The NFL put out a press release today announcing that they are going to hold off on revealing the Week 15 "flex" until tomorrow (Wednesday, December 7) because NFL Committees were in New York today. By waiting until tomorrow, the announcement will only come 11 days before the Sunday of Week 15, thus, breaking NFL Flexible Scheduling 101. 

Hmm, no big deal I guess, until you realize Week 15 features a Tim Tebow-Tom Brady match up that is currently lined up for a 4:15 p.m. EST start on CBS.  It would seem, as the Denver Post says, that flexing Tebow-Brady would be a "no brainer" ... so why wasn't it flexed already?

Well, apparently CBS is playing a little Tebow tug-o-war (Tebow-war?) and thinks it's their turn to have him, which may be the real reason for the hold up in the "flex" announcement despite what it says in the NFL press release: 

CBS, apparently, is not letting the game go easily. The network is considered the "AFC network," yet it was not been able to capitalize on telecasting a Tebow-led Bronco comeback last Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings when the Fox network was handed the game because of an NBC flex game that broadcast the New Orleans-Detroit game. 

Now NBC would like to flex their Dec. 18 primetime game to the Tom Brady-Tebow matchup, which figures to be a ratings bonanza.

C'mon, guys. There's enough Tim Tebow to go around. I mean, ESPN is having a TebowCenter tomorrow. Be generous and ready to share. 

In one corner stands one of the most notorious local trolls in the sports media, John Steigerwald of the Observer-Reporter in Washington, PA.  In the opposite corner is Ryan Lambert of Yahoo's Puck Daddy.  The subject is Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin and a possible link to steroids that is as flimsy as Shaun Bradley or the latest Brett Favre madness from ESPN.

Steigerwald hypothesized in a recent column that Alex Ovechkin's recent drop in production is due to his getting off performance enhancing drugs.  Steigerwald doesn't even go the ESPN/Favre route citing sources, rather he goes all the way to "whispers."  If that doesn't scream Pulitzer I don't know what does.  The article is a joke and just another pathetic way to get his name in the headlines.  Skip Bayless thinks this article is an insult to journalistic standards.  But that's what this guy Steigerwald does.  If you'll remember, he was the one that said Dodgers fan Bryan Stow brought a savage beating upon himself by wearing a Dodgers jersey to a Giants game.  

Lambert, a writer at Puck Daddy, eviscerated Steigerwald and his admitted speculation in a column yesterday in a victory for common decency.  In response, Steigerwald then invited Lambert on his daily radio show today to discuss their difference of opinion and thankfully Puck Daddy has the clip.  It's quite long at just under a half hour, but this is radio hand to hand combat at its best and includes Lambert suggesting Sydney Crosby may indeed be a vampire due to similar "whispers."  At the very least, I'm guessing it was more interesting radio than "Wrestling Reality" which immediately followed Steigerwald's program on TribLive Radio.  It's the hockey fight of the year thus far, and Lambert is the winner in a unanimous decision...

Ironic, isn't it?  I thought it was the bloggers that were supposed to be the ones to make wild, unfounded, speculative accusations with absolutely no basis... and the real sportswriters were supposed to be the ones to professionally debunk them in a regal, noble sort of way.  Well, well, well how the turntables...

Through her counsel, Mary Parker, ESPN reporter Erin Andrews has re-filed a lawsuit in Davidson (Tenn.) County Circuit Court against the Nashville Marriott at Vanderbilt and her convicted stalker, alleging invasion of privacy, negligence, and infliction of emotional distress. Andrews' stalker, Michael Barrett, was sentenced to two and a half years in federal prison for following her around the country and filming her through the peepholes of her hotel rooms. The lawsuit accuses Barrett of calling the hotels beforehand and obtaining her room number from the hotels, so he could rent the room next to her. The lawsuit was originally filed in July 2010, but Parker explains that they couldn't get all of the defendants under one jurisdictional roof, so they had to withdraw and re-file accordingly [via Deadspin]:

The original case was non-suited to try to get all of the cases in the various states joined together under the jurisdiction of one court which has not been able to be resolved. Our year for re-filing was about to run, so we re-filed, but only against the entities that are clearly jurisdictional in TN. All original allegations against those entities are exactly the same.

