Archive for the ‘Rumors’ Category
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3
Feb
2011
What does the “G” in the Packers logo stand for? Gullible (VIDEO)
Greatness or Green Bay ... what do you think?
FINAL UPDATE: The guys over at MidwestSportsFans.com were skeptical too, so they reached out to the Packers organization to verify Tiki’s claim … and this is what they found:
Update 2/6/11: The Packers’ Assistant Director of PR and Corporate Communications had the following to say: “There’s nothing in our history that suggests there’s any truth to this. The Packers Hall of Fame archivist said the same thing.”
So that should put an end to that debate.
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Media Day at the Super Bowl rarely delivers any real groundbreaking information, but with thousands of media personalities from all over the world on-hand looking for every angle imaginable, occasionally you find out something new and interesting. And here’s one I bet you didn’t know, courtesy of our old friend Tiki Barber.
According to this video report filed to Yahoo by Barber on Tuesday, the “G” in the Green Bay Packers logo actually stands for “greatness” … not “Green Bay”, like most of us probably assumed. Watch here as Tiki quizzes the Packers players on their team’s history as a ploy to deliver this surprising piece of info:
Cool, huh? The story has taken the internet by storm this week, with blogs and websites everywhere fascinated by this newfound bit of NFL trivia.
The only problem is, it probably isn’t true. In doing a little bit of research, there seems to be no legitimate source to back up Tiki’s claim anywhere online. Nothing from Brashier, who created the logo, and nothing on record from Lombardi … nothing from any reputable news source that suggests the “G” actually stands for “Greatness”. Every single reference to this on the web has shown up recently, and leads back to either Tiki or Wikipedia. And it’s not like there hasn’t been enough research and documentation of the Packers team history over the years. Were it true, we probably would have heard about this before now, don’t you think?
After doing some more digging, it appears that the Packers Wikipedia page was edited on July 7, 2010 to include the “Greatness” reference. In looking at the history of the user who made the change, you can see that the same person edited the Wikipedia page for the Minnesota Vikings on June 25 to read: “The Vikings have never won a Super Bowl, therefore, they suck!” So it’s clear that this guy is a Green Bay fan … and probably not the most credible source on the planet.
UPDATE: The guys over at PackersUniforms.com – who I would expect to be experts on the subject – are shooting down Tiki’s claim too. And we’re putting out the call. If anyone out there has any evidence that supports the idea that the “G” stands for Greatness, please post it in the comments section.
UPDATE #2: The Packers’ Wikipedia page has now been updated with Barber as the source of the “Greatness” reference, which would appear to be circular since he got it from Wikipedia in the first place. And if you look at the Wikipedia discussion of this entry, this “fact” is certainly still in dispute.
Some have suggested that it was originally Lombardi’s idea. And while I can easily envision Lombardi telling his players that the “G” on their helmets stands for “Greatness”, that was most likely a motivational tactic rather than a factual statement about the design of the logo. Without any more credible support, this could at best be categorized an urban myth.
2
Jan
2011
Eric Mangini deserves a third season in C-Town
Feel like starting over again? Me neither. (Source: gridironfans.com)
In a season where four NFL head coaches have been fired heading into Week 17, it doesn’t look good for Cleveland Browns coach Eric Mangini.
There was a sense midseason that the tenuous connection between president Mike Holmgren and Mangini could work — and should be forced to work — after the Browns consecutively dismantled the New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots, only to lose to the hyped-up New York Jets by a hair.
All the talk about Holmgren’s coaching roots not jiving with the Belichick/Parcells tree seemed half-baked, as the team was suddenly worth three hours of your Sunday. For a shimmering moment, the Browns were the team nobody wanted to face.
Problem is, down the stretch, the same Browns team that had played far beyond expectation during a brutal stretch in the schedule — led by galvanizing rookie quarterback Colt McCoy — dissembled against soft opponents when McCoy became the third starting passer this season to suffer a high ankle sprain. Jake Delhomme took over, the offensive line took some hits, and the attack never recovered.
Had the Browns stayed relatively healthy after the Patriots win, and polished off the few teams they were favored against, Holmgren would have nothing to point to in firing Mangini. This is a coaching staff that’s enthused large segments of the Browns’ faithful — downtrodden fans who’ve watched this team closely since its return in 1999, and finally see signs of progress.
Read the rest of this entry »
22
Dec
2010
Ummm … is this Rex Ryan and his wife in a foot fetish video?
(Image via Deadspin)
Yeah, I’d hoped we would never have to ask that question either. But the boys at Deadspin are at it again, drawing our attention to another video that could potentially cast Jets head coach Rex Ryan – and more specifically his wife Michelle - in, shall we say, an … interesting light.
