FanHouse

Sing It, Ron Artest

Michael Katz — 2009-11-16T17:30:00 00:00

Filed under: NBA

The video is for Ron Artest's new song, "Blind." The audio makes me wish I was deaf.

All (easy) jokes aside, this is not terrible, Ron. But I prefer your earlier work. Things get old school after the jump.

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Survivor: FanHouse Island, Week 10

Michael Katz — 2009-11-15T09:38:00 00:00

by Michael KatzThe NFL FanHouse team is putting its prediction skills to the test with a little friendly survivor pick 'em league. Each week, every competitor will choose one NFL winner, keeping in mind that you can't pick the same team more than once during the year. But it's a dangerous game: Get one wrong, and you're out.

Sweet lord. All three of our remaining experts have hitched their wagon to a different horse this week. Follow me, people. We could... have... a winner.

This is more exciting than Christmas morning. Less exciting than Pats-Colts, however. Have you heard those two were playing this weekend?

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The Challenges of College Sports: Academics, Athletics and Money

Michael Katz — 2009-11-13T12:00:00 00:00

by Michael KatzVideo forward by Kevin Blackistone.

The colloquium was titled "Intercollegiate Athletics: Pro/Con: the Joys and Challenges of College Sports." The subject, as stated by moderator Maury Povich, was academics, athletics, and money.

Povich directed his first question at Redskins offensive tackle Stephon Heyer. While at Maryland, did Heyer consider himself more student or athlete.

The Redskins offensive lineman chuckled.

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Survivor: FanHouse Island, Week 9

Michael Katz — 2009-11-08T10:00:00 00:00

by Michael KatzThe NFL FanHouse team is putting its prediction skills to the test with a little friendly survivor pick 'em league. Each week, every competitor will choose one NFL winner, keeping in mind that you can't pick the same team more than once during the year. But it's a dangerous game: Get one wrong, and you're out.

The NFL season is half over and every team is, at the very least, still in existence. The Survivor Pick 'Em season is also half over, but only three writers remain.

You tell me which is the more dangerous game, Malcolm Gladwell.

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Brandon Spikes Was Gouging Eyes

Michael Katz — 2009-11-02T14:00:00 00:00

by Michael Katz

Filed under: College Sports

In a metaphorical sense, the Florida Gators abused Georgia in a 41-17 beat down on Saturday. But also, in a quite literal sense, linebacker Brandon Spikes attempted to gouge the eyes of Bulldog running back Washuan Ealey.

Florida has suspended Spikes for the first half of Saturday's game against Vanderbilt.

Reached for comment, Brandon Spikes did not say, "Captain Insano shows no mercy." But I wish he had.

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Survivor: FanHouse Island, Week 8

Michael Katz — 2009-11-01T10:00:00 00:00

by Michael KatzThe NFL FanHouse team is putting its prediction skills to the test with a little friendly survivor pick 'em league. Each week, every competitor will choose one NFL winner, keeping in mind that you can't pick the same team more than once during the year. But it's a dangerous game: Get one wrong, and you're out.

All four remaining writers made it through last week. But let's see if their post-Halloween candy hangover affected their picking this morning.

I wonder if anyone dressed up as a Browns fan? Paper bag over the head. Blood gushing from eyes and ears. That's the one.

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Hasheem Thabeet Is Your Weatherman

Michael Katz — 2009-10-30T15:45:00 00:00

by Michael Katz

Filed under: NBA

Hasheem Thabeet's NBA career is off to an uninspiring start. In his Grizzlies debut, he managed zero points and only two rebounds in 12 minutes of action. Bleh.

But the UConn product is already bringing plenty to the Memphis community. Recently, Thabeet appeared on Fox 13 to lend a hand forecasting the weather. And if he could pick up the intricacies of the NBA the way took to the newsroom, Thabeet will be holding down the paint sooner than expected.

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The FanHouse Intern on the Bill Simmons Book Tour

Michael Katz — 2009-10-28T14:00:00 00:00

by Michael Katz

Filed under: ESPN, Sports Media

WASHINGTON -- No one covers book signings. There is probably a reason for this. But with the second Bill Simmons book tour commencing in Washington on Monday, it seemed like a good enough idea. At the least, 15-year-old, Page 2-gobbling me would be quite delighted.

I called a friend of mine to inform him of my ever-bloggable plan. "You mean like Deadspin did for his first tour?" came the reply. Pause. Google search. Well, then.

Despite this inauspicious start, I buckled up and headed out with another buddy. The Sports Guy was waiting.

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Survivor: FanHouse Island, Week 7

Michael Katz — 2009-10-25T11:15:00 00:00

by Michael Katz

Filed under: NFL Predictions

The NFL FanHouse team is putting its prediction skills to the test with a little friendly survivor pick 'em league. Each week, every competitor will choose one NFL winner, keeping in mind that you can't pick the same team more than once during the year. But it's a dangerous game: Get one wrong, and you're out.

Last week, the Eagles lost to the Raiders. Even Santa Clause would have booed that stinker. Couple that with an overtime loss by the inept Jets, and we kissed good bye to half our remaining contenders.

So here we are, folks. Week 7, and it's final four time. Will this be the week we witness someone's one shining moment? I hope not, because then I will have to abandon this feature.

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Survivor: FanHouse Island, Week 6

Michael Katz — 2009-10-18T10:30:00 00:00

by Michael Katz

Filed under: NFL Predictions

The NFL FanHouse team is putting its prediction skills to the test with a little friendly survivor pick 'em league. Each week, every competitor will choose one NFL winner, keeping in mind that you can't pick the same team more than once during the year. But it's a dangerous game: Get one wrong, and you're out.

