Happy 2011!

A Happy 2011 to you all.  Going to guess most are in a bit of a haze today - good for you! - so we'll keep it light today with this gem that comes to us all the way from 1974.  A letter exchange, when people still did that, from a season ticket holder of the Cleveland Browns, and the reply provided.  Back Monday with the full edition.

Last call for 2010!

Canada faces Sweden today in World Junior Hockey play with first place at stake in Group A, which brings with it a bye to the semi-finals.  That would come in handy for a very beat up Canadian squad.  Puck drop is 4pm on TSN, great way to get the New Year's Eve festivities started early.  Be sure to check out yesterday's post and the comments section for a spirited diatribe by Bukakke and yours truly on the "hats during anthem" issue.

Jason Whitlock says that Rex Ryan needs to be less clown and more coach.

Here's a great bit on some of the best plays in sports in 2010, and you can get your votes in to rate them as well. Worth the time, though more than a few were highlighted in this space over the course of the year.  For me, Landon Donovan's goal for the U.S. at the World Cup was the play of the year.  Goosebumps.  Yes, moreso than Canada's Olympic Gold winning goal from Sydney Crosby even, which didn't make the cut.

Steve Simmons at The Toronto Sun gives us his view of the year in sports.

I'll leave the analysis of Octavio Dotel's signing by the Toronto Blue Jays to Fark.com: Octavio Dotel agrees to a one-year contract of choking in the 9th inning for the Blue Jays.  Drunk Jays Fan is similarly unimpressed.  Or furious.  One or the other. 

LeBron James now says that he didn't advocate for contraction, and needed to go to the internet to see what the word meant.  See kids, stay in school. 

Thanks for reminding us we're watching a "football game" with "football teams", idiot colour guy at The Music City Bowl.  Also, you don't need to start every sentence with "when you talk about..."  Just talk about it, FFS.

If you're a fan of the chalkboard quotes that Woody Paige uses on ESPN's Around The Horn, you can see them here.  Updated often.

Not sure how they managed it, but the good folks at The Bleacher Report managed to narrow down Mike Singletary's coaching run - and I'd bet hard he never gets another head coaching job - with the San Francisco 49ers to 10 Most Bizarre moments.

UFC 125 goes tomorrow night with Gray Maynard - a good guy I met in Las Vegas in November - facing Frankie Edgar for his Lightweight title. Full card here.  The prelims are airing on Rogers SportsNet, free of charge.  A bit of a blow yesterday to the potential card for Toronto with word that Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez suffered a torn rotator cuff in his title win over Brock Lesnar.  He'll be out 6-8 months now.

A couple UFC entries here in the Top 24 Knockouts of 2010.

Dallas Cowboys fans will not be lamenting this Sunday's game likely being the last with one Roy E. Williams.

You may recall a few weeks back that Edmonton Oiler Linus Omark took a verbal beating from the Tampa Bay Lightning after his spin move - nowhere near the net, mind you - before scoring in a shootout against the Bolts.  Funny, I don't hear the Bolts crying now that Steve Stamkos pulled a similar move in tight against the Montreal Canadiens last night.  Hockey's "codes" are no less a joke than baseball's.

Complex delivers the best 90 women of the 1990's.  Some real blasts from the past here.

I read a reference to Chris Bosh yesterday that called him "Ringo".  Freaking awesome.

20 fantastic Bar Rafaeli photos, and some fresh Megan Fox ones.  You're welcome.

Before we close the day, there will be a brief entry tomorrow morning.  You're going to want to see it for sure.  Be safe tonight, don't drink and drive.  Catch you on the other side.

Now THIS is how you get jacked up for a soccer game.  Oh wait...the kids are 10-year olds?  Wild video from Poland.  Remember this the next time you hear an announcer talk about a "raucous" NBA/NFL/NHL/MLB crowd.

"Executed"? Really?

