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WebChannel24.com WebChannel24.com - Broadband News and Entertainment 24/7 http://www.webchannel24.com/ Copyright 2008 AOE, Inc. en-us August 19, 2008, 5:12 pm webmaster@webchannel24.com webmaster@webchannel24.com http://www.webchannel24.com/images/wc24_logo.jpg WebChannel24.com Live Bookmark http://www.webchannel24.com/ Big Mouth Pole Vault

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After a lot of trash talking, Russian Pole Vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva puts her American rival Jenn Stuczynski in her place. Russian Pole Vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva got more than a gold medal in Beijing, she got some bragging rights. Before the Games, American Pole Vaulter Jenn Stuczynski offered up some not-so-humble words to her Russian rival. "I hope we do some damage," she had said, "and, you know, kick some Russian butt." Obviously, Isinbayeva not only understands English, but is apparently "not deaf" according to her response. Despite the bad mouthing, it came down to the actual event where Isinbayeva quickly beat her own personal best, broke new records and won the gold medal. While Stuczynski watched on, Isinbayeva ran around teh stadium with a Russian flag held high over her head - a bit of rubbing Stuczynski's nose in it. Apparently, these two will be going at it for the next few years as Stuczynski, who won the silver, doesn't seem to be giving up on her ambition to beat the Russian champion. “It’s just experience. She’s been in the Olympics before, she’s been in world championships, she’s jumped a decade longer than me, so it’s just a matter of time,” she said. Isinbayeva responded by stating that Stuczynski needed to "know her position". The former gymnast-turned-Russian-pole-vaulter did just that by winning in Beijing. http://www.globalgateway.org.uk/images/sports_300x374_yelena%20isinbayeva,%20russia.jpg Derrick Moore Shooting The Gap August 19, 2008, 8:28 am www.webchannel24.com 259 Derrick Moore, Olympics, Beijing, Yelena Isinbayeva, trash talking, gold medal, Russia Pole Vaulting Olympic Champion Yelena Isinbayeva Swedish Temper Tantrum at Olympics

Sports

Ara Abrahamian, a Swedish Olympic wrestler, threw down his bronze medal in protest in Beijing. The Swedish Olympic wrestling coach, Leo Myllari, deemed the decision against his protege, Ara Abrahamian, as politics. Abrahamian agreed as he threw down his bronze medal in a fit during Thursday's ceremony. Abrahamian took off his medal and dropped it in the middle of the mat during the medal ceremony, claiming "I don't care about this medal. I wanted gold". He later stated that he was quitting wrestling after his performance. For the record, Andrea Minguzzi of Italy won the gold which angered Abrahamian greatly, requiring several of his teammates to hold him back from harming any of the judges. Swedish fans in attendance booed the judges as they left the arena, showing that the sportsmanship of the Swedish match those of their athletes. http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/sports/photos/2008/08/14/abrahamian-medal-080814-392.jpg Derrick Moore Shooting The Gap August 15, 2008, 8:16 pm www.webchannel24.com 258 Derrick Moore, Olympics 2008, Beijing, Swedish, Sweden, wrestler, bronze medal, gold medal, angry Swedish wrestler, Ara Abrahami wedish wrestler Ara Abrahamian threw down his Olympic bronze medal in protest on Thursday after his bid for greco-roman gold was Phelps Runs the Table for Gold

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Michael Phelps secures his place in history by being the most decorated champion in Olympic history. from Times Online One epic journey is over. Michael Phelps of the United States is the most successful Olympic athlete ever. With four golds here at the Water Cube so far, after a world record of 1min 52.03secs in the 200 metres butterfly, Superfish now has a career ten gold medals to his name, one more than Paavo Nurmi, the Finnish athlete, Soviet woman gymnast Larysa Latynina, and the iconic Americans Mark Spitz and Carl Lewis. Time to rocket off into orbit on his epic journey number two. The 4 x 200 metres freestyle later today is set to bring an 11th gold medal, which would leave Phelps two targets shy of equalling Spitz's record of seven titles at one Games. http://msnbcmedia2.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/040815/040815_phelps_nogold_vlrg_2p.widec.jpg Derrick Moore Shooting The Gap August 12, 2008, 10:34 pm www.webchannel24.com 255 Michael Phelps, Derrick Moore, sports, swimming, olympics, record, gold medals, Michael Phelps records Michael Phelps sets new records all over the place as he wins his fifth in the 800 relay In With Favre, Out With Pennington

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After weeks of bad feelings, controversy and rumors, a deal was finally made as future Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre was traded to the New York Jets. With all the bad mouthing and tense feelings surrounding the Brett Favre fiasco, one would think the end of it would bring relief. Well, it did for everyone except Chad Pennington. Favre was traded to the New York Jets and apparently is anxious to start the new season with a new team. The Minneapolis Vikings apparently put in an offer but Green Bay would prefer not to have Favre in two "coming home" games this year with him joining a team in the same division. “The last 24 hours have been crazy,” said Favre who merely hours before the first Jets pre-season game was announced as their new quarterback. For Pennington, he was released after seasons of shaky play and injuries. His future remains in question. http://beat.bodoglife.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/chad-pennington.jpg Derrick Moore Shooting The Gap August 7, 2008, 6:05 pm www.webchannel24.com 244 Brett Favre, Derrick Moore, Chad Pennington, Shooting The Gap, sports, football, nfl, New York Jets, Green Bay Packers, trade, q Favre to Jets, Pennington to ... US Women's Soccer Team Upset By Norway

Sports

In what some have described as a nightmare, the United States Women's Olympic Soccer Team lost to Norway as the Olympic games kick off. The U.S. women's soccer team lost 2-0 to Norway in the Olympic's opener Wednesday. The team gave up two goals in the first four minutes, cementing their defeat early on. Abby Wambach, the team's star player who is out with a leg injury, was not on the field Wednesday to help usher on a victory for the United States. Outside of a few excellent plays by Christie Rampone and Amy Rodriguez, the US Women's Team looked weak against a Norway team who played their best soccer in years. Larsen Kaurin, Melissa Wiik and captain Solveig Gulbrandsen, showed up to play hard for Norway and insist that this isn't a fluke. Time will tell whether or not this is the beginning of the Games' first Cinderella Story. http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/mediaUS/20080225/rampone_200.jpg Brian Green Shooting The Gap August 6, 2008, 9:45 pm www.webchannel24.com 243 Christie Rampone, US Womens Soccer, Olympics, 2008 Olympics, soccer, womens soccer, Norway, gold medals Christie Rampone and her team get off to a rough start in Beijing 2000 U.S. Olympic Team Stripped of Medals

