Just When You Thought The AFL Was Safe

((HT: Sports Business Daily))

Days after cancelling its 2009 season, the Arena Football League is facing legal action from its former television partner.

NBC has filed a lawsuit against the AFL "alleging that the league owes the network $1,597,320 in advertising revenue from broadcasts during the 2006 season," reports the Sports Business Journal.

During their four-year partnership from 2002-06, NBC and the AFL engaged in a revenue sharing agreement in which the league would "[collect] money from its sponsors and was required to pay NBC for those sponsors’ advertising units so that the network could recoup production costs and calculate the amount of net ad revenue the partners would share."

The suit alleges that the AFL ceased paying in 2006 after NBC told the league it did not want to renew the television deal for another season. (source Sports Media Watch)

PSU Downs Gonzaga in the Kennel

<<--click image for video

((story courtesy KREM 2 Sports))

SPOKANE, Wash. - The Portland State Vikings had to travel almost two days around a snow storm to make it to Spokane to play #7 Gonzaga in what was supposed to be a bounce-back win for the Zags after a tough OT loss to #2 UConn on Saturday. Gonzaga players and coaches walk off the floor after their loss to Portland State on Tuesday night.

Rather than turning in a road-weary performance, the Vikings (9-3) showed great hustle and got huge plays by the smallest player on the floor, 5'6" Jeremiah Dominguez, to allow the Vikings to walk away with one of the bigger upsets of the college basketball season as they beat Gonzaga 77-70 Tuesday night at the McCarthey Athletic Center.

Dominguez killed the Zags from beyond the arc, using his hair trigger release to score 25 points on 7-10 three-point shooting.

The Vikings also used their superior hustle in their drive-and-dish offense to score 27 second-chance points to Gonzaga's two second-chance points in only the third game Gonzaga has ever lost in the four year history of the McCarthey Athletic Center.

"Snow What" Part Deux- Ellis Fined 10-Grand

In the Shield's most recent attempt to earn their nickname of "No Fun League," New York Jets defensive End Shaun Ellis is the proud owner of a $10,000 fine for picking up a chunk of Qwest Field snow Sunday and tossing it up in to the stands.

"It was kind of like a little battlefield out there, so to speak," Ellis said. "I mean, it was just all in fun, going to the locker room."

Hell, if every fan that was tossing snowballs at the Jets in the video below as they walked off the field was fined 10-grand, the league would be rather well off this week.

According to the NFL, players are notified before each season that any contact with fans that potentially presents crowd-control issues and risk of injury is prohibited. Players are also informed that they must not confront fans during games and must leave any issues to security personnel.

Coach Eric Mangini thought his team was put in a dangerous predicament as it walked off the field, saying several people were pelted with snowballs.

"That situation in the stadium in general was not a very safe situation for anybody involved," Mangini said. "That doesn't justify us getting involved in it on the flip side of that. He understands that. We thought that there could've been more done to prevent what was happening in terms of the safety from snowballs coming down."

Mangini seemed to indicate the Jets could raise a stink with the league regarding the behavior of Seattle's fans. What's the league gonna do...? Fine all the fans...???

"I wouldn't want that to happen at our stadium," he said. "I'm sure Seattle didn't want that, either. It's just something that hopefully can be avoided whether it's us, Seattle, whoever in the future. You just don't want someone to get struck and hurt in that environment."

((HT: the youtube))

Alexander The Great's Latest Comeback

Those of us here at OSG HQ are pimps for the puck and always will be...
Seems last night, the New York Rangers thought a 4-nothing lead was enough against the Washington Capitals... they thought wrong...

Three goals in the third and the game-winner in OT by birthday boy Shaone Morrison ((yes, that is how he spells it- he's handcuffed hockey folks for years with that)) gives the Caps the 5-4 win and two points on the road...

"They stopped playing hockey," Alexander Ovechkin said. "They probably believed 4-0 they'd win the game. They tried to play conservative, but we play a different way. We play a hard, physical game and take lots of shots. You see the results."

