NEW YORK – The New York Jets fined their coach Rex Ryan $50,000 for making the obscene gesture that involves the middle finger while at a martial arts fight in South Florida over the weekend.

Nowadays everyone is walking around with a cell phone with photo and video capabilities. You would think these professional coaches and athletes would learn over time that they are always under the watchful eye of the public.

Ryan voiced what the rest of the world must have been thinking when he apologized the following day saying, his actions were “stupid and inappropriate.” General manager Mike Tannenbaum had said the organization was disappointed and would address the matter internally which he did today by levying the fine.

The coach also could be fined by the NFL under its personal conduct policy.

Ryan’s image drew loud boos from the crowd when a ringside Showtime interview was shown on the Bank Atlantic Center video scoreboard.

Of course in Ryan fashion, the coach also trash-talked even though his season is over saying “I want to just tell everybody in Miami, hey, we’re coming to beat you twice next year.”

Ryan has made headlines all season with his trash-talking and going way out there like when he cried at a team meeting in front of his players. His team went 9-7 during the season and went on to make the playoffs. His prediction about the Jets saying the team should be the favorite to win the Super Bowl was brushed off as just Ryan being Ryan.

Last weekend at the Pro Bowl in Miami, several of the Jets’ players supported their coach.

“He’s one of those guys who if you come at me, I’m coming at you. It was all in fun. They were probably yelling and talking stuff at him and it ticked him off. Fans can be like that,” defensive end Shaun Ellis told the New York Post.

Copyright © 2010 – Sports Climax

Michael Vick would still be engaged in dog fighting had he not been caught and prosecuted. He admitted that Monday morning on the Dan Patrick radio program in an interview during which he touched on his year as a Philadelphia Eagle as well as his time in prison.Vick was open with Patrick whose questions covered what could have been uncomfortable topics. But then again, Vick was also promoting his BET series, “The Michael Vick Project” that premieres Tuesday at 10 pm ET.

He told Patrick about his early introduction to dog fighting “I was seven years old the first time I saw one,” Vick said. “It wasn’t organized. It was just taking place in an open area in the neighborhoods.” But he knows it’s no excuse, “It really doesn’t override the fact that we should have known better,” Vick said.

And then he admitted the sad truth about what would have happened had he not been caught. He answered Patrick’s direct question about whether he would still be engaged in the business of dog fighting: “That’s the scary thing,” Vick said. “I think about it. I would have continued to put my life in jeopardy. From a distance I would have still been involved.”

Although many organizations and fans believe Vick shouldn’t get another chance, some believe he deserves a shot as expressed in this article by an NFL sportswriter, “Michael Vick Deserves Fresh Start”.

About his prison experience, Vick said he was challenged by other inmates while incarcerated but he dismissed it as merely the norm for that environment. On the other side of things, he told Patrick was asked for his autograph by some inmates.

And while he will be eternally grateful to the owner of the Philadelphia Eagles, Jeffrey Lurie for the chance to reenter the league, he still yearns to play quarterback on a regular basis.

Vick said he would return to the Eagles if a trade isn’t worked out in the off-season. “If I had to, I would, just because I’m thankful,” Vick said. He insisted his body is ready for many more years of NFL work load.

This is just a taste of what we can expect from the show in which Vick and his family appear and which he wants to use, to “restore my family’s good name., as quoted at phily.com in a review of his show.

Used with permission of the author.

Paula Duffy is a national sports columnist for Examiner.com and the Huffington Post and regularly comments on sports/legal matters for radio affiliates of ESPN and Fox Sports. She founded the sports information site, Incidental Contact, is the author of a line of audio books designed for sports novices and in her spare time practices law in Los Angeles. 

Copyright ©2010 Sports Climax, LLC

At the age of 47 years young Herschel Walker appears ready to test father time.

