Excessive Celebration of the Day

This video may not look like much at first but watch the background closely and you'll find a rather unusual way to celebrate a victory.

Eagles Release Brian Westbrook

The Philadelphia Eagles became the second team in as many days to release their former All Pro running back after the Chargers parted ways with LaDainian Tomlinson the day before. Westbrook was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2002 draft and became the team's offensive spark plug in 2003 after saving the season with an 84 yard punt return for a TD in the final minute of a week 7 matchup against the rival New York Giants. Westbrook is the franchise's all-time leader in yards from scrimmage highlighted by back-to-back seasons in '06 and '07 where he lead the league in that category. Westbrook was entering the final year of his contract and was owed $7.5 Million over that period.

Westbrook is in the twilight of his career and an injury-plagued 2009 campaign made the decision to let him go easier for the Eagles' management. Westbrook has been the most electrifying player in the team's history and from 2005-2007 could have made a case for being the best RB in the NFL (or at least the NFC). Injuries have always been a problem for the veteran who has never been able to play in all 16 games in any season. Westbrook's production in 2008 was limited by ankle and knee injuries and he really hasn't played at 100% in a few years. He began this most recent season coming off of ankle surgery and suffered a pair of concussions midway through the year relegating him to a non-factor. The emergence of rookie RB LeSean McCoy also made Westbrook's release more palpable after he piled up 637 yards and 4 TDs in Westbrook's absence. I think the Eagles' coaching staff is happy with their rushing attack of McCoy and All Pro FB Leonard Weaver and they cut ties with the over-30 tailback at the right time. I don't expect Westbrook to play in the NFL for more than a year or so after this with all of his injuries issues.

LaDainian Tomlinson Released By Chargers

In a move that may have surprised some the San Diego Chargers released former NFL MVP LaDainian Tomlinson this afternoon. Tomlinson was the 5th overall pick in the 2001 draft (acquired in a trade for the #1 pick which would become Michael Vick) and rushed for 12,490 yards, grabbed 530 catches and scored 153 TDs good enough for 3rd in NFL History. I'd you've read my earlier post on the subject this news isn't surprising as Tomlinson is coming off his least productive season as a pro, is over 30 and has been critical of team management. It will be interesting to see what teams now think Tomlinson has any more gas left in the tank during Free Agency

Congratz To Trinity College Squash, Another Year Another National Championship

The Trinity College Bantams finished up their 12th consecutive undefeated National Championship season with a win over Yale this weekend. At this point I don't even see why other schools even play us at all, it would be easier just to forfeit. What I liked best about this year's win was the style and swagger (or arrogance...) with which our Bantams pulled it off. Even ESPN Football analyst Merrill Hoge loved it.

How's It Taste Canada? USA Men's Hockey Wins 5-3

The US Men's hockey team pulled off the biggest upset since their Miracle victory of the Soviet Union in 1980. The US hadn't beaten Canada since 1960 including a loss in the gold-medal game during the 2002 Winter Olympics. Canada came into this year's tournament as the heavy favorite to win boasting a roster filled with NHL team captains. The US went with a young, tough athletic roster whose average age is five years younger than the US team that failed to medal in 2006 in Turin. The US played their hearts out all game last night and never trailed the favored Canadians. This game didn't have the impact the win in 1980 did but it made me proud to be an American nonetheless.

NBA Offseason Begins To Take Shape After Trading Deadline Passes

(Future teammates LeBron James and Chris Bosh?)

The NBA trading deadline came and went this week and several major moves were made which gave us a better idea of how this year's upcoming offseason will unfold. Everyone will have their eyes on LeBron James and I have already talked about how his fate may hinge on the Cleveland Cavaliers ability to win an NBA title this june. The Cavs made perhaps the biggest deadline deal by acquiring talented forward Antawn Jamison from the Wizards along with G Sebastian Telfair in a 3-team deal. Cleveland's front office needed to make a move to show LeBron that they are committed to winning and want him to stay there. The addition of Jamison along with the coming return of G Mo Williams will likely solidify the Cavaliers' place atop the Eastern Conference but they will still have to conquer however comes out of the tough Western Conference. 

