Sports Weekly

[Sports Weekly]

 

 

 

Issue 2!__________________ 08/21/05

 

 

 

Headlines!

08/21/05

 

 

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Article:	Terrell Owens' Banishment
By:	Technical Difficulty
.	Terrell Owens either plays for the Eagles or he won't play anywhere according to the Eagles.   Terrell Owens returns to the Eagles training camp Wednesday afternoon after being sent home from camp by head coach Andy Reid. Terrell Owens was banned from camp after a dispute with Andy Reid.   Joe Banner, the Eagles' team president said "Our hope, obviously, is that he comes back next week and is what he can be in every sense, whether that's how he contributes to the team on the field or off the field. We've been clear that the choices are to play under this contract or not. I'm not sure he still believes that, but we've said from Day 1 those were the choices on the table and he had to make a choice between one of the two things. That's not going to change."   "What we see happening is exactly what he said was going to happen. It kind of puts you in a hard position to then have any kind of deniability. You can try to blame other people if he wants, but it's a little bit of a stretch in credibility in light of what he said before he got here," Banner said.   Owens told ESPN that Andy Reid told him to "Shut up", which is what eventually started the heated argument. "And I told him my name isn't Reid. My name is Owens. I'm not one of his kids. Don't tell me to shut up," Owens said.   Owens also said that he had signed a "Secret waiver" which released the Eagles from any liability when he came back to play in the Super Bowl after an ankle injury suffered on December 19, 2004 (Week 15), caused by Roy Williams.   I think that Terrell Owens needs to come back to camp, finish year two of his contract, and not whine about his contract situation anymore. If I were the Eagles, I wouldn't put up with his bullcrap. He signed a contract, he should go back and play. Not ask for more money. 7 million dollars a year is quite a lot. Take that and multiply it by 7, that's 49 million for 7 years. So yeah.

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Article:	D Jones' College Football Pre-Season Rankings (1-10)
By:	D Jones
.	1.Southern Cal National Champs, couldn't expect anything else. With Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush back together, no telling what’s to happen next. Key Game = @Arizona State Key Player = Matt Leinart   2.Louisana State The question is if new coach Les Miles can accomplish what Nick Saban has left off. If so, expect big things for LSU this year. Key Game = vs. Auburn Key Player = Kyle Williams   3.Tennessee They have the best players they've had in years and have one of the best D-Lines in the game right now. Expect The Vols to be a lot better team this year. Key Game = @Florida Key Player = Jesse Mahelona   4.Miami After having a disappointing season, the Canes are expected to have a stellar year. With a Secondary to die for, don't expect them to have one of the best Defenses at the end of the year. Key Game = @Virginia Tech Key Player = Eric Winston   5.Ohio State Ted Ginn is supposed to lead the Buckeye's to a NC. His KR skills and receiver skills have shown that. The real question is if Troy Smith or if Justin Zwick can get the job done. Key Game = vs. Iowa Key Player = Ted Ginn   6.Georgia Can Georgia get it done without David Greene? Possibly so, since they've changed their game plan to running the football. With a few talented backs, don't doubt them. Key Game = @Tennessee Key Player = Max Jean-Gilles   7.Michigan With a lot of talent from a young QB and RB I don't have any doubts that Michigan can go all the way this year. But their loss to Texas in the Rose Bowl last year questions their defense against Running QBs. Key Game = @Iowa Key Player = Mike Hart   8.Florida This is supposed to be Chris Leak's Heisman year and Urban Meyer's NC year. Both are very talented at what they do, but can Meyer change from coaching a passing QB to mostly a rushing QB? Key Game = vs. Tennessee Key Player = Chris Leak   9.Texas Can Vince Young lead his team into a NC? After running and ripping through Michigan last year, I have no doubts that Vince Young can lead the Longhorns towards a NC. Maybe he could pull in a Heisman trophy while he is at it. Key Game = @Ohio State Key Player = Vince Young   10.Virgina Tech Can Marcus Vick accomplish what his brother did and more? Win the NC? Marcus got in some trouble last year with On-Campus policies. After coming into the year clean, people still have a lot of doubts about him. Key Game = vs. Miami Key Player = Jimmy Williams

