The New York Giants ruined the Dallas Cowboys big bash at the opening game in the new Cowboys Stadium Sunday  night defeating the ‘Boys 33-31.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones showed off the $1.2 billion structure to a raucous crowd of over 105,000 that included several past Cowboy greats, LeBron James and George W. Bush.

The stadium lived up to much of it’s hype with its seven-story high state-of-the-art television screen and dancing towers for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders; the only thing missing was a win.

Between three interceptions thrown by Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, Giants QB Eli Manning passed for 330 yards, 284of them to wideouts Mario Manningham and Steve Smith. Manning then orchestrated a near-flawless final drive from his own end to set the stage for placekicker Lawrence Tynes to connect for a 37-yard game-winning kick, silencing the raucous crowd as the final seconds ticked off the clock.

In upsets Sunday, Mark Sanchez and the New York Jets beat the New England Patriots 16-9, the Chicago Bears upended the Super Bowl Champions Pittsburgh Steelers 17-14 on a last-second field goal and the Cincinnati Bengals upset the Green Bay Packers 31-24 at Lambeau Field in a game that included Ochocinco catching a TD pass and performing the Lambeau Leap.

Related Articles:

Sexiest NFL Cheerleaders Gallery

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LAS VEGAS – Floyd Mayweather Jr. may have just set a new record for the price of beef.  Beefing up for his upcoming fight, the two extra pounds of meat Mayweather brought to Friday’s weigh-in may cost the fighter $300,000 per pound.

Sources confirmed that Mayweather (39-0, 25 KOs) is required to forfeit $600K of his portion of the purse to his opponent, Juan Manuel Marquez (50-4-1, 37 KOs).

Normally the weight limit for the welterweight division is 147 pounds but with Marquez jumping up from the lightweight division, the maximum weight specified in this contract was set lower at 144 pounds. Mayweather tipped the scales at 146 pounds on Friday, two pounds over that limit.

The contract calls for Marquez to receive the 600K on top of his $3.2 million guarantee. Mayweather is guaranteed $10 million.

The Mayweather camp withheld comments concerning the weigh-in but sources say Mayweather was granted approval for the two pound increase and that increase was already agreed upon by Marquez. Problem is; the deadline for filing those changes passed and when Mayweather was given an extended deadline, his camp neglected to meet that time as well.

Executive director Keith Kizer confirmed that story saying the contract for the fight was changed by Golden Boy Promotions to 147 and Marquez had initialed those changes. Kizer went on to say Mayweather’s contract was presented late, just minutes before the weigh-in.

Other Boxing Articles:

Mayweather Stays Perfect; Dominates Marquez Sept. 20, 2009

 Heavyweight Division in Dire Need of Fix

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CHICAGO – NBA referees let the league know what they thought of the latest contract offer when they voted 57-0 against it at their meeting in the Windy City Wednesday night.

That vote led to further discussions but after those hit a brick wall, the referees were sent home and both sides went to impasse.

NBA referees being sent home. What an awesome concept! How many times have we fantasized about that.

If this group of zebras are sent packing during the start of the season would we even notice the difference?

NBA refs have become notorious for calling fouls on anyone who gets within arm’s length of stars like Dwyane Wade and LeBron James and they appear willing to extend their summer to fight for their cause.

OK, the term ‘arm’s length’ is an exaggeration, well sort of; depends what tape or highlight reel you choose to look at and fighting for a cause is usually a strong, admirable characteristic depends on the details.

It appears the major disagreement stems around some retirement issues. I guess ex-referee and whistle-blower Tim Donaghy’s living conditions in jail are not quite up to par with the union’s idea of retirement. Donaghy is in jail where he belongs after fixing several NBA games over a several year period.

The performance of the zebras in all major sports have caused fans and media to scream “Fix!” but none as often as the NBA who many times end up with playoff match-ups that supply the best ratings.

After NFL referee Ed Hochuli blew a call in the final seconds of a game last year, he ‘manned up’ and admitted he made a mistake. When highlight reels are burning up the airways with questionable NBA calls that determine a crucial game’s outcome, the league’s officials and refs normally go about their business and withhold comments or admissions of any kind.

This same group of officials are certainly speaking out loud and clear now though; with that lopsided vote of 57-0.

Lead union negotiator Lamell McMorris sounded pessimistic concerning any quick resolution. “It looks like a lockout is both imminent and unavoidable,” McMorris said. “We have suspended dialogue again today. We’ve been in constant communication, but it’s not going to happen.” The union also presented a memo showing how statistically the number of fines and suspensions did increase the last time fill-in refs were used. 

“I am not optimistic,” lead NBA negotiator Rich Buchanan added.