Last week, Tom Mantzouranis picked the Browns to beat the Bills. Derek Anderson only completed two passes and Cleveland still won.

Here's the point: Maybe we should all give up now. This is a man of destiny.

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Fergie to Dolphins Approved by Owners

Michael Katz — 2009-10-14T10:15:00 00:00

by Michael Katz

Filed under: NFL

The Miami Dolphins already have a slew of celebrity owners. Only now are the Phins becoming glamorous.

As in, G-L-A-M O-R O-U-S. Glamorous. Glamorous, glamorous. You get the point.

Fergie -- female vocalist for the Black Eyed Peas -- is set to become the franchise's latest celebrity part-owner. It's music to the ears of the legions of hip pop/dance fans -- a genre I just made up -- in South Florida.

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Survivor: FanHouse Island, Week 5

Michael Katz — 2009-10-11T10:32:00 00:00

by Michael Katz

Filed under: NFL Predictions

The NFL FanHouse team is putting its prediction skills to the test with a little friendly survivor pick 'em league. Each week, every competitor will choose one NFL winner, keeping in mind that you can't pick the same team more than once during the year. But it's a dangerous game: Get one wrong, and you're out.

Everyone made it through last week unscathed. Yawn.

This week, more than half our experts put their faith in the Philadelphia Eagles. A Buccaneer upset could do significant damage to the league. Then again, this is Tampa Bay we're talking about. So yeah, see you next week.

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Crabtree Fumbles in Madden Debut

Michael Katz — 2009-10-08T10:00:00 00:00

by Michael Katz

Filed under: Video Games, NFL

Coverage of Michael Crabtree's deal with the 49ers has largely ignored an important and interested demographic: gamers. Fear not, Madden fans. Happy Crabtree will be added in the latest online update. Just don't expect him to hold onto the ball.

Crabtree gets an 82 rating, making him San Fran's top receiver. But given the newest Niners' online debut, it appears his avatar needs to shake off some rust.

Video after the jump.

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YouTube Film Session: Brandon Marshall

Michael Katz — 2009-10-07T09:00:00 00:00

by Michael Katz

Filed under: Backporch Features

Move over, Jaws. There's a new breakdown team in town. YouTube Film Session features the finest in amateur film parsing this side of the internet. Mindful of both X's and O's, and Jimmies and Joes.

Brandon Marshall's 51-yard touchdown grab was filthy. That's why you've seen it a million times between SportsCenter, NFL Live and the 17 blogs in your bookmark bar.

But after the jump, Back Porch goes inside the play that had Chris Berman howling, "Whaaaat? Whaaat?"

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Chris Berman Is Aware of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Breasts

Michael Katz — 2009-10-04T15:45:00 00:00

by Michael KatzThe NFL supports Breast Cancer Awareness Month. And Chris Berman is aware. Especially the part about breasts.

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Survivor: FanHouse Island, Week 4

Michael Katz — 2009-10-04T11:30:00 00:00

by Michael Katz

Filed under: NFL Predictions

The NFL FanHouse team is putting its prediction skills to the test with a little friendly survivor pick 'em league. Each week, every competitor will choose one NFL winner, keeping in mind that you can't pick the same team more than once during the year. But it's a dangerous game: Get one wrong, and you're out.

Byes are back on the schedule in Week 4. It's the first time this season that not every team is in action.

While it's tempting to pick the Cardinals, Falcons, Eagles or Panthers, that will not help you win. You have to pick teams that are playing, folks. Just ask my friend No-pick Ned. That's how he lost last year. And how he earned the nickname No-pick Ned.

More Coverage: Pool Advice

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Survivor: FanHouse Island, Week 3

Michael Katz — 2009-09-27T11:30:00 00:00

by Michael Katz

Filed under: NFL Predictions

The NFL FanHouse team is putting its predictions skills to the test with a little friendly survivor pick 'em league. Each week, every competitor will choose one NFL winner, keeping in mind that you can't pick the same team more than once during the year. But it's a dangerous game: Get one wrong, and you're out.

We mocked Cincinnati before Week 2. Then OchoCinco made Packers backers Chris Burke, Dan Graziano and R.J. White kiss the baby.

Time to find a new team to pick on. Looking at you, Cleveland.

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Good Grief, This Clemson Fan Is Sad

Michael Katz — 2009-09-22T10:00:00 00:00

by Michael Katz

Filed under: College Sports

In 1969, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross introduced the stages of grief in her book On Death and Dying. Forty years later, a particular Clemson fan, commemorated the occasion after his Tigers lost at Georgia Tech on Sept. 10.

I'm no psychologist, but that won't stop me from dissecting the stages experienced by this poor fellow.

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Survivor: FanHouse Island, Week 2

Michael Katz — 2009-09-20T12:00:00 00:00

by Michael KatzThe NFL FanHouse team is putting its predictions skills to the test with a little friendly survivor pick 'em league. Each week, every competitor will choose one NFL winner, keeping in mind that you can't pick the same team more than once during the year. But it's a dangerous game: Get one wrong, and you're out.

Only one "expert" fell in week 1, and the group learned a valuable lesson: Don't pick the Bengals. They suck.

So did anyone take the Cincinnati in week 2? Child, please.

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MLB Holds Adorable Fan Hostage

Michael Katz — 2009-09-16T19:14:00 00:00

by Michael KatzIf you are watching the YouTube video below, savor it. In all likelihood it will soon read: This video no longer available due to a copyright claim by MLB Advanced Media.

Tuesday night, an adorable little Phillies fan was handed a foul ball by her father. The happy dad's glee soon turned to disbelief as his daughter tossed the souvenir over the railing. It'll melt your heart -- if you get a chance to see it.

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