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September 27, 2005
NFL FOOTBALL schedule week 4
| WEEK 4 | |||
| DATE | GAME | TIME | DIRECTV® |
| Sunday, Oct. 2 | Buffalo at New Orleans | 1:00 p.m. | 712 |
| Denver at Jacksonville | 1:00 p.m. | 710 | |
| Detroit at Tampa Bay | 1:00 p.m. | 706 | |
| Houston at Cincinnati | 1:00 p.m. | 709 | |
| Indianapolis at Tennessee | 1:00 p.m. | 708 | |
| San Diego at New England | 1:00 p.m. | 711 | |
| Seattle at Washington | 1:00 p.m. | 707 | |
| St. Louis at N.Y. Giants | 1:00 p.m. | 705 | |
| N.Y. Jets at Baltimore | 4:05 p.m. | 715 | |
| Dallas at Oakland | 4:15 p.m. | 714 | |
| Minnesota at Atlanta | 4:15 p.m. | 713 | |
| Philadelphia at Kansas City | 4:15 p.m. | 704 | |
| San Francisco at Arizona | 8:30 p.m. | ||
| Monday, Oct. 3 | Green Bay at Carolina | 9:00 p.m. | |
| Open date: Chicago, Cleveland, Miami, Pittsburgh | |||
Posted by admin at 03:45 PM | Comments (0)
Nothing beats baseball's final week
Pennant, individual races come to a head over next seven days
In the final week of the magical 1941 season, Ted Williams took a .39955 batting average into the last Sunday. He could have quit there and been credited with .400, but he insisted on playing that last doubleheader, and banged out six hits to finish at .406 -- the last person to hit above .400 in the Majors.
In the final week of the 2001 season, Barry Bonds parked the last of his 73 home runs for a single-season record. But good pitching was playing an even bigger role, as Arizona's twosome of Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling took command and the Diamondbacks eliminated the Giants on that final Friday.
In the final week of the magical 1941 season, Ted Williams took a .39955 batting average into the last Sunday. He could have quit there and been credited with .400, but he insisted on playing that last doubleheader, and banged out six hits to finish at .406 -- the last person to hit above .400 in the Majors.
In the final week of the 2001 season, Barry Bonds parked the last of his 73 home runs for a single-season record. But good pitching was playing an even bigger role, as Arizona's twosome of Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling took command and the Diamondbacks eliminated the Giants on that final Friday.
Think back to the final week of previous Major League seasons, and there seem like a million memories that connect baseball's past to its present. There were the moments that led up to Bobby Thomson's "Shot Heard 'Round The World" in 1951, and the Yankee comeback that led to Bucky Dent's bleepin' homer at Fenway in '78. Maybe you remember the tension that grew and grew in the last week of the 1985 season between Dick Howser's Royals and Gene Mauch's Angels, or you can go back to just last October and Steve Finley's walk-off grand slam at Dodger Stadium.
There is nothing like the final week of a season. And now it is here again, with team and individual races at a collective boiling point. MLB.com's exclusive "Down to the Wire Deal" is a good tool for fans wanting to follow it all, because for just $9.95 you can watch all remaining out-of-market games live through Sunday on MLB.TV or listen to all remaining regular-season games live with Gameday Audio.
The week begins with the American League East deadlocked between the Red Sox and Yanks; with the White Sox trying to hold off the Cleveland Comeback; and with the usual intense Wild Card races in both leagues. There are 12 teams either in a lead or within five games of one, and that includes the Atlanta Braves, who are holding onto a five-game lead over Philadelphia in a bid to win a 14th consecutive division title, a streak unmatched in pro sports.
"We just have to remember that this thing isn't over until that magic number is at zero," said Braves pitcher John Smoltz, a veteran of numerous last-week survival stories. "We have to keep our focus."
The final week of the 2004 season was simply mind-numbing. Remember how that final Sunday dawned? Before anyone knew even a single playoff matchup, or whether there would be tiebreakers, you had to wait to see whether the Astros could win again at home, and you had to wait until that afternoon's Cleveland-Minnesota doubleheader. Just like that final week, this will be the week when the most commonly asked question to people is: "What if?"
As a user's guide, MLB.com's Barry Bloom has compiled a helpful list of tiebreaker scenarios that will be updated throughout the week as each scenario falls by the wayside. The coins have been flipped in the Major League offices, the scenarios have been painted, and now all that remains are the games.
If there is one lesson from the last few years, it is that the final week of the regular season is just as important to a team with a big division lead as it is to the team battling to survive. It's no coincidence that a Wild Card winner has won the World Series each of the last three years -- the Angels in 2002, the Marlins in 2003 and the Red Sox in 2004. Or that five of the last 10 Fall Classic participants have been Wild Cards. It is clear from talking to many of the players involved that a survivor mentality and battle-tested persona builds up and is carried over into the postseason. Any team that is resting and just waiting for the postseason lights to be turned on is more vulnerable than ever.
If intense competition makes you better, then it should be another incredible October. Just look at what the Angels are doing. They enter the final week perhaps playing their best ball of the year. The A's are still within four games of them during a season in which Oakland was once 15 behind. Everyone is waiting to see if the Indians can complete their own comeback from 15 games behind to win the AL Central. Can the White Sox hold on? And more importantly, can they shed that whole "hold on" mindset and do what they were doing most of the season?
What an incredible final series there will be Friday through Sunday at The Jake in Cleveland. If the White Sox have not clinched by then, it should be memorable. The White Sox are 11-5 in 2005 against the Indians, and they swept the Tribe in Cleveland right after the All-Star break. And that bit of history is probably worth as much as a hot dog wrapper, because it's been a different world lately in the Central.
"We're going to find out what some people are made of here in the next week," said White Sox general manager Ken Williams, whose club seems to have regained a bit of a spark. "Maybe this is a good thing for us. It certainly isn't a good thing for me and my sleep and my stress level. . . . But what the heck, if it turns out to make us that much better prepared in the event we do get into the final four, then it was all worth going through."
Even if the Indians fall short in the division, keep in mind that no AL Central team ever has won the Wild Card since its inception in 1995. Cleveland is 38-13 since July 31, the best record in baseball since then. But the pressure grows more and more, because its Wild Card lead is now just a half-game over both Boston and New York.
Will the Yankees and Red Sox finish 1-2 in the AL East for an incredible eighth consecutive year? It didn't matter to Boston last year, of course. But this is more classic fodder for the best rivalry in baseball, and appropriately enough, those two teams will finish this season with three games at Fenway Park. If that division title comes down to the final day of the season, it will fall on the 27th anniversary of Dent's fabled homer that gave New York that year's title on the way to a world championship.
"Every day, every night, every pitch, everything is the most important situation that could come up," said Red Sox center fielder Johnny Damon. "It kind of feels like the World Series a little bit. We need to try and get through this. It's going to be amazing. I just hope we play well enough. I know we're going to lay it all on the line."
The Red Sox play the entire week at home, opening with four games against Toronto before the Yankees come to town. New York, which has won seven of its last eight road games, has to play four in Baltimore and will call on Randy Johnson for the first one. Could we be headed for a playoff tiebreaker in this division? Boston last won the AL East in 1995, the year the Yankees became the first AL Wild Card.
"We have to play Baltimore first, so we have to focus on them," said Yankees closer Mariano Rivera. "And when the time comes, then we'll focus on Boston."
MLB.com's comprehensive Octoberquest coverage includes a Day at the Races, which is the place to turn each day to see the remaining matchups. The Braves would seem to have a comfort zone in opening the week at home against Colorado, but Atlanta's younger players who are new to this say "on paper" means nothing. In fact, the Rockies took two of three from Atlanta at Coors Field in their only previous series this season.
"Our mentality is that we're going to play the same if it's the seventh game of the World Series or a game that doesn't mean anything," Brian McCann said. "I don't think the pressure is going to get to any of us."
The Phillies, who have won five consecutive series, still have hopes of catching the Braves, but their most realistic shot probably is the NL Wild Card. The Astros are holding onto a one-game lead over Philadelphia in that race. Houston has Monday off and then closes out with three at St. Louis and three at home against the Cubs. Meanwhile, this week, Philadelphia plays three at home against the Mets starting Monday night, and then, after an off-day on Thursday, three at Washington. The Phillies are a combined 14-17 against those two clubs.
"It doesn't matter what [the Astros] do," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "We have to take care of ourselves."
The Astros, of course, have other ideas.
"It's going to be a battle all the way until the end. We feel like we're strong," Houston lefty Andy Pettitte said, "We'll be able to pull through it and get this thing done. We still feel very confident in that."
In the NL West, the Padres would seem to have a commanding pass into the postseason, especially with a four-game lead on the Giants and with all of their games at home in this final week. But the final week usually comes with built-in scheduling drama that delays celebrations as long as possible. In this case, the Padres have four games against the Giants starting Monday, so it's another chance for what-if.
"Basically, we have to win out," said Giants pitcher Brett Tomko, who is scheduled to start Tuesday. "That's the mindset you have to have. You've got to win every game and sweep San Diego for sure."
They have been saying things like that at this time of year for as long as anyone can remember. It's the same thing the Phillies were saying when they were trying unsuccessfully to hold off the Cardinals in 1964. It's the same thing they were saying when Walter Johnson and the Washington Senators finished two games ahead of the Bronx Bombers in 1924. Now is when it really gets interesting.
It's the final week. You never know what happens next, but you have to watch.
Posted by admin at 03:17 PM | Comments (0)
September 26, 2005
Rita search, rescue complete in Louisiana
CAMERON, Louisiana (CNN) -- Search and rescue operations have been completed in the hard-hit southwestern part of Louisiana, said the top U.S. military commander for hurricane relief in the state.
CAMERON, Louisiana (CNN) -- Search and rescue operations have been completed in the hard-hit southwestern part of Louisiana, said the top U.S. military commander for hurricane relief in the state.
Lt. Gen. Russel Honore said the next step in the disaster relief operation would be to set up a military-style tent city in Lake Charles, Louisiana, so the local government could reestablish its operations.
Though less destructive than Hurricane Katrina, Rita caused extensive damage when it roared ashore Saturday morning near the Texas-Louisiana border with 120 mph winds. (Watch latest video of Louisiana devastation -- 2:35)
Much of the hurricane-hit areas had been evacuated ahead of the storm, preventing a high death toll, although a Rita-spawned tornado killed one person in Mississippi, and a Texas man died from a falling tree. (City-by-city impact)
New insured losses estimates range from $2.5 billion to $7 billion. (Full story)
The area near Houston, Texas, which is home to facilities that process a quarter of the U.S. fuel supply suffered "a glancing blow at worst," from Rita, Gov. Rick Perry said.
New Orleans repopulation to begin
In New Orleans, residents and business owners in certain neighborhoods will be allowed back into the city starting Monday morning "to inspect and begin cleanup of their properties," Mayor Ray Nagin announced.
Rita pushed water over city levees by about 2 feet -- levees that had been provisionally repaired by sandbags after Katrina's damage.
Worst hit was the Lower 9th Ward, the first section of New Orleans inundated by Katrina. (Watch: '9th Ward will be dry again within a week' -- 3:32)
Residents and business proprietors of the Algiers neighborhood will be allowed to return Monday, Nagin said in a written statement. Business proprietors also will be allowed back to the French Quarter, Uptown and the Central Business District.
Other areas of the city remain off limits "until further notice."
"With Hurricane Rita behind us, the task at hand is to bring New Orleans back," Nagin said. "We want people to return and help us rebuild the city. However, we want everyone to assess the risks and make an informed decision about re-entry plans."
"You are entering the City of New Orleans at your own risk," Nagin said. Returnees were told to be self-sufficient, to bring in sufficient water and food.
Bush focuses on energy
After visiting the hurricane-hit region during the weekend, President Bush was scheduled to be briefed Monday on the nation's fuel status at the Energy Department. Bush is scheduled to make remarks after the briefing, at 10:55 a.m. ET. (Full story)
Coast Guard Vice Adm. Thad Allen said no deaths related to Rita had been reported in Louisiana, and Perry reported no direct, storm-related deaths in his state.
But a Rita-spawned tornado killed one person in Mississippi, and 24 people died Friday when a bus carrying nursing home residents caught fire and was riddled by explosions on Interstate 45 south of Dallas.
More than 925,000 customers in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi are without electricity as a result of Hurricanes Rita and Katrina, officials said.
Cameron, Creole and Lake Charles, Louisiana, all were hard-hit by Rita. (Watch Gen. Russel Honore tour damage in Cameron, Louisiana -- 2:36)
In the parish seat of Cameron, 90 percent of homes were destroyed, Richard said. (See video on Cameron residents' resilience -- 2:18)
In Creole, 70 percent of residences were destroyed, with little more than the courthouse and an elementary school still standing, according to Richard.
