The Sports Rumors

Owens to Jessica Simpson: Stay Away

Terrell Owens has gone on the record about how he feels about Jessica Simpson, and he didn’t hold back.

“Right now, Jessica Simpson is not a fan favorite — in this locker room or in Texas Stadium,” Owens said Wednesday.

“With everything that has happened, obviously with the way Tony played and the comparison between her and Carrie Underwood, I think a lot of people feel she has taken his focus away, other than that, she was high on my list until last week.

“Oh, I got a message for her when we make the playoffs. Just stay tuned,” he added. 

Not a Terrell Owens fan myself, but I’m glad he said what was on everyone’s mind.  It’ll be interesting to find out how Romo reacts to these comments, but they are true.  It’s simple…keep people who know nothing about football out of Texas Stadium; or any stadium for that matter.

College Football Bowl Predictions (3 of 4)

Dec 30, 8pm ESPN, Petrosun Independence Bowl. Alabama (6-6) vs Colorado (6-6)
Neither of these teams deserves a bowl game. This should be a sloppy, turnover-filled game.
Pick: Colorado 28 - Alabama 17

Dec 31, 12:30pm ESPN, Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl. California (6-6) vs Air Force (9-3)
Cal, after losing 6 of their last 7 games, should not be in a bowl game this year… period. Those players have quit and Air Force should have their way with them. It is laughable that Cal goes bowling while Troy (8-4) sits at home.
Pick: Air Force 48 - Cal 35

Dec 31, 2pm CBS, Sun Bowl. #23 South Florida (9-3) vs Oregon (8-4)
Remember when Oregon had a Heisman-lock at QB in Dennis Dixon and were throttling teams with their spread option attack? Well, Dixon went down as did the play from Oregon. USF has a decent qb and an athletic, speedy defense that will get after you.
Pick: South Florida 21 - Oregon 14

Dec 31, 2pm ESPN2, Roady’s Humanitarian Bowl. Georgia Tech (7-5) vs Fresno St (8-4)
Who wants to travel to Boise, Idaho for a bowl game? Georgia Tech has the talent to beat Fresno St, but I think they are just going to mail it in and wait for the Paul Johnson era to begin.
Pick: Fresno St 31 - Georgia Tech 27

Dec 31, 4pm ESPN, Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl. Kentucky (7-5) vs Florida St (7-5)
Another ho-hum matchup. Kentucky started out on fire and turned into, well, Kentucky football. FSU had big plans for the year but the game and todays players seem to have passed Bobbah by. I think Woodson has a big day in his last game as a Wildcat.
Pick: Kentucky 30 - Florida St 17
Note: this game may even be uglier than this due to the cheating scandal at FSU… ouch.

Dec 31, 5:30pm NFL Network, Insight Bowl. Indiana (7-5) vs Oklahoma St (6-6)
Indiana fans this year, like Rutgers fans last year, are pissed that their first bowl game in ages won’t be on broadcast tv. In the words of Oklahoma St HC Mike Gundy, “THATS GARBAGE!” At any rate, Indiana is riding a wave of emotion and I think it continues through to this game, despite said coach Gundy Being “A MAN… 40!”
Pick: Indiana 37 - Oklahoma St 35

Dec 31, 7:30pm ESPN, Peach Bowl. #15 Clemson (9-3) vs #22 Auburn (8-4)
I refuse to call this the Chik-Fil-A Bowl. This will be a very good game. Clemson’s Cullen Harper has come on strong to finish the season at QB and the backfield combo of Spiller and Davis is as good as anybody in the country. Will Muschamp’s boys will be fired up on D for this game. Unless Brandon Cox screws the pooch a la Sean Glennon last year, look for Auburn to win in a “Tommy Bowden being Tommy Bowden” type of game.
Pick: Auburn 31 - Clemson 21

College Football Bowl Predictions (2 of 4)