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The International Olympic Committee stripped gold medals Saturday from the U.S. men's 1,600-meter relay team that competed at the 2000 Olympics in the aftermath of Antonio Pettigrew's admission that he was doping at the time. On Saturday, the International Olympic Committee stripped the 2000 U.S. men's 1,600-meter relay team of their gold medals. The disqualification of the team came after the revelation that team member Antonio Pettigrew was abusing drugs at the time. This is the sixth medals stripped from the 2000 U.S. track team for use of illegal drugs. The other teammates who were stripped of their medals were Michael Johnson, Jerome Young, Angelo Taylor and twins Alvin and Calvin Harrison. Of the team, Alvin Harrison was banned for four years in 2004 after admitting to using performance enhancers, Calvin Harrison was banned in 2003 and suspended for two years and Young was banned for life. http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/sports/photos/2008/06/03/080603michaeljohnson_392.jpg Derrick Moore Game Time August 2, 2008, 11:47 am www.webchannel24.com 239 Olympics, gold medals, relay, team, stripped, Beijing Olympic Committee Strips 2000 US Relay Team Of Gold Medals Favre Update

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Green Bay Packers president Mark Murphymet with quarterback Brett Favre to discuss the future of one of the NFL's top all time QBs. Although he is determined to report to camp later this week, Brett Favre was visited by Green Bay Packers president Mark Murphy in an attempt to convince the Hall of Fame bound quarterback otherwise. After the meeting Wednesday morning, Murphy had no comment but Favre's agent James Cook told the media it was a good possibility that Favre would be on the practice field later this week. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell did not grant Favre reinstatement this week in hopes that the Packers and Favre can reach an agreement. "The commissioner is taking no action today. He wants to give both the Packers and Brett an appropriate amount of time to make decisions, including decisions impacting the team's roster and salary cap. When Brett is reinstated by the commissioner, we will announce it," said the NFL in an official statement. Favre had retired earlier this year and has since applied for reinstatement. If his reinstatement is granted, the Packers will have 24 hours to determine what to do with their exceptional, albeit aging, starting quarterback. "I've said it, and I'll just say it again: He was a big part of our history, and he can reinstate, come here and be part of our future," McCarthy said. http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii261/funkbutter/graphics/Sports/athletes_brett_favre.jpg Brian Green Shooting The Gap July 30, 2008, 8:29 pm www.webchannel24.com 237 Brett Favre, football, nfl, playing, season, quarterback, Green Bay Packers Brett Favre met with Green Bay Packers president Mark Murphy Olympic Swimmer Eric Shanteau Diagnosed with Testicular Cancer

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Olympic swimmer Eric Shanteau diagnosed with testicular cancer. A few weeks before the Olympic Trials in Omaha, Ne, US Swimming hopeful Eric Shanteau was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Doctors determined that Shateau's cancer was treatable and would not inhibit him from participating in the trials. He had the option of having immediate treatment but put it off because it would keep him out of the water for up to two weeks, thus making him miss his opportunity to compete in Beijing. Having passed other potential members of the US Swimming Team, including the highly favored Brenden Hansen, Shanteau has become a sentimental favorite. As for the games themselves, Shanteau is not considered a heavy favorite, having only posted the ninth fastest time this year in international competition. Still, Shanteau will not be deterred from his big opportunity to compete on the world stage. “Making the Olympic team was the hard part. The Olympic Games should fun. I’m not worried about swimming fast there," said Shanteau in an interview with the Associated Press. After the Olympics, he plans on getting the surgery needed to rid his body of cancer. http://images.usatoday.com/sports/_photos/2007/07/31/hansenx_thumb.jpg Jason Starr Shooting The Gap July 11, 2008, 2:42 pm www.webchannel24.com 220 Eric Shanteau, Olympics, summer games, swimming, swimmer, cancer, testicular cancer Olympic swimmer Eric Shanteau diagnosed with testicular cancer Nets Trade Jefferson

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The New Jersey Nets decided to part ways with the second-leading scorer in franchise history, dealing Richard Jefferson to Milwaukee hours before the draft Thursday for forwards Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons. In somewhat of a shocking move, the New Jersey Nets trade Richard Jefferson to Milwaukee for forwards Bobby Simmons and Yi Jianlian. “Richard Jefferson is a hardworking, proven, dynamic performer at the forward position,” John Hammond, the new General Manager said Thursday. “He’s an aggressive player with terrific credentials over his career. He’s been a winner, having gone to the playoffs in six of his seven seasons, and we’re excited to bring him to Milwaukee.” It is expected that Mo Williams will now play point for the Bucks with Michael Redd at shooting guard and Jefferson and Villanueva at forward. 2005's number one draft pick Andrew Bogut is expected to retain at center. http://www.hoopsvibe.com/IMG/richard_jefferson-arton21034-240x240.jpg Mitch Cannon Shooting The Gap June 27, 2008, 11:02 am www.webchannel24.com 210 nba, basketball, NY Nets, Jefferson, Richard Jefferson, sports, trades Nets Trade Richard Jefferson Woods Out

