Gilbert named new Phantoms head coach

Courtesy of the Philadelphia Flyers

The Philadelphia Flyers announced that they have named Greg Gilbert as the head coach of their American Hockey League affiliate, the Adirondack Phantoms, according to club General Manager Paul Holmgren. He is the sixth head coach in Phantoms franchise history.

“We are pleased to add Greg to our organization as head coach of the Phantoms,” said Holmgren. “He has a wealth of coaching experience at many levels and has shown a unique ability to work well with younger players.”

“I am very honored to be a part of the Philadelphia family and organization,” said Gilbert. “I am greatly looking forward to the opportunity to working with the young players in this organization. I am a patient coach. I have spent a lot of time working with young players and teaching them the game and helping them hone their skills and become better individuals. I am also looking forward to teaching them what it is like to be a part of a team and what the expectations and accountabilities are.”

Gilbert, 47, joins the Phantoms after spending the previous three seasons as head coach of the Toronto Marlies, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ AHL affiliate, where he compiled a 123-89-10-18 record, including a 39-29-5-7 mark in 2008-09. In just his second season as head coach of the Marlies, Gilbert finished the regular season with a 50-21-3-6 record and led the team to the Western Conference Finals of the Calder Cup Playoffs.

He also spent parts of three seasons as head coach of the Calgary Flames (2000-01 to 2002-03), where he compiled a 42-56-23 record in 121 games. Prior to his days in Calgary, Gilbert spent four seasons as head coach of the AHL’s Worcester IceCats (1996-97 to 1999-2000), compiling a 145-121-37-17 record in 320 regular season games, and was awarded the Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award as outstanding head coach in the AHL for the 1996-97 season. Overall, Gilbert has a career head coaching record of 268-210-47-35 in 560 games in the AHL.

Lord Favre to stay retired

Minnesota Vikings Head Coach Brad Childress confirmed that he received a phone call from Brett Favre this afternoon and that the quarterback will remain retired.

“It was a rare and unique opportunity to consider adding not only a future Hall of Fame quarterback but one that is very familiar with our system and division," Childress said.. "That does not detract from the team that we have. As we have consistently communicated, we feel good about our team and they have put forth a tremendous effort this offseason preparing for the season ahead. With this behind us, we look forward to getting to Mankato and getting training camp underway.”

Jim Johnson dead at 68

The Philadelphia Eagles confirmed that Jim Johnson passed away this afternoon at the age of 68 after a courageous battle with cancer.

A veteran of 22 years as an NFL assistant, Johnson is regarded as one of the top defensive masterminds in National Football League history. Over the last decade, he gained a great deal of notoriety as the orchestrator of the renowned Eagles defense. His aggressive style kept Philadelphia at or near the top of the NFL in nearly every major defensive category since joining Andy Reid’s staff on January 22, 1999.

From 2000-08, Johnson's units ranked 2nd in the NFL in sacks (390), 3rd down efficiency (34.0%) and red zone touchdown percentage (43.9%), and fourth in fewest points allowed (17.7 per game). During his 10-year tenure in Philadelphia, the Eagles earned seven playoff berths, five trips to the NFC Championship game and one Super Bowl appearance (following the 2004 season).

As the Eagles defensive chief, Johnson's defense has produced 26 Pro Bowl selections: Brian Dawkins (7), Troy Vincent (5), Jeremiah Trotter (4), Hugh Douglas (3), Lito Sheppard (2), Asante Samuel (1), Trent Cole (1), Michael Lewis (1), Corey Simon (1), and Bobby Taylor (1).

Four of his defensive assistants have gone on to successful careers with other NFL franchises: Steve Spagnuolo (head coach of the St. Louis Rams), John Harbaugh (head coach of the Baltimore Ravens), Ron Rivera (defensive coordinator of the San Diego Chargers) and Leslie Frazier (defensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings).

Prior to his tenure in Philadelphia, Johnson served as the linebackers coach with Seattle in 1998. That year, Johnson helped the Seahawks register 10 touchdowns on defense, including eight interceptions returned for scores, 2nd most in NFL history. He arrived in Seattle after a four-year stint in Indianapolis, the last two as defensive coordinator. While with the Colts, Johnson helped them secure a berth in the AFC Championship game at Pittsburgh in 1995.

Johnson spent eight seasons with the Arizona Cardinals (1986-93). After overseeing the Cards defensive line for four seasons, Johnson excelled as their secondary coach, helping Aeneas Williams become the first rookie cornerback to lead the league in interceptions (6) since 1981.

Johnson began his coaching career as head coach at Missouri Southern (1967-68), before serving four-year tenures at Drake and Indiana. From 1977-83, Johnson served as defensive coordinator and assistant head coach at Notre Dame, a stint that included a national championship in 1977.

An all-conference quarterback himself at Missouri (where he played in the same backfield with long-time NFL executive Bill Tobin), Johnson went on to spend two seasons with Buffalo as a tight end (1963-64).

Johnson is survived by his wife, Vicky, two children, Scott and Michelle, and four grandchildren, Katie, Justin, Brandon, and Jax.

"For ten years, Jim Johnson was an exceptional coach for the Philadelphia Eagles, but more importantly, he was an outstanding human being," said Eagles Chairman Jeffrey Lurie.
"As an integral part of the Eagles family, Jim epitomized the traits of what a great coach should be - a teacher, a leader, and a winner. He positively touched the lives of so many people in and out of the Eagles organization. It was easy to feel close to him. Our hearts go out to his wife, Vicky and his wonderful family. We will miss him greatly."

Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo: "Jim meant the world to me, both personally and professionally. I am very blessed to have had the privilege to work for him and with him. The NFL has lost a good man."

Ravens coach John Harbaugh: "I loved Jim Johnson. . . . He had a special ability to bring out the best in people while getting you to see the best in yourself. He saw potential and developed it. He made me believe I could coach at this level. In football, he was a pioneering and brilliant strategist, changing the way defense is played in the NFL. For me, he was a father-type mentor, and above all, a cherished friend. He belongs in the Hall of Fame. I will miss him so much."

Eagles President Joe Banner: “This is a sad day for the entire Philadelphia Eagles family. Jim Johnson was first and foremost a friend and our hearts are with his family at this difficult time. Jim was an exceptional coach who had an incredible passion for his work. He had a knack for developing young players into mature, focused and responsible men. Jim was a strong, wise man; absolutely dedicated to his family and friends. While his presence will be missed, his legacy of excellence will be felt for years to come.”

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell: “Jim Johnson was a beloved coach who spent 22 years in the NFL as one of the best defensive coaches in league history. He was a teacher to many players both on and off the field and devoted his life to the game of football. He had a positive influence on scores of young men and leaves behind a wonderful legacy. On behalf of the NFL family, we extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Vicky and his children and grandchildren.”

Giants Head Coach Tom Coughlin: “It is a sad, very sad, day. I talked recently to (Eagles video director) Mike Dougherty and asked him to let Jim know that I was thinking about him, and I had dropped Jim a note to let him know as well. Forget about what kind of coach he was…he was an excellent, excellent defensive coach, and he trained others to be the same. We know what Steve Spagnuolo meant to us. We had great respect for Jim, and he had great respect for us. I didn’t know Jim personally, but we would always talk to each other, mostly about the NFC East and what a great, competitive division it is. It was a respectful critique about what great players, coaches and organizations there are within the division. In talking with people who worked with Jim, you sense what a class act Jim was. He was great to work with and for, and he had his priorities in order. His players loved to play for him and his coaches loved to coach with him. It is a sad day for the National Football League to lose somebody the quality of Jim Johnson. It is a sad note on which to start the season. He coached right up to the very end.”