Here's your highlights from our friends at CSN and the NHL...
Joe Beninati is on the bark...

Santa Invades Steelers Presser

For a few minutes this was, probably, funny...

Bill DiFabio, a sports announcer from Washington, Pennsylvania, traditionally dresses up as Santa for the pre-Christmas media gathering and often pokes fun at the Steelers coach for a few moments. Former coach Bill Cowher often went along with the gag.

This time around, Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin got to witness it first-hand.

For close to five minutes... some of the video is below...notice we said "some..."

Tomlin played along asking, "What have you got for me, Santa?" and inviting DiFabio to join him at the table at the front of the room.

To end the unrehearsed skit, Tomlin -- who could be heard sighing several times throughout the comedy bit -- grudgingly agreed to toss a football to the fake Santa.

"If that will get you out of here," Tomlin said.

Later, the Steelers said there would be no future appearances from Santa at any of their news conferences.

Merciful ((insert-divine-being here))

((HT: NFL Network/the youtube))

Unassisted Tackler Arraigned In Mass Court

Christopher Gasper of the Boston Globe brings us this week's contender for "Social Darwinism Winner of the Week."

"The fan who came out of the stands and tackled Patriots linebacker Junior Seau during the fourth quarter of Sunday's 47-7 win over the Arizona Cardinals was arraigned yesterday in Wrentham District Court on charges of trespassing and assault and battery.

Todd Kobus, 31, of Attleborough ((pictured under Seau/thanks, Matthew West-Boston Herald)) was arrested by the Foxborough Police at Sunday's game after he tackled a startled Seau, who said he thought it was a teammate joking around until he was rolling around on the ground and realized it was a fan in street clothes.

"The subject jumped over the wall and proceeded to tackle Junior Seau," said Foxborough Police Deputy Chief John Chandler.

(("Understatement of the Year" Late Contender))

The Patriots revoked the season-ticket privileges associated with the seat that Kobus was in. He was ordered by the court to stay away from Gillette Stadium, pending his trial. Kobus, who entered a standard not-guilty plea, is due back in court for a preliminary hearing February 17."

Post-game with Seau is below...

We wouldn't want to cross this guy still...

((HT: NECN/Boston Globe))

Not The Way To Promote A Bowl Game

The folks at the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl were proud owners of one of the more gruesome injuries of the early post-season...

Southern Miss wideout DeAndre Brown had his leg completely crumple underneath him as he was heading for the endzone...

The Golden Eagles, for those of you who care, beat the Trojans in overtime 30-27- winning their fifth game in a row in the process. They finish the season 7-6 which gives them their 15th winning season in a row...



Sidebar: When the game began, the Golden Eagles were penalized the loss of a timeout because they wore all-gold uniforms, defying orders that the they wear white jerseys as the designated visiting team.

Waddell Discusses Kovalchuk's Future

Atlanta Thrashers General Manager Don Waddell was a guest on Rogers Sportsnet's HockeyCentral at Noon with Nick Kypreos on Sportsnet and the Fan Radio Network.

Waddell obviously wants to keep Kovy around by the time his contract is up at the end of next season. He says all the right things...

For now...

This is all of us holding our collective breath for the next year as Kovy plays out the string in Atlanta and the franchise then moves to another city altogether.

You can listen to the interview with Kipper and Sportsnet's Daren Milliard by clicking in the black...

((HT: Fan590.com))

UPDATE: Bruce Garrioch from the Sun Newspapers north of the border is reporting the possibility of a Kovalchuk-Marian Gaborik blockbuster swap with the Minnesota Wild.

The principles would be Gaborik and Kim Johnsson for Kovalchuk and Colby Armstrong.

The issues: Gaborik's injury history and his desire to be locked in for a long-term deal.

The numbers: Gaborik makes US$6.5-million and US$7.5-million for the next two seasons. He then becomes an unrestricted free agent. Johnsson will make US$4.8-million, US$5.2-million, and US$5.3-million the next three seasons. He becomes a UFA after the 2009-2010 season.