Water in Lake Charles was receding Sunday, revealing buildings smashed to bits.
"The lake has risen higher than I've ever seen in my lifetime," said Lake Charles Mayor Randy Roach. But, he added, "Everyone who wanted to got out." (See video of hard-hit area in Rita's aftermath -- 2:29)
Farther west, in Port Arthur and Sabine Pass, Texas, officials were conducting house-to-house searches for victims or survivors, Port Arthur Mayor Oscar Ortiz said. He said two refineries appeared to be leaking gasoline. Boats and ships were tossed onto roadways by Rita's storm surge, and oil rigs ripped loose from their moorings had drifted ashore, he said.
Steady return to Texas
Rita's approach prompted the evacuation of more than 3 million people from the Louisiana coast westward to the Texas cities of Houston and Galveston, triggering 15- to 20-hour traffic jams on some Texas roads.
But residents of the Texas Gulf Coast made a steady return to their homes Sunday, with authorities encouraging workers in key industries -- such as oil refineries and gasoline stations -- to return as quickly as possible. (Watch Houston residents begin to return -- 1:20)
But Perry said others who are safe and have food should "stay put."
"Don't come back into southeast Texas today," said Perry, who went on a helicopter tour of damaged areas on Sunday.
In Houston, officials divided the city into quadrants and asked residents to return to each section one at a time, beginning with the northwest. But there is no penalty for ignoring that request.
The top elected official in Brazoria County rejected that plan.
"I am not going to wait for our neighbors to the north to get home and take a nap before I ask our good people to come home," Judge John Willy said in a statement.
Posted by admin at 03:29 PM | Comments (0)
Week 3 snapshots
It looked like an ending from a cheesy sports movie, but this was the real thing. Eagles kicker David Akers, hobbled by a sore hamstring in his plant leg that he aggravated during the opening kickoff, limped onto the field to boot the winning field goal in the final seconds of regulation to give the Eagles a 23-20 win over the Raiders. He could barely celebrate his accomplishment, crumpling to the field in pain. The Eagles celebrated as if this was something more important than the third game of the season, and in some respects it was. After such a tumultuous preseason, the Eagles recognize the importance of building some strong momentum, and that is exactly what they are doing. In a game this close, it's easy to find difference-making areas. Perhaps the biggest was the fact that Brian Westbrook caught six passes for 140 yards and a touchdown in addition to his 63 rushing yards. Terrell Owens caught more passes than Randy Moss (nine to five) and Moss had more yards (86 to 80), but Owens was the only one of the two to have a touchdown.
It looked like an ending from a cheesy sports movie, but this was the real thing. Eagles kicker David Akers, hobbled by a sore hamstring in his plant leg that he aggravated during the opening kickoff, limped onto the field to boot the winning field goal in the final seconds of regulation to give the Eagles a 23-20 win over the Raiders. He could barely celebrate his accomplishment, crumpling to the field in pain. The Eagles celebrated as if this was something more important than the third game of the season, and in some respects it was. After such a tumultuous preseason, the Eagles recognize the importance of building some strong momentum, and that is exactly what they are doing. In a game this close, it's easy to find difference-making areas. Perhaps the biggest was the fact that Brian Westbrook caught six passes for 140 yards and a touchdown in addition to his 63 rushing yards. Terrell Owens caught more passes than Randy Moss (nine to five) and Moss had more yards (86 to 80), but Owens was the only one of the two to have a touchdown.
Dallas 34, San Francisco 31: Monday Night Football hangover? Sure, Drew Bledsoe threw a couple of interceptions to Tony Parrish, who returned one for a touchdown. But Tim Rattay threw a couple of interceptions as well. Bledsoe also threw a couple of touchdown passes; Rattay threw three. The Cowboys had just enough of an edge, though, in a Bledsoe touchdown run and in Julius Jones running for 85 yards and a pair of scores. And Bledsoe showed his veteran poise to lead the Cowboys on the winning, 76-yard scoring drive that ended with his 14-yard touchdown pass to Keyshawn Johnson with 1:51 remaining. If the Cowboys were still reeling from the effects of their crushing prime-time loss to Washington in Week 2, they were able to shake them off and rally from a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter.
Jacksonville 26, N.Y. Jets 20 (OT): The Jaguars know this roadmap for success well: Byron Leftwich launches a last-second scoring throw to decide the outcome. This time, he found Jimmy Smith, who on only his second reception of the day did a remarkable job of keeping his feet in bounds and diving with the ball inside the pylon for a 36-yard score. The Jets continually pounded on Leftwich, who already was playing on a sore knee from an injury suffered at Indianapolis in Week 2. It was amazing that he was able to remain upright to make the winning play, but we have come to expect such heroics from Leftwich. Jets quarterback Chad Pennington also was fighting through an injury late in the game, and probably shouldn't have been on the field. But after leaving the field with a strained shoulder, his replacement, Jay Fiedler, suffered a shoulder injury of his own and Pennington returned to throw the second of two interceptions.
Miami 27, Carolina 24: The ignorant assumption in some circles that Dolphins rookie running back Ronnie Brown could be deemed a bust after two games should be put to rest -- at least for another week. Brown scored his first NFL touchdown and became the first Miami rookie in a half-dozen years to rush for 100 yards. His 132-yard outing (including a 58-yard run to set up a field goal) was reflective of the talent that allowed him to become the second overall pick of the draft. Gus Frerotte was solid and as effective as a quarterback can expect to be against Carolina's defense. This is a major confidence-building win for the Dolphins, who each week buy more heavily into the new program of coach Nick Saban. Especially linebacker Zach Thomas, who was credited with 17 tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and a pass deflection. At 1-2, the Panthers are naturally going to begin to have doubts about what it will take for them to return to the consistency that they showed in their Super Bowl season of a couple of years ago.
Indianapolis 13, Cleveland 6: Let's face facts about the kind of team the Colts have become. They are not the points-producing machine of a year ago. Now, instead of counting on Peyton Manning's touchdown passes to win games, they find a way to win even when he doesn't have a single scoring throw. And that way is with a methodical, ball-controlling offense and a bend-but-don't-break defense. Other than for some distraught fantasy owners who have Manning in their lineup, the formula is not a problem. In fact, the Colts should be able to rely on it while living up to expectations as a likely Super Bowl contender.
Tampa Bay 17, Green Bay 16: First, we need to acknowledge the impressive work of the 3-0 Buccaneers. They continue to play well on both sides of the ball, with Carnell Williams building a foundation to establish himself as one of the greatest rookie rushing talents the game has ever seen. Tampa Bay's defense also continues to be as dominant as it has ever been in what seems like a permanent perch atop the league. But we can't help but take a hard look at the state of the Packers. At 0-3, they seem to have dug a hole from which they are going to have a very difficult time escaping. And the questions surrounding the status of Brett Favre continue to pile up. After another loss, his three interceptions are going to be all that is remembered from a performance that included two scoring throws. Brian Griese had a pair of touchdown passes of his own, along with an interception, but he also had the backing of Williams' 158 rushing yards compared to the team-leading 58 of the Packers' Ahman Green.
Cincinnati 24, Chicago 7: It would be impressive enough to simply admire the Bengals' 3-0 record, which has caused the rest of the NFL to stand up and take notice. But the Bengals also are making history. They are off to their best start in 15 years, and after swiping five passes from rookie Kyle Orton, they became the first team in 34 years to intercept five passes in consecutive games. Carson Palmer made it look too easy by throwing three touchdowns against a quality defense. And Cincinnati's defense did an excellent job of rattling Orton and making him look like a rookie after throwing only one interception in the first two weeks. The Bengals continue to show that they are a very complete and very dangerous team.
Atlanta 24, Buffalo 16: So much for concerns about Michael Vick's hamstring. He ran nine times for 64 yards, but what made a major difference was the fact he generally moved well in the pocket while looking to throw. Vick's passing yards were modest, but he did have a pair of touchdown passes. The Falcons certainly can feel good about the fact their defense, missing four injured starters, generally held its own. They intercepted J.P. Losman, forced him to fumble, and stopped him on a fourth-and-1 drive late in the game. It's hard for the Bills to find any satisfaction in a second successive loss, but Willis McGahee did make a strong comeback from a poor showing in Tampa with 140 yards and a touchdown.
Minnesota 33, New Orleans 16: If the Vikings' 0-2 start was all about Daunte Culpepper's struggles, their get-well game against the Saints is all about him returning to his dominant form. He threw three touchdown passes, two to Travis Taylor, as the Saints defense found itself on the receiving end of two weeks of built-up frustration. Culpepper added 36 yards with his feet, got some much-needed help from running back Mewelde Moore (101 yards on 23 carries) and solid play from the Vikings defense. After their emotional season-opening victory at Carolina, the disruptive impact of Hurricane Katrina and the flooding of New Orleans seems to be finally catching up with all of the Saints' players and coaches.
Seattle 37, Arizona 12: The Seahawks did exactly what a superior team should do against the bottom-feeder of the division. The Cardinals had no answer for Shaun Alexander, who rushed for 140 yards and four touchdowns. Besides having a defense that didn't show up, the Cardinals failed to generate anything resembling an effective passing game, from either Kurt Warner or Josh McCown, or any sort of rushing attack. I'm still not sure what inspired numerous prognosticators to make the Cardinals a "sleeper" pick to emerge in the NFC's postseason picture. The Cardinals didn't look like they were ever going to come out of their slumber.
St. Louis 31, Tennessee 27: You have to admire Marc Bulger's ability to overcome an interception and two lost fumbles ... or be critical of the fact that he made so many mistakes. Either way, his Rams are off to a 2-1 start, which puts them in a two-way tie for first place in the NFC West. Bulger did have three touchdown passes and mostly did a good job of exploiting the Titans' coverage with precise timing routes. Steve McNair tried to keep pace with a pair of scoring throws of his own, but he, too, made some big errors with two interceptions.
Posted by admin at 02:25 PM | Comments (0)
September 24, 2005
Baseball roundup: a look at Sunday's games
The Cleveland Indians can't afford any losses at this stage of the baseball season. Especially an unlucky loss to the worst team in the American League.
Indians centre-fielder Grady Sizemore lost Paul Phillips' deep fly in the sun in the ninth inning, allowing Angel Berroa to score the winning run for Kansas City Royals in a 5-4 victory Sunday. "I saw it. It was right at me," Sizemore said softly. "It just got in the sun. I knew it was going to be in the sun. I tried to wait for it to come out and I just never saw it."
The Cleveland Indians can't afford any losses at this stage of the baseball season. Especially an unlucky loss to the worst team in the American League.
Indians centre-fielder Grady Sizemore lost Paul Phillips' deep fly in the sun in the ninth inning, allowing Angel Berroa to score the winning run for Kansas City Royals in a 5-4 victory Sunday. "I saw it. It was right at me," Sizemore said softly. "It just got in the sun. I knew it was going to be in the sun. I tried to wait for it to come out and I just never saw it."
The ball bounced off Sizemore's leg, Berroa raced home from second base and Phillips was credited with a one-out double. The heavy-hitting Indians lost for only the third time in 20 games, trimming their AL wild-card lead to a half-game over the Red Sox and Yankees, who are tied atop the AL East.
Victor Martinez hit a three-run homer for Cleveland, which also dropped 2 1/2 games behind first-place Chicago in the AL Central. The White Sox beat Minnesota 4-1.
Sizemore, instrumental in a surge that has brought the Indians almost all the way back from a 15-game deficit on Aug 1, stood motionless for a few seconds as the ball lay at his feet and Berroa sped home.
"I looked around and there it was," Sizemore said. "I kind of waited maybe a little too long. Probably should have picked it up and thrown it in. But I was a little frustrated, you know."
Indians manager Eric Wedge didn't think Sizemore would have had a chance to get Berroa at the plate.
"I don't think you'd have a prayer, as deep as he was," Wedge said. "When you're staring up into the sun like that, as we all have, you're not seeing a whole lot after you pull away."
Cleveland has a day off on Monday before finishing the regular season at home with three games against Tampa Bay and three more against the White Sox.
"We just need to go out there and keep playing the way we're playing," Wedge said.
Elsewhere in the AL it was: New York 8, Toronto 4; Chicago 4, Minnesota 1; Boston 9, Baltimore 3; Tampa Bay 8, Los Angeles 4; Detroit 8, Seattle 1; and Texas 6, Oakland 2.
At Kansas City, Mo., Emil Brown had a two-run shot for the Royals, who had dropped 10 straight to Cleveland and have the worst record in the major leagues. But they snapped the Indians' four-game winning streak and avoided a four-game sweep, slowing Cleveland's playoff push - at least for a day.
"It doesn't seem to matter how far we're down. This team's going to battle," Phillips said. "Today we fought back and got the lead and then lost it and still got it back again."
