Episode 27: Let's Go Crazy

As we rejoin our favorite NERDs...the guys break try to make some sense of the NFL Lockout (they don't) and run through the top portion of the draft. Oh and Marcas makes Cacique jealous by bragging about going to see Prince for $25.

Kobe Fakes Ankle Injury- Dunks On Okafor!

Bill Walsh Picked Montana As A Favor!

Bill Wash is a guru throughout the league; he is the “Godfather” of the West Coast Offense. There is no doubt in my mind he is the most influential coach of all-time because he furthered his teaching from the Father of the practice schedule and details beyond belief.
Let’s play a game of what if? What if Bill didn’t get Joe Montana as his QB in the 79’ draft in the 3rd round. This has gone down as the 2nd greatest draft steal in league history. (Tom Brady-Patriots is #1)
What if I told you that he picked “Joe Cool” as a favor to his boss? Sounds far fetched don’t it. Well according to Brian Billick who was a part of the 49er staff at the time thought it was.

In a LAtimes.com article, Chris Defrense talked to Billick and he had this to say:

Billick told The Times that Walsh drafted Montana to appease owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr., a Notre Dame graduate.

Billick said Walsh said, "We'd better take the Notre Dame guy because otherwise my butt is out of here."

With 4 Super Bowls later, it was the best favor to ever give.

Episode 26: Putting Things Together

On the latest episode of NER...the fellas say goodbye to the McCourt family; play another edition of "What's Wrong With The Lakers?" and Marcas asks for a time refund from some popular '80s cartoons.

MLB Takes Over Dodgers Financial Operations

************UPDATE************

The hits just keep on coming for the McCourts and the Dodgers. TMZ is now reporting that both the IRS and the California Franchise Tax Board are looking into the team's finances. Allegedly at issue is the matter of about $145 million taken from the team without any taxes paid.

*******************************************

Bud Selig released a statement on Wednesday stating that Major League Baseball would take over running the day-to-day financial operations of the Dodgers.

Via Bill Shaikin at the LA Times:

"Pursuant to my authority as Commissioner, I informed Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt today that I will appoint a representative to oversee all aspects of the business and the day-to-day operations of the Club. I have taken this action because of my deep concerns regarding the finances and operations of the Dodgers and to protect the best interests of the Club, its great fans and all of Major League Baseball. My office will continue its thorough investigation into the operations and finances of the Dodgers and related entities during the period of Mr. McCourt's ownership. I will announce the name of my representative in the next several days. The Dodgers have been one of the most prestigious franchises in all of sports, and we owe it to their legion of loyal fans to ensure that this club is being operated properly now and will be guided appropriately in the future."

Considering how poorly things have been going for owner Frank McCourt financially, this was almost inevitable. Last week, McCourt took a $30 million loan from Fox to cover operating expenses into the month of May. This was after Selig previously said no to a $200 million loan from Fox to the team.

This also will have some effect on the ongoing divorce proceedings between Frank and his estranged wife, Jamie. Mrs. McCourt released a statement following the announcement saying "as the 50% owner of the Dodgers, I welcome and support the commissioner's actions." That may just be a brave face to put on publicly because, as Josh Fisher over at Dodger Divorce suspects, Jamie's case may not be as strong as it once was.

How the team on the field handles things the rest of the way is anybody's guess. All of the players and coaches have continually done their best to downplay the nasty divorce proceedings between Frank and Jamie McCourt, but it's going to be pretty hard to ignore when the team is wards of the league. This could handcuff general manager Ned Colletti if he thinks he can get help for a struggling bullpen and sluggish offense, since any personnel moves must go through the league office first.

San Diego State's Rocky Long Calls Boise Turf "Unfair"

Thanks to their enormous success, Boise State was everyone's rival when they played in the WAC. The Broncos have yet to officially lace 'em up in the Mountain West and they're already taking shots from others around the conference.

This time it's San Diego State head coach Rocky Long who sounded off about the Broncos and their famous blue turf.

Via Brian Murphy at The Idaho Statesman:

"I think they ought to get rid of that blue turf. I think it's unfair," said Long, the former New Mexico coach who is in his first season as the Aztecs' head coach. 

When asked to expand, Long said, "it takes the visiting team a quarter or two to get used to that different field."

Unfortunately for Long, things seem to be going in the opposite direction. Since Boise came to prominence, both Eastern Washington and New Braunfels (TX) Canyon High School have gone red while there were rumors that UT-San Antonio could end up with an orange field. In fact, when you consider some of the new, avant-garde playing surfaces out there (I'm looking at you, Oregon basketball), this trend seems to be all the rage amongst athletic departments seeking more revenue and/or attention.

Maybe Long should convince the folks at SDSU to roll out the nation's first all-black field. That'll show 'em.

