THIS WAS NBA PLAYOFF BASKETBALL

IT'S FUN TO MAKE FUN OF BRETT FAVRE

Not only is it all the rage for sports journalists and other writers to make fun of the indecisive former Packers and Jets QB, but other football players as well.

David Diehl, a lineman from the New York Giants, had his chance for poking fun at Favre by playing him in a comedy show in NY last week. Though I'm not a Giants fan, this video sure was enjoyable.

Cheers.

YANKS UNSURE OF HOW TO USE THEIR WANG

That shouldn't be a surprise.

But the real story is about the pitcher, Chien-Ming Wang, and whether or not he will return to the team's rotation (get your mind out of the gutter!).

Unsure about Wang, the Yankees are even more unsure about pitcher Phil Hughes and what his future will be. "He could take a role in the bullpen or be returned to the minors to continue starting. The Yankees' pen has been shaky with a 5.37 ERA." Either way, I think the best thing the Yankees can do at this point is blow millions of dollars on a "good" pitcher, because spending money is what the Yankees do best. I mean, just take a peak at the new stadium, which is very nice, or at the players' salaries.

Oh well. Here's another story of how the Yankees just can't keep it up, excuse me, or keep up in the loooooong race in the AL East.

Jaclyn Kahn

T.O. LANDS IN BUFFALO

I wouldn't usually post about this but I really like to piss people off. That and baseball is kinda slow and I just can't get into it when I can't watch the Sox on tv (or hear about them winning). Because football is my favorite sport, anything (positive) that focuses on my favorite $%#*-up team is big news, at least to me.

So Terrell Owens landed in Buffalo, began going to camp, and was awarded the key to the city by the Mayor. Although there are nay-sayers who think that T.O. will be a bust, I think that secretly these nay-sayers are excited to see what he can do. That or even excited to see what he can't do so that they can say "I told you so." Regardless, this is probably the biggest thing that has hit Buffalo since the all mighty early 90s clan that could only take them so far.

I am one Bills fan that is excited that T.O. will be playing for the Bills this season. Yes, it's only one year, and yes, he's had antics on every other team he's played on, but who cares? As long as he can run and catch and make touchdowns, and sometimes make ridiculous dances and make fun of Bill Belichick than I'm happy. And the upside is that T.O. is going to have his own reality tv show this season. So maybe all of this antics that are seen every year will be exhausted for his tv audiences and wont happen on the field (except when making fun of Bill Belichik).

No one actually knows what is going to happen this season until this season is underway. Hell, we don't even know what the outcome of the season is going to be until halfway through the season at least. I would love for T.O. to play spectacularly and make all the critics shut up. But even if T.O. plays exceptionally well, there's no telling how the rest of the team will perform, and it's definitely not fair to judge the ability of a team based on one wide receiver. So for now I leave you with some optimism, as well as this video clip.

Jaclyn Kahn

PENGUINS AND HURRICANES SET TO FACEOFF, MAROSEK MAKES BLOG'S 200TH POST

The Pittsburgh Penguins are trying to make a return trip back to the Stanley Cup Finals. Standing in their way is a team that won a championship only a few years ago.

Sidney Crosby came close to capturing a title last season, but came up short against the Detroit Red Wings. This season, they got off to a horrible start and it didn't look like they were going anywhere, and that includes the playoffs. However, a strong second half propelled the Penguins into the postseason and now they find themselves one series win away from getting back to the finals. Again, they might be facing off against the men from Motown, who took down the Blackhawks 5-2 in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.

This season, the Penguins are missing a key member who helped them throughout the 20007-2008 campaign. Marian Hossa now bears a Red Wings uniform and despite being offered more money to go elsewhere, he decided his best chance to win a cup was in Detroit. The Penguins haven't missed his services over the past few months and facing their old teammate is certainly a possiblilty.

