The Tacklin' SEC Ref's More Successful NFL Cousin

Here is umpire Garth DiFelice as he defends himself from a Kenneth Darby (a former SEC player with Alabama mind you) with a right jab to the chin.

By: Jimmy Smith

NFL Week 16 Pick 'em

Ohio State is looking to draw a new type of crowd

As if the Ohio State Buckeyes fans didn't attend enough Star Wars themed events. The Buckeyes are bringing the fun to them. It was "Star Wars Day" against Iona for the Ohio State men's basketball team today.

So to get everyone ready, Thad Matta awkwardly addresses the media, who were puzzled why there was a stormtrooper in the room.

Buckeye fans, YOU HAVE NO WAY TO AVOID THIS. THE JOKE IS ALREADY WRITTEN.

And what are you giving away today, other than a win?

FOR THE RECORD- OSU wins 71-53 over Iona (DAMN)
The force was strong with them.

Next home game against UNC Asheville on Monday is dress like a rapist clown day.

This guy is ahead of the game.

By: Jimmy Smith

The Double Entendre of Double of Entendres

Double Entendre- a word or expression capable of two interpretations with one usually risqué

Grady Sizemore, baggin' and taggin' since 2004

Fresh off of his second consecutive Gold Glove, Grady Sizemore is ready to face all and show off his new girly.

Former tribe pitcher C.C. Sabathia took to Las Vegas with a few old teammates to partake in the festivities of the Oscar De La Hoya/Manny Pacquiao fight last weekend.

Grady Sizemore brought along Brittany Binger, Ohio born Playboy Miss June 2007.

If your into guys, along with Grady (but not nearly as exciting because they didn't have a Playmate on their arm) was Josh Barfield, Toronto’s Vernon Wells, Chicago’s Derek Lee and Detroit’s Gary Sheffield.

Winter meetings equal winter friskiness.

Thanks to Waiting for Next Year for the link.

And to see more pictures of Miss June 2007 including pictures of Brittany with Hef's little runaway Kendra Wilkinson. CLICK HERE (MUST HAVE MYSPACE ACCOUNT TO ACCESS, sorry don't kill the messenger. I would post them all here... but I'm not ready for a restraining order.)

By: Jimmy Smith

Hold your judgement, Pete Carroll is here to tell you why he is so "Pete Carroll-y"

Recently, USC head football coach Pete Carroll sat down with Byron Pitts of 60 Minutes (Sesenta Minutos). Of course he talks about how gosh-darn great the Trojans are, have been and will be, but he also spoke on his efforts toward decreasing gang violence in Los Angeles.

Ladies and gentlemen, Pete Carroll, brought to you by Pfizer.

Watch CBS Videos Online

Thanks for the link Mike, now write something for me...

By: Jimmy Smith

NFL Week 15 Pick 'em

I love WOW videos, and I know you do to

Meet George Washington's Carl Elliott and his heroic game-winner against the Dayton Flyers. This is from back in 2005 but it is still amazing. Elliott left school early and played ball for the D-League's Sioux Falls Skyforce this past year.

That is all... Good Day

By: Jimmy Smith

The 2008 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year

The 2008 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year finalists have been announced for Division 1A and the finalists are:

Mack Brown: University of Texas
Pat Fitzgerald: Northwestern University
Brady Hoke: Ball State University
Urban Meyer: University of Florida
Joe Paterno: Penn State University
Chris Petersen: Boise State University
Bob Stoops: University of Oklahoma
Nick Saban: University of Alabama
Jim Tressel: Ohio State University
Kyle Whittingham: University of Utah

The commitment of college football coaches across the country is a very big one, to say the least. Every man on this list has had to spend hours and hours away from their families, missing holidays, birthdays, and many other important family functions that every day college football fans take forgranted. They spend long hours every day going through activities such as team meetings, film breakdowns, and coaches' meetings.

The demands of a college football coach are greater than many people believe and alot of times people don't get to truly appreciate the product that is placed out there on gameday. Their passion for the game is at an extremely high level because they must spent so much of their daily lives to one thing: football. That's not even considering the fact that players get in trouble during the off-season and place a tremendous amount of unncecessary stress on their coaches. If it was all about what was happening between the lines, then the life of a college football coach would be much easier. But it's not and it will continue to be that way because of the intense media scrutiny and pressure that comes with making millions of dollars every year.

