Sports News

Sidney Crosby turned down an opportunity to appear on The Late Show With David Letterman shortly after the Olympics, and predictably, criticism followed. The New York Post ran an article about it on Sunday under the headline, “Crosby blows NHL’s golden chance.” As usual, a lot of people were participating in the international pastime of bashing Sid.

But today, his General Manager had heard enough. At the NHL’s GM meetings in Boca Raton, Florida, Ray Shero had this to say about the criticism of #87:

“At some point, there’s a responsibility — that he takes very seriously — about being a hockey player and preparing. To me, any criticism for Sidney isn’t warranted. He does so much for the game, so much for the league. He’s trying to do it all, and it’s unfortunate he can’t do it all. But he does a lot.”

Amen, Ray. Amen. There is not a single player in the league who brings the amount of publicity and eyeballs to the NHL that Crosby does, and I’m including Alexander Ovechkin in that discussion. While I agree that an appearance on Letterman would not have hurt, there are a few issues at play here.

Number one is the fact that the Penguins had four games in six days last week. It’s as simple as scheduling. Look at the other Olympians…Ryan Miller got the night off against the Pens; Marc-Andre Fleury got the night off against Buffalo, and he didn’t even play in the Olympics…and Crosby didn’t take a minute off.

Number two is the fact that it is not Crosby’s responsibility to spend every waking moment promoting the NHL when he’s not playing. There are other players in the league, yet all publicity issues seems to fall on Crosby’s shoulders. As Shero said, Crosby does try to do it all. Considering his level of stardom, Sidney is very media-friendly. But no other player in the league bears this burden. Not Ovechkin. Not Malkin. No one.

Crosby’s won a Stanley Cup Game Seven and an Olympic Gold Medal in the past year. He’s constantly on television pitching Reebok gear. He has not and will not get into any unfortunate off-the-ice situations. He is the mature face-of-the-league that any pro sports association could only dream of, the rare instance of the product actually being better than the hype. And to top it all off, he’s only 22. If the reading of a Top 10 list on David Letterman for a few seconds trumps all of that, then criticize away. But it’s my opinion that the NHL will never find another ambassador better than Sidney Crosby, so just enjoy him for what he is – which is pretty spectacular.

Unfair to criticize Crosby: Penguins GM [TSN.ca]

Sidney Crosby turned down an opportunity to appear on The Late Show With David Letterman shortly after the Olympics, and predictably, criticism followed. The New York Post ran an article about it on Sunday under the headline, “Crosby blows NHL’s golden chance.” As usual, a lot of people were participating in the international pastime of bashing Sid.

But today, his General Manager had heard enough. At the NHL’s GM meetings in Boca Raton, Florida, Ray Shero had this to say about the criticism of #87:

“At some point, there’s a responsibility — that he takes very seriously — about being a hockey player and preparing. To me, any criticism for Sidney isn’t warranted. He does so much for the game, so much for the league. He’s trying to do it all, and it’s unfortunate he can’t do it all. But he does a lot.”

Amen, Ray. Amen. There is not a single player in the league who brings the amount of publicity and eyeballs to the NHL that Crosby does, and I’m including Alexander Ovechkin in that discussion. While I agree that an appearance on Letterman would not have hurt, there are a few issues at play here.

Number one is the fact that the Penguins had four games in six days last week. It’s as simple as scheduling. Look at the other Olympians…Ryan Miller got the night off against the Pens; Marc-Andre Fleury got the night off against Buffalo, and he didn’t even play in the Olympics…and Crosby didn’t take a minute off.

Number two is the fact that it is not Crosby’s responsibility to spend every waking moment promoting the NHL when he’s not playing. There are other players in the league, yet all publicity issues seems to fall on Crosby’s shoulders. As Shero said, Crosby does try to do it all. Considering his level of stardom, Sidney is very media-friendly. But no other player in the league bears this burden. Not Ovechkin. Not Malkin. No one.

