Giants Nicks and Tuck Expect to Play on Monday Night

The New York Giants got good news on the medical conditions of DE Justin Tuck and WR Hakeem Nicks on Tuesday.  Although the pair probably won't be on the practice field this week, as the team prepares for its Monday night home opener against the St. Louis Rams,  both players remain optimistic they will be ready for the game.

Tuck (neck)says he will be ready to play on Monday and claims his injury is muscular and not disc-related.  He said he is aware that you can't be too careful with neck injuries, but said it was just responding more slowly to treatment than he first expected.

The defensive end suffered a stinger in the preseason game against the New York Jets and sat out the opening game loss to the Washington Redskins.

"Honestly, talk to me right now, I don't see how I will not play on Monday," said Tuck.  "And that's me.  Obviously, you've got to go through the process of doctors, coaches, general manager owner and going through what's most important for me and what's most important for this football team."

Neck injuries are something to be nervous about in light of Peyton Mannings' surgery and, closer to home, the cervical disc herniation which kept defensive teammate Mathias Kiwanuka out of the final 13 games last year and threatened his football  career.

Tuck could only watch Sunday as the depleted Giants defense was undressed, 28-14, by the Redskins.

"If I was given the choice, I would have played Sunday," said Tuck.  "I understand, you don't want to go out and cost yourself a year, maybe a career, just trying to be tough and trying to go out there for your football team.  Was it frustrating?  Absolutely."

Things aren't so cut and dry for Nicks.

On the positive side, doctors are almost certain his injured knee is just a bone bruise. According to the New York Daily News, they will monitor the swelling, keep him out of practice and make a decision later in the week.  If the inflammation doesn't subside, he could miss the game.  Doctors added that it seems doubtful the speedster would miss more than that.

The Giants could definitely use both players.  The Giants defense made Rex Grossman look sexy again and the offense had quarterback Eli Manning looking like well... the old Eli.

Rex Ryan Blamed For Taser Attack During Jets-Cowboys Game

The son of the man, arrested for firing a stun gun into a crowd of fans sitting in MetLife Stadium on Sunday night, blamed Jets coach Rex Ryan for creating a confrontational environment before the New York Jets-Dallas Cowboys nationally-televised game even started.

According to a report in the New York Daily News, Leroy McKelvey's son, Charlamagne tha God, claimed Ryan stirred things up by saying in a press conference before the game that "It's probably not recommended that you wear Cowboys stuff" to the Jets home stadium.

"He shouldn't have had a Taser on him," said the son about his father's arrest.  "But I really feel he took a risk because he felt threatened."

Charlamagne tha God, a local radio DJ, said the attack could have been provoked because his dad was wearing a Cowboys hat and jersey and has tattoos of Cowboys stars on his shoulder and right forearm.

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Witnesses say otherwise.  They say the brawl erupted after a Marine became annoyed that McKelvey and some friends  would not stand or remove their hats during the national anthem and for talking during "Taps" and "Amazing Grace."

The witnesses claim the fight escalated when the Marine, who was sitting at the end of a row of seats in the upper deck wouldn't move when McKelvey, 59, of Monck's Corner, S.C., tried to get past him to go to the restroom during halftime.

McKelvey pulled the stun gun and fired a shot into the Marine's neck, knocking him down six rows, according to police reports.

Authorities are still baffled as to how McKelvey was able to sneak the weapon inside MetLife Stadium, especially with heightened security for 9/11 and the high-profile presence of former-President George W. Bush in attendance at the game.

The suspect's son claimed his father is a devout Jehovah's Witness and doesn't stand for the national anthem or Pledge of Allegiance, but would never resort to violence.

"He's not a violent guy at all.  He just likes to have fun," Charlamagne tha God said.  "I would hope that an altercation didn't happen because of him not standing for the national anthem."

Police said three men suffered minor injuries, including the Marine, during the scrum and McKelvey had his nose broken.

"He got jumped by Jets fans when the Cowboys were leading by two touchdowns, so he was just defending himself," the son said.

The incident comes just weeks after brawls broke out all over Candlestick Park during a San Francisco 49ers-Oakland Raiders preseason game.  The NFL came out and said teams were going to crack down on fan violence by curbing drinking and tailgating.  The 49ers banned shirts with anti-team statements written on them.

The Jets-Cowboys game was the highest rated week 1 primetime game in 15 years according to numbers released by Nielsen.  The Jets won the game, 27-24, after mounting a fourth quarter comeback.

