Thursday, August 19, 2010

Latest Sports Buzz

Latest Sports Buzz

Anelka Laughs Off French Ban Following World Cup Debacle

Posted: 19 Aug 2010 08:38 AM PDT

Andrew Lawn – AHN Sports Correspondent

Paris, France (AHN) – France and Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka laughed off his 18 match International ban, handed down by the French Football Federation (FFF), for his role in the 2010 World Cup debacle.

Anelka, along with Patrice Evra, Jeremy Toulalan, Eric Abidal and Frank Ribery, was summoned to a disciplinary hearing in Paris to discuss their involvement in the actions taken by the French squad in South Africa.

The striker, who failed to attend, was handed an 18 game ban which he has laughed off, suggesting his International career was over the second he left South Africa.

Anelka launched a bistering attack on then-coach Raymond Domenech, which resulted in the 31-year-old being sent home.

The treatment of the striker caused outrage amongst his teammates, who boycotted a training session in protest before giving Domenech a statement to read to the media, explaining the players actions.

Squad captain Patrice Evra was handed a five-game ban for his part in the debacle which embarrassed France and the FFF.

Frank Ribery and Jeremy Toulalan were handed three and one match bans respectively, whilst Abidal, who refused to play in France’s last World Cup game, escaped punishment.

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

Exclusive Club: Langer Seeks Third Straight Senior Major

Posted: 19 Aug 2010 07:41 AM PDT

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Tom Edrington – AHN Sports Reporter

Sunriver, OR, United States (AHN) – Bernhard Langer has dominated senior golf the past two months.

The two-time Masters champion comes to the Jeld-Wen Tradition and begins his hunt for a third straight senior major championship starting Thursday as the Crosswater Club.

Langer claimed the Senior British then outdueled hometown guy Freddie Couples for the Senior U.S. Open title. A victory by Langer on Sunday would be a first in senior golf.

Gary Player won three straight senior majors but did so over a span of two seasons.

He won the Senior Players Championship and the U.S. Open in 1987 then won the PGA Seniors, the first major of 1988. No player has won three in the same calendar year.

One player Langer won’t have contend with this week is Couples, runnerup at the U.S. Open.

Couples has opted to play the regular tour stop in Greensboro, the Wyndham Championship, where he finished fifth last year.

Langer will have plenty of competition without Couples. Tom Lehman has had a great season on both tours. Lehman won the Senior PGA, finished 14th in the Open championship, 11th at the Senior British and 12th at the U.S. Senior Open.

He hit one of the most memorable shots in the final round of last week’s PGA Championship, aceing the 221-yard 17th hole on Sunday.

John Cook will also be looking to make amends for last year at the Tradition. Cook bogeyed the 72nd hole of the tournament then lost in a playoff to Mike Reid, who will defend his championship this week.

Nick Price sits third on the money list and is among the favorites along with Dan Forsman, Loren Roberts, Tommy Armour III and Tom Watson, who is looking to regain his form from last season.

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

Rib Injury Could Cost BoSox` Ellsbury Season

Posted: 19 Aug 2010 06:04 AM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

Boston, MA, United States (AHN) – Boston Red Sox outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury will likely miss the remainder of the season after suffering a broken rib in Friday night’s game against the Texas Rangers.

Ellsbury, 26, fractured a rib after colliding with Rangers pitcher Tommy Hunter in the initial play of Friday’s ballgame.

The outfielder played through the pain before Sox manager Terry Francona pulled him out in the third.

Ellsbury, already sidelined last April with five fractured ribs, will need time to rehabilitate the injury.

Ellsbury , the reigning two-time American League stolen base champion, hit a mediocre .192 with five RBI and seven stolen bases – a drastic decrease from the 120 total stolen bases he amassed over the past two seasons.

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

Antonio Cromartie makes a strong beginning with Jets

Posted: 19 Aug 2010 05:33 AM PDT

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Antonia Cromartie who made an impressive beginning with his new team Jets, is reportedly happy with his presence in the team replacing Darrelle Revis. On the game night Antonia sported his on field talent which had popularly earned him the title of Rookie star in the year 2006.

Antonia showcased his skills in defense making it absolutely clear as to the Jets had got together with him. Even the team couldn't reach a win but the player earned great applauds from the coaches after he played exceptionally well in the game.

Cromartie who suffered a severe migraine post game was all alone present in the locker and said that he is trying to live up to the expectations and role that his team coaches have hoped from him.

