Hockey Will Be Without Sidney Crosby For At Least A Month

For more than two periods, the Pittsburgh Penguins witnessed what life without star Sidney Crosby is like....disastrous.

Sidney Crosby, tied for the NHL scoring lead with 63 points, is out indefinitely after sustaining a high ankle sprain in the Penguins' 3-0 loss to the Lightning on Friday. Teammate Marc-Andre Fleury, who has the same injury, has been out since December.

Crosby badly sprained an ankle while ramming into the boards in the first period, and the Andre Roy-led Tampa Bay Lightning took advantage of his absence for a 3-0 victory over the Penguins on Friday night.

Crosby was diagnosed with a high ankle sprain, an injury to the large ligament that connects the two biggest bones in the lower leg, the tibia and fibula. The injury is more serious than the traditional twisted ankle and can sideline an athlete for a month or more.

This is obviously a huge loss. There is no team that can deal with losing the best player in the league. That's the equivalent of Tom Brady not playing in the AFC Championship or Alex Rodriguez injured for three months. Crosby is the heart and leader of the Penguins.

"To see a guy like that go down and not come back, it's tough," Penguins forward Colby Armstrong said. "Guys are going to have to take it upon themselves as a team to fill in. But I don't know if you can fill a spot like that."

To show you how bad the Penguins are without Crosby, just look at this stat. Until now, Crosby had missed only four games to injury during his three-season NHL career. The Penguins' record without him is......0-2-2. In other words, they can't win or attempt to win well without him.

Injury Update: Philip Rivers Has A Partially Torn ACL

Mouthy to a fault, quarterback Philip Rivers made a pronouncement Friday that pleased the San Diego Chargers, despite the coach's sentiments and a report to the contrary:

He's optimistic about playing in the AFC Championship Game.

Rivers returned to the practice field, encouraged his sprained right knee would heal enough for him to go Sunday against the New England Patriots.

However, that was Friday afternoon. Now sources told The San Diego Union-Tribune Rivers had also sustained a partially torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee. Therefore, Chargers coach Norv Turner took a more cautious approach. He listed Rivers as doubtful and said it would be a game-time decision.

Under NFL rules for reporting injuries, someone listed as doubtful has a 25 percent chance of playing that week. Until Friday, teams were required to merely list whether a player practiced -- Rivers did not work out Wednesday or Thursday.

Rivers handled about one-third of the snaps in practice on Friday. He was hurt last weekend in a 28-24 playoff upset of the defending Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts, and backup Billy Volek led the winning touchdown drive.

Already a two-touchdown underdog against the perfect Patriots, the Chargers are awfully banged up. Antonio Gates was put in the doubtful category still with a dislocated toe.

On a positive note, running back LaDainian Tomlinson said he thought his hyperextended left knee would be OK for him to start. If Billy Volek has to start or see major playing time in Sunday's AFC Championship game, than LT is going to have to step up like never before. Remember the LT who set the all-time record for rushing TDs and ran for crazy numbers continuously game after game. Wherever he went this year, he's going to have to return and play just like that against the Patriots if they have any hope of winning.

I'll say this however. The Patriots have not covered the spread in a long time. Other than the games against the Dolphins and Steelers, the rest of the games involving the Patriots have been relatively within reach. Yet, they still continue to be favored by insane amounts of points. I guess that's because the Patriots can go on a tear at anytime and can score almost every time the ball is in Tom Brady's hands.

As for Bill Belichick and the Patriots. Same story. Patriots coach Bill Belichick said San Diego's injury problems were of little concern to him.

"We get ready for all 53 players every week," he said. "We don't have any control over that."

A classic Belichick response. Tom Brady, whose best games often come in the biggest settings, was typically more composed, joking about a future in Hollywood. In fact, everything is a joke to him.

For all his experience in pressurized settings, the Patriots quarterback suggested he had more trouble nowadays when it came to keeping his adrenaline in check. Brady was reminded that six years ago, right before playing in his first Super Bowl, he took a nap on the locker room floor. Brady wound up as the game's MVP in a win over the St. Louis Rams.

"I think I was naive back in the day," Brady said. "I thought it was easy."

Who are you trying to fool, Brady? Of course its easy when you have a line who protects you for so long you could steal Jessica Simpson from Tony Romo, have your way with her, and still be back in time to throw the ball to the best receiving core in football.

I guess when you have the type of season he had (make that the type of career he had) you can laugh and have a good time in the NFL.

The Baltimore Ravens Finally Found Their New Head Coach

John Harbaugh was hired Friday as head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, who hope their second choice proves to be a first-rate success.

Harbaugh spent this season as Philadelphia's secondary coach after making a name for himself working with special teams. He has never been a head coach, but has coaching in his genes -- his father, Jack, is former head coach at Western Kentucky and his brother, Jim, is head coach at Stanford and a former quarterback with the Ravens.

The 45-year-old Harbaugh, who received a four-year contract, will be introduced as the third coach in Ravens history at a news conference Saturday. His salary wasn't released, but most first-year NFL head coaches get slightly more than $2 million a season.

Harbaugh arrived at the Ravens training complex around 9:30 a.m. Friday for his second interview with owner Steve Bisciotti, president Dick Cass and general manager Ozzie Newsome. The sides reached an agreement around 5:30 p.m.

Harbaugh then left in a limousine for his home in Philadelphia without talking to the media. Ravens spokesman Kevin Byrne said Harbaugh wanted to first share the news with his wife and parents before expressing his feelings in front of cameras and reporters.

Harbaugh replaces Brian Billick, who was fired on Dec. 31 after a nine-year run. The Ravens were 5-11 this season after going 13-3 in 2006.

The Ravens earlier this week offered the job to Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, who spurned Baltimore on Thursday in favor of staying in Dallas. Garrett rejected the Ravens' job offer after receiving a raise from owner Jerry Jones and a promotion to assistant head coach.

Harbaugh, however, wasn't about to say no. During his first interview, on Jan. 8, he couldn't contain his excitement over the prospect of leading the franchise back into the playoffs.

"Up, down, sideways, from the very top, it's a very impressive place to visit," Harbaugh said at the time. "I knew the Ravens had a great organization. Now, I see why. Good people, from Ozzie and Steve to everybody in the organization. It's been challenging, but it has been fun."

Harbaugh coached in the college ranks at Miami University (Ohio), Western Michigan, Pittsburgh, Morehead State and Cincinnati before joining the Eagles in 1998. He was selected the NFL Special Teams Coach of the Year by his peers in 2001.

He shifted to the secondary this season, working under defensive coordinator Jim Johnson.

Now, I have one obvious question in regards to this hiring. Why would the Ravens hire a defensive coordinator when offense was a major problem with this team last year?

IF Tony Dungy Retires, Jim Caldwell Would Be The New Head Coach

And I hope that's a big IF...but its true. Assistant head coach Jim Caldwell would replace Tony Dungy if the Indianapolis Colts coach retires, team owner Jim Irsay said Thursday night.

Irsay hopes Dungy will return and expects to speak to him this weekend, the owner said at a party celebrating an exhibition of the Jack Kerouac "On The Road" manuscript he owns at The New York Public Library.

Irsay said he might be able to make accommodations for Dungy such as allowing him to attend his son's high school football games in Florida on Friday nights. But he has no doubt that Dungy's commitment will be "100 percent" if he continues coaching.

The Colts, the Super Bowl champions last year, were 13-3 in the regular season before falling 28-24 to San Diego last week in their playoff opener.

Caldwell has been an assistant to Dungy the last seven years -- one in Tampa Bay and the last six with the Colts, where he has coached quarterback Peyton Manning. Caldwell filled in for Dungy for one game in 2005 following the death of Dungy's 18-year-old son, James.

Caldwell spent more than 20 years in college football, and his only head coaching experience came at Wake Forest. He spent eight seasons with the Demon Deacons and led them to a bowl game in 1999.

