The Sporting News articles from December 2005

The Sporting News archives from December 2005

To know list: 6 trips to the thanksgiving trough.(KNOW IT ALL)
December 2, 2005... DECEMBER 2005 All times Eastern [1] FRI 2 This whole Chase for the Nextel Cup deal was entertaining and all, but they're still talking about the catfight that erupted the time Tony Stewart and Bobby Labonte showed up at...

Caught on the fly.(KNOW IT ALL)
December 2, 2005... Unproductive then injured running back Ahman Green says he's hurt the Packers haven't talked to him about a new contract. That's a twist: Ahman upset at the Pack for dropping the ball. Nobody does branding like Texas The town of Clark,...

Bob Hille's starting 5.(KNOW IT ALL)
December 2, 2005... 1 Steroids. Baseball announced a tougher drug-testing policy the same week its annual awards were released. But, really, I thought Bud stepped over the line with his "MVPee" jokes. 2 Bill Snyder. He proved at K-State that he's as good a...

The true mark of success (or lack thereof): an anti-you website.(CYBER BASHING)
December 2, 2005... Think you had a bad week at work? Stuff your gripes in a sack, Buck-o, because you don't know what hardship is. Imagine if every time you jammed the copier, ate the last break-room bagel or got caught stealing office pens, you not only heard...

Your turn.(KNOW IT ALL)(Letter to the Editor)
December 2, 2005... 'Unbelievable! How can West Virginia not crack your top 25 (TSN, November 18)? Jerry West and I are not amused.'--Creighton Waters, Martinsburg, W.Va. * Bobby Knight's passing Dean Smith's all-time coaching wins record (TSN, November 18)...

Sports talk with ... Ken Howard.(KNOW IT ALL)(Interview)
December 2, 2005... Howard played Ken Reeves, an NBA journeyman turned Carver High coach on the old-school TV drama The White Shadow, now available on DVD. TSN: You played college ball at Amherst. How did your career as a player influence the show? ...

Coming to a cell phone near you.(TECH SUPPORT)
December 2, 2005... Sure, you might claim to love EA Sports' Madden NFL 06. But do you love it enough to leave your cell phone company? EA and Verizon Wireless are teaming up to offer the entire line of EA Sports' games on mobile phones. Now, true fans have a...

Getting down and dirty.(UNDER REVIEW)
December 2, 2005... Free from the oppression of the No Fun League, Midway presents an over-the-top take on pro football in Blitz: The League. When the NFL entered an exclusive deal with EA Sports, it left video game makers such as Midway to explore football on...

How sweet the sound.(FANSCAPE: A lifestyle guide for the dedicated nonathlete)
December 2, 2005... You're sitting at the sports bar, faithfully watching your favorite team play, desperately wondering what's being said because someone decided your game wasn't worthy of having the volume on. Even though that might be a plus in some situations,...

Shake it, baby, shake it.(TELEVISION)
December 2, 2005... Sure, Jerry Rice can catch a football, but can he shake his tailfeather? The world is about to find out. Rice is one of several celebrities signed on to participate in the second edition of ABC's Dancing with the Stars, scheduled to debut...

Bang-up job.(EXPOSURE)
December 2, 2005... Sometimes--as Kings goalie Mathieu Garon learned in this collision with the Blackhawks' Matt Ellison--bending over backward to help your team win hurts like hell.

New York's finest.(ON DECK)
December 2, 2005... Man, oh, man, those Mannings sure are good. But what do they have in common besides the standard-bearing last name? Our story on 24-year-old Eli, in his second season with the Giants, will analyze how he has progressed as quickly as he has and...

Tedy Bruschi.(CHARACTER OF A Champion)
December 2, 2005... Tedy Bruschi had established his championship mettle as the defensive heart and soul of the Patriots, but 10 days after winning his third Super Bowl ring he was hospitalized with numbness, blurred vision and headaches. He had suffered a stroke;...

Twice as nice: a toned-down Tony Stewart can enjoy a second Cup championship.(NASCAR)
December 2, 2005... For a guy obsessed with racing, Tony Stewart doesn't like driving much. He once said that if he had to drive the length of a Nextel Cup race in a regular car without listening to music or stopping for a Coke, he would "want to commit arson"...

