Report: A's, Mariners Discussing Chone Figgins Trade

Filed under: Athletics, Mariners, MLB Rumors, MLB Hot Stove

The beginning of spring training is rapidly approaching, but the Oakland A's are apparently still working on building their 2011 roster. According to the Contra Costa Times, the A's have asked the Mariners about infielder Chone Figgins in a swap that would reportedly include A's starting third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff and perhaps one of the A's young pitchers.

Figgins had one of the worst years of his career after signing a four-year, $64 million contract with the Mariners last offseason. He hit just .259/.340/.304 with the Mariners and struggled quite a bit defensively after Seattle made the curious decision to move him to second base so that their own second baseman, Jose Lopez, could play third.

Of course, Kouzmanoff wasn't much better. He had a bit more pop than Figgins (he hit 16 homers with a .396 SLG), but his OBP was also below .300. He does have a slick glove at third base, but then so did Figgins when he played there with the Angels in 2009. He's due $4.75 million after avoiding arbitration with the A's last week and while that seems like a lot for a player that produced like he did in 2010, well, it's still only about half of what Figgins is going to make.

Basically, the A's would be hoping that Figgins could get his career back on track after getting out of the hitter's black hole that is Safeco Field, and the Mariners wouldn't have to pay the rest of Figgins' enormous contract. Win/win situation, I guess?

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2011/01/28/report-as-mariners-discussing-chone-figgins-trade/

Bar Refaeli Beyoncé Bianca Kajlich

Shaun Hill's Father Dies After Fall Off Lions QB's Roof

Filed under: Lions, NFC North

The father of Lions quarterback Shaun Hill died Saturday afternoon after reportedly falling off the roof of Hill's home in Lake of the Ozarks, Mo.

The Detroit Free Press reported that Ted Hill, 60, was helping Shaun work on his barn when he accidentally fell.

"I talked to Shaun, I texted Shaun (Saturday) night," Don Barcus, who was a football coach with Ted Hill at Parsons High in Kansas, told the Free Press. "Shaun texted me back and said my dad is the greatest person in the world. They had a very close relationship -- he did with both his sons."

Ted Hill had been an assistant football coach at Parsons, as well as the girls and boys basketball coach, athletic director and principal, according to the Free Press' Dave Birkett.

Source: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2011/01/31/shaun-hills-father-dies-after-fall-off-lions-qbs-roof/

Uma Thurman Vanessa Hudgens Vanessa Marcil

Blazers Armon Johnson Assigned to D-League's Idaho Stampede

Filed under: NBA D-League, Idaho Stampede

The Portland Trail Blazers have assigned rookie guard Armon Johnson to the NBA Development League's Idaho Stampede Friday, the team announced.

Johnson, a 6-foot-3 rookie point guard out of Nevada, has appeared in 28 games this season with the Trail Blazers and is averaging 3.1 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 8.1 minutes. Over his last seven appearances, he's scored just four points -- all of which came from a 2-for-7 shooting performance during a 95-77 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Dec. 28.

Though it's possible to make the case that this move should have been made as soon as he was replaced by Patty Mills as Portland's backup point guard, it seems as though Johnson didn't see the benefit in playing in the D-League.

"I think you learn just as much (not playing in the NBA compared with playing in the D-League) because, being the type of person I am, I like to pay attention to it, pay attention to the game any way I can -- how people walk, how people talk out there on the court, pregame rituals, little things," Johnson told the Reno Gazette-Journal earlier this week. "I feel (staying on the Blazers' bench) is really helping me. And I'm around my teammates."

 

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Source: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2011/01/28/blazers-armon-johnson-assigned-to-d-leagues-idaho-stampede/

Laura Harring Laura Prepon Lauren Bush

Motivated by Tragedy, Da'Quan Bowers Pushes for No. 1 Pick in NFL Draft

Filed under: Clemson, Prospects

CLEMSON, S.C. -- About a year ago, Dennis Bowers sat his son down for an important talk.

In 2008, Da'Quan Bowers had arrived at Clemson as the nation's top overall recruit, one of the Tigers' most hyped prospects in recent memory.

Entering his junior season, Bowers had become a starter, but had fallen well short of expectations, making only four sacks in 17 career starts. A knee injury hampered him as a sophomore, but his poor work ethic didn't help. He cut corners in the weight room and on the field, and it was time for that to stop.

"He told me to stop playing around," Da'Quan recalled recently. "Stop being a kid. Be a man."

Dennis Bowers would be proud of what his son has become.

When the NFL scouting combine begins next month in Indianapolis, Da'Quan Bowers will enter as one of its top prospects, fueled by a quest to become the draft's top overall selection, and Clemson's first No. 1 overall pick ever.

He declared for the NFL Draft in early January following one of Clemson's best defensive seasons ever; 15.5 sacks (second on the school's all-time single-season list) and 26 tackles for loss. It earned him unanimous All-America honors, the Nagurski Award, given to college football's top defensive player, and the Ted Hendricks Award, given to college football's top defensive end.

Now, he is training to earn a high draft position while honoring the memory of Dennis -- who died suddenly last August -- and two other key mentors who died in the last year.

