Kristin Cavallari Brittany Murphy Britney Spears Amanda Swisten Scarlett Chorvat
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Jones' arrest potentially problematic for Bengals
Bengals CB Adam Jones told WCPO-TV that he wasn't drinking, wasn't yelling expletives and did not resist arrest after Cincinnati police charged him with disorderly conduct while intoxicated and resisting arrest on July 10. Jones, who has been suspended for violating the NFL's personal-conduct policy twice, could be subject to league discipline if the NFL continues to employ guidelines used for the 2010 league year. Also of note: Jones, who suffered a neck injury in October, told WCPO that he had surgery four weeks earlier. According to The Cincinnati Enquirer, the surgery was not major, and Jones is expected to be ready for the regular season. Jones is the top in-house candidate to move into the starting lineup if potential UFA Johnathan Joseph signs elsewhere, making this latest development one to watch. Joseph could be one of the most highly coveted players in a deep CB free-agent class.
Radha Mitchell Melissa Rycroft Chloë Sevigny Janet Jackson Georgianna Robertson
Monday, July 18, 2011
Week Nine confidence pool picks
This feature is designed to be helpful to readers who participate in office pools. Each Wednesday, the editors will make their selections, picking the teams they believe will win the games, without regard to the pointspread, and assigning a point value to each game. For example, in a week when there are 16 games scheduled, an editor will assign 16 points to the game in which he has the most confidence of the outcome (i.e., the most confidence that his pick will win the game), 15 points to the game in which he has the next-most confidence, all the way down to one point to the game in which he has the least confidence of the outcome.
| Matchup | Hub | Keith | Mike H | Dan A | Eric | Mike W | Dan P | Michael | Kevin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa Bay @ Atlanta | Atl. | Atl. | Atl. | Atl. | Atl. | Atl. | Atl. | Atl. | Atl. |
| 7 | 9 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 12 | 13 | 7 | 7 | |
| Chicago @ Buffalo (Toronto) | Chi. | Chi. | Chi. | Chi. | Chi. | Chi. | Chi. | Chi. | Buff. |
| 9 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 3 | |
| New England @ Cleveland | N.E. | N.E. | N.E. | N.E. | N.E. | N.E. | N.E. | N.E. | N.E. |
| 10 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 12 | |
| N.Y. Jets @ Detroit | NYJ | NYJ | NYJ | NYJ | NYJ | NYJ | NYJ | NYJ | Det. |
| 11 | 8 | 10 | 6 | 8 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 1 | |
| New Orleans @ Carolina | N.O. | N.O. | N.O. | N.O. | N.O. | N.O. | N.O. | N.O. | N.O. |
| 12 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 3 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | |
| Miami @ Baltimore | Mia. | Balt. | Balt. | Balt. | Balt. | Balt. | Balt. | Balt. | Balt. |
| 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 13 | 9 | 2 | 5 | 6 | |
| San Diego @ Houston | S.D. | Hou. | Hou. | S.D. | Hou. | Hou. | S.D. | Hou. | S.D. |
| 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | |
| Arizona @ Minnesota | Minn. | Minn. | Minn. | Minn. | Minn. | Minn. | Minn. | Minn. | Minn. |
| 8 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 12 | 10 | |
| N.Y. Giants @ Seattle | NYG | NYG | NYG | NYG | NYG | NYG | NYG | NYG | NYG |
| 5 | 11 | 6 | 7 | 11 | 5 | 11 | 8 | 11 | |
| Indianapolis @ Philadelphia | Phil. | Phil. | Ind. | Phil. | Phil. | Ind. | Ind. | Ind. | Phil. |
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | |
| Kansas City @ Oakland | Oak. | Oak. | Oak. | K.C. | Oak. | K.C. | Oak. | K.C. | K.C. |
| 3 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 | |
| Dallas @ Green Bay | G.B. | G.B. | G.B. | G.B. | G.B. | G.B. | G.B. | G.B. | G.B. |
| 13 | 10 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 8 | |
| Monday night Pittsburgh @ Cincinnati | Pitt. | Pitt. | Pitt. | Pitt. | Pitt. | Pitt. | Pitt. | Pitt. | Pitt. |
| 6 | 12 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 7 | 4 | 9 | |
| Tiebreaker: MNF total points | 48 | 43 | 45 | 43 | 39 | 42 | 37 | 41 | 43 |
| Points last week | 62 | 48 | 41 | 62 | 49 | 37 | 61 | 51 | 61 |
| Points season to date | 610 | 548 | 592 | 596 | 581 | 543 | 588 | 589 | 614 |
| Games won last week | 9 | 6 | 5 | 10 | 8 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 10 |
| Games won season to date | 73 | 70 | 72 | 72 | 68 | 62 | 67 | 69 | 79 |
Jessica Cauffiel Emmanuelle Vaugier Sarah Silverman Larissa Meek Gina Carano
UK releases men's basketball non-conference schedule
The University of Kentucky men's basketball team will play 15 non-conference game in the next season along with two exhibition games Nov. 2 and Nov. 7. Among the non-conference opponents are Kansas, Penn State, North Carolina and Louisville.