Kovalchuk will make US$7.5-million this year and next.
Armstrong is the bargain for the whole deal- US$1.2-million this season, and then he becomes a restricted free agent.

The decision: Does Don Waddell trade his signature franchise player and alienate the remainder of a dwindling fan base knowing he won't be able to re-sign Kovalchuk for major dollars after the end of next season...? And does Waddell take a flyer on Gaborik with his injury history next season and try to re-sign him knowing Gaborik may not want to stay after his southern experience...?

The other decision: How quickly can Wild GM Doug Risebrough get Waddell to pull the trigger...? Risebrough gets a sniper and an up and coming forward in the deal. Waddell gets a wonky, moody ((at times)) star-quality player and a solid defenseman.

Poinsettias and Paradise

San Diego, California is beautiful in late December. Hawaii is of course paradise. The college bowl season heads to two great locales so here's the breakdown, if that's what you want to call it, of the next round of bowl games.

San Diego Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl - December 23rd - Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, CA
Boise State vs TCU (I like TCU)

Here's a special prize chosen just for you: Your very own 8 gig IPOD touch for the players of both teams. There's more, a Tommy Hilfiger Watch, a certificate from Best Buy and a hooded sweatshirt from Sports Tek

The sweat shirt is re-giftable but the rest sounds great. Way to go Poinsettia Bowl.

SWAG Meter: 8.5

Bowl Event: Grand Prix carting for the players. They must of spent all their money on the SWAG.

Final Analysis: Did the Poinsettia Bowl luck out with this marquee match-up or what. Unbeaten Boise State was a long shot for a BCS bowl, didn't get it and has landed in the Poinsettia Bowl. The Broncos will face the TCU Horned Frogs who finished 10-2 and have the 2nd best defense in the nation. This WAC - Mountain West showdown is must see TV.

Sherton Hawaii Bowl - December 24 - Honolulu, HI
Notre Dame vs Hawaii (It's a pick'em)

What Do They Win Don Pardo: Well each player from both teams will receive Hawaii Bowl custom backpack, KICKER IKick500 ipod/iphone, a custom Hawaii Bowl tie, Oakley sunglasses, a Kahala Aloha shirt, a Wearever beach chair, a beach towel, a team t-shirt, an SHB calendar, a Hawaii Bowl hat, a Hawaii Bowl visor and Luggage Spotter with bag tags.

A trip to Hawaii and a bag of gifts. The Fighting Irish will be thrilled. Keep it all, even the tie.

SWAG Meter: 9.5

Bowl Event: Forget the formal events, just go to the beach and chill. Check out the scenery (if you know what I mean.)

Final Analysis: Hawaii may be paradise but this match-up is anything but. It's a home game for the Warriors against Notre Dame. Unless your family is just annoying the hell out of you or your football withdraws are so severe you can't stop shaking, avoid this one. Besides, the warm weather scenics will tick you off.

Snow What... Welker Gets A Flag...

For this...

All we have to say is that this 15-yard penalty is profoundly ridiculous...
((HT: NFL on Fox/the youtube))



You have got to be kidding me...
Didn't someone pull out a Sharpie out of their sock and get nothing from the officials...???
Just axin'...

Revenge Is A Dish Best Served Wet...

From what I understand, last year’s NAIA Championship Game was held in the bottom of a swimming pool, a band box, and a monsoon all wrapped up in one.

That’s not to slam Savannah, Tennessee in any way. That’s just the feedback I was getting comparing last year’s home game to this year’s in Rome, Georgia.

It was cold. It was wet. It was small. And it never stopped.
The rematch of number one and number two was all it was supposed to be.
Two great defenses beating each other’s brains in… point blank…
You couldn’t make any mistakes if you wanted to win this one…

I slap you... you slap me back. I hit you. You try to hit me harder.