After defeating Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals, Sid the Kid and the Penguins now take on a Carolina team that has been playing their best hockey as well late in the season. Acquiring Erik Cole from the Edmonton Oilers was a key move before the trading deadline. Cole, who spent his whole NHL career with Carolina before signing with Edmonton in the offseason, was able to reunite with Eric Stall, a tandem that played a big role in their 2005-2006 championship run.

Now, the boys from Raleigh hope to be the story once again. Defeating Crosby and the Pens would do just that. It's going to be a tight series, but Carolina might be a team of destiny. Their two late goals in the third period of Game 7 against the Devils was unbelievable and the momentum gained from that victory has carried them to this point. The games will be close, but the Hurricanes will take the series, four games to two.

Shawn Marosek

SERIOUSLY, DO WE NEED FOUR HOUR GAMES?

In an interview before Game 6 between the Lakers and Rockets in Houston yesterday, NBA commissioner David Stern suggested that he would like to see coaches have the opportunity to challenge officials' late-game calls with an instant replay format similar to the NFL's. Obviously, there have been a few questionable calls/non-calls at the end of some of these games, but I have to say, I am totally against this possibility.

First of all, NBA playoff games are almost always painfully slow in the final minutes. With teams backloading their timeouts, there seems to be a timeout after every possession with under two minutes left. And if there isn't a timeout, there is almost always some sort of whistle. Even the epic Bulls/Celtics first round series had moments toward end of games that were unbearably slow. Adding this replay system would make the ending of games even slower.

This kind of replay system in the NBA doesn't seem as feasible as it is in the NFL. The NFL allows each coach two challenges that can be used throughout the entire game! I don't think challenges in the NBA would be spread out nearly as much as they are in the NFL. If you couple these challenges with the timeouts, fouls, etc., you could have a game that takes forever to end. People tune in just for the final minutes more so with basketball than any other sport. If the NBA makes it even slower, they might lose these viewers.

I also have to point out that challenges in the NFL are not used to contest an official's whistle. A coach cannot challenge an official's flag. If I read the ESPN article right, Stern would want coaches to have a chance to challenge fouls called or fouls missed by a referee. In my opinion, that would ruin any integrity the official has. Does MLB allow managers to challenge balls and strikes? Does the NHL allow coaches a chance to challenge penalties? If the NBA allows coaches to challenge the official's whistle, Pandora's box will be opened to all sports. That is not good at all!

I would also like to say that the NBA already has a replay system similar to what NFL coaches can challenge except for the fact NBA coaches don't have a say in the matter. NBA officials can consult the monitor to see if last-second shots beat the horn, two vs. threes, and whether a foul was a fragrant one or two. If the NBA wants to add out of bounds situations, shot clock issues, or simply who touched a ball last before it went out of bounds then that is fine with me. If you want to give coaches two challenges for these, then that's fine, but please, don't allow coaches the opportunity to challenge the official's whistle. The NBA doesn't need to under mind their officials, and they certainly don't need to make the ending of these games unbearably long!

Pat Morgan

PAULUS COMMITS TO SYRACUSE

Former Duke guard Greg Paulus will be wearing a different uniform next season.

Next football season that is.

The former high school standout will be returning to his hometown as a member of the Syracuse University football team. He will be competing for the starting quarterback position and probably is the front runner to get the job.

As a high school senior at Christian Brothers Academy, Paulus threw for over 3,700 yards and a whopping 37 touchdowns. Overall, he totaled 11, 763 passing yards and 152 touchdowns during his career. He had the chance to choose football as he was offered many scholarships from differnt colleges, but chose Duke to embark on a college basketball career. Looking back on it , he might have made the wrong decision.

He was expected to be a great player at Duke, but it never panned out that way. During this past season, he found himself on the bench more than on the court. Now, it's a chance for Paulus to switch gears. He will have one year of eligibility if a waiver is signed by the NCAA.