Leslie Bibb Chelsea Handler Salma Hayek Jennifer Scholle Tatiana Zavialova
Davis impresses Sullinger, Oriakhi at Skills Academy
Jerry Tipton is blogging from the LeBron James Skills Academy in Akron, OH.
Kelly Monaco Gisele Bündchen Jennifer Aniston Amy Cobb Deanna Russo
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Normal Blood pH: How Your Body Maintains It
Bar Refaeli Jessica White Anna Friel Monica Bellucci Minki van der Westhuizen
Benson arrested, charged with assault
RB Cedric Benson, a free agent who played for the Bengals last season, has been arrested and charged with assault on a family member. The news was first reported by Ricky Doyle, sports director for YNN in Austin, Texas.
According to Doyle, the incident happened early Sunday morning. Benson spends much of his offseason, where he was a star player at the University of Texas.
Benson faced similar charges in June 2010, when an Austin bartender charged the running back with assault after he claimed Benson punched him in the face. That incident still has yet to go to trial.
Playing for the Bengals last season, Benson rushed for 1,111 yards and seven touchdowns. It was his second-consecutive season with more than 1,000 rushing yards. He is considered one of the top backs on the free agent market this offseason.
Maggie Grace Luján Fernández Charli Baltimore Denise Richards Jennifer Sky
Without Vrabel, Chiefs need an outside linebacker to step up
The decision by Mike Vrabel to become a college football assistant coach instead of an active NFL player has several ramifications, but the most pressing one for the Chiefs is the vacancy left in their linebacking corps. Vrabel, who would have been a free agent had he chosen to remain in the league, started 30 games the past two seasons for the team, including every game in 2010 at left outside linebacker. Now that he's retired, a group of players will battle to replace him in the starting lineup.
It is expected that veteran Andy Studebaker will get the first crack at the job, playing opposite Pro Bowler Tamba Hali. Heading into his fourth NFL season, Studebaker has never been a full-time starter, coming off the bench for all but two of his 38 career games. He's a sure tackler, however, and it is believed he can help improve upon Vrabel's production (100 tackles, two sacks the past two seasons combined).
Third-round draft pick Justin Houston is another candidate to grab the job, though he's likely going to start the season as a situational pass rusher. Houston is a strong tackler and a better pass rusher than Studebaker, and his presence in the lineup likely would take some attention away from Hali. However, he's still very raw, and without a chance to learn the playbook and work with defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel and the other Chiefs coaches this offseason, the rookie will be behind the eight-ball when the lockout ends.
"We're going to have a competitive group this year and ultimately, that's what you want every year," Studebaker told PFW about the unit. "A group of guys that will compete against each other, and at the end of the day, we're going to compete together to do our job on Sundays."
There is also a chance that 2010 fifth-rounder Cameron Sheffield could be in the mix, though there are still major questions about his health after a preseason neck injury wiped out his rookie campaign. Sheffield and this year's fifth-round pick, Gabe Miller, a college defensive end, are likely to make their greatest contributions on special teams in 2011.
Without the trusted veteran Vrabel, who served as a coach on the field, in the lineup the other outside 'backers will need to adjust quickly entering their second year in the scheme.
"I think we've taken some steps forward, but obviously we're not settled where we need to be," Studebaker said.
Michelle Trachtenberg Amanda Bynes Ana Ivanovi Jessica Cauffiel Emmanuelle Vaugier
Cobb finds lockout frustrating, awaits NFL start
Former University of Kentucky star Randall Cobb finds the NFL lockout frustrating, but says he's anxious to get his NFL career started.
AnnaLynne McCord Emma Heming Vitamin C Scarlett Johansson Christina Ricci
Ex-UK safety Matt Lentz signs rookie-league contract with Reds
Matt Lentz thought his athletic career was over a little more than a year ago when he made the heart-wrenching decision to give up his football career at Kentucky because of a string of concussions."It was tough because I came here to play for five years and experience everything," Lentz said. "I...
