Once again a team with Josh McDaniels as a coach was caught videotaping another team. A Denver Broncos employee by the name of Steve Scarnecchia, videotaped the San Francisco 49ers walk through before their game against the Denver Broncos in London, back in October.

Josh McDaniels, Broncos head coach claimed that he found out about the video but did not report it to the NFL right away. But, he did claim that he never watched the video to prepare for the 49ers. Commissioner Roger Goddell slapped the Broncos with $100,00 worth of fines. McDaniels was hit with a $50,000 fine and the Denver Broncos organization was hit with the other $50,000 fine.

We all know what happened with the Patriots last decade. First, in 2007 they were found guilty of videotaping the signals from the New York Jets. That led to an investigation by the NFL into the Patriots organization and Belichick admitted to video taping and stealing signals since the year 2000. After the investigation concluded, the Patriots were also found for video taping a walk through of the St. Louis Rams as they prepared for Super Bowl XXXVI.

This is the second time McDaniels has been on a team that has been caught video taping the opponent. He was the offensive coordinator of those Patriots that first got caught spying. Everyone thought that McDaniels was Bill Belichick’s young prodigy and he had learned everything from Bill to make him a good coach in the NFL.

It seems the only thing he learned was “If you aren’t cheating, you aren’t trying.”

The Yankees wasted no time declaring their interest in Cliff Lee. Free agency officially began at 12:01 am November 7th. At that time, teams could start talking contract details with any player on any team.

Early that morning the Yankees contacted Cliff Lee’s agent, Darek Braunecker and told him that the Yankees would present an offer later to the lefty Lee. The Yankees have no other solutions to their pitching woes, so getting Cliff Lee is the ONLY move they can make. Establishing their interest right of the bat, lets Darek and Cliff know, the Yankees really want him. I’ll guess we will have to see what happens down the line.

In other baseball news, Jhonny Peralta signed a two-year, $11.25MM contract, according to an AP report (via ESPN.com).  The contract will also include a third year as an option, and a buy-out. Those terms were not included. Peralta did reject his one year option for the Tigers, but the Tigers were very optimistic they could re-sign Peralta at a discount.

First, Oregon supports some of the most colorful jerseys in college basketball. Don’t forget they have some of the most luxurious locker rooms in college sports as well. Now, this. The Oregon Ducks have envailed their new basketball court and it’s very unique design.

This past Friday, the Oregon Ducks envailed their new basketball court, with a message to their opponents in the process. The new Kilkenny floor is dedicated to Pat Kilkenny, a long time supporter of the Ducks and athletic director from 2007 to 2009. Also, he ran the recent coaching search to replace Ernie Kent.

The phrase “Deep In The Woods” is in the center of the floor, and it is meant to itimidate opposing teams. Most people would be suprised by this, until you realize who the creator was.  Tinker Hatfield, designed many of the shoes from the famed Air Jordan line, also created the design of the floor.

“When I was asked to work on the new floor for Matthew Knight Arena, I really boiled it down to three things,” Hatfield said. “I really wanted to pay tribute to Matthew Knight himself, to the Kilkenny family and lastly but maybe not least, I wanted to pay tribute to the Pacific Northwest and the Tall Firs, the original basketball team that won a national championship for the University of Oregon in 1939.”

Oregon’s floor will now be recognizable immediately to viewers of college basketball, just like the “Smurf Turf” or Boise State’s blue field was to the college football fans.

While it is interesting to see, it sends an immediate message to Oregon’s opponents….

Don’t get caught in our neck of the woods.

Earlier this week, Damon was placed on waivers by the Detroit Tigers. Within a day the Red Sox put a claim on him and it became Damon’s decision on whether or not to go back to Boston. He was supposed to accept to go to Boston, repair the relationships that were broken, win back the fans and talk about how great the 2004 Championship team was. Instead, it became more about the Yankee-Red Sox rivalry over everything else.

Damon knew all about the Yankee-Red Sox rivalry because he played on the Red Sox from 2002-2005. He led them to a World Series Championship in 2004 and was nicknamed Jesus. Everyone loved him. Then, he left Boston in 2005 and joined the Yankees in ’06. After joining the Yankees in 2006, Damon saw how much the Red Sox fans went from loving him, too hating him, instantly. Jesus became Judas. He realized,  he didn’t want to go through that again. Maybe Damon can’t fix what he did to the Red Sox after leaving them in 2005. Some people say that is why he didn’t go back to Boston. He knew he would have to face the Yankees again and didn’t want to go through the scrutiny of switching teams again. I, on the other hand, don’t believe it.