There were two other moves that were made to position for the offseason signing period. The New York Knicks made a move to acquire Tracy McGrady (and his monster expiring contract) from the Rockets while at the same time dumping the large contracts of ineffective players Larry Hughes and Jared Jeffries. Over the past two season the Knicks have worked hard to clear enough cap space to allow them to sign both LeBron and another big name player this offseason and are the front runners for King James in my mind (can LeBron really resist the bright lights of New York City?) Another intriguing story was the Miami Heat's failed attempt to trade for Suns F Amar'e Stoudemire. The heat were hoping to land the All Star in attempt to convince G Dwayne Wade to stay when he becomes a free agent. I think the Heat will finish with a mediocre record and Wade will be actively seeking a new team this summer. LeBron's future is still up in the air depending on how his team finishes in the Playoffs so I think Wade will set the Free Agent period in motion. I think both Wade and LeBron will be in new uniforms next year although don't be surprised to see James sign a short 2- or 3-year deal to stay in Cleveland long enough to continue building around him.

P.S. In case you missed it LeBron James dropped 43 points, 15 assists and 13 rebounds last night becoming the first player since Pete Maravich in 1974 to score 40+ points with 15+ assists and 10+ boards. He's pretty good...

Tiger Woods Speaks

Much maligned superstar golfer Tiger Woods finally addressed the public after months of silence this morning in a very scripted and formal press conference. Woods spoke for about 10 minutes apologizing for his behavior and discussed the harm this scandal has done to his family. Woods refused to take questions and left many things unanswered. Woods mostly talked about his family and stated that he did not know when he would make a return to golf. I'm glad Tiger has taken the first step in rebuilding his reputation after coming out of self-imposed exile but he has a lot work left ahead of him. I believe he will have to make a talk show circuit and begin giving the media the answers they have been searching for since November.

On a side note Tiger drew some heat for his press conference this week as he was criticized for holding a press conference during the Accenture (a company that ended its sponsorship of Woods in December) Matchplay Championship. Fellow golfer Ernie Els was the loudest of Tiger's critics saying he should have waited until monday to go public. However I think Tiger statement has re-energized the interesting of golf fans whose support has dropped off in Tiger's absence. I personally had no idea the Matchplay Championship was even happening this week which only goes to further my belief that the PGA Tour is nothing without Tiger Woods.

What's Next For Donovan McNabb In Philly?

Found a really great article by ESPN reporter Sal Paolantonio discussing what he believes is the biggest story of the NFL offseason.

NFL Scouting Combine Less Than 3 Weeks Away!

This is always the worst part of the year for NFL fans. After the Super Bowl ends we are forced to get our football fix by worrying about how fast a guy's 40-yard dash time is or high how he can jump at the NFL scouting combine which begins Feb. 27th. The combine is the first in a series of long, drawn-out events leading up to the NFL draft. The draft of course doesn't begin until the end of April but we will all have to deal with the daily sound-bytes by Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay for the next 3 months before that happens. Along the way we have the free agent signing period and pro day workouts but there simply just isn't enough news during the NFL offseason (it's easily the longest offseason of any of the major sports). This year I will actually be able to watch the combine which will probably be very uninteresting but deserves a shot if we can spot the next draft sleeper (see photo above).

Until then I'll leave you with a reenactment of Peyton Manning's game-losing INT on sunday night.

Excessive Celebration of the Day

Tracy Porter in the Super Bowl. I put this up because Porter points to his family and other Saints fans on the way. Congratulations once again.

'Roid Rage: Don't Say Ben Affleck Didn't Warn You

I found this video in a really interesting documentary on steroid use in America called Bigger, Stronger, Faster* directed by filmmaker and body builder Christian Bell. Check it out if you ever get the chance.

Excessive Celebration of the Day

I think any celebrating you can do after breaking your arm making a catch and then scoring a TD is pretty remarkable. This guy is tough as nails.

National Organization For Women Accuses Tim Tebow Of Promoting Domestic Violence?

NOW (National Organization for Women) President Terry O'Neill is upset with Pam and Tim Tebow after they appeared in an ad sponsored by the pro-life organization Focus on the Family, but not because of its pro-life message (which was actually tastefully done in my opinion). O'Neill is accusing the Tebows of promoting domestic violence because Tim tackles his mother at one point as she's trying to tell her story. O'Neill claims that the message of domestic violence being OK is much more pronounced and damaging than the anti-abortion stance the ad promotes. I personally have nothing against NOW but this claim is absolutely ridiculous, I'd bet you couldn't find more than 5 people in a room of 100 who share O'Neill's feelings and who didn't feel the Tebows came across as happy, caring and loving. I'm upset with O'Neill because she made no mention of an ad that ran about 10 minutes later that glorified Betty White getting her clocked cleaned going across the middle in a pick-up game.

