UNC ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH SAYS BYE BYE!!

UNC Associate head coach John Blake has turned in his resignation less than 24 hours after the loss to LSU last night in Atlanta, Ga. As the probe into many improprieties regarding NC players began the microscope seemed to be getting closer to Blake the more the NCAA pushed the issue. Blake has a very close and what many call, inappropriate, relationship with agent Gary Wichard. 

Blake released the following statement with his resignation “While I have enjoyed my tenure at the University of North Carolina, it has become apparent to me over the course of the past few weeks that my presence has become a distraction to my family and to this great University, too," Blake said. "Consequently, I have determined that it is in the best interests of my family, the University community at large, and the Football Program for me to step down from my position as associate head football coach effective today, September 5, 2010." (COURTESY WRAL)

The story has become the onion of UNC sports as it keeps peeling off layers of stink. The information released so far has been scarce but I'm sure as the probe continues and now that there has been some fallout with the coaching staff we will begin to hear more intimate details of this agent-coach relationship with the players that has caused all the unrest, suspensions and lack of sleep in Chapel Hill.

WEEK #1 NCAA 1A RESULTS

Week_1_NCAA

NCAA 1A COACHES POLL

Rank	Team	Record	Votes	Previous
1	Alabama (55)	1-0	1,469	NR
2	Ohio State (4)	1-0	1,392	NR
3	Florida	1-0	1,245	NR
4	Texas	1-0	1,240	NR
5	Boise State	0-0	1,215	NR
6	Virginia Tech	0-0	1,052	NR
7	TCU	1-0	1,051	NR
8	Oklahoma	1-0	1,035	NR
9	Nebraska	1-0	1,001	NR
10	Iowa	1-0	952	NR
11	Oregon	1-0	940	NR
12	Wisconsin	1-0	778	NR
13	Miami (FL)	1-0	728	NR
14	Penn State	1-0	508	NR
15	Pittsburgh	0-1	492	NR
16	LSU	1-0	476	NR
17	Georgia Tech	1-0	455	NR
18	North Carolina	0-1	445	NR
19	Arkansas	1-0	438	NR
20	Florida State	1-0	374	NR
21	Georgia	1-0	312	NR
22	Oregon State	0-1	263	NR
23	Auburn	1-0	260	NR
24	West Virginia	1-0	169	NR
24	Utah	1-0	169	NR
Others Receiving Votes: Cincinnati135, Houston76, Brigham Young66, Arizona65, Mississippi48, Clemson44, Stanford41, Connecticut40, South Carolina38, Notre Dame38, Washington26, Missouri23, Navy12, Oklahoma State11, Boston College10, Michigan State10, Arizona State6, California6, Texas Tech5, South Florida4, Texas A&M3, Temple2, Northwestern2, Nevada1, Northern Illinois1, Central Michigan1, Mississippi State1, Southern Methodist1

(Poll courtesy of Sports illustrated)

STEELERS MAY HAVE TO TOE DIXON LINE

Pre-Season is a time to evaluate new players, new plays, allow your starters to gain rhythm and figure out what offensive & defensive packages work best for your team! Most teams pray that the injury bug stays away and doesn't bite them but it usually does in some way. The Steelers found that out the hard way in their final preseason game Thursday when their starting QB went down and limped to the sideline.

Byron Leftwich, the QB signed in the preseason to direct the Steeler offense while suspended starter Ben Roethlisberger is serving a league mandated suspension, went down last night in the first half after being hit by his own teammates. Leftwich has been diagnosed with a torn MCL and is out indefinitely. Now the youngster Dennis Dixon will most likely step into the starting role and try his best to guide the offense to at a .500 record while they await their starter to return.

The Steelers will have a tough time no doubt as they throw their young QB into he fire that is the speed of the NFL. Hopefully he will have the poise of a Ryan or Stafford and perform beyond expectations but we will see. There have also been rumors as to Matt Leinart being traded so we will see if those rumors make it to Pittsburgh!

CLEMENS FINALLY INDICTED!

Seven-time Cy Young winer roger Clemens has been indicted by a Federal Grand Jury today 

on charges of Perjury. The retired pitcher finds himself in this situation after enough evidence was presented to show that he lied when he presented false statements to Congress about using performance-enhancing drugs during his playing career. The prosecution stated today "Our government cannot function if witnesses are not held accountable for false statements made before Congress," said United States Attorney Ronald Machen. "Today the message is clear: If a witness makes a choice to ignore his or her obligation to testify honestly, there will be consequences."

