Russian target practice with Ovechkin

When Washington Capitals LW Alexander Ovechkin stopped by the ESPN campus recently, the Worldwide Leader in Sports decided to test his shooting accuracy.

ESPN set up a firing range for Ovechkin featuring Russian nesting dolls filled with Russian dressing.

Check out the hockey star making a mess of the ESPN campus.

Tebow mic'd up

Broncos QB Tim Tebow was mic’d up during Denver's comeback win against Houston on Sunday and the rookie showed why he was the winningest and most passionate player in college football the last four years.

It looks like Kyle Orton's days are numbered in the Mile High City as Tebow shows full command of his squad. Check out the highlights below as #15 lead the Broncos to an incredible come from behind W.

“There’s only one person that carries the ball right here!”

Tyreke's buzzer beater

On Tuesday, we showed you an incredible 75-foot halftime buzzer beater from Magic G Gilbert Arenas that didn't count. Here is an even better shot that not only counted, but won the game for Tyreke Evans and the Sacramento Kings.

Evans' game winner came after Grizzlies G OJ Mayo hit a jumper to put Memphis up 1 with a few ticks left.

ESPN the Mag's Jorge Arangure had the perfect reaction via Twitter last night: "Kings took that win away from OJ Mayo as if they were the NCAA."

ESPN anchor plagiarizes Lakers reporter's column

In a blog entry last night on OCRegister.com, Lakers beat reporter Kevin Ding accused ESPN News anchor Will Selva of plagiarizing his December 26 column about the team. This story via SPORTSbyBROOKS will surely make the rounds today.

Apparently, Selva read the lede of Ding’s article word-for-word to open Lakers-Spurs highlights on ESPN News late last night. Here is Ding's blog post:

ESPNEWS plagiarizes my Lakers column

SAN ANTONIO — Hey, Will Selva of ESPNEWS. Glad you liked my last column so much. Try not to plagiarize it next time.

I got back to my hotel room late Tuesday night after the Lakers-Spurs game and turned on ESPNEWS’ “Highlight Express” show. Imagine my shock when anchor Will Selva proceeded to use the first several paragraphs of my column looking forward to the game as his lead-in to the highlights.

I mean, word for word.

Christmas isn’t over yet, Lakers fans.

The big game, it turns out, will be the game after the supposed Game of the Year.

In San Antonio on Tuesday night, the Lakers will be out to give themselves and their fans the much-needed gift of hope.

Honestly, it wasn’t my best lead, come to think of it. Sorry about that, Will.

Unbelievable.

Thanks to LiveDash.com, SPORTSbyBROOKS was able to confirm that indeed Selva plagiarized Ding's article word for word. Here is Selva's opening:

00:04:41 >> Christmas isn’t over yet.
00:04:43 The big game I it turns out is the game after the supposed game of f the year.
00:04:47 In san antotonio, on tuesday night, t the l lakers w were out to give t themselves and t their fans the much-needed gift of hope.

Here is Ding's OC Register article on Dec. 26:

Christmas isn’t over yet, Lakers fans.

The big game, it turns out, will be the game after the supposed Game of the Year.

In San Antonio on Tuesday night, the Lakers will be out to give themselves and their fans the much-needed gift of hope.

Fox host thinks Vick "should have been executed"

FOX News political commentator Tucker Carlson made some pretty crazy comments yesterday in regards to President Obama praising the Philadelphia Eagles for giving Michael Vick a second chance. The conservative analyst took "eye for an eye" a step too far.

"I think, personally, he should have been executed for that."

Carlson was filling in for Sean Hannity on yesterday's episode of Hannity Tonight.

Best shot that didn't count

Check out Magic G Gilbert Arenas' awesome 75-foot halftime buzzer beater last night against the Nets. Unfortunately, the ball bounced off the front rim and hit the shot clock, which is is out of bounds.

Thankfully for Orlando, the game didn't come down to that shot as the Magic beat up on the Nets 104-88.

Stat of the Day

Someone on eBay paid $18.45 for a Tom Brady jersey that was randomly autographed by comedian Dane Cook.

The bidding for this incredible piece of sports memorabilia started at a whopping 99 cents and ultimately sold for $61.54 LESS than a Brady jersey sans autograph.

A Brady replica jersey costs $79.99 at the NFL Shop, which means Cook's signature devalued that jersey by about 77 percent.

(H/T to NESN)

Reed was on fire!

Ravens S Ed Reed was on fire yesterday versus the Browns, both literally and figuratively.

The All-Pro had two interceptions (including the game-winner) in the Baltimore's playoff-clinching victory over Cleveland.