College football coaches must wear many hats, they must be able to please the boosters, the president and athletic director of their University, the media, and last but not least, the fans of their team. They also have to deal with a variety of people in the academic arena from teachers and faculty members to academic advisors and tutors. More and more pressure is being placed on college football coaches to make sure their players successfully complete their academic careers.

One question posed on the award's website: http://www.coachoftheyear.com/. If a coach is fired mid-season, should he continue coaching the team through the end of the season? I think the answer to that question should be completely up to the coach. He's spent an endless amount of his time, breaking down film, hitting the recruiting trail, practicing during two a days, and many other activities that require a ton of time, so if he can handle finishing out the season then he should. If he feels like it would cause too much mental anguish for him to finish, then I think he should step down. I just don't think it's for the "good of the program" for a coach to step down mid-season.

The players will have to adjust to new personalities and new schemes in the middle of the season, which is usually an extremely difficult transition. Coaches often speak of putting the "team" before themselves and I think if a coach quit on his team in the middle of the season, then that's putting himself before the team and not following his own advice. Coaches love to talk about sacrificing individual needs and wants for the good of the team and the program and I think stepping down would tell your kids, "It's okay for me to be selfish, but not you guys." No coach in college football wants to set a double standard like that. For your players to want to sacrifice all of their blood, sweat, and tears for you on the gridiron, then you must show them that you are all equals.

If I was going to vote for a head coach on the finalists list: I would choose Kyle Whittingham of Utah simply because the Utes have had such a dazzling campaign this season. He led the Utes to a sparkling 12-0 campaign this year and a BCS berth in the Allstate Sugar Bowl. Utah completed its best season since Urban Meyer was the head man in Salt Lake City, posting two wins over top 20 opponents in TCU(13-10) and arch-rival BYU(48-24). The Utes also defeated two BCS conference opponents in Michigan(25-23) and Oregon State(31-28).


Utah's Louie Sakoda is arguably the best kicker in college football.

Under Whittingham's tutelage, Utah's kicker Louie Sakoda was recently named a first-team All-American kicker by the AFCA. In doing so, Sakoda became the first player in school history to make a major All-America team at two different positions(kicker and punter). A top three finalist for both the Lou Groza(kicking) and Ray Guy(punting) awards, Sakoda is second in the entire nation in kick-scoring points with 115 and has connected on an eye-gouging 91.3 percent(21-23) of his field goal attempts this season. He nailed several clutch kicks throughout the season, none of them being bigger than his 37-yarder as time expired to lift the Utes to victory over the Oregon State Beavers(31-28) and keep their BCS dreams alive.


Utah quarterback Brian Johnson made several key plays throughout the season to ensure that his Utah Utes kept their BCS dreams alive. The Utes will face Alabama in the Sugar Bowl on January 2nd.

Under Whittingham's watch, Utah has also produced one of the most prolific quarterbacks in Mountain West Conference history in quarterback Brian Johnson. Johnson has been the catalyst to the Utes' spectacular season, completing 68.8 percent of his passes for over 2,600 yards, while tossing in 24 touchdowns and just nine interceptions. The senior is the undisputed leader of the Utah football team and without his production in critical moments, this magical season clearly would not have been possible.

My choice for the 2008 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year: Utah's Kyle Whittingham.

If you want to vote for Kyle Whittingham for the 2008 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year please go to the following site: http://coachoftheyear.com/?oppId=162 Fans can continue to vote for Whittingham or any other candidate until December 22nd. Fan votes account for 20 percent of each coach's final score while the College Football Hall of Famers and national college football media account for 55 percent and 25 percent, respectively.

The 2008 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award winners will be announced on ESPN during halftime of the Music City Bowl on Dec. 31.

By: Wade Peery

"Boom goes the dynamite," thanks for coming... Now on to the main event "TO THE HIZZEEE" is here

It has been many years since this happened.

Brian Collins of "Boom goes the dynamite fame", has since landed a J-O-B at a local station in Waco, Texas (that is an odd coincidence).

But here to save the day and fill the void... "To the Hizzeeeee."

The announcer is Brandon Chatmon, who covers high school football for The Oklahoman.

Covers is such an over used word. He talks, in a high-pitched voice about it... Thats better. If all you need to do to cover sports in Oklahoma is talk into a dixie cup, I need to relocate.