The Carroll College Saints ((pictured, thanks Lisa Kunkel/Helenair.com)) blinked first.
A blocked punt of all things broke the game wide open…

10-nothing at the half… and the USF Cougars were thirty minutes away from their eighth shutout of the year… Eighth shutout…? In 14 games…

Truly ridiculous…

Six sacks of freshman quarterback Matt Ritter… the linebackers were in the kid’s uniform from the first series… and standing on the sidelines you could hear the hitting from guys like Kyle Cummings, Marlon Lobban, and Tyler Newman all day.

I was talking, as I often do, to people who are far smarter than I am about the game. Since it was being played on something that resembled a Slip-n-Slide on the grass at Barron Stadium, I thought the game would be in the thirties. You know…? Offenses know where they’re going. The defenses have to play on their heels…

That kind of thing…

I was reminded of that fact after three quarters at 10-nothing…

“I thought you said this game was going to be played in the thirties…?”
Shorter Hawks Head Coach Phil Jones ribbed me about it.

“Yep, I was right on target. That’s why I’m only 55-percent on my picks for the season.”

And I don’t know what it is about fourth quarters in playoff or title games, but it seems that offenses just open up and do some uncharacteristic things.

In the playoffs for high schools the week before, I’m seeing teams that run the Delaware Wing-T throw like the University of Hawai’i. This time around, Sioux Falls QB Lorenzo Brown, who was their leading rusher on the day, completes one of his two throws on the day- 50-plus yards for another score to Jon Ryan to make it 17-zip.

Brown was two-for-six passing by the way… for the game…
If you don’t need to pass, don’t… Brown and USF didn’t…

Carroll goes to the hurry-up and it seemed to free Ritter up a bit. They scored to close the gap to 17-7, but Drew DeGroot picked Ritter’s pocket a little later and ran it back for a score. A last pick sealed the game and the win for the Cougars…

They got their revenge over Carroll from last year’s deal, but I honestly think they view the game as a separate gig from one year to the next.

And they were the ones to get to do that ceremonial last-slide across the field. Any last hope that all the USF uniforms would come home white and/or clean was gone by then.

“It was an awful, awful feeling last year watching them celebrate,” Sioux Falls senior linebacker Tyler Newman said. “To get to do it ourselves by sliding across the field this year was a great, great feeling. ... We wanted revenge on Carroll real bad.”

“It feels a lot better to have won,” said Cougars coach Kalen DeBoer. “I’m proud of these guys.”

And for the guy who played there and gets to coach there now, the pride goes a lot deeper than what he tells you.

The city of Rome put on a first-class show- no question…

Now if only they could work on that weather machine they’re building and have it ready for next year’s game, we’d be all set…

I’m tired of umbrellas and all-weather boots…

Rhodes Is The Choice To Lead Cyclones

In the bizzaro world of the silly season of college football this one is right up there. Remember Gene Chizik abruptly left Iowa State to take the Auburn job. So ISU athletic director Jamie Pollard picks his next Cyclone head coach from... Auburn.

Paul Rhods, who was Auburn's defensive coordinator last season, will become the new head coach of Iowa State. The University confirmed the hire this morning according to the Des Moines Register. Rhods will be introduced at the Iowa State basketball game tonight.

The hiring of Rhods pleases the boosters that write the big checks. Richard Stark, a prominent ISU booster was quoted in Saturday's Des Moines Register “I think this is one of those hires that will not raise a lot of eyebrows, but I think it’s a helluva hire,’’ Stark said. “He’s a smart guy, a charismatic guy, an Ankeny guy. I think he’s a helluva pick.’’

The Ankeny reference is because Rhods is from Ankeny, Iowa. He even coached a few years as an assistant at Iowa State.

Rhods said in a statement “It has been a professional goal of mine to become a head coach since my dad introduced me to the game as a kid and I could not have found a more perfect place than Iowa State, I know how special Ames and ISU were to me during my first tenure and having the chance to return and lead this program reads like a Hollywood script."

Photo Courtesy:Des Moines Register File Photo

Revenge At The Rivers- USF Style

"You guys finish scouting us yet...?"

USF Director of Athletics William Sanchez showed up at practice and noticed all the coaches looking at his team prepare for a title game.

