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They Can Play And They Try To Write: Athlete Blog Wrap-Up

2008-12-04T23:10:54Z

Some athletes, not satisfied with being better at a specific skill-set than 99% of the world, choose to blog as well. This is a look at their latest efforts.

Curt Schilling has two photos from his trip in the Persian Gulf.

Chris Cooley puts up his Christmas decorations.

Donovan McNabb enjoyed his Thanksgiving celebration this year.

Celtics PG Rajon Rondo is happy with how both he and his team played last night.

Yankees P Phil Hughes shares his current five song playlist.

What To Watch: Thursday

2008-12-04T22:55:00Z

7pm ET - ESPN2 - USC @ #6 Oklahoma - The Sooners Blake Griffin will face his toughest test against USC's Taj Gibson who's averaging nearly 4 blocks per game. Griffin's got a few pounds on Gibson though and might look to muscle his way to another 20/20 game.
8pm - TNT - Suns @ Mavericks - Amare Stoudemire wants to be the man but he's only 26. He's got another 14 years before he reaches 40.
8pm - NFL Network - Raiders @ Chargers - If the Raiders win they will be tied for 2nd with the Chargers in the AFC West. Could the Chargers situation be even worse than the Raiders?
9pm - ESPN2 - #12 UCLA @ #8 Texas - Touted UCLA freshman Jrue Holliday had his breakout game Saturday against Florida International. Jrue went 8 for 8, scored 20 points and had 3 steals. They will need him to contribute to beat Texas in Austin.
10:30pm - Spurs @ Nuggets - These two teams seem to be going in opposite directions. The Nuggets are 12-3 since acquiring Billups and hold the third best record in the East. The Spurs have lost two in a row and are endanger of falling to .500 with a loss tonight.
Non-sports pick - 9pm - NBC - The Office - Dwight takes Angela and Andy to Schrute farms. Here's hoping there's a small part for former blogger of Fire Joe Morgan Michael Schur as Mose Schrute.

Suggestions To Make NFL Teams Not Making The Playoffs More Interesting

2008-12-04T21:30:00Z

At this point in the NFL season some teams are vying for playoff position, others playoff hopes are on the brink, and some should begin planning for next year. But the games must be played regardless of whether teams have been eliminated or not, if only to see the Lions pursuit of imperfection. Since the games must be played, the eliminated teams might as well make them entertaining. Just under a month ago, with the Bengals at 1-8, Cincinnati Enquirer columnist Paul Daugherty suggested the Bengals should go for it on fourth down every time. Then, just a few days ago Pat McManamon of the Akron-Beacon Journal called for the Browns to use kick returner Joshua Cribbs at quarterback. It's not as far-fetched as it sounds since Cribbs did play QB at Kent State. Both of these suggestions while completely ridiculous would definitely drum up some publicity and make both teams a whole lot more entertaining. Here's what other teams that aren't going to make the playoffs could do to make their games watchable:
Detroit is in rough shape. Not only do the Big Three desperately need a bailout but the Lions are staring at an 0-16 season. The problem is the management of both the auto industry and the football team. What they need is some Japanese ingenuity. The Lions have been sacked an NFL-high 45 times this year; their QB’s just can’t stay on their feet. Maybe their legs are getting tired. Well, Honda has the perfect solution: Robot legs!

Since it hasn’t worked having two mediocre quarterbacks split the starts this season I think it’s time for the Texans to go retro. They need to bring back Mittens.

David Carr is in the renaissance of his career. With the Giants he has a phenomenal passer rating of 127.1. Sure he’s thrown just one pass of 5 yards, but he hasn’t fumbled or been sacked yet. ]]> The Rams offense has been horrible and it’s time for them to mix things up. The wildcat has been all the rage this season so why not put your seven-time Pro Bowler back there and see what he can do. I’m talking about Orlando Pace. Who’s going to want to pull down that 325-pounder (that was generous of the media guide) when he pancakes 300-plus pound guys all the time.
The 49ers lead the league in fumbles and fumbles lost. If they’re going to fumble the ball, why not do it on purpose? It’s time for the 49ers to implement the fumblerooski as their default play. Hey, if Mike Singletary is crazy enough to drop his pants to motivate the team it’s entirely possible he could be open to this idea.

