The Jim Rome Show: "is 'Jose Bautista' Spanish for 'Brady Anderson'?". Ouch.

Champions League action resumes this week with eight games today and eight tomorrow. The big one today is a depleted Arsenal - and can we just call them Depleted Arsenal going forward, for how often they're missing injured players? - visiting Partizan Belgrade.  Chelsea are minus a suspended Didier Drogba, and injured Frank Lampard and Solomon Kalou for their home date with Marseille.

New York Yankee Alex Rodriguez ranks 19th all-time in RBI with 1822 -- but with 39 more RBI, he'll move up to 11th all-time and pass Mel Ott.  Joel Sherman at the NY Post has a section in this article that talks of how ridiculously clutch A-Rod has become and how he's "the hitter the Yanks want up in a big spot more than anyone else – by a lot."  Adds River Ave. Blues: "A-Rod has been the team’s greatest player since the moment he first put on the uniform in 2004. Even at 35-years-old, he’s a force at the plate and far-and-away the guy every Yankee fan wants to see at the plate in a big spot. How times have changed. It seems foolish to laud a player when he figures to be around for so many more years, but Alex is no ordinary player. He’s an all-time great Yankee, and deserves to be recognized as such."  My how things have changed.

If the Boston Red Sox are to force a playoff with the New York Yankees, Boston must win at least 5 of last 7, and if that happened, the Yankees would have to go 0-6.  Good news for the Yankees: they're at 93 wins with AJ Burnett sitting at 15 losses after his infuriating "performance" last night.  If he cuts that to 12 next year, they're going to be that much better.  Oh, and if I haven't reminded you recently, Cliff Lee will be joining the starting staff, too.

Everybody's moral compass Tony Dungy says that the New York Jets were too soft on Braylon Edwards.  That may be the case, but why does he feel the need to play God and judge every situation and everybody?


Indianapolis Colts GM Bill Polian says an 18-game NFL season is a done deal.

Weekend wrap...

Gotta love the signs floated by Toronto FC supporters on Saturday, bashing the owners of the club and of course, the Maple Leafs and Raptors.  Most impressive is that Leafs and Raptors fans have quietly endured garbage for far longer.

Panic in New York?  The Yankees were planning to use Dustin Moseley to start the game and push Phil Hughes back a few days to rest him some, but after four straight home losses and the Boston Red Sox opening the door a crack in the Wild Card race, manager Joe Girardi, who overmanages at the best of times, turned course and started Hughes last night.  Turned out to be a wise one as Hughes was fantastic over 8 innings, only giving up a run and three hits.  Still the Yanks would need some late inning heroics from A-Rod, hitting his 29th homer in a two run shot to give them a 3-2 lead.  Ballgame?  Nope.  Mariano Rivera blew it and the Yanks won it in the 10th.  Rivera has now thrown 5.2 innings, giving up 9 hits and 6 earned runs and three blown saves since September 10th.  Not what the Yanks want to see heading to October.

The Toronto Blue Jays are holding a "Thank You Cito" night on Wednesday, their last home game.  Not sure for what exactly, but the first 35,000 fans will get a commemorative ticket and lanyard.  35,000?  Clearly, the promotion will continue into the home opener next year.

Not surprisingly, the Tampa Bay Bucs were exposed by the Pittsburgh Steelers and as a result, are no longer among the undefeated after a 38-13 beatdown.  For a team lacking their starting QB in Ben Roethlesberger, the Steelers have still managed to shoot out of the gate 3-0 with two road wins in the bunch.

Speaking of fraudulent undefeated teams, look for the Kansas City Chiefs to lose before long.  The teams they've beat to move to 3-0 are a combined 1-8.

The Dallas Cowboys were backed into a corner and came out of it showing the form many had predicted they would this year in a 27-13 win over the Houston Texans. Funny what happens when you commit to running the ball and clean up the mistakes (read: penalties and bad play calls).  Credit where due: Roy Williams is having a strong start to the season, adding two touchdowns yesterday.  Speaking of pre-season contenders, the Minnesota Vikings got off the schneid yesterday with a 24-10 win over the Detroit Lions.  They weren't exactly mistake free, as the OHB tossed another couple of INT's.

The Toronto Argos played a home game in Moncton, NB yesterday.  Not sure anybody in Toronto noticed.

Check out this tweet from Arizona Cardinals kicker Jay Feely:  "The broadcast is dead on with the fake injury thing. Jets often tell a guy on Kickoff to fake an injury to give the Def a breather."  I'm sure there are a lot of football - North American style - with their heads firmly buried in the sand that such a thing could occur in the "man's game".

The English Premier League season is barely a month old, and despite Chelsea's smoking start and big talk, there's a long way to go, especially after Manchester City took them down on Saturday for their first loss of the year.  Manchester United had a chance to narrow the gap at the top to a point but blew it, drawing 2-2 with Bolton.  Funny things happen to teams when another week of Champions League play is about to get started.

In the middle of a scandal that says he's paid some big bucks for prostitutes, the LA Galaxies David Beckham had a fan crack him about it while walking off the field.  Beck's turned around and challenged the fan to say it to his face, and bashed him for wearing a Galaxy jersey.  Gotta say, I'm impressed.  See the video here.

If you're a team's captain, regardless of sport, probably the least captain-like thing you can do in a must-win game that your team is losing is to turn a goal/run/basket/whatever celebration into a "me" time and mime a cheque signing because you want to be paid more.  And to make it worse, then talk about how you deserve more post-game.  But that's exactly what Toronto FC's alleged leader Dwayne De Rosario did on Saturday.  Idiot.  Not only should TFC not be giving him a raise into the Designated Player category - not to a 32-year old - they should look to ship him out of town.  I get he's sour that there are guys making more money, but a captain doesn't ever take something like that public.

You didn't think I'd forget to do a Prime Time Pick did you?  After last night's comfortable win, we're 4-2 on the season.  Tonight, playing the Green Bay Packers at -3.  Liking the over as well as both can put up some big points, but I tend to stay away from over/under plays in this corner.

Have a great Monday.

Looking for some sporting action to carry you through until NFL kickoff?  Manchester United hosts Bolton at 7AM in what should be a beatdown on Setanta.  If you've got The Score, AC Milan face Genoa in Serie A action.

Biggest NFL game of the day has to be the Dallas Cowboys fighting for their season in Houston today.  0-3 and you can bet Dallas is done, regardless of whether that means Wade Phillips gets fired over the bye.

With two catches today against the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Raven Anquan Boldin will be the fastest player to reach 600 receptions, doing it in 98 games.

The Prime Time Picks raced out to a 3-0 start before dropping both ends of the Week 2 action.  Up tonight, we're playing the New York Jets at +1.  Don't exactly love that one, however.

I'm sure there are many shedding tears upon hearing the news that Jose Canseco is begging for some free legal work after being evicted from his home after not paying rent for two months.  Didn't that guy make millions playing ball?  Presumably he did okay on his books?  How the hell is he broke?

MLB Commissioner Bud Selig says the idea of expanding the playoffs is something that will be looked at this winter.  Whenever you're ready, Allan Huber.