A lockout appears likely at this point but how bad would the league and fans actually suffer with fill-in referees in NBA games? Would the quality of the officiating suffer or even be noticeable?

Before you answer, check out a last-minute Lebron gift granted by the referees, ponder it over a last-minute freebie handed to Dywane Wade then make your decision.

Other Stories:

NBA Refs Demonstrate Why a Lock-out Could Be Disastrous

NBA Ref Donaghy Indicted

NFL Ref Hochuli Admits Blowing Call Late in Game

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All-Pro linebacker Brian Urlacher, the heart and soul of the Chicago Bears’ defense will miss the remainder of the season after dislocating his wrist in the 21-15 loss to the division rival Green Bay Packers Sunday night.

With the injury occurring so early in the season, Chicago is expected to shop around for a replacement to fill the middle linebacker spot. Derrick Brooks is expected to join the team if the two sides can work out a deal. Brooks is familiar with Chicago coach Lovie Smith and Chicago’s defensive schemes.

Mark Sanchez silenced some of the critics including Pete Carroll, his former coach at USC, when the rookie led his New York Jets to a 24-7 win over the Houston Texans.

Earlier in the year and prior to selection day, Carroll had publicly stated that Sanchez “made a bad choice” in joining the NFL draft.

Sanchez finished 18-of-31 for 272 yards and one TD.

In other injury news, joining Urlacher on the sidelines list is Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback Donovan McNabb who suffered a cracked rib in his team’s 38-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers.

With McNabb’s status unknown and Michael Vick ineligible for another week, don’t be surprised to see ex-Eagle Jeff Garcia donning green in Philly this weekend when Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints visit the ‘City of Brotherly Love’.

In other rookie news, Matthew Stafford will have to wait for his first victory. Stafford appears to have a much larger chore ahead of him than Sanchez after his Detroit Lions started this season where they left off last year.

The Lions’ defense who were worst in the NFL last year were ripped apart by fantasy football favorite Drew Brees, who tossed six touchdown passes during the 45-27 blowout over the Lions.

Stafford finished 16-of-37 for 205 yards and 3 INTs.

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax

CHICAGO – Michael Jordan who brought a new meaning to the words ‘slam-dunk’ was inducted into the Naismith  Memorial Hall of Fame on Friday after a career that included winning six NBA championships and five MVP awards.

Joining Jordan were basketball greats David Robinson and John Stockton and coaches Jerry Sloan and C. Vivian Stringer.

Jordan’s emotional and humorous acceptance speech included recollections going as far back as his school days as a youngster in North Carolina.

Referring to the school basketball coach who cut him from the varsity team Jordan said, “I wanted to make sure you understood you made a mistake, dude.”

Jordan started his career with the Chicago Bulls and spent several years in a rebuilding process before the Bulls went on a dominating run, winning several championships.

Here is an exclusive interview shown on ESPN on Friday.

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NEW YORK – Derek Jeter staked a claim in New York Yankee history Friday night when he passed Bronx great Lou  Gehrig’s team record for most hits.

After a rain delay, Jeter provided the Yankee fans with what they came out to see when he singled off Orioles’ pitcher Chris Tillman in the third inning.

It was hit 2,722 for the Yankee infielder, beating Gehrig’s record that had survived seven decades.

After breaking the record, Jeter said, “The whole experience has been overwhelming. This is more than I could’ve imagined.”

Jeter was appreciative of the dedication of the fans to stick it out on a stormy night. “I didn’t expect that many people to be out there after the rain delay considering how hard it was raining when we started the game but the fans were incredible,” said Jeter.

“It says a lot about how they feel about their team and more importantly how they feel about the history of their team. I appreciate each and every one that was there.”

Yankee teammate Jorge Posada believes there’s a lot more to come from Jeter. “He’s going to be the only Yankee to ever hit 3,000 hits,” said Posada. “[With] all the players that came through here, he’s going to be the only one with 3,000 hits. He’s a special guy.”

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax

DETROIT – When Daunte Culpepper decided to come out of retirement and sign with the Detroit Lions in October 2008 we covered that story and the first line in our coverage read, “Run Daunte run! In the opposite direction.”

Culpepper, a three-time Pro Bowler, may wish he had heeded that advice as he finds himself relegated to the back-up quarterback position on the worst team in the NFL, riding the bench while Matthew Stafford, an unproven rookie, will be taking snaps Week One in New Orleans.

Prior to signing with the Lions, Culpepper had several meetings and tryouts with other NFL teams and turned down offers to play back-up for two winning teams, Pittsburgh and Green Baybefore deciding to play in Detroit. He was clearly looking for another opportunity to start and his discussion with the Lions is sure to have included that.

