EOTM on Sports: 2011 NFL Draft

By: Mark Sandberg

The 2011 NFL Draft is so close I can taste it. Sure, the Raiders don’t have a pick today, but maybe they should try and change that. I’m not sure they’ll have a player to line up at tackle otherwise.

Steve Corkoran was answering questions on Bayarea.com the other day, and someone asked him if he thought Mario Henderson or Langston Walker would be re-signed. Here is what he had to say:

“I have heard from other players that Mario turned down a one-year offer and that Walker is contemplating retirement. Therefore, the Raiders might be in the market for a right offensive tackle because Khalif Barnes isn’t coming back either.”

I am not surprised either way on the bit of news about Mario. There are very few free agent left tackles on the market with starting experience, and he is likely to get a decent deal. For the Raiders part, trying to get Mario back on a one-year deal isn’t a bad idea. They could do a lot worse than that for back-up, and on a one-year deal they wouldn’t be investing much.

As for ol’ man Walker, I had no idea. He’s only 31, and he hasn’t had a history of injuries. Maybe he is just telling people this to try and get more money on his next contract. But if he retires it is going to make the need to draft a tackle even more pressing.

I wasn’t thrilled about the idea of having Walker start the 2011 season as right tackle, but at least he was a fairly viable option that brought some plus play to the run game. Ideally, I was hoping the Raiders would bring someone in to take his place at tackle and have Walker to start at guard and/or for depth, but Walker dangled out their like a tattered security blanket.

We can get more into free agency after the draft, but take a quick look at the list on WalterFootball.com of free agent tackles, and it paints a pretty grim picture. Given the increasing reality that the NFL is going to play under the same rules it did in 2010, there are only about four or five tackles that aren’t tendered that would be an upgrade over Walker at tackle. And it is not like Walker set a high upgrade bar.

While I like quite a few linemen the Raiders will likely have a chance to draft in the second-round I don’t like any of their chances as an opening day starter at RT. Expecting to land a RT in free agency is going to be an expensive roll of the dice. I really don’t expect the Raiders to trade up to the first-round to take a tackle, but it may be the only way to land a capable starter.

Leave your comments.

Dwight Howard Sues VH1″Basketballs Wives” Royce Reed — according to TMZ

Royce Reed

 

Royce Reed is quickly becoming one of the most popular figures on Basketball Wives.

TMZ recently reported the former Magic and Miami Heat dancer and mother of Dwight Howard’s young son is  currently being sued by Howard for damages to his image. Dwight Howard, however, told Orlando Sentinel reporter Brian Schmitz that the story was false.

 

 

 

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March Madness Live Updates

By: Jimmy EOTM Baker

NCAA Tournament First Round 2011

The wait is finally over, March Madness is finally here! The first round of the 2011 NCAA tournament kicked off today at 12:15 ET with the No. 5 West Virginia going up against No. 12 Clemson. At 12:40, No. 9 Old Dominion squares off against No. 8 Butler.

NCAA TOURNAMENT FIRST ROUND

NCAA Tournament

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WVU advances with win over Clemson, 84-76

 

NCAA Tournament East Region game between No. 5 seed West Virginia and No. 12 Clemson was extraordinary to say the least.

The Tigers jumped out to a big early lead, but once West Virginia shook off the cobwebs and found its game — and the Tigers began to show some signs of fatigue — it was all Mountaineers and they cruised to a relatively easy, 84-76, win.

The Mountaineers (21-11) play Saturday against the winner of the second game of today’s doubleheader which is between No. 4 Kentucky (25-8) and No. 13 Princeton (25-6).

 

Rick Martin Dies

Buffalo Sabre legend dies in a crash

 

Rick Martin, a member of the Buffalo Sabres’ fabled “French Connection” line in the 1970s, has died at the age of 59, the National Hockey League team has said.

The Sabres announced Martin’s death in a statement before Sunday’s game against Ottawa.

New York state police said Martin died after a one-car crash in the Buffalo suburb of Clarence.

NYSP Captain Steven Nigrelli said the car Martin was driving crossed the center line of the road and struck a utility pole before coming to rest against a tree.

Nigrelli said witnesses saw Martin with his head slumped and eyes closed at the wheel and it appeared that he had “an undetermined medical emergency” prior to the accident.

An autopsy is to be conducted to determine the cause of death, police said.

EOTM Media: Your Guide to NBA All-Star Weekend

EOTM News

 

 

 

 

 

The 60th NBA All-Star Game will be played on Sunday February 20 at Staples Center, marking the fifth time Los Angeles will be the site of the annual celebration.

It’s been seven years since Los Angeles last hosted the NBA’s All-Star Weekend events, but the city isn’t the least bit rusty.

A weekend’s worth of adventures will start Friday and culminate in the All-Star game itself on Sunday night. EOTM has compiled a full list of the All-Star events so you can plan your weekend accordingly.

Friday

The NBA All-Star Jam Session will kick off Friday at the Los Angeles Convention Center and run through Sunday. There will be basketball events NBA players and legends will be roaming the halls,willing to shell out free autographs for fans. Then, the excitement continues inside the Convention Center when the 2011 Celebrity All-Star game kicks off, headlined by none other than Justin Bieber.