The Tampa Bay Rays are already talking about cutting $25 million from their payroll next year.  Fortunately for them, they've got loads of young talent that is ready for Prime Time, but still, got to be sad for their fan base.  That said, despite their successes of the last three years, their attendance has only increased by 800 per game since 2008. 

For those planning on hitting an NFL game this season, the Sports Pickle offers up 10 tailgating tips.

The New York Yankees, as they are going, will not win the World Series this year.  Too many pitching question marks and they're now the Wild Card team after a 10-8 loss to Boston last night that was 10-1 in a heartbeat as Andy Pettitte had his worst start of the year.  While they've had a great year considering the ups and downs of Javier Vazquez and AJ Burnett, they can't go into the playoffs with only CC Sabathia a no-brainer.  Phil Hughes is running on fumes after never working this much, and too many question marks around the rest of the starters.  Now, when you've got a hot Curtis Granderson and a guy with Lance Berkman's abilities hitting at the bottom and Derek Jeter seemingly finding himself, you can make up for a lot, but this fan doesn't have the same feeling he typically does when the Yanks end up winning.  Right now, I'm thinking a Tampa and New York ALCS, with the winner getting beat by Philadelphia who should cruise through the NL.

Jose Bautista hit two more home runs last night to tally 52 on the season, now the biggest one season jump in MLB history.  Now, before this "MVP" train gets moving too quickly, consider this: nobody has ever won the award with a batting average in the .260's, much less a guy on a 4th place team.  Only four AL MVP's have even batted below .300. 

Manchester City were going to be in tough against rolling Chelsea regardless of the situation today, but with all their first choice defenders hurt or hurting, they could be in for a long day.  That one goes off early, 7:45am on Setanta Sports.

Toronto FC host the San Jose Earthquakes at 4pm today at BMO Field.  Coverage on CBC.  TFC need...you know the familiar drill.

Not only is Toronto Maple Leafs first round pick from 2009 Nazem Kadri not impressing at camp, he's not exactly impressing with his mouth either.  When asked why he wears #43, here was his dim response: "It was the number I was assigned.  As a kid, it was number 9. I liked that number because of Paul Kariya. Then he kind of went down the drain a little bit..."  Better a has been than a never was, Nazem. Respect Kariya.

Not exactly an awe inspiring main event in 2010 at UFC 119 from Indianapolis, where Frank Mir will fight Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic.  Pretty obvious to most who I hope will win, but not sure who does.  What I do like is the fight to finish in the first round.  Also on the card, the undefeated Ryan Bader takes on Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in what should be a real interesting bout.  Full card here.

If you believe the rumors, Carmelo Anthony could be a New Jersey Net as soon as today as a four-team deal is being worked on.  Crazy how much talent is swinging to or looking to move to the East.

If you're an MLB team looking to host a "guaranteed win" night, your odds are stacked if you're doing it with the Pittsburgh Pirates in town.  The Pirates are 6-45 their last 51 road games.

I'm sure the LA Lakers will be thrilled to hear that Andrew Bynum postponed his knee surgery a month over the off-season so he could attend World Cup soccer games in South Africa.  It comes as no surprise then given Bynum's Pavano-esque recuperative powers that he's not going to be ready for the pre-season.

A Michigan man is giving the Travis Henry's and Evander Illegitimate-field's of the world a serious run for his money: he's got 23 kids with 14 different women.  Not shockingly, he's struggling to keep up with support payments.  The cure?  Not going to prison, which he is.

Back tomorrow with more, have a great Saturday.

Bautista hits 50...

Toronto Blue Jay Jose Bautista hit is 50th home run of the season, and acknowledged he understands why people might ask if he was clean.  In the same game, Ichiro knocked his 200th hit of the season, which is impressive on its own.  More impressive?  That's ten straight years of 200+ hits.

Vegas is poised for an interesting week, with 9 of 16 NFL games showing lines of 3.5 points or less (at the moment), and 7 home dogs.  I don't follow how Cincinnati is only -3 - albeit on the road - against a winless Carolina team starting a rookie QB.  Am I missing something?

Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo says "it's not me, it is you" with regard to the Cowboys problems through two weeks of the NFL season.  As in, it isn't the passing game, it is the running game.  Right, because that boneheaded flip at the end of the first half in Washington was done by another #9.  Sure the run could be better, but now's not the time to start pointing fingers, TR.

Incredibly, the Arizona Diamondbacks have more strikeouts this year than they do hits.  No, seriously: 1304 hits as of this morning, 1417 whiffs.  That's got to be tough to accomplish.

If I was out partying with Donte Stallworth the night he got into a car, loaded, and mowed down a pedestrian and killed the guy, I'm guessing I'd probably be pretty careful about getting behind the wheel of a car myself after having one drink, nevermind enough to blow .16, double the legal limit.  But not New York Jet Braylon Edwards.  Yep, the most shocking thing of a guy driving home from a Manhatten bar isn't that he blew double the limit, it is that he was with Stallworth that fateful night in Miami.  Edwards is clearly a moron, at best.

The ever-forward thinking NHL is implementing a ban on bloggers having access to locker rooms.  Presumably, they've got so much mainstream press in the U.S. that they don't need the coverage this little niche offers.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is usually pretty thoughtful in his commentaries, and quipping that Chelsea must have been allowed to pick their opponents given how much they've dominated the first five weeks to open the season is pretty clever.  Not so clever?  This one: "anyone who wins the league will have to finish above them."

Check out Chad Ochocino and T.O. discussing whether they'd like to see Sarah Palin in Playboy.  No, seriously.

This dog got some bite...

Pretty interesting cover page on yesterday's Philadelphia Daily News.  And no, not referring to Roy Halladay winning his 20th game and being on the cusp of the playoffs for the first time in ever.

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Terence Newman wonders it the 'boys practice hard enough.  If you have to ask the question, the answer can only be "no".  One positive in the Cowboys 0-2 start: they've outgained both opponents thus far.

A Toronto FC blogger - View From The South Stands - takes a peak at the just announced ticket packages for next year.  Fantastic take.  Here's another from a fan who wrote a letter to his ticket rep.  Colour me stunned - literally - to find out the median ticket price for Toronto FC, converted to UK pounds, costs more than English Premier League clubs Newcastle, Fulham, Sunderland, Wolves, Everton, Stoke, Birmingham and Manchester City, among others. At the top end of the ticket pricing, only Arsenal, Tottenham, and Chelsea charge more.  Yes, Man United and Liverpool are actually cheaper to attend in the best seats.

The Cleveland Browns put a call into the Philadelphia Eagles inquiring about Kevin Kolb and the Eagles declined to discuss moving him, though it sounds like they may entertain the idea later before the trade deadline.

Check out the numbers put up by Philadelphia Phillies Cole Hamels, Roy Halladay and Roy Oswalt in their key three game series with the Atlanta Braves this week:  2-0 with a 1.64 ERA in 22 IP in the series. Dominant?  Yeah, I'd say so.  Oswalt is up to 187 strikeouts for the year.  Another 13 will give the Phillies three starters with 200+ whiff's thrown, the first to do that since the 1969 Houston Astros.  Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. admitted they're concerned that Halladay is at 241+ innings pitched with 10 days left in the season, plus pitching in October which he's never done before.  I suspect the Phil's will push hard to clinch and then give the big boy some rest.  With ten straight wins, they're plenty hot to get that done soon.