Andrews is seeking $1 million per count plus costs and interest -- $4 million from her stalker and $3 million from the hotel. She also apparently still intends to file suit against the other hotels that were in the original complaint from July in the proper jurisdictions. The above-referenced re-filed complaint can be read after the jump. 

There were dozens of deserving nominees this week, and most all of them came from Chris Berman.  The Sunday NFL Countdown host was in rare form this week, even for him.  Elsewhere, Dick Stockton looks to build his lead and Brian Billick has no idea where he is or what he is doing.  You could make the same argument for Donovan McNabb.  Too soon?  Here are your Week 13 nominees...

1) "Tom Brady is half quarterback, half coach, half coordinator." - Rich Gannon, no wonder Brady's so good, he's 1.5 people! (via markgoodman10)

2) "You can throw your QBR and completed passes out the window. I'll roll the ball downfield to win games" - Jon Gruden (via FlowyDNA)

3) "Arian Foster Houstonian for beer" - Chris Berman (via AA) in the most bizarre Australian accent known to humankind.

4) "These musical award shows are like college bowl games. There are just too many of them." - Troy Aikman (via BloggerJustinF) with your cultural commentary of the week.

5) "They should let Michael Vick take a shot at the end zone here." - Brian Billick from Broncos/Vikings (via sctvman)

6) "You can't have drives like that, they left 10 points on the board." - Dave Lapham (via BY318) on one Benglas drive that had a TD and FG called back.  

7) "You see a lot of head coaches handle the playcalling but you don't see a lot of head coaches handle the playcalling" - Jim Mora (via ShutdownLine)

8) "Seattle might be the best 5-7 team in the National Football League." - Steve Mariucci (via markgoodman10) when at the time Seattle was the only 5-7 team in the league.

9) "if that was a pass down the field it would have been pass interference" - Phil Simms (via dmitsch15) describing a block on a punt return.  

10) In summary, today Brian Billick has called Jared Allen "Gerald", Brian Dawkins "Darryl Dawkins", and Big Ben as "Roethlisbooger." Amazing. (via AA)

11) "This is an aroused Cardinals defense we are seeing here today." - Dick Stockton (via PTNetherton)  Eww...

12) "Brandon 'Our Prices Are In' Saine" - Chris Berman (via CMehring) jumping the shark for 17 years running.

13) "Hand off to Wells! Kolb can't find any one. Incomplete." - Dick Stockton (via TheBrain2177)

14) "Watch how easily this guy pulls out" - Mike Mayock (via bjo109)

15) John Lynch: "Dez Bryant slipped there." 
Dick Stockton: "Yeah, and so did Dez Bryant. You wonder if there's a problem." (via SportsByDallas)

Vote For Your Week 13 Dickies Nominees! (vote for up to five)

The winners will come Wednesday so make sure you vote early and often and check back for the full NFL Week 14 announcing sked later this week!

[follow]

Barnaby tweeted this picture about 10 hours before his arrest

Life is funny. One day you're pegged as the guy to replace the legendary Barry Melrose as the lead hockey analyst for the largest sports media company in the world. You parlay that into a nice little relationship with Michelle Beadle. But of course, things can go the other way as well.

Melrose returned to reclaim his lead analyst status, Beadle moved on and is rumored to be interested in seeking a relationship with "a snarky Chinese Jew blogger type who really gets sports media" and a recent domestic dispute netted the former NHL player a whopping 500 hours of community service. 

And now things have certainly spiraled to new lows for Barnaby as he was arrested for a DWI after spotted driving erratically on a rim, causing a lot of sparks that led to residents calling the police. Barnaby has since been let go by ESPN and there are signs of some more ominous things to come.

The first being that Barnaby's Porsche Cayenne was found to have a lot of damage to the front and missing a front tire, which obviously points to some type of collision that the police are still investigating. Also, these quotes from the District Attorney point to the possibility that the agreement regarding his past arrest may put his Unites States residency in jeopardy...

"I hope Mr. Barnaby has a good lawyer because he is going to need one," Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita III said.

Barnaby, 38, of Clarence, a native of Ottawa, Ont., who is not an American citizen, was told in July that his earlier charges would be dismissed only if he stayed out of trouble.

