Tiger Woods out for the remainder of 2008

18 06 2008

Tiger shuts down the season (TheGolfChannel.com)

We interrupt our hiatus to bring you this story: according to TheGolfChannel.com, recent U.S. Open champion Tiger Woods has decided to end his 2008 golf season due to a stress fracture that occurred right before the Open.

He experienced a small stress fracture in his left leg about two weeks before the U.S. Open, which was causing him the pain, and ultimately the doctors feel that he needs ACL surgery and rest to get him back to 100%.

It just adds to the lore of the epic 91-hole U.S. Open Championship, doesn’t it?

***UPDATED at 11:36 AM ET***

Sources tell the Associated Press that Woods will indeed abruptly end his ‘08 season to have surgery.

***UPDATED at 11:39 AM ET***

TigerWoods.com confirms that the golfer will undergo season ending surgery.


Related : Woods: ‘Lynch’ comment is ‘unfortunate,’ but matter is over
Related : Tiger, wife Elin, expecting first child this summer
Related : Tiger heads for the mountains for new course

We’re still alive…yeah, yeah, yeah

31 03 2008

Folks –

We’re still on a temporary sabbatical, but we’ll be back — better than ever — hopefully by next week.

So hang in there and we’ll be delivering the “news” like you remember.


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Panthers’ Jarrett charged with DWI

11 03 2008

Panthers wideout Jarrett charged with DWI (AP/SI.com)

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett has been charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI) after he was arrested early Tuesday in Meckenburg County, North Carolina.

Jarrett, a former star at Southern Cal, was pulled over at 3 a.m. in Charlotte and was released by authorities on $1,000 bond.

He was the club’s second round pick in last year’s NFL Draft.


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The Power Lunch, 3.11.08

11 03 2008

News and notes while cleaning things up around the domicile…

Source: Yankees wouldn’t stand in way NHL contest (ESPN News Services) The NHL would like to place their next “Winter Classic” at the soon-to-be closing Yankee Stadium in January 2009, the final event at “The House That Ruth Built.”

Fitzgerald to stay with Gridbirds (Larry-Fitzgerald.com) Pending the approval of the NFL, the Arizona Cardinals and wideout Larry Fitzgerald have agreed to terms on a contract extension for four years.

Ex-Ram, fans drop suit against Patriots (Boston Globe) Remember that ridiculous lawsuit filed by former St. Louis Rams player Willie Gary against the New England Patriots for millions of dollars? It was dropped due to what lawyers cite as an “exercise in futility”.

Heels to retire Hansbrough’s jersey (AP/SI.com) As a reward for winning a national player of the year award courtesy of the Sporting News, junior Tyler Hansbrough will have his jersey retired to the Dean Dome rafters.

Comcast, Big Ten Network coming to agreement? (SPORTSbyBROOKS) Via the sports marketing publication the Sports Business Journal, cable company Comcast and the Big Ten Network may finally be coming to an agreement to have the cable giant to carry the network on its airwaves.

…and finally…

Clayton Kershaw has a wicked curve (YouTube) Not as wicked as the “Uncle Charlie” that St. Louis pitcher Adam Wainwright dropped on New York’s Carlos Beltran in the 2006 NLCS, but it’s still really, really, really neat-o.


Related : SI.com’s MLB power rankings
Related : Donovan’s MLB power rankings
Related : The Power Lunch, 10.05.07

Favre retiring…yes, it looks that way

4 03 2008

Favre tells Packers he’s calling it a career (FOXSports.com/ESPN)

According to a published Internet report on FOXSports.com — and confirmed by ESPN’s Chris Mortensen — Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre has decided to retire.

The certain Hall of Famer has reportedly told Packers brass via his agent, Bus Cook, that the gunslinger is done.

***UPDATED at 11:31 AM EDT***

The Green Bay Packers have confirmed the report by FOXSports.com’s Jay Glazer.


Related : Packers’ Favre has ankle surgery
Related : More fun in the land of cheese: Pack hasn’t ok’d Favre skipping camp
Related : Favre conducts the traditional two-step, stutter-step amid trade speculation

We’ll be back again…

23 02 2008

If you hadn’t noticed, we haven’t been around much lately and for that, we apologize for not bringing you all the latest and greatest from the wacky world of sports.

