Thursday, November 4, 2010

Latest Sports Buzz

Latest Sports Buzz

Bulls Star Derrick Rose No-Show For TV Drama Cameo

Posted: 04 Nov 2010 03:00 PM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

Chicago, IL, United States (AHN) – Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose snubbed his scheduled cameo appearance on the hit TV show “The Good Wife” Tuesday in New York, stirring criticism from the program’s cast and production staff.

The 22-year-old Rose was reportedly scheduled to play a cameo role in New York, but the NBA ‘baller ignored the pick-up car the program’s crew sent for him in Chicago Tuesday morning.

A source said Rose stayed inside his house and later on sent an unidentified man, who said ‘Derrick is not going to New York.’

According to a reliable source, Rose signed a deal with the show to play himself in one of the episode of “The Good Wife,” a political drama series on CBS.

However, Rose allegedly breached the contract and has yet to provide an explanation for his absence.

The source added the program producer wanted prominent people from Chicago to play cameo roles in the show, whose plot is set in the Windy City but filmed in New York.

Former President Bill Clinton adviser Vernon Jordan, Michael J. Fox and Miranda Cosgrove are some of the personalities that played guest roles previously on “The Good Wife.”

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Pistons` Villanueva Tweets Celts` Star Garnett Called Him `Cancer Patient`

Posted: 04 Nov 2010 03:00 PM PDT

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Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Auburn Hills, MI, United States (AHN) – After being stomped by the Boston Celtics Tuesday night at home; Detroit Pistons’ Charlie Villanueva took to Twitter Wednesday and accused Kevin Garnett of calling him a “cancer patient.”

Villanueva, 26, who is bald, bothered by the Celtics forward’s remarks during Tuesday’s contest and went to the social networking site to call out Garnett, who is known for his trash talking on the court.

In one of his tweets, the Pistons power forward posted: “KG called me a cancer patient, I’m pissed because, u know how many people died from cancer, and he’s tossing it like it’s a joke.” ESPN.com reported.

Villanueva then followed it up with, “I wouldn’t even trip about that, but a cancer patient, I know way 2 many people who passed away from it, and I have a special place 4 those.”

Apparently what Garnett allegedly said to Villanueva has set him off that the latter issued a challenge to the Celtics’ All-Star forward before talking about the remark.

“KG talks alot of crap, he’s prob never been in a fight, I would love to get in a ring with him, I will expose him,” Villanueva posted on Twitter.

According to ESPN.com, the Pistons confirmed that Villanueva posted the tweets, but had no further comment.

Meanwhile, the former NBA MVP and 13-time All-Star Garnett reportedly indicated that was not what he said to Villanueva.

According to Yahoo! Sports, Garnett, in a statement released Wednesday afternoon, said: “My comment to (Villanueva) was in fact ‘You are cancerous to your team and our league.’ … I would never be insensitive to the brave struggle that cancer patients endure,” the Free Press reported.

“I have lost loved ones to this deadly disease… and have a family member currently undergoing treatment. I would never say anything that distasteful,” Garnett added.

Villanueva suffers from a condition called alopecia universalis, which results in hair loss, including eyebrows and eyelashes.

His condition is a rare disorder that can occur at any age, and is currently believed to be an autoimmune problem and is not otherwise life-threatening.

At present, there is no standard treatment for it and its effects can be short-lived or remain permanently.

Villanueva is a spokesman for the NAAF (National Alopecia Areata Foundation). In 2006, Villanueva was recognized by the NBA with the Community Assist Award for his work with the organization.

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Beantown Not For Beltre; Slugger Declines $10M Option

Posted: 04 Nov 2010 03:00 PM PDT

Kareem Shaker – AHN Sports Reporter

Boston, MA, United States (AHN) – Slugger Adrian Beltre, Boston’s leader in RBI (102) and average (.321) in 2010, declined the Red Sox $10 million player option for 2011 and opted for free agency.

“I’ll see what’s best for me and my family,” Beltre told WEEI.com prior to the final game of the season.