Broncos Safety Brian Dawkins: “This is a sad, sad day for myself and my Philadelphia family. Jim was tailor-made to coach in Philadelphia. He was a tough coach who wasn’t afraid to let you know how he was feeling, but at the same time, he cared about us deeply. He was an absolute blessing to me with the way he used me on the football field and allowed me to show my God-given ability. His confidence in me meant so much—he looked to create new defenses each week to utilize my talents. I have been praying for him every day, and those prayers won’t stop now. I’ll be praying for his family and their comfort during this difficult time.”

Chargers Defensive Coordinator Ron Rivera: “Jim was most certainly a very good man; a very decent man. He was definitely a mentor, not just for me but for several guys in the league right now that are coordinators and head coaches. He was just a real caring person. He gave me my start and my opportunity. He took the time to teach me. I’m extremely grateful for everything he did for me.

“Going into my fourth year in the league, he showed me how to script (plays). He showed me how to put together a game plan. Then he’d have me write his game plan up for him and he’d ask me, ‘Why would you do this?’ He’d tell my why. ‘That’s not good enough,’ or ‘That’s a good idea.’ He was most certainly a teacher.

“Leslie (Frazier), Steve (Spagnolo) and I … we laugh about our time with Jim all the time. We were the three young guys on the staff and Jim was hard on us. I remember just after I was hired in Philadelphia, I had just finished signing my contract and he walked into my office and closed the door. He said, ‘Listen. I’m an old linebacker coach. Don’t take anything personal when I come in and take over your meetings, when I take over your drills. I can’t help myself. Don’t take it personal when I’m hard on you because I’m just trying to teach you.’ That’s exactly what he did. You take a step back and look at the success we’ve all had. The direct correlation was Jim Johnson.”

49ers head coach Mike Singletary: “I would like to express, from the 49ers organization, my condolences to the Johnson family and the Eagles family, from the 49ers family. Everything that I know about Coach Johnson, is he is from the old school. He had a way of doing things and some of the people, players, coaches that know of him, speak very highly of him.”

Vikings coach Brad Childress: “My thoughts go out to Vicky [Johnson] and the kids. Jim was a great guy to be around. A sage guy who had seen it all and he had a great way about him. [He had a] gruff way about him, but was easy to laugh with. [He] had seen so many high circumstances and low circumstances and I know he battled all the way to the end. … Just a great human being and football lost a great person and the Eagles lost a great person.”

Former Flyer LeClair among newest members of U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame

by Bob Herpen
The Phanatic Magazine

John LeClair, who dressed in Orange and Black from 1995 through 2004, was elected to the United States Hockey Hall of Fame on Tuesday.

The native of St. Albans, Vermont joined Tony Amonte, Tom Barrasso, Frank Zamboni and the 1998 Olympic women's team for enshrinement.

A product of the University of Vermont, LeClair was snagged by the Montreal Canadiens with the 33rd pick (second round) of the 1987 draft. He made his NHL debut during the 1990-91 season for the Habs, but never scored more than 19 goals over parts of five seasons with the team.

He did leave his mark on the Canadiens' 1993 Stanley Cup title squad, becoming the only player in NHL history to record back-to-back overtime winning goals during Games 3 and 4 of Montreal's five-game triumph over the Los Angeles Kings.

He's best known as a Flyer, however, coming to Philly on February 9, 1995 in a package deal along with Eric Desjardins and Gilbert Dionne for Mark Recchi.

Over the next five-plus seasons, LeClair recorded five years of 40-or-more goals, and three consecutive seasons of 50-or-more (260 in all) mostly as a key member of the "Legion of Doom" line along with Eric Lindros and Mikael Renberg.

LeClair's final four years with the Flyers were racked with injuries, and he was let go as a free agent and subsequently signed by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2005.

His 333 goals with the Flyers ranks fifth on the franchise list and his 643 points is good enough for seventh. Along with Tim Kerr and Reggie Leach, LeClair is only the third man in club lore to score 50-or-more goals more than once.

Over 967 total regular-season games with three clubs, the 40-year-old compiled 406 goals and 819 points. He also tallied 42 goals and 89 points in 154 playoff contests.

On the international stage, LeClair was part of the U.S. 1996 World Cup of Hockey team and won a Silver medal at the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City.

Penn hopes to bounce back in Philly

By John McMullen

Coming off a highly successful centennial show headlined by heavyweights Brock Lesnar and Frank Mir, the Ultimate Fighting Championship will make its debut in Philadelphia on August 8.

UFC 100 in Las Vegas is now officially the largest grossing live mixed martial
arts event in North American history. The gate, along with the official closed
circuit overflow on the strip, tallied in at $5,441,290, trumping the previous
record of $5,397,300 set on December 30, 2006 for a Chuck Liddell-Tito Ortiz
clash.

Meanwhile, the pay-per-view is tracking in at over 1.5 million buys, the most
ever for an MMA event and one of the six biggest pay-per-view events of all-
time, trailing the record holder of Oscar De La Hoya vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr.
(2.4 million) and four Mike Tyson bouts, two against Evander Holyfield, one
with Lennox Lewis and another vs. Peter McNeely.

The controversial Lesnar, a former World Wrestling Entertainment champ and
NCAA national wrestling kingpin at Minnesota, was clearly the fighter fueling
the record sales at UFC 100. As a follow-up, the company is bringing some of
its biggest stars to the Wachovia Center for UFC 101: Declaration, as BJ Penn
defends his UFC lightweight crown against number one contender Kenny Florian,
and UFC middleweight boss Anderson Silva moves up to the 205-pound weight
class to take on former light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin.

"We are excited to finally be able to host a UFC event in Philadelphia," said
Comcast-Spectacor President Peter Luukko. "This is a terrific opportunity for
the facility, our company and most importantly UFC fans in the Greater
Philadelphia Region."

"I know how much people are craving UFC on the East Coast," Florian added.

Neither Penn nor Silva can match Lesnar's awesome charisma, but they both
bring far more technical skill to the Octagon. The pride of Hilo, Hawaii, Penn
(13-5-1) is on the short list of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the
world and will be returning to the division he has dominated.

Unbeaten at 155 pounds since 2002, Penn bested Jens Pulver, Joe Stevenson, and
Sean Sherk in successive lightweight fights before suffering an ugly setback
in his challenge for Georges St-Pierre's welterweight crown in January,

St-Pierre battered Penn and forced him to retire on his stool at the end of
the fourth round in that one. Afterwards Penn filed a formal complaint with
the Nevada State Athletic Commission over Vaseline that was allegedly rubbed
on St-Pierre back between rounds one and two.

UFC president Dana White said he personally witnessed members of the
commission take Vaseline away from GSP's camp and rebuke them in the Octagon
between rounds but didn't think it had an impact on the fight.

"I saw the commission jump up there and flipping out," White said at the time.
"They said one of the guys was rubbing Vaseline on Georges' back in between
rounds. Some Vaseline on a guy's back didn't change the outcome of that
fight."

Penn certainly took some heat over his complaints but has now accepted the
loss and is hoping to move on.

"I lost my last fight and I want to get back to form," Penn said on a
conference call Tuesday."Every fighter is difficult. But I have to go out and
show everyone what I'm all about."

