Friday, August 20, 2010

Latest Sports Buzz

Latest Sports Buzz

Ghana Star Transferred Twice In One Day

Posted: 20 Aug 2010 09:26 AM PDT

Vikes Wideout Harvin Taken To Hospital After Collapse At Practice

Posted: 20 Aug 2010 09:26 AM PDT

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Corine Gatti – AHN Sports Contributor

Eden Prairie, Minnesota, United States (AHN) – Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin collapsed during practice Thursday at the team’s Winter Park training facility.

The 2009 offensive rookie of the year also missed time during training last season after suffering headaches following his grandmother’s death.

Harvin, 22, was suffering from a severe migraine headache, and coach Brad Childress said that the headache could have triggered an episode when Harvin was standing on the field watching practice.

Harvin vomited and collapsed.

“I don’t know how they classify it,” Childress told USA TODAY. “Not really a seizure, but he had some trouble over here. I’d be remiss if I tried to qualify it one way or another. It seemed like he was stable. Obviously that one hit, and it hit hard. It’s always scary for all of our guys when you see a teammate struggling with whatever.”

Harvin was taken in an ambulance, ending practice an hour early.

Childress admitted that he’s never seen a migraine take out a person so fiercely.

“Not to that magnitude,” he said. “I’ve seen him with one before, I’ve gotten him off the field before, I’ve seen the start of one coming on before but certainly nothing of that magnitude.”

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Titans Rookie Blount Throws Punch In Practice

Posted: 20 Aug 2010 09:26 AM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

Nashville, TN, United States (AHN) – Tennessee Titans rookie running back LeGarrette Blount threw another punch, this time at defensive lineman Eric Bakhtiari following a physically brutal practice session Wednesday.

Months after his nationally-televised punch on Boise State defensive end Byron Hout, Blount was at it again, punching Bakhtiari in the facemask during Wednesday practice at the Titans’ training camp.

Blount, 23, claimed Bakhtiari and at least six other tacklers were overly roughing him up, as they tried to pin him down with his helmet already ripped off.

‘”They kept hitting me, hitting me, hitting me with my helmet off. What’s the point? Guys get fed up with it. They were doing stuff that didn’t need to be done,” Blount quipped at USA TODAY. ” It just reached a peak.”

Titans running back Sam Gado and cornerback Jason McCourty believed Blount was just upset on the “intense nature of the practice.”

Blount, playing as a third stringer running back, was expected to discuss the incident with Titans coordinator Mike Heimerdinger.

In spite of Blount’s questionable action, Titans coach Jeff Fisher thinks the mercurial running back would eventually learn from his mistakes and develop into a better player.

After winding up undrafted last April, Blount managed to reach a verbal deal with the San Francisco 49ers but eventually signed with the Titans after a meeting with Fisher.

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Reports: BYU May Become Independent Football Program

Posted: 20 Aug 2010 07:31 AM PDT

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Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Colorado Springs, CO, United States (AHN) – Brigham Young University could trigger conference shakeups as it reportedly considers becoming independent.

According to multiple reports, BYU is moving closer to leaving the Mountain West Conference, going independent in football and re-joining the Western Athletic Conference in all other sports beginning in the fall of 2011.

The decision by BYU has been triggered by the move of in-state rival Utah to the Pac-10 earlier this summer, ESPN.com reported.

In order for BYU to realize the move, it would reportedly need approval from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which owns the school.

BYU could hold a news conference within a week to address the changes, according to Salt Lake Tribune.com.

The Cougars, who previously belonged to the WAC from 1962-99, helped establish the MWC, along with seven other schools from the Western Athletic Conference, in 1999

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Cruz Defends Title At WEC 50 Main Event In Las Vegas

Posted: 20 Aug 2010 07:23 AM PDT

Shawn Krest – AHN Sports Correspondent

Las Vegas, NV, United States (AHN) – Dominick Cruz defended his WEC Bantamweight title in a five-round slugfest with Joseph Benavidez in the main event of WEC 50 in Las Vegas Wednesday night.