Crosby’s won a Stanley Cup Game Seven and an Olympic Gold Medal in the past year. He’s constantly on television pitching Reebok gear. He has not and will not get into any unfortunate off-the-ice situations. He is the mature face-of-the-league that any pro sports association could only dream of, the rare instance of the product actually being better than the hype. And to top it all off, he’s only 22. If the reading of a Top 10 list on David Letterman for a few seconds trumps all of that, then criticize away. But it’s my opinion that the NHL will never find another ambassador better than Sidney Crosby, so just enjoy him for what he is – which is pretty spectacular.

Unfair to criticize Crosby: Penguins GM [TSN.ca]

Roethlisberger’s Attorney, Ed Garland spoke exclusively to KDKA’s Paul Martino outside his office in Atlanta today, predicting that the Steelers quarterback will emerge from recent sexual assault allegations with both his freedom and his future intact.

“We intend to finish this case in a way that neither his liberty nor his future is damaged,” Garland said. [KDKA]

Attorneys Lee Parks and David Walbert are representing the accuser, urging the media not to identify her and to respect her privacy while the investigation runs its course.

TMZ confirmed earlier in the day that they know the accuser’s identity and will not release a photo they possess of her with Roethlisberger. [PG, TMZ]

Ben Roethlisberger has been asked to give a DNA sample as part of the investigation, and the Milledgeville PD believes he will comply. [TMZ]

Gary Myers of the NY Daily News piles on the troubled QB with an article entitled, “Ben Roethlisberger’s stupid behavior justifies New York Giants’ choice in 2004 draft.”

That’s right, Eli Manning’s never exhibited stupid behavior. Nope. Never.

Ty Ballou of PLB Sports, manufacturer of Big Ben Beef Jerky, had this to say about Roethlisberger:

“You want the offseason to be quiet. You have to put yourself in good positions. And Ben unfortunately hasn’t. You even go back to the motorcycle accident. Whatever happened down there (in Georgia), I hope this will truly be the last time something like this happens. Ben’s a good person. He does a lot for charity. But for his career, his fans and his family, you have to make good decisions.” [USA Today]

LB Larry Foote is supposedly seeking a deal in excess of the $8 million guaranteed that Scott Fujita recently scored from Cleveland. In addition to the Steelers, Pittsburgh West and Washington are also in the hunt.

The Cardinals recent lost Karlos Dansby at the position, and the Steelers have virtually no depth at the position. He might actually parlay this opportunity into a real payday. [NFL.com]

RB Willie Parker is no longer desired by the Kansas City Chiefs, as they just added veteran Thomas Jones today. Parker remains unemployed as of this minute, with zero buzz of a return to Pittsburgh. Leading contenders for his services include Houston, Washington, and Tampa Bay. [PFT]

WR Antwaan Randle-El spoke to ESPN 1250’s “The Drive” this afternoon, and it certainly sounds like he plans on claiming the third receiver role. I’m curious what Mike Wallace thinks of that. [ESPN 1250]

WR Limas Sweed is allegedly suffering from depression, according to sources close to WXDX’s Mark Madden. If this is true (and I have no reason to believe that it isn’t), I wish him luck with this very difficult illness.

Sweed officially ended the 2009 season on injured reserve, finishing with just one catch for five yards. It appears that he has played his last game as a Steeler, with word trickling out that he and his agent are seeking a trade. According to PFT, he’s definitely not going to Atlanta, which was one of his rumored destinations.

Roethlisberger’s Attorney, Ed Garland spoke exclusively to KDKA’s Paul Martino outside his office in Atlanta today, predicting that the Steelers quarterback will emerge from recent sexual assault allegations with both his freedom and his future intact.

“We intend to finish this case in a way that neither his liberty nor his future is damaged,” Garland said. [KDKA]

Attorneys Lee Parks and David Walbert are representing the accuser, urging the media not to identify her and to respect her privacy while the investigation runs its course.