The only thing scary about the Raiders (beside Nnamdi Asomugha) is Al Davis. Why not make use of that?

Tell me that wouldn't scare anyone away.
Since they’re not going to make the playoffs they might as well help others make them. I'm not talking about the NFL playoffs but fantasy playoffs. They should let LaDainian Tomlinson run the entire offense. He’s having an off year, but this will make it up to all the fantasy owners that picked him first overall (assuming they made the playoffs despite LT's down year).
It’s time for a QB change in Jacksonville. Clearly David Garrard isn’t having the year he was last year. Last year he threw just 3 interceptions. So far this year, he already has nine. It’s time to turn to Cleo. Not backup Cleo Lemon but Cleo the psychic. She’ll know what’s coming at all times as long as you continue to pay her 99 cents a minute.
I know I’ve thrown out some crazy suggestions so far. But this one is pretty dramatic. Larry Johnson has been one of the Chiefs only offensive weapons for awhile now but I think it’s time for him to transition to the defensive side of the ball. If you can just brainwash him into thinking the opposing team is a bunch of girls he’d be a beast linebacker.
Matt Hasselbeck isn’t cutting it this year. It’s time to bring in his brother, Tim. Do I think Tim is a better QB? Definitely not, but if it gets Elisabeth Hasselbeck more TV time I’m all for it.

They are actually still alive in the playoff hunt BECAUSE they have gone the entertaining route. They’ve decided to completely abandon the run and pass on every down. It just might get Drew Brees the MVP.

Pay Homage To Gamblor: Week 14

2008-12-04T13:50:06Z

I’m glad that The Daily Show and The Colbert Report both touched on a part of this Plaxico Burress story that was threatening to go swept under the rug amid much more important issues. That issue: Burress was wearing sweatpants in the club. How is this allowed? If I, or any of you, tried to go into a club with sweatpants, we would immediately be turned away.

Now clearly pro athletes are allowed to do whatever they want, so then the question becomes, why go to a club wearing sweatpants? Just looking to relax for the night? Didn’t want to get all dressed up? Then perhaps a busy club isn’t the place for you, certainly not one where you may feel the need to bring a gun for protection. So, to sum it all up: Plaxico Burress decided he wanted to go out, threw on his sweatpants (or maybe he was already wearing them, not sure), shoved his unlicensed gun in his pants and headed off to the club. Then, at some point, his gun started to slide down his sweatpants (maybe another sign that sweats aren’t the best clothing choice for gun brandishing), and in an attempt to grab the gun, shot himself in the leg. Somehow no one noticed, so Burress and Antonio Pierce were able to get rid of the gun and exit the club, at which point Burress spent 90 minutes finding the perfect hospital to go to with his cover story, that he was named Harris Smith and he shot himself at an Applebee’s. The number of smart, well-informed, logical decisions Plax made that night are astounding.

Anyways, after a week of football that included the worst slate of Thanksgiving day games ever, very few close games overall, watching the Redskins lose, live in the cold rain, and a horrendous 5-11 record, things can only go up from here this week. I hope.

Last week: 5-11
Season: 86- 101-5
Lock of the week: 7-6
Home team in CAPS]]> CHARGERS (-9.5) over Raiders
Chargers, good thing you locked up Norv Turner for 2009. It’s hard to do so little with so much talent, that’s a skill you need to hold on to when you get the chance.

COLTS (-13.5) over Bengals
Marvin Lewis needs to be more than fired from this job. He should be fired out of a cannon, possibly directly into offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski.

BEARS (-6.5) over Jaguars
With the Vikings looming suspension problems and games against teams like the Jaguars, the Bears are perfectly capable of slipping into the backdoor of the playoffs, and getting soundly beaten.

PACKERS (-6) over Texans
The Packers look like they are arguably the best team in the NFC North, at least the best offense, but when you give up 86 points in two weeks, you shouldn’t be winning anything. And they aren’t. But they are good enough to beat a mediocre, speed-centered dome team like the Texans, outdoors in Green Bay.

TITANS (-13.5) over Browns
Ken Dorsey vs. the Titans defense; about as equal a match-up as Native Americans vs. Small Pox.

