Temple roundup: Road weary

-Jake Sherman of The Hatchet has the story. Joanna Shapes has Maureece Rice's thoughts.
-Jonathan Gaither of The Daily Colonial has the recap.
-The Associated Press story from The Washington Post is here.
-The summary from The Washington Times is here.
-School recaps: GW and Temple.

The men are now 0-10 away from the Smith Center and tied with St. Bonaventure for last place in the Atlantic 10.

On the women's side, Alex Byers of The Hatchet has a feature on coach Joe McKeown's 500th career win (and the article is made better by my appearance in the photograph).

Hey, how about those Giants?

The champ is here

No one can ever claim that Pacman isn't a winner. A strange story gets even weirder. If he ever comes back to the NFL, fans are going to have plenty of ammunition to use against him (no pun intended).

In other NFL news, have the New England Patriots been caught red-handed?

Finally, congratulations to former GW star and Dallas Maverick Pops Mensah-Bonsu, who has signed to play in Italy. Hopefully this move eventually leads to a successful NBA career.

Afternoon roundup: Are you ready for some football?

-The 2007 NFL season kicks off tonight with a possible super bowl preview. I'm taking the Saints. I still have questions about the Indianapolis defense, especially when you factor in all of the new faces suiting up for Tony Dungy.
-A-Rod: an MRI in the afternoon and two homers in one inning at night. The Yanks took two of three from Seattle to open up a three-game lead in the wild card race.
-The Phillies blew a six-run lead and remain three games out of the playoff picture.
-The Diamondbacks moved back into first in the NL West.
-"The mack-daddy baseball team."
-Andy Roddick played well, but once again couldn't overcome Roger Federer.
-Allan Houston is on the comeback trail.
-Another amusing tale about a Maryland student-athlete.
-The women's soccer team moved to 3-0 on a penalty kick in the 87th minute.
-A stress fracture in his kneecap should not force Travis King to miss game time.

Weekend jumpoff

I am headed out on vacation this weekend, but not before dishing out some useful links.

-In honor of Texas' 30-run fiesta, the greatest beatdowns of all-time.
-The Red Sox are apparently America's team now. Peter Abraham of The Journal News digs a little deeper.
-An interesting fantasy football guide worth reading (especially if you have a draft this weekend, like i do).
-Jerome Bettis comes clean.
-Best high school quarterback coach ever?
-It's a boy!
-Speaking of beatdowns, Venezuela got one last night.
-Don't talk about moving if you're an NBA owner.
-The FedEx cup gets underway, sans Tiger.

Finally, here are five albums that you should check out before the sun sets on summer:
-Rooney - Calling the World: Mix the Beach Boys, late 70s/early 80s classic rock, and modern pop rock, and this is what you get.
-The Cat Empire - Two Shoes: This Australian group mixes ska, funk, latin music, and many other influences.
-Ted Leo & the Pharmacists - Shake the Sheets: Green Day meets indie rock.
-Stars - Set Yourself on Fire: Another melodic indie effort.
-Entourage: There's something for everyone here. My personal favorite is 'Wanna Know' by Obie Trice.

Have a nice weekend. See you on the other side.

Afternoon roundup: Fixing a hole

-Mike Mussina got bombed again. The Yankees now sit six out in the East, and four games back in the loss column in the Wild Card race (because Seattle doesn't lose). Garret Anderson set a franchise record with 10 RBIs.
-Tyler Kepner of The New York Times profiles the man behind Joba mania.
-Impressive win by the Mets. Is the real Carlos Beltran back?
-Another twist in the steroids saga.
-Dave Trembley gets rewarded.
-Would this team ever commit an error?
-Welcome back, L.J.
-Eli v. Tiki.
-Atlanta Falcons, the movie.
-If Starbury is on your side, you must be doing something right.
-The Tournament of the Americas kicks off tonight. Can the U.S. squad redeem itself? Best of luck to Panama's own Danilo (J.R.) Pinnock.
-This is why he needed to feed his family.
-Football at age 59.
-The amazing race.
-Next time find a designated golf cart driver.