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Despite needing surgery, Tiger Woods is expected to return better than ever. After what is now considered a magnificent win last weekend, golf's top star Tiger Woods will take off the rest of the season to have knee surgery. Despite this, doctors do not think Woods will miss a step when he returns to the green. Still, there’s no reason to think it will be Woods’ last—despite needing surgery to repair a ruptured left knee ligament and treatment for a double stress fracture in the same leg’s shinbone, experts said Thursday. There is some worry though that the stress on his knee after years of pain will cause an early onset of arthritis eventually that may hinder his future a few years down the road. Woods will undergo surgery to repair his anterior cruciate ligament which he injured while jogging last year. There will be a likely nine to ten month recovery period for the superstar before he could return to active competition. His left knee is perhaps under even more stress given Woods' rather aggressive stroke, which has become famous in his many wins. Still, even though it's uncertain, the outlook is optimistic for the sportsman who is creeping up on Jack Nicklaus' record for most tour wins. http://www.about-charlottenc.com/wp-content/uploads/tiger_woods.jpg Derrick Moore Sports June 19, 2008, 7:31 pm www.webchannel24.com 201 Tiger Woods, golf, PGA Tour, injury, knee Tiger Woods will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury NBA has no quick fix for Donaghy's fixing charges

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It doesn't matter how often the NBA's commissioner sternly assures us the U.S. Attorney's Office and the FBI soon will reveal findings that show Tim Donaghy, without doubt, is the "only one here that's guilty of criminal activity." LOS ANGELES -- It doesn't matter how many times David Stern squares his feet and starts launching his go-to denials. It doesn't matter how often the NBA's commissioner sternly assures us the U.S. Attorney's Office and the FBI soon will reveal findings that show Tim Donaghy, without doubt, is the "only one here that's guilty of criminal activity." It probably won't even matter now if The Rogue Ref, as Stern famously dubbed him, is proven conclusively to be just what The Commish says he is. "The reality is that … he's a singing, cooperating witness who is trying to get as light a sentence as he can," Stern insisted, attempting to discredit the most damaging round of allegations yet from the disgraced Donaghy, as he arrived at Staples Center for Game 3 of what was supposed to be his NBA Finals fantasy. "We said it in July," Stern continued, "and we'll say it again on the first anniversary: There's one criminal here." Sorry. The reality is that the NBA's credibility issues aren't going away even if Stern's proclamations all are true. Not after another postseason that has only swelled the ranks of the conspiracy theorists. The reality for Stern and his league is considerably more complicated and uncomfortable than Easy Dave makes it sound, no matter how many holes are in the documents emanating from Donaghy's accusations (no names yet, for starters) and no matter how much backing pro basketball eventually gets from those heavyweight government agencies. The nightmarish reality that hangs over what was supposed to be Stern's dream Finals is that public confidence in NBA officiating is maybe even lower now than it was when Donaghy's betting on games and association with known gamblers were first revealed last summer. With no clear-cut way to raise it. After the Lakers lost Game 2 of these Finals in Boston, shooting only 10 free throws to the Celtics' 38? After the Lakers took a must-win Game 3 at home to slice the series deficit to 2-1 and save their season, shooting 20 of the evening's first 24 free throws and with Kobe Bryant going to the line 18 times? After Team Donaghy, in between those games, let it be known that he has accused two former fellow referees of fixing the outcome of the Lakers' unforgettably controversial Game 6 win over the Kings in the 2002 Western Conference finals? Good luck trying to convince disgruntled fans on both coasts that Donaghy's claims that league officials direct their referees "to manipulate games" to "boost ticket sales and television ratings" have no merit. "Baseless" was the word Stern used to describe the allegations. But it's getting harder to find folks who don't believe there's something to what Donaghy's lawyer has been saying. It's not just the fans, either. Distrust in certain refs only grows every year among players, coaches and team executives. Two examples from Texas: All of San Antonio is convinced the Spurs have no shot at a W if Joey Crawford is in the building, just as anyone who follows Dallas can tell you that when Danny Crawford has a whistle, the Mavs have a 2-14 record in the playoffs since Mark Cuban bought the team. Worse yet? Good ideas for how the NBA goes about improving the quality of its officiating and restoring some of that trust are, shall we say, scarce. This is the only sports league in America in which it's a routine reaction by folks on the inside as well as the outside to respond to bitter defeat with charges of biased refereeing or outright game-rigging. It's a massive problem magnified by the fact that no one I've encountered in 15 years of covering the league is overflowing with suggestions for how to stop such perceptions from mushrooming any further, let alone for how to put a halt to them. Would congressional hearings do it? Would it appease the masses if the NBA submitted to an open examination of its referees on Capitol Hill, as baseball did with steroids? Or are such hearings more about politics than about finding the truth? Is it time for some significant changes during the game? Like, say, giving each coach video challenges, as they do in the NFL? Long known as the league's loudest critic of Stern's referees, Cuban has been calling for years for an independent head of officiating to be hired from the real world to find, evaluate and manage referees. Cuban gained an unexpected ally when Lakers coach Phil Jackson announced during his pregame address Tuesday that he'd like to see NBA refs employed and managed as "a separate entity [from] the NBA entirely." But even Jackson seemed to understand that Stern's having no control over the referees doesn't quite make sense, either, quickly adding: "I don't think that's going to happen." That's the state of NBA reffing today. So many layers, so few answers. No obvious path to make things better. As my ESPN colleague Michael Wilbon recently wrote in The Washington Post: "The larger point here is that nobody has ever known what is and what isn't a foul in professional basketball. … It's as subjective as anything in sports, calling a foul. You can't get a consensus from people who've been in and around the game for 100 years." Satisfying the skeptical media and public when it comes to NBA officiating is tougher still. Another example: There were numerous calls throughout the season for the league to be more transparent on officiating matters, as Stern promised the league would be when the Donaghy scandal broke. So what happened when the league responded to a few reporters' inquiries during the Western Conference finals by admitting its refs missed a foul on L.A.'s Derek Fisher on the last play of Game 4 in San Antonio? The league office was subjected to widespread criticism for acknowledging the mistake and thus undermining those refs. Yet it's likewise true that the NBA can (and must) figure out how to do a lot more than it did this season, which amazingly generated so little Donaghy chatter. I fully expected to be hearing and talking about this scandal all year. Unappetizing as it was for Stern to have to deal with it on this stage -- courtesy of some timing from Donaghy's legal team, which certainly wasn't accidental -- the league is amazingly lucky the story was dormant for such long stretches during the past nine months. It was a certifiable bombshell to hear Donaghy, through a Brooklyn court filing, allege that two former colleagues he called "company men" conspired to ensure the 2002 West finals would reach a seventh game. The claim was so aggressive that even Cuban was prompted to throw some support behind his longtime nemesis, telling ESPN.com via e-mail: "There's no way on God's green Earth that David Stern has ever done anything to influence the outcome of a game." I believe it, too. Stern is too smart and too fair and has way too much to lose to even think of orchestrating anything. But, again, perceptions are hugely powerful. Stern has no choice but to manufacture a way to start convincing the NBA's ever-growing legion of skeptics that these Donaghy allegations, as well as his previous charges (that relationships between referees, coaches and players have "prevented games from being played on a level playing field''), are untrue. Stern maintains that the details forthcoming from the FBI's investigation and the NBA's own internal review, presumably to be released after Donaghy's mid-July sentencing, will fill in several blanks, start easing concerns and lead to a clearer picture of what the league intends to do better, ref-wise. Let's hope. Let's hope, because the mountains of evidence in recent hoop history that completely undermine the very notion of conspiracies -- such as small-market San Antonio's winning four championships and two draft lotteries, and the Knicks' sliding all the way to laughingstock territory just a few miles from the NBA's offices -- don't stop ESPN.com readers from flooding my mailbag with countless cries that NBA outcomes are being orchestrated. Nor did they stop a man as respected as the nine-ringed Jackson from making one of the more inflammatory statements of a newsy Tuesday night. Asked for his recollections about that Lakers-Kings Game 6 that Donaghy says was fixed, in which L.A. shot 27 free throws to Sacramento's nine in the fourth quarter, Jackson asked, "Was that after the fifth game [that] we had the game stolen away from us after a bad call out of bounds and gave the ball back to Sacramento and they made a 3-point shot? There's a lot of things going on in these games and they're suspicious, but I don't want to throw it back to there." That's just one more allegation that must make Stern envy Bud Selig some days. http://www.thesportstruth.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/david_stern.jpg Marc Stein of ESPN.com Game On June 11, 2008, 10:21 pm www.webchannel24.com 195 David Stern, basketball, gambling, fix, corruption, sports It doesn't matter how often the NBA's commissioner sternly assures us the U.S. Attorney's Office and the FBI soon will reveal fi Draft Time

