Rodney Hood scored 16 points, Arnett Moultrie added 15 points and No. 15 Mississippi State escaped with a 66-64 victory over Utah State on Saturday.
Mississippi State (13-2) needed a defensive stop on its final possession to seal the win. Utah State's Danny Berger missed a 3-pointer as time expired that would have won the game.
Renardo Sidney added 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the field. Moultrie had 10 rebounds for his eighth double-double of the season. MSU coach Rick Stansbury said both players had a sinus infection but fought through the sickness to post good numbers.
Utah State (8-6) had its four-game winning streak snapped. Preston Medlin led the Aggies with 15 points, Brockeith Pane added 11 points and Morgan Grim had 10.
Mississippi State's Dee Bost had four assists to become the school's career leader, passing Derrick Zimmerman's record of 514. But Bost struggled for most of the afternoon, shooting just 1 of 10 from the field.
Mississippi State was coming off Wednesday's 54-52 loss to No. 6 Baylor in Dallas - a much-anticipated, emotional game that came down to the final seconds. The Bulldogs looked less enthused in front of a half-full and only partly interested Humphrey Coliseum crowd on Saturday, and their performance in the first half reflected that malaise.
Utah State pulled ahead 15-6 midway through the first half as Mississippi State missed shots, made sloppy passes and blew defensive assignments, but the Bulldogs eventually responded with a 13-4 run that tied the game at 19. Sidney's 3-pointer with 27 seconds remaining in the half gave Mississippi State a 32-29 halftime lead.
Mississippi State could never completely shake Utah State in the second half and the Aggies pulled ahead 64-62 on Kyisean Reed's jumper with 2:42 left. But Reed missed two free throws on the next possession and Moultrie tied the game at 64 on a putback with 1:25 remaining.
Bost made two free throws with 34 seconds remaining, giving the Bulldogs their final 66-64 advantage.
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Saturday, December 31, 2011
Wade Scores Another Game-Winner
 | LeBron James throws the nice lob pass to Dwyane Wade for the late go-ahead layup. | From: NBA Views: 80440   409 ratings |
| Time: 01:04 | More in Sports |
Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUsQwrQ68jw&feature=youtube_gdata
Stars' captain Morrow deemed probable for Boston game
In the second period of Thursday's 4-1 loss to Columbus, Dallas Stars captain Brenden Morrow took a puck to his right knee. To his credit, he did try to go in the third period but his opening shift lasted just 21 seconds before he realized he was done for the night.
And after the game, Morrow was seen walking around with a noticeable limp. He did not practice today and did have his right knee wrapped. Still, he could be on the ice for tomorrow night's New Year's Eve clash with reigning NHL Stanley Cup champion Boston.
"Yeah, he took a shot off his knee. He's got some heavy swelling and bruising, but he felt better than we thought he was going to this morning," Dallas head coach Glen Gulutzan said after practice on Friday. "I would say knowing Minnie, he's a probable for tomorrow but there's still some healing that has to get done before that's a go."
Morrow did speak briefly after practice about his status going forward. "Nothing official, I didn't skate today but I plan to skate tomorrow," he said.
Even with Morrow's somewhat uncertain status for Saturday and heading into the first week of 2012, one thing the Stars aren't about to do, at least not yet, is recall anyone from their top minor-league affiliate, the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League.
"Yeah, that's the plan going forward and we'll be right at our number. But I think if we were going on the road, we'd probably bring somebody with us but right now, we'll stay where we're at," Gulutzan said.
Saturday's morning skate will likely be the determining factor as to whether or not the Stars will have their captain on the pond for the visit by the B's or if he will miss his seventh game of the season due to injury.
But if the Stars are without Morrow, their head coach has already thought about how he might shuffle lines in his absence.
"Yeah, we have thought about that," Gulutzan said. "It looks like it'd either be Burish that we'd move up there or maybe we move Wandell up and move Jamie Benn to the wing with Loui Eriksson. Wandell had by his own admission a subpar game in St. Louis but last night, he was effective and did a lot of good things. If you give him Wandell a chance to play up in the lineup, you never know."
And after the game, Morrow was seen walking around with a noticeable limp. He did not practice today and did have his right knee wrapped. Still, he could be on the ice for tomorrow night's New Year's Eve clash with reigning NHL Stanley Cup champion Boston.
"Yeah, he took a shot off his knee. He's got some heavy swelling and bruising, but he felt better than we thought he was going to this morning," Dallas head coach Glen Gulutzan said after practice on Friday. "I would say knowing Minnie, he's a probable for tomorrow but there's still some healing that has to get done before that's a go."
Morrow did speak briefly after practice about his status going forward. "Nothing official, I didn't skate today but I plan to skate tomorrow," he said.
Even with Morrow's somewhat uncertain status for Saturday and heading into the first week of 2012, one thing the Stars aren't about to do, at least not yet, is recall anyone from their top minor-league affiliate, the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League.
"Yeah, that's the plan going forward and we'll be right at our number. But I think if we were going on the road, we'd probably bring somebody with us but right now, we'll stay where we're at," Gulutzan said.
Saturday's morning skate will likely be the determining factor as to whether or not the Stars will have their captain on the pond for the visit by the B's or if he will miss his seventh game of the season due to injury.
But if the Stars are without Morrow, their head coach has already thought about how he might shuffle lines in his absence.
"Yeah, we have thought about that," Gulutzan said. "It looks like it'd either be Burish that we'd move up there or maybe we move Wandell up and move Jamie Benn to the wing with Loui Eriksson. Wandell had by his own admission a subpar game in St. Louis but last night, he was effective and did a lot of good things. If you give him Wandell a chance to play up in the lineup, you never know."
Friday, December 30, 2011
UFC 141 Results: Is Brock Lesnar Worth the $400K He Will Make?
Brock Lesnar, win or lose versus Alistair Overeem tonight, is in a win-win situation—money-wise.
Lesnar, no matter the outcome of his main event fight, is set to earn and go home to Minnesota with $400,000 in his pocket, according to MMAfighting.com.
This booty is in addition to his UFC earnings, which, according to ESPN the Magazine in its May 2011 issue, already reached $5.3 million for the recent calendar year, including reported bout salaries and estimated pay-per-view bonuses. This makes Lesnar MMA’s highest paid athlete.
Now what does Lesnar bring to the Zuffa corporate table?
Of the top-five highest-selling UFC pay-per-views of all time, Lesnar was the main event of the top-two cards and three of the top five.
The UFC is now big business, and Lesnar is as big—literally—as any product comes, and he brings the bottom line.
Yes, his fame from his WWE days is a major factor to his popularity—or notoriety—but his exciting fights inside the Octagon also deserve credit.
He goes for the finish and fights to the finish. Any dissenter can volunteer anytime to last more than 10 seconds under Shane Carwin or Cain Velasquez’s ground-and-pound.
Business-wise, when return-of-investment has historically proven to be of more important than what is fair, Lesnar “deserves” and is worth every dollar he gets from the UFC.
Junk foods always sell. Hollywood action films with state-of-the-art special effects always have the upper hand in the box office compared to award-winning art films.
I still feel sorry for the underpaid Royce Gracie and the under-appreciated Jon Fitch, though.
But this is America.
Oregon 92, Washington St. 75
Olu Ashaolu scored 23 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as hot-shooting Oregon beat Washington State 92-75 on Thursday in the Pac-12 Conference opener for both teams.
Devoe Joseph added 17 points for Oregon (10-3), which shot 69 percent from the field in winning its fourth straight game.
DaVonte Lacy scored 19 points for Washington State (8-5), which shot 46 percent from the field and saw a six-game winning streak snapped.
Washington State fell behind by 20 at halftime as Oregon shot 71 percent in the first half.
For the game, Oregon made 34 of 49 shots, including 9 of 16 3-pointers. The Ducks outrebounded the Cougars 34-22.
Joseph scored three consecutive baskets as Oregon built a 71-50 lead midway through the second half. At that point the Ducks were shooting 72 percent for the game. The Cougars could not get within single digits the rest of the way.
Devoe Joseph added 17 points for Oregon (10-3), which shot 69 percent from the field in winning its fourth straight game.
DaVonte Lacy scored 19 points for Washington State (8-5), which shot 46 percent from the field and saw a six-game winning streak snapped.
Washington State fell behind by 20 at halftime as Oregon shot 71 percent in the first half.
For the game, Oregon made 34 of 49 shots, including 9 of 16 3-pointers. The Ducks outrebounded the Cougars 34-22.
Joseph scored three consecutive baskets as Oregon built a 71-50 lead midway through the second half. At that point the Ducks were shooting 72 percent for the game. The Cougars could not get within single digits the rest of the way.
Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/oregon_92_washington_st_75/9018472
Mancini wants quick solution to Tevez saga
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has urged AC Milan to complete the permanent signing of Carlos Tevez within the next 10 days to prevent the transfer saga from dragging on throughout January.
The two clubs are in talks over the sale of the striker, who has been on an extended break in his native country Argentina since mid-November.
While Milan wants to bring in Tevez on loan with a view to signing him permanently at the end of the season, City is demanding an immediate sale.
Mancini says ''we hope if Milan want to take him, we can close it in one week, 10 days.''
Tevez hasn't played for City since being suspended for two weeks and fined a fortnight's wages for refusing to warm up during a Champions League game.
The two clubs are in talks over the sale of the striker, who has been on an extended break in his native country Argentina since mid-November.
While Milan wants to bring in Tevez on loan with a view to signing him permanently at the end of the season, City is demanding an immediate sale.
Mancini says ''we hope if Milan want to take him, we can close it in one week, 10 days.''
Tevez hasn't played for City since being suspended for two weeks and fined a fortnight's wages for refusing to warm up during a Champions League game.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Will Olazabal lead Europe to another win?
JOSE Maria Olazabal has a hard act to follow when he captains Europe in their defence of the Ryder Cup in Chicago next September.
But, in addition to having witnessed the job that Colin Montgomerie did in Wales, the double Masters champion will also try to put into practice all he learned from the late Seve Ballesteros.
Together, of course, they were the most feared partnership in Ryder Cup history 11 wins and only two losses in 15 games and left nobody in any doubt about how much the match meant to them.
Then in 1997 at Valderrama, Olazabal played under Ballesteros and helped Europe achieve another famous victory.
He was only 31 at the time, but had been through so much. No wonder the tears flowed only a year earlier he had feared his future would be in a wheelchair because of rheumatoid polyarthritis.
Who knows what else he would have gone on to achieve but for a condition that still afflicts him, but after two more caps as a player in 1999 and 2006, being awarded the captaincy puts him back in the sporting spotlight.
Representing Europe in the Ryder Cup has given me much enjoyment, he said.
It was wonderful to be a vice-captain with Nick Faldo in 2008 and then again with Colin Montgomerie when we regained the cup. I will be committed to getting everything right in the build-up to the 2012 match.
Unlike Montgomerie, Olazabal (pictured) tackles the job on American soil and only one of the last seven contests has been won by the away team 2004 in Detroit when Bernhard Langer led Europe.
But look at the array of talent set to be at Medinah. Luke Donald, Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer have all become world number ones since the last match and Rory McIlroy is surely destined to follow them.
Sergio Garcia, so disillusioned with the game and life in general it seemed a year ago, has had back-to-back wins since the points race started in September.
He is unbeaten with Donald and Medinah is where he ran Tiger Woods so close in the 1999 USPGA Championship aged just 19 and where he was third in the same event in 2006.
Justin Rose and Paul Casey, who both didn't make the last team, have also shown eagerness to regain their places.
Add Graeme McDowell, ready-made partner for McIlroy, and a formidable side is there.