By: Jimmy Smith

NFL Week 14 Pick 'em

And then there were one and a half

"Ouchers", Derek said as he was escorted (or as I saw it, booed) off the field of Sunday's game against the Colts, who didn't score an offensive touchdown, only a fumble for a TD by this numnuts. 

Ok, the Browns' season was over before this but not only does it put a "snappy" ending to all hope, but it ends this man's reign.

So now with that out of the way. How do we salvage the season. And by salvage, I mean put an actual QB in that QB position. There are 1.5 options.

Option 1: The "Veteran"

PEOPLE, KEN "Eyebrows" DORSEY IS NOT A VETERAN.

Broadcasters keep calling him that. FACT: He is the oldest QB on the Browns' roster. FICTION: He is good.

Dorsey is only 27 years old and has been in the league for six years. He was on that Miami Hurricane team that lost the National Championship to Ohio State in 2002. NOT A VETERAN.

Option .5: Giving the Wildcat thinger ma-bob a try

Everyone else is using it, just like a teenager would say.

Because remember, this did happen... Josh Cribbs was a college quarterback... for Kent State.


So, which would I choose...

Damn Right.

By: Jimmy Smith

Taking Off the Sports Hat for a Second...

I like to avoid the "pop-culture" scene, as those days have passed me by. No more TRL for me, I would rather watch the History Channel (in HD of course).

But, sometimes... sometimes things so monumental happen. You experience them and they change your life. Well, Japanese Metal has changed me. For the better? Well, we will have to see.

I hope this makes the turkey go down smooth. Happy Thanksgiving (not that there are ANY Thanksgiving undertones here).


UPDATE:

Apparently, this sensation has a slight following. And someone took the time to play the song backwards, KISS style. And the lyrics are disturbing. No one has ever sounded like a cross between Timmy from South Park and Animal from the Muppets while chanting "Hug the Moose." EPIC.


By: Jimmy Smith

NFL Week 13 Pick 'em

Weekly Top 4 "T"s

Tuesday starts with T, you know what else starts with T…

1. Tough Sport, even without the silly rules

Hockey is tough enough. Trying to score on the other goalie can be cumbersome for most. But here is Ryan O'Byrne of the Montreal Canadiens making scoring easy. Too bad no one wanted to celebrate with him. Ryan O'Bryne tries to pass the puck back to his goalie who obviously isn't there and ties the game up. The Islanders go on to win in a shootout.


2. Trampoline+Cheerleader=GET OUTTA DA WAY



Check out this Sixers’ cheerleader as she attempts to do something I thought only mascots were supposed to do… risk their lives.

She bounces off the ground and no one really cares except for the fact that she was slowing down the other death defying acts.

3. Teen TV Movies, Kimbo Slice still does have a career after all


He’s back, and wussier than ever. Kimbo has a guest-starring role in the film Drake and Josh: Best Christmas Ever. In it, he plays a believable role as a convict named “Bludge.”

4. This solves a lot of the Grizzles problems, practice is has too much rhythm

Mike Conley… and Guitar Hero, sans guitar.

By: Jimmy Smith

NFL Week 12 Pick 'em

Its that one special week in the Midwest

OSU v. Michigan

This year the game means squatro (Thanks to my brother for that word)

But Michigan, here is what you can do... PROVE THIS MAN WRONG. SHOW HIM HE MADE THE WRONG CHOICE.

(psst, although he really did make a good call, claps for you Mr. Pryor)

I will be adding to this as we go along this week. And if you have something to add... graffiti away.
Shoot us an email at forthesportsminded.blogspot.com

It really couldn’t matter less this year so… how about a look back a some of college football’s best fans.

OSU fan celebrates Bo Schembechler’s death


This makes Columbus sound like a utopia


Ah… the young ones in Ohio… thought this song before they are taught the alphabet. “We From OHIO”


See, told ya.


I don’t know which is funnier, the gitty laughing or the taser.


By: Jimmy Smith

NFL Week 11 Pick 'em

Umm... Bears playing Hockey... Need I Say More

Weekly Top 4 "T"s

Tuesday starts with T, you know what else starts with T…

HIATUS… Sorry, but its back… and late again.