To top off his en fuego day, Reed was sitting a little too close to the Ravens sideline heater and his jacket caught on fire.

Ditka returns to coaching

Mike Ditka will return to the football sidelines on January 5 as a coach in the 2011 Under Armour All-America High School Football Game. Former Niners/Lions coach Steve Mariucci will roam the opposing sidelines at the All-Star game at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla.

ESPN will broadcast the game and began airing a TV spot over the weekend starring the Bears coaching legend.

Another awesome Blake dunk

Clippers F Blake Griffin gave LA basketball fans a belated Christmas gift yesterday by pouring in 28 and 12 in a 108-103 victory over the Suns.

Griffin continues to dazzle fans with his incredible dunking prowess and is almost certain to participate in the NBA Dunk Contest during All-Star weekend in Los Angeles. Check out his awesome alley-oop dunk yesterday.

DeSean can't sell like Danny

A week ago, we posted a video of Patriots pint size running back Danny Woodhead trying to sell his #39 jersey to customers at a Boston Modell's Sporting Goods.

Modell's and Reebok are continuing to bring their petite players undercover in an effort to trick customers into buying jerseys. This time, it's Eagles WR/KR DeSean Jackson at a Philadelphia Modell's location however with his recent success, his disguise as a salesman is compromised.

Tribune's foot-shaped Rex story

New York media outlets aren't the only ones having fun at the expense of Jets coach Rex Ryan and his wife's foot fetish videos. The Chicago Tribune ran a story today about the videos and shaped the short piece into the outline of a foot.

Mom knows best

New York Giants DE Dave Tollefson should really listen to his mother. The 2006 seventh-round pick out of Northwest Missouri State sprained his MCL during last Sunday's heart breaking loss to the Eagles and on top of it all, got called out by his mother.

"My mom is disappointed that I'm not playing (this Sunday)," Tollefson told the New York Daily News. "I don't want to disappoint my mom."

Tollefson said his mom, Debra Crocker, was waiting for him when he got to the locker room after injuring his knee against the Eagles, and she told him "Tape it up! I didn't fly here from California to watch you ride the pines!"

"She was like 'What are you doing?' " Tollefson said. "I said, 'Mom, I'm hurt.' She said, 'I don't give an F. Get it taped up and get the hell in there! I don't want to hear this.'

"I love mom. She's crazy."

Tollefson is definitely out this week but hopes to play in the G-men's regular-season finale January 2 against the Redskins. Hopefully that is OK with his mama.

T-Mobile's new NBA Spots

Here is an early look at T-Mobile's new Dwyane Wade and Charles Barkley commercials set to debut during NBA action on Christmas Day.

The spot below, "Outa Here" is directed by Spike Lee and includes appearances by the famous Knicks fan, Charles Barley and Suns PG Steve Nash.

Funny to see T-Mobile poke fun at today's information/news obsession and misunderstandings while also promoting their 4G devices.

Here are :30 and :60 spots of “Chuck’s Remix,” where a video clip of Barkley’s funny NBA commentary gets passed around, remixed and auto-tuned, turning Sir Charles into a viral sensation.

Perfect injury rehab

Two of the NBA's top young point guards are nursing foot injuries, but thanks to Twitter we are able to check in on their intense rehab.

Rajon Rondo of the Celtics will be out a few more with an ankle sprain and Brandon Jennings of the Bucks is on the shelf for another month or so after undergoing surgery on his broken left foot.

Check out how the two young guns are rehabbing their injuries.

@RajonRondo: I love my new video game. Still keeping my foot elevated

@BLKICE3: Ready for this game....

Drama continues with Kobe's Turkish Airlines deal

Last week, we posted on Kobe Bryant signing a random endorsement with Turkish Airlines to become the company's "new global brand promotion envoy." Bryant's partnership includes digital, print and billboard advertising along with a promotional film that will appear in 80 countries.

According to a Bloomberg report, Armenians in Los Angeles are campaigning against Bryant’s deal with Turkish Airlines and are urging him to back out. Los Angeles is home to the biggest population of Armenians outside of Armenia and has a large community of activists who demand that the U.S. recognize the early 20th century killings of Armenians in Turkey as genocide.

The most famous Armenian in Los Angeles, Kim Kardashian, has launched a Twitter campaign against Kobe, urging him to back out of his deal with Turkish Airlines. In addition, Kardashian has turned to her brother-in-law and Bryan't teammate, Lamar Odom to help resolve the issue.

A few weeks ago, Kardashian asked her 5.6 million Twitter followers to call the House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, demanding to include the resolution number 252, condemning the Armenian Genocide.