The Americans will be under the captaincy of Davis Love this time and, having been assistant to Corey Pavin, he will have learned that little details can make a big difference like ensuring the team has wet weather gear that actually works.
What sort of side he parades remains to be seen. Keegan Bradley, left out of their Presidents Cup line-up despite winning the USPGA title in his very first major appearance, leads the table going into 2012.
A running story throughout the qualifying campaign will inevitably be on whether Woods is going to make it.
Yet even when dominating the game he did not dominate the Ryder Cup. Woods has six caps, but has only once been on a winning side. He missed the 2008 victory in Louisville through injury. His lone success was in Boston in 1999 and that was an unlikely win from four points down going into the singles.
The match was mostly remembered for an American invasion of the 17th green when Justin Leonard holed a long putt, even though the contest was not settled at that point.
The European player caught up in that was Olazabal. He thinks Medinah could be just as noisy as Brookline was that week, but he will be hoping his side can guarantee no repeat of those scenes.
But, in addition to having witnessed the job that Colin Montgomerie did in Wales, the double Masters champion will also try to put into practice all he learned from the late Seve Ballesteros.
Together, of course, they were the most feared partnership in Ryder Cup history 11 wins and only two losses in 15 games and left nobody in any doubt about how much the match meant to them.
Then in 1997 at Valderrama, Olazabal played under Ballesteros and helped Europe achieve another famous victory.
He was only 31 at the time, but had been through so much. No wonder the tears flowed only a year earlier he had feared his future would be in a wheelchair because of rheumatoid polyarthritis.
Who knows what else he would have gone on to achieve but for a condition that still afflicts him, but after two more caps as a player in 1999 and 2006, being awarded the captaincy puts him back in the sporting spotlight.
Representing Europe in the Ryder Cup has given me much enjoyment, he said.
It was wonderful to be a vice-captain with Nick Faldo in 2008 and then again with Colin Montgomerie when we regained the cup. I will be committed to getting everything right in the build-up to the 2012 match.
Unlike Montgomerie, Olazabal (pictured) tackles the job on American soil and only one of the last seven contests has been won by the away team 2004 in Detroit when Bernhard Langer led Europe.
But look at the array of talent set to be at Medinah. Luke Donald, Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer have all become world number ones since the last match and Rory McIlroy is surely destined to follow them.
Sergio Garcia, so disillusioned with the game and life in general it seemed a year ago, has had back-to-back wins since the points race started in September.
He is unbeaten with Donald and Medinah is where he ran Tiger Woods so close in the 1999 USPGA Championship aged just 19 and where he was third in the same event in 2006.
Justin Rose and Paul Casey, who both didn't make the last team, have also shown eagerness to regain their places.
Add Graeme McDowell, ready-made partner for McIlroy, and a formidable side is there.
The Americans will be under the captaincy of Davis Love this time and, having been assistant to Corey Pavin, he will have learned that little details can make a big difference like ensuring the team has wet weather gear that actually works.
What sort of side he parades remains to be seen. Keegan Bradley, left out of their Presidents Cup line-up despite winning the USPGA title in his very first major appearance, leads the table going into 2012.
A running story throughout the qualifying campaign will inevitably be on whether Woods is going to make it.
Yet even when dominating the game he did not dominate the Ryder Cup. Woods has six caps, but has only once been on a winning side. He missed the 2008 victory in Louisville through injury. His lone success was in Boston in 1999 and that was an unlikely win from four points down going into the singles.
The match was mostly remembered for an American invasion of the 17th green when Justin Leonard holed a long putt, even though the contest was not settled at that point.
The European player caught up in that was Olazabal. He thinks Medinah could be just as noisy as Brookline was that week, but he will be hoping his side can guarantee no repeat of those scenes.
Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/golf/article_external/will_olazabal_lead_europe_to_another_win/9018790
UFC 141: Can Donald Cerrone Halt Disrespectful Nate Diaz?
It is no surprise to informed MMA fans that the Diaz brothers are not the most well-liked individuals in the UFC. They often come off as harsh and offensive. It's almost like these guys wake up on the wrong side of pillow each morning and are not afraid to talk about it.
According to UFC President Dana White, Donald Cerrone can have an abrasive personality as well. But, in his UFC 141 matchup with Nate Diaz, Cerrone has easily taken on the role of the good guy. As is famous among online readers at this point, Cerrone approached Diaz in October before UFC 137 and was met with a slap on the hand and a profanity.
Cerrone had no previous beef with Nate Diaz and was simply trying to greet a fellow martial artist. The act of disrespect got the attention of the "Cowboy." At the press conference for UFC 141 this Thursday both fighters downplayed the incident to reporters, saying that it was blown out of proportion.
However, things quickly got heated when, during the customary staredown, Cerrone made a verbal jab which prompted Diaz to slap the hat off of the head of Donald Cerrone and a hard shove followed. Dana White himself broke the pair up.
So, who is the jerk in this situation? The answer is clearly Nate Diaz. Donald Cerrone may not be the nicest man on the planet but it isn't too hard to come off as the hero against a guy who shoots himself in the foot over and over.
I personally felt that Nate Diaz should have been reprimanded or cut from the UFC following his blatant involvement in the now-famous 2010 brawl after the main event of Strikeforce Nashville. The UFC saw fit to keep him, yet he and his brother continue this foolish behavior like they think they have an endless amount of credit with the UFC brass.
Nate's older brother Nick has had his fair share of controversy. Nick Diaz won a superb 2007 battle with Takanori Gomi in Japan and was stripped of the win due to a positive test for marijuana. Nick also was cut by the UFC once for brawling in a hospital and cheated himself out of a UFC 137 title fight after he neglected to show up for both of the pre-fight pressers. Instead of trying to follow the company line, Nate Diaz seems to be as disrespectful as his older brother.
The important thing Saturday is the fight and not what the men do when they are out of the cage. So, can Donald Cerrone stop the disrespectful Nate Diaz? I think he is just the man to do that. Cerrone has won all four of his UFC fights and has shown he can grapple, absorb punishment and knock other men silly with his offensive onslaught.
As for the Diaz brothers, there is no way to know how they will act from minute to minute. After his win at UFC 137, Nick Diaz spent little time being gracious or talking positive, choosing instead to go on a rant about wanting to be more compensated.
My advice for Nick Diaz would be to either accept that he will make far less in MMA than in boxing unless he is a top draw or change sports. I think I speak for many people when I say that we are getting weary of his tirades. Either way, this fight at UFC 141 should be a great one.
Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1002469-ufc-141-can-donald-cerrone-halt-disrespectful-diaz
Toledo holds off Air Force 42-41 in Military Bowl
Air Force is a go-for-it kind of team. So is Toledo.
So when Air Force pulled within a point on a touchdown with 52 seconds to play in the Military Bowl, Toledo knew to expect that the Falcons might attempt a 2-point conversion, trying to win then and there instead of settling for overtime.
The Rockets were ready. Air Force lined up as if to kick, but holder David Baska took off and got bottled up trying to run the option. The ball squirted toward kicker Parker Herrington, who chased it until it went out of bounds in the end zone.
Toledo could start to celebrate. The Rockets' 42-41 win Wednesday night was their first bowl victory since 2005.
''We talked about it, first and foremost, because they fake some extra points and fake some field goals,'' Toledo coach Matt Campbell said. ''Ironically, we were in the same situation last year in our bowl game. I give credit to our staff. We got ourselves into a defensive call. We were not in a `block' look.''
Air Force coach Troy Calhoun wasn't about to second-guess himself.
''I thought we had an excellent chance to seal and win the game right there. It didn't work out,'' Calhoun said. ''We didn't convert it, so you better be able to live with it. We're a group that over the last six years, we're going to go for it on fourth down if we think there are chances we can take. When we have a pretty darn good opportunity to convert one, we're going to do it. That's the way we're going to play.''
The victory marked a successful debut for Campbell, the youngest coach in the Football Bowl Subdivision. The 32-year-old coach, who has been the Rockets' offensive coordinator for three years, was promoted to the head job after Tim Beckman left this month for Illinois.
Bernard Reedy's third touchdown of the game - a 33-yard catch, spin and run on a pass from Terrance Owens - gave Toledo a 42-35 lead with 5:01 remaining and put the Rockets (9-4) over the 40-point mark for the sixth straight game.
''We have 1,000 playmakers on our team,'' said Reedy, who had a career-high 126 yards receiving on four catches and was selected the game's MVP. ''You never know who's going to step up. It's fun to watch everybody catch and run with it.''
The game matched two of the top 25 scoring teams in the country, and they wasted little time living up to their reputations. It was Mid-American Conference member Toledo's spread offense against Mountain West Air Force's triple option, and the idea of a huddle seemed a quaint, antiquated concept.
Toledo's Adonis Thomas finished with 108 yards on 22 carries. Paul Hornung Award finalist Eric Page caught 13 passes for 59 yards, but his biggest play was an 87-yard kickoff return in the first half.
Owens, getting most of the work at quarterback, completed 19 of 24 passes for 210 yards and three touchdowns. Owens got the nod over Austin Dantin, who started the first 10 games of the season before sitting out the last two because of a concussion.
Tim Jefferson, the first quarterback in service academy history to lead his team to four consecutive bowl games, completed 13 of 22 passes for 159 yards with two touchdowns and one interception for Air Force (7-6). Jonathan Warzeka had a career-best 60-yard run to set up one touchdown, and his 37-yard reception on fourth-and-3 tied it at 28l heading into halftime.
There was even room for a defensive score: Toledo safety Jermaine Robinson's 37-yard interception runback after he corralled a tipped pass deep in the secondary.
But it all came down to a gutsy decision on a 2-point conversion, a play run by a special-teams unit while the offense stood on the sideline and watched.
''Sure I would have liked to go to overtime, but I'm the type of person who doesn't really like the overtime period,'' Jefferson said. ''If we would have hit that 2-point conversion, I would have been just as happy.''
---
Joseph White can be reached at http://twitter.com/JGWhiteAP
So when Air Force pulled within a point on a touchdown with 52 seconds to play in the Military Bowl, Toledo knew to expect that the Falcons might attempt a 2-point conversion, trying to win then and there instead of settling for overtime.
The Rockets were ready. Air Force lined up as if to kick, but holder David Baska took off and got bottled up trying to run the option. The ball squirted toward kicker Parker Herrington, who chased it until it went out of bounds in the end zone.
Toledo could start to celebrate. The Rockets' 42-41 win Wednesday night was their first bowl victory since 2005.
''We talked about it, first and foremost, because they fake some extra points and fake some field goals,'' Toledo coach Matt Campbell said. ''Ironically, we were in the same situation last year in our bowl game. I give credit to our staff. We got ourselves into a defensive call. We were not in a `block' look.''
Air Force coach Troy Calhoun wasn't about to second-guess himself.
''I thought we had an excellent chance to seal and win the game right there. It didn't work out,'' Calhoun said. ''We didn't convert it, so you better be able to live with it. We're a group that over the last six years, we're going to go for it on fourth down if we think there are chances we can take. When we have a pretty darn good opportunity to convert one, we're going to do it. That's the way we're going to play.''
The victory marked a successful debut for Campbell, the youngest coach in the Football Bowl Subdivision. The 32-year-old coach, who has been the Rockets' offensive coordinator for three years, was promoted to the head job after Tim Beckman left this month for Illinois.
Bernard Reedy's third touchdown of the game - a 33-yard catch, spin and run on a pass from Terrance Owens - gave Toledo a 42-35 lead with 5:01 remaining and put the Rockets (9-4) over the 40-point mark for the sixth straight game.