 

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Source: http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2011/01/28/motivated-by-tragedy-daquan-bowers-pushes-for-no-1-pick-in-nf/

Jennifer Gareis Jennifer Garner Jennifer Gimenez

Mark Martin to Race in All Three NASCAR Series in 2011

Filed under: Kyle Busch, Mark Martin, Chevrolet, Nationwide Series, Sprint Cup, Hendrick Motorsports, Camping World Truck Series, NASCAR

Just when we thought Mark Martin might be winding up his long and storied career as a NASCAR driver, he's decided to jump back in with both feet in 2011 by running races in all three of NASCAR's national touring series.

In his final, lame-duck year with Hendrick Motorsports in the Sprint Cup series, Martin has decided to also run selected Nationwide series and Camping World Truck series events for Turner Motorsports.

Martin will drive the No. 32 Dollar General Chevrolet in Nationwide races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Ca., Michigan International Speedway and Kentucky Speedway, with Trent Owens serving as his crew chief, the team announced Wednesday.

Martin will also drive the No. 32 Chevy Silverado truck in NASCAR Truck series races at Michigan as well as Pocono Raceway.

"I'm excited to be running back in the Nationwide and Truck Series again," said Martin. "Everyone at Dollar General and Turner Motorsports has been great and I'm looking forward to hitting the track with them next year. Working with Turner, I get to extend my relationship with Chevrolet and continue to have Hendrick horsepower under the hood, which is really, really good."

 

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Source: http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2011/01/12/mark-martin-to-race-in-all-three-nascar-series-in-2011/

Samantha Mathis Samantha Morton Samantha Mumba

Hannah Storm Signs New ESPN Contract

by Milton Kent

Filed under: Sports Business, Sports Media, Sports Business and Media

Hannah Storm, arguably the most visible woman at ESPN, has signed a contract extension that will bolster her visibility, the channel announced Wednesday.

Storm, who came to the Worldwide Leader from CBS News in 2008 to launch the late-morning "SportsCenter", has inked a deal, the length and financial terms of which were not disclosed.

However, ESPN was all too happy to announce that Storm, who began hosting NBA coverage, will also be on-site host for the channel's coverage of the Super Bowl, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, as well as the NBA Finals.

Storm will also make appearances on "The Sports Reporters", while continuing to host "SportsCenter" on Sunday mornings during the NFL season and the Tournament of Roses Parade and "ESPN Sports Saturday" on ABC. .

Storm, who previously worked at NBC Sports and at CNN, is the wife of NBC's Dan Hicks.

 

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Source: http://www.fanhouse.com/2011/01/26/hannah-storm-signs-new-espn-contract/

Alicia Keys Alicia Witt Amanda Bynes

Seahawks Sign Paul McQuistan, Caz Piurowski to Future Contracts

Filed under: Seahawks, NFC West

The Seahawks said Friday they've signed tackle Paul McQuistan and tight end Caz Piurowski to future 2011 contracts.

McQuistan, the Raiders' third-round pick in the 2006 draft, played in 35 games, including a dozen starts for the Raiders. He spent 2009 with Jacksonville and 2010 with Cleveland.

Piurowski hasn't played in the NFL. He missed his final season at Florida State because of a 2009 knee injury that required ACL surgery, but Seattle was sold enough on him to offer a three-year contract.

 

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Source: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2011/01/28/seahawks-sign-paul-mcquistan-caz-piurowski-to-future-contracts/

Kate Bosworth Kate Groombridge Kate Hudson

Bubba Watson Edges Phil Mickelson to Win at Torrey Pines

Filed under: PGA

SAN DIEGO -- With a 5-under final-round 67 Sunday at Torrey Pines, Bubba Watson won the Farmers Insurance Open -- his second PGA Tour title -- by one shot over Phil Mickelson and put the PGA Tour on notice.

He's serious.

"It just shows that I can do it," Watson said. "I did it twice now. I'm only like 50 behind Phil and 80 behind Tiger, so they better watch out."

Watson, no malice intended, is seen by many as something of a golf goof ball. The 32-year-old self-taught player from the little Florida Panhandle town of Bagdad, likes to post Internet videos featuring trick shots and comedy. One of his favorites is a wedge shot from out of a tiny loving cup, over a swimming pool and into a sand pail.

He also has posted a "Happy Birthday" tribute to Ellen DeGeneres, and, last December at the Shark Shootout, dressed as Santa Claus to sign autographs after finishing play.

 

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Source: http://golf.fanhouse.com/2011/01/30/bubba-watson-edges-phil-mickelson-to-win-at-torrey-pines/

Jessica Cauffiel Jessica Paré Jessica Simpson

Flames Take Hot Streak Into Break

Filed under: Blues, Canucks, Flames, Predators, Stars

CALGARY -- Don't throw out that Calgary Flames' car flag just yet.

While most everyone in the city by the foothills was ready to count their NHL team out of any 2010-11 postseason contention a mere month ago, lo and behold the Flames have rekindled that fading hope in a significant way.

The Flames (24-21-6) have won four straight games, beating the Dallas Stars, Vancouver Canucks, Nashville Predators and St. Louis Blues. They head into the All-Star break just two points out of the coveted eighth spot in the Western Division.

And what a difference a week makes.

Earlier in January, Calgary was nine points in arrears; just last week, after dropping an embarrassing 6-0 game to Minnesota, the Flames were eight back and, had they reached double digits, the nails were poised to be pounded into their season.

