Latest Sports Buzz |
- Keselowski Makes It Two In A Row; Wins Bubba Burger 250
- Kyle Busch Takes Pole At Richmond
- Bruins-Flyers To Meet For First Time In Decades
- Cowboys Wideout Crayton Seeking Trade
- Giants Punter Feagles Calls It Quits After 22 Seasons
- New Hofstra Basketball Coach Welsh Suspended After DWI Charge
- Mavs Owner Cuban Steamed After Series Loss To Spurs
- Fulham FC: From England’s Fourth Tier To Europa Cup Final In 14 Years
- Tiger Misses Cut At Quail Hollow; Mayfair Takes Lead
- Ankle Injury Could Push Quarterback Favre Into Retirement
| Keselowski Makes It Two In A Row; Wins Bubba Burger 250 Posted: 30 Apr 2010 10:33 PM PDT Edward Lewis – AHN Sports Reporter Richmond, VA, United States (AHN) – Let’s win two. That’s what NASCAR Natiowide Series points leader Brad Keselowski was saying Friday night as he won his second consecutive Nationwide race by capturing the Bubba Burger 250 at Richmond International Speedway. Keselowski, who has faced a roller-coaster week, pitted with six laps to go and it was the right call as he drove to the front and around Kyle Busch to win for the second time in six days. “Our car was just so strong tonight. Paul Wolf (crew chief), the whole Ruby Tuesday team, they gave us a great Dodge Charger. We put it in the right spot at the right time on the green-white-checkered finish,” said Keselowski. “I wanted it to pay off. I knew if we lost this race because we didn’t take tires, I would be so mad. So, I came down and got tires, made the right move with Greg (Biffle) on the last lap and it all worked out.” Keselowsi won last week at Talladega, but days later he was penalized 50 points by NASCAR for rules violations found on his car in post-race inspections. Greg Biffle finished second and was followed by Jamie McMurray, while Busch and Carl Edwards rounded out the top-five finishers. “We didn’t have the car tonight. We fought there when we got back in traffic and tried to get back up towards the front. We could on the long run, but we just didn’t have anything for the 22 (Brad Keselowski) tonight. He was so stellar,” said Busch. “The NOS Energy Drink Camry was probably a second-place car and if anybody wanted to know what it takes to stay out — that’s what it took to stay out, and that’s what happens when you stay out. I think Dave Rogers (Busch’s NSCS crew chief) makes the right calls. Tonight was my call to stay out. Jason (Ratcliffe, NNS crew chief) wanted to come in. I just wanted to see what it would just do. You have to hold them off for a green-white-checkered, and obviously this is the best that I could fight them off.” Joey Logano, Kevin Harvick, Reed Sorenson, Brendan Gaughan and Matt Kenseth comprised the top-10 fiinishers as Cup regulars took eight of the top-10 finishing spots. Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved |
| Kyle Busch Takes Pole At Richmond Posted: 30 Apr 2010 10:33 PM PDT Edward Lewis – AHN Sports Reporter Richmond, VA, United States (AHN) – Kyle Busch won the pole for Friday night’s Nationwide Series race then captured the front starting spot for Saturday night’s Health Calhoun 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway. Busch’s No. 18 Toyota was the only ride to eclipse the 127-mph barrier as he topped fellow Toyota drive David Reutimann for the top starting spot. “It’s nice to sit on a pole every once in a while. I only get the opportunity maybe once a year if lucky. Great effort by the team. Guys did an awesome job. This M&M’s Camry was nice once we unloaded,” said Busch. “Dave (Rogers, crew chief) has done a good job this year. Thank him for working all the hours and hard work that he does. Of course, the whole rest of the team as well. They’ve done a lot to come here. Richmond is one of my best race tracks for some reason. Maybe not one of my favorites, but definitely one of my best.” Four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, who has owned this trackc over the last few seasons, qualified third and rounding out the top-5 was Jeff Gordon and Ryan Newman. Brad Keselowski, Kevin Harvick, Jamie McMurray, Brian Vickers and Clint Bowyer rounded out the top-10 qualifiers. “Just a little too loose on my second lap. I went for it (pole). I thought that my second lap would be a little bit faster. Everybody is running pretty good second laps and I just got a bit loose. A great effort by everyone on this 12 Dodge team,” said Keselowski. “A great first lap that puts us near the top of the leader board. We made improvements all day on our race car. Great calls by Jay (Guy, crew chief) and the guys to give me a fast Dodge and starting spot near the front tomorrow night.” Michael McDowell, Max Papis and Dave Blaney were the only three drivers who failed to qualify for the 43-car field. Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved |
| Bruins-Flyers To Meet For First Time In Decades Posted: 30 Apr 2010 10:33 PM PDT Corine Gatti – AHN Sports Contributor Boston, MA, United States (AHN) – The last time the Philadelphia Flyers met the Boston Bruins in the playoffs was during the 1978 semifinals where the Bruins won in five games. It was physical game of fierce checking over three decades ago, and Saturday’s battle won’t be any different. Philadelphia had three players with 126 minutes in the reflection box. Boston’s bruiser Shawn Thornton collected 141, the only one with 100 or more minutes. “You can definitely be physical and get in a guy’s face without taking penalties,” Boston forward Michael Ryder told the Boston Herald. “It’s going to be, definitely, a physical series.” Meanwhile, there’s plenty of pint up hostility to go around, as the two city’s clash in the Eastern Conference semifinals in Boston. Boston and Philadelphia met four times in the playoffs including, a 1974 Stanley Cup final. “If you come in feeling good about yourself and the team feels good about itself, anything is possible,” said Flyers goalie Brian Boucher. The Flyers will have to get by rookie Tuukka Rask, who averaged 2.18 goals against average with .927 save percentage in one round. “In Boston, Tuukka Rask had a great season, played well down the stretch,” Boucher told CSNPhilly.com Wednesday. “They got Tim Thomas there who’s pretty good. But Tuukka has done the job there. It goes to show you anything is possible. It’s all about how you’re playing going into postseason.” Philadelphia won the season series 2-1-1, but that’s not enough to convince some. “They have played very well,” Chris Pronger said. “I’ve been watching the games. He’s not sliding all over there. He is very square, very methodical in the net. You gotta get traffic on him. They’ve also gotten very timely goal scoring and they capitalize on their chances.” But neither one has won a Cup, as the streak continues, but maybe this is the year, one will grab their place in history. An old school battle- for the new decade starts Saturday at 12:30 E.T. Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved |
| Cowboys Wideout Crayton Seeking Trade Posted: 30 Apr 2010 10:33 PM PDT AHN Sports Staff Dallas, TX, United States (AHN) – Wide receiver Patrick Crayton will no longer participate in any voluntary offseason workouts with the Dallas Cowboys until a trade is worked out, his agent confirmed Friday. Crayton’s agent, Fred Lyles, said the wide receiver is demanding a trade after the Cowboys drafted former Oklahoma Sooners wideout Dez Bryant last week. Apparently, Crayton is not keen of the possibility of teaming up with Bryant and immediately asked his agent for a trade. Crayton, 31, was a Second-Team All-Pro selection after having a breakout performance last season. Crayton, who recorded 37 catches for 622 yards with five touchdowns last season, is scheduled to meet with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones next week. Lyles said his client won’t anymore attend offseason workouts, unless it’s mandatory. Aside from Crayton, second-stringer wideout Sam Hurd also demanded a trade. Hurd, 25, recorded seven catches for 121 yards with one touchdown. Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved |
| Giants Punter Feagles Calls It Quits After 22 Seasons Posted: 30 Apr 2010 10:33 PM PDT Corine Gatti – AHN Sports Contributor NY, NY, United States (AHN) – New York Giants punter Jeff Feagles will retire after 22 NFL seasons, he announced at a press conference Friday at Timex Performance Center. Feagles, 44, played 352 consecutive games, a record that’s still active in the league. He was beginning to feel the effects of playing three decades. “This game takes a toll on your body, and eventually it tells you you can’t do it anymore,” Feagles said. “That day is today.” Feagles was hoping to return for another season, but he started encountering physical problems during the Giants’ offseason program. He reportedly told the team before the NFL Draft last week, that he was looking to hang up his cleats for good. “My mind was telling me that I wanted to go back and do this. … But I started working out and my body is not just recovering the way it’s supposed to,” a teary-eyed Feagles told a room of reporters. “I’m not going to be the guy that’s coming back and pulling a Brett Favre on you.” Feagles, a undrafted free agent, started his career in New England in 1988. He later played for the Philadelphia Eagles, the Arizona Cardinals and the Seattle Seahawks. He signed with the Giants in 2003. The two-time Pro Bowler punted 71,211 yards and 1,713 punts over his career. Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved |
| New Hofstra Basketball Coach Welsh Suspended After DWI Charge Posted: 30 Apr 2010 10:33 PM PDT Corine Gatti – AHN Sports Contributor Hempstead, NY, United States (AHN) – Hofstra University suspended men’s basketball coach Tim Welsh Friday after reports in the press leaked that police charged him with drunken driving early this morning. The school issued a statement. “We have learned through media reports of the charges against Mr. Welsh. Effective immediately, he has been suspended without pay, while the University investigates the charges against him.” Welsh, 49, who was hired by Hostra on March 31, was pulled over in his white Lexus in Levittown on Long Island around 1 a.m. when Nassau County police noticed he was stopped at a green light, passed out at the wheel, according to the New York Daily News. He was taken into custody and charged with a DWI; he pleaded not guilty at the arraignment and is scheduled to appear in court May 4. Welsh coached at Providence for 10 seasons after leading Iona from 1995-1998 in his first head coaching position. Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved |
| Mavs Owner Cuban Steamed After Series Loss To Spurs Posted: 30 Apr 2010 10:33 PM PDT AHN Sports Staff San Antonio, TX, United States (AHN) – Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban reportedly lost his temper Friday, after his team got eliminated by the San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. Multiple sources reported Cuban told his public relations officer to confiscate a tape, which showed the owner in a disparaging mood. After the Spurs went on to upset the Mavs 97-87 in game 6, Cuban reportedly went to a small room inside ATA&T with his head down. A TNT cameramen took the actual the footage of a seemingly frustrated owner, but Cuban ordered his staff to recover the tape. Cuban needed another few minutes, before he spoke up with the media. “Congratulations to the Spurs. George Hill emerged as the star and really was the difference-maker. They deserve to win. They’re a Texas team, so I guess I’ll be rooting for them the rest of the way. I’m proud of our guys and the way they kept on fighting back,” Cuban told reporters Thursday. “I’m not so proud of the NBA. It was another playoff disappointment for the Mavs, who lost an opening round series for the third time in four years. The Mavs, who clinched the second seed in the West with 55-27 record, struggled to beat the Spurs smothering defense as they went on to lose in six games. Cuban, who bankrolled a midseason trade to nab Caron Butler, said he remains optimistic the Mavs would have a championship run next season. However, with the looming free agency of Dirk Nowitzki, Cuban and the Mavs might be headed to a major overhaul this offseason. Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved |
| Fulham FC: From England’s Fourth Tier To Europa Cup Final In 14 Years Posted: 30 Apr 2010 10:33 PM PDT a.lawn1986@googlemail.com – AHN Sports Correspondent London, United Kingdom (AHN) – In 1996, Fulham FC finished 17th out of 24 in the fourth tier of English football. Fourteen years on the club is celebrating one of the most rapid rises in English soccer history and progression to the club’s first ever European final. The club’s remarkable rise from being on the verge of losing their league status began in February of 1996, when they bravely appointed then captain, Micky Adams as player-manager. Adams settled into his new role quickly and engineered a quick turnaround in the team’s fortunes. A good run of results towards the end of the 1995-96 season saw Fulham pull clear of the relegation zone. But in a telling indication of who far this once illustrious club has fallen came in the celebrations of a 17th place finish, the lowest in the clubs history, which was heralded as a success. Having ‘acheived’ this Adams set about re-invigorated his squad and masterminded promotion in his first full season as manager. Adams, and Fulham, were only denied the title after the FA scrapped the traditional deciding factor; goal difference in favour of goals scored, giving Wigan Athletic the crown. Given then Fulham chairman, Jimmy Hill had advocated that very same policy change, second place could have proved a bitterly ironic pill to swallow. Despite the denial of silverwear however promotion was more than even the most optimistic Fulham fans could have wished for and the club was on it’s way, although the architect Micky Adams was to play almost no further part. In the summer of 1997 Egyptian businessman Mohammed Al Fayed purchased the club, partly inspired by it’s proximity to his famous London store, Harrods. Now flush with cash, expectations rose and a poor start to the new campaign would cost Adams his job as Al Fayed fired the catalyst for the revival in favour of his management “dream team” of Ray Wilkins and Kevin Keegan. Despite the perceived harshness at the treatment of Adams, Al Fayed’s choice was to prove a wise one. A year on it didn’t look like it would be after an argument over team selection saw Wilkins resign, handing the full managerial reigns to Keegan in the process. The former Liverpool and Hamburg hero soon steadied the ship and, aided by a seemingly unlimited transfer budget Keegan guided the club up another level in 1999. Having taken the club onto the next level Keegan left to takeover the top job in English soccer with his appointment as manager of the national