Stanford Ends UConn Women's Record 90-Game Winning Streak

Filed under: Connecticut, Stanford, Women's Basketball

PALO ALTO, Calif. -- The streak stops at 90.

Connecticut women's basketball still owns the Division I record for the longest win streak. But the Huskies will have to start a new one now.

Stanford -- the last team to beat Connecticut back in the 2008 Final Four -- took a quick lead on its home floor and, this time, the Cardinal held on to the end.

The ninth-ranked Cardinal pulled off a 71-59 win over UConn in front of a sold-out crowd of 7,329 at Maples Pavilion Thursday night.

Connecticut (12-1) lost its first game since April 6, 2008, to a Stanford team that was experienced, motivated and well-prepared for this matchup, the sixth between the two programs since December 2007.

"The streak was for them and what they did. We're about Stanford and what we want to do," said Cardinal coach Tara VanDerveer. "We didn't play a perfect game, but I thought we played very well."

---

Lisa Olson: End of UConn's Streak Restores Competition to Women's Basketball

---

Source: http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2010/12/30/stanford-ends-uconn-womens-record-90-game-winning-streak/

Mavericks Knicks Magic NBA NFL

John Fox Out After Panthers' Season Finale Sunday

Filed under: Panthers, NFL Coaching

John Fox and his staff will not be back in Carolina next year, the team announced Friday. Fox will coach the Panthers at Atlanta Sunday.

"I told John today that I appreciate everything he has done for us over the last nine years," Panthers owner Jerry Richardson said in a statement, "but as happens in this business, it is time for both sides to move in different directions."

The decision comes as no surprise -- the contracts of Fox and his staff are up at the end of the season, and the sides have been rumored to be on the verge of a split all season. Fox holds a 73-72 regular-season record for the Panthers, but Carolina has limped along to an NFL-worst 2-13 mark this season.

Source: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2010/12/31/john-fox-out-after-panthers-season-finale-sunday/

St Andrews Albert Pujols Jimmie Johnson Serena Williams NFL record

Armando Galarraga, Jim Joyce Achieve Much More After Near-Perfect Game

Filed under: Indians, Tigers, MLB Umpires

All this week, the FanHouse staff will look back at the most significant baseball storylines of 2010.

Armando Galarraga was better than perfect.

With apologies to Dallas Braden and Roy Halladay and the 18 pitchers before them who had managed to pitch a perfect game in the major leagues, none of them emerged from his day in quite the same way as Galarraga did.

Galarraga had done the physical part. He'd retired all 27 batters the moment his foot hit first base, beating Cleveland's Jason Donald to the bag. All he needed was to wait for umpire Jim Joyce to give the out signal.

That's when this June 2 Tigers-Indians game crossed over from being merely a great performance to one of the most memorable incidents in recent big league history.

Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/12/31/armando-galarraga-jim-joyce-achieve-much-more-after-near-perfec/

home run touchdowns All Star allstar PGA

MLB 2010 in Review: Best of the Rest

All this week, the FanHouse staff is looking back at the most significant baseball storylines of 2010. Our top stories are linked below, but there were many more high and low points...

Hot Streaks

o. Troy Tulowitzki hit four home runs in 40 games between June 7 and Sept. 2, missing nearly six weeks during that span with a broken wrist. Suffice to say, there were no indications at that point that he was about to break out in an otherworldly power surge. From Sept. 3 to Sept. 18, Tulowitzki mashed 14 home runs and amassed 31 RBI. Four times during that span, he hit a pair of homers in a game. Throw in four doubles and a triple and his slugging percentage for that 15-game stretch was a tidy 1.164. Interestingly, 10 of those games came against teams in playoff contention (the Padres and Reds), but Tulowitzki didn't draw a single intentional walk during his run.

o. Perhaps Tulowitzki was just trying to outdo his teammate Carlos Gonzalez, who had an impressive streak end the day before Tulo's began. Gonzalez collected at least one extra-base hit in 10 consecutive games from Aug. 24-Sept. 2 -- four doubles, two triples and six homers. His slugging percentage during that time was an absurd 1.257.

Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/12/31/mlb-2010-in-review-best-of-the-rest/

Dario Franchitti Ron Hornaday Tony Schumacher Kyle Busch Dario Franchitti

MLB 2010 in Review: Best of the Rest

All this week, the FanHouse staff is looking back at the most significant baseball storylines of 2010. Our top stories are linked below, but there were many more high and low points...

Hot Streaks

o. Troy Tulowitzki hit four home runs in 40 games between June 7 and Sept. 2, missing nearly six weeks during that span with a broken wrist. Suffice to say, there were no indications at that point that he was about to break out in an otherworldly power surge. From Sept. 3 to Sept. 18, Tulowitzki mashed 14 home runs and amassed 31 RBI. Four times during that span, he hit a pair of homers in a game. Throw in four doubles and a triple and his slugging percentage for that 15-game stretch was a tidy 1.164. Interestingly, 10 of those games came against teams in playoff contention (the Padres and Reds), but Tulowitzki didn't draw a single intentional walk during his run.

o. Perhaps Tulowitzki was just trying to outdo his teammate Carlos Gonzalez, who had an impressive streak end the day before Tulo's began. Gonzalez collected at least one extra-base hit in 10 consecutive games from Aug. 24-Sept. 2 -- four doubles, two triples and six homers. His slugging percentage during that time was an absurd 1.257.

Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/12/31/mlb-2010-in-review-best-of-the-rest/

Derek Jeter Kyle Busch Dario Franchitti Ron Hornaday Tony Schumacher

Mike Wallace: NFL's Best Big-Play Wide Receiver?

