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URI introduces Rizzi as new football coach

Returning to the scene of his All-American career, Darren Rizzi took over today as head coach of the University of Rhode Island football program.

Rizzi signed a five-year contract at a base salary of $160,000. He succeeds Tim Stowers, who was fired last month after eight seasons.

Rizzi predicted that Rhode Island will become a contender in the Colonial Athletic Association, even to the point of eventually challenging for the championship. "Failing is not going to be an option," he said.

Rizzi, who is associate head coach at Rutgers, will divide his time between Rutgers and URI until the Scarlet Knights play in the International Bowl Jan. 5 in Toronto against Ball State.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 4:20 PM to College Sports | Permalink | Comments 0

Yankees traveling secretary pleads guilty to lying on taxes

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) - New York Yankees traveling secretary David Szen pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to filing a false tax return and admitted he failed to report more than $50,000 in tips from players and coaches.

Authorities said the tax loss was $10,285 based on underreporting of $53,350 over five years. The 56-year-old from Brookfield received tips ranging from a few hundred dollars to $10,000 for services provided to unidentified coaches during the baseball season.

"I was wrong, and for that I'm humbly sorry, your honor," Szen told U.S. District Judge Mark Kravitz.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 2:59 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Congress to hold hearings on steroid use

WASHINGTON (AP) - Congress announced plans Tuesday to review the use of performance-enhancing drugs, with star-studded hearings scheduled next month and legislation to limit access to steroids and growth hormones.

Two House panels are planning mid-January hearings featuring former Sen. George Mitchell, author of a bombshell report last week that linked more than 80 players to the illegal use of steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs. Baseball players, likely some of those named in the report, could be invited to testify as well.

Meanwhile, a Senate Republican and Democrat on Tuesday announced legislation to limit access to those substances and stiffen criminal penalties for abuse and distribution.

Central to that effort is cracking down on the abuse of human growth hormone, or HGH, a drug for which there is no reliable test, said its sponsor.

The bill by Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., would classify HGH as a "Schedule III" substance, equating it legally with anabolic steroids and bringing it under the watch of the Drug Enforcement Administration.

That would mean that possession of HGH, a naturally occurring hormone approved by the FDA for treatment of some medical conditions, would be illegal without a current, valid prescription. Penalty for possession could be as high as three years in prison and even higher for illegal manufacture or distribution.

A second proposal by Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, would make it illegal to sell dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) to anyone under 18. DHEA is a naturally occurring precursor to testosterone and a dietary supplement that some athletes are using as an alternative to illegal anabolic steroids, Grassley said.

Two House panels, meanwhile, are planning hearings on the Mitchell report.

The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has announced a hearing on the matter Jan. 15. Chairman Henry Waxman, D-Calif., and ranking Republican Tom Davis of Virginia said they will invite Mitchell, baseball Commissioner Bud Selig and Doug Fehr, president of the Major League Players Association, to testify.

Rep. Bobby Rush, chairman of the subcommittee on commerce, trade and consumer protection, has scheduled proceedings for Jan. 23. Mitchell will be invited to testify as will other members of Major League Baseball, a spokesman said.

Mitchell's report implicated seven former MVPs and more than 80 players in all.
A former Democratic Senate Majority Leader who retired in 1995, Mitchell, 74, has said he will soon undergo treatment for prostate cancer, an illness he made public in August.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 2:57 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

College hoops chat transcript

Kevin McNamara took questions from projo.com readers today from noon to 1. Click below to read the questions and Kevin's responses.

Kevin McNamara: First off, welcome everyone. I haven’t done a chat on projo.com in some time but the tools we now have available for this exercise are much improved. Hope everyone enjoys the give-and-take.

