Philip Rivers wants Peyton Manning in Denver

You can't fault Philip Rivers' competitive nature, even as the team around him looks like it's falling apart. The San Diego Chargers missed the playoffs last season and conceded the AFC West crown to the Tim Tebow led Denver Broncos. Now Rivers would love to see the Broncos bring Peyton Manning aboard. Not because he has a personal vendetta against the guy. It's because he says it's good for the division to stop being looked at as the weak sisters of the NFL. And he loves the thought of battling Manning twice a year.

“It would make it that much tougher to win the West,” Rivers said on San Diego’s XX 1090 radio, via the Denver Post. “All the sudden, at least from a media’s perspective, it would become a division that’s not lost in the shuffle like it’s been in years past. I kind of hope that that’s the case just because it’s always fun to play a Peyton Manning-led football team. To play him twice a year that would be a battle like crazy to win the division. I hope it happens. One thing you know about him, he’s going to be thorough and make the best decision for him that gives him the best chance to go win. And if that ends up being Denver then it will be exciting.” 


And another hurdle for your slow starting team to overcome. If I'm Rivers I'm begging John Elway to leave Manning alone and let him go elsewhere. How about concentrating on how the Chargers can avoid a slow start or midseason swoon that ruins their season.

Vikings sign former college point guard

I don't keep up with the Minnesota Vikings a whole lot, so I'm not really in the know about their team needs this offseason. I suppose the Vikes do need help in the secondary so their really trying to get some bodies in there. So instead of hunkering down for the draft or looking for the best free agent fit they make the puzzling move of signing Nicholas Taylor.

Who? you might ask. I'll give a quick description of Mr. Taylor.

Taylor played collegiately at Florida International for the basketball team and has been playing defensive back in a low level arena league.

Taylor spent time last season in a minor arena football league and worked out on Wednesday at FIU's pro day, where he was clocked at 4.34 and 4.27 seconds in the 40-yard dash.


The Vikings apparently thought enough of him to bring him to Minneapolis for a private workout on Friday and signed him shortly thereafter. Taylor said team officials told him his long-shot bid to make the roster will include a look at cornerback, punt returner and perhaps receiver, too. 


It's a long shot that he makes the team, but there is a the matter of a three year contract that is a reserves/futures contract, so there is a three year committment.

This could turn out to be a heartwarming story or a move of high stupidity. I'm rooting for the guy to make it but figure the odds on this one.

Rumeal Robinson losing part of his NBA pension

After being convicted in 2010 for wire fraud among other crimes, former NBA player and Michigan Wolverine star, Rumeal Robinson, stands to lose nearly $369,000 from his NBA pension fund to cover restitution for some shady business dealings.


The Des Moines Register reports federal prosecutors had filed papers to tap Robinson's NBA pension account and were granted permission this week.


The former University of Michigan player was convicted in September 2010 of participating in a scheme along with a bank officer to defraud the Community State Bank in Ankeny of more than $1.1 million.


Robinson's serving a 78-month sentence for wire fraud and other crimes.


Court documents say Robinson will have enough left in his pension account to fund a monthly annuity estimated amount at $140.


I can't say I feel sorry for the guy since he had an opportunity to do something that most of us never will do and that's get paid a handsome amount of money to play NBA basketball. Even if it didn't work out too well for him he still had a Michigan education to fall back on. To use that knowledge for criminal activities is unspeakable. I really have no words for it. I really hope he doesn't go broke, but you can't say it wasn't well deserved.  

Sherri Shepherd embroiled in Dancing With The Stars cheat claims after starting rehearsals THREE MONTHS ago

Sexy Sherri Shepherd with her dance partner

The Dancing With The Stars line-up was only announced two weeks ago.

But today it has been claimed The View host Sherri Shepherd  got a head start over her competitors - and started rehearsing with her dance partner Val Chmerkovskiy three months ago.

The claims are unlikely to please her fellow celebrity contestants - who have only been practising for the past couple of weeks.

Sherri was spotted heading into Soho Studio in Hollywood in early December, an eyewitness told RadarOnline.

'She had her dance shoes with her and was dressed in workout gear. I saw them dancing together,' the source told the website.

