Yes, the NHL All-Star Game and NFL's Pro Bowl Still Suck

Yours truly is rarely shy about giving an opinion, and the All-Star concepts of the NFL and NHL were no strangers to that in the last week.  But, in the spirit of keeping an open mind, I forced myself to tune in at least for a few minutes yesterday and was reminded of why both are an utter waste of time.  You've got a 21 goal NHL game, in a league and era where you're lucky to see 21 goals over five regular season, and yet the All-Star game was actually more boring as far as I could tell.  What's more exciting than a goal and literally nobody gets out of their seats and almost as many applaud?  That said, seeing the small net accuracy in the Skills Relay on Saturday was damn impressive.  Still, if you spent your weekend absorbing all that, and the draft...well, you know where I sit on that.  As for the Pro Bore, caught the dying minutes to see a series of snaps where not a single lineman touched the guy lined up across from him as the AFC worked a meaningless TD in a very representative-of-the-real-thing 55-41 win for the NFC.

The best stat you'll hear during Super Bowl week: the 60 - SIXTY - strip clubs in Big D are looking to bring in a few extra strippers to meet the demand of the fans descending on Dallas for the game.  And by "few extra strippers", we mean 10,000. 

During yesterday's Boston Celtic visit to the LA Lakers, when asked by a Lakers ballboy to sign a ball, the always classy Kevin Garnett was heard replying: "You got a better chance of catching Bin Laden"

Spring Training isn't far off, so why not take a peak at baseball's best 50 prospects, or, if you have ESPN Insider, Keith Law's Top 100.

One final thing on the NHL All-Star game.  Sure, Phil Kessel may have been picked last, but isn't the bigger joke that Cam Ward went first?  At least Kessel can say he's got as many goals as Alexander Ovechkin and Dany Heatley.

If the rumor is accurate, Liverpool's Fernando Torres is on his way to Chelsea today, with the move about to be completed.

Forbes Magazine says 17 of 30 NBA teams lost money last year. If you're the players unions, shouldn't you be asking what kind of impact the financial sinkhole that is the WNBA had on that, and if they it goes to the glue factory in the next labor war?


Kevin Durant - who by all accounts is a fantastic guy in addition to player - lit into Chris Bosh, calling him a "fake tough guy".  I think the "fake" tag extends a lot further than the "tough guy" bit with Bosh, but he's definitely right on that one.  After all, it was Bosh who asked for extra games off last year with the Toronto Raptors in the playoff hunt, the very same guy that whined this year of a player diving near his toesies for a loose ball.

The clock for the St. Louis Cardinals to extend the great Albert Pujols is ticking quickly, and word is he will decline any trade proposals with his veto on that.  The Cards best get the chequebook out, or call in McGruber.

Steve Simmons at the Toronto Sun, for the second Monday in a row here, sheds the light of reality on the Toronto Blue Jays: "I seem to be in the minority on this, but I worry about the Blue Jays. I wonder how they’re going to replace the 60-plus home runs they’re bound to lose with Vernon Wells and John Buck gone and Jose Bautista certain not to hit 54 again. I wonder who is going to step in for the 195 innings Shaun Marcum pitched, the 15 starts that he took them into the seventh inning or deeper? I wonder how many infield errors there will be with Adam Lind playing first base instead of Lyle Overbay? I wonder if it’s possible for Brett Cecil to go 8-2 against the Red Sox, Yankees and Rays, again. I wonder if the Baltimore Orioles, 34-23 after Buck Showalter took over as manager, push the Jays closer to the bottom of the American League East, rather than closer to the top. The Jays were 15-3 against Baltimore last summer, most of those wins coming before Showalter took over. That won’t happen again. There is little doubt that GM Alex Anthopoulos is building for the future and his intense and private work has been indeed impressive. The Jays won 85 games last season, but the only on-field area in which they’ve improved is in the bullpen. An 80-win season might not be possible."  But fear not, Jays fan, the Jays will have a lot of money to spend in 2012, and Paul Beeston thinks Toronto is a market that should be able to sustain a payroll of $140-$150 million.  Shame free agents don't look to Toronto as a destination.  Can't wait for higher Rogers bills!

I'm sure Peyton Manning will be thrilled to hear the terms "not immortal" and "hit a wall" associated with him, especially when they were dropped by teammate Reggie Wayne.  We all know how kindly Peyton takes to being criticized by teammates.

Okay, really the last word on the wastes of time that were the Pro Bowl.  Here are nine sporting events less relevant than the Pro Bowl.
For those that don't have ESPN Insider, Buster Olney got off a series of great would-be tweets if George Steinbrenner used Twitter.  Enjoy.@TheBoss_Yankees

• Just bought the Yankees. This is the last you'll hear from me. Best owners are absent owners.
• For the record, I'm against free agency. It will ruin the game. Also, we just signed Catfish Hunter. Good man.
• BILLY IS BACK!! Nobody knows more about baseball than Billy. Born leader.
• Just talked to Billy about that one's-a-born-liar, the-other's-convicted quote. I assured him he never said it.
• You heard it from me -- Billy just resigned. Anybody who says I had anything to do with it is a complete liar.
• Forget what you've read. I never called a manager in the dugout to dictate who should play or to say that he'd made a mistake.
• Bowie Kuhn has rejected Vida Blue acquisition. What a bozo.
• REGGIE!!! REGGIE!!! REGGIE!!! WHAT AN AMERICAN!!!!
• How about that joke of a performance. Ken Clay spat the bit. He's a morning glory.
• Billy is hired. He'll be taking over the club in two years. Not sure what Lemon's next role will be, but he'll love it.
• BUCKY DENT!!!!!!! To the Red Sox fan who threw that slice of pizza at me in the second inning: Have a nice cold winter!!!!!
• Dumb decision by MacPhail re: Brett's pine tar bat. I would not want to be him living in NYC. He better start house-hunting close to KC.
• Don't mean to brag, but it has been a really, really, really, really bad night for marshmallow salesmen. More later.
• To all Yankees: Sorry for that embarrassing performance against the Dodgers. There will be changes.
• Misquoted again re: Yogi. I am often misquoted. I am supportive of my managers, even though they all may not think so.
• I'm really 95 percent Mr. Rogers, and only 5 percent Oscar the Grouch.
• Mr. October, my A##! How about a clean single with a runner at third in April??????????
• Dave Winfield is Mr. May, as far as I'm concerned. I long for the days of Mr. October.
• Doyle Alexander stinks. I'm afraid some of my players will get hurt playing behind him.
• The team just hasn't looked ready to play in this first week. Change necessary. Sorry, Yogi.
• I wouldn't sell the Yankees for anything. Owning the Yankees is like owning the Mona Lisa. You don't sell it.
• Mattingly's hair has gotten so long that he looks like one of the Beatles -- one of their girlfriends, I mean.
• Sometimes I am unreasonable. I have to catch myself. But at least I can catch, right @DonSlaughtMachine??
• @FayVincent. I accept the suspension. Doesn't mean I like you. Please go take flying leap off Thompson Memorial Chapel.
• During my suspension, considering following @BanShman -- big Yanks fan.
• Saw that Jeter kid at exhibition game. He looks like a winner. Except that he's from Michigan, and not Ohio. :)
• Our guys just didn't look ready to play against Braves in Game 1. Shaping up to be a national embarrassment.
• Just left Torre's office. Told him he has all the resources he needs, he has all support he needs. Time to win. Or else.
• Congratulations to the Braves for being the second best team in baseball!!!!!
• I see Paul O'Neill and I think: Warrior. But he needs to pick up his batting average.
• @BrianCashmanGM just told me @RandyBigUnitJohnson was traded to Astros. If we lose World Series to Houston, it will be @BrianCashmanGM's fault.
• AL President Gene Budig has fined the Yankees for alleged misdoings. I bet that guy has never worn a jock in his life.
• @HidekiIrabu_Yanks is a fat pus-y toad.
• Show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser.
• Every time I go out on the streets, the cab drivers here love me. They are real New Yorkers.
• The first Subway Series in more than 40 years. I'm pretty sure the Mets have bugged our clubhouse.
• @BrianCashmanGM. Get on a flight to Tampa now, go to complex and wait for my call. No XMAS vacation for you.
• Looked like Joe's players weren't ready for Game 1 vs. Arizona.
• Larry Lucchino called us The Evil Empire. All I can say is, how's the Babe Ruth trade working for you guys?
• AARON BOONE!!!!!! He is A WINNER!!!!!! The third baseman of the future for the Yankees!!!!!!!
• Re: loss to the Red Sox in playoffs: Nice fat fastball that @JavyVazquez threw to Damon. You will never see him wear pinstripes again.

