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Patriots to honor young fan booed in Indianapolis

Patriots owner Robert Kraft sat behind his wide desk and marveled at how his team's jersey could be the target of so many boos — even when it's worn by a 14-year-old girl.

This wasn't Randy Moss or Rodney Harrison hearing the catcalls. They're used to it.

This was Anna Grant, a high school freshman who had worked hard to win the Punt, Pass & Kick competition in her age group as the team's representative.

When she was introduced along with the other winners before the fourth quarter of San Diego's playoff win last Sunday, she was the only one booed by the crowd in Indianapolis, home of New England's fiercest rival.

“Why should a champion be booed?” the boss of the three-time Super Bowl winners said Tuesday. “She won an intensive competition. She's supposed to be honored.”

His team is getting the same reaction — not because of the spying incident in the season opener but because fans like to see teams at the top get knocked off, he said. If the Chargers can't do it Sunday, New England will be headed to its fourth Super Bowl in seven seasons.

But first comes the coin flip before the AFC championship and Grant will be out on the field for that, invited by Kraft, who felt badly that she had been booed.

“What I decided is that we would honor her here before this game,” Kraft said in an interview in his office filled with photos, footballs and other memorabilia. “We will recognize her as the winner on the field. Our fans will know.”

Grant returned from school Tuesday and heard a phone message from Andre Tippett, the Patriots' executive director of community affairs and a former star linebacker.

She called back and was ecstatic when Tippett extended the invitation — plus tickets for her, her parents and two brothers — to take part.

“I was just in shock,” she said.

Kraft knows the hoots were not directed at the high school freshman from Stratham, N.H., about 20 miles north of the Massachusetts border. It's just that the jersey provokes an instant response, usually a negative one.

Grant also understands, and even smiled when she heard the boos.

“Before I went down there, my friends said, 'You know, you'll probably get booed,'” she said in a telephone interview. “I was kind of waiting for it.

“It really didn't bother me at all,” she added. “People at the game came up to me afterward and said, 'It's not you. It's your jersey.'”

It wasn't always that way.

When Adam Vinatieri's last-play field goal gave the Patriots their first championship as huge underdogs to the St. Louis Rams after the 2001 season, red, white and blue confetti — not boos — poured down in the Louisiana Superdome.

It came less than five months after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

“I remember saying when I hoisted the (championship) trophy, 'We are all Patriots and tonight the Patriots are world champions,'” Kraft said. “We were the underdogs. No one expected (it). Now what's happened is, we've had a modicum of success.

“I noticed it with the second title that we went after. Already people had switched and I think people outside of New England want to see different (winners). It's sort of like the Yankees. There was a resentment, but a respect for the Yankees.”

The Yankees have declined since their dominance of the late 90s. The Patriots are better than ever, perhaps the best team in NFL history.

“Jealousy and envy comes in the more you win and people say, 'Give someone else a chance and let someone else do it,'” Kraft said. “I understand that.”

It's better than the alternative.

Before he bought the team in January 1994, the Patriots had missed the playoffs for the previous seven seasons. In just his third year, they were in the Super Bowl — losing to Green Bay in the same building where they would win their first title five years later.

At least fans care now, even if they boo.

“I see it as sort of respect in a way,” Kraft said. “I think 15 years ago, 18 years ago, someone could have worn our jersey and I just think there would have been no reaction.”
Grant plans to wear some Patriots apparel again Sunday, probably a hat. The reaction will be much warmer.

“In a way, the fact that this young lady was booed is a compliment to the New England Patriots fans because we're relevant,” Kraft said. “And, we're good.”

--AP

Posted by Corey Bourassa  at 8:09 PM to Patriots | Permalink | Comments 0

Warwick's Dan Wheeler avoids arbitration, signs with Rays

Relief pitcher Dan Wheeler and the Tampa Bay Rays avoided arbitration, agreeing Tuesday to a $2,875,000, one-year contract.

The 30-year-old right-hander was obtained in a trade that sent Ty Wigginton to Houston last July. Wheeler was 0-5 with a 5.76 ERA in 25 appearances for the Rays after going 1-4 with a 5.07 ERA in 45 games with the Astros.