But since then, they've leapfrogged a couple of teams, Columbus and St. Louis, and are a scant point behind Los Angeles and Minnesota. Whether they can keep up the pace once play resumes next week is the million-dollar question.

 

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Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2011/01/28/flames-take-hot-streak-into-break/

Vanessa Simmons Veronica Kay Veronika Vaeková

O.J. Mayo Suspended 10 Games for Testing Positive for DHEA

Filed under: Grizzlies, NBA Rumors, NBA Transactions

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- The NBA has suspended guard O.J. Mayo 10 games without pay for violating the league and union's anti-drug program with a positive test.

The league announced the suspension Thursday for Mayo's positive test for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Mayo's suspension will start Friday night when the Grizzlies visit Philadelphia, and he will be able to return Feb. 15 also against the 76ers in Memphis.

Mayo said in a statement released by the team that he is extremely disappointed he will miss 10 games as the Grizzlies are making a push for the playoffs. He blamed an over the counter supplement that he didn't know was banned by the NBA for the positive test.

"It was an honest mistake, but I take full responsibility for my actions," Mayo said in the statement released by the team. "I apologize to my fans, teammates and the Grizzlies organization for regrettably not doing the necessary research about what supplements I can put in my body."

 

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Source: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2011/01/27/o-j-mayo-suspended-10-games-for-testing-positive-for-dhea/

Sanaa Lathan Sara Foster Sara Spraker

Bob Hope Classic Power Rankings

Filed under: PGA

The PGA returns to the mainland and begins its West Coast Swing with the Bob Hope Classic. This tournament features a long list of celebrities playing alongside the professionals, and the setup reflects that. It's no coincidence that the four courses used in this event ranked in the top-seven easiest in 2010.

Expect one of the lowest scoring weeks of the year as players take on La Quinta Country Club, SilverRock Resort, PGA West's Nicklaus Course and PGA West's Palmer Course over five rounds. Only the top 70 and ties will play in Sunday's final round, which is the same round David Duval fired a 59 to win by a stroke in 1999.

Here's who we see contending on Sunday:

1. Matt Kuchar -- Last year's money winner has found his place on Tour and seems extremely confident right now. Kuchar, pictured, is one of only two players to record a top-10 finish in each of the first two weeks. In the final round of the Sony Open, he looked as relaxed as anyone and likely would have caught Mark Wilson had he not averaged nearly two putts per GIR.

2. Bubba Watson -- The long-hitting lefty didn't break 70 in the first tournament of the year but still managed a top-25 finish. One of his four top-3 finishes a year ago came at this tournament. His second-round 62 was the lowest of week. With a win under his belt now, maybe he'll be able to close out the tournament if he finds himself the fourth-round leader again this weekend.

3. Bill Haas -- Last year's winner shot only one round higher than a 66 en route to his first career victory. Haas began this season with a 8th place finish at the Tournament of Champions, where he carded two bogey-free rounds and tied for 7th in driving accuracy. The 28-year-old hasn't finished outside of the top 30 since September.

4. Charley Hoffman -- The 2007 Bob Hope winner welcomes a shootout. Seventh last year in birdie average, Hoffman carded nine over a span of 13 holes during his third round in the opener two weeks ago. He's also a long hitter with a personality that seems to fit a celebrity event.

5. Brendon de Jonge -- Now in his fourth full season on tour, de Jonge is a likely candidate to pick up his first win in 2011. He tied for 6th last year with seven top 10s, which included three top 3s. There's no questioning his ability to score as he led the Tour in total birdies in 2010.

 

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Source: http://golf.fanhouse.com/2011/01/19/bob-hope-classic-power-rankings-low-scores-galore/

Kate Groombridge Kate Hudson Kate Mara

Ex-Kansas Athletic Director Lew Perkins Agrees to Fine in Ethics Case

Filed under: Kansas

Topeka, Kan. (AP) -- Former University of Kansas Athletics Director Lew Perkins agreed Tuesday to pay a $4,000 fine to settle an ethics case over allegations that he improperly accepted a gift of exercise equipment while working for the university, but he did not acknowledge intentionally violating Kansas law.

The state Governmental Ethics Commission approved a consent decree signed by its general counsel and a Perkins attorney after a brief discussion about the amount of Perkins' fine. Some members wanted to impose the maximum of $5,000, but others noted that he'd cooperated with the commission's investigation and had himself alerted its staff to the gift and questions about its legality.

A complaint before the commission alleged that Perkins violated a state law barring state employees from accepting most gifts. He was considered a state employee because state funds paid part of his salary.

"I never acted with any intent to violate any laws or ethical rules," Perkins said in a statement issued through his attorneys. "It is time for closure and to move on, and I am glad to have this matter fully and finally resolved."

The commission agreed not to pursue the matter further. The fine is a civil penalty, but the commission could have taken the unusual step of forwarding the case to prosecutors to consider criminal charges.

"Both parties worked very hard to reach this consent decree," said commission Chairwoman Sabrina Standifer, a Wichita attorney. "It is to everyone's benefit. We didn't have to have a full-blown hearing, bring in witnesses, all of those expenses, so I think it's a good resolution."

