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FanHouse in the Stands: Newcastle United FC vs. Fulham FC

Posted: May 23rd 2009 9:00PM by Andrew Johnson (author feed)
Filed under: English Premier League, FanHouse Exclusive

With some three minutes left in a crucial match between Newcastle United and Fulham, the skies – sunny all afternoon, but suddenly and ominously dark now – opened up and literally began to rain on our American parade.

Hull City was drawing with Bolton Wanderers and the Magpies (aka Newcastle United) were down a goal and a Bassong (Sebastien after an all too harsh red card) to Fulham with the clock creeping toward 90 minutes (aka full time).

We were getting drenched and the realization was settling in: once again, Newcastle was staring at a spot in the relegation zone, teetering over the abyss of Championship football.

Continue Reading FanHouse in the Stands: Newcastle United FC vs. Fulham FC

Emmitt Smith Thinks Cowboys Will Struggle to Replace Terrell Owens

Posted: May 13th 2009 5:45PM by Ryan Wilson (author feed)
Filed under: Cowboys, NFL Fans

5 COMMENTS

In February, ESPN mercifully pulled the plug on Emmitt Smith's television career. I think they did it as much for him as for us. Either way, thanks, World Wide Leader. But the NFL rushing leader still has opinions, and when asked, he'll happily share them. Especially if it involves the Cowboys, a team Smith helped win three Super Bowls in the 1990s.

At a Tuesday news conference in Arlington, Texas, Smith talked about the direction of the 2009 club -- one that managed to miss the playoffs last season, and, the year before, lost in the divisional round after a 13-3 record -- and he didn't sound impressed. A lot of that, it seems, has to do with Jerry Jones' decision to cut Terrell Owens.

Continue Reading Emmitt Smith Thinks Cowboys Will Struggle to Replace Terrell Owens

Now Retired, Maybe Favre Can Grow Up

Posted: Feb 12th 2009 1:15PM by Bruce Ciskie (author feed)
Filed under: Jets, Packers, AFC East, NFC North

14 COMMENTS

Legendary quarterback Brett Favre announced his retirement (again) on Wednesday, (maybe) ending an illustrious 18-year career. There's no doubt that Favre, the all-time record-holder in pass completions, attempts, yards, touchdowns, interceptions, and wins (among other things), is going to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame come 2014. You'd have to be clinically insane to deny this truth.

By now, you've already read my colleague Jay Mariotti's awesome column on Favre. While Jay is spot-on in his assessment of Favre's career, Favre himself has shown that he is far from perfect.

Continue Reading Now Retired, Maybe Favre Can Grow Up

Brett Favre Offically Retires

Posted: Feb 11th 2009 9:35AM by Matt Snyder (author feed)
Filed under: Jets, Packers, AFC East, NFC North, NFL

365 COMMENTS

ESPN is reporting that Brett Favre sent an e-mail to Ed Werder indicating that he will soon inform the New York Jets that he is retiring from professional football after 17 years. While there are sure to be questions throughout the entire offseason about whether this is finally it, Favre seems to be, once again, convinced that he has played his last game.

Brett Favre Photos

** FILE ** This is a Nov. 2, 2008 file photo showing New York Jets' Brett Favre during the first half of the NFL football game at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y. Favre's agent says the New York Jets quarterback will retire. The 39-year-old Favre instructed agent James "Bus" Cook to tell the team Wednesday Feb. 11, 2009 that he won't return for a 19th NFL season _ and second with the Jets.(AP Photo/Dean Duprey)

** FILE ** This Oct. 26, 2008 file photo shows New York Jets quarterback Brett Favre throwing against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter of an NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J. Favre's agent says the New York Jets quarterback will retire. The 39-year-old Favre instructed agent James "Bus" Cook to tell the team Wednesday Feb. 11, 2009 that he won't return for a 19th NFL season _ and second with the Jets. (AP Photo/Tim Larsen, File)

** FILE ** This Dec. 21, 2008 file photo shows New York Jets quarterback Brett Favre walking along the sideline in the first half against the Seahawks in an NFL football game in Seattle. The Seahawks won 13-3. Favre's agent says the New York Jets quarterback will retire. The 39-year-old Favre instructed agent James "Bus" Cook to tell the team Wednesday Feb. 11, 2009 that he won't return for a 19th NFL season _ and second with the Jets. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)