Wheeler's 216 appearances over the past three years are the eighth-most in the major leagues. He set career highs for innings (74 2-3) and strikeouts (82) in 2007, including 26 strikeouts in 25 innings for Tampa Bay.

Wheeler, who earned $2.1 million last season, has appeared in 71 or more games each of the last three years. In addition to his base salary in 2008, he can earn an additional $25,000 for making 65 appearances.

--AP

Posted by Corey Bourassa  at 8:06 PM to Pro Baseball | Permalink | Comments 0

Bruins' Lucic named to Rooke All-Star team

Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic has been named to the NHL's Eastern Conference team for the YoungStars competition.

The event will be held Jan. 26 as part of All-Star weekend.

Lucic, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound left wing, has four goals and five assists in 39 games in his rookie NHL season. He was drafted by the Bruins in 2006 and has played for the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League, where he was the team's MVP last year with 30 goals and 38 assists.

--AP

Posted by Corey Bourassa  at 8:05 PM to Bruins | Permalink | Comments 0

Game of the Day poll: North Kingstown at Hendricken boys basketball

In our newest feature, we're asking HSGameTime readers to vote on the winner of the high school game we'll be watching closely on any given night. Tomorrow night, that game will be undefeated Hendricken hosting North Kingstown in boys basketball. You can vote on the winner until 3:30 tomorrow; we'll post the poll results here at the end of the day, and you'll be able to find a gallery of game photos on Thursday.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 3:40 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Kevin McNamara's college hoops transcript

Kevin McNamara: Hello college hoops fans. Just left the TV where George Mitchell is going on and on about his steroids report. Needless to say, spending an hour with you folks is more enjoyable. Keep the questions coming. We have about a half dozen in the Q right now.

THL: Good afternoon. During the last chat I asked about the field for next year's Annaheim Classic. You told me that you would check on it. Were you successful?

Kevin McNamara: I am sorry but I have not checked. I promise to follow up on that and get the teams in the paper this week. Thanks for reminding me.

Friar Rob: Kevin, thanks for your terrific coverage of college hoops. Keep up the good work. What is the story with Curry redshirting this season? I thought the decision had to be made before the USF game?

Kevin McNamara: Thanks for the kind words. I do not feel Curry will play this year. With 14 regular season games remaining, I don’t see it as a wise choice for Sharaud to make a comeback. Will he get to close to 100 percent by the end of this season, or perhaps by Feb. 1? I believe he will. But I do not feel playing in 10-12 games helps his future or the teams at this point. He has not practiced at all and just getting him up to game speed and integrating him into the lineup doesn’t make sense to me.

As for the redshirting issue, the act of applying for a redshirt doesn’t occur until a player needs one. In this case, Curry would not have to apply for one until after NEXT season. He has one year of eligibility left that he will use next season. Then he can apply for a fifth year, which he undoubtedly would get. Tim Welsh has taken the stance that there is nothing to talk about with Curry until he is healthy enough to at least practice. We are not there yet. However, I can certainly see the writing on the wall

terwilliger: Kevin Re the foul shots at the end of the uri game sunday. Once the official has awarded a foul shot to a player and he shoots it, doesn't it have to stay in the books? Suppose Jimmy Baron had missed that first shot (one and one-8th team foul), would the URI coach have had the privilege of getting the call switched to Kareem after Duquense scored (potentially) a game winning hoop? (Remember Tyus Edney from UCLA?). It seemed bizarre, and it might be important next time. In my mind the call is akin to a baseball appeal.. Once the next pitch is made (in this case once the foul shot is taken) there is no appeal. The Dukes coach cleverly earned himself two options. In other words two players had to make the same shot!

Kevin McNamara: Good question. The rules do not state that you can't wipe off a foul shot. The officials are obliged, however, to make sure the correct shooter goes to the line. That was the error that the refs corrected. The scenario you bring up is an excellent one. If Baron misses and the Dukes go down and score can URI say the wrong shooter was at the line. I guess they could but since Coach Baron thought jimmy was the one who was fouled, that would not have happened. I will ask on official that one and get back to you. Excellent question.

GoRhodyMA: Kevin - which St. Louis will show up on Thursday, the one that took Dayton to overtime or the one that scored 20 pts vs. GW?