Dallas Cowboy Fans Can Breathe Easy

After looking into two coaching jobs, Jason Garrett decided to remain offensive coordinator of the Cowboys after Dallas made him the highest-paid assistant coach in the NFL. The Cowboys promoted Garrett to assistant head coach and gave him a new contract that will pay him in the ballpark of $3 million per year.

Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips' salary is also in the $3 million range. There is no word on whether the team plans to adjust Phillips' salary.

Garrett went through second interviews in Baltimore and Atlanta earlier this week, then returned to Dallas to meet with team owner Jerry Jones.

This was a good move by Jason Garrett primarily because after looking at his other options, there simply wasn't much room for choice. The Baltimore Ravens had a horrible collapse and they have such a poor offense that I don't think any coach could revive them. As far as the Atlanta Falcons, why would anyone want to try to clean up that mess? Good move sticking with the Cowboys, who will have many more winning seasons.

Jones, who hired Garrett last year before hiring Wade Phillips, apparently convinced him his future was just as bright with the Cowboys, who are coming off a 13-3 regular season with eight of his offensive players going to the Pro Bowl.

Although Jones can't formally promise Garrett he'll be the next coach of the Cowboys, that's been the going theory since he joined the club roughly this time last year. Speculation that Jones would push aside Phillips and promote Garrett rather than risk losing him to another club was so strong last week that Jones held a news conference in part to deny it. He denied it again Sunday, after Dallas' season-ending loss to the New York Giants.

We're Stuck With Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig For Another 3 Years

Bud Selig was given a three-year extension as baseball commissioner through the 2012 season.

Retirement will have to wait now that 73-year-old Bud Selig has committed to another three years as baseball's commissioner.

The unanimous decision made at Thursday's owners' meeting came two days after Selig and union head Donald Fehr testified before a congressional committee that both criticized baseball for its steroids problem and praised it for strides made the past two years.

Selig will become baseball's second-longest-serving leader behind Kenesaw Mountain Landis, who was the first commissioner from 1920-44. Selig had said repeatedly since December 2006 that he intended to retire after the 2009 season, but many in baseball didn't believe him.

He became acting commissioner in September 1992, when clubs forced out Fay Vincent. After saying he wouldn't take the job, Selig was elected to a five-year term as permanent commissioner in 1998 and gave up running the Milwaukee Brewers, the team he bought in 1970 and his family sold in 2005.

Owners voted in November 2001 to extend his term through 2006, then voted in August 2004 to extend it through 2009. He will be 78 by the end of the latest extension.

Selig received $14.5 million in the 12 months ending Oct. 31, 2005, according to Major League Baseball's last available tax return.

The 73-year-old Selig has been commissioner through some of baseball's greatest peaks -- spikes in fan attendance and revenues now touching $5 billion -- and valleys -- the 1994 players' strike and now the steroids era.

I can't speak for Selig, but I can imagine why he accepted this extension, especially in the middle of this steroid controversy. He wants to be the guy to save baseball and become a hero. How would it look if Selig decided to step down and not except the extension when heat, debate, and investigations involving him are currently taking place? He HAD to accept.

900 Wins And Counting For Coach Bob Knight

Bob Knight reached another milestone Wednesday night. Already Division I's all-time wins leader, Knight won his 900th game as unranked Texas Tech upset No. 9 Texas A&M 68-53.

"This thing never entered my mind," Knight said. "I could care less about this. I'm just happy to get it over with."

And he's modest too.

Milestone Man
Bobby Knight's first collegiate coaching win came when Richard Nixon was president. His 900th came over 30 years later. Here's a look at his milestones:
Victory	Date	Result
100	Feb. 27, 1971	Army 64, Navy 50
200	Dec. 19, 1975	Indiana 93, Georgia 56
300	Feb. 7, 1980	Indiana 83, N'western 69
400	Dec. 8, 1984	Indiana 81, Ken. 68
500	Jan. 14, 1989	Indiana 92, N'western 76
600	Jan. 6, 1993	Indiana 75, Iowa 67
700	March 5, 1997	Indiana 70, Wisc. 66
800	Feb. 5, 2004	Texas Tech 75, Neb. 49
900	Jan. 16, 2008	Texas Tech 68, Tex. A&M 53

"I'm happy that I've been able to coach this long 'cause I've basically enjoyed coaching probably 70-30, anyhow," he said. "That's a mark of longevity as much as anything so I'm just glad I've lived this long."

After the game fans chanted Knight's name as he walked off the court to a thunderous ovation.

"You folks being here, seats being full for a change, really made a difference tonight," Knight told the crowd before leaving the court.

The win was Tech's third straight over an Aggies team ranked in the top 10. Last season the Red Raiders beat A&M twice by a combined four points. The Aggies were ranked No. 6 (AP) going into each game and were on nine- and five-game winning streaks, respectively.

"Can't explain it," said Joseph Jones, who played in all three of the losses to Tech. "They got our number, like you said. They've got us the last two years."The Aggies (15-2, 1-1 Big 12) looked frazzled and out of sync most of the game. A&M went 18-for-53 from the field in its worst shooting performance (34 percent) of the season and they turned the ball over a season-high 20 times.

"We were really bad," A&M Coach Mark Turgeon said. "That's the only way I can put it. I think Tech was really good and we were bad."

Knight lauded his team."That was about as good, in that context, as I think I've ever had a team play," he said. "It was obviously a really good win but there isn't any such thing as a bad win, I guess."I hope it's an indication to our players how they can play."

Next stop...the big 1,000.

Finally, Something To Slow The New England Patriots Down

Surrounded by controversy and achievement, lovers and haters, and an indestructible team, finally an incident happened that could slow down the team morale.

Has anyone noticed how poorly Randy Moss played last week? That's not a coincidence.

Randy Moss joined the Patriots this season determined to avoid off-field problems. Now he's in the middle of one, just days before Sunday's AFC Championship Game. A temporary restraining order was issued Monday requiring the star wide receiver to stay at least 500 feet from a woman who alleged he committed "battery causing serious injury" to her at her Florida home on Jan. 6.

Moss denied the allegation by Rachelle Washington, which he called "this situation of extortion," and said he was "furious" about it. The restraining order was issued in the Broward County 17th Judicial Circuit of Florida.

A hearing on whether to issue a permanent restraining order is scheduled for 3 p.m. Jan. 28, six days before the Super Bowl.

"I want to make something clear," Moss said. "In my whole entire life of living 30 years, I've never put my hand on one woman, physically or in an angry manner. This is a negative," he said of the latest allegation, "a black cloud hanging over my head, and that's something that I did not want coming into the season. ... Everything I tried to do from getting here early, to make sure I eat the right food, all the way to practicing and playing, I wanted all of that to be A-plus.

Undefeated New England plays the San Diego Chargers in the AFC Championship Game in Foxborough on Sunday, thanks in part to Moss, who was named to the All-Pro team. During the season he caught 98 passes for 1,493 yards and 23 touchdowns, breaking Jerry Rice's single-season mark of 22.

He had one catch in Saturday night's 31-20 playoff win over Jacksonville, which resorted to double and triple coverage on him.

Randy Moss may be the best wide receiver in football, but he is human like you and me and does have emotions which may effect how he plays. You can't argue with that. However, you can argue the fact that the Patriots and Brady did win 3 Super Bowls without him.

Dolphins Hire Sparano As Head Coach

Tony Sparano, who had been the Dallas Cowboys' assistant head coach, accepted a job offer today as head coach for the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins have repeatedly tapped Dallas talent since the arrival of Bill Parcells. Former Cowboys assistant David Lee was hired as quarterbacks' coach, and on Tuesday, Brian Gaine was hired as assistant director of player personnel after three years as the Cowboys' assistant director of pro scouting. This is just another example of Parcells dismantling the Dolphins so a new and improved team can rise from its ashes. In many sports analysts' eyes, there is too much turnover in Miami's front office and coaching positions. But then again, desperate times call for desperate measures, and the Dolphins are a desperate team. When asked about whether or not he thinks he's up to the challenge of being head coach of the Dolphins, Sparano states, "I'm prepared. I'm confident in myself." I think we all have confidence Sparano can improve one of the worst teams in football history. How can they get any worse?