Now Serving...Episode 25

For #25, the boys talk a little #25 (Barry Bonds); Kobe teaches us about things we shouldn't say; Larry Brown of LarryBrownSports.com checks in to chat a little baseball; the guys get some lessons in swagg with Jacarri Gilmore of Stay Custom Clothing.

Muhammad Ali 's Protege -Million Dollar Baby!

What are you teaching your kids these days? It looks like we might have another Million Dollar Baby!

Sacramento Kings Might Have New Billionaire Buyer

We may have been premature in saying last night's game at Arco Arena was the Kings' last in Sacramento.

Mayor Kevin Johnson tweeted on Thursday that the city may be receiving help to keep their beloved basketball team.

Burkle, who is worth more than $3 billion is a co-owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins. The NBA can't force the Maloofs, who currently own the Kings, to sell. But the league can force them to take on another partner and keep the team in Sacramento. Johnson went to New York to pitch Burkle to the league as a potential franchise savior.

That may have been part of the reason George Maloof was reportedly "somber-looking" after making a pitch to the NBA's Board of Governors. According to the Sacramento Bee, Maloof said that nothing's done yet.

"Nothing is a sure thing until it is voted on," he said. He said the Maloofs plan to talk with their fellow NBA owners again Friday.

While the Lakers and Clippers have been against the move from the start, it looked as though the Maloofs might have the rest of the league's owners line up with them to approve it. But reports have surfaced in recent days that there may not be as much support for the move as originally suspected.

So it looks like there may still be life left in the saga of the Sacramento Kings. With still raw wounds in Seattle being recently reopened, the NBA may want to avoid a similarly nasty breakup in another of its long devoted markets.

(H/T Jose3030 and Business Insider)

Ryan Madson's Wife Hates Phillies Fans

Photo: Philly Chit Chat

It's easy to take shots at Philadelphia sports fans as being a vile and heartless group when you don't live there. It's a lot harder when your husband makes his living there.

Which is why Sarah Madson (wife of Phillies pitcher Ryan) should get some sort of honor for having the courage (?) to speak her mind about Phillies Fan during a recent charity event.

"I hate the fans. It is bad enough that they bother us during the season, but they will not leave us alone in December when we go out to eat. We stayed here during the off season last year, but we will be going to California this year. There must be something particularly bad about Phillies fans because all the players leave in the off season."

It's bad enough that she doesn't even hedge her distaste for the fans, but then she tries to drag the other players under the bus as well? You've gotta wonder how well that's going to go over in the locker room. With the roster the Phils run out on a daily basis, the pressure of winning a World Series is already great enough. If the fans start believing the players don't actually like being there, well...good luck.

Besides, Philly can't be all that bad. If you ask Cliff Lee's wife, it beats the heck out of New York.

(H/T Deadspin)

Is BYU's Honor Code Discriminatory?

Not all that long ago, BYU was the talk of the nation. Not only did they have college basketball's flavor of the month in Jimmer Fredette, but they were paragons of virtue in a sport being dragged through the sewer. That's because they took the bold step of holding to the school's Honor Code and suspending center Brandon Davies for reportedly having premarital sex.

But a new report by Deadspin says that things in Provo my not be as upstanding as they seem. According to the story, 60 percent of the students suspended or dismissed for Honor Code violations since 1993 are black males.

In the article a handful of former BYU football players detail their experiences with the Honor Code office and their perception that, as black athletes, they were treated more harshly than some of their counterparts.

"For every one black guy, I can also name you a white guy, another kid who just returned off a mission or didn't go on a mission who did the exact same thing and didn't get in trouble," says Tico Pringle, a black Mormon defensive back who played for BYU in 2006. "The black athletes get called on it. Returned missionaries don't get turned in. It's all hush-hush. It's political. You go to the honor code office and then you go and talk to your coach and your coach pulls strings if he needs to. A lot of the guys I know did things and they got away with it because strings were pulled. There are guys who got their girlfriends pregnant and didn't get in trouble. They pick and choose who they want to punish."

Combine that with former BYU Jim McMahon's recent comments on how he (ahem) skirted the Honor Code and the university doesn't look quite so squeaky clean anymore.

But there are some coming to the school's defense. Mitch Harper, co-host of a BYU podcast and blog, immediately took aim at Deadspin's story.

The implication being that if recruiting trips were really alcohol-fueled orgies, as reported, Te'o wouldn't have ended up at Notre Dame.

Nonetheless, the university should be forced to answer for why the numbers of students punished skew so heavily toward a group that makes up a supreme minority of the student population. With the dearth of minority athletes on the BYU campus, the spotlight would tend to shine mostly on the school's white athletes. Are we to believe that they're all clean? Or that they're just good enough to not get caught? Neither answer seems satisfying.