Perkins stepped down in September, a year before he intended to retire, amid allegations that he improperly accepted perks, including the exercise equipment and free physical therapy sessions from employees of the university's sports medicine department, which is part of the athletics department.

Under Perkins' watch, several athletics department employees were implicated in an alleged scheme to steal tickets to sporting events and scalp them for profit. Perkins was not implicated in that scheme but he acknowledged poor oversight of the ticket operations.

Perkins did not attend the commission's meeting. Todd Thompson, the attorney representing him at the commission's meeting, declined to comment, but in the agreement, Perkins and the commission's staff said they wanted to avoid "potentially costly and protracted litigation."

"I regret that this matter may have detracted from the attention given to our athletes," Perkins said in his statement.

The athletics department declined to comment, and university spokesman Jack Martin would say only that, "We said at the beginning that the ethics commission was the proper venue, and they've done what they were going to do."

In the agreement, Perkins acknowledged that he accepted exercise equipment in 2005, at no cost, from Medical Outfitters, based in the Kansas City area. The equipment stayed in his home until 2009.

Last year, Perkins paid $5,000 as a rental fee on the equipment, something the commission took into account when deciding how much to fine him. The complaint did not mention Perkins' payment or other details about the gift.

Before Tuesday's commission meeting, its staff dropped one of two counts in the complaint against Perkins, dealing with the physical therapy sessions. But the evidence provided by some witnesses was not strong enough to prove the allegation, and the commission had trouble in obtaining the testimony of another, said general counsel Judy Moler.

The unrelated ticket scandal led to federal charges against six former athletics department employees and a former department consultant. Four of the former employees have pleaded guilty - two to conspiracy and the other two to knowing about but doing nothing to stop the scheme - and will be sentenced in March. A former employee and the consultant had change-of-plea hearings on a single conspiracy charge later this week, and a former associate athletics director is set to stand trial on a conspiracy charge in March.

 

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Source: http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2011/01/25/ex-kansas-athletic-director-lew-perkins-agrees-to-fine-in-ethics/

Xenia Seeberg Yamila Diaz Yvonne Strzechowski

A New NASCAR Season Spawns Hope, Optimism and Nervousness

by Bob Zeller

Filed under: Jamie McMurray, Juan Pablo Montoya, Ryan Newman, Tony Stewart, NASCAR Testing, Sprint Cup, Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing, Stewart-Haas Racing, NASCAR, Charlotte Motor Speedway

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. -- Painted high on the walls of the sprawling setup room at the Stewart-Haas Racing team shop here are inspirational quotes from Winston Churchill, Thomas Paine, Lyndon B. Johnson and Vince Lombardi, among others, as well as Satchel Paige, the legendary African-American baseball player who made his name as a pitcher rather than a great politician or statesman.

Yet it is Paige's quote -- "Don't look back, something might be gaining on you" -- that seems to best typify the dead-of-winter mood in the race shops scattered around the greater Charlotte area.

Nearly all the teams and drivers are once again filled with hope and enthusiasm, but everyone has to be wondering nonetheless how their season will play out. Will they be competitive right out of the box? Have other teams gained some kind of a little advantage?

"It's just who made the bigger gains" during the off-season and preparing for 2011, said Tony Stewart as the annual Charlotte Motor Speedway media tour, with some 200 media members in attendance, made a stop at his Kannapolis shop Monday afternoon for a visit with him and teammate Ryan Newman.

Chip Ganassi, co-owner of Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, echoed the thought earlier Monday during a luncheon with the team. Although both of his drivers, Jamie McMurray and Juan Pablo Montoya, won races in 2010, "there are lots of places we can improve," he said. "You're looking at that all the time. It's a constant process of looking at yourself and looking at the team."

A New NASCAR Season Spawns Hope, Optimism and Nervousness originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 17:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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Source: http://nascar.fanhouse.com/2011/01/24/a-new-nascar-season-spawns-hope-optimism-and-nervousness/

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Cal Coach Jeff Tedford Rooting for Aaron Rodgers in Super Bowl

Filed under: California, Pac 10

How fitting that Cal football coach Jeff Tedford was on the two-lane road heading into Chico for a recruiting trip Wednesday -- just days after his last success story from the same small California college town earned a ticket to the biggest show in sports.

Tedford watched his former quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, lead the Green Bay Packers to Super Bowl XLV by winning the NFC Championship Game on Sunday. He watched as a fan, cheering for Rodgers and another former Cal player and Packers linebacker Desmond Bishop. And he watched as a coach.

"I'll break it down, watch tendencies, that kind of thing," Tedford said. "But mostly, I was rooting for him and Des. I was watching both sides of the ball."

Tedford is the coach who discovered Rodgers. Rodgers had not been offered a Division I scholarship and he was playing at Butte College in Chico when Tedford spotted him while there to recruit another player.

Tedford, who had previously mentored Trent Dilfer, Kyle Boller and David Carr, turned Rodgers from an under-regarded passer into a star college quarterback. Rodgers was named the starting quarterback by the fifth game of his debut season at Cal. He led Cal to bowl games at the end of the 2003 and 2004 seasons, finishing 10-1 in 2004, including a loss at USC in which Rodgers tied an NCAA record with 23 consecutive passes completed in one game.

