Archive
Linx: Cubs Suck, Football Pluck, Concussion Muck, Stimulus Bucks
Congress signed a bill to ease rules on lawsuits from workers about pay discrimination; Even better, the US House of Reps passed a stimulus bill with no Republican votes! EAT THAT BIPARTISAN BURGER, you oppositional turds! Oh wait… there’s the Senate as well. Americans still fear Obama – oh, they would fear any president by this measure; and an interactive map of layoffs by state.
Good thing I already got my wife a snuggie… my dad didn’t drink Canadian Club… 50 most loathsome Americans of 2008 from Obama to Palin, with YOU coming in at #43… Amy Fisher is doing porn – aren’t her 15 minutes well up by now?… Elizabeth Hasselbeck is pregnant, which means she has more yapyapyap to talk about, she might talk too much according to the traffic light rule of thumb (h/t to Kottke). How I Met Your Mother’s Cobie Smulders along with being recently engaged, is also pregnant and I swear that if the show works a baby into the storyline, I’m going to frown while I am watching. Don’t test me, HIMYM!
And Jessica Simpson is looking a little more thick Texas these days, apparently. I was going to accompany that with a picture of Ms. Simpson, but I will go with Isla Fisher instead. I like her last name, and she’s starring in Confessions of a Shopaholic, one of those critically tiring, early-year movies that are made from trashy beach novels.
Sports Links
+ Arizona Cardinals owner Bill Bidwell, basking in the glow of business and stadium decisions (and perhaps a bit of luck along with skill). Also, does the meaner look of new logos portend success? Maybe the Lions should have a pride of them eating a gazelle as a logo. And the Jets can have screaming jet fighters.
+ A study on the aftermath of concussions in football:
Recent findings that point to serious, permanent brain damage from football-related concussions have failed to alarm Super Bowl players.
A Boston University study unveiled this week uncovered new evidence concerning chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative brain disease caused by head trauma. Six former NFL players, all dead by 50, were found to have the condition, which doctors say can cause victims to lose control of their emotions, suffer depression and eventually, dementia.
+ Oh Lord. More Brett Favre drama. He will meet with Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum about his future. Expect breathless reporting, hedging, hemming, and groans from the NY fans and players, who want a full commitment from Brett Favre if he’s coming back. Can I drive Brett back to Mississippi? Please?
+ A fan or fans in St. Louis stomped out CUBS SUCK next to the Cardinals’ stadium in downtown St. Louis, in a size visible to buildings all around (and perhaps planes). I love that the ‘Lou is nothing if not consistent! Awesome work. I think this should be a sculpture.
+ Speaking of Cub suckitude, who actually trades FOR Aaron Heilman?
+ Wake Forest Coach Dino Gaudio uses tempo-free stats (h/t Rivals college basketball). You, sir, are a smart man.
+ (Already suspended) Miami guard Eddie Rios arrested for burglary and grand theft. I am so tempted to match the knuckleheadedness on the court to this action, but obviously, his on-court lack of control has nothing to do with crime. If he doesn’t get jail time, he’ll still be out of school in a matter of weeks.
+ David Beckham might stay in Europe?
+ There might be evidence that Barry Bonds used steroids besides “the cream” and “the clear”, as they lean hard on one of his associates:
Bonds was indicted in November 2007, and the authorities have since targeted [former trainer Greg] Anderson’s mother-in-law, Madeline Gestas, and Anderson’s wife, Nicole Gestas, in an effort to put more pressure on Anderson to testify. The authorities have focused on the finances of Madeline Gestas, a California businesswoman who has been the subject of tax liens. Nicole Gestas is also under investigation in connection with her own finances.
And Mark McGwire’s brother Jay is shopping a book talking about Mark McGwire’s ‘roid use. But no NY Times articles about that, or IRS leaning on his associates…
And check out the college coaches on the hot seat post. Who do you think should be added to the list (two of whom have been relieved of duty)?
Around (American) Football
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.
Ten Reasons why the Cowboys Lost to the Giants
1. Jessica Simpson, obviously.
2. Steve Smith—the Giants have found a third receiver? That’s crazy talk.
3. Michael Strahan ogling Jessica Simpson (seriously, people need to get over Tony Romo taking a few relaxation days off before an intense playoff game. Let the man get his Mexican beach on. He’s not the only man on the team. And Strahan gets his mack on with famous women too).
4. Seriously, I didn’t know Kavika Mitchell had that much hard tackling in him. Marion Barber ran for 124 yards but didn’t control the game after the second quarter.
5. Amani Toomer going in the way-back machine to find his game and a little elusiveness.
6. Eli Manning didn’t make dumb mistakes. In fact, he’s been kinda nice all playoffs.
7. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but some good coaching to shore up the Giants’ pass defense problems against the Dallas Cowboys—who worked them over in two regular season meetings—just enough to allow the Giants to win a nail-biter. Way to go, Tom Coughlin.
8. Just enough pressure in the second half to get the Cowboys’ passing game out of its timing. Damn, those defensive linemen took a long time to wear down Dallas’ offensive line, but in the end, Spagnolo’s blitzes really started slapping Tony Romo around.
9. Thanks Patrick Crayton’s butterfingers!
10. That game was winnable in the final five minutes, and I know Romo was getting harrassed, but damn, he lost his composure real hard. Yelling, obviously upset over his intentional grounding call… made me think of that playoff game in 1998 when Armstead and Strahan and the Giants’ defense were arguing on the field and on the sidelines, as the Vikings rallied back during that 23-22 playoff loss at Giants Stadium in 1997.
Parcells NOT going to ATL, Going MIA?
Parcells turns down Atlanta… and is considering Miami?!
Bill Parcells has pulled an about face, backing out of a deal with the Atlanta Falcons to potentially join the Dolphins front office.
After reaching an agreement in principle to become executive vice president of the Falcons on Tuesday, Parcells informed the Falcons today that he was considering a revised offer from the Dolphins.
“We met with him this morning to complete the contract. At that time, we were made aware by Parcells that he was considering a revised offer from the Miami Dolphins. He later informed us that he would not be signing a contract with us,” team owner Arthur Black said in a statement.
Last week a Dolphins source confirmed there was interest in Parcells, but did not disclose the extent of conversations or the role he would play with the team, which won its first game of the season Sunday.
The Dolphins presently have a first-year coach in Cam Cameron. This summer the Dolphins extended the contract of General Manager Randy Mueller, and it’s uncertain what his role would be with the organization if Parcells were hired.
So… considering Miami for what?
Southern Tuna! Parcells to Join Atlanta Falcons
From the NY Daily News:
Bill Parcells, who once again has the desire to get back into the NFL, told the Daily News this morning he is on the verge of accepting a job to run the Atlanta Falcons football operation with only a few minor details to be worked out.
Parcells plans to hire a general manager and then work with the GM to hire a new coach to replace Bobby Petrino, who quit last week 13 games into his first season to coach at Arkansas. Parcells has candidates in mind for each job, but didn’t want to reveal their names. He thought current team president and GM Rich McKay would stay with the team to handle league business…..
“I’m going to oversee the football operation, Parcells said. “I’m going to hire a general manager if the deal is finalized in Atlanta. We are going to hire a coach and talk to all the coaches who are there. It’s going to be a collective effort. The triangle is going to be the GM, the coach and Bill Parcells. I’m also going to include Rich McKay if he wants to stay in the business.
“Under no circumstances is Bill Parcells ever going to return to the field.”
the east coast bias 