''We have 1,000 playmakers on our team,'' said Reedy, who had a career-high 126 yards receiving on four catches and was selected the game's MVP. ''You never know who's going to step up. It's fun to watch everybody catch and run with it.''
The game matched two of the top 25 scoring teams in the country, and they wasted little time living up to their reputations. It was Mid-American Conference member Toledo's spread offense against Mountain West Air Force's triple option, and the idea of a huddle seemed a quaint, antiquated concept.
Toledo's Adonis Thomas finished with 108 yards on 22 carries. Paul Hornung Award finalist Eric Page caught 13 passes for 59 yards, but his biggest play was an 87-yard kickoff return in the first half.
Owens, getting most of the work at quarterback, completed 19 of 24 passes for 210 yards and three touchdowns. Owens got the nod over Austin Dantin, who started the first 10 games of the season before sitting out the last two because of a concussion.
Tim Jefferson, the first quarterback in service academy history to lead his team to four consecutive bowl games, completed 13 of 22 passes for 159 yards with two touchdowns and one interception for Air Force (7-6). Jonathan Warzeka had a career-best 60-yard run to set up one touchdown, and his 37-yard reception on fourth-and-3 tied it at 28l heading into halftime.
There was even room for a defensive score: Toledo safety Jermaine Robinson's 37-yard interception runback after he corralled a tipped pass deep in the secondary.
But it all came down to a gutsy decision on a 2-point conversion, a play run by a special-teams unit while the offense stood on the sideline and watched.
''Sure I would have liked to go to overtime, but I'm the type of person who doesn't really like the overtime period,'' Jefferson said. ''If we would have hit that 2-point conversion, I would have been just as happy.''
---
Joseph White can be reached at http://twitter.com/JGWhiteAP
Wade to Bosh
 | Dwyane Wade finds Chris Bosh on the break for the easy slam. | From: NBA Views: 320 81 ratings |
| Time: 00:22 | More in Sports |
Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBl4EzrEIt8&feature=youtube_gdata
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Mario Balotelli Now Has Theme Music, Tinchy Stryder Releases 'Mario Balotelli (Ruff Sqwad)' (Video)
Tinchy Stryder, a U.K. rap star, has penned the (un)official Mario Balotelli anthem. It's just the latest bit of evidence that the Manchester City star has crossed-over into the realm of pop stardom. "Mario Balotelli (Ruff Sqwad)" is the third track on the free Christmas album Stryder released called "The Wish List". The song's hook (refrain) repeats the words "why always me", referring to a slogan Balotelli wore on a T-shirt underneath his jersey on Oct. 23. He scored the first goal in Mancherster City's 6-1 demolition of Manchester United in the 22nd minute, partially removed his jersey, and revealed...
Who Will Be Coaching the Dolphins in 2012?
The Dolphins will need to decide what direction they will go along the sidelines next year. The decision of whether Tony Sparano will be coaching the Dolphins next year was decided a couple of weeks ago, relieving him of his coaching duties after losing to the Eagles 26-10 in week 14. Even though the Dolphins signed Sparano to a two year deal despite failing to lure a big name coach last off season like Jim Harbough, John Gruden or Bill Cowher, they made the move so they would not be in the same predicament. Some of these big names would not interview or listen to any Dolphin opportunities as long as the Dolphins had a coach under contract. Now that they have removed that obstacle which way do they go?
I feel the Dolphins can go in one of three directions for their next coach...
I feel the Dolphins can go in one of three directions for their next coach...
Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/who_will_be_coaching_the_dolphins_in_2012/8982028
Penn State keeping focus on beating Houston
DALLAS It took more than eight minutes before Penn State interim head coach Tom Bradley was asked about the Jerry Sandusky situation Tuesday morning.
It's not like the story has gone away. It's just that Bradley and his Nittany Lions have more pressing concerns.
Penn State (9-3) has less than a week to get ready to try and stop Case Keenum and the Houston Cougars (12-1) in Monday's TicketCity Bowl at the Cotton Bowl. Penn State may have to try and do so without quarterback Matt McGloin, who was injured in a fight with teammate Curtis Drake nearly two weeks ago.
Add in the uncertainly surrounding Bradley and the rest of the Penn State coaching staff, and it's easy to see why Sandusky was far from the minds of the Nittany Lions when they got in their first Texas practice at Bishop Lynch High School.
"Let's talk football and it's great to finally talk football," Bradley said. "We're playing a heck of a team. We're excited. Our guys are excited. They're excited to play and it's fun to get out and play some football. It's a great game."
Penn State is hoping to be at its best for the game. McGloin suffered a seizure in a fight with Drake, who did not travel with the team for the bowl for personal reasons. McGloin's situation will be monitored daily and he was in street clothes for the opening of Tuesday's practice.
As for preparing to try and stop Houston and its quarterback, the Nittany Lions certainly are concerned. Jack-of-all-trades Evan Lewis will play the role of Keenum in practice this week for Penn State, but Bradley knows it's nearly impossible to replicate what college football's all-time passing leader can do.
"We haven't played anybody like that," Bradley said. "That's a whole different animal. To duplicate what they do is very, very difficult for us. We do know that. Any time you play a team like that you have to tackle well. You can't give them the big play."
Bradley is also preparing for what could be his first and last bowl game as the Nittany Lions head coach. He's been involved with Penn State as a player or coach for the last 37 years, but this is the first time he's in charge.
While Bradley has gotten advice from plenty of his friends in the coaching profession, he's hasn't talked to former head coach Joe Paterno, who was fired during the height of the Sandusky scandal. Paterno is getting cancer treatment and recovering from a broken pelvis.
Bradley's not sure Paterno wants him to waste time calling the former coach either.
"I have not talked with coach Paterno at all," Bradley said. "I talked to coach (Paterno) the day after this happened. I tell people I could have put the phone down because I knew what the answer was going to be. 'Why are you calling me? Take care of the players.' I've got my hands full and he knows we have a group of guys on the staff that knows how to prepare for a bowl game."
One factor Bradley can control leading up to the game is the uncertainly around his future. He's determined not to let that interfere with his team's preparations.
"We haven't heard a thing about it," he said. "They said they weren't going to decide until after the bowl game. Everybody makes a bigger deal than I think it is. We're out here fighting for our lives. We're playing against a great Houston team. A bunch of players are dying for me, doing what I ask them to. As I told people from the get go, whatever happens, I'm going to hang in there until the last minute and do whatever I can for my players."
It's not like the story has gone away. It's just that Bradley and his Nittany Lions have more pressing concerns.
Penn State (9-3) has less than a week to get ready to try and stop Case Keenum and the Houston Cougars (12-1) in Monday's TicketCity Bowl at the Cotton Bowl. Penn State may have to try and do so without quarterback Matt McGloin, who was injured in a fight with teammate Curtis Drake nearly two weeks ago.
Add in the uncertainly surrounding Bradley and the rest of the Penn State coaching staff, and it's easy to see why Sandusky was far from the minds of the Nittany Lions when they got in their first Texas practice at Bishop Lynch High School.
"Let's talk football and it's great to finally talk football," Bradley said. "We're playing a heck of a team. We're excited. Our guys are excited. They're excited to play and it's fun to get out and play some football. It's a great game."
Penn State is hoping to be at its best for the game. McGloin suffered a seizure in a fight with Drake, who did not travel with the team for the bowl for personal reasons. McGloin's situation will be monitored daily and he was in street clothes for the opening of Tuesday's practice.
As for preparing to try and stop Houston and its quarterback, the Nittany Lions certainly are concerned. Jack-of-all-trades Evan Lewis will play the role of Keenum in practice this week for Penn State, but Bradley knows it's nearly impossible to replicate what college football's all-time passing leader can do.
"We haven't played anybody like that," Bradley said. "That's a whole different animal. To duplicate what they do is very, very difficult for us. We do know that. Any time you play a team like that you have to tackle well. You can't give them the big play."
Bradley is also preparing for what could be his first and last bowl game as the Nittany Lions head coach. He's been involved with Penn State as a player or coach for the last 37 years, but this is the first time he's in charge.
While Bradley has gotten advice from plenty of his friends in the coaching profession, he's hasn't talked to former head coach Joe Paterno, who was fired during the height of the Sandusky scandal. Paterno is getting cancer treatment and recovering from a broken pelvis.
Bradley's not sure Paterno wants him to waste time calling the former coach either.
"I have not talked with coach Paterno at all," Bradley said. "I talked to coach (Paterno) the day after this happened. I tell people I could have put the phone down because I knew what the answer was going to be. 'Why are you calling me? Take care of the players.' I've got my hands full and he knows we have a group of guys on the staff that knows how to prepare for a bowl game."
One factor Bradley can control leading up to the game is the uncertainly around his future. He's determined not to let that interfere with his team's preparations.
"We haven't heard a thing about it," he said. "They said they weren't going to decide until after the bowl game. Everybody makes a bigger deal than I think it is. We're out here fighting for our lives. We're playing against a great Houston team. A bunch of players are dying for me, doing what I ask them to. As I told people from the get go, whatever happens, I'm going to hang in there until the last minute and do whatever I can for my players."
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Ducks RW Smith-Pelly suffers broken foot at world juniors
Anaheim Ducks right wing Devante Smith-Pelly suffered a broken bone in his left foot during the opening game of the world junior hockey championships on Monday night.
Smith-Pelly was injured in Canada's 8-1 win over Finland when he blocked a shot with his skate.
He is expected to be sidelined for four to six weeks with a fracture of the first metatarsal bone.
Smith-Pelly had made the Ducks in training camp, but was loaned to Team Canada by Ducks general manager Bob Murray.
A second-round pick in the 2010 draft, he had three goals and two assists in 26 games with the Ducks.
Smith-Pelly was injured in Canada's 8-1 win over Finland when he blocked a shot with his skate.
He is expected to be sidelined for four to six weeks with a fracture of the first metatarsal bone.
Smith-Pelly had made the Ducks in training camp, but was loaned to Team Canada by Ducks general manager Bob Murray.
A second-round pick in the 2010 draft, he had three goals and two assists in 26 games with the Ducks.
Kidd-Gilchrist back in Kentucky after visiting mom
Kentucky forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist has returned to the team after going home to New Jersey during the holiday break to visit his hospitalized mother.
Cindy Richardson, who was admitted last week for an undisclosed illness, has been released.
Kidd-Gilchrist played in Kentucky's 87-63 win last Wednesday against Loyola (Md.) after he learned Richardson had been hospitalized. He finished with 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
After the game, he received a police escort to the airport to make his flight home.
The No. 3 Wildcats (11-1) play Lamar on Wednesday in their final game before hosting No. 4 Louisville on Saturday.
Cindy Richardson, who was admitted last week for an undisclosed illness, has been released.
Kidd-Gilchrist played in Kentucky's 87-63 win last Wednesday against Loyola (Md.) after he learned Richardson had been hospitalized. He finished with 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
After the game, he received a police escort to the airport to make his flight home.
The No. 3 Wildcats (11-1) play Lamar on Wednesday in their final game before hosting No. 4 Louisville on Saturday.
NBA player marries former Miss Universe
Atlanta Hawks Center Al Horford was married on Christmas eve to former Miss Universe, Amelia Vega (representing Al’s native country of the Dominican Republic)
The ceremony was held at the home of the 26-year-old singer’s uncle, an award-winning Dominican singer-songwriter Juan Luis Guerra.
In 2003, the then 18-year-old Vega became the first Dominican to win the Miss Universe crown. Vega then moved to Miami to open a boutique. In addition to her store, Vega was also a TV host and recently released her first album, “Agua Dulce” (Fresh Water).