In September of 2009 it was announced that Walker signed a contract with STRIKEFORCE to compete in the heavyweight division. Currently trained by “Crazy” Bob Cook at the American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose California, the high profile camp has trained the likes of Josh Koscheck Mike Swick, Jon Fitch, and Cain Velasquez. Walker who admits to being intensely competitive says it isn’t about the money and intends to donate his fight purse to charity.

The ex-NFL running back who currently owns a food service company has been involved in martial arts for over 30 years. He is currently is a 6th degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and is not taking this journey lightly. Training with some of the best, he appears to be in great fighting condition.

Walker stands at 6′ 1″ and weighed in for tonight’s fight at 214 pounds. Appearing shirtless, his chiseled physique defied his age. Born on March 3, 1962, Walker claims to do 2,500 push-ups and 1,500 sit ups as part of his morning routine before heading to the gym to train with his much younger opponents and sometimes trains as long as 5 hours a day.

Walker’s opponent for tonight’s fight is Greg Nagy who comes to STRIKEFORCE and this event with a 1-1 record. The 26-year-old Nagy was born in Hungary and moved to New Jersey with his parents in 1988, and stands 6′ 3″ and weighs in at 215 pounds.

Dana White (UFC founder and president) will undoubtedly have his eyes on this fight with possible aspirations of bringing him into the UFC in the future.

Walker best known for being a professional football player has been an athlete his entire life with a long resume that includes competing on the Olympic bobsled team.

After dominating high school football where he played in Wrightsville, GA, he attended the University of Georgia where he won a Heisman Trophy in 1982 as a junior.

He decided to turn pro and since that was prohibited by NFL rules his only option was the second rate USFL which was just getting started and was drafted by the New Jersey Generals in the 1983 draft. Walker won the USFL rushing titles in 1983 and 1985, in the latter season he gained over 4,000 total yards, rushing for an impressive 2,411 yards. In all during his USFL career he amassed 5,562 yards in just 3 seasons playing an 18-game schedule.

The Dallas Cowboys speculating the USFL was going under, drafted Walker in the 1985 NFL Draft and that’s where the running back would start his NFL career in 1986. Walker made the Pro Bowl twice, once in 1987 and again in 1988.

Shortly after, the Cowboys decided to trade him away.
The Minnesota Vikings bit on the offer and were convinced to give up 5 players in what is still considered to be one of the worst deals in the history of the NFL.

After a stint with the Vikings, Walker went on to play for the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants before returning to the Cowboys where he finished his career and retired in 1997 after 12 NFL seasons.

Walker finished his NFL tenure with 8,255 yards rushing, 4,859 yards receiving and 5,084 return yards for a total of 18,168 yards. At the time of his retirement he was ranked second in total yardage and 10 years later was still ranked 8th.

He finished with 84 touchdowns, 61 on the ground, 21 through the air and took 2 to the house on kick returns. Walker is also the only player in NFL history with over 10,000 yards from scrimmage and over 5,000 return yards.

When the retired NFL star steps into the ring tonight we should assume his opponent Nagy is relying on his 22-year age advantage to help him outlast Walker.

While many expect Walker to one up his younger opponent with a display of powerful kicks and strikes and prove age is only a number the one question that is sure to be answered is Will Hershel Walker Defeat Father Time?

Copyright © 2010 – Sports Climax

INDIANAPOLIS – Colts quarterback Peyton Manning figured out a way to dissect the New York Jets defense and outplayed Jets rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez on Sunday, leading his Colts to a 30-17 comeback victory and earning a trip to Miami to play the New Orleans Saints in the Super Bowl.

Sanchez came out swinging, holding his own and taking an early lead in the game. After trailing 3-0 on an early Kelly Stover field goal, Sanchez hit a streaking Braylon Edwards with a perfect pass and the speedy wide receiver did the rest, sprinting 80 yards to the end zone and a 7-3 lead.

The Jets appeared eager to show the Colts that they could play with them and they did in the first half. Their #1 ranked defense came out with a vengeance, sacking Manning on consecutive plays in the first quarter and making the Colts earn every point in a closely played first half.