This is the reason why he is out there on the field giving it his best. Playing on the left corner spot Antonio has through out his career played from the opposite. But since he is a replacement to Darrelle Revis, the champion has to take it from there and has adapted to the change over really well.

Even though his performance cannot be termed as perfect but he did pull in great skills to sport during the match's two quarters.

Calvin Pace line backer of the team Jets praised Cromartie for making his task a lot lighter and also added that he loved performing with him on field.

Defenseman Mitchell Meets With Caps, Three Other Teams

Posted: 19 Aug 2010 05:23 AM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

Washington, DC, United States (AHN) – Defenseman Willie Mitchell has reportedly started entertaining free agency talks, starting with the Washington Capitals, multiple sources reported Tuesday.

Sources indicated the Capitals were the first one to open negotiation with one of the most-coveted defenseman in this free agency class.

Mitchell, accompanied by his representative, Mike Liut, arrived at Kettler Capitals Iceplex Tuesday to discuss about a possible stint in the nation’s capital.

rMitchell’s 2009-2010 season unexpectedly ended in January after suffering a concussion during a regular –season game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Penguins center Evgeni Malkin accidentally hit Mitchell on the head, limiting the veteran defenseman to 48 games last season.

In an interview with the Washington Post, Liut said Mitchell has been working hard on his rehabilitation.

Liut added that Capitals, San Jose Sharks, and Los Angeles Kings appear as the strongest suitors, thought he insisted that the Vancouver Canucks are still on the run to re-acquire Mitchell’s service.

Mitchell, 33, did not set any timetable with regards to making a decision.

Liut said that his client is currently focused on getting back to normal playing condition in five to six weeks.

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

Report: `Melo Will Eventually Part From Nuggets

Posted: 19 Aug 2010 05:23 AM PDT

Kareem Shaker – AHN Sports Reporter

Denver, CO, United States (AHN) – The Denver Nuggets did not need to wait until the offseason to find out their top free agent, Carmelo Anthony, has no desire to return to the franchise.

Recent reports suggest Anthony has made it clear he has no desire to re-sign with Denver, which recently offered him a three-year, $65 million extension.

Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke may have gotten the message much earlier.

At Melo’s wedding reception July 11, fellow superstar Chris Paul initiated a series of toasts by suggesting Anthony depart Denver to join Amare Stoudemire with the Knicks.

When Kroenke responded with his own toast, even suggesting Paul come to Denver, the room fell into a deep awkward silence.

A native of Brooklyn and Syracuse alum, speculation is heavily pointing to the Knicks as possible suitors. New York has the cap space and the signing of Stoudemire gives them a superstar to pair with Anthony.

Anthony, 26, can either sign the extension and force the team to trade him, or not sign and force the team to move him prior to the trade deadline.

With Denver expecting his impending departure, they would likely attempt to get something in return.

The three-time All Star has averaged 24.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 514 games, all with Denver.

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

Victor Cruz Grabs The Limelight With 3 TDs

Posted: 19 Aug 2010 04:54 AM PDT

Victor Cruz amazed everyone with his debut performance on air at the NFL preseason game. The Giants' rookie player Victor Cruz made the audience go gaga over his one-handed touchdown catch.

Monday night saw a thrilling match in the New Meadowlands Stadium that was telecast live on national channels. Victor Cruz stole the limelight with his spectacular 3 touchdown catches and six-catch, 145 yard performance!
Victor Cruz was only the second player to have given such a brilliant 3 TD catches show. The first being in 1998 in Miami. The 49ers' Terrell Owens had then created a record of 3 touchdowns.

And speaking of his 145 yard fall, its almost there with just 5 more to go to have beaten the most ever by a Jets preseason opponent. Giants' player Hakeem Nicks' record was also broken by Victor Cruz's 145 yard.

With his performance Victor seems to have reserved a set in the Giants team. There are no doubts regarding him being a long shot any more. The Giants training camp had also seen Victor work hard at his football. Jets coach also agrees, Rex Ryan said-"I was mentioning to Tom Coughlin that I don't know who this No. 3 is, but he's pretty darn good( referring to Cruz) So I hope they cut him. I know one team that would be ready to sign him, and that'd be us.”

“It's nice to hear, but I really want to stay here, I really want to be a Giant,” Cruz was pleased but cleared his loyalty after hearing Ryan praise him.

“It kind of boosts my confidence a little bit, but I've got to just stay humble, stay grounded and just stay on the right path because nothing is guaranteed in this league. So I've just got to keep grinding.