“This year is going to be more a family thing. It’s been tough. I haven’t seen family like l wanted to. We’re going to settle down, discuss it, and see what’s best for us.”

Beltre is arguably the best third baseman available on the market , which may also include Jorge Cantu , Pedro Feliz , Brandon Inge , Miguel Tejada , Juan Uribe , Melvin Mora , Nick Punto , or Ty Wigginton.

Beltre, 31, led Boston in total bases (326) and a career high 49 doubles. He was second in at-bats (589), home runs (28) and slugging (.553).

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Titans Claim Wideout Randy Moss; Bills Snag Merriman

Posted: 04 Nov 2010 03:00 PM PDT

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Kareem Shaker – AHN Sports Reporter

United States (AHN) – The Tennessee Titans, apparently unconcerned with Randy Moss’ decrease in production and attitude problems, claimed the wide receiver off the waiver wire Wednesday.

Moss was released by the Vikings Monday just 26 days after Minnesota sent a third-round pick to New England for the declining All Pro.

The likely Hall of Famer, in his 13th season, had just 13 catches in four games for 174 yards and two touchdowns with Minnesota.

The Titans were No. 22 on the NFL’s waiver order, which goes from worst to best record utilizing regular tiebreakers. A total of 21 teams passed on the worrisome receiver.

In Buffalo, the Bills were awarded the waiver claim on former San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman.

At just 26 years old, Merriman was brought down in the prime of his career by injuries and a suspension for use of performance-enhancing drugs.

The six-year pro had an amazing 39.5 sacks in his first three years, but missed nearly all of 2008 and registered just 4.0 in 14 games last season.

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Edwin Rodriguez To Return As Marlins Manager

Posted: 04 Nov 2010 03:00 PM PDT

Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Miami, FL, United States (AHN) – Edwin Rodriguez, who took over as the Marlins’ manager in June, was given a one-year contract extension, the team announced Wednesday.

Financial terms of the deal extension were not disclosed.

Rodriguez, 50, who was given what he termed a “one-day tryout” when he replaced fired manager Fredi Gonzalez in June, went on to remain as the Marlins manager through the 2010 season.

Injuries to ace Josh Johnson, co-ace Ricky Nolasco, Hanley Ramirez and Chris Coghlan hurt Rodriguez’s tryout run, as the team went 46-46 under his watch.

The Marlins finished 80-82 overall, placing third place in the NL East.

Five coaches from 2010 will return with the new addition of Perry Hill as infield and first-base coach. The Marlins announced the hiring of Hill, who was with the team from 2002-06, Wednesday.

Rodriguez spent most of post-playing career in the minor leagues. He was the manager of the Marlins’ Triple-A affiliate in New Orleans, when the team tabbed him in June.

He became the first Puerto Rican manager in the major leagues when the Marlins made him interim manager after Gonzalez was dismissed after Florida fell to 34-36, and fell to fourth place in the NL East.

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Brazil, Russia Top 2nd Round Pools At World Volleyball Championship

Posted: 04 Nov 2010 03:00 PM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

Tokyo, Japan (AHN) – The cast for the second round of the 2010 FIVB Women’s World Volleyball Championship were finally complete Wednesday, with undefeated Russia and Brazil taking a lead in Pool E and F, respectively.

Reigning world champion Russia continued its dominant play Wednesday, demolishing China 25-22, 25-17, 25-19 to sport a 5-0 card in Pool D.

Russia only dropped 3 of 15 sets played in the first round, garnering the second highest points ratio (1.337) in the tournament.

The Russians will carry a 3-0 slate and will be joined by Japan (3-0), Serbia (2-1), South Korea (2-1), Poland (1-2), Turkey (1-2), China (0-3), and Peru (0-3) in Pool E.

Brazil was also awarded an early lead in their second round pool after topping Pool B with a 5-0 record.

The South Americans lost only twice of 15 sets to record a tournament-high 1.295 points ratio.

Brazil will also carry a 3-0 card in the second round, mixing it up with the United States (3-0), Germany (2-1), Cuba (1-2), the Netherlands (1-2), Czech Republic (1-2), Italy (1-2), and Thailand (0-3) in Pool F.