Managed to tune in to the dying minutes and post-game of Canada's 10-1 beatdown of Norway yesterday at the World Junior Hockey Championship's in Buffalo.  Not sure what was more embarrassing, seeing the Canadian fans celebrating the 10th goal like it was a gold medal winner, or seeing the losers wearing their hats for the national anthem post-game after you could clearly hear it announced in the building that one should "please remove (your) hat" for the playing thereof.  There's no excuse for wearing a hat during the playing of any anthem, ever.  Would love to see that caricature Don Cherry take that subject on, no way he'd talk down to his minions like that.

Brett Favre was fined $50,000 for not cooperating with the NFL's investigation into the sext messages he sent Jenn Sterger. Let that be a lesson to you, NFLers: don't cooperate. Far cheaper, and no suspension.

That nut Tucker Carlson says that "Mike Vick should have been executed" for his dog fighting crimes. No, seriously.

Ken Rosenthal at Fox Sports looks at steroids, responsibility and why the Hall of Fame vote gets more agonizing every year: 

Further to yesterday's Brock Lesnar bit, word is he is looking for a way out of the MMA game after completing his last fight for UFC.  Having your ass handed to you can have that effect. He's got a $2 million offer from WWE to work a match at WrestleMania. Speaking of packing it in, Chuck Lidell took some time to tell us what we already knew yesterday: he's done as a fighter.

13 NHL teams received revenue sharing last season.  Would you believe that all 13 are in the United States?  Strange, isn't it?

Rudi at Canadian Soccer News looks at the Toronto FC and Dwayne De Rosario situation and concludes it is time for MeRo to go.

The hottest 30 calendars of 2011.  And if that wasn't enough, here's the Nuts 2011 calendar.  NSFW, people.

All the best jukes, step-overs, goals and moves from the 2010 World Cup all in one convenient mix-tape. You're welcome.  No better way to spend nearly 9 minutes today.

Total Skills FIFA World Cup 2010 Edition By Fuentes from fuentesquatre on Vimeo.

The Vikings win?

At the World Junior Hockey Championships, Canada went down a goal in the opening minute to the Czech's before scoring a touchdown in what ended up a 7-2 final.  So far, so good for the red and white.  Up tonight is a 7:30pm curbstomping game with Norway.

Absolutely stunned that the Minnesota Vikings not only covered last night in Philadelphia, but won outright by a 24-14 score. Who saw that coming?  Crazy, crazy NFL season.

The San Antonio Spurs become just the fourth team in NBA history to go 11-0 at home in a single month when they smoked the LA Lakers 87-82 last night. That also marked the first time the Lakers have lost 10 games by the end of December since 2007.

Manchester City hammered Aston Villa 4-0 to temporarily jump into top spot in the EPL yesterday, but cross-town rivals Manchester United drew Birmingham in a tough game 1-1 thanks to a last minute controversial goal by Birmingham that tied it to leave it as a Manchester split of first place, albeit with United having two games in hand.  Tottenham were impressive 2-0 winners at Newcastle. Up today, Chelsea has a tricky one in visiting Bolton (Setanta, 2:45pm), Arsenal is at Wigan, and Liverpool hosts Wolverhampton. The latter two are on Setanta, albeit on tape delay.  Does "tape delay" still apply?

Brock Lesnar allegedly has an offer from the WWE to do a WrestleMania match.  Perhaps the Undertaker thing in October was a precursor to that? Can't imagine Dana White and the UFC go for that, not when White said he won't allow it on a recent appearance on the George Strombolopolous Show.  Besides, my bet is he's got an end of April date in Toronto in front of a huge UFC crowd at the Rogers Centre. Yes, I just said "huge crowd" and "Rogers Centre" in the same sentence.

Hey, don't look now, but the Toronto Blue Jays added a piece this off-season. Octavio Dotel is in, ostensibly as their new closer. Now they just need some (serious) bullpen help and a first baseman.

Not sure what it is, but the Toronto Raptors seem to run into good fortune occasionally when visiting the Dallas Mavericks. Sure the Mavs may have been missing Dirk Nowitzki, but the Raps still got it done without Andrea Bargnani and others with a 84-76 win.  Yes, the Raps kept somebody out of triple digits.  Caleron was out people, recognize.