Dec 28, 5pm ESPN, Champs Sports Bowl. #14 Boston College (10-3) vs Michigan St (7-5)
Boston College got screwed with their bowl bid, but they have nobody to blame but themselves: that is what happens when your “fan base” doesn’t travel well… or at all. At any rate, BC outclasses Sparty all around.
Pick: Boston College 24 - Michigan St 14

Dec 28, 8pm NFL Network, Texas Bowl. TCU (7-5) vs Houston (8-4)
Yawn. TCU was expecting bigger things this year. Houston has had an OK year, for a mid-major. Nobody will be able to watch this bowl because it is on NFL network.
Pick: Houston 31 - TCU 21

Dec 28, 8:30pm ESPN, Emerald Bowl. Maryland (6-6) vs Oregon St (8-4)
Nobody feared the turtle this year, mostly because Maryland was too banged up. Oregon St. had a few wins over ranked teams… although those ranked teams were Cal (bad decision by freshman 3rd string QB) and Oregon (who had given up after the Dixon injury). Heres to the best 6-6 team in America.
Pick: Maryland 28 - Oregon St 17

Dec 29, 1pm ESPN, Meineke Car Care Bowl. #25 Connecticut (9-3) vs Wake Forest (8-4)
Connecticut is not a legitimate top 25 team, Wake Forest is. Both coaches are very good though, so this game could get very interesting.
Pick: Wake Forest 27 - Connecticut 24

Dec 29, 4:30pm ESPN, AutoZone Liberty Bowl. UCF (10-3) vs Mississippi St (7-5)
This game will be highly watchable. Kevin Smith from UCF is lights out and UCF showed they can hang with the big boys by almost beating Texas early in the season. Mississippi St seems to have turned a corner under Sylvester Croom with some tough victories this year.
Pick: Mississippi St 23 - UCF 21

Dec 29, 8pm ESPN, Valero Alamo Bowl. Penn St (8-4) vs Texas A&M (7-5)
Not much to say for this game, it should be very boring football. Franchione is out at A&M, so look for them to lose.
Pick: Penn St 14 - Texas A&M 10

Overrated Vikings and NFC Playoff Predictions

Why is everyone suddenly hopping on Minnesota’s bandwagon?  Because they’ve won 5 straight games, 4 of which are against teams with losing records?  Tavaris Jackson is playing good? Really?  5 touchdown and 5 interceptions is good?  Wow.  I guess NFL quarterbacks really are that bad if Tavaris Jackson is suddenly considered “good”. 

I listened to analyst after analyst talk about the scariest team to play if your Green Bay, Dallas, Seattle or Tampa Bay is Minnesota; not Washington.  Let me point out that it was Washington that went into Green Bay and lost by 3.  It was Washington that went into Dallas and was inside the 10 yard line, down by 5 with seconds remaining before Campbell made an errant throw that ended the game.  It was Washington that was inside the 15 yard line of Tampa Bay, on the road, before Ronde Barber had an interception to seal the win for the Bucs.  Yes, I understand that they lost all three games but by an average of 4 points!  Minnesota on the other hand lost by 7 and most recently, 34-0 to Green Bay this season.  They lost by 10 to Dallas.  They didn’t play Seattle or Tampa Bay.  Now look at those games and explain to me why Minnesota is the bigger threat.  Three of the four division winners have defenses that can stop the run.  So you think Tavaris Jackson is going to go into Lambeu, Texas Stadium, or Raymond James and win with his arm?  Please. 

I’m not saying that Washington is suddenly New England-esque or anything, but they are better than Minnesota.  Their defense is clicking and getting better each week.  From 5 weeks ago to now they have given up, in order, 28, 19, 17, 16, and 10 points.  That’s the kind of trend you want to see going into the final two games of the season. 

Here’s what’s going to happen.  Minnesota is going to get beat at home by Washington, then go on the  road and lose to Denver, putting them at 8-8.  The Giants will go into Buffalo and win, then lose to New England, putting them at 10-6 and secure 5^th place in the playoffs.  New Orleans is going to lose to Philadelphia, and then win at Chicago, putting them at 8-8.  Washington will beat Minnesota and then beat Dallas in Washington, putting them at 9-7 and the final spot of the playoffs. 