The Indians tied the score 4-4 in the ninth on Casey Blake's RBI grounder, but Bob Howry (7-4) gave up a leadoff single to Berroa in the bottom half. He moved up on Joe McEwing's sacrifice.
Mike MacDougal (5-6) blew a save but got the win.
Ronnie Belliard and Ben Broussard began the Cleveland ninth with infield singles off MacDougal and advanced on a sacrifice by Aaron Boone. Blake's grounder to second scored Belliard with the tying run.
Mark Teahen gave the Royals a 4-3 lead when he scored on Jake Westbrook's wild pitch in the seventh.
Westbrook went eight innings, giving up seven hits and four runs - one earned - with one walk and eight strikeouts. He allowed only one hit until the Royals scored three runs in the sixth. Phillips singled leading off, then Andres Blanco reached on shortstop Jhonny Peralta's error.
"To be honest with you, the way Westbrook was pitching and the at-bats we were getting early on, I thought we had no chance," Royals manager Buddy Bell said.
Kansas City starter Zack Greinke fell behind 3-0 in the first on Martinez's homer but then pitched six shutout innings.
Brown's two-run drive in the sixth tied it for the Royals.
Greinke gave up five hits in seven innings, with one walk and six strikeouts.
Yankees 8, Blue Jays 4
At New York, Robinson Cano hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the seventh inning, Gary Sheffield added a three-run shot in the eighth and New York defeated Toronto in its final scheduled home game of the regular season. Chien-Ming Wang (8-4) beat Josh Towers (12-12).
White Sox 4, Twins 1
At Chicago, Mark Buehrle (16-8) pitched a four-hitter and Paul Konerko homered off Francisco Liriano (0-2) to help the White Sox beat Minnesota.
Red Sox 9, Orioles 3
At Baltimore, Manny Ramirez hit his 41st homer in a five-run first inning and Johnny Damon connected in a four-run fifth, leading Boston past Baltimore for a three-game sweep. David Wells (14-7) beat rookie John Maine (2-3).
Devils Rays 8, Angels 4
At Anaheim, Calif., Jorge Cantu and Aubrey Huff homered on consecutive pitches from Bartolo Colon (20-8), and Tampa Bay ended Los Angeles' eight-game winning streak. Mark Hendrickson (11-7) won his seventh straight decision.
Tigers 8, Mariners 1
At Detroit, Mike Maroth (14-13) pitched seven strong innings, and Curtis Granderson scored twice and drove in two runs to lead Detroit over Seattle. Seattle reliever Shigetoshi Hasegawa (1-3) allowed five runs in three innings after starter Gil Meche lasted only two innings.
Rangers 6, Athletics 2
At Oakland, Calif., Rod Barajas hit a three-run homer and Michael Young extended his career-best hitting streak to 22 games with an RBI double, leading Texas past Oakland. Juan Dominguez (4-5) pitched 7 1-3 strong innings for the Rangers. Kirk Saarloos (10-8) suffered the loss.
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As the San Diego Padres continue to stumble towards the post-season, the Arizona Diamondbacks are keeping their slim playoff hopes alive.
Chad Tracy singled home Andy Green in the 10th inning to give the Arizona Diamondbacks a 4-3 victory over San Diego on Sunday, reducing the Padres' lead in the sorry NL West to four games over San Francisco.
The Padres lost their last two in Arizona to drop one game below .500 (77-78).
"I don't think we feel like we have a lot of pressure on us," said Joe Randa, who had a three-run homer for San Diego. "But we feel like we need to finish the job. We keep letting everybody stay in this thing and we need to go home and take care of business."
The Padres and Giants begin a four-game series in San Diego on Monday night. Arizona, 5 1/2 back with six games left, averted elimination by winning its final home game of the season.
"It's good," Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin said. "We've struggled all year here, especially scoring runs and getting anything going. We had some pretty good, enthusiastic crowds the last two days, and it was good to put on a good show for them."
Washington (78-78), the last-place team in the NL East, has a better record than the division-leading Padres.
Elsewhere in the NL it was: Chicago 3, Houston 2; Philadelphia 6, Cincinnati 3; Atlanta 5, Florida 3; San Francisco 6, Colorado 2; New York 6, Washington 5; St. Louis 2, Milwaukee 0; and Los Angeles 9, Pittsburgh 2.
At Phoenix, Akinori Otsuka (2-8) took the loss for the second day in a row. He gave up an infield single to pinch-hitter Green leading off the 10th, then threw the ball away on Craig Counsell's sacrifice bunt for an error, leaving runners at second and third with none out.
Luis Gonzalez was walked intentionally before Tracy's liner into right field ended the game. Tracy also had a three-run double in Saturday night's 8-5 come-from-behind victory. He is batting .515 on an eight-game hitting streak, raising his season average to .305.
"I'm not going to lie, I feel real good right now," Tracy said. "It's something I've been working on all year and everything's starting to come together. Right now, it seems like the field is pretty big out there."
Arizona outhit the Padres 13-2. San Diego didn't have a hit after Randa's three-run homer with one out in the fourth.
"We didn't swing the bats at all today," San Diego manager Bruce Bochy said. "We got the big hit there by Joe but we didn't create many opportunities, and we were dodging bullets all day."
Jose Valverde (3-4) pitched a perfect 10th for the victory.
Randa's homer, one of two hits allowed by Arizona's Javier Vazquez in seven innings, put San Diego up 3-2. The 337-foot fly ball barely made it into the Diamondbacks' bullpen just inside the left-field foul pole.
Arizona tied it at 3 in the seventh when Tony Clark walked, Alex Cintron singled and Royce Clayton walked to load the bases with one out. Luis Terrero, running for Clark, scored on pinch-hitter Quinton McCracken's groundout. Scott Linebrink struck out pinch-hitter Troy Glaus to end the inning.
Vazquez fanned a season-high 12 and retired 11 in a row after Randa's homer. The only other Padres hit was Brian Giles' two-out double in the first.
In the fourth, Vazquez fanned Giles for what would have been the second out, but the ball got past the catcher for a wild pitch and Giles reached first. Ryan Klesko drew Vazquez's lone walk of the afternoon, then Randa lofted his 17th home run of the season on a 1-1 pitch to make it 3-2.
Woody Williams gave up two runs and nine hits in 5 1-3 innings for the Padres.
The Diamondbacks scored single runs in the second and third to go up 2-0 on RBI singles by Vazquez and Cintron.
Cubs 3, Astros 2
At Chicago, Jeromy Burnitz hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the seventh inning off Mike Gallo (0-1) , Derrek Lee also connected and the Chicago Cubs beat Houston to cut the Astros' NL wild-card lead to one game. Jerome Williams (6-9) won for the first time since Sept. 4.
Phillies 6, Reds 3
At Cincinnati, Jimmy Rollins hit a leadoff home run of Randy Keisler (2-1), extending his hitting streak to 30 games, and fell a double short of the cycle as Philadelphia pulled within a game of Houston in the wild-card race. Cory Lidle (12-11) earned the win.
Braves 5, Marlins 3
At Atlanta, Marcus Giles hit a tying two-run homer, then drove in the go-ahead run with a seventh-inning sacrifice fly as Atlanta (89-67) moved closer to another division title by beating fading Florida. Blaine Boyer (4-2) recorded one out in the seventh for the win. A.J. Burnett (12-12) couldn't hold an early 3-0 lead as his losing streak stretched to a career-worst six games..
Giants 6, Rockies 2
At Denver, Barry Bonds went hitless in a surprise start, but San Francisco still kept its slim playoff hopes alive by scoring four runs in the ninth to beat Colorado. Tyler Walker (5-4) beat Brian Fuentes (2-5).
Mets 6, Nationals 5
At Washington, Mike Piazza hit two of New York's four homers, and the Mets eliminated Washington from playoff contention and dropped the Nationals to last in the NL East. David Wright and Mike Jacobs hit solo homers off Travis Hughes (1-1) in the eighth. Juan Padilla (2-1) earned the win.
Cardinals 2, Brewers 0
At Milwaukee, Jeff Suppan (16-10) allowed six hits in eight innings and Jim Edmonds homered as St. Louis beat Milwaukee to snap a three-game losing streak. Doug Davis (11-11) fell to 0-4 with a 5.48 ERA against St. Louis this season.
Dodgers 9, Pirates 2
At Los Angeles, Derek Lowe (12-14) pitched six solid innings, pinch-hitter Jason Phillips drove in the go-ahead runs in a six-run sixth, and Los Angeles beat Pittsburgh for its second win in nine games. Josh Fogg (6-11) took the loss.
Posted by admin at 03:00 PM | Comments (0)
September 22, 2005
Player Movement 2005
Just as movement seemed to be slowing, a number of big names made big decisions in recent weeks. Former Dallas guard Michael Finley, waived under the amnesty clause, choose San Antonio as his suitor after a brief courtship with Miami and Phoenix. San Antonio also added guard Nick Van Exel and re-signed center Sean Marks. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls re-signed restricted free agent Tyson Chandler to a multi-year agreement and inked Malik Allen to be his backup.
Houston agreed to an extension with Yao Ming and made another significant transaction by signing former Blazers guard Derek Anderson to a deal. The Nuggets welcomed former Memphis point guard Earl Watson.
Just as movement seemed to be slowing, a number of big names made big decisions in recent weeks. Former Dallas guard Michael Finley, waived under the amnesty clause, choose San Antonio as his suitor after a brief courtship with Miami and Phoenix. San Antonio also added guard Nick Van Exel and re-signed center Sean Marks. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls re-signed restricted free agent Tyson Chandler to a multi-year agreement and inked Malik Allen to be his backup.
Houston agreed to an extension with Yao Ming and made another significant transaction by signing former Blazers guard Derek Anderson to a deal. The Nuggets welcomed former Memphis point guard Earl Watson.
Former Pacers forward James Jones is also changing squads -- he'll go to Phoenix in a sign-and-trade. Other less heralded players making news included the signings of Calvin Booth (Washington), Maurice Evans (Detroit), Devin Brown (Utah), Milt Palacio (Utah) and Linton Johnson (New Jersey).
Free agents re-signing with their own teams included Vitaly Potapenko (Seattle), Matt Bonner (Toronto), Eddie Griffin (Minnesota) and Othella Harrington (Chicago). The SuperSonics matched Minnesota's offer for restricted free agent Damien Wilkins.
The prior week, the long-anticipated Joe Johnson trade was finally consummated. The former Suns swingman goes to the Hawks in exchange for Boris Diaw and two conditional first round picks. The deal was originally reported Aug. 1 but was held up because of an ownership dispute that's since been resolved. Meanwhile in Dallas, the Mavericks signed Doug Christie and DeSagana Diop, and in Charlotte, the Bobcats re-signed Brevin Knight.
The revamped Heat roster got another weapon when it was announced Alonzo Mourning will return to Miami. The franchise picked up the option on his contract when Mourning expressed his desire to play another season of basketball. On Thursday, Phoenix signed forward Brian Grant, waived by the Lakers under the amnesty clause, and former Magic center Pat Burke.
Amnesty Action
The NBA's deadline for teams to take advantage of the NBA's amnesty clause -- a one-time provision provided by the new Collective Bargaining Agreement allowing teams to waive a player and not have that player's contract count against the luxury tax -- came Monday, Aug. 15. In total, 18 players were waived under the amnesty clause.
The New York Knicks shocked observers by electing to waive forward Jerome Williams instead of guard Allan Houston, who was widely believed to be the most likely victim of the clause. Two days later, Williams announced his retirement. Indiana Pacers guard Reggie Miller, who also retired this summer, was waived as well. Dallas let Michael Finley go just before the midnight ET deadline after failing to trade him.
Other players waived under the clause included Doug Christie (Orlando), Fred Hoiberg (Minnesota), Ron Mercer (New Jersey), Clarence Weatherspoon (Houston) and Calvin Booth (Milwaukee).
Earlier in the day, the Chicago Bulls matched the offer sheet presented by Toronto to restricted free agent Chris Duhon, enabling GM John Paxson to keep the Duke grad in the Windy City.
Week Two closes
On Saturday, the Bucks re-signed Michael Redd, ending the free agent shooting guard's flirtations with several other teams who were eager to sign a proven scorer with exceptional shooting range. And, in a Friday night trade, the L.A. Clippers gained experience with the acquisition of Sam Cassell. The point guard came with a lottery-protected first-round pick; in exchange, Minnesota received guard tandem Marko Jaric (whom the Clips re-signed) and Lionel Chalmers.
Just hours earlier, the offseason odyssey of Shareef Abdur-Rahim reached a conclusion as the free agent forward stayed on the West Coast by inking a deal with Sacramento.
The Kings' signing comes three days after New Jersey rescinded its Aug. 2 trade with Portland for Abdur-Rahim. The Nets, however, made other waves, acquiring center Marc Jackscon from Philadelphia on Tuesday and signing free agent guard Jeff McInnis on Thursday.
