The Huddle

Send the Snow North: 2010 Vancouver Olympics

2010-02-09T02:12:28Z

I already don't like the snow. I am originally from Puerto Rico and grew up in Houston, TX. My idea of winter is 70 degrees and a light sweater...this despite four years near Boston and the last nine years in New York. I do love to play in the snow. I am like a 5 year old when it comes to that but as a 33 year old mother of a 5 year old, I hate the shoveling, starting the car to warm it up before school, and wiping the paws off the pups before they come inside. I say all of this so that you know I am a little bias when I say: SNOW GO AWAY! Honestly though, I am speaking for those at the Vancouver Olympics. The games begin in just 4 days but athletes are struggling because of one of the warmest winters around. Vancouver needs the snow not DC, Jersey or NY!

The current snowfall totals to 20 to 30 inches across Virginia to Southern New Jersey. Meanwhile, temperatures are expected to remain about 3 degrees Celcius or just over 37 F at Cypress Mountain, just north of Vancouver, which will host the freestyle and snowboard events. Officials have been trucking in loads of snow since the beginning of the month, from as far as two hours away just to keep the mountain fresh. Only athletes and their coaches are allowed on the slopes and practices have been limited. The first medal event is the women's moguls on Saturday and there is still a 60 percent chance of rain which does not make for good conditions. So hey Mother Nature, do me a favor and send some snow North of us! Let's make this an Olympics where the competition won't be determined (so much) on the weather conditions but on pure heart, talent and who wants it more.

Betty White, Um, I Mean Saints Win Super Bowl

2010-02-08T04:30:15Z

Kudos to you if you had the Saints winning by two touchdowns. Not sure anyone saw that one coming (full disclosure, I had Colts 32, Saints 23).

It also seems like the NFL is finally out of it’s rut of crappy Super Bowls. How’s this for three in a row; Giants-Patriots, Steelers-Cardinals and now Saints-Colts.

Granted the score tonight was a bit lopsided, but the game was definitely not indicative of the final score.

Some early thoughts:

I’m always happy to see a team win the big one for the first time…and how can you not be thrilled for New Orleans.

Surely those folks can still use all the attention and good will they can get, and this should be a boon for the city at least in the short term.

Peyton Manning finally got bested by an opposing defense this season.

Didn’t we all get the feeling in the AFC title game that Manning would light up the Jets after making halftime adjustments??

]]> I didn’t get that same inkling tonight once the 3rd quarter began. I knew the Saints had some tricks left up their sleeves that Peyton hadn’t yet decoded.

Jeremy Shockey can finally say he played on a Super Bowl winner and ACTUALLY played in their championship game. Not only that, he scored what proved to be the go-ahead touchdown.

I liked Shockey when he was in New York and was surprised how quickly he wore out his welcome and fell out of favor. Good for him that he finally caught on somewhere where his contributions are appreciated.

Is it time to start bashing Jim Caldwell for making the “we’re not trying to have a perfect season, we’re just trying to win the Super Bowl” decision? How’d that one work out for him. Guess we’ll never know if going for 19-0 would have made a difference in the game tonight.

From an X’s and O’s standpoint, I think you do point the blame at Caldwell for going for the 51 yard field goal early in the 4th. Instead of giving the ancient Matt Stover that shot (what were the chances he hit that, really….40% at best??), Indy should have realized field position was the game at that point and punted.

Best commercial? It was a run away in the sports office: Betty White and Abe Vigoda in the Snickers ad.

Betty’s line “that’s not what your girlfriend said” was the highlight of the entire night.

(According to Chris, Betty’s a nasty ol’ girl with a mind firmly entrenched in the gutter…apparently things got a little frisky back in the ‘Match Game’ days.).

All in all, another excellent Super Bowl with good football, a great storyline and a fantastic cameo by a Golden Girl.

Matt Estreich for The Huddle

Little-Known Knicks Tradition

2010-02-06T04:01:46Z

For a team with a proud history the Knicks have one tradition that not many people might now about; yours truly included.

It turns out that when a Knick who’s had his number retired passes away, the team switches his retired player banner in the MSG rafters from white in color to blue.

The last time the Knicks put this neat tradition into practice was during the 2003 season when Dave Debusschere passed away.

