Should Dwyane Wade Be Begging For Twitter Followers?

Posted by Michael Emdeyar on September 3rd, 2010

The Miami Heat have signed free agents LeBron James (L) and Dwyane Wade to 6 year contracts at the American Airlines Arena in Miami on July 9, 2010. UPI/Michael Bush Photo via Newscom

Seriously? The guy had begged LeBron James and Chris Bosh to join him in Miami. Does he really need to beg to get to 1 million Twitter followers? Seems a little pathetic to me.

Ok tweetville I’m getting a lil jealous that I dnt have more followers by now. I jus reached 600 thousand but I need to get to a millionless than a minute ago via TwitterrificDwyane Wade
dwadeofficial

Yo, D-Wade. Be happy with what you got. Leave the social networking to Chad Ocho Cinco. The pressure is on you to make sure LeBron doesn’t look like a complete fool for announcing to the world that he wants to play with you.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh — What Happened?

Posted by Michael Emdeyar on September 3rd, 2010

SEATTLE , WA - OCTOBER 11: T. J. Houshmandzadeh #84 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates scoring a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Qwest Field on October 11, 2009 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

As we near the start of the 2010 NFL season, it is becoming apparent that the Seattle Seahawks will cut wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Do you blame the player or the team? I don’t get it.

TJH had a 2007 season of 112 catches and 1,143 yards in Cincinatti. He followed it with a 2008 season of 92 catches and 904 yards. Pretty respectable.

Then, the rewards of free agency took over and he moved on to Seattle. In the 2009 season, he went 79/911/3. Perhaps it’s the three touchdowns that is the problem. But, those numbers aren’t horrible. Sure, if you’re looking for #1 numbers from him, that’s not it. But, in Cincinatti, he wasn’t the first option. Chad Ocho Cinco 85 Johnson was there as the first option. TJH played off that and put up great numbers. If Seattle had a Chad Ocho, they might have gotten full TJH.

Chad Ocho 85 wants him back in Cincinatti. Can you imagine? 85, TO, and TJH? Carson Palmer would be All-World QB with that wide receiver trio. I have to assume that if Seattle cuts him loose, he’ll end up somewhere. I sure hope so, because I’ve drafted him on a few of my fantasy teams.

Iowa Hawkeyes, Kirk Ferentz, and Contract Extensions

Posted by Michael Emdeyar on September 2nd, 2010

IOWA CITY, IOWA - NOVEMBER 8: Head Coach Kirk Ferentz of the Iowa Hawkeyes watches his team during the second quarter of play against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Kinnick Stadium on November 8, 2008 in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa defeated Penn State 24-23. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)

The University of Iowa signed head football coach Kirk Farentz to a contract extension.

He was already under contract to coach the Hawkeyes until the year 2015. With the extension, he now is under contract until 2020.

First of all, why? Sure, Kirk Ferentz is a good coach. But, that could sour at any time. Now, the Hawks are bound with him for another decade.

Beyond that, why? Let’s not kid ourselves. If somebody comes calling with a better offer, Kirk Ferentz is gone faster than you can say 2020. Let’s, for instance, say the NFL’s Chicago Bears suck this season. And, they want a hot college coach to lead the Bears. Urban Meyer’s not interested. Nick Saban ignores them. Kirk Ferentz may become the target. Do the Iowa Hawkeyes really think their 2020 contract will keep their head coach out of the NFL?

For ESPN, This is Headline News?

Posted by Michael Emdeyar on September 1st, 2010

Pittsuburgh Steelers Ben Roethlisberger warms up on the field before the game against the New York Giants at New Meadowlands Stadium in week 2 of the NFL Preseason in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 21, 2010. UPI /John Angelillo Photo via Newscom

Here’s the headline:

Sources: Steelers QB wants shorter ban

If this headline weren’t true, one would believe that Ben Roethlisberger is happy with his six-game suspension and doesn’t mind missing nearly half the season. Personally, I don’t think ESPN is breaking anything.

Duh.

I hope you’re sitting down for this, but representatives for Roethlisberger plan to ask NFL commish Roger Goodell for a shorter suspension. And, this is newsworthy of the homepage of ESPN.com. Way to keep us informed, worldwide sports leader.

Golfer Shanks Shot Out of the Rough – Sparks Fire

Posted by Michael Emdeyar on August 31st, 2010

CONCOW, CA - JULY 10: A spot fire burns through trees and brush July 10, 2008 in Concow, California. Firefighters continue to battle the Butte Lightning Fire Complex fires that have charred over 49,000 acres, burned 50 buildings, and have prompted the evacuations of close to 10,000 people as the fire threatens the towns of Paradise and Concow, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

It’s dry in California. Scrape your iron on a rock and you have calamity.

An unnamed golfer at the Shady Canyon Golf Course in Irvine, CA is not going to be held responsible for hitting the bad shot. But, in the end, it caused a 12-acre blaze that required the assistance of 150 firefighters and helicopters overhead.

For most golfers, the ultimate story to tell is a hole-in-one. For this guy, he’ll always have a different story.