Finally today, beforea video, some of the better Super Bowl prop bets from Bodog.com, with my picks in brackets:

• How long will it take Christina Aguilera to sing the Star Spangled Banner? -- Over/Under: 1 minute 50 seconds (over, most at YouTube are in the 2 minute range)
• How long will Christina Aguilera hold the note "Brave" at the end of the National Anthem? -- Over/Under: 6 seconds (gotta go over)
• How many times will FOX show Jerry Jones on TV during the Game? -- Over/Under: 3 (over, lock of the day)
• Will a punt hit the scoreboard during the game? -- Yes: 10/1 (has only happened once, not happening)
• Will a Steelers player do the Aaron Rodgers Championship Belt Celebration during the game?
  Yes: Even; No: -140 (no)
• How many current NFL players will be arrested during Super Bowl week? Over 0.5: +150; Under 0.5: -200 (over, value play)

Just because you're rocking a "Tap Out" shirt doesn't mean you can take a shot.

What is going on in Neckessee?

Not a clue what is happening with the Tennessee Titans. It appeared they had settled on coach Jeff Fisher winning the power struggle with QB Vince Young when they announced a few weeks back they'd be looking for another QB to lead the team. Turns out they're looking for another coach too, as the Titans announced they've parted ways with Fisher. ProFootballTalk looks at what it all means, beyond Fisher pocketing $8 million to not coach.  Does Young come back, or does he go to the Minnesota Vikings, as has been mentioned?  Looking like Albert Haynesworth will be able to say he's played for two of the most disfunctional franchises in the NFL. Albert is a stint in Oakland from completing the trifecta.

UFC President Dana White says if Anderson Silva and Georges St Pierre win their next two fights, GSP will move up to 185 pounds to set up perhaps the biggest fight in UFC history, though with the way those two fight on occasion, it might not be the best fight.

If you're watching the NHL All-Star draft tonight, you're a loser.

UFC Heavyweight Roy "Big Country" Nelson has a conspiracy theory in play for the next season of The Ultimate Fighter.  He figures that Brock Lesnar is on board to boost ratings - nobody said Nelson couldn't identify the obvious - but adds that Lesnar will walk out half-way through because he's "done"  after first giving his opposing coach and next opponent Junior Dos Santos, the other coach and his next opponent, a lot more profile in the U.S.  He names Shane Carwin and Frank Mir as replacement coaches.  Interesting theory, and with all the "Lesnar wants out" talk, could well play out.  You can start counting down to a "Nelson is an idiot" response from UFC boss Dana White any minute now.

Might Kirk Muller be the next Toronto Maple Leafs coach?  Sure would be an improvement over the arrogant curmudgeon Ron Wilson, no?

Not sure about you, but I'm pretty bumbed I didn't get this t-shirt of New York Ranger Sean Avery under the Christmas tree.  The shirt is actually part of a series to promote awareness of protecting your skin, and also features far better options like Miranda Kerr, Marisa Miller, Miranda Kerr, Heidi Klum, and loads more. Oh,  and Miranda Kerr.

Really dreading this sports weekend, what with the NFL Pro Bowl and the NHL All-Star Game dominating things.  Makes me really anxious to get baseball back on the go.  Fortunately, there is tonnes of soccer to fill the weekend, though the EPL is in on an FA Cup weekend, and maybe some hoops.

With Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal out at the Australian Open, this weekends final will be just the fifth - fifth! - Slam since 2004 that someone else has won. Five out of 29.  The Scottish Premier League thinks that competition has been one sided.

I'm sure the NHL will be thrilled to go into its All-Star Weekend with rumors floating that the $100-million sale of the Phoenix Coyotes is about to fall through.  Wind up Gary Bettman and watch him spin.

The Oakland A's have unveiled a third jersey, and it is gold, or at least gold coloured.

Chelsea have put in a bid on Fernando Torres of Liverpool this week with the transfer window closing at the end of the month.  Liverpool said thanks, but no thanks.  If half the rumors are true, Chelsea is chasing every above average striker in the world.  Guess they forgot their central defence is super soft.

First Memphis Grizzly OJ Mayo gets his face caved in on a team charter after not paying a gambling debt, and then weeks later he fails a drug test, testing positive for steroids.  He's on the sidelines for 10 games as a result.

Back Monday folks, have a great weekend.

NBA pre-game, a live mic...and Tracey Morgan giving his thoughts on Sarah Palin.

Suck it, BF

The Sports Pickle has the text messages Brett Favre received from his former GM and understudy in Green Bay.  Awesome. 

TSN is getting into the radio business in April.  I'm going to guess The Jim Rome Show and other ESPN gems like Colin Cowherd are about to get much more prominent in Canada, and that's a good thing.  But please, TSN, no Mike & Mike. 

ProFootballTalk looks at how teams will look to have unofficial workouts, led largely by their QB's, once the lockout is in full swing come March 4th, to get an edge if and when the 2011 season goes off.  For the record, I'm still saying a full 2011 season gets played.  

The Cleveland Cavaliers really aren't opposed to the idea they were a one man show in previous years, or it at least seems that way for a team that has lost 18 straight games.  Good thing the draft is loaded with a franchise player at the top.  Oh, wait...moving on.

Detroit Lions linebacker Zach Follet will not make himself a lot of friends this week by calling Drew Stafford, his team's QB, a "China Doll".

Every NIKE logo, ever.

Steve Simmons tweets: "Does this smack of desperation? The Raptors have their 1st game in years without a hitting a 3-pointer and go out and sign a guy named Trey."  Now, why would the Raptors be desperate now?  They've been trash for years, after all.

It seems New York Yankees main man Hank Steinbrenner looks like The Boss more every day, literally.  Now, he's also starting to act the part and sound it too with this: "We just have to (bleeping) win."  Gonna be a tough go, Hank, especially when you likely insulted Andy Pettitte with a $12 million offer yesterday but dropped $12.5 on a set-up man last week.  Bad play.

Just wondering if all the NFL players that were cracking on Jay Cutler as a "quitter" will be so quick to hammer guys when their union inevitably caves to the owners, just like they always do?

I've seen some scary pics of Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis, who seems to always have a bandaid on his head, but none are scarier than the one at right.

After their win Sunday, in the face of President Barrack Obama pulling for his hometown Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packer Charles Woodson led the team in a "'White House' on three!" chant.  A question: is he referring to winning the game to get a trip to meet the President, or the White House frequented by the Dallas Cowboys of the 1990's, the drug and hooker filled palace?

HBO Real Sports says in 1980, there were 3 - THREE - NFL players over 300 pounds. Now there are almost 400!

You're already hurt, or at least, appear to be.  You climb on a stretcher.  Probably the last thing you expect is to get repeatedly tea-bagged by some dude who doesn't know how to work the stretcher.

Giggs lights a fire

Manchester United dug themselves a hole yesterday at Blackpool, who dominated the first half and took a 2-0 lead before United, aided largely by Ryan Giggs coming off the bench, rallied for two in two minutes with less than 20 to go from Dimitar Berbatov and Javier Hernandez - both having dynamite years - before Berbatov sealed the awesome comeback with a second, and his fifth in two games, to give United a 3-2 win.  United remain undefeated, and a win like that puts the championship into slightly better view.