According to the custom the banner remains blue for the remainder of the season that is underway when the player passed.

Of course this all comes to light again with the recent passing of Hall of Famer Dick McGuire.

Before tonight’s game against the Bucks, McGuire’s white banner was lowered and replaced by the blue one seen below.

It’ll of course remain that way for the rest of 2010, so if you happen to check out a Knicks game at the Garden, you’ll know why it’s that way.

Matt Estreich for The Huddle

WHY?...WHY?...No Orlando Hudson...WHY?

2010-02-06T01:45:08Z

So if you haven't heard: Orlando Hudson is now a Twin. Minnesota ponied up $5 million and a 1 year contract to have Hudson play 2nd base. Hudson made his second all-star team, and ultimately won his fourth Gold Glove Award this season while with the Dodgers. BUT...for a second straight offseason, teams held off on him until the end. I don't get it! What I really don't get though, is why the Mets didn't snatch up a guy who is a bonefide veteran infielder.

The Mets weren't even in the hunt for the 32 year old second baseman who batted .283 with 35 doubles, six triples and nine home runs in 149 games with the Dodgers last season. A switch-hitter, he has a .282 career batting average. UGH! I am so angry ...not even a decent attempt. Couldn't the folks at Citi Field find $5 million? I know there is the issue with the money/time left with Luis Castillo but eat the dough and get someone who can do something! Not every trade is the best one but you don't stop making your team better just because you made one bad deal in the past. So now Hudson goes to Minnesota and the Mets will have to settle...let's hope Castillo stays healthy at least...

Come on...Really? The SI Cover of Lindsey Vonn

2010-02-05T00:54:51Z

So when I received my weekly Sports Illustrated, I was immediately taken aback. I was psyched Lindsey Vonn was on the cover but the picture...come on...

Maybe my mind is in the gutter but I initially laughed, said whoa (still giggling), then I thought, this is inappropiate. I mean...YES, she's technically in a skiing position but did they have to show it in this way? Couldn't they have angled the picture or taken it with her facing the reader, almost as if she was coming at you? That would have been cool.

So in case, it was just me, I walked around the newsroom with the magazine to get other people's opinions. I walked up to my coworkers and basically said, "hey, take a look at this" (straight face, did not want to sway anyone). Most had the eyebrows raised reaction or the "oh wow, that's an interesting pose" comment. Not one person had the desire to read more about Lindsey: the awesome, world class skier. There were some crude jokes and crass unmentionables but hey...it's a newsroom. Most people were as questioning as I am about the cover. What do you think? Take a better look after the break (I feel a little guilty too-like I am perpetuating the picture faux pas), but I want your opinions! Also check out some cool facts about Mrs. Vonn:

]]>

*Married to US skier and fellow member of 2002 team Thomas Vonn (her coach), 25 years old

*World class alpine skier

*Going for a record 5 Gold medals at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics: Has said that people are "Phelpsing her" in a reference to 8 Gold medal winner, Swimmer Michael Phelps at the 2008 Summer Olympics
(NO US alpine skier has ever won more than two Olympic medals in a career, no less at one Olympic games)

* Hasn't won an Olympic medal

* Has used Men's skis for the past year (makes her faster but is risky)

*At 17 years old, placed 6th at the 2002 Olympics, 2005 World Championship placed 4th, 2006 Olympics in Turin--took a terrible fall during practice, people thought she had broken her back--bruised hip; still participated in race and finished 8th. TOUGH AS NAILS!!!

*Vonn is a favorite at the 2010 Olympics in three races: the downhill, the super-G (or super-giant slalom) and the super-combined...all speed events.

*Vonn earned her first "big race" medals with silver in both downhill and Super-G at the 2007 World Championships

More To The Bird Than Meets The Eye

2010-02-04T23:47:16Z

The other day I blasted Rex Ryan for stupidly giving the finger to a fan at an MMA event in Miami over the weeked No matter what, Rex has to watch himself out in public. Like it or not, his boisterous personality and presence represent the Jets and the National Football League everywhere he goes. But today brought some insightthat might make the Jets rethink the 50K fine they leveled on their coach.