 

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Source: http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2011/01/27/cal-coach-jeff-tedford-rooting-for-aaron-rodgers-in-super-bowl/

Sarah Gellman Sarah Michelle Gellar Sarah Mutch

Hannah Storm Signs New ESPN Contract

by Milton Kent

Filed under: Sports Business, Sports Media, Sports Business and Media

Hannah Storm, arguably the most visible woman at ESPN, has signed a contract extension that will bolster her visibility, the channel announced Wednesday.

Storm, who came to the Worldwide Leader from CBS News in 2008 to launch the late-morning "SportsCenter", has inked a deal, the length and financial terms of which were not disclosed.

However, ESPN was all too happy to announce that Storm, who began hosting NBA coverage, will also be on-site host for the channel's coverage of the Super Bowl, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, as well as the NBA Finals.

Storm will also make appearances on "The Sports Reporters", while continuing to host "SportsCenter" on Sunday mornings during the NFL season and the Tournament of Roses Parade and "ESPN Sports Saturday" on ABC. .

Storm, who previously worked at NBC Sports and at CNN, is the wife of NBC's Dan Hicks.

 

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Source: http://www.fanhouse.com/2011/01/26/hannah-storm-signs-new-espn-contract/

Tamie Sheffield Tara Conner Tara Reed

John Harbaugh Hires Teryl Austin as Ravens Secondary Coach

Filed under: Ravens, AFC North

BALTIMORE -- Former Florida Gators defensive coordinator Teryl Austin officially joined the Ravens on Friday as the team's secondary coach. Austin and Ravens head coach John Harbaugh's ties date back to the mid 80's when Harbaugh was the tight ends coach and Austin was a defensive back at the University of Pittsburgh.

"I have a long relationship with Teryl, going back to 1987 when I was a graduate assistant at Pitt, and he was one of our top players and team leaders," said Harbaugh Friday afternoon.

After five successful years in the NFL as a defensive backs coach for the Cardinals and Seahawks, where he helped guide both teams to the Super Bowl, Austin spent one season with the Gators in which Florida finished fourth in the country in interceptions with 22, allowed the fewest total yards in conference (SEC) games and gave up 310.8 yards per game, including 175.5 passing.

Harbaugh is happy that the 45-year old from Pennsylvania chose Baltimore and is confident that Austin can duplicate his output with the Ravens because he's a good teacher and motivator.

"He's an outstanding teacher and motivator who has been successful in both the NFL and at the college level," said Harbaugh. "His intelligence and experience will add to our defensive mix. Knowing Teryl had other opportunities, we're very happy that he decided to become a Raven. We think our players will both improve under his direction and enjoy playing for him. He has helped two teams -- the Cardinals and the Seahawks -- reach the Super Bowl. That's a good addition to our staff."

Austin looks forward to add to the current defensive foundation in Baltimore and appreciate his opportunity with the Ravens.

"This is another great opportunity to work for a class organization with outstanding coaches and players," said Austin. "I couldn't ask for anything better, and I'm excited to get to work. My goal is to do whatever I can to help the team and help the players get better.

 

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Source: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2011/01/29/john-harbaugh-hires-teryl-austin-as-ravens-secondary-coach/

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PGA Tour Rookies Hoping to Shake Jitters at Sony Open

Filed under: PGA

There are 26 rookies, 11 of them playing in their career first PGA Tour event, teeing off Thursday the Sony Open in Hawaii, the year's first full-field event.

In a related story, drug stores in the Honolulu area reported a recent spike in antacid sales.

Anybody's first step is usually the toughest. In addition to playing the Waialae CC for the first time, the season's newcomers arrive at their new work place carrying a live well of human emotions that certainly include doubt, raw nerves and a degree of insecurity.

That's OK. Eighteen years ago, Jim Furyk made his rookie debut on the very same course and now has 16 career PGA Tour wins, a U.S. Open title and is the reigning Player of the Year.

That does not mean he hit the ground running. Actually, far from it.

 

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Source: http://golf.fanhouse.com/2011/01/13/pga-tour-rookies-hoping-to-shake-jitters-at-sony-open/

Adrianne Palicki Aisha Tyler Aki Ross

MLS Power Rankings: Week 30

With the playoffs finally looming, there's little change atop Mt. Power Rankings. The Rocky Mountain champs are still tops here too, despite nearly falling flat in Colorado. The Sounders and FC Dallas, meanwhile, took some lumps before the final whistle blew on the season, while New York drops in...

Source: http://dcunited.com/node/13906

Bijou Phillips Blake Lively Blu Cantrell

MLSsoccer.com introduces "Pro Soccer Picks" fantasy game

Ready to get your fantasy on?Just in time for the MLS Cup Playoffs, MLSsoccer.com introduces our first fantasy game, Pro Soccer Picks.Playing Pro Soccer Picks is as easy as side-footing in a sitter. All you have to do is make your picks and you?re automatically in contention for some great prizes,...

Source: http://dcunited.com/node/14024

Mila Kunis Milla Jovovich Minka Kelly

Stuart Scott, ESPN Personality, Has Cancerous Tissue Removed

by Milton Kent

Filed under: Sports Media, Sports Business and Media

ESPN anchor Stuart Scott will undergo chemotherapy treatments after his doctors discovered cancerous tissue, the channel reported Friday.