The fight was a rematch of a three-round Cruz victory that won Fight of the Night honors in WEC 42 a year ago. The second go-round was closer, but no less exciting.

Both fighters were bloodied in frantic stand-up action, but Cruz’s dominance in grappling may have been the difference in a split decision.

Cruz scored final-minute takedowns in three rounds, which may have helped tip back-and-forth frames in his favor.

After taking Benavidez down near the end of the first round, Cruz added a third-round takedown with 10 seconds left, and a takedown with 20 seconds remaining in the bout.

Cruz also took Benavidez down at the opening bell of round four and spent two minutes on top. He added a second takedown that took another minute off the clock.

The standup was much less one-sided and allowed Benavidez to close the gap on the judges scorecards. In the early rounds, Cruz seemed to be quicker on his feet, literally moving circles around Benavidez in the center of the cage.

Cruz moved in and out pot-shotting Benavidez, but the challenger was able to land several solid counter punches.

By the time the middle of the fight arrived, Benavidez had begun moving forward and catching Cruz on his way in. Cruz did much more reaching and missing with wild shots and Benavidez was able to back Cruz against the cage on several occasions with flurries of punches.

In between takedowns in the fourth round, Benavidez landed one of the more damaging blows of the fight. Working against the cage, Benavidez caught the champion with a knee to the face, opening a gushing torrent of blood from Cruz’s nose.

“The knee didn’t stun me,” Cruz said afterward. “I just felt the blood start pouring down my face.”

“I concentrated on staying hard to hit,” Cruz added. “Obviously that didn’t work out too well.”

It worked out just well enough. Benavidez won the fight on one judge’s card with a score of 48-47. That was overruled by a 48-47 score in Cruz’s favor and a 49-46 card for Cruz.

AHN’s unofficial scorecard had the bout 48-47 for Cruz.

Cruz successfully defended the title he won from Brian Bowles in March and stretched his winning streak to six. His record is now 16-1. Benavidez fell to 12-2.

In the co-main event, Anthony Pettis showed he was ready for a title shot with a late submission victory over Shane Roller.

Roller had a significant advantage in wrestling experience, but he was unable to capitalize on it as Pettis stuffed most of his attempts.

Pettis actually had the edge in takedowns by a 3-2 margin.

“Taking down Shane Roller is a big accomplishment,” Pettis said.

Pettis also showed why he’s nicknamed “Showtime” landing a flashy kick late in the first round.

Pettis placed his hand on the mat and cart wheeled his leg over his head to land a kick to Roller’s neck. The blow sent Roller reeling.

By the end of the bout, Roller appeared to be tired. Pettis let him up after a takedown, and Roller was slow to get to his feet.

Roller caught Pettis in a guillotine and brought him to the mat, but Pettis countered with a triangle choke and forced Roller to tap with just nine seconds remaining in the fight.

“I didn’t feel good in here tonight,” said Roller. “It was just one of those nights where I couldn’t get going. I didn’t feel strong in here for some reason.”

Pettis called out lightweight champion Ben Henderson after the bout. “I’m ready for the champ,” Pettis said. “Where’s he at?”

Sitting cageside, Henderson replied with, “I see you, man.”

Pettis moved to 11-1 with his sixth submission. Roller fell to 8-3.

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Rollins Rolls, Phillies Crush Giants; Ex-MVP Double Short Of Cycle

Posted: 20 Aug 2010 07:07 AM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

Philadelphia, PA, United States (AHN) – Charlie Manuel likes to say that the Phillies go as Jimmy Rollins goes.

Well, the Phillies were off to the races Wednesday night thanks to their shortstop, who was a one-man wrecking crew.

Rollins led the Phillies to a 7-2 win over the San Francisco Giants at soldout Citizens Bank Park for a two-game lead over San Francisco in the National League Wild Card race.