1. Taxidermy, the gift that keeps on giving

Craigslist is a crazy place. You can find a lot of “things” on there. For example, this:

THAT IS A REAL (FORMER) WILDCAT. And thanks to the great people at Hoop-N-Nannies Taxidermy it is currently on sale for the incredible (it works both ways) price of $1,000. Luckily for the “manufacturer” with just a quick jersey change it could easily be regifted to fans of Arizona, Villanova, Davidson and Kansas State.

2. Tony Oliva, another old person who loves the Nintendo Wii

Here is the boarder line hall of famer and the 1964 AL Rookie of the Year playing his grandson in a game of baseball on the Wii. Again, old people are better at this Wii thing than the kiddies.


3. Tatum Bell brings back his ability to carry (things away) to the Broncos

This after the Lions as cut him as they signed Rudi Johnson. Bell then “accidentally” carried away Johnson’s luggage.

He hasn’t been able to find work in the NFL and was most recently seen selling cell phones in a Denver-area mall.

Bell racked up nearly 2,000 total rushing yards in 2005 and 2006. I just hope Bell makes the best of what is almost certainly his one last chance in the NFL.

4. Theft in the name of love

20-year-old Binghamton University basketball player Malik Alvin has been booted off the team after being charged with shoplifting from an incident on October 26. He was at klepto’s paradise, Walmart and was caught shoving 36 condoms down his pants.

Binghamton basketball players are getting busy…

Then as Alvin was making his escape he knocked a 66-year-old female customer over. She dropped her pills all over the place and he then slipped on them. THAT LAST PART WAS MADE UP, or was it?

By: Jimmy Smith

Titsworth got... JACKED UP

I am so glad this finally made its way to the blogosphere.

This is from an HBO fight on Oct. 4, the wonderfully named Trenton Titsworth kisses his opponent and love interest Jesse Vargas.

Then is a twist of fate, Vargas breaks up with him and knocks him down. Not only did he hit the mat, but the ref then went on to explain the infraction (in a loud "outside voice) to everyone in attendance.

Laughs filled the arena and then HBO ran back the "kissy kissy" footage in super slo-mo. SCORE.


By: Jimmy Smith

Evolution of the Phillies World Series' Celebration

Here is a collection of the city of Philadelphia celebrating the World Series. Now complete with "brotherly love."

First, drunk guy climbs a small tree, fails, and is fittingly booed.


Next, a (most likely) drunk guy climbs part of Citizens Bank park. No footage of him falling. Damn


Now a drunk guy climbs a lamp post and is escorted off. With a bottle.


More falling. This after a successful climb. Damn you dismount.


Now, on to parenting in Philly. This mom defends her family with a bat.


This dad almost fumbles his baby while pumping up the crowd.

Best part is that he recovers the fumble and continues his drunken jubilee.

Finally, decent parenting, for Philadelphia at least. How big is Will?


We will end with this. We're going streaking through the quad. Come on bring your green hat.


By: Jimmy Smith

NFL Week 10 Pick 'em

Barack: Ballin' Outta Control...

Here is our newest, and if I may say, bestest (to my knowledge), president. Barack "Da Rock" Obama, playing a pickup-style game with the number one team in the nation, North Carolina.

Although he missed that shot at the end, he looked like he was part of the team (except those sweatpants).

Its still better than this.


By: Jimmy Smith

Holy Mother of God, Watch This part II

Philip Lutzenkirchin with a tip from the back of the end zone as he is falling out of bounds saves it to his teammate.

NFL Week 9 Pick 'em

Weekly Top 4 "T"s

Weekly Top 4 “T”s

Tuesday starts with T, you know what else starts with T…

1. Trick or Treat

Roy Williams attended old teammate Mike Furrey’s charity Halloween event. Roy Williams… the one who isn't even on the team anymore. On the other, he did have the best costume.

Williams came dressed as former Lions running back Tatum Bell, who made national headlines two months ago when he was accused of stealing the travel bags of new (and his replacement) Detroit running back Rudi Johnson. Complete with a bellhop uniform with a big name tag that said "T. Bell.''

He also wore shorts on the outside of his pants that said "Rudi'' on the front and "Johnson 32'' on the back.

Thankfully, Williams informed Bell what he was going to do (doing it the manly way, the text message) and got the running back's approval.

2. Talented Mr. Harrison

Zach Harrison, a Minnesota State forward scored three consecutive goals against North Dakota, all of them shorthanded.