Now Miguel Tejada May Go To Jail Too?!

This is what I've been hearing. He too is one of the unfortunate players who had to testify under oath in front of Congress before that damn Mitchell Report came out. Now, they are looking into the credibility of Tejada's statements made back in 2005 and if the concluded evidence goes against his original testimony, he can very well also end up in jail. Damn, I liked Miguel Tejada too. He's always been one of the top shortstops in baseball.

I can almost guarantee that if any of the other players on the Report were questioned by Congress 2 years ago before the Report was released, they would have denied their steroid usage too and lied to Congress.

If Congress would have waited until the Mitchell report was released, things would be radically different for players such as Barry Bonds, Miguel Tejada, and Roger Clemens. Why? Because I'm willing to bet most of these players lied to Congress for fear of the punishment that would come about if they were honest. Lets pretend the 2005 Congressional hearing never happened and Congress was interviewing Tejada for the first time now. Tejada could be honest about his steroid usage and probably get away with it because he would just be one name on a list of many others. You can't punish that many players. Those players on the list, current and retired (along with those current and retired players who haven't been caught yet) can't be punished. Suspensions of this many players would eliminate a large chunk of the MLB! If anything, make them pay a penalty and take money from their contract. But, Bud Selig better not start suspending players because before he realizes it, a large percentage of the star attractions will be gone.

You just continue to ruin baseball George Mitchell and Bud Selig.

Congress asked the Justice Department to investigate whether former American League MVP Miguel Tejada lied to House committee staff when he was interviewed in 2005 in connection with the Rafael Palmeiro steroids case.

House Oversight and Government Committee chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) opened Tuesday's hearing into the Mitchell report about drug use in baseball by announcing that he and ranking minority member Tom Davis (R-Va.) sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey on Tuesday.

"Tejada told the committee that he never used illegal performance-enhancing drugs and that he had no knowledge of other players using or even talking about steroids," Waxman said. "Well, the Mitchell report, however, directly contradicts key elements of Mr. Tejada's testimony."

Said Davis: "We've concluded further investigation is warranted."

Tejada told ESPNdeportes.com that Tuesday was "a terrible day." He was primarily referring to the fact that his brother Freddy Manuel Tejada was killed in a motorcycle accident. But the Astros shortstop did make a statement regarding the committee's remarks.

"Appropriately, I am waiting for the meeting with the Justice Department to discuss issues brought to light in the letter from the committee," Tejada said.

"Unfortunately, at this time I can't comment further on the matter."

When the same House panel held a hearing in March 2005, Palmeiro pointed at the panel and declared: "I have never used steroids, period." Palmeiro was suspended by baseball later that year after testing positive for a steroid.

Tejada

The committee later looked into whether Palmeiro should face perjury charges, but eventually dropped the matter.

Palmeiro said his positive test must have resulted from a B-12 vitamin injection given to him by Tejada. That prompted Congress to talk to Tejada, who at the time was a Baltimore Orioles teammate of Palmeiro's. Tejada was traded to the Houston Astros on Dec. 12.

Astros spokesman Jimmy Stanton said the team had no comment on the Tejada situation.

The letter to the U.S. attorney general contains excerpts from the Aug. 26, 2005, interview of Tejada at a hotel in Baltimore. At the time, he and Palmeiro played for the Orioles.

"Has there been discussion among other players about steroids?" a committee staffer asked, according to the letter.

"No, I never heard," Tejada replied.

"You never knew of any other player using steroids?" Tejada was asked.

"No," he replied.

"Have you ever taken a steroid before?" he was asked at another point.

"No," he said.

Tejada also answered "No" when asked whether he had ever taken any illegal performance-enhancing drugs, andro or any other steroid precursor.

The letter then quotes a portion of the Mitchell report in which Tejada's former Oakland Athletics teammate Adam Piatt said he discussed steroid use with Tejada, and "recalled that he provided Tejada with testosterone or Deca-Durabolin, as well as human growth hormone."

Mitchell's report also included copies of checks allegedly written by Tejada to Piatt in March 2003 for $3,100 and $3,200.

Firings And Hirings In The NFL

Dallas Cowboys assistant head coach Tony Sparano, the presumptive front-runner to fill the Miami Dolphins' coaching vacancy, was scheduled to fly Tuesday night to Miami on one of owner Wayne Huizenga's private jets, and could be named the club's new head coach by Wednesday. Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland, who most recently worked in the Dallas personnel department as vice president of college and pro scouting, is familiar with Sparano and his coaching style. Ireland left for Dallas on Tuesday afternoon. He is expected to return with Sparano, who interviewed with Ireland for the Miami job on Jan. 5.

Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett has been offered the Baltimore Ravens coaching position, sources told ESPN. According to a league source, there is a "60-40'' chance Garrett will ultimately accept the opportunity to succeed Brian Billick, who was fired after the regular season. However, sources told ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli that Garrett left Baltimore Tuesday afternoon without making any decision about the job. Sources said he was en route to Atlanta for a second interview with Falcons officials. Garrett, who arrived at the Ravens' training complex for the second interview Tuesday morning, was the first candidate to have call-back sessions with the Ravens and Falcons.

The Tennessee Titans fired offensive coordinator Norm Chow on Tuesday after a season of struggling to score points and reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2003. Titans coach Jeff Fisher confirmed the dismissal in a short statement. Chow, who had been on staff for three years, did not immediately return a telephone message left by The Associated Press. But Fisher said the day after his Titans (10-6) lost an AFC wild-card game to San Diego 17-6 that improving the offense was his top priority this offseason. They ranked 21st overall in total offense and became the first team with only nine touchdown passes to reach the playoffs in a 16-game season. After a week of evaluating the team, Fisher told Chow he would not be retained as offensive coordinator.

Adam Pacman Jones Strikes Again

A woman is seeking an arrest warrant against suspended Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones, claiming he punched her at an Atlanta strip club.

Fulton County Magistrate Court officials told The Associated Press on Tuesday that Wanda S. Jackson asked for the warrant after a Jan. 3 altercation at the Body Tap Strip Club.

Jackson, an attorney, says in her filing that she was in the club's office when an angry Jones accused managers of stealing his money and bracelet.

"I was sitting in the office and he lunged at me numerous times in an effort to do grave bodily harm," Jackson wrote in the warrant application filed Jan. 7. "Veronica Jones, an owner, went into the hall to deal with a member of his entourage. I followed to gawk. He was in the hall, surprisingly reached over or around a security guard and sucker punched me in my left eye."

Jackson did not immediately return a phone message requesting comment. Jones' attorney Manny Arora said no warrant has been issued against his client.

Norris Arnold, a court support manager for Fulton County, said a magistrate judge will review Jackson's application on Feb. 8 to determine whether the warrant will be filed.

WSB-TV in Atlanta reported that Jackson said she was in the strip club because of a divorce case she is handling.

Last month Jones pleaded no contest to a disorderly conduct charge related to a strip club shooting in Las Vegas last February that left one man paralyzed. He agreed to a year of probation, random drug testing, community service and anger management classes.

Jones has been arrested six times since being drafted sixth overall in 2005, including two arrests in Georgia in 2006 that the Titans did not learn about until 2007.

In April, Jones was suspended by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell for the entire 2007 season for his role in inciting the Las Vegas incident.

At the time of his suspension, one of the changes Jones told Goodell he intended to make was to stay out of clubs and to avoid situations in which he might be compromised. Goodell has said that he has apprised Jones that he will ultimately be judged by his actions, not his words.

In mid-December, the NFL rejected an appeal by the players' union on behalf of Jones to have him reinstated for the final two games of the regular season.

One Of The Most Ridiculous Statements I Ever Heard Was In Today's Congressional Hearing With George Mitchell

I'm watching the congressional hearing on steroids at this moment and heard one of the most ridiculous statements.

