FanHouse

Ryan Newman Satisfied With Team Debut

Holly Cain — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Ryan Newman, Tony Stewart, Stewart-Haas Racing

HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- If pressed to find one thing Ryan Newman would change about his season, of course, he'd like to score a win in Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup season finale at Homestead Miami Speedway.

After being close to victory circle a half dozen times this season, that's about the only thing he feels missing from a stellar debut season with the essentially start-up Stewart-Haas Racing team. Newman won two pole positions in the No. 39 U.S. Army-sponsored Chevrolet and, after an ominous start at the season-opening Daytona 500, still qualified for the 12-driver Chase for the Championship.

In our last installment of Inside the Chase for the Championship with Ryan Newman, FanHouse looks at the evolution of the season and how Newman evaluates his fresh start.

Ryan Newman Satisfied With Team Debut originally appeared on Fanhouse Motorsports Blog on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sheed's Threes a Problem for the Celtics

Brett Pollakoff — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:55:00 EST

by Brett Pollakoff

Filed under: Celtics, Magic

When the Celtics signed Rasheed Wallace over the summer as their big offseason acquisition, they may have thought they were getting a big man who would stretch the floor with his three-point shooting, and one who would force the centers on the other contenders to come out of the paint to try and stop him.

But 13 games into the Sheed experiment in Boston, Wallace's three-point shooting has hurt his new team far more than it has helped them. And Friday night's 0-for-8 performance from beyond the arc?

That one was so bad, it made history.

Sheed's Threes a Problem for the Celtics originally appeared on Fanhouse NBA Blog on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ohio State-Michigan Game 2009: Live Twitter Updates

Michael David Smith — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:05:00 EST

by Michael David Smith

Filed under: Michigan, Ohio State

The Ohio State-Michigan game has always been my personal favorite college football rivalry, dating back to my days as a 5-year-old living near Ann Arbor and worshiping Bo Schembechler. OSU vs. Michigan 2009 doesn't figure to be one of the legendary games -- it might not even be a very good game -- but I'll be watching, and I'll be tweeting my observations while I watch.

And since I'm a sucker for rivalry games, I'll also be tweeting about lesser rivalries like the Harvard-Yale game as well. Follow along below or follow me on Twitter @MichaelDavSmith.

Ohio State-Michigan Game 2009: Live Twitter Updates originally appeared on Fanhouse NCAA Football Blog on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:05:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Longhorns Find It Easy to Stay Focused

Terrance Harris — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

by Terrance Harris

Filed under: Kansas, Texas, Big 12

AUSTIN, Texas -- University of Texas coach Mack Brown usually doesn't like to live in the past, but this week he broke out some old film for his team.

He showed the Longhorns how teams from 2006 and 2007 finished in comparison to 2005, when Texas won the BCS national title, and last season when many agree the 12-1 Longhorns should have been given the opportunity to compete for the national championship.

Brown's point to his second-ranked,10-0 squad is simple: stay focused these last two regular-season games, the Big 12 championship game in two weeks, and then biggest of prizes await the Texas Longhorns in Pasadena. A slip up anywhere between now and the Jan. 7 BCS national championship game will lead to great disappointment for Texas.

Longhorns Find It Easy to Stay Focused originally appeared on Fanhouse NCAA Football Blog on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Once-Over: Week 11

Knox Bardeen — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST

by Knox Bardeen

Filed under: NFL Predictions

With attention spans dwindling, we forgo full game-by-game previews to give you the essentials you need to know about every contest this glorious NFL weekend. We call it The Once-Over.

The Early Games

New Orleans (9-0) at Tampa Bay (1-8): New Orleans was tested last week -- in fact, they've been tested in each of their last four games. Drew Brees has thrown seven interceptions and only six touchdown passes in those four games. You can expect the Saints to come out on Sunday and look to clean up their act a bit on offense as they play a divisional foe who doesn't have the arsenal to put up much of a fight.

Josh Freeman's play since taking over at quarterback is giving hope for the future in Tampa. He's thrown four touchdown passes and only two interceptions and seems to enjoy throwing to Kellen Winslow who has 11 receptions in his last two games. The Saints defense is a little beaten up, but should be able to hold off the Buccaneers on Sunday.