In just six years as a pro, Florian (13-3) has fought in the middleweight,
welterweight, and lightweight divisions, and earned a spot in the finals on
the first season of The Ultimate Fighter. The 33-year-old Boston native once
won six bouts in a row, including victories over Joe Lauzon, Stevenson, and
Roger Huerta, and is taking his second shot at the lightweight hardware.

"I had a front row seat at the St-Pierre-Penn fight and I thought it was just
a masterful performance from GSP, Florian told The Sun in London, "(B.J.) will
be motivated after his last loss to St-Pierre, he'll be training harder than
ever and he'll be at his best. But every part of my game has improved and
people are going to see that. I'm going to beat him skill for skill."

Adding fuel to the fire, Penn is fired up at Florian, saying the contender
sent him a text message calling St-Pierre a "big 'roider' and a greaser and
stuff," something that fueled Penn's suspicions about GSP. Florian denies he
sent any text, however.

Currently sporting the longest consecutive win streak in UFC history at nine,
Silva (24-4) has also tied the organization record for most consecutive
successful title defenses at five, beating the likes of Dan Henderson, Rich
Franklin, Patrick Cote, and Thales Leites along the way.

But, the 34-year old native of Curitiba, Brazil will be tackling the light
heavyweight division for just the second time in Philly. In his first 205-
pound bout, Silva blitzed James Irvin in just 61 seconds last July.

Griffin (16-5), the winner of the first season of The Ultimate Fighter and a
man credited by many as one of the reasons for the explosion of MMA in the
United States following his TUF finale bout in 2005, holds wins over top-tier
talent like Quinton Jackson and Mauricio Rua.

The 30-year-old former light heavyweight king hopes to claw his way back into
the title hunt with a win over Silva.

"Anderson Silva is the pound for pound best fighter in the world. He's so good
that he demands a serious challenge, someone who can push the pace and make
him fight," said White. "To me, nobody fits the bill more than Griffin.
Anderson is tremendously skilled but he’s going up a weight class and Forrest
is a huge light heavyweight - this is going to be a war."

T.O. Show is a bust

The numbers are in for TO's reality show: 0.4/1.2M viewers.

It was VH1's third highest rated show for week but the 798th ranked show on cable.

Flyers launch new Web site

The Flyers just launched their revamped Web site. Check it out by banging the link...

Big Red is losing weight

You might have to temper some of those weight jokes when talking about Andy Reid this year. "Big Red" has lost over 75 pounds in recent months.

The Eagles' head coach told told ESPN'S Sal Paolantonio that he is currently following a Medifast Plan.

Vick conditionally reinstated by NFL

Disgraced quarterback Michael Vick was conditionally reinstated by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday.

Vick can immediately participate in preseason practices, workouts and meetings and can play in the final two preseason games if any team signs him.

Wachovia Complex ranks as 2nd best grossing venues for first half of 2009

The Wachovia Complex ranked fifth in the world and second in the US for highest grossing facilities for the first six months of 2009, according to Venues Today.

The Complex, which is comprised of the 21,000-seat WachoviaCenter and the soon-to-close 19,000-seat Wachovia Spectrum, hosted a combined 66 events, grossing $27,117,507 and drawing 514,551 patrons.

In the U.S., the Wachovia Complex was second to New York's Madison Square Garden which hosted 54 events, grossing $34,382,025 and drawing 583,879 patrons during the same time frame.

Venues Today compiled these numbers for world-wide arenas with at least 15,001 seats or more. The O2 Arena in London finished first in the world, followed by the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario; MSG; AcerArena in Sydney, Australia; Wachovia Complex; the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, FL; Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA; Philips Arena in Atlanta, GA; Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, NV; and Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta.

Two charged in Citizens Bank Park beating death

Police have charged a pair of men in the beating death of 22-year-old David Sale of Lansdale during a brawl Saturday night in a parking lot at Citizens Bank Park.

A third man is also still being sought.

Charles Bowers, 35, of the 6100 block of Bustleton, and James Groves, 45, of the 800 block of East Almond Street in Philadelphia have been charged with murder. Francis Kirchner, 28, of the 1200 block of E. Palmer Street, who escaped before police could arrest him on Saturday is also wanted for murder.

Penn State second in Big Ten Media Poll

It was Big Ten media day today and Penn State was picked second in the annual preseason media poll released Monday.

Ohio State is the favorite and Michigan State was picked third.

Ohio State sophomore quarterback Terrelle Pryor was selected the conference's preseason offensive player of the year ahead of Penn State senior Daryll Clark, the first-team all Big 10 quarterback from a year ago.

Michigan State linebacker Greg Jones, the league's leading returning tackler, was selected on the defensive side.

Westbrook at camp without walking boot

Eagles running back Brian Westbrook was running lightly today at camp without a walking boot.

Penn State announces facility dedicated to sports surface research

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State University and FieldTurf, the world leader in sports surfacing, have partnered to develop the world's first facility dedicated to sports surface research, with a five-year commitment that will center around research on synthetic turf, running tracks and indoor sports surfaces. This research collaboration is expected to further accelerate safety within the synthetic sports surfacing industry.

The new Center for Sports Surface Research will be an intercollegiate program managed within the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences and headed by Andrew McNitt, an associate professor of soil science. McNitt is regarded as a pioneer in the world of sports surface research, particularly as it relates to natural and synthetic turf, and conducts research relating to athletic field surface characterization and golf green construction and maintenance.

He has been honored nationally by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, the Musser International Turfgrass Foundation, the Crop Science Society of America, the American Society of Agronomy, and the Sports Turf Managers Association. McNitt also currently serves as the technical advisor to the NFL Groundskeepers Association and is active with the Sports Turf Managers Association.

A significant number of professional sports and collegiate groundskeepers are products of Penn State's prestigious turfgrass science department, which is considered one of the nation's finest.

"Our partnership with Penn State brings the global synthetic turf leader together with the global research leader in all types of turf," said Joe Fields, chief executive officer of FieldTurf. "The original inspiration for FieldTurf was to provide a surface that would enable athletes to attain maximum performance while minimizing injuries, and we believe that this partnership will help ensure that we continue to lead our industry in developing surfaces that deliver unequaled performance and safety to the athletes that we serve."

"Penn State is excited about the formalization of our research relationship with FieldTurf Tarkett," said Bruce McPheron, dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences. "Together, I believe we can improve the safety of all those participating in recreational activities, from the occasional softball player and school-aged children in physical education classes to collegiate and professional athletes. FieldTurf's commitment to quality research is commendable and the college is looking forward to a productive future."

In addition to McNitt's experience and body of work, the center will also incorporate the research endeavors of other Penn State faculty and students.

"By combining the resources of Penn State's faculty, staff and students with the access to additional academic areas of the university for research, we expect to achieve an unprecedented opportunity and breeding ground to take developments within the artificial turf industry to an even higher and safer level," Fields said.

Banner: "Eagles have best roster in football"

"I feel this year we have the best roster in the league," Banner told Bob Ford of the Philadelphia Inquirer. "That's assuming everyone is healthy and standing at the end. You can only make a statement like that on the first day of training camp. After that, anything can happen."

The Birds are a good team but that is quite a stretch. Remember this is a team that has to overcome the loss of defensive coordinator Jim Johnson and the absence of Brian Dawkins along with a oft-injured Brian Westbrook. Add to that two new offensive lineman and the fact Shawn Andrews is tackling a new position and 10-6 should be the goal with the hopes of getting hot at the right time like last season.