Scott, who anchors NFL and NBA shows, as well as SportsCenter, will undergo preventative treatments, including chemotherapy, and will miss some on-air time, though he will attempt to maintain a regular schedule.

In a statement issued through ESPN, Scott said, "There are 28 million cancer survivors. You know what that means? We've got a strong army!! Once again, I join the fight and like 3 years ago, I plan to beat this thing. Can't tell you you how much I appreciate everyone's well wishes and support. I'll be back at work soon ... probably sooner than you think. I am blessed to have the invaluable support of a great team of doctors, my loving family, genuine friends and my ESPN family."

Scott underwent an emergency appendectomy in 2007, at which time a malignancy was discovered. Scott had chemotherapy at that time, and it is not known if this current discovery is connected to his previous illness.

 

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Source: http://www.fanhouse.com/2011/01/28/stuart-scott-espn-personality-has-cancerous-tissue-removed/

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Hal Steinbrenner Has 'No Problem' With Brian Cashman

Filed under: Yankees

Doing his best to fill the vacuum that is a long winter without much in the way of significant Yankees news, Hal Steinbrenner insisted Thursday that he has "no problem" with the way Brian Cashman is doing his job.

In an interview with the New York Post, the man in charge of overseeing the Yankees' operations said the perception that a rift has grown between the Steinbrenners and their general manager is nothing but "a bunch of drummed-up drama."

Though that notion first gained traction during the contentious negotiations with Derek Jeter earlier this offseason and deepened when the Yankees couldn't close the deal with marquee free agent Cliff Lee, everything came to a head at the press conference to introduce Rafael Soriano. It was in that venue that Cashman stated quite publicly that it wasn't his idea to sign the reliever to a three-year, $35 million contract.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2011/01/28/hal-steinbrenner-has-no-problem-with-brian-cashman/

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Mark Martin to Race in All Three NASCAR Series in 2011

Filed under: Kyle Busch, Mark Martin, Chevrolet, Nationwide Series, Sprint Cup, Hendrick Motorsports, Camping World Truck Series, NASCAR

Just when we thought Mark Martin might be winding up his long and storied career as a NASCAR driver, he's decided to jump back in with both feet in 2011 by running races in all three of NASCAR's national touring series.

In his final, lame-duck year with Hendrick Motorsports in the Sprint Cup series, Martin has decided to also run selected Nationwide series and Camping World Truck series events for Turner Motorsports.

Martin will drive the No. 32 Dollar General Chevrolet in Nationwide races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Ca., Michigan International Speedway and Kentucky Speedway, with Trent Owens serving as his crew chief, the team announced Wednesday.

Martin will also drive the No. 32 Chevy Silverado truck in NASCAR Truck series races at Michigan as well as Pocono Raceway.

"I'm excited to be running back in the Nationwide and Truck Series again," said Martin. "Everyone at Dollar General and Turner Motorsports has been great and I'm looking forward to hitting the track with them next year. Working with Turner, I get to extend my relationship with Chevrolet and continue to have Hendrick horsepower under the hood, which is really, really good."

 

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Source: http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2011/01/12/mark-martin-to-race-in-all-three-nascar-series-in-2011/

Zhang Ziyi Zoe Saldana Zooey Deschanel

Adam Kennedy, Mariners Infielder, Arrested on Suspicion of DUI

Filed under: Mariners, MLB Police Blotter

Mariners infielder Adam Kennedy was arrested Wednesday night in Newport, Calif., on suspicion of driving under the influence.

Kennedy was arrested shortly after 9 p.m. and released from the Orange County Jail around 6:30 a.m. Thursday, according to the Orange County Register.

"I want to let you know this is not the typical character of me,'' Kennedy told the Seattle Times Thursday afternoon. "It's something I'm really ashamed of, and not proud to bring to the Seattle Mariners, especially not having put on the uniform. It's my first legal trouble -- something I'm definitely not looking to ever do again.''

Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik told FanHouse's John Hickey he had no comment on Kennedy's arrest. The incident came eight days after Seattle outfielder Milton Bradley was arrested in California and charged with making criminal threats.

A Southern California native and former Angels standout, Kennedy signed a minor league deal with Seattle about three weeks ago. He hit .249 in 135 games for the Nationals last year.

The best seasons of his 12-year career came with the Angels, who he helped to the 2002 World Series title. He is best known for hitting three home runs against the Twins in Game 5 of the ALCS that year but has a .308 average and .843 OPS in 25 career playoff games.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2011/01/27/adam-kennedy-mariners-infielder-arrested-on-suspicion-of-dui/

Sunny Mabrey Susan Ward Susie Castillo

Champ Bailey Sets Cornerbacks' Record by Being Named to 10th Pro Bowl

Filed under: Broncos, AFC West

Denver Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey had a Pro Bowl-caliber season. Now he has the Pro Bowl berth to go with it.

Bailey was notified Thursday that he would be the replacement for Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha on the AFC Pro Bowl roster. Asomugha had to withdraw because of medical reasons.

The selection to the Pro Bowl was Bailey's 10th in a 12-year career, the most in NFL history at the cornerback position. He broke a tie with pro football Hall of Famer Michael Haynes, who had nine.

"I'm very excited to represent the AFC and the Broncos at the Pro Bowl," Bailey said in a statement released by the team. "It's a great honor to play on the same field with the NFL's best."