Also on Thursday, Indiana signed former University of Maryland star Sarunas Jasikevicius. The Lithuanian has been compared favorably to San Antonio's Manu Ginobili. Another guard, Doug Christie, was waived by the Magic, making the defensive stalwart the third player to be released under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement's amnesty clause. The Lakers used the rule to release Brian Grant on Wednesday.
On Monday, Clippers free agent Bobby Simmons, the NBA's 2004-05 Most Improved Player Award, signed a multiyear agreement with the Milwaukee Bucks..
Busy first week
The Simmons signing followed an active first week of official player movement. On Friday, Aug. 5, Memphis landed Damon Stoudamire and Seattle inked Rick Brunson. Re-signings included Michael Ruffin in Washington, Toni Kukoc in Milwaukee and Ryan Bowen in Houston. Aug. 4 action saw the Clippers and Nets re-sign Zeljko Rebraca and Clifford Robinson, respectively, while Juan Dixon joined the Trail Blazers.
Aug. 3 -- Day 2 of Player Movement -- featured star power in the form of arguably the biggest free agent prize this offseason. Ray Allen, a five-time All-Star, re-signed with Seattle after leading the Sonics to a 50-win season and the Western Conference Semifinals last campaign.
Also, the the Clippers introduced clutch-shooting Cuttino Mobley, the Suns welcomed guard Raja Bell, and the Magic bolstered their depth at point with Keyon Dooling.
Meanwhile, Portland took advantage of the CBA's amnesty option and released Derek Anderson. They also chose not to retain Nick Van Exel for the last non-guaranteed year of his contract. The Atlanta Hawks also signed Bucks restricted free agent pivot Zaza Pachulia to an offer sheet (the signing became official Aug. 11 after Milwaukee chose not to match).
Record-breaking trade
Official movement began Tuesday, Aug. 2, with the largest trade in NBA history headlining the day. An incredible 13 players were moved by five different teams in the historic deal. The Memphis Grizzlies acquired guard Eddie Jones from the Miami Heat and guard Raul Lopez from the Utah Jazz while sending guards Jason Williams, Andre Emmett and swingman James Posey to Miami and trading newly-acquired center Greg Ostertag to Utah.
Miami sent Rasual Butler to New Orleans and traded Qyntel Woods, two second round draft picks and the draft rights to Albert Miralles to the Boston Celtics. Utah traded Curtis Borchardt to the Celtics and Kirk Snyder to the New Orleans Hornets. The Celtics sent Antoine Walker to Miami and the Hornets traded the draft rights to Roberto Duenas to Miami.
The biggest name involved in Tuesday's festivities was Miami center Shaquille O'Neal in an unrelated transaction. The Heat secured the future Hall-of-Famer's services for the long haul by signing him to a multi-year extension. The Heat also re-signed restricted free agent forward Udonis Haslem.
Getting the ball rolling with the first news of the day was Memphis, who announced they were sending guard Bonzi Wells to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for center Greg Ostertag and guard Bobby Jackson.
In L.A., swingman Caron Butler and guard Chucky Atkins were traded from the Lakers in exchange for Wizards forward Kwame Brown and guard Laron Profit. Washington also announced the signing of guard Antonio Daniels.
The Cleveland Cavaliers reached contract agreements with Washington free agent guard Larry Hughes and Toronto free agent forward Donyell Marshall in addition to re-signing All-Star center Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
The Philadelphia 76ers officially agreed to contracts with their own free agents in center Samuel Dalembert and sharpshooter Kyle Korver. Willie Green, whom published reports indicated would also be re-signing in Philly, injured his knee playing basketball and his situation is held up for a later date pending the outcome of his medical situation.
The San Antonio Spurs re-signed forward Robert Horry, who played a key role in the Spurs 2004-05 title run. Additionally, San Antonio added 6-10 center Fabricio Oberto, a teammate of Manu Ginobili on Argentina’s national team.
The Houston Rockets announced the acquisition of Memphis free agent forward Stromile Swift at a press conference. The New York Knicks officially added Seattle free agent big man Jerome James to their roster. The Boston Celtics signed Nets free agent forward Brian Scalabrine.
The New Orleans Hornets officially signed guard Arvydas Macijauskas and returning forward Bostjan Nachbar.
The Charlotte Bobcats announced a trade for Phoenix Suns center Jake Voskuhl in exchange for a conditional 2007 second round draft pick. They also sent guard Jason Hart to the Sacramento Kings for a future second-round pick.
THE OFFSEASON
NBA Coaching Movement
NBA Draft 2005
Six-Year CBA Ratified and Signed
2005 Award Winners
2005 Fan Awards Results
ANALYSIS
Atlanta: Boys Among Men
Cleveland: Great Lakes-pectations
Dallas: Life After Mike
Houston: A Swift Rocket Booster
LA Lakers: A Hollywood Makeover
Memphis: How the West Has Done
Miami: A Miami Makeover
Milwaukee: What’s luck got to do with it?
New Jersey: Three Seek Help at 4 and 5
Phoenix: Getting Defensive
Philadelphia: Sixers Bulk Up On Youth
Portland: Investing in Futures
Sacramento: Western Gunslinger
Seattle: On a Wing and a Prayer
Washington: No Hughes, No Problem
ENTER TO WIN
Enter the Follow the Free Agents Sweeps and you could win a 2005-06 NBA League Pass Subscription and catch the action all season long. Enter now.
PLAYER MOVEMENT
East: Atlantic | Central | Southeast
West: Northwest | Pacific | Southwest
Current month transactions
Free Agents By: Name | Team
'NET REPORTS
EDDY CURRY
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Bulls GM John Paxson and free agent Eddy Curry met face-to-face Aug. 8 to discuss Chicago's reluctance to offer a long-term deal.
OFFICIAL MOVEMENT
Timberwolves.com: A. Carter re-signed
UtahJazz.com: Spurs decline to match Brown offer
Cavaliers.com: D. Jones signed
Rockets.com: Baxter inked
NJNets.com: Padgett and Murray added
Nuggets.com: Watson welcomed
WashingtonWizards.com: Booth returns
Spurs.com: Marks re-signed
Pistons.com: M. Evans introduced
Bulls.com: M. Allen signed
Spurs.com: Finley inked
Bulls.com: Chandler locked up
Rockets.com: Yao extended
NJNets.com: L. Johnson added
UtahJazz.com: Palacio signed
SuperSonics.com: M. Moore inked
BobcatsBasketball.com: Carroll re-signed
Hawks.com: Lue, Edwards sign
Bucks.com: E. Johnson returns
Spurs.com: Van Exel welcomed
Pistons.com: D. Davis added
Rockets.com: Mutumbo re-signed
Lakers.com: McKie introduced
Suns.com: J. Jones acquired
Bulls.com: Harrington brought back
SuperSonics.com: Wilkins offer matched
Rockets.com: D. Anderson welcomed
SuperSonics.com: Potapenko returns
Timberwolves.com: Griffin re-signed
OrlandoMagic.com: Boumtje-Boumtje added
Raptors.com: Bonner back
Bobcatsbasketball.com: Knight returns
DallasMavericks.com: Diop signs
DallasMavericks.com: Christie added
Hawks.com: J. Johnson acquired
Timberwolves.com: Wilkins signs
Suns.com: P. Burke signed
Suns.com: B. Grant acquired
Bucks.com: C. Bell introduced
Bulls.com: Duhon offer matched
Bucks.com: Redd re-signed
Bucks.com: Gadzuric returns
SacramentoKings.com: Abdur-Rahim signs
Clippers.com: Cassell added
Timberwolves.com: Jaric acquired
Sixers.com: McKie waived
Sixers.com: Hunter recruited
Hawks.com: Pachulia welcomed
Rockets.com: Barry re-signed
OrlandoMagic: Christie waived
Lakers.com: B. Grant released
NJNets.com: McInnis added
Pacers.com: Jasikevicius signs
NJNets.com: M. Jackson acquired
Bucks.com: Simmons introduced
SuperSonics.com: Allen re-signs
Suns.com: Club welcomes C. Bell
Hornets.com: C. Anderson soars back
Clippers.com: Rebraca re-upped
NJNets.com: C. Robinson returns
WashingtonWizards.com: Ruffin back
Bucks.com: Kukoc re-signs
SuperSonics.com: Brunson introduced
Rockets.com: R. Bowen agree to deal
Grizzlies.com: D. Stoudamire inks deal
Blazers.com: Dixon, C. Smith choose Portland
Clippers.com: Mobley goes to L.A.
OrlandoMagic.com: Dooling signs
Blazers.com: D. Anderson let go
Blazers.com: Van Exel released
Hawks.com: Pachulia signs offer sheet
Grizzlies.com: Record five team trade announced
Heat.com: Shaq agrees to extension
Cavaliers.com: Hughes, Ilgauskas and Marshall sign
Spurs.com: Horry agrees to deal
Spurs.com: Oberto joins Spurs
Heat.com: Haslem re-signs
Kings.com: Hart acquired in trade
Grizzlies.com: Wells traded for B. Jackson, Ostertag
Rockets.com: Swift comes to Houston
Lakers.com: Butler traded for K. Brown
WashingtonWizards.com: A. Daniels signs
Knicks.com: J. James goes to Big Apple
Celtics.com: Scalabrine inks deal
Hornets.com: Macijauskas, Nachbar sign
Posted by admin at 03:22 PM | Comments (0)
September 19, 2005
Hey, TV: Enough with the reality shows
NEW YORK (AP) -- In the eyes of viewers, reality television is not only a misnamed genre. It's a format wearing out its welcome.
Four out of five Americans say they think too many reality shows are on the air, according to an AP-TV Guide poll. Only 4 percent of respondents said there were not enough.
NEW YORK (AP) -- In the eyes of viewers, reality television is not only a misnamed genre. It's a format wearing out its welcome.
Four out of five Americans say they think too many reality shows are on the air, according to an AP-TV Guide poll. Only 4 percent of respondents said there were not enough.
Few people believe there's much reality in reality TV: a total of 82 percent said the shows are either "totally made up" or "mostly distorted."
"They pick the personality types to fit a role. I don't think it's really real," said Brenda Sobol, a 42-year-old homemaker from Susanville, California. "It's kind of bogus. I think they pretty much know what the outcomes are going to be or they wouldn't do the programs."
The poll also found:
Half of Americans believe there are too many crime shows on television. The longtime staple of TV dramas has proliferated with the success of franchises such as "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" and "Law & Order."
Of all the new shows introduced last year, "CSI: New York" has the most people looking forward to its return. "Desperate Housewives," twice as popular with women as it is with men, came in second.
People watch more TV as they get older. The median number of hours that people over 65 say they watch is 14.7 per week. For those 18 to 34 -- young people that TV advertisers are desperate to reach -- it's nine hours.
Television's new season officially begins next week, a relief to viewers after a lackluster summer. Broadcast networks threw many new reality shows on the air. Between angry chefs, Tommy Lee's college escapades and a rock band searching for a new singer, the only one to catch on was ABC's "Dancing With the Stars."
Starting primarily with the CBS game "Survivor" and encompassing pop culture favorites like "The Osbournes," "reality" is a TV genre that has grown to rival sitcoms and dramas. It doesn't hurt that most are cheap to produce.
'Anyone can do it'
The poll results could be daunting news for Martha Stewart, who joins Donald Trump with her own edition of "The Apprentice" on NBC next week.
"You can get a reality show about anything," said Michael Russell, a 27-year-old construction worker from Cleveland who admits to getting a charge out of Bravo's "Being Bobby Brown." "Anyone can do it."
Joseph Passmore, 66, a retired computer systems analyst from Oklahoma City, said he enjoys "Survivor." But there's little real about it, he said.
"I think most of them are fake," he said. "Even 'Survivor,' they just show you the parts they want you to see and it's been messed with too much. They have too much -- what do you call it? -- editorial control."
The saving grace for TV producers is that even a belief these shows are fake or distorted doesn't necessarily mean they won't watch. Sixty-eight percent of viewers said it didn't matter, or only mattered a little, whether the shows were truthful or not.
Viewers may also be having their fill of talk shows. The AP-TV Guide poll found 56 percent of Americans saying there were too many.
And the fact that half of the viewers said there were too many crime shows could be an early warning for TV programmers: The genre's success has only encouraged them to make more and, based on previews, they're getting more gruesome than ever this season.
"It's like they're harping on it," Russell said. "There's so much crime going on around the neighborhood and around the world, it's like they're glorifying it."
He'd like to see more uplifting programs, like ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition."
The elderly are more likely to say there are too many crime shows, according to the poll. Given the way advertisers seek youth, that's not an audience programmers are likely to listen to that much.
