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Football News from NFL.com
The NFL suspended New York Jets linebacker Calvin Pace for four games without pay Thursday for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. Pace will miss the Jets’ first four games of the 2009 season and is eligible to return for their Oct. 12 game at Miami. Continue reading on NFL.com
The Cleveland Cavaliers and Shaquille O’Neal showcased the new jerseys that Shaq will be wearing this season (open to see photos). The photos look great and O’Neal will be a very popular jersey this upcoming season. Coupled w/ LeBron James existing popularity, I would not be terribly surprised to see the Cavaliers lead the league next year in NBA jersey sales.
For those who would like to remember Shaq by his other NBA stops, see a full listing of all Shaq jerseys here.
Really good mix video for Kobe Bryant/Terminator Salvation. Voiceover of Christian Bale, featuring highlights of the LA Lakers’ Kobe Bryant. Sweet vid. Shout to @SLAMonline for posting about it 1st.
Hockey News from NHL.com
DENVER - The Colorado Avalanche have signed free agent goalie Craig Anderson to a two-year contract. Anderson, who agreed to terms Wednesday, spent the past three seasons with the Florida Panthers. The 28-year-old Anderson ranked third in… Continue reading this story on NHL.com
Some statistics are deceiving, including the 3-3 record the Dodgers’ Randy Wolf has attained to start the 2009 season. Wolf is playing very well for LA, but just can’t get the run support needed to entertain achieving actual wins. Despite the lack of wins he has accrued, Wolf is a solid fantasy baseball starter as a #3-4 option - possibly even a #2. The wins do hold him back slightly, but his strikeouts and innings pitched are an asset to most fantasy rosters.
In 17 starts, the veteran left-hander has 11 no-decisions. But the Dodgers have won 8 of those 11. Dodgers starting pitcher Randy Wolf is 3-3 so far this year with an earned-run average of 3.61, but there’s another notable statistic in his season: He has 11 no-decisions in 17 starts. Continue reading on L.A. Times
Come the end of the season, Wolf should have a few more wins. Manny Ramirez rejoins the Dodgers this weekend and should help provide additional run support for the pitching staff - including Randy Wolf. Los Angeles maintains a lead in the NL West, but the SF Giants are playing well right now and putting unnecessary pressure on the Dodgers to continue winning at a high rate… I say unnecessary, because they are clearly the class of the division.
Football News from NFL.com
Cincinnati Bengals rookie Andre Smith, the sixth overall pick in the draft, said Tuesday that he hopes to be signed and in training camp on time because a holdout could hamper his transition from left tackle to right tackle. Continue reading on NFL.com
Football News from NFL.com
Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson is in no hurry to have his team play more than one regular-season game in Toronto. Continue reading on NFL.com
Hockey News from NHL.com
MONTREAL - After grabbing a shutdown defenceman in the first round of the NHL draft, the Ottawa Senators addressed their offence and goaltending Saturday. Their Day 2 haul included a pair of Swedish prospects taken during the second round… Continue reading this story on NHL.com
Baseball News from L.A. Times
Andre Ethier hit three home runs and knocked in six against the Mariners. Clayton Kershaw is sharp. Bad things don’t come in threes for the Dodgers. Good things certainly do. Continue reading on L.A. Times
Shaquille O’Neal, formerly the “Big Cactus” in PHX, has elected to wear a new jersey number (#33) when he plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2009-2010 season. While the uniform number is unique to Shaq in the NBA, it is actually one of the first numbers that O’Neal has worn, harckening back to his college ball days at LSU.
Joining LeBron James in Cleveland after a mid-week trade from the Phoenix Suns, Shaq is being looked upon as the missing piece in the Cavs run towards an NBA Championship. Win, and the Cavs may keep James when he becomes a free agent next summer; lose, and they may be looking at no Shaq & no LeBron entering one of the biggest free agent summers in recent memory.