In hockey lore, its known as a "natural" hat trick. There have still only been six shorthanded hat tricks in Division I history. So the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto took his stick and will keep it in their archives.


3. Threats strike Alabama. But who is to blame?

Charles Barkley said he's going to run for governor in Alabama.

Barkley told CNN's Campbell Brown on Monday.

"I plan on it in 2014," he said.

When asked if he was serious, the former 76er and current screw up said, "I am, I can't screw up Alabama."

Adding his strong positive spin on things, Barkley said that his native state could only improve.

What were those positive, calming words…

"We are number 48 in everything and Arkansas and Mississippi aren't going anywhere," Barkley said.

Good luck Alabama, you still have time to escape.

4. Ty Willingham tags out, Lane Kiffin tags in?

Former Raiders coach Lane Kiffin has expressed interest in the opening at the University of Washington according to the Associated Press

“The University of Washington is a great job, one that I’m sure a lot of people have an interest in,” Kiffin told AP.

It came open for 2009 on Monday afternoon when Washington announced Willingham’s dismissal, effective at the end of this season.

At least his life is not in danger coaching the Huskies. Although we will have to wait and see.

You can’t shake an Al Davis. Here he is plotting with the "dark side."

By: Jimmy Smith

Reporting Sports is Harder if You Have No Sense of History

This is from Mike Francesa and his show on NBC in New York called Mike'd Up. He does my job for me.

The video is of Danyelle Sargent of Fox. She was asking new 49ers head coach about his job to coaching.

Now what probably confused the young lady was this quote, in which Singletary once said that, when first contemplating a career in coaching, the first call he made was to Bill Walsh.

Ok, thats a simple mistake... But it wasn't the only one.

Just Watch.


Not her first "gaffe" either... Sargent made "minor technical difficulties" fun again while on ESPN News in 2006.

Caution: Not for the faint at heart.


By: Jimmy Smith

NFL Week 8 Pick 'em

The economy is REALLY BAD Part II

Alex Rodriguez, (divorce) Michael Phelps, (well the Olympics are over and he blow that cash) Kobe Bryant (almost divorce) and Tony Hawk (the train has left the station) are all in need of moneys.

So obviously you partake in the following...


By: Jimmy Smith

Arm Wrestling just got better

Can you believe it?



Its called X-Arm and it is (not) sweeping the nation.

Notice how, not only are their "off hands" are taped together, but they are also chained to the podium. Kids feel free to give this a go.

By: Jimmy Smith

Winner winner... Place kicker?

Texas Tech is lacking in the kicking department. They have already gone through two kickers - who have combined to miss six PATs and half of their field-goal attempts.

So in order to "fix" that the No. 6 Red Raiders are getting drastic for their upcoming game against No. 18 Kansas this weekend.

They are considering using Matt Williams. Williams is a Tarleton State transfer student who, during an on-field contest, won a month of free rent at the Tech/UMass game several weeks ago by kicking a 30-yard field goal.

According to Rivals.com. "initially, it was thought that Williams was ineligible this season due to transfer rules. However, according to Clay McGuire - who heads up the Red Raiders' special teams unit, Williams has been cleared to play."

"That is the way I understand it, yeah," confirmed McGuire on Tuesday. "He's got a real good shot. Only Mike Leach could bring a guy out of the stands and make it work."

"I've seen that guy try one kick," added Leach. "But the difference between his and the others is that they barely got off the ground. His got up right away."

Leach is very creative. Now if only the kid needed some dating advice...

Got me again Mike. What don't you do?

By: Jimmy Smith

Bill Cosby has lost it all... Yes, including the damn pudding pops

Here are the highlights from the Ohio (my alma mater) vs. Temple (his alma mater). Listen to what he calls Ohio...

Chitlin Legs, what the hell Cosby?

By: Jimmy Smith

Why doesn’t anybody care?

It’s less than a week from the start of the NBA season, and I can’t wait. However, I think I’m the only one that’s excited. I sort of understand why nobody cares. Hell, even Charles Barkley has said he doesn’t care about the regular season, which he makes money from doing commentary.

In an effort to make you care, I give you a weeks worth of reasons to watch, or at least fake caring – just something.

7) What better do you have to watch in between football games? – Let’s be honest, you shouldn’t be watching Dancing with the Stars or The Hills.