Charlie Villanueva Threatens To Kill Ryan Hollins (Video)

For a game that had no meaning whatsoever, Charlie Villanueva got awfully heated on Monday night.

The Detroit Pistons forward tangled with the Cavaliers' Ryan Hollins late in Monday's game at the Palace. Once it looked like things were calming down, Villanueva again went after Hollins, but was restrained by Rodney Stuckey and team security.

Except that wasn't the end of it, according to the Detroit Free Press.

But later, Villanueva attempted to get to the Cavs locker room, only to be restrained by Auburn Hills police.

As he was escorted back to the Pistons locker room, Villanueva muttered, “I will kill that dude. I don’t give a (expletive).”

It's not a good look anytime of year, but Villanueva's timing was particularly bad because presumptive new Pistons owner Tom Gores was in the house. The next step will be waiting on the league office to hand out some punishment. With neither team making playoff plans any suspensions will likely take effect next season.

Is Oklahoma-Oklahoma State Rivalry Catching Bieber Fever?

How do you take a rivalry known as "Bedlam" and make it even crazier? Just add a pinch of Justin Bieber.

At least that's the suggestion of Tulsa World columnist Dave Sittler.

To paraphrase Elvis, Bedlam's temperature will keep on rising if Holder can convince Justin Bieber to sing the National Anthem before the Dec. 3 game at Boone Pickens Stadium. 

The idea that Biebs might sing at the game isn't as crazy as you'd think. Bieber and Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy have a connection, albeit a loose one. Bieber revealed that he uses Gundy's infamous "I'm a man!" rant as his ringtone, so the coach reciprocated by making Bieber's hit song "Baby" as his own ringtone. Gundy later suggested that Bieber come check out Boone Pickens Stadium and maybe, you know...buy a suite.

Sittler's idea is that Bieber can perform a concert at a sure-to-be-sold-out Gallagher-Iba Arena the night before the game against Oklahoma, then sing the National Anthem at the football game on Saturday.

It's a nice idea and if it were to happen (so far, there's no word from Biebs himself) it would definitely create even more hype for a game that's already pretty long on it. Except with OSU's 2-10 record against Oklahoma in the Bob Stoops era, maybe they should save their gimmicks for things on the field.

Episode 24: One Mo' 'Gin

This week the N.E.R.D.'s have the limits of their attention tested by college basketball. KGPE-TV's George Takata stops by to eulogize the Sacramento Kings. Robert Dobucki of HoopsJournal.com helps preview the NBA playoffs. And somewhere, several people are (sorta) having sex with Miley Cyrus right now.

LeBron James scuffles with Jermaine O'Neal

Sunday's game between the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat was more than just a late-season matchup between two Eastern Conference powers. The winner would be set up to avoid having to face the suddenly resurgent New York Knicks in the first round of the playoffs. So it's no surprise that emotions between the two teams were high.

They boiled over in the second quarter when LeBron James tangled with Jermaine O'Neal. While running the break, James collided with O'Neal and fired the ball at him starting a mini-brouhaha between the sides. O'Neal was charged with a Flagrant 1 while LeBron, Dwyane Wade and Paul Pierce were all hit with technicals.

LeBron finished with 27 points, seven assists and five steals as the Heat crushed the Celtics, 100-77 to grab the second seed. If everything shakes out right, these teams will meet again in the second round of the playoffs, although Boston is looking vulnerable for an upset by the Knicks. But add this in with all of the trash talk going on in the Western Conference between the Lakers, Thunder and Mavericks. Vince McMahon couldn't have created better promotion for the playoffs.

(H/T Jose3030)

Tom Brady Cries When Remembering Draft Day

For the last few years, we're all reminded that Tom Brady was drafted with the 199th pick in 2000. Apparently it's not something Brady wants to be reminded of.

The future Hall-of-Famer broke down when recalling his draft day experience. The interview was part of "The Brady 6",  an ESPN documentary about the 2000 QB draft class and how Brady became king of it.

Via ESPN:

Brady stopped for several seconds, lowered his head and began to cry.

"It was just a tough day, you know?" he continued. "I just remember being there with my mom and dad."

Brady's chin continued to quake. He paused again to gather himself.

"Sorry about that," Brady said. "You know, they were just so supportive of me. They take it as emotional as I do. Finally, when the Patriots called, I was so excited. I was, like, 'I don't have to be an insurance salesman,' you know?"

Three-time Super Bowl winner. Two-time Super Bowl MVP. Two-time NFL MVP. Six Pro Bowls. Highest-paid player in the NFL. Married to a supermodel. Don't cry, Tom. You won. You won big.

Larry Brown Talks With UNLV About Coaching Vacancy

Larry Brown proves the phrase "once a coach, always a coach". The 70-year old Brown told SI.com that he contacted UNLV athletic director Jim Livengood about the vacancy left by Lon Kruger's move to Oklahoma.

