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#321 Re: The Garden » Senator Ted Kennedy Dead at 77 » 885 weeks ago
Damn, really not that unexpected, but as James said theres going to be a big whole in the Senate.
EDIT: Guess who's on vacation this week...:haha:
#322 Re: The Garden » 2009 Fantasy Football » 885 weeks ago
15 Minutes and counting.
#323 Re: The Garden » The 2009 NFL Season Thread » 885 weeks ago
Florio: 5 teams whose fans should lower expectations
Cards, Eagles, Chargers, Vikings, Texans all face big questions this season
By Mike Florio
The Sporting News
updated 12:56 p.m. ET, Mon., Aug 24, 2009
The time for high hopes in the NFL has arrived. With every team at 0-0, any team can be holding the Lombardi Trophy come February.
Some teams have higher expectations than others, based typically on their finishes in the prior season, their offseason acquisitions, or both.
Many of the teams with high hopes shouldn't be saddled with such expectations.
Let's look at five franchises whose fans should be looking for less than what everyone seems to think their favorite teams will deliver.
1. Arizona Cardinals
This decade, only one team that lost the Super Bowl made it back to the playoffs the next season.
It's no coincidence. The teams that play in the Super Bowl have the shortest offseasons, and the loser of the championship game must come to terms with failure on sports' biggest stage.
For the Cardinals, their appearance in Super Bowl XLIII was as unlikely as any that ever has happened. Only four weeks earlier, the 9-7 Cards were being called the worst team to ever qualify for the playoffs.
And for good reason. In five of their seven losses, the Cardinals surrendered on average more than 44 points — 56 to the Jets, 37 to the Giants, 48 to the Eagles, 35 to the Vikings, and 47 to the Patriots.
But Arizona got hot at the right time, and they found themselves nearly beating the Steelers in Tampa.
Now they're back at square one, and they're wearing the tag of the "hunted" for the first time in decades. So every team that faces Arizona will bring their proverbial "A" games, and the Cardinals will feel the brunt of it every Sunday.
To complicate matters, the coaching staff has undergone serious turnover, the running game still has plenty of question marks, receiver Anquan Boldin still wants a new contract, and quarterback Kurt Warner still has a bum hip.
So don't be surprised if the Cards don't become the second Super Bowl loser since the turn of the millennium to make it back to the postseason the following year.
2. Philadelphia Eagles
It would be easy to point to the fact that the Eagles made it to the NFC title game as evidence they'll compete again in 2009.
But it would be wrong.
The Eagles have major questions on both sides of the ball. On defense, the departure of safety Brian Dawkins and the loss of middle linebacker Stewart Bradley is crippling. Although the strategic impact of the passing of long-time defensive coordinator Jim Johnson might be alleviated by the fact Sean McDermott learned the ropes from Johnson, there's only so much a genius can convey to his pupil.
The offensive line has undergone a major transformation, but one area of consistency has been the inability of new right tackle (and former right guard) Shawn Andrews to contribute during camp. Though running back Brian Westbrook seems to be healthy now, the fact remains he's entering the "just about to shatter" portion of his career.
Meanwhile, the acquisition of Michael Vick has increased excitement, and thus reinforced the already high expectations by Philly fans.
Though there's a good chance the Eagles will deliver, things will get ugly if the home team falters in the face of buzz that is for now not fully justified.
3. Houston Texans
The latest team to join the NFL has yet to play a postseason game, and plenty of folks assume this year will be the year.
Or else.
But the assumption that the Texans will either climb to the top of the top-notch AFC South or otherwise box out the contenders for wild-card spots in a top-heavy conference is a dangerous one to make.
There's reason to believe the Texans will be competitive, but it's unrealistic to pencil them in for a playoff spot.
Sure, it could happen. If quarterback Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson stay healthy despite their injury history and if tailback Steve Slaton stays healthy despite a potentially crippling workload (and his college injury history), the Texans will score plenty of points.