The poll of 1,002 adults was taken September 6-8 and has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points. It was conducted by Ipsos, an international polling firm.
Posted by admin at 06:43 PM | Comments (0)
September 18, 2005
Remaining NHL Free Agents
NEW YORK (CP) - Remaining National Hockey League free agents (note: some players whose names appear on this list may recently have signed with their respective clubs but contracts have not been filed with the League):
Group 2
Subject to Compensation and Right to Match
The players listed below have been tendered a qualifying offer by their respective clubs and are subject to draft-choice compensation and right to match. The draft choice compensation scale is based on compensation offered by the new Club:
NEW YORK (CP) - Remaining National Hockey League free agents (note: some players whose names appear on this list may recently have signed with their respective clubs but contracts have not been filed with the League):
.
Group 2
Subject to Compensation and Right to Match
The players listed below have been tendered a qualifying offer by their respective clubs and are subject to draft-choice compensation and right to match. The draft choice compensation scale is based on compensation offered by the new Club:
Offer-Compensation
$660,000 or below: No compensation.
Over $660,000 to $1 million: Third-round choice.
$1-million to $2-million: Second-round choice.
$2-million to $3-million: First and third-round choices.
$3-million to $4-million: First, second and third-round choices.
$4-million to $5-million: Two first-round choices, one second and one third-round choice.
Over $5-million: Four first-round choices.
Anaheim
Kip Brennan, Stanislav Chistov.
Atlanta
Shane Hnidy, Brian Maloney, Tommi Santala.
Boston
Nick Boynton, Jonathan Girard, Andy Hilbert, Ivan Huml, Martin Samuelsson, Sergei Zinovjev.
Buffalo
Jay McKee, Sean McMorrow, Taylor Pyatt.
Calgary
Chris Clark, Chuck Kobasew, Matthew Lombardi, Lynn Loyns.
Carolina
Bruno St. Jacques.
Chicago
Craig Anderson, Michael Holmqvist, Quintin Laing, Michael Leighton, Mikhail Yakubov.
Colorado
Riku Hahl, Philippe Sauve, Karlis Skrastins.
Columbus
Alexander Svitov.
Detroit
Niklas Kronvall, Joey MacDonald.
Edmonton
Ales Hemsky, Shawn Horcoff, Michael Morrison, Tony Salmelainen.
Florida
Christian Berglund, Joel Kwiatkowski, Vaclav Nedorost.
Los Angeles
Yanick Lehoux.
Minnesota
Erik Reitz.
Montreal
Marc-Andre Thinel.
Nashville
Andrei Mukhachev, Libor Pivko.
New Jersey
Ari Ahonen, Sean Brown, Matt Demarchi, Patrik Elias, Jeff Friesen, Brian Gionta, Scott Gomez, David Hale, Viktor Kozlov, Jamie Langenbrunner, Paul Martin, Ilkka Pikkarainen, Krisjanis Redlihs, Colin White.
N.Y. Islanders
Rob Collins, Eric Godard, Kenny Jonsson, Justin Mapletoft, Justin Papineau, Mark Parrish, Tomi Pettinen.
N.Y. Rangers
Karel Rachunek.
Ottawa
Andrew Hedlund.
Philadelphia
Randy Jones, Freddy Meyer, David Printz, Wade Skolney.
Phoenix
Sheldon Keefe.
Pittsburgh
Matt Hussey, Guillaume Lefebvre, Ross Lupaschuk, Matt Murley, Martin Strbak, Jocelyn Thibault.
San Jose
Alexander Korolyuk.
Tampa Bay
Nikita Alexeev, Andreas Holmqvist, Eric Perrin, Shane Willis.
Toronto
Pierre Hedin, Nathan Perrott, Karel Pilar.
Vancouver
Bryan Allen, Artem Chubarov, Matt Cooke, Jason King, Jarkko Ruutu, Nathan Smith.
Washington
Josef Boumedienne.
-
Group 3
Unrestricted Free Agents
The following players have qualified for Group 3 Free Agency (age 31 or older with at least four accrued seasons) and are unrestricted free agents.
Calgary
Andrei Trefilov.
Chicago
Steve Poapst.
Colorado
Vincent Damphousse, Darby Hendrickson.
Columbus
Arturs Irbe.
Dallas
Don Sweeney.
Detroit
Stacy Roest, Jason Woolley.
Los Angeles
Roman Cechmanek, Stephane Quintal.
Montreal
Karl Dykhuis.
Nashville
Tony Hrkac, Greg Johnson, Jim McKenzie.
New Jersey
Scott Stevens.
Philadelphia
Claude Lapointe, Marcus Ragnarsson, John Slaney.
Pittsburgh
Mike Eastwood.
St. Louis
Alexander Khavanov.
Washington
Stephane Beauregard.
-
Group 5 Free Agents
No players remain in this category.
-
Group 6
Unrestricted Free Agents
The following players qualify for unrestricted free agency, having met the requirements for Group 6 free agency. These players, whose contracts have expired, are age 25 or older, have completed three or more professional seasons, and (i) in the case of a player other than a goaltender, have played less than 80 NHL games (regular-season and playoff), or (ii) in the case of a goaltender, have played less than 28 NHL games (regular-season and playoff).
Atlanta
Cory Larose, Kyle Rossiter.
Buffalo
Tom Askey, Brandon Smith.
Chicago
Ajay Baines, Shawn Thornton.
Colorado
Chris Bala, Mathieu Darche, Andre Savage, D.J. Smith, Jeff Ulmer.
Columbus
Karl Goehring, Zenith Komarniski, Andre Lakos, Brad Moran, Jeff Panzer, Darrel Scoville.
Detroit
Pete Vandermeer.
Edmonton
Sean McAslan, Tyler Moss, Rocky Thompson.
Florida
Patrick Desrochers, Burke Henry, Ryan Jardine, Ty Jones, Kamil Piros, Travis Scott.
Los Angeles
Ryan Flinn, Chris Schmidt.
Minnesota
Dan Cavanaugh, Ray Giroux.
Montreal
Gavin Morgan.
Nashville
Jerred Smithson.
New Jersey
Rob Skrlac.
N.Y. Islanders
Barrett Heisten, Dieter Kochan, Ryan Kraft, Richard Seeley.
N.Y. Rangers
Richard Scott, Stephen Valiquette.
Ottawa
Jesse Fibiger, Pat Kavanagh.
Philadelphia
Neil Little.
Phoenix
Nik Tselios.
St. Louis
Jame Pollock.
Vancouver
Jeff Heerema, Justin Morrison.
Washington
Darcy Verot.
-
Unrestricted Free Agents
The following players were not tendered a qualifying offer and are therefore unrestricted free agents not subject to a right to match or draft choice compensation:
Anaheim
Eddy Ferhi, Cory Pecker, Alexei Smirnov, Lance Ward.
Atlanta
Paul Flache, Libor Ustrnul.
Boston
Peter Hamerlik, Robert Liscak, P.J. Stock, Kris Vernarsky.
Buffalo
Jason Botterill, Brad Brown, Ryan Jorde.
Calgary
Sebastien Centomo, Deryk Engelland, Anders Eriksson, Brennan Evans, Davis Parley, Roman Rozakov.
Carolina
Ryan Bayda, Daniel Boisclair, Sean Curry, Jim Henkel, Ed Hill, Marty Murray, Jared Newman, Rob Zepp.
Chicago
Scott Balan, Brandin Cote, Igor Radulov.
Colorado
Dennis Bonvie, Sergey Klyazmin, Agris Saviels, Peter Worrell.
Columbus
Scott Heffernan, Ben Knopp, Joe Motzko, Mike Pandolfo, Prestin Ryan, Matthias Trattnig, Duvie Westcott.
Detroit
Paul Ballantyne, Danny Groulx.
Edmonton
Mike Bishai, Joe Cullen, Jamie Wright.
Florida
Eric Beaudoin, Scott Kelman, Josh Olson.
Los Angeles
Jason Holland, Esa Pirnes.
Minnesota
Jason Beckett, Christoph Brandner, Marc Cavosie, Mark Cullen, Kyle Kettles, Jordan Krestanovich.
Montreal
Benoit Dusablon, Christian Larrivee, Matt Shasby.
Nashville
Andreas Lilja, Vladimir Orszagh.
New Jersey
Jiri Bicek, Phil Cole, Eric Johansson, Matus Kostur.
N.Y. Islanders
Graham Belak, Blaine Down.
N.Y. Rangers
Dan Blackburn, Lucas Lawson, Layne Ulmer.
Ottawa
Josh Langfeld, Charlie Stephens.
Philadelphia
Nick Deschenes, Jeff Smith, Radovan Somik, Peter White.
Phoenix
Daniel Cleary, Mike Stutzel.
Pittsburgh
Steven Crampton, Darcy Robinson.
San Jose
David Cloutier, Scott Ford, Aaron Gill.
Toronto
Nathan Barrett, Harold Druken, Regan Kelly.
Vancouver
Tim Smith.
Washington
Jason Doig, Justin Eddy.
End Remaining NHL Free Agents List
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September 17, 2005
Lance Armstrong rules out comeback; too busy clearing his name
CHICAGO (AP) - Lance Armstrong won't be getting back on his bike after all.
After recent hints he might return to the Tour de France next summer to "yank the chains" of the French, the seven-time champion said Thursday that defending his reputation against allegations of doping during his 1999 win had soured any thoughts of returning to the event he dominated.
CHICAGO (AP) - Lance Armstrong won't be getting back on his bike after all.
After recent hints he might return to the Tour de France next summer to "yank the chains" of the French, the seven-time champion said Thursday that defending his reputation against allegations of doping during his 1999 win had soured any thoughts of returning to the event he dominated.
"I'm sick of this," Armstrong said during a late-afternoon conference call.
"Sitting here today, dealing with all this stuff again, knowing if I were to go back, there's no way I could get a fair shake - on the roadside, in doping control, or the labs," he said.
A moment later, Armstrong added, "I think it's better that way. I'm happy with the way my career went and ended and I'm not coming back."
Armstrong spoke with reporters hours after a nasty tug of war broke out between the bosses of the international cycling union and the World Anti-Doping Agency over who leaked documents used by the French newspaper L'Equipe to accuse him of using performance-enhancing drugs.
During a 45-minute question-answer session, the cyclist and his handlers left little doubt whom they believed was responsible: WADA chief Dick Pound.
It was the Canadian Pound who set off another round of charges and counter-charges earlier Thursday by accusing cycling union boss Hein Verbruggen of supplying documents used by a French newspaper to charge that Armstrong used the blood-boosting drug EPO during his first tour win in 1999.
Armstrong, who has repeatedly denied ever using banned drugs, said he was the victim of a "witch hunt" after the report came out last month in L'Equipe, France's leading sports daily.
Armstrong said he was concerned Pound might be seeking revenge for an open letter he sent to newspapers and the WADA chief several years ago, defending his sport against the widely held notion that cycling was rife with performance-enhancing drugs.
"I was not trying to say that Dick was bad guy or a crook," Armstrong said of his letter, "but I might want to say that today. ... He's trying to divert attention from the serious ethical issues involving WADA and himself."
His agent and attorney went even further, accusing Pound of smearing Armstrong in public without conclusive proof or due process. They also said Pound had a hand in ensuring that an identifying code was included with the results of tests for EPO conducted by a French lab on Armstrong's urine samples six years after they were taken.
If true, that would violate WADA's own protocol requiring that any tests be done strictly for purposes of research.
Calls seeking comment from Pound at both his WADA office and home in Montreal were not immediately returned Thursday.
Earlier Thursday, Pound said he received a letter from Verbruggen acknowledging the cycling union, known as UCI, had provided L'Equipe's reporter with forms indicating Armstrong had doped during his first Tour victory.
"Mr. Verbruggen told us that he showed all the forms of Mr. Armstrong to L'Equipe and that he even gave the journalist a copy of one of the documents," Pound said during a conference call from Montreal.
"I don't understand why they're not stepping up to that and saying, 'Well, I guess we do know how the name got public, we made it possible,"' he said.
But Armstrong said that he himself had authorized releasing the forms to L'Equipe. He said the request from the newspaper was to check whether the UCI had granted him any medical exemptions during competition, not to find out if the numerical code used by race official to identify Armstrong matched the one attached to the urine samples.
Last Friday, the UCI said it had not received enough information to make a judgment on the doping accusations.
It also criticized L'Equipe for targeting Armstrong and Pound for making public statements on the "likely guilt of the athlete" without knowing all the facts.
Pound countered by saying, "It's ... quite clear the only way there could have been a match between the code numbers and a particular athlete was on the basis of information supplied by the UCI."
He then questioned the UCI's willingness to fully investigate L'Equipe's accusations and wondered whether the cycling body was merely looking for a "scapegoat."