Last of a dying breed: experience a day in the life of San Diego's Lorenzo Neal, an impact fullback who may well be the ...(NFL)
December 2, 2005... Someday, after your hair has turned white, your spine has curved and your hearing has faded, the little child on your lap will ask, "Grandpa, what was a fullback?" And you'll have to think back and remember. "Well, Billy," you'll say...

Buy weeks: 111 ways to give the gift of sports this holiday season ... really.(TSN's ULTIMATE SPORTS FANS' GIFT GUIDE)(Cover Story)
December 2, 2005... Congratulations, my friend. If you're reading this, then somehow you have, for this brief moment, evaded the Holiday Shopping Season. Mind you, someone you know, maybe love, has been or is going to be up before sunrise at some point--probably...

Give the first national title to the SEC.(COLLEGE FOOTBALL)
December 2, 2005... Poor Aubie. Best team in the nation last season and couldn't play for the national championship. Best team in the SEC this year and can't play for the league championship. Maybe the Eufaula (Ala.) Tribune will give the Tigers some paper...

TSN's 12.5 half the size, twice the sizzle.(COLLEGE FOOTBALL)
December 2, 2005... TSN's 12.5 Half the size, twice the sizzle TV Rk. Team (last week) W-L Next up (all times Eastern) 1. USC (1) 11-0 UCLA, 12/3 4:30 p.m.,...

RB Reggie Bush, USC.(PLAYER OF THE WEEK)
December 2, 2005... Bush's explosiveness is well-known, but he took it to a new level against Fresno State, accounting for a Pac-10 record 513 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns as the Trojans held on for a 50-42 win. Bush did a good chunk of his damage in the...

Big blog on campus.(COLLEGE FOOTBALL)
December 2, 2005... From Matt Singer, Michigan Daily The Game. Maize and Blue. Scarlet and Grey. Hatred. History. Heroes. Howard, Woodson. Heisman. Those who stay will be champions. Woody-Bo. Tressel-Carr. Sweater-vest. BigTen's best. Scandal....

Heisman watch.(COLLEGE FOOTBALL)
December 2, 2005... 1. Vince Young, Texas 3,188 combined passing-rushing yards, 30 combined TDs. 2. Reggie Bush, USC 2,338 all-purpose yards, 16 TDs. 3. Matt Leinart, USC 3,217 passing yards, 24 TDs. 4. Brady Quinn, Notre Dame 3,201 passing yards, 29 TDs. 5. Drew...

3-and-out.(COLLEGE FOOTBALL)
December 2, 2005... 1 NCAA probation, the Reuben Houston case and Chan Gailey's future dominated Georgia Tech's preparation for the Miami game. Maybe we all should have that many distractions. It clearly was Gailey's biggest win with the Yellow Jackets. 2...

Spread the word: West Virginia won't pass up the chance to run from a formation designed to air it out.(COLLEGE FOOTBALL)
December 2, 2005... No tight end, one running back, four receivers. What would Bear Bryant and Woody Hayes think of the spread offense? The thought makes West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez laugh. "I bet they would say, 'What do you mean run the ball out of...

Scouts views: observations from college coaches.(COLLEGE FOOTBALL)
December 2, 2005... USC tailback LenDale White is a big, bruising, powerful guy who is hard to bring down. They list him at 225 pounds, but he looks bigger to me. He cuts off his blocks well and brings great power inside.... The problem with stopping Navy is not...

If this guy isn't an MVP contender, he should be.(NFL)
December 2, 2005... As part of his game-day routine, Panthers receiver Steve Smith watches video of the defender he expects to cover him, looking for revealing information. Three and a half hours before Carolina played Minnesota at Bank of America Stadium on...

Coaches would take more gambles if they didn't face intense scrutiny.(NFL)
December 2, 2005... My hat's off to Dick Vermeil and Jon Gruden for going for the win rather than the tie in recent games. Both coaches gambled and won, knowing that if their backs had been stuffed at the goal line, they would have been skewered. That's why you...

AFC east.(NFL)
December 2, 2005... BUFFALO BILLS CB Terrance McGee has received extra attention from opponents who have tried to avoid Nate Clements on the other side, and he has responded to the challenge. At 5-9, McGee lacks great size, which hurts him against big...