6) Defensive Suns, what? – New head coach Terry Porter is trying to install a defensive structure to help the Suns get to the NBA Finals. Will it work? What does this mean for the Diesel? Is it like Bill Murray said in Space Jam, “WoO WoO, I don’t play defense”?


5) The Geriatric Spurs – The Spurs looked slow after the long series against the Hornets last year. Was it a fluke? Or does the Western Conference Finals always come through San Antonio?

4) MVP Race – Chris Paul almost edged Kobe Bryant out for the MVP last season. What can he do this year? It seems like he’s only getting better, but don’t forget about Kevin Garnett and LeBron James. It should be intense.

3) Celtics vs. Lakers – The rivalry has been renewed. The Celtics got the better of the Lakers last time. Will that be the case this year? Is Andrew Bynum the missing key for the Lakers? Will Kobe get a ring without Diesel?

2) Rookie of the Year Race – Derrick Rose, Michael Beasley, or O.J. Mayo? My money is on B-Easy (my own nickname for him). He is playing alongside Dwyane Wade and Shawn Marion, not a bad place to start. And what is Greg Oden considered?


1) I Miss Charles Barkley – Unless you’re a blackjack dealer, you haven’t seen much of Barkley since June, and let me tell you, it’s been too long. He might be the most entertaining thing on television. Admit it, you love him. Plus, Frank Caliendo impressions aren’t enough.


By: Jonathan Hartman

Weekly Top 4 "T"s

Tuesday starts with T, you know what else starts with T…

1. Typo in Tampa?
Mike Alstott was honored with a ceremony during halftime of the Tampa Bay Bucs win over the Seattle Seahawks. As you can see, two jerseys were presented to him. But take a close look at the puke orange one on the left.

Ah Ha! A typo… or not.

The misspelling was not actually an error because during Alstott's first season in 1996, his jersey had his name misspelled for each of his first two games before it was finally fixed. Tampa Bay loves to remind the dumbass that misspelled Alstott that he in fact is a dumbass.

2. Tiger Tiger Woods Y’all

What the hell is that?

Although he is still rehabbing from knee surgery (hoping to play again), Tiger Woods made it back to Torrey Pines to film a promotional video for Buick. He caddied for 59-year-old John Abel, who won Buick's “Tee It Up with Tiger” sweepstakes contest.

3. Two For Toronto?
“According to Tuesday's edition of the Globe and Mail, NHL governors have had informal talks about putting a second team in Toronto."

There have been conversations about Jim Balsillie, co-CEO of Ontario based Research in Motion Ltd., being rewarded with an expansion team in Toronto.

"Why shouldn't we put another team in the best and biggest market in the world?" said one governor, who spoke anonymously with the newspaper.

My question is an obvious one: What the hell is this guy thinking? Toronto is not the biggest market in North America.

Two in Toronto, the suicide rate with then double

4. The Tacklin’ SEC Ref



South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia was tackled by a referee while he tried to run for a touchdown against LSU.

The umpire in question is Wilbur Hackett Jr. Every person I have talked to says he looked like a Tiger linebacker lining up for the tackle. He stepped up, dropped his shoulder, and laid out the pansy quarterback.

“The SEC office believes Hackett was protecting himself and plans to take no disciplinary action on the veteran official. Rogers Redding, the conference's coordinator of football officials, reviewed the tape of the play and thought it was inadvertent contact. Garcia changes his direction just a tad, which ties up the umpire just a tad and makes it look a lot worse than it really was," SEC spokesman Charles Bloom said.

By: Jimmy Smith

The State of Ohio Soccer: Embarrassing

This is New York Red Bulls rookie goalie Danny Cepero booming a 81-yard goal on Saturday at Giants Stadium.

Cepero was making his Major League Soccer (I love saying that, it sounds so very official) debut. He was given this promising opportunity because the starting goalie Jon Conway was suspended for testing positive for performance enhancing substances.

The free kick was the first goal ever for a goalie in MLS history. Sure enough it was against the Columbus Crew. It hopped right over the outstretched arms of Crew goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum. New York beat the Columbus 3-1.

By: Jimmy Smith

NFL Week 7 Roundup: Only one left to fall

Tennessee 34 Kansas City 10
STILL UNDEFEATED! 6-0
The running game of Chris Johnson and LenDale White combine for 317 yards and four TDs.

The "whale" had three of them. One from 80 yards out.