Kevin McNamara: I am willing to give SLU the benefit of the doubt and say they will play tough at home against the Rams. Scoring 20 points in a game is just bizarre, to say the least. The Billikens are better than that, but not very good. They must try to slow the tempo against URI and will certainly do that. I don't see Rick Majerus' best attempts as being good enough. Give the Rams another hard-fought win and a needed road victory. BTW, Dayton's injury to Chris Wright is a major one fo the Flyers. They will be in trouble the next two games, hosting Umass and going to Xavier.

hoop fan: Kevin- Sunday night Len Robbins on the Big East show on SNY said PC was one of the 3 hardest jobs along with South Florida and Seton Hall. He also along with the moderator said PC was lucky to have Welsh. Your thoughts?

Kevin McNamara: First of all, I respect Lenn Robbins a lot. He’s a close friend and we’ve talked about these subjects a lot. The question of which is the hardest job in the Big East is a good one. I think everyone would agree that South Florida tops the list. It’s a football school in a football state, although Billy Donovan has showed that all things are possible and the plethora of talent in the state give Stan Heath a fighting chance, for sure. I also agree that Seton Hall is a tougher job than Providence. The move out of the Meadowlands was a huge positive for the Pirates but moving into a similar sized building (18,500) still is not what college teams need. Not playing on campus hurts all of the Catholic schools very badly and is the reason why Villanova is ahead of the game in that regard. Now which is the third hardest job? Providence looks like it to me. St. John’s would be right after PC but I feel the Red Storm is a good recruiting class away from getting back into the top half of the Big East. Whether the current head coach can deliver that is another question.

PC lacks a lot of things other schools in the league take for granted. The biggest is recruiting ability. Look at the long history of PC hoops. They do it with under-the-radar kids, not studs. Best example is the fact that two high-major kids are in Rhode Island right now: Erik Murphy and Mike Marra. I’d be surprised if PC gets either one. Murphy has 7 schools and PC isn’t one of them. That tells me a lot and it isn’t good.

Is PC lucky to have Tim Welsh? I think PC’s ability to win in the New Big East is unclear right now. This isn’t the league Rick Pitino and Rick Barnes faced. It’s much better and more challenging. Is Welsh the coach to keep PC in the top 6-10 every year in that environment? I am not convinced. This year and next, with a veteran team, will answer that question. Many Big East people feel that the results Welsh has delivered at PC are about what the school should expect. Which Big East jobs do you see as tougher than PC?

Analyst: Kevin - can Brown which lives and dies with the 3 beat out a much more athletic Cornell and a comparable Yale for the League title or will there be too many nites when both McAndrew and Huffman are off to win the12 games it will take to win the title? Have you noticed that is is rare when both of them score 20 or more together (is that a psychological/ sibling rivalry thing)?

Kevin McNamara: I am high on Brown. I think Craig Robinson is doing an excellent job with a team that lacks an awful lot of answers. Obviously, the Bears cannot have a game where Mark McAndrew and Damon Huffman both struggle shooting the ball. Can 1 be good and the other shaky? That wouldn't be good either. I think the good news is the league will be wide open enough for you to stub your toe 2-3 times. I see 11-3 as a Ivy title-winning record. Brown is at Yale Saturday. Needless to say, that is a very big game. The good news is the Bears have played so well on the road this season that I'm sure they are looking forward to the trip.

THL: At this stage of the season have you changed your mind on where the Friars will finish in the BE? An extension of that Q is do you think they will make the Big Dance...and if not, does TW get fired?

Kevin McNamara: I do not think that making the NCAA's is an all-or-nothing proposition for Tim Welsh's future at PC. I feel it should not be. Bob Driscoll has publicly stated that he wants to see continued improvement from the team this season. The loss of Sharaud Curry to injury certainly should be considered and will be. I see the Friars as a 2nd tier Big East team that can still make an NIT-NCAA run but also will have trouble making the Big East Tournament, if you can believe that statement. The difference between 7-8th place and 12th place will be very slim in this conference. I see the Friars fitting in that spot. Obviously, the teams that play with the most consistency will be the ones that qualify for New York and be in position to go to the NIT/NCAA.

joey the ram fan: hi kevin great job with all the info... i know rhody has some decent guys locked up for next year with orion outerbridge and the 5-7 point guard from mass... any others of note and pc is losing only burch so what does the freshman class consist of????