AFC north.(NFL)
December 2, 2005... BALTIMORE RAVENS RB Chester Taylor is taking carries away from Jamal Lewis. Taylor doesn't have Lewis' power but is more elusive and decisive. This could be an audition; both are potential free agents.... OLB Adallus Thomas is playing as...

Lessons learned in a big Indy win.(NFL)
December 2, 2005... Three lessons learned from the Colts' 45-37 victory over Cincinnati that could have big implications on Indy's road ahead: 1.The Peyton Manning-led offense can adapt to any situation and remain potent. When opposing defenses have played...

Shawne Merriman: "Lights Out" has shone brightly.(ROOKIE OF THE MONTH LIKE NO ONE ELSE)
December 2, 2005... When the Chargers drafted Shawne Merriman, they hoped he would live up to his nickname, "Lights Out." He hasn't disappointed them. Merriman plays as both a defensive end and outside linebacker, and quarterbacks better make sure they know...

Where in the world is Matt Jones? The rookie with the freakish talent has opened a universe of possibilities for the Jaguars' offense.(NFL)
December 2, 2005... The Jaguars may not have a dynamic offense, but they are causing defensive opponents to fret, work overtime in the tape room and sometimes reach a hair-ripping level of frustration--all because of the Slash-like versatility and special skills...

AFC south.(NFL)
December 2, 2005... HOUSTON TEXANS Zach Wiegert returned to the starting lineup at a new position, right tackle, because Victor Riley played well after moving from right tackle to right guard, Wiegart's old position. Wiegert hasn't played tackle since 2002,...

Player poll.(NFL)
December 2, 2005... For those Terrible Towel-waving fans who think Pittsburgh should be the capital of Blitzburgh, well, now there's some proof. We polled 56 NFL quarterbacks, and 17 said the Steelers have the league's best blitz package. "They do all kinds of...

AFC west.(NFL)
December 2, 2005... DENVER BRONCOS WR Ashley Lelie still uses his top-end speed to run past defenders and displays the superb body control that made him one of the league's better deep threats over the past two years. As a result, his per-catch average is...

Broncos FS John Lynch.(BRINGIN' IT)
December 2, 2005... Worst thing I've seen in a pileup: In a preseason game my rookie year, I was assigned to block Steve Tasker, the old special teams great, on a kickoff return, and I went and knocked him 5 yards in the air. I just crushed him. He never saw me...

Week 12 matchup.(NFL)
December 2, 2005... Dallas Clark TE, Colts vs. Troy Polamalu SS. Steelers Clark runs excellent routes and gains separation in man-to-man coverage by beating linebackers and safeties with his combination of size (6-3, 252) and speed. He is...

NFC east.(NFL)
December 2, 2005... DALLAS COWBOYS Coach Bill Parcells has made it clear he's going to split the running load among three players. Julius Jones will be the feature back, getting 18 to 20 carries per game, but Marion Barber will get at least one series per...

Scouts views: observations and opinion from two NFL scouts, one from each conference.(NFL)
December 2, 2005... Casey Hampton is a stalwart at nose tackle. He's a Pro Bowler. He's a big, strong guy who's hard to move. That's important for the Steelers because it's tough for opponents to run on them and for offensive linemen to get to the second level and...

NFC north.(NFL)
December 2, 2005... CHICAGO BEARS Though he prefers to play behind massive, two-gap defensive tackles, MLB Brian Urlachet has become comfortable taking on more blockers in the team's attacking, one-gap system. His legs are healthy, and he is making more plays...

How far the Bucs go will depend on Williams and Simms.(NFL)
December 2, 2005... After running for an unprecedented 434 yards in his first three NFL games, Bucs rookie Cadillac Williams rushed for only 82 in the next six games, two of which he missed with a foot injury. But when I studied those recent games on film last...

NFC south.(NFL)
December 2, 2005... ATLANTA FALCONS The pass rush has struggled since RE Brady Smith (toe) went down. His replacement, rookie Jonathan Babineaux, struggles against bigger tackles and is best suited to play inside. The defense has only one sack in three games...

NFC west.(NFL)
December 2, 2005... ARIZONA CARDINALS Since Antrel Rolle (knee) was hurt in Week 3, left corner has been a problem spot, and opponents are exploiting it; they have thrown at the left corner about 80 percent of the time. Robert Tate, who started on the left...

