Sports Legends Jim Brown, Bill Russell and George Foreman Partner for Peace

It was announced today that three
of America's Hall of Fame athletes have partnered for peace within
America's disenfranchised communities. Football icon Jim Brown, NBA great
Bill Russell and Boxing champion George Foreman have collaborated to launch
The Amer-I-Can "Peacemakers" initiative. The official launch of the
initiative will coincide with the 20th Anniversary celebration of The
Amer-I-Can Foundation, which will take place on January 31, 2008, Superbowl
week, in Phoenix, Arizona. The kick-off events include a golf tournament
and star-studded gala.

As the fundraising Board of The Amer-I-Can Foundation for social
change, the goal is to raise $20 Million dollars by December, 2008 to
support the curriculum which currently exists in socially and economically
neglected schools and neighborhoods across America. The Peacemakers Board
will oversee efforts that will financially support the programs designed to
stop the violence, increase the peace and educate young minds in America.
George Foreman, one of the first supporters of the program states, "I'm
thankful for the opportunity to join forces with two of the world's most
exceptional human beings in this quest to save and change lives."

The mission of The "Peacemakers" is to improve communities and save
lives being lost to violence among young people, which is rapidly spreading
across this country and to empower middle and high school kids, who
normally would fall through the cracks, with desperately needed Amer-I-Can
life-management skills. Youth violence is not an urban or minority problem,
it is an American problem of epidemic proportion.

The Peacemakers initiative is born out of concern that there is a war
here on American soil taking more lives than the war in the Middle East.
According to the Violence Policy Center, in 2004 three times the amount of
young men between the ages of 15 and 24 were killed by guns in America's
cities than soldiers in the Middle East. Jim Brown states, "We have an
opportunity to exponentially increase the number of lives saved and changed
once we begin funding our own programs."

To that Bill Russell adds, "My goal is to bring passion, compassion,
and intelligence to my position as Chairman of The Amer-I-Can Peacemaker's
initiative."

Since its inception in 1988, over 500,000 youth and young adults have
successfully completed the Amer-I-Can training. Students who complete the
Amer-I-Can curriculum experience on average a 60% decrease in disciplinary
incidents, a 38% decrease in absences and a 35% increase in their grade
point averages. The program is changing lives nationally in over 16 states
and internationally in the United Kingdom, Belize and South Africa.

Merry Christmas From Jimmy Di

Leaving the Nest: Advice on Helping Adult Children Move out of the House

One of the more delicate times in a parent's life is delivering the news that it's time for an adult child to move out on his or her own.

In the best of situations — where everyone agrees that leaving home is the best scenario — it can lead to bittersweet feelings of relief and loss. In worst cases, it can scar the parent-child relationship.

Parents first must convince themselves that they are not doing their children any favors by sheltering them from real-world responsibilities. Helping out for a time after college or high school or during a difficult life experience is fine, but giving children carte blanche to squat indefinitely in the family home can be unhealthy for everyone involved.

Vicki Rackner, M.D., a surgeon, author and relationship consultant based in Washington state, says parents of adult children (those who no longer go to school and are 18 or older) have to be crystal clear about what their parental "job description" is.

"I think a lot of people think the description says to keep them from pain — make it stop hurting. Really, [the parent's] job is to launch independent adults," Rackner says.

Learning to fly
"What parents have to realize is that if they want to really look after their children, they have to teach them important learning skills that they're going to require to sustain their own lives and eventually the lives of their own families," says Nicholas Aretakis, author of No More Ramen: The 20-Something's Real World Survival Guide (Next Stage Press, 2006).

An oft-cited reason for moving back home is that children can't afford to pay rent. In some cases, kids also want to maintain their parents' standard of living — one that took decades to achieve, says Jane Adams, Ph.D., author of Boundary Issues (Wiley, 2005) and When Our Grown Kids Disappoint Us (Free Press, 2004).

"The reality is that moving out may mean that they might have to double or quadruple up with friends in apartments or houses, and they may have to take a bus before they can buy a car," Adams adds.

"This is a generation of entitled kids, who feel at 21 that they're entitled to the standard of living that it took their parents until 45 or 50 to achieve. If [the children] say it's for financial reasons, [parents] need to sit down and look at the money [the children are] bringing in and look at what it would cost to live somewhere else," says Adams.

Have a plan
If you have children who are about to graduate from high school or college and who don't have living arrangements for the near future, experts advise raising these issues with them now. Moving back home after college or a challenging life experience or not leaving home after high school should, in most cases, be a temporary arrangement.

In order to make the eventual transition more seamless, parents also should consider asking children living at home to pay some rent, contribute to the bills, and perform household chores and other jobs that they'll need to do once they're out on their own.

Parents should be supportive but also have reasonable expectations when working toward the complete independence of their adult children, says Ellen Gibran-Hesse, a San Francisco-based attorney and life coach.

A single mother of 21-year-old and 18-year-old sons, Gibran-Hesse says to devise a plan — such as giving your child six months to find a job. And during that time period, parents can help the child polish up his or her resume, land job interviews and learn about personal money management.

Parents have to accept that the relationship with their children might suffer temporarily from such acts of tough love, says Stephanie Buehler, Psy.D., a relationship specialist and director of the Buehler Institute in Irvine, Calif. But if parents approach these interactions calmly and with good intentions, their relationships with their children should survive this transitional phase, Buehler says.

Stick to your guns
Inevitably, some adult children will want to return home after leaving the nest and finding the struggles of independence too overwhelming.

Gibran-Hesse says that the parents' first reaction should be to help the adult child regroup. Do not present coming home as the first option. Try to solve whatever issues your child is having — for example, by helping him or her look for a less expensive place to live or by going through the budget and advising him or her to make tough (but necessary) spending choices.

In dire situations, parents might take the child back under their roof. But they should do so only with a plan and time limit in mind, she says.

Parents need to communicate clear boundaries. If they agree to help pay for a few designated items once the adult child has moved out, they should do so with the intention that the child will accept more and more responsibilities until he or she pays the whole bill.

If the child oversteps those boundaries, learn to say no — all in the context of love — Rackner says.

Gibran-Hesse agrees. "We've been protecting our children for so long. I think if there's a mistake, it is that we're too afraid to trust. They are programmed to be independent."

Cowboys outlast Packers

What started with Tony Romo facing childhood hero Brett Favre in the NFC showdown of 10-1 teams turned into a matchup against Aaron Rodgers.

Romo and the Dallas Cowboys still held a 27-24 lead over Green Bay after three quarters Thursday night, though they hadn't scored since Rogers threw his first career touchdown pass before halftime then completed all six passes on the Packers' first drive after the break.
Favre, the 17-year veteran Romo grew up watching and cheering for in Wisconsin, hurt his right elbow with 10 minutes left in the second quarter when he was hit hard by cornerback Nate Jones as he threw a pass. Terence Newman made a diving interception of the fluttering pass.

After grabbing his arm while still on the ground, Favre flexed it while walking slowly to the sideline. He remained on the sideline, then after getting treatment and having an X-ray taken during halftime, came back out still in his pads and with his right arm covered with a sleeve. But instead of his helmet, Favre donned a baseball cap and watched Rodgers play.

Dallas was stopped on fourth-and-2 from the Green Bay 31 on the opening drive of the second half. The Packers then drove 69 yards in 12 plays, including 6-of-6 passing for 61 yards by Rodgers before Ryan Grant scored on a 1-yard TD run that made it 27-24.

Rodgers, who mimicked Romo in practice the past week, got the Packers within 27-17 when he threw his first career TD pass, an 11-yarder to Greg Jennings with 31 seconds left in the half. He had played in only six games over two-plus years before Thursday, and had thrown only two passes this season.

Romo's third TD in a six-play span was a 10-yarder to Terrell Owens, and it came after Newman's interception.

The first TD by Romo was 3 yards to Patrick Crayton only three plays after another interception by Favre, which was his first in 140 attempts. Favre unloaded that pass under heavy pressure from Stephen Bowen and it was picked off by Ken Hamlin and returned 18 yards.

Romo was 14-of-23 for 252 yards after three quarters, and his TDs pushed his season total to 32, breaking his tie he was in with Danny White for the team record. Favre was 5-of-14 for 56 yards.

After Crayton's TD, the Packers responded with a three-play drive, with Grant running 62 yards for a touchdown on third-and-1 with one second left in the first quarter. That came after the Cowboys were penalized for having 12 men on the field, then had to burn a timeout because they had 12 men on the field again before the ball was snapped.

On the next drive, Romo threw a 26-yard TD to tight end Anthony Fasano in the second quarter, after a 48-yard catch by Owens.

Rookie kicker Mason Crosby gave the Packers a 3-0 lead with a 47-yard field goal on the opening drive.

Nick Folk, the Cowboys rookie, had field goals of 51 and 26 yards before Dallas took advantage of Favre's miscue.

So much of the talk leading into the showdown was the possibility for home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs for the winner. That could determine if another high-stakes Dallas-Green Bay game in late January would be played in Texas Stadium or frigid Lambeau Field


At kickoff on the last Thursday in November, it was 54 degrees at Texas Stadium. It was 19 in Green Bay.

