The Inquisitr » football

Al Be Sure: Sharpton Speaks Against Talkie Limbaugh’s Rams’ Bid

AHN — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 02:04:08 +0000

St. Louis, MO (AHN) – After last week’s reported attempts by Rush Limbaugh to purchase the struggling St. Louis Rams, Rev. Al Sharpton wrote NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell Monday in an effort to block the talk show host’s bid.

Sharpton, a former presidential candidate, registered his disapproval of Limbaugh becoming an NFL owner, even as part of a group.

He indicated that the controversial radio commentator has been divisive and “anti-NFL” in many of his comments.

Meanwhile, NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith also complained to the Goodell regarding the inclusion of Limbaugh in the possible ownership group bidding for the Rams, Stltoday.com reported.

In the same report, the union leader also urged players to oppose Limbaugh, but none have responded to the call.

Last week, Limbaugh confirmed that he is part of a group aiming to purchase the winless football club.

He would reportedly be a limited partner in the said group.

NFL rookie free agent Tony Fein found dead

Kim LaCapria — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:27:55 +0000

Tony Fein, former Baltimore Ravens tight end and Army vet, was found dead Tuesday morning.

Fein, recently released from the Ravens in the final round of cuts, was back in his home town of Port Orchard, WA. Fein was “working out” in the hopes of securing another NFL tryout. He was arrested in August for a Baltimore incident with a police officer, but repeatedly stated he was innocent of the charges. Fein was due in court today, and the Baltimore Sun has an account of the incident:

He was with other players at a food stand when a security guard thought she saw someone in his group hand him a gun. The guard notified city police and Sgt. Joseph Donato, who is white, twice asked the black player to stand up and said in a report (read the report here) that the player refused. In the report, the officer said the player turned around and reached for silverware, and that’s when the sergeant grabbed Fein by the sweat shirt, forced him to the ground and handcuffed the 6 foot 2, 245 pound linebacker.

Fein’s agent said the player did not know at first the man behind him was a police officer and denied disobeying his orders.

Fein served three years as a Delta Scout in Iraq. Cause of death is not yet known. Tony Fein was 27.

Cleveland Browns fan suing EA over Madden ‘09 appearance

Chris Greenhough — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 17:06:27 +0000

EA is facing a courtroom battle with Cleveland Browns super-fan/man with too much time John Big Dawg Thompson, after the latter was allegedly depicted in the company’s Madden NFL ‘09.

Thompson, who legally changed his name to include his nickname, shows up at every Browns game in the bug-eyed dog mask and No.98 jersey you see above, bellowing support from the ‘Dawg Pound,’ a section behind the east end zone in Cleveland Browns Stadium.

A very similar dog mask-wearing fan (only wearing a No.92 jersey) is occasionally seen in Madden NFL 09, and now Thompson has picked up the scent of possible free money. He’s filed a complaint against EA in the Cuyahoga Country Court of Common Pleas for “the alleged unauthorized and unlicensed use of his Big Dawg persona.”

The bad news for EA: he wants $25,000 (which, incidentally, would fund 1,390 Rubber Chew Bones).

[Via Gamespot]

No ‘Cane Do: Virginia Tech Upsets Miami In Blowout

AHN — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 11:18:53 +0000

Blacksburg, VA (AHN) – It came as no surprise to Miami, the power of the Virginia Tech running game, but that knowledge did little to help the Hurricanes who suffered a painful 31-7 loss to the Hokies Saturday.

Miami had no answer for freshman running back Ryan Williams, who made the Miami defense look like Swiss cheese.

Whether on the run or in the air, he accounted for more than half of Viriginia Tech’s total offensive production.

Williams added his muscle to the ball, powering in two touchdowns over 150 yards rushing, and making two receptions for a total of 40 yards.

Quarterback Tyrod Taylor went 4-of-9 on the night, half of his passes hitting Williams. Wideout Jarrett Boykin capped off one touchdown.