It all makes Kerry Collins look unbeatable. Bring on Indy next week for Monday Night Football

St. Louis 34 Dallas 14
Brad Johnson looked like he was throwing a Nerf football to his un-athletic, World of Warcraft master nephew.

No zip on the throws and St. Louis picked him thrice. Ouchies. Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware tied an NFL record with a sack in his 10th straight game. Oh, and Steven Jackson runs for 168 yards and three scores.

Washington 14 Cleveland 11
It came down to a missed Phil Dawson field goal. But it really was lost when Derek Anderson threw the ball "near" Braylon Edwards. Edwards dropped multiple passes in traffic and looked afraid to get hit. This after dicing up the Giants secondary and gaining much needed confidence.

Maybe bowling is his thing instead.

Jamal Lewis and Clinton Portis battled on the ground. Lewis went for 80 yards while went for 175 and a score.

By: Jimmy Smith

NFL Week 7 Pick 'em

NFL Week 7 Fantasy Start 'em/ Sit 'em

Jonathan Hartman

Start ‘em
Drew Brees – Brees has thrown for 12 touchdowns this year, putting himself in
the MVP race. This week he gets Marques Colston and Jeremy Shockey back, making
Brees even more dangerous than before. Look for this to be a high scoring game
against Carolina.

Sit ‘em
Dan Orlovsky – Last week Orlovsky made his first start of his career for the
Detroit Loins, taking the place for QB John Kitna. In this start, Orlovsky
walked out of his own end zone to force a safety. Let’s see what happens with
his second start.

I Ask You To Consider This When Voting For The 2008 Heisman

Vote Graham Harrell and not Tim Teb(l)ow

By: Jimmy Smith

BREAKING:

Lions trade WR Roy WIlliams to the Cowboys for three draft picks according to CBSsportsline.com.

"The Cowboys on Tuesday traded a first-round pick in 2009, plus a third- and sixth-rounder that year for Williams and a seventh-round pick in '09."

THAT IS WAY TOO MUCH. Sorry, I had to get that out there. Now prove me wrong Roy.

Now if only there was someone to throw him the football.

This after losing Tony Romo for at least a month "with a pinky" and Pacman "with a brain lapse."

Brad Johnson in full effect. He can't possible screw up with all those (overpaid) receivers.

See he is a "good call."

Oh and the Lions ended Jon Kitna's season as they put him on injured reserve.

Dan Orlovsky in full effect.

By: Jimmy Smith

Just like home

I am happy the Browns are playing on Monday Night football, but I've found a new replacement for watching them. I must say I love watching the Houston Texans.

Yes, seriously I love watching the Texans. Why? Because I always feel like I am back home in Cleveland. Because the Texans are exactly like the Browns. They find creative ways to win but mostly lose games.

Take last week's Texans game for example. Texans have the Colts beat but blow a 17 point lead and lose.

Just take a look at the series of events.

(1) Colts score to make it 27-17 Texans and the Colts don't get the onside kick

(2) Sage Rosenfels fumbles after getting hit by a defensive back and the Colts pick up the ball and return it for a touchdown so now its 27-24

(3) Next drive Rosenfels feels the pressure tries to make something out of nothing runs outside gets hit by Robert Mathis and fumbles again.

(4) Colts takeover and Manning finds Reggie Wayne to go up 31-27

(5) Houston gets the ball back and Rosenfels throws an interception.

I couldn't dream up a worst ending to a game. Disney, Spike Lee, no one could write a worse ending to a game.
In the Texans defense they did win this week but they couldn't just easily beat the Dolphins. They ended last week with 3 straight turnovers so of course they begin yesterday's game with 2 turnovers.

The Texans trail going into the 4th quarter so you're like here we go again. Then at the end of the game Andre Johnson makes an aerobatic impossible catch on 4th down to keep their drive alive. Later in the drive with 3 seconds left in the game Matt Schaub, who only had 17 rushing attempts all of last season, decides he a running QB and runs straight up the middle for the game winning score.

So all I can think at this point is how the Houston special teams was going to mess this up. However, they don't kick it deep and the Texans actually get there first win of the year.

People with heart problems shouldn't watch these games. Keep the phone by the TV is all I can say.

By: Ron Synder

NFL Week 6 Roundup: Congrats on blowing your one true chance to shine

The Lions had to use their 5th round draft pick of 2005 because of Jon Kitna's injury (puss out). In stepped the man they once called "Dandy Dan" during his days at UConn. Dan didn't take a live snap in 2007. Or 2006. Or 2005.