The video was originally posted a few years ago by YouTube user “ihaveprettyfeet”, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Michelle Ryan. There are several videos with awesome names like “Hot Mature Feet” in which she shows off her tootsies, but this one in particular also features the voice of an off-screen cameraman who sounds an awful lot like Rex.
Check it out for yourself … don’t worry, its safe for work:
6
Dec
2010
As the Jets-Pats rivalry goes, there’s never been a bigger one than this
Long simmering, the feud between the Jets and Patriots is set to explode Monday night. (Source: New York Daily News)
(Ed. note: This article was originally posted last week, but with the impending Monday night match-up on everyone’s mind today, we thought it deserved another look)
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The word “rivalry” is tossed around a lot in the NFL. You hear announcers, desperate for market share, describe a pedestrian Seahawks-Chiefs tilt as a rivalry. Who’s buying that? Most “rivalries” unfold without so much as a breadcrumb on the line.
The history between the New York Jets and New England Patriots is a messy, entangled war by contrast. With both franchises notched at 9-2 atop the AFC East, you have to go back to the 1990 Monday-night meeting between the 10-1 49ers vs. the 10-1 New York Giants to find a late-season prime-time bout with equal appeal.
The lifetime record between these two teams stands at 51-50-1 in New York’s favor. Records aside, the Patriots are the Goliath, having dominated the last decade with three Super Bowl wins under the leadership of a once-per-generation quarterback talent in Tom Brady.
The Jets, after years of struggle, are at the threshold — but the long-time Jets fanatic is still haunted by ghosts: “When will the other shoe drop? When will the S.O.J.s appear from behind the Wizard’s curtain?”
A season sweep over the Patriots would send a statement league-wide: These Jets are for real.
3
Dec
2010
UPDATE: Hillis/McDaniels rumor confirmed false
(AP Photo via examiner.com)
Yesterday, we posted this story, which put forth the rumor that Josh McDaniels ran Peyton Hillis out of Denver because Hillis had put the moves on McDaniels’ wife. The rumor was originally attributed to 104.3 the Fan in Denver by a Broncos message board. Knowing that internet forums aren’t exactly the most reliable sources, we reached out to the station to confirm whether or not Mark Schlereth and/or Alfred Williams actually said such a thing on their radio show (The Drive) earlier this week.
D-Mac (the host of the show) wrote back to let us know that it is absolutely untrue, and they have no idea where that rumor got started. We’re not really in the business of rumor mongering, so we apologize for any part we had in perpetuating this one.
But regardless, we still have to question McDaniels’ handling of Hillis during their time together. And we still want to know why the coach seemingly disliked Hillis so much when he got to Denver. At the very least, the Broncos have to seriously examine McDaniels’ eye for talent, and whether or not he should be handling the personnel decisions for the team.
3
Dec
2010
Carl from ATHF empathizes with Tom Brady (VIDEO)
(Image via Esquire.com)
The latest rumor to make the rounds about Tom Brady is that he’s been growing out his hair to cover up a bald spot. Esquire has even gotten in to the mix, presenting their 10 top haircut styles for Brady and other balding men. We don’t know if this is true, and we don’t really care … I mean, the guy is married to Gisele. He wins.
But our old friend Carl from Aqua Teen Hunger Force – a proud member of the follically-challenged tribe – empathizes with what Tom might be going through, and believes that balding is something to be proud of. A sign of masculine strength, if you will …
“All the classic heroes throughout history are bald: David Wells, Vin Diesel, Uncle Fester, and the radiated monster guy from The Hills Have Eyes.
Hair is a liability. Ask Marion Barber how it felt to get yanked down by his Predator braids?
He makes some fine points, but despite all this, Carl still picks the Jets to win Monday night’s AFC East match-up … which probably means the Patriots are a good bet this week.
VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP
2
Dec
2010
Did Peyton Hillis hit on Josh McDaniels’ wife?
UPDATE: We have confirmed with 104.3 the Fan in Denver that this rumor is 100% False. See here for more details.
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Could that really be why McDaniels’ has seemingly hated Hillis since the two were both in Denver together? Its that why the brash young head coach was so eager to jettison such a talented running back from his team without ever letting him see the field?
That was the word on the street according to BroncosForums, where it was falsely reported that a Denver radio station said it was common knowledge around the Broncos organization that Hillis made the moves on McDaniels wife … Josh supposedly got wind of it, and that was it for Hillis.