Vikings (-8) over LIONS
Against most teams I’d say the final outcome on the Vikings suspension appeals will play a big part in the outcome, but against the Lions they probably don’t even need any defensive tackles.

Redskins (+5.5) over RAVENS
People think a little too highly of the Ravens right now, and its about time for them to fall down a peg. The Redskins find a way to win and stay close to the playoff picture.

GIANTS (-7) over Eagles
I’m not quite sure what a team can do to beat the Giants, and Eli isn’t beating the team himself this year.

SAINTS (-3) over Falcons
I don’t think the Saints will be picking up the Giants trash and looking to sign Plaxico in the off-season like they did with Shockey.

Jets (-4) over 49ERS
Yes, the 49ers are better under Mike Singletary, but they won’t be able to run against the Jets, and they need to if they hope to hang with teams.

Dolphins (+1) over BILLS
The Dolphins have always struggled in December on the road in the north; or course a big portion of that is due to cold weather. The Bills have decided to eliminate that advantage by playing indoors in Toronto. Smart move.

BRONCOS (-9) over Chiefs
The Broncos are unexplainable. They could win this game by 28 or straight up lose. Maybe Jay Cutler isn’t checking his blood sugar often enough.

CARDINALS (-14) over Rams
The Cardinals struggled again on another trip to the East coast. Now, back at home, they will find some relief and encouragement when they beat the Rams by 25 points.

Cowboys (+3) over STEELERS
Jerry Jones is probably already clearing cap room to sign Plaxico Burress.

Patriots (-4.5) over SEAHAWKS
Did anyone see the Seahawks play last week? When was it decided that the last ranked pass defense would be able to stop the Patriots just because the top-ranked Steelers did it? Does this line make any sense? I would have thought it would be closer to 7, and still would have picked New England. LOCK OF THE WEEK.

PANTHERS (-3) over Buccaneers
The NFC South is seemingly the only division where home field advantage matters, where the teams are a combined 21-2 at home (and that’s not counting the Saints “home” win in England), so I’ll stick with the home Panthers.

What To Watch: Wednesday

2008-12-03T23:00:41Z

7:15pm ET - ESPN - Indiana @ #15 Wake Forest - The Demon Deacons are looking for their first 7-0 start since 2003.
7:30pm - ESPN2 - Penn State @ Georgia Tech - Penn State has a chance if Stanley Pringle is jacking up shots and hitting them. The only loss for the Nittany Lions was the one game Pringle was held to single digits in scoring.
9:15pm - ESPN - #1 UNC @ #12 Michigan State - They will play at Detroit's Ford Field and North Carolina will most likely end their season there since it's home to this year's Final Four.
9:30pm - ESPN2 - Florida State @ Northwestern - The Seminoles look to go 8-0 for the first time since 2003.
Non-sports story - TNT - 8pm - A Christmas Story - If only Plaxico had watched this movie.

They Can Play And They Try To Write: Athlete Blog Wrap-Up

2008-12-03T22:30:43Z

Some athletes, not satisfied with being better at a specific skill-set than 99% of the world, choose to blog as well. This is a look at their latest efforts.

Q & A with USA beach volleyball player Misty May.

Blazers F Channing Frye is taking a survey to see if you think Jordan or Kobe was a better scorer in their prime.

Curt Schilling writes about spending his first day overseas with the troops.

USA Softball pitcher Jennie Finch had a reunion with teammates from Arizona.

Tommy Lasorda received the Order of the Rising Sun and shares a story from his 1980 baseball trip to Japan.

Giants #1 In RCS NFL Power Ranking Averages

2008-12-03T07:15:16Z

The RCS NFL Power Ranking Averages combine nine* other sites' power rankings to make the most balanced and unbiased grade possible, and to offer the most accurate look at the state of the NFL on a weekly basis.

The Giants and the Titans remain the top two teams in the RCS NFL Power Ranking Averages. Two new teams entered the top ten this week. The Ravens rose from 12th to 8th and the Falcons rose up from 13th to 10th. Falling out of the top ten are the Patriots (10th to 12th) and the Cardinals (10th to 14th).

The Jets dropped the most spots in the rankings this week, falling from 3rd to 9th after losing to the Broncos at home. The Broncos were one of the teams that climbed up the rankings the most spots this week, rising from 21st to 16th. Also rising from the ashes were the Eagles, who climbed up from 20th to 15th.