If historical events had Facebook status updates, here's what they might look like.  Good stuff.

The Minnesota Twins did a very un-Twinlike thing a couple nights ago. They clinched the AL Central title with lots of time to spare, no playoff game required.  So, they've got the benefit of sorting out their rotation and have announced the Francisco Liriano will be opening Game 1.  I've got a feeling Yankee fans would love to see the Twins at some point, especially with the thought of Carl "American Idle" Pavano starting in the Bronx, assuming he doesn't get a hangnail or crash a car.

Joe Posnanski at SI.com takes a peak at Toronto Blue Jay Jose Bautista and says, using a formula to pick his 32 flukiest home run seasons, Bautista's the runaway winner no matter how he tweaked the formula. Does that mean he won't hit 30+ next year?  No, but it doesn't mean he will either.

If you're ever stuck without a beer bottle opener, and twisting it off seems far too easy, try one of these 31 ways to open a beer bottle.

Check out the most hilarious - intentional or otherwise - jersey's.

Stop the world, the Leafs not only scored, they did it more than once.  And won.  I think.  Well, they were up 3-1 and I paid no mind after running into that.  Nor should you to any pre-season NHL action.

Have a good day.

Clean-up in the toy aisle...

Two straight games now the New York Yankees have scored eight runs against the allegedly superior Tampa Bay Rays pitching staff.  An 8-3 win last night stretched the Pinstripers lead at the top of the AL East to 2.5 games.  Getting the feeling more and more than homefield is going to be key for whoever comes out of the American League, with the Yanks, Tampa and Minnesota all being so strong at home this season. Also last night, Yanks catcher Jorge Posada took a page from The Captain and seemed to mile a questionable hit by pitch.  Listening to the Tampa Bay announcers get all indignant with it was pretty laughable, considering their own manager Joe Maddon - as clear and honest a voice in the game as there is - said he wished his own players would do the same.

Looks like Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid has seen the light after all, as he announced yesterday what anyone with a brain thought made sense: Michael Vick will remain the starter until further notice. Easiest move ever.

Not very classy of the allegedly classy Joe Torre to go on radio in New York while in town for the George Steinbrenner monument unveiling at Yankee Stadium and mention the New York Mets managerial job while Jerry Manuel is still the manager. Manuel, of course, is not impressed. 

The always great Jason Whitlock says that the OHB won't be long for the NFL with the way things are going.  Come on now, OHB, just when I was starting to come around to you.

Roy Halladay is the first 20 game winner in the National League after last night.  Pretty impressive, given it feels like Colorado Rockie Ubaldo Jiminez has been at 17 since like, April.  The Phillies now lead the sinking Atlanta Braves by five.

Toronto FC's visit to Mexico City to face Cruz Azul in CONCACAF Champions League play last night could've been a disaster.  Playing against a strong, revenge-minded team at altitude with short rest after Saturday's dramatic comeback, you'd think "beatdown", no?  Well, it wasn't.  In fact, Toronto FC showed the kind of heart we've rarely seen in their existence and fought their way to a scoreless draw.  Shocking.  Almost as shocking as a referee in this competition actually being competent.

In games that have been started by Josh Beckett and John Lackey, the Boston Red Sox are only 25-25.  That, as much as a brutal rash of injuries this year, is why they're all but mathematically out of it already.

Speculation is there could be as many as 16 managerial changes this baseball off-season, and that would be a record.  I'm going to throw an early suggestion at the Toronto Blue Jays: Willie Randolph.

There's no simpler way to describe this: man enters Wal-Mart.  Man picks up Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.  Man rubs one out in the toy aisle.

Check out some NHL third jerseys for this year and years past.  Winners: Buffalo, and anything work by the Montreal Canadiens save for the candystriped jersey (none pictured, however). Losers: Tampa Bay, Phoenix, LA, Anaheim.

New York Giant Brandon Jacobs is a piece of work, isn't he?  After tossing his helmet into the crowd in Indy in anger, he was benched, and of course, is now demanding a trade.  Check out the video from Sunday here:

Breaking sports news video. MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL highlights and more.

I'm familiar with NFL teams that repeatedly shoot themselves in the foot, being a Dallas Cowboys fan in 2010 how can you not have a couple fresh reminders already?  But the San Francisco 49ers act last night was something else entirely.  The 49ers made ridiculous mistakes all night in losing 25-22 to the New Orleans Saints.  Some credit to them though: Frank Gore was awesome and Alex Smith looked solid enough to at least keep it respectable.  Yeah, they covered.

The Philadelphia Phillies trio of Cole Hamels, Roy Halladay and Roy Oswalt have gone at least 6 innings pitched in their last 17 starts.  That is the stuff that wins you World Series.

Chin up, Dallas Cowboys fans.  If the Cowboys drop to 0-3, a solid possibility playing at Houston, there remains hope.  After all, five teams have made the playoffs in that situation, the last being the 1998 Detroit Lions.  Best joke I've heard in days: "What do Tony Romo and Lindsay Lohan have in common?  The lines in front of them get them in big trouble."

Here's an interesting NFL stat: since 1990, of the teams that started 2-0 but scored fewer than 40 points in those two wins,  those teams went on to average 7.2 wins on the year.  So, good news for you, Green Bay, Chicago and Houston.  Don't make plans for January, Tampa Bay, Miami and Kansas City.  Pittsburgh is the wildcard there, you have to assume their offence picks up when Ben Roethlesberger returns.

If you're thinking the Toronto Raptors need a change at the top - think Bryan Colangelo - don't hold your breath on it happening, says Dave Feschuk at the Toronto Star.  Wonder how Colangelo feels about first round pick Ed Davis being out 6 weeks with a knee injury picked up at a run at a local Mississauga gym?

New Jersey Devil Ilya Kovalchuk thinks that the penalty the NHL meted out on his team for the ridiculous contract the Devils initially tried to push through was unfair.  I wonder how fair he figures it is his team is now in a terrible cap situation with his deal and has to dump some significant salary before the season starts?  I'm sure that will do wonders for the team chemistry.  And how do you sign a guy for a huge deal like that and suddenly start experimenting with him on the opposite wing?

Gary Bettman is openly discussing the idea of teams moving back or into Winnipeg and/or Quebec City.  That said, he's also saying the NHL isn't looking to see teams move because they have a "covenant" with the fans in the city, small though they may be with limited revenue streams.  I added the last part, admittedly.

Four great vids to close out the day, check them out.

Check out UFCer Chael Sonnen crush a variety of other fighters with some of the best smack talk you're likely to ever hear.  Shame for him that it has since been revealed he failed a drug test from his Anderson Silva fight last month and may be suspended for a year if the results hold up.  Sonnen, you may recall, once famously said that Lance Armstrong "gave himself cancer" from all the performance enhancing drugs he used.  This is a long vid, but absolutely awesome.  The "did you lose a bet with God?" might be my fav line in recent memory.