Kevin McNamara: The URI recruiting class holds excellent promise. You mentioned Outerbridge, who is talented but a bit of a project, and Stevie Mejia, who will compete with Marquis Jones for PG playing time. The Rams also like Ryan Brooks, a long 6-8 forward who has played very well in S. Jersey; Canadian athlete Randy Dezourve; and Jamal Wilson, a big-time athlete from Philly. Getting them all academically qualifed is now the focus.

Kevin McNamara: PC has one signee ro replace Burch. They could sign another player for 2008 and the staff is looking at PG and a big man.

ramfan: Kev- you do a great job for both pc and uri, especially for a Cuse grad! thanks, any thoughts on the Friars playing Kale, Hanke and Mcdermott together? with 5 guards rotating, and Hall and Peterson backing up the 3 front spots it could give the friars some size and strength while still keeping the offense flowing and some pressure D out front.

Kevin McNamara: You mentioned virtually everyone on the roster in the frontcourt and that's probably who'll you see play. Tim Welsh clearly likes to use his bench this season and thinks the depth can be a factor. I know that McDermott/Hanke do tire and that's hurt the Friars in the past. If they can get something out of Greedy/Kale/Hall every game, they'll be better for it. Playing McDermott/Hanke/Kale together is not the team's best defensive lineup, by a long shot. I don;t think you'll see that often at all.

terwilliger: Thanks Kevin (re uri foul shooter)I still think that coach Everhart got a two for one special. He must have brought his CVS card to the RYAN center.

Kevin McNamara: I know that CVS is big in Pittsburgh, too. Wouldn't be surprised if Coach Ron is a card-carrier.

mjsback04@hotmail.com: In 2002-03 and 2003-04 PC had the following players: Kabba, McGrath, Douthit, Sanders, Gomes, Augustin, Mills, and Hill. In those two years, PC had as much talent as anyone in the country yet they did not win a tournament game. Do you agree with this assessment? Can you do a where are they now segment on former PC players?

Kevin McNamara: I do not agree with that assessment at all. As much talent as anyone in the country? How about as much talent as anyone in the Northeast! I'd say Boston College (Craig Smith, Jared Dudley, Sean Williams) had more. PC fans always overrate their talent and that's the case this year, too. That PC group has one sure-fire pro (Ryan Gomes) and a fringe one (MDouthit). That's fair talent, not a lot. They needed more, clearly, to make a deeper run in the NCAA's. Now should that team in 2003 have beaten Pacific? Yes. Wonder how that win would change people's perception of the program. By the way, that team would face long, long odds in its second round game: versus Kansas in Kansas City.

chris: Can and will URI go 4-0 leading up to the Dayton rematch? URI has given up too many points vs Dayton and Duquesne compared to previous games...what will they need to do to solidify the defense?

Kevin McNamara: URI's next 4 are at St. Louis, home to GWashington, at the Bonnies and home vs. Richmond. You could say this is the `easiest' stretch of the A-10 season but going on the road twice is never easy. I do agree that Rhody will win all four and host Dayton at 5-1 in the league. The best defense for this team is either better offense or defensive rebounding. They aren't built to be a lock-down defensive team. It's just the way it is. Doing a better job off the defensive boards is key.

GoRhodeIslandURI: Kevin, ESPN Bracket logy has URI a 6 Seed. If/when Rhody makes the Tourney what do you think their seed will be? Also ESPN has PC out do you think PC can make the dance?

Kevin McNamara: As a 6 seed, that means the Rams are one the 20-24 line in the field. Sounds about right. The Rams have a strong RPI and need additional road wins over good teams to solidify their place both in the NCAA field and as a top 5-6 seed. Remember this: URI will face an absolute killer 1st round game in the NCAA unless it someone finds its way into a top four seed, which looks like a stretch. Even then, a 4 plays a 13 seed and those teams are dangerous. So 5 seed, 6 seed, 7 seed. Doesn't matter much. What you want to avoid is a 2nd round matchup against a 1-2 seed.

ramfan: Kev- last question for this week. Coach Baron seems far more creative this year. Can the rams win the A-10 and make a run in the tourney?