Chicago Bulls' Derrick Rose shares a light moment with San Antonio Spurs' Tony Parker during the Bulls' 109-99 win during NBA game at United Center in Chicago, IL on Thursday, February 17, 2011. (Scott Strazzante/ Chicago Tribune)

Other celebrity invites include NBA Hall-of-Famer Magic Johnson, television’s Rob Kardashian (“Keeping Up With the Kardashians”)

, Jimmy Kimmel (“Jimmy Kimmel Live”), Zachary Levi (“Chuck”), rapper Common and ESPN columnist Bill Simmons and more.

Friday night culminates in the Rookie-Sophomore game, which pins the NBA’s best first-year players against the best second-year guys. The game will be a preview of Saturday night’s dunk contest, with Blake Griffin, DeMar DeRozan and Serge Ibaka slated to play.

Saturday

All-Star Saturday Night will feature four competitions, starting with the Shooting Stars contest — which has NBA legends, WNBA players and current players in various shooting competitions — the Skills Challenge, which tests the ability of the NBA’s best point guards, the Three-Point Contest and the grand finale, the Dunk Contest.

After the game make your way to one of the hottest events of all star weekend — hosted by Uneek Music Artist and Staff and Special Guest Ray J whom will be performing live.

Uneek Music Group has chosen All Star Weekend for their official music release party. This will be a red carpeted event which will be hosted by EOTM Media as well as other media outlets and star studded as well. So make your way to the 740 Club – 753 S Spring St Los Angles CA 90014.

Music by Celeb DJ Kay Slay. Celebs attending: Young Berg-Kevin Black-22 NBA-NFL Players- The Real House Wives-BOB-Kayne West- The Game- Lil Scrappy- Young Buck-Fantasia- Playboy Models-Kurrupt Song Writter Pooh Bear-Bobby Valentino- Jadakiss-Pink- Linkin Park-World Star Hip Hop and many more.

TICKETS: http://nbaallstar.ticketbud.com/2011-nba-all-star-red-ca …

Sunday

The main event will take place Sunday night as 24 of the league’s best players take the stage for the 60th NBA All-Star Game. The East roster is highlighted by the Miami Heat’s LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh, as well as the Celtics big four of Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo.

In the West, Lakers perennial All-Star Kobe Bryant will be joined by teammate Pau Gasol and Clippers forward Blake Griffin, as well as Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant and Tim Duncan.

If you can’t score yourself some tickets to any event, fear not — all the weekend’s festivities will be broadcast on ESPN and TNT.

 

NBA Celebrity Game 2011 Roster

The 2011 BBVA Celebrity Game tipped off at 7 PM Eastern Friday on ESPN, a precursor to the terrible basketball to follow all weekend. The NBA has mixed things up this season, allowing two general managers — ESPN.com scribe and best-selling author Bill Simmons and late-night host Jimmy Kimmel — to pick teams.

Simmons took the immortal Michael Rapaport, a Celebrity Game Hall-of-Famer if there ever was one, Joel McHale and either U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan or actor Armie Hammer. (Seriously, no one knows.) His NBA legends include Scottie Pippen, Chris Mullin and Mitch Richmond, three excellent players who haven’t hit 50. Kimmel fights back with Jalen Rose, Rick Fox and A.C. Green. Needless to say, this is not a fair fight.

But Kimmel has the almighty Justin Bieber, blockbuster performer who happens to be a 16-year-old Canadian. Other celebrities on Kimmel’s roster include Rob Kardashian, Zach Levi and Lil’ Romeo. Arguably, one could include Fox among the celebrities instead of the athletes. Such are the mindbenders involved with the NBA Celebrity Game!

Bill Walton will coach Simmons’ team, while Magic Johnson will coach the Kimmels. Ty Burrell and Jason Alexander will serve as hecklers of some sort. Swin Cash and Tamika Catchings will be the actual best players on the court. Basketball!

Super Bowl 2011 Commercials

By: Carla B

 

Rate the 2011 Super Bowl commercials

The 2011 Super Bowl Commercials are here! Watch the Super Bowl 2011 commercials and rate

Best or Worse — YOU decide — leave your comments below —

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Super Bowl 2011

By: Jimmy Baker

Pittsburgh Steelers vs Green Bay Packers

Sunday, February 6, 2011 – 6:30pm ET on FOX

Predictions by Jimmy Jam Baker of EOTM: don’t count Pittsburgh out just yet!

The 2011 Super Bowl in Dallas will feature the Pittsburgh Steelers turning themselves into the latest Super Bowl winners by beating the Green Bay Packers. This is my prediction, the Steelers win the Super Bowl at 28-24.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Tseng wins Women’s Australian Open

By: Han Belamy

Yani Tseng of Taiwan kisses the trophy after winning the Women's Australian Open golf tournament at the Commonwealth Club in Melbourne, yesterday. Tseng won the tournament after shooting a seven under 66 in the final round to win by three shots from England's Laura Davis. (AFP)

Taiwanese Yani Tseng retained her Women’s Australian Open title with an easy seven-stroke victory at the Commonwealth Golf Club in Melbourne.

Shooting a final-round 2-under 71 Sunday to win by seven strokes.

Tseng finished with a four-round total of 16-under-par 276 on the par-73 Commonwealth Golf Club course.

No. 1-ranked Jiyai Shin was tied for second with two others. Shin shot a final-round 74, level with South Korean Ji Eun-hee (74), and England’s Melissa Reid, who shot 68.

Jennifer Song of the United States finished fifth after a 71, nine strokes behind Tseng.

Four-time champion Karrie Webb shot 70 Sunday, 11 behind Tseng. Laura Davies of England shot 74 and finished at 290, 14 strokes behind the winner.