If so, Armstrong suggested Pound should look in a mirror.
"Is Dick Pound a vindictive person and somebody who holds grudges?" he said. "Perhaps."
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September 16, 2005
Britney gives birth to baby boy
LOS ANGELES, California -- Pop princess Britney Spears is said to be getting her first taste of motherhood after reportedly giving birth to a baby boy.
The singer underwent a caesarean at Santa Monica's UCLA Medical Center, near Los Angeles, according to the magazine US Weekly and television show "Access Hollywood."
LOS ANGELES, California -- Pop princess Britney Spears is said to be getting her first taste of motherhood after reportedly giving birth to a baby boy.
The singer underwent a caesarean at Santa Monica's UCLA Medical Center, near Los Angeles, according to the magazine US Weekly and television show "Access Hollywood."
Britney, 23, and her husband Kevin Federline announced the pregnancy in April.
Reports suggest that they will call the baby either London Preston or Preston Michael. Her top name for a girl was Addison Shye.
It is the first child for Britney, while Kevin, 27, has two young children -- Kori, three, and one-year-old Kaleb -- with ex-girlfriend, Shar Jackson.
Last month, the singer revealed: "I have a feeling I'm going to have an operation. I don't know why but I hope so.
"My mom said giving birth was the most excruciating thing she's ever gone through in her life. So if a caesarian doesn't happen, I'll be like, 'Epidural, please.' "
The star, who has sold more than 60 million albums, has made no secret of her wish to start a family and has said she can see herself as a mother.
Shortly after tying the knot in a private ceremony last September, she announced she would be taking a break from music to enjoy married life and focus on motherhood.
"I've had a career since I was 16, have traveled around the world and back and even kissed Madonna," she wrote on her Web site.
"The only thing I haven't done so far is experience the closest thing to God and that's having a baby. I can't wait."
Britney hosted a Moroccan-themed baby shower at her Malibu home last month.
Presents included a white wrought-iron bassinet from her mother, Lynne, a car seat, a stroller, an infant bathtub and lots of stuffed animals.
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NFL preview: Jacksonville set to challenge Indianapolis Colts in Week 2
For a legitimate playoff contender, the Jacksonville Jaguars attract little notice. If they can do Sunday what they did last season, they might draw some headlines.
For a legitimate playoff contender, the Jacksonville Jaguars attract little notice. If they can do Sunday what they did last season, they might draw some headlines.
That's because they go to Indianapolis, where they beat the Colts 27-24 last Oct. 24. It didn't stop the Colts from winning the AFC South and it didn't prevent the Jaguars from missing the post-season despite a 9-7 record that would have made it in the NFC, but it sent a message to Indy.
"They're a dangerous team," coach Tony Dungy said.
The Jaguars' defence was pretty successful against the Colts last season, holding a team that averaged almost 33 points a game to 24 in each meeting.
But the Colts' defence, which has let them down in the past, seems much better this season. Last week, it shut down Baltimore in a 24-7 win and seems to have got a physical and psychological lift with the late signing of Corey Simon, one of the NFL's better defensive tackles.
Simon was in for about 30 plays against the Ravens, but already has helped others. Larry Tripplett, the other defensive tackle, had two sacks after having just one in his previous three NFL seasons.
"Clearly he made a difference and I think the Ravens thought he did, too," linebacker David Thornton said. "He's a big body in the middle who allows linebackers to scrape a little more freely."
Jacksonville had a good win, too, beating Seattle 26-14 as Byron Leftwich threw for 252 yards and two touchdowns to 36-year-old Jimmy Smith, who had seven catches for 130 yards. Ex-quarterback Matt Jones, the team's first-round pick, became the NFL's latest "slash," running twice for 28 yards, completing a six-yard pass and catching two for 22 yards.
But the key to the Jaguars is the defence, anchored by tackles Marcus Stroud and John Henderson. "They make you fight and scrap for every yard you get," Dungy said.
Jacksonville might have to do the same against the Colts' revived defence.
In other games Sunday, Detroit is at Chicago; Baltimore at Tennessee; Pittsburgh at Houston; Buffalo at Tampa Bay; Minnesota at Cincinnati; New England at Carolina; San Francisco at Philadelphia; Atlanta at Seattle; St. Louis at Arizona; Miami at the New York Jets; Cleveland at Green Bay; San Diego at Denver; and Kansas City at Oakland.
The New Orleans Saints play their "home" opener at the New York Giants Monday night, and Washington is at Dallas an hour and a half later.
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New England (1-0) at Carolina (0-1)
The first meeting between these two since New England won the 2004 Super Bowl 32-29, one of the more dramatic of those games.
The Patriots have continued to win; the Panthers continue to fall on hard times.
While New England was winning another title last season, Carolina fell to 7-9, in large part because of a string of injuries. This season has started the same way, with run-stuffing defensive tackle Kris Jenkins lost for the season with a knee injury in a 23-20 loss to New Orleans last week.
"I think there's some familiarity with them," Tom Brady said of the Panthers. "But the schemes change and the players change. We're doing some different things and they're doing some different things."
Like winning and losing?
New Orleans (1-0) vs. New York Giants (1-0) at East Rutherford, N.J. (Monday evening)
The above is the official NFL designation of the Saints' first "home" game. The oddsmakers, of course, know better, giving the Giants the three-point edge even if one end zone will be painted in Saints colours and New Orleans will wear home uniforms.
The Saints' could have a more consistent season than the roller coaster that has marked Jim Haslett's five-year tenure as coach. Somehow, the reality of a city devastated by the aftereffects of Hurricane Katrina seems to have put football in perspective for Haslett and his players. "It's only a game," is their watchword.
Washington (1-0) at Dallas (1-0) (Monday night)
Jerry Jones isn't happy that the ceremony placing Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin in the Cowboys' Ring of Honour has been upstaged by the Giants and Saints. But a decade ago, he upstaged the Giants' ceremony honouring Phil Simms by marching on the field for a commercial venture during halftime of a Monday night game at the Meadowlands.
Jones' Cowboys, who have won 14 of their last 15 against Washington, beat San Diego in part because the Chargers hurt themselves by suspending Antonio Gates. This week, they face QB Mark Brunell after Joe Gibbs (6-13 against Bill Parcells) benched the less-experienced Patrick Ramsey during a 9-7 win over the Bears.
Atlanta (1-0) at Seattle (0-1)
How much did Atlanta leave on the field in its physical 14-10 Monday night win over Philadelphia? It's a relevant question for a team going cross-country off a short week.
"We can't control that we have to go to Seattle after a tough Monday night game, so we just have to keep plugging," coach Jim Mora said.
They'll meet a team motivated by a coach, Mike Holmgren, upset by three fourth-quarter turnovers in Jacksonville, where his club seemed to fade in the Florida heat. "He had some strong words for our offensive team and they were justified," quarterback Matt Hasselbeck said.
San Francisco (1-0) at Philadelphia (0-1)
Things that will change quickly:
-Philadelphia's last-place standing in the NFC East; it was the only team in the division to lose its opener. It's out of first for the first time in 24 weeks, or since the 11th week of the 2003 season, but almost surely will be back soon enough.
-San Francisco's standing atop the NFC West; it was the only team in the division to win its opener. The 49ers' 28-25 upset of the Rams in Mike Nolan's first game as a head coach got them halfway to last season's victory total. They might get beyond that, but not by a lot.
Donovan McNabb didn't practise at midweek, but said he will play despite the chest bruise sustained in the Atlanta game.
Buffalo (1-0) at Tampa Bay (1-0)
The Bills may be close on defence to the old Bucs of Sapp, Brooks, Rice, Lynch, et. al. Buffalo held Houston, which has some offensive weapons, to 120 yards last week in a 22-7 victory.
One good omen for Tampa Bay, which upset Minnesota in the Metrodome last week: Jacksonville and Miami won last week in Florida against opponents not used to the oppressive late-summer heat.
Miami (1-0) at New York Jets (0-1)
The Nick Saban era couldn't have started better (Florida heat). The Jets' season couldn't have started in a worse way as Chad Pennington fumbled six times, losing two, in a 27-7 loss in Kansas City.
This is a game the Jets really need in a division that could be the NFL's toughest. It starts with New England at the top, but Buffalo has been impressive and Saban has the Dolphins looking like a team that can cause trouble.
Pittsburgh (1-0) at Houston (0-1)
Bill Cowher is making sure none of his players get complacent after a 34-7 win over talent-starved Tennessee that featured a breakout game by third-string running back Willie Parker. "I'm not ready to sit here and say everything is set with one game," the Steelers coach said. "I've said this before, the first month of the season, you're creating an identity."
This game is important for the Texans. They've improved every year of their existence, but were shut down badly in Buffalo and could be in for a long season if they get stomped at home.
Minnesota (0-1) at Cincinnati (1-0)
Marvin Lewis is on a mission to obliterate the 1-4 starts of his first two seasons as Bengals coach and cracked down this week on Odell Thurman, the trash-talking rookie linebacker who played well in the win in Cleveland. Thurman now knows that rookies should shut up.
This is a big game for the Vikings, who didn't score an offensive touchdown in the 24-13 home loss to Tampa Bay last week. They usually start fast and finish badly, but might have to reverse that trend to do anything this season.
Kansas City (1-0) at Oakland (0-1)
An opportunity for the Chiefs to get an early jump in the AFC West against a team that didn't look that bad on opening night in Foxborough. One negative: Larry Johnson, who rushed for 110 yards against the Jets last week, became the latest in a line of Chiefs to be arrested, in his case, for domestic abuse assault.
It's probably too late in an 11-year career for Kerry Collins to learn to take a sack rather than risk a turnover, but that's what he has to do against a defense that made life difficult last week for Chad Pennington. If Collins is protected, he and Randy Moss are always dangerous.
San Diego (0-1) at Denver (0-1)
The Chargers get back tight end Antonio Gates, who might have helped them beat Dallas if Chargers management hadn't been so quick to put him on its suspended list during their contract dispute.
The Broncos often are assumed to be good, but haven't won a playoff game since John Elway retired after the 1998 season. So did they lose 34-10 in Miami because of the heat or because they're not very good?
St. Louis (0-1) at Arizona (0-1)
Two teams unprepared for their openers had better be prepared for each other.
The Rams were upset in San Francisco because of a series of special teams gaffes and perhaps because they took a win for granted against a team that was 2-14 last season.
The Cardinals, who were supposed to be coming on, were outscored 35-6 by the Giants in the second half last week and had special teams problems of their own - a punt and a kickoff returned for TDs against them.
Detroit (1-0) at Chicago (0-1)
This is not a place to stumble for the Lions, who have a decent shot at winning the NFC North, if only because no one else in the division appears strong. One good sign: first-round pick Mike Williams demonstrated how dangerous he is in the end zone by engulfing a three-yard TD pass last week.
The Chicago defence will probably win a few games this year, but that is all the Bears will get with rookie Kyle Orton at quarterback by default.
Baltimore (0-1) at Tennessee (0-1)
Anthony Wright starts at quarterback for the injured Kyle Boller, who wasn't very impressive against the Colts before he got hurt last week. If Wright performs decently, there could be a QB controversy when Boller's foot is healthy, despite what coach Brian Billick claims.
Fortunately for the Titans, QB is one of the positions where they have an edge on the Ravens. Off-season salary cap cuts will make it a long season for Steve McNair.
Cleveland (0-1) at Green Bay (0-1)
The only game this week featuring quarterbacks who have won Super Bowls, which is about the only thing good that can be said about this Trent Dilfer-Brett Favre matchup.
At least the Browns have the excuse of rebuilding. The Packers don't and have the additional burden of losing WR Javon Walker for the season with a torn knee ligament.
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September 15, 2005
NY Giants push ahead on plans for new stadium with the Jets
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) - The New York Giants say they are close to deals for a new football stadium at the Meadowlands Sports Complex to be owned and operated jointly with the New York Jets.
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) - The New York Giants say they are close to deals for a new football stadium at the Meadowlands Sports Complex to be owned and operated jointly with the New York Jets.
The announcement Thursday came as the Giants submitted a revised plan for a new stadium to the Jets and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, which runs the Meadowlands. The Giants and Jets are now tenants at Giants Stadium.
The plan was delivered a day before the sports authority is to consider whether to recommend that New Jersey walk away from its agreement with the Giants on a new stadium.
That opinion could hinge on whether the Giants reach an accord with the Jets, who have proposed a design of their own for the Meadowlands.
On Thursday, the Jets appeared to have a different view of the status of negotiations.
"I think at this point we are far apart," spokeswoman Marissa Shorenstein said.
The 80,000-seat stadium and adjacent practice facility proposed by the Giants would cost $800 million US and be paid for by the teams, said John K. Mara, the Giants' chief operating officer. It is designed to accommodate a retractable roof, at a cost of about $200 million more, which Mara said he hoped the state and NFL would help pay for.