BTW...Andy Reid says Westbrook has a chance to be back by mid August and will be reporting to camp tonight to continue rehab. Forget mid-August, pray for Week 1.

Pinkston returns to Birds

Todd Pinkston is back!...but don't get too worried, the former wideout has returned to the team, as a coaching intern.

R.I.P. Vernon Forrest

WWE's MVP and the Sixers' Dancers

The WWE's MVP took time to pose with the Sixers' Dancers at the team's Beach Bash in Avalon. The WWE is at the sold out Wachovia Center tonight for the Night of Champions pay-per-view.

Spurs sign Ratliff

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have signed center Theo Ratliff. Per team policy terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Ratliff has played for six teams (Detroit, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Portland, Boston and Minnesota) during his 14 NBA seasons. In 751 career games, he has averaged 7.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.53 blocks in 26.1 minutes. Ratliff has shot .498 (2,136-4,293) from the floor and .600 (1,357-1,913) from the line over his career. He has appeared in 39 playoff games averaging 5.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.72 blocks in 15.7 minutes per game. Ratliff enjoyed his best season in 2000-01, averaging 12.4 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.74 blocks and was voted as the starting center for the Eastern Conference All-Star Team (he missed the game due to injury).

A two-time NBA All-Defensive Second Team selection (1998-99, 2003-04), Ratliff is one of seven players in NBA history to lead the league in blocks in at least three seasons (2000-01, 2002-03 and 2003-04). He ranks 18th all-time in total blocks (1,902) and is fifth among active players.

The 6-10, 238-lb. Ratliff spent last season with the Philadelphia 76ers. He averaged 1.9 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.02 blocks in 12.6 minutes while appearing in 46 games.

Pedro to make rehab start

Pedro Martinez is scheduled to make a rehab start in the minors on Sunday.

Affliction is Done

Kevin Iole at Yahoo! Sports is reporting that the UFC will be releasing a statement shortly that Affliction will be returning as a sponsor of the organization in exchange for closing up the company.

Affliction sent out a release stating that Zuffa and Affliction Holdings, LLC have agreed to a collaboration.

"We are excited about the return of Affliction to the UFC and look forward to seeing our fighters once again walk into the Octagon wearing the Affliction brands. Affliction is an innovator of mixing fashion with this sport and we are looking forward to working together to promote the sport," said White.

Affliction's latest pay per view had to be cancelled when Fedor Emelianenko's scheduled opponent, Josh Barnett, failed a random drug test.

Emelianenko, the consensus best heavyweight in the world, versus Brock Lesnar under the UFC banner would likely be the highest grossing match in MMA history.

Ortiz back with UFC

Dana White teased the UFC re-signing of Tito Ortiz on Twitter saying, "Welcome back Tito."

Yahoo! Sports Dave Meltzer reports that Rich Franklin vs. Ortiz was has been talked about for September 19 in Dallas but Ortiz told UFC officials he would not be ready by that date.

Blazers sign Miller; Sixers get nothing

The Portland Trail Blazers have signed free agent guard Andre Miller to a multi-year contract, it was announced today by General Manager Kevin Pritchard. The deal is for three years with $14 million guaranteed.

"We are excited to add a player of the caliber and character of Andre Miller," said Pritchard. "He is one of the league's ironmen who brings a wealth of veteran leadership to our team and is a great fit for our young and improving roster."

Miller (6-2, 205, Utah) holds career averages of 14.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 1.38 steals in 815 games (768 starts) during his 10 NBA seasons with Cleveland, L.A. Clippers, Denver and
Philadelphia.

"I'm really excited for this opportunity with the Trail Blazers and look forward to working with my new team," said Miller. "I hope to provide veteran leadership to a young talented nucleus and help Portland take the next step in the pursuit of a championship."

Originally selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the eighth overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft, Miller is tied for the 16th highest assists average (7.4) in NBA history and is currently fourth among active
players. He has also played in 530 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the NBA. Miller has missed just three games in his career.

Miller, 33, has 174 career double-doubles and averaged one for Cleveland in 2001-02 (16.5 ppg, 10.9 apg) while leading the NBA in assists that season.

During the 2008-09 season, Miller averaged 16.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.33 steals and shot 47.3 percent from the floor in 82 games (all starts). He ranked 14th in the NBA in assists, 15th in
assist-to-turnover ratio (2.68) and tied for 15th in steals. Miller recorded 12 double-doubles last season, including two triple-doubles.

Miller averaged 21.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.17 steals in the 2009 NBA Playoffs. He has career postseason averages of 17.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.30 steals in 27 games (all starts).

Eagles officially name McDermott defensive coordinator

The Philadelphia Eagles today announced they have officially named Sean McDermott defensive coordinator.

McDermott had served as the team's defensive coordinator on an interim basis during Jim Johnson’s leave of absence this past offseason. Johnson continues his treatments for cancer after being granted a leave of absence by the Eagles on May 18.

"First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers are with Jim Johnson and his family as they battle through this difficult time in his cancer treatments," said Reid. "I have been in constant communication with Jim and his wife throughout this offseason and they are thankful for all the support they have received from the Eagles organization, the fans and the entire NFL community.

"As far as Sean McDermott, we have full confidence he can continue to lead this defense in his new role. He showed great command and presence in the offseason camps and has had an opportunity to learn from the best in the business. He’s very smart, works very hard, and has a good rapport with the players and the assistant coaches. He’s ready for this and I’m confident he’ll do a great job."

McDermott, 35, was one of the few NFL assistants to have successfully mentored two different position groups, after stints as a linebackers coach and a secondary coach. He worked closely with Jim Johnson in all phases of the defensive game plan and was the longest tenured defensive assistant coach under Johnson.

As the secondary coach in 2008, two of his troops - FS Brian Dawkins and CB Asante Samuel - garnered Pro Bowl honors, as the defense ranked second in the NFL in net yards allowed per pass play (5.08).

The linebacking group flourished under McDermott in 2007 as Stewart Bradley, Chris Gocong, and rookie free agent Akeem Jordan all received their first taste of NFL action.

From 2004-06, he served as the Eagles secondary/safeties coach. In 2004, he saw both of his starting safeties (Dawkins and Michael Lewis) earn Pro Bowl berths for the first time in team history. Additionally, McDermott has been credited with the development of All-Pro S Quintin Mikell, an undrafted free agent in 2003.

McDermott worked as the Eagles assistant secondary coach in 2003 and as the club’s defensive assistant/quality control coach from 2001-02, working with the linebacker position. He originally joined the Eagles in 1998 as a scouting administrative coordinator, working primarily with the CBA, salary cap, and personnel matters. It was a position he held until being promoted to assistant to the head coach in 1999.

A 1993 graduate of LaSalle High School, McDermott went on to play safety at the College of William and Mary, where he earned all-conference honors in 1997. In 1998, he was the recipient of the prestigious Benjamin Ewell Award for his tremendous leadership and excellence on campus and in the community. He began his coaching career at William Mary as a graduate assistant in the spring of 1998.

The Steve Lienert Show

Episode 62 of The Steve Lienert Show, a wildly popular Philadelphia sports podcast, is available for your listening pleasure on Itunes or at www.podmitten.com. Lienert and the Pickleman discuss a 30-year-old photo in which Lienert is wearing, gulp, Cowboys gear before delving into the reason why Roy Halladay won't be a Phillie, how come Jeremy Maclin hasn't signed with the Eagles and why the Sixers are, well, the Sixers. It's 30 minutes of your life you're never getting back, so why not spend it listening to The Steve Lienert Show?

