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New ESPN analyst Mangini jokes about Ryan's new tattoo

August 04, 2011 , ι Associated Press

Former Browns and Jets coach Eric Mangini is joining ESPN as an NFL studio analyst. Mangini, who coached in Cleveland for two years after three seasons in New York, will appear on several ESPN... Read on

Former Browns and Jets coach Eric Mangini is joining ESPN as an NFL studio analyst.
	 
Mangini, who coached in Cleveland for two years after three seasons in New York, will appear on several ESPN programs, as well as ESPN Radio shows. The network made the announcement Thursday and said Mangini, fired by the Browns after last season, will start Aug. 17.
	 
He worked as a guest analyst for ESPN during the NFL playoffs last postseason. Seth Markman, ESPN’s senior coordinating producer for NFL studio shows, said Mangini “is one of the smartest football people I’ve ever been around.”
	 
Never particularly candid or colorful, Mangini jokingly said he’s perfect for TV.
	 
“With my reputation for access and ease with the media,” he said in a statement, “it seems like a natural fit.”
	 
Mangini also took playful shots at Herm Edwards, the coach who preceded him in New York, as well as Rex Ryan, who was hired shortly after Mangini was fired by the Jets.
	 
“As for my new role, I have been preparing diligently,” Mangini said, “by picking out tribal tattoos for my lower leg and doing triple shots of espresso to match Herm Edwards’ energy level.”
	 
Ryan’s gaudy, new leg tattoo was one of the big attractions when the Jets opened training camp earlier this week.
	 
Mangini led the Jets to the playoffs in his first year after replacing Edwards in 2006. But he went 4-12 in 2007 and was fired after the team faded late the following year, finished 9-7 and missed the playoffs with Brett Favre as quarterback. He then was hired by the Browns and went 10-22 in Cleveland. Mangini also has served as an assistant for the Jets, Browns, New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens.

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Recapping the NFL's biggest free agency storylines

August 04, 2011 , ι By ANTHONY SULLA-HEFFINGER

It is easy to get lost with all of the headlines swirling, following what has been the most hectic free agency period in NFL history. For anyone who has missed out or needs a refresher on the events of the past two weeks, here is a list of the top-five biggest stories coming out of free agency:

APPhiladelphia Eagles' Nnamdi Asomugha talks with the media.

1.
	 The Eagles’ “Dream Team” – When the Eagles made a big splash in free agency by signing Pro-Bowl defensive end Jason Babin to a five-year $28M contract, they were just getting started. Following Babin, Philadelphia also added former Pro Bowlers Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Vince Young and Ronnie Brown to their roster. All of those transactions however were overshadowed by the Eagles swooping in and stealing CB Nnamdi Asomugha. Asomugha, who is regarded as one of the league’s best (if not the best) defenders, signed a five-year $60M deal with Philadelphia, spurning the Jets’, Texans' and Cowboys’ offers. Asomugha, Babin, Brown, Rodgers-Cromartie and Young join a roster that already had Asante Samuel, Michael Vick, DeSean Jackson, Trent Cole and LeSean McCoy, forming a team that will certainly be a Super Bowl favorite this season.

APNew England Patriots' Albert Haynesworth takes on a blocking dummy during training camp.

2.
	 The New England Stock Exchange– Somehow, year-in and year-out, the Patriots trade for some of the league’s elite players without surrendering anything more than a few late-round draft picks. 2011 was no different. This year, the Patriots’ haul included former All-Pro defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth and Pro Bowl WR Chad Ochocinco. Yes, both players come with a significant amount of baggage, but when guys with red flags come to play for coach Bill Belichick, they usually manage to keep their off-field issues at bay. To illustrate the Patriots' front-office prowess, they only surrendered a 2013 fifth-round draft pick for Haynesworth, who two years ago became the highest-paid defensive player in the history of the NFL. Ochocinco, should become the Patriots’ biggest receiving threat, was obtained for a 2012 fifth-round pick and 2013 sixth-round pick. These kinds of low-risk high-reward deals are what make the Patriots Super Bowl contenders every year.

APPlaxico Burress.