For Miami’s part, Jacory Harris was way off his game, going 9 -or-25 on the night and unable to hook up the offense with any touchdowns.

He threw the only interception of the game, a hurl picked off by Rashad Carmichael, finalizing the outcome.

Virginia Tech (3-1) squares off against Duke on October 3.

Three Sushiem Field Goals Lift Redskins Over Rams

AHN — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 09:07:03 +0000

Washington, DC (AHN) – Three field goals by Steve Sushiem helped the Washington Redskins post a 9-7 win over the St. Louis Rams Sunday in the team’s home opener at FED EX Field.

The Washington Redskins offense had over 300 yards but failed to score while in the red zone.

“I was comfortable with the play calls,” said Head Coach Jim Zorn. “I have to look at the video with our red zone possession.”

He won’t be happy, but Zorn will take the win regardless.

Saints Alive! Mistakes, Brees Conspire To Demolish Eagles

AHN — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 09:05:46 +0000

Philadelphia, PA (AHN) – Two third-quarter turnovers by the Eagles opened the door on Sunday, and Drew Brees drove the Saints through it for a 48-22 rout at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday.

Trailing by just four points at halftime, Philadelphia fumbled away the second-half kickoff and third-year quarterback Kevin Kolb threw an interception.

Both mistakes resulted in New Orleans touchdowns, and a Saints lead that was more than safe in Brees’ hands.

“It wasn’t right today, any phase of it,” Eagles head coach Andy Reid said. “It was an absolutely horrendous performance.”

The All-Pro Brees completed 25-of-34 passes for 311 yards, three touchdowns and one interception, torching a defense that had surrendered just 169 total yards at Carolina in Week 1.

“He was really good today. I take my hat off to him. They had a good game play,” Eagles safety Quintin Mikell said of Brees and the Saints. “Having said that, we make some mistakes, and you can’t do that against a good quarterback.”

The Saints led 17-10 with less than a minute left in the first half, and Kolb led Philadelphia down the field for a David Akers field goal.

That momentum stopped dead after the break however, as Ellis Hobbs coughed up the kickoff return. Two plays later, Brees found tight end Heath Evans for an 11-yard score.

Two plays after that, Kolb threw his first interception of the game, to linebacker Scott Shanle, and running back Mike Bell capitalized with a seven-yard touchdown.

Kolb, playing in place of the injured Donovan McNabb, got the Eagles back within two touchdowns, at 34-20, late in the third quarter.

Kolb found Jason Avant in the end zone on fourth-and-goal, but that would be the last gasp for Philadelphia.

Saints running back Reggie Bush scored from 19 yards out to make it 41-20, and Brees fumbled out of his own end zone for a safety.

Then New Orleans defensive back Darren Sharper picked off Kolb and took it back 97 yards for a score.

Kolb finished with 391 yards passing, including two touchdowns and three picks. The last of those interceptions ended the game.

New Orleans improved to 2-0 with the victory and now head to Buffalo. The Eagles dropped to 1-1, and host Kansas City in Week 3.

Sunday marked the first time since a 49-14 loss at Dallas in 1969 that the Eagles allowed 48 points in a single game.

Quarterback Passes For Four Scores As Cal Mangles Maryland

AHN — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 12:09:31 +0000

Berkeley, CA (AHN) – Kevin Riley completed 17-of-26 passes for 298 yards with four TDs, as the 12th-ranked California Golden Bears flattened Maryland Terrapins 52-13 Saturday in the season opener for both teams.

Jahvid Best torched the Terps defense on the ground with 137 yards and two TDs.

The Terps were supposed to have improved on their pressure defense, but the Bears encountered no problems in moving the ball in the contest.

Instead it was California that stifled the Terps offense, as quarterback Chris Turner was sacked a couple of times and Maryland was prevented out of the end zone until late in the tilt.

Turner connected on 17-of-30 passes for 167 yards in the setback.

Miscues and tentativeness also contributed in the loss for Terps (0-1), who will seek to bounce back next Saturday when they host James Madison.