Steve Lienert is the assistant managing editor of The Phanatic Magazine and can be reached at stevelienert@hotmail.com.

Passion-ate training camp

The Lingerie Football League and Philadelphia Passion officials announced the team's 2009 training camp will be hosted at TriState Sports in Aston, PA on Wednesday, July 29, 2009.

The final day of training camp will feature a 7-on-7 full-contact team scrimmage and a final test for many players as they try to make the 2009 / 2010 Philadelphia Passion.

"LFL, Friday Night Football will deliver Philadelphia and New Jersey football fans an incredible Mardi-Gras type atmosphere of football and festivities making Sovereign Bank Arena a destination for thousands", said Mitchell S. Mortaza, Creator & Chairman, Lingerie Football League.

Philadelphia Passion fans can order tickets to home games by logging onto www.ComcastTix.com then type keywords Philadelphia Passion or by calling 1.800.298.4200 or by visiting the Sovereign Bank Arena Box Office.


Fans arriving early to stadium on GameDays will take part in one of the country’s biggest tailgate festivities complete with Beer Gardens, Video Gaming Lounges, Football Challenges, LIVE Music/DJs, Face-Painting, Bar-B-Que Stations etc.

Complete lineup for UFC 101 at Wachovia Center

UFC announced the complete show for 8/8 in Philadelphia.

*B.J. Penn vs. Kenny Florian for the lightweight title
*Forrest Griffin vs. Anderson Silva
*Amir Sadollah vs. Johny Hendricks
*Kendall Grove vs. Ricardo Almeida
*Josh Neer vs. Kurt Pellegrino
*Shane Nelson vs. Aaron Riley
*Tamdan McCrory vs. John Howard
*Alessio Sakara vs. Thales Leitis
*Matt Riddle vs. Dan Cramer
*George Sotiropolous vs. Robert Emerson
*Danillo Villefort vs. Jesse Lennox

STRIKEFORCE's Overeem out with injured hand

STRIKEFORCE Heavyweight Champion Alistair “The Demolition Man” Overeem has re-injured a hand and will not be able to defend his title against Fabricio “Vai Cavalo” Werdum at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California on Saturday, Aug. 15.

The other three STRIKEFORCE world championship fights remain intact: Gina Carano will collide with Cris Cyborg in the main event and the first STRIKEFORCE women’s 145-pound championship fight in history.

Nick Diaz and Joe “Diesel” Riggs will revisit their bitter rivalry in the first-ever STRIKEFORCE welterweight (170 pounds) championship matchup and Josh “The Punk” Thomson will risk his lightweight (155 pounds) belt against former champion Gilbert “El Nino” Melendez.

A replacement bout for the scratched heavyweight fight will be announced soon.

Rutgers to play Army at Yankee Stadium

BRONX, N.Y. (July 22, 2009) – In a series that started in 1891, Rutgers and Army will play at the new Yankee Stadium in 2011, the two schools and the New York Yankees announced Wednesday. The Scarlet Knights will be making their ninth appearance all-time at Yankee Stadium. The Scarlet Knights played their first game in the historic ballpark in the Bronx on Oct. 22, 1927 vs. NYU.

Rutgers and Army will meet on Nov. 12, 2011 in the first game in series history between the two schools in the Bronx.

The last time Rutgers played at Yankee Stadium was Nov. 13, 1948 in a 40-0 victory over NYU to complete a 7-2 season.

Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano commented on why New York is so important to Rutgers and how this game plays into it. “It is very important to us. I can say it in two words: Ray Rice,” said Schiano. “He was a very important player to us and to our program. He was great for us, and for the New York area. And for recruiting, to put your program in a venue like this, we take great pride in recruiting the best players in a three-hour circle of our institution. It’s going to be a great opportunity for our kids and for our program.”

Birthplace of NFL Films getting a PA State Historical Marker

NFL Films, the most storied filmmaker in sports, is being honored by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission with a Pennsylvania State Historical Marker recognizing the “Birthplace of NFL Films. The Marker will be at 230 North 13th Street (currently Big Brothers Big Sisters of America building).

Former Flyers goaltender Biron homeless no more; signs deal with Islanders

by Bob Herpen
The Phanatic Magazine

Martin Biron has found a home not too far from Flyerland, inking a one-year deal with, of all teams, the New York Islanders.

Several outlets report it's for $1.4 million.

The 31-year-old Quebec native finished 29-19-5 with a 2.76 goals against average and a pair of shutouts for Philadelphia in 2008-09. He won 65 regular-season games over two-plus years with the Flyers and was 11-12 with a 2.87 GAA and a pair of shutouts in 23 playoff games.

Biron is the newest addition to Garth Snow's logjam in the crease. He's already got former top-overall pick Rick DiPietro on a 15-year contract, newcomer Dwayne Roloson on a two-year deal, with Yann Danis and Joey McDonald waiting in the AHL.

Former UFC star Kimo on death rumors

UFL signs first "big name" in Losman

The United Football League announced today that its Las Vegas franchise has signed former NFL first-round draft pick Jonathan Paul “JP” Losman for the League’s “Premiere” season.

“I have followed JP’s career since his early days with Buffalo where he impressed me with his raw talent, passing accuracy and on-field competitiveness,” said Jim Fassel, Head Coach of the Las Vegas franchise. “JP has all the attributes of a great professional quarterback and I am truly looking forward to working with him. I am anxious to start the season with JP at the helm of this Las Vegas franchise and show what we can do on the field.”

Losman, a first round draft choice in 2004 by the Buffalo Bills, spent five seasons with the club. He served as Bills’ team captain in 2007 and his 63.43 completion percentage was the fourth-single best season mark in team history. In 2007, Losman also threw the longest touchdown pass in the AFC and fifth longest in team history with an 85-yard pass against the Jets. He was a two-time team captain at Tulane, setting career records for lowest interception percentage in school history with a mark of 2.73 (27 INTs in 987 attempts). Losman finished his collegiate career ranked in Tulane’s all-time Top 10 in 18 categories including third in touchdown passes (60), completions (570) and passing efficiency (129.81). He also ranks in Conference USA’s all-time Top 10 in ten different passing and total offense records.

“The United Football League is providing me with the opportunity to play the sport I love at a high level and for that, I am extremely grateful,” said Losman. “There are many players just like me who possess the skills to compete at the highest levels and just need the playing time to showcase their talents. The United Football League is filling that void and giving more players the opportunity to play. I am excited to get back out onto the field and represent Las Vegas during the League’s first season.”

Sixers sign Holiday

Philadelphia 76ers President and General Manager Ed Stefanski announced today that the team has signed Jrue Holiday, the 17th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. Holiday (6-3/180) was an early entry candidate for the draft following his freshman season at UCLA.

The 19-year-old was named to the Pac-10 All-Freshman Team last season after averaging 8.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.6 steals in 35 games played. Holiday was paired in the Bruins backcourt along with senior Darren Collison who was selected with the 21st overall pick by New Orleans.

Earlier this month, Holiday started all five games for the Sixers/Nets entry in the Orlando Pro Summer League. He averaged 8.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, a team-high 3.0 assists and a team-high tying 1.60 steals in 29.0 minutes per game.