SI's Jon Heyman says the Toronto Blue Jays paid $5 million to the Anaheim Angels to take the Vernon Wells deal off their hands.  One of the players the Jays acquired for Wells, Mike Napoli, was dealt to Texas yesterday for reliever Frank Francisco.

Chad Ochocinco is planning to ditch the last name and reclaim Johnson.  Anything to stay in the news, huh Chad?

Word is that Albert Pujols starting spot in contract negotiations with the St. Louis Cardinals is ten years and (gulp) $300 million.

No idea what it will cost, but the three courses being served to the Super Bowl's VIP's in Dallas next Sunday are freaking insane, mostly because I'm not sure what half of it is.

Here are the NFL's highest paid players, if you didn't know.  What is funnier, that Carson Palmer is on the list, or Albert Haynesworth?  And how did the $20 million bust Brett Favre not top the list?


New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman is saying he views Derek Jeter as a centre fielder before his career and contract run out.  Wouldn't it be funny seeing that ridiculously unnecessary jump throw coming from the track?  And how are those legs, which we often say look like he dips them in cement before going to the field, going to cover that much ground?  Here's the position I think Jeter should be in before his contract is up: his palatial digs in Tampa, though I'm not sure he'll ever make it to the left side of the house.  Check out his current penthouse pad, which can be yours for a mere $20 million in the Trump Tower in Manhatten.

Top 5 EPL goals of the week, including one off the foot of a Canadian!
<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/video?vid=69154bf7-3dc3-4b5a-bb10-735d141995f1" target="_new" title="">PL: Goals of the Week</a>

Not sure how Didier Drogba's bullet on Monday didn't make the list.

A fantastic Super Bowl angle...

Ahh, Kentucky, way to keep pushing those stereotypes at right. 

That's ten straight year's that the NFC has sent a different representative to the Super Bowl.

For UFC 129 in Toronto, in addition to Georges St. Pierre vs. Jake Shields for GSP's Welterweight Championship fight, add Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo defending his Featherweight title against Canadian Mark Hominik (who was awesome at Fight For The Troops on Saturday with a superb first round knockout win), as well as Canadian Rory McDonald facing Nate Diaz.  More on the card here.  Tickets go on sale February 12th.  Get your first born ready.

Damien Cox of the Toronto Star wonders if the NHL put Sidney Crosby in a position to get hurt, along with the rest of the players that day,  by allowing the Winter Classic to be played in the conditions it was played in.

Toronto FC's Nana Attakora is excited for the new coaching staff and season of TFC.

Says GS, huge Pittsburgh Steeler fan, looking to the Super Bowl: The Steelers have never lost a Super Bowl the same year their QB was accused of rape AND after beating a coach with a foot fetish. Prediction: Steelers win.

Who at the Canadian Soccer Association thought these abominations were a good idea for the men's national team?  Can't say they're not fitting though, given the quality of the team in recent years.  Question: are the chevron's to indicate which direction the team is heading?

48-year old Herschel Walker, who still knocks out 1,000 sit-ups and push-ups when he wakes up every morning, is talking NFL comeback.  No, seriously. 


Chelsea captain John Terry is positioning himself for a career as a comic once his footballing days are over.  Check this out: he says Chelsea could still win the English Premier League this year.  Uh-huh.  Leaders Manchester United, who play Blackpool today at 2:30pm on Setanta, have trailed this season - SEASON - for all of 41 minutes.  That's an incredible number when you've played over 2,000 minutes.


Here's a quick look at some of the swings other NFLers took at Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler.  Not sure why their are Seattle Seahawks talking.  Didn't Cutler and the Bears just crush them a week prior?  Guess the 57 regular season sacks Cutler took behind that leaky offensive line finally took its toll.  The always thought provoking Jason Whitlock says that the fire Cutler has taken ought to put the nail in the coffin of the LeBron James apologists that viewed his beating as being racially motivated when he quit on the Cleveland Cavs in last year's playoffs.  


Fantastic story on EPLer Jermaine Pennant: Pennant played last season for Real Zaragoza in Spain and then in August went back to England to play for Stoke City when he went to the train station to make his way back to his homeland.  One problem: he forgot that he parked his Porsche 911 at the train station.  For six months.  So finally, the police got around to tracking him down when they got tired of writing tickets, and asked him if he'd come claim his car, which still had the keys on the passenger seat!  Pennant forgot he had a Porsche 911.  Rough life when you can forget that.

Pittsburgh Steeler Rashard Mendenhall gives Ben Roethlesberger a taste of his own medicine late in Sunday's win over the New York Jets.


Think Chicago Bears Fan is bent with Jay Cutler (apparently/possibly) quitting on Sunday?  Whole page here.

It is going to be Packers vs. Steelers

Yesterday's Conference Championship games were virtual clones.  The winner raced out to a first half lead and looked like they'd have the game easily put away, only to take their foot off the gas in the second half and make the game a lot more interesting than it looked to be in the opening half.  21-14 win for the Green Bay Packers, and a 24-19 win for the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Now we've got two weeks to listen to Ben Roethlesberger redemption stories, of which I'd start with "Big Ben is as clutch as his defence attorneys" or "Big Ben sneaks those balls in when you least expect it," and stories of Aaron Rodgers finally getting Brett Favre's legend off his back.  The Super Bowl line has opened at -2 and an over/under of 45.

He may not get much right otherwise, but Sports Illustrated's Peter King's pre-season prediction was Pittsburgh over Green Bay in the Super Bowl.

I get the feeling Steve Simmons at the Toronto Sun isn't liking the Toronto Blue Jays chances this year.  And I quote: "Here is the Blue Jays starting lineup, or so we think: Catcher: J.P. Arencibia, A rookie just learning; First base: Adam Lind,  Terrible defensively coming off terrible offensive year; Second base: Aaron Hill, Coming off an awful offensive and defensive season; Third Base: To be determined; Shortstop: Yunel Escobar, a terrific player when interested; Left Field: Travis Snider, Still don't know what he is; Centre Field: Rajai Davis, A slap-hitter and below-average fielder; Right field: Jose Batista, The one sure thing in the Jays lineup, although don't count on 50 homers again; Designated hitter: Mike Napoli, Hits home runs or strike outs. Never at the same time. 

Ray Lewis and Roy Williams (the Cincinnati Bengals version) have been linked to a product that contains HGH, with Williams openly admitting he uses it.  Problem is it is only detectable by blood test.

Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler left the game yesterday with a knee injury, and is already being glossed "Jay Quittler" amid a debate where he ranks on the biggest wuss-outs.  Also, a bunch of former and current players crushed him for not gutting it out.

Bengals QB Carson Palmer, who is about the only guy that doesn't know he's finished, is demanding to be traded or he'll shut it down.  Good thing for him there are the Washington Redskins, always looking for past it talents.

New Toronto Mayor Rob Ford wants to put the full court press on the NFL to bring a team to Toronto, and guarantees that if he's successful bringing a team in, Toronto will host the Super Bowl within four years.  Uh-huh.  Good luck with all that, RF.  Says Ford: "the NFL cannot ignore the fourth largest market in North America."  Well, they've ignored Los Angeles for a decade now, haven't they?  Love that he essentially smacks the Argos and the CFL, saying Toronto can't be world class without the NFL.  Missing from Ford's talk: who is going to own a billion dollar (plus) franchise, and how he figures the federal government will be so willing to drop a billion on a stadium that would get used 8 times a year.

Bukakke uncovered the secret world of the "McGangbang" last week, and has not been heard from since.  This off-the-board sando at McDonald's is a McChicken stuck between a double cheeseburger, and weighs in at a mere 800 calories.  Check out pics here.  More off-the-board items here, though none with as cool a name.