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Article:	Rugby Tri-Nations First Half Report
By:	Cuse510
.	First off, let me state that I already know that I am not extremely qualified to write this article. I know that I am from the United States and that there are people on these forums who know a lot more about rugby than I do. However, none of these people wanted to write anything, and seeing as how we were criticized last issue for not having anything on international sports, I figured that an article on rugby, even if it was not perfect, would be appreciated.   For those people who do not know, the Tri-Nations is a rugby tournament between Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Each side has one home game with the other two teams and one away game. Anyways, on to the report:   South Africa, the defending champions, were at home first. Their first game was against Australia. The Wallabies were winning at the end of the first half, 13-6, benefiting from a try from George Smith and good kicking from Matt Giteau. However, the Spingboks stromed back, erasing the lead on a nice try from Breyton Paulse and later taking the lead when Percy Montgomery booted a kick through the uprights. They ended up winning 22-16.   The next game was between South Africa and the All-Blacks of New Zealand, and it ended with the same score as the first, with the Africans on top again. South Africa got out to 13-0 lead, but the Kiwis can back to tie. The South Africans overcame them though with some kicks from Montgomery and with Andre Pretorius clearing the ball from danger many times.   The scene then shifted to Australia, who played their first home game against the All-Blacks. New Zealand fell behind 13-0 again, but this time scored 30 unanswered points to win 30-0. Even though they were playing at home, Australia were hampered by injuries, forcing them to play without their full team. One bright spot for the Wallabies was new fullback Drew Mitchell. He had many great runs, including one that went for a try. He was actually tackled a couple of yards before the line, but his momentum slid him across for the score. Lote Tuqiri also ran the ball pretty well, but in my opinion needs to get more involved. On the New Zealand side, I believe Joe Rokocoko was the big difference maker. He had many nifty runs, and proved very hard to tackle. He scored one try and created another. Australia next plays South Africa at home, and then New Zealand play their two home games.

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Article:	The Joys of Being a Cubs Fan
By:	Cuse510
.	I have always believed that you cannot be a true fan of a team unless you’ve suffered with them. If that is the case, the Chicago Cubs must have some of the best fans in the world. And fortunately or unfortunately, I am one of those fans. I never really had a choice, seeing as I have lived my whole life on the near-north side of Chicago, and was born to Cubs fan father. Anyways, enough about me, let’s take a look at the cold, hard facts of the Cubs’ suffering. Sorry folks, this will take a while:   -The Cubs have not won a world series since 1908 (The Chicago White Sox haven‘t won one since 1917, the second longest drought, adding to Chicago‘s misery. That, however, is a different story) The sheer improbability of that is outrageous. Think about it: If there are 30 teams in a league, a team should win one world series every 30 years, according to probability. That means the Cubs should have won at least three world series over the past 97 years, but alas, that was not the case. The sad thing is though, more teams have been added in recent years. 40 years ago, for example, there were only 20 teams, increasing the odds of a Cubs world series title tremendously. Way back in 1910, there were only 16 teams in the league. Yet the Cubs still could not win.   -The Cubs have been oh-so-close many times. In fact, they were frequently in the World Series in the years following 1908. In fact, between 1906 and 1945 they went to 10 World Series. They just couldn’t win though. Their last World Series appearance was in 1945, but they lost (in true Cubs fashion, in seven games.) Since then, a National League title has been within reach many times, only to have to the Cubs collapse. In mid August, 1969, the Cubs were winning the National League East by nine and a half, a very secure position. However, only about a month and a half later, the season was over and the had lost the division by 8 games to the Mets. Never had a collapse that bad been seen before. It got worse though. In 1984 the Cubs were leading 2-0 in the best of five NL Championship series. Amazingly, they lost three in a row to the San Diego Padres and missed out on the World Series. In 2003 (a season that I suffered through), they were beating the Marlins three games to one in the best of seven NL Championship series. After losing Game 5 in Florida, they had their best pitcher, Mark Prior, pitching a gem in Game 6 at home. In fact, they were in the 8th inning, winning 3-0, with Prior still pitching, and only 5 outs away from the World Series, when the infamous “Bartman ball” was hit by Luis Castillo. Castillo hit a lazy fly ball drifting towards the stands in left field. Moises Alou, the Cubs’ leftfielder, jumped and appeared to be in a position to catch the ball, when a fan (Steve Bartman) reached out and tried to catch the ball also, knocking it away. The Marlins scored another run after that play, but then, with a runner on first, a groundball was hit to Alex Gonzalez, the Cubs’ shortstop. Gonzalez, usually regarded as the Cubs’ best fielder, muffed the ball and the chance for an inning-ending double play. The Cubs still could have escaped the 8th inning leading 3-1, but the Marlins ended up scoring seven more runs and winning the game 8-3. The Cubs still could have won Game 7, and were winning for a while, but could not hang on. As many Cubs fans did, I admittedly cried after Game 7. Heck, even last year the Cubs were in a good position to win the wild card, but lost 7 of their final 9 games.   I write this now because the Cubs have just collapsed during another promising season. Only a couple of games back in early August, they lost 8 games in a row, none of them to “elite teams,” and basically crushed their playoff chances. Of course, mathematically they still have a chance, but realistically they are pretty much done. The funny thing is, after losing those games to mediocre teams, they have managed to win 5 out of 7 against their rivals the Cardinals and the Astros, two of the best teams in baseball. Of course, they win the big games after they have blown their chance.   The Cubs still have a minimal shot at making the playoffs, even-less-so of winning the World Series. Hopefully though, I have given you a glimpse of what it’s like being a Cubs fan (and similar to what it’s like being a White Sox fan and before last year, a Red Sox fan.) And if not, at the very least it felt good for me to rant about it.