Sanchez connected with Dustin Keller on a 9-yard touchdown pass in the 2nd quarter to put the Jets up 14-6 then after the Jets defense forced a turnover they were able to turn it into 3 points when Jay Feely split the uprights for a 17-6 lead.

Manning and the Colts would prove they were unfazed by the Jets early success, quickly driving the field with Manning hooking up with rookie Austin Collie 3 times, the final one a 16-yard touchdown that cut the Jets lead to 17-13. It was the first TD allowed by the Jets stingy defense in the last 2:00 of the first half all season long.

When it was apparent that Darrelle Revis was containing one of Manning’s favorite target’s Reggie Wayne he had no problem finding 2nd year man Pierre Garcon and the rookie Collie for multiple completions and Jim Caldwell’s team went into locker room with regained momentum.

With the Jets’ secondary covering Dallas Clark and Reggie Wayne, Manning chose Garcon who was drafted in the 6th round of the 2008 draft with the 205th pick and Collie who they acquired in the 2009 draft with the 127th pick as his primary targets.

Manning threw a perfect strike to Garcon for a 4 yard TD and a 20-17 lead in the 3rd quarter and later found Dallas Clark for a 15 yard TD and a 27-17 lead. Those scores were part of 21 unanswered points by the Colts.

The Colts defense also came into play, swarming the Jets’ potent rushing attack and holding them to just 89 yards on 29 carries.

The Jets had averaged 170 yards per game on the ground this postseason. Sanchez’ stats for the game were a respectable 17-of-30, 257 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT with two different receivers finishing with more than 100 receiving yards.

Before it was over, Peyton Manning proved why he is one of the most elite quarterbacks to ever play the game going 26-39 for 377 yards and 3 TD’s and becoming the first player in league history to throw for at least 300 yards on 7 different occasions in the playoffs.

Garcon finished with 11 catches for 151 yards and a touchdown while manning connected with Collie 7 times for 123 yards and a score. It was Collie’s first 100-yard game as a pro.

Jets coach Rex Ryan summed it up during post-game. “With Peyton Manning, if you can’t disrupt his rhythm, he’s going to kill you,” said Ryan.

Finishing off the scoring Stover booted a 21-yard field goal for a 30-17 lead at 5:33 in the final quarter then the Colts defense shut down Sanchez and the Jets securing a trip to Miami on February 7th.

MORE ARTICLES by DREW BASTIAN:

Favre on Fire in 34-3 Win at Metrodome

Ravens Defense Smothers Brady and Blows Out Patriots

Copyright © 2010 – Sports Climax

When Brett Favre threw his fourth touchdown on Sunday in the Vikings 34-3 win, the Dallas Cowboys erupted in anger at the lack of respect and classless act.

Really? That’s what you’ve chosen as the line that shouldn’t be crossed?

The unwritten rules of etiquette, sports-style, have been dwindling for years. As players and teams ignore conventional wisdom about what is out of line there are few acts that most agree are beyond the pale.

In the NFL, taunting and excessive touchdown celebrations are off limits now but only by league rule. Players get aggravated when their happiness at getting over on an opponent is messed with. And if it takes a few shoves or punches to get it to stop, well that’s just men being men.

Baseball players routinely admire their work as they realize they have hit home runs. The slightest celebration at the expense of a pitcher used to be dealt with swiftly as a batter would routinely be leveled by a pitch at the body or under the chin.

That practice was addressed by MLB but many a player doesn’t like the warning rules meant to deal with it all since their pitcher might be prevented from retaliating against the team’s whose pitcher got in the first lick.

What seems to rankle players both in baseball and football to this day is the act of rubbing their nose in a loss. When a baseball player steals a base with his team up a fair amount of runs its gets the hair follicles to stand up on players’ necks.

When Favre threw that pass on fourth down that had as much chance of failing as a run play in the situation, you’d think someone pulled his pants down and mooned the friends and families box of the opposing team.

What it indicates to me is sore losers are alive and well. Rather than admit they failed and are powerless to stop the onslaught players pout and blame the winners.