Guess JJ Barea can’t be the only one with a Miss Universe as a boo. Congratulations to the happy couple.
The ceremony was held at the home of the 26-year-old singer’s uncle, an award-winning Dominican singer-songwriter Juan Luis Guerra.
In 2003, the then 18-year-old Vega became the first Dominican to win the Miss Universe crown. Vega then moved to Miami to open a boutique. In addition to her store, Vega was also a TV host and recently released her first album, “Agua Dulce” (Fresh Water).
Guess JJ Barea can’t be the only one with a Miss Universe as a boo. Congratulations to the happy couple.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Jackson makes lackluster Bucks debut
OK, so it wasn't exactly the way the Bucks wanted to start the season but you have to start somewhere.
Milwaukee blew an 11-point halftime lead before falling to Charlotte, 96-95, Monday night at the Time Warner Cable Arena.
The turning point for the Bucks came in the third quarter.
After turning the ball over just five times in the first half while shooting 44 percent from the field, the Bucks committed six turnovers in the third, leading to 13 Charlotte points as the Bobcats outscored Milwaukee, 30-14 and held the Bucks to just four baskets from the field on 16 attempts.
"They took it to us in the third quarter and we had a problem responding," Bucks head coach Scott Skiles said.
Other notes and observations from the Bucks' 96-95 loss to Charlotte:
Moving things around: With just two weeks of training camp and two exhibition games, there wasn't much that Skiles and the coaching staff could bank on heading into the season. One thing, though, that received a lot of attention from coaches and players alike was the Bucks' willingness to move the ball around.
That ball movement was a big reason the Bucks were able to put 52 points on the board in the first half, recording 12 of their 21 assists.
"I thought we had some nice stretches in the first half and then again late in the game," Skiles said of the offense. "We have to come back and we have to win tomorrow night. It's that simple."
The Captain's rough return: Stephen Jackson's Bucks debut - and his return to Charlotte - were largely forgettable. Jackson finished with just six points on 1-of-5 shooting from the field with three turnovers. He played just 17 minutes due to foul trouble and fouled out of the game with 3:56 left in the fourth.
Maggette's revenge: Corey Maggette, who the Bucks traded to Charlotte in the Jackson deal, had a big night against his former team. Maggette finished with 12 points and seven rebounds, playing 38 minutes.
He scored half of his points in the third, shooting 3-of-8 from the field.
"We just kept fighting," Maggette said. "I was very passive in the beginning because the Bucks knew what I was going to do. I got us some transition points and go the team fired up. It was a great team effort tonight."
Delfino, Mbah a Moute sit: Luc Richard Mbah a Moute was inactive for the game due to patellar tendinitis in his right knee. He participated in the team's shoot around Monday morning but was unable to go come game time. Darrington Hobson was activated in Mbah a Moute's place, but did not play.
Carlos Delfino was active but didn't dress for the game. He's still recovering from a sprained right wrist suffered late last week in practice.
Up next: The Bucks open the home portion of their schedule Tuesday night at the Bradley Center with a 7:30 p.m. contest against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Telly Hughes of FOX Sports Wisconsin contributed to this report.
Milwaukee blew an 11-point halftime lead before falling to Charlotte, 96-95, Monday night at the Time Warner Cable Arena.
The turning point for the Bucks came in the third quarter.
After turning the ball over just five times in the first half while shooting 44 percent from the field, the Bucks committed six turnovers in the third, leading to 13 Charlotte points as the Bobcats outscored Milwaukee, 30-14 and held the Bucks to just four baskets from the field on 16 attempts.
"They took it to us in the third quarter and we had a problem responding," Bucks head coach Scott Skiles said.
Other notes and observations from the Bucks' 96-95 loss to Charlotte:
Moving things around: With just two weeks of training camp and two exhibition games, there wasn't much that Skiles and the coaching staff could bank on heading into the season. One thing, though, that received a lot of attention from coaches and players alike was the Bucks' willingness to move the ball around.
That ball movement was a big reason the Bucks were able to put 52 points on the board in the first half, recording 12 of their 21 assists.
"I thought we had some nice stretches in the first half and then again late in the game," Skiles said of the offense. "We have to come back and we have to win tomorrow night. It's that simple."
The Captain's rough return: Stephen Jackson's Bucks debut - and his return to Charlotte - were largely forgettable. Jackson finished with just six points on 1-of-5 shooting from the field with three turnovers. He played just 17 minutes due to foul trouble and fouled out of the game with 3:56 left in the fourth.
Maggette's revenge: Corey Maggette, who the Bucks traded to Charlotte in the Jackson deal, had a big night against his former team. Maggette finished with 12 points and seven rebounds, playing 38 minutes.
He scored half of his points in the third, shooting 3-of-8 from the field.
"We just kept fighting," Maggette said. "I was very passive in the beginning because the Bucks knew what I was going to do. I got us some transition points and go the team fired up. It was a great team effort tonight."
Delfino, Mbah a Moute sit: Luc Richard Mbah a Moute was inactive for the game due to patellar tendinitis in his right knee. He participated in the team's shoot around Monday morning but was unable to go come game time. Darrington Hobson was activated in Mbah a Moute's place, but did not play.
Carlos Delfino was active but didn't dress for the game. He's still recovering from a sprained right wrist suffered late last week in practice.
Up next: The Bucks open the home portion of their schedule Tuesday night at the Bradley Center with a 7:30 p.m. contest against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Telly Hughes of FOX Sports Wisconsin contributed to this report.
Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/jackson_makes_lackluster_bucks_debut/8957389
Romo to be ready for season finale
Initial reports indicate that the Dallas Cowboys quarterback's bruised hand should be sufficiently healed enough for him to play in the team's season finale against the New York Giants.
CUP: Report Puts Almirola In RPM?s No. 43
Aric Almirola apparently is the choice to fill the No. 43 car vacancy at Richard Petty Motorsports...
Report: Phillies Inquire About Jorge Posada
�
Don't shoot the messenger, but according to MLBTR.com, the Phillies have shown interst in free agent catcher Jorge Posada.�
The news is quite surprising because the Phillies appear set at catcher with Carlos Ruiz and Brian Schnieder, and they appear comfortable with their bench players. But then again, Posada can play some first base, which means he could make a few spot starts in relief of Jim Thome.�
But still, there's no reason for them to even have any interest. Posada is 40 years old and is dealing with bad knees. He batted .235 with 14 HR's and 44 RBI's last season. The Phillies are already old enough, there's no need for them to sign yet another aging body.
Don't shoot the messenger, but according to MLBTR.com, the Phillies have shown interst in free agent catcher Jorge Posada.�
The news is quite surprising because the Phillies appear set at catcher with Carlos Ruiz and Brian Schnieder, and they appear comfortable with their bench players. But then again, Posada can play some first base, which means he could make a few spot starts in relief of Jim Thome.�
But still, there's no reason for them to even have any interest. Posada is 40 years old and is dealing with bad knees. He batted .235 with 14 HR's and 44 RBI's last season. The Phillies are already old enough, there's no need for them to sign yet another aging body.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Auburn places fourth in Diamond Head Classic
HONOLULU (AP) -- John Bohannon tied his career high with 20 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead UTEP to an 83-76 victory over Auburn on Sunday in the third-place game of the Diamond Head Classic.
The 6-foot-10 center was one of five players in double figures for the Miners (6-6). Michael Perez scored 18 points, Jacques Streeter added 12 and Gabriel McCulley and Cedrick Lang had 10 apiece.
Kenny Gabriel scored a game-high 24 points to lead the Tigers (8-3), who also got 18 from Varez Ward and 16 from Josh Langford.
It was the third meeting between the schools. UTEP won both previous meetings, the most recent in 1986, when the Miners upset the fifth-ranked Tigers.
Tony Barbee coached UTEP for four seasons before taking over at Auburn last year. The Miners were 82-52 under Barbee and went to the NCAA tournament in 2010, Barbee's final season.
The 6-foot-10 center was one of five players in double figures for the Miners (6-6). Michael Perez scored 18 points, Jacques Streeter added 12 and Gabriel McCulley and Cedrick Lang had 10 apiece.
Kenny Gabriel scored a game-high 24 points to lead the Tigers (8-3), who also got 18 from Varez Ward and 16 from Josh Langford.
It was the third meeting between the schools. UTEP won both previous meetings, the most recent in 1986, when the Miners upset the fifth-ranked Tigers.
Tony Barbee coached UTEP for four seasons before taking over at Auburn last year. The Miners were 82-52 under Barbee and went to the NCAA tournament in 2010, Barbee's final season.
Player scores own goal on scorpion kick
This goal has all the elements of being considered a highlight reel goal?the long distance backwards scorpion kick is a shot of well place craziness?if it weren?t for the fact that the player scored the goal on his own net. On second thought, own goal or not, I?m pretty sure this will make the highlight reel anyway.
Sun Hei defender Festus Baise is the culprit responsible for possibly the nicest own goal in soccer history. Everything worked out for the Hong Kong First Division player in the end, as his squad eked out a 3-2 win, despite his spectacular miscue.
[H/T to Dirty Tackle]
Sun Hei defender Festus Baise is the culprit responsible for possibly the nicest own goal in soccer history. Everything worked out for the Hong Kong First Division player in the end, as his squad eked out a 3-2 win, despite his spectacular miscue.
[H/T to Dirty Tackle]
Franchitti sees greater emphasis on safety
Dario Franchitti says the IndyCar Series is putting a greater emphasis on safety this offseason.
The four-time series champ and two-time Indianapolis 500 winner says the crash that killed Dan Wheldon in October has renewed the effort of series officials to make the sport safer, and that he's pleased drivers have been included throughout the discussions.
Franchitti, a Scotsman, was a former teammate and close friend of Wheldon's. He also was one of the most outspoken drivers after the crash.
Last week, IndyCar officials said their investigation showed Las Vegas Motor Speedway's ''limitless'' racing surface was a significant factor in a ''perfect storm'' of conditions that led to the crash.
The four-time series champ and two-time Indianapolis 500 winner says the crash that killed Dan Wheldon in October has renewed the effort of series officials to make the sport safer, and that he's pleased drivers have been included throughout the discussions.
Franchitti, a Scotsman, was a former teammate and close friend of Wheldon's. He also was one of the most outspoken drivers after the crash.
Last week, IndyCar officials said their investigation showed Las Vegas Motor Speedway's ''limitless'' racing surface was a significant factor in a ''perfect storm'' of conditions that led to the crash.
Roger, More: Why Federer won't quit yet
The world's greatest tennis player on why he won't be hanging his racket up anytime soon.
Much has been made of Roger Federer's grace on court. He has been admired for his elegance since he burst on the tennis scene in 2003 by winning his first Wimbledon title.
He's gone on to pick up a record tally of 16 Grand Slams (a Grand Slam is one of the four major tennis tournaments played around the world every year; the Australian Open , the French Open , Wimbledon and the US Open ), won 70 singles titles and held the No. 1 ranking longer than any other player since rankings began, a total of 285 weeks.
But his grace off court is pretty impressive, too. I first met him when I was interviewing Rafael Nadal at the Mubadala Tennis Championship around this time last year. Rafa and I were chatting when suddenly there was a kerfuffle and a group of men walked past us. In the middle of this group was Federer, standing taller than them all, and almost gliding across the room, like a swan on water. It takes a lot to distract a girl from Rafael Nadal, but it was impossible not to gaze at Federer as he headed out to the practice courts.
Fast-forward a day and my husband was on court with him at one of the clinics Mubadala arranges. When the time came to pick up the tennis balls, Federer joined the group and mucked in. Graceful and charming in nature, as well as in looks.