Aram Hamparian, executive director of the Armenian National Committee of America, told the Wall Street Journal that Bryant's “contract was a poor choice” and although the organization’s biggest wish was that Bryant would end his association with the airline, his realistic hope was that the deal wouldn’t stop Bryant—who has spoken out against the situation in Darfur—from doing the same with the Armenians.

Turkish Airlines released a statement saying that the relationship between Bryant and the airline “is a business endorsement partnership, not a political statement.”

Lou's cartoon debut

ESPN college football analyst and former Notre Dame head coach Lou Holtz will lend his famous lisp to Disney Channel's animated series "Special Agent Oso" for a guest role on the show's Jan. 7 episode.

According to the NY Post, there is some major ESPN and Notre Dame synergy at work with this opportunity. Not only are the Mothership and Disney Channel corporate siblings, but "Rudy" star Sean Astin plays the voice of Special Agent Oso .

Adding to the "Rudy"/Notre Dame/Holtz connection, in this particular episode, Oso (Astin) will help a kid named Rudy learn to play football in time for his Uncle Lou's (Holtz) visit.

NBA teams' Christmas Songs

NBA teams have been getting into the Christmas spirit by showing off seasonal music videos during games this month. Check out a few of the best below.

Here are the Dallas Mavericks singing "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer."

The Nuggets took a different route and rapped to Run D.M.C.'s Christmas song, “Christmas In Hollis.”

For some more bad holiday singing, check out the Bulls' "12 Days of Christmas."

and the Lakers' "Jingle Bells."

Madden Curse Movie?

EA Sports is reportedly developing a movie based on the infamous "Madden Curse," a jinx that some believe hits NFL players who appear on the cover of the annual football video game series.

According to The Wrap, the sports comedy will tell the story of a former Madden video game champion who is forced out of retirement just as he finds himself on the corner of the game's cover and subject to the curse.

Pat O'Brien, vice president of EA Entertainment, is said to be spearheading the project as one of its producers.

The Madden Curse really began in 1999 as that was the first year that NFL players appeared on the game's cover instead of the famous coach. Here is a brief history of the curse via SlashFilm.com

1999: 49ers RB Garrison Hearst broke his fibula in the NFC divisional playoffs. He missed two full seasons rehabbing his leg and never fully recovered from the injury.

2000: Lions RB Barry Sanders and Packers RB Dorsey Levens shared the cover but when Sanders retired before the season, EA Sports released new copies of the game with just Levens. The Packers running back injured his knee and never won his starting job back.

2001: The Madden Curse hit 2001 cover athlete Eddie George of the Titans a year late but his career was cut short nonetheless by a knee injury.

2002: Vikings QB Dante Culpepper suffered a season-ending knee injury after appearing on the cover.

2003: After rushing for more than 1,300 yards for four straight seasons, Rams RB Marshall Faulk was bothered by a lingering ankle injury that limited him to under 1,000 rushing yards.

2004: Falcons QB Michael Vick broke his leg one day after Madden 2004 was released with his photo on the cover. He played in five games all year.

2005: Ravens LB Ray Lewis failed to record a single interception and a torn hamstring forced him to watch the Ravens fail to make the playoffs for the first time in four seasons. Lewis' curse lasted another year as he broke his wrist and missed 10 games in 2006 with a thigh injury.

2006: Eagles QB Donovan McNabb said publicly that he didn’t believe in the Madden curse and promptly suffered a sports hernia in his first game before opting for season-ending surgery after eight games.

2007: Seahawks RB Shaun Alexander broke his foot and missed six games in '07, never regaining his Pro Bowl form.

2008: Chargers RB LaDanian Tomlinson smartly turned down the 2008 cover as he was in a contract year and didn't want to battle the curse. EA turned to Titans QB Vince Young and the former Texas star was limited to just five games thanks to a quadriceps injury. The following year, he suffered a knee injury that caused him to miss most of the season.

2009: The curse took a year off when then-retired Packers QB Brett Favre appeared on the '09 cover. Nothing can keep that man out of the lineup (except maybe a secret NFL suspension for sending inappropriate text messages to a former Jets reporter)

2010: Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald and Steelers S Troy Polamalu were both hit with the curse in '10. Polamalu sprained his MCL in the season opener before tearing his PCL later in the season and Fitzgerald suffered a rib injury that caused him to miss a playoff game along with the Pro Bowl.

2011: Saints QB Drew Brees is having another stellar season so far (4,122 yards, 31 TDs) while leading the defending champs to a 10-4 record with two weeks left. Hopefully SI's "Sportsman of the Year" will stay curse free the rest of the season.