Some were college coaches. Some were even local high school coaches looking for another day or two of looking at a sport they love so much...

Shorter Hawks Assistant Head Coach Mike Bartik was at a USF practice during Championship Week. He and Offensive Coordinator Tony Lundy were sitting on one of the metal benches on the track next to the practice field.

I asked why coaches come to these kinds of practices. You think, on some level maybe, it stings a little bit since the home town team is watching USF and Carroll playing for a title and you're hosting the party.

"This is what it's all about," Coach Bartik explained. "You're looking at some of the best in NAIA Division one football."

Maybe it's a practice habit. Maybe it's a routine. Something you can add...
And in USF's case, they run the same defense Shorter does.
It's pointers and compare/contrast...

University of Sioux Falls Head Coach Kalen DeBoer ((pictured, thanks usfcougars.com)) is a legacy...

Went there, played there, coached there, now head coaching there...
And he's this/close to being in his third straight title game...

38 and 3 in his time as a Head Coach...
Not bad...

He's a guy in his mid-30's who looks like he could still run you over if he felt like it.


He'll go over a pass play at practice with his high-powered offense step-by-step in a warm-up suit if he has to in order to get the point across...


He's been up against Carroll before in a lot of big games... recently, it's been on the losing end. Two games in particular stick out- last year's loss in the title game and the blow-out loss in the semi-finals in 2005.


"We, probably, learned more from losses sometimes than wins," DeBoer says. "And they've improved our program. We looked at how we trained and how we recruited. We even changed our defense after the semi-final loss in 2005- going from a 4-3 to a 3-4 which is what we have now."


But he also admits that you have to live in the now.
Last year's game, in particular, was last year's game.


"There are some key similarities," he continues. "But the defense is our backbone, and on offense we have to find a way to score. This game, you have to look at the spacing of your line on the inside. It's about the passing game and defending the pass. It's the 14th game of the season. You work out and you're moving on. We're not in awe of the championship. It's fun. You get to see the sights, but we're focused on our goals."


DeBoer is also complimentary of his counterpart in Coach Van Diest. He knows the game against Carroll will be a hard fought one. But the thing that seems to impress him the most is the class the program exhibits from the top down.


The word DeBoer uses when describing the Saints' class as a team is "consistently."


"There will be times, when you're playing other teams where they might punch or push after a gain of no yards. They ((Carroll)) don't do that. They play the game of football the right way, the way it was meant to be played. We have a lot of respect for each other."

And he's also glad that the team can feel its fingers...


SIDENOTE: At the Friday "Champions of Character" Banquet at the Forum in Rome, Carroll linebacker extraordinare Owen Koeppen was named NAIA Player of the Year.

The biggest roar came from his teammates, all sitting around him at the banquet. He's a "quiet leader," by his own admission.

"It feels great. It hasn’t really set in,” Koeppen said. “It’s a representation of Carroll College. I’m really honored to accept it as an individual award, but without the team and coaches it wouldn’t be possible.”

You talk to him and get the impression it never has been ((and never will be)) about him on the field. He cuts an imposing figure even at 6-2, 235. And when you talk to his head coach, Van Diest says that he knew what Koeppen was capable of when he transferred from Weber State before his Sophomore season.

AD Bruce Parker was one of a few people who knew the award was going to Koeppen, but the secret was well-guarded. Parker says maybe "three people knew."

Whaddya wanna bet Carroll's number 51 has had a big spot shadow around him in film sessions the last two weeks...?

Winter...??? Classic...

((HT: Chicago Tribune))

Jane, stop this crazy thing!!!
I don't know if this is an omen or not...
They couldn't even get the Zamboni to Wrigley in one piece...

Friday Afternoon Dis And Dat...

Late last night, the Boston Red Sox thought they were out of the Mark Teixeira sweepstakes...

At least that's what they said publicly...
SI's Jon Heyman calls shenanigans and posturing...

Braves General Overseer John Schuerholz is somewhat angry over the whole Rafael Furcal "he's here now he's not" deal...