3.
	 Plaxico Burress signs with the Jets– It isn’t often that a 34-year-old receiver who has spent two years out of the league due to being incarcerated makes huge headlines, but Plaxico Burress did just that. After meeting with both the Giants and the Steelers (his former teams), Burress decided to sign with coach Rex Ryan and the Jets for a one-year $3.017M contract (all guaranteed). Burress’ signing is significant for the Jets on a number of fronts. Burress joining the Jets almost certainly signaled the end of the Braylon Edwards era in New York. Burress coming in also gives QB Mark Sanchez the same kind of safety blanket that Giants QB Eli Manning had early on in his career. Burress has big-time talent, which he showed during his time with the Giants, and he has performed on the biggest stage of them all (catching the game-winning TD pass in Super Bowl XLII), so his presence on the Jets could represent the final piece for a team that has reached the AFC Championship game in consecutive seasons.

jeff zevelanskyOsi Umenyiora talks with Mathias Kiwanuka during camp.

4.
	 Osi Umenyiora holds out of Giants camp– The Giants have not made any significant moves this offseason, which makes Umenyiora’s holdout the biggest story for Big Blue. Umenyiora is unhappy with his contract and has voiced his displeasure over the past few days, leading the Giants to allow his agent to seek a trade before cutting off those talks. Umenyiora is certainly a crucial part to the Giants’ defense, which is built on its ability to pressure quarterbacks, and the outcome of his contract dispute could determine whether the team is a contender or bottom-feeder in the NFC East.

APRandy Moss.

5.
	 Randy Moss’ retirement– Randy Moss called it quits this offseason, bringing to an end one of the most incredible and tumultuous careers in NFL history. Moss, who ranks second on the all-time TD list (153), will be remembered as much for his acerbic personality as he will for his jaw-dropping catches. Just last season, Moss forced (directly or indirectly) out of New England and Minnesota before landing in Tennessee for the final eight games of 2010. It's believed Moss only wanted to play for either the Patriots or the Jets, and after those teams acquired Ochocinco and Burress respectively, Moss decided to hang up the cleats. With Moss off the radar, another disgruntled receiver, ex-Jet Braylon Edwards, becomes the best-available option for teams looking to boost their receiving corps.

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Former Giants LB Pierce says Umenyiora needs ‘fresh start’

August 04, 2011 , ι By JUSTIN TERRANOVA

Antonio Pierce thinks it’s time for Osi Umenyiora and the Giants to move on from each other.The former Giants linebacker said Thursday that the Umenyiora situation will only get worse. “I think it's... Read on

Antonio Pierce thinks it’s time for Osi Umenyiora and the Giants to move on from each other.
	 
The former Giants linebacker said Thursday that the Umenyiora situation will only get worse.
	 
“I think it's time for Osi to get a fresh start,” Pierce, now an ESPN analyst, said on “SportsCenter.”
	 
“I don't think it's getting any prettier. It's in the best interest of everybody to move forward.”
	 
Umenyiora likely shares those sentiments. The Giants granted Umenyiora’s agent, Tony Agnone, permission to seek the trade on Tuesday, but the team shut down those talks a day later. Then Umenyiora met with general manager Jerry Reese and for the fourth straight day pedaled on a stationary bike while his teammates practiced. Umenyiora wants the Giants to give him a new contract, or trade him. Umenyiora’s current deal has two years and $7.1 million left on it.
	 
“Yeah, it's in New York. The media is going to pound on it every day and Coach Coughlin, Justin Tuck, Eli Manning will have to answer the same questions,” Pierce said.

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Dolan's new tune: 'Fix the Knicks'

August 04, 2011 , ι By JUSTIN TERRANOVA

James Dolan has turned the Knicks failures into a song. The much-criticized owner and front man for the band JD and the Straight Shot showed off his song “Fix the Knicks” at a recent concert. “Fix... Read on

James Dolan has turned the Knicks failures into a song.
	 
The much-criticized owner and front man for the band JD and the Straight Shot showed off his song “Fix the Knicks” at a recent concert.
	 