Hall of Fame quarterbacks Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman, who combined to lead the Cowboys to their five Super Bowl titles, took part in the coin toss. They joined the other Dallas captains, including Romo. Favre was among the Packers who participated in the pregame ceremony.

Before the game, there was a moment of silence for Sean Taylor, the Washington Redskins safety who was fatally shot in his Miami home Monday.

Redskins' Taylor Dies After Shooting

Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor died early Tuesday, a day after he was shot at home. He was 24. Family friend Richard Sharpstein said Taylor's father told him the news around 5:30 a.m."His father called and said he was with Christ and he cried and thanked me," said Sharpstein, Taylor's former lawyer. "It's a tremendously sad and unnecessary event. He was a wonderful, humble, talented young man, and had a huge life in front of him. Obviously God had other plans."

He said Taylor died early Tuesday at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, where he had been airlifted after the shooting early Monday.Doctors had been encouraged late Monday when Taylor squeezed a nurse's hand, according to Vinny Cerrato, the Redskins' vice president of football operations. But Sharpstein said he was told Taylor never regained consciousness after being transported to the hospital and that he wasn't sure how he had squeezed the nurse's hand."Maybe he was trying to say goodbye or something," Sharpstein said.Taylor was shot early Monday in the upper leg, damaging an artery and causing significant blood loss.Miami-Dade Police were investigating the attack, which came just eight days after an intruder was reported at Taylor's home. Officers were dispatched about 1:45 a.m. Monday after Taylor's girlfriend called 911. Taylor was airlifted to the hospital.Sharpstein said Taylor's girlfriend told him the couple was awakened by loud noises, and Taylor grabbed a machete he keeps in the bedroom for protection. Someone then broke through the bedroom door and fired two shots, one missing and one hitting Taylor, Sharpstein said. Taylor's 1-year-old daughter, Jackie, was also in the house, but neither she nor Taylor's girlfriend were injured.


"It could have been a possible burglary; it could have been a possible robbery," Miami-Dade Police Lt. Nancy Perez said. "It has not been confirmed as yet."The shooting happened in the pale yellow house he bought two years ago in the Miami suburb of Palmetto Bay. Eight days before the attack someone pried open a front window, rifled through drawers and left a kitchen knife on a bed at Taylor's home, according to police."They're really sifting through that incident and today's incident," Miami-Dade Detective Mario Rachid said, "to see if there's any correlation."Born April 1, 1983, Taylor starred as a running back and defensive back at Gulliver Preparatory School in Miami. His father, Pedro Taylor, is police chief of Florida City.A private man with a small inner circle, Taylor rarely granted interviews. But, behind the scenes, Taylor was described as personable and smart - an emerging locker room leader.Especially since the birth of his daughter."From the first day I met him, from then to now, it's just like night and day," Redskins receiver James Thrash said. "He's really got his head on his shoulders and has been doing really well as far as just being a man. It's been awesome to see that growth."An All-American at the University of Miami, Taylor was drafted by the Redskins as the fifth overall selection in 2004. Coach Joe Gibbs called it "one of the most researched things" he'd ever done, but the problems soon began. Taylor fired his agent, then skipped part of the NFL's mandatory rookie symposium, drawing a $25,000 fine. Driving home late from a party during the season, he was pulled over and charged with drunken driving. The case was dismissed in court, but by then it had become a months-long distraction for the team.Taylor also was fined at least seven times for late hits, uniform violations and other infractions over his first three seasons, including a $17,000 penalty for spitting in the face of Tampa Bay running back Michael Pittman during a playoff game in January 2006.

Meanwhile, Taylor endured a yearlong legal battle after he was accused in 2005 of brandishing a gun at a man during a fight over allegedly stolen all-terrain vehicles near Taylor's home. He eventually pleaded no contest to two misdemeanors and was sentenced to 18 months' probation.Taylor said the end of the assault case was like "a gray cloud" being lifted. It was also around the time that Jackie was born, and teammates noticed a change."It's hard to expect a man to grow up overnight," said Redskins teammate and close friend Clinton Portis, who also played with Taylor at the University of Miami. "But ever since he had his child, it was like a new Sean, and everybody around here knew it. He was always smiling, always happy, always talking about his child."On the field, Taylor's play was often erratic. Assistant coach Gregg Williams frequently called Taylor the best athlete he'd ever coached, but nearly every big play was mitigated by a blown assignment. Taylor led the NFL in missed tackles in 2006 yet made the Pro Bowl because of his reputation as one of the hardest hitters in the league.This year, however, Taylor was allowed to play a true free safety position, using his speed and power to chase down passes and crush would-be receivers. His five interceptions tie for the league lead in the NFC, even though he missed the last two games because of a sprained knee."I just take this job very seriously," Taylor said in a rare group interview during training camp. "It's almost like, you play a kid's game for a king's ransom. And if you don't take it serious enough, eventually one day you're going to say, 'Oh, I could have done this, I could have done that.'"So I just say, 'I'm healthy right now, I'm going into my fourth year, and why not do the best that I can?' And that's whatever it is, whether it's eating right or training myself right, whether it's studying harder, whatever I can do to better myself."His hard work was well-noted."He loved football. He felt like that's what he was made to do," Gibbs said. "And I think what I've noticed over the last year and a half ... is he matured. I think his baby had a huge impact on him. There was a real growing up in his life

Favre Unreal Again In OT Win

It was another signature moment in a career that is full of them. On the first play following the kickoff in overtime, Brett Favre connected on an 82-yard touchdown pass with Greg Jennings and the Green Bay Packers defeated the Denver Broncos 19-13 on Monday night.Denver had tied the score at 13 on Jason Elam's 21-yard field goal as time ran out in regulation, setting the stage for another Favre comeback.Green Bay (6-1) won the coin toss and on the first play, Jennings was matched up in man-to-man coverage on the left side. Favre, who threw a 79-yard touchdown pass to James Jones in the first half, hit Jennings in stride at the Denver 40. Cornerback Dre' Bly had no shot at catching the speedy wide receiver who trotted into the end zone as Favre rushed to celebrate Green Bay's first 6-1 start in five years.The Broncos (3-4) sent it into overtime with a drive that began at their own 7 with 2:27 left.Out of timeouts, the field goal unit scrambled onto the field and Elam calmly nailed the kick, just as he did two months ago when the Broncos ran the same fire drill to beat Buffalo as time expired in the opener.Denver almost had to share the spotlight with the Colorado Rockies, who were scheduled to play Game 5 of the World Series on Monday night at Coors Field before they were swept by the Boston Red Sox Sunday night.Instead, they shared it with Favre, who was criticized for a series of underthrown passes against Washington last week.Some of his best moments have come on Monday night, from his incredible game in Oakland following the death of his father to his game-winner to Antonio Freeman in overtime against Minnesota.Now he's 6-1 for the third time in his career.In 1996, Favre and the Packers parlayed a similar start into their Super Bowl title. The Packers also started out 6-1 in 2002, when they finished 12-4 but were done in by injuries and bounced out of the playoffs in the first round by Atlanta.Looking nothing like his 38 years, Favre outshone Broncos second-year quarterback Jay Cutler, widely considered the only passer in the league whose arm strength can rival his.Favre finished 21-of-27 for 331 yards and a 142.4 passer rating.Cutler was 21-of-34 for 264 yards. He was sacked twice by Aaron Kampman, who also sacked wide receiver Brandon Marshall on an ill-fated trick play.Favre also drove Green Bay 98 yards for a field goal, and the Packers, last in the league in rushing, found a ground game against the NFL's worst run defense.Ryan Grant came in when DeShawn Wynn went down early with an injured shoulder and gained 104 yards on 22 carries. He became Green Bay's first 100-yard rusher since Ahman Green on Dec. 3, 2006.One thing that helped was the absence of safety John Lynch, who was sidelined early in the first half with a pinched nerve in his neck.Favre began his night with a 79-yard TD pass to Jones, who sprinted past Champ Bailey and hauled in the pass at the 45, then cut across the field to tie it just 23 seconds after the Broncos capped an impressive drive with Cutler's 5-yard touchdown toss to Tony Scheffler.With Lynch playing up in the box, Favre looked left to keep Nick Ferguson on the left side, then threw the exact type of pass critics were suggesting just a week ago that he no longer could make.Back judge Jim Howey was plowed over on the play and left the game with a strained hamstring, leaving six officials to call the game.Both teams had trouble at the edge of the end zone.Twice Green Bay stalled at the Denver 1 and settled for short field goals by Mason Crosby, who was a two-time All-American at Colorado.Denver's flub at the Packers' 1 was worse.On the first play of the second quarter, left guard Chris Kuper pulled right and accidentally punched the ball right out of Culter's hands and linebacker Nick Barnett recovered.When Lynch went out, the Broncos lost their rhythm and had trouble counting, sending either 10 men or 12 defenders out three times on one drive, costing them a timeout and two penalties

#2 LSU Rocks On

Matt Flynn was average in his first game as LSU's No. 1 quarterback. It looked great compared to the way Mississippi State's Michael Henig played Thursday night.

