Category: External Sports (Page 540 of 821)

Black Eyed Peas to play at halftime of 2011 Super Bowl

BARCELONA, SPAIN - JULY 03: Fergie and Apl.De.Ap of the Black Eyed Peas perform on stage at the RCD Espanyol Stadium on July 3, 2010 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Javier Fernandez Del Corral/Getty Images)

SPORTSbyBROOKS is reporting that the Black Eyed Peas will be the featured act at halftime of Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium.

The choice makes a lot of sense, actually. After Janet Jackson’s ‘wardrobe malfunction,’ the Super Bowl has gotten more conservative in recent years, tapping such acts as Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Bruce Springsteen and the Who. (Only Prince in 2007 would be described as somewhat ‘edgy.’) The Black Eyed Peas are more relevant, but they’re mainstream enough to entertain a wide variety of people.

Predicted Setlist: 1. Let’s Get It Started, 2. Where’s the Love, 3. Boom Boom Pow, 4. I Got a Feeling

War of words continues between Darrelle Revis and Randy Moss

FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 22:  Darrelle Revis #24 of the New York Jets defends against Randy Moss #81 of the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on November 22, 2009 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Back in January, Darrelle Revis was all like, “Randy Moss is a slouch.”

Then Randy Moss was all like, “He can say whatever he wants to, but we’re coming to burn house this Sunday.”

And now Revis is all like:

“If that’s what he said, I guess that’s what he’s been preparing for all offseason,” Revis said. “He said it with a laugh, but it’s been on his mind for the whole offseason. Randy speaks the truth. He speaks how he feels. Obviously, if he said that, it was on his mind in the offseason.

“I called him a slouch because I felt he played like a slouch (in the first game). They tried to come after me in the second game. He wasn’t a slouch in the second game, (but) . . . if I said it in January, whenever I said it, you guys know I said it. That’s how I felt at that particular time.”

Whatever. If you really care about the full story, then the Boston Herald has the whole thing here. But if Mark Sanchez can’t figure out how to throw a ball further than three and a half yards, then it won’t matter who wins the Revis v. Moss matchup. It’ll be irrelevant.

Last year, Rex Ryan and the Jets were refreshing (uh, to non-Patriot and non-Giant fans). This year, the media has taken even more of a liking to them and they’re starting to become annoying. And if they continue to lose, then all of their “Hard Knocks” fans are going to start throwing metaphorical stones at them, too.

This is a big game for the Jets. Even if Revis and the defense shuts down Moss and Tom Brady, Sanchez is still going to have to make plays at some point – especially if New England takes away the Jets’ run game.

How Sanchez performs is the true storyline here, although what Moss and Revis say to each other through the media will continue to get most of the attention, I’m sure.

Warren Sapp rips Bears’ Tommie Harris for not playing with more awareness

CHICAGO - SEPTEMBER 12: Tommie Harris  of the Chicago Bears pressures Shaun Hill  of the Detroit Lions during the NFL season opening game at Soldier Field on September 12, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Lions 19-14. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Warren Sapp made his money playing in the “Tampa 2” defense that the Chicago Bears currently employ under head coach Lovie Smith (a disciple of Tony Dungy). And considering how successful he was in that system, it was interesting to hear his thoughts on Bears’ defensive tackle Tommie Harris in an appearance on WSCR-AM 670 Wednesday evening.

Here are Sapp’s comments about Harris, courtesy from the Chicago Tribune:

“You can’t do that as an under tackle in that defense,” Sapp said. “He needs to set the table and have a quarterback sitting right there on the stage for Julius to come around the corner. He doesn’t have a problem with getting up the middle. It was just the awareness of the game that really eluded it for me. From what I know about the position, it just looked bad.”

“I never got in his corner, that’s the whole point of it,” said Sapp, who had 96 1/2 sacks in 13 seasons. “He was never my guy. It was always he was supposed to be this and … that. Now he says he’s healthy again so let’s see.

“There has only been one of me. He plays the game with no awareness. If you’re talking about a three-technique in that system, you can’t play like that.”

Harris went to three straight Pro Bowls from 2005 to 2007, but his production fell off a cliff after he signed a $40 million contract extension in June of ’08. Some of that has to do with injuries, but some feel that his work ethic and desire have also been lacking.

While Sapp may have been harsh in his criticisms, he probably echoed what some have already been thinking about Harris – that he’s just going through the motions or is playing selfish football. Granted, Harris did have two quarterback hits and a fumble recovery in last week’s win over the Lions, so maybe he’s starting to get back to being the player he was earlier in this career. (Keep in mind that this was the first offseason that he’s been completely healthy since 2006, so injuries have played a role in him underachieving over the last couple of years.)

Regardless of what Sapp said (or if he’s right or not), it’s time for Harris to step up. If the Bears are going to keep pace with the Packers in the NFC North, they’ll need a dominant effort from their defensive line week in and week out.

Love ‘Em & Leave ‘Em: Week 2

PHILADELPHIA - SEPTEMBER 12: Michael Vick  of the Philadelphia Eagles walks to the sidelines during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lincoln Financial Field on September 12, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Every week, I will highlight a few players to start and a few players to sit at each position. I’m a firm believer in starting your studs, so I won’t suggest you bench Drew Brees or Adrian Peterson because they have tough matchups – just go ahead and keep them in your lineup. Instead, I’ll focus on the borderline guys – players you’ll only start under the right circumstances. It’s important to note that depending on your roster and situation, you may not be able to follow these recommendations. For example, if I suggest you bench a solid starter like Tony Romo, only do so if you have a clearly better option on your bench.

The “love ‘em” players are listed in the order that I’d start them this week.

Michael Vick showed that he still has the speed to cause headaches and with the Lions on tap, he’s probably going to have a big day… Despite missing much of the preseason due to an ankle injury, Donovan McNabb looked pretty good against the Cowboys, all things considered. This week, he has a terrific matchup with the Texans, who gave up over 400 yards passing to Peyton Manning last week. I wouldn’t expect that kind of production from McNabb, but 250 yards and a TD or two is well within reach…Joe Flacco has a big arm, and he threw for 248 yards against the Jets’ vaunted defense last week. With a much easier matchup against the Bengals coming up, he should have a very nice day…Need a sleeper? Jason Campbell threw for 180 yards and a TD against the Titans last week and even ran for 35 yards. With the Rams coming to town, he’s in line for a solid week…Need another sleeper? How about Josh Freeman, who faces a Panthers defense that struggled mightily against Eli Manning and the Giants last week?

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Vincent Jackson eligible to play in Week 5 if he’s traded

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)

After reaching a settlement with the NFL on Thursday, San Diego Tribune writer Kevin Acee is reporting that Vincent Jackson is eligible to play in Week 5 if he’s traded.

That’s big news for teams interested in dealing for Jackson, because now they don’t have to wait until Week 7 for him to suit up. He’s currently serving a three-game suspension for violating the NFL’s conduct policy and would have had to serve another three games if he didn’t reach a settlement today.

The Rams and Vikings are two teams that are reportedly interested in V-Jax, although Rotoworld seems to think that the Seahawks and Redskins may also get into the mix as well. Jackson is a rare commodity in that he’s a receiver that can not only stretch the field in the deep passing game, but he’s also one of the best blockers in the league – if not the best.

Earlier today, I wrote about how trading for Jackson may not be the best thing for the Vikings long-term. You can read that article here.

This is great news for V-Jax owners as a trade is far more likely now than it was a few hours ago. If you’ve had him this long, you might as well hold onto him and see what the next week brings. And if you can pick him up off the waiver wire cheaply, do so.

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