(Story via ASF)

Maestro Shaq

Celtics C Shaquille O'Neal traded in his jersey and shorts for a tux last night as "The Diesel" made his conducting debut, leading the Boston Pops Orchestra and Tanglewood Festival Chorus in the Christmas classic "Sleigh Ride."

O'Neal was the guest conductor as part of a Holiday Pops concert at Boston's Symphony Hall. Check out Maestro Shaq doing work.

Shaq concluded his time as maestro with Queen's "We are the Champions." Maybe a little foreshadowing for the NBA playoffs in the spring?

SI's 10 for ’10

To cap off an incredible year, Sports Illustrated's 10 for ’10 issue hits newsstands on Wednesday and features Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum on the cover. Photographer Walter Iooss Jr. featured the World Series champ as one of 10 athletes who provided the most memorable moments of the past year.

In addition to Lincecum, SI's 10 for ’10 features Thunder F Kevin Durant, boxer Manny Pacquiao, United States World Cup captain Landon Donovan, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, professional surfer Kelly Slater, Olympic gold-medalist snowboarder Shaun White, South Korean figure skater Kim Yu-Na, golfer Dustin Johnson and Washington Capitals captain Alexander Ovechkin.

“There’s a certain aura about all great athletes,” Iooss told Sports Illustrated senior editor Stephen Cannella. “I don’t know if it’s because you know they’re great or they know they’re great. But there’s something that you sense as soon as they walk in the room.”

Football's Best Beards

With winter in full swing across the country, football players are letting their facial hair grow to keep them warm during the bowl season and the latter part of the NFL.

Over the weekend, Troy defeated Ohio 48-21, in the New Orleans Bowl and by far the best part of the game was when the Trojans punted for the first time and American was introduced to the amazing beard of punter Will Goggans. The junior from Douglas, GA no doubt sports the best beard in college football.

Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick led his squad to a 17-14 win over the Dolphins on Sunday and has rightfully earned his nickname of "the Amish Rifle." The Harvard grad hasn't shaved all season and although Bills fans have created a petition to save Fitzpatrick's beard, the QB recently said that he will shave it off after the season-finale against the New York Jets on Jan. 2.

"Do the Peyton Manning Dance"

In the latest episode of "Mayne Event" on ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown, Kenny Mayne and some famous friends explore the unique line of scrimmage movements of Colts QB Peyton Manning.

Check out Maybe, Snoop Dogg, Ben Stiller, Kid Rock and others “Do the Peyton Manning Dance."

(H/T to Los Chompies)

Extra Special Teams

Yesterday's week 15 NFL action provided two of the greatest special teams returns in league history.

Eagles WR DeSean Jackson had the NFL’s first “walk-off” punt return touchdown to cap an incredible Philadelphia comeback against their hated division rival Giants. No team should punt to him the rest of the season and in the playoffs right?

Not to be outdone by Jackson, Dan Connolly, a 315 lb. offensive lineman for the Patriots, ran a kickoff late in the first half back 71-yards to set up a touchdown. The Pats went on to defeat the Packers 31-27 on Sunday night and extend their record to 12-2 on the season. This was definitely the longest kickoff return in NFL history by anyone over 300 pounds.

Woodhead tries to sell own jersey

New England's pettite RB/WR Danny Woodhead does a little bit of everything for the 12-2 Patriots but recently, the pint-sized player attempted to go unrecognized by shoppers at a local Modell's Sporting Goods where he posed as an employee and worked to sell his own #39 jerseys and t-shirt.

At Modell's stores, Woodhead t-shirts are outselling even those of MVP favorite QB Tom Brady and according to Modell's executive Jed Berger, Woodhead’s popularity is due to the fact that "the Patriots haven’t had a new hero in a long time," so Woodhead’s emergence provided "someone fresh to cheer about."

Woodhead said he sold seven jerseys and seven t-shirts in an hour's time on the sales floor.

Check him out doing work "undercover" at Modell's.

Another honor for Brees

Saints QB Drew Brees was recently named SI's "Sportsman of the Year" and now #9 has another honor to add to his incredible resume. The reigning Super Bowl MVP tops the “Ten Best-Mannered People of 2010,” by the National League of Junior Cotillions.

The list, which is in its 19th year, is compiled by the NLJC, an etiquette and social training program involving thousands of young people in the United States.

"The annual selections are based on the demonstration of dignity, honor, and respect," Elizabeth Anne Winters, NLJC National Director, said in a press release. "Drew Brees was chosen for not only displaying good sportsmanship in leading the New Orleans Saints to their first Super Bowl title, but also helping in the rebirth of New Orleans after the tragedy of hurricane Katrina."