No. 2 LSU 45, Mississippi State 0 New quarterback Matt Flynn was shaky all night, but the Tigers' defense wasn't. LSU picked off five passes as the Tigers crush the Bulldogs.
Craig Steltz grabbed three of Henig's record-tying six interceptions and the second-ranked Tigers rumbled past the Bulldogs as usual 45-0. Flynn and new offensive coordinator Gary Crowton struggled to find a rhythm early, but they received plenty of help from Henig and the Tigers' defense on a rainy night."We knew the plays were going to come," Flynn said. "It was really messy out there. The rain was really coming down out there. It was tough to hang on to the ball, tough to put yards together."Just ask Henig, who practically handed LSU its eighth straight win overall. The Tigers scored points after five of his interceptions and a fumble by backup quarterback Wesley Carroll set up another."I'll be the first to admit he wasn't playing well," Mississippi coach Sylvester Croom said. "There's not a whole lot to say."It was LSU's eighth straight win in the series with the Bulldogs. Since Mississippi State's last win in 1999, LSU has outscored the Bulldogs 340-81, including three shutouts by 42 or more points.Mississippi State has lost 12 straight games to Top 10 opponents and 11 of its last 13 home games.Steltz, Curtis Taylor, Jonathan Zenon and Danny McCray had interceptions in the first half and Steltz added two more in the second half. The Tigers needed the help as a stout Bulldogs defense held them scoreless on every drive but one that wasn't set up by a turnover.Henig also fumbled the snap on a fourth-and-1 attempt after he led the team on a nine-play drive in the first quarter that put the Bulldogs at the Tigers 36. It was one of only two serious forays into LSU territory.Henig tied the school record for interceptions in a game that had stood since 1949, when Max Stainbrook did it against Cincinnati, before giving way to Carroll midway through the fourth quarter. It was Henig's fifth multiple-interception game in 10 career starts and the most picks he's thrown since giving away three passes against Alabama on Nov. 5, 2005, as a freshman.How does a quarterback recover from a six-interception game?"A lot of prayer to clear my head," Henig said. "I know a lot of people will say bad things this week. But I can't pay attention to that."LSU coach Les Miles said he'd never had team pick off six passes in a game."I hope it's not the last," he said.Croom said the turnovers undermined any chance the Bulldogs had."You lose field position, you lose offensive opportunities and the big thing is you can't give the defense a rest," he said.While Henig struggled, Flynn gained confidence as the game progressed. After completing 3 of 7 passes for 23 yards in the first quarter, JaMarcus Russell's replacement zeroed in on Early Doucet. The fifth-year senior QB finished with 128 yards on 12 of 19 passing with two touchdowns and no turnovers in his second career start. Doucet had nine catches for 78 yards and a touchdown.Flynn also ran for 42 yards."Flynn made good plays and was really the key to our efforts on offense," Miles said. "He moved well in the pocket and avoided negative yardage."Jacob Hester gave LSU a boost early and finished with 68 yards rushing on 14 carries. He also served as the lead blocker on two 1-yard TD runs by Keiland Williams that helped the Tigers to a 17-0 halftime lead.While LSU's offense will have to find some consistency as the team prepares for next week's game against No. 9 Virginia Tech, its defense appeared to be as dominating as last year.The Tigers allowed 146 total yards and held the Bulldogs to 10 yards rushing. LSU also had four sacks and a fumble recovery.Mississippi State can take some consolation in keeping the game close in the first half. Last season, the Tigers led 21-0 after the first quarter and 35-3 midway through a 48-17 win.But the result certainly won't take the pressure off Croom, who has lost 26 games in four seasons at Starkville and will be searching for his 10th win when the Bulldogs travel to Tulane on Sept. 8.Croom remains optimistic."I told my football team in the dressing room after that we're going to be a very good team before this season is over," he said.

Beckham Injured in SuperLiga Final

- David Beckham left the field in the 30th minute of Wednesday night's SuperLiga final against Pachuca after spraining his right knee when he fell.

David Beckham sprained his right knee during the Galaxy's SuperLiga final Wednesday night and would not return. The star midfielder sat on the bench to have his right leg taped before he gingerly walked off to the tunnel.

The Los Angeles Galaxy's star midfielder and Pachuca midfielder Fernando Salazar each went after the ball just outside the Mexican club's penalty area. Beckham tripped over the ball and fell. He lay face down on the grass for a few seconds before getting up and hobbling off the field, signaling to the bench he needed to come out.Initially, Beckham's injury was announced as a strain. But after he was examined at halftime, the team said he had a sprain.Salazar left because of a strained right knee. Alan Gordon replaced Beckham in the 33rd minute, triggering massive booing from the crowd of 12,500.Beckham made his way to a wall on the sideline, bent over and held on to it before a Galaxy staff member arrived to help him to the bench. He sat down and had his right leg taped, then buried his head in his hands. At halftime, Beckham gingerly walked across the field to the tunnel.He did not return to the field for the second half.Beckham has had a nagging left ankle injury since before he joined the Galaxy on July 13. It has limited his playing time and caused him to miss games both at home and on the road.The Galaxy's next MLS game is at home Saturday against Real Salt Lake. Beckham was expected to leave Sunday to join England for 10 days to play in two Euro 2008 qualifying matches, but it was not immediately known how his injury might affect those plans.The Galaxy wore black armbands to honor 22-year-old Sevilla midfielder Antonio Puerta, who died Tuesday after collapsing on the field in Spain.

After the plea: What's next for Vick, Falcons?

Faced with the reality of a Dec. 10 sentencing that could bring him 12-18 months in prison — or more —Michael Vick has made his apologies and pledged to find personal redemption.
"I will redeem myself. I have to," a somber Vick said Monday after entering his guilty plea to a federal dogfighting charge.
But the impact of his personal downfall also touches the Atlanta Falcons team that gave him a rich contract and counted on him as its quarterback for seasons to come, the National Football League that showcased him as a new-wave star and the fans that cheered him.