The Golden Bears (1-0) will continue their homestand also next Saturday when they face Eastern Washington.

Michigan Coach Rodriguez Partnered With Charged Booster

AHN — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 02:35:02 +0000

Ann Arbor, MI (AHN) – Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez partnered with Clemson University booster Clegg Lamar Greene, a businessman facing five felony counts, in the controversial real-estate business venture in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Records showed Tuesday that the 71-year-old Greene is facing five felony counts on alleged breach of trust with fraudulent intent. The Gafney, South Carolina native is facing a 10-year prison term for each felony count.

Rodriguez was charged with Greene and three others on August 13 after the group allegedly defaulted on paying more than $3.9 million to Nexity Bank of Alabama.

The amount was the result of the loan used in a proposed condominium near the Virginia Tech football stadium. The group’s project never materialized.

Over the weekend, Rodriguez faced possible probe over alleged reports that said his team violated NCAA rules involving practices, scrimmages and workouts.

Greene was booted out of the Clemson football program after the school found two minor infractions in 2000. He allegedly gave a $1,300 loan to two Clemson recruits, as well as allowing the players to use his boat.

Rodriguez was Clemson’s offensive coordinator and associate head coach 10 years ago before taking the head coaching job at West Virginia.

Last year, he went 3-9 overall with the Wolverines, who finished ninth in the Big Ten Conference.

Champions League group stage draw

Dennis Bjørn Petersen — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:47:07 +0000

The groups for Champions League 09/10 were drawn today in Monaco. Manchester United are probably in the easiest group with CSKA Moscow, Wolfsburg and Besiktas. Group D is the strongest group with Chelsea, Porto, Atletico Madrid and Apoel Nicosia (which beat my favorite team yesterday).

In group C we’ll see a couple of really interesting matches, as Kaka (Real Madrid) will play his old club AC Milan. Another couple of interesting matches are in group F, where two strikers will meet their old club. Samuel Eto’o (now Inter Milan) switch with Zlatan Ibrahimovich (now Barcelona) during the summer break.

Group G is the most “boring” group with Sevilla, Rangers, Stuttgart and Urziceni (?!)

The group stages start September 15.

Champions League draw

Group A: Bayern Munich, Juventus, Bordeaux, Maccabi Haifa
Group B: Manchester United, CSKA Moscow, Besiktas, Wolfsburg
Group C: AC MIlan, Real Madrid, Marseille, FC Zurich
Group D: Chelsea, Porto, Atletico Madrid, Apoel Nicosia
Group E: Liverpool, Lyon, Fiorentina, Debrecen
Group F: Barcelona, Inter Milan, Dynamo Kiev, Rubin Kazan
Group G: Sevilla, Rangers, Stuttgart, Unirea Urziceni
Group H: Arsenal, AZ Alkmaar, Olympiakos, Standard Liege

Which match do you look forward to? Which team is your favorite? (Real Madrid here)

Nintendo considering a football add-on for the Wii

Chris Greenhough — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 03:56:09 +0000

Because gaming nowadays is all about how many peripherals can be shoehorned onto any given console, Nintendo has patented a soft football controller for the Wii and its remote. Official: it is no longer acceptable to play games by pushing buttons.

This latest patent means you might be playing Madden 2011 on the Wii with a squishy faux-pigskin attached to your Wiimote. From the patent description:

“Throwing – Players firmly strap their hands to the ball and make a throwing motion. The pitch angle and force of the throw determines the trajectory arc of the throw. Side to side motion determines the yaw angle. Pressing buttons on the Wii remote can adjust other options.

Running – The football controller sense body motion, shifting left and right to dodge tacklers and even jumping motions by raising the ball. Running speed is determined by players making a jogging motion.”

Before you think Nintendo has lost its marbles, it’s probably worth remembering the company has some recent form for zany patents.