Life has gotten in the way of being able to do so on a regular basis and, unfortunately, it will be much the same for the foreseeable future.

If we were betting folks, we’d bet money that we won’t be around much for the next ten days as we’ll be enjoying a nice vacation on the beautiful shores of an island in the Pacific.  We aim to be back — with some regularity — by the end of the first full week of March.

So as the great Jack Buck usually signed off, we’ll sign off the same: “For this time, till next time…g’night.”


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Sampson out at Indiana?

21 02 2008

Report: Sampson won’t coach another game for Hoosiers (AP/SI.com)

According to a broadcast report on an Indiana television station, Indiana Hoosiers coach Kelvin Sampson will not coach another basketball game at the university.

WHTR of Indianapolis reported that Dan Dakich, an assistant under Sampson, will take over the program on an interim basis for the remainder of the season.

The NCAA has accused Sampson and some members of his staff of five major recruiting violations over improper telephone calls to high school players.  The school is reviewing the allegations and will likely either reach a financial settlement with Sampson or suspend the coach pending termination under the teams of his contract.


Related : Indiana AD to address media Friday
Related : Assistant at center of recruiting controversy resigns
Related : The Power Lunch, 10.15.07

The Power Lunch, 2.19.08

19 02 2008

News and notes while the Cardinals go for the brass ring and sign Ron Villone to a minor-league deal

Pence injured in sliding door tumble (MLB.com) Houston’s young star Hunter Pence has trouble with sliding glass door, cuts hand and knees.  Something tells us the story will change a bit here.

Tejada won’t discuss Mitchell Report (AP/SI.com) Expect answers similar to Chico Escuela when asked about his involvement in the Mitchell Report.

Report: Giants, Coughlin close to deal (The Sports Network) The Super Bowl champion New York Giants and their head coach Tom Coughlin are closing in on a pact that would keep the bench boss in the Meadowlands till 2011.

Noel Devine in some hot water (The Dominion Post) Morgantown Police investigating incident that involves WVU star running back Noel Devine (i-Five to TheBigLead for the tip).

ESPN.com to launch channel for print pub (MediaWeek) The Worldwide Teaser to publish online home for it’s printed publication, ESPN: The Magazine.

…and finally…

The NHL is no stranger is pranks (YouTube) On Monday, we brought you the Kyle Kendrick prank. Today, some NHL veterans have some fun with a rookie’s car keys.


Related : SI.com’s MLB power rankings
Related : Donovan’s MLB power rankings
Related : The Power Lunch, 10.05.07

Agent: Forsberg likely out season

18 02 2008

Forsberg likely won’t return this season (TSN.ca)

Don Baizley, the agent for injured NHL star Peter Forsberg, tells TSN of Canada that the former All-Star will likely not play in the NHL this season despite receiving numerous offers.

“The prospect of Peter having enough confidence in the foot-skate issue to commit to being able to play in the NHL this season isn’t where it needs to be at this moment,” Baizley told TSN. “As a result, teams are being told it is unlikely he will be able to commit to return to the NHL this season.”

TSN.ca’s Bob McKenzie also reports that should Forsberg’s foot continue to improve, he may try to aim for a 2008-2009 return instead.

Before Monday’s news, Forsberg had rejected the Ducks, Stars, Red Wings, Predators, Flames, Penguins and Sharks, which left the Flyers, Avalanche, Senators, Canucks, Blackhawks and Wild in the running for his services, according to numerous reports.


Related : Forsberg situation coming to a head in Philadelphia; dealt to Nashville
Related : ‘The Dominator’ plans return for 16th season
Related : The Power Lunch, 1.15.08

It’s happening (again): Mavericks closing in on landing Kidd

18 02 2008

Mavericks back on track with Nets to get Kidd (ESPN.com)

It appears that the Jason Kidd deal that would send him to the Dallas Mavericks is going to happen, writes Marc Stein of ESPN.com.