"This is the most dramatic and rapid fall from grace that I've seen any athlete experience in contemporary American sports," agent Leigh Steinberg, said. "It was only a couple of years ago that Michael Vick was the face of the young National Football League, the most marketable player in the league."
The impact on Vick
In a federal court appearance Monday that lasted less than 20 minutes, Vick entered his plea before Judge Henry E. Hudson.
"What is your plea, sir, guilty or not guilty?" the judge asked in courtroom packed with about 100 media members and spectators.
"Guilty," said Vick, clad in a dark blue suit.
Vick's defense team and prosecutors agreed on a plea deal that recommended a sentencing guideline of 12-18 months in prison. The one-count indictment, hinged on conspiracy to cross states lines to commit unlawful acts, carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
"Mr. Vick, I place a lot of weight on the government's recommendations, but I want to make sure you understand I am not bound by this part of the plea agreement," Hudson said.
While Vick's remarks were limited to "Yes, sir" and "No, sir" in court, he spoke later in a hotel ballroom statement to the media.
It was his first public comment on the case since the July 17 indictment stemming from the operation of Bad Newz Kennels on property former owned by Vick in Smithfield, Va. Federal prosecutors alleged dogs that didn't measure up were killed by various methods, including hanging and drowning.
"I take this opportunity just to speak from the heart," Vick said.
He began by apologizing to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who has suspended him indefinitely, and to the Falcons, including owner Arthur Blank, new coach Bobby Petrino and the players.
"I was not honest and forthright in our discussions (about whether he was involved in dogfighting), and, you know, I was ashamed and totally disappointed in myself to say the least," Vick said.
He made no excuses: "I'm totally responsible, and those things just didn't have to happen … just can't happen. Dogfighting is a terrible thing, and I didn't reject it."
Court spectator Steve Stanaway, 64, of Newport News, Va. (Vick's hometown), wore a T-shirt that read, "My Dog Hates Michael Vick." He said he'd be back for sentencing. "It's not done yet. Dec. 10 it will be done," he said.
Picketers from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) gathered outside the courthouse, but when Vick exited he also was greeted loud chants of, "We love Mike," by supporters from the Tidewater region of eastern Virginia, his home area.
On the sidewalk across from the courthouse, Vick's most vocal supporters were African-American. The group around the PETA protestors was predominantly white.
Dennis Courtland Hayes, interim president and CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said in an interview last week that he preferred his group focus on the "root causes" of problems affecting minorities. But he also said he understood why African-Americans have supported Vick.
"We all bring baggage to situations," Hayes said. "And maybe the baggage for African-Americans is the history of our dealings with the criminal justice system, which many feel has not been fair, does not care."
The impact on the Falcons
At a news conference in Atlanta, team owner Arthur Blank said the Falcons will "move on" to the season ahead.
"I could not be more proud of our head coach (Petrino)," Blank said. "… He's done an unbelievable job focusing himself, his staff and the players on the responsibility of football."
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But there are ramifications for the Falcons beyond the lineup.
Vick signed a 10-year, $130 million contract in December 2005. While he is suspended, the Falcons won't have to pay the $6 million salary he is due this season.
But they must sort out the details of how to recoup some of the millions they've paid him in bonuses.
In suspending Vick last week, Goodell said the Falcons were "free to assert any claims or remedies available to them" under the league contract with the players union and Vick's individual contract.
The Falcons says they have begun that process, but it gets complex.
"We cannot tell you today that Michael is cut from the team," Blank said. "Cutting him may feel better today emotionally for us and many of our fans, but it is not in the best long-term interest of our franchise."
Steinberg, who has negotiated many big contracts, said the Falcons' best option to recoup as much bonus money as possible and minimize the hit in their salary cap is not to cut Vick immediately.
"What's likely to happen is they will keep him on the roster so they have the right to go against the (bonus) money, and they will not waive him until after June 1 of next year," Steinberg said.
The impact on the league
This coming season will be in the stretch run when Vick is sentenced in December. If he gets a year in prison, that will carry into next season. Goodell has not said whether he might continue Vick's suspension beyond that.
But Vick is 27. Steinberg anticipates he will "most certainly" get a chance to play again in the NFL.
"If he serves time, if he continues to be repentant, … he still will be a young man when he leaves prison. Some team will take a chance on him," Steinberg said.
But will teams still take chances on big contracts?
"It won't affect our approach. We feel like we've been very proactive in what we've done here," said Seattle Seahawks GM Tim Ruskell.
He said the character screening starts when scouts first visit a player on a college campus.
"We don't want to see guys who behave badly and aren't conducive to being a good citizen. … We feel our fans are going to want to like them as people. If you don't have that, then, you're going to have problems," Ruskell said.
San Diego Chargers general manager A.J. Smith said: "I don't know how you can be more diligent. … You look at it (the Vick case) and go, 'Geez, the information we're getting, I hope it's good.' "
While the NFL's image doesn't appear to have suffered, Vick's image has taken the big hit.
"I accepted responsibility for my actions. … Now I have to pay the consequences for it," the quarterback said. "I got a lot to think about in the next year or so."
About Vick's attorney: The Falcons quarterback is not the first high-profile client attorney Billy Martin has represented.
Among the notable figures who have retained the counsel of the former federal prosecutor, a partner in the Washington, D.C., office of Sutherland Asbill & Brennan who has also been an advisor to the NFL and NBA players associations:
Boxer Riddick Bowe, former Atlanta mayor Bill Campbell, NBA player Allen Iverson, former White House intern Monica Lewinsky, actor Wesley Snipes, former NBA player Jayson Williams and the parents of murdered Congressional intern Chandra Levy.
Looking ahead: When Vick appeared in court in July, his Atlanta Falcons also opened training camp. Vick was in court Monday, and the team had a preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Other important dates in Vick's future:
• Dec. 10: Sentencing hearing in federal court in Richmond, Va. The Falcons host the New Orleans Saints.
• June 1, 2008: The first date by which the Falcons can cut Vick and spread out their remaining salary-cap hit across two seasons rather than one.
• Dec. 11, 2008: The earliest Vick could be released from prison if the judge follows the minimum recommendation under suggested guidelines.
Fate of pit bulls to be decided: According to the indictment against Vick, the dogs used in the Virginia-based ring had names such as "Big Boy," "Chico" and "Jane."
The U.S. Attorney's office in Richmond said it would seek a court order this week to declare the U.S. government the owner of about 50 pit bulls taken from Vick's property.
It said in a news release that decisions on what becomes of the dogs — with euthanasia among the options — would be made after they were assessed by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
"We anticipate the evaluations will be completed within about three weeks, and the government will thereafter make a recommendation to the court for the dogs' disposition. The public can be assured that careful consideration will be given to the ultimate disposition of the dogs

Ref Bet on Games He Worked

Tim Donaghy started making NBA bets four years ago, and he didn't hesitate to wager on games he worked.

In a New York courthouse Wednesday, ex-referee Tim Donaghy pleads guilty to two felony charges in connection with the NBA betting scandal. Prosecutors said that Donaghy bet on games himself, but that was not part of his plea.

Speaking in code during telephone calls, he tipped off high-stakes gamblers with inside information and recommended which teams to bet on. When his picks hit, he was paid $5,000.The stunning allegations emerged Wednesday as the disgraced former NBA referee pleaded guilty to two felony charges in a scandal that rocked the league and tarnished the integrity of the sport."By having this nonpublic information, I was in a unique position to predict the outcome of NBA games," Donaghy, standing ramrod-straight with his hands clasped in front of him, told the judge in a Brooklyn courtroom.Donaghy, who was released on $250,000 bond, faces a maximum of 25 years in prison when he is sentenced Nov. 9 for conspiracy to engage in wire fraud and transmitting betting information through interstate commerce. He also must pay a $500,000 fine and at least $30,000 in restitution to the government.Commissioner David Stern said the NBA would "continue with our ongoing and thorough review of the league's officiating program to ensure that the best possible policies and procedures are in place to protect the integrity of our game."Defense attorney John Lauro told The Associated Press that Donaghy was "relieved this part of the proceeding is over and we look forward to completely resolving this matter in the coming months."


"Tim deeply regrets his involvement in this matter and especially the pain it has caused his family, friends and co-workers," Lauro said.The plea had been widely expected in recent weeks, but court documents released Wednesday revealed new details about the depth of the scandal.Court papers say the 40-year-old Donaghy began placing bets on NBA games in 2003. Starting last December, he began giving gambling associates sensitive information, including which crews would officiate games and how the various officials and players interacted.His actions "compromised his objectivity as a referee because of his personal financial interest in the outcome of NBA games," the government said.It was highly lucrative for Donaghy. While in Toronto, Phoenix and Washington, D.C., to referee games earlier this year, Donaghy received thousands of dollars in cash payoffs from the gamblers, authorities said.They did not spell out specific games that Donaghy officiated and placed bets on, nor would they say if he made calls during the game to help a team cover the spread.In one exchange, according to court papers, Donaghy provided a tip about an NBA game on Dec. 13, 2006. That same day, he worked a 76ers game in Philadelphia against the Boston Celtics.The next day, Donaghy met with the gamblers in Pennsylvania and received a cash payment, authorities say. A person close to the investigation, speaking on condition of anonymity because the case is ongoing, said the payment was for a successful tip on the 76ers-Celtics game.

Tiger Roars to 13th Major Win

The 13th major for Tiger Woods looked like so many others until he finished.


Defending champion Tiger Woods recovered from an early bogey with birdies on 4, 7, 8, and 15, holding off challenges from Ernie Els and Woody Austin.

His father is no longer alive for Woods to walk into his arms. His mother no longer travels to any major but the Masters. He now shares his triumphs with a wife and baby daughter, and the biggest surprise Sunday at the PGA Championship was seeing them when he walked into the scoring trailer to sign for a 69 and a two-shot victory.Naturally, 2-month-old Sam Alexis was decked out in red."It's a feeling I've never had before," Woods said after turning back a brief scare to win the final major of the year. "Having Sam there and having Elin there, it feels a lot more special. And it used to be my mom and dad. And now Elin, and now we have our own daughter. So it's evolved, and this one feels so much more special than the other majors."On the golf course, it was the same old story.With his five-shot lead trimmed to a single stroke, Woods kept his cool in temperatures that reached 102 degrees. He hit 7-iron to 10 feet on the 15th hole for a birdie that gave him some breathing room, and the bold drive on the 16th - Woods twirled the club in his hand when he saw it split the middle - was the sure sign this major was over.Woody Austin (67) and Ernie Els (66) made spirited runs, but that wasn't nearly enough.And so, a season of first-time winners in the majors ended with a most familiar champion. His fourth PGA Championship gave him 13 majors, leaving him only five short of the benchmark set by Jack Nicklaus, and well ahead of the pace set by the Golden Bear.Woods, 31, won his 13th major in his 44th start. Nicklaus was 35 when he won his 13th major in his 53rd try as a pro.He is so dominant in his era that Woods now has more majors (13) then the rest of the top 10 in the world ranking combined (12).He finished at 8-under 272 and won for the fifth time this year.This by far was the biggest, especially after coming in second at the Masters and the U.S. Open.

Tiger in Total Control at PGA

Tiger Woods draped a blue towel over sagging shoulders, looking like a heavyweight who had gone the distance.

Tiger is 12 for 12 in majors when tied or leading through 54 holes.