The NFC East is arguably no longer the best division in football, that title may now belong to the NFC South. The NFC East has teams ranked 1, 6, 13, and 15; while the NFC South has teams ranked 4, 5, 10, and 18.

The NFC West takes back the crown for worst division this week from their western counterparts in the AFC. The NFC West teams have an average ranking of 24.44, slightly worse than the AFC West average ranking of 23.28. *Dr. Z is recovering from 2 strokes and will not be publishing new rankings. All of our best wishes go out to Dr. Z and his family. Hopefully he will have a speedy recovery.

Lakers #1 In RCS NBA Power Ranking Averages

2008-12-03T05:30:45Z

The RCS NBA Power Ranking Averages combine eight* other sites' power rankings to make the most balanced and unbiased grade possible, and to offer the most accurate look at the state of the NBA on a weekly basis.

The top 3 stay the same for the third straight week in the RCS NBA Power Ranking Averages: Lakers, Celtics, Cavs. Not only were they the top 3 teams, they were a unanimous top 3. The top ten has two new inhabitants this week. The Hornets rose up from 11th to 8th and the Spurs rose from 13th to 9th. Falling out of the top ten are the Suns, who dropped from 6th to 11th, and the Pistons, who dropped from 9th to 12th.

The biggest riser in this weeks rankings are the Trail Blazers, who moved up from 10th into a tie for 4th. Dropping down the rankings the furthest this week are the 76ers, who fell from 14th to 20th.

The Western Conference continues to have a high concentration of teams at the top and bottom of the rankings, leaving the middle of the road for the East. The West has 8 of the top 11 ranked teams, as well as 6 of the bottom 8. *AOL Sports did not have any rankings for this week at the time of publication.

What To Watch: Tuesday

2008-12-02T23:15:53Z

7pm ET - ESPN - Ohio State @ #21 Miami - Ohio State has lost seven straight road games to ranked opponents.
7pm - Versus - Lightning @ Flyers - It looks like it wasn't just Barry Melrose. The Lightning stink no matter who is coaching them.
7:30pm - ESPN2 - Clemson @ Illinois - Neither team has really played anyone good (possible exception of Illinois beating Kansas State) but both teams are undefeated.
9pm - ESPN - #4 Duke @ #9 Purdue - Duke looks to remain undefeated in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge in it's tenth year of existence.
9:30pm - ESPN2 - Virginia @ Minnesota - Virginia has a couple early losses but they hung close with Syracuse who is now ranked 16th.
Non-sports pick - 8pm - USA - Elf - I recently just watched it and as ridiculous as it is that Zooey Deschanel ends up with Will Farrell it's still a fun movie.

They Can Play And They Try To Write: Athlete Blog Wrap-Up

2008-12-02T22:15:52Z

Some athletes, not satisfied with being better at a specific skill-set than 99% of the world, choose to blog as well. This is a look at their latest efforts.

Chiefs WR Dwayne Bowe participates in NFL's Play 60 Campaign and helps teach a gym class.

Annika Sorenstam takes a yoga trip.

Rasheed Wallace is giving away an autographed Sony remote if you can answer his question.

Chris Cooley is focused on football all day in this video. He also has a video interview of Jason Taylor.

Yankees P Phil Hughes is back home enjoying the holidays after Arizona Fall League.

Blazers F Channing Frye shares some ridiculous Christmas light displays.

Twins P Kevin Slowey is answering questions in the comments section.

USA Softball P Jennie Finch was in Chicago for Thanksgiving.

Bengals rookie LB Keith Rivers is getting the wire removed from his jaw.

Raiders rookie RB Darren McFadden tries to get past Sunday's loss and move on.

Sharks Continue To Dominate RCS NHL Power Ranking Averages

2008-12-02T21:00:20Z

The RCS NHL Power Ranking Averages combine seven other sites' power rankings to make the most balanced and unbiased grade possible, and to offer the most accurate look at the state of the NHL on a weekly basis.

The San Jose Sharks are the #1 team in the RCS NHL Power Ranking Averages for the fifth consecutive week. This week the Sharks are the unanimous choice at #1. The top ten only sees the addition of one new team this week, the Ducks, who rose from 12th to 6th. Falling out of the top ten are the Blackhawks, who dropped from 5th into a tie for 11th.