“Fix the Knicks and Make them shine
	 
Get’em to win like its ’69
	 
Hittin’ all their free throws and no more shooting bricks
	 
Time to get it right and fix the Knicks”
	 
That is the chorus, but the lyrics that got the most reaction from the Jones Beach crowd was:
	 
“Doing my best, yes, that’s my promise
	 
I check with my friends, call Isiah Thomas”
	 
And that reaction was a noticeable groan from the audience. Another highlights from the song, which was part of a warmup act for Aretha Franklin were, seemingly took a shot at coach Mike D’Antoni.
	 
“Know theyre getting Melo, we spare no expense
	 
They score a lot of points, but where’s the defense”
	 
<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2YfvfpkiXH8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

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Mets' Kidcaster supplies memorable home run call

August 03, 2011 , ι By MATT LaFEMINA

In a week where the Mets have seen almost all hope of a playoff run disappear, an excited Mets broadcaster gave fans a reason to cheer despite the teams recent struggles.No, not Gary Cohen, Ron... Read on

In a week where the Mets have seen almost all hope of a playoff run disappear, an excited Mets broadcaster gave fans a reason to cheer despite the teams recent struggles.
	 
No, not Gary Cohen, Ron Darling or Keith Hernandez, but 11-year-old Jacob Resnick.
	 
Resnick won the Kidcaster Contest awarded by SNY and was given the opportunity to call the bottom of the third inning with Cohen, Hernandez and Darling.
	 
"I was a little nervous," Resnick told ESPN. "I had some jitters coming into it".
	 
The youngster would quickly push aside the nerves and showcased his talent when Jose Reyes crushed a first-pitch curveball from Marlins starter Brad Hand over the left field fence. An excited Resnick delivered a memorable call, "Reyes hits it, back it goes, it’s gone!" as the ball went sailed into the stands.
	 
<object width="400" height="254"><param name="movie" value="http://mlb.mlb.com//shared/flash/video/share/ObjectEmbedFrame.swf?width=400&height=254&content_id=17566461&property=mlb" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="scale" value="noscale" /><param name="salign" value="tl" /><embed src="http://mlb.mlb.com//shared/flash/video/share/ObjectEmbedFrame.swf?width=400&height=254&content_id=17566461&property=mlb" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" window="transparent" width="400" height="254" scale="noscale" salign ="tl" /> </object>
	 
Prior to the game, Jacob had practiced a potential home run call after family and friends had warned him that he would need one, just in case.
	 
"There are so many great announcers out there . . . I didn’t want to be too unoriginal," Resnick said.
	 
This was the third year of the Kidcaster contest.
	 
"The Kidcaster Contest hits a home run with the Mets’ youngest fans: it offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity for kids to show their love for the Mets," Matthew P. McCarthy of sponsor Vanguard’s Education Savings Group said.
	 
Jacob entered the contest by submitting an essay comparing the current Mets roster to the 1986 World Series Champion Mets. Upon being selected as a Top-10 finalist, Jacob auditioned at the SNY studio before being named the winner.
	 
The call not only caught the attention of local media, but also garnered national interest, appearing on MLB.com and was awarded the coveted number one play on ESPN’s SportsCenter.
	 
Resnick loves his new celebrity status and described the whole experience as being surreal. As to whether this could lead to a future, the 11-year-old said, "I don’t really know where I can go from here. There are so many options".

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Giants plummeting, Eagles soaring in Super Bowl odds

August 03, 2011 , ι By JUSTIN TERRANOVA

The Giants were better off during the lockout. When the Super Bowl odds came out in May, the Giants (18/1) and rival Eagles (16/1) were basically neck-and-neck in the oddsmaker’s eyes. But the Giants... Read on

The Giants were better off during the lockout.
	 
When the Super Bowl odds came out in May, the Giants (18/1) and rival Eagles (16/1) were basically neck-and-neck in the oddsmaker’s eyes. But the Giants have yet to make a splash during the frantic free-agent period, while the Eagles have done nothing but add big names to their defense.
	 
The additions of CB Nnamdi Asomugha, CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, DE Jason Babin and DT Cullen Jenkins have made the Eagles third choice among bettors,
	 according to Bodog.The Eagles are up to 8/1 only behind the Patriots and Packers. The Giants, whose biggest move was re-signing RB Ahmad Bradshaw, have dropped to 25/1, just above the middle of the pack, in the latest odds.
	 