You should have seen the other guys.Woods set modest goals that led to great expectations Saturday in the PGA Championship, turning in a 1-under 69 in torrid temperatures at Southern Hills to build a three-shot lead over Stephen Ames.He has never lost a major when leading after 36 holes. He has never lost any tournament anywhere in the world when leading by more than one shot going into the final round."I've always enjoyed being out in front," said Woods, who was at 7-under 203. "And hopefully, tomorrow I can go ahead and play the way I've been playing the last few days."No one conceded the final major to the world's No. 1 player.But it sure sounded that way."If you're trying to win a tournament like this, he's the wrong guy to let get out ahead of you," Scott Verplank said after a 74 that made him look more like a bystander than a contender."He knows he's going to win," Arron Oberholser said after an even-par 70 left him seven shots behind. "I think the scary thing is that maybe he knows that you know he's going to win."Saving his best golf for the final major, Woods followed his record-tying score of 63 with a round that wasn't anything special but no less effective. He made 15 pars, two of them with 10-foot putts that kept him in control early, and rarely took on the flags."I accomplished my goal today," Woods said. "My goal was to shoot under par and increase my lead. And I was able to do that."Five players remained under par, and only Ernie Els (69) at 1-under 209 has experience winning a major."The statistics will tell you, yes, it is over," Els said. "But as a competitor, I can't sit there and tell you it's over. I can't ever do that."But if he were watching from his house?

"If I was not a golfer - a fan on the couch - I'd be putting my house on him, yeah," Els said.Woods made it look as though this were a Sunday afternoon and he was protecting his lead, playing away from trouble and rarely having to work too hard for par. He picked up his birdies with a 6-foot putt on No. 4 and a 12-footer on the 12th that stretched his lead to five at one point Saturday.It will be the third time this year Woods plays in the final group of a major. He was trailing at the Masters and U.S. Open and never caught up, but the odds are much higher in his favor of capturing his first major of the year.Ames made a 12-foot birdie on the final hole for a 69 that put him in the final group of a major for the first time. Just his luck he gets Woods, spotting the 12-time major champion a three-shot lead.Ames bristled when his loss to Woods in the Accenture Match Play Championship last year was brought up again. He jokingly said that anything could happen "especially where he's hitting the ball," and Woods went on to a record 9-and-8 victory two days later.This time, Ames figures he has nothing to lose."For me, it's a great opportunity of being in the situation," he said. "Tiger's going for his 13th. I'm looking for my first."Woody Austin lost his chance to be in the final group when he took bogey on the final hole for a 69, leaving him at 207. John Senden had a 69 and was another shot back, followed by Els."You recognize him as the world's No. 1, and him having the lead ... it's a tough ask to go out there and compete with him because you respect how good he is," Senden said. "I have to continue on what I have to do best, and if that's good enough to beat Tiger Woods, well, fantastic."Verplank held his own until a double bogey from the rough and trees on the signature 12th hole, and a three-putt from the back of the 18th green for bogey ended his long day. He was in a large group at even-par 210.For the briefest moment, the former U.S. Amateur champion from Oklahoma State pulled within one shot. Verplank dribbled an 8-foot birdie putt down the hill and into the cup at No. 4 to reach 5 under, only to watch Woods hole a 6-foot putt to match his birdie and restore the margin to two shots.Walking to the fifth tee, Verplank smirked and said, "That guy makes everything."It sure looked that way.


Woods atoned for a poor chip on the third with a 10-foot par save, and saved par from 10 feet again on the eighth after hitting into a bunker. His streak of 24 straight holes without a bogey ended when he hit 6-iron into the bunker on the 14th and missed from 18 feet.He led by as many as five shots on the back nine until that bogey on 14. Even so, it was his largest lead going into the final round of a major since the 2005 Masters, which he won in a playoff over Chris DiMarco.One after another, players finished their rounds, looked at the top of the leaderboard and figured it would require their best round to have any chance of winning. They have seen this before.And so has Woods, even if he won't concede the tournament is over.This is only the fifth time in his career that Woods came to the final major of the year without winning one, although he arrived at Southern Hills fresh off an eight-shot victory at a World Golf Championship.But the work is not done."I've always said in order to have a great year you have to win a major championship," he said. "You can win every tournament, but the majors are where it's at. And this year, I've had some opportunities to deal with this. I haven't done it. I'm in good shape going into tomorrow and hopefully, I can get it done."The only low scores were in the morning, when the greens were still smooth. Boo Weekley had a chance to shoot 63 until he hit his approach on the 18th about 45 feet away and took three putts for a bogey and a 65.Playing with Weekley was Sergio Garcia, but not for long. Weekley marked down a 4 for Garcia on the 17th hole when the Spaniard made 5, and Garcia signed it anyway and was disqualified.Woods looked as though he might come back to the field, but he steadied himself quickly. He saved par twice on the first three holes, then wiggled his way out of trouble on the par-5 fifth when he bounced his third shot out of the rough, under a tree and tumbling up to the green about 35 feet left of the pin.It will be the second straight week that Woods played in the final group against someone whose comments about him got wide publicity. Last week, Woods turned a one-shot victory over Rory Sabbatini - who said earlier this year Woods looked "beatable as ever" into an eight-shot win.This will be the first time since Match Play last year that Woods and Ames have played together.For both, it seemed like a distant memory. More important is the immediate future."I know what I have to do tomorrow," Woods said.

Bonds on Fire, Hits No. 758

Barry Bonds added another home run to his record count Friday night, connecting for No. 758 in the third inning off former teammate Matt Morris of Pittsburgh.

Just a few days into his reign as the home run king, Bonds wastes no time in padding his totals as he blasts a two-run shot off Matt Morris in the third inning for No. 758.
Bonds sent a 3-2 pitch into the right-field arcade for a two-run shot, giving the San Francisco Giants a 3-1 lead over the Pirates. The fan who retrieved the ball was quickly whisked away so the ball could be authenticated.Fans jumped to their feet as Bonds made his third home-run trot this week in the club's waterfront ballpark. He broke Hank Aaron's record with No. 756 on Tuesday, then had a splash-hit homer into McCovey Cove for his 757th the very next night.It was his first career homer off Morris, who became the 448th different pitcher to give up a homer to Bonds. Morris was dealt to the Pirates at the trading deadline.The 43-year-old Bonds received a standing ovation when he came out to play left field in the top of the fourth and he tipped and waved his cap with his left hand.

Barry Bonds..... History Made

So now what? Whether you revile him or admire him, loathe him or love him, Barry Bonds is baseball’s home run king after an exhausting chase for history, and there’s a real sense of relief now that it’s over for almost everyone involved.


There was no drama – save Hank Aaron’s surprise video tribute – but it’s hard to imagine a chase for any all-time record having a lot of sizzle. All of a sudden, there’s a major vacuum in the baseball world. I guess we’ll all have to pay attention to the game on the field. It does go on.The record has fallen and we can’t go back. That’s why, I suspect, Bonds will be met with neither boos nor cheers on his next road trip, but instead something he probably hasn’t felt in many years, indifference.Of course, the controversy around Bonds isn’t going anywhere, not as long as there is a federal grand jury after the slugger. For members of the Bonds-tourage, people that, willingly or not, have been a part of this torturous chase, it’s truly over, though. The 15 minutes of fame are up. Time to move on to a new challenge. Who’s looking for something to do today? Here’s a short list.Pedro GomezGo home, man. Go home. The ESPN reporter has been following Barry Bonds every day from spring training to the end of the season for three years. That’s got to be the most thankless job in America this side of being Britney Spears’ publicist. Gomez isn’t just some television flunky. He’s a member of the Baseball Writers Association of America who has covered baseball since 1990. Hopefully he can find someone a little more cuddly than Bonds to stalk now.Bud SeligThe awkwardness can finally end. No more daily updates on the whereabouts of Major League Baseball's commissioner. No more questions about where he should be. No more questions about how he could celebrate it. And thank god. It’s hard to imagine someone handling the chase worse than Selig. Though we’re told he wants very little to do with Bonds, his constant waffling became a story throughout the pursuit.While Bonds is cast as a divisive figure – either loved or hated – I suspect most baseball fans feel as I do about the slugger – ambivalent. I’m willing to celebrate or at least appreciate his accomplishment, while realizing he probably took performance-enhancing drugs and also realizing that we just don’t have the context or the distance of history to really put his achievement in perspective. Who else cheated, after all?And that’s how Selig should have treated the chase. Celebrate it now and let the lacquer of history decide Bonds’ legacy.

For many fans, everything Barry Bonds does on the field is tainted by long-running suspicions that he has cheated by taking steroids.
The Hammer can go back to being one of the greatest home run hitters in baseball history. People will decide who their home run king is and that was true even before Bonds hit 756. Many still considered Babe Ruth the ultimate slugger when Aaron hit 715. Hank had already moved on anyway. He was in bed by the time his record fell. Nikolai Bonds Seeing him hop over the fence in excitement after his dad’s milestone clout was a nice moment, but he’s a little old to be a batboy isn’t he? By the way, did anyone else think it was odd that Barry didn’t hug his son back at home plate?Giants FansLost in all the Bonds hoopla is that he plays for a really, really bad team with little hope of getting better in the next few seasons. Only three teams in baseball have a worse record than San Francisco. Even the Nationals and Royals are better. AT&T Park is going to be a lot emptier over the next few months.Giants PlayersThe chase is over, now the national media can get out of your clubhouse. That’s a good thing, right? Not so fast. Now the local media can focus on just how lousy you guys are at baseball.The KayakersSorry. You guys are going to actually have to buy a ticket if you want another shot at grabbing history, unless, of course, A-Rod opts out of his contract and signs with the Giants.
I’ll go out on a limb and say giving up No. 756 will be the highlight of Bacsik’s career. He’s 29, he’s made just 30 major league starts, he has a career ERA of 5.21, and before this season his last appearance in the majors was in 2004.Baseball FansThe beauty of baseball is that the game goes on. (The Nationals actually beat the Giants last night!) After weeks of being held hostage by round-the-clock Barry-this-Bud’s-there coverage, the circus disappears and the sport returns.There’s plenty of Barry-free drama to be had in the majors. The NL MVP race is a free-for-all. No first-place team has a lead bigger than five games. More than half of baseball’s 30 clubs are in striking distance of a playoff spot. The Yankees are surging. The Mets and Braves are set to lock horns down the stretch.It’s fun to see history, but it’s also draining. Luckily, there’s plenty of baseball left to revitalize us.