"He's potentially in jeopardy of deportation," Sedita said after his latest arrest.

While ESPN always gets banged on by hockey fans for not wholeheartedly covering hockey (something even hockey enthusiasts Steve Levy and Linda Cohn poke fun at), Barnaby's hiring was planned as a replacement for Melrose's departure back to coaching in what ended up being one of the shortest coaching stints of all time. The pair co-existed without much friction or fanfare for the last three years but I think most hockey fans won't be too distraught with Barnaby's exit and the likelihood of more Melrose.

It will be interesting to see if ESPN replaces Barnaby with another analyst. Given the limited airtime the NHL gets and ESPN has operated with only Melrose at times, it's possible they'll go that route again. On the flip side, having a second person in the fold might be a good insurance policy as ESPN personalities seem to have a 50% chance of taking a coaching job, joining a competitor, or being fired for some sketchy incident. With that in mind are there any former players you'd like to see land at the mother-ship?

Although highly unlikely, I think ESPN would be wise to consider Yahoo's Greg Wyshynski, aka Puck Daddy, as a possibility for a mostly web and radio role with some augmenting television coverage. Yahoo and ESPN are deadlocked in a battle for web supremacy in terms of overall audience numbers. Wyshynski is one of the most beloved and successful new media voices and by all accounts, a really good dude who would give ESPN a bit more street cred in the blog space.  It would also provide a new voice hockey voice in Bristol and show hockey fans they care just a little bit about the sport.

It's probably a longshot as ESPN seems pretty set in their ways of bringing in former players and coaches, but as we've seen that doesn't always end up well.

Yesterday, ESPN produced this laughable story about one Brett Favre.  A story so preposterous that it defied explanation.  The entire basis for this article is a "source" claiming Brett Favre "would" listen "if" the Bears called him.  Those words in quotes are important.  There are no indications the Bears are actually going to call Brett Favre.  None.  Zero.  In other words, it's not happening.  In fact, this ridiculous article even goes on to state, "there's likely little to no interest from the club."  REALLY!?!?!  The fact that this was even published and then promulgated on ESPN airwaves is embarrassing.  This is not a story, it's a way for ESPN to feed their Brett Favre addiction.  

Immediately after reading the article I took to Twitter with the story and attached the hashtag #ESPNFavreHeadlines to a tweet @awfulannouncing mocking the ESPN story and their Favre obsession.  Then, a couple more #ESPNFavreHeadlines came in from our Twitter followers.  Suddenly, scores of tweets flooded the AA Twitter inbox with hilarious #ESPNFavreHeadlines and a movement was born.  The hashtag began trending in the United States and then Worldwide.  So of course, the only way to commemorate the occasion is by taking the best mock ESPN Brett Favre headlines and putting them together in one place.  As always, these are Real Tweets from Real People...

ONeal_Matt @awfulannouncing Sources report Favre upgrades cell phone plan to include free pic messaging #ESPNFavreheadlines
moose_bigelow @awfulannouncing Sources say Favre will listen if Huey Lewis releases a new album #EspnFavreHeadlines
DJ_Jeff_Weaver @awfulannouncing According to members of his inner circle, Favre's jeans are both "real" and "comfortable" #ESPNFavreHeadlines
HughGWreckshin @awfulannouncing According to sources, Favre is surprised it took so long for us to bring him up again for no reason #ESPNFavreHeadlines
FelskeFiles @awfulannouncing Favre says he would supersize his Value Meal if he were to be approached. #ESPNFavreHeadlines
RamsHerd @awfulannouncing Favre wonders what all the fuss was about. Nickelback is great! #ESPNFavreHeadlines
ksmattingly @awfulannouncing Sources say Favre will consider recording A Charlie Brown Christmas if he isn't at home when it airs. #ESPNFavreHeadlines
BackQuiet @awfulannouncing Brett Favre would sign for package, if approached by FedEx. #ESPNFavreHeadlines