It could open in time for the 2009 season.
"That's still our hope, but that's very ambitious at this point," Mara said.
In addition, the new plan attempts to make peace with the developers of Xanadu, a retail-entertainment centre rising across Route 120 from the stadium around the Continental Airlines Arena. The Giants, who have tried to derail Xanadu, now envision a retail centre of their own that would include a pedestrian walkway connecting it to Xanadu.
The agreement between the Giants and the state, reached in the spring, calls for a new, privately owned stadium to replace the state-owned Giants Stadium, one of the oldest in the NFL. The agreement allows the state to opt out if the Giants do not have a deal with the Jets by 5 p.m. Monday, said sports authority Chairman Carl J. Goldberg, although that step would not be taken lightly.
"The sports authority remains committed, as we were in April, to building a new stadium at the Meadowlands," Goldberg said.
He said the Giants have already missed the deadline for an agreement with Xanadu developers, but Mara said such an agreement appears close. The alternative would be renovating the existing stadium, which could cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars, but provide little additional revenue, Mara said at a briefing for reporters.
The Jets had been trying to build a stadium on the West Side of Manhattan, but after that effort failed in June, the Jets proposed building a 90,000-seat stadium with the Giants that would be integrated with Xanadu.
"We're very close to concluding a deal" with the Giants, Robert G. Sommer, a spokesman for the Xanadu developers, said Thursday evening.
Posted by admin at 04:37 PM | Comments (0)
September 12, 2005
New Orleans Saints focus on football for three hours to beat Panthers
During visits to shelters in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas over the past couple of weeks, the New Orleans Saints have heard the same request from fans who lost everything to hurricane Katrina - win a game for us.
They did just that Sunday.
Deuce McAllister ran for two touchdowns and John Carney kicked a 47-yard field goal with three seconds left to lift the Saints to an emotional 23-20 win over the Carolina Panthers.
During visits to shelters in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas over the past couple of weeks, the New Orleans Saints have heard the same request from fans who lost everything to hurricane Katrina - win a game for us.
They did just that Sunday.
Deuce McAllister ran for two touchdowns and John Carney kicked a 47-yard field goal with three seconds left to lift the Saints to an emotional 23-20 win over the Carolina Panthers.
Aaron Brooks threw passes of 11 and 25 yards to Joe Horn to move the Saints into field goal range. Carney then came onto the field to win a game for New Orleans and the entire U.S. Gulf Coast region.
The Saints rushed out on the field to celebrate the kick, their first joy since Katrina tore through New Orleans on Aug. 29. Like the thousands of evacuees, the storm left them homeless and searching for a little bit of normalcy.
They found it on the field, scoring an important victory over an NFC South rival and an emotional win for their fans.
Two Panthers stars coming back from injuries played well. Stephen Davis ran for 81 yards and a score, while Steve Smith had eight catches for 138 yards and a TD.
Buccaneers 24, Vikings 13
At Minneapolis, Brian Kelly had two interceptions, the last one at his six-yard line with 1:45 left that sealed a scrappy victory for Tampa Bay.
Rookie tight end Alex Smith caught two touchdown passes for the Bucs, which also forced two fumbles by Daunte Culpepper and allowed only 26 yards rushing.
Buccaneers 24, Vikings 13
At Minneapolis, Brian Kelly had two interceptions, the last one at his six-yard line with 1:45 left that sealed a scrappy victory for Tampa Bay.
Rookie tight end Alex Smith caught two touchdown passes for the Bucs, which also forced two fumbles by Daunte Culpepper and allowed only 26 yards rushing.
Another Bucs rookie, Carnell (Cadillac) Williams, added a 71-yard touchdown run with 1:23 remaining against a revamped Vikings defence that played pretty well until that point.
Coming off a career-best season, Culpepper looked more like a rookie than a three-time Pro Bowler. He threw his third interception to Derrick Brooks, on the final, desperation drive and finished 22-for-33 for 233 yards.
Steelers 34, Titans 7
At Pittsburgh, Willie Parker had a dazzling first career start with 161 yards rushing and a long reception, and a mistake-free Ben Roethlisberger threw for two scores.
The Steelers won their 15th straight during the regular season, four short of the Patriots' NFL record they stopped last season. Roethlisberger improved to 14-0 as an NFL starter during the season, and his play was as perfect as his record. So was his perfect 158.3 passer rating; he is the first NFL quarterback since Kansas City's Trent Green in 2003 to have a perfect rating.
Steve McNair looked fine after missing half the 2004 season with a sternum injury, going 18-of-26 for 219 yards and a touchdown, and Chris Brown averaged 5.7 yards on his 11 carries.
Dolphins 34, Broncos 10
At Miami, Gus Frerotte led a creative offense by throwing for 275 yards, Jason Taylor returned a fumble 85 yards for a score and the Dolphins successfully kicked off the Nick Saban era.
The Broncos lost cornerback Champ Bailey and running back Mike Anderson to injuries, wilted in the 28 C heat and dropped an opener for only the third time in 13 years under coach Mike Shanahan.
Frerotte, starting his first game for his sixth NFL team, went 24-for-36 with touchdown passes of two yards to Randy McMichael and 60 yards to Marty Booker.
Redskins 9, Bears 7
At Landover, Md., the Washington Redskins allowed only 166 yards, and John Hall kicked three field goals.
The Redskins overcame three turnovers, five untimely penalties and the loss of quarterback Patrick Ramsey, who had his neck wrung by blitzing linebacker Lance Briggs in the second quarter. Mark Brunell entered to lead three drives for field goals, powered in part by the running of Clinton Portis, who rushed for 121 yards on 21 carries.
Kyle Orton was the first rookie quarterback to start for Chicago on opening day in 51 years. Orton, starting because of an injury to Rex Grossman, completed 15-of-28 passes for 141 yards.
Jaguars 26, Seahawks 14
At Jacksonville, Fla., Jimmy Smith caught seven passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns for the Jaguars.
The Seahawks kept the game close until two costly errors in the final seven minutes.
Linebacker Daryl Smith intercepted a pass by Matt Hasselbeck that led to a 29-yard field goal by Josh Scobee. Akin Ayodele sacked Hasselbeck on the ensuing drive, caused a fumble and set up another field goal. Scobee finished with four field goals.
Jacksonville's defence was stout, as usual. The unit held Shaun Alexander to 73 yards on 14 carries. Hasselbeck finished 21-of-38 for 246 yards, with two touchdowns and three interceptions.
Bengals 27, Browns 13
At Cleveland, Carson Palmer threw two touchdown passes and the Bengals spoiled Romeo Crennel's coaching debut with the Browns.
The Bengals haven't had a winning record since 1990. Now, in capturing their first opener since 2001, they're 1-0 for the first time in three seasons under coach Marvin Lewis.
Palmer picked apart Cleveland's secondary, finishing 26-of-34 for 280 yards and one interception. Rudi Johnson rushed for 126 yards on 26 carries and one-yard TD run, and Shayne Graham kicked two field goals.
Making just his third start since 2003, Browns quarterback Trent Dilfer finished 26-of-43 for 278 yards and one touchdown.
Bills 22, Texans 7
At Orchard Park, N.Y., rookie Bills quarterback J.P. Losman engineered scoring drives on each of Buffalo's first five possessions.
The 2004 first-round draft pick who has taken over for Drew Bledsoe finished 17-of-28 for 170 yards and a touchdown.
Rian Lindell hit a career-high five field goals, one short of the franchise record set by Steve Christie of Oakville, Ont., in 1996.
The defence did the rest, generating five turnovers, five sacks and limiting Houston to 107 yards. Houston had seven possessions of three plays or less.
Chiefs 27, Jets 7
At Kansas City, Mo., weakened by first-half injuries to starters Patrick Surtain and Ryan Sims, the Chiefs defence held the mistake-prone Jets out of the end zone until the final half-minute.
The Chiefs forced seven fumbles and recovered two. Chad Pennington was sacked three times. Pennington, coming off shoulder surgery, was intercepted once and had several passes dropped.
Larry Johnson rushed for 110 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries and Priest Holmes added 85 yards and a touchdown for an offence that scored 17 points on its first three possessions.
Cowboys 28, Chargers 24
At San Diego, Drew Bledsoe threw three touchdown passes, two to Keyshawn Johnson, and became the 10th player in NFL history to throw for 40,000 yards.
Bledsoe threw the winning 2-yard touchdown pass with 3:06 left as Johnson beat cornerback Sammy Davis on a quick out.
The Cowboys didn't get to celebrate, though, until Aaron Glenn intercepted Drew Brees' throw in the end zone with 24 seconds left. Brees kept alive a desperation drive with a 33-yard completion to Eric Parker to the Dallas seven-yard line in the final minute. Then Brees' fourth-down pass bounced off Parker and Glenn came down with it.
San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson was held to 72 yards on 19 carries. He scored on a two-yard run in the first quarter, his 13th straight game with a TD rushing to tie the NFL record held by John Riggins and George Rogers.
Brees threw two touchdown passes to Keenan McCardell and was intercepted twice.
Lions 17, Packers 3
At Detroit, two of Brett Favre's three turnovers led to 10 points in a game in which scoring was scarce.
Detroit won its opener for a third straight year, but the Lions hope this season doesn't wind up like the last two - or the two before that. Since 2001, the Lions have lost an NFL-high 48 games.
Joey Harrington threw two touchdown passes, including one to rookie Mike Williams with 4:13 left.
Favre then drove Green Bay to Detroit's 12-yard line before he was sacked twice and threw his second interception. The three-time MVP finished 27-of-44 for 201 yards with two interceptions and one fumble, and the Packers had their worst day offensively since Sept. 13, 1992, when Tampa Bay beat them 31-3, two weeks before Favre started his record streak of playing 227 straight games, including the playoffs.
Giants 42, Cardinals 19
At East Rutherford, N.J., Eli Manning threw two touchdown passes, Willie Ponder returned a kickoff 95 yards for a TD and Chad Morton, signed by the Giants a week and a half ago, returned a punt 52 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Kurt Warner, the former two-time MVP acquired by the Giants last year to guide Manning through his rookie season, finished 27-for-46 for 264 yards and one touchdown in his first start for Arizona.
Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby had two interceptions, one of which he ran back for an 18-yard touchdown.
49ers 28, Rams 25
At San Francisco, Brandon Lloyd and Arnaz Battle caught second-quarter touchdown passes from Tim Rattay, and Michael Adams intercepted Marc Bulger's pass with 52 seconds left.
Rookie Otis Amey returned a punt 75 yards for a touchdown the first time he touched the ball for the 49ers, who erupted for 21 points in the second quarter - more than last season's 2-14 team scored in any quarter of its wretched season.
The 49ers' defence was on the field for nearly 40 minutes, but San Francisco held on for its first regular-season victory in regulation since Dec. 7, 2003. Both of the Niners' wins last season came in overtime against Arizona.
Colts 24, Ravens 7
At Baltimore, the Colts barely missed their first shutout since 1997, while Peyton Manning threw two touchdown passes.
Manning, a two-time league MVP, went 21-for-36 for 254 yards and no interceptions, and Marvin Harrison had six catches for 69 yards. But the real story was the marvellous play of the Indianapolis defense. Cato June returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown and the Colts limited Jamal Lewis to 48 yards rushing.
The Ravens lost quarterback Kyle Boller, who hyperextended a right toe while being sacked by Larry Triplett in the third quarter with Baltimore trailing 17-0.
Posted by admin at 03:08 PM | Comments (0)
September 11, 2005
John Lackey pitches seven shutout innings as Angels beat ChiSox 6-1
CHICAGO (AP) - Chone Figgins got the Los Angeles Angels off to a powerful start Sunday.
Figgins hit a leadoff homer off Orlando Hernandez, and Garret Anderson and Darin Erstad added solo shots in the first to give the Angels a quick three-run lead in a 6-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox.
"That's my job, to try and get on base," said Figgins, who hit his third career leadoff homer, all this season. "I'm not used to doing things like that."
Posted by admin at 03:13 PM | Comments (0)
September 06, 2005
Tami Tyson
Never tell a strong-willed woman she can't do something. Blonde-haired, green-eyed Tami Tyson pursued her dreams of stardom because people told her she couldn't.
Never tell a strong-willed woman she can't do something. Blonde-haired, green-eyed Tami Tyson pursued her dreams of stardom because people told her she couldn't.
Never tell a strong-willed woman she can't do something. Blonde-haired, green-eyed Tami Tyson pursued her dreams of stardom because people told her she couldn't.
"I was doing very well in Toronto with modeling and hosting. I was making quite a bit of money," she told ezsportsonline "I thought the next step was L.A. so I got my work visa. I'm all about if someone tells me I can't do something, then I sure want to do it and then I make it happen. I did not have one person say I could do it. Everyone said I would fail. I said, 'Well, we'll see about that.'"