Barry Bond tyes Hank Aaron

With a short swing, a half stare and an emphatic clap of his hands, Barry Bonds rounded the bases. After so many days and so many tries, he had finally caught Hammerin' Hank.

Baseball commissioner Bud Selig was a reluctant witness to history. Choosing to overlook the steroid allegations that have dogged the San Francisco slugger, Selig watched Bonds tie Hank Aaron's home run record - his mouth agape, hands stuffed in pockets and nary a cheer on his lips.No. 755 was a strong shot for all the doubters, an opposite-field drive of 382 feet to left-center, moving Bonds within one swing of having baseball's pinnacle of power all to himself. It came on a 2-1, 91 mph fastball.And it was a long time coming.It had been eight days and 28 plate appearances since Bonds hit his 754th home run, and he came out for early batting practice Saturday, hoping to break his slump. He did it quickly, leading off the second inning."No matter what anybody thinks of the controversy surrounding this event, Mr. Bonds' achievement is noteworthy and remarkable," Selig said in a statement.Selig said either he or a representative would attend the Giants' next few games "out of respect for the tradition of the game, the magnitude of the record and the fact that all citizens in this country are innocent until proven guilty."Bonds drew a mixed reaction from the crowd at Petco Park after he homered off Clay Hensley. Several fans held up asterisk signs and the San Francisco slugger was booed as he headed to left field at the end of the inning.Bonds walked his next three times up and left the game in the eighth for a pinch-runner. He raised his helmet with his left hand, then his right, and drew a standing ovation from many fans who chanted his name.The Padres won 3-2 in 12 innings.

Storied Celts Ready to Write New Chapter

With the arrival of NBA superstar Kevin Garnett, the doormat Boston Celtics became the storied Boston Celtics once again.


In Pierce, Garnett and Allen, the Celtics now have a lineup formidable enough to contend with their impressive legacy.
Just a week ago, the Celtics were nothing more than a franchise that had to dust off the history books to brag about their past accomplishments, such as: 16 NBA championships, a legendary coach in Red Auerbach, the greatest defender ever in Bill Russell, and arguably the greatest player ever in Larry Bird. Just a week ago, the Celtics were a question mark in the NBA, and nothing close to what they used to be.But with the addition of Garnett in a blockbuster trade Tuesday, the Celtics can now stand proud again.When I became a big NBA fan in the early 80's it was cool to hate the Celtics. But I couldn't help but respect them, too.I loved watching Bird nail jumpers at any place, at any time, in anyone's eye. Robert Parish, Kevin McHale, Dennis Johnson and Danny Ainge were stars that sacrificed their games to fit in around Bird and play team basketball that led to title after title. While the Los Angeles Lakers, the Detroit Pistons and the Philadelphia 76ers seemed more fun to watch, basketball was at its best when one of those teams played the Celtics in a dogfight on CBS on Sunday.Yes, I enjoyed rooting against the Celtics, but they often got the last laugh.As an African-American, my forced hatred for the Celtics came to an end as I got older and more educated. How could I dislike a franchise that drafted the first African-American in NBA history in Chuck Cooper? How could I dislike a franchise that showcased the first all-black starting five? How could I dislike a franchise that made Russell the first African-American coach in major American sports history?Considering the Celtics' storied history and the imprint it had on African-American history, it was sad to see them become mortal in recent years.Very mortal.The Celtics haven't been to the Finals in 20 years. The death of No. 1 draft pick Len Bias in 1986 hurt them for the next decade, if not longer. Since K.C. Jones' departure, Boston has had a carousel of coaches including Jimmy Rodgers, Chris Ford, M.L. Carr, Rick Pitino, Jim O'Brien, John Carroll and now Doc Rivers. The C's have missed the playoffs the last two seasons and eight of the past 12 years. Just last season they endured an embarrassing 18-game losing streak. Their lone and disgruntled star Paul Pierce seemed destined to be an NBA version of Ernie Banks. And despite having the NBA's second worst record, Boston couldn't get lucky enough in the 2007 draft lottery to win the coveted draft rights to Greg Oden or Kevin Durant.A once bright star respectfully known as the Celtics had fallen hard and hadn't shined for years."(Pierce and Rivers) have stood in front of the cameras and in front of (the media) the last two years and have taken some heat, taken some bullets, and had pretty heavy shoes to fill, and had expectations that were probably unrealistic and unfair," said Ainge, now the Celtics' executive director of basketball operations.The creative Celtics' brass, however, worked a miracle this offseason that even quieted talk of referee Tim Donaghy's gambling scandal.
In 12 seasons in Minnesota, Kevin Garnett only made it as far as the Western Conference finals once. Now that he's in Boston, Garnett is sure to face much higher expectations.

Seeing it as going from one rebuilding job to another, Garnett originally turned down an opportunity to leave Minnesota to become a Celtic earlier this summer. Seven-time NBA All-Star Ray Allen, however, took the first leap of faith, as he was dealt to the C's on draft night. With two perennial All-Stars on the roster in Pierce and Allen, it suddenly clicked with Garnett that the Celtics could be an Eastern Conference champion with him. And on July 31, the dog years for the Celtics finally came to an end with the addition of one of the NBA's biggest stars in K.G."On draft night when Boston traded for Ray Allen, that whole situation changed for me," Garnett said. "I actually contemplated and thought about it. I really didn't speak publicly. I really didn't say too much to my friends or any of that. I was really trying to see myself be comfortable in a Celtic jersey."The thought of Garnett wearing that famous green jersey is already having a huge impact on the confidence of his new teammates."(Garnett's arrival) means a lot more wins," said Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo, over the phone. "I don't want to guarantee anything ... We'll take it one step at a time, but we got players in key position to get things."Scoot over Red Sox and Patriots. Move over San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons. The Celtics are back where they are supposed to be: an NBA power again. And somewhere in heaven, Red is surely smiling while puffing another victory cigar."The Boston Celtics (are) an elite franchise," Pierce said. "Now that we've made the deals to be at an elite level, that's what this city is all about ... and staying there

Bonds One Away From Homer History

Will this be the night Barry Bonds writes himself into the record books? As Bonds squares off against starting pitcher Mark Hendrickson and the Dodgers tonight, follow the action live from Los Angeles as it happens

Stewart Reigns in Indy

The usually fiery Tony Stewart keeps his cool, and that helps him roll to victory in the Brickyard 400 at the Indy Motor Speedway. Stewart loses the lead late to Kevin Harvick, only to rally and cruise to his second straight win.After years of torment, Tony Stewart has mastered his beloved hometown track.Stewart scored his second career victory at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, dominating Sunday at the place that caused him a decade of heartache and once even threatened his career.

Vick's crony to cop a plea

Barely a day after he joined three other co-defendants - including Falcons quarterback Michael Vick - in pleading not guilty to dogfighting charges in a Richmond, Va. federal courthouse, Tony Taylor was the first to accept a plea bargain.
The 34-year-old Taylor, who is from Hampton, Va., will appear before U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson at 9 a.m. Monday, according to The Associated Press. Taylor was the alleged ringleader, according to the 18-page indictment handed down July 17, responsible for identifying Vick's property in rural Smithfield, Va., as the location where "Bad Newz Kennels" would house and train pit bulls and stage fights.
Taylor's attorney, Stephen Ashton Hudgins, did not return a call by the Daily News last night. The other three defendants - Vick, 35-year-old Purnell Peace and 28-year-old Quanis Phillips - still are scheduled for trial Nov. 26, but Taylor's bombshell may suggest a domino effect, especially with Vick's football star severely dimmed ever since the allegations surfaced.
"Usually what happens in that (kind of) case, one of the co-defendants will give information. Whoever talks first ends up with the best deal," William Frick, a former prosecutor for the U.S. Attorney's office in South Carolina who has prosecuted several dogfighting cases, told The News. "I don't know if that happened in this case, but typically whoever comes first gets the best deal."
Vick, 27, Peace and Phillips still face conspiracy charges involving competitive dogfighting, procuring and training pit bulls for fighting and conducting the enterprise across state lines. If found guilty, each faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and $250,000 in fines for conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and one year and $100,000 for sponsoring a dog in a fighting venture.
In the indictment, Taylor is identified as executing "at least two dogs in 2002 that did not perform well in 'testing' sessions at (Vick's Smithfield home) by shooting one dog and electrocuting the other."
DAMAGED GOODS: The NFL quickly is making Vick jerseys and memorabilia collector's items.
Yesterday, in response to the quarterback being indicted last week on dogfighting charges, the league pulled all of his items off its on-line shopping site, nflshop.com. "It's not appropriate under the circumstances," NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said. "What we are doing is suspending those sales. It's for the immediate future."
McCarthy also said that Reebok, the exclusive supplier of NFL jerseys, has ceased selling and producing Vick jerseys. Also yesterday, Nike suspended its shoe contract with the three-time Pro Bowler.
Vick was banned from Falcons training camp by commissioner Roger Goodell. It's possible Goodell will suspend him for the 2007 season if the league's own investigation shows Vick violated the NFL's personal conduct policy.
Not only are No. 7 Falcons jerseys with Vick's name no longer available on the NFL's shopping site, but it's not possible to customize a No. 7 Falcons jersey with a nickname for Vick, such as Ookie, which is used in the indictment, or something more derisive. Those variations are considered "inappropriate, derogatory or profane," according to the site. Autographed balls by Vick and all Vick items are now off the site as well.
Meanwhile, Donruss - one of four major trading card companies - has decided to pull Vick's card from any future 2007 releases, according to Beckett Media, which covers the collectibles industry.