McKelvey was charged with felony aggravated assault, felony possession of a stun gun and illegal possession of a weapon.  His son posted the $22,500 bail. 

It was a solemn day that should have never ended with violence at such a prominent game.  The blame should be put squarely on the stadium security who fumbled the ball on this one.

Broncos' Eric Decker Leapfrogs Lance Ball After TD

The Green Bay Packers may have the made the Lambeau Leap the most-widely imitated post-touchdown jump in the NFL, but now comes its little brother-- the Mile High Leapfrog.

Eric Decker's hop over Lance Ball, who caught a TD pass from Kyle Orton, was ultimately in vain, as the late score couldn't help the Denver Broncos vault over the Oakland Raiders in the second game of Monday night's doubleheader.

With 3:43 left in the game, and a driving storm and a sea of orange calling for Tim Tebow raining down on Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium,  Orton completed a pass to Ball who hurdled a Raiders player at the two yard-line and rolled in for the touchdown.  It capped off an 80 yard drive.  The extra point brought Denver to within three points of Oakland despite an error-turnover-penalty-filled Bronco performance.

More importantly for Orton, the Broncos quarterback wouldn't have to worry about the popular Tebow hopping over him for the starting job-- at least for another week.

Denver could not stop Oakland after the kickoff and the Raiders held on for the 23-20 win in the scuffle-filled game.  The difference was Sebastian Janikowski's record-tying 63-yard field goal to close out the first half.

Janikowski, who's most famous long kick before tonight was a comical 76-yard miss in 2008, joined Jason Elam and Tom Dempsey in the record books

The victory snapped Oakland's streak of losing the previous eight straight season openers.

NFL Got It Right With DeNiro Talkin' To Us

On a day filled with numerous ceremonies commemorating the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the NFL picked the right person to narrate its own tribute to the fallen during the New York Jets/Dallas Cowboys game on Sunday night.

Oscar-winning actor, and quintessential New Yorker, Robert DeNiro was the best choice to narrate the succinct and touching tribute.

In what could have been overblown and cheesy moment, the nationally-televised event at MetLife Stadium came off as a simple salute to the military, the first responders and the lives lost ten years ago.

DeNiro's thick New York accent was the perfect voice for all the people who remember that day.  If you weren't riveted by the actor's serious tone, then the U.S. Marine playing a lonely Taps or the National Anthem performed by Lady Antebellum had to make you reflect back on a day that can sometimes be overlooked.

The star of so many tough guy films lives only blocks away from Ground Zero and was one of the city's biggest boosters after the attacks.

His Tribeca Film festival was born from the death of lower Manhattan and was just one of many projects which helped the area pick up the pieces and rebuild.

DeNiro, who has portrayed so many memorable characters in New York-themed movies from "Mean Streets," "Taxi Driver" and "Goodfellas," to the greatest boxing film ever produced "Raging Bull," pulled off the narration with flying red, white and blue colors.

On a day filled with what could be perceived as too many tributes, this was the one the whole nation saw and in a place that, nine years and 364 days before, fans could see the two towers stand sentry over the Hudson River then, a day later, be brought to their knees.

When DeNiro said, "On behalf of the NFL and grateful nation, we salute you," he was talkin' to me and every other American.

Now we can go back to our lives--somewhat.

As for DeNiro, all is now forgiven for "The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle."

Djokovic Alerts Medics To Sick Fan During U.S. Open; Then Saves Match vs. Federer

In a strange moment during Saturday's U.S. Open match between Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, fans in Arthur Ashe Stadium started whistling like baby birds in a feeding frenzy.  The noise seemed to annoy No. 1 seed Djokovic until he noticed that there was a person who fainted in the upper-most section of the arena and spectators were whistling for help.

It was during the second set of the men's semi-final match when the Serbian, who was down 3-1 when the commotion began, alerted officials to the stricken fan slumped over in his seat.  No. 3 seed Federer, who won the first tiebreaker set 7-6 looked on.

Even for the boisterous tennis crowds in Flushing Meadows, the excessive whistling seemed loud.

After the eagle-eyed Djokovic knew that the fan was being attended to, he immediately turned his attention back to his game.

Djokovic was asked by the referee if he wanted to continue play.  Djokovic grabbed a ball and pressed on.  He went on to win the next serve.

The diversion seemed to motivate Djokovic, who up to that point seemed sluggish and outplayed.  He rallied slightly against his Swiss opponent, only to fall short in the second set, 6-4.