Pick: New Orleans

The Once-Over: Week 11 originally appeared on Fanhouse NFL Blog on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Donovan, Beckham: From Rivals to BFFs

Brian Straus — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:17:00 EST

by Brian Straus

Filed under: MLS

SEATTLE -- Landon Donovan's MLS goal of the year was remarkable on two levels. First, the curling volley was an incredible strike, with a beyond-the-post bend reminiscent of Roberto Carlos' famous free kick against France 12 years ago. Second, it was David Beckham who was the first to jump into Donovan's arms.

The feud and reconciliation between the league's two most recognizable players has been the story of the 2009 season, and there can be little question that the Los Angeles Galaxy would not be here for Sunday's MLS Cup final had the pair failed to resolve the differences that became public over the summer. Beckham's genuine excitement over Donovan's goal, and the club's run to the final, are clear indications that the two are on the same page. On Friday, FanHouse had the opportunity to ask them how they did it.

Donovan, Beckham: From Rivals to BFFs originally appeared on Fanhouse Soccer Blog on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:17:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Land Mines Litter Hot Stove Landscape

Matt Snyder — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST

by Matt Snyder

Filed under: MLB Free Agency

From the Windup is Matt Snyder's extended look at some aspect of America's pastime each week.

I used to always enjoy lists like our own Frankie Piliere's Top 50 Free Agents. Then Milton Bradley happened. Now, as a Cubs fan whose been scorned by the clubhouse-dividing, unaccountable-yet-entitled lunatic, I can't look through the list without being skeptical of many of them. Which one is going to ruin someone else's favorite team like Bradley ruined mine? With this in mind, I present 11 potentially dangerous free agent signings in this year's class.

Land Mines Litter Hot Stove Landscape originally appeared on Fanhouse MLB Blog on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Clippers Broadcast Team Suspended for Comments About Hamed Haddadi

Brett Pollakoff — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:09:00 EST

by Brett Pollakoff

Filed under: Clippers, Grizzlies, NBA Media Watch

The Clippers got what was by far their best win of the season on Friday, but unfortunately, the team's long-time play-by-play man Ralph Lawler wasn't in his usual courtside spot to see it.

Lawler and color commentator Michael Smith were suspended for Friday's game, for what the team deemed to be inappropriate remarks the two made during the Clippers' telecast on Wednesday, when the team faced the Memphis Grizzlies.

The comments in question were regarding Hamed Haddadi, who is a rookie and the first Iranian player to appear in the NBA.

Clippers Broadcast Team Suspended for Comments About Hamed Haddadi originally appeared on Fanhouse NBA Blog on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:09:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Don't Cry for Boise State in Weak WAC

David Whitley — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:23:00 EST

by David Whitley

Filed under: Boise State

LOGAN, Utah -- It's not easy to feel sorry for the winningest football program of the millennium, but let's try.

Boise State beat Utah State, 52-21, Friday night to improve to 11-0. For the second straight year it will probably finish the regular season unbeaten.

Who knows? If the Broncos have five or six more perfect seasons, the BCS might invite the Broncos to its title game. Not to play, but perhaps they'll be allowed to valet Alabama's bus or hand out towels in the men's room.

With that vision in mind, I came here to feel sorry for the eternally shafted Broncos. The more I saw, the less sympathy I felt.

Don't Cry for Boise State in Weak WAC originally appeared on Fanhouse NCAA Football Blog on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:23:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Giants Lose Antonio Pierce Indefinitely

FanHouse Newswire — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:30:00 EST

by FanHouse Newswire

Filed under: Giants, NFL Injuries

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- New York Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce is out indefinitely after an MRI exam on Friday surprisingly revealed a bulging disk in his neck.

The Giants said their defensive captain underwent the test in New York and was examined by team physician Dr. Russell Warren and Dr. Frank Camissa, chief of the spinal surgical services at the Hospital for Special Surgery.

The 31-year-old Pierce originally sustained a burner when the Giants played Arizona on Oct. 25. He had very little discomfort until practice this week, when the club's medical staff scheduled the MRI exam.