In the playoffs, Seattle will beat Washington and the Bucs will beat the Giants.  The Bucs will go to Green Bay, the one seed, and lose.  The Cowboys will beat the Seahawks, avenging last year’s heartbreaker.  Dallas will go into Lambeau field, and lose.  Green Bay will go on to the Super Bowl.  That is what will happen.  Start watching my correct predictions next Sunday. 

 You really think this guy has what it takes to make the playoffs? You must be joking.

College Football Bowl Predictions (1 of 4)

As you know, the bowl season is upon us and that means there are going to be about 135 random games for the next couple of weeks, leading up to the national title game. The Sports Rumors has been adding writers and contributors to the site, and now will have a person designated to all things college football. We’re starting things off by previewing each of the bowl games. It will be done through four posts. Each of the later posts will get smaller in number of bowl games and bigger in analysis. Today, we give you the first of the posts. Enjoy.

Dec 20, 9pm ESPN, Poinsettia Bowl. Navy (8-4) vs Utah (8-4)

Even though Paul Johnson is leaving the Middies to go to GT, the system will not change. HUGE homefield advantage for Navy in San Diego, as well.

Pick: Navy 28 - Utah 24

Dec 21, 8pm ESPN2, R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. Memphis (7-5) vs FAU (7-5)

Memphis really turned their season around after the murder of Taylor Bradford. FAU, notoriously bad, had a surprising year and is playing in its first bowl. Not much else I can say besides there are too many bowl games.

Pick: Memphis 35 - FAU 21

Dec 22, 1pm ESPN2, PapaJohns.Com Bowl. Southern Miss (7-5) vs Cincinnatti (9-3)

Things are so bad at Southern Miss since Bower is gone that Brett Favre is reportedly peeved and refuses to donate for the foreseeable future. Cincinnati is, well, very good and very underrated. Look for them to stick the dagger in early.

Pick: Cincinnatti 42 - Southern Miss 10

Dec 22, 4:30 pm ESPN, New Mexico Bowl. Nevada (6-6) vs New Mexico (8-4)

Once again, too many bowls. When people have to create bowls just so their team can play in on, it defeats the purpose. I have not been impressed with New Mexico this year. Nevada has had a solid performance out of Colin Kaepernick (watch out for this kid, hes only a freshman) and the pistol formation continues to get it done.

Pick: Nevada 31 - New Mexico 28

Dec 22, 8pm ESPN, Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl. UCLA (6-6) vs #19 BYU (10-2)

UCLA has seriously underperformed this year, as was Karl Dorrell’s style (which is why he was fired). BYU is looking to avenge an early season stumble to UCLA and is a might bit peeved that 1) their ranking is so low and 2) they didn’t get a better bowl invite. The folks in Westwood won’t be liking this game at all.

Pick: BYU 42 - UCLA 17

Dec 23, 8pm ESPN, Sheraton Hawaii Bowl. #24 Boise St (10-2) vs East Carolina (7-5)

ECU has surprised some folks this year with their good play. Boise State continues their recent streak of good play and their RB Ian Johnson is legit.

Pick: Boise St 35 - East Carolina 20

Dec 26, 7:30pm ESPN, Motor City Bowl. Purdue (7-5) vs Central Michigan (8-5)

Rematches are lame. Purdue is not a good team, but they are good enough to feast on MAC teams. I mean, they trick people into believing they can play legit ball by slaughtering 2-3 MAC teams in the beginning of every year, only to get worked in conference play.

Pick: Purdue 45 - Central Michigan 22 (same score as before)

Dec 27, 8pm ESPN, Pacific Life Holiday Bowl. #12 Arizona St (10-2) vs #17 Texas (9-3)

The first of the watchable games. Arizona St. has turned some heads under their first year coach Dennis Erickson; QB Rudy Carpenter has had a very solid season and has seemingly turned his career around. I still think Jamaal Charles and the Longhorns will be too much for them.