The 2008 Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year, Holiday averaged 25.9 points, 11.2 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 4.8 steals during his senior season at Campbell Hall High School in California. He was rated the No. 1 point guard and the No. 2 overall prospect in the Class of 2008 by Rivals.com.

Watson turned down Sixers

The Conta Costa Times reports that Golden State Warriors third-year point guard C.J. Watson is close to signing an offer sheet with the Orlando Magic.

Watson already has turned down a one-year, $2.3 million offer from the Sixers and was hoping for a three-year deal.

Watson is a restricted free agent and the Warriors have the right to match any offer but the team is already over the salary cap limit.

The Sixers pursuit of Watson is just the latest indication that the team has turned the page on Andre Miller, who will likely sign a one-year deal with the Knicks for the mid-level exemption although New York president Donnie Walsh may prefer Bucks restricted free agent Ramon Sessions.

The whole Miller situations shows a lack of foresight by Ed Stefanski and Company. If you want to move on and go young, that's fine but you then have to deal Miller at the trade deadline last season.

The Sixers have also been contacting other point guards that may accept a 1-year deal to fill the role as a combination backup and mentor to Lou Williams and first-round draft choice Jrue Holiday. The list includes flotsam like Jason Hart, Carlos Arroyo, Bobby Jackson, Juan Dixon, Tyronn Lue and Brevin Knight. Meanwhile, the Sixers' John Nash was at a workout for free agent guard Troy Hudson recently. Hudson, 33, couldn't play three years ago and is coming off hip surgery.

UFC veteran Kimo dead at 41

UFC veteran Kimo Leopoldo has reportedly died from complications from a heart attack at the age of 41.

Leopoldo made his MMA debut at UFC 3 in 1994 then spent 12 years professionally fighting until retiring after Extreme Wars 5-Battlegrounds in 2006.

In recent years Kimo tested positive for anabolic steroids and was charged for possession of marijuana.

Update: An attorney who has represented veteran mixed martial arts fighter Kimo Leopoldo said the 41-year-old “surfaced” early Tuesday afternoon, hours after reports of his death spread like wildfire across the Internet. “Kimo has surfaced and that’s all I know right now, Victor Hobbs said.”

Eagles-Maclin contract update

ESPN950's Brian Seltez reports that a source familiar with the negotiations between the Eagles and their first-round pick Jeremy Maclin says that the two sides will resume the contract discussions they started the previous week.

The "goal," according to the source, is for the Mizzou receiver to report to training camp on time, with the rest of the Birds' rookies and a few selected vets, this Sunday.

The source does not think a late arrival is likely, saying, "Nothing today would indicate to me that [Maclin] won't be there [Lehigh University] on July 26th."

Arum confirms Pacquiao-Cotto fight

Top Rank's Bob Arum says Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto will square off on November 14.

AFL may declare bankruptcy

John Lombardo of SportsBusiness Journal reports that the Arena Football League could be filing for bankruptcy protection.

The league already canceled the 2009 season and hopes of restarting in 2010 get dimmer by the day.

Lombardo says that the league has $14 million in debt, and that it would need $10 million to $12 million in new capital in order to return in 2010. The AFL hopes to garner $10 million from a group of investors, including Steelers Hall of Famer Lynn Swann, for an expansion franchise in Pittsburgh.

The other alternative is for existing owners to pony up more money..

"There is a commitment to a plan to play (in 2010) and some owners don't want to put up the cash," an unnamed source told SBJ.

The Philadelphia Soul were the AFL's last champions before ceasing operations.

Clips owner wants A.I.; coach doesn't

The New York Daily News reports that Clippers owner Donald Sterling wants Allen Iverson, but not many of his top basketball agree. "It's out of our control," complained one Clipper executive this past week. "This is owner-driven."

Mike Dunleavy is content to build around second-year guard Eric Gordon and No. 1 pick Blake Griffin and the newspaper reports that he has no use for a veteran superstar who can divide a locker room and cause headaches on any given night. That's one of the reasons he shipped Zach Randolph to Memphis for Quentin Richardson.

Latest Halladay rumors

Contrary to local speculation, a few other teams are involved in the Roy Halladay sweepstakes. The latest team in the mix is the Milwaukee Brewers, the same club that played the rent-a-player game so well last year with CC Sabathia.

Tom Haudricourt of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel spoke to the Brewers GM Doug Melvin, who confirmed that he did have a conversation with Toronto, but wouldn't go into details.

Meanwhile, Bill Shaikin of The LA Times reports that the Angels have pursued Halladay as well, but "club officials are not confident they can satisfy the Blue Jays in a trade."

Eagles' Ikegwuonu not guilty

A judge acquitted Eagles cornerback Jake Ikegwuonu on all charges Friday for allegedly stealing an X-Box while at Wisconsin, according to his agent Drew Rosenhaus.

The Eagles selected Ikegwuonu, a late first or early second round talent, in the fourth round of the 2008 draft understanding he would miss his rookie season with a torn ACL.

Ikegwuonu's brother, Bill, was previously acquitted by a jury in the same case.

Lidell hits the Links

Lake Tahoe, NV - Mixed Martial Arts star Chuck Liddell hit the golf links for the first time at the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament in Tahoe, NV this week with friend and Fox Sports NFL analyst Jay Glazer as his caddy.

Liddell, more notorious for knocking people out than knocking shots stiff, took to the course for the Celeb-Am on Thursday and will play his first round of the tournament on Friday. Glazer caddied on Thursday, but lasted only two holes before getting help carrying the bag from some spectators. Glazer stayed on the course and tracked down Liddell’s stray drives, giving advice where he could, and will remain on Liddell's bag the rest of the weekend.

“He’s gotten a little better in just the two days,” said Glazer on Friday from the driving range.

“I predict Chuck will have four knockouts today (Friday),” Glazer added. “Not with his fists, but with his stray drives.”

Liddell, most likely the least experienced golfer at the event, is taking the experience in stride.

“I’ve been playing golf for about three weeks,” Liddell admitted on driving range.

Liddell will be teeing off with poker star Daniel Negreanu and NBA star Jason Kidd on Friday.

Liddell can be seen playing in the tournament during NBC’s live coverage of the event Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19 from 3-6 p.m. (ET). Other stars taking part in the event include Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, Dan Marino, John Elway, Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux and more.

Dave's excellent adventure

By John McMullen

Philadelphia, PA - Minnesota Timberwolves president David Kahn plans to jet across the Atlantic next week in hopes of lowering a staggering buyout price tag that has threatened to keep his new point guard, Ricky Rubio, in Europe for the next couple of seasons.

When we last saw the 18-year-old wunderkind at the draft, a future in the Twin Cities looked clouded at best. Originally projected as the second pick by most, Rubio "fell" to fifth and ended up on a team that drafted two other point guards (although the Wolves did trade Ty Lawson).

Live at the draft, I couldn't help thinking Rubio had the look of someone who saw his family dog kicked when Sacramento passed him up at No. 4. That was quickly replaced by the look on my face after I was forced to watch "27 Dresses" for the umpteenth time when the Wolves selected him.

Rumors quickly circulated that Rubio wanted no part of the Twin Cities with Houston and New York quickly making trade overtures.

Ricky Rubio is still under contract with Joventut for the next two seasons.

Kahn, who is replacing a local legend in Kevin McHale, passed his first test and has seemingly convinced Rubio to give Minneapolis a try. Now, comes the hard part, prying the youngster away from his Spanish team, DKV Joventut.