Damon loved the AL East, but never had any intention of going back to Boston. That is why he included them in his no trade clause. That is one small way of saying, I’m not interested. Damon was hurt after Boston let him go after 2005, believing he couldn’t be an everyday player/outfielder. The team and the fans pushed him out of town, like Boston does with most of it’s older players. It just so happened the Yankees welcomed him and he patrolled the outfield for all 4 years of his contract. The guy even helped them win a World Series in his final season. Once again, Damon was loved and the Yankees and their fans loved him. If it wasn’t for Scott Boras (Damon’s agent), Damon probably would have taken less money to play for the Yankees for one more season(they desperately wanted him). Instead, he signed a cheap one year deal with Detroit. Who knows, maybe World Series #28 would be more apt to occur with Damon. We will never know.

What we do know is Damon couldn’t take the easy move, pack up and head to Boston and hurt the team that loved him, the Yankees. He made sure to decline the Red Sox, who are only 5 games out of a playoff spot, to stay in Detroit who has no chance at the playoffs. He is still hurt by 2005 and did not want his relationship with the Yankees to be broken, like it was when he left Boston. The only difference is, the Red Sox front office wanted to let Damon go, while the Yankees tried so hard to bring him back this season.

By choosing to stay with the Tigers and not go to Boston, Damon chose the Yankees over the Red Sox. If his allegiance wasn’t clear before, it is now.

It was August 18, 2009 when Brett Farve announced that he would become a part of the Minnesota Vikings with a 2 year, 25 million dollar deal. Once Brett Farve signed that contract, he would go on to have his best season ever at the age of 40! Yes, I said 40. Farve threw for 4,202 yards and 33 touchdowns while only throwing 7 interceptions.

Then, while watching from the sidelines as the New Orleans Saints beat his Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Championship, the Farve Watch began again. Would he come back to get his Vikings to the Super Bowl? Would his ankle be able to take another year of playing? Or, would he call it quits while on top of his game? Those were the main questions surrounding the 2010 NFL Offseason.

Throughout the offseason people close to Farve comment and analysts try to decide what he will do. Everyone knows Farve will come back again, right? Well, maybe not.

August rolls around news breaks that Farve will retire for good. Can this really be it? Another teary goodbye from the NFL and Farve will hang up his cleats for good this time. Not so fast. It turns out the reports were false and Farve never told anyone he was retiring, he just needed more time to think.

Finally, August 18th 2010 rolls again and who do we see at Vikings training camp. No 4. Farve is back.  The day before a few top captains of the Minnesota Vikings went to see Brett Farve and to convince him to come back. It worked. That competitive fight in him wants to win one more time before he calls it quits and he couldn’t pick a better team to try with.

Well, Vikings fans, your prayers have been answered. But, it looks like this will be it.

Win or lose, Favre said that this will be the last time he holds a welcome back press conference, believe it or not.

“I can promise you this: Not that I have ever set out as a goal to play 20 years, it’s 20 years and I’m done. This is the last year of my contract. I’m sure a lot of people are like, ‘Yes!” Favre said, pumping his fist.

Then, of course, he hesitated.

“Did I just say that?” he said with a grin. “I do believe it now. I do. I’m going to fall apart sometime.”

While Brett Farve has said this before, many around him believe this will be it, no matter what. Until then, it will be another great year watching him play.

Maybe someday people will see the day Farve calls its quits, and actually means it.

Sports Blogs

Everybody knows preseason football is an opportunity to show themselves to their coaching staff and others . Sometimes though rookies are blocked by certain stars players  of the organization. That is where Joique Bell fits in. He was signed the day after the draft by the Buffalo Bills after finishing his senior season at Wayne State University where he compiled 2,084 yards and 29 touchdowns last season. He also caught 23 passes for 293 yards and three TDs.

Most teams would love a player on their team that possesses quick speed and can catch the ball out of the backfield. But, here’s the problem. Bell is behind Fred Jackson, Marshawn Lynch and first round pick C.J. Spiller. How would Bell even be able to show his talent when he would only see reps against the 3rd stringers late in the game? Well, here is how. In yesterday’s preseason game Fred Jackson suffered an hand injury and will miss at least the remaining three preseason games. On the following drive, Marshawn Lynch injured his ankle and the severity of that is unknown. That means, after C.J Spiller sees time, Bell will likely see a majority of carries and show the Bills coaches exactly what he can do.

If Bell can show flashes of speed and quickness like he did yesterday, (28 yard touchdown run) then the Bills would have no choice but to keep him on their team throughout the season. Yes, carrying four running backs is not normal but with Spiller split out as a wideout at times and an injury to Fred Jackson that might keep him out through the beginning of the season, there is no reason not to think an impressive few games by Bell will help him make the team.

There once was a man in the same shoes as Bell, and his name was Fred Jackson. Once he had his chance, he rushed for 1,062 yards.

Imagine the possibilities with Joique Bell, who seems faster than Fred Jackson.

Curtis Granderson was acquired by the Yankees in a trade from the Detroit Tigers last December. He was  the next long term solution in center field for the Yankees since Bernie Williams. Along with patrolling the outfield, Granderson was supposed to bring some power to the Yankees as well, since he hit 30 home runs last year with the Tigers. With the short porch in right field Granderson was seen as someone who might be able to hit 40 home runs this season with the Yankees.

