2009 November 17 | The Big Lead

Archive for November 17th, 2009

Nov 17

Elizabeth Lambert, New Mexico Soccer Savage: “I have so much regret. I can’t believe I did that.”

Video, Women's Sports TheBigLead 83 Comments »

Elizabeth Lambert spoke to Jere Longman of New York Times, and here are two of the many highlights:
* She was appalled that someone wrote on the internet, “I should be taken to a state prison, raped and left for dead in a ditch.”
* Some men sent her messages saying, “Hey, we should meet up some time.” [NYT]

Nov 17

Remember the Name Dakota Simms

College Basketball, NBA, Television, Video, Youth Sports TheBigLead 298 Comments »

Dakota Simms is only 9 years old. And he’s got game. Dominique Wilkins is impressed. Your nightly TV options after the jump: Read the rest of this entry »

Larry Johnson: He's going to the Bengals. Talk about win-win ... he leaves the 2-7 Chiefs for a 7-2 division leader that is in the Super Bowl discussion. He'll almost certainly be on the playoff roster. What's more likely, LJ steals Chad Ocho Cinco's girl, or LJ whines about not getting as many carries as promised? [Enquirer] (27)

Nov 17

Things That Don’t Add Up for $200, Alex

College Football TheBigLead 48 Comments »

“I couldn’t play college football for a coach making $4 million a year … if you’re playing for, say, Urban Meyer — the coach of No. 1 Florida … who makes $4 million a year – or even Steve Spurrier … the South Carolina coach who makes a mere $2 million a year -you get to ride along, do the dirty work and watch the driver get rich. Instead of money, you get free books, a bed, curfew and chow. You could play for Oklahoma’s Bob Stoops ($4.3 million) or USC’s Pete Carroll ($4.4 million) – but, well, I couldn’t do that, either.” Read the rest of this entry »

Bob Stoops and Notre Dame: "There’s not even a job (open) at Notre Dame. That’s ridiculous. Some guy makes stuff up.” And the non-denial denials begin. A columnist in Oklahoma offers reasons why Stoops shouldn't leave, and why Oklahoma is a "better" job (completely subjective), and how these rumors fly every year. That last part is kind of a joke - the Sooners have been in a BCS bowl six of the last seven years (2005) - and the team has returned key pieces almost every year this decade, so there was no reason for him to leave. But the 2010 team is certainly not stacked. Assuming the junior standouts (McCoy, Murray) bolt after seeing what happened to Sam Bradford, it'll be a rebuilding year, perhaps with 3-4 losses (schedule includes out-of-conference games against Florida State and Cincinnati). We'll make a bold, silly prediction you can rip next fall - Missouri will have a better record than OU next year, assuming Blaine Gabbert doesn't get hurt. As for Notre Dame ... even the local media, which occasionally breaks out the pom-poms for the Irish, want Weis out. [Oklahoman] (84)

Nov 17

Faced With Increasing Scrutiny, Rich-Rod Throws Michigan Players Under the Bus

College Football, Delicate Geniuses, Rich Old White People tyduffy 85 Comments »

Some college coaches lead by example. They take responsibility. They soothe the hysterical. They show a blend of tact and vision that exudes confidence. Rich Rodriguez is not one of them.

Read the rest of this entry »

Mark Mangino: The Kansas coach is on the hot seat because the Jayhawks have taken a major swandive this season (once 5-0, now 5-5). Also, according to a variety of always-reliable Kansas message boards, Mangino has a habit of verbally undressing his players in public, and someone must have reached a breaking point this week [UPDATE: Or, allegedly, Mangino hit a player.] A players-only meeting was called, and now a "formal investigation" is being conducted by the athletic director. [LJW] (80)

Nov 17

NFL Power Rankings: Week 10

NFL, Video Cap Rooney 87 Comments »

Peter King has his Fine Fifteen, ESPN has its own composite power rankings, and the legendary Dr. Z’s weekly power rankings were a must-read until he was stricken silent by a stroke last year. So, why can’t TBL get in on the fun? Here’s the 10th installment of the 2009 NFL in-season power rankings, featuring the cherry-loving Rosario Dawson. Read the rest of this entry »

Nov 17

Jerry Jones Looks Like He’s Having Fun

Heavy (Alleged) Drinking, NFL, Rich Old White People TheBigLead 18 Comments »

Jerry Jones is sandwiched between two Dallas Cowboys fans in this undated photo. We poked around the web and best we can tell, the photo is a new one. If you look closely, Jones’ shirt is rumpled, his eyes appear to be closing, and he’s got a tired look on his face. He must have just watched a replay for the 17-7 loss to Green Bay. [Celebrity Clubber]

Dwayne Bowe: The 2-7 Chiefs top receiver has been suspended four games for use of performance enhancing substances. Brutal loss for the Chiefs, who have the 6th-worst scoring offense in the league, and the 5h-worst passing attack. Up next for KC - which also just cut leading rusher Larry Johnson - Pittsburgh, San Diego, Denver, Buffalo. The silver lining - the Chiefs will almost certainly top out at 3-4 wins, and be in the mix for a top five pick in the 2010 draft. So a few more fans won't come to watch 'em in the next few weeks. Big deal! The season was lost, anyway. [KC Star] (41)

Nov 17

Dwayne Bowe Suspended 4 Games for “Performance Enhancing Substances”

1-liner, Drugs, NFL TheBigLead 41 Comments »

Dwayne Bowe: The 2-7 Chiefs top receiver has been suspended four games for use of performance enhancing substances. Brutal loss for the Chiefs, who have the 6th-worst scoring offense in the league, and the 5h-worst passing attack. Up next for KC – which also just cut leading rusher Larry Johnson – Pittsburgh, San Diego, Denver, Buffalo. The silver lining – the Chiefs will almost certainly top out at 3-4 wins, and be in the mix for a top five pick in the 2010 draft. So a few more fans won’t come to watch ‘em in the next few weeks. Big deal! The season was lost, anyway. [KC Star]