Rubio, who has been playing in the Spanish ACB league since he was 14, is still under contract with Joventut for the next two seasons and has a hefty buyout tag that could be as high as $6.6 million, this despite the fact that Rubio made less than $100,000 last season.

Even in these tough economic times, cutting a check for nearly $7 million is small potatoes for an NBA team convinced they have a future superstar on its hands. However, the league's collective bargaining agreement hamstrings that idea, enabling a franchise to pay just $500,000 of any projected buyout.

Kahn claims he is willing to be patient.

In an online letter to the Wolves' fans shortly after the draft, Kahn said he was willing to wait one or two years on Rubio, a surprising tact considering that the team has had trouble giving away $7 dollar tickets since the disastrous trade that sent the face of the franchise, Kevin Garnett, to Boston.

"We will be totally supportive of Ricky and his family and (agent Dan) Fegan in any way, shape or form," Kahn said the day after Rubio was drafted. "If there's anything we can do to be of assistance or of help, as long as it is within the rules, we will."

The easier answer is for Rubio to just ante up the cash. After all, his future earnings are virtually guaranteed to dwarf $6.6 million.

Rubio has a bright future on the endorsement front and is already appearing in a television commercial for Gillette, along with superstars like Tiger Woods, Derek Jeter and Roger Federer. However, Rubio's fall from second or third overall to fifth on draft night likely cost him more than $3 million over the life of his first NBA rookie contract. Nonetheless, even a pedestrian 10-year NBA career would generate tens of millions.

Despite that kind of "collateral," Fegan is loathe to recommend his client mimic the United States Government and spend gobs of money on the assumption of futures earnings. Instead, the agent hopes something can be worked out with Joventut.

To that end, Kahn and Wolves owner Glen Taylor met with Fegan early this week in Las Vegas, hoping to solve the buyout problem. Problem is, Joventut is in the driver's seat.

Kahn hopes a face-to-face with the team might help lower the price tag.

Sounds like a long shot to me but at least the Wolves basketball chief will get a nice little vacation out of it and who knows, maybe Kahn will take the time to clear his head and actually pick a coach.

Phils activate Condrey from DL

The Phils have activated pitcher Clay Condrey from the DL and dsignated Tyler Walker for assignment.

Former Owl Dupree again starting in WNBA All-Star game

PHILADELPHIA - For the third-consecutive season, former Temple Owl Candace Dupree will be representing the WNBA's Chicago Sky in the 2009 All-Star Game at the Mohegan Sun Arena on Saturday, July 25.

Dupree, the second leading vote getter among forwards in the Eastern Conference (59,494), will be joining Sky teammate Sylvia Fowles on the court for the opening tip. This marks the first time in either woman's career that they were voted starters by the fans.

The former first round pick leads the Sky with 15.8 ppg, recently posting a season-high 28 points against Seattle Storm last week. A starter of all 14 games this season, Dupree also leads the team in minutes played, averaging 33.7 per outing.

The WNBA All-Star Game is set to air on ABC, with the broadcast beginning on July 25, at 3:30 p.m.

Taylor promoted to Lehigh Valley

The Phillies have promoted outfielder Michael Taylor to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

The 23-year-old was batting .333 with 15 home runs and 65 runs batted in with Double-A Reading.

Risk is low for Phillies and Pedro

By Michael Rushton

This isn't the first time that the Phillies have danced this dance, acquiring a pitcher who isn't he big name that the Philadelphia faithful had been pleading, praying and screaming for.

But like seasons past, the Phils hope to once again prove that they do, in fact, know what they are doing.

No, Pedro Martinez is not Roy Halladay, the Toronto ace that everyone who wears a Phillies cap wants desperately to call their own. However, Martinez is a three-time Cy Young Award winner who the Phillies believe has something left in the tank.

"I don't expect to be the same Pedro that I was when I was 26. But I still feel like I can still bring something to the table," Martinez said at a press conference on Wednesday after being introduced as the team's latest acquisition. "I still feel like this team needs a little help, very little help, and I think I can supply a little bit of it."

This move makes nothing but sense for the Phillies. After all, Martinez's one- year contract is reported to be for a mere $1 million with another $1.5 million in incentives. That is hardly enough money to take the Phillies out of the Halladay sweepstakes, nor enough to make a blip on a $110-plus million payroll.

The Phils are defending champions, not desperate. They say they have done their homework. They saw Martinez pitch at the World Baseball Classic. They saw him pitch in the Dominican. They think they know what they are getting. They have been right before.

Fresh off a 2007 division title and their first playoff appearance since 1993, the then-title-starved diehards in South Philadelphia checked the Internet every day last season for some sign that the Phillies were going to make a push for the available CC Sabathia, who would eventually be dealt from Cleveland to Milwaukee prior to the 2008 trade deadline.

Philadelphia's consolation prize? Joe Blanton and the club's first championship in 28 years.

Back in 2006, the rebuilding club added a veteran lefty named Jamie Moyer, who won 16 games last year and was a big key to the Phils' run to a World Series title. The 2007 season, the one that ended with a playoff appearance, saw Kyle Lohse come to town. Lohse, now with the Cardinals, didn't lose a game in a Philadelphia uniform, going 3-0 with a 4.72 earned run average in 13 games.

Same thing with Blanton, who was 4-0 with a 4.20 ERA in 13 regular-season starts last year after coming over from Oakland. Blanton also won two playoff starts, one of those versus Tampa Bay in the World Series.

Sure, the Brewers also made the postseason with Sabathia on the hill, proving that the big move also works, but at a cost. They were dispatched by the Phillies in the playoffs and the prospects they gave up for CC -- including outfielder Matt LaPorta and pitchers Zach Jackson and Rob Bryson -- left their farm system thin and will likely prevent them from making a run this season at a pitcher like Halladay.

It will take a similar deal by the Phillies to get Halladay, but at least the right-hander is signed through next season. Sabathia, meanwhile, is wearing Yankee pinstripes after signing a big offseason deal with New York.

Still, there is a little wiggle room for doubters in the City of Brotherly Love. After all, it was Pat Gillick who brought Moyer, Lohse and Blanton to town, not current Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., who took over for the retired Gillick prior to this season.

But Amaro is no rookie, having served as assistant GM for the Phillies the previous 10 seasons. Don't think he didn't learn a thing or two from Gillick. He will still be working the phones, trying to get Halladay in a Phillies uniform, a move that would make the team on-paper favorites to repeat as champions.

"We're going to try to improve the team either with starting pitching or a bullpen piece or a bench piece," Amaro told the Phillies' website.

And while everyone focuses on the club's pursuit of Halladay, Martinez will be waiting in the background, a low-risk, high-reward pickup that could be the first block of Amaro's own legacy.

Christmas' next stop is Atlanta

After toiling with his hometown Sixers in the Orlando Summer League and following that up with a stint in the Las Vegas Summer League with the Los Angeles Clippers, Temple's Dionte Christmas' next stop will be in Atlanta.

Christmas will be joining the Atlanta Hawks for a mini-camp next week at Philips Arena. Hawks draft picks Jeff Teague (19th overall) and Sergiy Gladyr (49th) headline the group of prospects expected.

Additionally, Atlanta’s 2005 second round pick, Cenk Akyol from Turkey, is expected to participate as are two-year NBA veteran John Lucas III and former LA Clippers first-round pick Yaroslav Korolev.

Knicks ready to steal Miller?