]]> Jay Glazer of Fox Sports appeared was interviewed on WFAN this morning. Glazer is an NFL Insider AND a leading reporter and follower of Mixed Martial Arts. He knows plenty about the world of MMA that is dominated by a fan base of males 18-34. Glazer was with Ryan at the Strikeforce event. Glazer claims that one unruly guy accosted Ryan 3 different times. He says the first two times, Ryan good naturedly took the verbal abuse and was very low kwy. Only after he was spit on by the jerk did Ryan respond with the largest finger available.

Glazer claims that security was totally lacking. There was never any effort to throw out the offending fan or even keep him away from Ryan. Apparently Ryan has told all this to the Jets, and Gang Green still fined Rex 50 thousand dollars. But despite Ryan's wrongdoing in this, there are a few points that have to be made:

1. Where the heck WAS security? Not only from an arena standpoint, but even Showtime, which aired the event. You have a guest or a celebrity on site, you damn well better make sure that guest is protected and kept away from potential idiots in the crowd. What would we be talking about if Ryan had been drunk, or even had a bad day, and went after a jackass in the stands? The same idiots that are telling their friends "I got Rex 50K lighter in the wallet" or "I took the cell phone picture that is all over the media", would be suing Ryan's hefty behind for major dough.

2. We tend to focus on the athletes, but is it any wonder why ANY public figure wouldn't consider carrying a gun? I know of a prominent news anchor who had a registered weapon at all times-and wasn't afraid to tell loudmouth viewers on the phone that he had one. I'm not saying Ryan-or ANY celebrity-should have such a Wild West attitude. But in today's world, you never know what to expect-no matter how trustful a society we want to be. ItThe rich and famous see this and they might think, "If there's no protection for me at a sports event, what about on the street?"

If Glazer is correct about what happened Sunday, we can all be thankful Ryan's dealings with a moron didn't turn into something tragic.

WATCH: Nate In; Duhon Out At PG

2010-02-04T21:18:14Z

Many Knicks fans' prayers were answered this morning when Mike D’Antoni sidled up to Nate Robinson at the free throw line in the team’s practice facility and told him to be ready to start at point guard tomorrow night against the Bucks.

We were at practice and got reaction from both D’Antoni and Robinson about the lineup switch (listen after the jump).

Ironically, Nate’s start comes against Milwaukee and Brandon Jennings…the guy the Knicks should have taken in the draft, which would have rendered this conversation moot; but that’s a whole different story.

Robinson’s rise to the starting rotation came in part because of last night’s third quarter surge against the Wizards, where Nate led the way to a 107-85 win.

And thank goodness, because I don’t know how much longer I could watch Chris Duhon run this team into the ground.

He’s a good guy and all, but it’s about time D’Antoni turned the keys to this season over to Nate.

At the moment the Knicks are 4.5 games out of the 8th spot in the East, and seeing how Milwaukee is a team they have to jump to get into the postseason, tonight’s a good night to start the Rob-olution (that’s Robinson + Revolution, in case you were confused).

At this point in the season the Knicks have nothing to lose and everything to gain by trying to become more athletic.

In the short term it should mean more steals and diving for loose balls and, who knows, by April Nate could will this team into a playoff spot.

If all else fails, watching Robinson with the ball in his hands every possession will be reason enough to watch Knicks games the rest of the season.

You never know when he’ll pop for 40 or dunk on a 7-footer.

Here’s Coach and Nate at practice today:

]]>

Matt Estreich for The Huddle

Boxing For A Cause

2010-02-04T03:57:29Z

There’s a great story brewing at the 83rd Annual Daily News Golden Gloves this year….the story of Sebastien Smarth, who’s participation in the event is raising awareness for Haitian relief.

Smarth was profiled in today’s Daily News, and we caught up with him tonight after his win at Club Amazura in Jamaica.

Sebastien spoke candidly with us about his personal struggles to rise above negative influences in his neighborhood and also what he’s going through in the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti.

Though a native New Yorker, Smarth still has family in Haiti and he starts off the interview with an incredibly sad story about the fate of one of his family members.

Two dollars from every ticket sold tonight went to a Haitian relief fund.

After listening to the interview, you’ll no doubt want to keep an eye on Sebastien as he makes his way through the tournament.