Jules Asner Whitney Able Kelly Clarkson Natalie Portman Jessica Biel
Saturday, July 16, 2011
UK releases men's basketball non-conference schedule
The University of Kentucky men's basketball team will play 15 non-conference game in the next season along with two exhibition games Nov. 2 and Nov. 7. Among the non-conference opponents are Kansas, Penn State, North Carolina and Louisville.
Kentucky's Michael Gilchrist changes his name to honor family
The University of Kentucky men's basketball team added a new name, if not a new player, on Friday.
Georgina Grenville Michelle Trachtenberg Amanda Bynes Ana Ivanovi Jessica Cauffiel
10 Life Lessons from a Reluctant Runner
Gretha Cavazzoni Marla Sokoloff Jennifer Love Hewitt Tina Fey Gina Philips
Mark Story: Kentucky, WKU athletics bosses say Thursday night football opener in Nashville will draw
Are you ready for Late Night with Joker Phillips? There is much to like about Kentucky's season-opening football game with Western Kentucky on Sept. 1 in Nashville's LP Field. The starting time — 8:15 p.m. Central; 9:15 p.m. Eastern — is not among those things.
AnnaLynne McCord Emma Heming Vitamin C Scarlett Johansson Christina Ricci
No SEC coach favors a 22-game schedule
When it comes to Southeastern Conference basketball, crowning a "true" champion apparently will take a back seat to the exposure gained from scheduling attractive non-conference games and preparing the optimum profile for an NCAA Tournament bid.
Esther Cañadas Kate Beckinsale Shiri Appleby Kelly Hu Michelle Rodriguez
Friday, July 15, 2011
Lessons From The Road
Chloë Sevigny Janet Jackson Georgianna Robertson Reese Witherspoon Jordana Brewster
Former Kentucky player Brown named new coach at Clark Atlanta
Former University of Kentucky player Dale Brown has taken another step up the college basketball coaching ladder.
Brooke Burns Lena Headey Ali Larter Angelina Jolie Erica Leerhsen
Colts rookie RB Carter could play key role
The winds of change have been blowing through the Colts' backfield this offseason — and more change is on the way.
In January, the club fired longtime running backs coach Gene Huey. His replacement, former University of Maryland running backs coach David Walker, is responsible for jump-starting a lifeless ground game that has finished in the bottom four in the league each of the past three seasons.
Indianapolis spent a fourth-round draft pick on RB Delone Carter, a between-the-tackles back who is expected to become the Colts' short-yardage rusher.
With RB Donald Brown currently the only Colts back under contract, an even bigger role could be in store for the 24-year-old Carter.
"I just want to take my role and expand it by any means possible," Carter told PFW in a recent phone interview.
Carter has spent his locked-out offseason going back and forth between his hometown of Akron, Ohio, and Indianapolis. He recently participated in an unofficial two-week minicamp with Brown and free-agent RB Mike Hart, among others.
Although Carter has not yet received a Colts playbook, he did get DVDs of the offense and has spent a lot of time reviewing his University of Syracuse playbook to stay "football savvy."
"Coach Doug Marrone put it on us there with the playbook and a lot transfers over. And even though this lockout has put all of the rookies behind, I feel like I'm ahead of the game because of what I already know from our playbook at Syracuse."
Although Carter was not asked to do a lot as a receiver out of the backfield in college, he knows that his blocking and receiving skills are paramount in the Colts' pass-heavy offense.
"I like being physical so I have no problem stepping in and meeting a linebacker in the 'A' gap or going off the edge and chipping a big end. I also feel very confident in my hands."
One major absence at the Colts' camp was QB Peyton Manning, who is recovering from his second neck surgery in the past 15 months.
"He [Manning] wasn't out there but we have communicated on the phone a lot. He has done a great job sending me workouts and keeping me in the loop."
Evangeline Lilly Lisa Marie Keira Knightley Monica Keena Anne Marie Kortright
Cats, coaches abuzz about new season
Kentucky football players and coaches know there are plenty of doubters going into this season. But when asked about the question marks and potential lack of tested playmakers, all of them gave a knowing look.
Samaire Armstrong Selita Ebanks Michael Michele Marisa Tomei Shannyn Sossamon
Undrafted Kentucky players preparing intently for end of NFL lockout
Every day, Chris Matthews rises at 7 a.m. and gets ready to go to work. The former University of Kentucky wide receiver goes through this daily ritual even though he doesn't have an employer or a job to go to.
Marika Dominczyk Dita Von Teese Rachel Nichols Dido Joss Stone
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Harrison apologizes for comments in statement
Steelers OLB James Harrison issued an apology on Thursday evening for his quotes in a magazine article where he insulted NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and teammates Ben Roethlisberger and Rashard Mendenhall; there was also controversy stemming from a photograph of Harrison holding two guns in the air that appeared with the story.