I will answer as many `good’ questions as I can in 1 hour. I am the judge and jury on the `good’ questions. Let me also get a few things out of the way. Yes, I went to Syracuse and URI’s victory was a painful one for all Orange People. However, I learned long ago that we do not `root’ in my business. Was I rooting for SU to win the national title in 2003? Absolutely. Do I root for them to win every regular season game they play, no. I frankly don’t care that much. In fact, I was thrilled for URI because they clearly needed to get a big win much more than The `Cuse. They’ve had plenty over the years.

I want URI and PC to do well. Every year. BOTH of them. Not just the Rams. Not just the Friars. This helps our readership, keeps the coaches and players happy and even keeps the fandom happy (sometimes). I can’t emphasize these points more strongly

thl: Kevin, what do hear, if anything, about an extension in the works for Coach Welsh?

Kevin McNamara: There is no news on any extension talk with Tim Welsh and PC. He has this year and next on his contract.

thl: Any news available regarding recruiting for 2009?

Kevin McNamara: PC is out of scholarships for the frosh class of 2008. However, the staff is always monitoring players and it’s fair to say that center-power forward and point guard are the two positions they’re looking at. Right now it seems as if the more pressing need is at point guard and a few players are being evaluated. Think pass-first PG, not a big scorer.

RhodeWarrior: URI's athletic style and number of people who can flat out score makes us a tough match up for others. We also seem to lack a true inside presnece and our rebounding can be suspect. Based on these observations how far can URI go in the tournament assuming they make it at their current level?

Kevin McNamara: I think URI’s team this year is very, very hard to defend. Its ability to score from multiple angle and multiple people are it’s strong points. Defense, rebounding, inside presence are all concerns. But as a coach you try to maximize your strengths and that’s what URI has done thus far.

If the Rams face an opponent that can lock down on defense (perhaps like Providence did in the first half a few weeks back), then they’ll be in trouble. That’s why rebounding (which I do not see as a weakness) and defense are all Jim Baron is talking about these days. Those are difference makers for the squad

RhodeWarrior: Over the years we have heard Jim Baron refer to "the process" many times. The terminology "process" has almost left the vocabulary now that he is having some success. Have you ever had the opportunity to ask him what exactly the process entailed and what his timeline was against this "process"?

Kevin McNamara: I don’t think JBaron ever had a timeline on his `process.’ He was clearly speaking about assembling a team of players who understood what hard work, good study habits and buying into a system is all about. That took 6 years. Even in the early years when the Rams went to the NIT, Baron knew he didn’t have everything in place. He is always looking for more help from the administration and that’s part of the process, too.

RhodeWarrior: Where would Syracuse team this year fare in the A-10? Where would PC fare in the A-10 this year? Where would URI fare in the Big East this year? What is your opinion as it has been an ongoing chat on the ProJo message board?

Kevin McNamara: The weight of URI’s win at Syracuse took a serious blow over the weekend when SU lost Eric Devendorf to a season-ending injury. Without him (and Andy Rautins, another knee casualty), the Orange will be hard-pressed to get into the NCAA’s.

Where would this team finish in the Atlantic 10, without Devendorf? I think in the top 3. URI and UMass winning at the Dome is a major, major deal. It is very hard to do. Syracuse wouldn’t lose many at home. Donte Green and Jonny Flynn would be candidates to win Player of the Year honors in the A-10 and Jim Boeheim would be as good as any coach in the league.

Put it this way. SU would have a MUCH easier time squeezing its way into the Big Dance this year playing in the A-10 instead of the Big East. It just would never (or rarely) be on TV

Kurtnyc: Has there been a shift in strategy for recruiting at PC over there last few years. It seems that the Welsh staff doesn't even attempt to go after the top 100 recruit, but focus's on the "diamond in the rough" and hopes they get the next Ryan Gomes. The Barnes and Gillen staff's maybe didn'y get all the top 100 guys they went after (they got a few) - but it seems this staff doesn't even try to compete with other Big East team in going after those top kids anymore. Is this the the real strategy of this staff? Thanks

Kevin McNamara: While PC does not currently sign many top 100 players, I would say it’s false that they don’t get any and don’t compete with Big East schools for players. That’s clearly wrong. In the last few years, Dwight Brewington, Gerald Brown, DeSean White, Geoff McDermott, and Greedy Peterson were all on someone’s top 100 list. McDermott chose PC over Duke and BC. Not Big East but tall timbre. Greedy chose PC over Rutgers and Cincinnati.

