Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 389 of 1503)

      Former NHL enforcer Bob Probert passes away

      July 6, 2010 /

      Former Redwing and Blackhawk enforcer Bob Probert passed away on Monday from an apparent heart attack while boating on Lake St. Clair.

      The Detroit Free Press shares the details.

      Probert’s father-in-law, Dan Parkinson, and a family friend, Rich Rogow, held a brief news conference at Windsor Regional Hospital.

      They said Probert, who turned 45 last month, suffered severe chest pains about 2 p.m. while boating with his wife, children and in-laws. Parkinson, a police officer, performed CPR on Probert. Emergency medical workers reached the scene and transported Probert to the hospital, where he could not be revived.

      “Bob lost the fight of his life this afternoon,” Parkinson said. “This is a tragedy for the family. We ask that you respect their privacy at this time.”

      Probert finished his career with 163 goals and 384 points but what he’ll most be remembered for is his 3,300 penalty minutes in 935 career games. He and his former “Bruise Brother” teammate Joe “Joey” Kocur often entertained fans with their style play, as well as their penchant for throwing blows on the ice.

      My condolences go out to Probert’s family and friends.

      External Sports, NHL

      Eagles have options if they eventually decide to dump Michael Vick

      July 5, 2010 /

      ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 9: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on from the sideline in the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys during the 2010 NFC wild-card playoff game at Cowboys Stadium on January 9, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

      Over the weekend, the Associated Press reported that the Eagles were seriously considering dumping Michael Vick, although the rumor was quickly denied by reputable NFL insiders Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen of ESPN, as well as the team itself.

      But what if the Eagles decided to part ways with Vick in wake of his latest off-field situation? Would they be comfortable releasing him with no veteran to backup the inexperienced Kevin Kolb next season?

      Considering Vick was mostly used out of the Wildcat formation last year, the answer to that question is easy. Jeff Garcia, the veteran QB who has history with the Eagles, would be the most logical option if Vick were released. Garcia is already well versed in Andy Reid’s offense and despite his weak arm strength, he’s a better passing quarterback than Vick, who may have a rocket attached to his left shoulder but whose accuracy remains a major issue.

      Another option the Eagles might have is one that was brought up by ESPN and that’s Troy Smith, who probably could be had for the right price. The former Heisman Trophy winner is rotting behind Joe Flacco in Baltimore and would like the opportunity to start somewhere else. Kolb is entrenched as the starter right now in Philly, but that doesn’t mean Smith wouldn’t have the opportunity to unseat him if he starts to struggle at any point during the season.

      The point is that Vick isn’t worth the trouble for the Eagles. Reid’s experiment with him in the Wildcat last year often produced poor results and at 30 year’s old, it’s not like the former No. 1 overall pick has regained his lightening-quick speed. (He’s reportedly in better shape than he was last year, but that doesn’t mean he’s the athlete he once was.)

      I would stop short of calling Vick expendable, but he’s certainly not worth the headache if he gets into even an ounce of trouble with the league over the Quanis Phillips shooting. And truth be told, the Eagles missed out on a golden opportunity to trade him this offseason by asking for a second round pick (which was way too high) in exchange for his services.

      External Sports, NFL

      Chargers not actively shopping V-Jax now?

      July 5, 2010 /

      SAN DIEGO - JANUARY 17: Wide receiver Vincent Jackson #83 of the San Diego Chargers runs with the ball after a catch against the New York Jets during AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Qualcomm Stadium on January 17, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

      Despite a report by the San Diego Union-Tribune last week that stated the Chargers had put Vincent Jackson on the trade block, ESPN’s Adam Schefter is now stating that the team is not shopping the restricted free agent. Schefter even goes as far as to say that any trade is a “real longshot” at this point.

      There’s no reason to doubt Schefter, but maybe GM A.J. Smith is trying to throw the media off while he continues to discuss Jackson with other teams. Or maybe the Chargers are serious and Jackson really isn’t going anywhere.

      If it’s the latter, then V-Jax isn’t going to be too happy. The Chargers have already replaced his one-year tender of $3.268 million with a new, hard-stance figure of $583,000. He’s looking for a long-term deal, but Smith doesn’t want to invest big money in a player with two DUIs on his off-field resume and an upcoming three-game suspension. That’s not to suggest that Jackson is the Bolts’ version of Pacman Jones or even Brandon Marshall, but it’s hard to blame Smith for wanting V-Jax to stay out of trouble and produce on the field this year before giving him a multi-year deal heading into 2011.

      Let’s not forget that the CBA situation is still in flux and that it’s restricting what teams can do in terms of giving players new deals. Look no farther then Indianapolis with Peyton Manning and Tennessee with Chris Johnson for more examples of teams wanting to wait until a new CBA deal is struck before handing out long-term contracts.

      In the end, Jackson may have to bite the bullet and play on his tender (the first one for $3.268 million, which the Chargers could adjust back to once he agrees to play) this year before seeking a long-term deal after the season. I know he’d rather set his face on fire than do that, but what are his options if the Chargers don’t intend on trading him? Holdout for most of the season? How would that look to other teams and why would they want to invest big money in a player that basically says that his contract is more important than playing? (I know it’s more complicated then that, but that’s how some teams would view the situation.)

      Jackson’s hands looked like they’re tied.

      External Sports, NFL

      Talks between Colts, Manning going slowly

      July 5, 2010 /

      Feb. 07, 2010 - Miami Gardens, Florida, USA - PEYTON MANNING direct his offense in the first quarter of Super Bowl XLIV at Sun Life Stadium.

      While catching the Red Sox-Orioles game on Saturday night, Colts’ president Bill Polian admitted that contract talks between the team and quarterback Peyton Manning are going slowly because of the uncertainty of the new CBA deal.

      From WEEI.com:

      “It’s bound to have some effect,” Polian told WEEI.com. “What we don’t know is what the system is going forward. It makes it really difficult working out a deal that makes sense for everybody because you don’t know what the [salary] cap will be, what the ramifications are, how things count. All of that makes it a little difficult. We’ve been going slowly along with [Manning’s agent] Tom Condon because we’re trying to formulate some things that will fit no matter what the system is.”

      Signing Manning to a new contract is only a matter of time for the Colts, much like the owners and NFLPA agreeing on a new CBA deal. It appears as if one won’t happen until the other gets done, but they both will happen.

      But what’s interesting is the potential domino effect that will transpire once the new CBA deal is signed. Manning would probably be the first to get a new deal and it’ll likely be the biggest contract in NFL history. Then the Patriots, in typical Patriot fashion, will wait until the parameters of Manning’s deal are in place so that they can give slightly less to Tom Brady, who is also playing in the final year of his contract. Then, once Tom Terrific is signed, Donovan McNabb can get the contract extension that he’s seeking from the Redskins.

      Once all of that happens and the entire state of Alaska melts, I’ll finally get my millions. I’ve put together a diagram below to show the sequence of events that I just wrote about, just in case things were a little confusing above.

      New CBA Deal
      |
      Peyton Manning
      |
      Tom Brady
      |
      Donovan McNabb
      |
      Alaska Melts
      |
      Me

      It’s science.

      External Sports, NFL

      People take their hot dog eating contests very, very seriously [vid]

      July 5, 2010 /

      Check out the scene at the 2010 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, where Takeru Kobayashi was hauled off to jail after bum-rushing the stage yesterday in protest of not being able to compete in the event.

      It was like watching Frazier without Ali? Dear, Barbara.

      Congratulations to Joey Chestnut for winning yet another title belt amidst all the controversy and politics that often surround the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest.

      External Sports, Humor, Video

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