If NFL players were truly concerned about class and sportsmanship they’d stop the ridiculous practice of celebrating individual achievements that indicate nothing other than a personal triumph. Like a sack in the first few minutes of a scoreless game or at the end of a game that like the Vikes-Cowboys contest.

You mean to tell me that if the Cowboys had sacked Favre prior to that touchdown pass someone wouldn’t have been hooting and hollering about it with a teammate or two joining in stroking his ego? Same score, same hopeless situation for the Cowboys but it wouldn’t have kept some hot dog from using it to make himself feel good.

You live with the triumphs and you die with them. It’s just it doesn’t feel as good when the good times are being celebrated on the other side of the field.

Cowboys linebacker Keith Brooking was the most vocal when Favre threw the fourth TD pass and he approached the Vikings sideline.

Vikings player Pat Williams summed it up for the media later. “We don’t care what Keith Brooking says,” Williams said. “He was about to get his ass whupped on our sideline over there. It don’t matter. Nobody said anything when [the Cowboys] blew out the Eagles [the past two weeks]”. 

This week’s Slap-of-the-Week is a slam dunk and it goes to Brad Childress and his Minnesota Vikings for running up the score in a lopsided NFL playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys.  Brett Favre gets an open-handed backhand thrown his way as well just for good measure.

With the Vikings dominating the scoreboard 27-3 with 1:55 to go it was fourth-and-3. Favre and the offense were in perfect position to hand off the ball and continue to run out the clock.

Instead, Favre dropped back to pass and connected with Visanthe Shiancoe on an 11-yard strike, extending the lead to 31 points.

That’s right. The Vikings had just embarrassed the Cowboys on national television but a 24-point win wasn’t enough for Favre and his Vikings. This cheesy move was right out of the playbook of Steve Spurrier when he was at University of Florida and his Gators were notorious for running it up.

Announcers Joe Buck and Troy Aikman commented on how throwing in that situation was ‘rubbing salt in the wound’ and how unusual it was to throw in that situation. See video on NFL.com here.

Cowboys’ linebacker Keith Brooking took offense to the classless move. “I just thought what happened at the end of the game was disrespectful, and it was classless,” Brooking said, according to the team’s official blog. “All the things that are in that category, I’ll throw out to the Vikings organization and whoever is over there calling the plays. It just wasn’t the right thing to do at that time, period.”

Childress did a really poor job at explaining and defending the move during the postgame news conference.
“Just staying aggressive with it, if you will,” Childress said. SLAP! There Brad, we’re staying aggressive too and throwing another bitch-slap right off the top of that head!

“Lou Holtz used to say, ‘It’s our job to score points. It’s their job to stop us from scoring points.’ That happens. It wasn’t rubbing it in. It’s just taking care of business and being aggressive at the end of the game.” Childress added.

SLAP! Have another backhander. It’s not your job to throw on fourth-and-3 in a game that’s clearly going to end in a blowout.

Many believe Favre was padding his stats at the expense of his opponent. When asked about running up the score Favre said, “I didn’t see that.” Bull! You were running up the score.

We all know not to take Favre’s comment to heart. There’s a huge possibility he will change his mind in the near future, then probably change it again, and again, and again.

Vikings coaching staff, you lacked class with that move and embarrassed your organization. For that you get the Sports Climax Bitch-Slap-of-the-Week.

Copyright © 2010 Sports Climax

FOXBOROUGH, MA. – The New England Patriots returned to the postseason for the first time since losing to the New York Giants in the Super Bowl two years ago, and suffered another defeat this time at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens.

The Ravens jumped out to a quick lead and never looked back, blowing out the Pats 33-14.

After winning the opening coin toss the Patriots and Bill Belichick deferred and elected to put the ball in the hands of the Ravens offense. On the first play from scrimmage, running back Ray Rice was handed the ball, saw an opening and left the Patriots’ defense in the dust, sprinting for an 83-yard touchdown and 7-0 lead.