The statement by the linebacker was released on the Twitter account of reporter Josina Anderson.
Harrison's full statement follows:
"I'll start by offering my apologies for some of the words that I said during the four days in May that Men's Journal was invited to my house to discuss what the NFL has recently been portraying as their attempts at 'player safety' rules and regulations, and to cover my everyday workout routine.
"I did make comments about my teammates when I was talking about the emotional Super Bowl loss, but the handful of words that were used and heavily publicized yesterday were pulled out of a long conversation and the context was lost. Obviously, I would never say that it was all Ben's or Rashard's fault that we lost the Super Bowl. That would be ridiculous. Both Ben and Rashard are great players and great teammates. Clearly the entire team bears responsibility for the loss, me included. It was a team effort and a team loss. My teammates know me well, and hopefully understand the things I said were not meant to accuse them of the loss. We all have discussed several things that went wrong in the Super Bowl since that day. What I do apologize for and take full responsibility for is for speaking in such a candid manner to someone outside the team.
"I also need to make clear that the comment about Roger Goodell was not intended to be derogatory against gay people in any way. It was careless use of a slang word and I apologize to all who were offended by the remark. I am not a homophobic bigot, and I would never advocate intolerance of gay people.
"As far as the photo that was shown on air yesterday, collecting guns is a hobby of mine, and I advocate the responsible use of firearms. I believe in the right to bear arms. I like to go to the shooting range. I like to hunt. I like to fish. I could just as easily have posed with my fishing poles but it obviously wouldn't be an interesting picture for the magazine. I am not promoting gun violence by posing for that photo. There are also other photos in the magazine story that were not shown on air yesterday - including me with my sons, with my mom and as a kid.
"Unfortunately, the above items and other comments have detracted from the original purpose of the story - a position I have been advocating for some time now. If player safety is the NFL's main concern, as they say it is, they are not going about it in an effective manner. There's nothing about extending the season or issuing exorbitant fines on defensive players that makes any shift toward the prevention of injury to players.
"I believe that the league may have been feeling increasing pressure about injuries and concussions last year, and that they panicked and put rules in place that weren't fully thought out. I'm not advocating more flags and fines, I'm just saying that the current rules are not completely fair, and I don't believe in the way that the league is handling their position as overseer of the NFL and the well-being of its players.
"As far as the character and reputation hits I may suffer as a result of my comments in the article, I'll take those hits and more if it brings increased attention to the re-examination and installation of rules and regulations that would create a real impact on player safety."
Amanda Peet Xenia Seeberg The Avatars of Second Life Daniella Alonso Gina Gershon
10 Life Lessons from a Reluctant Runner
Sienna Guillory Tricia Vessey Aki Ross Ashley Tappin Carmen Electra
Munchak will be tested as soon as lockout ends
Step into Mike Munchak's shoes for a moment.
The former Oilers left guard played 12 brilliant seasons in Houston, ending with his bronze bust being added to Canton in 2001.
One year after retiring, Munchak joined Houston's coaching staff as an offensive assistant/quality-control coach. He spent three seasons in that role before being promoted to offensive line coach.
Munchak weathered the move from Houston to Nashville, consistently producing one of the league's most disciplined offensive lines for 14 seasons.
This past February, after 30 years with the organization, Munchak finally was rewarded with his first head-coaching opportunity.
His patience would have to continue, however, with the NFL lockout not so warmly greeting him upon his hiring.
No OTAs. No minicamps. No implementing two new systems. No contact with his ballclub.
Zip. Zero. Nada.
To say that Munchak will be behind the eight-ball when the lockout is (hopefully) soon lifted and a truncated offseason resumes is a vast understatement.
On top of cramming an entire offseason — including free agency — into a matter of weeks, Munchak will be faced with two pressing decisions that could define the season and potentially his first head-coaching gig.
The first decision, which will greatly involve owner Bud Adams and GM Mike Reinfeldt, is how to appease the team's greatest asset, RB Chris Johnson.
Johnson is the definition of a player who has outperformed his rookie contract. In his first three NFL seasons, only three players — Eric Dickerson, Earl Campbell and Jamal Lewis — have racked up more yards on the ground. Although he didn't come close last season to matching his historic 2009 effort, in which he became only the sixth player to surpass 2,000 yards, Johnson still finished fourth in the NFL in rushing.
And he did it with everyone and their mother knowing he would be getting the ball because of the Titans' rocky QB situation. Seeing eight and nine defenders crowding the line was the norm for Johnson.