Sports

Draft day is coming and the field is wide open. This week the MLB draft gets underway and there are plenty of things up in the air. There is no heir to the number one spot, but there are quite a few excellent players who will be making the cut starting Wednesday. Officially, it's the same five who have been in the conversation all along: Beckham, FSU catcher Buster Posey, Southern California catcher Kyle Skipworth, Vanderbilt third baseman Pedro Alvarez and San Diego lefty Brian Matusz. Sticking with Beckham here, at least for the time being We will look forward to see who makes the cut this week as the stars of the future start to shine. http://mlb.mlb.com/images/2008/06/03/f65VfPeH.jpg Derrick Moore Sports June 3, 2008, 5:19 pm www.webchannel24.com 174 Tim Beckman, draft, mlb, baseball Tim Beckman could be one of the top picks on draft day Woods advances, Mickelson eliminated from Match Play

Sports

Victories came in all shapes and sizes in the Accenture Match Play Championship, whether it was an easy time for Tiger Woods, overtime for Steve Stricker or Phil Mickelson now getting to spend time with his kids. MARANA, Ariz. -- Victories came in all shapes and sizes in the Accenture Match Play Championship, whether it was an easy time for Tiger Woods, overtime for Steve Stricker or Phil Mickelson now getting to spend time with his kids. Anything goes in this format, and 16 players went home Thursday, some in cruel fashion. "Match play is an animal that's all about the moment," Woods said after his 3-and-2 victory over Arron Oberholser. "It's not about building toward Sunday. If you don't play well, you're going home." Or in the case of Mickelson, you can play great and still go home. Lefty birdied his first two holes. He hit a 3-wood from 317 yards to 5 feet for eagle on the 635-yard fifth hole. He added three birdies in a four-hole stretch to start the back nine. And he lost on the 17th hole to Stuart Appleby's ninth birdie of the round. "It was a good match, but unfortunately, I just didn't shoot low enough," Mickelson said before heading home to San Diego for a long weekend off. He has never made it past the quarterfinals. K.J. Choi didn't make a single birdie over his final 12 holes and finished his day at even par. He'll be back Friday after winning in 19 holes over Ian Poulter, who again didn't live up to his potential and played slightly worse. Jonathan Byrd followed his 6-and-5 victory over Ernie Els with a 6-and-4 decision over Andres Romero of Argentina, meaning he has had to play only 27 holes in two rounds. That's almost a full round less than defending champion Henrik Stenson, who beat Trevor Immelman on the seventh extra hole. "You do know there's a 15th hole out there," Justin Leonard said to Byrd, and it was a fair question because Byrd hasn't gotten that far in his two matches. Stricker delivered the dramatics against Presidents Cup teammate Hunter Mahan, closing with three straight birdies to win in 20 holes for the second straight day. Stricker made a 10-foot birdie on the 19th hole to stay in the match and then buried a birdie putt just inside 50 feet on the next hole to advance. "I'm still playing. That's the key to this event," Stricker said. "The key is to be standing and going on to the next day, no matter how many holes it goes. I feel fortunate." David Toms had no fortune at all. His back flared up late in his first-round victory over Masters champion Zach Johnson, and the pain was such that he had to withdraw before facing Aaron Baddeley, giving the Australian a day off. Next up for Baddeley is a third-round date with Woods. Lowest seeds to win two matches at Accenture Match Play Championship Player Seed Result Nick O'Hern ('01) 63 Lost in 4th rd. John Cook ('02) 63 Lost in 3rd rd. Shaun Micheel ('07) 62 Lost in 3rd rd. Kevin Sutherland ('02) 62 Won title Jonathan Byrd ('08) 61 ???? Jay Haas ('03) 61 Lost in 4th rd. Steve Pate ('99) 61 Finished 4th Woods had to play his final five holes in 5-under par to rally against J.B. Holmes in the first round. He had so such worries against Oberholser, playing in his first tournament of the year because of a shoulder injury. He hit his second shot into the desert to lose the opening hole and didn't win a hole until a birdie at the 12th. "You'd better get organized quick and get off to a quick start and never give holes away," Woods said. "That's one of the things that I did today versus yesterday. I never gave Arron a hole. He had to earn holes." Match play delivered some key moments on a sunny day amid saguaros and sagebrush. Sergio Garcia was cruising against Boo Weekley, going 2 up with an eagle on the 10th, but then his putter started acting up, he bogeyed three of the next four holes and was headed home. Adam Scott missed three putts inside 10 feet over his last four holes and lost to Woody Austin, the seventh straight year that Scott was beaten in the Match Play by an American. The most bizarre match was the final one of the second round. Stenson was 4 up through eight holes against Trevor Immelman, but it took him 17 more holes to win, and he was lucky to get by. Immelman, who lost in the semifinals to Stenson last year, drove the 314-yard seventh green and had 20 feet left for eagle, while Stenson hit into a bunker. Stenson blasted out to 3 feet, and Immelman's eagle putt slid 6 feet by the cup. He missed it for par, and Stenson calmly knocked in his birdie for the win. "I'm just happy I hung in there," said Stenson, who has played 43 holes in two days. All that mattered was advancing to the third round. "I don't need to savor the victory," Appleby said of beating the No. 2 player in the world. "Does it mean any more? No. It just means I'm advancing. I don't get a bonus for beating him. Yes, I have to get through one of the best players to move on, so that's been done." Appleby has not reached the third round since 2001 in Australia. Colin Montgomerie has not been this far since 2004, and it could not have come at a better time. He is No. 62 in the world and needs all the ranking points he can get to reach the Masters. After building a 2-up lead over Charles Howell III, the match turned in the American's favor when Howell birdied five of the next six holes to take the lead. Monty put on his Ryder Cup cap, birdied three of the next four and held on for a 1-up victory. Stenson's match was the longest. Stricker's was the most riveting. Stricker has never trailed in 40 holes, although Mahan made him sweat. Mahan holed an 8-foot birdie on the 17th to square the match, and after Stricker hit his approach to 2 feet on the 18th, Mahan made birdie from 15 feet to go extra holes. Then came the 20th hole, the par-4 fourth, with both players some 50 feet away. Stricker's putt banged off the back of the cup and dropped, and he stretched out his fist to celebrate. "It was going fast, but it looked good the whole way," Stricker said. Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press http://rapidcityjournal.com/blogs/sports/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/tiger-woods.jpg Tom Joyce Cobra Nation February 21, 2008, 10:14 pm www.webchannel24.com 158 Tiger Woods, Golf, Phil Mickelson Tiger Woods advances No Longer Inside the NFL