So says the New York Post...According to the newspaper, Knicks president Donnie Walsh appears close to making Sixers free agent point guard Andre Miller a formal offer for the one-year, $5.8 million midlevel exception, feeling there is a chance of stealing him.

The Sixers reportedly will not offer the 34-year-old Miller more than a one-year deal. Ed Stefanski has talked to several teams about sign-and-trades but has yet to hear from Walsh.

Meanwhile, Oklahoma City has had talks with ex-Sixers coach Maurice Cheeks about joining the coaching staff as an assistant to another ex-Sixer, Scott Brooks.

It's official; Flyers and Bruins in Winter Classic

Historic Fenway Park will host the National Hockey League's 2010 Winter Classic between the Boston Bruins and Flyers.

Previous outdoor NHL games were staged in Chicago, Edmonton and Buffalo.

"A unique event deserves a unique venue and we are delighted the Bruins and Flyers will renew their rivalry with the "Green Monster" providing the backdrop," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said.

The game is a rematch of the 1974 Stanley Cup finals, when the Flyers beat Boston to claim their first NHL title.

"This is an exciting opportunity to open the ballpark to fans, neighbors, and the city," Red Sox owner John Henry said. "We can't wait to see Fenway Park full of people and energy in December and January."

Pedro press conference

Carano - Cyborg press conference at MSG

New York, NY (Phanatic Magazine) - The hype kicked off for the biggest women's match in mixed martial arts history Tuesday when Gina Carano and Cris "Cyborg" Santos got together for a press conference, fan meet and greet session and open workout at Madison Square Garden.

The fetching Carano (7-0) and Santos (7-1) will headline a STRIKEFORCE world championship quadruple-header on Saturday, August 15, at the HP Pavilion in San Jose.

It's the first time that the ladies will participate in the main event of a major MMA card. At stake will be the newly created STRIKEFORCE Women’s 145-pound World Title.

"I am not into public speaking, but I am so humbled and blessed by this unbelievable turnout of media and fans," Carano said. "It feels so great the support that you have given Cyborg and I. (But) It is not just us. There are four title fights on this great card."

Indeed, the event looks to be one of the most loaded non-UFC cards ever put together. Joe Riggs (30-10) and Nick Diaz (20-7) will revisit their bitter rivalry that began three years ago in the UFC when they face off in the first welterweight (170 pounds) STRIKEFORCE championship fight in history.

Meanwhile, World Heavyweight Champion Alistair Overeem (29-11) will put his title on the line and, at the same time, attempt to avenge a previous defeat when he squares off with old nemesis and two-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion Fabricio Werdum (11-4-1).

Finally, World Lightweight (155 pounds) Champion Josh Thomson (16-2) will defend his STRIKEFORCE crown against Gilbert Melendez (15-2), the man whom Thomson dethroned by way of unanimous decision at HP Pavilion on June 27, 2008.

Despite all the hardware that will be up for grabs it's clear that Carano is driving the interest in the card. A former cast member on American Gladiators and the daughter of former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Glenn Carano, Gina was named one of the hottest women in the world by Maxim Magazine.

Carano's looks certainly drive her popularity but she still must perform inside the cage and Santos is unquestionably her toughest opponent to date.

"I have the ultimate, utmost respect for Cyborg," Carano said. "This is the toughest fight of my life."

With that in mind, Carano enlisted the help of former UFC heavyweight champ and MMA legend Randy Couture in order to get ready for the fight.

"Cyborg is very strong. That is why I have reached out to Randy Couture to support me," Carano said. "He has been a mentor to me. I need somebody like him to get me mentally and physically ready for the biggest fight of my career. He is a great backboard for me. He is my head trainer and he will be in my corner."

Santos, the wife of Evangelista Santos, expects a close, hard-fought bout.

"I think the one who makes the fewer mistakes will win this fight," Santos said. "I am expecting a war. I have been training a lot since my last fight. I am ready and very excited."

Winter Classic announcement coming today

A special press conference from Fenway Park to announce the Winter Classic game between the Flyers and Boston Bruins will take place at 2 p.m. thos afternoon. You can watch it live at philadelphiaflyers.com.

Also, the complete NHL regular season schedule will be released today at 3:00 p.m.

Sixers 2009-10 Dance Team to be unveiled in Avalon

The Philadelphia 76ers will introduce the 2009-2010 Sixers Dancers during the 10th annual Summer Beach Bash at Jack’s Place (36th and Ocean Drive, Avalon, N.J.) on Saturday, July 25 from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m.

This event is open to the public and will feature the first full-team appearance of the season for the Sixers Dancers. The 14-member dance squad was chosen from 29 finalists that competed during the final auditions held on July 13 at Chickie’s and Pete’s in South Philadelphia. A

The Sixers Beach Bash features the opportunity for fans to meet President and General Manager Ed Stefanski, Head Coach Eddie Jordan, players Marreese Speights, Jason Smith, and Jrue Holiday.

An area outside of Jack’s Place includes face painters, clowns, carnival games, inflatable activities, the Sixers Annual Yard Sale, and silent auction. Admission to the bar area for fans age 21 and over will be $10, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Sixers Charities.

WWE Superstar MVP will meet fans at the Sixers Beach Bash from 3:00 - 4:30p.m. MVP appears at Beach Bash just one day before WWE Night of Champions Pay-Per-View at the Wachovia Center on Sunday, July 26 at 7:45p.m.

Phils finally make it official with Pedro

The Phils finally made it official on Wednesday and signed veteran pitcher Pedro Martinez.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but various reports on Tuesday indicated it to be a one-year deal worth about $1 million plus another possible $1.5 million in incentives.

After pitching twice in front of Phillies brass last week, Martinez underwent, and reportedly passed, a physical on Tuesday.

However, the Phillies also placed Martinez on the 15-day disabled list with a mild right shoulder strain. The move is intended to give the 37-year-old right-hander a rehab assignment in the minors.

Martinez most recently experienced an injury-filled, four-year stint with the New York Mets, culminating in a 2008 campaign that saw the 17-year veteran compile a career-worst 5.61 ERA to go with a 5-6 record in 20 starts.

The three-time Cy Young winner and seven-time All-Star has a career record of 214-99 with a 2.91 ERA in 467 big league games, including 400 starts, for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Montreal Expos, Boston Red Sox and Mets.

Comcast-Spectacor will run new soccer stadium

When Philadelphia Union opens for business in the Spring of 2010, the expansion Major League Soccer (MLS) club will kick off with an experienced and proven partner.

Keystone Sports and Entertainment LLC, the ownership group of Philadelphia Union, today announced the formation of a comprehensive partnership with Comcast-Spectacor, the Philadelphia-based sports and entertainment company.

“Comcast-Spectacor is well known for creating the type of memorable guest experiences that we are determined to provide for our dedicated supporters,” said Keystone Sports and Entertainment and Philadelphia Union CEO and Operating Partner Nick Sakiewicz. “There are many synergies between our two organizations, but this long-term relationship is founded upon a mutual commitment to producing world-class events. We can’t imagine a better partner to help us service our fans and carry out our vision along the Delaware River waterfront.”

In conjunction with Philadelphia Union, Comcast-Spectacor will utilize the expertise of three separate entities to manage the new 18,500-seat stadium, provide food and beverage concessions and catering, and support Union ticket sales.

Hallday on ESPN950

In case you missed it, Blue Jays All-Star pitcher Roy Halladay was on with Jody MacDonald and Harry Mays of ESPN950 this afternoon. You can listen by banging the link...