Nicknamed tennis's Mr Nice Guy, it is easy to wonder if the man is too good to be true. Even in the worst possible circumstances, he never has a bad word to say about anyone, and his idea of losing his temper is to flick his fringe in a rather irritated manner. But he does seem utterly serene, almost all of the time.
The only question that ever riles him is the one of retirement. He turned 30 this year so inevitably people are wondering how much longer he will go on.
Federer has consistently said that 30 is "just a number" and that he will not be dictated to by a number. And although he is no longer ranked No. 1 in the world, 2011 has been a successful year for him.
He reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open, the final of the French (having beaten the world No. 1, Novak Djokovic, to get there), the semis of the US Open and the quarter-finals of Wimbledon. And he won the ATP Tour Finals in London in November in utterly spectacular form, crushing his arch rival Nadal, in straight sets, along the way.
But it is a fair question. The man does not need to prove anything else. Even if he stops tomorrow he will probably be the greatest tennis player who ever lived. He has won everything there is to win, several times, and has plenty of money. To stay at the level he is at, a player needs to train several hours a day. Wouldn't he just rather hang out with his wife and twin daughters and go to the beach? What is it that keeps him motivated?
"I get asked this a lot," he says. "And the answer is very simple. I love this game."
Federer has been with his Slovakian-born wife, Mirka, since they met at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. They were both playing tennis for Switzerland; Mirka's parents moved there when she was two years old. In July 2009, Mirka gave birth to their twin daughters. The family has a home in Dubai, and Mirka is often to be spotted at the Armani/Dubai Caff? in Dubai Mall with her double pram and nanny in tow.
"We really like Dubai," says Federer. "It is always sunny, making it the ideal location for holidays as well as practice. I like to go shopping, and eating out in the great restaurants and hotels. Dubai is a true melting pot of nationalities, so it's a very interesting place in terms of the people you meet. It is also very easy to get to the major cities around the world as it has become a hub for the airline industry, which makes our travelling very convenient."
Federer's busy travelling schedule has not decreased since the twins' arrival. Mirka seems to watch just about every match he plays, and if you consider that they now total around 1,200 (including doubles), she would have to have a certain affinity for the game. Will he and Mirka teach their girls to play tennis? "Mirka and I will certainly expose them to the game of tennis as it is very natural for us to do so," he says. "But in the end we will leave it up to them if they want to play it seriously like we both did."
Mirka and Roger are one of several famous tennis couples past and present, such as Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, and Kim Clijsters and Lleyton Hewitt. What is about tennis players, does he think, that makes them marry other tennis players?
"Probably because we are in this tennis world together and it is an easy place to meet people," says Federer. "And also, there is an obvious understanding among tennis players as to what it takes to do it as a profession and this certainly helps."
Federer grew up in Switzerland, near Basel, with his Swiss father and South African mother. He holds both passports. Although he played tennis from an early age, he also played badminton and basketball, as well as lots of other sports. "Basically I was more interested if there was a ball involved," he says. He speaks Swiss-German with his family but is also fluent in German, French and English. Growing up, his tennis heroes were Stefan Edberg and Boris Becker, but he tells that if he would pick one person to play from past or present, it would be the former Australian tennis star Rod Laver.
"I would really enjoy playing Rod Laver on grass at Wimbledon. He is a legend, was such an amazing athlete and his love for the sport was so obvious."
Who would he pick to win? "I am not sure who would win but if I had to put my house on it, I would go for Mr Laver!"
This is the third year Federer is playing at in Abu Dhabi, a tournament he describes as "the ideal way to get a jump on the season". He adds that "the event has really grown into a wonderful annual tradition that is enjoyed by the players and the fans." In fact, so taken with the tournament is he that when I ask what he would like to be doing in 10 years' time, he replies, "Getting ready to go play the Mubadala World Tennis Championships in Abu Dhabi."
Is this the most charming man alive? Probably. The best tennis player ever to grace the earth? Definitely.
The Federer file
BORN August 8, 1981 in Basel, Switzerland
FAMILY Wife Miroslava "Mirka" Vavrinec and twins Myla Rose and Charlene Riva
HOME Bottmingen, near Basel
HOBBIES Sports (golf, football, skiing), friends, PlayStation, music, playing cards
NICKNAMES Mr Nice Guy of Tennis, Fed Express and the Swiss Maestro
TENNIS IDOLS Boris Becker, Stefan Edberg
LAST BOOK READ "I read a lot of newspapers and magazines, such as National Geographic."
VIEW OF SELF "Open-minded, honest, positive, ambitious, friendly, happy".
Statistics
TURNED PRO 1998
NUMBER OF GRAND SLAM TITLES 16, beating Pete Sampras's record of 14 comfortably. Sampras won 14 titles in 49 majors (1990 US Open - 2002 US Open) and Federer won 16 in a span of 27 majors (2003 Wimbledon - 2010 Australian Open). And he's still going strong.
WIMBLEDON Federer won five consecutive men's titles at Wimbledon from 2003-07, matching a feat achieved by only the Swedish player Bj?rn Borg.
WORLD RANKING Federer is the first man to be ranked World No. 1 for at least four consecutive years (February 2, 2004 - August 17, 2008). He is also the first player, male or female, to be ranked No. 1 for more than 200 consecutive weeks. He is currently ranked No. 3.
WINNING STREAK From 2003-2008, Federer won a record-breaking 65 consecutive matches on grass courts before losing to the Spanish player Rafael Nadal in the 2008 Wimbledon final, a match that is widely recognised as one of the best of all time and is also the longest final in Grand Slam history, Nadal defeated Federer in 4 hours 48 minutes.
CAREER PRIZE MONEY TO DATE Around $67 million (Dh247 million)
WINS VERSUS LOSSES 807 to 186, a total of 70 career titles, the last of which was his recent win at the 2011 ATP World Tour Finals where he crushed Nadal in the round robin stages.
AWARDS Too many to list here, but include Laureus Sports Award, World Sportsman of the Year four times and ITF Player of the Year five times.
GREATEST MATCH The 2009 Wimbledon final, in which he triumphed over the USA's Andy Roddick in a titanic battle. He fought off a point that would have given Roddick a two-set lead, and finally won 16-14 in the final set. The match, watched by many former champions in the Royal Box, saw Federer break Sampras's record of 14 Grand Slam titles.
What they say about him...
"The best way to beat him would be to hit him over the head with a racket."? Rod Laver, tennis legend
"For me, Roger is the greatest player who ever played the game of tennis." Bj?rn Borg, winner of 11 Grand Slam titles
"I think Roger is dominating the game much more than I ever did. I think he's going to go on and pass 14 and win 16, 17, 18 majors. I think he's going to break all records." Pete Sampras, who held the record for 14 Grand Slam wins before Federer broke it
"If he is playing very good, I have to play unbelievable. If not, it's impossible, especially if he's playing with good confidence. When he's 100 per cent, he's playing in another league. It's impossible to stop him. I fight. I fight. I fight. Nothing to say. Just congratulate him." Rafael Nadal, ranked World No. 2
"In the modern game, you're either a clay court specialist, a grass court specialist or a hard court specialist... or you're Roger Federer."? Jimmy Connors, winner of eight Grand Slams
"I'd like to be in his shoes for one day to know what it feels like to play that way." Mats Wilander, winner of seven Grand Slams
"Maybe Roger Federer will rescue tennis. He plays like we did in the past."? Ilie Nastase, first ever World No. 1 when rankings were introduced in 1973
"I never played anyone playing that fast. He doesn't have any weaknesses at all. He really deserves to be called the best player of all time." Robin S?derling, ranked World No. 13
The Mubadala World Tennis Championship runs from December 29-31 at the tennis complex at Zayed Sports City. For information and tickets, go to www.mubadalawtc.com
To support the Roger Federer Foundation for children, go to www.rogerfedererfoundation.org
Much has been made of Roger Federer's grace on court. He has been admired for his elegance since he burst on the tennis scene in 2003 by winning his first Wimbledon title.
He's gone on to pick up a record tally of 16 Grand Slams (a Grand Slam is one of the four major tennis tournaments played around the world every year; the Australian Open , the French Open , Wimbledon and the US Open ), won 70 singles titles and held the No. 1 ranking longer than any other player since rankings began, a total of 285 weeks.
But his grace off court is pretty impressive, too. I first met him when I was interviewing Rafael Nadal at the Mubadala Tennis Championship around this time last year. Rafa and I were chatting when suddenly there was a kerfuffle and a group of men walked past us. In the middle of this group was Federer, standing taller than them all, and almost gliding across the room, like a swan on water. It takes a lot to distract a girl from Rafael Nadal, but it was impossible not to gaze at Federer as he headed out to the practice courts.
Fast-forward a day and my husband was on court with him at one of the clinics Mubadala arranges. When the time came to pick up the tennis balls, Federer joined the group and mucked in. Graceful and charming in nature, as well as in looks.
Nicknamed tennis's Mr Nice Guy, it is easy to wonder if the man is too good to be true. Even in the worst possible circumstances, he never has a bad word to say about anyone, and his idea of losing his temper is to flick his fringe in a rather irritated manner. But he does seem utterly serene, almost all of the time.
The only question that ever riles him is the one of retirement. He turned 30 this year so inevitably people are wondering how much longer he will go on.
Federer has consistently said that 30 is "just a number" and that he will not be dictated to by a number. And although he is no longer ranked No. 1 in the world, 2011 has been a successful year for him.
He reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open, the final of the French (having beaten the world No. 1, Novak Djokovic, to get there), the semis of the US Open and the quarter-finals of Wimbledon. And he won the ATP Tour Finals in London in November in utterly spectacular form, crushing his arch rival Nadal, in straight sets, along the way.
But it is a fair question. The man does not need to prove anything else. Even if he stops tomorrow he will probably be the greatest tennis player who ever lived. He has won everything there is to win, several times, and has plenty of money. To stay at the level he is at, a player needs to train several hours a day. Wouldn't he just rather hang out with his wife and twin daughters and go to the beach? What is it that keeps him motivated?
"I get asked this a lot," he says. "And the answer is very simple. I love this game."
Federer has been with his Slovakian-born wife, Mirka, since they met at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. They were both playing tennis for Switzerland; Mirka's parents moved there when she was two years old. In July 2009, Mirka gave birth to their twin daughters. The family has a home in Dubai, and Mirka is often to be spotted at the Armani/Dubai Caff? in Dubai Mall with her double pram and nanny in tow.
"We really like Dubai," says Federer. "It is always sunny, making it the ideal location for holidays as well as practice. I like to go shopping, and eating out in the great restaurants and hotels. Dubai is a true melting pot of nationalities, so it's a very interesting place in terms of the people you meet. It is also very easy to get to the major cities around the world as it has become a hub for the airline industry, which makes our travelling very convenient."
Federer's busy travelling schedule has not decreased since the twins' arrival. Mirka seems to watch just about every match he plays, and if you consider that they now total around 1,200 (including doubles), she would have to have a certain affinity for the game. Will he and Mirka teach their girls to play tennis? "Mirka and I will certainly expose them to the game of tennis as it is very natural for us to do so," he says. "But in the end we will leave it up to them if they want to play it seriously like we both did."
Mirka and Roger are one of several famous tennis couples past and present, such as Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, and Kim Clijsters and Lleyton Hewitt. What is about tennis players, does he think, that makes them marry other tennis players?
"Probably because we are in this tennis world together and it is an easy place to meet people," says Federer. "And also, there is an obvious understanding among tennis players as to what it takes to do it as a profession and this certainly helps."