team. Paul Bracewell was installed in Keegan’s stead but lasted only until March 2000 when, with mid-table mediocrity looming, Bracewell was removed to be replaced by Frenchman Jean Tigana. Tigana, aided by some inspired signings including a young Louis Saha, led Fulham to their third promotion in five years, leading the club to the Premier League in 2000-01. Once in the promised land, Tigana was able to lay some Premier League foundations and the club has remained in the top-flight ever since. Despite maintaining Premier League status since their elevation under Tigana, Al Fayed’s ambition put paid to a series of high profile managers including Tigana, Chris Coleman and former Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez. With another lowly finish looming Sanchez became Al Fayed’s latest victim in December 2007. With Sanchez gone, Al Fayed turned to the experience of journeyman manager Roy Hodgson and Fulham hasn’t looked back. Hodgson’s tenure started with a 2-1 loss to Chelsea on New Year’s Day 2008, but improved results towards the end of the season saw Fulham dramatically avoid relegation. The next season was much better and a run to the FA Cup Quarter-Finals was coupled with a 7th placed finish seeing the club qualify for the 2009-10 Europa Cup. The stats boded well for Fulham, which had never lost at home in European Competition, with a record of 11 wins and four draws, although most pundits believed Fulham would do well to make it through the group stage. The pundits were to bow to the stats. The club comfortably saw off Lithuanian club Vetra 6-0 on aggregate and Russians Amkar Perm in the qualifying rounds, before emerging unscathed from a group containing FC Basel, CSKA Sofia and Italian giants AS Roma. Ukranian Champions Shaktar Donetsk were next up for the Cottagers but a 3-2 aggregate win saw the vanquished with another Italian giant in Juventus next up and similarly eliminated. The Juventus tie saw Fulham comeback from 3-1 down to seal their quarterfinal place, but more importantly it imbued within them a confidence to go on. German Champions Wolfsburg suffered at the hands of Fulham’s new found belief before a Volcanic Ash affected semi-final tie with another German club, Hamburg saw Fulham complete their remarkable tale. A 0-0 draw in Hamburg was followed up with a 2-1 win at Craven Cottage clinching Fulham a European final against Athletico Madrid. From fourth tier to European final in 14 years? Fulham is the English soccer definition of the American Dream. Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved |
| Tiger Misses Cut At Quail Hollow; Mayfair Takes Lead Posted: 30 Apr 2010 10:33 PM PDT Corine Gatti – AHN Sports Contributor Charlotte, NC, United States (AHN) – Tiger Woods missed the 36-hole cut at the Quail Hollow Championship Friday. Woods shot the second worst round of golf in his career with a 79. Billy Mayfair forged a one-shot lead at 8-under over Angel Cabrera thanks in part to a birdie on the final hole. Woods, who missed a tour cut at the 2005 Byron Nelson Classic, U.S. Open in 2005, and at the British Open last season, had not opened an event this poorly since the 2007 Players Championship, where he shot a 75. Players scoring in the low 70s and with ties will qualify during the two weekend rounds. Missing the cut means players don’t partake in the $6.4 million purse. Woods had three bogeys and three birdies through his first nine holes Friday, shooting a 2-over-par 74 and lost even further ground on the back nine. Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Paul Goydos are all in the mix at 6-under after playing solid rounds of golf. Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved |
| Ankle Injury Could Push Quarterback Favre Into Retirement Posted: 30 Apr 2010 10:33 PM PDT AHN Sports Staff Minneapolis, MN, United States (AHN) – Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre is reportedly weighing his options for a possible retirement due to a nagging ankle injury, a major sport news outlet reported Friday. Favre, three-time NFL MVP, informed ESPN an aggravating ankle injury could hinder him from playing again in the NFL. Favre, who turns 41 in October, suffered the ankle injury in the NFC Championship game against the New Orleans Saints last February. He said orthopedist Dr. James Andrews found out the injury has not healed and would need surgery for him to play next season. It was a familiar scenario for Favre, who also underwent a surgery on a slightly torn biceps in his right shoulder before signing a two-year, $25 million deal with the Vikings last season. Facing adversity, Favre wants to know if the Vikings are ready enough to win a Super Bowl Championship, a fine detail that could propel him to play again next season. With still four months to go before the 2010 season, Favre has plenty of time to think about his next move. Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved |
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