NCAA Football is Here.....Thank God

Between Michael Vick and Baseball, I don't know how much more I could take.

The season starts tonight and here is the latest coaches poll on the rankings. Seems like Texas is a little high on the list.

1 USC (45) 1481
2 LSU (4) 1372
3 Florida (9) 1278
4 Texas 1231
5 Michigan (2) 1218
6 West Virginia 1205
7 Wisconsin 1114
8 Oklahoma 1026
9 Virginia Tech 1005
10 Ohio State 919
11 Louisville 836
12 California 763
13 Georgia 604
14 Auburn 595
15 Tennessee 583
16 Rutgers 466
17 UCLA 454
18 Penn State 440
19 Nebraska 388
20 Arkansas 360
21 Florida State 301
22 TCU 233
23 Boise State 222
24 Hawaii 214
25 Texas A&M 209
Complete Coaches poll

On the Mark

Here is a funny write up from Fox Sports that I thought yall might get a kick out of.

On the Mark

David Wells scored on a bloop single the other night. A great moment, sure, but it also underscores the need for a defibrillator in every major league clubhouse.

This just in: Pete Carroll was perfectly willing to let Jeremiah Trotter walk on, he just wasn't willing to part with another scholarship.

By the way, the guys in Vegas are unanimous: USC would go off at three to one to win the NFC West.

True story: The Mets like to host these ethnic celebrations at Shea, the most recent of which was Polish Night. So a few hours before the game, one of the players comes into the locker room and demands to know, "What's this polish thing?"

Like, maybe he could get a free manicure.

The way I'm hearing it, the next time the Rangers play Baltimore, the O's have to bring the keg.

Sad to see Gary Sheffield sitting out with a gimpy shoulder. Then again, I guess it goes to his argument: Latin players' shoulders are much easier to control.

Tiki Barber says Eli Manning has yet to prove himself as a leader.

This is a news flash?

If Barber really wanted to offer a meaningful opinion, he would've addressed the issue of Michael Strahan, who proved this summer that he's just a little better teammate than he was a husband.

Think how happy Wells will be once he finds that all-you-can eat pavilion at Dodger Stadium.

Speaking of fat guys, Denny McLain says Michael Vick can use prison to get in great shape.

Certainly, you can see the therapeutic effect prison life had on old Denny.

"Who are they going to replace me with?" asks Mike Mussina.

Guy's got a point. It's not easy finding an $11 million pitcher who's given up 13 earned runs in his last 6.2 innings.

My kid is so wrapped up in this High School Musical business I finally had to tell her: "Honey, I was slow before the four knee surgeries, but I promise you this Zac Efron would not get a basket off me."

She's not speaking to me, of course.

The New York Post ran a photo of Lindsay Lohan riding a bike in Utah. And even though she's in rehab, I have to think there's still enough in her system to qualify for next year's Tour De France.

Beckham works three days out of six, then asks for a day off.

Wait up. That's supposed to be my schedule.

At this point in the sports calendar, the only way to get people talking about Major League Soccer is for some enterprising flak to start a rumor that Beckham had fighting dogs back in England.

I just love that one of Tim Donaghy's alleged co-conspirators is a former beauty parlor owner.

There goes your Gambino Crime Family, circa 2007.

The tradition-bound Yankees won't let players wear facial hair, but apparently they had no problem with New Era marketing Yankee caps with gang colors. There was a Bloods Yankees cap, a Crips Yankees cap and a Latin Kings Yankee cap.

So what about the Aryan Brotherhood?

I mean, where's the ACLU on this?

Can Goodell suspend DMX, too?

Really, why can't Vick get a second chance?

I mean, even Grady Little got one.

Tell you what, I'd go for Zac Efron's knees.

Eli Manning vs Tiki Barber......Who won?

Over the last few days, Eli Manning and Tiki Barber have been exchanging digs. (Full Story here) Tiki started it by saying Mannings

"personality hasn't been so that he can step up, make a strong statement and have people believe that it's coming from his heart. Last year about Week 12 I turned over the offensive motivational speech to Eli and he was gung-ho to do it, but he was uncomfortable doing it," Barber continued. "I think a lot of it had to do with vets being around - myself, Jeremy Shockey, Plaxico Burress. He didn't feel like his voice was going to be strong enough and it showed. Sometimes it was almost comical the way that he would say things."

Manning fired back saying

"I'm not going to lose any sleep about what Tiki has to say," Manning said before practice at the University at Albany. "I guess I could have questioned his leadership skills last year with calling out the coach and having articles about him retiring in the middle of the season, and (how) he's lost the heart (to play). As a quarterback you're reading that your running back has lost the heart to play the game and it's about the 10th week. I can see that a little bit at times."