Check it out after the jump:

]]>

Matt Estreich for The Huddle

Danica Patrick & Michael Strahan on Drive4COPD

2010-02-04T00:04:32Z

Nascar driver Danica Patrick and Former NY Giant Michael Strahan are lending their names to a cause dear to them. DRIVE4COPD is a public health initiative to alert millions of Americans who may be at risk for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Danica speaks of her grandmother's battle with emphysema... Strahan about his uncle after the break and in our Video Player.

Emmy-nominated actor Jim Belushi, Olympic gold medalist Bruce Jenner, Grammy Award-winning country music star Patty Loveless, Strahan and Patrick will drive 6,000 miles across the country in four days. The team will call on people to complete a five-question screener to see if they're at risk for this common disease. The screener can be found at http://DRIVE4COPD.com.

The "race" starts on Feb. 13 after Loveless debuts the song she composed for the campaign at Daytona International Speedway, prior to the DRIVE4COPD 300.

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
COPD is a general term for several lung diseases that includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema and chronic asthma. COPD adds to the work of the heart, since the amount of oxygen that goes to the blood may be reduced. One of the primary causes of COPD is cigarette smoking. Air pollution and occupational dusts may also contribute to COPD, especially if the person exposed to these substances is a smoker.

]]>

Super Bowl XLIV: Stop talking about it...

2010-02-03T20:55:35Z

Is anyone else tired of the around the clock coverage of the nothing that is the week leading up to the Super Bowl? Even media day was a bore...oohhh DE Dwight Freeney might not play. He is waiting to see how his ankle feels. HELLO?!? It will be, like it always is, a game time decision or maybe day before...let's stop speculating and asking him the same questions over and over again. I get that the ESPN's have to be there but why bore me with guests who are running in circles with the exact same comments day in, day out?

If something happens then report on it, if not, hey...try getting interesting with stories. What are the families of the players doing? Investigate the team rules on how much "fun" the players can really have this week? Do something outside the box or funny! If the Jets would have gone to the Super Bowl, that's what we were going to do. Put together a bunch of side stories that are more interesting (hopefully!) than the same old, same old. I think our sister station WXIN-TV in Indy has been doing a good job with differentiating their coverage. ( I was just there so I have been checking their stuff) Anyway, I can't wait until Sunday....OF COURSE, for the game!!!...but also to stop the "Super Bore" (that was Matt's line) that is the week before.

Knicks: Playoffs?

2010-02-03T04:20:55Z

In the immortal words of Jim Mora... "Playoffs... don't talk to me about Playoffs... u kidding me?" I feel like the Knicks should have that attitude... until they start playing better, that is. They've lost 9 of their last 12... a couple of them against much weaker teams... They practiced Tuesday as they get ready for 3 games in the next 4 days including Saturday against Lebron James and the Cavaliers. We spoke to a few of the Knicks and got their takes on where this Knickerbocker team is going. LISTEN IN!!

]]>

Musings On Rex, The Mets & Bernie

2010-02-02T03:11:35Z

We've hit February, boys and girls. It's quiet for a little while before spring training begins in about 2 weeks. But of course I have to put my two cents in on:

Rex Ryan: NOT the best move for The Wonder Coach, giving Dolphins fans the finger at an MMA event in Miami. Ryan is now Rex the Idiot. He may be Everyman, Mr. Average guy to Jets fans,but he has to show some class when representing the organization. After all, Ryan is a VERY large public figure. Lost in the event Sunday: Herschel Walker won his Strikeforce debut.

A Real Pain: The Mets are being blasted again, this time by former set up guy J.J. Putz. Seerms the Mets told Putz not to tell the press about his elbow injury, which ended his season in May. The Mets claim they KNEW Putz was hurting but were told he could pitch through the pain. This reeks of Ryan Church, Jose Reyes, Carlos Delgado and Carlos Beltran. Is it any wonder so many players turned the Mets down this offseason. I wouldn't want to catch a cold anywhere near Citi Field this season.

Playing For A Cause: Good guy former Yankee Bernie Williams, headling an evening of guitar jams at Feinstein's at Loews Regency in Manhattan. Proceeds for the event goes to Ed Randall's Bat For The Cure Charity. The WFAN "Talking Baseball" host has raised a lot of money to fight and increase awareness of the threat of prostate cancer. Check out Bernie on the video board, then go to erbatforthecure.org.

Rex Ryan may be a great football coach, but he could use a lesson in dignity from the former centerfielder in the Bronx.