The diminutive former MVP stole two bases, drove in three-runs and was a double short of a cycle in lifting the Phils to their fourth straight win.

“I was pretty close to it (the cycle),” Rollins said. “I couldn’t get that dang double… But that’s the way it goes. I’m hitting well and running well and we’re playing good as a team.”

Phillies starter Joe Blanton pitched well after yet another shaky beginning.

The first inning has been akin to kryptonite for Blanton. The burly righthander’s ERA entering last night’s game in the initial frame was 8.53.

Blanton didn’t help his numbers by allowing a leadoff home run to Giants centerfielder Andres Torres.

However, after giving up a first inning single to rightfielder Jose Guillen, Blanton retired 15 of the next 16 batters before giving up a homer to former Phillie Pat Burrell.

Blanton, who pitched his best game of the season, gave up a two runs on eight hits in 6 1-3 innings. Blanton struck out seven and failed to issue a walk.

“Blanton pitched pretty good,” Manuel said. “He kept us in the game. After he gave up that home run (in the first inning), he threw all of his pitches.”

The Phillies hit three triples and highly touted rookie Domonic Brown gave the Phillies a glimpse of the future by blasting a 440-foot upper deck pinch-hit homer.

“That was some shot,” Rollins said. “He really hit that thing. But we’re all hitting good and we’re doing it at the right time.”

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Abdominal Tear Likely Finishes Season For Red Sox` Cameron

Posted: 20 Aug 2010 07:07 AM PDT

Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Boston, MA, United States (AHN) – Boston Red Sox outfielder Mike Cameron, who has played all season with an abdominal tear, reportedly indicated he is done for the season as he is expected to undergo season-ending surgery to address the problem.

The veteran center fielder, who inked a two-year, $15.5 million contract last December, indicated that he was reluctantly shutting down as teams fortify their bid in the final stretch.

“We’re in a position now where we need all of the healthy — physically and mentally — guys possible playing in the field,” the 2001 All-Star said Tuesday as reported by ESPN.com. “Me trying to play 65 percent is probably not beneficial to the ballclub at the moment.”

The Red Sox revealed prior Wednesday’s tilt against the Angels that the 37-year-old Cameron will seek a second opinion on his abdominal problem, which has bothered him since late April.

The surgery, which could be conducted within the next two weeks, was decided after talks between Cameron, manager Terry Francona and GM Theo Epstein Tuesday night.

Cameron, a free agent who played in Milwaukee last year, has seen action in just 48 contests in 2010.

The recipient of the Gold Glove Award thrice, Cameron has been limited to four homers, 11, doubles and 15 RBI with a .259 average this season.

Meanwhile, Sox outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury may also miss the rest of the season after the discovery of another fractured rib.

Ellsbury, who spent all his four pro years with the Red Sox, was reportedly believed to have aggravated his original fractures during a game against the Rangers last Friday.

Ellsbury initially hurt his ribs in late April.

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

Jets Coach Ryan Answers Criticism On Cursing From Dungy

Posted: 20 Aug 2010 07:07 AM PDT

Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Cortland, NY, United States (AHN) – An emotional New York Jets coach Rex Ryan defended himself Wednesday from Tony Dungy’s criticisms of using profanity on camera.

The 47-year-old Ryan lashed out at the former NFL head coach turned analyst-sans expletives-for having “unfairly judged” him.

Ryan professed his disappointment with Dungy for the Super Bowl-winning coach being so critical of his salty language that was caught by NFL Film cameras in the debut episode of HBO’s series “Hard Knocks” last week.

“I think he unfairly judged me, and that was disappointing to me,” Ryan said Wednesday morning after practice, as reported by the NY Daily News.com.

“I’m always going to be myself, and I’m a good person,” Ryan stated in a voice cracking slightly via the Newark Star-Ledger.com. “Just because somebody cusses or whatever doesn’t make him a bad person, and just because a guy doesn’t cuss doesn’t make him a good person. I’ll stand by my merits.”

