Links - A Slow St John’s News Day

We must be close to summer. Not so much to blog about.

* Did Paul Pierce throw up an LA gang sign or a Boston hood sign?

“Those of us from L.A. know that Paul Pierce went to Inglewood High, and we also know that means that B probably didn’t stand for Boston,” writes the Fourth Quarter blog.

Bostonians have another answer, whether it be accurate information or convenient homerism defending the Celtics star. “Paul was simply throwin his ‘3’s up’ - i.e. reppin Boston,” writes Sons of Sam Horn poster “Brookliner.” “Not reppin the bloods, not Ingelwood, not calling Horford names. I know most of us are ‘from Boston’, but nobody living in the ‘burbs will be familiar with the practice. The whole ‘3’s up’ thing is used by kids from the hood to rep Boston - simple as that.”

Indeed, an entry in Urban Dictionary defines “Throw them threes up,” as “a hand symbol representing Boston,” likely derived from the song, “3’s Up,” by local rap artist Stein. Ironically enough, another local artist, Benzino, lays claim to the song, “Throw Them 3’s.” It was Benzino bodyguard Trevor Watson who was convicted of stabbing Pierce in 2000.

* Karl Malone… you knocked up a 13 year old back in the day? Whoo-eee, Louisiana rolls dirty. The resulting child is Demetrius Bell, a draft pick of the Buffalo Bills. Even at age 20 and in college… that’s some ill sh*t.

* Speaking of drafts, here is an early peek at what the New York Jets will look like next year as the offensive line spending spree is designed to afford the skill position players more opportunities.

* As a fantasy owner, Yovani Gallardo-NOOOOOO! Not the ACL!

“Gallardo is probably out for the season, meaning you can drop him in all seasonal leagues. No chance he comes back and is effective this year after that type of injury, especially when you consider that he will likely have two surgeries — one on each knee — within the course of two months.”

* Dwyane Wade gets roasted for hanging out with Star Jones.

“Are y’all close friends?” [TNT's Kenny] Smith asked.

“We’re good friends,” Wade responded.

“Are you the kind of friends that drink out of one cup with two straws?” Smith persisted.

Even if Wade is doing some dirt behind his wife’s back… I think he can get someone less cougar-esque.

* Eli Holman - way to counteract talk that you’re a headcase (or “volatile” or “emotional” or any of those other euphemisms for “we don’t know wtf he might do”) with a temper tantrum as you announce your transfer from the Indiana basketball program. I smell junior college for you.

Friday Night Lights: It’s On

Coach Taylor says Friday Night Lights is getting another season.

Kyle Chandler, star of NBC’s Friday Night Lights, confirmed that the perennially on-the-bubble drama will return for a third season.

In an interview taped Wednesday with B&C contributor David Bianculli for National Public Radio’s Fresh Air, Chandler said a deal was struck that will spread costs and allow the series to continue.

According to a post on Bianculli’s blog, TV Worth Watching, Chandler, who plays high-school football coach Eric Taylor, said all that was left to sew up the deal was to “dot the i’s and cross the t’s.” He added that he was scheduled to report for shooting in Austin, Texas, where the show is set, in June.

Reasons to Hate College Football -or- It’s a Cold World

It’s a cold world, better pack your own heat. - Redman

via Wizard of Odds and Every Day Should Be Sunday:

Dudes get cut with eligibility left. That’s kinda rough; on an 85 scholarship roster, there’s no room to keep a kid you made a promise to?

In the case of Ray Ray McElrathbey, who was profiled on ESPN and in the NY Times for becoming the guardian of his then 11-year old younger brother (and taking him from his drug-addicted mother), he has graduated, and wouldn’t get much playing time,. He’s been offered a graduate assistant job, but perhaps after the fact of his forced departure came to light. Here is an excerpt from the Charleston Post and Courier piece:

McElrathbey had a difficult relationship with his coaches, reportedly because of academic setbacks and spotty attendance at team functions. During spring drills last year, he was suspended for four practices because Bowden said he was “having a tough time juggling academics.”

“I’m not sure he can do it at the level that he needs to at both ends,” Bowden said at the time.

A sociology major, McElrathbey landed on the honor roll last semester while taking 21 hours, according to Clemson. If he does graduate in August, he’ll have received his degree three years after his arrival at Clemson.

In September 2006, the NCAA made McElrathbey an exception to its long-standing rule against extra benefits, allowing him to receive aid in the form of a trust fund set up for Fahmarr, and also daily care provided by the coaches’ families. Fahmarr is still in Ray Ray’s custody.

McElrathbey was celebrated for his willingness to juggle academics, athletics and parenthood. He was named Person of the Week by ABC’s “World News”; he received the Keith Jackson Award of Excellence on the ESPN College Football Awards Show and appeared at the Orange Bowl in Miami to accept the FedEx Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award.

Davis said McElrathbey isn’t going public with his side of the story because he “doesn’t want them to badmouth his name if he wants to play football somewhere else.”

Davis wonders whether all this will have negative recruiting repercussions for the Tigers.

“There’s a lot of guys they recruit in Atlanta,” he said. “People are going to ask: ‘What happened to Ray Ray?’ His high school (Mays High), they’ve got a lot of talented guys coming out of there.”

Not that any other collegiate sport is much better; players are told “it’s better for you to transfer” all the time. Coaches have the power, and they do what they think they need to to keep their jobs.