What do we do with the Pro Bowl?

2010-02-01T06:27:54Z

They call the very last person picked in the NFL Draft Mr. Irrelevant. They should have a similar name for the Pro Bowl. None of the 4 major sports has an All Star Game that is worth a damn... but football's is really the bottom of the barrel. For years, they held the Pro Bowl the week after the Super Bowl. This year, they tried something different... They held it the week before the Super Bowl with similar results... WHO CARES!?!

I guess they were trying to get more interest in the game. Because after all... after the Super Bowl nobody really cares about any type of football. I like the thought process... We have this useless 2 week period between Championship Sunday and Super Bowl Sunday, why not try to get the Pro Bowl in there? But sadly, it's just not gonna work.

]]> The main reason is that nobody plays. Nobody from either Super Bowl team is going risk their players getting hurt even in a game that is very soft and has little or no defense. So, what happens is that the talent for a supposed "All Star" game gets watered down because none of the big stars are in the game. Matt Schaub played behind center for the AFC and was named MVP of the game on Sunday. No disrespect to Schaub but I'm sure he's not the first guy you think of when you think of the top AFC quarterbacks. Its like watching an NBA All Star game and instead of Kobe Bryant, you're watching Andre Iguodala... Just not the same. The honor is being named to the team. Most players only care about that, then they skip the actual game. Before this year, the only draw would be a trip to Hawaii. This year's squad got didn't even get that! Although, the game will go back to Honolulu for the next 2 years.

I will say this... attendance for this year's game was actually very good... But the stadium cleared out in the second half because of the tropical weather in Miami... Yes, rain. I have to borrow a line from a certain overweight Sports Radio Talk Show Host who bellows: "I wouldn't watch the Pro Bowl if they played it in my backyard." While I despise his smugness, I agree with his sentiment. So I really don't have a solution. I don't know that there is one. If anyone has one, leave a comment and let me know. By the way... the AFC beat the NFC 41-34... Yawn!

Inspirational Journey

2010-01-30T00:51:02Z

Question: Have you ever made a 1,378 mile trip? Maybe by plane, sure. By car-maybe. Well how about if you made the trip by car, and if you left Friday afternoon, HAD to be done by Sunday afternoon-no matter what? That might make the journey tough. Well, that trip is being made as we speak, and for good reason.

]]> EveryBODY Skates New Jersey is a project sponsored by USA Hockey and the Eastern Special Hockey Association designed to promote hockey as a worthwhile occupational and recreational therapy for the physically challenged. With that in mind, 11 of the area's best disabled hockey players will be making a trek this weekend to visit ALL 54 hockey rinks within the state of New Jersey.

11 players from the area are making the trip, all elite athletes. Two will represent TEAM USA at this year's Paralympic Games. Among the 11 making the trip, Retired Sgt. First Class Joseph Bowser, was injured serving our nation in Iraq. He had his right leg amputed, yet because of his love of hockey, is still able to hit the ice and compete.

The 54 hour trek ends Sunday in Newark at the Prudential Center before the Devils host the Kings. My congratulations to "EveryBODY Skates New Jersey" Co-Founder Jon Schwartz, himself a coach, and his crew. If this event gets 1 person with a disability out and about, so much the better.

So, if you're near a rink, check out www.everybodyskates.com to see the schedule for the weekend. There are 55 teams in various leagues the state of New Jersey for players to compete in. You can also learn more at
www.americanspecialhockey.org

New York Knicks: Time's Running Out...

2010-01-30T00:22:45Z

The math is starting to catch up with the Knicks... They've played 45 games which means they have 37 left... Thirty seven games to make up 4 1/2 games in the standings to make the 8th and final playoff spot in the east... The Knicks have been highly inconsistent lately... Their last 3 games are a perfect example... They get blown out by 50 at home against the Mavericks... 50!! Then they blow out Minnesota by 27. Then they lose a nail biter by two to the Raptors. Who can figure this team out??? Hopefully Mike D'Antoni can... because he wants to get them into the playoffs since their draft pick will go to Utah anyway... Oh if they didn't have that New Jersey Net-like start this year... They'd be in such better shape! We caught up to D'Antoni and he spoke about bouncing back after that tough loss to the Raptors. Listen in!!