Hopefully I can have a long career and just keep putting in the groundwork, and everything will kind of take care of itself." He added.
“Makes me look great,” Sorgi said of Cruz. “Catching those balls you're not supposed to catch and taking them for touchdowns — I'll tell you what, he's a quarterback's best friend."

“He's not a long shot anymore, he's definitely an NFL player,” continued Sorgi who was taking care of all the passes by Victor Cruz, “He's a guy who's going to make plays for you. He knows what he's doing on the field. He's smart, he runs great routes, and he just gets open."

“You got certain guys in the NFL who just have a knack for getting open, and he's one of those guys.”

Cruz's blocking though needed a bit of work. Says Coach Tom Coughlin-"He had three errors in that regard.

There were some reminders given to him on certain plays, because his job wasn't the same because of some of the fronts we were seeing. He had to understand that, and make the necessary adjustments."

“I think he's talking more about assignments because he will go in there and do it,” Coughlin said of victor Cruz.

Carmelo Anthony keen to join New York Knicks

Posted: 19 Aug 2010 04:44 AM PDT

Born in Brooklyn, Carmelo Anthony is looking forward to the New York Knicks as his favored team, but sources say the Knicks may not h3ave enough resources to trade him for with the Denver Nuggets. In addition, Anthony will also be offered the option of an extension of his contract by the Nuggets.

Since July 1, Anthony shall become a free agent, but Denver has planned to extend his contract by three for $65 million. However, in the wake of a possible decline by the star, the Nuggets have decided to go ahead with his trading now till the February deadline. Meanwhile, according to Anthony’s college coach Jim Boeheim, he did not see any reason for the forward to decline the extension. On the other hand, Nicks offer for Anthony would probably include, Eddy Curry and Danilo Gallinari.

However, Donnie Walsh and Mike D’Antoni may try to field Wilson Chandler in place of Gallinari. Anthony also has showed interest in other clubs such as Magic, Nets, and Rockets.

Charles Barkley has been quite critical about LeBron James for not letting know Cleveland he was not returning to the team and his one hour television appearance. Larry Johnson however has supported James and seemed to question Johnson's 'punk' remark about James.

He added that given a chance he too would have done the same as James. He also reminded Barkley that within the NBA, James remains to be the best player.

Mountain west conference welcomes two former Western Athletic Conference teams

Posted: 19 Aug 2010 04:24 AM PDT

With a proper communication channel it has been made official now that Nevada Wolfpack and Fresno State Bulldogs have been added to the famous Mountain West Conference.

They have been added as the 10th and 11th members. And besides this it's clear that Brigham Young University remains an active member for the same.

The youngest of the college athletic conferences, Mountain West Conference's The University of Utah college football's Utah Utes was lost to BCS-buster Boise State Broncos during the Pac-10 expansion which made up for an engaged off season.

There have been leaking rumors that Church of Latter-Day Saints was very much in the position to break loose and declare their teams free from all bondages but at that very moment Mountain West Conference took it final step and overthrew the others.

The mountain west conference charter members include Wyoming, New Mexico, Air Force, Colorado State, San Diego State, BYU, Utah and UNLV. The conference was formed in 1962 and half of its current members were part of the Western Athletic Conference during its formation. It was in 1996 that WAC also allowed UNLV to join.

The commissioner of mountain west conference, Craig Thompson has very smartly protected his organization's future by amalgamating two renowned former Western Athletic Conference teams: the University of Nevada at Reno and the famous Fresno State University.

Delay in YOG food contamination investigation

Posted: 19 Aug 2010 04:06 AM PDT

YOG SingaporeSINGAPORE: The investigation of the case of food poisoning as reported by the volunteers the Youth Olympic Games Organizing Committee will be a bit more time consuming process than expected, according Vivian Balakrishnan, the Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports. The complaint came from 21 staff members of Youth Olympic Games Organizing Committee who experienced diarrhea and abdominal pain on Sunday.

Dr. Balakrishnan who himself has his meal everyday with the volunteers to ensure that same quality of food is given to officials and volunteers reiterated that special care had been taken about the quality of the food that is served to the volunteers and there has been no compromise on hygiene standards. He further remarked that such trivial problems occur at an event of this magnitude and emphasized on the fact that committee is endowed enough to restore this problem and tackle any such problem if they arise in future.

Besides imposing stringent hygiene standards on food caterers of YOG, the National Environmental Agency had done inspection of the kitchen of the caterer had been done and confirmed that the hygiene and cleanliness standards and processes were in place.

Though the 21 staff members who were affected have recovered, the committee, as precautionary measure have stepped up the hygiene checks in the kitchens in order to avoid such incidents in future.
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