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Article:	Madden '06 Review
By:	woodprior383
.	Here is a little review for Madden 06. (I haven’t done very many reviews so just keep that in mind.)   Running Game- The Running game is much harder this year. Keep in mind Madden ’04 was the last Madden Game I actually played and liked, so I have no idea how Madden 05 played. But the ‘06 rushing game is hard as hell. Maybe that's just because I have gotten used to rushing for 300 yards in NCAA ‘06 with Reggie Bush. But it seems to me that the RB runs really slow compared to everyone else. But that just makes it more satisfying when you break a huge run.   7.5/10   Passing Game- They added a new "QB Vision" feature. Honestly... I hate it. You barely have time to go over the whole field before the D-Line gets to you. Unless you have a kick-ass QB (Ratings Wise,) like Brett Favre, Tom Brady, or Peyton Manning, you should be prepared to be sacked a lot.   But with that feature turned off, the passing game pwns. You have a lot of control over the ball flight and where you want to throw it.   8.5/10   Defense- It is hard adjusting from the Left Analog stick in NCAA to the actual buttons in Madden. It is actually a lot harder to spin and rip in the front line.   6/10   Special teams- Well... the Punt return game is pretty much non-existent. If you take the chance of catching the ball without calling for a Fair Catch you will get laid out by the defenders. Every Time. The Kickoff however, is a lot better. It is pretty easy to get past the 20 but it will be a challenge to get a TD return. I love it.   Kicking the ball has a cool new twist too. I have noticed that the harder you kick the ball, the faster the bar will come around when you aim for accuracy. That gives it a cool new twist.   9/10   Franchise Mode- I am biased... I hate owner mode so I hate the Franchise Mode. If I were you I would pay no attention to this section of the review. Although, other than Owner Mode the features in Franchise are really cool. But Owner Mode ruins it.   4/10   Superstar Mode- This is really cool. It gives you the chance to live the life of an NFL player from a few weeks before draft day until the day you retire. Between those times you can do movies, participate in the Madden Bowl, fire and hire agents, and everything else that real players do. You will be interviewed for various things throughout your career. The way you answer questions affects what the media and the public think about you. And that affects what agents you can hire and what endorsements you can get.   You also get a mentor. Mine was always Terrell Davis. I don't know if there are any others. He will give you tips on what to do and what not to do during your career. You also get a fansite that keeps track of everything you will ever need to know. That is a great feature.   Superstar Mode-10/10   Overall the game is pretty good. A little rough around the edges but still a good game. It is the last Madden game for the PS2 (I have heard) and the next one will be Next Gen. I can't wait for that.   Madden ‘06- 8.5/10

