Olli Jokinen Breaks Panthers Scoring Records

Congratulations to Panthers center Olli Jokinen for breaking the Florida Panthers franchise scoring records for both career goals and points. Jokinen scored two goals in the Panther's 4-3 win over the Philadlphia Flyers Wednesday night. He also set a team record with his 31st game winning goal.

Jokinen now has 355 career points and 158 goals to break the previous team records held by Scott Mellanby, who played for the Panthers from the expansion 1993 season to 2001. Mellanby was one of the signature players in Panthers history and a key member of the Florida's 1995-96 team that reached the Stanley Cup Finals.

Do They Speak English in London?

Channing Crowder

Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder will never be confused for a rocket scientist. But when Crowder asked a Sun Sentinel reporter whether people in London spoke English, you either had to wonder if Crowder was joking or if he's just plain stupid. I'm hoping its the former and not the latter.

Here's what Crowder said. "I couldn't find London on a map if they didn't have the names of the countries. I swear to God. I don't know what nothing is. I know Italy looks like a boot. I learned that. I know London Fletcher. We did a football camp together. So I know him. That's the closest thing I know to London. He's black, so I'm sure he's not from London. I'm sure that's a coincidental name."

Wow! This is just another example of how athletes should just keep their mouths shut. Crowder, who attended the University of Florida, probably didn't take any geography classes in Gainesville. If he did, it sounds like he slept through them.

Heat trade Antoine Walker to Minnesota for Ricky Davis in a 5 player deal

Ricky Davis shown playing against the Heat last year


Miami Heat fans can finally say goodbye to the tippy-toe three-point shots of Antoine Walker. No longer will we have to endure another frustrating season of clanks from the free throw line and 3-point line from the notoriously inconsistant Walker. The Heat traded Walker along with Michael Doleac,Wayne Simien and a conditional first round draft pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Ricky Davis and Mark Blount.

This trade should make the Heat a better team for now. But not good enough to return to championship glory. The Heat will begin the season without Dwyane Wade who is still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. The Heat are hoping Ricky Davis can help fill the void during Wade's absence. When Wade returns, Davis will likely move from shooting guard to small forward. Davis brings instant offense and athleticism, having averaged 18.6 point per game in the last three years in Minnesota. With the loss of Jason Kapono to free agency, Davis also fills another void--a quality perimeter shooter from 3 point range.

Fans of both Miami and Minnesota are happy about the deal. Both Walker and Davis have talent and also have the ability to make their coaches rip their hair out. In addition to his inconsistant play, Walker showed up for training camp out of shape. His body-fat was way above the requirements of Pat Riley, who demands all his players conform to his strict standards of conditioning. A fed-up Riley barred Walker from practicing with the team. It was only a matter of time before Riley would completely run out of patience and dump the lazy Walker.

Davis is not without his faults. While gifted and athletic, he's been known to be somehwat of a ballhog who lacks the discipline to play team basketball. Looking at his track record, he hasn't shown the ability to make his teams better. His numbers are nice, but the victories don't seem follow. Davis is no stranger to Miami. He played for the Heat back in the 2000-2001 season. But he only played in seven games due to an ankle injury. He was then traded to Cleveland and feuded with Cavaliers head coach Paul Silas. Riley later admitted trading Davis was a mistake. But Davis was labled as selfish by fans and the media. In a game against the Utah Jazz in 2003, Davis missed a shot on purpose on his own team's basket just so he could get a rebound and reach a triple double. Now I gotta admit, that's pretty selfish. Since then, he's bounced around from Boston to Minnesota and now back to Miami.

But like any great coach, Pat Riley has an enormous ego. He obviously thinks he can get Davis to buy into his system. But this trade was much than just getting Davis. It was about dumping Walker's salary along with Doleac and Simien, who was a mediocre bench player.

The Heat also get Mark Blount who can play both power forward and center. Blount can basically do everything Doleac can and probably better. The 7-foot, 250 pound Blount averaged double-digits in points and gives the Heat a quality big man off the bench.