Although he has not officially announced it, a holdout from Johnson is about as predictable as the rumors swirling last week of another possible Brett Favre comeback.
Johnson said last season when he agreed to restructure his contract that it was a one-time deal and he wanted $30 million guaranteed. That might be a stretch, depending on what the salary cap is and how a rookie wage scale impacts how much rookie QB Jake Locker will command, but surely the Titans can work something out with their most gifted player.
That Tennessee struck out on a pair of first-rounders, QB Vince Young and CB Adam "Pacman" Jones, prior to Johnson's arrival should make paying Johnson more manageable. Young and Jones, neither of whom is still with the club, would be in line for new deals or already absorbing a large portion of the cap. Furthermore, the Titans do not have any other free agents who will command monster pay days this offseason.
Munchak wants his team to have a running identity more than ever this season with Locker and backup Rusty Smith the only QBs currently on the roster. With unproven backup RBs Javon Ringer and rookie Jamie Harper behind Johnson on the depth chart, re-signing the electric Johnson is a must.
Give Johnson a fair deal and then give him the ball as much as possible.
Sounds simple, right?
Munchak's other pressing dilemma — what to do with WR Kenny Britt — is a bit trickier.
You would have to be living under a rock not to know Britt's story. He has had more than half a dozen brushes with the law since joining the league in 2009, including multiple incidents during the lockout. It is widely expected that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will discipline Britt once the lockout is lifted, saying that the league's personal-conduct policy is completely separate from the expired Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Munchak shouldn't even wait for Goodell to weigh in. He needs to suspend Britt for at least two games as soon as the lockout is lifted.
Repeated slaps on the hand clearly are not sending the message. I would say suspend Britt longer, but he has not been convicted of anything.
Still, Britt's offenses are hardly harmless. High-speed police chases, bar-room brawls and resisting arrest are very troubling.
And I have little doubt that Britt soon will make a mistake with even greater consequences if someone does not get through to him and make him understand he is in danger of wasting his rare God-given abilities with his bad behavior.
I'm told that Britt has a lot of work to do in order to regain trust in his locker room. And who could blame his teammates? Britt is on a path of self-destruction similar to that of Pacman's.
The Titans don't want to go down that road again.
Munchak has no shortage of issues to address once the lockout is lifted. Who is going to play QB? How to improve that woeful defense? These are just a few of the questions that will be raised very soon. And finding answers to these questions will be critical for Munchak and the Titans.
But neither requires more urgent attention than protecting the club's two best players and doing whatever it takes to ensure they are as productive as possible for years to come.
Kim Kardashian China Chow Alecia Elliott Kat Von D Ana Paula Lemes
Kanter, Knight among top eight NBA Draft picks; Harrellson, Liggins go in second round
For the second straight year, the University of Kentucky figured prominently in the NBA Draft. Only in comparison to last year's unprecedented five first-round picks might two players taken among the first eight Thursday night seem less than extraordinary.
Nikki Cox Carla Gugino Ana Hickmann Mischa Barton Jamie Lynn Sigler
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Toss Your Expectations Into the Ocean
Jennie Finch Lisa Snowdon Mariah Carey Taylor Swift Milla Jovovich
Vrabel leaving Chiefs to take job with Ohio State
Updated July 11, 9:32 a.m. ET
LB Mike Vrabel, one of the plaintiffs in the Brady et al v. the NFL antitrust lawsuit, officially retired on Monday after accepting a coaching position at Ohio State.
Vrabel released a three-paragraph statement about his decision on Monday. "After 14 years in the National Football League, I have decided to retire and accept the position of Linebackers Coach at The Ohio State University," Vrabel wrote.
"I am extremely appreciative of the teammates, coaches, and great fans who surrounded me during my NFL career, and am honored to have been a part of three tremendous organizations in the Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, and Kansas City Chiefs. I am especially grateful to Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli, who not only gave me the opportunity to play for a team that won three Super Bowl championships and an NFL record 21 games in a row, but also taught me invaluable lessons on creating the ultimate team approach.
"I am very excited to become a part of Luke Fickell's staff at Ohio State. I have great faith and trust in Luke leading the Buckeye football team as he represents all the core values integral for a program's success, and I am looking forward to working with our student-athletes as I begin the next phase of my career."
Vrabel, a third-round pick by the Steelers in 1997, has spent 14 seasons in the NFL, winning three Super Bowls with the Patriots from 2001-2008. As a member of the Chiefs the past two seasons, he started 30 games, recording two sacks and three forced fumbles.
The one-time Pro Bowler also has 10 career touchdown catches. He was born in Akron and played at Ohio State.