With the signings of Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez, the Tampa Bay Rays have been installed as the favorites by Vegas to win the 2004 World Series.

As meth lab pictures go, this one is tops.

Red astroturf?  That's what a Texas high school has dropped as a playing surface. Makes Oregon's new basketball court - trees, if you look closely - seem far less distracting.

Crazy vid sent my way by GBVH last week from the Aussie Open, in which there was a dead spot on the court.  This has to be seen to be believed.

The Conference Championship Winning Picks Are Here

The Super Bowl contestants will be sorted before today is out. The NFC Championship goes at 3pm with Green Bay a 3.5 point fav at Chicago. It has been two tight games between the two this year with each owning a win. That said, the last handful of games the Bears have done well to limit Aaron Rodgers, and today they'll have the aid of some strong wind in Chicago I hear. Am I taking the Bears?  Hell yes I am. The wrong team is favored here, and only three teams have won three straight playoff games on the road, so I'll gladly take the points on the Bears.

Check out the prayer being used in a Chicago church this morning, sent my way by AO: 
Let us pray: Our Papa, who art a Bear, Halas be thy name.
Thy championship come, thy play be run, at home as it is away.
Give us this day our Sunday win, and forgive us our turnovers,
though we pounce on those who turnover against us, and lead
us not into fourth and long, but deliver us from Rodgers.
In the name of Ditka, Butkus and the Holy Payton.
As it was in 1985, so shall it be in 2011, reign without end, Amen.

The AFC game should be a tight one with two strong defences in the New York Jets and the home Pittsburgh Steelers, who are 3 point favs. The Jets seem to be the sexy trending pick, much like the Packers, but they too are trying to win a third straight on the road, and I really can't see it happening.  Sure the Jets have a great defence, but so do the Steelers.  The difference here is the Steelers have a proven big game QB in Ben Roethlesberger, and the Jets have erratic Mark Sanchez. I'm playing the Steelers, no question.  And you should too.

Back tomorrow with the usual mega Monday update.

Silly, silly Anaheim

Notice anything wrong in the picture at the right?  Look closely.  Answer below.

I don't know if Toronto Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopolous has some incriminating pictures of his counterpart in Anaheim, but the fact he unloaded Vernon Wells contract for anything of value, nevermind a real nice player in Mike Napoli who could easily produce more than VW is damn impressive.  When your payroll is in the $80-$90 million range for 2011 and you ditched a guy slated to make $23 million of that number, you've done a damn fine job.  Maybe executive of the year worthy before the season even starts.  Okay, I'm just gushing now.  A good day for Jays fans.

Interesting study on NFL announcement teams and how many words per minute they spew. Kevin Harlan and Solomon Walcots ranked as the most verbose due at 189.20 words per minute.  They must not have included the Monday Night team, as I'm pretty sure that Jon Gruden would approach that himself, and all syrupy at that.

Busy weekend in the English Premier League with six teams playing twice in the next few days to make up games put off by bad weather, including leaders Manchester United, who will look to extend their lead at the top with one of the two games in hand they hold on second place Manchester City.

I only have a peripheral knowledge of Glee, but I love hearing that Slash will not allow Guns 'N Roses songs to be used by the show.  No word if he's licensed Velvet Revolver tracks.

The picture above has Rob Niedermayer's name spelled incorrectly.  He actually played three games with it that way.  Guess he can at least say he's not worried about the name on the back.

Jimmy Kimmel provides some song suggestions for the next Britney Spears record...

Kim Clijsters pwns Todd Woodbridge at the Australian Open.

LA Kings GM Dean Lombardi can anticipate a serious, serious fine from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman after this comment last night with regard to a video review of a goal:  "When the guy in Toronto making the decisions on the goals, in Ottawa and the one tonight, wanted the G.M.'s job in L.A. and was not happy about not getting it, you have to assume you are going to get those type of calls.''  Guys that run leagues love when you call the integrity of the game into question.

Last month's issue of Playboy says that 60% of NBA players are bankrupty within five years of retirement and 78% of NFL players are bankrupt or in serious financial stress within two years of retirement. Wonder if the NFL owners are paying attention to the latter before putting a gun to the players heads negotiating the new labor agreement?

New York Yankees GM has a simple request for Andy Pettitte as he contemplates retirement: "don't Brett Favre us."  Awesome.

I really, really hope the lack of talk from the final four NFL teams is not a product of Roger Goodell telling teams to curb the trash talk.  Solid piece from the Tampa Tribune that says Goodell is out of line for reigning teams in.  

ESPN's Jim Caple ranks all 30 major league baseball logos.  Memo to Toronto Blue Jays fans: prepare to scroll.

Mean Gene Okerlund says that New York Jet Bart Scott's post-game rant on Sunday reminded him of work.

Wherever Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho goes, drama follows.  And he's throwing fuel on the fire with talk that he may not stay beyond this season.

Silly Pittsburgh Penguin fan...

"Put dirt on the roads"?  Only Emmitt Smith, discussing Super Bowl preparations in Dallas.

Endless, nameless

I'm not sure there are three quarterbacks historically that I have despised and viewed as overrated more than Dan Marino, Peyton Manning and especially - surprise - Brett Favre.  Might it be their combined playoff record of 30-31?  Probably.  Marino checks in at 8-10, Manning 9-10 (and sinking) and Favre is 13-11, but with the awesome achievement of back to back playoff runs ending with crippling interceptions.

Not sure if the MLS understands simple "supply and demand", but why entertain the notion of a second New York franchise in 2013 when the first isn't even selling out?  Sure, they franchise is reaching into the past by going with "Cosmos" as the franchise name - they often played to a full Giants Stadium in the 1970's with Pele, among others, on the team - and even hired a gem of a soccer name in Eric Cantona to run things.

Toronto Blue Jays (2010) slugger Jose Bautista is looking for $10.5 million in arbitration this off-season, the Jays have countered with $7.5 million.  The best thing the Jays could do with Bautista is see if he comes back in 2011 and produces like he did in 2010 on a one-year deal.  Even if he produces and it costs them extra millions on an extension, it would be less of a gamble than extending him now only to see him revert to the form he showed, well, every other year of his career.

The New York Yankees and Carl Pavano entertained a one-year deal for the free agent pitcher. Seriously.  Guess the Yanks didn't learn enough from their second go-round with Javier Vazquez last year?  Pavano agreed to a two-year deal with Minnesota that could see him pull $17 million.

Clearly, I didn't know Caroline Wozniaki like I thought I did.

Phil Anschutz, billionaiire sports owner of the LA Galaxy, LA Lakers and LA Kings, has agreed to finance an NFLLA if certain conditions are met stadium in , among them a tennant.  Enter the San Diego Chargers.

Hello, Dallas Stars ice girls.

The Miami Heat are 1-7 in games decided by 8 points or less.  Not exactly a recipe to get started on those five, six or seven rings LeBron et al mused about last summer, is it?

Quietly, the San Antonio Spurs are on pace for a 70-12 season.

Still can't believe that Al Davis presser a couple days back. Vince McMahon thinks this guy is over the top.  Here are 10 highlites from it, and yes, that picture of AD is from Tuesday.

Sidney Crosby is said to be so sour the NHL hasn't done more to eliminate head shots that he's essentially boycotting the All-Star Game.  Good for Sid, but it would help if he were more vocal about it. Question: how does the NHL eliminate head shots without eliminating fighting?  Isn't that nothing but head shots?

Karma hits you in the face, like an 18-pound sledge...

Ever since LeBron James "karma" blast on his former team, his Miami Heat have gone 0-4.  God is indeed watching, self-proclaimed Chosen 1.

ESPN SoccerNet looks at the potential moves to be made this month by EPL sides Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool.  Apparently, all is quiet in Manchester as far as they're concerned.

Will there be an NBA lockout next season?  Carmelo Anthony says "without a doubt".  Imagine a stretch next fall with potentially no NFL or NBA? 