Tami gets the last laugh as she greets fans from around the globe who watch as she hosts all new episodes of Fox Sports Network's "MHP All Strength USA", which just began airing in January. The program airs Wednesdays and covers 150 million households per week. After hosting several "All Strength Challenge" series' for three years on the Outdoor Life Network Canada. Tami brings U.S. viewers strength challenge competitions from all over the U.S. and around the world.
Her looks strike you first, then she opens up her mouth and out comes this sexy, raspy voice that sounds curiously like that voice you heard her using when you caught your mother moonlighting for the phone sex chat line.
Tami is a jet-setter, but we managed to catch her at home in Los Angeles...
ezsportsonline: Love that voice, sugar.
Tami: Thanks. I get a lot of compliments for my voice. I wrecked my vocal chords because I used to teach aerobics. I yelled so loud it made my voice lower.
ezsportsonline: Great for phone sex!
Tami: (Laughs) Exactly. My husband likes my voice.
ezsportsonline: Husband? How do you guys keep the spark alive?
Tami: You mean in bed?
Posted by admin at 04:47 PM | Comments (0)
September 05, 2005
Pat Answers--Babbling to Babs:
Pat Answers--Babbling to Babs: In the wake of Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston's divorce becoming final, all the mags have amped up the Brangelina speculation machine. Romance, reproduction, remarriage--what's up?
Pat Answers--Babbling to Babs: In the wake of Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston's divorce becoming final, all the mags have amped up the Brangelina speculation machine. Romance, reproduction, remarriage--what's up? Well, the National Enquirer's spies report that Brad has secretly enlisted the help of superflack Pat Kingsley who, you'll recall, handled Tom Cruise for years--before Cruise jumped the couch. The mag's source says Flackula's hypnotic publicity powers have already helped her orchestrate an exclusive Brad and Angie TV visit to Barbara Walters this fall, where they'll talk about "love, life...and the kids they'll raise as man and wife." Set the TiVo now!
Posted by admin at 04:31 PM | Comments (0)
September 04, 2005
German star Michael Schumacher acknowledges 2005 title is out of reach
MONZA, Italy (AP) - German Michael Schumacher conceded the 2005 Formula One title Thursday.
The seven-time world champion finally acknowledged what everyone already knew - even himself, as it turned out. That after five straight years of Schumacher winning, Spain's Fernando Alonso or Finland's Kimi Raikkonen will claim the Formula One overall title this year.
MONZA, Italy (AP) - German Michael Schumacher conceded the 2005 Formula One title Thursday.
The seven-time world champion finally acknowledged what everyone already knew - even himself, as it turned out. That after five straight years of Schumacher winning, Spain's Fernando Alonso or Finland's Kimi Raikkonen will claim the Formula One overall title this year.
"It's not something that happens overnight. I kept saying that until mathematically things are impossible, I will keep fighting," Schumacher said. "But then at the same time I'm a realist, and some races ago I pretty much knew that it's not possible anymore to fight for the championship.
"Nobody expected this and now that it's there we will work very hard to fight back again. It's not a big surprise and that's the way it goes. It is honestly a surprise it did take that long before it happened."
Schumacher is third overall, trailing Alonso by 40 points in the drivers' standings entering this weekend's Italian Grand Prix. After this event, only four more races remain, meaning Schumacher will be mathematically eliminated Sunday if Alonso gains more points than he does. Wins are worth 10 points each.
Jacques Villeneuve of Iberville, Que., enters the race tied for 14th in the driver's standings with Portugal's Tiago Monteiro and Austrian Alexander Wurz. All three have six points.
Schumacher, whose future at Ferrari remains in question, made it clear he does not believe he will finish ahead of Alonso here, pointing to Ferrari's slow test times here last week.
"The fact is we were too slow here and we did not look too competitive," said Schumacher, adding that "unless it rains" he does not expect that to change in the race.
Alonso has a 24-point lead on Raikkonen, but Raikkonen's McLaren team was faster than Alonso's Renault squad in last week's tests.
"We'll try to win even though in the tests McLaren was faster," Alonso said.
Raikkonen's teammate, Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya, clocked a Formula One record 372 kilometres an hour on Monza's main straightaway last week.
"Our maximum speed is 367, 368 kilometres an hour," said Alonso, adding that Renault will try different aerodynamics in practice Friday.
Alonso, 24, could become the youngest ever world champion and he does not need to win every race to claim that title.
If Raikkonen wins each of the five remaining races, Alonso could still take the championship if he finishes third in each race.
"We need to keep the momentum going and do a better job than Renault over the remaining five races," McLaren team chairman Martin Whitmarsh said. "However, we are aware that Renault need to make some errors."
Schumacher added his competitors' hunger had contributed to his poor form and that he would not lack incentive to contest next season.
"If you imagine how many years the other guys have been in my position I'm in now, they have been motivated to get back and challenge the leaders," Schumacher said. "There's no reason not to be motivated and I look forward very much to challenging again."
Posted by admin at 03:19 PM | Comments (0)
September 03, 2005
Moss catches TD pass to help Raiders defeat distracted Saints 13-6
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Joe Horn planned to head for Houston with the intent of helping one refugee family hurt by Hurricane Katrina.
He'll go by limo, van or rental car. Across the country from their devastated city, the New Orleans Saints somehow played a competitive football game when it's probably the last thing some of them wanted to do - and then they turned their thoughts to assisting those in need and reuniting with family members over the weekend before returning to work Monday.
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Joe Horn planned to head for Houston with the intent of helping one refugee family hurt by Hurricane Katrina.
He'll go by limo, van or rental car. Across the country from their devastated city, the New Orleans Saints somehow played a competitive football game when it's probably the last thing some of them wanted to do - and then they turned their thoughts to assisting those in need and reuniting with family members over the weekend before returning to work Monday.
"It's not just the people in the (Astrodome), there are people in hotel rooms, 12 at a time with families piled on top of families, and they won't have the financial means," Horn said. "I'm going to stay there two days and see if I can help them out. I know I can't help everybody, but I'm going to try my best because I love the fans there and in Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi."
Randy Moss caught a 27-yard touchdown from Kerry Collins in the first quarter for the game's only touchdown, leading the Oakland Raiders over the Saints 13-6 Thursday night in the pre-season finale for both teams.
Transported 3,218 kilometres to California on Sunday, the Saints avoided the wrath of one of America's worst storms and prepared for this game under the sun at San Jose State University despite all the uncertainties back home.
A moment of silence was held before the game, and about 100 people turned out for a last-minute blood drive sponsored by the Raiders and the American Red Cross outside the Coliseum. The Raiders made a donation to the Red Cross and also ran public service announcements in the stadium, on their website and on their broadcasts encouraging people to help hurricane victims.
Players from both teams held a prayer circle when time expired.
"Everybody on our team is heartbroken," Saints coach Jim Haslett said. "They feel for the people. I think the one thing about our football team is that we're resilient. When we step on the field, we're focused. When we get off the field, our minds go somewhere else."
Afterward, the Saints flew all night to San Antonio with no idea when they'll go home - or whether they even still have homes. Their temporary home will be the Marriott Riverwalk.
John Carney kicked field goals of 38 and 37 yards, but also missed a 38-yarder in the third quarter for New Orleans. He was patted on the back by holder Todd Bouman when the ball sailed wide left. Bouman started at quarterback and completed 13 of 20 passes for 120 yards.
The Saints chose to rest most of their regulars, including quarterback Aaron Brooks, Horn and running back Deuce McAllister.
New Orleans came into the game hoping to improve its run defence and appeared to make strides, limiting Oakland to 61 yards after allowing 151 yards to Baltimore's Chester Taylor in a 21-6 loss to the Ravens last Friday.
The Saints (1-3) celebrated good plays and were businesslike from warmups to the final tick of the clock. They don't yet know where they will play their home opener Sept. 18 against the New York Giants.
The Raiders (1-3) earned their first exhibition victory exactly a week before they open the season in a nationally televised game at Super Bowl champion New England.
Moss scored his second TD of the pre-season in the only series he played and also had a nine-yard reception before taking a seat. Collins and almost all the other starters also played only one series.
"The first drive was good," Moss said. "One thing that we wanted to do was get out there and get ourselves ready for next week. With everything that we have gone through as far as training camp, pre-season and today's game, we are headed in the right direction."
The Saints never considered not playing this game, even with heavy hearts.
"I wouldn't say it's overwhelming," said general manager Mickey Loomis, who doesn't know whether the team will play in New Orleans again this season. "They understand they have a job to do. They know their families are safe. Once you know your family is safe, you go back to your business. What's overwhelming is what's going on in New Orleans, Mississippi and the entire Gulf Coast."
In the seats behind the Saints sideline, New Orleans resident Chad Seeger held a sign reading, "The Dome will rise again!" - a reference to the Louisiana Superdome, which became a temporary refugee camp for thousands of the city's stranded citizens, but was heavily damaged in the storm.
Seeger came to California last week for vacation and was supposed to fly back Monday, when the hurricane hit. He is staying with his girlfriend and her family in San Francisco.
Another Saints fan, New Orleans native Jimmy Lashley, held a sign reading, "Forget, Iraq. Help our own."
Third-string Oakland quarterback Andrew Walter, a third-round draft pick out of Arizona State, returned after missing the previous two exhibition games with a strained groin. He went 13-for-20 passes for 221 yards, including a 52-yard completion to Johnnie Morant.
Notes: The Saints expect a truck to arrive in San Antonio on Friday carrying any supplies such as computers and equipment that could be salvaged from team headquarters. ... Oakland's Chris Carr returned the opening kickoff 101 yards, but an illegal block penalty called it back. ... Raiders receiver Carlos Francis caught one pass, playing for the first time against the very team Oakland was playing when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee last Oct. 24 and then had surgery.
Posted by admin at 03:17 PM | Comments (0)
September 02, 2005
See Where the Stars Sound Off on Frozen Burritos, Dog Chandeliers and Capra-esque Porn
See Where the Stars Sound Off on Frozen Burritos, Dog Chandeliers and Capra-esque Porn
Wil Wheaton will not be mentioned in this article. It's not that we don't love his blog (we do!), it's just that a dozen star-scribbled journals rank higher on our must-read list than the one maintained by a former USS Enterprise ensign. And each is just as real, quirky and endearing as Wheaton's. Well, except Gwyneth's, but we'll get to that.
Where the Stars Sound Off on Frozen Burritos, Dog Chandeliers and Capra-esque Porn
Wil Wheaton will not be mentioned in this article. It's not that we don't love his blog (we do!), it's just that a dozen star-scribbled journals rank higher on our must-read list than the one maintained by a former USS Enterprise ensign. And each is just as real, quirky and endearing as Wheaton's. Well, except Gwyneth's, but we'll get to that.
Her Space: "Diary"
Her Thing:
Pictures, pictures, pictures! And not just the usual on-the-red-carpet stuff, although those are definitely here. The prizes, though, are the random, here's a closeup of my dog ("My little luca pizzaroni"), here's me on Regis and Kelly (literally, a shot of a hotel TV screen), here's my bustline on the set of my sitcom.
Why You Must Read It: In between the pictures, Anderson rants about tabloids, notes Elvira as an influence and (before the posts were removed) gushes about how she and Lee are "not back together. We just love each other!"
Why You Might Hate Yourself After:
No matter how hard you look, you won't find the posts about Tommy, their Hawaiian family vacation and how they're absolutely, positively not getting remarried.
Posted by admin at 04:37 PM | Comments (0)
Ageless Agassi overcomes 30 aces to knock off Karlovic at U.S. Open
Neither does age. Andre Agassi stood 11 inches shorter than six-foot-10 Croatian Ivo Karlovic, spun serves about 50 mph slower, and logged far fewer miles on court. The ace count went to Karlovic, 30-5, as he clocked serves consistently in the 130-142 mph range, but the second-round victory at the U.S. Open on Thursday went to Agassi, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5), 7-6 (4).
At 35, nine years older than the gangling giant across the net, Agassi came up bigger on the big points to continue his run for one more Grand Slam title in his 20th visit to the Open. His wife, Steffi Graf, and three-year-old son, Jaden, watched at courtside.
"Listen to that," Agassi said as the standing crowd in Arthur Ashe Stadium cheered his victory. "How does that get old? Thanks guys."
Neither does age. Andre Agassi stood 11 inches shorter than six-foot-10 Croatian Ivo Karlovic, spun serves about 50 mph slower, and logged far fewer miles on court. The ace count went to Karlovic, 30-5, as he clocked serves consistently in the 130-142 mph range, but the second-round victory at the U.S. Open on Thursday went to Agassi, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5), 7-6 (4).
At 35, nine years older than the gang