jen2714 #ESPNFavreHeadlines @awfulannouncing "Reports indicate Favre would 'Have it His Way' if approached by Burger King."
dbach22 @awfulannouncing brett favre still wearing wranglers, would listen to offers from fubu and jynco if interested. #ESPNFavreHeadlines
jjbecker111 @awfulannouncing Farve would listen if Jenn Sterger gave him a call. #ESPNFavreHeadlines
CFPtherealOG @awfulannouncing ESPN's Ed Werder reports Favre has invited him off his lawn inside for Christmas dinner. #ESPNFavreHeadlines
James_Fayleez @awfulannouncing Sources say Favre will cut a fart when he feels gassy. #ESPNFavreHeadlines
CaptTouchback @awfulannouncing Favre Retires From Wranglers, Re-signs With Wranglers, Retires Again and Signs With Levi's. #ESPNFavreHeadlines
johhnypbrclops @awfulannouncing sources say Favre will listen, but first must stop, then look #ESPNFavreheadlines
dr883 @awfulannouncing Favre would listen if ESPN wanted to blow more sunshine up his ass #espnfavreheadlines 

BooNelly47 @awfulannouncing Favre thinks dos equis got it wrong not naming him most interesting man in the world #ESPNFavreHeadlines
psicher @awfulannouncing Sources: Brett Favre used to cite his in MLA Format #ESPNFavreHeadlines
MDWDFW Source says Favre would throw INT if the season was on the line. #ESPNFavreHeadlines @awfulannouncing
TheBlackerby @awfulannouncing Favre would consider Showcase #1 but needs more info on Showcase #2 before bidding. #ESPNFavreHeadlines #PriceIsRight
Lee_Zy Sources say Favre, in hindsight, would probably ask for the phone number of Jenn Brown instead #ESPNFavreHeadlines @awfulannouncing
rashadalaiyan @awfulannouncing Favre would get his son playing time by fabricating a story about him being locked in a shed. #ESPNFavreHeadlines
mattyzucks @awfulannouncing Sources say that if asked, Favre would agree to iTunes Terms and Conditions #ESPNFavreHeadlines
dcarcass @awfulannouncing 'Favre Considers Finishing Leftover Milk After Eating Cereal' #ESPNFavreHeadlines

BlackMagic_5 @awfulannouncing #espnFavreheadlines Brett Favre would be interested in a box of cookies if approached by Girl Scouts.
dekimmel @awfulannouncing Source says Brett Favre still unsure why his name isn't pronounced "favor." #ESPNFavreHeadlines
mhfight@awfulannouncing#espnFavreheadlines ESPN reports that Favre would listen if his doorbell rings
Hec718 #ESPNFavreHeadlines Sources close to Brett confirm he HAS been Keeping Up with the Kardashians.
ShaggyNScoobyD Breaking News: Brett Favre just burned a piece of toast but sources say he WILL try to make another one #espnfavreheadlines
NOTSportsCenter SOURCES: Brett Favre may consider mowing his lawn tomorrow #ESPNFavreHeadlines

danmccallion Sources are reporting that Brett Favre WOULD listen if a song by the band Chicago came on the radio. #espnfavreheadlines
Don_Lito10 Brett Favre said he will consider using newspaper in case he runs out of toilet paper #ESPNfavreheadlines
JasonOrfao SOURCES: Favre throws laundry into hamper, strengthening arm for possible NFL return. #espnfavreheadlines
SouhanStrib Favre would listen if John Madden told him he loves the game and plays like a little kid. #ESPNFavreHeadlines
IAmJordanWorley REPORT: Sources say Brett Favre would consider being baptized by Tim Tebow if approached. #ESPNFavreHeadlines
FakeWilbon Favre To Sign With Bears. Plans To Take Back Title Of Biggest Douchebag From Suh #espnfavreheadlines

PaulPabst "Favre loses throwing arm in combine accident...still not ruling out comeback" #ESPNFavreHeadlines
Cameron_Gray BREAKING NEWS: Brett Favre breathes in oxygen, and then breathes out carbon dioxide - 3 hour SportsCenter coming up - #ESPNFavreHeadlines
csolomon15 @awfulannouncing Sources say Favre would like to save 15% on his car insurance if contacted by a Gecko. #ESPNFavreHeadlines
MBeller @awfulannouncing Sources say Favre would consider a business venture if contacted by a deposed African prince via email. #ESPNFavreHeadlines
allie_yoder @awfulannouncing Favre reports he would probably use a shakeweight if he got it as a gift. #ESPNFavreHeadlines 
Youfisheyedfool @awfulannouncing Brett would be interested in another inch or two if approached by Photoshop. #ESPNFavreHeadlines

This is from this past Saturday's Big Ten Championship game. Yes, we know it's old and you've probably seen it elsewhere, but it had to be posted here and I wanted to give our own Brady Green some time to recover before putting up things that might make him cry. You see, he's a big Michigan State fan and Sparty nation is still in mourning, but I wanted to get the video up before the blogging statute of limitations officially run out on this. 