On the Patriots’ first series, Tom Brady dropped back to pass but the ball was stripped and recovered by Terrrell Suggs. A few plays later Leron McClain plunged in from the one for another TD and a 14-0 lead, stunning the Patriots and silencing the Foxborough crowd.

The tone was set and from that point on, the Ravens defense owned the Patriots.

An interception led to another score and before the Patriots could catch their breath they were down 24-0 drawing boos from the Patriots fans. The Ravens defense led by All-Pro Ray Lewis forced three turnovers that produced 17 points in the first half. New England had only given up 44 points off turnovers during the entire regular season.

Playing without wide receiver Wes Welker, the only New England bright spot in the first half came on a 1 yard touchdown reception by Julian Edelman which cut the lead to 24-7 and at least assured the once-mighty Patriots that they would not be shutout.

The Ravens relied on their running game as Joe Flacco was unimpressive completing just 4-of-10 passes for 34 yards with one interception.

Ray Rice led the run attack gaining 159 yards taking two to the house. Willis McGahee added another 62 yards on the ground and one touchdown while fullback Leron McClain added another score giving the Ravens 4 rushing TDs on the day. This was a huge swing. In the previous three meetings between these same two teams, the Ravens failed to put the ball in the end zone via the run.

Tom Brady who was pressured much of the day by the aggressive stingy Raven defense was able to hook up with Julian Edelman for another touchdown in the second half giving Edelman his second score of the game. Edelman finished with 6 receptions for 44 yards and showed some promise for the future.

The loss was the first playoff loss for Brady on home field in his career. He finished 23-of-42 for 154 yards and 3 INTs.

After taking slack from the national media for going for it on 4th down while deep in his own end of the field against the Colts; a decision that led to a loss, you have to wonder if Bill Belichick is regretting not taking the ball when his team won the opening coin toss.

Related Articles:

Ravens and Patriots Game Day – NFL.com

Sanchez Sizzles as New York Jets Advance in Playoffs – Sports Climax

Cowboys Dominate Eagles for First Playoff Win Since 1996 – Sports Climax

Copyright © 2010 – Sports Climax

CINCINNATI, OH. – The New York Jets and Mark Sanchez are making believers out of the football world. Their 24-14 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Saturday’s AFC Wild Card game was their first playoff win since 2004 and extended their season at least for one more weekend.

The rookie Sanchez connected on 12-of-15 passes for 182 yards and no interceptions, becoming only the fourth rookie quarterback since 1950 to start and win a playoff game. Others in that group include Ben Roethlisberger who went on to win the Super Bowl, Shaun King and Joe Flacco.

You have to wonder what USC Coach Pete Carroll is thinking after blindsiding Sanchez with negative comments at the press conference when Sanchez decided to enter last year’s NFL Draft. Carroll insisted in front of the media that Sanchez was not ready or prepared to handle the NFL.

After leading the AFC in interceptions with 20, Sanchez knew the importance of not turning the ball over on the road against the Bengals and managed the game well. His passer rating was an astounding 139.4.

“He just kept getting better as the season went along,” Jet coach Rex Ryan said. “I told him this was his second season now. His first season is over. This is the playoffs.” The win was also the first playoff victory for Ryan who is in his first season as an NFL head coach.

The Bengals (10-7) got a team playoff-record 169 rushing yards from running back Cedric Benson but never got a flow going with their offense, being disrupted by constant blitzes and a variety of schemes by Ryan and the Jets defense.

In last week’s game between these same two teams, the Bengals managed a mere 72 total yards on offense. In that game Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer was 1-of-11 for 0 yards and Chad Ochocinco was shut out of the stat sheet literally with zero catches.

Saturday looked better on paper but that tandem was never able to get a flow going for their offense. Ochocinco finished with just two catches for 28 yards and Palmer was 18-of-36 for 146 yards, one touchdown and one INT.

Cincinnati added to their 19 year stretch without a playoff win.