Instead, he has only 10 home runs and a .243 batting average. Not exactly what the Yankees were looking for. Even though the Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long worked with Granderson all season, the results were not seen. Finally, Granderson realized he needed to make some big changes and asked Kevin Long for a “total reformation” of his swing.

Now, while it has been early, Granderson is already seeing results. Granderson is getting hits and seeing the power back in his swing. Now, if the Yankees can just get Granderson to hit lefties (2 for 4 last night) he might be the difference for the Yankees in the playoffs.

If Granderson can provide the average and get on base, he can use his speed to get into scoring position and provide the Yankees with opportunities to score runs. When the average starts turning around, the power will come for Granderson as well and that will definitely help the Yankees when it comes to October.

Maybe then it will be another grand day in New York if the Yankees can win World Series number 28.

The Diamondbacks seem determined to move ace Dan Haren before his next start on Tuesday, and it appeared as though the Yankees became the favorite. Yes, Dan Haren is no Cliff Lee but Haren is still a solid pitcher. There are a few reasons why the Yankees should go get Haren.

First, Haren is only 29 years old and has a career ERA in the American League of 3.64 going along with 531 strikeouts in three seasons. This proves to the Yankees he can handle the more powerful American League as well as the National League.  While Haren is in the middle of the worst season of his career at 7-8 with a 4.60 ERA the Yankees can provide him with a better defense around him and an offense that will score runs.The Yankees are the leaders in runs and on base percentage in the league. That support could help Haren become a better pitcher in New York. Knowing he will get more runs every time he pitches will let him be able to attacking the strike zone more and be able to challenge pitches.

Second, Haren is owed 33 million in the next 2 1/2 years. Haren’s deal is why the Yankees want to make this move. His contract is reasonable for the next few years and unlike Lee, the Yankees wouldn’t owe Haren a major contract until the end of the 2013 season. Additionally, Haren would give the Yankees a pitcher to replace Javier Vazquez after the season. If Vazquez signed elsewhere the Yankees will receive a first round pick from the team that signs him because Vazquez should be a Type A free agent. Then, if Pettitte does retire, the Yankees would still have Sabathia, Burnett, Haren, Hughes which would still give them the best rotation in the league. Then, who knows, the Yankees could still sign Cliff Lee as well.

Third, adding Haren to the rotation this year would give the Yankees six pitchers once Pettitte returns from injury(which should be soon). When the playoffs come around the Yankees can go with Sabathia, Haren, Pettitte and maybe even Burnett in a four man rotation. That would allow Phil Hughes to go to the bullpen where the Yankees desperately need help. The Yankees would definitely have the best postseason rotation and adding Hughes to a bullpen of Joba and Rivera should be the key to bringing the 28th championship back to New York. So, a trade for a starter like Haren could actually help the bullpen as well, which is the Yankees biggest need.

Finally, getting Haren won’t acquire as much as Lee. The proposed players in the deal are Yankees top triple-A pitchers Ivan Nova and Zach McAllister along with other relievers the Yankees have in their farm system. The Diamondbacks have asked for Joba Chamberlain but the Yankees won’t add him in any deal. Also, the Yankees will be able to keep the top prospect in Jesus Montero which puts them in a great situation. Montero can then be kept as a possible trade chip for another deal down the road, or the Yankees can bring him up and use him to bring more offense to the team.

Now, the only question is, do the Diamondbacks make the trade with the Yankees?

Wow, what a difference a year makes. Heard that before? In professional sports, a year makes a huge difference, especially in the lives of Tiger Woods.

At this time last year, Woods just finished 8th in the Players Championship and then went on to win the Memorial in June 2009. This year, well, he didn’t finish the Players Championship, lost his swing instructor and most likely won’t even play in the Memorial. Jeez, that must be terrible. Oh wait, Tiger’s already gone through a slew of issues, mistakes, whatever you want to call them. I guess you haven’t hit rock bottom until now, Tiger. This is the main reason I’m writing this.

The reason Tiger Woods came back to golf is because that is where he is comfortable. He can escape life for a bit, do what he does best, and win. While he tries to fix the wreck he caused with his family, golf is where he feels he needs to be. Coming back with his great play at the Masters must have felt great and everyone thought he was same old Tiger. Wrong. Tiger can’t even keep his golfing life together anymore. As you have noticed, Woods has been struggling immensely. He missed the cut two weeks ago and barely made the cut at the Players Championship.

Earlier yesterday morning we found out two things. Tiger’s neck is bothering him worse than expected and Hank Haney, his swing coach is leaving. I wonder why? Could it be that because Tiger is such a headline these days that even his close friends don’t want to be around him when his world comes crashing down. I’m assuming that’s why. I mean, Tiger can’t do anything write these days. Who knows what Tiger does next, or even if he can do anything with his neck?

The one thing Tiger Woods had left that was going right in his life was golf. Now that he doesn’t have that, what’s left? That’s the ultimate question.