The Jets are up slightly, going from 14/1 in May to 12/1 now. The rival Patriots were co-favorites with the Packers at 7/1 in May, but are now alone at top at 13/2 with the big-name, big-risk trade acquisitions of WR Chad Ochocinco and DT Albert Haynesworth.
	 
Odds to win the 2012 Super Bowl XLVI (Current)
	 
New England Patriots 13/2
	 
Green Bay Packers 7/1
	 
Philadelphia Eagles 8/1
	 
San Diego Chargers 11/1
	 
New York Jets 12/1
	 
Atlanta Falcons 14/1
	 
Pittsburgh Steelers 14/1
	 
Baltimore Ravens 16/1
	 
Dallas Cowboys 16/1
	 
New Orleans Saints 16/1
	 
Indianapolis Colts 18/1
	 
New York Giants 25/1
	 
Chicago Bears 28/1
	 
Houston Texans 28/1
	 
Detroit Lions 30/1
	 
Minnesota Vikings 30/1
	 
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30/1
	 
Kansas City Chiefs 40/1
	 
St. Louis Rams 40/1
	 
San Francisco 49ers 50/1
	 
Miami Dolphins 55/1
	 
Arizona Cardinals 65/1
	 
Oakland Raiders 65/1
	 
Jacksonville Jaguars 75/1
	 
Tennessee Titans 75/1
	 
Cleveland Browns 80/1
	 
Denver Broncos 80/1
	 
Seattle Seahawks 80/1
	 
Cincinnati Bengals 100/1
	 
Washington Redskins 100/1
	 
Buffalo Bills 150/1
	 
Carolina Panthers 150/1
	 
Odds to win the 2012 Super Bowl XLVI (as of 5/4/2011)
	 
Green Bay Packers 7/1
	 
New England Patriots 7/1
	 
Pittsburgh Steelers 11/1
	 
San Diego Chargers 12/1
	 
Baltimore Ravens 14/1
	 
New York Jets 14/1
	 
New Orleans Saints 16/1
	 
Indianapolis Colts 16/1
	 
Atlanta Falcons 16/1
	 
Philadelphia Eagles 16/1
	 
Dallas Cowboys 16/1
	 
New York Giants 18/1
	 
Chicago Bears 25/1
	 
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30/1
	 
Minnesota Vikings 35/1
	 
Detroit Lions 35/1
	 
Houston Texans 35/1
	 
Kansas City Chiefs 35/1
	 
Oakland Raiders 40/1
	 
San Francisco 49ers 40/1
	 
St. Louis Rams 40/1
	 
Miami Dolphins 50/1
	 
Tennessee Titans 50/1
	 
Washington Redskins 50/1
	 
Cincinnati Bengals 60/1
	 
Denver Broncos 60/1
	 
Cleveland Browns 65/1
	 
Jacksonville Jaguars 65/1
	 
Arizona Cardinals 75/1
	 
Seattle Seahawks 80/1
	 
Buffalo Bills 100/1
	 
Carolina Panthers 100/1

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Former Knicks guard Nate pushing for Seahawks tryout

August 02, 2011 , ι By MATT LaFEMINA

The current NBA lockout has led to many players looking overseas for opportunities to play in 2011. While Nets guard Deron Williams is set for Turkey, Lakers’ Kobe Bryant is pondering China, former... Read on

The current NBA lockout has led to many players looking overseas for opportunities to play in 2011.
	 
While Nets guard Deron Williams is set for Turkey, Lakers’ Kobe Bryant is pondering China, former Knicks guard Nate Robinson isn’t interested in playing abroad. He’s looking at the NFL.
	 
R
	 obinson tweeted Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll on Tuesday, "@PeteCarroll #INEEDS that good o tryout #WorDaApP"
	 
Within the hour, Carroll responded, "@nate_robinson I always knew you had skills, that's why we tried to get you before... you still got em?".
	 
Robinson attended the University of Washington after receiving a football scholarship, but would later switch to basketball following his freshman season. Carroll was the coach at USC when Robinson was playing for one of his Pac-10 rivals.
	 
"@PeteCarroll coach give me a chance and I'll prove it to u #WorDaApP the world & all my followers would love to see the outcome lol," tweeted Robinson.
	 