Related Articles:

N.Y. Jets and Cincinnati Bengals Game Center – NFL.com

Cowboys Dominate Eagles for First Playoff Win Since 1996 – Sports Climax

USC Coach Carroll Shows Bitterness at Press Conference Towards Sanchez – Sports Climax

Copyright © 2010 – Sports Climax

ARLINGTON, TX. – The Dallas Cowboys responded to last week’s blowout over the Philadelphia Eagles with another lopsided win, 34-14. The Cowboys dominated from the start with the Eagles offense only taking 18 snaps and gaining 140 yards total offense in the first half. Michael Vick’s longest touchdown pass of his career (76 yards) tied the game 7-7 but after that is was all Dallas.

Dallas quarterback Tony Romo hit 23-of-35 passes for 244 yards and two TDs and 0 INTs. He spread the ball around well throughout the game connecting with rookie John Phillips and Miles Austin for touchdowns and Roy Williams on five passes for 59 yards.

Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb was never able to develop a flow to his offense. He finished the game 19-of-37 for 230 yards, with one touchdown and an interception.

Dallas linebacker Keith Brooking who played his entire career for the Atlanta Falcons before coming to Dallas this year was ecstatic with the win. “We have something to really build off of,” said Brooking “With the talent we have I don’t think there are a lot of teams in this league that can beat us right now.”

Dallas coach Wade Phillips got a gorilla off his back with the win, his first ever in the playoffs. The win may have created job security for Wade as speculation of Dallas owner Jerry Jones replacing him was picking up steam prior to December.   “This team has hung together all year, got stronger at the end of the year and were playing our best football,” said Phillips. “I think we’re playing as good as anybody right now.”

Romo can finally forget about the bad hold he had that caused a botched field goal attempt and contributed to a Dallas playoff loss a few years ago.

“It’s just … rewarding,” Romo said. “It makes me proud of the guys. Fighting, grinding, staying committed to the approach. I’m happy for the guys, happy for Wade, happy for Jerry.”

The game was played in the $1.2 billion Cowboys Stadium drew 92,951 fans making it the largest crowd to ever see an NFL playoff game other than the Super Bowl.

The Cowboys pack up and head into Minnesota for their game next Sunday against Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings.

Realated Articles:

Cowboys Eagles NFL Game Center – NFL.com

NFL Hottest Cheerleaders Gallery – Sports Climax

Sanchez Sizzles as N.Y. Jets Advance in AFC Playoffs – Sports Climax

Copyright © 2010 – Sports Climax

Around the time James Cameron’s masterpiece box-office hit Avatar surpassed $1 billion and brought a new meaning to the term 3D, ESPN reported they will launch the first 3D television network.

ESPN 3D will showcase a minimum of 85 live sporting events during its first year, beginning with the first 2010 FIFA World Cup match on June 11 between South Africa and Mexico.

In addition to the World Cup opener, ESPN will produce up to 25 total World Cup matches, as well as the Summer X Games, college basketball, and college football, including the BCS National Championship game in Glendale, Ariz., January 10, 2011.

ESPN has been testing ESPN 3D for more than two years and produced USC’s 18-15 win over Ohio State in 3D for select theaters back in September.

This network launch will certainly drive the early adoption of 3D TV sets, while combining “great content with new technology to enhance the fan’s viewing experience,” according to ESPN President, George Bodenheimer.

ESPN went on to report that “Even more events will soon be announced, and we’re crossing our fingers that the following shows make the cut”

Around the 3D Horn: All of the guest hosts will appear to sit in a semi-circle around an actual horn, reminiscent of the conch from Lord of the Flies.

Outside the Lines 3D: The most literal television show ever, as it will actually appear to be outside the lines of your TV.

3D Cold Pizza: Because all that was missing were various toppings appearing to fly through your screen.

3D PTI:It’s not a robot, it’s Tony and Wilbon in your living room.

SportsCenter 3D: Is that Scott Van Pelt and Steve Levy or just clever holograms delivering you the highlights? We’ll never tell.

Copyright © 2010 – Sports Climax