Friday Night Lights’ Third Season is Possible

Friday Night Lights may be returning under a joint deal between DirecTV and NBC. This is the post from BuzzSugar; nothing is signed yet, and the show may be on DirecTV in some manner. But I’ve got DirecTV and wild horses couldn’t keep me from watching the best show on TV (now that the Wire is gone):

Touchdown? Friday Night Lights Might Get a Third Season!

OK, so it’s just a rumor right now, but it’s a credible one: Deadline Hollywood Daily is reporting that Friday Night Lights will be renewed for a third season, thanks to a partnership with DirecTV. No deal has been officially announced, but another report says it’s just waiting for a signature.

In essence, the deal will have NBC and DirecTV sharing the costs for producing the show. What, exactly, does that mean for us actually getting to see these new episodes of FNL? Unfortunately, that’s not clear yet. I’m hoping the deal looks something like the NBC/USA arrangement with Law & Order: Criminal Intent, where episodes air first on USA and later on NBC; as a non-DirecTV subscriber, it would be sad to have to wait, but knowing I’d see the show eventually would be good enough. What I’m hoping won’t happen is what NBC did with Passions, which made the episodes available only on DirecTV and nowhere else.

So, until the details are announced, I’m only going to consider this about 85 percent good news. But hey, that’s better than nothing, right? Meanwhile, the Save Friday Night Lights folks still have more mini-footballs on the way, so we fans are definitely being heard. Say it with me now: Clear eyes, full hearts . . .

Around (American) Football

Myron Cope, the inventor of “the terrible towel” and iconic Pittsburgh sportscaster, died today.

Chiefs release Eddie Kennison.

The Redskins release Brandon Lloyd.

The Jets release Justin McCareins, Andre Dyson, and Adrien Clarke, who was supposed to make Jet fans forget about veteran Pete Kendall. How was that dirt, Pennington and Clemens? Jonathan Vilma and Dewayne Robertson—two highly touted high draft picks and impact players in the 4-3 scheme—are next on the moving queue, because they’re less effective in the 3-4.

Patriots release Roosevelt Colvin. He plays in a 3-4 and isn’t entirely over the hill—go sign him, Jets.

Zach Thomas to Visit the New England Home for Elderly Linebackers

Link here. Isn’t retirement supposed to go the other way? Boston, then move to Miami for the warm breezes, easy winters, and humid air?

Thomas is also visiting the Saints and the Cowboys. Unlike Junior Seau when he made the Dolphins to Patriots move, Thomas doesn’t seem entirely washed up… and what better place for a player to go for a chance at a championship? It’s like joining the Yankess. Of course, we know how well that has worked for A-Rod, Giambi, and the rest.

Steve Spagnuolo Stays as Giants Defensive Coordinator

From the NY Daily News:

Steve Spagnuolo withdrew his name from consideration from the Washington Redskins coaching search before owner Dan Snyder could offer him the job because “His heart was in New York City,” according to Spagnuolo’s agent, Bob Lamonte.

The Giants’ defensive coordinator made the decision Thursday morning, after two long days on the Snyder Estate outside Washington, where he’s estimated to have met with Snyder and Redskins’ officials for a total of 18 hours. An NFL source said Spagnuolo had emerged as the frontrunner and Snyder was preparing an offer and had made it clear that Spagnuolo should expect it.

Whew. Now the drama will die down, and I can go back to wondering what the Jets can do to get competitive again.

Giants Superbowl Pics and Injury Talk

Tom Brady’s longtime passing coach/ HS thinks that Brady’s ankle injury caused those floating passes and lack of accuracy. Whine, whine. He made enough passes; and he got slapped around like a pimp’s victim.

Man, I love to see comeuppance in action.

Plaxico Burress, meanwhile, stood by his guarantee and caught a touchdown pass. He waited until after the Superbowl to reveal he sprained his MCL last week, along with the injuries that kept him out of practice all last week. Amani Toomer has a hand injury also; both might need surgery.

The Superbowl victory never gets old. Pictures after the jump.

Superbowl: WHERE IS TOM BRADY?

TOM BRADY IS MESSING WITH YOUR HEAD. He doesn’t need to yap yap yap with the media. He’s BIG. The Patriots love messing with people’s heads. He’s probably taking a trip to Mexico like Romo and getting his Gisele Bundchen on. It’s the Patriots, people. Quit the breathless coverage. Brady probably put the boot on to mess with heads in the first place. No laws against that, especially if the paparazzi’s gonna stake the man out on his free time.

Hell, Belichick probably put him up to it. So what he’s not in the locker room two weeks before game time? So what the media hasn’t seen him? We need more coverage on how Ahmad Bradshaw couldn’t outrun the cops in 2004 when he was at Virginia. He’s a running back! or what about stories on Eli Manning singing Bon Jovi’s Living on a Prayer at karaoke?

Better question is Where is Chuck Knoblauch? Chucky? Come and get your subpoena!

Reason Eleven Why the Giants Beat the Packers

The victory was predicted in Eddie Murphy’s classic Coming to America:

Prince Akeem: Sir, did you happen to catch the professional football contest on television last night?
Cleo McDowell: No, I didn’t.
Prince Akeem: Oh sir, the Giants of New York took on the Packers of Green Bay. And in the end, the Giants triumphed by kicking an oblong ball made of pigskin through a big “H”. It was a most ripping victory.