A Philadelphia Phillies fan got loose on the field last night, and Atlanta Braves outfield Matt Diaz took him down with an awesome trip.


Check out this great, great goal from Catania's Ciro Capuano in Italy's Serie A this past weekend.


And as an encore presentation - because it was that freaking good - here's a better look at Manchester United's Dimitar Berbatov's goal.

Weekend wrap

Dimitar Berbatov scored a hat-trick for Manchester United, continuing a great run for him early in the EPL season, as United beat Liverpool 3-2. Check out his goals below. The second will be up there in most goal of the year contests.  Leaders Chelsea looked like they'd threaten double digits with three goals in the opening 30 minutes against Blackpool, but cruised to a 4-0 win.  Chelsea is averaging 5.2 goals a game so far this season.

About the only bright side to the Dallas Cowboys 0-2 start after yesterday's embarrassment at home to the Chicago Bears is the rest of the division is only a game ahead after the Washington Redskins pissed away a 27-10 lead and lost in overtime, the New York Giants got hammered 38-14 in Indy, and the Philadelphia Eagles got to 1-1 after a 35-32 win at Detroit in a game that ended four hours after it started. Is Tony RomoCowboys woes? to blame for the

Speaking of the Eagles, I get that they view Kevin Kolb as the quarterback of the future, but the present? Better teams have sat better quarterbacks than him - the New England Patriots sitting Drew Bledsoe springs to mind - and benefited, so not sure why they wouldn't at least ride Mike Vick while he's hot. Vick sure looks like he's got his legs back, and made a few plays yesterday that only he makes. Andy Reid is nuts if he doesn't see that. For Vick, the more he plays, the more he makes.

The Tampa Bay Rays are at Yankee Stadium for a four game set starting today. If it is anything like last week's series in Tampa, call it appointment viewing. The Yanks had a chance to enter the series a game and a half up but Mariano Rivera blew a save chance and the Bombers lost in 11.  The real good news though is Andy Pettitte returned and turned in 6 innings of 1 run baseball.

If  a quarterback was to take every snap in a game and spike it, their quarterback ranking would be 39.6.  Baltimore Ravens QB Joe Flacco rated a 23.8 yesterday.  Ouch.

Three AFC teams are 2-0. Not sure many would have figured Miami with two games opening on the road, one at Minnesota. KC is also a surprise 2-0, and if they're a surprise, not sure what that makes the Pittsburgh Steelers, minus Ben Rapelesberger. NFC perfects so far include Chicago, Green Bay, Tampa Bay (no, really) and potentially New Orleans if they pull it out tonight in San Francisco, which it says here they do as your Prime Time Pick (3-1, +$198).

Chicago Cub Tyler Colvin is lucky to be alive today.  He was taken to hospital yesterday after a broken bat impaled him in the chest.  Only the Cubs.

Blackburn Rovers manager Sam Allardyce says that he's more suited to being the lead man with Inter Milan or Real Madrid.  He also said he'd win a league title every year if he was running Real or Manchester United.  Delusional much, Sam?  Memo to gamblers: mark down November 27th on your calendar.  Sir Alex Ferguson is going to have United wipe Blackburn up.

What, you thought I wasn't going to mention the OHB and his incredible performance yesterday did you?  Three picks, one fumble and back to back losses?  What do I think of his return now?  Best idea ever.  I suspect he's going to start "missing his family" a lot more in the near future.

Here's Dimitar Berbatov's beauty against Liverpool yesterday...


Check out Ray Lewis trash the officiating in yesterday's Ravens-Bengals game and Carson Palmer.  He can expect a fine here, but good for him.  Is it me or do him and The Rock have a strong resemblance to each other?

TFC steal one

The ancient rivals Liverpool and Manchester United will get it on this morning at 8:30 at Old Trafford. I've got a feeling United run wild, though Fernando Torres has ripped United apart in recent games.

Toronto FC stole three points last night in Houston with two goals from Dwayne DeRosario in the last 30 minutes, the second in the last minute of the game.  Massive win.

Joe Torre announced he won't return as the LA Dodgers manager next year. I'm sure the money troubled, sub-.500 Dodgers are real sour about having to replace him with the far cheaper Don Mattingly next year.

Your Prime Time Pick (3-0, +$300) for tonight is the New York Giants +5.  And if I like it at +5, I like the +9.5 one of my buddies gave me last night even more!  MZ, you're gonna hurt.

Kurt Warner had a higher quarterback ranking than Joe Montana. True story.

If you don't dial in to the Jim Rome Show daily, or aren't a Jungle Insider like yours truly, be sure to tune into TSN2 weekdays for Jim Rome is Burning. It doesn't have the comedy so much, and no clones obviously, but a quick look at his main takes of the day.

Love that the day after Jose Bautista sets the Toronto Blue Jays single season homer record on Friday, the cover of the Toronto Star sports section is filled with an article on Toronto Maple Leaf Phil Kessel showing up to camp - gasp! - in shape. Bautista was relegated to the inside. Shame.

Caught ESPN's 30 for 30 on Michael Jordan. What were the odds that when he rounded the bases after his first home run, the two guys greeting him at the plate wore #8 and #13, and his dad died on August 13th (8th month, 13th day). Why I notice stuff like that is beyond me.

Have a great Sunday.

A-Rod delivers late...

As usual, a quick hit Saturday with various bouts of English Premier League action on the go today.

My what a strange week in the Yankee Universe.  You've got Derek Jeter getting glossed "Derek Cheater" for his act a few days back.  AJ Burnett showed up yesterday with a black eye that he won't discuss, and almost as strangely, has pitched three strong games in a row. There have been four lead changes in the AL East with Tampa Bay this week, the Yanks now back on top with Tampa losing to Anaheim while the Yankees needed a three run blast from A-Rod in the top of the 9th with two out and two strikes, which you can see here, to best Baltimore 4-3, though A-Rod clutching up is hardly new anymore.  What is new is one of his homers - he had an earlier one last night too - was celebrated, in Baltimore, by blowing up fireworks.  Gonna guess somebody is on the unemployment line in Baltimore today.  The Orioles, by the way, are an impressive 26-16 since Buck Showalter took over as manager.  He keeps that pace up, and the Toronto Blue Jays progress from a .500 team, and next year's AL East race will be insane.

The Pittsburgh Pirates, 2010 edition,  have to be among the worst teams ever.  They're 50 games below .500 - using the traditional, and erroneous measure of .500 - and have played 31% of their games against not-exactly-the-1927-or-1998-Yankees Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers and Houston Astros.

Some quick hit NFL stats courtesy of KD: only 23% of teams who lose in week 1make the playoffs.
Only 13% of teams who go to 0-2 make it.  So, the heat is on some hyped squads like Dallas, NY Jets, and San Diego going into tomorrow.  And yes, I will be back tomorrow for a Prime Time Pick, you greedy bastards.

Great tweet from some random guy, retweeted by The SportsGuy, on the subject of Houston Texans running back Arian Foster: "Foster's parents named him Arian? Was Adolf Foster already taken?"