Recent roundup: So much to say

My apologies. It's been a busy time of the year as we wrap up the summer and prepare for another semester of programming. Interesting things are in the pipeline. Hopefully they happen.

-Can't go without mentioning the passing of Phil Rizzuto. As a lifelong Yankees fan, the first games I ever watched were called by Scooter. By all accounts, he was a good man. He will be missed.
-The lead is back down to four. After Boston's recent 6-7 stretch, Tony Massarotti of the Boston Herald wonders about their mysterious ways.
-The young guns in the Yankees' bullpen come through as the Bombers take three of four from Detroit. Joba for president.
-Joel Zumaya is back. The Tigers' bullpen needs him during this big week which brings Cleveland and the Yankees to town.
-Jeff Conine to the Mets?
-Nice catch, little man.
-Jose Offerman went batty.
-Michael Vick accepts a plea deal. Don Banks of SI.com says Vick's apology is too little, too late.
-Carnage in baltimore.
-Trent Green beat out Cleo Lemon for the Dolphins' starting job. Is anyone surprised?
-Care to bet on whether or not Tim Donaghy will name other NBA officials?
-Don't visit DeShawn Stevenson's house.
-Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis says star prospect Jimmy Claussen made an honest mistake.
-Note to self: don't ever say anything negative about Zinedine Zidane's sister.
-High School Musical 2 madness is sweeping the nation.

The $63,000,000,000 billion man

Stunning new allegations made against Michael Vick. Be sure to read the full filing within the story. Props to JuDonn DeShields for bringing this to my attention.

The same man was responsible for this lawsuit a year ago. Thanks to Kathryn Santo for pointing it out.

Fuzzy numbers

In Pacman's world, 3+3=2.

Morning roundup: Rocky Mountain way

-Colorado slapped Milwaukee around. Don't look now, but the Rockies are only four games out in the West and two back in the Wild Card.
-The Mets rally and hold on for a dramatic victory over Atlanta.
-Chipper Jones says Alex Rodriguez will have to answer questions about steroid allegations.
-Pedro Martinez struggled in his first rehab start.
-The Yankees got bombed. Boston stopped the panic for at least one night. Detroit dropped to 3-10 since July 25. Cleveland faltered in extra innings. Seattle won behind four RBIs from Jose Vidro. What does it all mean? Boston's lead is back to six in the East, Cleveland remains a half-game up in the Central, while Detroit and Seattle are now tied for the Wild Card lead with the Yankees a half-game back.
-Roy Oswalt won a battle of aces. The Cubs remain a game behind Milwaukee in the Central.
-Barry Bonds went deep again. Mike Lupica has some final thoughts now that the carnival is over.
-Reggie Miller might be making a comeback with the Celtics.
-Another twist in Kansas City's running back saga.
-Watch out for those water parks.
-David Beckham may finally suit up tonight.

Morning roundup: Bonds bonanza

-Barry Bonds finally did it. Check out the cover of the New York Post featuring the 'sultan of syringe.' Mickey Mantle and Ted Williams are in agreement on the issue. As he always seems to do, Mike Lupica says it best.
-Kudos to Hank Aaron for being a class act.
-A Mets fan caught number 756. Things got bloody in the fight for the ball.
-Mike Backsik of the Nationals gave up the historic blast. His father was once in the same situation.
-The Yankees continued the slugfest at the plate, and it carried onto the field. Joba Chamberlain was as good as advertised in his first major league appearance.
-The Red Sox looked bad in a 10-4 beatdown at the hands of the Anaheim Angels of Anaheim. Three months ago, Boston's lead over the Yankees was 14.5 games. Now it's down to five.
-The Boston Globe reports that Wily Mo Pena has cleared waivers.
-This is one of the many reasons why a moose should never pilot a vehicle.
-Jake Peavy hasn't surrendered a run in 19 innings.
-Brady Quinn is signed, sealed, and delivered to training camp in Cleveland.
-Longtime assistant Dino Gaudio will take over for the late Skip Prosser at Wake Forest.