"It was an honor and a privilege to be on the same team with Mike for 10 seasons," Chiefs GM Scott Pioli said in a statement released by the team. "Mike was a great college player that came into the NFL as a third-round pick and role player. Eventually, he made himself a starter and a champion. It's no coincidence that Mike won championships everywhere he played — from his time at Ohio State to his role in division titles on three NFL teams.
"His genuine love for the game, his preparation, his work ethic, leadership and dependability are qualities you want from every player. He is a champion in every sense of the word and I'm confident all of these qualities will make him a great coach. I cannot overstate my respect for him as a person and a football player. If there were a Hall of Champions, Mike Vrabel would be a first-ballot selection."
The way we see it
In his prime with the Patriots, Vrabel was one of the top outside linebackers in the NFL. He was a Pro Bowler in 2007, when he recorded 12½ sacks, and he finished with 57 sacks for his career. He also had 12 career receptions, including Super Bowls, and all 12 were touchdown catches.
During his final few seasons with the Chiefs, Vrabel was essentially a coach on the field for Kansas City. His transition off the field and into the meeting room should be an easy one, as he was often considered one of the smartest players in the league at his position.
For the Chiefs, this move only makes their need for another linebacker even greater when free agency begins. They were already in the market for an inside linebacker, but they might add an outside ’backer as well to add some of the depth lost with Vrabel's departure.
Jessica Cauffiel Emmanuelle Vaugier Sarah Silverman Larissa Meek Gina Carano
What Zombies Can Teach You About Gaining Muscle
Eva Green Lauren Conrad Arielle Kebbel Jessica Paré Leelee Sobieski
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
COO Dave Donovan leaving Redskins
A trusted confidant of Redskins owner Daniel Snyder is leaving the organization, it was announced Monday.
Chief operating officer Dave Donovan announced in a staff meeting Monday morning that he is resigning after six years with the team. The team sent out a statement later Monday confirming the news.
"We want to thank Dave for his years of service with the Redskins," Snyder said. "Even though he is returning to the law firm where he worked prior to joining the team, he will continue to consult with the Redskins as he did prior to joining the organization. We look forward to continuing our relationship and wish him the best of luck in his new position."
Donovan added, "I have had a great six years with the Redskins. It has been an experience I will always appreciate and never forget. For personal reasons, I am returning to partnership in the law firm that I left in 2005. I am thrilled that I will have the ability to continue my relationship with the Redskins. I would like to thank Dan Snyder and all coaches and staff who I have worked with over my time with the team"
Jamie Lynn Sigler Stacy Keibler Rihanna America Ferrera Haylie Duff
Kentucky's Michael Gilchrist changes his name to honor family
The University of Kentucky men's basketball team added a new name, if not a new player, on Friday.
Jenny McCarthy Zooey Deschanel Tara Reid Coco Lee Katy Perry
Kanter, Knight among top eight NBA Draft picks; Harrellson, Liggins go in second round
For the second straight year, the University of Kentucky figured prominently in the NBA Draft. Only in comparison to last year's unprecedented five first-round picks might two players taken among the first eight Thursday night seem less than extraordinary.
Shania Twain Gwen Stefani Sunny Mabrey Karolína Kurková Laura Harring
No SEC coach favors a 22-game schedule
When it comes to Southeastern Conference basketball, crowning a "true" champion apparently will take a back seat to the exposure gained from scheduling attractive non-conference games and preparing the optimum profile for an NCAA Tournament bid.
Aaliyah Katherine Heigl Lorri Bagley Leslie Bega Maria Sharapova
Former Eagle Goldston dies at age 82
Former Eagles RB and DB Ralph Goldston passed away last weekend at his home in Ohio, the team announced Tuesday. He was 82.
One of the first African-American players in Eagles history, Goldston played for the team from 1952-55. He also played 10 seasons in the Canadian Football League.
A native of Campbell, Ohio, Goldston is a member of the Youngstown State University Athletic Hall of Fame.
Agent says Kanter has shot at No. 1 pick
CLEVELAND — The agent for Turkish center Enes Kanter said he doesn't think the Cleveland Cavaliers have decided who they'll take with the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft.
Thandie Newton Liz Phair Aaliyah Katherine Heigl Lorri Bagley
Monday, July 11, 2011
Paradise and lost: Mike Leach still longs to coach
There are palm trees in purgatory. He walks by them without paying much attention. Here, each is just another pixel on a postcard disguised as paradise.