Article:	D Jones' NCAA Football Games of the Week
By:	D Jones
.	With my great head, I thought of an idea. I have NCAA Football ’06, and they obviously have an schedule on the “Dynasty” part of the game. Well, I am going to take one game out of every week and play it, making it my Game Of The Week. Below is my list of the Games of the Week. I will play them a few days before the actual game.   Week 1 Temple @ Arizona State My View On The Game The first game. Smelling the fresh air of turf/real grass. So, I picked this game simply because it’s the first game of the season. My Predictions 25-3 ASU   Week 2 Miami @ Florida State My View On The Game This game has always been a jinx for FSU. Either wide right, or just a crappy QB who can’t get it done. This is one of College’s classic games, and I wouldn’t expect a big game from Miami’s Defense. My Predictions 23-14 Miami   Week 3 Texas @ Ohio State My Views On The Game Wow, this is going to be a great game. Vince Young versus Ohio State’s underrated Defense. My Predicitons 14-0 Texas   Week 4 Tennessee @ Florida My Views On The Game Another classic Game. I just think Chris Leak will get it done this year, with his speed and arm, they should pull it off easily. My Predictions 31-10 Florida   Week 5 Tennessee @ LSU My Views On The Game Tennessee Wins. LSU might need a year or two to get it back together. My Predictions 34 – 14 Tennessee   Week 6 Michigan @ Michigan State My Views On The Game If you watched the game last year, it was great. I choose this game simply because I think MSU will pull of a upset. My Predictions 17-14 MSU   Week 7 Oklahoma @ Texas My Views On The Game Please.Let.OU.Win.One.More.Time! Lets just say if Young gets open, it’s a TD every time. My Predictions 34-21 Texas   Week 8 Florida @ LSU My Views On The Game LSU won last year, but by luck. I say the Florida Defense was young and is now ready to go this year. My Predictions 27-10 Florida   Week 9 Auburn @ LSU My Views On The Game Home Field Advantage. LSU Wins. My Predictions 31-7 LSU   Week 10 Georgia @ Florida My Views On The Game I just want to know if Georgia can beat Florida without David Greene. Not like they could with him. My Predictions 30-17 Florida   Week 11 Oklahoma State @ Oklahoma My Views On The Game OSU has found a way to always almost beat OU EVERYTIME. OSU could win if they did what they did last year, THROW IT DEEP. OU’s secondary is young and only worse. My Predicitons 34-31 OU   Week 12 USC @ California My Views On The Game Well, Cal is the only team to beat USC in the last 3 years and almost did last year. I don’t see them doing anything different. My Predictions 21-17 USC   Week 13 Ohio State @ Michigan My Views On The Game Greatest Rivalry ever. My Predictions 31-27 OSU   Week 14 Florida State @ Florida My Views On The Game Another Florida Rival. Great game, always goes great. My Predictions 14-10 Florida   Week 15 Army @ Navy My Views On The Game Not the greatest teams, but it’s always a good game to watch. My Predictions 21-20 Army

Article:	Quote of the Week
By:	Cuse510
.	"I thought you was 'Two Gunz,' man? What are they, BB guns? Supersoakers?"-- a fan at the Hasim "The Rock" Rahman vs. Monte "Two Gunz" Barrett boxing match. Barrett lost by unanimous decision.

 

 

Technical Difficulty

D Jones

Cuse510

woodprior383

[Cuse510]

Hope you all enjoy this issue. If you liked something about the issue or if you have a suggestion, please let us know. We would like to keep improving the paper

[Technical Difficulty]

It was pretty good. I've never written an article before that, so it kinda sucked. D Jones' predictions were pretty sweet. I can't agree with everything on the '06 article, I think the Franchise mode still owns. And fyi, they'll keep making Madden's for the PS2, hell they still make them for PS1.

[Burning-Ice]

My bad my bad, didn't feel like writing an article and there really wasn't a good fight I could write about, I'll do a review of the Vargas-Castielljo fight for the next issue Good job btw, Superstar mode on Madden 06 does indeed pwn, only got 1 movie deal so far but my friend blew it I shall vote good on thy topic.

[SloStenRacing]

Not ask for more money. 7 million dollars a year is quite a lot. Take that and multiply it by 7, that's 49 million for 7 years. So yeah.

 

Terrell is one of the best if not the best receivers in the league. He could get more. I mean in comparison to some quarterback contracts signed recently he makes next to nothing.

 

Payton Manning - signed for seven years in 2004 for $98 million dollars and is guaranteed $34.5 million in bonuses. That's twice as much as T.O. for the same amount of years.

 

Donovan McNabb - signed for 12 years in 2001 for $115 million

 

And of course,

 

Mike Vick - signed for 10 years in 2005 for $130 million and is guranteed $37 million in bonuses.

 

 

You also get a mentor. Mine was always Terrell Davis. I don't know if there are any others.

 

TD is the only mentor. Not sure why but he must have got a sweet deal.

[D Jones]

Peyton Manning is 28 years old, and broke the record for most TD's. Also, he made 2 young WR's that were almost nothing into superstars.

 

I don't know why Donovan is payed that much. And I don't need to go into details about Michael Vick's contract.