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After 31 years, HBO's football series "Inside the NFL" is cancelled. Most fans were shocked by the decision on February 6, 2008 to cancel the long running HBO football highlights show Inside the NFL. During it's 31 year run, the weekly program highlighted the best spots of the prior week's games, featured different segments where football legends and journalist discussed in depth the issues of the day, and featured the dramatic NFL Films highlight reel with the very famous voice over and slow motion clips. HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg said of the show, "It has been a terrific franchise. But the television landscape has changed quite a bit over the last 30 years, and we have to recognize the realities of the business. I’m not sure we had one competitor when the show launched in 1978." On the last show, current hosts Dan Marino, Chris Collinsworth, Chris Carter and Bob Costas reviewed SuperBowl XLII, went over the history of Inside the NFL and brought back former hosts Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Len Dawson and Miami Dolphins linebacker Nick Buoniconti to sign off for the final time. "I'm shocked," said Tim Dryer of Washington DC. "I watched that show every week for twelve years. I looked forward to the highlights. It's a damn shame, but nothing lasts forever." http://media.hollyscoop.com/BlogImages/87896664---HBO-1.jpg Derrick Moore Game Time February 7, 2008, 8:11 pm www.webchannel24.com 154 hbo, football, nfl, inside the nfl HBO's highly respected football review show "Inside the NFL" calls it quits Giants Upset Patriots to win SuperBowl

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The 1972 Miami Dolphins remain the only undefeated team in football history as the New York Giants defeated the seemingly unstoppable New England Patriots in SuperBowl XLII. The 1972 Miami Dolphins remain the only undefeated team in football history as the New York Giants defeated the seemingly unstoppable New England Patriots in SuperBowl XLII. The 17-14 win by the Giants ended the Patriots 18-0 undefeated streak this season. The game came down to a touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress on a 13-yard fade with 35 seconds left in the Super Bowl. The Patriots, with 30 seconds left and three timeouts, could not put together anything in the final seconds as the Giant's defense stuffed Tom Brady and the New England offense as they had been all day. Brady, the most efficient quarterback in 2007, could not get a rhythm all day. He was sacked five times, hurried a dozen more, and at one point wound up on his knees, his hands on his hips following one of many poor throws. Although a milestone was not made by the Patriots, a milestone was made as Eli Manning followed his brother Peyton Manning with back-to-back Super Bowl wins. The end of the game came with one second left on the clock. The field filled with people but a final play had to be made. This did not keep Bill Belichick on the sidelines as he headed up the tunnel, seeing his undefeated season, a record tying number of Super Bowl wins by a coach, and the championship itself evaporate. In one of the greatest victories in NFL history, the Giants showed the skill and heart to do what many considered impossible. http://www.nydailynews.com/img/2007/10/13/alg_manning-passes.jpg Derrick Moore Game Day February 3, 2008, 9:20 pm www.webchannel24.com 153 Eli Manning, New York Giants, SuperBowl, football, NFL, Patriots, Tom Brady, undefeated Eli Manning leads the New York Giants to SuperBowl upset win over Patriots Lynch comment does not bother Tiger