Morning roundup: Loose lips sink ships

-Charlie Weis can keep a secret.
-We were disappointed last week, but it now seems as though Pacman will indeed be entering the ring.
-Donovan McNabb says the Eagles can win it all.
-The Yankees were left for dead a month ago. Now they're only a half-game out of the playoffs and just six games behind the Red Sox. After weeks of speculation, phenom Joba Chamberlain has finally been called up to the big leagues.
-Randy Hill of Fox Sports wonders why no one is paying attention to the Diamondbacks.
-Rats!

No rain in the ring

This would have been amazing.

Another one gone too soon

Bill Walsh passed away earlier today at the age of 75. Undoubtedly one of the greatest coaches of all-time, with three Super Bowl titles to his name, it is Walsh's coaching family tree that will be his lasting legacy. Rest in peace, coach.

Who let the dogs out?

Good luck with this one, Ron Mexico.

Best of you

After last night's display, I think it's clear that the Major League Baseball All-Star Game is the best of its kind. After all, it's the only one that actually matters. While a close NBA All-Star Game is entertaining to watch, there was unique drama when the National League pulled within 5-4 and loaded the bases with two outs in the ninth last night. You could see the wheels spinning in Jim Leyland's head as J.J. Putz walked J.J. Hardy to bring the potential winning run to the plate: the Tigers are a half-game behind the Red Sox for the best record in baseball, so homefield advantage was certainly on Leyland's mind as he summoned Francisco Rodriguez from the bullpen. Are you telling me Bill Belichick would have cared if the AFC faced a crucial fourth and goal situation late in the fourth quarter of this past year's pro bowl? Probably not. That's why Major League Baseball's system is the most appealing.

It's a long way to the top (if you wanna rock 'n' roll)

Better luck next time, South Korea. The real question is this: why did the American Football World Cup take place without America on two separate occasions?

Free bird

I never like when sports are mixed with politics, but this is easily my favorite part of President Bush's statement on the commuting of Scooter Libby's sentence: "His wife and young children have also suffered immensely." You hear that, Roger Goodell? Free Pacman! Don't let his family suffer any longer.

Tonight, tonight

It's so nice to watch a draft in which teams only have five minutes to make a selection in the first round. If only the NFL version was handled the same way; four or five plus hours is far too much time to spend on one round.

Anyhow, the top five picks have been made in the NBA Draft. Portland took Greg Oden at one, which we all knew was coming. The word on the street is that Zach Randolph will be dealt to the Knicks for Channing Frye and Steve Francis, but with Oden, reigning Rookie of the Year Brandon Roy, Lamarcus Aldridge, and Jarrett Jack, the Blazers now have an impressive young nucleus to build around.

Seattle took Kevin Durant with the second pick, and then traded Ray Allen and their second round pick to the Boston Celtics for Delonte West, Wally Szczerbiak, and Jeff Green, who was taken with the fifth pick. You have to think Rashard Lewis is on his way out of Seattle with Durant and Green now coming in.

Atlanta took Al Horford with the number three pick. While a lot of people are high on Horford, it strikes me as a strange selection because of the fact that Marvin Williams and Shelden Williams were the last two first round picks for the Hawks; they all play the four spot, so something is going to have to give. Memphis took Mike Conley at four. I love this pick. If the Grizzlies hold onto Pau Gasol, these two could be a solid combination for years to come.

I think getting Allen makes the Celtics a playoff contender in the watered-down Eastern Conference next season. Pair him with the likes of Paul Pierce and Al Jefferson, and I think the C's will surprise some people next year.

More thoughts to follow.