Happy Birthday Al Leiter

Happy 42nd birthday to former Florida Marlins pitcher Al Leiter. During his 19 year major league career , Leiter compiled a career record of 162-132 with a 3.80 ERA and 1,974 strikeouts. He had two stints with the Marlins from 1996 to 1997 and again in 2005. On May 11, 1996, Leiter became the first pitcher in Marlins history to throw a no-hitter after beating the Colorado Rockies. He is also remembered for having started game seven of the 1997 World Series, pitching 6 innings and giving up 2 earned runs while being credited with a no decision. The Marlins would go on to beat the Cleveland Indians in extra innings and clinch the team's first World Series title.

Born Alois Terry Leiter in Tom's River, New Jersey, Leiter came from an athletic family. His older brother Mark was also major league pitcher. But it was Al who was considered the best talent in the family. At Central Regional High School in New Jersey he began to carve a legendary career, attracting major league scouts with his lively arm and 90 plus mph fastball. Following his high school graduation, the New York Yankees selected Leiter in the second round of the 1984 Major League Draft. Three years later, he made his major league debut with the Yankees.

Over the course of the next 18 years, Leiter pitched for the Yankees, Blue Jays, Marlins and Mets. In April 2002, he became the first pitcher to defeat all 30 major league teams and was a two-time National League All Star. (1996 and 2000).

Leiter spent only three combined seasons with the Marlins during his two stints. His 1996 season was one of the best of his career. In addition to throwing a no-hitter, Leiter went 16-12 with 200 strikeouts. In 1997, he helped the Marlins win the World Series. Leiter also has a World Series ring as a member of the 1993 Toronto Blue Jays.

Following his baseball career, Leiter has gone on to a successful broadcast career. He currently works for the YES Network doing color commentary on the New York Yankees broadcasts. He has also done work for the Fox Network during the playoffs over the last several seasons. Leiter is also known for his charity work. He won the Branch Rickey Award in 1999 and the Roberto Clemente Award in 2000.

Patriots Stay Perfect...Unfortunately so do the Dolphins

Randy Moss makes a leaping catch over Dolphins defenders Cameron Worrell and Will Allen


This game was worse than men vs. boys. Watching the Patriots beat the Dolphins was like witnessing a school bully taking away lunch money from the class nerd. Randy Moss should have been arrested for rape by the way he violated Dolphins safety Cameron Worrell. By halftime, Tom Brady had thown five touchdown passes and the Patriots led 42-7. The Patriots may be the most dominant team I've seen in a long time--if ever. They've destroyed every team they've played and are now 7-0. The Dolphins are now 0-7 and will next play the the hot New York Giants in London.

To make things worse, the Dolphins lost running back Ronnie Brown to a season ending ACL injury. Not only are the Dolphins losing games, they continue to lose key players. Two weeks ago, it was Trent Green. This past week, leading receiver Chris Chambers was traded to San Diego and now Brown is gone for the year.

I'm going to say it now. This team has a damn good chance to go perfect--as in 0-16. In fact, the Dolphins may have a better chance of losing all of their games than the Patriots do in winning theirs. By the way, the 1976 Tampa Bay Bucs are the only team in NFL history to go a full season winless. They went 0-14.

Every year, the 1972 Miami Dolphins reunite for a champagne party when the last undefeated team loses. I doubt the 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers reunite to celebrate the last winless team getting in the win column. But look out '76 Bucs, you may have company soon.

Canes Beat the Noles in a Sloppy Classic

Miami linebacker Colin McCarthy races 27 yards for a touchdown after recovering a Xavier Lee fumble. Canes backup tight end Dedrick Epps celebrates his game winning touchdown catch from Kirby Freeman


It may not be the most historic or longest running rivalry in college football. But whenever the University of Miami and Florida State meet on the football field, chances are you'll see a thrilling finish. Forget about the records or where the teams are ranked. (unranked in this case) I dare anyone to find a rivalry that has more close and dramatic finishes than this one. If you have a heart condition and are a fan of either of these schools, this rivalry can be hazardous to your health.