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Tiger Woods says Golf Channel anchor Kelly Tilghman meant no harm when she used the term "lynch" during television commentary about him, and he regards the issue closed as he returns to work this week. ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Tiger Woods says Golf Channel anchor Kelly Tilghman meant no harm when she used the term "lynch" during television commentary about him, and he regards the issue closed as he returns to work this week. Tiger Woods Woods "It was unfortunate," Woods said Monday in his first public comments since Tilghman was suspended for two weeks. "Kelly and I did speak. There was no ill intent. She regrets saying it. In my eyes, it's all said and done." Woods spoke at the Tiger Woods Learning Center, where he announced a contest for children to talk about their first "fist-pump" moment. He also unveiled a bronze of his late father, Earl Woods, which will be in the lobby of the educational center. The world's No. 1 player will make his 2008 debut at the Buick Invitational in San Diego, which starts Thursday. Despite not having played since his season-ending Target World Challenge last month, Woods has been a big part of golf news. "I've been in that situation before," he said with a slight smile. Toward the end of the second round at the Mercedes-Benz Championship, Tilghman and analyst Nick Faldo were discussing possible challengers to Woods when Faldo suggested the players gang up on Woods. "Lynch him in a back alley," Tilghman said, laughing. Woods' agent had issued a statement before Tilghman was suspended, noting Woods and Tilghman were friends and he considered the matter over. Under increasing pressure, however, Golf Channel suspended the anchor for two weeks. The topic was cranked up a notch last week when Golfweek magazine put a noose on the cover of its Jan. 19 issue, which drew more criticism and an unusually sharp rebuke from PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem. Golfweek last week fired Dave Seanor, the editor responsible for the cover. Woods said he never felt pressure to speak out on the use of "lynch," which stirs graphic reminders of the Old South in which 3,466 blacks were lynched in the United States from 1882 to 1968. "It was more media-driven than anything else," Woods said. He said he several people contacted him because they were curious what he thought. "I tell them she's a friend of mine, which she is," Woods said. "I've known her for 10 or 11 years now. We all say things we do regret, and that's certainly a moment she does regret." Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press http://lightscameracaption.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/tiger-woods-picture-11.jpg Derrick Moore GameTime January 22, 2008, 12:02 am www.webchannel24.com 146 Tiger Woods, golf, lynch, racism, sports Tiger Woods Taylor Dies After Shooting

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Sean Taylor, safefy for the Washington Redskins, died after a gun shot wound to the leg Tuesday. Sean Taylor, safefy for the Washington Redskins, died after a gun shot wound to the leg Tuesday. "We're going to miss him," Redskins Head Coach Joe Gibbs said. "I'm not talking about as a player. I'm talking about as a person." Taylor and his girlfriend, Jackie Garcia, were victims of a home invasion attempt Monday. The burglar broke into the couples bedroom and fired two shots, one missing and the other hitting Taylor in the leg. The bullet damaged the femoral artery in Taylor's leg, causing significant blood loss. Taylor never regained consciousness and passed away early Tuesday. Eight days earlier, another burglary attempt was made at Taylor's house in which the apparent robber went through drawers and left a kitchen knife on Taylor's bed, according to Florida police. Redskins players and staff are saddened and shocked by the loss, as well as the NFL and it's millions of fans. Taylor is survived by his newborn baby daughter. http://media.scout.com/Media/Image/31/311680.jpg Derrick Moore Game Day November 27, 2007, 9:09 pm www.webchannel24.com 133 Sean Taylor, shooting, NFL, football Safety Sean Taylor 's violent death had left his team in tears and a league in mourning. Bonds Indicted by Federal Grand Jury

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Barry Bonds was indicted Thursday for perjury and obstruction of justice due to his testifying of having no knowledge of using performance-enhancing drugs. Barry Bonds was indicted Thursday for perjury and obstruction of justice, charged with lying when he told a federal grand jury that he did not knowingly use performance-enhancing drugs. The indictment unsealed Thursday against baseball's home-run king culminated a four-year investigation into steroid use by elite athletes. "During the criminal investigation, evidence was obtained including positive tests for the presence of anabolic steroids and other performance enhancing substances for Bonds and other athletes," the indictment read. In August, the 43-year-old Bonds passed Hank Aaron to become baseball's career home run leader. Late in the season, the San Francisco Giants told the seven-time National League MVP they didn't want him back next year. Bonds finished the year with 762 homers, seven more than Aaron, and is currently a free agent. In 2001, he set the season record with 73 home runs. http://homerderby.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/bonds-big-new.jpg Tom Joyce Cobra Nation November 15, 2007, 7:31 pm www.webchannel24.com 130 Barry Bonds, baseball, steroids, legal, law, trial, grand jury, federal Barry Bonds was indicted by a Federal Grand Jury Thursday November 15, 2007 The Patriots down the Colts 24-20

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Going in undefeated, both the Patriots and the Colts looked to show their dominance over the NFL. Only one team could, of course, come away still undefeated. Unlike in previous victories, Tom Brady took three knees to end the game against storied rivals the Indianapolis Colts, to get a 24-20 victory in what was dubbed the biggest game of the regular season, or SuperBowl 41 1/2. With the win, there is serious talk as to whether or not the New England Patriots can be only the second team in history to have an undefeated season (the last team being the 1972 Miami Dolphins). Indianapolis came to play, and so did their fans. "We were going against a hostile crowd, an undefeated team, we took our hats off to them. But we still played well enough to win," said New England linebacker Junior Seau. Indianapolis has one of the loudest stadiums in the league, and while the crowd noise may have affected the play of the Patriot's offense, it wasn't enough to thwart another New England victory. For a majority of the game, the Colts held the lead until the fourth quarter when New England scoring drive after scoring drive. Unable to match offensive power due to injuries, the Colts were forced to play it conservative. In the end, a ball ripped from the hands of Peyton Manning spelled the end of the Colts' chances for a repeat of their emotional comback from last post-season. http://assets.espn.go.com/photo/2007/1101/nfl_g_patscolts_300.jpg Garth Brantley Shooting the Gap November 5, 2007, 6:03 pm www.webchannel24.com 126 Patriots, New England, Colts, Indianapolis, NFL, football, undefeated The two best teams in football met Sunday night, and the Patriots continued their winning ways Leftwich to Falcons