This staff has targeted several highly-rated players and lost them. This list is a long one but includes Rakim Sanders, Demetris Nichols, Andy Rautins, James Gist, Allen Chaney and many others. While still trying for some of them, reality hits and this staff cuts to Plan B kids when a Florida, Syracuse, Ohio State turns up the heat

Mbanghasups: Kevin, In the most recent polls URI is ranked 28th. Xavier drops from 17 to out of the polls with one loss and no other A-10 team is ranked despite 4 teams from the A-10 having better RPI's than some already in the poll with similar records? Am I paranoid or is the A-10 being slighted?

Kevin McNamara: Does the A-10 get slighted? I think it does. URI, X, UMass and Dayton are all off to great starts. I vote in the AP poll and have voted Xavier every week. I voted them 18th this week. URI was 21st. The fact that the league’s TV package stinks really hurts.

The only way to garner more respect and separate from the Colonial and Mizzou Valley is to win games, get into the NCAA's and win some more. That hasn't happened in the A-10 for three years now. Maybe it changes in 2008

Rebound 1: If PC goes .500 in the Big East do you think they will make the tournament or have the early season losses made it that that they have to win 10 or 11 games to get in?

Kevin McNamara: PC's early-season play has not hurt its NCAA chances. Miami and Rhode Island are both off the excellent starts with the Hurricanes truly one of the nation's surprises. The Rams are going to win a lot of games in the A-10. South Carolina is the game PC should not have lost. That one clearly can hurt them. Beating Florida State this weekend is extremely important for the Friars. If they can go 9-3 into the Big East, their RPI and sched strength will be a real asset

TONY: HOW MANY TEAMS WILL THE a10 HAV E IN THE ncAA TOURNEY THIS YEAR

Kevin McNamara: Tony, impossible to tell right now. How many times have we seen a team start well, roll up a 14-1 record and lose 7 of 9 and go to the NIT. A lot. I do think the A-10 is looking at multiple at-large teams so, to answer the question, I see 3 teams Dancing. At a minimum.

friar1: Does TW need to WIN an NCAA game to come back next season?

Kevin McNamara: That would not be my measuring stick. But I do not make the call.

Rebound 1: What is Sharrod Curry's status?

Kevin McNamara: Check out today's paper or go online at projo.com/pc. Curry update is there. I'm holding my breath that he steps on the court some tomorrow. We'll see.

hoopsaholic: Kevin, do you ever want to punch Sam the Ram in the face?

Kevin McNamara: Daily.

hoopsaholic: Kevin, what do you think of Brown's chances in the Ivy League this season?

Kevin McNamara: At last, a Bruno fan! I think Cornell is the heavy favorite to win the Ivies. The Big Red is very impressive. After that, I feel brown can play with everyone in the league. Penn and Princeton have fallen back to the pack, which is great for Brown. If Craig Robinson's younger players develop, there's hope for an IVy title soon. This year may be asking a lot. The keys will be consistent play from the inside talent like Friske, MacDonald and development of a frosh or two. I like the perimeter players but they need help.

RhodeWarrior: Kevin, it is consensus of URI fans that the ProJo slights URI mens basketball while continuing to give PC a better shake. I think this arguement has merit. What is your honest opinion and why do you think this happens if indeed the coverage is not equal?

Kevin McNamara: I think I answer this question every time I address URI fans in a speech/talk/chat. Contrary to popular opinion, we do not sit in our offices on Fountain Street and think of ways to stick it to URI fans. Coverage questions are best addressed to my editors. I go where they point me. I am the beat writer for PC’s men’s team and college basketball in general. This fall I was also assisting in covering URI’s team, which I enjoy. Frankly, many papers would have a writer cover two teams like this, although the Journal realizes that this isn’t possible due to the schedules the two teams have.