The choice paragraph from Jeff Schultz's piece is below...

Yeah, we know... it's two paragraphs...

“Having been in this business for 40-some years, I’ve never seen anybody treated like that,” Schuerholz said. “The Atlanta Braves will no longer do business with that company — ever. I told [agent] Arn Tellem that we can’t trust them to be honest and forthright. I told him that in all my years, I’ve never seen any [agency] act in such a despicable manner.
“It was disgusting and unprofessional. We’re a proud organization, and we won’t allow ourselves to be treated that way. I advised Arn Tellem that whatever players he represents, just scratch us off the list. Take the name of the Atlanta Braves off their speed dial. They can deal with the other 29 clubs, and we’ll deal with the other hundred agents.”

Heyman catches up with Fookie's agent, who again denies a bait and switch...

PGA Tour Commish Tim Finchem wants the number of unexcused absences from his players to decrease severely... What...? He doesn't like the current field at the Reno-Tahoe Open...?

Both Phillip Fulmer and Terry Bowden are interested in the Iowa State job...
Why...? Just flat-out why...? We ask and beseech for an answer...?????

While UGA is welcoming Jeff Owens for another year in 2009, they may lose Stacey Searles to Auburn. Searles is in talks with The Chizik about a possible upgrade from his offensive line position on Mark Richt's staff...

Bowl Season Is Here

OK college football fans, get on your comfy clothes, park yourself in your easy chair and make sure you have the basics close by, chips, dip and your favorite beverage (alcoholic or non-alcoholic). For the next 2 weeks you will be in heaven. It's time to go bowling.

Brother Phil has already covered the games, the match-ups and who he thinks will win and I'm taking his picks to Vegas, (just kidding, bad economy). Let me go a little more in depth if I may with the 1st batch of bowl games.

EagleBank Bowl - December 20th - RFK Stadium, Washington, DC
Wake Forest vs Navy (I like the Deacons in this one)

What Do They Get Don Pardo: Well the players from both schools will receive a Sony 8" portable DVD player with a carry case, a custom woven afghan with logo, an autographed football and a wool hat with logo.

The DVD player is cool and a wool hat is OK. Who has autographed the football? And a afghan for football players? A free Christmas gift for your girlfriend, mom, grandma, etc.

SWAG Meter: 3 (on a scale of 10)

Payout: $1 Million

Bowl Events: An evening at the ESPN Zone. (Guess who is televising this game?)

Final Analysis: Good match-up to start this bowl off. Wake Forest lost to Navy earlier this year so there is a revenge factor. Navy will bring the pomp and circumstance, Wake Forest will bring a few invited guests so there might be just a few empty seats at RFK Stadium but that's OK with the 4-letter word, it's just a TV show.

New Mexico Bowl - December 20 - University Stadium, Albuquerque, NM
Colorado State vs Fresno State (A Fresno State blowout)

What's Behind Door Number 1?: It's a backpack, an Oakley backpack for the players. Inside is an Oakley watch and an Oakley beanie. There's more, a RCA video recorder/camera, a New Mexico Bowl pen by Quill, a New Era cap and a year subscription to ESPN The Magazine.

Guess whose televising this bowl game too. The Oakley freebies sound good and who wouldn't want a camera. The rest re-gift.

SWAG Meter: 6

Payout: It's a secret

Bowl Events: Chili Cook-off at El Pinto. 6 players from each team are given 45 minutes to turn raw ingredients in chili. A panel of judges decided the winner. In the previous 2 chili cook-offs, the winner lost the bowl game. Now that's in depth information.

Final Analysis: Nobody east of the Rockies cares about this game. It's a reward in a way for the Rams and extra practices for the Bulldogs. It's a big event in Albuquerque so a big crowd will attend.

magicJack St. Petersburg Bowl - December 20- Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, FL
Memphis vs South Florida (Go with the Bulls)

What's In The Prize Box: Players from each team will get a Flip (digital video device), a Ogio bag, Sony headphones, a commemorative football, a beach towel and a bucket hat.