First of all, I was pleased that Congress acknowledged the fact that MLB officials knew about steroids through the past decades and let the usage of steroids slide. This confirms my theory on steroids as a conspiracy in baseball.

However, I am not one of the millions of fans (as the spokes person stated) who felt cheated, angered, or believed baseball was a fraud. Why not? Because up until Jose Canseco's book I WAS entertained by baseball. Even if the players were cheating, the public didn't have to know about it. Ignorance is bliss.

One of the congressional women stated something along the lines that if people like me were entertained by players who used steroids, then there is no difference between a baseball game and a Britney Spears concert...................What the hell is that supposed to mean? Was she serious? She couldn't have been. Maybe I misinterpreted her statement, but still, that statement does not fit anywhere in this argument and is one of the dumbest comparisons I ever heard. Baseball is baseball and music is music and I'll be entertained by both by whatever means necessary. IF I was a Britney Spears fan and found out she was taking steroids (for whatever reason I don't know)....I would still go to her concert to be entertained. I wouldn't like her any less nor would it take away from her music.

That comparison was so bad that the congressional woman who stated it has lost all credibility in my eyes and her whole speech became one big waste. In fact, I stopped watching after that.

Why not make drugs that aren't detectable. I'm sure with today's new technology and modern understanding of drugs and medicine that this task is completely possible. Face it, steroids are never going to go away. Instead of accusing them of cheating, just make the players take them at their own risk if they so choose to. Now shut up and be entertained like you were before this whole steroid controversy spiraled out of control.

Its ridiculous now how these same players who tried to entertain us by whatever means necessary are getting chewed and ripped apart by the media and the public. Baseball fans are turning their backs on the very players they loved when all they wanted to do was win the game for their fans. Shame on baseball fans.

And a lot of these baseball players used steroids as a therapeutic and quicker way to recover. There should be nothing wrong with that. I want to see my favorite baseball player back on the field as soon as possible just like other fans.

Remembers, sports is all about the fans and making money. If this steroid controversy is as big as it seems, I guarantee in the future fans will stop watching and going to games and revenues will drop. Home runs won't be hit as frequently and games will have boring scores of 3-2 and 1-0. Chicks love the long ball. Thanks, Jose Canseco and George Mitchell. You're in the process of ruining baseball.

Ah, what do I know? I'm just a baseball fan...

Chargers QB Faces Uncertainty Against Undefeated Pats

San Diego quarterback Phil Rivers was listed as questionable for this weekend's game against the New England Patriots. He suffered a sprained right knee in this past weekend's playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts. "Right now, it's probably questionable in terms of playing in the game, but he's got a chance," coach Norv Turner said Monday. "That will be a day-to-day thing and we'll monitor it as the week goes on." In Sunday's game against the Colts, Rivers completed 14 of 19 passes for 264 yards and three touchdowns before being taken out of the game after landing awkwardly when completing a 56 yard screen pass to Darren Sproles. Billy Volek took over after Rivers left the game and led the Chargers to victory.

_

The Chargers also had to rely on other backups on Sunday. They had running backs Michael Turner and Darren Sproles play after LaDainian Tomlinson was injured. Tomlinson said he should be able to play in this Sunday's AFC championship game, but the Chargers are nevertheless concerned about their crop of injuries. "I'm concerned," coach Turner said. "I mean, I'm real concerned. We're lucky, or we're fortunate, to have a Darren Sproles, have a Michael Turner, have a Brandon McKinney, but you can only withstand so many hits." Everyone should be concerned about San Diego's failing health. Everyone, that is, except Tom Brady.

Things Are Great in Boston...Except For The Celtics

I'm quite impressed by the Boston Celtics' 30-6 record. I absolutely can't criticize that. However, when you lost not once, but twice in a row to the Washington Wizards and 3 of the last 4 games overall, you have a slight problem here.

After a successful sweep of the league-leading Boston Celtics, the Washington Wizards are starting to think big even without a healthy Gilbert Arenas. Caron Butler scored 21 and Washington beat Boston 88-83 on Monday night for the Wizards' second victory over the Celtics in three days."Our eyes are on winning a championship," Butler said. "Hopefully we get Gilbert back by March and when he comes back we will be even more dangerous."

Slow down, Butler. All of a sudden they beat the Celtics twice and they think they are going to be the champions? That's the equivalent of saying just because the San Diego Chargers beat the Super Bowl winning Colts, they actually have a shot at the Patriots. Not gonna happen.

Antawn Jamison added 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Wizards, who handed Boston its first two-game losing streak of the season. Butler scored nine points during a 25-6 run over the final 6:24 of the fourth quarter to give the Wizards their fifth win in the last six games overall and against Boston."It's tough to lose at home," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "We let our guard down and had a chance to keep them down."Boston also lost consecutive games at home for the first time all season and dropped to 30-6. The Celtics are 2-3 over their last five and have averaged 85 points a game over that span. "As much as we preach defense, offensively I think we've hit a little snag," Celtics guard Ray Allen said.

Has anyone noticed the Boston Celtics and New England Patriots are very much alike in the sense that they beat up on the easy teams, but struggle to win against teams that are above average?

Major Transactions Happening In The MLB

In the middle of the football playoffs, people such as myself tend to forget that other sports exist. Still, major trades and acquisitions have been occurring in recent weeks in the MLB:

The St. Louis Cardinals have reached agreement on a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays that will send third baseman Scott Rolen to the Blue Jays for third baseman Troy Glaus, several major league sources said.

The deal is contingent upon the two players passing physical exams Monday, sources said.

According to a source with knowledge of the trade, the Cardinals only signed off on the deal after Glaus agreed to exercise his $11.25 million option for 2009. St. Louis management didn't want to give up three years of Rolen for only one year of Glaus, so Glaus had to commit to the option year as part of the deal.

Both players were also required to waive no-trade clauses.

A source told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark that Toronto will be responsible for the three years and $33 million left on Rolen's contract, while St. Louis will assume the $24.5 million owed Glaus through 2009. Since no cash is involved in the trade, it appears that no approval from commissioner Bud Selig's office is required.

Rolen, 32, is a career .283 hitter and seven-time Gold Glove winner with Philadelphia and St. Louis. Only Brooks Robinson, with 16 Gold Gloves, and Mike Schmidt, with 10, have won the award more often at third base.

Rolen has struggled with shoulder problems the last two seasons, and had a well-publicized falling out with manager Tony La Russa that set trade talks in motion.

Glaus, 31, has 277 career homers in 10 seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, Arizona Diamondbacks and Blue Jays. He hit 20 homers and drove in 62 runs in 115 games with Toronto last season before undergoing surgery in September to repair a nerve problem in his left foot.

I love this trade because I'm a big Troy Glaus fan even though he has been slacking in the numbers lately. Here's some simple math: Albert Pujols + Troy Glaus = Major Power.

Also in the MLB (and this saddens me as an Atlanta Braves Fan), the Atlanta Braves have reached a preliminary agreement to acquire center fielder Mark Kotsay from the Oakland Athletics, filling the hole created by the departure of Andruw Jones. The deal will be finalized once Kotsay passes a physical for Atlanta, where he is expected to fly to on Sunday, and assuming the commissioner's office approves the cash negotiated to be exchanged in the deal, sources say.

In return for Kotsay, the Braves are trading pitcher Joey Devine, and Oakland will assume $5.325 million of the $7.325 million owed to the center fielder for this year.

Kotsay, 32, played in 56 games in 2007 after having back surgery, hitting .214 with 15 extra-bases hits in 206 at-bats. In 2005, before Kotsay began having serious back trouble, he batted .280, with 51 extra-base hits and a .325 on-base percentage.

He has rated highly as a center fielder, and the Braves are trying to find a temporary center fielder for at least the start of the 2008 season, or until they deem top-prospect Jordan Schaefer ready to take over the position permanently. Even still, c'mon, Mark Kotsay? Is that the best the Braves can do to replace the almighty powerful Andruw Jones? Now you know this team is trying to rebuild.