** FILE ** In this Nov. 2, 2008 file photo, New York Jets quarterback Brett Favre looks on after an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y. Favre's agent says the New York Jets quarterback will retire. The 39-year-old Favre instructed agent James "Bus" Cook to tell the team Wednesday Feb. 11, 2009that he won't return for a 19th NFL season _ and second with the Jets.(AP Photo/Don Heupel, File)

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 28: Linebacker Channing Crowder #52 of the Miami Dolphins pressures quarterback Brett Favre #4 of the New York Jets on December 28, 2008 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Dolphins defeated the Jets 24-17. (Photo by David Drapkin/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brett Favre;Channing Crowder

Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 28: Quarterback Brett Favre #4 of the New York Jets tries to stop defensive end Phillip Merling #97 of the Miami Dolphins from scoring a touchdown on December 28, 2008 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Merling just intercepted a Favre pass. The Dolphins defeated the Jets 24-17. (Photo by David Drapkin/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Phillip Merling;Brett Favre

Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 28: Quarterback Brett Favre #4 of the New York Jets throws the football against the Miami Dolphins on December 28, 2008 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Dolphins defeated the Jets 24-17. (Photo by David Drapkin/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brett Favre

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 28: Brett Favre #4 of The New York Jets calls a huddle against The Miami Dolphins during their game on December 28, 2008 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brett Favre

Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 28: Brett Favre #4 of The New York Jets leaves the field after losing to The Miami Dolphins 24-17 after their game on December 28, 2008 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brett Favre

Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 28: Brett Favre #4 of The New York Jetspasses the ball against The Miami Dolphins during their game on December 28, 2008 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brett Favre

Getty Images

Continue Reading Brett Favre Offically Retires

Romo Talks T.O., More on Reeves Hire

Posted: Feb 9th 2009 2:25PM by Ryan Wilson (author feed)
Filed under: Cowboys, NFC East, NFL Fans, NFL Coaching, NFL Rumors

14 COMMENTS

Last Friday, Dan Reeves decided that maybe working for the Cowboys wasn't such a great idea and, after one day on the job, walked away. But what if Reeves had stayed? What would that have meant for Wade Phillips and Jason Garrett?

During a post-Cowboys-employment radio interview, Reeves said that he would've been heavily involved in coaching the offense. This might've hastened Terrell Owens' departure from Valley Ranch, but more than that, it could've marginalized Garrett's role as the offensive coordinator.

As the Dallas Morning News' Tim MacMahon pointed out last week, "The Cowboys tried to help Garrett by hiring Reeves, but that isn't exactly a vote of confidence for the highest-paid assistant coach in NFL history."

Continue Reading Romo Talks T.O., More on Reeves Hire

Can Jason Garrett, Sam Bradford Save Lions From Themselves?

Posted: Jan 9th 2009 8:50AM by Ryan Wilson (author feed)
Filed under: Cowboys, Lions, NFC East, NFC North, NFL Draft, NFL Fans, NFL Coaching

4 COMMENTS

(photos courtesy of Getty Images)

Last offseason, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones paid offensive coordinator Jason Garrett roughly $3 million to hang around Dallas instead of taking a head coaching gig. Presumably, the plan was to have Garrett replace Wade Phillips at some point in the near future. This is what happens when a team wins 13 games and the offense leads the conference in scoring.

Unfortunately, the 2008 season was marred by injuries, alleged Valley Ranch dissension and, of course, Ed Werder. The Cowboys stumbled to nine wins, missed the playoffs, the Garrett's star, along with the offense, faded down the stretch.

And now the organization might be willing to let Garrett, the guy Jones worked so hard to keep last spring, leave to take the head job elsewhere. Which says as much about Garrett as it does about Phillips and various "guess who'll be running the team in '10?" rumors.

Continue Reading Can Jason Garrett, Sam Bradford Save Lions From Themselves?

After Failing to Stop the Eagles, Bradie James Puts a Stop to Angry Fan Protest

Posted: Dec 29th 2008 5:00PM by Adam Gretz (author feed)
Filed under: Cowboys, NFL Fans

195 COMMENTS

Following Dallas' embarrassing end to its disappointing season on Sunday, there's been some talk that this could be one of the lowest points in the history of the Cowboys franchise. I'm not sure I agree with that, after all, there was the late 1980's, Dave Campo as head coach, and that home playoff loss to the Arizona Cardinals a decade or so ago.