TMZ confirmed earlier in the day that they know the accuser’s identity and will not release a photo they possess of her with Roethlisberger. [PG, TMZ]

Ben Roethlisberger has been asked to give a DNA sample as part of the investigation, and the Milledgeville PD believes he will comply. [TMZ]

Gary Myers of the NY Daily News piles on the troubled QB with an article entitled, “Ben Roethlisberger’s stupid behavior justifies New York Giants’ choice in 2004 draft.”

That’s right, Eli Manning’s never exhibited stupid behavior. Nope. Never.

Ty Ballou of PLB Sports, manufacturer of Big Ben Beef Jerky, had this to say about Roethlisberger:

“You want the offseason to be quiet. You have to put yourself in good positions. And Ben unfortunately hasn’t. You even go back to the motorcycle accident. Whatever happened down there (in Georgia), I hope this will truly be the last time something like this happens. Ben’s a good person. He does a lot for charity. But for his career, his fans and his family, you have to make good decisions.” [USA Today]

LB Larry Foote is supposedly seeking a deal in excess of the $8 million guaranteed that Scott Fujita recently scored from Cleveland. In addition to the Steelers, Pittsburgh West and Washington are also in the hunt.

The Cardinals recent lost Karlos Dansby at the position, and the Steelers have virtually no depth at the position. He might actually parlay this opportunity into a real payday. [NFL.com]

RB Willie Parker is no longer desired by the Kansas City Chiefs, as they just added veteran Thomas Jones today. Parker remains unemployed as of this minute, with zero buzz of a return to Pittsburgh. Leading contenders for his services include Houston, Washington, and Tampa Bay. [PFT]

WR Antwaan Randle-El spoke to ESPN 1250’s “The Drive” this afternoon, and it certainly sounds like he plans on claiming the third receiver role. I’m curious what Mike Wallace thinks of that. [ESPN 1250]

WR Limas Sweed is allegedly suffering from depression, according to sources close to WXDX’s Mark Madden. If this is true (and I have no reason to believe that it isn’t), I wish him luck with this very difficult illness.

Sweed officially ended the 2009 season on injured reserve, finishing with just one catch for five yards. It appears that he has played his last game as a Steeler, with word trickling out that he and his agent are seeking a trade. According to PFT, he’s definitely not going to Atlanta, which was one of his rumored destinations.

Starting the week off right with another Marvin Kloss story.  Quick recap for those of you that didn’t read my many mentions of the kid or never cared in the first place.  According to some kicking school you’ve never heard of, Kloss was one of the best kicker prospects in the nation.  According to the big-budget recruiting sites, Kloss didn’t exist.  He was offered a scholarship from USF, but turned it down for a chance to go to Florida.  After realizing there was a good chance he wouldn’t qualify, he decided to return to the green and gold and attempt to walk on.  So why am I mentioning him yet again?  Because Kloss was recently arrested on charges of grand theft.  The story is one of those “good job idiot, way to think about your future” ones we all love so much.  Kloss and a high school teammate are accused of stealing over $8,000 worth of items from a home during a party.  A party thrown by not the owner of the house, but by someone who was watching the house while the owner was out of town.  Think Kloss still has preferred walk on status at USF?  I’m going to go with “probably not.”  Skip Holtz has already shown what he tolerates and doesn’t.  If Kloss ever wears a Bulls’ uniform, I’d be very surprised.  But let’s at least hope he doesn’t something to warrant another Long Snapper inclusion in the near future.

Joel Miller has decided not to go forth with a lawsuit against former USF coach Jim Leavitt.  He said everything you would hope someone would say but never does.  That he doesn’t want to make any money off of the incident despite what people think.  Miller felt he had to tell the truth, but claims he didn’t do so to make money and therefore won’t sue his former head coach.  An honorable move I guess, but I’m more excited about the fact that this is just one more step to us not having to hear anymore about what did or didn’t happen in the locker room that day.  More could happen, but for most USF fans, the door is closed.  Leavitt is gone and isn’t coming back, ever.  Everyone seems to have embraced Holtz and can’t wait for his first game on the sidelines.  Think of this as just another hiccup in the ongoing story of Bulls’ football.  A year or two from now, we’ll barely be talking about it.