Since losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Super Bowl in 2003, the Oakland Raiders are 37-91.  And why can't the NFL get over the Roman numeral thing and just call it "Super Bowl 2011", for example?

Now that is a Lego project at right, a replica of Ohio State's Horseshoe.   Thanks for the hook up, Bukakke.

Sports Illustrated has a piece in an issue next week that ties Lance Armstrong to a doctor connected to performance enhancing drugsand blood doping.  If true, baseball has to be thrilled.  After all, nobody has more vehemently denied usage, or profited from his image and story than Livealie "Livestrong" Lance.  Not surprisingly, Lance is denying.  If there's one thing SI is great at, it is getting its story in line every year around this time on a drug case.

The NFL Players Association has filed collusion charges against the NFL, because if there's one thing a union knows about, it is collusion.  SI's Peter King says, however, that there are some owners that would rather lose the entire 2011 season than to continue under the current system.  I'll believe that when I see it.  Besides, if NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has time to think about defining what is over the line in trash talk, then all must be well, right?

Milwaukee Buck Andrew Bogut has put together a hell of an auction to benefit Australian flooding relief on eBay.  This is as good a package as a sports fan with a pile of cash will ever win.

10 must-see sporting venues. 

Green Bay Packer Ryan Grant is telling Packers fans to book their flights to Dallas in early February for the Super Bowl.  Of course, said fans will have as much impact on the game as Grant, who has been sidelined since Week 1 with an injury, so not sure why he's talking so much.

Sergio Ramos, about as good a defender as there is in the world, wants out of Real Madrid after a bust-up with Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho.

The Indianapolis Colts are set to make Peyton Manning the highest paid player in the NFL.  Not sure why, given he'd rank below Tom Brady, Ben Roethlesberger and probably Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers on most people's lists of best QB's right now, and certainly not going forward in his mid-30's.

A little food for thought as you contemplate the NFL Conference Championships this weekend:

only three teams have won three straight road games to get to the Super Bowl: the 1985 New England Patriots, 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers and the 2007 New York Giants.  Seems plenty are thinking that total will grow by two this weekend with Green Bay and New York Jets wins.

Gang green?

Since I've beaten up on the New York Jets quite a bit the last month or two, here's one for the Jets fans: what do the New England Patriots and Zsa Zsa Gabor's leg have in common?  Both were owned by Gang Green.

Going into last weekend, the AFC was a 4 point fav in the Super Bowl.  It is now down to AFC -1. Updated Super Bowl odds from The Hilton: Pittsburgh 2-1, New York Jets 7-2, Green Bay 8-5, Chicago 9-2.

So the Toronto Blue Jays told Russell Martin they'd match whatever the New York Yankees offered to bring him to his homeland.  He still chose New York.  The Jays were in hard on Brian Fuentes.  He chose Oakland.  More than a few second place finishes for Toronto, which, of course, is a vast improvement.  Oh, the Jays did sign Jon Rauch yesterday, but I wrote the previous bit before that happened and didn't feel it worth ditching over that mere detail.

For signing former Tampa Bay Ray Rafael Soriano last week, the Rays will get the Yankees first-round pick, adding more to Tampa Bay's huge haul of picks for this summer's draft, which is thought to be the deepest in years. The Rays will have nine picks before the start of the second round.  Of course, it bears mentioning that the baseball draft remains a crap shoot.  After all, Tim Beckham, who was a No. 1 pick for the Rays, is struggling mightily, and Tampa Bay, who do drafting perhaps better than anyone, passed on San Francisco Giant Buster Posey to take Beckham.

ESPN's Buster Olney says the St. Louis Cardinals have about a month to sign Albert Pujols to an extension.  After that he's going to be intent on exploring free agency.  Betting his agent wishes the Yankees and Boston Red Sox didn't have first base already tied up.  Pujols is said to be after A-Rod money, and the Cards don't seem willing to oblige.

Toronto boy and reigning NL MVP Joey Votto signed a three-year extension with Cincinnati worth $38 million.  Good for Votto, good for the Reds.

Don't let the "Brett Favre has filed his retirement papers" fool you too much - he can ask to be reinstated, and has before.   But, he is shilling "Thanks for the memories" memorabilia on his website, and in what is likely a bid to suck up to the Packers fans, he's picking them to win the Super Bowl.

1,023.  That's the number of league managers that have been sacked since Sir Alex Ferguson took over as Manchester United boss in 1986. Mindblowing.

Those voodoo dolls of mine are in fine form - LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Ringo Bosh all missed practice yesterday with injuries. Maybe they just needed some time to "chill".

If you're wondering what every happened to former first rounder of the Toronto Raptors, Rafael Araujo, here he is, shattering a backboard this past weekend.

Shocker in Beantown (suburb)

Yep, that's Ray Lewis hanging in effigy in a Pittsburgh back-yard.  No word if the dog used him as a fire hydrant.

I really, really cannot say I even gave the New York Jets a 1% chance of winning yesterday in New England.  Not with Tom Brady et al's home record over the years, not with the Jets poking the Patriots all week with their smack talk, not when the Patriots had their way with them just 6 weeks ago in a 45-3 beatdown. But credit in particular to the Jets secondary, who stuck to the Pats receivers for long periods and gave Brady nothing to throw to all day and the Jets won 28-21.  I have a feeling that's their Super Bowl, however, and the Green Bay Packers are now the likely winners.  The Jets will travel to Pittsburgh next Sunday, where they are 3.5 point underdogs.  Patriot Deion Branch, who before he dropped a key fourth down pass late in the game taunted the Jets bench after an earlier catch, called the Jets classless, and refused to shake hands with certain players post-game, as did a few of his teammates.

On the NFC side, the Chicago Bears were easy 35-24 winners over Seattle in a game nowhere near as close as that score suggests, and will host Green Bay next Sunday in the early game.  Somehow, the Packers have opened as 3.5 point favs.  Don't get me wrong, I think the Packers win, but how are the Bears home dogs like that?

Not sure if it is a sign of the apocalypse, but there have been thousands of dead birds in Arkansas, and this weekend, another 53 won't be making it back to their respective homes in Baltimore or Seattle, and 53 more perished in Atlanta.

Credit to the Jets through, if they're going to go the distance, they will and may have to navigate some pretty impressive quarterbacks in Peyton Manning (fading, though he may be), Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger, and potentially Aaron Rodgers.

After the Jets win, Bart Scott channeled his inner WWE Superstar with this promo. 

And speaking of the WWE, if you're wondering where Randy "Macho Man" Savage is these days, turns out, everywhere. Amazing site.

I have to ask: why couldn't Fireman Ed have been in the Twin Towers?

The 2008 0-16 Detroit Lions lost seven games by at least 15 points. The Seattle Seahawks were a late run yesterday from losing their tenth.
Manchester United and Tottenham played to an entertaining scoreless draw - yes, it is possible, people - in London yesterday that sees the Reds through.  Spurs dominated the first and last 20 minutes, the latter aided by a weak red card call on Rafael.  Nemanja Vidic was an absolute rock in the back for the leaders. Spurs manager Harry Redknapp figures there's no chance that United stays undefeated for the year if they couldn't do it a couple year's back when they had Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez in the lineup.  The way they defend, I wouldn't put it past them.

Christal Bosh whined after an opponent had the audacity to go to the ground after a loose ball, which resulted in Christal getting a boo-boo.  Wince Carturd thinks this guy is embarrassing with the whining.  Bosh says you shouldn't dive at loose balls around players legs.  One, I'm pretty sure that would be the only ball around Bosh' legs.  Two, I don't recall a time - ever - where there has been a loose ball on an NBA floor without a guy around it.  Shut your mouth, Christal.

So Christina Aguilera is singing the U.S. anthem at the Super Bowl. Two things. One, is the game still slated to start on time?  She might delay the start 20 minutes with a less-than-faithful rendition. Two, what year is this?  Xtina to open, Black Eyed Peas at the half? 