Culpepper didn’t speak to reporters after Monday’s practice, there’s an early warning sign he will be wanting out of Motown. If he demands a trade like many of us think he will and should, the pressure on Stafford to succeed multiplies tenfold since there are no veterans on the sidelines to step in if he falters or go to for guidance.

The bench is a strange place to assign a veteran like Culpepper who is a proven NFL quarterback that has thrown for more than 13 miles in his career. Thirteen miles . . . 23,208 yards . . . more than 232 football fields.

Being replaced with a rookie can only add fuel to the fire. Leave it to the Lions to use and hang another veteran out to dry, (Google Tatum Bell).

Culpepper showed great loyalty during his college days at the University of Central Florida.

After running up staggering stats, several top colleges tried to recruit him but he chose to stay in Orlando playing for the only school that offered him an opportunity during the original recruiting process.

Most youngsters his age would have jumped at the chance to play in the SEC but Culpepper stayed loyal to UCF. He went on to set a laundry list of NCAA records before being drafted in the first-round by the Minnesota Vikings.

Since arriving in Motown last fall, Culpepper has shown great commitment to the Lions organization.

He showed up in game shape this summer, dropping 30 pounds in the offseason preparing to lead a 0-16 disaster out of the cellar. The Lions quarterback position was Culpepper’s to lose but he was never given a fair chance to lose it.

Although he showed more poise and confidence and ran stats much more impressive than Stafford during preseason, Stafford connected with wide receiver Calvin Johnson for long gains on several occasions. That is sure to have caught the eye of Lions Coach Jim Schwartz but in all fairness to Culpepper; Johnson sat out with an injury both of Culpepper’s starts.

If anyone thinks Culpepper would have trouble finding a sprinting Johnson down any sideline they didn’t watch Culpepper when he made a living heaving spirals to a guy named Randy Moss. Culpepper’s arm clearly has some life left and he deserved a legitimate chance to reinvent his career and rejuvenate the Lions.

Quarterbacks do it every season. Last year Chad Pennington found his game in Miami and took home the AP Comeback-Player-of-the-Year award, leading the Dolphins to an 11-5 record. A year earlier, Jeff Garcia bounced back and found himself playing into January after leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a 9-7 division-winning record and playoff spot.

Culpepper must certainly feel burned; shafted. He did nothing that justified losing the starting position this preseason and Stafford didn’t perform well enough in his two starts to earn it.

Curious to see how this latest move by the NFL’s most desperate organization plays out. Snatching an opportunity like this from a veteran like Culpepper can cause bad Karma in your locker room.

Will it lead to trade demands by the 32-year-old quarterback who’s playing years are limited?

Don’t be surprised if it does.

Related Articles:

Starting Stafford Too High a Risk for Lions. 

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DETROIT – After seeing rookie sensations Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco evolve into legitimate starters last year in the NFL, the temptation was too much for the Detroit Lions and Coach Jim Schwartz.

With the season opening September 13th with a road game in New Orleans followed by a visit from the Minnesota Vikings, Schwartz ignored the risks and named Matthew Stafford the starter.

Putting the young slinger across from Minnesota’s swarming defensive line just eight days into his NFL career may evolve into a human sacrifice and reinvent the name ‘Purple People Eaters’ for the Vikings.

The Vikings sacked Lions quarterbacks a total of 10 times in the two games last year. That is a risky scenario to place a young rookie quarterback in who is trying to build confidence.

Stafford has an incredible arm, there’s no doubt about that but it’s hard to throw with a 300-lb. lineman’s arms wrapped around you.

We’ve been hearing the Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco theories but those two rookies stood behind proven offensive lines last year and were given plenty of protection throughout their 11-5 seasons. There’s talk about how improved the Lions O line is this year but why not wait a few weeks to verify that.

The league’s best quarterbacks crumble under excessive pressure up front, even Tom Brady as seen in the Super Bowl game when the New York Giants knocked Brady totally off his game upsetting the heavily-favored New England Patriots.

The NFL game is a sprint compared to NCAA and Stafford could have gotten a feel for the pace and speed of the game by watching the first few Sundays from the sidelines.

There would be a lesser argument for handing Stafford a clipboard and headset in New Orleans if this were a ‘Stafford vs. Stanton’ or a ‘Stafford vs. Orlovsky’ debate but the Lions have a proven Pro Bowl quarterback on their roster, Daunte Culpepper who has thrown for 23,208 yards in his career. That’s 13 miles; more than 232 football fields.

Culpepper deserves a legitimate chance to reinvent himself. It happens all the time. John Travolta did it on the screen with Pulp Fiction; Chad Pennington did it on the field with Miami last year.