Dan Orlovsky made his first start of his career. He only hoped it would be a start that saw him carrying a terrible team on his back to victory.
You just didn't know that it'd be a getting-a-safety-by-accidentally-running-out-of-the-back-of-your-own-end-zone type of day. Because the final score: Vikings 12, Lions 10.


Also worth note: The Bengals leading rusher was...
A: The Hamburglar (THIS IS THE INCORRECT ANSWER)
B: Damato Peko (THIS IS THE INCORRECT ANSWER)
C: Ryan Fitzpatrick
D: Thomas Jones (THIS IS THE INCORRECT ANSWER)

His total... 23 yards

Dance of the day winner:
Marcus Washington

I think he is riding a pony or his balls are on fire.

By: Jimmy Smith

NFL Week 6 Fantasy Start 'em/ Sit 'em

Jonathan Hartman

Start ‘em
Clinton Portis- WAS RB (vs. STL) – Washington seems to be improving and much of the praise should fall on the shoulders of Portis. Now put those shoulders in front of a struggling St. Louis Rams team, which is allowing on average 166 rushing yards per game, and it looks like a good fantasy start.

Sit ‘em
Oakland Defense and Special Teams (vs. NO) – Let’s put it this way. Would you want to have to face Reggie Bush this weekend? He runs two punts back for touchdowns and they lose. That means he’ll even try harder.

Good luck Oakland, you might need it.

Jimmy Smith

Start ‘em
Thomas Jones- NYJ RB (vs. CIN) – He will have an ideal opportunity to turn his season around with this matchup against the Bengals, who have allowed 171 rushing yards per game and six touchdowns on the season.

He is also coming off of a bye week and the Bengals will be on defense a lot.

Sit ‘em
Philip Rivers- SD QB (vs. NE) –He suffered bruised ribs against the Dolphins, which should limit his play. The Patriots pass defense is pretty good, No. 8 in pass defense. The last three games against New England, Rivers hasn't gone over 230 passing yards and has two touchdowns and five interceptions.

NFL Week 6 Pick 'em

I Couldn't Avoid This

Because it is so true

Old people are so very screwed. No more "The Price is Right".


Thanks to Spike Feresten and his show Talkshow with Spike Feresten

Can you coach the Raiders?

Well find out. Just answer these easy questions.

1. Why in heaven's name would you want this job?

2. How is your John Madden impersonation?

3. When you were a kid, did you ever dream of being in a circus?

4. When was the last winning Raiders team? If you wish, round off to the nearest decade.

5. Name three men in the NFL more important than Al Davis. Extra points if you can't think of that many.

6. Are you personally related to any of the former Raiders coaches who couldn't cut the mustard?

7. Are you prepared to make the tough decisions on the questions Mr. Davis gives you sole authority to answer? For instance, tie color. Very important. And when it comes to how you like your eggs, the buck stops at your desk.

8. Would you say the fact the Raiders have not won a Super Bowl in nearly 25 years is due to coaching error, league conspiracy or global warming?

9. Wouldn't you agree that given the honor of working for the Oakland Raiders, getting paid isn't really all that important?

10. Which golf course will you be playing on NFL draft day, so the Raiders can find you and let you know who you've drafted?

11. When you're fired, would you prefer it be by e-mail or cellphone?

12. Were you ever in the jury pool for an Al Davis lawsuit?

13. If things go south, what names will you not mind being called on national television?

14. Did you watch the press conference, when Mr. Davis dismissed that lying, no-good Kiffin?

15. Did you notice that the background behind the podium was a wee bit Spartan? And the presentation was a tad long? And the owner was often on the grim and worn side? Matter of fact, did it bother you that when some viewers first saw it, they mistook it for a May Day speech from Kim Jong-il on North Korean television?

16. How quickly can you pack?

17. Don't you still think Los Angeles should have built us a new stadium?

18. If you lose at home to the Denver Broncos and Mike Shanahan very often, will you do the honorable thing and fall on your sword?

19. What will be your deadline each week for suggestions to be faxed from the owner's box?

Thank you for your answers. We'll be in contact soon. Just wait, baby.

Thanks to Mike Lopresti of the Gannett News Service for the creative questionnaire.