The 2010 best-mannered individuals are:

1. Drew Brees – for being a positive example and helping New Orleans rebuild.
2. Justin Bieber – for consistently showing courtesy to his fans.
3. Kate Middleton – for the poise and dignity with which she conducts herself in the public spotlight.
4. Jamie McMurray – for the respect he has earned as a NASCAR driver.
5. Elizabeth Edwards – for the grace she displayed in facing life’s greatest challenges.
6. Chilean Miners – for demonstrating optimism under pressure during their struggle for survival.
7. Taylor Swift – for inspiring young people with her music and her manners.
8. Sandra Bullock – for setting high standards of excellence as an actress.
9. Robin Roberts – for extending warmth and kindness to “Good Morning America” guests.
10. Bill and Melinda Gates – for their example of generosity in giving to those less fortunate

Bet on Vick's next dog

Eagles QB Michael Vick has caused some controversy this week by saying he'd like to own a dog someday. The gambling website BoDog.com (very apropos) is now offering odds on what type of dog Vick will own. He must own a dog by December 31, 2012 for wagers to have action.

Pit Bull: 1/1
Bulldog: 2/1
Labrador: 5/1
Golden Retriever: 6/1
German Sheppard: 7/1
Poodle: 25/1
Chihuahua: 30/1

Dunk of the night

Although the Nuggets fell to the Spurs in a 113-112 nailbiter last night, Denver guard J.R. Smith provided on the best highlights of the season so far.

Check him out jumping over Gary Neal of the Spurs with a monster two-hand dunk.

Merry X-mas from Lamar & the Kardashians

Just in case you didn't receive your copy in the mail, here is the Kardashian family's Christmas card featuring the newest member, Lamar Odom. The Laker forward's wife, Khloe gave all the details on her blog:

Hi dolls. Christmas cards have always been a REALLY big deal in my family. For as long as I can remember, my mom has made it a point to go all out, whether it was a ninja turtles themed card, or bringing a Santa into the mix, each year she always managed to top the year before. I'd have to say though that our card this year might be my favorite. It turned out beautifully -- just SO glam! Plus, Mason is in it, which makes it even more special. Look at him standing there in his pinstripe suit, SUCH A LITTLE GENTLEMAN!!! LOL. I love it!

Vick's first post-prison commercial

Michael Vick's comeback on and off the football field is almost complete. Regardless of what happens the rest of the season, the Eagles QB1 has performed incredibly and should see a huge contract coming his way next year. #7 is also beginning to win back his fans and companies are starting to take notice.

Vick recently filmed his first commercial since being released from prison on dogfighting charges and appears in a humorous TV spot for Woodbury Nissan in Woodbury, N.J. near Philadelphia.

Michael McCarthy of USA Today reports that Vick wasn't paid for the commercial, but gets free use of a $54,000 Nissan Armada.

According to Tom McMenamin, executive manager of the dealership, this commercial is 100% Vick's first endorsement since his release from prison. Although McMenamin was hesitant at first that dog and animal lovers would go ballistic over using Vick, the response from customers has been positive.

"They love it. They love the spot," he says. Now, that McMenamin has Vick under contract he'll offer the same deal to Cliff Lee of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Early look at L.A. NFL stadium design

The NFL's long awaited return to Los Angeles took a major step yesterday when Anschutz Entertainment Group revealed proposed designs for a downtown LA football stadium.

These incredible plans were submitted by the three design firm finalists, narrowed from an original field of nine firms. AEG plans to pick a design within the next month, while working on the entitlement process with the city.

According to the LA Times, the three finalists are HKS, which designed the new Texas Stadium and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis; HNTB, which designed Denver’s Invesco Field and is currently working on the Tom Bradley Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport; and Gensler, which has not designed an NFL stadium but has vast experience with all types of major projects, including the L.A. Live’s Club Nokia and the district’s Ritz-Carlton Hotel & Residences and the JW Marriott hotel.

ESPN Los Angeles reports that AEG has hired ICON Venue Group (a project management firm that worked on Denver's Invesco Field) to act as the company's representative in the process after working with the group to build the 02 Arena in London.

Tim Romani, president of ICON Venue Group, said Wednesday the project would be built within AEG's $1 billion budget and on the proposed site, which is where the Los Angeles Convention Center's West Hall currently sits.

The plan is to first tear down the West Hall, build a $350 million replacement and then begin construction on a 75,000-seat retractable roof stadium. If all goes as planned, construction on the new stadium would begin by 2012 with the stadium ready to be opened in time for the 2015 NFL season.

AEG is also hoping the new stadium will host the Super Bowl in 2016, which would be the 50th anniversary of the first Super Bowl, which was held at the nearby Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Here are a couple of the proposed designs for a downtown LA football stadium.