There's No Crying In Football!

Its ashame to see grown men cry....except Terrell Owens. In response to a comment I received, I decided to post the video of Terrell Owens at his all-time career low.

Also, in this video is Antonio Pierce's comments about Terrell Owens and Patrick Crayton eating popcorn while watching them on television next week.

The Story Of Roger Clemens Just Gets Worse

In keeping up with Roger Clemens' case, here's an article from ESPN explaining what will happen next in the developing story:

Brian McNamee's attorney, Earl Ward, defended his client's asking for immunity to testify before Congress and suggested that if Roger Clemens were to contradict McNamee's testimony, the pitcher likely would be indicted for lying under oath.

"If [Clemens' attorney Rusty Hardin] allows his client to go before Congress and testify under oath, I don't think we'll be talking about Roger Clemens being inducted [into the Hall of Fame], I think we'll be talking about Roger Clemens being indicted," Ward told ESPN's Bob Ley on "Outside The Lines" in his first national television interview Sunday morning. Ward, who has drawn criticism from Hardin for asking for immunity, sounded as if he expected Congress to give McNamee immunity to testify at the Feb. 13 hearing. "I'd be very surprised if he doesn't get immunity," Ward said. "It makes no sense whatsoever. Congress wants to hear from this man." Clemens reportedly won't ask for immunity, but a source told ESPN's T.J. Quinn on Saturday night that Hardin is hedging over the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee's request to depose Clemens under oath next week because it might interfere with his defamation lawsuit against McNamee. On Sunday, Hardin released a statement reiterating Clemens' willingness to testify before Congress in February. "I want to make very clear that there has been absolutely no change in Roger's willingness and indeed desire to testify under oath before Congress in a public hearing at a date of the Oversight Committee's choosing," Hardin said in the statement. "Any suggestion that he or we are having any second thoughts about that is absolutely false. All other pre-appearance issues and scheduling we will discuss privately with the committee and do not think it is appropriate to discuss those matters publicly."

The source also told Quinn that Hardin is making "noises" about not turning over a taped conversation between McNamee and two investigators for Hardin's office recorded Dec. 12, the day before the Mitchell report was released. A source told Quinn all the issues surrounding Clemens' potential testimony will be raised Monday when Hardin meets with committee staffers in Washington, D.C.

"He has no choice in the matter if he's subpoenaed," said Richard Emery, one of McNamee's lawyers. "It's just a question of whether the congressional investigators will be subpoena him. If they don't, they'd be crazy. The whole point is to investigate in advance of the hearing so it isn't a circus."Ward went on to explain that he is hoping for immunity to protect his client from possible steroid distribution charges. He also said that if he doesn't get it, he will sit down with McNamee to discuss possible courses of action. Ward was clear that his -- and McNamee's -- first choice would be to speak to Congress. "It's important for everyone to finally hear from Brian McNamee ... [on] his interactions with Roger Clemens," Ward said. As far as McNamee's credibility, Ward said Andy Pettitte's statement validating the Mitchell report findings that the Yankees pitcher was injected with HGH by McNamee proves his client's truthfulness. Ward, who said McNamee has been vetted by federal prosecutors as a witness, also indicated that he hoped former Yankees infielder Chuck Knoblauch would step forward to further corroborate McNamee's claims about Clemens.

McNamee's lawyers keep hinting there is additional evidence to back his account but won't go into details.

"We've always said there will be clear corroboration," Emery said. "Clear corroboration exists. And I won't say anything more."

Clemens and McNamee have been asked to testify Feb. 13 before Congress. Pettitte and Knoblauch also have been asked to testify, along with Kirk Radomski, the former New York Mets clubhouse attendant who pleaded guilty to distributing steroids to major league players. McNamee talked with Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Parrella and IRS Special Agent Jeff Novitzky about the events that led up to his phone call last week with Clemens, a person familiar with the session told The Associated Press. McNamee has an agreement with prosecutors that no charges would be filed against him as long as he told the truth to them and Mitchell.

The New York Giants Advance In The Playoffs

Not one, but two upsets in the same day. Vegas must be rollin in money. Manning advanced, but not Peyton. Rather, hours after Peyton's Colts were stunned by the Chargers in an AFC divisional game, Eli Manning and the Giants ousted the NFC's top-seeded team. It appears that little brother is all grown up.

Tony Romo can go wherever he wants with Jessica Simpson now. Eli Manning and the New York Giants knocked him and the Dallas Cowboys into the offseason Sunday.

Having to wait out long, slow drives by Dallas, Manning made his few chances count, throwing two touchdown passes to Amani Toomer and getting a 1-yard touchdown run from Brandon Jacobs for a 21-17 victory that put New York into the NFC championship game for the first time since the 2000 season.

Cornerback R.W. McQuarters intercepted a pass into the end zone with 9 seconds left, ending the Cowboys' final drive and marking Romo's second straight last-minute goof to cost Dallas a playoff game. His flubbed hold of a short field goal in Seattle ended the Cowboys' season last year.

Manning is heading to his first NFC Championship Game, at Green Bay next Sunday. Manning had a much better day than his brother, Peyton, whose Indianapolis Colts were stunned by the San Diego Chargers.

This loss by the Dallas Cowboys this post-season has arguably one of the worst impacts on a team's legacy. Dallas' failure is huge, much bigger than last season's flop in Seattle when Romo botched the hold on a go-ahead field goal in the final minutes.

The Cowboys just wasted a 13-3 season, which matched the best in team history. They're the first No. 1 seed in the NFC to lose in this round since the NFL went to the 12-team playoff format in 1990. They also became the seventh team to lose a playoff game against a team they'd beaten twice in the regular season -- joining Dallas' 1998 club.

Worst of all is the extension of all the skids: Romo now 0-2 in the playoffs, coach Wade Phillips 0-4 and the team 0-for-the-postseason since winning a wild-card game in 1996. The Cowboys have dropped five games since then.

Even worse, the Cowboys might be headed into a potentially stormy offseason in the near future. Team owner Jerry Jones said Thursday he would keep Phillips regardless of what happened in the playoffs. Now that will be tested, especially with highly valued assistant coaches Jason Garrett and Tony Sparano interviewing for jobs elsewhere.

And people better not dare point to Romo's trip to Mexico last weekend with his latest celebrity girlfriend as a disruption. The Cowboys' problems this game ran a lot deeper. There were all kinds of penalties that hurt Dallas drives and helped New York's, sloppy tackling on defense and special teams, dropped passes and wasted timeouts.

The San Diego Chargers Advance In The Playoffs

First, the Chargers lost LT. Then Philip Rivers. And they still beat the defending champion Colts ... on the road. Are you kidding?

Even without LaDainian Tomlinson and Philip Rivers, the Chargers made sure the Indianapolis Colts won't repeat as Super Bowl champions.

Honestly, as a big Colts fan, I have to admit the Indianapolis Colts didn't deserve to win this game. They played horrible. They played like the playoff Colts I remember from 2 years ago. On offense, Peyton Manning's passes were tipped and intercepted. At times I didn't know what he was thinking when he overthrew passes or tried to fire them in. Oh, and what a wonderful defense! No, seriously, that defense was great! (That's sarcasm). You know what the worst part is? Almost all the calls and penalties favored the Colts. They had plenty of help and still couldn't win.

OR PERHAPS the Colts should have won this game? I don't know, but look at it this way. They technically should have won, but they didn't deserve to win. The main reason why the Colts lost the game was because of 3 red zone possession turnovers...2 of which were freaky, tipped passes that just happened to land in the defender's arms. Those 2 bizarre interceptions (I swear the ball just happened to land in the defender's arms) should have been at the bare minimum 2 field goals instead. So instead of the Colts losing 28-24...they could have won 29-28! By 1 single point the Colts would have won if those bizarre, tipped interceptions never happened. Oh well, that's football.

I still have more. Injuries plagued this team all game and the Chargers just seemed to have done everything right. Even the Chargers' punter played well, pinning the Colts back on their final drive. However, injuries also plagued both teams. Injuries took a toll on both teams in Sunday's AFC divisional playoff game.