Toronto FC are in Houston tonight to face the Dynamo.  They...you know the rest.  It'll be tough sledding as this is their third match in eight days and fourth in eleven.

Crazy story yesterday on former Montreal Canadiens/Toronto Maple Leafs/New Jersey Devils/Boston Bruins coach Pat Burns.  Word was Burns had finally lost his fight with cancer and it spread quickly through Twitter and the web.  Shame nobody told Burns.  Seems he's still alive and kicking.

Detroit Tigers rookie Austin Jackson, a strong rookie of the year candidate, is leading the AL in strikeouts.  What is really impressive is he is still hitting north of .300 despite that.

German rising star and Bayern Munich's midfielder Thomas Muller scored a beauty in Champions League play on Wednesday against AS Roma.  Not sure how I didn't see this earlier, but this is as beautiful a goal as you'll see all year.  Incredible.

Derek Cheater?

Had a couple discussions yesterday on the "Derek Cheater" bit from a couple nights ago where he sold that he got hit by a pitch when it clearly hit his bat, so I'll summarize here.  (1) if you think that Jeter is above doing what it takes to win, you're kidding yourself.  He's got as much ego as the next guy, or he would have moved to third when Alex Rodriguez came to the Yankees a few years back because A-Rod was a far better shortstop than Jeter.  (2) To pretend he's some pure and great guy that would never do such a thing is to ignore that when he hurt himself in Toronto years back colliding with Ken Huckaby, he treated Huckaby like he did something wrong when he was just playing the game the right way - something some act like only Jeter does - he wouldn't even answer Huckaby's calls to apologize, vilifying him for no reason.  A saint he is not.  (3) If A-Rod did this, he'd be absolutely annihilated by the media, but with Jeter, it is merely a discussion (3) Baseball isn't golf and guys don't call penalties on themselves or correct umpires for errant calls, so there's no big deal here.  In short, pretending he's somehow above the pack when it comes to morality is to ignore reality, and logic.  He's a competitive guy, and good for him for that, especially when he needs to get on base any way he can of late.  Oh, and Jeter admits he wasn't hit.  Am sure the umpire is thrilled.

It might be the most ridiculous stat I've heard all year in baseball: Canadian boy, and Cincinnati Red, Joey Votto has yet to pop out to the infield this season.  MVP?  In a league with Albert Pujols, just maybe.

Darrelle Revis kept Randy Moss to 58-yards over two games last year and called Moss a "slouch" in the aftermath, marking the first time in memory that word was used as smack talk. They'll be facing each other this weekend in Jersey. How much would a Jets loss ratchet up the pressure on Rex Ryan and the Jets?  Is there a neutral fan that isn't hoping the Patriots pound them?  And who would think that just a few years out of SpyGate, the Pats look like the class operation of the two?

Now that Entourage Season 7 has wrapped, Dallas Mavs owner Mark Cuban has more time to talk sports and he wasted no time in calling out LeBron James for how he "humiliated" Cleveland and Ohio in jumping to Miami. Oh, and there was a study conducted that says LeBron James isn't as popular as he used to be. Well, knock me over with a feather. 


Former Toronto FC coach - and the "former" sounds so good - Preki says that he has no regrets over his time in Toronto, while speaking of the comments made against his regime by Dwayne DeRosario and Julian De Guzman as merely that of "a couple Canadian guys".   All class, that Pricki.  Here's a bit of trivia on his replacement Nick Dasovic, who is nothing if not a breath of fresh air after that stale rain cloud departed: when he studied for his UEFA B coaching license, in his class was one Jose Mourinho.

The San Diego Chargers and Jacksonville Jaguars game is going to be blacked out this weekend in the San Diego area.  7,000 tickets left over tends to do that.


Floyd Mayweather must really want no part of Manny Pacquiao, what with his ridiculous act of late that now sees him facing 8 charges, including 4 felonies, that could see him do 34 years if he were convicted on all charges and got the maximum sentence.


Derek Jeter's act...check out the look at the umpire.  Pretty sure the source of this video is an extra on Jersey Shore.



I've seen some bad fumbles in my time, but check this one out in last weekend's Toronto Argos game when Ronald Flemons drops the ball while touched by exactly nobody.

Dateline NBC invades Edmonton...

If Tuesday saw a few of the European powerhouses struggle in Champions League play, another batch of powerhouses used that as a wake-up call yesterday. Chelsea hammered MSK Zilina 4-1, Arsenal pounded Braga 6-0, Real Madrid downed one-time power Ajax Amsterdam 2-0 in a game that was nowhere near that close, and wow does Mesut Ozil look good for Real. Bayern Munich dominated AS Roma in their 2-0 win. Another batch of games is up next week.

Toronto FC opened the Nick Dasovic era with a CONCACAF Champions League game at fellow MLS squad Real Salt Lake. TFC didn't waste much time getting on the scoresheet, as Maicon Santos scored nine minutes in to give the Reds a surprise lead against RSL, who haven't lost at home since May of last year.  But, the rest of the way showed TFC have much work to do as they lost 4-1 though the final score was a bit unfair to the Reds.

Frequent contributor to colourful discussion on the "comment" side of this operation Bukakke showed up to my house in July, bearing a gift for my little boy.  An Edmonton Eskimos shirt.  "Cool", I thought, given my numerous visits to that fine town and having been to a handful of games at Commonwealth.  Now, with the hiring of accused sex offender GM Eric Tillman, the graphic on the front takes on a whole new meaning: "Start them young...raise them right."

Not sure if you've been let in on the secret, but the Manning boys are facing each other this weekend in Indianapolis. Keep it to yourselves. Read that Eli Manning's jersey is the top selling jersey in Canada.  Seems really, really unlikely, no?

New York Jet Darrelle Revis was discussing holding out in 2012 with Peter King, just days after signing a nice contract after a holdout: "If I continue to play ball like I usually do, we'll probably be back at that same position we were this year."  Classy.

Florida coach Urban Meyer has had 30 players arrested while on the job with the Gators. He's pretty much praised universally.  And then there is former USC running back Reggie Bush, who has never been arrested that we know of, and he's getting killed for taking some money to help his parents out and had to return the Heisman Trophy.  What a freaking world.

The Tampa Bay Rays won 4-3 over the Yankees to take their series 2-1 and take a half game lead in the AL East.  All three games were tight to the finish, all one run games.  Fantastic action in Tampa.  If you didn't see Yankee right fielder Greg Golson's cannon to throw out the speedy Carl Crawford to close Tuesday's game, check it out here.  Incredible. Oh, and Tampa and the Yanks best look close behind them as the Minnesota Twins are making a charge, just a half game behind the Yanks, one behind the Rays, for the best record in the AL.  That said, I suspect the Rays and Yankees are more than happy to play either Texas or Minnesota in the opening round.

Have a great Thursday.

We're not gonna take it, any Mo...

What a series going in Tampa Bay this week, with the New York Yankees and Rays swapping first place with a pair of great games.  Monday's was a pitching duel that finished 1-0 in 11 innings.  Last night went 10, and was an 8-7 win for the Bronx Bombers.  The rubber match goes tonight with Phil Hughes and James Shields taking the bump.