Filed under: Steelers, NFL Analysis

When the Pittsburgh Steelers traded Santonio Holmes to the New York Jets this past offseason, the biggest question for the offense was who would replace him as the its big-play threat in the passing game. Holmes, for all of his problems off of the field (two suspensions: one by the team in 2008, one by the NFL in 2010, a now infamous and probably forgotten Twitter meltdown) was an impact player on it. A Super Bowl MVP and an explosive wide receiver capable of turning any pass into a touchdown.

The answer for his replacement was an easy one, coming in the form of second-year wide receiver Mike Wallace. Fresh off a rookie campaign that saw him finish with the highest yards-per-catch average in the NFL, he's emerged as not only the Steelers biggest impact player on offense, but also the best big play wide receiver in the NFL.

Source: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2010/12/30/mike-wallace-nfls-best-big-play-wr/

Nate Robinson Steve Nash Chauncey Billups Kevin Durant Rajon Rondo

Stanford Ends UConn Women's Record 90-Game Winning Streak

Filed under: Connecticut, Stanford, Women's Basketball

STANFORD, Calif. -- The streak stops at 90.

Connecticut women's basketball still owns the Division I record for the longest win streak. But the Huskies will have to start a new one now.

Stanford -- the last team to beat Connecticut back in the 2008 Final Four -- took a quick lead on its home floor and, this time, the Cardinal held on to the end.

The ninth-ranked Cardinal pulled off a71-59 win over UConn in front of a sold-out crowd of 7,329 at Maples Pavilion Thursday night.

Connecticut (12-1) lost its first game since April 6, 2008 to a Stanford team that was experienced, motivated and well-prepared for this matchup, the sixth between the two programs since December 2007.

"The streak was for them and what they did. We're about Stanford and what we want to do," said Cardinal coach Tara VanDerveer. "We didn't play a perfect game, but I thought we played very well."

Source: http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2010/12/30/stanford-ends-uconn-womens-record-90-game-winning-streak/

Kyle Busch Dario Franchitti Ron Hornaday Tony Schumacher Kyle Busch

Nickey Van Exel, Son of Former NBA Star Nick Van Exel, Charged With Murder

Filed under: Hawks, Lakers, Mavericks, Nuggets, Spurs, Warriors, NBA Police Blotter

Nickey Van Exel, the 20-year-old son of former NBA great Nick Van Exel, is being held on $1 million bond after being charged with one count of capital murder in Dallas, according to police.

Van Exel is being held on the felony count of murdering Bradley Bassey Eyo, described by police as a close friend.

Paul Johnson, the younger Van Exel's attorney, told The Associated Press that Van Exel and Eyo were allegedly playing with a shotgun at a home in Garland, Texas, a suburb of Dallas, when the gun accidentally fired. Johnson further explained that Van Exel "panicked" and moved the body, dumping it less than a mile away in nearby Lake Ray Hubbard.

Nickey Van Exel turned himself into Dallas police on Wednesday and has admitted to the murder, police said, although he insists it was an accident.

"It's a real sad situation," Johnson said. "Emotions are running high, and, obviously, we recognize that some very bad decisions were made on how he responded."

The senior Van Exel played 13 years in the NBA, appearing in 880 games and starting 670. He averaged 14.4 points and 6.6 assists per game in his career and was known as both a clutch shooter and 3-point specialist. He remains ranked No. 6 in NBA history in 3-point field goals made.

Nick Van Exel played for six different teams in the NBA, most notably the Los Angeles Lakers, as well as the Denver Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Portland Trail Blazers and retired after a final season in 2005-06 with the San Antonio Spurs.

Nick Van Exel is in his first year as an assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks, where he specializes in player development instruction.

No information has been released yet about a hearing date for the younger Van Exel.

Source: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/12/30/nickey-van-exel-son-of-former-nba-star-nick-van-exel-charged-w/

Phil Mickelson Firestone St Andrews Albert Pujols Jimmie Johnson

Mike Wallace: NFL's Best Big-Play Wide Receiver?

Filed under: Steelers, NFL Analysis

When the Pittsburgh Steelers traded Santonio Holmes to the New York Jets this past offseason, the biggest question for the offense was who would replace him as the its big-play threat in the passing game. Holmes, for all of his problems off of the field (two suspensions: one by the team in 2008, one by the NFL in 2010, a now infamous and probably forgotten Twitter meltdown) was an impact player on it. A Super Bowl MVP and an explosive wide receiver capable of turning any pass into a touchdown.

The answer for his replacement was an easy one, coming in the form of second-year wide receiver Mike Wallace. Fresh off a rookie campaign that saw him finish with the highest yards-per-catch average in the NFL, he's emerged as not only the Steelers biggest impact player on offense, but also the best big play wide receiver in the NFL.

Source: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2010/12/30/mike-wallace-nfls-best-big-play-wr/

76ers Celtics Heat Pistons Mavericks

Nickey Van Exel, Son of Former NBA Star Nick Van Exel, Charged With Murder

Filed under: Hawks, Lakers, Mavericks, Nuggets, Spurs, Warriors, NBA Police Blotter

Nickey Van Exel, the 20-year-old son of former NBA great Nick Van Exel, is being held on $1 million bond after being charged with one count of capital murder in Dallas, according to police.

Van Exel is being held on the felony count of murdering Bradley Bassey Eyo, described by police as a close friend.

Paul Johnson, the younger Van Exel's attorney, told The Associated Press that Van Exel and Eyo were allegedly playing with a shotgun at a home in Garland, Texas, a suburb of Dallas, when the gun accidentally fired. Johnson further explained that Van Exel "panicked" and moved the body, dumping it less than a mile away in nearby Lake Ray Hubbard.

Nickey Van Exel turned himself into Dallas police on Wednesday and has admitted to the murder, police said, although he insists it was an accident.

"It's a real sad situation," Johnson said. "Emotions are running high, and, obviously, we recognize that some very bad decisions were made on how he responded."