Clemens faces a maximum of 30 years in a federal prison and a fine of up to $1.5 million dollars. Clemens has not been able to be reached for a statement and his attorney Rusty Hardin has said "we have no knowledge of any indictment pending or forthcoming." I guess he needs to have his paralegal search Google or better yet just turn on any ESPN or CNN channel.

Click link for more on this story: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2010/08/19/2010-08-19_rocket_indicted_for_lying_to_congress.html#ixzz0x52sJnGE

VIKING HARVIN HOSPITALIZED

Minnesota vikings WR Percy Harvin has been taken a  local Minnesota hospital this morning after collapsing at the teams practice facility.

Harvin who suffers from severe headaches, was not on the field to start practice but after a brief meeting with the head trainer he eventually came out onto the field and was set to view practice from the sideline. After a few minutes, Harvin lost his cookies and then collapsed onto the field. An ambulance arrived shortly thereafter and loaded the player into the vehicle and took him to Hennepin County Medical Center. No further information has been provided.

COLTS GILL DOWN & OUT!!

What happens to a "baby-millionare" after he is arrested for public intoxication? Thats right, you are put on the Reserve-Non Injury list! Thats exactly what has happened to Indianapolis Colts 2nd-year defensive lineman John Gill. Sunday night gill was discovered face down in a roadside ditch, no vehicle close and no one else at the scene. Gill, who was barefoot and wearing soiled khaki shorts, was reported to have been unable to respond to commands and/or questions from local police officer Ricardo Flores, Jr. and was subsequently arrested. Officer Flores attempted to have Gill stand and talk to him to fully understand how he arrived in the position he was but Gill could not stand on his own for any duration of time.
Team President Bill Polian has stated that he is fully expecting Gill to miss the 2010-11 season in full as the league will probably place him on the aforementioned list. Polian went on to say "He's got a problem unfortunately that many Americans are familiar with either in their family or in the workplace." For the moment Gill has been suspended indefinitely and awaits the next step in his treatment as this incident marks the second time that Gill has been flagged for the same play. The Colts will now make the decision as to whether they will pay Gill his base $320,000.00 salary or not. Lets hope this kid overcomes his drinking issues and makes a solid comeback in the future.

DENNIS RODMAN "THE IMMORTAL"!!

In what may be THE most amazing of feats attained by Mr. Dennis "The Automatic-Rebounder" Rodman we now have to question what was this man put here for! Basketball....too easy...love...too many divorces and broken relationships!

After returning from a trip in St. Tropez,  Rodman and friends loaded up into a Land Rover driven by a friend and shortly thereafter found themselves in a vehicle that flipped three times on the infamous I-95 in Ft. Lauderdale, with the driver being taken to the hospital for further tests and observations for head injuries. Rodman, was pulled from the vehicle by some passerby's that luckily noticed the wreckage shortly after it occurred.  Rodman thanked the help, politely declined requests for photographs and/or autographs after he stood and stretched out his 6'6 " frame and checked for any injuries. At that point he phoned his agent, Darren Prince, to inform him of the situation and stated to Prince that "I'm still living bro!...they cant get rid of me!". Prince stated to the local news, "Thank God he's OK!" "He walked out with a little scratch on his finger."

The story continues to develop but local highway patrol has added that there look to be no charges forthcoming.

After the St. Louis Rams decided on Monday that there was too much risk in signing the much-maligned WR, 14 year veteran Terrell Owens signed a 1 year contract today with the Cincinnati Bengals allowing the elder statesman WR yet another year in the NFL. Owens, 36, who has been unemployed since the end of the 2009-2010 regular season now fills the spot vacated when T.J. Houshmandzadeh left and spilt to Seattle and when Chris Henry suffered an untimely death recently in Charlotte, NC.  So after all, the N.Y Jets will not be able to add Owens to their motley crew of athletes that Rex Ryan has been assembling for the past three years on their personal trek to Dallas in February of 2011. With all the issues that Head Coach Marvin Lewis has had with his Bengal staff and players we will look to see how the "Mouth of the NFL" fits in and what production his "old hands" and diminishing speed can contribute to a staff of WR's that have shown the ability to be shut down by a high school team, even when QB Palmer has been healthy.
With an additional $2 million in incentives, the Owens-deal could earn the WR approximately $4 million total, so we know already that Owens will be hard-pressed to play above last seasons pace in order to collect the added incentives to his bank account and give the Bengal staff more reasons to keep him on for additional years.