San Diego lost LaDainian Tomlinson for much of the day with a bruised left knee. The Chargers also watched Phillip Rivers head to the locker room after hurting his right knee on a short pass that Darren Sproles turned into a 56-yard touchdown on the last play of the third quarter.

Indianapolis lost safety Bob Sanders, the NFL Defensive Player of the Year, briefly with a shoulder injury, while running back Joseph Addai sat out a portion of the second half after being shaken up on a 10-yard run.

Rivers jumped to throw the ball to Sproles and landed awkwardly. He was helped onto a training table on the sideline before going to the locker room for evaluation. By the time he jogged back out of the tunnel onto the Chargers sideline, he already had been replaced by Billy Volek.

Tomlinson was injured during a second-quarter run and remained on the sideline through the end of the third quarter, even though the Chargers said his return was probable. Sanders injured his shoulder tackling Turner with 6:14 remaining in the third, but returned the next time the Colts defense took the field.

Tomlinson limped off after being tackled on an 8-yard run that helped set up a second-quarter touchdown. The NFL rushing champion fumbled on the play, but San Diego recovered and Rivers threw a 14-yard TD pass to Vincent Jackson on the next play.

Tight end Antonio Gates, whose status was uncertain because of a dislocated big left toe, played sparingly in the first half. His first reception, a 23-yard catch, came on the same drive Tomlinson was hurt.

Chargers defensive end Luis Castillo also was taken to the locker room for attention after being blocked in the ribs on a first-quarter passing play. He returned after only missing a few plays.

But as LT and Philip Rivers watched, Michael Turner and Billy Volek helped the Chargers reach the AFC title game in New England.

With Billy Volek at quarterback and Michael Turner as the main runner, San Diego went 78 yards on eight plays, with Volek sneaking in from the 1 with 4:50 remaining for the lead. The Chargers' big-play defense then held on downs at its 7, and stopped Indy again in the final moments to preserve their eighth straight win.

The Chargers persevered 28-24 and its a sad day in the NFL, except for Chargers fans. Oh yea, and this may have been Tony Dungy's last game. I hope not.

The Chargers didn't come close against the Patriots in Week 2, falling 38-14. That was the beginning of a slide to 5-5 for San Diego. Perhaps this is a sign of the inevitable. That is, the New England Patriots were meant to win the Super Bowl this year.

And Philip Rivers needs anger management help with the way he was screaming at the Colts fans. Even the commentators said he needs to give that up. Seriously, though. Things like that is what gets you penalized or hated by millions of fans. I can't stand that guy's attitude and his constant angry face. Even when he's smiling he looks angry. He hasn't even accomplished anything yet, except for almost making me hate Tom Brady less. Still, despite that mad face he could be the nicest guy in the world. Anyway, I'm probably just sour the Colts lost.

Injury Update: Antonio Gates Will Play Against The Colts

Chargers tight end Antonio Gates was on the field Sunday before San Diego's playoff game against Indianapolis and will play, according to head coach Norv Turner.

However, Chargers fullback Lorenzo Neal, who is recovering from a broken leg, is inactive for the game.

"It's pretty sore," Gates told the San Diego Tribune on Friday. "It felt good Tuesday, but it doesn't feel as good today [Friday]. It's a tricky situation, it really it is."

Gates dislocated his left big toe late in the second quarter of Sunday's 17-6 wild-card win against Tennessee and didn't return. He has been undergoing intensive therapy on the injury in the hope of being available to help San Diego in its difficult away game in Indianapolis.

Brandon Manumaleuna was slated to take Gates' starting spot if he wasn't able to play.

"Right now, keeping pressure off of it is the best thing for it," Gates said. "It's just imperative that I keep the swelling out and I keep pressure off of it."

Gates was San Diego's leading receiver for the fourth straight season, with 75 catches for 984 yards and nine touchdowns.

Even with Antonio Gates playing, I don't think he'll be as big a factor this game as everyone is making him out to be, especially if he plays hurt. The Colts should roll in this one.

However, the interesting thing to note is that yesterday both the home-team favorites won. Will that happen again today? My guess is yea, but there is more speculation about the Giants upsetting the Cowboys than the Chargers upsetting the Colts.

The New England Patriots Advance In The Playoffs

This game was in a dead heat going into halftime. Then, I realized the New England Patriots would do what they always do. That is, keep the game relatively close to make the game exciting and keep viewers glued to their screens, but then blow it open in the end.

I want to know what happened to this amazing Jacksonville Jaguars defense I heard about? All of a sudden they decided to not show up? They could not stop the Patriots on any drive. The punter only came out once for the Patriots....and that was in the last minute of the game!

The Jaguars struck first. They answered after the Patriots responded with two touchdowns. However, the give-and-take with Tom Brady & Company finally took a toll on Jacksonville.

David Garrard did all he could to keep his team in the game, but his receivers dropped some key catches that might have possibly made a difference. As for the Jaguars' amazing running game, I'd rather not even mention how terrible it was.

David Garrard kept the Jaguars close, completing 14 of 18 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns through three quarters, including an 8-yard touchdown pass as his knee brushed the tips of the turf while in the grasp of linebacker Mike Vrabel. Garrard also hit Ernest Wilford for a 6-yard TD to make it 14-14 with 7:46 left in the half.

The Jaguars scored on a spectacular opening possession that gave them hope of ending New England's chances to top the 1972 Miami Dolphins, who won all 17 of their games. However, the Jaguars first touchdown was one of controversy.

Garrard found a wide-open Marcedes Lewis for 34 yards on a fourth-and-1 from the Patriots 43. Then, on third-and-goal from the 8, Vrabel wrapped up Garrard and was bringing him down when he flung the ball into the end zone and into the arms of Matt Jones.

Replays showed that Garrard's knee might have been down when he released the ball. But Patriots coach Bill Belichick wasn't quite as quick with his release of the red replay flag: He was running toward the field with his arm cocked, ready to throw it, when the ball was snapped for the extra point.

But Brady broke it open in the third with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Wes Welker and a 9-yarder to Benjamin Watson -- his second scoring catch of the game.

Tom Brady completed his first 16 passes and was 23-of-24 for 194 yards and three touchdowns in the first three quarters Saturday night to help the New England Patriots open a 28-17 lead over the Jacksonville Jaguars in their AFC playoff game.

Laurence Maroney ran 15 times for 111 yards and a 1-yard touchdown as the Patriots tried to extend their perfect season with a 17th consecutive victory.

The New England Patriots will play the winner of Sunday's game between San Diego and Indianapolis for the AFC championship and a berth in the Super Bowl. If the Patriots make it to the Feb. 3 NFL title game, they'll have a chance to complete the league's first 19-0 season.

The Green Bay Packers Advance In The Playoffs

This game was by far one of the more memorable ones of the playoffs thus far. I picked the Green Bay Packers to win AND cover the spread....and at first they were such a big disappoint. Two fumbles by Ryan Grant led to two quick TDs for Seattle. At this point I was screaming at the television for Favre to start passing. Why stop doing what was working all year? Luckily, he must have heard me.

Brett Favre somehow spun free from the Seahawks' clutches and stumbled ahead in the snow. Ever the gambler, he flipped a wobbly, underhanded pass that he had no business trying, let alone completing.

Green Bay ended up destroying the Seahawks 42-20 because the Packers resorted to the passing game in the second half and Ryan Grant started running like a beast. He just couldn't be tackled.

With Lambeau Field looking like a snow globe, Favre frolicked in the flurries, throwing three touchdown passes as the Packers beat Seattle 42-20 Saturday, the highest-scoring postseason game in Packers' history.

Ryan Grant made history, too, recovering from two fumbles that put the Packers down 14-0 after only four minutes to set a Packers' postseason record with 201 yards rushing. He scored three times; Greg Jennings caught a pair of TD tosses; and Favre tied his personal best for touchdown strikes in a postseason game.