This was simply an overrated team that stumbled along at a 9-7 pace while a few egos slowly, but surely, brought the team down from the inside. I mean, what did you really expect when you threw Terrell Owens, Tank Johnson, Pacman Jones and Roy Williams -- the receiver -- in the same locker room under the leadership and guidance of Wade Phillips? That's a recipe for madness.

Having said that, and even though the season is over in Dallas, there's still plenty of time to make this the lowest point in franchise history, and attacking fans outside the practice facility -- allegedly -- is a good place to start.

According to Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Star-Telegram, a disappointed Cowboys fan by the name of Alan Lowe decided to voice his displeasure in sign form, by marching outside the team's practice facility with a pair of signs that read, "The Cowboys have no heart," and "Wade Phillips is an embarrassment to the star."

Linebacker Bradie James was not amused.

Continue Reading After Failing to Stop the Eagles, Bradie James Puts a Stop to Angry Fan Protest

Jaguars Could Purge Roster, Use Offseason to Start Rebuilding Process

Posted: Dec 26th 2008 11:15AM by Ryan Wilson (author feed)
Filed under: Jaguars, AFC South, NFL Rumors, NFL Free Agency

0 COMMENTS

The 2008 season has been a forgettable one for the Jaguars. They made it to the AFC Divisional round a year ago, and with virtually everybody returning, expectations were high four months ago. A run on injuries, a no-show defense and plenty of bad luck has a lot to do with the 5-10 situation they currently find themselves.

Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams will probably be fired after one season, and several players expect to be looking for work in the coming weeks. Linebacker Mike Peterson is a goner; head coach Jack Del Rio unofficially ended his Jacksonville career by benching him earlier this season.

Although nothing's been decided, during the Jags' last home game on Dec. 18, Peterson used the occasion to send the media his well wishes. Seriously.

... [T]he middle linebacker made it a point to thank the writers for the stories they've written about him in his six years with the Jaguars.

"I appreciate that," Peterson said. "I've got a scrapbook at home with all the great stories. No matter what they [Jaguars] do or what the future has for me, they can't take away those great memories."

And maybe one day, Terrell Owens and Ed Werder will bury their hatches, mend their fences and hug it out, too.

Continue Reading Jaguars Could Purge Roster, Use Offseason to Start Rebuilding Process

Jason Garrett Passing Up Ravens Job Was Motivation Terrell Suggs Needed

Posted: Dec 21st 2008 10:15AM by Ryan Wilson (author feed)
Filed under: Cowboys, Ravens, AFC North, NFC East, NFL Fans, NFL Coaching, NFL Rumors

201 COMMENTS

Two days before the Cowboys closed out Texas Stadium in forgettable fashion, I wondered if the rest of the league had caught up with Dallas offensive coordinator Jason Garrett. After getting credit for leading the Cowboys to 13 wins a year ago, he's also the guy behind an offense that has been maddeningly inconsistent this season.

Sure, losing Tony Romo for a month had something to do with it, but Brad and Brooks had nothing to do with Garrett's decision to underutilize Marion Barber earlier in the season, or to find new ways to take Terrell Owens and Roy Williams out of the game plan, even if unwittingly (prior to Ed Werder Week, anyhow). And last night, Romo admitted that it took the offense three quarters to understand exactly what the Ravens defense was doing. That's on Garrett.

Interestingly, Garrett could've had the Baltimore job last spring, but he left his interview without signing a contract, and Jerry Jones promptly gave him a raise. Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs had that in mind as he was slapping Romo silly.

Continue Reading Jason Garrett Passing Up Ravens Job Was Motivation Terrell Suggs Needed

FanHouse Minute: A Tour Bus Made for Ants

Posted: Dec 16th 2008 11:00AM by Kristine Blinn (author feed)
Filed under: FanHouse TV, The Word

4 COMMENTS

Missed us over the weekend? Yeah, we missed you too. In this edition of the FanHouse Minute, let "This Suit Is Not Black" guide you through the latest on the NBA's mini tour bus and how she's a better runner than Hideki Okajima, as only she can.

(FanHouse Minute is your 60-second rundown of the top five headlines that you didn't get to see. Check back here every week for the latest installment, and watch this week's video after the jump.)

Continue Reading FanHouse Minute: A Tour Bus Made for Ants