Kevin McNamara: Certainly can. Their offensive ability makes them a very dangerous team. Looks around the country at plenty of teams that struggle to score (Michigan State, for one). That will not be a problem for the Rams, almost no matter who they play. Defense and rebounding are the keys for URI to make any kind of a post-season run.

THL: Recruiting----Kevin, with TW's status up in the air, how do you look at current recruiting for the very important 2009 class?

Kevin McNamara: I think it is hard for any recruit to commit to PC without the school commiting to its coach. It's that simple. And, yes, the class of 2009 is a very, very important one if the Friars don't want to take a big-time dip after the McDermott/Hanke/Efejuku/Xavier/Curry/Kale class leaves after next season.

terwilliger: thanks Kevin Coach Baron is the definition of integrity but in theory he could have created that scenario. How loudly would coach Everhart have yelled if Jimmy missed the shot? Ans. not at all! And, how distracted could he have possibly been at that moment (and his assts). not to see that it was Jimmy shooting. I think that he got two for one. It was a great game!

Kevin McNamara: It was a great game. One of the best I've seen this year. You can go `round and `round with the end of the game scenario in that one. Enjoy the spinning!

Kevin McNamara: Almost set to wrap things up guys. Fire away any late 3-pointers.

I HATE PC: will Will Daniels win A-10 player of the year? Or is that Roberts award to lose?

Kevin McNamara: Will Daniels can certainly win the PofY award in the A-10. Roberts has played very well but if the Rams beat Dayton in two weeks and go on to finish 1 or 2 in the conference, I can't see where Will can't be the choice. He's having an outstanding senior season.

ernieDwannabe: Kevin. there are a number of good RI players outside of Marra and Murphy- Can URI or PC help Jerrell Gomes through Juco to the big time, and what about Bruce Sobers in WestWarwick (a GeoffMcdermott clone!)

Kevin McNamara: I hear good things about Gomes and Sobers, although they may not be D-1 prospects. I haven't seen either myself so I don't want to say that for sure. I know that both PC and URI monitor the locals and have AAU ties in Rhode Island. Marra and Murphy, however, are a cut above.

rhody22: Kevin, Baron uses Cothran at the point sometimes. Do you think he can handle those duties?

Kevin McNamara: Keith is an interesting player. I'd say he's a developing offensive player without a true position. A combo, for sure. Defensively, he's as good as you're going to find. I'll take him on my team and over time he has a chance to be very, very good.

rf321: How good is Jeff Xavier ?

Kevin McNamara: Jeff X is very good. A better deep shooter than I realized and PC's fiercest defender. He needs to keep being a stronger leader and shake up a few teammates who don't play as hard as he does. He is another guard I'll happily take on my team.

I HATE PC: How many teams have a better 1-2 scoring punch then URI's dynamic duo of Jimmy Baron and Will Daniels?

Kevin McNamara: Not many. I think that's pretty clear. Don't see another one in the entire A-10.

THL: Bilal Dixon is having a great HS season...can he be an impact player on this Friar team as a freshman....and Thanks for your time today.

Kevin McNamara: Hearing good things on Bilal. Next year he'll have to beat out Hanke, Hall and Kale for playing time. Tough to do.

Kevin McNamara: That's all folks. I'll be back in this forum in a week or two. You can always forward questions to us and either myself or Paul Kenyon will answer them for you. Take care.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 1:34 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Medical examiner: Heart condition killed Toronto pitcher

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Major league pitcher Joe Kennedy was afflicted with a condition that caused his heart to suddenly stop beating at his in-laws' home in November, when he collapsed and later died.

A final report on the 28-year-old player's death on Nov. 23 has not been issued. But an autopsy found he had hypertensive heart disease, a condition that hardens the heart's walls and can cause it to stop beating, said Dr. Vernard Adams, the Hillsborough County medical examiner.

He said the left-hander also had myxoid valvular disease, a condition that affects the way blood flows through a valve that separates the upper and lower chambers on the heart's left side. Both conditions can lead to a higher risk of cardiac arrest.