 

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Source: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2011/01/27/champ-bailey-sets-cornerbacks-record-by-being-named-to-10th-pro/

Lake Bell Larissa Meek Laura Harring

Chuck Greenberg Says Rangers Deserve Credit for Cliff Lee Joining Phillies

Filed under: Phillies, Rangers, Yankees, MLB Hot Stove, MLB Free Agency

Cliff Lee's stunning decision to spurn the Rangers and Yankees and sign with the Phillies remains the hallmark moment of the 2010-11 offseason, so it's no surprise to hear the parties involved in the negotiations still talking about it.

Among those parties is Rangers owner Chuck Greenberg, who, speaking at the Rangers' Fan Fest event over the weekend, said he felt his team deserves partial credit for Lee landing in Philadelphia.

"We had three different meetings with Cliff and his wife and his agent in Little Rock, (Ark.)," Greenberg said. "Even though Philadelphia was probably not in, they were always in the back of our mind."

"I think if we wouldn't have gone to Arkansas that last time, I think he was going to sign with the Yankees. We pried the door open a little bit to give ourselves another opportunity. And ultimately the Phillies were able to take advantage of that opportunity that we created."

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2011/01/26/chuck-greenberg-says-rangers-deserve-credit-for-cliff-lee-joinin/

Ana Hickmann Ana Ivanovi Ana Paula Lemes

Pro Hopefuls to Swap Paint in Annual Shrine Game

Filed under: Fans

Lights, camera, action. The East-West Shrine game -- the first major college football all-star game of the NFL draft season -- kicks off Saturday at 4 p.m. at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando.

While most of the more than 200 NFL scouts and team officials that attended practices this week are expecting to identify most of their potential early round picks at next week's Senior Bowl in Alabama, a number of players in the Shrine game are looking to boost their profiles for the NFL Draft.

"There are gems to be found here every year," Paul Burmeister of the NFL Network told FanHouse.

 

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Source: http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2011/01/22/pro-hopefuls-to-swap-paint-in-annual-shrine-game/

Emmanuelle Vaugier Emmy Rossum Erica Leerhsen

Kwame Brown Finally Meets Michael Jordan's Expectations

Filed under: Bobcats, Kings, Wizards, Success Stoties

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Ten years later, Michael Jordan's expectations for Kwame Brown had clearly changed.

His center, his No. 1 pick, the player who for so long symbolized his shortcomings as a front-office type, had scored 14 points and grabbed 18 rebounds for Charlotte in a win against the Kings Tuesday night. And Jordan, the former Washington president of basketball operations and current Bobcats owner who learned long ago that his vision was blurry when it came to taking Brown at the top in 2001, was finally satisfied with his much-maligned big man.

"About damn time you redeemed that draft pick," he said playfully while giving Brown a fist-pound in the visitors locker room at Arco Arena.

The room erupted with laughter, the significance of the comment clearly lost on no one. More importantly, Brown was laughing and smiling too.

 

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Source: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2011/01/27/kwame-brown-finally-meets-michael-jordans-expectations/

Leighton Meester Leila Arcieri Lena Headey

NASCAR to Use Smaller Restrictor Plate at Next Week's Daytona Test

Filed under: Crew Chiefs, NASCAR Testing, NASCAR

Teams will be issued smaller restrictor plates for NASCAR's upcoming Jan. 20-22 Goodyear Tire Test at Daytona International Speedway. And at least one Sprint Cup Series crew chief thinks it's a good idea to slow the cars on the newly paved 2.5-mile superspeedway.

"I think the decision was made to slow down the speeds because the speeds were too high at the first test,'' said Pat Tryson, veteran crew chief of the Michael Waltrip Racing No. 56 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota.

"It's a good move on the side of safety because no one wants to see a car go airborne at the potential speeds that could be generated with the plate they had last month. It will be better for the driver and better for the fans in the stands. Safety always comes first.''

The new carburetor restrictor plate will have a 29/32-inch hole compared to the 30/32-inch hole the cars used last month in the first major test session on the fresh pavement. Speeds reached 197 mph in December with 17-car drafts.

"By slowing down the cars, it will make the draft bigger and tighter,'' Tryson said. " Before with a little more power, the cars would spread out a little bit. I think now, we can expect to see the cars a lot closer together and more in one pack versus two, three or four.

"It's going to make for some great racing for sure because I expect to see more three, maybe four-wide racing at Daytona which is exactly what we saw at Talladega Superspeedway. It's going to be a lot of fun for everyone to watch."

 

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Source: http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2011/01/13/nascar-to-use-smaller-restrictor-plate-at-next-weeks-daytona-te/

Taryn Manning Tatiana Zavialova Taylor Swift

Auburn Celebrates With 78,000 Fans

Filed under: Auburn, SEC, BCS Championship Game

AUBURN, Ala. -- Cam Newton and Auburn's football team put on one last Saturday afternoon show at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

With an estimated 78,000 fans on hand, including hundreds of students crowded onto the field before the stage, the Tigers celebrated their first national championship in 53 years.

It also turned into a farewell for stars Newton and Nick Fairley, both skipping their senior seasons to enter the NFL draft. Newton slapped hands as he danced along the line of students, then struck a Heisman pose at the podium and sang out, "War Eagle."