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Atlanta Falcons sign former Falcons QB Byron Leftwich On Tuesday, the Atlanta Falcons signed former Jaguars quarterback Byron Leftwich to a two year, $7 million dollar deal. Leftwich will start practicing with the team Wednesday. In light of the recent issues surrounding the position with the Falcons; from starter Michael Vick being suspended from the league and Joey Harrington leading the team to only ten points in the first two games of the season, Leftwich could be the injection that the Falcons need on offense. Backup Chris Redman will retain his position but Casey Bramlet, whose only on-field experience was in Europe, was let go Tuesday. Although Leftwich is a highly sought after free agent, he was released by the Jaguars earlier this year in favor of David Garrard. Leftwich, who has missed fifteen games in the past two years, has been plagued with injuries including missing ten games due to a bad ankle last year. http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2007/writers/arash_markazi/05/19/qb.challenge/T1_0519_leftwich.jpg Brian Green Shooting the Gap September 19, 2007, 9:46 am www.webchannel24.com 105 Byron Leftwich, football, NFL, Jaguars, Falcons Byron Leftwich was signed to the Falcons Monday Night Football: Ravens vs. Bengals

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Monday Night Football Matchup: The Baltimore Ravens vs. The Cincinatti Bengals <img src="http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:QOvM34rpINUlCM:http://www.fantasyfootballfiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/Carson%2520Palmer.jpg"> For Carson Palmer, "Ocho Cinco" Chad Johnson, and the rest of the Cincinatti Bengals, it is important for them to get off to a good start in the 2007 season. Finishing 8-8 last year, they need to get a home game win on opening night on Monday Night Football to re-establish their team as a SuperBowl contender. Even moreso, this victory is necessary as it is against the division champs, the Baltimore Ravens, in a competitive rivalry that has developed between the two teams. Head Coach Marvin Lewis - former Defensive Coordinator for the 2000 Championship Ravens - knows all too well how solid his former team and former coach Brian Billick are and will likely exploit their explosive offense to put up big points on the board. <img src="http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:T1mBcwuEYx-nsM:http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2006/writers/don_banks/04/25/pivotal.picks/p1_reed.jpg"> That will not be easy as the Ravens has one of the best secondary squads in the league, featuring Ed Reed, Samari Rolle and Chris McCallister. The Ravens, who lost key player Adalius Thomas to the Patriots in the offseason, appeared to have not missed a step defensively. The offense, a never-ending source of stress for Ravens fans, was managed well by Steve McNair last year, and with the addition of Willis McGahee, the Ravens look for a faster running game which would exploit the Bengals' defense which ranked among the worst int he league last year. Series leader: Ravens, 13-9 Streaks: Bengals have won four of last five matchups http://assets.bengals.com/images/photos/ravens_alltime040926.jpg Derrick Moore Shooting The Gap September 10, 2007, 9:58 am www.webchannel24.com 93 cincinatti bengals, baltimore ravens, chad johnson, ray lewis, marvin lewis, brian billick, steve mcnair, chad johnson, monday n Sunday NFL Preview: NYG at Cowboys

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After last year's disappointing loss for Tony Romo and the Cowboys to the Eagles, and the Giants without Tiki, it's time to face off in Sunday Night's season opener when the New York Giants take on the Dallas Cowboys. <img src="http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:VRcdZWWVWpd0cM:http://cowboys.beloblog.com/archives/wadepoints.jpg"> With Wade Phillips as the new coach for the Cowboys, a team that had built momentum last year will now open up with a more intense defense (which ranked 13th last year), a new outlook on this season. Even with Tony Romo's five interception passes last year against the Giants, there may be problems for the Cowboys in the air, so look for more of a ground offensive by Julius Jones and Marion Barber. <img src="http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:1W2dYTVo2Zqn_M:http://www.pickupspecialties.com/Hammerhead/NY_Giants_Hitch.jpg"> The Giants need a strong performance from Eli Manning and their new running game - sans Tiki - to gain any advantage in this game. With some key additions in the offseason, look for the Giants to make a strong showing on the road. In the end however, look for the Cowboys to make a stron gshowing at home to avenge the heartbreaking loss in the last second of last year's final meeting betwen the two teams. Series leader: Cowboys, 52-35-2 Streaks: Giamts have won two of last three matchups Air Date: 8:15 p.m. ET, NBC http://cowboys.beloblog.com/archives/winner.jpg Garth Brantley Football Talk September 7, 2007, 10:47 am www.webchannel24.com 88 football, nfl, New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, sunday, night, nbc, game Brain Damage May Have Caused Benoit Murder/Suicide

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Doctors who studied his case say head trauma could have contributed to his suicide and the killings of his wife and young son in June. World Wrestling Entertainment officials calls report Sports Entertainment - or Professional Wrestling - has scripted results and lots of acting (mostly bad) to tell a live-action soap opera with stunts for kids, teenagers and adults who like simple entertainment. Although the story is scripted, and the performers do not intentionally attempt to harm one another, the stunts performered are often dangerous and harmful. On Wednesday, the harmful effects of Chris Benoit's career were discovered as analysts from the Sports Legacy Institute determined Benoit had a number of dead brain cells and brain damage which he claimed were "extensive, shocking in its extent". In analysis released Wednesday by the Sports Legacy Institute that studies the effects of concussions, one doctor who studied Benoit's brain tissue said the number of dead or damaged brain cells "was extensive, shocking in its extent." This brain damage could potentially have been the cause for Benoit's irrational and violent tendancies which lead to the murder of his wife and son, and his eventual suicide. Roid Rage was the initial speculation during the initial news frenzy, and now it seems that the wrestling world will come under intense scrutiny not only for rumored rampant steroid abuse, but for the nature of the business itself and its effects on the men and women performing in the ring. World Wrestling Entertainment issued a statement Wednesday: "Today's attempt to explain that Chris Benoit's murder of his family was possibly caused by some form of dementia as a result of alleged concussions is speculative. WWE can certainly understand the anguish of a father having to deal with the fact that his son allegedly murdered his wife and young son, as Chris Benoit is alleged to have done. We respect the desire of that father to do whatever he can to find some explanation as to why his son might commit such horrible acts." Part of Benoit's performance was to dive off of the top rope and headbutt opponents. This would involve a seven to ten foot drop, headfirst, onto another performer or - if he was to miss - onto a mat of canvas, wood and springs. Given Benoit's full time schedule of performing 200+ days a year, the fact that he performed this move in nearly every match, added with various other bumps on his head from other wrestling moves, a number of steel chair shots to the head, and a fifteen plus year career ... it's easy to see where the damage probably came from. Benoit's father, Michael Benoit, has supported the research and states "I think it's the extreme that is in the wrestling industry today. The human skull is not built to get hit by a chair or something." Whether or not the Benoit family is seeking legal action against WWE has yet to be announced. He does believe however that he has "an understanding [now] of what could have contributed to the tragedy of that [weekend]." The sports entertainment industry is going to increasingly come under fire given this and about two dozen other cases in the past few years of wrestlers dying in their 30s and 40s, arrests, domestic abuse, aggressive public behavior and more. The content of wrestling is not what it was ten or twenty years ago. Fans are less entertained by the science of the artform and are more into the shock of the spectacle. Headlocks and countermoves are replaced by chairshots and ten foot falls through tables. The wrestling industry will soon have to look into what effects the business has on its performers - and fans - both inside and outside the ring. http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:hNX1MeW8sO4ntM:http://iamatvjunkie.typepad.com/i_am_a_tv_junkie_a_blog_f/images/2007/06/25/c Garth Brantley Shooting The Gap September 6, 2007, 2:01 pm www.webchannel24.com 86 Chris Benoit, brain damage, wwe, wrestling, murders Ray Lewis - The Baltimore Ravens