The senior Van Exel played 13 years in the NBA, appearing in 880 games and starting 670. He averaged 14.4 points and 6.6 assists per game in his career and was known as both a clutch shooter and 3-point specialist. He remains ranked No. 6 in NBA history in 3-point field goals made.

Nick Van Exel played for six different teams in the NBA, most notably the Los Angeles Lakers, as well as the Denver Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Portland Trail Blazers and retired after a final season in 2005-06 with the San Antonio Spurs.

Nick Van Exel is in his first year as an assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks, where he specializes in player development instruction.

No information has been released yet about a hearing date for the younger Van Exel.

Source: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/12/30/nickey-van-exel-son-of-former-nba-star-nick-van-exel-charged-w/

Motocross Mick Fanning Surfer Garrett Reynolds BMX

LaMichael James to Return to Oregon

Filed under: Oregon

LaMichael James will skip the 2011 NFL Draft and return to school for his junior season, the University of Oregon announced Thursday.

James is coming off a season in which he finished third in Heisman voting after rushing for 1,682 yards -- only 40 short of Jonathan Stewart's school record. With 3,228 career yards at the school, he's 68 yards behind Derek Loville's mark.

"I came to the University of Oregon to get a quality education as well as to play football, and feel I have yet to complete that goal," James said.

There's been speculation that labor uncertainty and the potential strike in the NFL in 2011 could be influencing college players' decisions about whether to declare professional eligibility or stay in school.

Oregon will play in the BCS championship game against Auburn on Jan. 10.

Source: http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2010/12/30/lamichael-james-returning-to-oregon-in-2011/

Ravens Bengals Browns Patriots Dolphins

NFL Picks, Week 17: Can Packers Punch Playoff Ticket?

Filed under: NFL Predictions, NFL Analysis

The Chicago Bears have clinched the No. 2 seed in the NFC. Yet, they say they will play their starters -- and play hard -- when they go Sunday to Green Bay, which needs a win to ensure the final playoff spot in the conference.

The oddsmakers don't believe them.

That's evident from a 10-point spread favoring the Packers, one that probably would be three for home field if the game meant something to Chicago. But only one team needs he win, so it's double digits.

Source: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2010/12/30/nfl-picks-week-17-can-packers-punch-playoff-ticket/

players association David Stern Cliff Lee Shaun Rogers Michael Vick

Erik Spoelstra's Christmas Gift to Players Sends Inspiring Message

Filed under: Heat, Knicks

MIAMI -- Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra may be a last-minute Christmas shopper, but he deserves a pass since he was probably too busy planning for his team's much-hyped matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers to free up enough time to go shopping.

On Tuesday night, in the Heat's first home game at the AmericanAirlines Arena since their victory against the defending champions, Spoelstra made sure he had a thoughtful gift for his team waiting for them. A DVD box set of the "Band of Brothers" mini-series and the original book written by Stephen E. Ambrose were bundled together in cellophane and holiday ribbons for each of the players. Taking a page from his mentor Pat Riley, who always sought to motivate and inspire his team, the young coach's intentions were clear.

The story of the Easy Company, an elite collection of riflemen sent ahead of the others to combat in World War II, is one that is easy to imagine would be a favorite of Spoelstra's. In enemy territory, these soldiers only had each other as they pulled together as a family to survive. With the Heat choosing to hold training camp at Hurlburt Field in Florida's Panhandle and their continued efforts to honor returning troops at home games throughout the season, the players have had plenty of contact with these brave Americans who risked their lives protecting their country.

Source: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/12/29/erik-spoelstras-christmas-gift-to-players-sends-inspiring-messa/

Heat Pistons Mavericks Knicks Magic

Mike Krzyzewski Once Again Measured Against Dean, and Vice Versa

Filed under: Duke

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Dean Smith was all over the Greensboro Coliseum Wednesday night.

Yes, in memory, legacy and history, on the night that Mike Krzyzewski supplanted him on the all-time college basketball coaching victory list, in the very building where Smith's North Carolina teams fought to maintain the upper hand over Krzyzewski's Duke squads in a rivalry that takes a back seat to no one. Statistically, with the Blue Devils' 108-62 rout of UNC-Greensboro, Krzyzewski did in fact take the upper hand.

Source: http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2010/12/29/mike-krzyzewski-passes-dean-smith-coaching-list/

Falcons Panthers Texans Cowboys 49ers

Dominic Raiola Fined $15K by Lions for Taunting Fan

Filed under: Lions

Dominic Raiola has been fined $15,000 by the Lions for yelling an obscenity at a fan after the Lions beat the Dolphins in Miami last weekend. Raiola snapped at the fan as he was leaving the stadium.

Raiola didn't apologize for his actions, saying he "paid the price" for his actions.

"It's like when you're a kid, and you do something wrong, and you get beat up for it, your dad beats you up," Raiola said. "I got beat up. I got fined. Usually, you move on to the next day."

Raiola was also fined $7,500 in 2008 for giving the middle finger to hecklers at Ford Field. At the time, he said he had already been fined by then-coach Rod Marinelli for getting into other confrontations with fans.

"I'm just emotional," Raiola said today. "Interaction with the crowd, it's a part of every Sunday."

Source: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2010/12/29/dominic-raiola-fined-15k-by-lions-for-taunting-fan/

Cliff Lee Shaun Rogers Michael Vick Terrell Owens Buckeyes

Jim Tressel, Ohio State Can and Should Suspend Players for Sugar Bowl

Filed under: Arkansas, Ohio State, Bowl Games

One simple question has resonated following the suspension of five Ohio State players for the first five games of next season: how can they be allowed to play in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 4?

The answer is pretty simple, and it's wrapped up in the money that bowl games provide to conferences and institutions of higher academic pursuit. The NCAA would like the world to believe it's not, and in a posting on its website Wednesday said money was no factor in the decision and attributed bowl game rules to the "Division I Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet," which made its decision in 2004.