The Flip and Ogio bag sound cool, the rest is weak.

SWAG Meter: 3

Payout: No Comment

Bowl Events: A dinner cruise and a beach bash on St. Pete Beach.

Final Analysis: It's a home game for South Florida only in a different venue no doubt to inflate the gate. Memphis is just happy to be there and won't bring anyone. This isn't the Final Four. By the way, magicJack is a device you plug in to improve you cordless or cell phone reception. Operators are standing by.

Las Vegas Bowl - December 20 - Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada
BYU vs Arizona (This is a great match up and should be a great game. I like BYU by a field goal)

Show Them What They Have Won: Players from both teams receive a Wii System, an Oakley Holeshot 3hd watch and a Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl hat.

Give away the hat, the rest sounds sweet.

SWAG Meter: 8

Payout: $1 million (to be picked up at the cash window)

Bowl Events: Planet Hollywood Resort to watch Stomp Out Loud. Hard to top Las Vegas for entertainment

Final Analysis: 2 west coast teams that people east of the big rocks will watch. The Mountain West Conference has owned the Pac-10 this year so their is plenty of intrigue.

Revenge At The Rivers- The Carroll Side

That’s what they’re calling this particular match-up…

Every game has to have a hook. Especially when you’re talking about two teams from Helena, Montana and Sioux Falls, South Dakota that get to play for a national title. It’s Number One and Number Two- Carroll College ((LB-slash NAIA stud Owen Koeppen pictured, thanks Carroll College SID)) and the University of Sioux Falls

It’s amazing what a playoff system will do for you…
Are you listening in Indianapolis…?
Didn't think so...

Thursday was the day for the standard press conference. The two teams trot out their coaches and key players, and it’s the job of us media types to draw out good quotes with good questions.

On the Carroll side, you’re talking about the reigning National Champions. For those of you that may know the name in some deep, dark recess of your brain- it’s where the last name “Petrino” actually means something without having anyone cringe or scowl.

Mike Van Diest is the head man now and he hasn’t changed the steamroller that is the Carroll College Saints. How does this squad continue being one of the top teams in the NAIA…? From what I’m told by football powers far smarter me, there are only two Division I-AA schools in the state ((Montana and Montana State)). If you can’t or don’t go there, you have five NAIA schools to choose from. Most choose Carroll…

The Saints arrived at about 2:00 AM. They were a day behind their anticipated showing in Rome. Their charter flight was supposed to come from the Midwest. If you’ve watched either Julie Martin or Jim Cantore on the Weather Channel recently- that idea didn’t work out so well. They waited a day, had meetings, and kept on going.
Another plane showed up and got them to Rome in time...

Didn’t faze Coach Van or the team at all…
Remember this is a team that came from 20-below zero temps to play in the 60’s.
They were wearing shorts at practice and flopped around in the mud when called upon...

There are 27 new players on his squad this year so the whole idea of his guys getting wrapped up in defending may not exist publicly. Coach Van views the teams as two different teams.

“It’s very fitting that these two teams are here to play,” he admitted. “It’s great that Carroll and the University of Sioux Falls are here at this moment. We all have goals in a season. From where we came from playing Azusa Pacific in August to now, and then you win that semi-final… there is that anticipation of ‘Hey, you’re playing in a national championship.”

He did it with a freshman quarterback, too.

And Matt Ritter was the fourth QB he had to use this season because of injuries.

“I didn’t envision in August that I would compete for a spot.”
Yeah…? But I did ask him as he was leaving if even he thought about what was going on...

"I never thought this would be what happened, it's been a fun ride."

Coach Van followed up that quote quickly by saying that if Ritter wasn’t playing QB, he would have found a spot for him as a receiver or something. He’s that much of a competitor and player for Carroll. But Matt has taken to the role and taken on the defenses he’s face- no worries.

But for Carroll to repeat, they know the following…
A) They’re the hunted…
B) Game plan stuff…? The USF linebackers and safeties are fast.
The offense presents a real threat…

“With all their shifts and motions,” Coach Van continued, “they’re well-planned and well-coached. They’re real fun to watch.”