Culpepper, the three-time Pro Bowl player showed up 30 pounds lighter in game shape before the season started expecting to start. Now that he finds himself out of the starting position he was never given a chance to lose, there may be some bad locker room karma heading the Lions way.

When Daunte joined the Lions in October 2008 we covered that story, “Daunte Should Avoid the Lions”. The Lions have a knack for finishing player’s careers on a sour note (Google Tatum Bell and Marcus Pollard). If Culpepper sits rotting away on the bench while he has some arm left, he could join that group. You have to wonder; Will Daunte ask to be traded?

Culpepper appears committed to again making a mark in the NFL and he cannot do that collecting splinters on the bench.

Playing against former teams brings the best out of athletes as we see ever week when ex-Lions visit Detroit and have career days after being traded or cut. I would have expected the best out of Daunte against his former Vikings team during Week Two at Ford Field.

The logical decision would have been to sit Stafford for at least two weeks then re-evaluate his progress, the O line and the team then go from there. William Clay Ford is always more interested in selling tickets as in the case with hurrying quarterback Joey Harrington, a first-round dud that was never given a fair chance to develop.

The Lions got impatient. This is clearly a rebuilding time, just as the past decade has been so what would a few more weeks of development have mattered?

 This is unlikely to be a playoff season but the Lions are taking a chance of destroying the confidence of their franchise $78 million investment-another reason this team is, and may always be, destined to be a loser.

Voice your opinion by taking our front page poll and vote whether Stafford and Mark Sanchez should be taking snaps NFL Week One.

Leave Your Comments in the Section Below.

More Matthew Stafford Articles:

Get Ready Lions, Stafford Knows How to Party!

Why Stafford and Detroit Lions are a Bad Marriage

Bitch-Slap-of-the-Week – Matthew Stafford

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax

The NCAA Football season opened with a bang this weekend.

Some of the news creating the biggest buzz was #20 BYU upsetting #3 Oklahoma Sooners 14-13 in a game that included Heisman Trophy winner QB Sam Bradford watching a majority of the contest from the sidelines while sporting a sling on his multi-million-dollar throwing arm.

Bradford sprained the shoulder during the final seconds of the first half then was replaced by back-up Landry Jones who finished (6-of-12, 51yds) for the game-quarterback stats unfamiliar with the Sooners and their fans.

In another game, #6 the Ohio State Buckeyes avoided an embarrassing upset, squeaking out a win against Navy in the final minutes.

With the Buckeyes leading 29-27 late in the forth quarter, Navy attempted a two-point conversion but the pass was intercepted by the Buckeyes and taken to the house on the opposite side of the field giving the Buckeyes a narrow 31-27 victory.

Is there a reason to worry in Athens?

The #13 Georgia Bulldogs may be headed in for a long season while they try to compensate for the loss of two members of last year’s dominating offensive backfield, quarterback Matthew Stafford who went #1 overall in the 2009 NFL Draft and running back Knowshon Moreno, another first-round selection.

The Bulldogs offense sputtered out and they lost to #9 Oklahoma State 24-10.

In the days sparring matches, Tim Tebow and his #1 Florida Gators defeated Charleston Southern 62-3, #2 Texas squashed Louisiana-Monroe 59-20 and #4 USC, led by freshman quarterback Matt Barkley crushed San Jose State 56-3.

Related Articles:

Why Stafford and Detroit Lions are a Bad Marriage

Get Ready Lions, Stafford Knows How to Party!

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax

EUGENE, OREGON – Oregon Ducks first-year Coach Chip Kelly announced that running back LeGarrette Blount is suspended for the entire season after losing control and sucker punching Byron Hout, a defensive lineman for Boise State.The incident occurred just seconds after #14 Boise State Broncos defeated #19 Oregon 19-8 on Boise’s famous blue turf.

As the post-game celebration began kicking into high gear, Hout screamed in Blount’s face and pushed him on the shoulders as he passed by.

Blount retaliated by throwing a haymaker that connected right on the jaw of Hout, dropping the huge defensive lineman to his knees.

Blount apologized after the incident, “It was just something that I shouldn’t have done. I lost my head.”

Kelly felt the need to handle the situation with an iron fist and suspended Blount who is a senior, for the entire season including any bowl games.

“That’s not what we’re all about. That’s not what we coach. That’s not what we stand for and it’s unacceptable,” said Kelly. “He is taking this very hard. He understands he made a mistake and he has to pay for the mistake. But we’re not going to throw LeGarrette Blount out on the street.”

Blount will remain on scholarship and continue to practice with the team.

Related Articles:

Blount & Hout Share Bitch-Slap-of-the-Week Honors (Sept. 5, 2009)

NCAA Kickoff Weekend in Review (Sept. 6, 2009)

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax