((HT: Pac-12 Digital/ESPN))
The ACC is having their problems this year in bowl games- and they may have more tonight, depending on the level of motivation of JFF...
Ka'Deem Carey and the son of some guy named Griffey had a big day for RichRod and Arizona as they rolled Boston College in the Independence Bowl, 42-19...
Arizona never trailed and was up 42-6 in the fourth quarter. The Wildcats held BC's Andre Williams to only 75 yards, but that figure still has him as the 5th best all-time in NCAA history with 2,177 yards.
William Parks put a stomp on the game early with this 69-yard pick-6 to give Arizona a 14-6 lead and they never, really, looked back...
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Dude Perfect Is Exactly That... Again... With A Moving Target...
((HT: Dude Perfect))
And the HQ now wonders what frontier is next... since we're running out of frontier ideas for watching them hit shots from all over the place...
This time... it's a moving hoop in a parking lot from the top of the Reunion Tower in Dallas...
Ridiculous... and awesome...
Since they are, after all, heading to awesome-town...
All right...
Where's next...???!!!
And the HQ now wonders what frontier is next... since we're running out of frontier ideas for watching them hit shots from all over the place...
This time... it's a moving hoop in a parking lot from the top of the Reunion Tower in Dallas...
Ridiculous... and awesome...
Since they are, after all, heading to awesome-town...
All right...
Where's next...???!!!
The End For Mack Brown: Let's Face It, Oregon Let Up...
It was the blowout that Oregon kept from being a blowout...
Marcus Mariota was trotted out there out of shape and the Oregon offense still ran rings around the Texas...
Well, the Texas everything...
Here's Mack Brown after the fact...
((HT: Longhorn Network))
With analysis from San Antonio from Kirk Bohls and Cedric Golden from the Austin American-Statesman
And highlights from KVUE-TV
Marcus Mariota was trotted out there out of shape and the Oregon offense still ran rings around the Texas...
Well, the Texas everything...
Here's Mack Brown after the fact...
((HT: Longhorn Network))
With analysis from San Antonio from Kirk Bohls and Cedric Golden from the Austin American-Statesman
And highlights from KVUE-TV
Southern-Champion Baptist: The Day After
((HT: WAFB-TV))
First off, here's the highlights... if you're a Southern fan or something...
WAFB 9 News Baton Rouge, Louisiana News, Weather, Sports
For the record, the Jags broke the NCAA record that Seton Hall had when they scored the first 34 points against Kean College on November 19th, 1998.
The largest margin for victory is Long Island University beating Medgar Evers 179-62 on November 26th, 1997. The Southern win is now the third widest all-time margin...
Tre Lynch seemed less than apologetic in his quote in the Baton Rouge Advocate to Charles Salzer:
“If we come out and do what we do then leads can get like that,” Lynch said. “We don’t try and look at the score. We just play our game and, God bless us, if the lead gets like that then so be it.”
Gee, thanks...
“Defensively I felt like we played aggressive, we played hard and that’s a pretty good showing for us against a D-1 school,” CBC coach Eric Capaci told Salzer. “Offensively, we just did not show up. We missed our free throws, and missed a lot of easy lay ups.
“(Southern) is big and tall, but we still should have dropped some more buckets.”
Well, okay then... what, exactly, did you tell your son in the locker room since he was one of your bench players...???
Southern AD William J. Broussard was asked why they scheduled CBC. He talked about them playing four other D1 schools and that it's hard scheduling bigger schools when you're Southern.
"I assume it's a budget balancer for them as well," he said.
And...scene...
Oh, here's Salzer discussing what he saw with ESPN
Jeff Goodman of ESPN.com caught up with Southern head coach Roman Banks, who claimed he didn't know how out of control it got:
"You're worried about the psyche of the team even though we played well against some of those teams," Banks said. "You can lose your confidence. This game was all about us. I was surprised at how well we played defensively, and it led to a bunch of transition baskets."
First off, here's the highlights... if you're a Southern fan or something...
WAFB 9 News Baton Rouge, Louisiana News, Weather, Sports
For the record, the Jags broke the NCAA record that Seton Hall had when they scored the first 34 points against Kean College on November 19th, 1998.
The largest margin for victory is Long Island University beating Medgar Evers 179-62 on November 26th, 1997. The Southern win is now the third widest all-time margin...
Tre Lynch seemed less than apologetic in his quote in the Baton Rouge Advocate to Charles Salzer:
“If we come out and do what we do then leads can get like that,” Lynch said. “We don’t try and look at the score. We just play our game and, God bless us, if the lead gets like that then so be it.”
Gee, thanks...
“Defensively I felt like we played aggressive, we played hard and that’s a pretty good showing for us against a D-1 school,” CBC coach Eric Capaci told Salzer. “Offensively, we just did not show up. We missed our free throws, and missed a lot of easy lay ups.
“(Southern) is big and tall, but we still should have dropped some more buckets.”
Well, okay then... what, exactly, did you tell your son in the locker room since he was one of your bench players...???
Southern AD William J. Broussard was asked why they scheduled CBC. He talked about them playing four other D1 schools and that it's hard scheduling bigger schools when you're Southern.
"I assume it's a budget balancer for them as well," he said.
And...scene...
Oh, here's Salzer discussing what he saw with ESPN
Jeff Goodman of ESPN.com caught up with Southern head coach Roman Banks, who claimed he didn't know how out of control it got:
"You're worried about the psyche of the team even though we played well against some of those teams," Banks said. "You can lose your confidence. This game was all about us. I was surprised at how well we played defensively, and it led to a bunch of transition baskets."
Texas Tech QB Davis Webb Enjoyed His Holiday With 4 Touchdown Passes. Texas Tech Defeats Arizona State 37-23
Texas Tech quarterback Davis Webb must have been tired of the losing.
The Red Raiders had lost five in a row heading into their Holiday Bowl match-up with Arizona State.
Everybody was not high on us on in the beginning of the year, we won 7 games, everybody was on our shoulders and we lose five in a row and everybody disappeared." Webb said.
Texas Tech showed up Monday night in San Diego and Webb had a huge game as the Red Raiders defeated Arizona State 37-23.
Thanks AJ Media
The final numbers for Davis Webb, he completed 28 of 41 passes for 403 yards and four touchdowns which ties the Holiday Bowl record.
Thanks ESPN
"When Coach told me I was going to start, there was nothing but joy," Webb said. "I told myself that I was going to make sure that I was going to send the seniors out right. We came prepared. We leaned on each other and we showed that today."
"Everybody in that locker room believed that we could beat Arizona State and we did that." Webb added.
Webb left San Diego with the Holiday Bowl offensive MVP award.
"It's always great to end on a win especially in a big-time bowl game like this, the Holiday Bowl, so it will definitely help our cause." Texas Tech head coach Kliff Kingsbury said.
The Red Raiders had lost five in a row heading into their Holiday Bowl match-up with Arizona State.
Everybody was not high on us on in the beginning of the year, we won 7 games, everybody was on our shoulders and we lose five in a row and everybody disappeared." Webb said.
Texas Tech showed up Monday night in San Diego and Webb had a huge game as the Red Raiders defeated Arizona State 37-23.
Thanks AJ Media
The final numbers for Davis Webb, he completed 28 of 41 passes for 403 yards and four touchdowns which ties the Holiday Bowl record.
Thanks ESPN
"When Coach told me I was going to start, there was nothing but joy," Webb said. "I told myself that I was going to make sure that I was going to send the seniors out right. We came prepared. We leaned on each other and we showed that today."
"Everybody in that locker room believed that we could beat Arizona State and we did that." Webb added.
Webb left San Diego with the Holiday Bowl offensive MVP award.
"It's always great to end on a win especially in a big-time bowl game like this, the Holiday Bowl, so it will definitely help our cause." Texas Tech head coach Kliff Kingsbury said.
Monday, December 30, 2013
DEVELOPING: Southern U. Setting Record As We Speak (UPDATED W/Final Stats)
((HT: Dark Panda))
Southern University's men's hoops squad thought it would be a good idea to schedule Champion Baptist College for a home game this evening...
This was a bad idea for CBC...
Rivals and Yahoo!Sports Jeff Eisenberg, who has been monitoring the game, sees that CBC is 0-16 from the floor and has 10 turnovers, no offensive rebounds, and was down 41-0 with 7:34 to go in the first half.
This would be an NCAA record for futility...
And, somewhere in this run, Southern even called a timeout...
Here's Champion Baptist's mid-night madness video from this season... where, presumably, they scored more points...
Champion Baptist finally scored, but Southern led 44-0 at the time for the biggest recorded run to start a game...
Congrats to you...
2145 UPDATE: The final was 116-12, so at least Southern didn't get the record for winning margin...
Some preliminary notes...
Southern scored 57 in the first half and 59 in the second, Champion Baptist scored 6 in each...
Here's your proof, thanks to hbcugameday.com
CBC went 3-for-44 from the floor and went only 5-for-17 from the foul line...
Their leading scorer was point guard Zach Hendricks- who had 4 points...
They were outrebounded 71-21
Southern had 23 assists, CBC had 1
Southern had 20 steals, CBC had 3
CBC had 27 turnovers, Southern had 8
Bottom line: Much like in college football, this game should never have been scheduled...
Bomani Jones even tweeted that CBC is in Hot Springs, Arkansas (his home town) and he never even heard of the school...
Here’s how obscure Champion Baptist College is: It’s in the town where I grew up (Hot Springs) and I’ve never heard of it.
The Sporting News' Kami Mattioli has some details on CBC:
A private, Baptist school with a total full-time undergraduate enrollment of 250 students, the Tigers are an independent school that competes in the Association of Christian College Athletics.
As members of the ACCA, they've won three National Championships in 2007, 2009 and 2010.
In the four games they've played, Champion Baptist averaged 38.0 points per game, while allowing their opponents to score an average of 108.3 points per game.
Southern, by the way, improved to 4-9
Southern University's men's hoops squad thought it would be a good idea to schedule Champion Baptist College for a home game this evening...
This was a bad idea for CBC...
Rivals and Yahoo!Sports Jeff Eisenberg, who has been monitoring the game, sees that CBC is 0-16 from the floor and has 10 turnovers, no offensive rebounds, and was down 41-0 with 7:34 to go in the first half.
This would be an NCAA record for futility...
And, somewhere in this run, Southern even called a timeout...
Here's Champion Baptist's mid-night madness video from this season... where, presumably, they scored more points...
Champion Baptist finally scored, but Southern led 44-0 at the time for the biggest recorded run to start a game...
Congrats to you...
2145 UPDATE: The final was 116-12, so at least Southern didn't get the record for winning margin...
Some preliminary notes...
Southern scored 57 in the first half and 59 in the second, Champion Baptist scored 6 in each...
Here's your proof, thanks to hbcugameday.com
CBC went 3-for-44 from the floor and went only 5-for-17 from the foul line...
Their leading scorer was point guard Zach Hendricks- who had 4 points...
They were outrebounded 71-21
Southern had 23 assists, CBC had 1
Southern had 20 steals, CBC had 3
CBC had 27 turnovers, Southern had 8
Bottom line: Much like in college football, this game should never have been scheduled...
Bomani Jones even tweeted that CBC is in Hot Springs, Arkansas (his home town) and he never even heard of the school...
Here’s how obscure Champion Baptist College is: It’s in the town where I grew up (Hot Springs) and I’ve never heard of it.