The examples of the paper favoring PC are often based in error. The URI bulletin board (which we all do read) is a frequent fountain of those errors. For example, the coverage of the URI-Syracuse game. Someone who obviously did not see our paper on Dec. 9, claimed the game story was minimized. In fact, it was placed in the news lead position, stripped down the side of the Sunday paper with a big headline. Inside was a full, complete Rams Journal. You will not receive better coverage for a road game. Ever.

Our previews of the two teams this year were extensive and, in my opinion, URI’s was more prominently played in the paper. Again, if you don’t actually see the newspaper and are only reading online, it is impossible to see how a story is played/pictures, ect.

Do we favor PC in years the Friars are strong in the Big East and the Rams aren’t very good. Of course. We should. That’s news judgment. Do we play up a sellout PC game against a ranked Big East team over a URI-St. Bonny game that doesn’t mean much? Of course. We should. Will we play up Xavier visiting URI this year over whoever PC plays that day? Of course. That’s a huge game. It’s a case-by-case basis. It changes by the year, if not the week.

So, in summation, I do not agree with your `consensus opinion.

Kevin McNamara: Good news everyone. Bill Reynolds is in The House.

Kevin McNamara: But Bill does not chat. Sorry.

THL: friar1: Does TW need to WIN an NCAA game to come back next season? Kevin McNamara: That would not be my measuring stick. But I do not make the call. What would your "measuring stick be?"

Kevin McNamara: Sorry about that. If PC makes the NCAA's this year, I would extend the coach.

Rebound 1: What's going on with Hanke? Do you ever think he will ever turn into a decent Big East Player? Or should he head to the golf course?

Kevin McNamara: Never played golf with Randall but I hear he rips the *#%& out of it. Probably can't putt. Randall is doing better every day. His timing isn't there and when he's not rebounding at all his defensive liabilities are magnified. That is why he was not playing. Now he's improving and it is clear to everyone that he owns the biggest upside of any big man the Friars have. Will he be as good as the player we saw two years ago? Don't know if that will happen.

TONY: HEre is an off the wall question. WHen I was at URI they had a player named John Fultz. I know he played in the ABA but what is he doing now?

Kevin McNamara: Can't help you there. I know of John but have no idea where he is now.

Wally: I watch PC play. i.e. Miami, South Carolina and it actually hurts to watch. Crazy shots, lethargic passes, no disipline and just not taking care of the ball. My ? is, do they actually practice?

Kevin McNamara: I agree with you Wally. My biggest issue with the Friars - Tim Welsh agrees - is their offensive inconsistency. Turnovers are a problem. This is directly attributed to the lack of good point guard play. Dwain Williams is a PG in name only. He is a fine shooter who hasn't shot very well. GMcDermott and Weyinmi Efejuku actually have more assists at this point of the season. An offense cannot run smoothly without good PG play.

friar1: Could you ever see Jeff Van Gundy being interested in the PC job if it were to be available in the next year or two?

Kevin McNamara: No. I cannot. Pro guys do not want to go to college and deal with kids. You can't cut your mistakes.

Mbanghasups: How would you classifly yourself-- more of a PC fan or more of a Rhody fan? Please be honest and dont be political. I am just curious.

Kevin McNamara: Mr. Mbang...nice name. I use my own. I am not a fan of either team, as I addressed earlier. I do want both teams to do well, however. It helps me, you, the players and the coaches.

RhodeWarrior: Please tell us what you are hearing about URI recruiting?
What do you know about the players he has signed for next year? Will the ProJo be doing any stories on these players?

Kevin McNamara: URI has assembled a strong group of recruits and I think doing stories on some of them is a great idea. Like all classes, the academic progress of several of them needs to be watched. If they all project, Jim Baron will be a happy man and welcome lots of needed talent to the program. I hear good things about all of the recruits.