Terry O'Neill is bothering me so much because I think she was prepared to make a very big scene condemning Tim Tebow for appearing in an anti-abortion ad during the Super Bowl. O'Neill and others, myself included, were expecting Tim to make a much bolder statement that NOW could jump on and use to make Tebow a villain. I think most people were caught a little off-guard when we saw how subtle and tastefully done the Tebow's commercial was. I feel people like O'Neill like enjoy making a stink about stuff like this because they get to be the center of attention and I think she was annoyed that Tim and Pam Tebow disarmed her of that. It would be one thing if O'Neill had a problem with all of the violence that was glorified during the game (there were least 8 or 9 other ads that one could say were just as bad not to mention the fact that this was a football game where we are treated to a 22-man medieval battle every 30 seconds). I think this just goes to show that nobody can beat Tim Tebow at anything, ever. Yet all the more reason he should become a politician after his playing days are over.

Saints 31 Colts 17

I'd like to congratulate the New Orleans Saints on the franchise's first ever Super Bowl and also thank them for making me look like a genius with my prediction yesterday. This game played out very much like I thought it would including back-and-forth scoring, some terrific throws by Peyton Manning, a largely ineffective Dwight Freeney (although he made one of the best individual sacks I've seen recently) and the deciding play came down to a Peyton Manning interception returned for a TD which was really the only mistake either team made all night. This way a great game the whole way through as both teams played their best. The Saints are now poised to make a few more championship runs in the coming decade with all that young talent and now experience.

Super Bowl Prediction Indianapolis (-5) vs. New Orleans: Saints Steal The Show

The final football game of the year kicks off tonight as the Indianapolis Colts (16-2) square off against the New Orleans Saints (15-3) in Miami for the Super Bowl. The Colts and MVP QB Peyton Manning are looking for their second Lombardi trophy in 4 years while the Saints are appearing in the first Super Sunday of the franchise's 43-year history. Both teams are loaded with playmakers and it's no secret the game will come down to the duel between Manning and Saints QB Drew Brees. These teams are dead even in my mind as far as talent goes but many analysts are picking the Colts because of the experience and resume of Peyton Manning. I think both Manning and Brees will play well but both will be rattled by the opposing defense at times. I believe the winner of this game will be the team that can cash in on their opponents mistakes because they won't happen often. This will be one of the first Super Bowls in recent history where one team isn't heavily favored over the other and this is truly a game that will be decided by only a handful of plays. I'm giving the edge to the Saints in this one because I feel the health of Colts All-Pro DE Dwight Freeney will be the X-Factor.

I think you can throw out a lot of stats and numbers in thinking about this game because both teams have a stable of offensive play-makers who will give both defenses fits all day. Expect this game to play out much like the NFC Championship game two weeks ago where the Saints took advantage of a Brett Favre turnover late and won the game in overtime. It is still unclear if Freeney will be able to play tonight due to an ankle injury but I believe that regardless of whether or not he plays, the 8-year pro won't be effective if he's in pain. The loss of pressure a healthy Freeney generates will have a ripple effect on the rest of the Colts defense. The Colts D has been successful despite its rather no-name roster because Freeney allows the team to pressure the quarterback without blitzing thus freeing up extra defenders and creating good match-ups. Everyone gives Manning credit for leading the Colts to a victory in Super Bowl XLI over the Bears but that defense was lead by S Bob Sanders who was the missing link in a championship run. Dwight Freeney now has the same role Sanders had in 2006 and if he cannot play at the top of his game I think the rest of the Colts D will falter and give Drew Brees an advantage. Then again if Freeney does play and plays well, he can be the hero and have the honor of telling the world he's going to Disney World at game's end.

I am also drawn to the Saints because they have shown the ability to rally and win close football games throughout the entire season. I saw this team come back from a 24-3 deficit after 3 Brees interceptions to beat the Dolphins 46-34, turn a Brees interception into a WR Robert Meachem fumble recovery for a TD in a 33-30 OT win over the Redskins, steal an NFC title from Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings and go 4-0 against the AFC this year. I really feel that all the intangible things that make a great team into the best team are happening for the Saints. They've gotten so many breaks this year that is has to be more than coincidence so I'm going with my gut in this one:

Saints beat Colts 31-29

Is LaDainian Tomlinson Looking To Get Out Of San Diego?

5-time Pro Bowler and former league MVP Ladainian Tomlinson sounded off on the radio this week complaining that he was unhappy with his role on the team this past year (he ran for a career-low 730 yards and 3.3 yards per rush) and questioned the unity of the San Diego Chargers locker room. Tomlinson said he feels that the younger players in the league are more interested in money and glamour than winning football games. While criticism of the league's young players is not unique to Tomlinson, the fact that he criticized his own team is a sleight against head coach Norv Turner. LT will be due $3 Million is roster bonuses at the beginning of next season and it's becoming more and more likely that we will see him in a new uniform sooner rather than later.