The Sporting News' Kami Mattioli has some details on CBC:
A private, Baptist school with a total full-time undergraduate enrollment of 250 students, the Tigers are an independent school that competes in the Association of Christian College Athletics.
As members of the ACCA, they've won three National Championships in 2007, 2009 and 2010.
In the four games they've played, Champion Baptist averaged 38.0 points per game, while allowing their opponents to score an average of 108.3 points per game.
Southern, by the way, improved to 4-9
ICYMI: Navy Wins A Dirty Bowl, Ole Miss Wins An Ugly One.
Admittedly, looking at the Twitter-sphere, the Bell Helicopters Armed Service Bowl seems to be one of the dirtiest games played this bowl season- gouging, poking, cheap shots... all that stuff...
Which means it must have been great television...
And the HQ will admit that the idea of having teams like these make it to a game where, hopefully, they get to turn a little profit is a good thing...
Here's how Navy QB Keenan Reynolds became the fourth player in Division I history to rush for 30 or more touchdowns in a season.
((HT: ESPN))
And, then, the Georgia Tech-Ole Miss game in Nashville was just plain weird in the fourth quarter. Vad Lee surprised the entire planet with a 72-yard TD pass to get the Rebels lead trimmed to 23-17, but with all the momentum in the world as the Yellow Jackets stopped Ole Miss' offense...
This happened...
((HT: ACCDN))
The HQ would LOVE to know who called that last play...
Which means it must have been great television...
And the HQ will admit that the idea of having teams like these make it to a game where, hopefully, they get to turn a little profit is a good thing...
Here's how Navy QB Keenan Reynolds became the fourth player in Division I history to rush for 30 or more touchdowns in a season.
((HT: ESPN))
And, then, the Georgia Tech-Ole Miss game in Nashville was just plain weird in the fourth quarter. Vad Lee surprised the entire planet with a 72-yard TD pass to get the Rebels lead trimmed to 23-17, but with all the momentum in the world as the Yellow Jackets stopped Ole Miss' offense...
This happened...
((HT: ACCDN))
The HQ would LOVE to know who called that last play...
Dirty South Looks At The Music City Bowl
((HT: Dirty South Sports Report))
The HQ would like to welcome and add the resources of the Dirty South Sports Report to our stacks from this moment on...
The reason...???
Well, one of the Dirty Southerners, Jackson Martin, is a protege of the HQ and we're glad to see him grow...
He's a regular...
So, to start, he went after the locals, the Music City Bowl...
Two 7-5 teams coming off disappointing losses to hated in-state rivals doesn’t sound like the setup for an exciting bowl game, but this year’s Music City Bowl might just be a thrilling shootout that keeps us glued to our TVs until the final whistle. Or it might be a lackluster slapfight between two teams just ready for the offseason (and two coaches who are ready to play golf).
Mississippi was dreaming of something greater this year. After an impressive recruiting haul, head coach Hugh Freeze looked to turn those offseason wins into victories on the field. The Rebels won a nailbiter in Nashville on the first night of the season to get things started right, but never put together the string of wins needed to truly contend for the SEC West title. Quarterback “Dr.” Bo Wallace had an up-and-down year that culminated in his fumbling away the Egg Bowl against Mississippi State. That overtime loss to the Bulldogs moved the Ole Miss season from 8-4 and optimistic to 7-5 and wondering what went wrong.
Georgia Tech has been stagnant for three years now. Paul Johnson’s triple-option offense is no longer producing the wins it initially did in the ACC and the Yellow Jackets are once again mediocre, as they have been every year since winning the ACC in 2009. This is a matchup of two even teams, but Ole Miss may have the advantage after getting a month to prepare for the triple-option. Tech doesn’t fare well in bowl games — last year’s Sun Bowl win over USC was the first since 2004 for the Yellow Jackets.
Bias Report
In this section, I’ll tell you who I’m rooting for in each matchup and why. My reasons will range from true fandom to whoever has the best uniform and I want to give you a glimpse of what I like and dislike about every bowl team.
I’m a Georgia fan. I don’t like the Yellow Jackets, and I especially don’t like Paul Johnson. There are two things I like about Georgia Tech:
Calvin Johnson
and Reggie Ball
Hoddy Toddy.
Numbers to know
F/+ Rankings: Tech 31, Ole Miss 34
Spread: Ole Miss -4
Over/Under: 55
Picks
To help you figure out exactly who will win each game, we’ve assembled a panel of experts to pick each game. Our panel features myself, Ben Weinrib of The Knuckleblog, our resident gambling expert Jake Kearns, @turntuptina (who makes NFL picks over at The Knuckleblog occasionally), my dad, and a decision on which mascot would win in a fight.
Jackson Martin: Ole Miss
Ben Weinrib: Ole Miss
James Francis Kearns III: Ole Miss
@turntuptina: Ole Miss
Dad: Georgia Tech
Mascot fight: Ole Miss now uses a black bear as its mascot, which I’m pretty sure is the natural enemy of bees.
The HQ would like to welcome and add the resources of the Dirty South Sports Report to our stacks from this moment on...
The reason...???
Well, one of the Dirty Southerners, Jackson Martin, is a protege of the HQ and we're glad to see him grow...
He's a regular...
So, to start, he went after the locals, the Music City Bowl...
Two 7-5 teams coming off disappointing losses to hated in-state rivals doesn’t sound like the setup for an exciting bowl game, but this year’s Music City Bowl might just be a thrilling shootout that keeps us glued to our TVs until the final whistle. Or it might be a lackluster slapfight between two teams just ready for the offseason (and two coaches who are ready to play golf).
Mississippi was dreaming of something greater this year. After an impressive recruiting haul, head coach Hugh Freeze looked to turn those offseason wins into victories on the field. The Rebels won a nailbiter in Nashville on the first night of the season to get things started right, but never put together the string of wins needed to truly contend for the SEC West title. Quarterback “Dr.” Bo Wallace had an up-and-down year that culminated in his fumbling away the Egg Bowl against Mississippi State. That overtime loss to the Bulldogs moved the Ole Miss season from 8-4 and optimistic to 7-5 and wondering what went wrong.
Georgia Tech has been stagnant for three years now. Paul Johnson’s triple-option offense is no longer producing the wins it initially did in the ACC and the Yellow Jackets are once again mediocre, as they have been every year since winning the ACC in 2009. This is a matchup of two even teams, but Ole Miss may have the advantage after getting a month to prepare for the triple-option. Tech doesn’t fare well in bowl games — last year’s Sun Bowl win over USC was the first since 2004 for the Yellow Jackets.
Bias Report
In this section, I’ll tell you who I’m rooting for in each matchup and why. My reasons will range from true fandom to whoever has the best uniform and I want to give you a glimpse of what I like and dislike about every bowl team.
I’m a Georgia fan. I don’t like the Yellow Jackets, and I especially don’t like Paul Johnson. There are two things I like about Georgia Tech:
Calvin Johnson
and Reggie Ball
Hoddy Toddy.
Numbers to know
F/+ Rankings: Tech 31, Ole Miss 34
Spread: Ole Miss -4
Over/Under: 55
Picks
To help you figure out exactly who will win each game, we’ve assembled a panel of experts to pick each game. Our panel features myself, Ben Weinrib of The Knuckleblog, our resident gambling expert Jake Kearns, @turntuptina (who makes NFL picks over at The Knuckleblog occasionally), my dad, and a decision on which mascot would win in a fight.
Jackson Martin: Ole Miss
Ben Weinrib: Ole Miss
James Francis Kearns III: Ole Miss
@turntuptina: Ole Miss
Dad: Georgia Tech
Mascot fight: Ole Miss now uses a black bear as its mascot, which I’m pretty sure is the natural enemy of bees.
Ronda Rousey's Team Cringes At Silva Injury
((HT: Live Audio Wrestling))
The folks over at LAW gave us the heads-up on this one...
We all know how painful it was to see Anderson Silva's injury in the Weidman fight over the weekend...
Here's the Rousey camp's reaction when they saw it...
The folks over at LAW gave us the heads-up on this one...
We all know how painful it was to see Anderson Silva's injury in the Weidman fight over the weekend...
Here's the Rousey camp's reaction when they saw it...
Browns Owner Jimmy Haslem Grilled By Cleveland News Reporter
Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslem faced the media Monday in the aftermath of firing head coach Rob Chudzinski after only one season.
Haslem was visibly uncomfortable when WOIO-TV news reporter Dan DeRoos read a statement from a Browns fan and asking if he [Haslem] can assure that the Three Stooges aren't running the Browns.
Thanks WOIO-TV
19 Action News|Cleveland, OH|News, Weather, Sports
Haslem was visibly uncomfortable when WOIO-TV news reporter Dan DeRoos read a statement from a Browns fan and asking if he [Haslem] can assure that the Three Stooges aren't running the Browns.
Thanks WOIO-TV
19 Action News|Cleveland, OH|News, Weather, Sports
Schumacher Still Critical After Skiing Accident
((HT: sntv))
Grand Prix driver Michael Schumacher is still listed in critical condition after the accident that occurred on a skiing vacation with his son. Schumi fell and suffered an impact to the right-hand side of his head after he and his group decided to tackle an unmarked run.
Schumacher was wearing a helmet and was conscious immediately after the accident, but his condition deteriorated- arriving at the hospital in a coma.
He then underwent surgery and the surgeons said that they discovered blood clots on his brain. They were removed but lesions were also discovered.
Here's the early report from France...
Doctors on sight maintain that the next few days are crucial in determining the extent of the damage since it usually takes a few days for the swelling in the brain to top off and recede. He is being kept in a drug-induced coma to properly watch over him...
More when we know more...
Grand Prix driver Michael Schumacher is still listed in critical condition after the accident that occurred on a skiing vacation with his son. Schumi fell and suffered an impact to the right-hand side of his head after he and his group decided to tackle an unmarked run.
Schumacher was wearing a helmet and was conscious immediately after the accident, but his condition deteriorated- arriving at the hospital in a coma.
He then underwent surgery and the surgeons said that they discovered blood clots on his brain. They were removed but lesions were also discovered.
Here's the early report from France...
Doctors on sight maintain that the next few days are crucial in determining the extent of the damage since it usually takes a few days for the swelling in the brain to top off and recede. He is being kept in a drug-induced coma to properly watch over him...
More when we know more...
Black Monday: Lions Fire Jim Schwartz
 |
| Jim Schwartz (Daniel Mears/The Detroit News) |
Lions let go of Jim Schwartz.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 30, 2013Following Detroit's 14-13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Schwartz told the assembled media he wanted to keep his job.
"I’d certainly like to be back. I think we have unfinished business here. We’ve come a long way in these years here, but we still have some ground that we can make. And I’m anxious to have a chance to be able to do that.”
Schwartz won't have that opportunity but we will cash some large checks. Schwartz is owed more than $12 million with two years remaining on his contract.
Here's the presser from Detroit
((HT: WXYZ-TV))
Black Monday: Add Schiano And Domenik In Tampa... And Schwartz In Detroit...
Not surprising anyone here either, really...
But word had been that former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano had lost the locker room a long time ago and things hadn't gotten any better with the jettisoning of Josh Freeman in order to let Mike Glennon attempt to evolve as as an NFL quarterback...
Even garnering this honor from KO...
((HT: ESPN and Keith Olbermann))
GM Mark Domenik is also gone, according to the Bucs:
“The results over the past two years have not lived up to our standards and we believe the time has come to find a new direction. Mark has been a valued member of our organization for two decades and we respect the passion he showed for the Buccaneers during his time here. We thank Greg for his hard work and effort the past two seasons, but we feel these moves are necessary in order to achieve our goals,” said Buccaneers Co-Chairman Bryan Glazer.
1200 UPDATE: According to Adam Schefter, Jim Schwartz is also gone in Detroit...
The HQ thinks this moment from a few weeks ago didn't sit well with the front office, either, to seal his fate...
((HT: NFL on FOX))
More when we know more...
But word had been that former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano had lost the locker room a long time ago and things hadn't gotten any better with the jettisoning of Josh Freeman in order to let Mike Glennon attempt to evolve as as an NFL quarterback...
Even garnering this honor from KO...
((HT: ESPN and Keith Olbermann))
GM Mark Domenik is also gone, according to the Bucs:
“The results over the past two years have not lived up to our standards and we believe the time has come to find a new direction. Mark has been a valued member of our organization for two decades and we respect the passion he showed for the Buccaneers during his time here. We thank Greg for his hard work and effort the past two seasons, but we feel these moves are necessary in order to achieve our goals,” said Buccaneers Co-Chairman Bryan Glazer.
1200 UPDATE: According to Adam Schefter, Jim Schwartz is also gone in Detroit...
The HQ thinks this moment from a few weeks ago didn't sit well with the front office, either, to seal his fate...
((HT: NFL on FOX))
More when we know more...
Shanahan Officially Done In Washington
The Washington Redskins prefer to say that Mike Shanahan was relieved of his coaching duties, that must be the politically correct way to say you head coach was fired.
Here's Shanahan Monday morning in his final press conference after being told he was fired.
Thanks Washington Redskins
Here's Shanahan Monday morning in his final press conference after being told he was fired.
Thanks Washington Redskins
"Redskins fans deserve a better result." owner Daniel Snyder said. “We thank Mike for his efforts on behalf of the Redskins. We will focus on what it takes to build a winning team, and my pledge to this organization and to this community is to continue to commit the resources and talent necessary to put this team back in the playoffs.”
“We are going to take a smart, step-by-step approach to finding the right coach to return the Redskins to where we believe we should be,” Executive Vice President/General Manager Bruce Allen said. "We will analyse accurately and honestly all of the decisions that were made over the past year."
Shanahan had one season remaining in his five year, $35 million contract signed in 2010.
We don't need to document all that was wrong with the Redskins this year, that dirty laundry was exposed on a daily basis by the four letter, NFL Network and other talking heads that cover the NFL.
Those of us in the OSG HQ are wondering who really wants this job.
Black Monday Begins: Frazier Out In Minnesota, Shanahan Out In DC
According to multiple media outlets, the first firing in the National Football League is...
Minnesota's Leslie Frazier...
After not having any kind of quarterbacking, and that includes Cassell, Freeman, and Ponder- even with Joe Webb at WR as a QB... It looks like the Wilf family wants a new look as they leave the Metrodome and head over to the University of Minnesota for two years, before their new barn is built.
Understandable, but disappointing...
We'll keep an eye on places like Detroit, Washington, and all points in between...
The folks from 1500ESPNTwinCities discuss after the game from yesterday...
0935 UPDATE: Mike Shanahan and his entire staff are out in DC. The dysfunction, as Brother J-Dub can attest, is finally over. There seemed to be too much of everything surrounding RG3 and his handling...
And, now, it's done... the loss to the Giants and Curtis Painter didn't help, either...
Here was the discussion yesterday as to who should be the new Redskins coach...
((HT: CSNWashington))
Minnesota's Leslie Frazier...
After not having any kind of quarterbacking, and that includes Cassell, Freeman, and Ponder- even with Joe Webb at WR as a QB... It looks like the Wilf family wants a new look as they leave the Metrodome and head over to the University of Minnesota for two years, before their new barn is built.
Understandable, but disappointing...
We'll keep an eye on places like Detroit, Washington, and all points in between...
The folks from 1500ESPNTwinCities discuss after the game from yesterday...
0935 UPDATE: Mike Shanahan and his entire staff are out in DC. The dysfunction, as Brother J-Dub can attest, is finally over. There seemed to be too much of everything surrounding RG3 and his handling...
And, now, it's done... the loss to the Giants and Curtis Painter didn't help, either...
Here was the discussion yesterday as to who should be the new Redskins coach...
((HT: CSNWashington))
Sunday, December 29, 2013
DEVELOPING: Browns Fire Chud
More on this as we go...
But after actually being in the hunt for the division title at one point with a 4-5 record, the Cleveland Browns lost their last 7 games of the regular season and fired head coach Rod Chudzinski after only one season...
Early candidates thought to be in the replacement pile are Josh McDaniels and Ken Whisenhunt...
Here was Chud's introduction only 11 months ago in Berea...
((HT: Calland Post))
The team released this statement tonight:
“We appreciate Chud’s passion for the Browns, and we have great respect for him both personally and professionally. We needed to see progress with this football team. We needed to see development and improvement as the season evolved and, unfortunately, we took a concerning step backward in the second half of the year.
Our fans deserve to see a consistently competitive team. We have high standards, and there’s an urgency for success. When we believed we were not positioned to achieve significant progress in 2014, we knew we had to admit that a change was needed, and move forward.
Browns fans are the most loyal and passionate supporters in the NFL. We’re fully committed to bringing them the winning football team they deserve.”
But after actually being in the hunt for the division title at one point with a 4-5 record, the Cleveland Browns lost their last 7 games of the regular season and fired head coach Rod Chudzinski after only one season...
Early candidates thought to be in the replacement pile are Josh McDaniels and Ken Whisenhunt...
Here was Chud's introduction only 11 months ago in Berea...
((HT: Calland Post))
The team released this statement tonight:
“We appreciate Chud’s passion for the Browns, and we have great respect for him both personally and professionally. We needed to see progress with this football team. We needed to see development and improvement as the season evolved and, unfortunately, we took a concerning step backward in the second half of the year.
Our fans deserve to see a consistently competitive team. We have high standards, and there’s an urgency for success. When we believed we were not positioned to achieve significant progress in 2014, we knew we had to admit that a change was needed, and move forward.
Browns fans are the most loyal and passionate supporters in the NFL. We’re fully committed to bringing them the winning football team they deserve.”
ICYMI: Bill Snyder Faster Than Gatorade, North Carolina Faster Than Cincinnati...
((HT: Max Olson's Vine/WRALSportsfan.com))
Kansas State seemed to have no problems with Michigan and their freshman starting QB last night in Tempe- winning 31-14...
But the moment that some kept their eyes on was with 2:25 remaining when K-State head coach Bill Snyder outran his impromptu winner's shower...
Always coaching that Snyder...
And North Carolina but 16 on the board in a hurry and made very quick work of Cincinnati in Charlotte, 39-17
Tarheels coach Larry Fedora knew that, once his quarterback situation calmed down in the last half of the season, that everything would be fine...
Kansas State seemed to have no problems with Michigan and their freshman starting QB last night in Tempe- winning 31-14...
But the moment that some kept their eyes on was with 2:25 remaining when K-State head coach Bill Snyder outran his impromptu winner's shower...
Always coaching that Snyder...
And North Carolina but 16 on the board in a hurry and made very quick work of Cincinnati in Charlotte, 39-17
Tarheels coach Larry Fedora knew that, once his quarterback situation calmed down in the last half of the season, that everything would be fine...
OSG Prem: West Brom's Anelka Facing Ban For Anti-Semitic Gesture
((HT: BPL))
First of all... tell us what you think this gesture means...
Anelka scored twice in West Brom's 3-3 draw with West Ham, but the FA is asking him what in the blue hell he was thinking when he gave the French "quenelle" salute- made famous by French comedian Dieudonne, a close personal friend of Anelka, and linked to anti-Semitism in France.
Anelka is claiming that it was just a nod to his friend while the rest of the world is coming down hard...
French minister for sport Valerie Fourneyron called the move "shocking" and "disgusting" through her official Twitter account.
"Anelka's gesture is a shocking provocation, disgusting. There's no place for anti-Semitism and incitement to hatred on the football field."
Richard Ferrer, of the Jewish News, told Sky Sports News:
"This is either a lack of awareness on Anelka's part, or something more sinister...he must be aware of the 'quenelle's meaning and the baggage it carries. Surely he was making a statement? It's a major concern for the Football Association."
European Jewish Congress president Moshe Kantor told Sky: "This salute is merely a lesser known Nazi salute and we expect the same kind of punishment to be handed down by the authorities as if Anelka had made the infamous outstretched arm salute."
The HQ guesses that Anelka is in a load of trouble...
First of all... tell us what you think this gesture means...
Anelka scored twice in West Brom's 3-3 draw with West Ham, but the FA is asking him what in the blue hell he was thinking when he gave the French "quenelle" salute- made famous by French comedian Dieudonne, a close personal friend of Anelka, and linked to anti-Semitism in France.
Anelka is claiming that it was just a nod to his friend while the rest of the world is coming down hard...
French minister for sport Valerie Fourneyron called the move "shocking" and "disgusting" through her official Twitter account.
"Anelka's gesture is a shocking provocation, disgusting. There's no place for anti-Semitism and incitement to hatred on the football field."
Richard Ferrer, of the Jewish News, told Sky Sports News:
"This is either a lack of awareness on Anelka's part, or something more sinister...he must be aware of the 'quenelle's meaning and the baggage it carries. Surely he was making a statement? It's a major concern for the Football Association."
European Jewish Congress president Moshe Kantor told Sky: "This salute is merely a lesser known Nazi salute and we expect the same kind of punishment to be handed down by the authorities as if Anelka had made the infamous outstretched arm salute."
The HQ guesses that Anelka is in a load of trouble...
Johnny Manziel Shows Limited Basketball Skills
Uh, yeah, so....um....Texas A&M football quarterback Johnny Manziel, (aka Johnny Football), well, he's back in the offseason spotlight. And at least this time it's kind of funny.
Manziel found himself at Saturday night's Atlanta Hawks vs. Charlotte Bobcats game in Philips Arena in downtown Atlanta.
((note---He's in the ATL preparing to lead his Aggies vs. the Duke Blue Devils in the Chick Fil A Bowl game Tuesday night))
And as what seems to be his (Manziel's) norm, he got a lot of attention.
So much so that he got called out of the crowd and was asked to take part in a "Skills" competition. Which is when THIS happened....
Ooops....(thanks for sharing ESPN)
Manziel found himself at Saturday night's Atlanta Hawks vs. Charlotte Bobcats game in Philips Arena in downtown Atlanta.
((note---He's in the ATL preparing to lead his Aggies vs. the Duke Blue Devils in the Chick Fil A Bowl game Tuesday night))
And as what seems to be his (Manziel's) norm, he got a lot of attention.
So much so that he got called out of the crowd and was asked to take part in a "Skills" competition. Which is when THIS happened....
Ooops....(thanks for sharing ESPN)
Chris Weidman Hangs on to UFC Middleweight Title After Beating Silva Again (Wanna See...???)
The match was billed as a revenge match and was hyped as much as any UFC match in recent history.
And it ended with a broken leg.
Chris Weidman, a surprise middleweight title holder after beating UFC legend Anderson Silva early this past summer, defended that title in Las Vegas Saturday night as the headline match in UFC 168.
The match ended just over a minute into round 2, when Silva went to the mat writhing in pain after blocking a leg kick by Weidman. It was later determined that Silva's shin had cracked from the block.
The win moves him to 11-0 in his career, which appears to be bright as Weidman is still somewhat of a newcomer in UFC circles. As for Silva, he's now 38-years old and for the 1st time in his legendary career, has lost two straight matches.
Your highlights from FOX Sports:
Curt0photo's Vine account has the injury...
And it ended with a broken leg.
Chris Weidman, a surprise middleweight title holder after beating UFC legend Anderson Silva early this past summer, defended that title in Las Vegas Saturday night as the headline match in UFC 168.
The match ended just over a minute into round 2, when Silva went to the mat writhing in pain after blocking a leg kick by Weidman. It was later determined that Silva's shin had cracked from the block.
The win moves him to 11-0 in his career, which appears to be bright as Weidman is still somewhat of a newcomer in UFC circles. As for Silva, he's now 38-years old and for the 1st time in his legendary career, has lost two straight matches.
Your highlights from FOX Sports:
Curt0photo's Vine account has the injury...
Saturday, December 28, 2013
ND's Tommy Rees Has A Heck Of A Final Game In Pinstripe Bowl, Offensive Lineman Wins Game MVP
Notre Dame quarterback Tommy Rees is know as "The Closer" because many times Rees has come off the bench to rally the Irish to victory.
In his final game as the Notre Dame quarterback Rees faced a Rutgers defense that's 122nd our of 125 NCAA FBS teams defending the pass.
Let's just say Rees took advantage of that completing 27 of 47 passes for 319 yards and to lead Notre Dame to a 29-16 Pinstripe Bowl win over Rutgers.
Here are the highlights, Thanks WatchND:
"He's so smart." Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly said of Tommy Rees. "You can go in and run a system with him. He's so bright. He just has the ability to pick up all of the things that we can do offensively."
With that performance Rees did not win the game MVP award. That honor went to Irish offensive tackle Zack Martin.
"I was giving Tommy a hard time," Martin said.. "I think he got snubbed a little bit."
Here's coverage from WNDU-TV, South Bend, Indiana with sound bites from Tommy Rees.
In his final game as the Notre Dame quarterback Rees faced a Rutgers defense that's 122nd our of 125 NCAA FBS teams defending the pass.
Let's just say Rees took advantage of that completing 27 of 47 passes for 319 yards and to lead Notre Dame to a 29-16 Pinstripe Bowl win over Rutgers.
Here are the highlights, Thanks WatchND:
"He's so smart." Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly said of Tommy Rees. "You can go in and run a system with him. He's so bright. He just has the ability to pick up all of the things that we can do offensively."
With that performance Rees did not win the game MVP award. That honor went to Irish offensive tackle Zack Martin.
"I was giving Tommy a hard time," Martin said.. "I think he got snubbed a little bit."
Here's coverage from WNDU-TV, South Bend, Indiana with sound bites from Tommy Rees.
Former Canes Hoops Star Now ATL Firefighter
((HT: WSB-TV))
For those of you who really remember your college hoops, you remember Tim James and his physical presence at the University of Miami (FL). He had a cup of coffee with the Knicks in the NBA before enlisting in the army.
Now, he's taking on his next life challenge- being a rookie firefighter with the city of Atlanta...
Wendy Corona did the story and looked up a lot...
For those of you who really remember your college hoops, you remember Tim James and his physical presence at the University of Miami (FL). He had a cup of coffee with the Knicks in the NBA before enlisting in the army.
Now, he's taking on his next life challenge- being a rookie firefighter with the city of Atlanta...
Wendy Corona did the story and looked up a lot...
OSG Prem: Surely, Vincent Tan Wasn't Doing What We Think (Plus, It Doesn't Look Like Solskjaer)
((HT: BPL on NBC))
Okay...
Let's take this a step at a time...
First, Cardiff City had a 2-0 lead over bottom-dwelling Sunderland at the Cardiff City stadium the day after owner Vincent Tan sacked popular manager Malky Mackay.
So, everything's looking rosy, right...???
Wrong...
Steven Fletcher and Jack Colback both come off the bench to salvage a 2-2 draw in the last seconds of stoppage time to give the Black Cats a much needed point to get closer from the drop zone...
Which led to this from the owner's box...
Now, the question is...
Was Tan booing the officials or his own...???
That's what's up for interpretation...
Listen to the replay here from our friends at TalkSport...
And, in other news, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is reported not to be interested in joining Cardiff in an interview on the network:
Jan Aage Fjortoft has told talkSPORT there is no chance that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will take over at Cardiff after Malky Mackay was sacked.
The former Manchester United legend has been installed as the bookmakers favourite to take over in the Welsh capital and is frequently linked with Premier League jobs.
But ex-Middlesbrough player Fjortoft told Keys and Gray: "[It] won’t happen. I understand that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer won’t pick a club, he will pick a owner so Cardiff won’t happen. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer did an interview some weeks ago and said if he goes to England he will be very aware of what owner he’s going to work with.
"He will pick an owner and not a club. Based on what I know there’s no chance he’ll go to Cardiff City."
Okay...
Let's take this a step at a time...
First, Cardiff City had a 2-0 lead over bottom-dwelling Sunderland at the Cardiff City stadium the day after owner Vincent Tan sacked popular manager Malky Mackay.
So, everything's looking rosy, right...???
Wrong...
Steven Fletcher and Jack Colback both come off the bench to salvage a 2-2 draw in the last seconds of stoppage time to give the Black Cats a much needed point to get closer from the drop zone...
Which led to this from the owner's box...
Now, the question is...
Was Tan booing the officials or his own...???
That's what's up for interpretation...
Listen to the replay here from our friends at TalkSport...
And, in other news, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is reported not to be interested in joining Cardiff in an interview on the network:
Jan Aage Fjortoft has told talkSPORT there is no chance that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will take over at Cardiff after Malky Mackay was sacked.
The former Manchester United legend has been installed as the bookmakers favourite to take over in the Welsh capital and is frequently linked with Premier League jobs.
But ex-Middlesbrough player Fjortoft told Keys and Gray: "[It] won’t happen. I understand that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer won’t pick a club, he will pick a owner so Cardiff won’t happen. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer did an interview some weeks ago and said if he goes to England he will be very aware of what owner he’s going to work with.
"He will pick an owner and not a club. Based on what I know there’s no chance he’ll go to Cardiff City."
OSG Prem: How To Celebrate A Goal...??? How About A Haircut...???
((HT: BPL on NBC))
Hull City even gave their manager, Steve Bruce, reason to say "Wow!" on the sidelines with their shocking 6-0 win over Fulham at the KC Stadium this afternoon...
But Tom Huddlestone scored his first goal in three years...
So, his afro took a bit of a side chop as a celebration...
Evidence Below...
It was also his 27th birthday...
So, not a bad way to work it all out on the day...
Fulham manager Rene Meulensteen wondered if there was some other factor:
”I’m shocked. I don’t know if there was something in the tea. I did not see that coming and the players did not see that coming.”
Well, there's that...
Hull City even gave their manager, Steve Bruce, reason to say "Wow!" on the sidelines with their shocking 6-0 win over Fulham at the KC Stadium this afternoon...
But Tom Huddlestone scored his first goal in three years...
So, his afro took a bit of a side chop as a celebration...
Evidence Below...
It was also his 27th birthday...
So, not a bad way to work it all out on the day...
Fulham manager Rene Meulensteen wondered if there was some other factor:
”I’m shocked. I don’t know if there was something in the tea. I did not see that coming and the players did not see that coming.”
Well, there's that...
BUZZER BEATER: DePaul's Billy Garrett, Jr. Caps Off A Crazy Finish Against Northwestern
It what could be best described as an offensively challenged game between DePaul and Northwestern it took a buzzer beater by the Blue Demons Billy Garrett, Jr. to decide the outcome.
Garrett, Jr's shot game DePaul a 57-56 win over Northwestern.
Here's a better angle plus the entire game highlights from Big Ten Network.
(Garrett Jr's buzzer beater occurs at 2:54.
Thanks Northwestern Athletics
"I looked up, but then everyone ran up to me, so I knew it went in." Garrett said
Neither team was worth a damn offensively. DePaul shot only 37 percent from the field and was only 1-10 from behind the three point arch.
Northwestern was even worse shooting 32 percent from the field and 8-24 from 3 point range.
‘‘We’re not blessed with a ton of offensive weapons,’’ Northwestern head coach Chris Collins said.
Garrett, Jr's shot game DePaul a 57-56 win over Northwestern.
Here's a better angle plus the entire game highlights from Big Ten Network.
(Garrett Jr's buzzer beater occurs at 2:54.
Thanks Northwestern Athletics
"I looked up, but then everyone ran up to me, so I knew it went in." Garrett said
Neither team was worth a damn offensively. DePaul shot only 37 percent from the field and was only 1-10 from behind the three point arch.
Northwestern was even worse shooting 32 percent from the field and 8-24 from 3 point range.
‘‘We’re not blessed with a ton of offensive weapons,’’ Northwestern head coach Chris Collins said.
"Hungry" Huskies Down The Cougars In Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl
It's been a wild mouth at U-Dub.
Head coach Steve Sarkisian leaves abruptly to take the Southern California job, Chris Petersen is hired to take over from Boise State and former Washington quarterback Marcus Tuiasosopo is name interim head coach and has no idea where he will work next year.
Not the ideal situation but Washington overcame all the chaos to defeat BYU Friday night 31-16 in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl.
"We wanted it." Tuiasosopo said after the game.
New Washington head coach Chris Petersen did not attend the bowl game and let Tuiasosopo run the show.
I'm sure the new coach liked the results.
"How about our guys here, and this coaching staff." Tuiasosopo said. “Nine wins! ... I’m fired up for them. When all that went down, they regrouped. They wanted to finish as winners. They wanted to finish with nine wins. And they did.”
It was a painful final game as a Husky for quarterback Keith Price. Playing through what he thought was a broken rib and receiving an injection at halftime, Price was damn near perfect.
Price's final numbers for the game were 17-22 passing for 123 yards, one interception and one touchdown.
Bishop Sankey ran for 95 yards and two touchdowns to earn bowl offensive MVP honors.
Here are the highlights
Thanks PAC 12 Network
Head coach Steve Sarkisian leaves abruptly to take the Southern California job, Chris Petersen is hired to take over from Boise State and former Washington quarterback Marcus Tuiasosopo is name interim head coach and has no idea where he will work next year.
Not the ideal situation but Washington overcame all the chaos to defeat BYU Friday night 31-16 in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl.
"We wanted it." Tuiasosopo said after the game.
New Washington head coach Chris Petersen did not attend the bowl game and let Tuiasosopo run the show.
I'm sure the new coach liked the results.
"How about our guys here, and this coaching staff." Tuiasosopo said. “Nine wins! ... I’m fired up for them. When all that went down, they regrouped. They wanted to finish as winners. They wanted to finish with nine wins. And they did.”
It was a painful final game as a Husky for quarterback Keith Price. Playing through what he thought was a broken rib and receiving an injection at halftime, Price was damn near perfect.
Price's final numbers for the game were 17-22 passing for 123 yards, one interception and one touchdown.
Bishop Sankey ran for 95 yards and two touchdowns to earn bowl offensive MVP honors.
Here are the highlights
Thanks PAC 12 Network
The 'Cuse Conquers Texas Bowl Defeating Minnesota 21-17
The Orange may have beaten the Gophers in the Texas Bowl but head coach Scott Shafer would have like to not have to stress over the outcome the entire game.
"I just couldn’t be happier with the results today, would have been nice if we could have just knocked them out and won by 17 or something, but that’s kind of not our way this year." Shafer said.
Syracuse had a 14-3 lead in the third quarter before Minnesota rallied for two touchdowns to take a 17-14 lead.
This Mitch Leidner 55 yard touchdown pass to Drew Wolitarsky in the fourth quarter put Minnesota up 17-14.
The Orange have had to rally late in games to get a win. Syracuse wouldn't have been deep in the heart of Texas Friday for the Texas Bowl if it wasn't for a last minute win over Boston College in the season finale to earn the sixth win.
Why not follow that script in the Texas Bowl.
Syracuse quarterback Terrel Hunt sealed Texas Bowl MVP honors with a 12 yard touchdown run with 1:14 left to win it for the Orange.
Hunt completed 19 out of 29 passes for 188 yards and rushed for 74 yards and tow touchdowns.
"This young man at my left (QB Terrell Hunt) is really representative of what we are as a program, young man from New York (and) stayed in New York to come and play at Syracuse." Shafer saidl (He) isn’t’ the prettiest guy in the world on the field yet, but he’s getting prettier by the minute."
Hunt may not be super model status yet but Shafer doesn't need beer goggles anymore.
"I just couldn’t be happier with the results today, would have been nice if we could have just knocked them out and won by 17 or something, but that’s kind of not our way this year." Shafer said.
Syracuse had a 14-3 lead in the third quarter before Minnesota rallied for two touchdowns to take a 17-14 lead.
This Mitch Leidner 55 yard touchdown pass to Drew Wolitarsky in the fourth quarter put Minnesota up 17-14.
The Orange have had to rally late in games to get a win. Syracuse wouldn't have been deep in the heart of Texas Friday for the Texas Bowl if it wasn't for a last minute win over Boston College in the season finale to earn the sixth win.
Why not follow that script in the Texas Bowl.
Syracuse quarterback Terrel Hunt sealed Texas Bowl MVP honors with a 12 yard touchdown run with 1:14 left to win it for the Orange.
Hunt completed 19 out of 29 passes for 188 yards and rushed for 74 yards and tow touchdowns.
"This young man at my left (QB Terrell Hunt) is really representative of what we are as a program, young man from New York (and) stayed in New York to come and play at Syracuse." Shafer saidl (He) isn’t’ the prettiest guy in the world on the field yet, but he’s getting prettier by the minute."
Hunt may not be super model status yet but Shafer doesn't need beer goggles anymore.
Friday, December 27, 2013
Dallas Ticket Broker Pisses People Off For Second Year In A Row
((HT: WFAA-TV))
Which would lend the HQ to seeing into not using them after the first year of their problems...
But that's just us...
Could be that a place called Maximum Tickets or Cowboys Sports Tours doesn't have your hotel, your tickets, your tour of Cowboys Stadium, or some other part of your weekend is missing...
And it's not the first time that WFAA has chased them over this...
Lesson here...??? Caveat emptor...
It's Latin... look it up...
Which would lend the HQ to seeing into not using them after the first year of their problems...
But that's just us...
Could be that a place called Maximum Tickets or Cowboys Sports Tours doesn't have your hotel, your tickets, your tour of Cowboys Stadium, or some other part of your weekend is missing...
And it's not the first time that WFAA has chased them over this...
Lesson here...??? Caveat emptor...
It's Latin... look it up...
OSG Prem: Malky Mackay's Prepared Statement On Sacking From Cardiff City FC
((HT: Sky Sports))
After Cardiff City FC owner Vincent Tan sacked manager Malky Mackay, Tan came out with a statement that either was creepy or just wrong that loosely referenced his lack of involvement in getting Mackay sacked as well as their relationship and how much Tan loves his club...
Start retching at the first impulse...
As have, probably, a lot of CCFC fans...
((HT: Sky Sports))
As was the smart play, Mackay gave off a statement of his own that reinforces him coming out of this as the good guy and not being unemployed for long...
"It is with the deepest and most sincere regret that I today confirm my sacking as manager of Cardiff City FC," Mackay said.
"As disappointing as today's decision is, I am already able to look back at my time at Cardiff City FC with immense pride and joy given the number of milestones the club achieved during the last two-and-half years.
"A League Cup Final appearance followed by promotion to the Premiership for the very first time, achieved as winners of the Championship, allowed the club a move back to this elite level after a 51-year absence.
"I have enjoyed my time immensely at this fine club, in this great city, and throughout I've always attempted to put my own personal stamp on specific areas that I believe to be all-important such as the implementation of a progressive culture as well as a complete professional approach to all aspects of day-to-day management that are required if you are to become a top club - and more importantly to remain as one.
"I would like to thank my players, all of my direct footballing staff, all the people behind the scenes at the club and most importantly the people of Cardiff, who have stood behind me resolutely throughout my time here and especially in these recent turbulent months.
"I leave with my head held high having gained a level of experience that, upon reflection, I suspect would have been difficult to find anywhere else in British football.
"The foundations laid at Cardiff City FC will provide a solid platform for my successor, and for the sake of the club, I hope that all of the progress that has been made so far will not be impaired in any way by today's enforced changes."
The fan's chairman at Cardiff is also less than pleased...
((HT: BBC News))
After Cardiff City FC owner Vincent Tan sacked manager Malky Mackay, Tan came out with a statement that either was creepy or just wrong that loosely referenced his lack of involvement in getting Mackay sacked as well as their relationship and how much Tan loves his club...
Start retching at the first impulse...
As have, probably, a lot of CCFC fans...
((HT: Sky Sports))
As was the smart play, Mackay gave off a statement of his own that reinforces him coming out of this as the good guy and not being unemployed for long...
"It is with the deepest and most sincere regret that I today confirm my sacking as manager of Cardiff City FC," Mackay said.
"As disappointing as today's decision is, I am already able to look back at my time at Cardiff City FC with immense pride and joy given the number of milestones the club achieved during the last two-and-half years.
"A League Cup Final appearance followed by promotion to the Premiership for the very first time, achieved as winners of the Championship, allowed the club a move back to this elite level after a 51-year absence.
"I have enjoyed my time immensely at this fine club, in this great city, and throughout I've always attempted to put my own personal stamp on specific areas that I believe to be all-important such as the implementation of a progressive culture as well as a complete professional approach to all aspects of day-to-day management that are required if you are to become a top club - and more importantly to remain as one.
"I would like to thank my players, all of my direct footballing staff, all the people behind the scenes at the club and most importantly the people of Cardiff, who have stood behind me resolutely throughout my time here and especially in these recent turbulent months.
"I leave with my head held high having gained a level of experience that, upon reflection, I suspect would have been difficult to find anywhere else in British football.
"The foundations laid at Cardiff City FC will provide a solid platform for my successor, and for the sake of the club, I hope that all of the progress that has been made so far will not be impaired in any way by today's enforced changes."
The fan's chairman at Cardiff is also less than pleased...
((HT: BBC News))
OSG Prem: Hughes And Rodgers Answering The Piper Soon...
((HT: BBC Sport/BPL))
If you haven't seen why these two managers are currently in trouble...
Liverpool's Brendan Rodgers after his loss to ManCity when he went off on the officials...
((HT: BT Sport))
The Football Association has asked Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers to explain his post-match comments:
When asked about it at his press conference today, he said:
"I think they know that when I come out and make a statement like I did yesterday, it was obviously emotional after the game of course, but it was something that I will speak honestly on. As I said, whatever action they will take, they will decide.
"I have to speak on behalf of the supporters of the club, a club that has an emotional investment for many, many millions of people throughout the world. As the manager I represent them, and I'm sure where they were throughout the world yesterday they would have been asking the questions on the decision-making, which I repeat I didn't think was so good, after the game.
"In terms of geography, it wasn't the case at all, I certainly wasn't questioning the integrity of the referees. As I said before, I fully understand the job, it was more the logic of it, in terms of having a referee from that particular part of the world refereeing a game in Manchester, I wouldn't suspect that Mike Dean from the Wirral has refereed many games for Liverpool over the years."
Here's Stoke's Mark Hughes after being sent to the stands in their game Boxing Day, in the process of losing 5-1 to Newscastle...
And his post-match questions-and-answers
Hughes has been officially charged by the FA after jettisoning his coat:
"Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has been charged by The FA following his side's game at Newcastle United yesterday [Thursday 26 December].
"It is alleged that his behaviour in or around the 40th minute of the fixture amounted to improper conduct."
Hughes has until the 2nd of January to respond... which will be an interesting answer to the FA charge...
Looks like a reprimand and a suspension are coming...
If you haven't seen why these two managers are currently in trouble...
Liverpool's Brendan Rodgers after his loss to ManCity when he went off on the officials...
((HT: BT Sport))
The Football Association has asked Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers to explain his post-match comments:
When asked about it at his press conference today, he said:
"I think they know that when I come out and make a statement like I did yesterday, it was obviously emotional after the game of course, but it was something that I will speak honestly on. As I said, whatever action they will take, they will decide.
"I have to speak on behalf of the supporters of the club, a club that has an emotional investment for many, many millions of people throughout the world. As the manager I represent them, and I'm sure where they were throughout the world yesterday they would have been asking the questions on the decision-making, which I repeat I didn't think was so good, after the game.
"In terms of geography, it wasn't the case at all, I certainly wasn't questioning the integrity of the referees. As I said before, I fully understand the job, it was more the logic of it, in terms of having a referee from that particular part of the world refereeing a game in Manchester, I wouldn't suspect that Mike Dean from the Wirral has refereed many games for Liverpool over the years."
Here's Stoke's Mark Hughes after being sent to the stands in their game Boxing Day, in the process of losing 5-1 to Newscastle...
And his post-match questions-and-answers
Hughes has been officially charged by the FA after jettisoning his coat:
"Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has been charged by The FA following his side's game at Newcastle United yesterday [Thursday 26 December].
"It is alleged that his behaviour in or around the 40th minute of the fixture amounted to improper conduct."
Hughes has until the 2nd of January to respond... which will be an interesting answer to the FA charge...
Looks like a reprimand and a suspension are coming...
Piers Morgan Flames Out In Cricket Challenge
((HT: The Score/Cricket Australia))
TV host Piers Morgan must have thought that the sport of cricket wasn't all that tough...
So, Brett Lee, who has been clocked at over 100mph went head-to-head with Piers on "The Cricket Show."
Lee hit him four times, Morgan fell over once, left with a cracked wrist, a bruised rib, and a welt on his head.
Here's the segment...
Told you that you'd dig it...
TV host Piers Morgan must have thought that the sport of cricket wasn't all that tough...
So, Brett Lee, who has been clocked at over 100mph went head-to-head with Piers on "The Cricket Show."
Lee hit him four times, Morgan fell over once, left with a cracked wrist, a bruised rib, and a welt on his head.
Here's the segment...
Told you that you'd dig it...
MAC 0-2 Yesterday With Northern Illinois And Bowling Green
((HT: ESPN))
Both games went to the end, but in the end, both MAC squads were season-ending losers yesterday in Detroit and San Diego...
Let's start with the back and forth game in Detroit where FOSG Niki Noto was patrolling the sidelines...
James Conner rushed for 229 yards and even played some rush defensive line in the final series as Pitt finishes 7-6 after a 30-27 win over Bowling Green at Ford Field. Conner broke the record of Tony Dorsett for yards in a bowl game as head coach Paul Chryst played 60 minutes of smash-mouth against the Falcons.
"After the last game, Coach told me they wanted to unleash me on both sides of the ball, so I've been getting a lot of reps both ways," Conner said postgame. "I was pretty tired by the end, but I wasn't going to tap out. They kept giving me the ball, so I just kept running."