Mbanghasups: What do you know about Delroy James? Can he make an impact this year? next?

Kevin McNamara: Last one for Mr. Mbang. Delroy James is reputed to be a versatile, strong forward who can score. Who wouldn't want one of those? While he's been working out at home in Brooklyn he has not spent a day or practice with the team. Don't see how you can throw a kid like that into the mix in the next few weeks. Will he make an impact at all this year? I say he will. Next year he and transfer Ben Eaves will help replace Will Daniels.

FriarFan: Pitino was (supposedly) quoted as saying that he left Providence too soon. Any chance he'll ever come back? Does PC have the funds to pay that type of salary?

Kevin McNamara: I don't take what Rick Pitino says as Gospel. After all, he's the guy who once explained himself by saying, ` well, I meant it when I said it.' Did Rick leave PC too early/ Of course not. He went to the NY Knicks. Then to Kentucky. That is the Big Time. He will never coach again at Providence. Ever.

jfrech21: In your opinion, is Jimmy Baron Jr. the best pure shooter in the country?

Kevin McNamara: Yes he is. Look this up, Ram fans. After his first EXHIBITION game as a Ram, I wrote that Jimmy would be the best shooter the state has seen since Joe Hassett. I stand by those words. I love watching shooters and Baron is as good as it gets.

BH: Kevin, what do you think of the new-look Dunk? The locker-rooms (including a flat-screen TV), bigger facility, etc.? Will this lead to a bevy of high-quality recruits? If so, does TW have any more excuses?

Kevin McNamara: The Dunk is in Stage 2 of a three stage process. Right now it looks like a construction zone, or an unfinished project. Like it should. Ask me this next November when everything is in place. Will the Dunk help PC get recruits? Well TWelsh may actually choose to take recruits to the arena in the future. He does not now if someone visits and a game isn't being played. The `new' Dunk is badly needed, for the entire state. But what it does is get PC into the game, not above too many programs. When it is done, I'd still rather see games at a half dozen other Big East arenas.

FriarFan: While were on the subject of mascots, what's your perspective on URI-PC relations? PC got a bad rap last year for the mascot assault but this year PC students were having bottles thrown at them and the Ram in front of the section making obscene gestures but no outcry and newspaper articles. I may be biased but it seems unfair. Do you think its a healthy rivalry between the schools or should it change?

Kevin McNamara: In all honesty, what goes on in the stands with fans is the last thing I'm looking at during a game. I did not see any obscene gestures. They normally `stick out.' I do not think it's a healthy rivalry, for a lot of reasons, but it is a game that should be played. Only once a season, by the way. If the two schools are ever in the same conference (that `aint happening) they'll play twice a season.

Dave: Why did it take Randall Hanke so long to get "game-ready". Specifically why wasn't Tim Welsh called to task on Randall not playing or only playing minimal minutes against Maine and Harvard? Shouldn't those games been critical with regards to Randall's being game-ready??

Kevin McNamara: The kid wasn't ready to play. That's what the Coach determined. Isn't that his job? I wanted to see him play earlier and so did you but it did not happen. Coach's Decision, as Bill Parcells used to say. Good thing is he's playing now.

ALice: Do you think that PC and/or URI will ever be able to compete with teams like DUke, UCLA, Kansas, FLorida or do yuo think they are at best hoping to be " the best of the rest?"

Kevin McNamara: Absolutely. Not. Ever. No chance. Sports are all about talent and Duke, UCLA, Kansas, Florida always get the best players in the country. Can PC/URI occassionally shock one of those schools. No doubt. It's happened. But they will NEVER be able to do it on a consistent basis.

Kevin McNamara: Actually, maybe they can. If PC/URI decides to pay $3 million a year for a big-time coach, it could happen. But that is not going to happen.

gary: What is your true opinion on this Friars team and do they have a shot of winning any postseason games????