In case you missed out on another Michigan State-Wisconsin classic, the situation was fourth-and-six at Michigan State's 43 yard line. If Wisconsin fails to convert, they likely go on to lose. Instead, Russel Wilson scrambled to his left, stopped, planted, rise-and-fired across field to Jeff Duckworth, a receiver who had just caught his first touchdown of the season earlier in the game. Duckworth, despite being surrounded by green, jumped and pulled the pass into his bread basket at the Spartans' seven yard line. Wisconsin would score and get the two-point conversion to take a three-point lead that would ultimately be the difference for the Rose Bowl berth. 

Gus Johnson reacted to the play as we'd expect: 

According to those tweets from John Ourand of the Sports Business Journal and confirmed by ESPN, former Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona has signed with the leader to replace current Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine in the Sunday Night Baseball booth.  Francona was excellent in relief of Fox analyst Tim McCarver during the first two games of this year's ALCS and a medis career seemed to be destined if he stayed out of the dugout.

It's a big win for ESPN to swap out the disparaged Valentine for the acclaimed Francona.  No word on if the Red Sox recieved other compensation from Bristol to even out the trade.  According to Ken Fang, Fox was interested, but ESPN offered the better package.  Bobby V never really connected in the Sunday Night booth and often fell under criticism for bizarre rants, like this one against Starlin Castro.  On the other hand, Francona offered a very fresh perspective and was refreshingly candid and likable in the booth.  His combination with the excellent Dan Shulman and the under-appreciated Orel Hershiser should make Sunday Night Baseball the premier announcing tandem in the sport.  On the not so sunny side, I suppose this also means another year of Tim McCarver Scrabble in the Fox booth.

After the firing of their head coach and change in ownership last week, the Jaguars were put into an unfamiliar spot, the national media spotlight.

While Jag fans have long claimed to be ignored by the media, few expected the amount of misleading information to be spewed from the mouths of the talking heads at the big networks like ESPN and websites like Yahoo and Pro Football Talk. To combat the "instant Jag experts" that were seemingly born overnight, Jag fans have rallied around a specific cause for the Monday Night Football game tonight dubbed "Jags Facts"...

"Welcome to #JaguarsFacts, a social media campaign happening December 5, 2011 to help the national media know the truth about the Jaguars, our ticket sales, stadium and passionate fan base. No longer will we sit idly by and allow the national media to spread false information as fact, or speculate the truth based on their misguided - and often times hateful, opinions.

It’s time we share the facts – and just the facts – with those who cover the NFL and the team. No longer can we rely on journalists to actually do their job and research statistics and information before reporting it. So we’ll do it for them. The idea is simple: Twitter bomb the national media with the FACTS about our team. Fans will share facts with their favorite (or least favorite) media members throughout the day on Monday, December 5 via Twitter."

The website has a list of facts that have been researched and confirmed and have asked fans to tweet out using this list of National Media Twitter handles. While some guys like Rich Eisen are taking it all in stride, others like Warren Sapp and Jason Cole are getting down right insulted by fans tweeting them facts and questioning the validity of the tweet rather than doing some good ol' fashioned truth research.

Regardless of the Jags' record this year or if the majority of the country sees Jacksonville as not deserving of an NFL franchise, it's certainly encouraging to see the fans of a small market team rallying together to show the nation and the new owner that fans do care about the team and show up in droves to watch them week in and week out.

Don't believe me? Check out the #JaguarsFacts hashtag on Twitter right now or read below for a few of the favorites being "Tweet Bombed" to the national media all day today....