Brazil and Russia gained an early lead in their respective pools after beating all-second round qualifiers in the first round and recording the two best sets and points ratio margins.

In the second round, each team will only play four games against the top-four teams from the joining group.

The top-two squads from Pool E and F booking a spot in the crossover semifinals, while other will settle in the consolation brackets.

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Semin Forces Overtime, Provides Difference In Shootout As Caps Escape Leafs

Posted: 04 Nov 2010 03:00 PM PDT

Kareem Shaker – AHN Sports Reporter

Washington, DC, United States (AHN) – Alexander Semin scored the game-tying goal with five minutes left and netted the winning goal in the shootout as the Washington Capitals grabbed a 5-4 win over the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs Wednesday night.

Michal Neuvirth made two saves in the shootout and finished with 24 saves in regulation.

Mike Green, Jason Chimera and Tomas Fleischmann scored second-period goals to stake the Caps to a big 3-1 lead.

Goals from Tomas Kaberle, Kris Versteeg and Tyler Bozak put the score in Toronto’s favor only briefly before Semin forced overtime.

Nikolai Kulemin scored for the Leafs in regulation and Jonas Gustavsson stopped 26 shots.

Toronto (5-5-2, 12 pts) sits three points out of first in the Northeast division. The Leafs host Buffalo Saturday.

Washington (8-4-0, 16 pts) enjoys a one-point lead atop the Southeast. The Caps welcome the Bruins Friday.

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Carter`s 20 Leads Seven In Double Figures As Magic Manhandle T`Wolves

Posted: 04 Nov 2010 03:00 PM PDT

Kareem Shaker – AHN Sports Reporter

Orlando, FL, United States (AHN) – Vince Carter scored 20 points to lead seven Magic in double figures as Orlando put on an offensive display for its home crowd in a 128-86 dismantling of the Minnesota Timberwolves Wednesday.

Ryan Anderson scored 19, Dwight Howard had 18 with 16 rebounds and Rashard Lewis added 11 points for the Magic.

The Magic shot an incredible 46-for-92 (50 percent), including 48.4 percent (14-for-31) from behind the arc.

Marcin Gortat (12 pts) and Brandon Bass (19) each shot 6-for-7 off the bench. J.J. Redick scored 10 and went 2-for-3 from three.

The Magic blew out the gates with a 37-point first quarter, all while limiting the shot-clunking T’Wolves (33.3 percent) to just 17 points in the opening frame.

Kevin Love led the Wolves with 22 points and nine rebounds. Corey Brewer posted double figures with 12.

Orlando (2-1) hosts the New Jersey Nets Friday. Minnesota (1-4) welcomes the Atlanta Hawks.

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T.O. Takes More Knocks At McNabb On Reality Show

Posted: 04 Nov 2010 03:00 PM PDT

Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Cincinnati, OH, United States (AHN) – The long-standing feud between Bengal’s Terrell Owens and Donovan McNabb of the Redskins took another twist Tuesday after Owens took another swipe at his former quarterback, who was benched the final minutes of Sunday’s loss at Detroit.

Owens, who has feuded with McNabb when they were in Philadelphia together from 2004-05, indicated on his reality show late Tuesday night that there were “rumors” he could not get things done in the two-minute offense when they were together.

It was in reference to the Eagle’s Super Bowl loss to the Patriots that completed the 2004 season, suggesting that McNabb was too tired in the fourth quarter.

When the subject of McNabb’s benching was brought up during the T. Ocho Show Tuesday night, Owens remarked: “Well, I don’t really want to start anything, but I did play in the Super Bowl and there were rumors where he couldn’t get our two-minute offense going at the end of the game.”

When co-host and teammate Chad Ochocinco pressed on his understanding of the Redskins’ decision to bench McNabb, Owens said, “I’m just saying.”

McNabb, acquired from the Eagles in April in the hopes of giving a boost to Redskins’ rebuilding process, was yanked by coach Mike Shanahan in favor of Rex Grossman in the final two minutes of Sunday’s 37-25 loss to the Lions.