Federer grew up in Switzerland, near Basel, with his Swiss father and South African mother. He holds both passports. Although he played tennis from an early age, he also played badminton and basketball, as well as lots of other sports. "Basically I was more interested if there was a ball involved," he says. He speaks Swiss-German with his family but is also fluent in German, French and English. Growing up, his tennis heroes were Stefan Edberg and Boris Becker, but he tells that if he would pick one person to play from past or present, it would be the former Australian tennis star Rod Laver.
"I would really enjoy playing Rod Laver on grass at Wimbledon. He is a legend, was such an amazing athlete and his love for the sport was so obvious."
Who would he pick to win? "I am not sure who would win but if I had to put my house on it, I would go for Mr Laver!"
This is the third year Federer is playing at in Abu Dhabi, a tournament he describes as "the ideal way to get a jump on the season". He adds that "the event has really grown into a wonderful annual tradition that is enjoyed by the players and the fans." In fact, so taken with the tournament is he that when I ask what he would like to be doing in 10 years' time, he replies, "Getting ready to go play the Mubadala World Tennis Championships in Abu Dhabi."
Is this the most charming man alive? Probably. The best tennis player ever to grace the earth? Definitely.
The Federer file
BORN August 8, 1981 in Basel, Switzerland
FAMILY Wife Miroslava "Mirka" Vavrinec and twins Myla Rose and Charlene Riva
HOME Bottmingen, near Basel
HOBBIES Sports (golf, football, skiing), friends, PlayStation, music, playing cards
NICKNAMES Mr Nice Guy of Tennis, Fed Express and the Swiss Maestro
TENNIS IDOLS Boris Becker, Stefan Edberg
LAST BOOK READ "I read a lot of newspapers and magazines, such as National Geographic."
VIEW OF SELF "Open-minded, honest, positive, ambitious, friendly, happy".
Statistics
TURNED PRO 1998
NUMBER OF GRAND SLAM TITLES 16, beating Pete Sampras's record of 14 comfortably. Sampras won 14 titles in 49 majors (1990 US Open - 2002 US Open) and Federer won 16 in a span of 27 majors (2003 Wimbledon - 2010 Australian Open). And he's still going strong.
WIMBLEDON Federer won five consecutive men's titles at Wimbledon from 2003-07, matching a feat achieved by only the Swedish player Bj?rn Borg.
WORLD RANKING Federer is the first man to be ranked World No. 1 for at least four consecutive years (February 2, 2004 - August 17, 2008). He is also the first player, male or female, to be ranked No. 1 for more than 200 consecutive weeks. He is currently ranked No. 3.
WINNING STREAK From 2003-2008, Federer won a record-breaking 65 consecutive matches on grass courts before losing to the Spanish player Rafael Nadal in the 2008 Wimbledon final, a match that is widely recognised as one of the best of all time and is also the longest final in Grand Slam history, Nadal defeated Federer in 4 hours 48 minutes.
CAREER PRIZE MONEY TO DATE Around $67 million (Dh247 million)
WINS VERSUS LOSSES 807 to 186, a total of 70 career titles, the last of which was his recent win at the 2011 ATP World Tour Finals where he crushed Nadal in the round robin stages.
AWARDS Too many to list here, but include Laureus Sports Award, World Sportsman of the Year four times and ITF Player of the Year five times.
GREATEST MATCH The 2009 Wimbledon final, in which he triumphed over the USA's Andy Roddick in a titanic battle. He fought off a point that would have given Roddick a two-set lead, and finally won 16-14 in the final set. The match, watched by many former champions in the Royal Box, saw Federer break Sampras's record of 14 Grand Slam titles.
What they say about him...
"The best way to beat him would be to hit him over the head with a racket."? Rod Laver, tennis legend
"For me, Roger is the greatest player who ever played the game of tennis." Bj?rn Borg, winner of 11 Grand Slam titles
"I think Roger is dominating the game much more than I ever did. I think he's going to go on and pass 14 and win 16, 17, 18 majors. I think he's going to break all records." Pete Sampras, who held the record for 14 Grand Slam wins before Federer broke it
"If he is playing very good, I have to play unbelievable. If not, it's impossible, especially if he's playing with good confidence. When he's 100 per cent, he's playing in another league. It's impossible to stop him. I fight. I fight. I fight. Nothing to say. Just congratulate him." Rafael Nadal, ranked World No. 2
"In the modern game, you're either a clay court specialist, a grass court specialist or a hard court specialist... or you're Roger Federer."? Jimmy Connors, winner of eight Grand Slams
"I'd like to be in his shoes for one day to know what it feels like to play that way." Mats Wilander, winner of seven Grand Slams
"Maybe Roger Federer will rescue tennis. He plays like we did in the past."? Ilie Nastase, first ever World No. 1 when rankings were introduced in 1973
"I never played anyone playing that fast. He doesn't have any weaknesses at all. He really deserves to be called the best player of all time." Robin S?derling, ranked World No. 13
The Mubadala World Tennis Championship runs from December 29-31 at the tennis complex at Zayed Sports City. For information and tickets, go to www.mubadalawtc.com
To support the Roger Federer Foundation for children, go to www.rogerfedererfoundation.org
Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/tennis/article_external/roger_more_why_federer_wont_quit_yet/8926513
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Texas is the Most Valuable College Football Team By a Long Shot, Without Accounting For the Longhorn Network Deal
Forbes' Top Five: (1) Texas (2) Notre Dame (3) Penn State (4) LSU (5) THE University of Michigan.
Jason Maxiell's Powerful Put-Back Dunk
 | Jason Maxiell crashed the boards hard and threw down a two-handed put-back dunk off of a missed layup | From: NBA Views: 24957 219 ratings |
| Time: 00:23 | More in Sports |
Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1D80aT4mL0&feature=youtube_gdata
Kobe Bryant's Alleged Mistress Jessica Burciaga a Former Playboy Playmate (Photo)
Anyone who has the ability to give Kobe Bryant a hard time should be applauded in New England. Am I right? Jessica Burciaga, a 2009 Playboy Playmate and current model (as well as a self-proclaimed "Host, Animal Lover, Cook, Hopeless Romantic," according to her Twitter account) has been tied to Bryant while the Lakers star deals with his divorce with Vanessa Bryant, his wife of 10 years. While all parties involved deny any wrongdoing, it's always fun to run with rumors, especially when they involve your rival's biggest star. Click here to check out photos of the Maxim, Glamour and...
RIP to the Greatest Golfer Ever, Kim Jong Il
Tiger Woods who, says Kim Jong Il. The North Korean leader on his first ever trip to the golf course, he shot 38-under par, including 5 hole-in-ones!�That was�reported by the government controlled media many years back. He routinely shot 3 or 4 hole-in-ones every time out. At 70, Kim Jong Il is now reportedly dead. North Korea has confirmed the death.[AP]More Information
Friday, December 23, 2011
Broncos show BCS what it has to do without
LAS VEGAS As Boise State fans filed into Sam Boyd Stadium, a cozy if unadorned little venue that is far off The Strip and even farther off the college football grid they were greeted by a man hawking 5 seat cushions. His pitch: Those metal benches get awfully cold at night.
It was yet another reminder of the cost of a missed field goal and the cold reality that comes with it for Boise State: When you're trying to break into the Bowl Championship Series as an outsider, you'd better be perfect.
Not so for Alabama, which lost to LSU, but which will get another shot with the national championship at stake. Oklahoma State and Stanford, also with single blemishes, will be playing in the Fiesta Bowl. Michigan and Virginia Tech, each with two losses and not ranked in the top 10, will play in the Sugar Bowl.
Meanwhile, Boise State, whose only blemishes the last two seasons have been the result of missed last-second field goals, was relegated from playing for the national championship to a pair of appearances in the Maaco Las Vegas Bowl.
Thus, the Broncos were left to show the bowl committees, and the rest of the country, what they were missing Thursday by walloping Arizona State, 56-24.
Doug Martin returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, and rushed for 151 yards, earning the game's MVP award, and star quarterback Kellen Moore displayed his exquisite timing and accuracy. But it was the defense that was the real star: Jamar Taylor thwarted any hopes of an Arizona State comeback with a 100-yard interception return, Travis Stanway returned a fumble for a score and the Broncos kept the high-scoring Sun Devils offense out of the end zone until early in the fourth quarter.
"We wanted to come out and make a statement that we belong with the top teams in the nation," said defensive tackle Shea McClellin, who had three tackles behind the line of scrimmage. "Hopefully, the rest of the nation saw that."
They may have also seen a group of Boise State fans seated in the front row, each wearing a black T-shirt with a single white letter, spelling out O-C-C-U-P-Y B-C-S.
Yes, it's true that the BCS system is only responsible for placing the two best teams together, which they may or may not have done with LSU and Alabama.
But it's the bowl system co-opted and corrupted that allows the Sugar Bowl to choose 13th-ranked Michigan and 17th-ranked Virginia Tech, depriving Boise State of a New Year's Day stage and the Mountain West of an 18 million payday.
The Broncos are a natural magnet for anti-BCS or pro-playoff sentiment. Boise State is the outsider that doesn't act like it, famously shocking Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl and continuing to take on and beat the boys from the money conferences.
In the last three years, Boise State has taken out the Pac-10 champion (Oregon), the ACC champion (Virginia Tech) and the SEC East champion (Georgia). Moore and his fellow seniors leave school with a record of 6-0 against BCS conference schools.
It makes you wonder what Boise State has to do other than recruit a kicker and join the SEC?
Boise State will move to the Big East next season, but with so many schools coming and going, it is not a certainty that conference will keep its automatic bid.
"It's so fluid," Boise State coach Chris Petersen said. "There's no guarantee."
Earlier this month, Petersen said everyone was tired of the BCS, that it didn't make sense and that the whole system needed to be overhauled.
It was a rare show of frustration from Petersen, whose only losses over the last four years have been by a total of five points. He was more fatalistic Thursday night.
"I knew if we didn't win all our games, we wouldn't go," Petersen said. "It's not something we talk about. We just talk about playing as well as we can if it works out, it works out. We're not going to let one game against a good team ruin the season just because we're not perfect. That's the world we live in and we've been living in it for a long time. We've come to accept it, and that's how we train our guys to think."
So, rather than dwell on who they weren't playing, the Broncos focused instead on making sure their seniors went out with a bang. The leader among them is Moore, whose 50 wins are the most by a Division I quarterback. He played his final game at Boise State, as did Martin, three offensive linemen and 10 starters on defense.
The Broncos, leading 28-3 at halftime, had some hiccups to begin the second half.
Arizona State's Rashad Ross returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown and Moore's fumble and interception set up the Sun Devils with two more chances to close the gap.
But the Broncos held on downs after Sun Devils quarterback Brock Osweiler waved off the punt team (nothing new about the inmates running the asylum under Dennis Erickson) and Taylor picked off another fourth-down pass and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown, and the rout was on.
But Petersen promised his team even as it misses Moore would not be rebuilding.
"We need to reload, and other guys will step up like they have in the past," Petersen said.
The Broncos will play their next game in 2012, when they open at Michigan State. There is, however, that other Michigan team, one they would have liked to take a crack in a little over a week, a team they figured late Thursday that they could beat.
"I'd like to think so, yes," Martin said, the senior knowing from experience that it's the only popularity contest Boise State will ever win.
It was yet another reminder of the cost of a missed field goal and the cold reality that comes with it for Boise State: When you're trying to break into the Bowl Championship Series as an outsider, you'd better be perfect.
Not so for Alabama, which lost to LSU, but which will get another shot with the national championship at stake. Oklahoma State and Stanford, also with single blemishes, will be playing in the Fiesta Bowl. Michigan and Virginia Tech, each with two losses and not ranked in the top 10, will play in the Sugar Bowl.