 Djokovic's momentum carried over to a 6-3 third set win and now it was Federer who started to look tired. 

Djokovic forced a decisive set five by winning 6-2, then continued to hit balls fast and long while Federer couldn't get a point on any of his serves.

In the fifth set, the expressionless Federer got the crowd on his side, looked fresher and started to spray balls beyond Djokovic's reach.

The momentum continued to volley back-and-forth between the two players.

In the end, it was the Serbian's turn to get the crowd on his side.  The cheers pushed Djokovic to an improbable comeback after he fell behind in, what seemed like, an insurmountable 5-3 hole.

The classic match was finally won in a tiebreaker by Djokovic, 7-5 in the fifth.

After the epic battle, Djokovic lauded the "noise" at Arthur Ashe Stadium and mustered up enough energy to dance with the 23,500 jubilant fans.

The nearly four-hour match's start was delayed by rain for about an hour.  Djokovic will meet either No. 2 Rafael Nadal or No. 4 Andy Murray in the finals on Monday.

Wisconsin-GB Basketball Walk-on Shows Us What's Right About Sports

Who says hard work doesn't pay off?  For Wisconsin-Green Bay walk-on basketball player Eric Valentin, it meant getting the best news of his young lifetime.

On Tuesday, at a practice for The Phoenix basketball squad, coach Brian Wardle surprised his 5-foot-4 guard by offering him the team's last scholarship for the 2011-12 season.

It was an emotional moment for Valentin and a life long dream realized-- and it was all caught on video.

Valentin, who stands almost a full foot shorter than the average college basketball guard was rewarded by Wardle for the young man's "hard work and character," but not without some ribbing before he handed Valentin the official document. 

On the first day of his senior year, the coach singled out Valentin in front of the team and asked him "if he needed money or a job" because it seemed like his young charge was preoccupied during the practice.

It was then, Wardle said, "I found you a full-time job" and handed the scholarship papers to a unsuspecting Valentin.  The coach smiled and asked him, "Do you know what that is?"

As his teammates cheered, Valentin nodded his head and pulled his shirt up to shield his tearing eyes before he walked over and hugged his coach.

"It's a full-time scholarship, my man," said the coach.  "No one's earned it more than this guy right here."

The tiny guard with big ambitions walked up to Wardle last year, after transferring from a Florida community college, and said he wanted to play for his basketball team. 

Valentin, as a junior, only played in five games and averaged 1.2 points, but was a notable presence around the campus.


The Orlando native broke the Guinness World Record for most half-court shots made in a minute and was interviewed on ESPN, but the scholarship means more than the notoriety he gained for those moments.  For the ambitious Valentin, the full scholarship means validation for a job well done.

After all, he came off the bench to spark a win over Houston Baptist last season.

Valentin's feel-good story is a nice switch from the usual off-the-court antics which pass as sports news these days and, better yet, Valentin may not have to get that other job.

NFL Will Not Fine Players For Wearing 9/11 Tribute Gear On Anniversary

The NFL players who wear special cleats and gloves to honor the victims of the 9/11 attacks this weekend will not have to shell out a fine for breaking uniform rules according to Yahoo! Sports.

Players from Redskins tight-end Chris Cooley to Titans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, who had tweeted photos of the colorful Reebok gear, expected to pay fines for wearing the special cleated shoes and gloves in Sunday's games.

On Friday afternoon, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said that the players would not be fined for wearing the tribute gear, despite breaking the league's strict uniform policy.

"We have extensive plans for Sunday to respectfully recognize the significance of the day," Aiello said.

All NFL players, coaches and sideline crews will be wearing special 9/11tribute ribbons on their apparel during the opening Sunday of the season.

The colorful equipment was spotted inside the New York Jets locker room this week and center Nick Mangold and tight end Dustin Keller said they plan to wear the cleats and gloves.

Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs posted on his Twitter account about the possibility of having a fine levied against him for donning the red, white and blue gear.

"So once the breast cancer game is played, players can wear pink gloves and shoes as much as they like," Briggs tweeted.  "For the anniversary of 9/11 game, why is it if I wear shoes and gloves that are the colors of our nation's flag...I will be fined by the league."

"Reebok did a great job on these gloves and shoes...looks like I'm getting fined this week.  Lol!"

All the players who chose to wear the gear in honor of the day won't have to worry about getting fined this week, but let's see what happens after all the ceremonies and tributes are done.