Adams said medical records indicated that Kennedy had some elevated blood pressure readings and had an electrocardiogram, but those tests would not necessarily reveal either condition.

Hypertensive heart disease "is very common in the general population," Adams said, but "not common in this age group."

Kennedy was a journeyman left-hander who played seven years in the majors and played for three teams during the 2007 season. He had a 43-61 career record with 4.79 ERA in 222 appearances.

He appeared in 27 games with the Oakland Athletics before being released and pitching briefly for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He ended the season with the Toronto Blue Jays, who said they intended to bring him back next season.

Athletics team physician Dr. Allan Pont told the San Francisco Chronicle that Kennedy had a family history of heart disease and the pitcher underwent numerous tests. "There were no abnormalities to suggest anything wrong with his heart," Pont told the newspaper.

A team spokesman did not return a phone message from The Associated Press. A Blue Jays spokesman told the AP he would check with the team's medical staff about any testing or treatment Kennedy may have received.

Kennedy and his family lived in the Denver area and had just bought a new house at the time of this death. He was visiting his in-laws in Brandon, a suburb east of Tampa, and was supposed to attend a wedding the day he died.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 1:11 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Football by the Numbers: Hold on to the ball, win the game

By Michael Salfino
Fantasy Sports Columnist

The recipe for winning playoff games in the NFL is the same as in the regular season.

The main ingredient: limit turnovers. Net turnovers remains the leading winning indicator in NFL football. But not all turnovers are equal. Interceptions are far more costly than lost fumbles. I speculate why below in the player recommendations.

The one lost fumble that is almost as costly as a pick is the one that comes following a sack. But there are no qualifiers for interceptions. Each one costs the team that threw it six points, on average, according to many years of regression analysis. It's difficult to make those points up in other areas. Teams that throw fewer interceptions than their opponents are 5-0 thus far in the playoffs.

A hair below turnovers is averaging more yards per pass attempt (YPA). Sack yards must be included (they are in team stats, never in player stats). Teams with better YPA than their opponents are 7-1 to date this postseason. The one outlier, Pittsburgh, threw one more pick than the Jaguars in Week 18.

Throw for the worse YPA while tossing more picks and you're losing 95 percent of the time.

I've extolled the virtues of the next tier of key stats: third-down efficiency, controlling the ball with "move" plays (runs plus completions) and getting into the red zone more times than your opponent (irrespective of what you do once you get there). Teams winning any one of these categories do not have winning records thus far in the postseason, which is only mildly suprising. Other stats have a negligible impact on who wins and loses.

On to this week's games:

San Diego tries to end New England's perfect season a week after shocking Indy with a bunch of backups on offense. Whoever plays will have success against the mediocre Patriots defense. But you can't stop Tom Brady with the NFL defensive equivalent of a batting practice fastball. The Jaguars last week tried to rush four and drop seven. Two Brady passes hit the ground all night. The Chargers need to really go after him with the heat of six or seven rushers, or sit back with eight or nine guys in coverage. Since NFL defensive coordinators are really bad at thinking outside the box: Patriots 38, Chargers 20.

The Giants have played around Eli Manning this postseason. Last week, they were outgained by more than 100 yards from scrimmage and managed only 57 yards the entire second half. Dallas had the ball for 13 more minutes. But the Giants averaged 7.7 YPA to 5.0 for the Cowboys, and Tony Romo threw one pick to none for Manning. The snow could not cool down Brett Favre last week. New York will have to blitz him heavily, like they did Romo with great success in the fourth quarter last week. The Giants have allowed 5.12 YPA this postseason against the No. 10 and No. 2 YPA QBs in football. Now they go against No. 5 (Favre). Expect the defense takes a step back this week. Manning won't step up. Despite being wrong about the Giants three weeks straight: Packers 31, Giants 20.

Now some player recommendations.

Buy

Ryan Grant, RB, Packers: This Giants summer castoff overcame two early lost fumbles versus the Seahawks. When that happens, coaches don't change the game plan. Throw two early picks, however, and they pack away the passing game with mothballs. Grant is running as well as any back in football.