The 44-year-old comedienne will compete alongside the likes of Welsh opera singer Katherine Jenkins, Maria Menounos, Melissa Gilbert, Gavin DeGraw and Jack Wagner in the hit show.

Sherri Shepard leaving home

The official line-up for the upcoming season was revealed two weeks on Good Morning America.

A DWTS insider added to RadarOnline: 'You’re not supposed to even know who your partner is before the announcement is made.

'It seems like Sherri is cheating and trying to get a leg up on the other dancers by spending way more time getting ready for the competition.'

Teen Bride Courtney Stodden flies the flag as she enjoys her first ever surfing lesson

With a love of alliteration so entertainingly employed on her Twitter account, Courtney Stodden must have salivated over a sensual session of surfing by the sea.

Sadly, the 17-year-old was so busy with her first ever board lesson that after her Sunday soundbite from The Bible (the classic 'do unto others'), she didn't get time to update her account with a sentence sloshing with 's' noises.

Courtney, who is married to X Files 'creep' Doug Hutchison, 51, managed to get a line of torrid prose rattled on Saturday, however, as she enjoyed the beach in a more leisurely fashion.  

 

She wrote: 'Spending this sweet Saturday morning sunbathing topless on the beach... that sexy sand gets everywhere!'

Courtney seemed to have dealt with the issue by the time she got around to her lesson the next day, happily enough.

She'd also covered up, slightly it has to be said, in a tiny bikini emblazoned with the Stars and Stripes. 

Very patriotic of her, we're sure you'll agree.

Sanchez calls 'unnamed teammates' gutless

After the New York Jets failed to match expectations they brought upon themselves, there were many that pointed fingers at quarterback Mark Sanchez.

There was a report about unnamed teammates being very critical of Sanchez and now Sanchez has finally spoke up for himself.

Sanchez called the "unnamed teammates" gutless since they couldn't put their name to the comments.  

"It is a gutless thing to do," he said. If you're not going to put your name on something, why waste anybody's time? Obviously, they had strong opinions about it, but not strong enough to say who they were." 


That's kind of like the "unnamed sources" when breaking news comes out.

Sanchez did own up to some of the blame, but all of the Jets should look in the mirror, because all of them underperformed this year. Sure, the quarterback most of the time is the face of the franchise, but that doesn't mean he should shoulder all the blame when things go wrong. If Sanchez passes for 500 yards and 5 touchdowns a game and you lose I'm sure it wouldn't be his fault.

Rex Ryan has let the genie out of the bottle and needs to get this locker room back under control.

Pistons might want to follow Oden's progress

Would it be wise for a team to take a flier on Greg Oden? Only at a minimal cost.

After years of seeing the ghost of Sam Bowie, the Portland Trail Blazers finally ended the Oden era. It was something that had to be done after having Oden face surgery after surgery. The Blazers also decided to throw in the towel on the season and rebuild on the fly, but that's another story.

My question is, do you give Oden a shot if he gets healthy? Maybe. If I'm in the Detroit Pistons front office it's something I would keep an eye on. Hear me out before you call me stupid.

Oden will never be completely healthy, but he could still be healthy enough to be a servicable NBA player. Not the dominant force many thought he would be when he was made the number one pick out of Ohio State. I would keep an eye on his progress and if I deemed him to be healthy enough, then sign him to the veteran's minimum. That way if he's no good to you, get rid of him, eat his contract and it doesn't set your franchise back.

Joe Dumars should take a look and see how Oden has progressed after his third microfracture surgery. It couldn't hurt the Pistons and Oden is still young enough to be a decent NBA player. He is only 24 so I'm sure he'd be willing to give it another try before calling it a career. I'm not saying go out and sign him now. Just see how he progresses and take a shot on his damaged upside.

There is this disclaimer. Oden shouldn't rush to get back on the court like he has in years past. It always seemed like he was trying to justify his status as the number one pick due to the success of Kevin Durant. If Oden can fully concentrate on rehab, then he might be worth the risk even if he hasn't played extensively in three years.

