Football

I read this in the paper the other day. Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor was talking about the AFC South: "Our division, I think, is the best in football regardless of what people say about the NFC East. I don't think the NFC East can match up against the AFC South teams when you […]

NFL referee Ed Hochuli, whose blown call cost the San Diego Chargers their game Sunday at Denver, is devastated by his mistake and has personally apologized to Chargers fans. “I’m getting hundreds of emails – hate mail – but I’m responding to it all. People deserve a response,” Hochuli wrote to fans, according to the […]

In mostly lopsided set of victories for the top teams in the land, a couple notable teams managed only a scoreboard three-spot: Auburn, Ohio State. In a game I didn't watch, but wish I had, Auburn squeaked out a one point victory over Mississippi State. In a game I did watch, but wish I hadn't, […]

It's time for another weekly edition of college football's Dirty Dozen ranking the Top 12 teams in the country. This week, I was able to watch one of the nation's best teams in person, as I went to the Wisconsin-Fresno State game. After managing to catch some highlights of the Ohio State-USC blowout on TiVo, […]

Interesting tidbit from Paul Zimmerman of Sports Illustrated: How did losing Tom Brady affect the Vegas odds on winning the Super Bowl? "There never has been an injury that's had such a dramatic effect on the odds," said Bodog's Sportsbook manager, Richard Gardner. Bodog, one of the major price setters, dropped the price on the […]

So, maybe, the Texans weren’t that stupid when they bypassed Vince Young in the 2006 draft. Vince Young got booed pretty heavily during the Titans opening week upset of Jacksonville, but that’s to be expected when you throw two interceptions. The story starts to get weird right around here. When the Titans got the ball […]

It’s often said that it’s easier to be the hunter rather than the hunted. The East Carolina football team will find out soon enough whether that statement is true or not. It’s often said that it’s easier to be the hunter rather than the hunted. The East Carolina football team will find out soon enough […]

Here we go with my first edition of college football's Dirty Dozen, a weekly ranking of the nation's Top 12 teams. This past weekend, the number of surprises were few, but one non-BCS team landed the biggest punch of all. The pride of Conference USA, East Carolina, stunned West Virginia, knocking WVU completely from my […]

Matt Ryan, apparently still a little giddy in the wake of signing his six-year, $72 million contract, today forgot he’s the quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons. (Yes, the 4-12 Falcons from last year’s Michael Vick/Bobby Petrino mess.) His first pass in his first game with the Falcons? A 62-yard touchdown. His first game in the […]

Dirty Dozen, my Top 12 teams in college football after two weeks:1. Oklahoma (2-0) — The Sooners doubled-up the Bearcats on their way to an easy victory in Norman. This was a good victory but fans are right to be concerned about the 365 all-purpose yards given up to one player (WR Marshwan Gilyard). Dirty […]

The gap between the "haves" and "have nots" in college football continues to shrink. Around the country on Saturday, teams from smaller conferences played big against the big guys and played them well! East Carolina toppled their second straight top-25 team, dominating No. 8 West Virginia, 24-3. Ohio State needed a dropped punt to beat […]

In watching the end of BYU’s 28-27 college football win over Washington, I saw the worst officating call in memory (and that’s saying a lot). In watching the end of BYU’s 28-27 college football win over Washington, I saw the worst officating call in memory (and that’s saying a lot).

Admittedly, it's been a while since I've stepped into a stadium to watch an NFL game. I live in Atlanta, after all. Apparently it can be an arduous affair with long security checkpoints not unlike a trip through the airport. But now, for an annual fee of $100 to $128, NFL fans in Atlanta, D.C., […]

The NFL season opens tonight and the league's boss, Roger Goodell, was out in front today, talking about a range of topics in a Q&A. Keep the post-Labor Day start? Yup. NFL in London? Quite possibly. NFL in L.A.? With $3 billion, yes. That Pesky Rooney family in Pittsburgh? Working on it. And the bad […]

Yawn. It wasn't exactly a thrilling opener — no points were scored in the second half — but the New York Giants began defense of their Super Bowl crown with a 16-7 win over the Washington Redskins. The win did continue a streak in the NFL — no defending champion has lost its season opener […]

In the first half Monday, UCLA quarterback Kevin Craft (right) was the MVP … for Tennessee. In the second half, Craft changed personalities and led the Bruins to a season-opening upset win over No. 18 Tennessee, 27-24, in overtime. In the first half Monday, UCLA quarterback Kevin Craft (right) was the MVP … for Tennessee. […]

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson has had his name legally changed to Chad Javon Ocho Cinco. He told the team's website, "It's something I don't think anyone has ever done before. Have I ever had a reason for why I do what I do? I'm having fun." The speculation is that it's a marketing […]

The New York Giants welcomed my gay flag football team with open arms.

Our long national nightmare is over — Brett Favre has been traded from the Green Bay Packers to the New York Jets. Maybe now ESPN can stop being All-Favre All-The-Time. In return for Favre, the Packers get the Jets’ fourth-round pick in 2009 that will escalate to a first-round pick if he meets certain performance […]

Oh, to be Tom Brady. The NFL’s 31-year-old MVP of last season and three-time Super Bowl winner has a super model for a girlfriend, more money than he’ll ever need and he’s a stud (though he did lose his off-season parking space at Gillette Stadium). He’s also got a 3,000-square-foot condo in New York’s Time […]