The inflatable Horseback Riding Saddle I wrote about recently probably tops a spongy football for weirdness (as does Sony’s laughter detector), but gawd, this is the same damn company that made the note-perfect, game-of-my-childhood Super Mario Bros. 3, forchrissakes. Can we not just get back to sitting down to play some games? Sitting down is really a big part of why I play games.

[Via Siliconera]

Madden NFL 10: Review Round-up

Chris Greenhough — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 01:58:57 +0000

Madden NFL 10 landed today across North America, Europe, and Australia for PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PS2, and PSP. We’ve no doubt that sales will keep EA in gold leaf toilet paper for the rest of the decade, and we know it can tell the future, but what did the critics make of it? Let’s copy and paste some words from other people to find out!

IGN (full review here) is first up, praising EA’s efforts in producing a football game with such hefty amounts of content:

“Madden NFL 10 packs a lot of football under its 60 dollar price tag. While some of the modes don’t perform as well as I’d like, every football fan will still be able to latch on to something for months of fun. The graphics have taken a nice step forward from Madden 09 and the presentation does a wonderful job of emulating the experience of watching a game on Sunday.” 8.9 / 10

Gamespot’s (full review here) generally positive assessment felt that the game benefited from EA’s choice to go back to basics. Still only a 7.5, though:

“There’s a real sense that EA wants to get back to the fundamentals of football with Madden NFL 10, and many of the changes it has made in that respect are good ones. The running game feels great, and the passing game is much improved over previous iterations. The Pro-Tak system works just about as well as you’d want it to, and the inclusion of online franchises (while featuring some dubious options) is a pretty good reason to dive into this year’s game.” 7.5 / 10

1UP (full review here) observes that Madden NFL 10 is slower than in previous titles, and more strategic as a result:

“Online or off, playing with real people makes it clear that with Madden 10, the game on the field has started to change and it’s not just from being slowed down a little. Football fundamentals matter now. Successful plays come from knowing the situation, calling the right play, making a good pre-snap read, and then executing — the same criteria that determines the outcome in a real game.” B grade

G4 (full review here) simply thought it was one of the best football games … EVAR:

“Madden NFL 10 isn’t perfect, but it’s deeper, more challenging, and more realistic than ever before, and more so than nearly any other football game. This is a whole lot of game, and it should keep football fans everywhere very occupied for the next twelve months.” 4 / 5

RIP Sir Bobby Robson

Paul Montgomery — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 16:46:29 +0000

It has been a pretty poor year for Newcastle football fans. Today they are mourning one of their very best in Sir Bobby Robson, dead of cancer at 76.

Robson grew up as a Newcastle United supporter and his last coaching job, in a career that was most famous for his coaching of many European clubs plus the English national team, was for Newcastle, which has since slumped out of the English Premier League.

Robson had been diagnosed with cancer five times since 1991, and finally succumbed only five days after a public appearance at St James’ Park to raise funds from Newcastle supporters for his cancer charity.

Having debuted for Fulham in 1950 and played for England at the 1958 World Cup, Robson’s coaching career also began at Fulham, a side which never delivered him playing honours.

The height of his club coaching career came with Ipswich, which he took to FA Cup and UEFA Cup triumphs. He also took England to the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup before Diego Maradona’s Hand of God goal stopped their run.

US keeper Tim Howard beats MLS All-Stars for Everton

Paul Montgomery — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 05:37:02 +0000

After extra time couldn’t separate the Major League Soccer All-Stars and Everton in their friendly match, it took a save from US national goalkeeper Tim Howard to deliver a win for the English Premier League side.

The penalty shoot-out which eventually decided the match was at 4-3 in Everton’s favour when Freddy Ljungberg, captain of the All-Stars, stepped up to take his shot. Ljungberg’s kick wasn’t nearly powerful enough to beat Howard, and Everton walked away from the Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah with a victory.

Louis Saha had opened the scoring on the night with a goal in the 12th minute, followed by a replying goal from Brad Davis, who plays for the Houston Dynamo in the MLS. Howard made three saves during the penalty shoot-out.