Even though he hasn't played as well as expected, I think Manning will either sink or swim this season.

As for the war of words between him and Tiki, he definitely won.

"I look forward to clearing my good name"

Well Mike, looks like clearing your good name is out of the question.

If you haven't heard, Micheal Vick today pleaded guilty to charges of leading an illegal dogfighting ring. Heres the right up from Fox Sports.

Michael Vick's lawyer said Monday the NFL star will plead guilty to federal dogfighting conspiracy charges, putting the Atlanta Falcons quarterback's career in jeopardy and leaving him subject to a possible prison term.

The offense is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, although federal sentencing guidelines most likely would call for less.

"After consulting with his family over the weekend, Michael Vick asked that I announce today that he has reached an agreement with federal prosecutors regarding the charges pending against him," lead defense attorney Billy Martin said in a statement.

"Mr. Vick has agreed to enter a plea of guilty to those charges and to accept full responsibility for his actions and the mistakes he has made. Michael wishes to apologize again to everyone who has been hurt by this matter."

Vick's plea hearing will be Aug. 27, Martin said.

I find the change in tone from his initial statement rather comical.

Today in court I pleaded innocent to the allegations made against me. I take these charges very seriously and I look forward to clearing my good name. I respectfully ask all of you to hold your judgment until all of the facts are shown. Above all, I would like to say to my mom I am sorry for what she has had to go through in this most trying of times. It's caused pain for my family and I apologize to my family. I also want to apologize to my Falcon teammates for not being with them."

I'm starting to think that Vick may have had some weed in that water bottle after all.

The man's always tryin to keep a brotha down.

In Trouble...Get a Haircut

Am I the only one that noticing the trend in the NFL of getting a haircut as soon as you get busted?

Pacman went from dreds to buzz cut after his arrest at a strip club and insueing suspension.

I also noticed that dogfighter Mike Vick has cut off his long locks as well when he appeared for court on Friday to find that the two friends that Vick had posed in a picture with behind a pit bull that they were allegedly sponsoring both entered guilty pleas Friday.

We can't forget about gun totin Tank.

I guess its just what their publicist tells them to do to look to make it look like they are cleaning up their act. Im sure Pacman can still pick up strippers with a buzz cut.

Pac-Man Makes Wrestling Debut Without Wrestling

From the AP

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Adam "Pacman" Jones ended up surrounded by police Sunday night. This time they were actors trying to help the suspended cornerback, though they couldn't stop him from being allegedly "attacked."

It turns out the Titans got a court order prohibiting Jones from participating in any wrestling activity even after he promised ass kickings on Thursday in TNA's weekly Spike TV show to appear.

Under the heavy stipulations of the Titans, Pac man was allowed to appear but was not allowed to touch or be touched, grapple, shove, throw or have anything thrown at him by anyone working for or watching the show.

According to the AP

Not a finger was laid on Jones on-camera Sunday at the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling event, but several were awfully close. A wrestler rushed the stage after jawing with Jones, but four actors with police clothing tackled him just out of reach.

Minutes later, the studio television screens flashed to Jones backstage, lying on the ground after being purportedly attacked.

Jones also commented during his wrestling stint that he wanted to show the world that he is the best team player that ever lived. I guess that's why he went to the strip club the night before meeting with Goodell. Oh, but he was just hungry.

It's Done.....

Tuesday night at AT&T, Barry Bonds finally passed Hank Aaron with HR# 756. This will obviously go down as the most controversial all-time record ever in the history of professional sport (and I mean in the world). Maybe if Barry's only accusers were French, all this might go away, but unfortunately, those of use that really don't care about baseball all that much will be forced to listen, read, and watch editorial after editorial talking about an imaginary asterisk that, in their minds, should be attached to the record.

Quite frankly, I'm just glad we can all move on. Thank God for football.

Yao Ming gets Married: Children will be Giants

Ming just married his longtime girlfriend in Shanghai on Monday. Ye Li, is a 6 foot 2 basketball player for the Chinese women's basketball team. This is going to be the biggest Chinese person ever created.

Pacman Jones Signs Wrestling Contract

This should be good for a couple of laughs this season. PacMan will join the likes of Dennis Rodman and Karl Malone, who decided that no amount of shame could stop them from chasing the almighty buck.

From the AP:

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Suspended Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones will make an appearance on a pro wrestling show Thursday after signing a contract with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, the company said Monday.
Jones' first in-ring appearance will be for its iMPACT! show on Spike TV, TNA said. He also will appear in a pay-per-view show Sunday at Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla.