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Baltimore's premiere linebacker since 1996, Ray Lewis has instilled confidence in his teammates and fear in every offense in the NFL that has lined up against him. As one of the sport's most recognized figures in the late 90s and throught the first 2K decade, Ray Lewis has established a career and a presence both on and off the field as one of the greatest field generals to ever step foot on the gridiron. Born on May 15, 1975 in Bartow, Florida, Lewis grew up in Florida and by high school was playing for the Red Devils at Kathleen High School. He played as a Running Back and a Linebacker and was Team MVP in his junior and senior years. He then went to the University of Miami where he teamed with two other future stars, Warren Sapp (future NFL defensive tackle superstar for the Buccaneers and the Raiders) and Dwayne Johnson (future WWE Superstar "The Rock" and motion picture star). Lewis' college career was highlighted by being named All-American, All -Big East and added to the Playboy All-American team during his junior year. His senior year held 393 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, a touchdown and 3 interceptions. Being a heavily sought after talent by various NFL teams, Lewis left the University of Miami and entered the NFL draft in 1996, being selected in the first round by the Baltiomre Ravens. He later finished his education in 2005 with a degree at the University of Maryland in College Park, MD. His rookie year with the Raven's got him named to USA Today's All-Rookie team, 142 tackles, 2.5 QB scks and 1 interception. He also recorded double digits in tackles in 7 of his 14 games. Lewis would go on in subsequent years to earn a reputation as a fierce and vocal competitor on the football field, known for his aggressiveness and his speed. In 2000, Lewis was arrested and charged with the murders of Jacinth Baker and Richard Lollar, who were stabbed and killed outside a nightclub during a fight in Atlanta, GA following a SuperBowl party. Many family, friends, and fans stood up for Lewis during this time as many thought it highly unlikely that Lewis would be involved in such an incident. Lewis was later granted bail and in the trial that followed, pled guilty to a misdemeanor charge of obstruction of justice, the result of a bargain brokered between prosecutors and Lewis' defense. For the next few years, even though Lewis was not found guilty of murder, fans in many cities around the league - and even during the SuperBowl - would loudly boo and taunt Lewis. A year after the incident in Atlanta, Lewis saw the light at the end of the tunnel as the Baltimore Ravens defeated the New York Giants to become SuperBowl champions in 2001. Lewis was named MVP, the first linebacker to earn that distinction at a SuperBowl since Chuck Howley won the honor in 1971. In the years that followed since that twelve month roller coaster ride, Lewis' image amongst football fans and the public in general has grown and improved. Through many interviews, behind-the-scenes shows on the NFL Network, endorsements, and so on, the public has come to know him as a strong and confident warrior on the field. They've come to see him as a leader on the field, always motivating his teammates to kick in 110 percent when they think they can't. We've also seen Lewis as a Christian man, a hard worker, and an overall engaging individual. There is no doubt he is bound for the Hall of Fame, and the number "52" will never be worn by another Raven. Ray Lewis is one of the greatest, if not perhaps one of the top five, linebackers to play in the National Football League. Ray Lewis' official website: <a href="www.raylewis52.com" target='_blank'>www.RayLewis52.com</a> . http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ExvBVv1Yj2SjcM:http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2006/writers/peter_king/09/10/mmqb.week1/p1_lewis_press Garth Brantley Test June 2, 2007, 9:19 pm www.webchannel24.com 58 Why No One Can Stand Terrell Owens

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The Eagle's top receiver, and arguably football's number one athlete, is coming back into this year's season PO'ing everyone in sight. He's arrogant, he's brash, and he's without a doubt the most followed player in the National Football League. Terrell Owens, number 81 for the Philadelphia Eagles, has started out the pre-season with controversy already. Following the Eagle's Super Bowl loss to the Patriots in January, Owens felt the need to criticize his quarterback Donovan McNabb, citing the QB's conditioning as being part of the reason for their loss. Then, following a disagreement with Eagle's coach Andy Reid, Owens was sent home from training camp and missed the first pre-season game because of it. Although Reid wanted to keep the situation "in house", Owens thought it better to air his grievances on ESPN later that evening. Since returning to camp, Owens proves he can back up his big mouth with an outstanding showing in the first half alone as Owens caught five passes for 131 yards in the pre-season game against the Cincinatti Bengals. The question is, how much longer are his teammates, his coaches and the NFL fans going to put up with T.O.? As long as he produces, to be sure, but his loud mouth has caused him to be an extremely disliked player amongst the league. His legendary fights on the sidelines with coaches and players, his mocking of opposing teams, and the overall behavior he exhibits on the field is something that most could do without. The 2005 football season will definately have a lot of TO in it, the question is for me, how much T.O. can P.O. everyone before someone K.O.'s him? http://www.webchannel24.com/images/articles/SportsTO.jpg Garth Brantley Overtime May 28, 2007, 6:37 pm www.webchannel24.com 46