Kate Mara Izabella Scorupco Carla Campbell Penélope Cruz Kristen Bell
Normal Blood pH: How Your Body Maintains It
Jessica Biel Christina Milian Kelly Brook Robin Tunney Kate Groombridge
Normal Blood pH: How Your Body Maintains It
Eva Green Lauren Conrad Arielle Kebbel Jessica Paré Leelee Sobieski
Despite lockout, Broncos expect quick start from OLB Miller
The lockout might delay the progress of many rookies around the NFL, but we hear the Broncos have no doubts that OLB Von Miller is capable of being a starter from Day One. Miller, who was the second overall pick in the draft, is expected to provide an instant boost to a Denver defense that struggled to get pressure on the quarterback in 2010. The Broncos are thin at linebacker after moving both Elvis Dumervil and Robert Ayers to defensive end, and will need Miller to be effective to improve a defense that ranked 32nd in the league last season. One issue with Miller's progression could be his adjustment to a 4-3 scheme after playing in a 3-4 defense at Texas A&M, but a source close to the team told PFW that Miller was able to secure a playbook before the lockout and that he understands what is expected of him in that style of defense. Miller also has been working with former Aggies and Cowboys LB Dat Nguyen, who played in a 4-3 in the NFL and is now an inside linebackers coach at Texas A&M.
Lauren German Cindy Crawford Mariah OBrien Uma Thurman Alice Dodd
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Normal Blood pH: How Your Body Maintains It
Jennifer Scholle Tatiana Zavialova Tila Tequila Tamie Sheffield Kelly Monaco
Mark Story: A look at Kentucky's NBA first-round picks
New-employee kits for some recent college students with ties to the state of Kentucky who entered the working world as NBA first-round draft picks Thursday night: New employee: Enes Kanter (the 6-foot-11 center, who sat out last season at Kentucky after being ruled ineligible by the NCAA, was taken with the third pick of the first round)
Noureen DeWulf Nicollette Sheridan Amber Heard Veronica Kay Mýa
My Standing Desk Experiment
Emilie de Ravin Tara Reed Avril Lavigne Bridget Moynahan Noureen DeWulf
No. 1 player likes Kentucky . . . a lot
Newly minted as the No. 1 player in his class, Shabazz Muhammad sounded more than willing to continue a trend and strongly consider playing basketball for the University of Kentucky.
Charlies Angels Rose Byrne Willa Ford Desiree Dymond Teri Polo
New York's attorney general investigating lockout
New York's attorney general Eric Schneiderman has started an antitrust investigation into the current NFL lockout. The probe is looking into the economic impact on ordinary workers due to the lockout.
Assistant attorney general Richard Schwartz wrote in a letter to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell that the lockout will "inflict significant economic injuries statewide" and that the attorney general's office is "deeply troubled" by the potential impact of the lockout under the state's antitrust law.
"Many New York public and private institutions depend heavily on the NFL training camp and regular-season games to generate revenue," the letter from the attorney general also stated, according to the Buffalo News.
The NFL issued the following statement, per Pro Football Talk: "We will review the letter with our attorneys and then respond to the assistant attorney general."
The Jets already have decided to move their training camp to New Jersey instead of its normal site at SUNY-Cortland in New York.
Chelsea Handler Salma Hayek Jennifer Scholle Tatiana Zavialova Tila Tequila
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Report: Rookie wage scale remains sticking point
One of the issues that both sides reportedly agreed upon, in principle, was a rookie wage scale. But a source told Pro Football Talk that the two sides are "at a stalemate" when it comes to the rookie wage scale.
Owners want five-year contracts for first-round picks, which would make it harder for the great players to get properly compensated, having to wait five years until free agency.
The league is concerned about the large amounts of money flowing to potential busts.
Sanaa Lathan Ana Beatriz Barros Maria Menounos Shakira Leslie Bibb
UK football seeking fans for video
The University of Kentucky announced Tuesday that it is shooting a video to promote the 2011 season and invited fans to take part in the two-hour event that starts at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Commonwealth Stadium.
Majandra Delfino Maria Bello Jennifer Gareis Ashlee Simpson Donna Feldman
McClain, Routt key to Raiders' pass defense
In 2010, the Raiders had the league's second-ranked pass defense, allowing just 189 yards per game through the air. There were several reasons for this, but a key obviously was having one of the game's premier cornerbacks — Nnamdi Asomugha — locking down an opponent's top receiver.
With Asomugha looking for a mega-contract this summer and the Raiders likely close to the salary cap, the two sides are expected to part ways once free agency begins. That will cause a domino effect on the Oakland defense, as players will need to alter their roles and elevate their performance if the pass defense is to remain one of the NFL's best without the Pro Bowl corner on the roster.