He thanked the fans for standing by him through the revelations that his father, Cecil, sought payment to sign with Mississippi State, a scandal that shadowed Newton for the season's final two months.

"You never stopped believing in me," Newton said. "People have asked me over and over, how did I handle the distractions. The simple answer is, God, family and you, my Auburn family. You never lost faith in me and that means more to me than words can ever say. You will be in my heart forever."

The biggest applause came when Auburn introduced Fairley and Newton. Both took turns at the podium, along with Gov. Robert Bentley -- who is from Tuscaloosa -- and others.

Coach Gene Chizik related a story that he said demonstrated what kind of teammates Newton and Fairley were.

"Thirty minutes before the national championship game, and I didn't know whether they were going to come back or not," he said. "I called them in and said, 'I want you guys to be team captains.'

"I didn't know if they were ever going to get a chance to walk out on that field again. They looked at me simultaneously and said, 'Coach we can't do that. You've got to pick two more seniors.' "

Former players presented Newton with the Heisman Trophy and Fairley with the Lombardi Award on the stage. The Southeastern Conference and various national title trophies also were presented, before fans gathered for a reverse Tiger Walk back to the football complex.

The scoreboard clock had 20:10 remaining. And the board read 22-19, the final score of the title game against Oregon.

Auburn topped rival Alabama in one category. The Crimson Tide's similar event last year drew an estimated 38,000, but those fans hadn't waited nearly as long.

The Tigers hadn't won a national title since 1957, and that team's quarterback, Lloyd Nix, was among the speakers.

Chizik took the opportunity to praise the fans and his team once again.

"You are the best fans in the United States of America," he said. "And you have helped us and been a huge part of being the best football team in the United States of America."

As for the team: "I was asked right before the national championship, 'Coach, do you have a great team?' We'd won 13, and I said, 'Ask me in one more week.' I can emphatically say this is a great football team."

Chizik said he told athletic director Jay Jacobs before his hiring that a title was coming.

"I said, 'I don't know how long it's going to take. I'm not going to put a timeline on it -- but we will win a championship. You can bank that one,' " the coach said.

This team will lose 23 seniors, 13 of them starters, and its two biggest stars.

Newton and Fairley are projected first-round picks, with the All-American defensive tackle drawing buzz that he might be the No. 1 overall selection.

Newton was asked if it was worth it to leave Auburn with labor problems and a potential lockout hovering over the NFL.

"It's kind of a bittersweet situation that we're in right now, because what other way can you picture us going out than the way we went out this year?" he said. "With a lockout looming, will it happen? That's the risk you've got to take."

 

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Source: http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2011/01/22/auburn-celebrates-with-78-000-fans/

Julie Berry K. D. Aubert Karen Carreno

Awakened Vince Carter Taking His New Role in Stride

Filed under: Suns, FanHouse Exclusive

PHOENIX -- Vince Carter celebrated his 34th birthday on Wednesday by breaking out of a four-game shooting slump, and by moving past Tom Chambers into 36th on the NBA's career-scoring list. His performance was more than solid, but it wasn't enough to prevent the Suns from losing 114-107 to the Bobcats.

After averaging a little more than eight points while shooting a dismal 10 of 40 from the field over the team's last four games, Carter bounced back with 22 points and six rebounds in this one, on eight of 17 from the field, including five of eight from three-point land.

Still, the team lost for the third straight game. So while it was obviously nice for him to get back on track personally, Carter was more focused on the bigger picture, and the fact that personal success doesn't necessarily translate into team victories.

In an interview with FanHouse afterward, Carter talked about how the mental approach to his game has changed, and how he still believes the Suns have time to get things right and make a run at the playoffs.

 

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Source: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2011/01/27/awakened-vince-carter-taking-his-new-role-in-stride/

Nikki Reed Norah Jones Noureen DeWulf

Charlotte Motor Speedway Erecting World's Largest HD Screen

Filed under: NASCAR Tracks, Sprint Cup, NASCAR, Charlotte Motor Speedway

CONCORD, N.C. -- Three tour buses slowly circled Charlotte Motor Speedway Tuesday and stopped on the backstretch, disgorging dozens of media members into the cold winter air next to the construction site of billionaire O. Bruton Smith's latest promotional extravaganza -- the world's HD largest video board.

This television screen will be 200 feet wide by 80 feet high and will tower some 30 feet higher than the backstretch lights. It will be visible -- with an impressively large image -- from every seat of the grandstands stretching from turn four all the way down the frontstretch and well into turn two.

In typical speedway fashion, the announcement included fanfare -- in this case the arrival of Marcus Smith, speedway president, and FOX NASCAR announcers Jeff Hammond and Mike Joy, all driving front end loaders.

But many in the media were more interested in hearing from Marcus Smith's father, Bruton, who parked his jet-black, brand-new Mercedes right there in the middle of the backstretch just a few yards away.

As a promoter, Smith goes back to the earliest days of NASCAR. He's always been the most innovative of the major racing promoters, and he's always been one to speak his mind. So despite the fanfare engineered by his son, when Bruton stepped out of his car, he was the one who was quickly surrounded by eager reporters.

 

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Source: http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2011/01/25/bruton-smith-erecting-worlds-largest-hdtv-screen-at-charlotte-m/

Ananda Lewis Angela Marcello Angelina Jolie