RAMS CONSIDERING SIGNING OWENS

The St. Louis Rams are in need of help at the wide receiver position and they are considering signing a free agent that has been unemployed since last season when he finished his short tenure in Buffalo.

Thats right Terrell Owens may be taking his diminishing talents to St. Louis very soon. The Rams head office is meeting on Monday to consider whether the move is something that will be positive for the club and then at what rate. The Rams have a connection with Owens from his days in Philadelphia when Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo was linebacker coach and Rams offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur was QB coach on the Eagles staff. Thoughts abut Owens and his locker room behavior will definitely be first issues when the talks begin as the Rams have a very young team with a projected starting QB, overall #1 pick Sam Bradford,  that has yet to throw a pass in an NFL game.

The current Rams wide receiver corp was led last season by Donnie Avery. Who? Yes, Donnie Avery who along with the second leading receiver on the squad (Danny Amendola) still only amassed 911 yards, 6 td's and 90 receptions. They are in dire need of a good pair of hands, although TO has led the league in drops for many years, and veteran in the locker room as well as on the field. But the cost that the Rams will go to for that addition will be realized in the next 24-48 hours. The main reason for Owens still being unemployed is because of his attitude on the field when he does not get the TO-required touches that makes him blow up at his QB, his offensive coordinator and coach if they put up with the antics. The last thing that a young unproven QB needs is a cancer in his ear hollering about how open he was on every pass opportunity. That will be one of the quickest ways to shorten the bright career of Bradford. So we will wait and see just how desperate the Rams are in the next few days.

You may reach ZM @ zmorganII@gmail and TWITTER@zmorganII

GEORGE STEINBRENNER BIDS ADIEU!

Yankees owner and worldwide humanitarian Mr. George " El Jefe" Steinbrenner has died today at the tender age of 80 from what has been called a massive heart attack, on the day of the 2010 All-Star game, in Tampa Florida. Steinbrenner, the longest tenured owner in all of Major League Baseball, took over as Yankee principal owner in 1973 after purchasing the team for 8.7 million dollars from CBS and subsequently won 7 World Series Titles and 11 pennants.

(The 7 titles on display to celebrate the 80th birthday of Steinbrenner July 4, 2010)

Steinbrenner told his players year after year in spring training "When you put the pinstripes on your not just putting a baseball uniform on! Your wearing tradition and your wearing pride...and your going to wear it the right way!" After making some of the most brash and surprising decisions on players and especially managers the team is reported to worth a net of more than 1.5 billion dollars.  The Steinbrenner family issued a statement saying "George Steinbrenner was visionary and a giant in the world of sports. His passing comes on the day of the All Star game and he being one of the biggest star among baseball owners." Mr. Steinbrenner rest in piece.....you will be missed.

                                 July 4, 1930-------July 13, 2010

CLEVELAND CAVS OWNER OPEN LETTER TO FANS...WELL DAMN!

Open Letter to Fans from Cavaliers Majority Owner Dan Gilbert

Dear Cleveland, All Of Northeast Ohio and Cleveland Cavaliers Supporters Wherever You May Be Tonight;

As you now know, our former hero, who grew up in the very region that he deserted this evening, is no longer a Cleveland Cavalier.

This was announced with a several day, narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with a national TV special of his "decision" unlike anything ever "witnessed" in the history of sports and probably the history of entertainment.

Clearly, this is bitterly disappointing to all of us.

The good news is that the ownership team and the rest of the hard-working, loyal, and driven staff over here at your hometown Cavaliers have not betrayed you nor NEVER will betray you.

There is so much more to tell you about the events of the recent past and our more than exciting future. Over the next several days and weeks, we will be communicating much of that to you.

You simply don't deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal.

You have given so much and deserve so much more.

In the meantime, I want to make one statement to you tonight:

"I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER ‘KING’ WINS ONE" 

You can take it to the bank.

If you thought we were motivated before tonight to bring the hardware to Cleveland, I can tell you that this shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own has shifted our "motivation" to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels.

Some people think they should go to heaven but NOT have to die to get there.

Sorry, but that's simply not how it works.

This shocking act of disloyalty from our home grown "chosen one" sends the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn. And "who" we would want them to grow-up to become.

But the good news is that this heartless and callous action can only serve as the antidote to the so-called "curse" on Cleveland, Ohio.

The self-declared former "King" will be taking the "curse" with him down south. And until he does "right" by Cleveland and Ohio, James (and the town where he plays) will unfortunately own this dreaded spell and bad karma.

Just watch.

Sleep well, Cleveland.

Tomorrow is a new and much brighter day....