"I am a big fan of wrestling, so I wanted to give it a try," Jones said in a statement. "I respect wrestling and I'm not coming in like it's just a show. I want to prove that I am the greatest team-sport athlete."

Jones' NFL contract prohibits non-football activities that could cause injury.

Jones was suspended in April for the 2007 season by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell for conduct detrimental to the league. He dropped his appeal of that punishment in June.

He has been arrested six times since being drafted by the Titans in April 2005, including June 22 when he turned himself in on two felony counts of coercion in a Las Vegas strip club fight that left a man paralyzed.

Jones' bid to join the Titans in training camp was denied by the NFL on July 26. His case will reviewed after the Titans' 10th game, which is Nov. 19.

Friday News Run

Barry cant hit 755. Moss missed another day at camp. And thats about all I can think of. But some of my comrads around the sports blog world came up with some much more entertaining story's.

Brady Quinn hangs out with Brett Michaels

Urlacher Tit Grab Girl Is on ‘Rock of Love’

David Stern continues to pull magic tricks

Kevin Garnett Packs His Bags



Awful Announcing

OJ Simpson gets pwned by live callers

Heres a pretty funny you tube video of some prank callers harassing The Juice on a live TV interview.

From NCAA Basketball Scores:

2007 Top Fantasy Running Backs

1. LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego-
Hands down the most talented and productive running back in the league. Not only did LT run for 31 TD's setting the record, but he also threw for 2, padding his stats that much more. He is the total back, speed, power, a great receiver, and very smart.

2. Stephen Jackson, St. Louis-Last year Jackson broke out, piling up 2,334 yds and 16 TD's. Jackson improved not only his rushing, but his reception stats as well, catching 90 passes for 806 yards. Although he has one less TD than LJ, he makes up for it with yardage.

3. Larry Johnson, Kansas City-
Larry Johnson was second in rushing TD's last season only to the great LT. He is a model of consistency, having 11 100-yard games last season with 17 TD's. He has played every game the last 2 seasons, having more than 1700 yds in both. Johnson is the focal point of the Chiefs attack, and will get plenty of carries per game to produce. It is pretty much a toss up between LJ and Stephen Jackson, you can't go wrong with either.

4. Shaun Alexander, Seattle- The leagues best rusher over the last 5 seasons is coming off a down year in 2005 where he was plagued with injury. He will come back healthy and resume the work-horse rushing load seen in 2005, and should be on pace for 15+ TDs and 1500+ yards.

5. Frank Gore, San Fransisco- Frank would be 4 but since the report is out that he has broke his hand in camp, he has slid to 5. Since his breakout season last year, the Niners responded by beefing up their offensive line to help Gore. Gore is a solid back but still lacks the consistency of a good offense around him. Do to lack of offensive firepower, defenses will be able to focus on shutting down San Fransisco's running attack.

6. Joseph Addai, Indianapolis- Although young, Addai proved that he can run durring last years Super Bowl. In his rookie season, Addai ran all over the best ranked defense in the most important game of the season, and probably his life. Addai is said to have a greater skill set than the 2 previous Colts running backs before him, Edgerrin James and Marshall Faulk, and now that Dominic Rhodes is out of the way, Addai will become the feature back.

7. Laurence Maroney, New England- Like Addai, Maroney is coming off a good rookie season and will be losing the feature back Corey Dillon who stole the majority of the workload last season. Maroney will also benefit from one of the leagues best offenses and coaching staff. Maroney was used as a workhorse back in college to maintain leads, and looks to do the same this season.

8.Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia- Even with McNabb out for much of last season, Mr. Versatility logged some great numbers for fantasy owners both on the ground and through the air. This will be another year where Westbrook gets the bulk of the passes in the Philly offense as well as the rushes, and is poised to have some great fantasy numbers.

9.Rudi Johnson, Cincinnati-
Rudi has consistently put up 1400+ yds and 12 TDs the last couple seasons and should do no less this season. Until Rudi learns to catch the ball and adapt to the versatile style back the Bengals offense need, he will continue to put up the same numbers each seasons.

10. Willie Parker, Pittsburgh- Willie is a very streaky runner, who plays great at home. Parker had 7 games where he ran for 125+ yards and scored multiple TDs in most of those games, but he also had 4 games where he put up
47 yards or less and threw up a goose egg in the TD column. If Pittsburgh's offense gets back on track this season and takes some pressure of the run game, Willie could break out.

11.Edgerrin James, Arizona
12.Reggie Bush, New Orleans
13.Brandon Jacobs, New York
14.Willis McGahee- Baltimore
15.Maurice Jones-Drew- Jacksonville

Watch out for Adrian Peterson

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thebyrd33 at hotmail.com