The 5’9 NBA guard, who is currently on the Thunder, was a prolific high school football player and was named Washington 3A Player of the Year his senior season, featuring as a dual threat running back/wide receiver. He played cornerback for the Huskies, but much like his NBA skills, Robinson feels he is much more suited for the offensive end.
	 
Tuesday’s tweets come a month after
	 Robinson told SLAM Magazine that he had interest in football in the event of a prolonged NBA lockout, which seems inevitable.
	 
"I might go play football," Robinson said. "Do something that nobody’s tried to do. ... I've been doing a little bit of training".
	 
Carroll, who coached the Jets in 1994, seemed intrigued by Robinson’s athleticism as he tweeted back, "we know you have great handles, but the question is: does it translate to DB skills? I kinda think it does.. . " When Robinson replied that he still does, Carroll suggested, "@nate_robinson well then, see you at practice at 1:30. bring your cleats."

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NBC's new sports channel going after ESPN

August 02, 2011 , ι By SEAN DALY

The Peacock is gunning for ESPN.NBC says it will change the name of its little-watched cable channel Versus to NBC Sports Network in an attempt lure viewers away from one of TV’s most profitable... Read on

The Peacock is gunning for ESPN.
	 
NBC says it will change the name of its little-watched cable channel Versus to NBC Sports Network in an attempt lure viewers away from one of TV’s most profitable destinations.
	 
The new channel, which debuts Jan. 2, will offer a full slate live sports, rebroadcasts of games from other NBC networks and a nightly news and talk program.
	 
"We are not going to replicate what others are doing," NBC Sports chairman Mark Lazarus tells The Post "We would do it potentially in our own voice. But pure "SportsCenter" ripoff or redo is not who we want to be."
	 
Lazarus says his fledgling network intends to actively pursue the rights to Big East Conference sports – the backbone of ESPN programming in its early years.
	 
"We are very interested in talking to the Big East," he says. "It is preeminent college basketball — among the top divisions in the sport."
	 
NBC Sports Network want to step in if the Big East is feeling lost in ESPN’s big schedule.
	 
"We think we can provide an outlet for some of those people who may not have been as shining a star as they once were," he says.

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Chargers GM calls out Jets coach

August 02, 2011 , ι POST STAFF REPORT

The rest of football may be getting a little tired of Rex Ryan’s guarantees. A Super Bowl prediction was not among the Jets head coach’s boasts on Monday, but it is a bell he has not been shy about... Read on

The rest of football may be getting a little tired of Rex Ryan’s guarantees.
	 
A Super Bowl prediction was not among the Jets head coach’s boasts on Monday, but it is a bell he has not been shy about ringing in the past.
	 
“Well, I guess that means this year is out for the Chargers,”
	 San Diego general manager A.J. Smith said, according to the Union Tribune. 
	 
“So we will have to wait until next year -- unless, of course, he’s wrong.”
	 
Smith considered Ryan for the Chargers head coaching position in 2007, and according to the report likes him personally.
	 
Jets receiver Santonio Holmes
	 was not shy about predicting greatness.
	 
“We are the team to beat,” said Holmes, who signed a five-year, $50 million deal last week. “That’s for us to feel like. That’s what we’re supposed to feel like when we’re going into any game that no matter who steps on the field you’ve got to come and beat us, because we know we can beat y’all.”
	 
Smith, who took a shot at Giants quarterback Eli Manning during the lockout, would not make any guarantees for his team.
	 
“No guarantee from me,” Smith said. “We will just concentrate on trying to win the Vikings game for right now. The only person I can remember that was really good at guaranteeing a Super Bowl victory for the Jets was Joe Namath.”

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VIDEO: Former Mets GM says Yankees whiffed at deadline

August 01, 2011 , ι NYPOST.COM

Former Mets GM Jim Duquette discusses why the Yankees didn't make any moves at the trade deadline this week.Duquette, who was the Mets general manager in 2004, says the Yankees would be wise to... Read on

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About the Author

JUSTIN TERRANOVA Justin Terranova joined the Post's sports department in 2006. He covered NASCAR before taking over as the sports media reporter in 2007. He joined NYPost.com the following year and has worked as a reporter, editor and a blogger for the Web site.