A couple surprises in the opening day of Champions League group play yesterday. Manchester United were held to a scoreless draw with Glasgow Rangers at home, a big disappointment for the Red Devils to say the least. Worse was losing Antonio Valencia to a broken leg for what looks to be the year. Defending Champion Inter Milan were also held to a draw, 2-2 with Dutch side FC Twente. And then there was Barcelona, who hammered Panathanaikos 5-1. Lionel Messi scored a pair, the second as awesome as a goal gets.  8 more games go today at 2:45, highlited by last year's finalist Bayern Munich hosting AS Roma, though Roma have struggled out of the gate in Italy's Serie A. Also of interest is Real Madrid hosting Ajax Amsterdam. 

Toronto FC cleaned house yesterday, turfing Day One GM Mo Johnston after four mostly turbulent years, and his latest coaching hire Preki. Neither should leave feeling they'll be missed. TFC moves on with interim GM Earl Cochrane and interim Head Coach Nick Dasovic, Canadians both, and go right back at it tonight with a CONCACAF Champions League date at Real Salt Lake. Coverage on GolTV with a 10pm kickoff.

Tough break for the Green Bay Packers, losing starting Running Back Ryan Grant for the year with an ankle injury. The New York Jets will be minus Kris Jenkins for the year as he tore his ACL for the second straight year. I'm sure this will increase the concerns about moving to an 18-game schedule but seems to work just fine for the CFL. Besides, it's not like the 16-game schedule has helped the Buffalo Bills Paul Posluzny stay healthy. Yep, he's hurt again.

The centrepiece of the 416-bound contingent in the Roy Halladay trade from the Toronto Blue Jays to the Philadelphia Phillies - Kyle Drabek - makes his Jays debut on the mound tonight. Of course, most of the country won't see it unless they're Rogers Cable subscribers as the game is on SportsNet One. Such regard for their fans, them Jays. For all the heat over moving a pile of games to the channel, this is just throwing more gas on the fire.

There are still sporting outfits that are forward thinking. The UFC has another of its regular - and free - Fight Night cards on tonight. And where is it airing, you wonder? Why, SportsNet - coast to coast - of course, at 8pm. That will be followed by the first episode of Season 15 of The Ultimate Fighter, with coaches Georges St. Pierre and Josh Koschek.

In other MLS news, the league is expected to announce expansion to a 34-game regular season schedule for 2011. Also, the "Canadian" rule looks to be scrapped which will only increase the quality of players in the league overall, and on Toronto and Vancouver especially.

Scoring in the NFL was down in Week One, in case you were wondering.

This one is sure to get some people wound up.  Here are the 11 most effeminate things about football, the gridiron variety.

The first peak at the 2011 MLB schedule can be seen here.  The Majors are set to start on Thursday, March 31st with talk of a game going even the night prior, all with the aim of finishing the playoffs in October at the latest, unlike this year where it could run to November 4th.  Still don't understand why they don't do the first couple weeks with all dome or warm weather teams at home to minimize weather issues in the northern cities.

Speaking of the playoffs, yet another piece on how expanding the playoffs would make for a better regular season.  Me likes.

The Hot Tub Hottie is back with Week 2 NFL picks.  No clue how she's doing, and care almost as little.

Yep, ordered NFL Red Zone yesterday.  Jacked for Sunday.  Mrs. Mango?  Not so much.

If you missed Baltimore Raven Ray Lewis blowing up New York Jet Dustin Keller on Monday Night...enjoy.



Check out Manchester United's Antonio Valencia getting his leg broken in a fluke play. Can't imagine he comes back this season. Ouch.
<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/video/?vid=0f64e33d-69ea-4676-8095-10becd12d137&from=IV2_en-us_foxsports_videocentral_player" target="_new" title="CL Update: Man Utd's Valencia injured">Video: CL Update: Man Utd's Valencia injured</a>

Barcelona vs. Panathanaikos hilites.  Lionel Messi's goal after a ridiculous buildup starts around :50...
<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/video/?vid=bd83b289-2378-40a9-9c27-a7d0e72b80ff&from=IV2_en-us_foxsports_videocentral_player" target="_new" title="CL Highlights: Barcelona/Panathinaikos">Video: CL Highlights: Barcelona/Panathinaikos</a>

Get comfortable, we're in for a long entry...

Why are all the cameras behind me?

The New York Jets couldn't have been much worse last night.  All of six first downs and a mere 14 penalties in a 10-9 home field loss to the Baltimore Ravens.  Looks good on them, after all the talk the last eight months, not to mention Hard Knocks, from a team that wouldn't have even made the playoffs last year if not for Indianapolis deciding they didn't want to go for a perfect season and tanking a game against the Jets late in the season.  It isn't going to get any easier for the Jets in Week 2, what with the New England Patriots visiting.  At a Jets practice last week, with former Miss Universe contestant Ines Sainz in attendance, now working for TV Azteca, a Mexican TV station - rear view at right - the Jets got juvenile with it and made several lewd comments directed her way, and were intentionally sending balls in her direction - footballs, that is - so they'd collide with her.  Needless to say, she's not ugly.  And of course, the NFL is investigating.

With first place in the AL East on the line, you'd think it was a buzzing crowd in Tampa Bay with the New York Yankees visiting.  Mix in leading Cy Young candidates David Price and CC Sabathia and you'd think a full house was guaranteed.  Nope.  The building was 3/4 full with 26,000 and change in attendance.  Terrible.  As for the game, it was a beauty.  Sabathia gave up no runs and two hits over eight frames and struck out nine while Price gave up no runs and three hits while fanning four over eight.  The Rays won it 1-0 in the 11th inning when Sergio Mitre - and why is he pitching in any important situation? - served up a meatball to Reid Brignac that he deposited into the right field seats, and they move a half game up on the Yankees.  If that's a playoff preview, October is gonna be awesome.

If the current standings hold into October, the eight playoff managers will bring a combined three World Series titles (as managers) into the postseason. Atlanta's Bobby Cox, the Yankees' Joe Girardi and Philadelphia's Charlie Manuel have one each.  That would mark the lowest such total since 1999, when Joe Torre's two (at the time) and Cox's one made for three. Last year, there were 10 October managerial winners with Torre (four), Boston's Terry Francona , (two), St. Louis' Tony La Russa (two), Manuel (one) and the Angels' Mike Scioscia (one).  What does it all mean?  Not much, but an interesting fact.

After a performance reminiscent of his pre-jail days on Sunday, Michael Vick isn't holding back, suggesting had he played the entire game on Sunday, his Philadelphia Eagles might have beat the Green Bay Packers.

The always funny DJ Gallo reviews Week 1 of the NFL.  Definitely worth seeing his captions alone, the last of which is my fav.

For those interested, 11 of 16 home teams covered the spread in Week 1 NFL action, including 6 of 8 home favorites.  Hope you enjoyed the 2-0 Prime Timers last night to move to a perfect 3-0 on the year (+$300).  No clue why I do so well in that area the last few years for what are typically the toughest games to nail.