It remains to be seen whether Oden, because of his modest salary, is claimed on waivers even though he isn't expected to be ready to try to resume his career until well into the 2012-13 season.

Southern Miss band have a racist chant for K-State's Angel Rodriguez

What a few members of the Southern Miss band directed towards Kansas State guard Angel Rodriguez was uncalled for. It has no place in the world of sports and those who did it should be dealt with accordingly.

When Rodriguez was shooting free throws a few members of the Southern Miss band started a chant of "Where's your green card?".

Here's the video of the ridiculous chant.

Good thing that didn't last long.

Marbury rips D'Antoni

I guess Mike D'Antoni didn't win many over in his time as head coach of the New York Knicks. That's why coaches get fired, add in the fact that he wasn't winning enough made him more cannon fodder for the critics. But I bet D'Antoni didn't count on Stephon Marbury jumping on the rip D'Antoni bandwagon. Remember Marbury played for D'Antoni while the two were in Phoenix and New York.

Now Marbury is the last person to rip anyone considering he wasn't necessarily a winning player while he was in the NBA.  

Marbury went on Twitter to call D'Antoni a coward.

"Coward's Step down men knock walls down that men like him post up. I told you'll about that dude but you'll didn't listen. #DANPHONY"  

Mighty bold words from someone who once ate Vaseline. Just because D'Antoni couldn't make things work with Carmelo Anthony and tried to trade him for Deron Williams and failed doesn't make him a coward. I just call it a failed power play. And just because Marbury could never see eye to eye with D'Antoni doesn't make him a coward. It's called a clash of egos.

David Garrard has interest in the Detroit Lions

Last season was pretty rough for former Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback David Garrard. Garrard was released from Jacksonville to make room for then rookie Blaine Gabbert close to the end of training camp. After that Garrard elected to have back surgery. Garrard still had teams making offers for his services including the Oakland Raiders, even though he elected to take the season off.

After a year off Garrard has put the surgery behind him and his agent says that he has been medically cleared to play. Garrard has planned to visit some NFL teams and with the way quarterbacking is these days he shouldn't have a hard time finding a job. One of the teams he has interest in is the Detroit Lions.

"If the Lions are interested in David's services, we will listen," said Al Irby, Garrard's agent. "Because of the chain reaction Peyton (Manning) will cause, teams that inquired about David before, may change their mind when certain quarterbacks become available. It is my opinion that David is the next-best quarterback now on the market. Once Peyton makes a decision, based on recent activity, David will be a hot quarterback.


"David informed me not to turn down any team's inquiry. He wants to examine every situation. He is open to compete for a starting job, assume the starting job, or backup the current starter. He believes that the best player will ultimately play. He is very confident in his ability to do any job for the right team. All he wants is a chance to win." 


With the Lions potentially losing backups Shaun Hill and Drew Stanton in free agency, the Lions could be an intriguing option, for the right price.

Garrard has 76 career starts in 86 games since 2002. He led Jacksonville to the playoffs in 2007 and was a Pro Bowl selection in 2010. 


Garrard should be one of the top backup options in free agency. If he's willing to sign for the right price he could be worth a flier. If the Lions lose Hill and Stanton to free agency quarterback would become another priority for the team in the draft and free agency.

Lakers wheeling and dealing

With the trade deadline looming, the Los Angeles Lakers have been doing some retooling to their roster. Earlier today it was reported that the Lakers sent Luke Walton and a first round pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers for point guard Ramon Sessions and  forward Christian Eyenga.

There also has been confirmation by Ken Berger of CBSsports.com that the Lakers will be sending Derek Fisher and a first round pick to the Houston Rockets for forward Jordan Hill.

What this does for the Lakers is give them a servicable point guard in Sessions that is capable of scoring, and they add a rugged big body in Hill that can give Pau Gasol or Andrew Bynum a rest for a few minutes. He won't score like them but he can play defense and rebound.

In a Western Conference where the only legitimate threat is Oklahoma City, the Lakers appear to be getting a makeover for another run at the Finals.    