• In 2011, #Jaguars have a higher average attendance than the Cardinals, Raiders, Dolphins, Rams, Bucs, Bengals
• Jaguars avg 2011 attendance (62,173) would lift blackout at Seahawks, Rams, Bucs, Bengals, Steelers, Lions, Vikings, Cards, Raiders, Colts & Bears
• In ’11 Jags on avg filled stadium to 92.4% capacity, more than 7 others: Chargers, Browns, Rams, Bucs, Dolphins, Jets, Bengals
• No Jaguars games have been blacked out since 2009
• How many times have the #Jaguars finished last in attendance in the league? If you guessed anything but zero, you’re wrong
• With covered seats, Everbank Field still has a higher capacity than Heinz Field, Lucas Oil Stadium, and Soldier Field
• 2015 would be the earliest Jags could move due to needing 3 consecutive seasons resulting in a loss in profits.
• Here is the Jaguars lease.  Facts, not speculation or assumption please.  http://t.co/o9FteWPa
• Did you know Chicago is the NFL’s  2nd largest market, yet its stadium holds 5,000 less than #EverBankField?

And if that isn't enough, for tonight's Monday Night Football game in Jacksonville, ESPN is refusing to send their on-site crew to the Chargers-Jaguars game.  It's only the second time this season in 13 weeks that ESPN has neglected to send their studio crew of Stuart Scott, Trent Dilfer, and Steve Young to the stadium for the broadcast.  Coincidentally enough, the only other time was also in Jacksonville for the Ravens' visit earlier this season.  The Jaguars mascot Jaxson De Ville isn't taking this lying down...

"So its our 2nd Monday night game of the year and for the 2nd time ESPN WON'T have their sideline set in the building...they will be doing it from their studios....every other Monday night game they bring their pre game/halftime/post game set and crew and do their shows from the field...our first Monday night game was during the World Series so I understood a little....but to NOT bring it this time is simply insulting."

What kind of message does it send to Jacksonville fans that ESPN doesn't bother to send their MNF on-site team not once but twice to the same stadium?  No wonder Jaguars fans have to feel the need to come together and let their voices be heard.

The long wait for late Cubs broadcaster Ron Santo is finally over as the 3rd baseman was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Golden Era committee.  Santo, who retired after the 1974 season, was perhaps one of the most integral parts of the Cubs franchise for almost 50 years as a player and broadcaster.  As a player, Santo was a member of the memorable 1969 team that came close to breaking the Cubs World Series drought... if not for that damn black cat.

Here's the details from Bruce Levine of ESPN Chicago...

It took 32 years, but former Chicago Cubs third baseman Ron Santo was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on Monday with at least 75 percent of the vote from the Golden Era committee.

Santo was the only player elected. He received 15 of 16 votes. Jim Kaat received 10 votes, while Gil Hodges and Minnie Minoso received nine each.

Upon his induction, Santo, who died just over a year ago at age 70, will be the 47th Hall of Famer to have played for the Chicago Cubs.

After an illustrious 15-year major league career and 21 years as a broadcaster on Cubs radio, Santo succumbed to bladder cancer and pneumonia on Dec. 3, 2010.

The long wait for induction into the Hall of Fame had been maddening for Santo and his family. Santo was passed over by the veterans committee in 2003, 2005 and 2008. After that committee, comprised of current Hall of Famers, failed to elect anyone for eight consecutive years, the Hall of Fame changed the election rules.

The Golden Era committee was comprised of 16 individuals, including Hall of Fame players, baseball executives and veteran baseball reporters. Seventy-five percent of the 16 votes was needed for induction (12 or more).

It was as a beloved broadcaster where Santo connected with new generations of Cubs fans.  Yes, Santo was never the most polished announcer, often mistaking game situations or not even coming close to opposing players' names.  Still, it was his sheer enthusiasm for the Cubbies that bled through every broadcast as evidenced by this clip...

When the Cubs succeeded, the joy in Santo's voice came through the radio, just as his disapointment did when the team fell short.  In fact, his most memorable broadcasting moment might have been this Brant Brown drop that cost the team a shot at the playoffs.

And even though Santo unfortunately passed away before making the Hall, the bittersweet recognition is better late than never.  Thankfully, the Cubs were able to show Ron Santo how much he meant to the franchise when his number was retired by the team, which Santo called his "Hall of Fame" moment.  And even though Santo may not be around to see it, baseball as a whole has finally given him the recognition he so richly deserves.

[ESPN Chicago]