Here we go with today’s sports water cooler talk. Here, you won’t just find the straight news; you’ll find the stuff everyone is talking about – the ice breakers, the Twitter topics…well, the stuff you discuss at the water cooler.
Enjoy!
We’ve got another hockey trade, some Super Bowl injury info and the return of football’s zaniest offensive play caller leading the way in today’s news.
Let’s check it out!
NFL news: Freeney could miss Super Bowl; Mike Martz joins the Bears
The NFL gave us some bad news and some good over the last 24 hours. The Indianapolis Colts are preparing for the worst with speed rusher Dwight Freeney for Super Bowl XLIV. The Pro Bowler sprained right ankle in the AFC Championship victory over the New York Jets and told The Associated Press that it was “really bad.” One report suggests he may have even torn a ligament. The Colts are preparing to play without him. Then again, it could be an elaborate deception, as Indy expressed concern all week about Peyton Manning’s bruised thumb three years ago before he led them to a Super Bowl win.
Could Jay Cutler have found his perfect apprentice? The rocket-armed yet enigmatic Bears quarterback now has Mike Martz, the mad scientist behind the St. Louis Rams’ “Greatest Show on Turf” 10 years ago, as his offensive co-ordinator. It’s easy to hate Martz for his smug face and horrible inability to manage the damn clock, but Bears fans can get excited about him in a co-ordinator position. Even Matt Forte, who may be a better receiver than runner, should improve under Martz in a Marshall Faulk role. Fantasy football players, rejoice!
NHL news: Flames stay busy, ship out Jokinen
Darryl Sutter continued his mission to detoxify the Calgary Flames’ locker room. Star blueliner Dion Phaneuf was rumoured to be a problem in the locker room but few players have a worse “team cancer” reputation than Olli Jokinen. The Finnish sniper wears out his welcome seemingly everywhere he goes and, for the second straight season, has been dealt within a year of joining a team. The Flames shipped him and Brandon Prust to the Rangers for Ales Kotalik and Christopher Higgins.
The Flames now have five new forwards in their starting lineup; bettors should sit tight for a week before throwing any wagers on them. After all, we don’t know this team’s identity anymore. As for Olli Jokinen…I’m sure he’ll be a great fit with John Tortorella. Sigh.
NBA News: Starbury makes China debut; Kobe passes Jerry West; Arenas apologizes
Kobe had a special night in a losing cause for the Lakers yesterday. He dropped 44 points on the Memphis Grizzlies to pass Jerry West for the franchise’s all-time scoring lead. Kobe was modest about the honor, thanking West for teaching him so much as a kid. Scary to think that Kobe’s still only 31 years old. Insanity.
Stephon Marbury made a so-so debut with his Chinese team Shanxi last night, scoring 15 points, missing all six of his three-point attempts and blaming it all on jet lag. In other news, I watched paint dry today.
MLB news: Twins reportedly lock up Joe Mauer forever
It’s hard to blame the Minnesota Twins for holding on tight to stud catcher Joe Mauer. They need a face for their new ballpark and Mauer hit .365 with an OPS over 1.000 last season. But a reported 10-year deal for a guy who’s played 140 games twice in six seasons makes me nervous. But hey – I can’t deny that he looks like the Tony Gwynn of catching. Minus the fat.