This is not the first time Ladainian has gone on record complaining about one thing or another. I think he is trying to drive a wedge between himself and the Chargers in an effort to get traded. He may be upset with the greed younger players but also stated that he would not take a pay-cut to remain with the Chargers when his contract is up in 2 years. He has said that he wants to stay with the team that drafted him in 2001 but I question the sincerity of that statement. I think Tomlinson wants to win a Super Bowl and he doesn't know if he can do that with San Diego if he is questioning his teammates and thereby his head coach. I have a feeling this story could develop during the offseason and it will be interesting to see what line the Chargers take with him. Is he really that important to the team's success if they have to overpay for his declining skills?

Excessive Celebration of the Day

I would have felt better about this if the Eags hadn't gotten rocked by Dallas twice in a row this year but I figure there probably won't be much more footage of Donny in midnight green

Man Sneaks Onto Pro Soccer Team

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

I'm not sure if this would fly in the NFL or the NBA but I must say I'm impressed with this guy, that takes a lot of balls and he got rewarded. It was actually lucky that this guy meant no harm, he could have just as easily attacked someone although that may just be an American phenomenon. Thank goodness sports have a lighter side.

Cornell Mens Basketball Ranked #25 In USA Today Coach's Poll (Ever Heard Of It?)

Cornell basketball (18-3) made history yesterday by landing in the top 25 of the USA Today coach's poll for the first time in school history and proving their near upset of #1 Kansas on January 6 was no accident. The Big Red are the first Ivy League team to be ranked since Princeton during the 1997-98 season and the first Cornell team to be ranked in any poll in 60 years. Cornell has been absolutely dominating their competition this year and their ranking comes on the heels of a 36 point victory over Harvard which was likely their biggest challenge before postseason play begins. This team looks poised to run the table and head into the NCAA tournament hot in March. In their last five games alone (all wins) they have out scored their opponents by an average of 34.5 points a game.

It's refreshing to see the Ivy League representing itself in the national picture despite all the extra obstacles those schools face in the major NCAA sports. It will be interesting to see if Cornell can make any kind of splash in the Big Dance this year but regardless their success should at least let us crack a whole new bunch of Andy Bernard jokes.

Basketball, Cornell-Kansas, Slaughter

Only In New Jersey: Volleyball Coach Hits Player In Head With Ball

This is a clip of head volleyball coach Eric Maxwell from Southern High School in New Jersey and his motivational techniques. The person who put this video up included a comment defending this guy and saying the coach apologized immediately and satisfactorily. For you Jersey Shore fans this guy would probably defend the actions of the guy who punched Snooki in the face (who is also a New Jersey high school gym teacher and coach interestingly enough). I'll let you developed your own opinion.



Now take it from someone who has actually had a coach throw a ball at their head, stuff like this isn't funny or cool (well maybe a little funny in a sick sort of way) in a girls high school game. To do it to a teenage girl during a game in front of everyone's parents makes it that much worse. I don't care that this guy apologized, it doesn't matter when you fire a piss-rocket down the pipe at a girl's head from 6 feet away, you lose any and all credibility. I guess this is par-for-the-course in a place like New Jersey. I wouldn't be surprised if Coach Maxwell threw up a fist-pump and then hit the tanning salon with no remorse after this game.

How awkward is that silence afterward? I think that's what really brings the video together.

Can Somebody Explain The Design Of The Pro Bowl MVP Trophy?

I must say I was actually rather interested in the outcome of last night's Pro Bowl, exciting players like DeSean Jackson and Andre Johnson made some spectacular plays and there was a fair amount of drama in the 4th quarter with the game knotted at 34-34 at one point. Last night also marked the first time I took interest in the game's MVP Matt Schaub, specifically the trophy he was awarded.

Does anyone know what on earth this trophy is meant to represent? It isn't named after anyone or anything, it doesn't have a player or a football or anything remotely linking it to the Pro Bowl. There's really only one thing this ovoid trophy looks (I'm sure this is the case for many of you) and the only possible connection to football I can find is if you angled it somehow so as to hold an actual football. Luckily the game's MVP also receives a Cadillac so I think Matt Schaub will be fine. I just found this mildly bizarre.

Also can anyone wear a Pro Bowl uniform worse than Tony Romo did last night? (The Photo doesn't really do the cut-sleeve look justice but you can get the idea)

Excessive Celebration of the Day

I must say this is pretty nuts. Kudos to Chloe for the tip.