Kevin McNamara: I need to see how Sharaud Curry is integrated into a team with a healthy Randalll Hanke and new players like BMckenzie and Greedy to make a proper call. I think it'll take all they have to make the NCAA's. That would be a major achievement. After all, they're all back (save Chuck Burch) next year.

ALice: I agree it is all about coaches facilities, recruits URI/PC does ot have the fan base to afford it.

Kevin McNamara: You got it. But they do have a chance to be competitive on a national basis, just not a top 10 basis every year.

THL: How is 2009 recruiting going for both the Rams and the Friars?

Kevin McNamara: PC is actively chasing a host of good juniors for the class of 2009. That class is not as important for the Rams, who can afford to be a bit more choosy. PC could need as many as 6-7 players so getting a few early is important. Obviously the head coach's contract situation can be hurting that effort.

FriarFan: Hey...I loved Basketball Warfare. How are the sales going? I scooped one up for a Christmas gift....Any plans for another book in the future? Also, did it kill you to have to portray PC so negatively as they had such a poor season?

Kevin McNamara: Gratuitous commercial. Thanks for the kind words. I enjoyed writing the book and it's been received very well. Connecticut's loss to George Mason hurt sales more than anything else. Get your copy now (Borders, Brown Bookstore, Barrington Books). Billy Reynolds and I are signing this Sunday in Barrington.

Kevin McNamara: That's all folks. We will be holding other chats with Journal writers as the season progresses. Thank you for all the good questions.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 2:00 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Projo PatsTalk with Shalise Manza Young

Shalise Manza Young and Mike McDermott discuss the Patriots' win over the Jets and look ahead to potential playoff foes. Click the play button below to listen and watch.

Here are some excerpts from Shalise's comments:

On the defensive line: "Having Seymour back at 100 percent means that Jarvis Green and he can keep switching back and forth, and they can stay fresh and theoretically they can be more effective that way. The only problem right now is, without Mike Wright, you're kind of thin at backup for Vince Wilfork at nose tackle. LeKevin Smith is technically the backup right now, but he's a little bit untested in that role, so we'll see what happens with that -- if they might have to switch to a 4-3 a little bit more often than they have in the past."

On Laurence Maroney: "If you look at his numbers, for the 25 or 26 carries that he had on Sunday, there wasn't a single negative run. And I think that's the most important thing, because if you look back at his other games this year, he's had several runs for losses, whether it was one yard or two yards. And that's just not what the Patriots want. They want him to gain four yards, help keep the defense honest on the other side of the ball, so that they're not keying in on that receiving group all the time."

On Kelley Washington: "I've talked to him about it [and] he's said it took him a little while to get adjusted to the idea that he wasn't going to be on the field with his offense. And I think if you look at his snaps, it's been maybe a dozen snaps all season that he really has been on the field with the offense. He was signed as a free agent in March, and they didn't bring Randy Moss in until the end of April, and that really changed things for [Washington], because without Randy he may have played a bigger role in the offense, and who knows what the result might have been. ... He's definitely made a contribution [on special teams], and like he told me, the fact that he's on the field is better than not being on the field at all, so he'll take the role that he has, and he obviously he's excelled at it.

Toughest potential first-round playoff foe? "Jacksonville's a really tough team. I think they proved that Sunday, winning in Pittsburgh. ... I think if Jacksonville comes up here it will be a really big game. I don't really expect it to be a high-scoring game, and the Patriots really need to clamp down their run defense, and probably make David Garrard beat them with his arm, and see if you can get him to do that."

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 12:27 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Download today's Sports cover

Read how Patriots' defensive lineman Richard Seymour is returning to top form as the team closes in on an undefeated season with another Super Bowl win as the ultimate goal. Also, URI might be leaning towards one of its own as the school's new football coach; and Bill Reynolds weighs in on the Major League Baseball substance abuse problem.
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Posted by Rich Lee  at 8:01 AM | Permalink | Comments 0