The circus that is Toronto FC never ends. Captain - and the term is used loosely in his case - Dwayne MeRosario DeRosario has gone off to Scotland to work out with Glasgow Celtic without the team's knowledge and now, by all indications, against their wishes. If this is some power play to get a raise from TFC, here's hoping it fails.  I suspect MeRo's days with TFC are done whatever the case.  MLS and TFC are now arranging the proper trial paperwork with Celtic.  Also, Gerry Dobson at SportsNet weighs in.

How happy were the New Orleans Saints to clinch a playoff birth on Monday night in Atlanta?  Happy enough they returned to the field post-game to take a team picture on the Falcon at mid-field.  Speaking of clinching, here is who needs what to wrap up a birth in Week 17.

There might be only three backs - Michael Turner, Steven Jackson and Rashard Mendenhall - who average 20 carries a game this year.

Carolina has the top pick in the NFL draft, assuming that's still a go next year, and will almost certainly be taking quarterback Andrew Luck, assuming he comes out.

I've got three words for Hugh Hefner, who just got engaged to 24-year old girlfriend Crystal Harris: Anna.  Nicole.  Smith.

The Kansas City Chiefs won 10 games - total - the three years prior to this season, in which they're at 10 already and a division winner.

And for the third year running, if you use "frozen tundra", you are not smart. That's like saying "frozen ice".  Redundant. I prayed that would fade when John Madden rode home on his bus with his eye shadow, but still happens.

NHL referee Paul Devorski allegedly mocked fans in Columbus who were upset about a call he made with the old "rub my eyes like I'm crying bit" and then dropped a middle finger on them.  Classy.

With warm weather slated for Pittsburgh on Saturday, the NHLWinter Classic is lining up its various backup plans for the , which sounds like it might not be so wintery in any case.

Here's a ridiculous idea to speed up sports: eliminate timeouts. All of them.  Would love to see a basketball game or football game played without them.

There is penalty killing, and then there is this gem you may have heard about from Tyler Carroll of the Guelph Storm killing a 5-on-3 at the Kitchener Rangers last week.  As impressive as it gets.


I don't know who this team is, but they sure are terrible.

Great Monday Nighter last night in Atlanta where despite giving the home Falcons repeated chances to put the game away in the fourth, the New Orleans Saints emerged victorious 17-14.  The Saints are getting healthy at just the right time and while they seem to lack the mojo they worked last year, are going to be a serious threat come January and the playoffs.

How long til somebody in the Canadian media says snow in Northeastern U.S. is just Canada invading with World Jr's in upstate New York?  Canada takes on the Czech Republic at 4pm today on TSN.

A year ago at this time, the New Jersey Devils sat top of the NHL. Today, they sit 30th.

In the New York Jets last 4 games, 3 that ended in losses, they trailed 17-0 to New England after the first quarter, 10-0 to Miami after the first quarter,  and 10-0 to Chicago after the first quarter. Generally not the way you want to start games.

After five straight losses to Chelsea, Arsenal turned the tables with a 3-1 win at home that really puts a dent in Chelsea's title hopes. Still strikes me as odd tuning in to the Monday EPL broadcast and seeing ESPN logos plastered on the microphones of the commentators, among other places. Not sure if it is ESPN gone global as much as it is the EPL becoming a big property on The Worldwide Leader.  Another round of games starts today during the busy holiday time in the EPL, including Manchester United at Birmingham at 3pm on TSN2.  I suspect Newcastle at Tottenham at 10am will see more than couple goals there.

What does it say of the Toronto Raptors that they use their mascot - entertaining though he may be - and a member of their Dance Pak flanking DeMar Derozan to push tickets?

In Sunday's Toronto Sun, Steve Simmons took the Blue Jays to task for a very underwhelming, step back off-season. On Monday, he tweeted out that he's had problems with his Rogers Yahoo! email.  Coincidence?