Going Camping With the AFC

For those of you weary of police blotter reports and player suspensions, of plenty of talk but no football action, we finally have something for you. An entire column without dog fighting, raining money or night club punch-outs.

Training camps are getting under way and that means we can speculate on football instead of wondering who will get busted next, or what weird story will top the last one. Pacman Jones and Michael Vick will take a back seat, at least in preparation for the coming season, to Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.This season will mark an anniversary of sorts, 10 years since the power shifted in the NFL. You will recall that, going into the 1997 season, NFC teams had won 13 consecutive Super Bowls, and people were speculating about when the league might re-align to make the title game competitive.How strange that seems, now that AFC teams have won 8 of the last 10 championships, and the league’s three best teams – Indianapolis, New England and San Diego – are all in the AFC.With that in mind, we’ll start with the AFC this week (NFC next week), and here are the five burning questions about the stronger conference going into training camp:5. How will Mike Tomlin’s tough approach be greeted in Pittsburgh?Tomlin is in an enviable spot, because he has a strong organization and tradition behind him and a team only 18 months removed from winning the Super Bowl. But Tomlin, just the third Steelers’ coach in nearly four decades – and the third youngish one in a row the Rooneys have hired -- now has to establish himself.It’s worth noting that Tomlin is in the same relative position, regarding his career, that Bill Cowher was in and Chuck Noll before him. The difference, of course, is that the team he takes over was so recently a champion. Nonetheless, Tomlin seems determined to put his imprint on the Steelers as quickly as possible, and a change from the 3-4 to the 4-3 defense seems inevitable.4. Forget the questions about Tarik Glenn for a moment. The real issue with the Colts is this one: Which is their real defense? The one that was so easy to run against during the season or the one that turned into the Steel Curtain in the playoffs?Indy has been working to improve its defense for a couple of years. The Colts prefer to draft their players, but they reached out for a pair of veteran defensive tackles, and Anthony McFarland helped them in the post-season. But this is still a team that allowed the most rushing yards in the league last season, and the most yards per carry, and that’s a burden it must overcome.The Colts overcame it in the playoffs. Their defense overall was great and the run defense was stifling. What changed between December and January? And has anything changed between February and July? Perhaps the Colts can keep that playoff defense going this year, but it’s far from a certainty.3. Can Vince Young will the Tennessee Titans into playoff contention?It’s not out of the question. Young is the most exciting young player in the league, and those who saw him in college were not shocked by how well he played as a rookie. The Titans are in a tough division but Jeff Fisher, their coach, is one of the best in the NFL at working with young players, and the makeover of the roster is just about complete.With a year’s experience, Young should be even better. And you can bet there are a lot of people around the league hoping he is, because Young’s game is not unlike Michael Vick’s; the difference is that Young has shown he could be a better passer, and he is in position to become the new face of the league. Given Vick’s problems, the league can use a new face.2. Can the Patriots manage to bring Randy Moss into their all-for-one team concept, or will Moss’ indifference infect the team?New England has protected itself by bringing in several receivers in addition to Moss, who represents everything the Patriots are not. So the team is in position to make a move if Moss reverts to his old form. And I don’t mean his old form of streaking down the field and catching long touchdown passes. The problem with Moss is his refusal to play all-out all the time, his refusal to go over the middle, to block, to run pass routes when he’s not the primary receiver.The Patriots have great leadership, both on and off the field. But how much effort and energy can they afford to devote to Moss, and they probably will need plenty of both to become a contributing player. History says they did it with Corey Dillon, another guy who arrived with baggage, but Dillon’s baggage was little more than a fanny pack compared with the steamer trunks Moss is carrying.1. Will the third time be the charm for Norv Turner, the new San Diego coach?No matter who was coaching, the Chargers would find it hard to reprise or improve on last season’s 14-2 record. Turner is a nice guy, low-key, with a great reputation for working with young quarterbacks, and could be just what Philip Rivers needs to fully develop. But what about the rest of the roster, which already is fully developed and, aside from the QB, is probably the strongest roster, top to bottom, in the entire league?That’s the rub. You can make the case, and I have, that what happened in Washington and Oakland was hardly all Turner’s fault, because those are both impossible situations and neither the guy who preceded him nor the guy who followed him did even as well as Norv did. But history doesn’t provide much comfort for a two-time loser trying his third team, even when the team is as strong and the organization as solid as the Chargers are.I happen to believe Turner will beat the odds. But they are long odds, despite the talent on the team.

Focus Turns to Las Vegas After NBA Betting Scandal

The former NBA referee under investigation for a betting scandal is reportedly receiving death threats. Police are staked out all around his Florida home.
The FBI is looking into whether Tim Donaghy changed the outcome of certain games in order to win money. The FBI is investigating whether calls he made had an impact on point spreads.
Donaghy is expected to surrender this week.
The bets were all supposed to have taken place in New Jersey, not Las Vegas. And as that scandal grows, national attention turns to Las Vegas and the fleeting hope for a professional sports franchise for the city.
FBI investigators say this case appears to have nothing to do with Las Vegas. But anytime you involve sports, gambling and scandal, Las Vegas always seems to come up, and now the fate of a franchise is hanging in the balance.
Deep inside an office complex off of Sunset Road, a dark shadow hangs over the Mecca of sports betting. Las Vegas Sports Consultants is the force in laying down the line for billions of bettors.
Kenny White runs Las Vegas Sports Consultants and said, "We would find any, any sports fix long before it got started."
Right now, an undisclosed but a powerful client has asked White to look at the odds on every game in the NBA last season because Tim Donaghy.
The former NBA referee has been linked to the Gambino crime family and is accused of fixing certain games. Now, Las Vegas is back in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
Mayor Oscar Goodman said, "The eastern media can go drop in the lake as far as I'm concerned. I was going to say drop dead. I would never say something like that."
Goodman says the scandal is a concern NBA Commissioner David Stern, but the Las Vegas mayor doesn't worry about the hopes for a team fading to black.
"I think this is a good thing, as far as Las Vegas is concerned," Mayor Goodman said.
Goodman has pride and trust in Nevada's tough gambling regulations. The mayor says the issue isn't gambling. It's making sure everything is done in the open, but temptation is never far away in Las Vegas.
The mayor continued, "Who's going to want to watch any of the games in any of the sports without having a little wager on it?"
Goodman says the NBA owners will meet next week. They may discuss moving a franchise to Las Vegas, but a deal is far from done.
The final word will rest with Commissioner Stern. He had no comment about Las Vegas and will make a statement later this week. He's the one man who will decide yes or no.

Don't Expect to See Much of Beckham

The man everyone came to see was nowhere in sight. And don't expect to see much of David Beckham in action when the Los Angeles Galaxy play Chelsea in the superstar's first scheduled game with his new team.

Garcia Closing in on First Major Title

Sergio Garcia wasn't spectacular on Saturday, but he was more than good enough to keep his challengers at bay in the third round at Carnoustie. Steve Stricker's course-record round puts him within striking distance, but Tiger Woods and other players fall further behind the Spaniard's quest for his first major title.The cheers grew louder as Sergio Garcia crossed the bridge over Barry Burn toward the 18th green at Carnoustie, a reception so warm it gave him chills. He removed his cap in a steady rain and soaked up the adulation.

Feds Indict Vick on Dogfighting Charges

NFL star Michael Vick was indicted by a federal grand jury Tuesday on charges of sponsoring a dogfighting operation so grisly the losers either died in the pit or sometimes were electrocuted, drowned, hanged or shot.