Despite being bothered by Dungy’s comments, Ryan, who also professed being an admirer of the former Colts and Buccaneers coach, reportedly extended an olive branch Wednesday by calling Dungy and inviting him to a Jets practice.

Ryan apologized last week for the use of salty language, which according to him disappointed his mother.

Episode 2 of “Hard Knocks” aired Wednesday night.

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

Margarito Denied License In California; May Fight Pac-Man In Dallas

Posted: 20 Aug 2010 07:07 AM PDT

Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Los Angeles, CA, United States (AHN) – Disgraced Antonio Margarito, chosen to face Manny Pacquiao in a proposed fight this fall, failed to get a boxing license from the California State Athletic Commission Wednesday.

The same commission revoked the license of the former welterweight champion in 2009 after he lost to Shane Mosley via a 9th round TKO in January of that year.

The latest development puts a question mark on the location of Margarito’s proposed November clash against the Filipino boxing icon Pacquiao, who turned his attention to the Mexican boxer after deal talks with undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr. fizzled.

The upcoming fight, tentatively scheduled in Nevada, is for the vacant WBC super welterweight title.

Margarito applied to the Nevada commission for a license earlier this summer, but the said commission tabled his request and told the 32-year-old boxer to first re-apply for a license in California.

As a result, Margarito, accused of previously fighting with loaded gloves for an unfair advantage, will have to wait for at least one year to reapply in California.

In the meantime, he could ask other commissions in the United States, including Texas, the other reported favored site, for a boxing license.

Rulings on licensing issues are typically upheld in other states, but this is not always the case.

And Texas has had a history granting license to fighters who were denied in other states, which include former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield and former super featherweight champ Edwin Valero.

It could mark the second time Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 KOs) would fight at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington this year after demolishing Joshua Clottey in March via a unanimous decision.

Meanwhile, Margarito (38-6, 27 KOs), once considered among the most feared fighters in boxing, decisioned Roberto Garcia in May to capture the vacant WBC International Light Middleweight title.

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

Braves Expand Roster Options By Trading For Cubs` Lee

Posted: 20 Aug 2010 07:07 AM PDT

Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Atlanta, GA, United States (AHN) – The Atlanta Braves, in an effort to bolster their lineup since losing Chipper Jones to a season-ending injury last week, acquired first baseman Derrek Lee from the Chicago Cubs Wednesday.

Apart from Lee, who will turn 35 next month, the Braves will also receive cash considerations in exchange for three pitchers- – right-handers Robinson Lopez, 19, and Tyrelle Harris, who has pitched at three levels this season, most recently for Double-A Mississippi, and left-hander Jeffrey Lorick.

The deal was first discussed Sunday when the Braves learned that Jones, one of their best offensive players, was lost for the season with a knee injury and could use another slugger in their lineup.

Lee, who had the right to veto any trade because of his service time and seven-year tenure with the Cubs, which he used when the Angels tried to acquire him in late July, is in the final year of a five-year, $65 million deal with the Cubs.

Though Lee has so far registered a subpar performance in the 2010 campaign; he is expected to restore some zest in the lineup of the first-place Braves, who are trying to hold off the two-time defending NL champion Philadelphia Phillies.

A member of the 2003 world-champion Florida Marlins, Lee entered Wednesday’s tilt with a .251 batting average, well below his .282 career average and the .306 he hit last season.

Wednesday’s move provides another option for the Braves, who have received a solid contribution at first base from Troy Glaus, who could play some third with Lee’s arrival.

According to the Braves, Glaus, 34, will be sent on the 15-day DL to rest his legs before he reports to Triple-A Gwinnett to practice at his former position at third base.

On Tuesday, All-Star second baseman Martin Pardo came off the disabled list and moved over to fill in Jones’ position at third.

Lee, who missed the last three contests with lower back stiffness, received an injection Monday to ease the discomfort from a bulging disk.

Lee will not be ready to suit up until Thursday.

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