A new midway attraction.(NFL)
December 2, 2005... The Bears may look for more ways to get the ball into playmaking CB Nathan Vasher's hands, possibly as a punt returner. Although he lacks ideal size (5-10, 180) and recovery speed for a corner, Vasher has tremendous ball skills; he originally...

TSN scoreboard.(NFL)
December 2, 2005... TSN SCOREBOARD AFC EAST NE BUF W-L 6-4 4-6 Pct. .600 .400 PF 227 152 PA ...

Fearless forecast.(NFL)
December 2, 2005... Chicago at Tampa Bay. Both teams will try to grind it out in a field-position battle, but home-field advantage and a slightly better passing game will make a difference for Jon Gruden's team against Lovie Smith's familiar schemes. Buccaneers...

TSNumber 6.(NFL)
December 2, 2005... Field goals of 50 yards or more made by Arizon's Neil Rackers this season, including a 51-yarder Sunday against the Rams. That puts Rackers second on the NFL list, two behind Morten Andersen, who made eight field goals of 50-plus yards in 1995....

Pistons are even better without Brown.(NBA)
December 2, 2005... So it's a 1-point game last week, Detroit at Houston, and the thing that strikes you most is this: Everything the Pistons do in white-knuckle time just reeks of arrogance. They throw it in to Rasheed Wallace on the left box, and he scores...

Bucking convention: boosted by T.J. Ford's return from a career-threatening injury, Milwaukee is winning with a rare combination of size, shooting and--most important--speed.(NBA)
December 2, 2005... First, there was cheering, the frenzy of a home crowd watching its team cut a 21-point deficit to near single digits in the fourth quarter. Then there was a side pick-and-roll, with Bucks forward Joe Smith screening Timberwolves defenders Kevin...

The fall and rise of the Hendrick dynasty.(NASCAR)
December 2, 2005... From the outside, everything looked fine nine years ago at Hendrick Motorsports. The organization had just clinched the second of four consecutive titles--Terry Labonte was preparing to be feted in New York, and Jeff Gordon was the runner-up....

Why did the Chase drivers finish where they did?(Driver reports)
December 2, 2005... 1 Tony Stewart No. 20 A The team's determination and loyalty to Stewart is unmatched. Once it figured out the new tire-spoiler combination, it was smooth sailing from Michigan in June to Homestead. In the final 22 races of the season,...

The Ducks need to speed up their waddle.(COLLEGE BASKETBALL)
December 2, 2005... The curious thing about Oregon last season was not that it wound up scraping along the .500 line nor that the Ducks finished eighth in the Pac-10 and found themselves sitting out another NCAA Tournament. It's that it all happened at a pace...

Who has the best recruiting class for 2006?(COUNTERPOINTS)
December 2, 2005... Ohio State One player makes all the difference Had Ohio State signed Greg Oden--and only Oden--I still might be making the argument the Buckeyes recruited the nation's best class. Ohio State did not just get the No. 1 player for...

Five on the rise.(COLLEGE BASKETBALL)
December 2, 2005... Schools that have bright futures, thanks to their recruiting hauls during the early signing period: Washington. The Huskies have put together two straight great classes. The top catch for 2006: center Spencer Hawes. Don't be surprised to...

Relationship rescue: Dr. Phil would say just win, baby.(BASEBALL)
December 2, 2005... Regardless of who is to blame, Mariners manager Mike Hargrove is in the middle of a fight he can't win. Either Hargrove repairs his relationship with Ichiro Suzuki or Hargrove soon will be looking for another job. Hargrove and Mariners...

A.L. report.(BASEBALL)
December 2, 2005... RED SOX RHP Mike Timlin will turn 40 in March, but don't expect his play to decline much next season. He continues to rely heavily on his sinking fastball, which still hits the mid-90s. His second pitch, a slider, has a sharp bite. In addition,...

N.L. report.(BASEBALL)
December 2, 2005... The PADRES' primary need for 2006, improved outfield defense, should be resolved by last week's trade with the METS that netted CF Mike Cameron. Cameron, who was acquired for 1B/OF Xavier Nady, has few peers chasing down balls in the gaps, a...