Leave it to the NCAA to be the organization that makes Congress seem streamlined and efficient.

Alas, we digress.

The NCAA's ruling does not preclude an institution itself from taking action. And Ohio State should. It simply does not seem right that Terrelle Pryor, Dan Herron, DeVier Posey, Mike Adams and Solomon Thomas should have their discipline delayed nine months.

Jim Tressel can do what is right and show that he and his school stand for more than wins and cash. He should suspend the players for the bowl game himself.

Head coaching is about leadership. This is Tressel's chance to show it. Ohio State needs to stand for something more than football, more than Ws and Ls ... like integrity.

Source: http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2010/12/29/jim-tressel-ohio-state-can-and-should-suspend-players-for-sugar/

Chris Bosh Pat Riley Kevin Durant Amare Stoudemire King James

John Isner, Nicolas Mahut Provide Top Sports Moment of 2010

Filed under: Wimbledon, ATP

You are arm wrestling and your opponent has the exact same strength you have. Neither of you can budge.

One weak second, and you would be done. One lapse of concentration, and it's over. Same is true for the other guy.

And the moment doesn't just last a few seconds. Or minutes. Or hours. It lasts three days. How do you do it? How do you keep it together?

That's how I saw tennis' biggest moment of 2010. The year in tennis belonged to Rafael Nadal, really, as he recovered from an injury that threatened his career, won three majors, reestablished himself as the world's best player and entered the argument about best player of all time.

But the most incredible moment is not in debate. It was John Isner beating Nicolas Mahut on a side court at Wimbledon on a Tuesday.

Also, on a Wednesday.

And a Thursday.

Source: http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2010/12/29/john-isner-nicolas-mahut-provide-top-sports-moment-of-2010/

CFL NHL Dwyane Wade Chris Bosh Pat Riley

Tale of Two Quarterbacks: Phillip Rivers and Tim Tebow

Filed under: Broncos, Chargers, AFC West

SAN DIEGO -- By golly, Philip Rivers and Tim Tebow have a lot in common.

Such as Sun Belt childhoods, pride in Southern alma maters, NFL first-round pedigrees and AFC West addresses.

Such as a feistiness on the football field and affability of it.

They're also eager mentors to children and teenagers, and advocates of Christian faith.

They probably drink a lot of milk.

The next step in their shared wonderfulness?

It'd be neat if the rookie Tebow, against steep odds, can become more like Rivers as a passer. Sunday in Denver, the two quarterbacks will oppose each other for the first time, a matchup of Pro Bowl regular and relative novice.

"I'm a work in progress," Tebow acknowledged Wednesday. "I'm still trying to get better every day and get the system down to where it's second nature. But, I feel like I've improved a lot."

Source: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2010/12/29/tale-of-two-quarterbacks-phillip-rivers-and-tim-tebow/

Bengals Browns Patriots Dolphins Bears

Brett Favre to Be Fined, Not Suspended, in Jenn Sterger Mess

Filed under: Jets, Vikings, NFL Quarterbacks

The NFL plans to announce punishment Wednesday or Thursday for Vikings quarterback Brett Favre in the Jenn Sterger matter. A source close to the situation confirmed for FanHouse a FOXSports.com report that Favre would be fined but not suspended for his conduct toward Sterger while both were members of the New York Jets organization in 2008. Sterger has alleged that Favre made unwanted sexual advances toward her that included inappropriate text and photo messages sent to her phone.

According to the source, the league didn't feel the evidence its investigation turned up rose to the level of a suspension for sexual harassment in the workplace but did feel Favre's actions cast the league in a negative enough light to warrant a fine. The source was not aware of the amount of money the league planned to fine Favre, who has said (as he has said many times in past years) that he plans to retire at the end of this season.

Source: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2010/12/29/brett-favre-to-be-fined-not-suspended-in-jenn-sterger-mess/

Nate Robinson Steve Nash Chauncey Billups Kevin Durant Rajon Rondo

Brett Favre Fined $50,000 for Not Cooperating in Jenn Sterger Investigation

Filed under: Jets, Vikings, NFC North, NFL Quarterbacks

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre, whose 20-year NFL career is expected to come to an end with Sunday's regular-season finale, has been fined $50,000 at the conclusion of an NFL investigation into allegations that he sexually harassed former New York Jets employee Jenn Sterger.

However, the fine does not come for sexual harassment or any other violation of the league's personal-conduct policy. Instead, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell fined Favre for his refusal to cooperate with the league investigation.

---

More: Jenn Sterger's Attorney Rips NFL

---

Source: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2010/12/29/brett-favre-fined-50-000-for-not-cooperating-in-jenn-sterger-in/

Kevin Durant Amare Stoudemire King James Cavaliers Paul Pierce

Michael Vick Too Valuable to Risk in Meaningless Regular-Season Finale

Filed under: Eagles, Vikings, NFC East, NFC North, NFL Quarterbacks, NFL Analysis

PHILADELPHIA -- So Michael Vick won't be the Most Valuable Player in the NFL this year. His own performance in the Eagles' inexcusable, inexplicable loss to Joe Webb's Minnesota Vikings in Tuesday night's weather-delayed game locked up that award for the Patriots' Tom Brady.

But you can't watch the Eagles and fail to conclude that Vick is an extraordinarily valuable player. You see it even in a loss. The Eagles are so shredded on defense, so outmanned on the offensive line that that they can't win if Vick's not at his best. And that's why, no matter what anybody said in the wake of Tuesday's loss, the Eagles can't let Vick play in Sunday's regular-season finale against the Cowboys.