Meanwhile, Boise State, whose only blemishes the last two seasons have been the result of missed last-second field goals, was relegated from playing for the national championship to a pair of appearances in the Maaco Las Vegas Bowl.
Thus, the Broncos were left to show the bowl committees, and the rest of the country, what they were missing Thursday by walloping Arizona State, 56-24.
Doug Martin returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, and rushed for 151 yards, earning the game's MVP award, and star quarterback Kellen Moore displayed his exquisite timing and accuracy. But it was the defense that was the real star: Jamar Taylor thwarted any hopes of an Arizona State comeback with a 100-yard interception return, Travis Stanway returned a fumble for a score and the Broncos kept the high-scoring Sun Devils offense out of the end zone until early in the fourth quarter.
"We wanted to come out and make a statement that we belong with the top teams in the nation," said defensive tackle Shea McClellin, who had three tackles behind the line of scrimmage. "Hopefully, the rest of the nation saw that."
They may have also seen a group of Boise State fans seated in the front row, each wearing a black T-shirt with a single white letter, spelling out O-C-C-U-P-Y B-C-S.
Yes, it's true that the BCS system is only responsible for placing the two best teams together, which they may or may not have done with LSU and Alabama.
But it's the bowl system co-opted and corrupted that allows the Sugar Bowl to choose 13th-ranked Michigan and 17th-ranked Virginia Tech, depriving Boise State of a New Year's Day stage and the Mountain West of an 18 million payday.
The Broncos are a natural magnet for anti-BCS or pro-playoff sentiment. Boise State is the outsider that doesn't act like it, famously shocking Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl and continuing to take on and beat the boys from the money conferences.
In the last three years, Boise State has taken out the Pac-10 champion (Oregon), the ACC champion (Virginia Tech) and the SEC East champion (Georgia). Moore and his fellow seniors leave school with a record of 6-0 against BCS conference schools.
It makes you wonder what Boise State has to do other than recruit a kicker and join the SEC?
Boise State will move to the Big East next season, but with so many schools coming and going, it is not a certainty that conference will keep its automatic bid.
"It's so fluid," Boise State coach Chris Petersen said. "There's no guarantee."
Earlier this month, Petersen said everyone was tired of the BCS, that it didn't make sense and that the whole system needed to be overhauled.
It was a rare show of frustration from Petersen, whose only losses over the last four years have been by a total of five points. He was more fatalistic Thursday night.
"I knew if we didn't win all our games, we wouldn't go," Petersen said. "It's not something we talk about. We just talk about playing as well as we can if it works out, it works out. We're not going to let one game against a good team ruin the season just because we're not perfect. That's the world we live in and we've been living in it for a long time. We've come to accept it, and that's how we train our guys to think."
So, rather than dwell on who they weren't playing, the Broncos focused instead on making sure their seniors went out with a bang. The leader among them is Moore, whose 50 wins are the most by a Division I quarterback. He played his final game at Boise State, as did Martin, three offensive linemen and 10 starters on defense.
The Broncos, leading 28-3 at halftime, had some hiccups to begin the second half.
Arizona State's Rashad Ross returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown and Moore's fumble and interception set up the Sun Devils with two more chances to close the gap.
But the Broncos held on downs after Sun Devils quarterback Brock Osweiler waved off the punt team (nothing new about the inmates running the asylum under Dennis Erickson) and Taylor picked off another fourth-down pass and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown, and the rout was on.
But Petersen promised his team even as it misses Moore would not be rebuilding.
"We need to reload, and other guys will step up like they have in the past," Petersen said.
The Broncos will play their next game in 2012, when they open at Michigan State. There is, however, that other Michigan team, one they would have liked to take a crack in a little over a week, a team they figured late Thursday that they could beat.
"I'd like to think so, yes," Martin said, the senior knowing from experience that it's the only popularity contest Boise State will ever win.
Jones injury boost for United
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted he "feared the worst" when the youngster had to be replaced at Craven Cottage. Jones has been given the all-clear to face Wigan on Boxing Day after X-rays revealed the teenager did not suffer a broken cheekbone when he was caught by Clint Dempsey in the first-half in midweek. It is a welcome piece of good news for United, who have been ravaged by injury in recent weeks and who will be missing Ashley Young with a knee injury for an extended spell. However, Ferguson admitted his concern when he first noted Jones' condition. "We feared the worst," he said. "At the time, it looked like a real sore one. "He had lost his vision for that period when he came back on the field. Thankfully it is good news. "He has got a bit of swelling in his jaw but he should be okay for Monday." Jones initially tried to continue but his eventual departure heralded Young's ill-fated arrival. "He has got a knee injury that will keep him out for a few weeks," said Ferguson. "He was tripped and wasn't in position to go into the next tackle. "He was half falling at the time and got a real clump. "It wasn't a bad tackle. It was just hard." Young joins an extensive casualty list that is easing slightly with the recovery of Brazilian full-back Rafael from a hamstring injury but not as quickly as Ferguson would have hoped at this congested phase of the season. Michael Owen (thigh), Tom Cleverley (ankle) and Anderson (knee) have all been absent for a number of weeks and show no immediate sign of a return. "It is not great news about the other ones," said Ferguson. "Michael, Tom and Anderson are still on the sick list. "It is not an easy spell for us but we have to get through it." In addition, Rio Ferdinand is set to miss Monday's game after picking up a foot injury in training. Despite their injury concerns, United have won seven of their past eight Premier League matches since their 6-1 humbling at home to Manchester City to leave them two points adrift of their cross-town rivals. Ferguson is determined to maintain that run during a busy festive programme, adding: "It is time to keep our foot on the pedal." The Scot would not be drawn on the subject of Luis Suarez's ban after the Liverpool striker was this week suspended for eight games by the Football Association for using insulting words towards United defender Patrice Evra - including reference to his colour - at Anfield in October. "I have nothing to say about that at all," he said.
Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/soccer/article_external/jones_injury_boost_for_united/8909032
"We're takin over Facebook" - Amar'e Stoudemire, #NBATownHall 12/22
 | Join Amar'e, Kevin Durant & Stephen Curry as they answer YOUR questions LIVE at our first NBA Town Hall Video Chat at 8pm/et Thursday night (12/22). on.nba.com | From: NBA Views: 16739  86 ratings |
| Time: 00:15 | More in Sports |
Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTr088nORAI&feature=youtube_gdata
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Kim Clijsters Pulls Off Epic Prank, Tells Fans To Kiss Yanina Wickmayer To Win A Car (Video)
Previously on Outside the Boxscore, we have seen some classic pranks pulled off by athletes but nothing comes close to the prank that tennis star Kim Clijsters pulled during an exhibition match.
The exhibition doubles match pitted Clijsters and her sister Elke against Yanina
Wickmayer and Caroline Wozniacki.
During the match, Kim stopped it to announce to the crowd that the first person to kiss Yanina would win a car:
(Courtesy of Backyard Sports Blog)
The exhibition doubles match pitted Clijsters and her sister Elke against Yanina
Wickmayer and Caroline Wozniacki.
During the match, Kim stopped it to announce to the crowd that the first person to kiss Yanina would win a car:
(Courtesy of Backyard Sports Blog)
Allmendinger annouced to drive #22 Penske Dodge
Penske Racing has named AJ Allmendinger as the driver of the #22 Shell/Pennzoil Dodge. Allmendinger is coming off a career best season that saw him post a top-5 and 10 top-10?s while finishing 15th in the final driver standings.
Allmendinger had been driving the #43 car for Richard Petty Motorsports for the last two seasons and had previously driven the #44 for the team after leaving Team Red Bull.
In his career Allmendinger has made 152 starts at the NASCAR Sprint Cup level with four finishes inside the top five.
Last season Kurt Busch drove the #22 Dodge to two victories but following his actions at Homestead in November the two sides parted ways after six seasons. Following his release it was rumored that he could succeed Allmendinger in the #43 car but Jack Roush who supplies RPM with it?s parts appears to have put the brakes on that.
David Ragan who drove the #6 car for Roush Fenway Racing is considered the favorite to land in the #43 car for 2012. There currently i...
Allmendinger had been driving the #43 car for Richard Petty Motorsports for the last two seasons and had previously driven the #44 for the team after leaving Team Red Bull.
In his career Allmendinger has made 152 starts at the NASCAR Sprint Cup level with four finishes inside the top five.
Last season Kurt Busch drove the #22 Dodge to two victories but following his actions at Homestead in November the two sides parted ways after six seasons. Following his release it was rumored that he could succeed Allmendinger in the #43 car but Jack Roush who supplies RPM with it?s parts appears to have put the brakes on that.
David Ragan who drove the #6 car for Roush Fenway Racing is considered the favorite to land in the #43 car for 2012. There currently i...
Floyd Mayweather: Why Money's Latest Legal Troubles Have Tarnished His Legacy
WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather will be remembered more for his violence outside of the ring than his dominance inside of it.
After he pleaded guilty to a reduced battery domestic violence charge on Wednesday, Mayweather made headlines for the 90-day jail sentence the judge ordered as punishment.
"Punishment is appropriate, no matter who you are, you have consequences to your actions when they escalate to this level of violence."— Justice of the Peace Melissa Saragosa
The news will dominate the boxing landscape like Mayweather's 42-0 record has for some time, and will erase any talk of a potential superfight between Pretty Boy and Manny Pacquiao this spring—unfortunately for boxing fans and a boxing legacy.
Mayweather's legacy will suffer more than the boxer's wallet however, as he has yet to prove himself against the world's other top fighter, and likely never will despite earning close to $50 million in his last two bouts.
Mayweather's lack of control and issues with domestic violence should be and are a major concern to boxing fans, though.
Domestic violence is a serious issue, perhaps not perceived to be as serious as the one brought to light on the campuses of Penn State and Syracuse.
But anyone who has experienced it or witnessed it knows just how avoidable it is.
And when someone like Mayweather, with so much to lose, continues to find himself in situations like this one, how much praise can he be given?We all want our athletes, superstars and sports heroes to be perfect people, like Tim Tebow for example, but in reality what makes them so great on the field, court or inside the ring is the same thing that holds them back outside of the sport.
This isn't the first criminal incident with Mayweather, and certainly not the first involving domestic violence.
Although he seems to walk away from all of these incidents relatively unscathed, people don't make this stuff up—at least not that often.
Long after Mayweather retires and the money dries up, his legacy, like everyone else, is all he has, and it will be a disappointing one that had the potential to be arguably the greatest of all time.
At age 34, Mayweather isn't getting any younger, and the challenge to substitute retirement for the spotlight, fame and money will prove fatal to his legacy.
Sadly, we haven't heard the last of the Mayweather out-of-ring dramas.
Video: The 10 best goalie fights of all-time
Goalies don't usually fight unless all ten skaters are tangled up in extra-curricular activities. Goalie fights are usually awkward. They're slow to develop. And, they're awesome. We've amassed what we believe at the ten best hockey goalie fights in the history of the internet. Remember this when you want to drop the gloves with the putz who'll steal your parking spot at the mall when you're flying in for a last minute gift. While some of these look awkward, you'll look a lot goofier getting your parka pulled over your head.10. Rick DiPietro vs. Brent Johnson
9. Tommy Soderstrom vs. Corey Schwab
8. Brandon Hope vs. Dalton McGrath (Ontario Hockey League)
7. Ray Emery, a goalie vs. Josh Gratton, a skater (American Hockey League)
6. Guy St. Vincent vs Chad Rycroft (Southern Professional Hockey League)
5. Patrick Roy vs. Mike Vernon
4. Tyler Bunz vs Linden Rowat (Western Hoc...
9. Tommy Soderstrom vs. Corey Schwab
8. Brandon Hope vs. Dalton McGrath (Ontario Hockey League)
7. Ray Emery, a goalie vs. Josh Gratton, a skater (American Hockey League)
6. Guy St. Vincent vs Chad Rycroft (Southern Professional Hockey League)
5. Patrick Roy vs. Mike Vernon
4. Tyler Bunz vs Linden Rowat (Western Hoc...
Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/10_best_hockey_goalie_fights_of_all_time/8867422
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Sharks forward Havlat out up to 8 weeks
Sharks forward Martin Havlat will miss up to eight weeks following surgery Thursday to repair a partial tear in a tendon in his left hamstring.