Per Stein:

The Nets and Mavericks are again on the brink of a deal that would send Kidd back to his original team, according to NBA front-office sources. The teams have reached an agreement in principle on the two major changes needed to save a blockbuster swap that appeared to be crumbling as recently as Friday. One source close to the process told ESPN.com that a conference call with the league to review the trade details is tentatively scheduled for Monday.

Rod Thorn, New Jersey Nets president, told the Newark Star-Ledger that Keith Van Horn’s involvement in the transaction may be an issue.  Van Horn hasn’t played in the NBA since the 2006 Finals and would have to leave his home in Colorado, take a physical and make himself available to play for New Jersey.

***UPDATED at 12:39 AM ET***

According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, the deal is “likely done” after Kidd was excused from the club’s first post-All Star Game practice on Monday.


Related : Another week, another NBA blockbuster: Kidd to Dallas?
Related : Sources: Stackhouse’s mouth may kill Kidd trade
Related : Kidd really was sick, says Nets president

The Power Lunch, 2.18.08

18 02 2008

News and notes while the Patriots go after Matt Walsh

Ranking the best GMs in the game (SI.com) Jon Heyman of SI.com has the usual suspects atop the list. Great nugget: The poster boy of  “Moneyball” is retiring.  Jeremy Brown, the pudgy OBP machine, is hanging ‘em up at age 28.

Study: Jeter is worst defensive shortstop in baseball (New York Post) Predictably, the New York media is none-too-happy with the results of this University of Pennsylvania study.

Time for Pettitte to tell the whole truth (FOXSports.com/New York Post) Joel Sherman of the New York Post wants Yankees pitcher to come clean.

Tennesse punter gets DUI, loses scholarship (Chattanooga Times Free Press) Dumb. Dumb. Dumb.

..and finally…

Kyle Kendrick gets punked by teammates, management (YouTube)


Related : SI.com’s MLB power rankings
Related : Donovan’s MLB power rankings
Related : The Power Lunch, 10.05.07

The Power Lunch, 2.16.08

16 02 2008

News and notes while dropping in for a spell and enjoying the five-game Red Wings losing streak….

Posada supports Clemens (Daily News) Even though he didn’t watch the Congressional hearings this week, Yankees catcher Jorge Posada still believes that Roger Clemens didn’t take PEDs.  Good to see he’s making an informed opinion, nevermind that  his comments don’t show much love for current teammate Andy Pettitte.

LoDuca apologizes for ‘mistakes in judgment’ (AP/SI.com) More PEDs: Washington Nationals catcher Paul LoDuca apologized for being mentioned in the Mitchell Report in a released statement by the ballclub.  Thankfully, he didn’t say he “misremembered” taking the stuff.

Zednik released from hospital (AP) The Florida Panthers defenseman who was inadvertently slashed by a falling teammates’ skate was released from a Buffalo, New York-area hospital.  Zednik’s season is over.

Zach Thomas not ready to hang ‘em up (Florida Today/USATODAY.com) The recently-released Pro Bowl linebacker Zach Thomas tells a South Florida radio station that he’s not ready to retire from the NFL.

Indiana investigation a sham (IndyStar.com) Indianapolis Star columnist Bob Kravitz writes what everyone is thinking: the Indiana University investigation in the major NCAA violations by hoops coach Kelvin Sampson is nothing more than a sham.

…and finally…

$100M spy suit says Pats, coach cheated St. Louis (Boston Herald) So let’s get this straight: taping a walk-through is going to tilt a Super Bowl in a team’s favor? This guy should sue then-Rams coach Mike Martz for not using running back Marshall Faulk.

(Note: We hope to be back on a regular basis for most of next week.  We definitely won’t be around from February 23 through March 4-ish. We apologize for being away, but life gets in the way sometimes.)


Related : SI.com’s MLB power rankings
Related : Donovan’s MLB power rankings
Related : The Power Lunch, 10.05.07

Indiana AD to address media Friday

15 02 2008

McRobbie to address Sampson situation (Scout.com)

John Decker of HoosierNation.com reports that Indiana University president Michael McRobbie will address the media at 3 PM ET Friday to address the ongoing situation with basketball coach Kelvin Sampson. It is expected that the school will likely suspend Sampson for the remainder of the season rather than terminate him at this time.