Hold

Randy Moss, WR, Patriots: His matchup with fellow freak Antonio Cromartie is the key individual battle of Week 20. Cromartie is Moss' equal in all athletic measurables, something Moss has never seen.

Sell

Michael Turner, RB, Chargers: LaDainian Tomlinson says he'll play despite a hyper-extended knee. He'll likely be limited if he does. The over/under on Chargers rushes is low because the Patriots are going to score at least 30 points.

Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers: He's a punk, getting into a trash-talking match with Indy fans moments after San Diego held off Peyton Manning on fourth down. This follows a shouting match with the Broncos sideline in Week 16. His sprained MCL didn't shut him up, but is typically a one-month injury. Even if he plays, he won't be able to practice.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 12:41 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Doctor sentenced in multistate steroid case

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - A former doctor was sentenced to prison for 3 to 6 years on charges stemming from Albany County prosecutors' multistate investigation into illegal sales of steroids and other drugs.

Ana Santi, 69, pleaded guilty in March to a single felony count of criminal diversion of prescription medications as part of a plea agreement. She was sentenced Monday by Judge Stephen Herrick, a court clerk said.

A 13-count count indictment in January charged the Queens resident with signing prescriptions for Internet customers of a Florida-based health clinic without ever seeing them, signing prescriptions without a valid medical license and forging the name of another doctor.

Santi's New York license to practice medicine was revoked in 1999.

In November, she was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Providence to two years in federal prison for writing illegal prescriptions for a New Jersey-based business.

So far, 11 people have pleaded guilty in Albany County District Attorney P. David Soares' probe into Internet sales of prescription drugs. It is illegal in New York for doctors to write prescriptions for patients they don't see in person.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 11:26 AM | Permalink | Comments 0

Congress asks Justice Department to investigate Miguel Tejada

WASHINGTON (AP) - Congress is asking the Justice Department to investigate whether former AL MVP Miguel Tejada lied to House committee staff when he was interviewed in 2005 in connection with the Rafael Palmeiro steroids case.

House Oversight and Government Committee chairman Henry Waxman opened Tuesday's hearing into the Mitchell Report about drug use in baseball by announcing that he and ranking minority member Tom Davis were sending a letter to the Justice Department on Tuesday.

"Tejada told the committee that he never used illegal performance-enhancing drugs and that he had no knowledge of other players using or even talking about steroids," Waxman said. "Well, the Mitchell Report, however, directly contradicts key elements of Mr. Tejada's testimony."

Said Davis: "We've concluded further investigation is warranted."

When the same House panel held a hearing in March 2005, Palmeiro pointed at the panel and declared: "I have never used steroids, period." Palmeiro was suspended by baseball later that year after testing positive for a steroid.

The committee later looked into whether Palmeiro should face perjury charges, but eventually dropped the matter.

Palmeiro said his positive test must have resulted from a B-12 vitamin injection given to him by Tejada. That prompted Congress to talk to Tejada, who at the time was a Baltimore Orioles teammate of Palmeiro's. Tejada was traded to the Houston Astros on Dec. 12.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 10:01 AM | Permalink | Comments 0

Download today's Sports cover

Bill Reynolds says the numbers add up to make Patriots quarterback Tom Brady No. 1, and read Kevin McNamara's story on the unusual PC-UConn hoops "tradition."
Download file

Posted by Rich Lee  at 9:30 AM | Permalink | Comments 0

Noon today: Talk PC and URI hoops with Kevin McNamara

Kevin McNamara will answer your questions on Tuesday at noon in our next projoSports hoops chat. While we said in today's newspaper that this would be a PC chat specifically, Kevin is happy to take your URI questions as well. You can send your questions to Kevin now: go to projo.com/chat, click launch chat, pick a display name (you don't need a password) and enter the college hoops chat room.

Remember not to press enter or click send until you have completed your thought. Questions will display to the room as Kevin answers them on Tuesday.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 9:15 AM | Permalink | Comments 0

Live video of congressional steroid hearings at 9:30

AP Video will have live coverage of today's congressional hearings into steroids in baseball. Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig and players union president Donald Fehr will testify before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Click here at 9:30 to watch the video.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 8:35 AM to Red Sox | Permalink | Comments 0