Football News from NFL.com
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has initiated a review of the illegal firearm charge against former New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress, opting not to wait until the legal process runs its course before taking action. Continue reading on NFL.com
Football News from NFL.com
Julius Peppers‘ long stalemate with the Carolina Panthers is over. The four-time Pro Bowl defensive end signed his one-year, $16.7 million tender under the franchise tag Wednesday. Continue reading on NFL.com
With the upcoming NFL season, comes unanswered questions and high expectations for several key football teams. Whether through player trades, free agent signings or really not doing much at all, each of the 3 teams covered here are facing pressure to perform in the upcoming season.
With Donovan McNabb in tow after getting a minor raise (why?) and the majority of their team still intact from their NFC Championship run last year, the Eagles look to match or exceed how they finished the season. Philly upgraded at the WR position, a previous weak spot, by drafting Misourri standout Jeremy Maclin. This should help McNabb shine and earn that extra money he’s getting. The biggest loss for Philly is defensive stalworth Brian Dawkins, who signed w/ the Denver Broncos during the offseason. Local Philly fans, get your Philadelphia Eagles tickets here.
The Dolphins enter the season on a huge high, after turning around from a horrible 07-08 season, to make the playoffs last year. Keys to their quick turnaround include new coach Tony Sporano, the signing of Chad Pennington and bringing Bill Parcells in to change the team’s attitude and personnel. One reason the Dolphins excelled last year was the use of “The Wildcat” offense, which allowed them to trick many of their opponents and score on easy plays. This offensive strategy is being picked up across the league, but many defenses are now prepared to handle the trick plays and it is somewhat less effective. Miami will not sneak up on anyone this year either, so the pressure is much greater. Local Dolphins can get their Miami Dolphins tickets here.
The Chicago Bears enter the season as somewhat of an unknown… will the recent acquisition of Jay Cutler be enough to propel them to a championship or will they offense still struggle as it has in recent seasons. The defense remains strong, despite the fact that it continues to age - how long can they stay at a high-level before some major changes are needed. Jay Cutler will face the most scrutiny this year, especially if the team struggles. He is being looked at as the savior and star QB that they haven’t had for decades. The Bears only challenge in the NFC North division will be the Minnesota Vikings, who are flirting w/ acquiring QB Brett Favre to strengthen their only weakness. Detroit and Green Bay will likely finish no better than .500, so the division and a playoff berth are definitely there for Chicago. Chicago Bears tickets on sale here.
Crazy NBA trades mark this Tuesday of NBA Draft week. Still 2 days away, but the trades are flying.
Washington Wizards trade Etan Thomas (and 2 others) to Minnesota Timberwolves for Randy Foye, Mike Miller and the 5th overall draft pick. Washington looks like the easy winner here, while Minnesota looks to be rebuilding from the ground up. Will be interesting to see how their draft shapes up… could another trade be in the works or do they stay young? More on this trade
San Antonio Spurs strengthen themselves in tough Western Conference by acquiring SF Richard Jefferson from the Milwaukee Bucks. Spurs give up Fabricio Oberto (more later), Kurt Thomas and Bruce Bowen. Spurs make out like bandits, stealing Jefferson for virtually nothing. Thomas and Bowen are expected to be waived and could be re-signed by the Spurs. More on this trade; Hollinger suggests Spurs are title contenders
Detroit Pistons acquire Fabricio Oberto from the Bucks for Amir Johnson. Isn’t there like a 30-day waiting period before trading a recently traded player? Apparently not…
Not sure how the league allows this to happen, but the Spurs are working the system for everything it’s worth. Trade 3 guys for a pseudo All-Star in Jefferson and then re-sign 2 of the 3 traded players (soon after they’re waived). Something’s wrong here… There should be a bigger window (blockage) for player’s re-signing w/ teams that just dropped them.
Draft approaching on Thursday night… scored some Suns Draft Party tickets via Twitter!!! Looking forward to the experience.
Not sure how long this video has been circulating, but it is hilarious… Allen Iverson “practice” rant autotuned w/ Jim Mora, Dennis Green and the other crazy coach from OK State? (or OR St.) Didn’t catch Joe Namath (”I wanna kiss you Suzy”) or Terrell Owens on the first go’ round. Good enough to be a real song - kudos to the creator.
Got the vid from my man J.E. Skeets at Ball Don’t Lie.