Everton, who trailed on the shot count on the night by a total of 11-21, have now completed their pre-season tour of North America.

Howard will next play at Sandy, home of the Real Salt Lake team, in September representing the US national team against El Salvador in a World Cup qualifying game.

Ravens Derrick Mason Announces Retirement

Duncan Riley — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 01:44:32 +0000

35 year old Baltimore Ravens receiver Derrick Mason is retiring after 12 seasons in the NFL.

The retirement decision was unexpected as Mason was still on contract, however it would appear he no longer had his heart in playing. “I have been thinking about this since the season ended. Emotionally I am just not that enthused. I have not been that enthused to get up and work out…it was getting to that point” Mason said in a statement.

“This decision has nothing to do with the contract situation; I have made enough money, more than enough money. Emotionally there are things that are more important. It’s time right now. I don’t know what’s going to happen from here, but it’s going to be really nice to see what life has in store for me. What I want people to remember about my NFL career is that I played hard…played hard in practice and the game. I tried to make everyone better and would do anything to help.”

Mason caught 80 passes last season for 1,037 yards and five touchdowns.

(img: NFL.com)

Season of records in German soccer league

Dennis Bjørn Petersen — Wed, 27 May 2009 07:59:30 +0000

With the European soccer leagues coming to an end, the records are pouring in. The soccer league which broke the most records this season is the German Bundesliga.

Dangerous strikers

The most profiled players are Grafite and Edin Dzekos from league winners Wolfsburg. Together they’ve scored 54 goals, which is one goal more than Gerd Müller and Uli Hoeness previous record from the 70s. However Müller and Hoesness scored 53 goals in two seasons straight.

Bayern München could also break the transfer record this summer. German striker Mario Gomez is just a contract away from joining Bayern for a smashing 41 million dollars (30 million euros). Mario Gomez has scored 63 goals in 112 matches.

Most visited league

The Bundesliga 08/09 season was also the most attended one, with 13.008.985 spectators that’s an average attendance of 42.513 per match. This beats the English Premier League attendance by some 7000 spectators. A Premier League match has an average attendance of 35.563. Considering how popular the English league, I think that’s a surprisingly low number. Most of you can propably name more Premier League clubs than Bundesliga clubs.

The not-so-good records

Newly promoted 1899 Hoffenheim had an excellent autumn making them Herbstmeister (Autumn-champion). They topped the league at the winter break, but ended the season as number 7. That is the worst position for a Herbstmeister ever.

Major club Dortmund did have a great season either. They are the first club to only lose five matches and still end as number 6. Out of 34 matches, 14 ended with a draw.

The last record is set by manager Jörg Berger. He recently started managing Arminia Bielefeld, which is his Bundeliga club number eight as manager. Wolfsburg manager Felix Magath has managed six Bundeliga clubs.

Own goal of the year or is it?

Dennis Bjørn Petersen — Tue, 12 May 2009 10:33:13 +0000

Goalkeeper Souleymanou Hamidou had one of the not-so-funny days, as he and his team, Kayserispor, played against Trabzonspor in the Turkish league (Superlig) last weekend.

At the score 1-0 to the home team, the Trabzon players showed good form and skill with Gökhan Ünal finish from outside the goal area with this dream shot.

A few seconds later the score was 2-0. The match ended 4-1.

I call this an own goal, but do you agree? Gökhan Ünal was credited for the goal.

Lois K Feldman: Sex in a toilet at a football game ruined my life (update: now with picture)

Samantha DeWitt — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 10:08:48 +0000

Lois K Feldman, 38 of Carroll Iowa, broke her silence today, about that incident, saying that having sex in the disabled toilets at the Metrodome at a football game ruined her life and that she was so drunk on wine she didn’t remember hooking up with Ross Walsh.

Feldman, a married mother of three, told the newspaper that she was fired Wednesday from an assisted living center, where she had been an administrator.

“I don’t know what happened,” Feldman told the paper. “But I don’t deny that it did happen, because, obviously, there are police reports.”