MC Hammer Wants to Fight

Posted by Michael Emdeyar on August 31st, 2010

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 30: Recording artist MC Hammer arrives for the Maxim Magazine Super Bowl XLIII party at The Ritz Ybor on January 30, 2009 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Tim Boyles/Getty Images)

The mixed-martial arts phenomenon has swept into hammer-time.

MC Hammer and his Alchemist Management creation is deep into the MMA. He is promoting 15 MMA stars including Vladimir “The Janitor” Matyushenko and Nate Marquardt. But, promoting the stars is not what the 48-year-old Hammer wants. He wants to fight.

“If I could today, I’d be a fighter myself. I love the combat. The world is like that today. Everyone loves to battle. You get all your frustrations out.”

Here’s my request. FoxSports telecast. MC Hammer vs. Jose Canseco. Prime-time coverage. I’m not a big MMA guy, but I’d watch that.

Lovie Smith Should Follow Lou Piniella Out of Chicago

Posted by Michael Emdeyar on August 31st, 2010

CHICAGO - SEPTEMBER 28: Head coach Lovie Smith of the Chicago Bears coaches against the Philadelphia Eagles at Soldier Field on September 28, 2008 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Lou Piniella had a miserable 2010 season with the Cubs. A few months ago, he announced that this season would be his last. And, a week ago, he called it quits early due to unfortunate circumstances, the illness of his mother.

Lovie Smith’s 2010 season with the Bears holds the same peril. And, after the showing that the Bears have made during the first three games of the preseason, Smith should make a similar announcement to Piniella. 2010 will be his last.

The Bears have at least gone through the motions of making 2010 a competitive season. First, they signed the defensive prize of the free agent pool in Julius Peppers. They also brought in Chester Taylor to provide running back depth. Finally, they hired world-renowned offensive guru Mike Martz to run the Jay Cutler-led offense. So far this preseason, one word sums it up. Fail.

Lovie Smith is a defensive guy. And, his defense is getting old and fragile. I put the over/under of Brian Urlacher games played at about nine. Tommie Harris is an injury waiting to happen and their secondary is completely suspect.

I grew up near Chicago. It’s one of the best sports cities there is. But, the area craves winners. It doesn’t happen often, but their teams tease them with success. The season hasn’t started, but Bears bloggers are already nervous. This from Windy City Gridiron:

For a fan base as football starved as we are, thus far our Chicago Bears have not given us much to be excited about.

And, bearsgab.com is going the same place I am.

I know what you’re thinking – if Saturday night’s extended look at starters is what we have to look forward to in ’10, bring in the moving trucks because the Bears will be cleaning house come next January…if not sooner.

If you’re playing the guessing game of which NFL coach will be fired first, keep an eye on Lovie. If the Bears start out slow, Mike Martz will inherit a head coaching job in a hurry.

The $1 Million Samoan Frocks of Troy Polamalu

Posted by Michael Emdeyar on August 30th, 2010

PITTSBURGH - JANUARY 18: A detail of the hair Troy Polamalu #43 of of the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Baltimore Ravens during the AFC Championship game on January 18, 2009 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Lloyd’s of London will insure just about anything. For the right price, I’m sure.

What’s the risk in a head of hair? Apparently dandruff shampoo giant Head and Shoulders is concerned about the Pittsburgh Steelers defensive star’s hair. So, they’ve taken out a million dollar policy to make sure they’re compensated if something should happen to it.

The press release issued by Head and Shoulders used phrases like “iconic mane” and claims that the hair has not been cut in seven years and claims that it is “so ridiculously full and thick that end to end it spans 100 football fields.” That’s 5.68 miles.

I cry false advertising. Prove it! Wait, that will probably invoke the policy. Never mind.

Antonio Bryant — How to Make $8 million the Easy Way

Posted by Michael Emdeyar on August 29th, 2010

Jan. 03, 2010 - St. Petersburg, Florida, USA - DANIEL WALLACE | Times.TP_316732_WALL_Bucs_23 (01/03/2010 Tampa) Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Bryant (89) reacts to not completing a third-down pass under pressure from Atlanta Falcons cornerback Brent Grimes (20) during the third quarter. SECOND HALF ACTION: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers play the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on Sunday, January 3, 2010. The Atlanta Falcons won, 20-10. [DANIEL WALLACE, Times.

During the off-season, the Cincinatti Bengals wanted to add a receiver to Chad 85. So, they signed Antonio Bryant to a 4-year, $28 million contract with about $8 million guaranteed. A lingering knee injury has ended his Bengals career, resulting in 0 games…0 snaps with the team.

Antonio Bryant is not the dimwit in this story. He and his agent found a way to make a lot of money without doing much of anything. But, if I’m Bengals GM Mike Brown, I’m hoping that the play of Terrell Owens and draft pick Jordan Shipley makes everyone forget that he ever signed Bryant to such a contract.

First Base Souvenir

Posted by Michael Emdeyar on August 28th, 2010

Classic argument. Manager Gary Robinson of the State College Spikes had issues with a hit-by-pitch call. After the rather boring coverup of home plate, Robinson took his argument places managers have never gone. A+ for style points here.

Note: Disregard the Phil Wellman reference on the you tube vido. Obviously the poster is confused.