Second-year MLB Rolando McClain is one of the players who needs to show improvement in that area. As a rookie, McClain was a force against the run, but often appeared to be out of place on passing plays. Skilled at making an impact when the ball is nearby, the team needs McClain to improve his range this season and be more of a complete player in the pass defense.
But no player faces greater pressure than Stanford Routt. Before the lockout began, the team gave Routt a three-year, $31.5 million contract, using up much of the organization's cap space on a player the Raiders assume will be taking over as the No. 1 cornerback. A year ago, quarterbacks who had no interest in challenging Asomugha targeted Routt often, throwing at him 92 times according to Football Outsiders. He gave up his fair share of big plays — allowing five touchdowns and being whistled for five pass-interference penalties — and when passes were completed on him, opponents gained more than 20 yards per catch.
Routt also showed some skills despite being thrown at so frequently, successfully defending 66 percent of the throws that came his way. That was the third-best mark in the entire NFL from corners who were targeted 40 or more times in 2010, trailing only Darrelle Revis of the Jets and the Vikings' Antoine Winfield.
If both McClain and Routt can improve their play this season and cut down on the plays where they are beaten over the top, the Raiders' pass defense might not take as serious of a hit as some expect without Asomugha.
Gina Philips Jamie Gunns Ananda Lewis Kate Bosworth Tamala Jones
This is Our Last Post?at Fitness Spotlight
Grandmother who raised Sharpes passes away
Mary Porter, the grandmother of former NFL players Sterling and Shannon Sharpe, died on Wednesday evening, according to The Denver Post.
Porter, who was 89 at the time of her passing, suffered from diabetes. She raised Sterling and Shannon Sharpe, along with their sister Libby and nine children of her own, outside of Glennville, Ga, The Post said.
Shannon Sharpe will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame next month. He told the newspaper that because of her passing, Porter will now be able to fully understand his speech in Canton on Aug. 6.
"She's in a better place now," the former Broncos tight end told the newspaper. "She'll be able to hear my speech now. She would not have been able to understand my speech in the body she was in. She'll be able to hear my speech in the body she has now.
"I'm thankful I got to spend 43 years with her and she got to see the type of man I became," Sharpe added.
Kelly Carlson Sara Foster Natassia Malthe Victoria Silvstedt Hilary Swank
Friday, July 8, 2011
Trainer Tells?More?About What I Have Learned in Health and Fitness
Ana Hickmann Mischa Barton Jamie Lynn Sigler Stacy Keibler Rihanna
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Georgia offensive lineman commits to Kentucky
The University of Kentucky received its 12th commitment for the football class of 2012 on Tuesday when offensive lineman Jordan Watson of Fayetteville, Ga., reportedly pledged to the Cats.
Kim Kardashian China Chow Alecia Elliott Kat Von D Ana Paula Lemes
QB Collins retires after 16 seasons
Veteran QB Kerry Collins announced his retirement from football on Thursday. His career lasted 16 seasons with five different teams.
"After 16 fulfilling years of playing quarterback in the NFL, I am officially announcing my retirement from professional football," Collins said in a statement released by his agents at Athletes First.
"The past several months have brought much introspection, and I have decided that while my desire to compete on Sundays is still and always will be there, my willingness to commit to the preparation necessary to play another season has waned to a level that I feel is no longer adequate to meet the demands of the position," he added.
Last month, Collins told PFW correspondent and Tennessean writer Jim Wyatt that he was open to a return to the Titans. "I know I still have good football left in me," he said at the time.
"I want to wish Mike Munchak and the Tennessee Titans the best of luck in the future," Collins added in his retirement statement. "I have had a fantastic five years here, and my family and I look forward to remaining part of the Middle Tennessee community that has been extremely gracious towards us and an honor to play for."
Collins was a two-time Pro Bowler — in 1996 with the Panthers and 2008 with the Titans. He advanced to Super Bowl XXXV as the quarterback of the Giants. Collins, who had an 81-96 record as a starter, threw for 206 career touchdowns and 195 interceptions.
In 2010, he played in 10 games with seven starts, throwing 14 TD passes and eight interceptions. Collins would have been a free agent.
He also spent time with the Raiders and Saints.
The way we see it
Collins had a long career and was successful even at the end of it, currently placing 11th all-time in career passing yards. His mind certainly changed over the past month, and the uncertainty of what team he would play for and when training camp would start likely played into his decision.
For the Titans, this is one less potential QB to work with rookie Jake Locker. The team is expected to cut Vince Young and, without the option of re-signing Collins, will have to look elsewhere to bring in a veteran QB or two.