 

T.O needs to shut up and play. Acting as if he is getting paid nothing.

[SloStenRacing]

Peyton Manning is 28 years old, and broke the record for most TD's. Also, he made 2 young WR's that were almost nothing into superstars.

 

I don't know why Donovan is payed that much. And I don't need to go into details about Michael Vick's contract.

 

T.O needs to shut up and play. Acting as if he is getting paid nothing.

But Manning signed his contract well before he broke the record. Donovan is an older Vick so it makes sense but still the fact he was arguing was that a good player was making 7 million a year but in football that isn't out of the ordinary.

 

$13 and $14 million a year is pretty ridiculous.

[BigGamer]

Peyton Manning is 28 years old, and broke the record for most TD's. Also, he made 2 young WR's that were almost nothing into superstars.

 

I don't know why Donovan is payed that much. And I don't need to go into details about Michael Vick's contract.

 

T.O needs to shut up and play. Acting as if he is getting paid nothing.

But Manning signed his contract well before he broke the record. Donovan is an older Vick so it makes sense but still the fact he was arguing was that a good player was making 7 million a year but in football that isn't out of the ordinary.

 

$13 and $14 million a year is pretty ridiculous.

Quarterbacks like Vick and Manning of the futures of their franchises. The entire offense comes down to their performance, which is shown by how horrible Atlanta is without their runner and the kind of numbers put up by Indy's wideouts. Is T.O. making the season of every other player on that side of the team? No. Would T.O. be nearly as good if he were okaying with somebody like Vinny Testeverde? Of course not. He makes enough money already.

[SloStenRacing]

Peyton Manning is 28 years old, and broke the record for most TD's. Also, he made 2 young WR's that were almost nothing into superstars.

 

I don't know why Donovan is payed that much. And I don't need to go into details about Michael Vick's contract.

 

T.O needs to shut up and play. Acting as if he is getting paid nothing.

But Manning signed his contract well before he broke the record. Donovan is an older Vick so it makes sense but still the fact he was arguing was that a good player was making 7 million a year but in football that isn't out of the ordinary.

 

$13 and $14 million a year is pretty ridiculous.

Quarterbacks like Vick and Manning of the futures of their franchises. The entire offense comes down to their performance, which is shown by how horrible Atlanta is without their runner and the kind of numbers put up by Indy's wideouts. Is T.O. making the season of every other player on that side of the team? No. Would T.O. be nearly as good if he were okaying with somebody like Vinny Testeverde? Of course not. He makes enough money already.

Great wide receivers are just as much a part of the team as the QB. They can come back to the ball if the pass is thrown too short. They are the ones that the make the QB's career. Without someone to pass to and score touchdowns the QB wouldn't have a job as the center could then just hike to the RB and he could take off. It defeats the purpose of football if you don't have anyone decent to throw to.

[D Jones]

Ok?

 

You do realise you're saying that everyone should be paid like Manning or Vick. Because everyone has a purpose on a football team. So saying "The QB is nothing without WR's and center is nothing without a QB" is weird.

 

T.O is bitching. I wonder if he realizes that he is on one of the best Football teams, and almost won a Super Bowl last year. But, he is bitching.

 

This is what you call "Stupidity". He has it all. He should worry about not messing up his ankle instead of his Money.

[SloStenRacing]

T.O is bitching. I wonder if he realizes that he is on one of the best Football teams, and almost won a Super Bowl last year. But, he is bitching.

 

This is what you call "Stupidity". He has it all. He should worry about not messing up his ankle instead of his Money.

Woah. It is far from stupidity. If they drop his contract or refuse to pay and he becomes a free agent he could go to the Patriots or some other excellent team and for more money or what he is wanting.

 

As much as I don't want them to, the Patriots are more than likely taking the superbowl this year. They are a dynasty in every bit of the term.

[D Jones]

Wha?!

 

A thing called Cap Space would not even make a Contract better if T.O went to the Pats. Pats couldn't even afford Ty Law, so no.

[SloStenRacing]

Wha?!

 

A thing called Cap Space would not even make a Contract better if T.O went to the Pats. Pats couldn't even afford Ty Law, so no.

I am here to tell you with him being a free agent and him being one of, if not the best receiver in the league he could make more money with another team. Someone would pick him up and the Patriots were just an example. Hell even they might make room for an excellent receiver if one came available. Branch is good don't get me wrong but they would be unstoppable with Moss or Owens on the team. There are some others they could pick up also.