And even though this report turned out to be false, for Broncos fans, it’s a legitimate question to wonder why Hillis never got a shot under McDaniels. I mean, there had to be something that blinded McDaniels to the guy’s obvious talents and nearly give Hillis away to Cleveland, right?
Let’s face it, McDaniels hasn’t exactly won over a lot of new fans this season, in leading the Broncos to a 3-8 record and continuing to make some seriously questionable decisions since his arrival on the scene in Denver. And one of the strangest scenarios of his short tenure has revolved around Hillis, who led the Broncos in rushing with 353 yards in 6 starts during his rookie year in 2008. But he never really got a chance to show his stuff once McDaniels took over for Mike Shanahan the following year. Denver drafted Knowshon Moreno to be the feature back, and Hillis seemed to be planted firmly in McDaniels’ doghouse, carrying the ball only 13 times in 2009. McDaniels then cut ties entirely with Hillis, trading him to the Cleveland Browns for Brady Quinn and a draft pick. The only thing close to an explanation McDaniels ever gave was that Hillis “didn’t fit the system”.
30
Nov
2010
The Los Angeles Vikings?
Staubach, Landry and the 'Boys faced the Vikings outdoors in frigid Metropolitan Stadium. Could an outdoor venue be next for the Vikes? And, if so, will it be in Minnesota? (Source: knowyourdallascowboys.com)
With the Minnesota Vikings’ Metrodome lease ending after the 2011 season, ownership is sorting through a laundry list of potential suitors. The team could stay put at the Metrodome — or they could break ground on a brand new Minneapolis-area stadium. Those options rest on the stable end of the spectrum. The remaining possibilities are unsettling.
It’s enough to give Vikings fans pause, and history would suggest reason for concern, as stadium issues have historically been central to franchise relocation. Any discussion along those lines is speculation at this stage, and the Vikings appear committed to Minnesota, but Tuesday’s partial transcript includes the revelation that a Los Angeles-based group has approached Vikings ownership.
Sections of the transcript are below — and the Los Angeles issue is brought up after the jump.
Q: How did the recent election results affect the Vikings stadium effort?
Lester Bagley: This is a good question to start. The 2011 Legislative Session is a critical session for the Vikings, the NFL and our fans. Leadership of the new house and senate majorities as well as the new Governor have indicated that this issue needs to be addressed and will be on the agenda.
19
Nov
2010
Rumored Nike 2012 NFL uniform sketches a fraud
11.19 UPDATE: It turns out that these sketches were actually created by this Internet design forum, not Nike. This was confirmed by a tweet from Brian McCarthy of the NFL’s PR department:
just to clarify, the artist renderings of NFL uniforms floating around ARE NOT from the league or Nike. stand down
Apparently, folks on the forum equipped with the Pro Combat template made their own designs for fun … because that what Internet geeks do. Gotta’ hand it to them for doing such a good job, and regardless, we still find the designs interesting.
Chiefs looking very Florida St. (Source: lulzimg.com)
ORIGINALLY POSTED 11.18.10: Nike will serve as the designer of NFL uniforms beginning with the 2012 NFL season.
These unofficial and rumored concept sketches for some teams around the league.
What are your thoughts?
49ers
Colts 1/Colts 2
Cardinals
Chiefs 1/Chiefs 2
Bills
Bears
Bengals 1/Bengals 2
Cowboys
Jaguars 1/Jaguars 2
Eagles
Giants
Steelers
Steelers don't look so intimidating all of a sudden. (Source: lulzimg.com)
CONTINUE AFTER THE JUMP FOR THE REST OF THE FAKE UNIFORM DESIGNS
27
Mar
2010
JaMarcus Russell weighs in at 290 pounds!
I used to think this photo was altered for comedic effect ... now I'm not so sure
Adam Schefter is reporting that QB JaMarcus Russell reported to the Oakland Raiders facilities yesterday, tipping the scales at 290 lbs. Apparently this is part of Al Davis’ new and exciting plan to have Russell run the Wildcat offense from the Left Tackle position. Schefter tweets:
Two people reported that Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell returned to Oakland and tipped the scales at 290 pounds. At least he was under 3 bills.
This news comes in stark contrast to earlier reports that the former #1 overall pick was working hard to transform his body, and was said to be in much better shape this year. Russell, who at 6′-6″ was listed at 260lbs on last year’s roster, was by many accounts pushing 300 during the season. And if this latest report is true, it appears that Russell is doing everything he can to solidify his place in history as the NFL’s biggest all-time draft bust.
Way to go, JaMarcus. Nevermind that $68 million you’re being paid. Whatever you do, don’t drive past that In-N-Out on your way home and hit the gym for a few hours.