Captain Jack coming full circle

A few days ago Stephen Jackson was traded from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Golden State Warriors. It was a homecoming of sorts as Jackson was going back to Golden State. Now a few days after that it looks like Jackson's career is coming full circle. The San Antonio Spurs are trading small forward Richard Jefferson for the volatile Jackson. Golden State will also receive a first round pick in the deal.

In a bland Spurs locker room Jackson has bee described as the ultimate teammate by Tim Duncan. I guess that can carry some weight since Jackson has worn out his welcome in lots of places since his first stint in San Antonio. With Manu Ginobili not being at full strength, this could turn out to be a coup for the Spurs as Jackson always states that he just wants to win.  

Raquel Welch: 'I never wanted to wear fur bikini in One Million Years BC'

Raquel Welch in bikini 

Raquel Welch, the 1960s screen siren, has accused modern culture of being obsessed with sex and declared that she is happy to be an "old fogie".

Miss Welch, 71, also revealed that she never wanted to wear a fur bikini in what became an iconic image from the film "One Million Years BC."

The actress told Men's Health magazine: "I think we've gotten to the point in our culture where we're all sex addicts, literally. We have equated happiness in life with as many orgasms as you can possibly pack in.

"I don't care if I'm being one of those old fogies who says 'Back in my day we didn't have to hear about sex all the time.' They're ruining us with all the explanations and graphicness."

The star, who has been married four times, added: "It's dehumanising. I think this era of porn is at least partially responsible for it. Where is the anticipation and the personalisation? It's all prefab now. You have these images coming at you unannounced and unsolicited. It just gets to be so plastic and phoney to me."

Miss Welch said films and music had become so sexually graphic that an artist like Adele seemed "revolutionary because she's not out there in a g-string."

The actress said she thought "One Million Years BC," which was released in 1966, would be "swept under the carpet" and nobody would ever see it.

She said: "I even complained to the studio. I was like 'Please, please don't make me do the dinosaur movie.' They were like 'No, Raquel, you don't understand. It's a classic. It'll live on forever.' Turns out they were right."

John Cena is the Next Hulk Hogan; A Fan’s Perspective

WWE superstar Hulk Hogan

If you are a long time wrestling fan like I am, you've heard the question asked; Who is the next Hulk Hogan? Many wrestlers have come along and been crowned the next WWE golden boy. But none of them, not Austin, Rock or Brock Lesnar, were able to carry the company long term. But I think we have found our answer. And whether you like it or not, John Cena is the next Hulk Hogan.

Right now, John Cena is the face of World Wrestling Entertainment. He is not only the most popular guy in the business, but he is also recognizable and marketable outside wrestling. Unlike other men who have tried to satisfy the role of Hulk Hogan, their marketability was limited to sports entertainment. But Cena has proved that he is likable and certified by the masses. This includes people who are not enthusiasts of the sport. John Cena has appeared on several main stream media shows including "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno", "The Apprentice" and the "Teen Choice Awards". Cena also starred in two WWE produced films. His name and likeness are recognizable outside WWE Universe, much like Hulk Hogan.

In the ring, John Cena has become the focal point of the weekly television show and pay per views. He has persevered and gets a consistent fan reaction from live crowd, in comparison to other wrestlers who have hot and cold arenas. Although Cena's reaction is mixed and rarely uniformly positive, the thousands of fans are responding to him. And that is what counts. Much like Hogan in the 80s, John Cena has also become a merchandise machine. His goods are seen regularly throughout the arena and tops the WWE top seller list. In addition, the last several years John Cena has become synonymous with Wrestlemania. It is the ultimate indication that Vince McMahon is entrusting his company in your popularity and longevity.Wrestling fans will argue that "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and The Rock were the "next Hulk Hogan". But neither man can be considered the "next Hulk Hogan" because Hogan was still wrestling while the two had full time wrestling careers. Now that Hulk Hogan can never wrestle again due to numerous back surgeries, the time is ripe to name a successor. Mark my words, in ten years, people will not remember Hulk Hogan and they shall only know the name John Cena.

"Fanny" of the week: Heather Vandeven

This week's "Fanny" of the week is Heather Vandeven

TJ Ford retiring from the NBA

Today San Antonio Spurs point guard TJ Ford decided that it was time to throw in the towel on his NBA career. By no means am I calling Ford a quitter. He succeeded in beating the odds for sticking around this long but sometimes enough is enough.