The Atlanta Falcons quarterback and three others were charged with competitive dogfighting, procuring and training pit bulls for fighting and conducting the enterprise across state lines.The operation was named "Bad Newz Kennels," according to the indictment, and the dogs were housed, trained and fought at a property owned by Vick in Surry County, Va.The 18-page federal indictment, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, alleges the 27-year-old Vick and his co-defendants began the dogfighting operation in early 2001, the former Virginia Tech star's rookie year with the Falcons.The indictment states that dogs fought to the death - or close to it.If convicted, Vick and the others - Purnell A. Peace, Quanis L. Phillips and Tony Taylor - could face up to six years in prison, $350,000 in fines and restitution.Telephone messages left at the offices and home of Vick's attorney, Larry Woodward, were not returned. A woman who answered the phone at the home of Vick's mother said "no comment" and hung up."We are disappointed that Michael Vick has put himself in a position where a federal grand jury has returned an indictment against him," NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said."The activities alleged are cruel, degrading and illegal. Michael Vick's guilt has not yet been proven, and we believe that all concerned should allow the legal process to determine the facts."Vick and the Falcons are scheduled to report to training camp on July 25."Obviously, we are disturbed by today's news," the team said in a statement posted on its Web site, apologizing to fans for the negative publicity."We will do the right thing for our club as the legal process plays out. We have a season to prepare for," it said.John Goodwin of the Humane Society said the manner in which losing or unwilling dogs were killed was especially troubling.
"Some of the grisly details in these filings shocked even me, and I'm a person who faces this stuff every day," he said. "I was surprised to see that they were killing dogs by hanging them and one dog was killed by slamming it to the ground. Those are extremely violent methods of execution - they're unnecessary and just sick."Vick and the others are accused of "knowingly sponsoring and exhibiting an animal fighting venture" and conducting a business enterprise involving gambling, as well as buying, transporting and receiving dogs for the purposes of an animal fighting venture.About eight young dogs were put to death at the Surry County home after they were found not ready to fight in April 2007, the indictment said. They were killed "by hanging, drowning and/or slamming at least one dog's body to the ground."The indictment also outlined a rough chronology:In March 2003, after a pit bull from Bad Newz Kennels lost in a fight, it said Peace consulted with Vick about the losing dog's condition, then executed it by wetting it with water and electrocuting it;In March 2003, after two Bad Newz Kennels dog lost fights to dogs owned by a cooperating witness, it alleged that Vick retrieved a bag containing $23,000 and gave it to the owner of the winning dogs. One of the fights had a $20,000 purse;In the fall of 2003, a person witnessing a dog fight involving one of the dogs trained by Bad Newz Kennels incurred the ire of another cooperating witness by yelling out Vick's name in front of the crowd during the fight.It also said that after establishing Bad Newz Kennels in early 2002, Vick and the others obtained shirts and headbands promoting their affiliation with the kennel.After a police raid on the property in April, Vick said he was rarely at the house, had no idea it may have been used in a criminal enterprise. He blamed family members for taking advantage of his generosity.On Vick's Web site, he lists his birthplace as Newport News, "a.k.a. BadNews."Purses for the fights ranged from hundreds of dollars to the thousands, and participants and spectators placed side bets, the document said.Local authorities have been investigating the allegations since the April 25 drug raid at the property Vick owned. On June 7, officials with the Department of Agriculture executed their own search warrant and found the remains of seven dogs.Surry County prosecutor Gerald G. Poindexter said he didn't know of the indictment before it was filed, and said he's not sure how the county will continue its case.At the start, authorities seized 66 dogs, including 55 pit bulls, and equipment commonly used in dogfighting. About half the dogs were tethered to car axles with heavy chains that allowed the dogs to get close to each other, but not to have contact - an arrangement typical for fighting dogs, according to the search warrant affidavit.The indictment said dogfights were held at the Virginia property and dog owners brought animals from six states, including New York and Texas.In a search warrant executed July 6, the government said the fights usually occurred late at night or in the early morning and would last several hours.Before fights, participating dogs of the same sex would be weighed and bathed, according to the filings. Opposing dogs would be washed to remove any poison or narcotic placed on the dog's coat that could affect the other dog's performance.Sometimes, dogs weren't fed to "make it more hungry for the other dog," it said.

Bonds Headlines All-Star Rosters as NL Starter

Barry Bonds is as much a fixture in San Francisco as cable cars and the Golden Gate Bridge, and he'll be in his usual spot in left field when the All-Star game comes to his home ballpark.


The star overcame a 119,000-vote deficit in the final days of balloting and finished 123,000 ahead of the Chicago Cubs' Alfonso Soriano on Sunday to claim the third and final starting outfield spot for the National League."I'm at a loss for words right now," Bonds said. "It just means more 'cause I'm at home. This is my town. This is my house. You can't say enough about being at home. It's great."At 42, Bonds will be the oldest player to start an All-Star game. He tops Roger Clemens, who was 41 years, 11 months at the 2004 game in Houston, his hometown."This is the one I'll remember all time. This is the one I'll remember forever," Bonds said.Bonds, heading to his 14th All-Star game and 12th as a starter, was the lone Giants player chosen for the July 10 game in San Francisco - his first trip since 2004. Five home runs from tying Hank Aaron's record of 755, Bonds is beloved in San Francisco but booed in most other cities following years of suspicion that he used performance-enhancing drugs."One guy will be a lot bigger than everybody else. It's his hometown," said Cincinnati's Ken Griffey Jr., the top NL vote-getter. "He gets to have all the fun stuff and the press conferences. I just get to play."
With the game in his home park, Bonds figures to be the focus all week. He could be one of the sluggers picked to participate in Monday night's Home Run Derby."I don't think so. I don't have anything to prove in that," Bonds said.Soriano wasn't bothered that fans voted Bonds to start over him. Soriano still made it as a backup."Going to the All-Star game means a lot to me, especially my first time with the Cubs," he said.The Boston Red Sox and AL champion Detroit Tigers led all teams with five players selected. Boston is sending first baseman David Ortiz, third baseman Mike Lowell, outfielder Manny Ramirez and pitchers Josh Beckett and Jonathan Papelbon.Detroit had three players elected to start for the first time since 1983 (second baseman Placido Polanco, outfielder Magglio Ordonez and catcher Ivan Rodriguez). Pudge, a 14-time All-Star, was elected to start for the 12th time. Polanco is a first-time All-Star.Detroit's Justin Verlander, who pitched a no-hitter this season, was picked for the AL staff, and shortstop Carlos Guillen is a reserve.
The Red Sox or Tigers could gain a sixth, with Boston reliever Hideki Okajima and Detroit starter Jeremy Bonderman among five players on the Internet ballot for the final AL spot.The New York Mets (center fielder Carlos Beltran, shortstop Jose Reyes, closer Billy Wagner and third baseman David Wright) tied the Milwaukee Brewers (closer Francisco Cordero, first baseman Prince Fielder, shortstop J.J. Hardy and pitcher Ben Sheets) for the most players picked in the NL. The Brewers hadn't had four All-Stars since 1983.Fans elected the starters, except for the pitchers, and a record 18.5 million votes were cast before Thursday's deadline.Alex Rodriguez, with 3.89 million votes, led fan voting for the first time. A-Rod was picked for his 11th All-Star appearance, his 10th as a starter."It's hard to think about that right now," Rodriguez said Sunday after the Yankees lost for the ninth time in 11 games. "But it's a pretty neat experience. It never gets old."Griffey jumped past Beltran in the final days and topped the NL with 2.99 million votes, the eighth time Griffey has led his league. Griffey is going to his 13th All-Star game, all as a starter.The rest of the AL starting lineup has the Yankees' Derek Jeter at shortstop, A-Rod at third, and the Los Angeles Angels' Vladimir Guerrero and Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki in the outfield.Fielder and Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Russell Martin were elected as first-time All-Stars in the NL. Philadelphia's Chase Utley topped voting at second base.While fans picked the starters, player voting determined eight reserves and eight pitchers in each league. St. Louis' Tony La Russa and Detroit's Jim Leyland, the All-Star managers, each chose four position players and three pitchers.Voting runs through Thursday on MLB.com for the final roster spot in each league. Competing with Okajima and Bonderman in the AL are the Angels' Kelvim Escobar, Toronto's Roy Halladay and Minnesota's Pat Neshek. The NL five are Pittsburgh pitcher Tom Gorzelanny, Houston's Roy Oswalt, Arizona's Brandon Webb, San Diego's Chris Young and the Cubs' Carlos ZambranoThe top write-in vote totals were for Detroit's Curtis Granderson (376,000) and Cincinnati's Josh Hamilton (151,000).Some of the most notable snubs included NL MVP Ryan Howard of the Phillies, Atlanta shortstop Edgar Renteria and New York Mets pitcher John Maine. In the AL, Granderson and Gary Sheffield missed out despite excellent numbers.Leyland said his final pick went to Cleveland catcher Victor Martinez over Sheffield.Howard, who might participate in the Home Run Derby, understood why he was bypassed.
"I can't make it every year," he said.Fielder said he'll take part in the Home Run Derby."That will be pretty cool. I just want to hit one first. That will be a lot of fun," he said.Several perennial All-Stars will be absent because of subpar performances this year, such as Yankees closer Mariano Rivera and Braves center fielder Andruw Jones.