Perhaps the biggest factor in this game was the amount of snow falling. In the first half the screen on my television showed a mint like greenish-white field. In the second half, however, my television screen just showed one big white mess. The Green Bay Packers took advantage of their home field by getting off to an early lead and running the ball most of the second half. It was impossible for the Seattle Seahawks to come back in that weather.

The Packers (14-3) will take on the winner of Sunday's game between the New York Giants and Dallas. If the Cowboys win, they'll host Green Bay; if the Giants win, they'll visit Lambeau. After watching the Packers in this game, I believe they have a great shot at defeating the Cowboys no matter what stadium they play in. They would certainly destroy the Giants. Anyway, we'll just have to wait and see.....

The Return of Harrison

After missing 10 straight games because of a low knee injury, receiver Marvin Harrison is expected to play in an AFC divisional playoff game against the San Diego Chargers. "With Marvin we can do a lot more things because he understands things better," running back Joseph Addai said Thursday. "With the young guys we had to simplify some things, which is good, but the defense will have to respect him because of what he's done in the past." The Indianapolis Colts had to learn to live without Harrison for most of this season. Now, they will need to readjust in getting him back on the field. This could prove to be dangerous for the Colts. It is important for the Colts that Harrison not be rusty for tomorrow's game. After missing ten games, however, one could expect Harrison to not be as potent a player as he used to be. This possible situation could be deadly for the Colts' offense against a San Diego defense that has forced a league-high 48 turnovers and ranks as one of the best in the league. The Colts had better not rely to heavily on Harrison until it is established that his lack of playtime this season has not hindered his skill and ability as a top-notch receiver.

Ravens Approach Marty Schottenheimer

It has been reported that the Baltimore Ravens recently spoke with NFL coach Marty Schottenheimer about joining their franchise as head coach. "There's been some discussion but nothing substantive," stated a representative for Schottenheimer. This is an excellent move made by Baltimore. He is definitely the best replacement available for Brian Billick, ex-coach for the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens need a strong coach to lead them. Veteran Schottenheimer fits the bill. He led the San Diego Chargers last season to a 14-2 record. They lost in their first playoff game against the New England Patriots thanks to multiple fumbles as well as other mistakes made on the field. If picked up by Baltimore, Schottenheimer will prove to be an invaluable asset. He has the experience and knowledge of building a team's offense around star running backs (LaDainian Tomlinson for the Chargers) which will prove to be an essential skill for the Ravens. The Ravens' lackluster offense has only one bright side, that being running back Willis McGahee. By applying the techniques and methods he used while at San Diego in making Tomlinson a fearsome weapon, Schottenheimer can similarly turn McGahee into Baltimore's own LT. As coach for the Ravens, Schottenheimer will prove to be the catalyst necessary for restoring a stagnant team and propelling them to the playoffs and beyond.

An Evaluation Of Star Rookies And Sophomores In The NFL

I just learned that tailback Darren McFadden, the University of Arkansas star runner who finished as the Heisman Trophy runner-up in each of the past two seasons, will forego his final season of college eligibility and enter the 2008 NFL draft. This is also confirmed on ESPN.

Multiple sources said McFadden's father, Graylon McFadden, dispatched the appropriate paperwork to the NFL office early this week. The decision by one of the college game's most electrifying performers to leave school a year early and pursue a professional career was hardly unexpected.

League and team officials, by policy, are precluded from commenting on underclass players who have petitioned for early draft entry until after the deadline for doing so has passed. The deadline is Jan. 15, and the NFL will release a full list of underclass prospects after that.

While it is still early in the evaluation process for the April 26-27 draft, many league scouts feel that McFadden could be the most talented prospect in the player pool.

Now to be fair, because I'm not a huge college football fan, I haven't had the chance to watch this guy play often. Therefore, I can't predict how he will perform in the NFL next season. However, based on the trend of rookies and sophomores not performing well the past two years (except for a selected few) my guess is he'll get off to a slow start.

Other than Adrian Peterson, who seemed to just explode out of nowhere, I'm unimpressed by the lack of talent from recent college players who entered the NFL, especially after all the hype that surrounded them. The following list includes young players who have not impressed me thus far or are terribly overrated.

-Reggie Bush - He is the definition of what it is to be overrated. Maybe because of his name people like him so much. The fact is, he can't run straight. He's too fancy and runs like he is still in college. Well, this is the NFL and in the NFL if you run and spin to the sides to dodge you're going to get run over.
-Vince Young - I really loved this guy at first. If anybody was going to succeed out of college, he would have been my pick. However, he sold out to the Madden curse and has been plagued by injuries all year. His career will never be what he hoped it would be as a result.
-Matt Leinart - Where did this guy go? He had a less than mediocre first year and he rarely played this year due to injuries.
-Brady Quinn - He never got a chance to play with the Browns....and he probably won't play for awhile thanks to the recent discovery and success of Derek Anderson.
-Troy Smith - He'll see playing time next year, but the Ravens should have started him later in the season. They had nothing to lose anyway.
-JaMarcus Russell - Yet another example of a rookie quarterback who should have started after all the hype, but never was given a chance to.
-John Beck - Speaking of nothing to lose, the Dolphins started this guy hoping maybe he'd change things for the better, but he didn't. I don't think Bill Parcells is that fond of this guy and I doubt he'll be starting next year.
-Jay Cutler - Just Awful
-Tarvaris Jackson - Even worse than Cutler!
-Kellen Clemens - If the Jets are hoping that there future quarterback lies in the fate of Kellen Clemens, then the Jets have a major screw loose.
-Calvin Johnson - He was hyped up a lot....until he got hurt.
-Brodie Croyle - Unimpressive this year.

Now this isn't to say that these guys can't improve. I'm just saying these guys were hyped up coming into the league and have done nothing noteworthy

Enough with the negativity. Who are the young players who have been doing well?

-Joseph Addai - Perhaps he's just lucky to be playing along side Peyton Manning.
-Maurice Jones Drew - Very fast, very small, and very powerful. This is a good-quality running back.
-Lawrence Maroney - Same with Addai, only he's luckier to have fallen in with the Patriots.
-Greg Jennings - One of the players on the Packers who has given new life to Brett Favre.
-Devin Hester - If nobody kicked to him, then teams would save giving up lots of points. But, that wouldn't be fun to watch.
-Marshawn Lynch - Probably the Bills' best player. Still, that's not saying much.
-Chris Henry - LenDale White - These guys make a decent running back duo for the Titans. Better than the running back duo on the Saints , at least, but no where near as good as the running back duo on the Vikings, Cowboys, or Jags.
-Anthony Gonzalez - With the loss of Stokley this year and the absence of Marvin Harrison, Anothony Gonzalez has proven too be a reliable extra weapon for Peyton Manning.

Jeff Kent Is In Favor Of Blood Testing

Dodgers second baseman Jeff Kent told The Los Angeles Times on Thursday that Major League Baseball players should undergo blood testing to detect whether they are using banned substances, particularly human growth hormone.

Kent, praised in the Mitchell report for telling reporters in September that "Major League Baseball is trying to investigate the past so they can fix the future," is among the first players to suggest using blood tests. The Major League Baseball Players Association has been against it, citing unreliability.

In September, USA Today reported that MLB was eyeing the development of a mass-use blood test for HGH and would push to have it implemented for the 2008 season if a reliable test was available.

"If there is a valid blood test, I'm sure baseball will consider it," MLB spokesman Rich Levin told USA Today in September. Adding a blood test would be subject to collective bargaining between MLB and the players' union.

"I'd like to see every player take a blood test and have the samples frozen," Kent told The Times. "Not everyone in the game is using HGH, but I would bet it still is being abused.

"Why not have blood tests? If ultimately you want a clean game, then it needs to happen.

"They ought to be testing for drugs in the playoffs, too. They [MLB] never do that."