Before even agreeing to come to Syracuse, Paulus spoke with Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez and visited Nebraska as well. He even worked out with the Green Bay Packers. He could have went there and put the pressure on Aaron Rodgers (Hahaha).

Syracuse basketball coach Jim Boheim said he will have use for Paulus. The future hall of famer admitted that he would like Paulus to join his staff once the football season is over.

"I have an interest in maybe being a coach somewhere down the road," Paulus said. "I'd do anything they'd want me to do, just to learn and to help out."

For now, Paulus is all about football and everyone in the Central New York area knows Syracuse's recent struggles. Maybe one of their own can lead them back to respectability.

Shawn Marosek

"BIG UNIT" CLOSING IN ON HISTORY

Randy Johnson, one of the most feared left-handed pitchers in baseball history, is closing in on 300 wins for his major league career. The 20-year veteran notched win number 298 Monday night with an average performance against the Washington Nationals, giving up four earned runs in five plus innings. The "Big Unit" is trying to do something only 23 other men have done and he might be the last to accomplish the feat. Retirement must be near for the 45-year-old southpaw, but it appears he won't quit until he reaches the plateau.

Johnson is obviously one of the best left-handed pitchers to ever play the game. During the course of his career, he has struck fear into many opposing hitters with his grungy look and 6'10" frame. Not too many left-handed hitters would admit to wanting to face Johnson, who almost took John Kruk's head off in the All-Star Game. His career looked just about over three years years ago, when he was a member of the New York Yankees. Who knew he would still be pitching today?

He has pitched for six different ball clubs, inlcuding two stints with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He has a career earned run average of 3.28 in an era that was all about offense, struck out more batters than any left hander in history (4,828) and has a World Series ring after being named Co-MVP of the 2001 World Series.


He is obviously one of the greats and is a first-ballot hall of famer even without 300 wins. Once he reaches the mark, it will solidify a wonderful career. Barring a major injury, he will accomplish the feat this season, one that should be his last. I can't see him pitching next year. Everyone knows what he wants, and he will get it soon. Despite his attitude at times, especially in New York, a pitcher like Randy Johnson is far and few between.

Shawn Marosek

IF YOU THOUGHT LEVI JOHNSTON'S FAMILY WAS BAD...

That's right! There's another redneck family that is just as screwed up as the ex-boyfriend of Bristol Palin and her crazy clan. And this time it's a baseball family!!

The first offender begins with the "star" himself. Joba (Jabba the Hut) Chamberlain was in the news a little while back for getting a DUI and making New Yorkers look stupid, drunk, and rude. But now, his mother is in the news... and for the exact same reason as Levi Johnston's mother was a few months ago: Meth.

Joba's mommy, Jacqueline Standley, was arrested after allegedly trying to sell some meth to an undercover cop in Nebraska. Now that she is jail, maybe she should get in touch with Levi's mommy. At first thought, I could see why she was selling meth in Nebraska; there's absolutely nothing to do. Do they even get New York Yankee games televised there? You would think Joba would have the decency to shack his mom up in some apartment near the stadium, or in the vicinity of New York where there is some form of civilization. However, looking at both mothers' situations, "I live in the middle of nowhere and resorted to selling meth" contest. If I lived in Alaska, I might have helped Johnston out with that.

When asked about his mother, Chamberlain stated: “You’ve only got one mom, man, and you’ve got to be thankful for her,” he said. “I still love her.” Yeah, that's cool and all but why don't you show your thankfulness by helping her out so she doesn't have to resort to selling drugs. How much do you make? If it's any amount in the millions you are a horrible son, along with being a horrible pitcher for a horrible team.

Cheers.
(P.S. if you want to see where Chamberlain's good looks came from, I advise clicking on the link above)

Jaclyn Kahn

LONDON? ARE YOU SERIOUS?

Would the NFL bring the biggest sporting event in all of American sports to London? Well, apparently the British are attempting to bring the Super Bowl to Wembley Stadium possibly as soon as 2014. The move would be worth over $500 million for the London economy.

NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, has denied reports from the BBC that say the NFL is in deep negotiations with London officials. I must say, I hope that Goodell is being truthful here. It would be a big mistake to have the Super Bowl anywhere other than the United States.

First of all, I wonder what time the game would be played. If the NFL wants to keep their standard 6:25ET kickoff, that means that the game would start at 11:25pm in London. How is that fair to either team in the game? The more likely scenario is that the game would be played at 3pm (8pm London) on either its usual Sunday or on President's Day. By 2014, the NFL will most likely be playing an 18-game schedule with the Super Bowl played President's Day Weekend. I don't like either scenario here. Keep the game in the US, so it can air in prime time. Why mess with something that gets a 40+ rating? Only the Academy Awards comes even remotely close to the rating the Super Bowl gets, and even that had a big drop off this year.

It's so much more than a time issue to me though. Our version of football is an American game! I could see the World Series, NBA Finals, or some other big event being played overseas before the Super Bowl. I'd still be against that, but at least those sports are shared by other countries around the world. You have to remember that the rest of the world has their own version of football. I don't think the European Premier League would ever consider holding their championship over in the USA. It doesn't make sense! Neither does having the Super Bowl over there. I don't have a problem with continuing them having one regular season game a year, but Super Bowl is a piece of Americana. It wouldn't make sense holding it anywhere other than right here in the USA.

Would the British really embrace the Super Bowl? It's just an attempt to help boost their struggling economy. If you add the Super Bowl to the 2012 Olympics, that could really help them. However, last I checked, our economy isn't in good shape either. So, why would we move one of the biggest money making events of the year to another country so people can spend their money there? The NFL is by far the most successful league in the country, so I understand why they want to be like other American leagues and try and be more global. However, they need to realize that they are not a worldwide sport! Again, it's fine by me if they want to keep fooling around and putting regular season games in other countries, but, please, keep the Super Bowl here!

Pat Morgan

THE SWINE FLU IS GOING TO KILL US ALL!

Or so one NFL player believes.

Now there is such a hype about the Swine Flu, or N1H1 virus, in the regular news, but I never thought it would end up in the sports news. But so the overblown hysteria has reached the football world too.

You can the full story at the Shutdown Corner, but the gist is that Clinton Portis, a running back for the Washington Redskins, wants training camp to be postponed or canceled because he doesn't want to attract the swine flu. Portis was quoted to say: "With the swine flu going around, this [rain] water could have some swine flu in it, then all of us gonna be dead. You should cancel mini camp, especially in bad weather. Right now in Mexico, they canceled all sporting events. They need to do that in the U.S. ... This is a scary, dangerous situation."

I can understand why people may be upset about the swine flu, but is there an epidemic the size of the one in Mexico in Washington D.C.? I know that Biden upset a lot of people with his comments, but apparently it didn't only effect subway and plane passengers, but football players and other professional athletes. I would like everyone to understand that it is reasonable for things to be canceled in Mexico because they really have an epidemic going on there. Many more people are sick, and have died, in Mexico than anywhere else in the world, and that includes the United States. The constant media coverage is not helping. In fact, the media is causing hysteria among U.S. citizens, as well as citizens from all over the world. Americans freaked so badly at what Biden had mentioned, which was not out of line in anyway, that Biden and the White House had to retract his statements. And now the hysteria has hit the football field. I would think that these professional players would have enough sense to not show up to practice if they are feeling sick. And how many players have been diagnosed with the swine flu? Because I definitely haven't heard any big name, or small name, celebs or sports players getting anything. I think Portis, along with some other Americans, and news/media corporations should cool their heels with this one. Unless you live in Mexico and can't receive appropriate medical treatment, and you are under 20 years old, I think you're going to be okay.


P.S. the reason I put this picture up is because I did a google images search "pig in nfl" and this is what came back as the number 2 result... so I couldn't resist!

Jaclyn Kahn