Obviously. That’s how we all tell conclusively what went on the night before.

Feldman went on to say that said she had never met Walsh. We are sure what she meant to say was she had never met Ross Walsh before having sex with him in the toilets and being cheered on by a crowd of football fans.

No word from Walsh or his girlfriend. But surely the bragging rights of nailing an older, drunk off her ass woman goes down significantly when she can’t even remember the sex.

Classy!

UPDATE ROSS WALSH PHOTO

Check out the other half of story. Ross Walsh has made his Myspace Page public

Having now seen both photographs we can conclude that Mr Walsh was playing significantly above his division.

They scored: couple busted cheating in toilet at football game

Samantha DeWitt — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 09:30:21 +0000

Football fans at the Metrodome on Saturday were treated to a different kind of scoring when two fans, Lois K Feldman and Ross Walsh got it on in the disabled toilets. Apparently they were being cheered on for the win by a group of 15 onlookers.

Ross M. Walsh, 26, of Linden, Iowa, and Lois K. Feldman, 38, of Carroll, Iowa, were cited for misdemeanor indecent conduct. Walsh was released to his girlfriend and Feldman to her husband, police said.

It is unclear if Feldman and Walsh managed to make it to the “end zone” or “touch down” before a security guard came upon the scene and the 15 cheering fans and alerted police. The police were summoned, and they separated the two, issuing misdemeanor citations.

Police said the pair were “drunk”. As if there were any doubt.

The naughty pair were released to their respective partners. That surely would make for an awkward ride home, wouldn’t it? At least their team won.

Image Credit: SportsbyBrooks

Blogs Cause Depression In Football Players

Duncan Riley — Wed, 21 May 2008 05:51:54 +0000

Australian football players have been banned from reading blogs as reading blogs causes depression, according to the Australian Football League Players Association (AFLPA).

The AFLPA contends that blogs don’t provide any decent feedback, and are racist, carry sexual overtones, are a form of bullying and only provide titillation.

The AFLPA is also calling on people to boycott fan sites due to the criticism of players dished out.

Pippa Grange, AFLPA:

“I wouldn’t encourage any players to use them. I think it’s for bloggers, and I think it’s mostly for titillation rather any decent feedback…I wouldn’t encourage any players to use them. I think it’s for bloggers, and I think it’s mostly for titillation rather any decent feedback,”

There’s no restriction of what people are able to do with the internet…blogging on websites about players is a form of bullying, it’s public bullying of people in celebrity positions.

And even worse is the huge plague of fake footballers:

More serious, she said, were players’ identities being taken by bloggers.

“The biggest thing I’ve encountered in my role where it’s been a problem is where people take the identity of the player and claim to be making comments on behalf of the player,” she said.

“They get obviously quite upset about that.”

Lets break down what the AFLPA is saying here: fans shouldn’t express a negative opinion about a player, this should only be the role of the mainstream media. People should boycott fan sites and definitely never pretend to be a footballer.

It’s like 2002 called and they want their retarded child back.

The notion that all blogs are bad on the basis that some are is similar to someone saying all footballers are bad because some take drugs, beat up women and regularly get drunk. Blogs have long since moved on from personal playthings and are even the basis for multi-million dollar businesses. Would Grange call for a boycott of the mainstream media because they criticize a player?

Calling for a boycott of fan sites is even stranger again; fandom encourages participation in the sport. In calling for a boycott of fan sites Grange is calling for a boycott of fandom itself. Do football clubs want less members, less people through the gate on the weekend, and less people watching the game on TV?

When did criticism of a football player become bullying? Does Grange expect the public to only think positive thoughts about players and never express a negative thought? The celebrity angle is interesting as well; Grange argues that as celebrities they should be left alone, but doesn’t the very exposure lead to negative as well as positive coverage? If they don’t want the coverage, get out of the game.

A sad attempt at censorship from people who should know better.

(via The HeraldSun)