Fantasy source.
December 2, 2005... PLAY ACTION BY BRENDAN ROBERTS As Fantasy Source writers, our jobs are to entertain and inform readers. However, sometimes our e-mailers do the entertaining. We get hundreds of e-mails a day, from the Netherlands to Hawaii. A few...

Gado--this guy is something.
December 2, 2005... Ever hear of Samkon Kaltho Gado? How about Sam Gado? He had been Anonymous. On his 23rd birthday, he became Somebody. That day, Brett Favre handed him the football 25 times and threw it to him four times. That day, the woebegone...

To know list: 8 noshes of brain food.(KNOW IT ALL)
December 9, 2005... [1] WINTER WONDERLAND A blizzard of green awaits baseball's free agents When the winter meetings begin in Dallas on Monday (see page 14), the developments we expect to see include the Blue Jays spending as never before, the Mets...

Caught on the fly.(KNOW IT ALL)
December 9, 2005... Paul Tagliabue's announcement that the NFL wants to return a team to L.A. Feels like New Year's Eve. You know, because there will be a dramatic countdown, followed by a bunch of blackouts. FAST FACT The Honda Civic has been named Motor...

Bob Hille's starting 5.(KNOW IT ALL)
December 9, 2005... 1 Conference title games. They were conceived as just another way to wring a few bucks out of the unsuspecting buying public-which reminds me... check out our online store for all your holiday needs. 2 College hoops. Let's be honest: This...

A timeout with Priest Holmes.(HANG TIME)
December 9, 2005... On his head and neck injuries I feel pretty good. I'm in great condition. What was recommended to me before I go forward with football is that I take some time off, have a few more tests done and then make a decision on the future. On...

Your turn.
December 9, 2005... I enjoy your player rankings, but you guys were way off with your NBA top 50 (TSN, #25). The most glaring error was the absurdly low ranking of Paul Pierce. Ranking him 28th is an insult to a guy who plays hard every night.--J.T. Weiner,...

HIV-positive player arrested, suspended.(RIPPED FROM THE HEADLINES)
December 9, 2005... While Canadian Football League players head to training camps next spring, Trevis Smith will go to a Surrey, British Columbia, courtroom to face a charge of aggravated sexual assault. Smith, 29, a linebacker with the Saskatchewan...

Hang man.(EXPOSURE)
December 9, 2005... How big is LeBron James in Cleveland? If you're looking at this Nike billboard down the street from Quicken Loans Arena, he's 212 feet wide and 10 stories high.

Inside the swap shop.(MLB)
December 9, 2005... When the baseball world congregates in Dallas next week for the winter meetings, the scene will be quite different from what you might envision. Popular perception. Crusty baseball geezers gather in a smoky room 'til the wee hours, trading...

Eli's coming: Someday soon, the Giants' quarterback will step out of his brother's imposing shadow-and win big.(NFL)(Cover Story)
December 9, 2005... Everybody knows Peyton Manning: Colts quarterback, owner of the NFL season record for touchdown passes, two-time league MVP, son of former Pro Bowl QB Archie. He is the guy flailing his arms, dropping into the shotgun, yelling to his teammates,...

The '05 drive: Gordon's curse, Busch's mouth and Junior's prayer helped make the latest NASCAR season one to remember--and one they'd like to forget.(NASCAR)
December 9, 2005... If there is one word to describe the 2005 Nextel Cup season, it's flatularbruggulous, as in too many flat tires. But there also were plenty of spectacular races, incredible breakout seasons and unexpected struggles by big-name drivers. ...

Tony Stewart.(Driver of the year)
December 9, 2005... Of course, this was a no-brainer, but consider this tribute: Mark Martin described Stewart as "the greatest racecar driver I've watched drive in this era" and as "my driving hero." Martin knows firsthand. He fought the No. 20 crew to the wire...

Rusty Wallace.(Comeback Driver of the Year)
December 9, 2005... Wallace knew this season was his last, and he wanted to exit the Nextel Cup Series with a roar, not a whimper. "I feel this team has earned it because we went from being a great team to having two tough years," says Wallace, 49. "This was...