Ford told reporters that lying motionless March 7 on the court against the New York Knicks wasn’t the first time it had happened, and he decided to walk away while he still had a chance. He was playing just his 14th game in an injury-prone season when Knicks guard Baron Davis elbowed him in the back, knocking him to the ground.


“If it’s anybody else, it’s just a regular play,” Ford said at a Spurs practice before Monday’s game against Washington. “But because of me and my condition, a simple elbow in the back has a different outcome than hitting someone else in the back.”

Due to a surgically repaired spine, Ford never became the big star that may thought he would be when he came out of Texas after his sophomore year. There were flashes of the talent that made Ford a collegiate star, where he transformed Texas into a legitimate basketball school. But he was often injured which include a year on the sidelines after undergoing spinal fusion surgery.

The ever positive Ford doesn't look at his exit negatively. That's just the kind of person he is. He knows he played against doctor's advice and seems to look back fondly on his career.

“I think I succeeded at beating the odds, of being the little guy, making it to the NBA and lasting as long as I did,” Ford said. “I think I achieved a lot. I know I didn’t have the career I anticipated and everyone anticipated, me having been the player of the year (at Texas). But I think I still had a successful career.”      


It's sad to see that Ford will not leave the game on his own terms. The Ford I remember was a dazzling point guard leading the Texas Longhorns to the Final Four in a thriller of a game against the Carmelo Anthony led Syracuse team. I would like to see him stay around the game because I feel that Ford could make a smooth transition to the coaching ranks.

Good luck in the future TJ.

Bollywood actor Nupur Mehta involved in cricket match-fixing?

Lola Ponce hot photo with her boyfriend

Lola Ponce sharing a tight kiss with her boyfriend

Lola Ponce exposing her sexy bottom

Mike Tyson has thoughts on Mayweather and Pacquiao

Now days it seems that everyone has a take on the stalemate between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather.
Everyone wants to know what's the hold up that's holding up the biggest fight yet to be made.

Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson put in his two cents about Mayweather and Pacquiao and came up with a pretty extreme solution to their problem.

"I would throw them in jail if they didn’t fight. I’d have them arrested," Tyson said. "You can’t do that but that’s what I would try to do. These guys need to get locked up and find a new profession until they get their heads clear."

I think that's a bit much, but at this pace in negotiations that might be what it takes to finally get these two into the ring.

Verlander wonders about free agency

Will Justin Verlander be a Tiger for life?

The reigning AL Cy Young Award Winner and AL MVP spoke with Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (via MLBTradeRumors.com) where he (Verlander) discussed his newfound celebrity status and his future with the team. Verlander expressed his love for Detroit but admitted that he wondered what it would be like playing in a bigger market and what it would take for him to remain a Tiger.


Verlander acknowledged that, sure, he’s thought about what it would be like to play in a bigger market.


“It would be fun, but hopefully I help turn Detroit into a major market,” he said. “Other teams are major markets not just because of their fan base but because of the national fan base. That comes from winning. They’re always on the news because they win.


“We may not have the biggest city in the world, but if we go out there every year and we’re in the playoffs and win some World Series titles, then our national fan base grows. My goal is to help make Detroit and their fan base a major market. I want to be a key piece in that.”


The key is owner Mike Illitch. Illitch desperately wants to add a World Series trophy to his collection of Stanley Cups. Illitch is willing to make the committment to win na dthat means spending money. He proved it by signing Prince Fielder to a megadeal this offseason.


“That’s one of the conversations I had with the Tigers right before I signed,” Verlander said, in reference to the five-year, $80 million extension to which he agreed before the 2010 season. “We talked about money and all that stuff. I wanted reassurances that I’m going to be part of a winning team. They said, ‘We’re going to do what it takes.’ That’s all I needed to hear. I want to win a World Series. And some of the other things I want to do in this game involve being on winning teams.”


I'm pretty sure that Verlander will be a lifetime Tiger, but nothing is certain in the world of sports. Just ask Peyton Manning about that.