I feel like players such as Jeff Kent are delighted that big name all-stars are getting busted for steroids. It gives the lesser known players (possibly Jeff Kent for example) a chance to rise up. Of course players like Jeff Kent would throw his two cents in about steroid users. He will never become as great as the power hitters in baseball, but speaking out against steroids gives him a chance to throw his name out there and look good to the public. I mean, c'mon. Jeff Kent? Who is he anymore? That's a random player to speak out.

Here's A Replay I Never Thought I'd See In Basketball

The Atlanta Hawks and Miami Heat must replay the final 51.9 seconds of their game last month because the NBA said the official scorer ruled incorrectly that Shaquille O'Neal fouled out. This will be the first time since 1982 the league has sent teams back on the court for a replay.

Usually in baseball when rain delays or cancels a game, depending on how much of the game was played and the content produced in the game, sometimes the rest of the game or whatever innings were remaining are played on another date. However, I never heard of this happening in basketball, especially over someone fouling out. I could understand this happening if the stadium collapsed or some disaster struck, but not because someone mistakingly ruled Shaq fouled out when he didn't. I mean, would it really make a terribly big difference if Shaq played the last 52 seconds of the game?

The Hawks won 117-111 at home in overtime Dec. 19. The NBA said Friday the replay will be held before the teams' next scheduled game -- March 8 in Atlanta. Play will start from the time after O'Neal's disputed sixth foul.

The Hawks also were fined $50,000, with commissioner David Stern ruling the team was "grossly negligent" in failing to address the mistake.

The protest is the first granted by the NBA since December 1982, when then-NBA commissioner Larry O'Brien upheld a request for a replay by the San Antonio Spurs after their 137-132 double-overtime loss to the Los Angeles Lakers the previous month.

The Spurs and Lakers finished the game in April 1983, with San Antonio winning 117-114.

I guess the Heat figure that every possible win is a must, but I can't see their season turning around, especially with the East only getting better.

Bad News For The New York Giants

Remember in a previous article I wrote that if Terrell Owens plays this Sunday, the New York Giants have no chance of beating the Dallas Cowboys? Remember my whole rant about how much of a playmaker and difference maker Terrell Owens is? Well, Terrell Owens warmed up for practice Friday, then went to see a trainer about his injured ankle.

Owens felt so good he wanted the protective tape he'd been wearing cut off. Then he ran to join his teammates who were lined up to stretch, slapping hands and practically doing a victory lap on his way to his spot, complete with waving his right index finger.

"I'm good,'' Owens said later, at his locker. "See you Sunday.''

The team's official report listed his participation in practice as limited and his game status as questionable. Coach Wade Phillips was more hopeful about having his All-Pro receiver in the lineup Sunday against the New York Giants. Phillips added that if Owens can play, he'll start.

"Terrell said he's going to play and I believe him. I think he will attempt to play and we will let him,'' Phillips said. "To what degree, at what level, remains to be seen in the game. Unless something unforeseen happens, I think he probably will [play].''

Owens was the last player out of the locker room and onto the practice field, then did some warm-up steps going forward and sideways. Once he felt comfortable, he joined the receivers catching lobs. He was striding slowly and without a hitch before stopping for the tape removal.

After stretching, Owens moved as quickly as anyone on his way back to join the receivers. Reporters weren't allowed to watch anything after that.

"He did good, he looked good -- he's ready to go Sunday,'' fellow receiver Sam Hurd said. "Especially when running, he looked good.''

Marion Jones Has Been Sentenced To Prison

Marion Jones was sentenced Friday to six months in prison for lying about using steroids and a check-fraud scam, despite beseeching the judge that she not be separated from her two young children "even for a short period of time."

"I ask you to be as merciful as a human being can be,'' said Jones, who cried on her husband's shoulder after she was sentenced.

The disgraced former Olympic champion was ordered to surrender March 11 to begin her term.

U.S. District Judge Kenneth Karas said he gave her the maximum under her plea deal to send a message to athletes who have abused drugs and overlooked the values of "hard work, dedication, teamwork and sportsmanship."

"Athletes in society have an elevated status, they entertain, they inspire, and perhaps, most important, they serve as role models," Karas said.

Later Friday, the judge sentenced Jones' former coach, Olympic champion Steve Riddick, to 5 years and 3 months in prison for his role in the check-fraud scam, less than what the sentencing guidelines recommended. Riddick also was given three years' probation and must pay back $375,000.

The 31-year-old Jones also was given two years' probation and supervised release, during which she will be required to perform 800 hours of community service.

"As everyone can imagine, I'm very disappointed today," Jones told reporters outside court. "But as I stood in front of all of you for years in victory, I stand in front of you today. I stand for what is right."

"I respect the judge's order, and I truly hope that people will learn from my mistakes," added Jones.

Talk about showing no mercy towards Marion Jones. I can only imagine what the court will do to Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds where they took steroids in a much more popular sport.

The Future Of Coach Tony Dungy Is In Speculation

This is bad news for the Colts and Colts fans alike. Can you picture Peyton Manning talking on the sideline to any coach other than coach Dungy? I sure can't.

The good news is Coach Tony Dungy doesn't want to talk about retirement...yet.

Dungy, who has considered leaving football each of the past two years, acknowledged Thursday he would talk with his wife and Indianapolis officials about the future when the Colts' season ends.

Speculation about his potential departure was fueled by a report Thursday in The Tampa Tribune that said his son, Eric, enrolled at Plant High School in Florida. Eric Dungy, who turns 16 Saturday, was a receiver-defensive back at Park Tudor High School in Indianapolis the last two years but reportedly began attending classes at Plant on Tuesday.

Tony Dungy would not confirm the report.

"I'm not going to say anything because it's not really worthy of comment," he said. "I've heard and read a lot and some of it is true, some of it is partially true and some of it isn't true at all. I wouldn't read anything into any of the things you hear and read."

The 52-year-old Dungy signed a three-year contract extension in September 2005, a deal intended to keep him with the Colts through 2009.

But he has considered leaving football before.

He waited one week after the 2005 season to announce he would return when some speculated he might retire to spend more time with his family following the death of his 18-year-old son, James. Last year after leading the Colts to their first Super Bowl title in more than three decades, Dungy again briefly considered retirement.

And he's ready to follow the same decision-making process again this season.

"I'll sit down with my wife and talk it through and then talk to [owner] Jim [Irsay] and [president] Bill [Polian], like I do every year," Dungy said. "And then we'll take a look at it."

Since winning the Super Bowl, Dungy has become more involved in life away from football.

A longtime supporter of charitable groups such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters and All-Pro Dads, Dungy wrote a best-selling memoir, "Quiet Strength", which now has 1 million copies in print. He also was appointed to the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation.

Dungy has said in the past he never intended to be a "lifer" in football and that he initially planned to retire by the time he was 50. But when he announced his return as Colts coach in February, Dungy said he still had the passion to keep coaching.

Colts players say they've seen no indication Dungy intended to leave.

"He's not said anything and I certainly hope not," Pro Bowl center Jeff Saturday said.

Dungy is 127-65 in 12 seasons as a head coach, finishing his six-year career in Tampa Bay as the franchise's winningest coach. He is the only Colts coach to get double-digit victory totals and earn playoff berths in six straight seasons. He led the Buccaneers to the NFC Championship Game in 1999 and has been to the AFC Championship Game twice with the Colts, following the 2003 and 2006 seasons.

In 2007, the Colts became the first team in league history to win at least 12 games in five consecutive years, and Indy has won five straight AFC South titles. Dungy also has been an assistant coach with Minnesota, Kansas City and Pittsburgh and spent three seasons in the late '70s playing for the Steelers and San Francisco 49ers.

Indy's quest to repeat as Super Bowl champs begins Sunday when the San Diego Chargers visit for a divisional-round game that could mark the final time Indy plays in the RCA Dome. The new Lucas Oil Stadium, a retractable-roof dome, opens next season.

Dungy's assistant head coach, Jim Caldwell, also has become a regular on the interview circuit. He met with the Atlanta Falcons and Baltimore Ravens about their openings last week and interviewed with the Arizona Cardinals last year.