Denver.BloggersPub

by Adam Gretz

Filed under: NFL Fans, NFL Hall of Fame

On Tuesday, the NFL announced the finalists for the 2009 Hall of Fame class, a list that contains the NFL's all-time sack leader, a current owner, a former commissioner, and six first-time finalists.

The voters will select a minimum of four and a maximum of seven new members on January 31. The complete list of finalists after the jump.

NFL Announces Hall of Fame Finalists originally appeared on Fanhouse NFL Blog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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by Adam Gretz

Filed under: Sabres, Senators, NHL Fights, NHL Videos

In what has been perhaps the most bizarre week of fighting in the history of hockey goonism, Ottawa Senators forward Jarkko Ruutu has seemingly upped the ante. In the first period of Tuesday's game, Ruutu took a bite out of Sabres forward Andrew Peters.



Ruutu was not penalized for his actions -- how does the referee signal two-minutes for biting? Does he pull out a sandwich and eat it? -- while Peters was handed a two-minute minor for unsportsmanlike conduct. It's possible that Ruutu will be facing a suspension from the league -- that is, if the NHL's wheel of discipline remains consistent. Then again, when has that ever happened?

So far this week we've seen biting, slapping, and whatever it was Sidney Crosby did. All we're missing is hair-pulling and eye-gouging. Of course, the week is still young.

(H/T HFBoards for the video)

Ottawa's Jarkko Ruutu Takes a Bite Out of Andrew Peters originally appeared on Fanhouse NHL Blog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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by Randy Kim

Filed under: Yankees

Fresh off of yesterday's announcement that Jay Mariotti had penned (typed?) his debut column for AOL Sports/FanHouse, we are now extremely pleased to introduce our next big "get" of this young 2009, as former New York Daily News sportswriter Lisa Olson has written her first column for FanHouse. Her topic? The Yankees' megabucks signing of Mark Teixeira, natch.

Yes, Olson got exclusive access to Yankees GM Brian Cashman in the article (who knew that Twisted Sister was such a key ingredient in the Bronx Bombers' recruitment process?) And yes, she was wise to bring up the Yankees' gala signing of another certain No. 25 just a few years back. But honestly, what we are most excited about is what Olson's contributions will mean to the 'House down the road. You might be familiar with Olson's story already, but if you aren't, I encourage you to check out her Wikipedia page. Besides being known for quality sportswriting, Olson's principled approach to her craft has broken down barriers for women sports journalists the world over.

So welcome to the 'House, Lisa. We're happy to have you here. And now that you've made yourself at home, please try to find out what's up with that gray-bearded gunslinger who may or may not be starting at quarterback for the Jets next season. We're kind of curious around these parts.

Lisa Olson Makes FanHouse Debut: 'Yanks Still Living Ugly American Dream' originally appeared on Fanhouse MLB Blog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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by Will Brinson

Filed under: Alabama, Georgia, Hawaii, Ohio State, USC, Utah, BCS, Big 10, Big 12, NCAA FB Coaching, NCAA FB Fans, General CFB Insanity, Bowl Games, FCS

My colleague Mark Hasty penned a piece yesterday calling for a split national title in college football. It's a fun idea; it seeks to give credit to all the teams we believe deserve it (last week it was Alabama and Texas, this week it's just Utah).

Now, MH does have a point -- there is considerable distress in the world of NCAA football when it comes to picking who should be the best/last/triumphant team standing come January 6. This is typically a huge issue every year.

And, in fact, it's an issue for the very reason that Mark pointed out -- we (media, fans, coaches, everyone) always tend to be stone cold wrong about a few particular conferences and/or teams. Hawaii was a perfect example last year; many people actually thought they were good enough to beat Georgia. Whoops. Same thing with, apparently, Alabama -- although I'm still not willing to concede that they aren't an upper tier team, Utah just got the reverse treatment.

But here's the thing: as long as the current setup for college football stands, this will always be an issue. There are several problems. First of all, preseason polls are a total and utter disaster. The need to rank teams as soon as a season ends begs and pleads for us to cave in and actually foster misconceptions about particular programs. See: the Big Ten, every freaking year.

Misconstruing the talent level of a particular program leads to the second issue; it's nearly impossible for a team like Utah -- with their conference, schedule and the inherent bias -- to actually rise high enough in the BCS standings to get a shot at winning a national title.

Counterpoint: Split National Titles Are For People Not Willing to Rationalize a Playoff originally appeared on Fanhouse NCAA Football Blog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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by Michael David Smith

Filed under: Lions, NFL Media Watch

Detroit News columnist Rob Parker was harshly criticized last month after he badgered Lions coach Rod Marinelli over his daughter's marriage to his defensive coordinator. Now he's out of work because of it:

"He doesn't work here any more," Managing Editor Donald Nauss said. He said Parker resigned on Friday. Asked whether this followed a suspension of his column, Nauss said, "I can't talk about personnel matters."

Parker reportedly was demoted from columnist to general assignment reporter because of the incident, and he apparently resigned because of that demotion.

Marinelli's Lions became the first team in NFL history to finish a season 0-16, and the Lions' defense was the worst in the league under coordinator Joe Barry, who is married to Marinelli's daughter. At Marinelli's press conference following the Lions' Week 16 loss to the Saints, Parker asked, "Do you wish your daughter would have married a better defensive coordinator?"

Parker later apologized, but Marinelli said he did not accept the apology.

Parker also appears on ESPN, which did not take any action over his comments.