The storm that has pounded the northeastern U.S. has made for some interesting scenarios, but few as comedic as the New York Giants being (still) stuck in Green Bay after the whipping they took Sunday. Am sure Tom Coughlin's made it a real relaxing time for them.

For reasons I'm not sure anyone can fathom, the San Diego Chargers say they're sticking with their G.M. A.J. Smith and coach Norvelle Turner.

Not sure what I wanted more, the almost annual Kitchener fire to hit Fairview Park Mall on Sunday when Justin Bieber visited, or an IED to take out Don Cherry during his visit to Afghanistan. Thinking the latter as The Bieb's days are numbered as is.

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats may move to Burlington?  Is there anyone in favor of that, especially the good people of Burlington?

Tough week ahead for the Philadelphia Eagles as they battle for the second seed in the NFC.  They've got Minnesota at home, and then an extra-rested Dallas team on Sunday just five days later.  On second thought, maybe not that tough.  The Eagles are 14 point favs tonight and while I don't normally like taking chalk at that large a number, tough to bet on the Vikes.  Eagles it is.

The New England Patriots haven't lost a fumble or thrown an interception in the last six games, the longest such streak in NFL history, with the record interception streak running since October 23rd against Baltimore for Tom Brady, 319 pass attempts.  That's the stuff of champions.

Check out this Arizona Cardinals cheerleader in a panic. 

Loved Kobe Bryant telling LeBron James on Saturday that "I'm a f&%#ing champ"...


Detroit Lions centre Dominic Raiola tells Miami Dolphins fans to suck a part of his anatomy.

Back!

Back after a few down days celebrating Christmas, and celebrating it hard more often than not. Hope the holidays have treated you well. The plan is to be here daily through the week.

The NFL made an early decision to cancel the Sunday Night game in Philadelphia with a massive snow storm on the boil, marking the third straight week Minnesota has been bounced around. That game will go on Tuesday now. Meanwhile, despite the New York Islanders requesting their game last night against Montreal be postponed, the NHL declined. Wouldn't want to piss off the 2,000 or so loyal Islanders followers.  And better still, the New Jersey Devils announced at the end of the first period - around 8pm - to the 5,329 in attendance that buses leaving their arena would stop running after 8:30pm because of the storm. Way to go, NHL. Those there are Winter Classics!

The hockey tourney only Canada cares about opened, and Canada started well, with a 6-3 win over Russia. Up tomorrow at 4pm is the Czech Republic. Warning to those dialing in on TSN: bring a mop to keep near your TV. After all, Pierre Macguire is gushing all kinds of man juices on colour commentary.

In the last 68 minutes, the New York Giants have allowed 73 points, including yesterday's 45-17 loss at Green Bay.  Yeah, that's all on the punter, Tom Coughlin. Enjoy unemployment.  Speaking of, the San Francisco 49ers parted ways with coach Mike Singletary after an embarrassing season on the field, and on the sidelines.  He got into a ridiculous shouting match with QB Troy Smith yesterday.
 
The Seattle Seahawks have been outscored 114-58 their last three weeks but somehow, still have a shot to make the playoffs in this wild NFL season.

Manchester United strengthened their grip on first place in the English Premier League with a far-easier-than-the-2-0-scoreline suggests win over Sunderland, leaving them with 37 points. Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney were fantastic, with the former scoring both.  Manchester City move into second place after yesterday's 3-1 win at Newcastle, giving them 35 points, although they've played two more games than the rest of the top four.  Up today is a killer matchup that sees third-place Arsenal host fourth-place cross-town rival Chelsea. 3pm kick-off on TSN2.

What is better than former MLBer Lenny Dykstra, well known to have some money troubles, bouncing a cheque on an escort?  And since when do the pros accept cheques?

The 2000 Baltimore Ravens didn't use the word "playoffs" all season—they substituted "Festivus." The Super Bowl was referred to as "Festivus Maximus."  Weird.

Back tomorrow (Monday) morning. Check back often.