And that’s why coaches showed up at the USF practice…

Sundin To Canucks

Spurning his old team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, 37-year-old Mats Sundin ((pictured, thanks AFP)) has selected the Vancouver Canucks to be his bestest buddies for the remainder of the 2008-2009 season.

Sundin had his final two as the New York Rangers and the Canucks, but he wil now receive a pro-rated salary of US$10-million for the rest of the season at GM Place.

"I am truly excited to be joining the Canucks," said Sundin in a team statement. "Once I made the decision to return to play a few weeks ago, the Vancouver opportunity was simply the best overall fit. I want to thank Mike Gillis and the entire Canucks organization for their professionalism throughout this entire process."

"We are very excited to have Mats join the Vancouver Canucks," said general manager Mike Gillis. "Playing previously in two Canadian markets and consistently being among team and League leaders in scoring, Mats has proven that he can excel under pressure. He adds a wealth of experience, leadership and skill to the Canucks."

Montreal, Vancouver, Chicago, Ottawa, Philadelphia, the Rangers, and Toronto had all once courted Sundin after the Hab's window of exclusive negotiations ended in the summer. The Canucks, it is rumored, had a two-year, US$20-million offer that was never pulled off the table.

Sundin cannot join the Canucks until December 27th due to the Christmas roster freeze instituted by the National Hockey League.

Eric Duhatschek from the Globe and Mail checks in on the Sundin signing in black...

NASCAR-Grant Lawsuit Settled

And this is all you'll get, apparently, from both parties...

Courtesy of NASCAR their ownselves...

"At a mediation held in New York on December 3, 2008, Ms. Mauricia Grant settled her discrimination lawsuit with her former employer, NASCAR. Ms. Grant was represented by her attorneys Morelli Ratner PC. NASCAR was represented by Jackson Lewis. Neither NASCAR nor Ms. Grant admits liability or wrongdoing by way of the settlement.

“We’re glad to have the case settled on mutually acceptable terms,” said NASCAR Managing Director of Corporate Communications Ramsey Poston. “NASCAR remains dedicated to maintaining a professional work environment for all employees at all times and we wish Ms. Grant well in her future endeavors.”

The specific terms of the settlement agreement remain confidential and both sides agreed not to publicly discuss the details of the case or the terms of the agreement going forward."

What do you wanna bet there was a large check with some zeroes involved before this is all said and done...???

Hmmm...???

Grant had filed a $225-million discrimination lawsuit. She claimed that she was routinely subjected to sexual and racial harassment and that when she finally complained to her bosses, NASCAR fired her.

NASCAR's key assertion was that Grant never filed a single complaint about any harrassment she allegedly endured throughout her time at NASCAR. Further, NASCAR claims that Grant often described herself using racial stereotypes and was repeatedly reprimanded for tardiness and other behavioral problems.

Those of us here at OSG think everything from both parties fell somewhere in the middle...

Andy Kennedy Accused Of Assault

Ole Miss head coach Andy Kennedy returns to Cincinnati and ends up in jail.

Kennedy was arrested early Thursday morning charged with misdemeanor assault. He is accused of attacking a taxi driver and shouting racial slurs at him.

A report says that Kennedy was the "aggressor" and punched the cab driver, Mohammed Ould Jiddou, and used racial slurs during the attack.

Kennedy has hired an attorney, Mike Allen who is a former prosecutor in the Cincinnati area and entered a not guilty plea on behalf of Kennedy this morning. Hamilton said Kennedy, "emphatically denies this and emphatically denies making any racial slurs."

According to an OSG source, Kennedy and Ole Miss athletic director Pete Boone are meeting about his immediate future. The Rebels play Louisville tonight in the SEC/Big East challenge it is not known at this time whether Kennedy will coach in the game.

Kennedy was the interim head coach at the University of Cincinnati during the 2005-06 season when Bob Huggins stepped down.

Photo Courtesy: University of Mississippi