Here's your highlights...
The nightcap was in San Diego- and, for the record, the flower is pronounced "point-set-uh..." everyone...
Not "poin-set-e-uh..."
And Jordan Lynch was put up against a top-10 NCAA defense in Utah State that had to rely on its defense with the injury to talented QB Chuckie Keaton. The Aggies held the Huskies to 99 yards rushing and won 21-14 over the 23rd ranked team in the country.
Aggies running back Joey DeMartino had 23 carries for 143 yards and a TD. Safety Brian Suite intercepted a pass and recovered a Jordan Lynch fumble. Lynch finished 80 yards short of 2,000 yards on the year. He could have become the first QB in NCAA D1 history to pass and run for 2,000 each in a season.
Here's your mainly defensive highlights...
Both games went to the end, but in the end, both MAC squads were season-ending losers yesterday in Detroit and San Diego...
Let's start with the back and forth game in Detroit where FOSG Niki Noto was patrolling the sidelines...
James Conner rushed for 229 yards and even played some rush defensive line in the final series as Pitt finishes 7-6 after a 30-27 win over Bowling Green at Ford Field. Conner broke the record of Tony Dorsett for yards in a bowl game as head coach Paul Chryst played 60 minutes of smash-mouth against the Falcons.
"After the last game, Coach told me they wanted to unleash me on both sides of the ball, so I've been getting a lot of reps both ways," Conner said postgame. "I was pretty tired by the end, but I wasn't going to tap out. They kept giving me the ball, so I just kept running."
Here's your highlights...
The nightcap was in San Diego- and, for the record, the flower is pronounced "point-set-uh..." everyone...
Not "poin-set-e-uh..."
And Jordan Lynch was put up against a top-10 NCAA defense in Utah State that had to rely on its defense with the injury to talented QB Chuckie Keaton. The Aggies held the Huskies to 99 yards rushing and won 21-14 over the 23rd ranked team in the country.
Aggies running back Joey DeMartino had 23 carries for 143 yards and a TD. Safety Brian Suite intercepted a pass and recovered a Jordan Lynch fumble. Lynch finished 80 yards short of 2,000 yards on the year. He could have become the first QB in NCAA D1 history to pass and run for 2,000 each in a season.
Here's your mainly defensive highlights...
Romo A No-Go Sunday vs Eagles
 |
| Tony Romo |
The Dallas Cowboys announced Friday morning that Romo underwent back surgery and was place on IR ending his 2013 season.
“Kyle Orton will be our starter in the ballgame [against the Philadelphia Eagles]." Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett said. "We spent the week exhausting all options in regards to Tony’s situation – treatment, rehab, all the different things, consulted a lot of different people on this. We just felt like as we discussed it, as yesterday wore on, that this was the best decision for him and for our organization moving forward.”
How comforted are Cowboy fans now. The entire season resting on a winner-take-all game Sunday against the Eagles to reach the playoffs and the back up quarterback must go.
Kyle Orton has thrown five passes this year and completed 3 of them.
Look on the bright side Cowboy fans, maybe Orton won't throw a season ending fourth quarter interception against Philly.
Jeff Was The Best In The Teague Last Night
((HT: NBA))
The Hawks and Cavs kept Jay and Dan from being seen in the southeast for a while last night since they went to overtime...
Finally, in the second five minutes, Jeff Teague put us all out of our misery...
Atlanta Hawks fans have been clinging to the development of Teague since his drafting by the front office...
In the 127-125 2OT thriller, Kyrie Irving finished with 40 to lead all scorers and Teague scored a carer-high 34 and 14 assists- knocking down not only the game-winner, but the jumper that sent the game into the second overtime.
The Hawks and Cavs kept Jay and Dan from being seen in the southeast for a while last night since they went to overtime...
Finally, in the second five minutes, Jeff Teague put us all out of our misery...
Atlanta Hawks fans have been clinging to the development of Teague since his drafting by the front office...
In the 127-125 2OT thriller, Kyrie Irving finished with 40 to lead all scorers and Teague scored a carer-high 34 and 14 assists- knocking down not only the game-winner, but the jumper that sent the game into the second overtime.
OSG Prem DEVELOPING: Yep, Mackay Got Sacked (UPDATED W/Tan Statement)
More when we know more, obviously...
But Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan pulled the trigger and gave the Premier League a Christmas exchange...
Manager Malky Mackay was sacked and relieved of his duties at the club after the 3-0 loss to Southampton yesterday...
Here's Mackay's post-match interview from then...
((HT: BBC Sport))
Let's face it, the HQ thinks it gave Tan the out he needed...
According to Sky Sports, the two were set to meet on Saturday, but Tan pulled the trigger anyway:
"The Board of Directors at Cardiff City Football Club have today relieved Malky Mackay of his duties. A new first team manager will be appointed and announced in due course."
The two betting favorites to replace Mackay are Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and some Turkish coach by the name of Yilmaz Vural... Vural last managed at Elazigspor in the Turkish League, but quit his post in May.
Tan himself is a 100-1 play on the boards and most Bluebirds fans right now think Tan should just go screw...
And they're probably right...
UPDATE: Tan himself has released a statement about the sacking...
"There has been a good deal of publicity generated by and about Mr Malky Mackay over the last few months.
"Indeed far too much dirty linen has been exposed to the public gaze. But, I stress, not by me. Indeed, I have deliberately not responded to this, hoping that the Club can be judged on its football rather than personalised arguments about who said what to whom.
"I have, however, regretfully concluded that it is no longer fair to the Club, its players, its fans, or the public more generally, for this uncomfortable state of affairs to continue. Cardiff City Football Club means far too much to us all for it to be distracted by this."
The HQ would like to know what manager would like to be employed by an owner such as Tan considering his meddling...
And the HQ would also like to know who released the e-mail in the first place about the issues Tan had with Mackay that started the whole cascade- surely didn't seem like a Mackay act considering how meticulous he is about his work. Mackay's focus is always on the pitch and not in the media- until, apparently, provoked...
But Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan pulled the trigger and gave the Premier League a Christmas exchange...
Manager Malky Mackay was sacked and relieved of his duties at the club after the 3-0 loss to Southampton yesterday...
Here's Mackay's post-match interview from then...
((HT: BBC Sport))
Let's face it, the HQ thinks it gave Tan the out he needed...
According to Sky Sports, the two were set to meet on Saturday, but Tan pulled the trigger anyway:
"The Board of Directors at Cardiff City Football Club have today relieved Malky Mackay of his duties. A new first team manager will be appointed and announced in due course."
The two betting favorites to replace Mackay are Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and some Turkish coach by the name of Yilmaz Vural... Vural last managed at Elazigspor in the Turkish League, but quit his post in May.
Tan himself is a 100-1 play on the boards and most Bluebirds fans right now think Tan should just go screw...
And they're probably right...
UPDATE: Tan himself has released a statement about the sacking...
"There has been a good deal of publicity generated by and about Mr Malky Mackay over the last few months.
"Indeed far too much dirty linen has been exposed to the public gaze. But, I stress, not by me. Indeed, I have deliberately not responded to this, hoping that the Club can be judged on its football rather than personalised arguments about who said what to whom.
"I have, however, regretfully concluded that it is no longer fair to the Club, its players, its fans, or the public more generally, for this uncomfortable state of affairs to continue. Cardiff City Football Club means far too much to us all for it to be distracted by this."
The HQ would like to know what manager would like to be employed by an owner such as Tan considering his meddling...
And the HQ would also like to know who released the e-mail in the first place about the issues Tan had with Mackay that started the whole cascade- surely didn't seem like a Mackay act considering how meticulous he is about his work. Mackay's focus is always on the pitch and not in the media- until, apparently, provoked...
Thursday, December 26, 2013
OSG Prem: Boxing Day Recap Borders On The Wacky
((HT: BPL on NBCSN))
Let's start with the less eventful...
An own goal saved Manchester United's hind-quarters at Hull City FC, 3-2...
Chelsea scored once and beat an offensively-crippled (at the moment) Swansea, 1-0...
Tottenham and West Brom tied at ones...
Arsenal took care of a tiring West Ham squad in the second half, 3-1, but are concerned over an Aaron Ramsey injury as the weekend continues...
Tony Pulis' turnaround with Crystal Palace continues with a stoppage time goal win over Aston Villa...
Fulham needed a win over Norwich to start a climb out of the bottom of the table and got one, 2-1...
And now for the final four matches of the day...
We'll start with Cardiff and Southampton since the HQ is under the impression that the porous defensive showing in the first half in a 3-0 loss may have buried manager Malky Mackay in the eyes of joke of an owner Vincent Tan. Protests by Cardiff City fans outside the stadium before the match numbered in the hundreds, and there were a lot of fans wearing the team's original color, blue, in the stands...
Here's Mackay's post-match interview...
((HT: BBC Sport))
Everton keeper Tim Howard was sent off for the first time in ten years after getting a red against Sunderland- the team at the bottom of the table. And one goal was all that the Black Cats needed as Gus Poyet continues the team's climb from the basement...
Stoke was leading 1-0 until all hell broke loose, The Potters went two men down on red cards, manager Mark Hughes exploded and was sent to the stands and Newcastle scored 5 in a row to win 5-1.
Here's Hughes eviscerating everyone in ref's colors...
((HT: BBC Sport))
And the finale was Liverpool and Man City...
After Liverpool got the early lead, the rest of the game was Man City's with goals from Kompany and Negredo for the three points and a 2-1 win...
Reds manager Brendan Rodgers was less than pleased...
((HT: BBC Sport))
And that's the beginning of the weekend...
Let's start with the less eventful...
An own goal saved Manchester United's hind-quarters at Hull City FC, 3-2...
Chelsea scored once and beat an offensively-crippled (at the moment) Swansea, 1-0...
Tottenham and West Brom tied at ones...
Arsenal took care of a tiring West Ham squad in the second half, 3-1, but are concerned over an Aaron Ramsey injury as the weekend continues...
Tony Pulis' turnaround with Crystal Palace continues with a stoppage time goal win over Aston Villa...
Fulham needed a win over Norwich to start a climb out of the bottom of the table and got one, 2-1...
And now for the final four matches of the day...
We'll start with Cardiff and Southampton since the HQ is under the impression that the porous defensive showing in the first half in a 3-0 loss may have buried manager Malky Mackay in the eyes of joke of an owner Vincent Tan. Protests by Cardiff City fans outside the stadium before the match numbered in the hundreds, and there were a lot of fans wearing the team's original color, blue, in the stands...
Here's Mackay's post-match interview...
((HT: BBC Sport))
Everton keeper Tim Howard was sent off for the first time in ten years after getting a red against Sunderland- the team at the bottom of the table. And one goal was all that the Black Cats needed as Gus Poyet continues the team's climb from the basement...
Stoke was leading 1-0 until all hell broke loose, The Potters went two men down on red cards, manager Mark Hughes exploded and was sent to the stands and Newcastle scored 5 in a row to win 5-1.
Here's Hughes eviscerating everyone in ref's colors...
((HT: BBC Sport))
And the finale was Liverpool and Man City...
After Liverpool got the early lead, the rest of the game was Man City's with goals from Kompany and Negredo for the three points and a 2-1 win...
Reds manager Brendan Rodgers was less than pleased...
((HT: BBC Sport))
And that's the beginning of the weekend...