According to Shanahan Sunday, McNabb was pulled because Grossman had a better understanding of the team’s two-minute offense.

On Monday, Shanahan indicated McNabb was advised on the matter of benching in relation to his nagging hamstring injuries.

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South Florida Bulls Take 28-27 Thriller Over Rutgers For 100th Win

Posted: 04 Nov 2010 03:00 PM PDT

Tom Edrington – AHN Sports Reporter

Tampa, FL, United States (AHN) – It was a milestone for the University of South Florida football program but it was a very nervous milestone.

USF’s defense preserved a 28-27 victory over Rutgers Wednesday night at Raymond James Stadium and scored a milestone 100th victory for the program.

Two teams desperate for a Big East victory slugged it out all night in a game that featured big plays, six lead changes, hard hitting and crucial bounces.

USF (5-3, 2-2) got a game-winning break with less than 10 minutes to play when running back Mo Plancher fumbled at the Rutgers goal line and Bulls tackle Jake Sims fell on the loose football in the end zone. Sims’ recovery gave USF the final lead in the game, 28-27 with 9:33 to play.

USF’s defense made a huge play with 4:19 left to play on an all-out blitz that dumped Rutgers quarterback Chas Dodd for a loss on a fourth down play at the USF 41. Jacquain Williams made the big sack and the offense would run the clock down to 43 seconds before punting to Rutgers.

Rutgers (4-4, 1-2) was trapped deep in its own territory with no time outs and not enough time to get in field goal range. The game ended on a desperation lateral that went out of bounds.

“I’m proud of these players,” USF Coach Skip Holtz said after getting his fifth victory as the school’s first-year head coach. “They kept competing. Rutgers’ defense kept us guessing. I’m just really proud of this team.”

It was a see-saw contest that saw big special team plays for both squads. USF’s first touchdown was set up by a 46-yard punt return by Terrence Mitchell and quarterback B.J. Daniels finished the drive with a mad scramble from nine yards out and a pass to Evan Landi.

Rutgers countered with a 60-yard punt return by Mason Robinson that caught USF defenders napping. They appeared to surround him, then thought he signaled for a fair catch. He didn’t and raced past them for the score.

Each team would add a field goal. San San Te hit a 25-yarder for Rutgers and Maikon Bonani hit one from 47 for USF just before the half.

In between, USF got a nine-play, 74-yard drive that Daniels finished with a six-yard pass to Dontavia Bogan.

Rutgers fooled the USF defense with a lateral pass from Dodd to Mohamed Sanu who then found Mark Harrison along in the end zone with a 21-yard pass.

It was tied at 17 at the half with both teams playing thrilling football.

Rutgers took a 24-17 lead with 10:44 left in the third quarter on a nine play, 74-yards drive that was aided by 30 yards of penalties on USF. Joe Martinek finished it off for the Scarlet Knights with a one-yard plunge.

USF was forced to settle for a field goal with 7:16 to play after a goal-line stand by the Rutgers defense. Bonani hit the field goal from 21 yards out to make it 24-20, Rutgers.

The Bulls got a safety with a little more than a minute left in the quarter when Dodd passed to Kordell Young in his own end zone and Keith McKaskill made the tackle for a safety.

USF trailed 24-22 going into the final 15 minutes.

The Scarlet Knights picked off B.J. Daniels early in the fourth but USF made another defensive stand and forced Te to hit a 30-yarder and the Knights increased their lead to 27-22.

USF responded with one last drive that featured Plancher running. Plancher, who finished the night with his career best 135 yards on 21 carries, got the call from the Rutgers one-yard line. But as he dove for the end zone, he fumbled and Sims made the crucial recovery that would win it for the Bulls.

The Bulls put together a solid ground game and finished with 157 yards rushing to Rutgers 78 and that would prove the difference between the two offenses.

But the last big play, the fortunate bounce into Sims’ hands, preserved the victory and ended USF’s four-year drought against Rutgers.

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