I finally figured out why Ben Roethlesberger wears a visor: because mace stings.

One thing I won't be doing on January 28th: watching this lame NHL draft for the all-star game. Get Dr. Kevorkian, stat.

Things got testy in Los Angeles last night as the "visiting" Clippers downed the "home" Lakers.  With 5.7 seconds on the clock, four players were ejected.

Pats/Jets finally get it on

Yesterday's Prime Time Picks worked out about as well as one might have expected for all the confidence shown in them.  Nice of the Baltimore Ravens to extend Christmas into January and give away a game that they had signed, sealed and delivered.  One thing I'll promise: if the New England Patriots win today, and they will, they will have an easy time with the Pittsburgh Steelers next weekend.  Far too sloppy, Steelers.  So yeah, I'm playing the Pats -8.5 today.  They may not go 45-3 like last month, but suspect we're looking at 38-17 or something thereabouts.  This one could be 1,000-0 and it'll be worth watching for all the bile spewed this week.

In the NFC yesterday, the Atlanta Falcons started well and then lost their game in a hurry as the Green Bay Packers roared back and absolutely crushed them 48-21.  Silly me for giving the Falcons love after a year of thinking they were way overrated.

Today's NFC contest is about the least appealing of the bunch this weekend, so it'll likely end up being a gem the way the Seattle/New Orleans game was last weekend.  The Seahawks are 10 point dogs in Chicago today, a place they won earlier in the year as 7 point dogs.  I really, really can't see the Seahawks winning - they're 8-9 on the year, travelled to a cold city across the country, and are facing a team that has been up a lot more than down all year - so lean to Chicago.  It would be funny seeing a Seahawks win, however, as they'd host the NFC Championship with a win.

A guy who knows a thing or two about delivering when it matters - Reggie Jackson - had some choice words for the New York Jets, telling them to shut up and focus on playing instead of a meaningless campaign to trash talk the New England Patriots. Says Mr. October:  "Go look at the hardware, dude. Walk through the lobby up there and look at the stuff that's there. You don't have that, you don't have anything close to that [what the Patriots have]. You might want to shut up, you might learn something. Read, you might figure something out. Watch film, you might get educated. If not, you have a chance to get embarrassed on Sunday.

The big game of the English Premier League this weekend comes from London, where first  place and undefeated Manchester United will visit Tottenham.  Historically, these two play some wildly entertaining games, but I suspect a far tighter affair with so much at stake for both teams.  Wayne Rooney and Nemanja Vidic are back to health for United.  Should be a cracker, as the saying goes.  11am on Setanta Sports.

Enjoy the games!

A pair of NFL Divisional Round games go today - in case you didn't know and we hadn't already beat that home this week - starting with a 4pm kickoff in Pittsburgh where the Steelers will host the Baltimore Ravens.  Off the top, I have to say I'm not near as confident about the picks this weekend as I was last, when we dropped a 3-1 record on your man (that's for you, GS!).  The one sure prediction for this one?  As Clubber Lang said in Rocky III: "prediction?  Paaaaiiiin."  The Steelers and Ravens have an old school, legit hate on for each other and these games usually leave the winner in trouble for the next round.  Ben Roethlesberger is a career 8-2 against the Ravens, while Ravens QB Joe Flacco has quietly won four road playoff games, something very few ever do.  The Ravens should be in good shape physically after an easy win in K.C. last Sunday, and we're playing the Ravens at +3 against the odds which favor the home teams this round.

The late game sees Green Bay visiting Atlanta, with the line a ridiculously low -1 for the home Falcons.  Sure, the Packers have talent and have finally found healthy players late in the season, but hard to ignore that they need to go to the dying minutes to hold on against Philadelphia on the road last weekend, and Matty Ice (Falcons QB Matt Ryan) is a career 17-2 at home.  The Falcons are one of those classic low profile, under the radar teams that have talent in spades at the skill positions, and a vastly underrated defence, and I think the bookmakers are luring you to bet Green Bay by almost making them a fav in this one.  Admittedly something of a hunch as well, but liking the Falcons here, though I think Green Bay in the Super Bowl would be a better opponent for whoever wins the AFC (*cough* New England *cough*).  Back early tomorrow with the Sunday games.

Mike Florio and Ken Rosenthal at ProFootballTalk give their takes on who wins this weekend.  They've got three games they can't agree on.  Sounds about right.

Did you read about or see New England Patriots' Wes Welker's presser on Thursday?  He worked in no fewer than ten foot references, needling the New York Jets coach Rex Ryan no doubt.  All ten are recounted here.  The Patriots are finally a team from Boston I don't absolutely despise, and this move is awesome.  I'm guessing a Celtics v. Miami Heat playoff matchup would at least temporarily make two.

Heading into the Divisional Round today of the NFL Playoffs, Don Banks at SI.com ranks the potential Super Bowl match-ups.

Bruce Arthur at The National Post - yes, it still exists - looks at Steve Nash in 2011 and concludes he's wasting away in Phoenix right now, still capable but on a going nowhere team.

The 50 Most Awkward Moments in Sports.  Also awkward?  The spelling of "awkward".

CBC's John Molinaro says that simply making the playoffs is not enough for Toronto FC in 2011.  Can't say I disagree, but I'll sure take it for starters.

Wallace Mathews at ESPN.com looks at the New York Yankees signing of Rafael Soriano and says they might now have the best bullpen in all of baseball, and so strong it might wipe out their starting pitching concerns. Mariano Rivera was instrumental in selling the Yankees on the move.

Without Joe Thiesmann, who would know the Patriots have somebody named Danny Woodcock?


Great ad that ESPN Sports Center is running with Alexander Ovechkin.  Shame for the NHL that the 30 second ad matches about how much hockey they show on a given night.  Thanks to Bukakke for the link.

Baltimore Raven Terrell Suggs has a message for the good people of Pittsburgh on his t-shirt at right.

Some playoff stats to be aware of heading into the weekend: since 1976, in the Divisional Round, favorites are 86-33 straight up, and 64-52-3 against the spread.  Interestingly, almost half (56 of 120 games) have been decided by 14 points or more.  Loads more here, including break downs by margin of victory, against spread and so on.

Not sure how you can be called a "Professor" but you're not smart enough to realize that rolling down to Philadelphia in Green Bay Packers gear and a Wisconsin license plate last weekend might be a bad idea.

Toronto Maple Leafs coach Ron Wilson leads all current NHL coaches in wins (600) but he also leads in losses (519).  So Toronto can say it had guys in those positions in two sports now, with former Raptors coach Lenny Wilkins leading both categories during his stay in Toronto.

With MLB all-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman retiring with 601 career saves, New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera starts the 2011 season 42 saves behind. Only injury would stop him from blowing that away with a two-year deal in his back pocket.  30 days until pitchers and catchers report.

Here's one reason the Washington Capitals might be struggling this year:  they are scoring exactly one goal less (2.82) per game than last year (3.82).

I keep hearing that Apple has an app for everything on their iPhone's and iPad's, and with a "Fireman Ed" app - the guy that gets the "J-E-T-S Jets! Jets! Jets!" chant going, there may well be.

The New York Yankees may have some concerns about the back end of their rotation in particular, but they're about certain to have the best bullpen in the game now that they've signed former Tampa Bay Ray closer Rafael Soriano to play set-up man for Mariano Rivera and potentially succeed Mo if he ever slows down and loses his dominance.

Hot girls wearings sports jersey's.  Exactly what it sounds like.

Not surprisingly, RM didn't make Brett Favre's Christmas card list - an eCard, of course - but friend to all Bukakke passed me said eCard so I wouldn't feel too terribly left out.

"God sees everything!"