The game means nothing at all. The Eagles know now that they will be the No. 3 seed in this year's NFC playoffs. Nothing that happens in their game or any other game Sunday will change that in either direction. They will play a home playoff game on Jan. 8 or 9 against the Giants, Packers or Buccaneers. And the two things that should matter most to them right now are (1) making sure Vick is as healthy as possible for that game and (2) spending the next week and a half figuring out how to better protect him.

---

More coverage: Quick Hits | Recap | Box Score

---

Source: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2010/12/29/michael-vick-too-valuable-to-risk-in-meaningless-regular-season/

Packers New England Saints Drew Brees Payton Manning

Clippers Surge as Blake Griffin Soars

Filed under: Clippers, Kings

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The Lakers will continue to get top billing in Los Angeles over the Clippers (and second and maybe third), even with their Christmas Day humbling by the Heat.

But kudos to the other team in La-La land for giving its most-loyal fan base quite the holiday treat in recent weeks, winning five of six games in a stretch that began on Dec. 17 and continued with a 100-99 win over the lowly Sacramento Kings on Monday night at Arco Arena.

Source: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/12/28/clippers-surge-as-blake-griffin-soars/

Dwyane Wade Chris Bosh Pat Riley Kevin Durant Amare Stoudemire

Let's Hope for Saints-Falcons Trilogy

Filed under: Atlanta Falcons, Saints, NFC South

ATLANTA -- So this is the look of friendly hatred in pro football. It often is goofy. It is a slew of New Orleans Saints players embarrassing themselves by returning to the visiting turf of the Georgia Dome on Monday night for a group picture after surviving the Atlanta Falcons down the stretch.

Memo to the Saints: this is the NFL, not Pop Warner League.

To be fair, linebacker Jonathan Vilma insisted after the Saints' 17-14 victory over their biggest rivals that this wasn't unusual.

He said it only was about memories.

Uh-huh.

---

Saints 17, Falcons 14: Quick Hits | Recap | Box Score
Falcons Don't Fret Loss | Saints Handle Turner

---

"It's memories, and we clinched a playoff berth, and especially in the NFL, you know how hard it is to get to the playoffs," Vilma said, easing into a smile from a straight face.

He added that the Saints also did their little portrait thing when they won in Dallas on Thanksgiving Night, and he said they did the same last season after every playoff game along the way to their world championship.

As for Monday night's photo session, Vilma sighed, thinking of the victory over the Falcons and saying, "It's definitely a daunting task, especially being Super Bowl champions and everybody taking their best shot at us. It was our 11th victory, on the road, against the best team in the NFC right now. It's huge. We wanted to take a picture and keep the memories."

Uh-huh.

Source: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2010/12/28/lets-hope-for-saints-falcons-trilogy/

Mavericks Knicks Magic NBA NFL

Tyreke Evans Considering Season-Ending Foot Procedure

Filed under: Clippers, Kings, NBA Injuries, NBA Rumors

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Welcome to Kings Land 2010, where even the slightest bit of good news is -- somehow, someway -- always quickly followed by something bad.

And the way things are going, that trend is about to spill right over into 2011.

Losing an eighth straight game wasn't the focus immediately after they fell, 100-99, to the Clippers on Monday night, as the Kings' spirits were raised from the depths based solely on the outing of second-year guard Tyreke Evans. He scored a season-high 32 points in retro fashion, finally looking like the player who won the Rookie of the Year award last season just one game after a loss to Milwaukee marked a new low for the league's worst team.

But Evans, who has dealt with a mild case of plantar fasciitis for much of the season in which his production has drastically declined, revealed afterward that he is considering having a procedure done on his left foot to alleviate the condition that would sideline him for "three to four months."

Source: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/12/28/tyreke-evans-considering-season-ending-foot-procedure/

Chris Bosh Pat Riley Kevin Durant Amare Stoudemire King James

Joe Webb Beats Expectations, Eagles

Filed under: Eagles, Vikings, NFL Quarterbacks

PHILADELPHIA -- When it was over, once Joe Webb and his going-nowhere Vikings had pulled off the 24-14 upset of the playoff-bound, division-champion Eagles, interim Minnesota coach Leslie Frazier said Brett Favre would be his starting quarterback Sunday if Favre is healthy. Frazier is required to say this, we believe, by a clause in Favre's contract that requires whoever happens to be coaching the team to profess unerring loyalty to the 41-year-old grandfather, long after evidence proves such loyalty senseless. But the unfortunate thing about the latest bit of farcical Favre drama appearing in Tuesday night's postgame news conference was that it threatened to take away from Webb's big night as Minnesota's starting (and winning) quarterback.

Not that any of that bothered Webb.

"If he wants to play, he can play," Webb said. "He's Brett Favre. Brett did a great job with me tonight, too. He gave me tips on the sideline as he watched the game. I took those tips and ran with them."

---

Vikings 24, Eagles 14: Quick Hits | Box Score
More Graziano: Eagles Should Sit Vick in Week 17

---

Source: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2010/12/29/joe-webb-beats-expectations-eagles/

Chris Bosh Pat Riley Kevin Durant Amare Stoudemire King James

NFC Conference Chaos Leaves South on Rise Again

Filed under: Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons, Panthers, Saints, NFC East, NFC North, NFC South, NFC West, NFL Analysis

NFL parity never ceases to amaze, does it?

Even in a year when much has gone as anticipated -- on the AFC side, most preseason prognostications would have had the Patriots, Ravens, Jets and Steelers as the top Super Bowl contenders -- it's hard to believe how really wrong so many were. Even in a league that for 19 straight years has placed at least five playoff teams in its 12-team field that missed the postseason the year before.

Rewind 12 months.

In the final week of the 2009 season, the Minnesota Vikings routed the New York Giants 44-7 to wrap up a first-round bye. The Dallas Cowboys rolled the rival Philadelphia Eagles 24-0 for their second shutout in as many weeks to capture the NFC East Division. And the San Francisco 49ers went on the road and pounded the St. Louis Rams 28-6 to finish 8-8 and put a wrap on the first non-losing season since 2002, thus fueling anticipation for good things to come.