It would seem that Brown's chances of getting the job are remote. Livengood finished up interviews with the four finalists on Thursday and could make a decision as soon as Sunday. BYU associate head coach Dave Rice and current Minnesota Timberwolves assistant coach (and former Runnin' Rebel) Reggie Theus are considered to be the leading candidates. For what it's worth, Theus also has the blessing of former UNLV head coach Jerry Tarkanian.

Although with a coach of Brown's caliber now expressing interest, you wonder if it may force UNLV to take a second look. Brown is the only coach to win championships at both the NBA and NCAA levels, but he hasn't coached in college since winning the 1988 national championship at Kansas. Of course, his last gig was working for Michael Jordan as the head coach of the Charlotte Bobcats. That didn't work out so well and Brown would like to wash that taste out of his mouth before he calls it a career.

Whether he has the energy or the patience to help get college program back to the top remains to be seen, but at least he won't have any players giving press conferences about the validity of practice.

Kobe Bryant Stars In Chinese Rap Video

It's no secret that there will be a lockout on these NBA streets come the summer, so maybe it makes sense that Kobe Bryant looks like he's prepping another market to witness the marketing savvy that goes with his basketball genius.

How else do you explain the recent explosions of Black Mamba appearances on Chinese television? First there was the Smart Car commercial in which Kobe has to make a pass in order to save the day - an idea that Phil Jackson is probably envious of. Now there's this...

Thanks to the guys at The Nosebleeds for the find. It's reportedly a commercial for Sprite, although the only product mentions I noticed were a graffiti'd logo on a wall and Bryant holding something looking like a Sprite bottle at the very end of the video. That is, unless having the background dancers dressed entirely in green was supposed to make me thirsty.

As for Bryant's role in the video, I'm not sure what the point is. He utters a couple of worthless phrases and rejects layups by guys a foot shorter than him. Apparently not enough people saw The Green Hornet to make Jay Chou worthy of selling soda all by himself, evidenced by the kid pointing to the movie poster near the end of the video.

If I may make a suggestion for any future videos, don't be afraid to let Kobe get on the mic. It's not like he hasn't done it before.

Donovan McNabb's Fence Collapsed By Hit-and-Run Driver

Donovan McNabb's stay in Washington hasn't been particularly great so far. This news isn't likely to make it much better.

A fence was knocked over by a driver who crossed a lane of traffic and ran into the front yard of McNabb's home in Falls Church, VA.

Via The Washington Post:

According to Fairfax County police, an unknown vehicle was traveling north — or perhaps “careening north,” might we guess? — on Seneca Road, a two-lane route with plenty of curves and dips and a 30 mph limit. Around 2 a.m. Saturday it apparently crossed into the oncoming lane, hitting a mailbox on the far side, before veering back to the right and straight up onto McNabb’s property.

Fortunately, neither McNabb nor his family were home at the time of the accident. But McNabb's wife, Raquel commented that she hopes "whoever did it is okay." The bigger issue is that there currently aren't any suspects since the driver was apparently able to drive off.

I'm willing to guess McNabb had some relatively heavy iron fencing up around the property  and from the looks of the photo, it took a pretty good beating. So my advice would be to start by looking for cars that look like they may have been driven through an iron fence.

(H/T USA Today)

Louis Murphy Arrested for Possession of Viagra

Oakland Raiders wide receiver Louis Murphy is looking at a trio of misdemeanors after being arrested early Sunday morning in Gainesville, Florida. Police took Murphy into custody and charged him with failure to obey a police officer, resisting arrest without violence and possession of a drug without a valid prescription. Apparently that last part is what Murphy didn't want getting around.

Via The Gainesville Sun:

...Murphy consented to a search of his vehicle, where officers found a “non-labeled prescription bottle containing 11 individual pills later identified as Viagra.” Murphy could not provide a prescription for it and allegedly told the officer that he had peeled the label off of the bottle “because he did not want his girlfriend to know he had a prescription for it.”

Welp. That cat's out of the bag.

What's interesting to note is the news report of the incident. There's no indication in the story whether the arresting officers told Murphy why he was being stopped. That could explain why the receiver was unwilling to provide ID. Perhaps the reason was explained, in which case leaving that info out of the story was a confusing oversight. But if Murphy really didn't know why he was being stopped, there could be something else going on.

Chris Rock: "The Mets Are Broke!"

The New York Mets haven't yet played a game and already their fans are killing them. Chris Rock sat down to talk to Dave Letterman and began to lament the financial situation of his favorite baseball team. Among the gems thrown out, Rock says cheering for the Yankees is "like rooting for Steve Jobs to hit the lotto" before complaining that the Mets would have a "Bring A Bat Day".

Maybe the bats the fans bring would have a few more clutch hits in them.



(H/T The Big Lead)