The NCAA is alleging that Sampson and his staff violated organization rules and provided “false or misleading information” to investigators.

The allegations stem from a phone-call scandal that occurred while Sampson was still under recruiting restrictions following a similar episode at Oklahoma.


Related : Someone took Mark Prior’s blankey away
Related : Indiana’s Hoeppner passes away
Related : Sampson out at Indiana?

Sources: Stackhouse’s mouth may kill Kidd trade

15 02 2008

Sources: Stackhouse’s hint at return to Dallas raises red flags (ESPN.com)

ESPN: The Magazine’s Chris Broussard reports that the much ballyhooed deal that would send All-Star Jason Kidd to the Dallas Mavericks may hit another pothole on its way to possible completion: Jerry Stackhouse’s mouth.

Sources tell Broussard that Stackhouse’s post-trade comments regarding a return to Dallas just 30 days after the trade’s completion isn’t sitting well with the NBA.

“I get 30 days to rest, then I’ll be right back,” Stackhouse told The Associated Press on Wednesday in response to the proposed trade. “I ain’t going nowhere.”

To follow, Stackhouse assumes that the New Jersey Nets would buy out his contract.  Should they do so, under NBA rules, a player who has his deal bought out must wait at least 30 days before signing with another club.  The part that doesn’t sit well with the league is that it shows that Stackhouse has talked to Mavericks owner Mark Cuban about a return to the club, which could end up having him removed from the deal.


Related : Kidd really was sick, says Nets president
Related : It’s happening (again): Mavericks closing in on landing Kidd
Related : Another week, another NBA blockbuster: Kidd to Dallas?

Another week, another NBA blockbuster: Kidd to Dallas?

13 02 2008

Sources: Mavs, Nets close in on Kidd deal (ESPN.com)

According to a report by ESPN.com hoop insider Marc Stein, the Jason Kidd deal to the Dallas Mavericks is back in play.

Sources tell Stein that the New Jersey Nets and Mavericks have agreed in principle on a deal that has the Mavs sending 24-year-old point guard Devin Harris, veteran swingman Jerry Stackhouse, the expiring contracts of center DeSagana Diop and swingman Devean George and guard Maurice Ager to New Jersey for Kidd and forward Malik Allen.

***UPDATED at 10:32 PM ET***

It looks like there’s a snag in this proposed deal: Devean George has exercised his right to block his involvement in the deal, writes ESPN.com’s Stein.  George utilized his “Early Bird rights,” a clause earned by being in his second year and on his second contract with the Mavericks, made the move possible.


Related : It’s happening (again): Mavericks closing in on landing Kidd
Related : Kidd really was sick, says Nets president
Related : Sources: Stackhouse’s mouth may kill Kidd trade

Report: Davis denies detailing Pettitte testimony

12 02 2008

Rep. Davis refutes report on Pettitte’s testimony jibing with McNamee’s (ESPN.com)

In Tuesday’s editions of the New York Daily Newsday, Rep. Tom Davis of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform states that Andy Pettitte’s testimony in a closed session last week seemed to coincide with Roger Clemens’ accuser, Brian McNamee.

Davis told ESPN.com’s T.J. Quinn that he was misquoted and misunderstood in his comments to the paper.

According to the paper, much of Pettitte’s testimony corroborated that of McNamee.

Newsday, citing confidential sources, reported that during a workout in 2002, Pettitte asked McNamee: “How come you don’t give me the stuff you give Roger?” McNamee reportedly replied “Because it’s illegal.”

Davis told the daily that “The Rocket” doesn’t attack Pettitte any his testimony.

Pettitte has been excused from Wednesday’s hearings and according to ESPN’s Quinn, is a “bad witness” and got the information they needed for the hearings. 


Related : Pettitte’s meeting with Congress postponed
Related : Will Andy Pettitte say he can’t speak English well?
Related : Report: Giambi will chat with Mr. Mitchell