I'm actually a bit surprised in Roger Goodell's NFL that he hasn't ordered the increasing number of long haired players to cut their lettuce so it isn't hanging half way down their backs.

The New England Patriots open with a nice beating of the Cincinnati Bengals, and what is Randy Moss worried about?  Why, Randy Moss, of course.  Moss says if the Pats wait until the end of the season, that will be a slap in the face to him.  I'm sure that will move the notoriously tough negotiating Pats to do exactly nothing they weren't planning already.

Champions League group play gets under way today with 8 games kicking off at 2:45pm today.  Glasgow Rangers visiting Manchester United will get the most hype, but really, it'll be a stunner if it is anything other than an easy Man U win.  The real interesting one I think is Tottenham Hotspur visiting Werder Bremen.

Really didn't give the U.S. Open tennis enough love this year.  Not sure why.  At any rate, Rafa Nadal took the men's title in a rain delayed final yesterday over Novak Djokovic.

And the latest on Floyd Mayweather is you can add uttering death threats to his ever growing rap sheet of late, to NBAer CJ Watson of the Chicago Bulls.

Nice move by boxer David Haye not only saying his November fight with Audley Harrison will be a "one sided gang-rape" but saying he won't apologize for it.  I guess the reality is if not for that quote, we wouldn't be talking about either of those two.  Moving on.

How's this for weird: Saturday's entry, on September 11th (aka 911) was blog entry #911 for yours truly.

Nice of the Buffalo Bills to kick their (wagering) fans in the nuts.  Down 13-10 in the dying minutes, the Bills, instead of punting, elected to give up a safety so they could free kick.  The move took the game from a push, to a Miami cover.  The other team that shot themselves in the foot in spectacular fashion were the Dallas Cowboys, 13-7 losers in Washington in a game they would've won comfortably if not their ridiculous penchant for penalties.  Guard Alex Barron was shakier than Michael J. Fox on Red Bull with all the penalties he took, one that negated a last second touchdown to win most significantly. Not good enough, Wade Phillips.  

Figured that the Houston Texans would give the Indianapolis Colts a tough game, but didn't figure they'd hammer them 34-24 in a game that wasn't even that close.  Also surprising whipping boys were the San Francisco 49ers, crushed by the Seattle Seahawks 31-6.

The worst team in the league shows up to BMO Field on Saturday with the hosts Toronto FC needing a win.  Easy money for the Reds, no?  Nope.  Not only were they outplayed and outscored, they were also outworked, which is especially embarrassing with your season essentially down the toilet now.  Yours truly is boycotting TFC for the remainder of the year.  No joke.  As for GM Mo Johnston, here's a little something to help get you on your way.  Rest of the MLS wrap here.

Tonight's home opener for the San Diego Chargers, hosting rival Kansas City, will most likely be blacked out in SoCal as it hasn't sold out.  Monday night, home opener, for a good team hosting a rising team.  Not good, NFL.

Damien Cox of the Toronto Star has a strong blog entry looking at how badly the Toronto Blue Jays are struggling at the gate, despite generally positive media support and a few young talents to get behind, and Jose Bautista approaching 50 homers.  Concludes Cox: "has to leave the Jays thoroughly puzzled as to what it will take - if anything - to bring the people back."

Hey Pittsburgh Penguins fans, rock some (fake) ink supporting your team.  Tap Out shirt not included.

Rick Reilly at ESPN, who always thinks he's a step quicker than everyone, puts together a list of things he'd tweet if he didn't hate Twitter.  Somebody ought to let him know a good chunk of his ideas are beyond 140 characters.

I'm sure everyone saw the show of union solidarity in Thursday's NFL opener in New Orleans.  Noticeably absent was one player.  I'll give you one guess.  Got it yet?  Yep, the FFF had his back turned to the rest of  the players. 

Even the most serious of soccer fans would tell you that they can't stand games getting solved by penalty kicks if still tied through overtime.  So what is FIFA President Sepp Blatter looking to do at the World Cup?  Have all tie games end with a round of PK's, of course.  Idiot.

A racist rant and domestic assault claims the last couple weeks weren't enough for Floyd Mayweather.  He also was arrested for stealing an iPhone.

Prime Time Picks (1-0, +$100 on the year) for tonight: Baltimore +1, KC +4.5.  Liking the road dogs!

Awesome penalty kick goal here, or maybe it is better termed "goalie fail"...

Quick one today...

Domestic soccer leagues around Europe are back on their regular schedules after a break in their play for a round of international qualifiers - see NHL, it can work! - with a full weekend of play.  As always, check here to see what is on the tube in Canadaland.

Toronto FC host lowly DC United at 4pm today at BMO Field for what is a 100% must win.  Anything but a win will bring out some serious venom from the faithful at BMO.  Got a good laugh hearing TFC coach Preki calling out fans to bring the noise for 90 minutes today to support the team.  I'm pushing for a rousing rendition of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" for Mr. Electricity.  You know: "here we are now, entertain us".  You've gone three games without scoring Preki, you may want to focus on that before worrying about us in the stands.  Here's a peak at the tightening MLS playoff race.

Check out Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis knocking the New York Jets, who they play tomorrow, down a few pegs for their spotlight seeking ways.  Have to say, hard to disagree with Lewis, and that's only partly because he might literally kill you.  You can hear the bit here.  That is gonna be one physical game, of that we can be sure.

New York Yankee left fielder Brett Gardner is the only one in the Yankees starting lineup making under $5.5 million, at around $450,000.  That, friends, is one hell of a bargain.

For openers, a snoozer...

And with all that buildup, and two teams that averaged 61.3 points (combined) per game last year, what did we get in the New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings?  A 14-9 snore.  That said, that game had the feeling that if the Saints were just a little cleaner, they'd have won by 20 easy.  Still, it puts the Prime Time Picks at 1-0 on the year (+$100).  We'll take it for starters! 

These NFL Kickoffs are lame. "I love football...let's NOT watch the game and see Dave Matthews instead!" Nothing against Dave Matthews Band, of course. This time.


Former Dallas Cowboy and Hall of Fame wideout Michael Irvin took black on black crime to new levels with an awesome blast on current Cowboys wideout Roy Williams, saying "I won't take Dallas [to make the Super Bowl] until Dallas has whatever it needs to stop playing 10 vs. 11. And with Roy Williams on the field, they're playing 10 vs. 11.  now, if they put the young boy Dez Bryant in?  You better believe I'll take Dallas."  Memo to Roy Williams: there's only one way to respond to that, and it isn't with your mouth.  Memo to The Playmaker: Jerry Jones on line one.  He's not happy.

Former NHLer Jason Smith is not a good guy. The Calgary resident was arrested after a domestic incident involving his wife and child. I'm sure it was just a big misunderstanding.  Thanks for that one, KD.  Smith isn't alone though, boxer Floyd Mayweather is adding "domestic battery" to last week's "racist rant".

Who is the guy in this picture at right?  The brother of Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Scott Downs perhaps?  Nope. That's Marilyn Manson, sans makeup and contact lenses. Not sure if this is better or worse.  Again, thanks for sending that, KD.