Greg Zipadelli.(Crew Chief)
December 9, 2005... There are bosses, and there are leaders. Greg Zipadelli exemplifies the latter. Zipadelli has been the heartbeat of the No. 20 squad since its inception in the fall of 1998. Zippy leads by example. "I won't promise people the most money, but...

Mark Martin.(Dale Earnhardt Toughest Driver)
December 9, 2005... The main difference between Martin and the man this award is named for? Martin doesn't resort to intimidation to snuff out the competition; he relies on precision and determination. The main similarity? The sheer grit behind the wheel--no...

Kyle Busch.(Rookie of the Year)
December 9, 2005... Young master Busch won't win a popularity contest in the garage, but his fellow drivers recognize his performance numbers: one pole, two victories, 13 top 10s, including nine top fives. If he hadn't failed to finish eight races, Busch, 20,...

Jack Roush.(Owner of the Year)
December 9, 2005... Although NASCAR never will admit a fear of him, which other owner has forced it to rewrite the entire points system and also develop a team cap that limits the number of teams one organization can have? Only the Cat in the Hat. That's why his...

Busch and Truck Awards.(2005 NASCAR Awards)
December 9, 2005... The road to Martin Truex's second consecutive Busch Series title was filled with potholes. But what makes Truex, crew chief Kevin Manion and Chance 2 Motorsports so strong is their ability to come back after adversity. Nine races into the...

Get ready for an even better 2006.(INSIDER)
December 9, 2005... Coming off a scintillating end to the season, there will be more pleasant surprises in the months ahead. For starters, there are at least 15 driver changes in the Nextel Cup Series. Some retired, others moved to different teams or series,...

Why did the bottom feeders finish where they did?(DRIVER REPORTS)
December 9, 2005... Scott Riggs If there were a Reverse Chase, Riggs would have been the champion. That's the closest thing to an award one could offer him after two mediocre seasons on the Cup tour. It appeared Riggs' program was turning around after he...

Young should strike the pose.(COLLEGE FOOTBALL)
December 9, 2005... The decision is fairly simple once the parameters are clearly defined. The problem is, there are no guidelines. The annual Heisman Trophy ballot states: "I hereby designate (insert name, college) as my first choice to win the Heisman Memorial...

TSN's 12.5 half the size, twice the sizzle.(COLLEGE FOOTBALL)
December 9, 2005... TSN's 12.5 Half the size, twice the sizzle TV (all times Rk. Team (last week) W-L Next up Eastern) 1. USC (1) 11-0 UCLA, 12/3 4:30...

RB Garrett Wolfe, Northern Illinois.(PLAYER OF THE WEEK)
December 9, 2005... Wolfe was hungry for big yardage--and the end zone--against Western Michigan, running for 277 yards and five touchdowns as Northern Illinois clinched a spot in the MAC title game against Akron. Wolfe, who was the MAC's top rusher in 2004 with...

BIG blog on campus: views from the student section at sportingnews.com.
December 9, 2005... From Daniel Novinson, Stanford Daily Ever see the movie The Perfect Storm, where a bunch of factors conspired to form a beast of a Nor'easter? That's pretty much what happened to Stanford against Notre Dame. The Cardinal was 5-5 and...

Heisman watch.(COLLEGE FOOTBALL)
December 9, 2005... 1. Vince Young, Texas 3,369 combined passing-rushing yards, 31 combined TDs. 2. Reggie Bush, USC 2,338 all-purpose yards, 16 TDs. 3. Matt Leinart, USC 3,217 passing yards, 29 TDs. 4. Brady Quinn, Notre Dame 3,633 passing yards, 32 TDs. 5. Brian...

Tim Brando 3-and-out.(COLLEGE FOOTBALL)
December 9, 2005... 1 Enough with Oregon and the Pac-10 whining about two-loss Ohio State and Notre Dame going to the Fiesta Bowl instead of the Ducks. The Pac-10 agreed to the parameters of the BCS; if it wants to blame someone, it needs to look in the mirror....

The final frame: before bowling season opens for business--and Texas-USC becomes official--there's one more wild weekend to deal with.(COLLEGE FOOTBALL)
December 9, 2005... It's championship weekend, and even though everything seems as clear as Cardinal and Gold and Burnt Orange and White, the karma gods could throw the BCS a two-seam splitter. Or something like that. Look, it's highly unrealistic to think one or...