Ronda Rousey Needs Someone To Give Her A Bar Of Soap
((HT: ESPN/STATSports24))
The ultimate fighter was on the four-letter promoting her upcoming fight with Miesha Tate, but forgot she was on live television- much like Liam Neeson...
And just as funny...
The Whole "cuddle tree" thought put the whole segment over the top, though...
The ultimate fighter was on the four-letter promoting her upcoming fight with Miesha Tate, but forgot she was on live television- much like Liam Neeson...
And just as funny...
The Whole "cuddle tree" thought put the whole segment over the top, though...
FSU OL Raising Money for a Cancer Patient to Attend BCS Title Game
((ht: cbssports.com))Tis the season of giving...or at least of doing good deeds for some people.
We want to share the story of Florida State offensive lineman Mike Scheerhorn and his attempt to raise money for a child with cancer and a parent to attend the BCS Championship on January 6th.
Scheerhorn decided to take on the challenge because his brother suffered from a form of brain cancer. And he wanted to give something back to the hospital that helped his family.
That's why he undertook the challenge with the help of Children's Cancer Center and the two tickets Scheerhorn is given for the game. He started a fund raiser on the Crowdrise.com website.
If you'd like to contribute, here is a link to the site RIGHT HERE
And in case you are wondering, the cost is estimated at $5000 for a kid and a parent to get to Pasedena and tickets for the game. So far, they've raised nearly $10,000. The extra money, well all of that is going to the Cancer Center itself.
You know, whether the Seminoles win or lose, applause for young Mr. Scheerhorn for doing something good for someone and something that needs it. It may be a cliche', but he already wins.
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
SEC Christmas Dream: Auburn Kid Gets BCS Tickets for Christmas
((ht: lostlettermen.com))
If there is anyone out there who doesn't think SEC football fandom isn't a cult thing, then ponder this…
Check out this video posted by Matthew Kitchin of his son's reaction to this years Christmas gift.
And we might point out here, it appears the Kitchin's are big Auburn fans.
Especially young Collin…
Merry Christmas young War Eagle fan, merry christmas….
If there is anyone out there who doesn't think SEC football fandom isn't a cult thing, then ponder this…
Check out this video posted by Matthew Kitchin of his son's reaction to this years Christmas gift.
And we might point out here, it appears the Kitchin's are big Auburn fans.
Especially young Collin…
Merry Christmas young War Eagle fan, merry christmas….
OSG Prem: Vincent Tan Buys Into Bosnia, Still May Fire Mackay
((HT: Pro Soccer Talk/Farley))
Okay, the HQ admits to a little blending here...
Farley has come out with a piece where it has been announced that Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan... the same guy who went after Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay for telling people publicly that he wanted to improve his team by bringing in talent in the January transfer window... had apparently decided as far back as September that he was going to invest close to US$2-million into Bosnian soccer champion franchise FK Sarajevo...
From Farley- and it gets better:
According to outlets in Bosnia, Tan will not change the club colors, something he controversially did with his investment in Wales. While Cardiff City has historically worn blue, Tan changed the team’s main color to red, though the team continues to be colloquially referred to as the Bluebirds.
“We have signed an agreement which defines the investment and management rights in accordance to the club’s statute and legislation that is in force in Bosnia,” FK Sarajevo’s general director Dino Selimovic told Reuters, as reported by The Guardian.
Here's what FK Sarajevo and Zeljeznicar- the top two teams in the country's league this year- look like when they play each other
Now, the Cardiff City update...
Chairman Mehmet Dalman has admitted to Sky Sports that there are options that don't involve Mackay if the manager and owner can't get together to hash out their issues. Which is difficult since, according to Mackay, the two haven't met in three months. Mackay has also said that he has tried twice to have "peace talks," but has been shown the hand:
"Every effort that can be made is being made to allow the club to move forward. We will do everything humanly possible to maintain the status quo but if not we will move fast to repair the situation.
"If that means bringing in a new manager, we will, but for the time being, we believe that's premature and we will work together to fix the predicament we're in."
Mackay will not resign and here's the ultimatum...
((HT: Sky Sports))
So, Vincent Tan will spend money in Bosnia, but not in the Premier. He'll change team colors in the Premier, but not in Bosnia.
The HQ understands... completely...
Tan's ownership fits Bosnia perfectly and has no business being in the Premier League...
Okay, the HQ admits to a little blending here...
Farley has come out with a piece where it has been announced that Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan... the same guy who went after Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay for telling people publicly that he wanted to improve his team by bringing in talent in the January transfer window... had apparently decided as far back as September that he was going to invest close to US$2-million into Bosnian soccer champion franchise FK Sarajevo...
From Farley- and it gets better:
According to outlets in Bosnia, Tan will not change the club colors, something he controversially did with his investment in Wales. While Cardiff City has historically worn blue, Tan changed the team’s main color to red, though the team continues to be colloquially referred to as the Bluebirds.
“We have signed an agreement which defines the investment and management rights in accordance to the club’s statute and legislation that is in force in Bosnia,” FK Sarajevo’s general director Dino Selimovic told Reuters, as reported by The Guardian.
Here's what FK Sarajevo and Zeljeznicar- the top two teams in the country's league this year- look like when they play each other
Now, the Cardiff City update...
Chairman Mehmet Dalman has admitted to Sky Sports that there are options that don't involve Mackay if the manager and owner can't get together to hash out their issues. Which is difficult since, according to Mackay, the two haven't met in three months. Mackay has also said that he has tried twice to have "peace talks," but has been shown the hand:
"Every effort that can be made is being made to allow the club to move forward. We will do everything humanly possible to maintain the status quo but if not we will move fast to repair the situation.
"If that means bringing in a new manager, we will, but for the time being, we believe that's premature and we will work together to fix the predicament we're in."
Mackay will not resign and here's the ultimatum...
((HT: Sky Sports))
So, Vincent Tan will spend money in Bosnia, but not in the Premier. He'll change team colors in the Premier, but not in Bosnia.
The HQ understands... completely...
Tan's ownership fits Bosnia perfectly and has no business being in the Premier League...
From Us to You: Happy Holidays and Things We're Thankful For
We just wanted to take a minute here on our labor of love, the OSG Sports website to wish everyone who reads this and some of the content we produce a healthy and happy holiday season.
If you are a 1st time reader or a regular reader, we can't thank you enough this year. Our page views, well, they've increased over 20% from last year.
We are nearing 300,000 views this year, which for some of the bigger sites is nothing, but for us is a nice accomplishment.
Many of you who know us know the site truly is a labor of love. We don't have a staff to help find and write stories. It's just the four of us, with an occasional guest appearance by some of our friends. We all have full-time jobs, families to take care of, we post things when we have free time, which sometimes is timely and sometimes is not.
Do we make any money on OSG Sports? A little. Enough to pay to keep our production company OSG Sports Media legal with a business license. We do a little production work, an occasional production here and there, but not enough to make us rich or provide us more time to tend to the site.
We'd love to be in the Sports Blog company of the Deadspin's, The Big Lead's, the Bleacher Reports or Fansided's of the world, but that's a very lofty goal to achieve. All provide wonderful content, we sometimes pull ideas from them, but all have corporate backing, serious advertising and staffs who do nothing but tend to the websites.
We are trying, sometimes successfully, sometimes not, to be a little different than they are. To give you some things they don't. Often it's providing a TV or Video story to complement what we post. Our backgrounds are in television and TV story can often be a great supplement.
One thing we are able to give you is perspective. Combined, me (@osgphil), Jon (@osgnelson), Wilkie (@jwilkerson16) and J-Dub (@johnwoodNC) can give you is an understanding of what we are posting. We all have or still do work in the world of sports and have covered teams and events ranging from the Super Bowl to SEC Football to minor league baseball. We do actually know a little about the things we talk about. Much more than a paid writer at a corporate website.
But we can't do this or be successful, without you. That's why OUR Christmas wish is that you tell your friends, Sports fans or not, to come and check us out. Take a look at what we are trying to do. Sports with perspective, occasionally with some opinion and often with a subtle, but generally clean sense of humor.
We hope you are enjoying your holidays with the people you love much like we are. The New Year will soon be upon us and we wish you the best of luck and the most successful of years.
Everyone celebrates this time of year in their own way, so rather than wishing you a Happy (insert holiday here), we decided to remind you of the TRUE reason to celebrate:
If you are a 1st time reader or a regular reader, we can't thank you enough this year. Our page views, well, they've increased over 20% from last year.
We are nearing 300,000 views this year, which for some of the bigger sites is nothing, but for us is a nice accomplishment.
Many of you who know us know the site truly is a labor of love. We don't have a staff to help find and write stories. It's just the four of us, with an occasional guest appearance by some of our friends. We all have full-time jobs, families to take care of, we post things when we have free time, which sometimes is timely and sometimes is not.
Do we make any money on OSG Sports? A little. Enough to pay to keep our production company OSG Sports Media legal with a business license. We do a little production work, an occasional production here and there, but not enough to make us rich or provide us more time to tend to the site.
We'd love to be in the Sports Blog company of the Deadspin's, The Big Lead's, the Bleacher Reports or Fansided's of the world, but that's a very lofty goal to achieve. All provide wonderful content, we sometimes pull ideas from them, but all have corporate backing, serious advertising and staffs who do nothing but tend to the websites.
We are trying, sometimes successfully, sometimes not, to be a little different than they are. To give you some things they don't. Often it's providing a TV or Video story to complement what we post. Our backgrounds are in television and TV story can often be a great supplement.
One thing we are able to give you is perspective. Combined, me (@osgphil), Jon (@osgnelson), Wilkie (@jwilkerson16) and J-Dub (@johnwoodNC) can give you is an understanding of what we are posting. We all have or still do work in the world of sports and have covered teams and events ranging from the Super Bowl to SEC Football to minor league baseball. We do actually know a little about the things we talk about. Much more than a paid writer at a corporate website.
But we can't do this or be successful, without you. That's why OUR Christmas wish is that you tell your friends, Sports fans or not, to come and check us out. Take a look at what we are trying to do. Sports with perspective, occasionally with some opinion and often with a subtle, but generally clean sense of humor.
We hope you are enjoying your holidays with the people you love much like we are. The New Year will soon be upon us and we wish you the best of luck and the most successful of years.
Everyone celebrates this time of year in their own way, so rather than wishing you a Happy (insert holiday here), we decided to remind you of the TRUE reason to celebrate:
Boise All Out Of Sorts In Hawai'i
((HT: KTVB-TV))
The HQ figured that, without your starting QB, Boise would have their hands full with Oregon State in Hawai'i on Christmas Eve.
And we were right...
Rashaad Reynolds returned two fumbles for touchdowns...
Two... and we know how difficult it is to return one...
And Oregon State set several records in handing Boise State their worst loss in two months. Brandin Cooks had 60 yards receiving and a touchdown to set a Pac-12 record for most receiving yards in season. QB Sean Mannion set another for passing yards in a season after going 24-for-33, 259 yards and the TD to Cooks in a 38-23 win.
Here's the highlights...
The HQ figured that, without your starting QB, Boise would have their hands full with Oregon State in Hawai'i on Christmas Eve.
And we were right...
Rashaad Reynolds returned two fumbles for touchdowns...
Two... and we know how difficult it is to return one...
And Oregon State set several records in handing Boise State their worst loss in two months. Brandin Cooks had 60 yards receiving and a touchdown to set a Pac-12 record for most receiving yards in season. QB Sean Mannion set another for passing yards in a season after going 24-for-33, 259 yards and the TD to Cooks in a 38-23 win.