Matt Patchan is balls.  Anyone that has a story that starts with “so this is how I got shot” earns mention as being tougher than I am in even my best dreams.  Added to his steel is the versatility that makes Patchan desirable at whatever position he comes back at.  From defensive line as a freshman, to offensive line briefly as a sophomore, to the mention of maybe tight end (I’ll believe it when I see it) in 2010.  Right now, Patchan is doing his best to come back from a nasty ACL that cost him a real chance to earn a starting spot along the offensive line during the 2009 season.  He’ll be extremely limited during spring practices, but watch out for him come fall.  He sweats more talent than you’ll have in a lifetime and will star as whatever position he ends up at.

Joe Paterno now has his own award.  Or to be exact, he has an award named in his honor.  The winningest coach in Division 1-A/FBS history will have his name on an award given out by the Maxwell Club.  The Maxwell Club also gives out the, you guessed it, Maxwell Award.  The award givers haven’t decided exactly what the criteria for the Paterno is just yet, but it’ll be something along the lines of the affect a coach has on his team and community.  Basically exactly what embodies the man himself.  I’m still waiting for the Ron Zook Memorial Trophy, but apparently Zook is still alive and well and actually coaching football.

I’m not sure how I feel about the advancement of 3D over the last year or so when it comes to movies.  Some of the ones I’ve seen have looked great, but I have to be honest, in the end, I just end up with a headache.  Due to that, I’m not as excited about true 3D technology coming to our homes and, more importantly, sports in the not-so-distant future.  I love HD.  Who doesn’t?  I don’t feel the same way about 3D.  I’m probably in the minority with that sentiment, but oh well.  Despite the technology offered, I have to wonder if it will really catch on.  Will people really enjoy it as much as everyone seems to think?  Maybe they will, maybe they won’t.  Regardless, I’m reminded of some of the more recent technological failures.

1. Blu-ray won the war and I’m glad I didn’t end up buying this.

2. Sales, no.  Failure, yes.

3. Sony has a lot of hits.  They also have some misses.

4. I actually really enjoyed my Sega Saturn.

The Sixth Man: NCAA Tournament bid or not, USF just finished what has to be considered a great regular season.  At least by Bulls’ standards.  If you had asked me before the season who would’ve had a higher conference win percentage, the football team or the basketball team, I never in a million years would’ve guessed it the way it ended up.  Now USF heads to the Big East Tournament as the nine-seed.  As the highest seed in the first round, the Bulls will face the conference’s last place team in DePaul.  It’ll be the second time in eight days the two teams have squared off.  USF won the previous matchup 63-59.  Get by DePaul and the Bulls will face another team they beat the last time they faced them in Georgetown.  Look at it that way and it seems like the Big Dance is a real possibility.  USF needs some help, but two wins in the tournament of a conference that has five ranked teams at the moment (two of which the Bulls beat during the regular season) and they could get in.  It’s not out of the question.

Starting the week off right with another Marvin Kloss story.  Quick recap for those of you that didn’t read my many mentions of the kid or never cared in the first place.  According to some kicking school you’ve never heard of, Kloss was one of the best kicker prospects in the nation.  According to the big-budget recruiting sites, Kloss didn’t exist.  He was offered a scholarship from USF, but turned it down for a chance to go to Florida.  After realizing there was a good chance he wouldn’t qualify, he decided to return to the green and gold and attempt to walk on.  So why am I mentioning him yet again?  Because Kloss was recently arrested on charges of grand theft.  The story is one of those “good job idiot, way to think about your future” ones we all love so much.  Kloss and a high school teammate are accused of stealing over $8,000 worth of items from a home during a party.  A party thrown by not the owner of the house, but by someone who was watching the house while the owner was out of town.  Think Kloss still has preferred walk on status at USF?  I’m going to go with “probably not.”  Skip Holtz has already shown what he tolerates and doesn’t.  If Kloss ever wears a Bulls’ uniform, I’d be very surprised.  But let’s at least hope he doesn’t something to warrant another Long Snapper inclusion in the near future.