Giants Lose Antonio Pierce Indefinitely originally appeared on Fanhouse NFL Blog on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'FanHouse at UFC 106' Pre-Fight Video Special With Jon Fitch

Ariel Helwani — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:22:00 EST

by Ariel Helwani

Filed under: MMA Videos, UFC, FanHouse Exclusive

LAS VEGAS -- On the latest edition of FanHouse at the Ultimate Fighting Championship, we were joined by UFC welterweight star Jon Fitch to preview Saturday night's UFC 106 card.

Can Tito Ortiz rebound from an 18-month layoff and extensive back surgery? What does Forrest Griffin need to do to get over his recent loss to Anderson Silva? And will a victory over Josh Koscheck propel Anthony Johnson into a top-level 170-pound fight? All those questions and more were answer. Enjoy the pre-fight video special below.

'FanHouse at UFC 106' Pre-Fight Video Special With Jon Fitch originally appeared on Fanhouse MMA Blog on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:22:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Stephen Strasburg's Knee Injury Will Not Require Surgery

Pat Lackey — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:14:00 EST

by Pat Lackey

Filed under: Nationals, NL East, Prospects

The Nationals learned Friday that the knee injury suffered by Stephen Strasburg will not require surgery to repair. It's instead been diagnosed as a dislocated knee cap. As painful as that sounds, there's no ligament damage and the Nats' phenom will only require rest and some rehab to get the knee back up to full strength, though he'll still miss Saturday's Arizona Fall League championship game.

Considering those that witnessed the injury firsthand saw Strasburg crumple while playing long toss on Thursday and reported hearing a popping sound (often a telltale sign of ligament damage), this is obviously great news for the Nats. I can't even fathom following up a 103-loss season with a serious knee injury to the highest-paid draft pick in baseball history.

Stephen Strasburg's Knee Injury Will Not Require Surgery originally appeared on Fanhouse MLB Blog on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:14:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Beckham Demonstrates Commitment

Brian Straus — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:30:00 EST

by Brian Straus

Filed under: MLS

SEATTLE -- David Beckham continues to claim he's committed to both the Los Angeles Galaxy and Major League Soccer, and on Friday afternoon seemed to back that up with a promise to play in Sunday's MLS Cup final despite pain in his foot that will require pre-game injections, to return to the team following next summer's World Cup and even to involve himself in the upcoming collective bargaining agreement negotiations between the players and MLS owners.

Beckham Demonstrates Commitment originally appeared on Fanhouse Soccer Blog on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Johnson Wins Pole for Homestead Finale

Holly Cain — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:25:00 EST

by Holly Cain

Filed under: Jimmie Johnson, Mark Martin, Chase for the Sprint Cup

HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- The hard-core conspirators will think NASCAR scripted it. The reality is Jimmie Johnson was the fastest driver of the day.

Johnson will start his No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet from the pole position in Sunday's Ford 400 at Homestead Miami Speedway -- the ultimate beginning to the last chapter in his quest to become the first driver to win four consecutive championships.

Of all things Johnson knocked his Hendrick Motorsports teammate -- and only title challenger left -- Mark Martin off the top spot on the qualifying speed chart. Johnson leads Martin by 108 points and needs only to finish 25th or better to clinch his historic championship.

Johnson Wins Pole for Homestead Finale originally appeared on Fanhouse Motorsports Blog on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WNBA Folds in Sacramento, Seeks Bay Area Owner for 2010

Michelle Smith — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:06:00 EST

by Michelle Smith

Filed under: Kings, WNBA

The Sacramento Monarchs, one of the WNBA's original eight franchises folded Friday, leaving the league to scramble to find a new ownership group, possibly in the San Francisco Bay Area, in time for the 2010 season.

The league announced Friday that it is in talks to find a Bay Area ownership group prepared to take the team over.

WNBA president Donna Orender confirmed Friday evening that negotiations with an investor group are underway.