Trailing 29-24 to start the fourth quarter, the Canes were down to their backup quarterback Kirby Freeman, who had completed more passes to the Noles than to his own teammates going into the final drive. With under 3 minutes to play and trailing 29-24, Freeman led the Canes to a game winning 83 yard drive that will down as one of the best in the history of the UM vs FSU rivalry. Just a couple of minutes earlier, Freeman appeared to be the goat, when he was stopped on 4th down and inches quarterback sneak inside the FSU one-yard-line. Never has a quarterback played so poorly, yet been so brilliant when the game was on the line.

How crazy was this game? Throw out all logic and expect the unexpected. Canes backup tight end Dedrick Epps had yet to catch a pass all season. But he would be on the receiving end of Freeman's game winning throw. FSU kicker Gary Cismesia made all five of his field goal attempts. FSU even got a defensive touchdown when linebacker Toddrick Verdell ran back a Kyle Wright interception 45 yards for a touchdown. Miami was able to score 37 points despite losing its starting quarterback Kyle Wright to a severe ankle injury and only four completions by Freeman. But three of Freeman's completions came on the final drive. Miami kicker Francesco Zampogna threw 26 yard touchdown pass on a fake field goal.

But let's be honest. Both of these teams are nowhere near the level they once were in their heyday. Gone are the days when the Canes and Noles were playing for national championships or a top ranking. We're now in an era where the University of South Florida is a better program. Both UM and FSU are unranked. The two teams combined for 9 turnovers and 15 penalties.

It was not a well played game. But you couldn't have asked for a more breathtaking and unlikely finish. Brent Musberger and Keith Jackson weren't broadcasting the game. In fact, ABC didn't even send it's B or C team to cover the game. They sent Terry Gannon and David Norrie--who are probably the network's D team. The only hype going into the contest was the lack of hype. But don't tell that to 82,000 who packed Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahssee or any those who watched it on TV. It was a sloppy classic.

Some observations:

*Miami defensive tackle Teraz McCray was the game's unsung hero. The senior from Pompano Beach Ely High was constantly in the FSU backfield, forcing fumbles and tipping passes. McCray forced FSU quarterback Xavier Lee to fumble that led to linebacker Colin McCarthy to score the game's final touchdown.

*Darnell Jenkins has become Miami's go-to receiver in clutch situations. Jenkins caught 4 passes for 106 yards. Although he didn't score, two of Jenkins catches set up Miami touchdowns, including the game winning pass from Freeman to Epps.

*Randy Shannon is the eighth Miami head coach to face Bobby Bowden's FSU teams. All eight of Miami's head coaches have beaten Bowden at least once.

*Bobby Bowden's record against the Canes drops to 13-20.

*Miami won the game despite FSU scoring first on a Gary Cismesia field goal. Why is this noteworthy? Going into the game, the team that had scored first had won 15 of the last 16 games in this rivlary. Well, make that 15 out of 17.

*Darren Daly replaced Francesco Zampogna as UM's starting place kicker. However, Zampogna came off the bench and threw a touchdown pass to tight end DajLeon Farr on a fake field goal.

*It's quite obvious Graig Cooper is Miami's best running back. Javarris James played better, but is still struggling to duplicate his freshman season. Cooper was used almost exclusively on Miami's game-winning final drive. Cooper needs to get the ball more.

*Sam Shields might be Miami's most talented receiver, yet didn't catch a pass. However, Dedrick Epps, who hadn't caught a pass all year, pulls in the game winner. Go figure.

*The Canes injury problems continue to mount. Miami's defensive line is getting thinner. The Canes played without three defensive tackles Antonio Dixon, Dwayne Hendricks and Josh Holmes. Defensive end Eric Moncur and left tackle Jason Fox also left the game with injuries. Quarterback Kyle Wright was knocked out of the game with a sprained ankle and Kirby Freeman took a vicious shot to the ribs after he was sandwiched between two FSU defenders on his game winning pass.

