Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 701 of 1503)

      Browns’ rookie throws punch, ice in locker room fight

      September 25, 2009 /

      Things are getting a little testy between players of the 0-2 Browns.

      According to a report by the Cleveland Plain Dealer, rookie defensive back Coye Francies threw a bucket of ice at several teammates after he was a victim of a prank, then threw a punch at veteran safety Abram Elam.

      Francies burst into the locker dripping wet and carrying a Gatorade bucket full of ice and water. Apparently, his teammates had dumped a bucket on him and he was looking for revenge.

      The incident happened during the media’s open locker room period. Francies threw half the bucket toward cornerback Brandon McDonald, some at safety Mike Adams and then headed toward Elam. When he got to Elam, he threw a punch, but Elam grabbed his arm. Before it got out of hand, Shaun Rogers, Eric Barton and D’Qwell Jackson led him outside to settle him down.

      “We were just playing around, having some fun and games, know what I’m saying?,” said Francies at his locker after cooling off. “That’s pretty much it. It was all fun and games.”

      So that’s your story and you’re sticking to it?

      “Absolutely,” he said, with a smile on his face.

      These kinds of situations have a weird way of bonding teammates. Despite their record, Cleveland hasn’t played poorly on defense and maybe this incident will lighten up the locker room or at least help clear the air. Either way, it looks like a dead issue and something that probably won’t spiral out of control.

      I would love to hear how much head coach Eric Mangini is going to fine Francies for after wasting all of that ice though. Mangini was the same man that fined a Browns player $1,701 (which is the maximum fine allowed by the league’s collective bargaining agreement) for not paying for a $3 bottle of water from a hotel mini-bar upon checkout.

      NFL

      Derrek Lee injured during Cubs’ celebration

      September 25, 2009 /

      If this doesn’t sum up the Cubs’ 2009 season, I don’t know what will.

      From ESPN.com:

      While celebrating a come-from-behind, ninth-inning win over the San Francisco Giants on Thursday, the Chicago Cubs couldn’t avoid yet another “Cubby Occurrence.”

      First baseman Derrek Lee scored the game-tying run ahead of Jeff Baker, whose two-out, two-strike home run off San Francisco closer Brian Wilson put the team in line for the win.

      As Lee and Baker were mobbed by teammates in the dugout, relief pitcher Angel Guzman slapped the side of Lee’s helmet, causing Lee to experience neck spasms that forced him to come out of the game for defense in the bottom of the ninth.
      Manager Lou Piniella coined the term “Cubby Occurrence” to explain strange happenings that may have factored into the organization going more than 100 years without winning a World Series.

      Even when the Cubs win, they still find a way to lose.

      While we’re somewhat on the subject, stick a fork in the Giants. They surprised a lot of people this year with the way they’ve played and their pitching staff is going to make them competitive every season.

      But they had a golden opportunity last night to get within three games of the Rockies for the NL Wild Card lead and they couldn’t even muster more than two runs at home to the Cubs. Playoff-caliber teams take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves and the Giants couldn’t do that last night.

      MLB

      Patriots need a win this week

      September 25, 2009 /

      The general consensus surrounding the New England Patriots these days is that the sky is falling.

      Tom Brady doesn’t look the same.

      Bill Belichick can’t win without his coveted videotapes.

      The entire defense is a mess.

      It’s true – the Patriots are in trouble. Brady didn’t look comfortable last week as the Jets’ defense used multiple looks to confuse him at the line. He generally looked confused and befuddled as Rex Ryan sent extra defenders from all angles and for Brady to look confused and befuddled is a telltale sign that things aren’t right in New England’s world.

      But doubting Brady and Belichick when their backs are against a wall is about as smart as taking anything Skip Bayless says to heart. It’s just not wise to write off the Pats, especially coming off a loss.

      Continue reading »

      NFL

      Will Yankees or Sox outbid Twins for Mauer?

      September 25, 2009 /

      The Twins are going to try and re-sign catcher Joe Mauer to a new seven-year, $120 million contract this winter. “Try” being the operative word, as the Yankees and Red Sox are also expected to get into the bidding war over the 26-year old catcher.

      From the St. Paul Pioneer Press:

      Mauer, 26, can become a free agent after the 2010 season. When contract talks get serious after this season, the Twins are expected to try to sign Mauer for about $120 million over seven years.

      The New York Yankees, however, with catcher Jorge Posada at 38 years old, are expected to offer more money and possibly more years.

      For instance, the Yankees have first baseman Mark Teixeira, 29, under contract for $180 million for eight years. C.C. Sabathia, 29, is pitching with a $161 million, seven-year deal. Mauer is every bit the commodity.

      Boston catcher Jason Varitek is 37, and it’s clear the big spending Red Sox would love to have Mauer for the next seven or eight years.

      Mauer is from St. Paul, so I’m willing to bet that he takes less money to stay with the Twins, even though they’re a club that is always in a constant struggle to keep up with the big spenders in the AL. It’s better for baseball that superstars re-sign with their respective clubs and not flee to New York as soon as the Yankees start flashing big dollar signs around.

      Keep the talent as spread out as possible to keep the game competitive please.

      MLB

      T.J. Houshmandzadeh is a bitter man

      September 25, 2009 /

      Apparently Seahawks wideout T.J. Houshmandzadeh is still bitter that the Bears didn’t sign him this offseason and is hell bent on making them pay this weekend when Chicago visits Quest Field.

      From the Seattle Post Intelligencer:

      During a conference call with Chicago reporters Wednesday, Houshmandzadeh promised he could beat Bears cornerbacks Charles Tillman and Zack Bowman “95 percent” of the time in this Sunday’s game at Qwest Field.

      “I feel like I’m going to get open every play, every time,” Houshmandzadeh said. “But that’s not going to be the case. Those guys get paid well. I feel I’m going to win regardless, but I have to be realistic. I feel I’m going to win 95 percent of the time and they can get the other 5.”

      The Bears’ defense is ranked fifth in the NFL with 267 yards allowed per game, and eighth against the pass at 176.5 yards per game. They have a lone turnover, an interception by Tillman.
      Houshmandzadeh also had a promise for Bears general manager Jerry Angelo, whom he said ignored him during free agency in March when Chicago was in the market for a wide receiver.

      “Jerry Angelo probably didn’t think I could play,” he said. “So I’m going to show him Sunday.”

      If Seneca Wallace starts, I’m willing to bet that Houshmandzadeh is complaining to Jim Mora and Greg Knapp by the midway point in the second quarter because he’s not getting the ball enough.

      For as productive as Housh is, he’ll become unfocused easily if he’s not a big part of the offense early and often. He was always in the ear of Marvin Lewis when he was in Cincinnati, so hopefully Mora and Knapp have devised a plan to get him the ball as much as possible or else they’re going to have a whiny receiver on their hands.

      NFL

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