Joel Miller has decided not to go forth with a lawsuit against former USF coach Jim Leavitt.  He said everything you would hope someone would say but never does.  That he doesn’t want to make any money off of the incident despite what people think.  Miller felt he had to tell the truth, but claims he didn’t do so to make money and therefore won’t sue his former head coach.  An honorable move I guess, but I’m more excited about the fact that this is just one more step to us not having to hear anymore about what did or didn’t happen in the locker room that day.  More could happen, but for most USF fans, the door is closed.  Leavitt is gone and isn’t coming back, ever.  Everyone seems to have embraced Holtz and can’t wait for his first game on the sidelines.  Think of this as just another hiccup in the ongoing story of Bulls’ football.  A year or two from now, we’ll barely be talking about it.

Matt Patchan is balls.  Anyone that has a story that starts with “so this is how I got shot” earns mention as being tougher than I am in even my best dreams.  Added to his steel is the versatility that makes Patchan desirable at whatever position he comes back at.  From defensive line as a freshman, to offensive line briefly as a sophomore, to the mention of maybe tight end (I’ll believe it when I see it) in 2010.  Right now, Patchan is doing his best to come back from a nasty ACL that cost him a real chance to earn a starting spot along the offensive line during the 2009 season.  He’ll be extremely limited during spring practices, but watch out for him come fall.  He sweats more talent than you’ll have in a lifetime and will star as whatever position he ends up at.

Joe Paterno now has his own award.  Or to be exact, he has an award named in his honor.  The winningest coach in Division 1-A/FBS history will have his name on an award given out by the Maxwell Club.  The Maxwell Club also gives out the, you guessed it, Maxwell Award.  The award givers haven’t decided exactly what the criteria for the Paterno is just yet, but it’ll be something along the lines of the affect a coach has on his team and community.  Basically exactly what embodies the man himself.  I’m still waiting for the Ron Zook Memorial Trophy, but apparently Zook is still alive and well and actually coaching football.

I’m not sure how I feel about the advancement of 3D over the last year or so when it comes to movies.  Some of the ones I’ve seen have looked great, but I have to be honest, in the end, I just end up with a headache.  Due to that, I’m not as excited about true 3D technology coming to our homes and, more importantly, sports in the not-so-distant future.  I love HD.  Who doesn’t?  I don’t feel the same way about 3D.  I’m probably in the minority with that sentiment, but oh well.  Despite the technology offered, I have to wonder if it will really catch on.  Will people really enjoy it as much as everyone seems to think?  Maybe they will, maybe they won’t.  Regardless, I’m reminded of some of the more recent technological failures.

1. Blu-ray won the war and I’m glad I didn’t end up buying this.

2. Sales, no.  Failure, yes.

3. Sony has a lot of hits.  They also have some misses.

4. I actually really enjoyed my Sega Saturn.

The Sixth Man: NCAA Tournament bid or not, USF just finished what has to be considered a great regular season.  At least by Bulls’ standards.  If you had asked me before the season who would’ve had a higher conference win percentage, the football team or the basketball team, I never in a million years would’ve guessed it the way it ended up.  Now USF heads to the Big East Tournament as the nine-seed.  As the highest seed in the first round, the Bulls will face the conference’s last place team in DePaul.  It’ll be the second time in eight days the two teams have squared off.  USF won the previous matchup 63-59.  Get by DePaul and the Bulls will face another team they beat the last time they faced them in Georgetown.  Look at it that way and it seems like the Big Dance is a real possibility.  USF needs some help, but two wins in the tournament of a conference that has five ranked teams at the moment (two of which the Bulls beat during the regular season) and they could get in.  It’s not out of the question.