Here's the highlights...
OSG Prem: Luis Suarez Answers Kids Questions
((HT: Pro Soccer Talk))
It seems ever since Liverpool's striker Luis Suarez has become a father that he has become more amenable to fans and their responses to him and his game...
So, as part of Liverpool's widening of their media reach, their Kop Kids reporter Finn got a sit down with El Pistolero...
And it's pretty funny...
It seems ever since Liverpool's striker Luis Suarez has become a father that he has become more amenable to fans and their responses to him and his game...
So, as part of Liverpool's widening of their media reach, their Kop Kids reporter Finn got a sit down with El Pistolero...
And it's pretty funny...
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Cowboys Signing Math Teacher/Football Coach As 3rd QB
((HT: Dallasnews.com/George))
So, the Cowboys tried out David Carr, Tyler Thigpen, Caleb Hanie, and John Skelton on the off-chance that Tony Romo doesn't survive the epidural that he was given earlier Tuesday...
Didn't sign a one of them...
They went after 16-year vet, and two-years removed from the game, Jon Kitna...
Kitna was teaching math and coaching football at his alma mater Tacoma-Lincoln (WA) High School...
See...??? He was back home...
((HT: CBS Sports))
But he had done things for the Cowboys in the past...
((HT: NFL on FOX))
He just hasn't done them since the first term of the current President...
So, the Cowboys tried out David Carr, Tyler Thigpen, Caleb Hanie, and John Skelton on the off-chance that Tony Romo doesn't survive the epidural that he was given earlier Tuesday...
Didn't sign a one of them...
They went after 16-year vet, and two-years removed from the game, Jon Kitna...
Kitna was teaching math and coaching football at his alma mater Tacoma-Lincoln (WA) High School...
See...??? He was back home...
((HT: CBS Sports))
But he had done things for the Cowboys in the past...
((HT: NFL on FOX))
He just hasn't done them since the first term of the current President...
OSG Prem: Dempsey Returns To Fulham... For A While, Anyway...
((HT: Fulham FC their own selves))
Clint Dempsey says he wants to be in top form for the USMNT's run in the World Cup in Rio next year...
So, what does he want to do to get ready...???
Hopefully, for the folks at Craven Cottage, give them a much needed boost in their offense and a way to keep them from escaping relegation...
Dempsey will not be eligible to play for Fulham until January 1, when the Cottagers host West Ham in a London derby.
Here's the club's interview with him when he signed...
And they need all the help they can get...
Clint Dempsey says he wants to be in top form for the USMNT's run in the World Cup in Rio next year...
So, what does he want to do to get ready...???
Hopefully, for the folks at Craven Cottage, give them a much needed boost in their offense and a way to keep them from escaping relegation...
Dempsey will not be eligible to play for Fulham until January 1, when the Cottagers host West Ham in a London derby.
Here's the club's interview with him when he signed...
And they need all the help they can get...
Happy Dikembe Mutumbo Christmas
((ht: thebiglead.com))
We are marks for pretty much anything with former NBA Center Dikembe Mutumbo in it.
It's in that spirit on this Christmas Eve that wish you all a Merry Christmas--
We are marks for pretty much anything with former NBA Center Dikembe Mutumbo in it.
It's in that spirit on this Christmas Eve that wish you all a Merry Christmas--
Your High School Backboard Breaking Dunk of the Day
((ht: bleacherreport.com))
Whoa!
Check out what happens when Kyle Gouveia a senior at Calaveras High School in San Andreas, California does to a rim and backboard when he suddenly finds himself with an unobstructed path to the basket.
Boom goes the Dynamite...and the backboard...
Whoa!
Check out what happens when Kyle Gouveia a senior at Calaveras High School in San Andreas, California does to a rim and backboard when he suddenly finds himself with an unobstructed path to the basket.
Boom goes the Dynamite...and the backboard...
Army Hires Jeff Monken as Football Coach
---Sigh---And we sigh because as a Georgia Southern Grad, we're losing a pretty good football coach.
Army has a new football commander. The Military Academy announced Tuesday morning Jeff Monken, the now former football coach at Georgia Southern will take over the program.
Monken, who's been pretty successful in Statesboro going 31-12 in 4 seasons, will succeed Rich Ellerson who was let go after a 3-9 season. He had success with Georgia Southern, who will be moving this season to the FBS level Sun Belt Conference, after a 7-5 season highlighted by a rousing win over the University of Florida.
He's a disciple of the Paul Johnson school of option football, much like Navy coach Ken Niamulatolo and is expected to get paid somewhere in the ballpark of the $1 million plus salary Niamulatolo is pulling in.
It leaves the Eagles in a lurch as they now take their turn on the Coaching Carousel.
Detroit Lions Bungled Attempt at Playoff Tickets
Nothing like sending your fans tickets they've purchased in advance of your hope at making the NFL playoffs….the day after you are eliminated from them.That's exactly what the masters of timing in the Detroit Lions ticketing department did Monday.
Yeah…
It appears the team decided to start selling playoff tickets when they were 7-5 and leading the NFC North.
The problem, the Lions have lost their last three games, falling to 7-8 and after Sunday's ugly loss to the New York Giants, saw their post season hopes disappear.
Reportedly the team is crediting ticket holders towards their 2014 season tickets. Of course they are making the assumption that the same ticket holds will actually purchase 2014 season tickets. The team later added that those who don't renew will get refunds.
University of Akron Football Coach Killed in Crash
This is a very sad Christmas week for the University of Akron community.Assistant head football coach Alan "Tank" Arrington died Monday in a Mississippi car accident.
Details of the accident were not released, but Arrington was an Oxford, Mississppi native who had been on the Akron staff the past two seasons as Terry Bowden's offensive line coach and assistant head coach.
Previous to the Akron job, Arrington had been with Bowden at North Alabama.
"I can't put into words how tragic this is," Akron head coach Terry Bowden said in a school release. "We have lost someone who was truly special and had dedicated his life to guiding young men. Tank was a very good friend and a great person. My thoughts are with his family and those who had the chance to know him and play for him. In all my years of coaching I have never known someone who loved and cared for his players more than Tank. I have lost a best friend and I'm heartbroken."
"The Zips family has suffered a great loss," Akron director of athletics Tom Wistrcill said. "Tank was a wonderful representative of the University and our team, and our thoughts are with his family and friends in this difficult time. We will do all that we can to help support them, our student-athletes and staff."
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Zips program and family during the holiday season.
Monday, December 23, 2013
Puck Into Pants= Game-Winning Own Goal
((HT: NHL))
Okay...
Goal or not a goal...
Apparently, in the eyes of the league...
It's a goal... and it gave Buffalo a win over Phoenix...
At 3:47 of overtime in the Coyotes/Sabres game, video review supported the referee's call on the ice that Mark Pysyk's shot deflected into the air and landed in goaltender Mike Smith's equipment and, while attempting to make the save, Smith's momentum propelled him and the puck completely across the goal line. Good goal Buffalo.
And the goalie for the Coyotes, Mike Smith, wasn't happy...
Joe Yerdon from Pro Hockey Talk via his own Twitter:
"It's an honest game and if you don't play how you're supposed to play... you get it jammed right up your butt."
And from John Vogl of the Buffalo News via his Twitter:
"I guess if they don’t see the puck they’re supposed to blow the whistle, but that’s not what happened."
But Rule 85.3 says: "Should a scramble take place or a player accidentally fall on the puck and the puck be out of sight of the Referee… he shall immediately blow his whistle and stop the play."
And it didn't happen in this case...
The HQ doesn't think this is the last we'll hear of this, either...
Okay...
Goal or not a goal...
Apparently, in the eyes of the league...
It's a goal... and it gave Buffalo a win over Phoenix...
At 3:47 of overtime in the Coyotes/Sabres game, video review supported the referee's call on the ice that Mark Pysyk's shot deflected into the air and landed in goaltender Mike Smith's equipment and, while attempting to make the save, Smith's momentum propelled him and the puck completely across the goal line. Good goal Buffalo.
And the goalie for the Coyotes, Mike Smith, wasn't happy...
Joe Yerdon from Pro Hockey Talk via his own Twitter:
"It's an honest game and if you don't play how you're supposed to play... you get it jammed right up your butt."
And from John Vogl of the Buffalo News via his Twitter:
"I guess if they don’t see the puck they’re supposed to blow the whistle, but that’s not what happened."
But Rule 85.3 says: "Should a scramble take place or a player accidentally fall on the puck and the puck be out of sight of the Referee… he shall immediately blow his whistle and stop the play."
And it didn't happen in this case...
The HQ doesn't think this is the last we'll hear of this, either...
UPDATE: CSU Assistant Suspended For 2 Weeks For Double F-Bomb
Colorado State assistant football coach Greg Lupfer has been suspended for two weeks without pay after his outburst during the New Mexico Bowl where he called Washington State Connor Halliday something not very nice during the first quarter...
Evidence below...
((HT: Die Hard Sport via Troy Machir's Vine))
Lupfer also must attend anger management and diversity training that the coach has to pay for himself according to CSU director of Athletics Jack Graham...
Lupfer said, through a press release from CSU: "I accept these consequences - two weeks without pay and the training programs -and I am thankful for this second chance to continue coaching at Colorado State and be a part of the Ram Family. I am deeply sorry for my behavior, which does not represent who I am or my values.
"I embrace the opportunity to participate in anger management and diversity sensitivity training. I was angry and careless with my words, and my words hurt many people. I sincerely apologize to the GLBTQ community for causing pain by using a slur without considering its meaning. I take ownership of my words and fully understand why people are very upset."
Lupfer will also receive an official letter of reprimand and be placed on a zero-tolerance status- whatever that entails within the athletic department...
Evidence below...
((HT: Die Hard Sport via Troy Machir's Vine))
Lupfer also must attend anger management and diversity training that the coach has to pay for himself according to CSU director of Athletics Jack Graham...
Lupfer said, through a press release from CSU: "I accept these consequences - two weeks without pay and the training programs -and I am thankful for this second chance to continue coaching at Colorado State and be a part of the Ram Family. I am deeply sorry for my behavior, which does not represent who I am or my values.
"I embrace the opportunity to participate in anger management and diversity sensitivity training. I was angry and careless with my words, and my words hurt many people. I sincerely apologize to the GLBTQ community for causing pain by using a slur without considering its meaning. I take ownership of my words and fully understand why people are very upset."
Lupfer will also receive an official letter of reprimand and be placed on a zero-tolerance status- whatever that entails within the athletic department...
Hernandez Defense Attorneys Claim Authorities Leaking To Media
((HT: MyFoxBoston))
The defense attorneys for Aaron Hernandez are claiming that local authorities are leaking information to the local media and that may prevent their client from receiving a fair trial in the state of Massachusetts...
They reference the handing of a subpoena to Miami Dolphins center Mike Pouncey where "local authorities" were listed as sources in the case. They claim it was a violation of the gag order issued by the judge in the case...
The prosecution, of course, denies this...
Here's the latest...
Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston
The next pre-trial hearing is set for early February...
The defense attorneys for Aaron Hernandez are claiming that local authorities are leaking information to the local media and that may prevent their client from receiving a fair trial in the state of Massachusetts...
They reference the handing of a subpoena to Miami Dolphins center Mike Pouncey where "local authorities" were listed as sources in the case. They claim it was a violation of the gag order issued by the judge in the case...
The prosecution, of course, denies this...
Here's the latest...
Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston
The next pre-trial hearing is set for early February...
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