Rob Parker Leaves Detroit News After Question to Lions Coach Rod Marinelli originally appeared on Fanhouse NFL Blog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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by Will Brinson

Filed under: Alabama, Texas, Utah, BCS, Big 10, Big 12, NCAA FB Fans, NCAA FB Media Watch, NCAA FB Rumors, General CFB Insanity, Bowl Games, FCS

The Utah Utes just finished (another) undefeated season. They are, naturally, proud of this fact. Not quite as proud, though, as they are angry about a BCS scenario that will not enable them to win a national title.

This is because, of course, Oklahoma and Florida are really the only eligible title contenders. (Just don't tell Mack Brown I said that.) But that fact certainly isn't stopping the Thelma, Marvin and Provos of the world from saying their peace -- just ask News and Observer reporter and AP voter J.P. Giglio, who lets us know that people in Utah can use e-mail.

Utah fans have been mass e-mailing AP voters, urging us to put the Utes, the nation's only unbeaten team, No. 1 in the final Top 25.

I've received no less than 100 e-mails from the Ute faithful, not to mention a Facebook wall post from a Ute alum.

Frankly, I can't say I blame the Utah fans; go ahead and put me down for a mea culpa on the whole "Alabama is going to slaughter that little Mountain West team". And it's that same stigma (again, I'm sorry) that has caused puh-lenty of voters to simply ignore teams from smaller conferences.

The big problem is that there isn't -- and this is no real surprise -- ever a consistent level of bowl performance from the Boise States and the Hawaiis and the Utahs of the world. Which pretty much means that the only solution that will ever work correctly is a freaking playoff. Not sure how many times it has to be said.

Utah Fans Are Shamelessly Spamming AP Voters in the Slim Hopes They Can Win a Title originally appeared on Fanhouse NCAA Football Blog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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by Ryan Wilson

Filed under: Chargers, AFC West, NFL Police Blotter, NFL Fans

Bad news. Good news. Bad news... Apparently, these things are cyclical in San Diego. First, a nagging groin injury forced LaDainian Tomlinson to the sidelines during Saturday's wild-card game. The Chargers still upset the Colts, thanks largely to the diminutive, inspirational Sproles.

Then we learn that LdT probably won't be available for this weekend's rematch with the Steelers, which, incidentally, could also be the case for San Diego's best receiver, Vincent Jackson. Unlike Tomlinson, Jackson's not injured, but thanks to his actions early this morning, the Chargers and their fans feel like they've been punched in the gonads. Ironical, for sure.

Via the San Diego Union-Tribune:

Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence in Clairemont early Tuesday morning. Jackson, 25, was driving east on state Route 52 near Interstate 805 just after 2:30 a.m. when he was pulled over for an observed traffic violation, California Highway Patrol Officer Brad Baehr said. ...

Jackson faces the misdemeanor DUI allegations as well as charges that he was driving on probation for a prior DUI, Baehr said. The results of a blood test are pending, the officer said.

(Gets up on soapbox, pulls well-worn piece of paper from pocket, clears throat.)

Chargers WR Vincent Jackson Drinks, Drives, Gets Arrested originally appeared on Fanhouse NFL Blog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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by Brett Pollakoff

Filed under: Bucks, NBA All-Star Game, NBA Videos

Three of the four spots in this year's Dunk Contest field have been decided, but the fourth one, as you may recall, will be decided by a vote from the fans. After reviewing a few of the promotional videos put together by Russell Westbrook, Rudy Fernandez, and Joe Alexander, I can tell you that my vote is going to Alexander at this point. Still undecided? Then watch this video and be convinced.


Sure, the other candidates have videos of their own; there's Westbrook playing the trumpet, and Fernandez pronouncing the word "donk" due to his accent. Yawn. Give me the humor of Alexander's videos any day. Besides, do Westbrook or Fernandez get warmed up by hitting their head on the rim? I didn't think so.

Joe Alexander Will Stop at Nothing to Get Your Dunk Contest Vote originally appeared on Fanhouse NBA Blog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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by Brett Pollakoff

Filed under: Bobcats, Celtics, Hornets, Lakers

FanHouse's NBA Guide gives you a daily look at all the games that matter ... and some that don't.

Tonight's slate features a key Western Conference showdown in Los Angeles, as well as the defending champs looking to get their swagger back against the Bobcats. To the matchups!

HEADLINER
New Orleans at L.A. Lakers, 10:30PM EST, NBATV

On the surface, the Hornets taking on the Lakers would appear to be a closely contested battle of two of the West's elite. But look a little deeper, and you'll see that this has been a colossal mismatch in L.A.'s favor so far this season.

It's early, but New Orleans has hosted the Lakers twice already, and was beaten pretty handily by L.A. in both meetings. Both contests were over by halftime, with the Lakers leading by 21 at the break in the first meeting, and by 19 at the break in the second. We'll see if anything's changed tonight, but even with the Hornets playing well recently, the Lakers should have little trouble rolling to a comfortable victory.

Tuesday's NBA Guide: Hornets Face Lakers, Celtics Look to Get Back on Track originally appeared on Fanhouse NBA Blog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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by Michael David Smith

Filed under: UFC

During today's conference call to promote UFC 93, light heavyweight fighters Rich Franklin and Dan Henderson were so respectful of each other that I finally had to ask them: Don't you guys need to generate some anger to get motivated for your fight?

They both said they don't. In fact, Franklin and Henderson said that in training, they routinely spar with their buddies, which means they've long since grown accustomed to giving a good friend a kick in the face.

Rich Franklin: 'In Training, I Punch Some of My Best Friends in the Head' originally appeared on Fanhouse MMA Blog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:09:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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