WNBA Folds in Sacramento, Seeks Bay Area Owner for 2010 originally appeared on Fanhouse NBA Blog on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:06:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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City of Cleveland Rejects LeBron Mural

Jon Weinbach — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:15:00 EST

by Jon Weinbach

Filed under: Sports Business

Maybe Cleveland really isn't LeBron James' kind of town after all.

In a decision that will surely send tongues wagging in the NBA -- and particularly in Manhattan -- a Cleveland city commission turned down a request to create a massive mural of the NBA star, on the grounds that the image was really just a giant ad for Nike and in violation of city codes that limit the size of billboards, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

The proposed mural would have replaced an existing image of James, covering a 10-story wall of an office building near Quicken Loans Arena, the home venue of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Although the city of Cleveland has made exceptions in the past for the existing mural, they felt the new image was more of an advertisement than art.

City of Cleveland Rejects LeBron Mural originally appeared on Fanhouse Main on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Stephen Jackson: Winning Wasn't a Priority for Golden State

Chris Tomasson — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:45:00 EST

by Chris Tomasson

Filed under: Bobcats, Warriors

MILWAUKEE -- Four months after Stephen Jackson arrived in Golden State in January 2007, the Warriors won their first playoff series in 16 years. They went 48-34 the following season, their best record in 14 years.

Jackson would like to take plenty of credit for it.

"The Warriors were (garbage) when I got there, so look what happened,'' Jackson said in an interview Friday with FanHouse. "So I love challenges.''

That's why the 10th-year swingman is ecstatic about his trade last Monday from the Warriors to Charlotte. Even though the Bobcats (3-8 entering Friday) never have made the playoffs since entering the NBA as an expansion team in 2004, Jackson believes it's "a great opportunity for me to be part of something great.''

Also: Don Nelson Opens Up About Issues with Monta Ellis

Stephen Jackson: Winning Wasn't a Priority for Golden State originally appeared on Fanhouse NBA Blog on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What the FIP? Cy Voters Still Missed

Jeff Fletcher — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EST

by Jeff Fletcher

Filed under: Cardinals, Giants, MLB Awards

Since Zack Greinke and Tim Lincecum won Cy Young awards this week with modest victory totals, there has been much discussion about how baseball writers are finally moving into the 21st century and looking beyond the win column.

Although I'm all for patting baseball writers on the back -- since I am one, and I did vote for Greinke -- I think in the case of the NL Cy Young, my colleagues may have looked past victories, and still picked the wrong guy to make their point.

Let's start with the ol' FIP, or Fielding Independent Pitching. FIP is a stat intended to quantify how well a pitcher performed based solely on the things in his control (strikeouts, walks and homers) without regard to the vagaries of the defense behind him.

More Coverage: Lincecum Ekes Out NL Cy Young

What the FIP? Cy Voters Still Missed originally appeared on Fanhouse MLB Blog on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Marv Albert, 50 Cent Rumble Backstage at Jimmy Kimmel Live

Will Brinson — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST

by Will Brinson

Filed under: Current Events, NBA

Of all the headlines I read today, the one you see above is now second on the "didn't see that coming" list after "Al Roker Loses Mind Previewing Weather for Sunday Night Football". Apparently, 50 Cent and his entourage went after Marv Albert backstage at Jimmy Kimmel Live last night.

At least if you believe the Los Angeles Times (or if you prefer to get your news from more reputable sources, here ya go):

Marv Albert, 50 Cent Rumble Backstage at Jimmy Kimmel Live originally appeared on Fanhouse Backporch on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Alex Ovechkin Returns to Lineup, Caps Return to No. 1

Adam Gretz — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST

by Adam Gretz

Filed under: NHL Power Rankings

Losing Alex Ovechkin for two weeks didn't stop the Washington Capitals from winning games, and he picked up right where he left off in his return, scoring his 15th goal of the season in a 4-2 win against the New York Rangers on Tuesday night. With that, the Caps take over the top spot in this week's NHL Power Rankings, while another team reclaims its familiar spot at the bottom of the pile.

More Coverage: New Hockey Fan Searches For Team
Zach Bogosian In U.S. Olympic Picture

Alex Ovechkin Returns to Lineup, Caps Return to No. 1 originally appeared on Fanhouse NHL Blog on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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