The Cleveland Cavaliers were absolutely crushed by the LA Lakers two nights ago, 112-57, or two points shy of a double up for those that aren't mathletes here.  In response, LeBron James took to Twitter and hammered out this: "Crazy. Karma is a bitch. Gets you every time. It's not good to wish bad on anybody. God sees everything!"  So in addition to being a self-absorbed prick, 'bron is now tight with God.  Good to know.  Oh, LeBron?  Karma may indeed be a "bitch", but your mother is a teammate banging whore.  Nobody's perfect.  Enjoy your knees while they last.  You're looking gimpier by the day.  I'll cheer for an all-star team of war criminals before I pull for the Miami Heat to win anything.  And not surprisingly, LeBron now says it wasn't him that hit wrote it on Twitter.  Uh-huh.

Looks like Brock Lesnar will have at least one more fight for the UFC. He'll be one of the coaches in the next season of the always awesome The Ultimate Fighter. Junior dos Santos will coach the other squad, and the two will tangle at the conclusion in June. As always, Spike and SportsNet will be airing the show, beginning March 30th.


50 NFL playoff fails, with video.

A lot of hate flying around ahead of the NFL divisional games this weekend.  We'll start with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens, who will meet for the 8th time in 28 months.  Baltimore coach John Harbaugh threw some gas on the fire by saying he's glad the Ravens broke Ben Roethlisberger's nose.

No shortage of talking ahead of the New York Jets visit to New England, with cornerback and breeder Antonio Cromartie going nuclear on Tom Brady, calling him an "asshole" and cracking on him for pointing at the Jets sidelines after a touchdown pass in the Pats 45-3 win a few weeks back, which only the Jets are referencing.  In typical Pats fashion, they're not talking back.  If the Pats start out quick, they're going to make that 45-3 shredding look like a warmup and there won't be a thing Mark Sanchez will be able to do to bring them back.

Look under 'L' column in the NHL standings: Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary and Edmonton all have 20 already.

The NFL players union has a real big issue with an 18-game schedule.

The Office won't be back with a new episode until next week, but for now, try on the 25 best "that's what she said" moment's in comic books.

Brett Favre's sister Brandi was arrested for producing and selling crystal meth.  Gonna be a banner year in the Favre household.

RM returns tomorrow...

The ground shook?

When Troy Palomalou plays the last two years, the Pittsburgh Steelers are 15-4 when he plays, and 6-7 when he doesn't

The Seattle Seahawks already own a road win over the Chicago Bears this year as 7-point underdogs.  They couldn't, could they?  A seismologist in the Pacific Northwest U.S. was curious to see if there was any movements in Seattle when Marshawn Lynch scored that ridiculous touchdown on Saturday, and believe it or not, he found that the ground did indeed shake.  Incredible. 

Jason Whitlock takes a look at this past weekend's NFL action and says that compared to Michael Vick, Peyton Manning has some maturing to do when it comes to being a player.  Wonder if The Manning Myth survives the fact he's now sub-.500 over 19 (NINETEEEN) career playoff starts?  Manning is 9-10, with an 88.4 QB rating, 29 TD's and 19 INT's.

No big shock that Barcelona's Lionel Messi was named FIFA's player of the year for the second straight time.  He's just that good.

The Philadelphia Eagles are now one of eight teams in four major professional sports with no titles in 50 seasons.  The others: Chicago Cubs, Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Indians, Sacramento Kings, Detroit Lions, Atlanta Hawks and Minnesota Vikings.

The war of words is getting good in the lead up to the New York Jets visit to New England this weekend, though the Patriots aren't really biting.  I haven't a clue why Rex Ryan is talking at all after the curb stomping the Patriots delivered just weeks back, but he's at it. 

Cam Cole at the Vancouver Sun writes that it is time that the NHL ban head shots of any kind - but what to do with fighting then? - if they're to get serious.  Funny that Sidney Crosby is now speaking out about head shots in the same way.  Don't recall him saying too much when Marc Savard was decked by Pittsburgh Penguin Matt Cooke last year.  Hypocrisy aside, the NHL would be wise to listen to Crosby.  He's the face of the game and with him out with a concussion, you can't do much more to highlite the problem than that. 

Andre Agassi was at a charity auction in Taiwan last week, and offered to show a winning bidder a naked picture of his wife Steffi Graf on his cell phone if the winning bid was over $4,000.  And when the extra money came through, he delivered.




A ridiculous buzzer beating shot in a high school hoops game in Ohio.




Sir Charles Barkley receives and demos "The Shake Weight".

Wild-card Wrap, and loads more

I'm in this ridiculous NFL pool south of the border that would take far too long to explain so I won't bother.  But as part of the pool, you need to pick each playoff game straight up.  Of the 145 entrants, not a single one had Seattle to win the game.  And win the Seahawks did, upsetting the New Orleans Saints.  Seattle now meets Chicago on Sunday afternoon and have opened as 10 point underdogs. Did you see Marshawn Lynch's awesome touchdown run?  I'd say it was right about here that the 'hawks started thinking they just might win.


One game I will not call an upset is the New York Jets win over the Indianapolis Colts, who just aren't very good.  And when is Peyton Manning gonna get the stick he so deserves for repeated playoff flameouts?  What is that now, seven times he's gone out his first playoff game, the vast majority at home?  The Jets will now face the New England Patriots, and will  need Mark Sanchez to be a far better QB than he's historically been playing in New England.  Here are his combined stats to date: he completed 25 of 54, one touchdown, SEVEN (7!) interceptions, two fumbles (1 lost) and he took three sacks.  The Pats opened -8.5 for that one.

Yesterday's games went more to the form yours truly called in the Prime Time Picks (see column at right), and made for a 3-1 playoff weekend.  The Baltimore Ravens hammered Kansas City with an easy 30-7 win, which sets up what feels like an annual playoff game (and bloodbath) with Pittsburgh, who are favored by a field goal.  The late game saw Green Bay down Philadelphia 21-16, and they'll face Atlanta next Saturday night with the Falcons two point favs.

Looks like an insurance issue has scuttled Tottenham's plans to bring in David Beckham for a loan run.  Sometimes insurance saves you from yourself, Spurs.

Might Brett Favre return to the NFL again...as a Buffalo Bill?

By now, I'm sure you've seen and heard of Ted Williams, the great story of a homeless Columbus man with a booming set of pipes.  He's not picked up a few side jobs, including some work for the Cleveland Cavaliers that will buy him a house, not that there's a shortage of good real estate in Cleveland.  Anyways, check out his mugshots over the year as dug up by The Smoking Gun.  In related news, not sure who the knucklehead in Indianapolis is that thought taking to the streets in search of homeless people with talents was a great idea.

Here's a quick look at season ticket prices for MLS teams and the EPL.

The Anaheim Angels are considering a run at signing Albert Pujols if the St. Louis Cardinals don't re-sign him.  Of course, the Angels are often in on prime time free agents, they just don't generally sign any of them.

Ridiculous bowling shot...


Slapshot, post...two pieces of puck.  In case you missed it last week.


Alex Ovechkin scores while being tripped.  Oh, he was merely beating Bryan McCabe?  Well, still impressive.


Stevenage - a fourth division side in England - upset Premier League club Newcastle United in FA Cup play 3-1 this weekend.  How happy were the Stevenage supporters?  Well, one got loose and cold-cocked one of the Stevenage players in the post-game celebrations.

Prime Time Picks

A 1-1 day yesterday thanks to a shocking win from the Seattle Seahawks. Not sure anybody saw that coming. Up today are another two games to set up the divisional round next weekend.

The 1pm start today sees the Baltimore Ravens as 3 point favs in Kansas City, and we're thinking Ravens win a low-scoing game in the 20-10 range.

The late start has fireworks written all over it with the Green Bay Packers 2 point dogs at Philadelphia. Thinking the Packers pass at will on the weak secondary of the Eagles, and blitz Michael Vick all day and win a high scoring game somewhere in the 35-28 range. Should be the game of the weekend.