Pick: Texas 38 - Arizona St 31

Contributed by Basil Huffman

Solution to College Football Coaches Problem

I have a simple solution to this ridiculous problem that the NCAA is facing with college football coaches showing as much loyalty to their contracts as Tony Parker shows to Eva Longoria. There is no need for college coaches to be signing these ludicrous 8 year extensions and then flirting it up with a different school the very next year, or in Les Miles’ case, the very next week. (Yes I know that he said he was helping his alma mater find a new coach but I’m not buying it because God gifted me with more intelligence than a raccoon. There is no reason a top 5 program coach needs to help a school like Michigan search for a new coach).

It is absolutely unfair that college athletes are expected to basically sign their commitments in blood while coaches can do whatever they want. A college football coach contract means absolutely NOTHING. Frank Beamer can sign a 137 year extension for all intensive purposes and it means absolutely nothing. To the contrary, if a college football player wants to transfer, he is placed ineligible for the next season. You tell me how that’s fair. I challenge anyone to convince me how that is fair. A five star recruit can commit to a university based on promises a coach made, and then that coach decides to leave the next year and the player is forced to stay or face ineligibility? From my understanding, that’s like someone selling you a brand new Mercedes and then you drive it off the lot and the engine dies. Well, you did sign the contract and you did test drive it so I guess it’s your fault, deal with it… right? Bull. (For you geeks out there, please save the legal mumbo jumbo about how you can sue the car dealership yada yada because it was just a quick example… relax, and put down your Law book). Here’s how you fix the problem in college football:

Option 1: Include opt-out clauses; which means you also include periods of time where a coach is not allowed to opt out. For example, LSU signs Les Miles to a 7 year deal of which the first four years, he is not allowed to talk to other universities, period. No variations or if-then scenarios. He’s not allowed to talk to other universities and that’s final. Year five comes along and he has the option to opt out of his contract like a free agent and pursue whatever college he wants to. He can also sign a new extension, with a new set of required years and opt out years included. If he absolutely cannot stand to coach another minute at LSU and he’s still in his third year of the deal, tough. He can resign his position, but by NCAA rules, he is ineligible to coach anywhere else until the opt out year comes along.

Option 2: The original idea for this one was that if a coach wants to go to a different school while still under contract, he becomes ineligible for one year like a college player would. However, that option is flawed because job vacancies don’t wait for years at a time. Instead, if a coach is under contract and wants to go somewhere else, his new school of choice is ineligible for a bowl game for one year. Simple as that. So for example, Michigan would be ineligible for a bowl game in 2008.

Option 3: Make the buyout more than just $2 or $3 million dollars. That is chump change for coaches, especially when they’re going to be compensated by the new school of their choice. You think Rodriguez didn’t mention to Michigan, “Hey you do realize that if opt out of WVU, I’ll have to pay this amount in buyout fees so how about we go ahead and work that into my contract.” If you don’t want to go with the route of having required time contracts or the ineligible bowl scenario, then make the buyout so hefty that coaches think twice about leaving. Okay Rodriguez, you want to go to Michigan? $8 million bucks big boy. If you’re going to let your head coach go, make his ass pay up at least.

I’m sure there are people out there much smarter than I, who will come up with much better ideas than I have. But the point of me throwing out a few of my suggestions was to show you that there ARE ways to fix this problem. It just has to be made a priority. However, silly of me to think that college football will try and fix something that is clearly flawed, even when dozens of feasible suggestions are thrown around. Last I checked, the BCS system is still in place. This is college football for you.