I PROMISE you that our energy, focus, capital, knowledge and experience will be directed at one thing and one thing only:

DELIVERING YOU the championship you have long deserved and is long overdue....



Dan Gilbert
Majority Owner
Cleveland Cavaliers 

(Letter courtesy of NBA.Com)

Tell us how you really feel DG!!

I AM THE DADDY!!!

In another twist of the circus that surrounds NBA star LeBron James, Leicester (pronounced Lester) Stovell has come forward and wants reparations. Stovell, a 55 year old Senior Legal Advisor for the SEC filed a $4million dollar lawsuit against James and his mother Gloria, alleging that they tampered with the DNA test that they all took back in 2007.

Stovell, a Princeton graduate who earned his law degree at the University of Chicago is one whom you would think has the credibility to be trusted but then you read the suit and recognize that he has his own issues, even back in 1987 when he met Gloria James at a bar.
The story goes that Stovell and James met at the D.C Space Bar in 1987 and subsequently had unprotected sex that night that they met. James, a 15 year old, allegedly told Stovell, who was 29 years old at the time, that she was 20 years old and a virgin and was tired of that status and wanted him to change it. They had consensual sex that night and no other contact until a week or so later when Stovell was told by the bartender of the bar they met at that James was looking for him. After setting a meet, Stovell was told of the pending pregnancy (how she knew after a week I don't know but the story goes on) and they discussed what she was going to do. After deciding she would keep the child they discussed names and LeBron was decided upon. Stovell claims that he told her at that point that she better have him play basketball as he was a high-school basketball star and he would love for his son to be also.
The two lost touch until 2006 when Stovell started to question whether LeBron was his son or not. When he contacted Gloria James she allegedly told him that he was not the Father and that Lebrons money was for his kids...get lost!! Finally the three arranged and participated in a paternity test in which there was found that Stovell was 0% chance of being the Father. Stovell still maintains that there was tampering with the test and that he is the father and one cannot dispute that after they see the resemblance's the same way that the 6'8 alleged Father did when he saw LeBron at a basketball game in 2007. Stovell maintains that Gloria James is hiding many things and that she misrepresented that they had ever met to her son in 2007 when he brought the matter to her attention so if she will lie about that, then she will lie about who I am to LeBron. In another interesting twist...Stovells middle name is Bryce...the same name that LeBron adorned his youngest son with. Coincidence...Stovell thinks not!!
This story is good and as entertaining as they get so we will see how much further this guy will push this suit. Maybe all the way to Maury where Maury will get to the bottom of it once and for all!!

Boozer to Bulls!!

Former Utah Jazz forward Carlos Boozer signs with Bulls for 5 yr. $80 million.

After realizing that the Jazz would not offer him the type of money that the former Duke standout was looking for he decided to visit Chicago and ultimately sign a long-term deal with the club. This addition makes the Bulls a formidable force as they already have a All-Star PG Derrick Rose and several other players that will load up a lot of guns against opponents. With Boozer leaving Utah they now must hope that Paul Milsap will be able to shoulder the load and share some of the blame with PG Deron Williams. Although deals cannot be official until tomorrow, Thursday July 8, 2010, the free-agent frenzy is on!

KNICKS PLANT "BLACK DYNAMITE" IN THE GARDEN!

Amare "Black Dynamite" Stoudemire has agreed in principle to a 5yr. $100 million dollar deal with the New York Knicks as the free agent signings of the All-Stars has begun. Stoudemire seeking a long-term financially secure deal from the Phoenix Suns saw the team sign two big contracts with Channing Frye & Hakeem Warrick and knew at that point that the writing was on the wall. Stoudemire decided to opt out after he and the Suns brass reached a stalemate and visited New York over the holiday weekend and decided to put his roots down in The Big Apple. Expect a press conference on Thursday, July 8, 2010 as Stoudemire can officially sign the new contract and show off his new #1 Knicks jersey. Stoudemire takes his career averages of  21 ppg & 9 rpg to NY where he expects to attract other big name stars to join him (Raymond Felton will be in town on Thursday) in the very near future.

I really think that STAT (Standing Tall and Talented)  made a damn smart decision with this choice, although less contractual money than what he could have been paid in Phoenix. The residual money that he will make from appearances in the city and endorsements from NY businesses will more than replace the aforementioned money not to mention the soon to be established relationships with NY legends, national exposure on one of the biggest stages in sports and the escape from the new "profiling" mess that has been enacted into law that will create racial issues that are sure to become worse before they get better in Arizona.