*Kudos to safety Randy Phillips who had two interceptions on tipped passes. Phillips had begun the year as a starting cornerback. But he lost his job after a terrible performance against Oklahoma. Phillips made the switch to safety and had the best game of his career.

Happy Birthday Willis McGahee

Happy 26th birthday to former University of Miami and current Baltimore Ravens running back Willis McGahee. McGahee has overcome two serious knee injuries to become one of the NFL's most productive and highly paid running backs. His 2002 season at UM is arguably the greatest individual season ever by a UM offensive player the best ever by a Canes running back.

Born Willis Andrew McGahee in Miami, he came from an athletic family. His father Willis Sr. was great high school player at both all-black George Washington Carver and Mays High Schools during segregation. The elder McGahee was a two-time Miami Herald All-City selection as a defensive lineman while playing for legendary high school coach Nathaniel "Traz" Powell and later played college ball at Texas Southern University. Those athletic gifts were passed down to his son Willis Jr.

The younger McGahee was destined to be a football star. He began his high school career at Miami Springs High School where he played for longtime coach Buddy Goins. When McGahee was in the 9th grade, Goins ran into then UM running backs coach Don Soldinger and told him McGahee is the best running back talent he ever saw come out of Dade County. Soldinger never forgot the conversation. He kept track of McGahee throughout his prep career. By his junior year, McGahee had established himself as one of the premier backs in the state. He rushed for 1004 yards, averaging 8.5 per carry, and scored 15 times. He did this despite missing a few games due to injury and earned second team All-Dade County from the Miami Herald.

McGahee transferred to Miami Central High School his senior year where he played for Tim "Ice" Harris. He was hyped as the best running back prospect in the state and one of the best in the country. In his first five games, McGahee lived up to the hype rushing for 677 yards, 11 touchdown and averaged 8.8 yards per carry. But he suffered a season ending knee injury. Despite the injury, college recruiters didn't back off. He was named 3rd Team All Dade County by the Miami Herald and named to the prestigious Parade All American team and Gatorade Florida Player of the Year.

Recruited heavily by Florida, Florida State and Ohio State, McGahee chose to stay home and play for the Canes. He sat out his freshman year while redshirting to rehab his knee injury. McGahee saw his first action in 2001 while playing behind Clinton Portis and fellow freshman Frank Gore. He started his first game in the 2002 Rose Bowl against Nebraska at fullback and helped the Canes win the national championship.

When Portis left UM for the NFL and Gore suffered a season ending knee injury in spring practice, McGahee was given the starting tailback job and ran away with it. In 2002 McGahee gained 1,753 yards and scored 28 touchdowns--both UM records. He finished 4th in the Heisman Trophy voting. He led the Canes to another undefeated regular season and a trip to the Fiesta Bowl to play Ohio State for the national championship.

Heavily favored, the top ranked Canes struggled offensively against the Buckeyes. McGahee was held in check until he scored on 9 yard touchdown run to cut Ohio State's lead to 17-14 in the third quarter. But early in the 4th quarter McGahee suffered a devastating knee injury that forced him to leave the game. Miami eventually lost 31-24 in double overtime due to a controversial pass interference penalty that allowed Ohio State to stay in the game.

Despite the injury, McGahee's agent Drew Rosenhaus used some shrewd maneuvering to convince NFL teams his client was first round worthy. The Buffalo Bills selected McGahee with the 23 pick of the 2003 NFL Draft. After sitting out the 2003 season, McGahee made a strong comeback with the Bills in 2004 rushing for 1,128 yards and 13 touchdowns. He followed that year with a solid 1,247 yards in 2005. After struggling in 2006 with only 990 yards, McGahee signed a 7-year contract worth $40.12 million with the Ravens.