Source: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2010/12/28/nfc-conference-chaos-leaves-south-on-rise-again/

players association David Stern Cliff Lee Shaun Rogers Michael Vick

NFL Power Rankings, Week 17: Your Turn to Vote

Filed under: NFL Power Rankings

There is no longer any question as to who is the No. 1 team in the NFL. The New England Patriots have won seven straight and remain on top of the NFL power rankings for Week 17, just like they've been for so long now.

The real question is who is No. 2. Or even better, which NFC team is the best now that the Atlanta Falcons have lost.

The Philadelphia Eagles look good, but they still have a Week 16 game to win because snow postponed their game until Tuesday. The New Orleans Saints could lay claim to the NFC's top spot, they did just beat the "unbeatable at home" Falcons in Atlanta. Plus, they still are the reigning Super Bowl champions.

So it's your turn to weigh in. Vote for who you think the best team in the league is, and we'll compare the readers' top five with our own and other NFL experts across the Internet on Wednesday.

Source: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2010/12/28/nfl-power-rankings-week-17-your-turn-to-vote/

King James Cavaliers Paul Pierce Nate Robinson Steve Nash

Jeremy Hazell Describes Moment of Gunshot Wound

Filed under: Seton Hall

It's always better to keep things in perspective.

Jeremy Hazell, a 6-foot-5 senior guard for the Seton Hall basketball team, knows that best now.

"I just feel very lucky, very blessed," Hazell said in an exclusive interview with the New York Daily News on Monday, after surviving a gun-shot wound while walking back from a Christmas party early Sunday in east Harlem.

"I didn't know these guys -- never saw them before," Hazell said. "They just tried to rob me. I never knew something like this could happen to me."

After undergoing surgery for a broken scaphoid bone in his left wrist Dec.2, the NBA hopeful could have been lost for his final NCAA season.

On Christmas night, Hazell could have lost his life.

Source: http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2010/12/27/jeremy-hazell-describes-moment-of-gun-shot-wound/

lockout Paul Tagliabue Pro Bowl NFL Playoffs Super Bowl

LeBron James Denies Supporting Contraction

Filed under: Heat, NBA CBA, NBA Business

After stating last week that the NBA was "watered down" and suggesting "it would be great for the league" if players from losing teams played for winners, LeBron James tried to clarify that in no way was he advocating for contraction.

"That's crazy, because I had no idea what the word 'contraction' meant before I saw it on the Internet," James told reporters Monday after the Miami Heat's practice. "I never even mentioned that. That word never even came out of my mouth. I was just saying how the league was back in the '80s and how it could be good again. I never said, 'Let's take some of the teams out.' "

Source: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/12/27/lebron-james-denies-supporting-contraction/

Cowboys 49ers Rams Packers New England

Avery Johnson Responds to LeBron's Pro-Contraction Comments

Filed under: Heat, Nets, NBA CBA, NBA Business

Would the NBA be better without the New Jersey Nets? LeBron James seems to think so, telling reporters last week that today's NBA is "watered down" and that the league would be better served if young stars currently stuck on losing teams such as the Nets instead played for winners.

On Sunday, Nets coach Avery Johnson responded. "I disagree. Maybe the league would be better if we didn't have three stars on one team. Who knows? I just disagree with that comment."

James made his comments before his Miami Heat faced the Phoenix Suns Thursday, advocating for contraction while at the same time refusing to use the exact word.

Source: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/12/27/avery-johnson-responds-to-lebrons-pro-contraction-comments/

Motocross Mick Fanning Surfer Garrett Reynolds BMX

US Needs Overtime to Finnish Off Fins in World Juniors Opener

Filed under: College Hockey, Junior Hockey

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Nick Bjugstad just put the puck on net, hoping something good would happen, and he was shocked to see his teammates raise their arms in the air to celebrate the winning goal in a 3-2 overtime victory by the United States over Finland at the World Junior Championship on Sunday.

"It was awesome," said Bjugstad of his floater that trickled past goalie Joni Ortio and spoiled a superb performance by the Finnish teenager. "I had no idea it went in. I looked up and saw the guys celebrating."

The win prevented the United States from opening its defense of the World Junior title with what would have been an embarrassing outcome.

With eight players back from the team that mined gold a year ago in Saskatoon, Canada, the United States is favored to defend its title.

Finland isn't expected to win a medal at the best-on-best tournament but they should not be taken lightly. The Finns are tenacious workers who play a hybrid brand of hockey that combines the finesse of the Europeans along with the North American grinding style.

U.S. coach Keith Allain was as happy as anyone that his team eked out the win.

"You have to find ways to win when you are not at your best and we did that tonight," he said. "I think there are a lot of things we have to do better."

Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2010/12/27/usa-needs-overtime-to-finnish-off-fins-in-world-juniors-opener/

Cowboys 49ers Rams Packers New England

Kings Get Hot Again in December

Filed under: Kings

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Los Angeles is so far a team of months -- a great October, a poor November, a terrific December.

So which team is this? Are the Kings the bunch that barely loses and that just lost focus for one month? Or are they a team unable to find consistency?

Head coach Terry Murray said after his team's skate Monday at HP Pavilion that November's dip -- which included a 1-7 slide to end the month -- was all mental. It's a young squad, and the hot start, going 8-3 in October, might have had an undesired effect.

"The mental commitment fell off there, the attitude after getting off to a great start," Murray said, adding that maybe the team "read press clippings too much."

Veteran forward Ryan Smyth is, at 34, the Kings' oldest player, and agreed that during what he called the November "lull," the team wasn't doing the little things right, and, he said, "We got away from playing a full 60 minutes."

Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2010/12/27/kings-get-hot-again-in-december/

Ryan Dungey Motocross Mick Fanning Surfer Garrett Reynolds

Shaq Signing Pays Off Big for Celtics

Filed under: Celtics, Magic

When the Boston Celtics finally made the decision last summer to add over-the-hill center Shaquille O'Neal to their delicately-balanced chemistry -- and to a roster already filled with big egos -- even they wondered privately if it could possibly work.

Adding his larger-than-life personality yet rapidly-fading skills to a team that already had been to the NBA Finals in two of the previous three years carried a huge risk, delivering a potential recipe for disaster.

It has turned out to be the best thing they ever did.

It's why the Celtics (23-5) go into Tuesday night's game at Indiana still comfortably leading the Eastern Conference, despite seeing their 14-game winning streak snapped on Christmas Day in Orlando. It was no coincidence that the streak ended when O'Neal had his worst game of the year.

Yes, he has been that key.

Source: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/12/27/shaq-signing-pays-off-big-for-celtics/

Braves Marlins Yankees Angels Cubs

Duke Again Unanimous No. 1 in AP Poll

Filed under: Connecticut, Duke, Georgetown, Kansas, Louisville, Ohio State, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Vanderbilt, Villanova, Missouri, Temple

The Duke Blue Devils again sit atop the AP poll, and it's back to being a unanimous decision.

Duke received all 65 first-place votes from the panel. Duke has been No. 1 all season long, a unanimous selection for three straight weeks until they fell one vote shy last week. Ohio State received that vote.

The rest of the top 10 were, in order: Ohio State, Kansas, Connecticut, Syracuse, Pittsburgh, San Diego State, Villanova, Georgetown and Missouri.

Louisville (No. 22), Vanderbilt (No. 24) and Temple (No. 25) all moved into the rankings, replacing Baylor, Tennessee and Florida. For Vanderbilt, it's the first appearance in the AP poll this season.

Duke is 11-0 on the season.

Source: http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2010/12/27/duke-again-a-unanimous-no-1-in-ap-poll/

Running Back MVP home run touchdowns All Star

Shaquille O'Neal Fined for Ripping Refs

Filed under: Celtics, Magic, NBA Referees

Shaquille O'Neal has been fined $35,000 by the NBA for comments about the officiating in Boston's 86-78 loss Saturday to the Orlando Magic, the league announced Monday.

O'Neal was ineffective in the Christmas Day game, fouling out in fewer than 13 minutes. He finished with just two points, a single rebound and a block. Dwight Howard was also frequently whistled, tallying five fouls in 33 minutes.

"We have two premier big men out there today. He is pushing, I'm pushing. Let us play,'' O'Neal told reporters after the game. "If I was fan, I would be pissed. You pay all that money for good seats and you have two of the best guys in the country sitting on the bench. That's what happens when you have control freaks out there.''

O'Neal also singled out referee Bob Delaney, who wears 26 on his uniform, for criticism. "I guess they (fans) come out to see No. 26 play. He was a great player out there today,'' O'Neal said. "They paid all that money to see No. 26 come play. My thing is, if you're going to call it, call it the same way every time. Don't pick and choose who you are going to call it against.''

Source: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/12/27/shaquille-oneal-fined-for-ripping-refs/

Buckeyes Wolverines Notre Dame Trojans lockout

Tim Tebow Slays NFL Doubters

Filed under: Broncos, AFC West, NFL Quarterbacks

At the 2009 World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party, I bought and wore a teal and white, Jacksonville Jaguar colors, "Draft Tebow" T-shirt. The shirt had been for sale at a local Walgreen's -- perhaps the first time Walgreen's had been directly complicit in an NCAA violation -- and I wore it at the Georgia-Florida game to gauge fan reaction. (Read that column here.)

At that time Tebow and Florida were the defending national champions and how Tebow projected as an NFL quarterback was the single most-debated issue in the Southeastern Conference. Throw open the phone lines beneath the Mason-Dixon line and you could take calls for hours, everyone had an opinion.

Generally, the Tebow haters, and they were legion, would argue that his football glory was short-lived. That he could never win a football game in the NFL. That he would have to change positions to tight end or fullback. That Tim Tebow was a system quarterback who had no future at the position.

I always argued otherwise, thinking back to the lasers I'd seen a freshman Tebow throwing in warm-ups at the Swamp in 2006. I had faith in Tebow's pro potential, argued that any team that didn't consider drafting him was foolish. And after I saw Tebow dismantle the Sugar Bowl record books en route to a 31-for-35 passing performance for 482 yards in a romp over Cincinnati. He also tossed in 51 yards rushing.

How could anyone have any doubts?

Source: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2010/12/27/tim-tebow-slays-nfl-doubters/

New England Saints Drew Brees Payton Manning Tom Brady

Ed Rendell, Pennsylvania Governor, Rips Vikings-Eagles Postponement

Filed under: Eagles, Vikings

There's been no shortage of criticism surrounding the NFL's decision to postpone the Vikings-Eagles game to Tuesday despite massive snowfalls hitting the Northeast. On Monday, criticism came from the governor of Pennsylvania himself.

"Vince Lombardi would be spinning in his grave," Ed Rendell said in a live interview with a television station.

Despite concern about the level of snow and how it would effect those traveling to the game, Rendell was strongly opposed to the delay.

"I think it is a joke," Rendell said. He later said, "This is no way, shape or form a blizzard!"

The game was originally scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday, but was flexed into the primetime spot on NBC. It will now be played Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.