San Jose general manager Doug Wilson said the team was prepared for the worst after Havlat injured himself jumping over the Sharks' bench during Saturday's 3-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers.
Havlat, acquired in a trade from the Minnesota Wild during the offseason, scored his second goal of the season against the Oilers and had recorded three points in his last two games.
Wilson said he expected Havlat to return for the stretch run.
Forward Benn Ferriero was recalled from Worcester to take Havlat's spot on the roster.
San Jose general manager Doug Wilson said the team was prepared for the worst after Havlat injured himself jumping over the Sharks' bench during Saturday's 3-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers.
Havlat, acquired in a trade from the Minnesota Wild during the offseason, scored his second goal of the season against the Oilers and had recorded three points in his last two games.
Wilson said he expected Havlat to return for the stretch run.
Forward Benn Ferriero was recalled from Worcester to take Havlat's spot on the roster.
Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/sharks_forward_havlat_out_up_to_8_weeks/8884165
Anderson Silva, Melvin Guillard and UFC's All-Time Leaders in Knockdowns Landed
There's a reason why UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva has yet to lose in the Octagon and has been so dominant inside the Octagon.
Since 2006, nine of Silva's 14 organizational victories have come by way of knockout against the middleweight division's best.
Joining Silva is explosive lightweight Melvin Guillard, who owns knockout victories over Shane Roller, Evan Dunham, Waylon Lowe, and Denis Siver among others.
A host of former champions along with a current welterweight contender round out the top six fighters in takedowns landed with five mininum fights according to Fight Metric.
New D-back Kubel looks forward to Chase Field
PHOENIX The seed was planted here last May, when Jason Kubel knocked the ball around Chase Field with impunity, hitting for the cycle in Minnesotas three-game series. The Twins were swept, but Kubel was kind of swept away.
Pretty nice place, he told his agent, Joel Wolfe.
I like the way the ball comes off my bat. Obviously a very talented young team. I told Joel then that this would be a good place to be.
Seven months later, Kubel has landed. While he was courted by several teams in his first season of free agency this winter, the D-backs were always near the top of his wish list. The D-backs did not see a fit early in the free-agent process as they went after pitching, but after obtaining Trevor Cahill to flesh out the rotation, they took another look for a bat.
When D-backs general manager Kevin Towers showed a renewed interest last Thursday, Kubel was quick to agree to a two-year, 15 million contract to become the starting left fielder entering spring training. He will make 7.5 million in 2012 and 2013, and there is a mutual 7.5 million option in 2014. If the D-backs accept the option but Kubel declines, he will lose a 500,000 buyout.
He considers it a perfect fit, in a park that is more conducive to his line-drive, all-fields approach. Chase Field ranked as the No. 5 offensive park in the majors last season. Minnesotas Target Field was ranked in the bottom third, at No. 21.
A middle-of-the order bat in a hitters park.
Kubel, who averaged 27 doubles, 19 homers and 79 RBIs in five seasons as a regular in Minnesota, is pumped.
Its no secret that a lot of people didnt like Target Field too much to hit there. I just feel here that I can use the whole field and still put up the power numbers I want to put up instead of having to try to pull the ball in the air to get it out. I do run into trouble trying to do that stuff, Kubel said.
I think I can use the whole field here and not worry about hitting a ball that I thought I hit pretty well to center or left-center and just be an out.
The D-backs could put together a potent 3-4-5-6 of Justin Upton, Miguel Montero, Chris Young and Kubel.
Kubel was told that he will be used in the middle of the lineup and be the starting left fielder, although Towers indicated that Gerardo Parra remains a valuable piece as a fourth outfielder. Playing the field is another plus. Kubel told his winter suitors, which included Cleveland, Cincinnati and Minnesota, that he did not want to be a DH, his primary role the last two seasons.
Im not a big fan of the DH. It is boring. You make an out, you have an at-bat you are not happy with at all, then you have to sit there for about 45 minutes going over that at-bat until you do something again, he said.
It was a way to get in there and play every day, but I am more than happy to play the outfield every day. I feel more in the game in the outfield. I want to prove that I can do it. Im ready for it. Obviously Im not the fastest guy in the world. I work pretty hard at it. I try to make the best first step and get the best route. Ill make the plays that should be made. Every now and then I get a little athletic out there and make some other ones. I take a lot of pride in doing it right and making all the plays.
Kubel, 29, played in only 99 games last season because of a sprained left foot that acted up at times. He wanted to play through it, although rest was prescribed.
Things were going so well for myself and the team was struggling, I thought I would get in there and try to help out some more, and I pushed myself to go when I wasnt ready. There were a couple of setbacks here and there and I got the rest I needed, finally, he said.
Kubel grew up in Los Angeles as a Dodgers fan, but did not sense a great interest from the Dodgers this winter.
That was probably No. 1 choice, and weve had discussions with them quite a bit. Things werent moving. This was a very, very close second. I like how close it is to home. Dont have to worry about going back East any more. It is really a pain. Its the perfect situation here. The decision was very easy. We were on board as soon as he called back, Kubel said.
Kubel spent his entire career with Minnesota, an organization known for its toughness and its pride in playing the game the right way. He saw a similar attitude in his short time here last year.
Its a young talented team, and Ive been around that for quite a while with what we had going in Minnesota. I hope I fit in really well with the guys, he said.
I grew up playing with all the guys in Minnesota. It will be tough to move on. Thats part of the game, part of the business.Follow Jack Magruder on Twitter
Pretty nice place, he told his agent, Joel Wolfe.
I like the way the ball comes off my bat. Obviously a very talented young team. I told Joel then that this would be a good place to be.
Seven months later, Kubel has landed. While he was courted by several teams in his first season of free agency this winter, the D-backs were always near the top of his wish list. The D-backs did not see a fit early in the free-agent process as they went after pitching, but after obtaining Trevor Cahill to flesh out the rotation, they took another look for a bat.
When D-backs general manager Kevin Towers showed a renewed interest last Thursday, Kubel was quick to agree to a two-year, 15 million contract to become the starting left fielder entering spring training. He will make 7.5 million in 2012 and 2013, and there is a mutual 7.5 million option in 2014. If the D-backs accept the option but Kubel declines, he will lose a 500,000 buyout.
He considers it a perfect fit, in a park that is more conducive to his line-drive, all-fields approach. Chase Field ranked as the No. 5 offensive park in the majors last season. Minnesotas Target Field was ranked in the bottom third, at No. 21.
A middle-of-the order bat in a hitters park.
Kubel, who averaged 27 doubles, 19 homers and 79 RBIs in five seasons as a regular in Minnesota, is pumped.
Its no secret that a lot of people didnt like Target Field too much to hit there. I just feel here that I can use the whole field and still put up the power numbers I want to put up instead of having to try to pull the ball in the air to get it out. I do run into trouble trying to do that stuff, Kubel said.
I think I can use the whole field here and not worry about hitting a ball that I thought I hit pretty well to center or left-center and just be an out.
The D-backs could put together a potent 3-4-5-6 of Justin Upton, Miguel Montero, Chris Young and Kubel.
Kubel was told that he will be used in the middle of the lineup and be the starting left fielder, although Towers indicated that Gerardo Parra remains a valuable piece as a fourth outfielder. Playing the field is another plus. Kubel told his winter suitors, which included Cleveland, Cincinnati and Minnesota, that he did not want to be a DH, his primary role the last two seasons.
Im not a big fan of the DH. It is boring. You make an out, you have an at-bat you are not happy with at all, then you have to sit there for about 45 minutes going over that at-bat until you do something again, he said.
It was a way to get in there and play every day, but I am more than happy to play the outfield every day. I feel more in the game in the outfield. I want to prove that I can do it. Im ready for it. Obviously Im not the fastest guy in the world. I work pretty hard at it. I try to make the best first step and get the best route. Ill make the plays that should be made. Every now and then I get a little athletic out there and make some other ones. I take a lot of pride in doing it right and making all the plays.
Kubel, 29, played in only 99 games last season because of a sprained left foot that acted up at times. He wanted to play through it, although rest was prescribed.
Things were going so well for myself and the team was struggling, I thought I would get in there and try to help out some more, and I pushed myself to go when I wasnt ready. There were a couple of setbacks here and there and I got the rest I needed, finally, he said.
Kubel grew up in Los Angeles as a Dodgers fan, but did not sense a great interest from the Dodgers this winter.
That was probably No. 1 choice, and weve had discussions with them quite a bit. Things werent moving. This was a very, very close second. I like how close it is to home. Dont have to worry about going back East any more. It is really a pain. Its the perfect situation here. The decision was very easy. We were on board as soon as he called back, Kubel said.
Kubel spent his entire career with Minnesota, an organization known for its toughness and its pride in playing the game the right way. He saw a similar attitude in his short time here last year.
Its a young talented team, and Ive been around that for quite a while with what we had going in Minnesota. I hope I fit in really well with the guys, he said.
I grew up playing with all the guys in Minnesota. It will be tough to move on. Thats part of the game, part of the business.Follow Jack Magruder on Twitter
BNP Paribas Open To Award Men?s and Women?s Singles Champions $1 Million Each
The BNP Paribas Open, will become the first ATP World Tour and WTA combined tennis tournament to award its men?s and women?s singles champions each $1 Million in prize money, it was announced on Tuesday by Tournament Director Steve Simon.
The tournament will increase its total prize money commitment for the 2012 tournament to more than $11 million. In addition to the $1 Million being awarded to both the men?s and women?s singles champions, the singles finalists, semi-finalists and quarterfinalists will now earn $500,000, $200,000 and $100,000 respectively, and prize money has been increased for all rounds of the tournament.
?Becoming the first combined ATP World Tour and WTA event to award $1 Million to each singles champion and reach these overall prize money levels is a testament to the growth and success of the event for more than 35 years,? said Simon.
The BNP Parbas Open will be held March 5-18, 2012 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
The tournament will increase its total prize money commitment for the 2012 tournament to more than $11 million. In addition to the $1 Million being awarded to both the men?s and women?s singles champions, the singles finalists, semi-finalists and quarterfinalists will now earn $500,000, $200,000 and $100,000 respectively, and prize money has been increased for all rounds of the tournament.
?Becoming the first combined ATP World Tour and WTA event to award $1 Million to each singles champion and reach these overall prize money levels is a testament to the growth and success of the event for more than 35 years,? said Simon.
The BNP Parbas Open will be held March 5-18, 2012 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Open Court: Embarrassing Moments
 | The guys all have some good laughs as they tell their most embarassing stories from their playing days. | From: NBA Views: 23518 347 ratings |
| Time: 06:19 | More in Sports |
Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAgbZyIaWNk&feature=youtube_gdata
Top 5 Plays: Sunday, December 18th
 | Check out the best five plays during these pre-season games from Sunday, December 18th. | From: NBA Views: 26937 421 ratings |
| Time: 01:47 | More in Sports |
Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aw6xWp1V4Wg&feature=youtube_gdata
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