Chin up, Buffalo Bills fans.  Sure just about every media outlet has you penciled in for the top overall pick in the next draft, but the fine folks at The Big Lead are a lot more optimistic, and if they're right, you're looking at a real solid 6-10 year.

A couple poor results and Carlos Queiroz is out as Portugal's national team coach.  Okay, they sucked in the World Cup too. 


So if the Toronto police are seizing documents from the Toronto Blue Jays pertaining to Roger Clemens days in Toronto, that must mean a one-time Toronto Blue Jay is suspected of using steroids?  In other news, dozens of ostriches still have their heads in the sand...err...I mean...there's nobody in the stands.  10,658 last night, 10,616 the night before at Rogers Centre.


Boston Red Sock David Ortiz says that Carl Crawford will be a New York Yankee next year, or less likely, an Anaheim Angel.  And then there was Cito Gaston last week, saying Crawford will end up in the Hall of Fame.  Some of that has to be related.

I don't know that I'll be betting the picks from the hottie at Hot Tub Huddle - shot in the famous Grotto of the Playboy Mansion - but I will bet I'll be watching regularly.

A trio of videos to close out the day.  Check them out.  Amazing one and all.

Check this guy out trying to catch a home run ball in Oakland a couple nights ago.  15 seconds in.

Check out this incredible brawl between two Asian soccer teams.  Around 1:55 in, after a nasty tackle, it gets on and then about 2:20 in, the benches empty and the drop kicks ensue.  Awesome.

Make the world a better place, slingshot a watermelon into your own face.  Incredible!

Thursday night football? Sounds fine to me.

Opening night of the NFL.  Still not sure I like the whole Thursday night open, but when it is a juicy NFC Championship rematch of New Orleans and Minnesota, in The Big Easy, hard not to get excited for that.  The last time we saw OHB/FFF in a competitive game, he was repeatedly pounded into the turf by a flying Saints defence.  He'll be having flashbacks tonight I suspect, with a result that is less close than the last time.  Yes, folks, your Prime Time Picks are back, and we're starting with the Saints at -4.5 to cover.

The Mo things change, the Mo they stay the same.  Toronto FC...nevermind. 

Got $49?  If so, then you can have the NFL Red Zone channel for the year.  Get it, you'll love it.  The beauty of Twitter: I went off bitching we don't have it here, minutes later somebody sends me a link saying Rogers is indeed offering it.

Going into action last night, and since the All-Star break, the Tampa Bay Rays are 28th in MLB w/395 hits (1 fewer than Seattle). Despite that, the Rays have scored 98 more runs than Mariners.  Is that efficient, or cause for concern heading into October?

All this talk of how much Derek Jeter will get from the New York Yankees is taking on a LeBron-esque tone for a very non-LeBron-esque player at this stage.  Stop.  Please.

The Big Owe in Montreal may have some competition for worst financial disaster of a stadium.  Seems that Giants Stadium - the one that has been demolished - still is in the red $110 million, or $13 for every citizen of New Jersey.  Aren't publicly funded stadiums grand?

If you don't think pro soccer is a growing concern on this side of the pond, you're not paying attention.  Wayne Rooney's escapades are even getting the interest of Rose DiManno at the Toronto Star, who hasn't met an issue she couldn't preach on.

"We're definitely a playoff team" says Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke.  Well that takes care of that.  Fast forward to April.  That's about as funny as Montreal Canadien Tomas Plekanec talking Stanley Cup, mostly because he disappeared in the playoffs.

Love Terrell Owens cracking on OHB for not being a team guy and being selfish.  Stranger still are these three words analyzing said comment from Pro Football Talk: "T.O. is right."

Solid collection of quotes from the opening week of the U.S. Open (that's tennis, people).

Check out Sidney Crosby taking batting practice at PNC Park in Pittsburgh and hit an absolute bomb.

Canada wins!

Tom Verducci at SI.com comes up with a solid idea for how to expand baseball's playoffs without lengthening it one bit. I've long advocated that an extra wild card is the best and easiest way to help the AL East problem - and that's mostly what it is - and the idea of a one game, winner is in, between two wild cards would sure generate interest, and make winning a division that much more important.

The Toronto Maple Leafs haven't had a day of training camp and have already named J.S. Giguere the starting goalie. If anybody has a clue what good that accomplishes, I'd love to hear it. Maybe the clock has gone back to 2006 and he's still a clear cut #1 and I missed it.

Long-time San Diego Padre and current Milwaukee Brewers closer Trevor Hoffman picked up save number 600 last night.  Not bad for a guy who barely hits 84 on the gun these days.

Don Banks at SI.com's latest article has his picks to win each division, as well as who he's got to finish last. Bad news, Buffalo Bills fans: he's got you not only penciled to finish last, but to do so with 2 wins, lowest among all the teams he picks to finish last by a couple games.

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Jason Marquis has lowered his ERA in 6 straight starts.  Impressive, right?  Not as impressive as seeing it is still a ghastly 7.14, but that's what happens when you once had it as brutal as 20.52.

So much for the notion that Wayne Rooney would lose it in Switzerland after the talk of him tapping a pro surfaced over the weekend.  Rooney scored 10 minutes into England's Euro 2012 qualifier with Switzerland and his squad emerged 3-1 winners.  On the upset front, Slovakia stunned favored Russia in Russia with a 1-0 scoreline and Portugal dropped all the points in a 1-0 shocker at Norway.  Full Euro 2012 qualifying wrap here.  On the "friendly" side of things, Canada beat Honduras - who were a World Cup qualifier - with an impressive performance in a 2-1 win in Montreal. Strangely, they looked better minus Dwayne DeRosario and Julian De Guzman.  World Cup winners Spain travelled to Argentina for a game, and were thumped 4-1.  Shocking.  That's only Spain's third loss since 2006.

Good news, Toronto Raptors fans, your squad made an "all-time" list.  Yep, checking in on the 50 Worst Uniforms list.  Hey, it is something at least.

Two of the worst NFL teams last year were the Tampa Bay Bucs and Cleveland Browns, and they won't be a whole bunch better this year.  So why would the NFL put the two head to head to open the season on Sunday?  Only reason I can think is to narrow the field for nationally covered games.  Can't be many reasons beyond that.

So Reggie Bush can't keep his Heisman Trophy because he had his parents put up in a condo paid for by boosters, but O.J. Simpson still has his.  Sounds perfectly logical to somebody.

If I were to say "it is a must-win road game for Toronto FC if they're to make the playoffs this year", hopefully that wouldn't confuse everyone too badly into thinking this was 2009 and not 2010, but that's the situation that TFC are in as they are in Chicago to face the Fire.  I really have little expectation that they'll grab three points in this one, and barely more hope. SportsNet Ontario and Pacific have coverage with an 8:30 kickoff.

For those that enjoyed Friday's "bubbling" pictures, there are more.  You're welcome.

An interesting infographic to teach you most of what you need to know about MMA/UFC.

Check out this video from a Chinese media outlet of some sort, covering the Wayne Rooney-and-a-hooker story.  Freaking incredible, even for non-soccer fans.