This week did not see a lot of movement in any part of the rankings as only three teams moved more than three spots. The Ducks and Canucks (10th to 6th) moved up the rankings, while the Blackhawks were the only team to move down than 3 spots down this week.

Although there was not much movement, there is still plenty of discrepancy within the power rankings. Eight teams have a range of at least eight ranking spots among the various power ranking sites. The sites do agree at the bottom and top of the rankings, where the Sharks are the unanimous #1 and the Lightning were ranked last by six of the seven sites used by RCS.

Top Ten Dumbest Self-Inflicted Injuries

2008-12-02T18:05:27Z

Professional athletes are at major risk every time they step out on the field. They amaze us with their athletic grace and ability to withstand the most brutal hits (just look at Wes Welker). But while it's amazing how most of them brilliantly and regularly manage to avoid injury, it's equally amazing how a few of them have idiotically injured themselves.

There were really too many ridiculous self-inflicted sports injuries that it would be unfair to not include a list of honorable mentions. Athletes love their toys, unfortunately toys of the motorcycle variety can be very dangerous. Kellen Winslow Jr., Ron Gant, Jay Williams, and Ben Roethlisberger were all injured carelessly riding their bikes. A special mention though for Warriors guard Monta Ellis. Ellis was injured this offseason in a ‘low-speed’ moped accident. Is there any moped accident that’s not at low speed?

Sometimes it’s the most benign things that can cause injuries. Sammy Sosa strained his back sneezing, while Brandon Inge strained a stomach muscle after trying to prop a pillow behind his son’s head.

Other times players get injured while exercising. Moises Alou once fell off a treadmill and tore his ACL. Hunter Pence was running when he ran straight into a glass door.

When these players get injured they probably have a lot of time on their hands. What should they do? Adam Eaton might tell them to avoid watching DVDs. Eaton accidentally stabbed himself in the stomach while trying to open the packaging of a DVD.

Those DIDN’T make our list. So you know our Top 10 Dumbest Self-Inflicted Injuries has to be good.

What To Watch: Monday

2008-12-02T01:15:25Z

7pm - ESPN2 - #22 Wisconsin @ Virginia Tech - It's just your typical Wisconsin team that will hold opponents to around 60 points and win about 22 games a year. Head coach Bo Ryan doesn't get the props he deserves.
8pm - Versus - Avalanche @ Wild - The Wild are looking to continue their hot streak and beat the Avs for the 6th straight time at home.
8:30pm - Jaguars @ Texans - And this is why Monday Night Football needs flex scheduling.
Non-sports pick - 8:30pm - CBS - How I Met Your Mother - This episode features one of the best cross promotions ever. This originally aired during March Madness and has Barney setting up a bracket of 64 women he's slept with to determine which one is sabotaging his love life.

Plaxico Burress Decides On Applebees For Fictional Shooting Location

2008-12-01T19:15:44Z

We all know Plaxico Burress shot himself in the leg over the weekend, but what was equally interesting to the whole situation was how he decided to check himself into a hospital.

In order to attempt to keep this incident from becoming public, Plax spent 90 minutes deciding which hospital would afford him the most anonymity. Then, after deciding on a hospital he went in and decided to use a fake name, Harris Smith. Everyone at the New York-Cornell Hospital played along with the charade and despite recognizing the star WR, did not report the incident to the police. But this is not the weirdest part of the incident. Burress (or Smith) claimed to have shot himself at, of all places, Americas favorite neighborhood bar and grill, Applebee’s.

I guess it makes sense as a cover, as thousands of Americans would rather shoot themselves than eat at Applebee’s.

RCS NFL Scoop Counter Update

2008-12-01T18:00:54Z

Over the weekend we all learned that Giants star WR Plaxico Burress managed to shoot himself in the leg with an unlicensed handgun at a NYC nightclub. To no one's surprise, the first reporter to pick up this story and supply the public with all the details was none other than Fox's Jay Glazer. This earns Glazer another "gold" story in the RCS NFL Scoop Counter, where he now is the sole leader in our system to measure which NFL reporter breaks the most and biggest stories.