Good luck, enjoy the games.

Wildcard Weekend starts today!

Everybody knew the Tampa Bay Rays were going to clean some payroll out this off-season - largely because they said they would - but they're almost down half now that they've dealt Matt Garza.  They started 2010 with a payroll of $71.9 million, and look like they're set for a $38.9 million payroll for this year.  Get out of Tampa.

No EPL action today.  Boo.

What do Neil Carr, Donn Lewin, Paul Morton, Hans Mortier, King Curtis Iaukea, Skip Young, Jack Laskin, El Hijo del Cien Caras, Kantaro Hoshino, Chris Long, Joe Higuchi, Taro Myaki, Mike Masarky, Edouard "Flying Frenchman" Carpentier, Gran Naniwa, Mike Porter, Jorge Gonzalez, Mike Shaw, La Fiera, Randy Morse, Jose Nieves, Herb Larson, Mickey Garagiola, Beverly Lehmer, J.C. Bailey, Kotetsu Yamamoto, Luna Vachon, El Espanto II, Anton Geesink, "Tough" Tony Borne, Skandor Akbar, "Nightmare" Ted Allen, Jeremy Wood, Lance Cade, Arpad Weber, Steve Stanlee, El Scorpio, Toni Adams, Cowboy Bob Bradley, Big Mikey, J.J. Jenkins, Chuck Etchels, Trent Acid, Grizzly Smith, Rocket Monroe, Rusher Kimura, Jet Monroe, El Supremo, Kinji Shibuya, Screamer, Peggy Ann Kawa-Baker, Gorgeous George Grant, Mr. Hito, Steve Stack, Gene Kiniski, Chris Kanyon, Tiny Tim/Little Brutus, Tom "The Butcher" Burton, Kenneth Laymon, Mikel Scicluna, Corsica Joe, Jerry Valiant, Sandy Scott, Angelo Poffo, Moose Mahoney, George "Red" Eakin, Ron Martinez, Gilbert Guerrero, Charles Baillargeon, Bryan Hart, Jack Brisco, Blackjack Hedden, Georgiann Makropoulos, Nick Pacchiano, Ida Mae Martinez, Katsuhisa Shibata, Ed Chuman, Ludvig Borga, and Jim White all have in common?  Yes, they're former pro wrestlers.  But they also all died in 2010.  Crazy.

As a Yankee fan, it may seem a bit obvious to crack on Boston types as being especially sad souls, so I'll leave it to Boston's own Dan Shaughnessy to do the work for me by writing a ridiculous piece saying the NHL's Winter Classic doesn't belong in places like Pittsburgh because it isn't a place associated with hockey.  Remind me again the last time the Bruins won the cup, DS?   Speaking of "DS", the good people at Deadspin take apart Shaughnessy's take with awesome viciousness.

Maybe Tottenham is looking to sell some extra jersey's, but can't imagine how they figure David Beckham is going to add much to arguably the best midfield outside of Barcelona.  Beckham could sign with Spurs in the next 24 hours.

Just to keep things rolling, am going to be picking each NFL playoff game as part of the Prime Time Picks for the season.  When you're sitting above 70%, why wouldn't you?  All logic says to take any home underdog at +10.5 but when that home dog is Seattle, and the New Orleans Saints are rolling in, even minus much of a rushing attack, I'm playing the Saints here.  I'm fully expecting a total beatdown here.  In the late one, the New York Jets visit Indianapolis, with the Colts favored by 2 points.  Peyton Manning has willed his team into the playoff dance with a four game win streak, but I'm not buying it.  Not when their rushing attack has been shoddy all year, not minus Dallas Clark, and not when Peyton looks terrified in the face of pressure, which the Jets should bring plenty of.  Yes, I know that Manning owns Rex Ryan teams historically, but he also had a lot more to work with.  If the Jets can get their running game going, they win this one outright.  If they can't, and rely too heavily on banged up Mark Sanchez, then they're in trouble.  A tight one, but am calling the Jets outright.  Yep, two roadies.  Crazy, but I like it.

Speaking of Rex Ryan, not sure why he felt the need to poke Tom Brady and say he doesn't work as hard as Peyton Manning does.  Wasn't it Brady that shredded the Jets for 40+ a few weeks ago?  Ryan would be wise to shut it there, as his Jets will be getting the Patriots should they win today and a pissed off Brady is a deadly one.

Back tomorrow with the other two NFL picks, but be sure to watch this  fine Taiwanese piece on Brett Favre's antics.  Freaking awesome, frankly.

"I hope you all die"

Not all UFC fans are going to threaten Mensa membership, but how can you not laugh at the news that some fans, so amped up to get tickets for UFC 129 in Toronto this April, have bought bogus tickets.  You'd think they'd at least be aware that, you know, tickets aren't even on sale yet.

Very classy of the Miami Dolphins to announce that they will be keeping Tony Sparano as coach.  Not classy?  That they were interviewing other coaches for the job before making said announcement.

After the bronze medal game at the World Junior Hockey Championships, a reporter as asked US player John Ramage if his parents were in attendance. His dad, former NHLer Rob Ramage, is in jail of course after killing a friend while driving drunk.

Kurt Warner, who is by all indications as good a person as there is in the sporting game, took a pretty nice run at Brett Favre, telling the NFL Network his actions on and off the field in recent years have tarnished his legacy, at least in the short term: “I think he did.  Not only this season, but the last few seasons, going back and forth [on retirement] and bouncing around to a few different teams.  I think about it and I have to really think hard to think back when he was a Green Bay Packer and when he played his best football and was in Super Bowls.” Well said, Kurt.  Well, except he only won one.  And then, you've got Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocino - the latter who is hanging in Spain with Cristiano Ronaldo in one of the odder pairings I've heard - cracking on Favre as well.  Owens said Favre strung the league along and was only fined $50,000 for the sexting allegations and earned $4 million extra this year to do it, while 85 chimed in that T.O. wouldn't get that extra money because he's black.  Shame you went there, Ocho.  Not like you haven't raked it in.

Love hearing that Marvin Morgan, a second division player in England has been suspended for two weeks and placed on the transfer list for Aldershot for tweeting out this gem: "Like to thank the fans who booed me off the pitch. Where's that going to get you! I hope you all die.''

Beauty from Mikhael Grabovski last night in the shootout, won 6-5 by the Toronto Maple Leafs.  Love when the commentator says "this place is on its feet" comes exactly when they show half the crowd sitting down.


Oakland A's Craig Breslow has used Rex Ryan's foot fettish vid as inspiration for this bit.  Awesome.

Oh, Canada

As bed shittings go, last night's was absolutely spectacular (craptacular?).  Up 3-0 in the third, Canada managed to lose 5-3 and deserved every bit of it to a hard charging Russian team.  Cannot recall a more amazing flameout.

Some Tuesday night hockey attendance figures.  From the NHL: 12,000 in Denver, 8,000 in Phoenix, and 13,000 in New Jersey.  Washington and Edmonton were both sell-outs.  Meanwhile, in Winnipeg for the World Under 17 finals, 12,000 showed up.  Take a hint, Gary Bettman.  Go where people care.

Word is that three lottery tickets and Blake Griffin are entering the NBA's usually irrelevant, but suddenly slightly interesting Slam Dunk Contest.  BG is a beast.

Fans of the home team tend to bet the home team, regardless of sport.  So this NFL season must've been a good one for the people of Detroit.  Their Lions were 13-3 against the spread this year.

Toronto FC will confirm their new management hires today with a 1pm presser in Toronto.  Nice work, especially since the team is due in Turkey in a month for a pair of friendlies against Dinamo Zagreb, Croatian champion, and Partizan Belgrade, Serbian champion.

As speculated yesterday, Robbie Alomar and - finally! - Bert Blyleven were finally chosen to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.  Denied again was Jack Morris.  Joke.