---

Goldberg: Postponement for Snow? NFL's Gone Soft
Graziano: Eagles, Vikings Doing Best to Deal With Postponement

---

Source: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2010/12/27/ed-rendell-pennsylvania-governor-rips-vikings-eagles-postponem/

Freestyle Skiing Ryan Dungey Motocross Mick Fanning Surfer

The Works: It's Not About Kobe and LeBron, It's About Us

Filed under: Clippers, Heat, Hornets, Jazz, Lakers, Warriors, The Works

Today in The Works: we wonder if some role players get preferential treatment; take a closer look at MVP chants; and talk about Westerns.

But first, will we ever settle Kobe vs. LeBron?

Kobe Versus LeBron, Revisited

On Christmas Day, in a match-up that probably didn't deserve all the hype it got, I finally found the answer to the LeBron James-Kobe Bryant question. But it wasn't one I was expecting.

Kobe and LeBron are very different players. Yet because both score a lot, do things that inspire great awe, and have been perennial MVP candidates, they get compared -- even by those who know how different they are. Bryant now relies more than ever on craftiness and precision, though you wouldn't have known from watching him on Saturday. LeBron, on other hand, is increasingly defined by his otherworldly court sense and elemental strength and speed when he drives to the basket. James walked away with a triple-double and the easy win; Kobe looked awful in defeat, and was left to make mystifying comments about the Heat caring more than the Lakers about games like this.

As each player continues to step out of Jordan's shadow and define the wing position for himself, it become increasingly clear that LeBron James and Kobe Bryant are not in competition with each other.

Source: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/12/27/the-works-its-not-about-kobe-and-lebron-its-about-us/

Kyle Busch Dario Franchitti Ron Hornaday Tony Schumacher Kyle Busch

2010's Managerial Exodus Will Give Dugouts Different Look Next Spring

All this week, the FanHouse staff will look back at the most significant baseball storylines of 2010.

When the 2010 baseball season started, four of the top 14 managers all-time in terms of win total were at the helm of big league teams.

When 2011 starts, only one of those four, St. Louis' Tony La Russa, will still be on the job. Bobby Cox, Joe Torre and Lou Piniella all have retired.

That turnover was just part of one of the most active managerial seasons in the sport''s history. Twelve of the 30 managers who were in charge to start 2010 are gone, as are two interim managers.

Only 1992 and 2003 ever saw more movement managerially, 13 men losing their jobs in each of those years as clubs looked for the proper leadership.

Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/12/26/2010s-managerial-exodus-will-give-dugouts-different-look-next-s/

Ron Artest Braves Marlins Yankees Angels

Heat Fire Up NBA Finals Speculation

Filed under: Heat, Lakers

LOS ANGELES -- Lakers forward Matt Barnes said beforehand that whichever team won Saturday's showdown at the Staples Center, "people would make speculation like the winner could win the Finals and all kinds of crazy stuff.''

It doesn't seem too crazy after what Miami did to the Lakers in a Christmas crushing.

Just a month ago, the Heat looked like dead meat. Miami was 9-8 and perhaps American Airlines Arena officials were looking for a circus or The Ice Capades to fill arena dates in June.

Hold off on those calls. After Saturday's 96-80 wipeout of the Lakers, the hype surrounding the Heat suddenly looks a lot more real even if nobody on the team wants to admit it.

"You get whiplash if you follow you guys and your opinions from game to game,'' said Miami coach Erik Spoelstra. "So we're not concerned what you guys are commenting on and writing about.''

---

NBA on Christmas Day
Povtak: Back-to-Back Wins Over Spurs, Celtics Have Magic Beaming Again
Povtak: Shaquille O'Neal Rips Officials After Loss to Magic
More: Dwight Howard Gets 10th Technical After Rare Call

---

The Heat have won 14 of 15 games since their lackluster start, but it's the way Miami is winning that is throwing fear into the rest of the NBA. Everybody knew the Heat would have plenty of scoring with the trio of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, but it's defense that's doing it.

Source: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/12/25/heat-fire-up-nba-finals-speculation/

Shaun Rogers Michael Vick Terrell Owens Buckeyes Wolverines

2010's Managerial Exodus Will Give Dugouts Different Look Next Spring

All this week, the FanHouse staff will look back at the most significant baseball storylines of 2010.

When the 2010 baseball season started, four of the top 14 managers all-time in terms of win total were at the helm of big league teams.

When 2011 starts, only one of those four, St. Louis' Tony La Russa, will still be on the job. Bobby Cox, Joe Torre and Lou Piniella all have retired.

That turnover was just part of one of the most active managerial seasons in the sport''s history. Twelve of the 30 managers who were in charge to start 2010 are gone, as are two interim managers.

Only 1992 and 2003 ever saw more movement managerially, 13 men losing their jobs in each of those years as clubs looked for the proper leadership.

Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/12/26/2010s-managerial-exodus-will-give-dugouts-different-look-next-s/

Kevin Durant Rajon Rondo Ron Artest Braves Marlins

Back-to-Back Wins Over Spurs, Celtics Have Magic Beaming Again

Filed under: Celtics, Magic

ORLANDO, Fla. -- It didn't take long for the Orlando Magic to start justifying why they made those risky, midseason trades that turned a pretty good team upside down.

It happened quicker than they even thought.

Just a week before, the Magic were fading rapidly out of contention in the Eastern Conference, stuck in a high-priced rut as the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics pulled away, leaving them to wrestle with teams like Atlanta, Chicago and New York in the middle of the pack.

Today, the hope is back.

By beating the Boston Celtics 86-78 on Christmas Day and snapping Boston's 14-game winning streak, the Magic proved they can become contenders again -- with a revamped roster -- and expect to rekindle their championship goals.

It came just two days after they had clubbed the San Antonio Spurs -- who had a 10-game winning streak -- now having beaten the best teams in the West and East, respectively.

Source: http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/12/25/back-to-back-wins-over-spurs-celtics-have-magic-beaming-again/

Bobby Brown Freestyle Skiing Ryan Dungey Motocross Mick Fanning