So I wonder who will ditch their school next to jump at the WVU head coaching position 

Weekend Recap

The NFC Playoff Push.  If you stayed up to watch last night, you would have seen the Redskins go into New York in a must win game and give the Giants a beatdown with a 22-10 victory.  It is the second straight for the Redskins, and third straight home loss for the slumping Giants.  The win puts the Skins at 7-7 and drops the Giants to 9-5.  New York, who had a clear path to the 5^th seed in the NFC playoffs, suddenly finds itself in a must win at Buffalo, who also is in a must win situation.  If the Giants lose at Buffalo and drop to 9-6, they will have to beat a Patriots team that will likely be going for a 16-0 mark.  If the Giants manage to drop their last two games, which is very possible, they would potentially miss the playoffs.  The Redskins travel to Minnesota for what is basically a playoff game next week.  They follow that up with a home game against Dallas, who suddenly looks banged up and down.  The status of Tony Romo’s thumb is not known at this time, but that could serve as a serious problem for a team that has hopes of reaching the Super Bowl.  If the Redskins win out, they’d be a lock for the playoffs.  The Saints are also in the mix after winning 3 of their last 4.  They have a home game against the Eagles followed by a road finale at Chicago.  A loss in either game would basically eliminate them from the wild card chase.  The Vikings are most in control of their destiny with two of their final three games at home (the road game being at Denver).  What it comes down to is each team controls its own destiny.  Win and you’re in; lose and the tiebreakers and odds come into factor.  Should be an interesting and entertaining final couple of weeks. 

No more celeb girlfriends in Dallas!  Dallas fans are pretty upset this Monday morning; and they’re upset at Jessica Simpson.  She is the second celebrity girlfriend that Tony Romo has brought to a game and for the second time, he’s had a terrible game and the Cowboys subsequently lost.  Last year, he brought Carrie Underwood to the playoff game against Seattle.  I think we all remember how that turned out.  Yesterday, Jessica Simpson was sporting a pink Romo jersey in the press box.  Romo had his worst game of the season, and in some statistical categories, the worst of his career.  The Cowboys lost to a sub .500 Eagles team and failed to score a touchdown for the first time since 2004.  “Leave your girls at home” is the common sentiment in the big D this morning.

Another College Football coach peaces out.  Extension through 2013 huh?  Yeah, we all know the way this story goes.  College football coach flirts with a different university.  Comes back to his own university and signs a big extension.  And the following year?  Gone.  Rich Rodriguez was raised in West Virginia, attended WVU, put WVU football on the map as a perennial top 15 program; and has now left it for the lures of Michigan.  Rodriguez signed with Michigan faster than Lindsay Lohan would sign a movie contract these days.  Rumors are that the Athletic Director and Rodriguez didn’t see eye to eye on a lot of things.  Who knows.  All I know is that another college coach sold out on his team by going to a more attractive school.  Now that the WVU job is open, I wonder which football coach will be the next to slip his way out of his current contract and come to Morgantown. 

Ladies… New Years Plans?

We know you are all freaking out about the most overrated “holiday” of the year. New Years Eve… a chance for debauchery and renewed vows all within a 12 hour period. Well if you are female and above average on the hottie rating, and have no plans yet for the evening… I just found them for you. What better way to bring in the new year than to Shake it for Shockey. Yes, per this craigslist post, all you have to do is submit a head and body shot, and if you are selected then you get to party it up with open bar in Manhattan. Unfortunately he won’t be out there grinding on you after suffering a fractured fibula in the New Jersey Giant’s first possession of the 2nd half in a loss to the Washington Redskins.

Read More…

‘Tis the Season…

Holiday season is in full swing… whether you are in the midst of a week-long high-stakes dreidel spin for Hanukkah, eagerly anticipating the commercially manufactured spirit of Kwanzaa (or are there 4 a’s at the end?) or waiting for the granddaddy of them all, the Rose Bowl Christmas, holiday parties are what’s hot. Company holiday parties are your chance to flirt with the cute underage intern or to show off your trophy wife… unless of course your company goes by the name of Manchester United Football Club. These guys have it figured out… each throws in £4000 (over $8000 at this point), no cell phones allowed, and no wives or girlfriends. Even better, they have hired a “hottie-selector” to go out in search of the shortest skirts in the city. Holiday party in the conference room with free wine coolers doesn’t sound that great anymore, does it?

Read more…

For Your Reading Pleasure

The actual full letter Michael Vick wrote as well as the letters of support from the Mayor and others can be found by clicking the link below.

http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/ajc/pdf/vickletters/vick1.pdf