The question will then be whether their defense steps up. The powers-that-be in Houston would feel more confident about that one if cornerback Dunta Robinson were in camp, if linebacker DeMeco Ryans were happy with his own deal, and if linebacker Brian Cushing weren't injured.
Bottom line? A lot of things can go wrong, and even if plenty of things go right, the Texans might not be making it to the playoffs.
4. San Diego Chargers
Every year, the Chargers are a trendy pick to make it to the Super Bowl.
Every year, the Chargers find a way not to make it there.
As the 2009 season approaches, the front end of that proposition applies again. Philip Rivers, LaDainian Tomlinson, Darren Sproles, Antonio Gates, and Shawne Merriman.
With all that talent, the only explanation must be the quality (or lack thereof) of the coaching. Marty Schottenheimer was bounced after a 14-2 season was squandered. Norv Turner has had two chances to take the team to the top of the mountain, and it's not clear how many more he'll get.
Based on the team's recent history, it would be unrealistic to assume this year is the year.
5. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are only a recent addition to the list of teams with high expectations, thanks to the recent arrival of Brett Favre. For that reason alone, it would have been wise for the Vikes to pass.
Without Favre, the pressure on coach Brad Childress was a bit less intense. Now, it might be Miami or bust for the fourth-year head coach, who'll need the team to fulfill those expectations in order to get a fifth year.
The Vikings have a great running game and a solid run defense. But even with Favre, the passing offense is an open question. The pass defense still resides in the bottom half of the league, and opponents will be looking to throw even more passes in order to outscore the souped-up offense that the Vikings could be boasting this year.
There's a more basic reason to avoid getting too excited about the Vikings' prospects this year. Historically, they don't do well when expected to, and thus they'd be better off with Sage Rosenfels or Tarvaris Jackson and reduced hopes for a return to the Super Bowl after a 33-year absence.
© 2009 Sporting News
#324 Re: The Garden » 2009 Fantasy Football » 885 weeks ago
Question, if I'm not here tonight will it select them automatically for me?
#325 Re: GNRevolution Madness » GnREvolution T.V. Madness - Round 4, Battle 1 » 885 weeks ago
This one was tough. I love Looney Tunes, but I respect Star Trek b/c without it The Next Generation would have never existed. But in the end...Looney Tunes.
#326 Re: The Sunset Strip » Michael Jackson's This Is It Discussion » 885 weeks ago
Jackson Died from Lethal Levels of Propofol
Posted Aug 24th 2009 7:09PM by TMZ Staff
Michael Jackson had lethal levels of Propofol in his system when he died, this according to a search warrant affidavit filed in Houston.
Dr. Conrad Murray told cops he had been treating Jackson for 6 weeks for insomnia -- giving him 50 milligrams of Propofol every night through an IV.
Murray told cops he feared Jackson was getting addicted so he reduced the dosage to 25 mg.
The morning Jackson died, Dr. Murray gave Jackson valium at 1:30 AM. Murray said the valium didn't work so he gave the singer an IV injection of lorazepam -- an anti-anxiety drug. Murray told cops Jackson was still awake, so he then gave him midazolam -- a sedative.
Murray gave Jackson more drugs. He says at 10:40 AM, he administered 25 mg of Propofol. Dr. Murray told cops Jackson repeatedly demanded the drug.
As we first reported, cops found 8 bottles of Propofol in Jackson's house after he died, but they do not know where it was purchased.
Cops also found Valium, Tamsulosin, Lorazepam, Temazepam, Clonazepam, Trazodone and Tizanidine, along with the Propofol.
The various drugs were prescribed by Dr. Murray, Dr. Arnold Klein and Dr. Allan Metzger.
Dr. Murray reportedly told cops 10 minutes after administering Propofol ... he "left Jackson's side to go to the restroom and relieve himself. Murray stated he was out of the room for about 2 minutes maximum. Upon his return, Murray noticed that Jackson was no longer breathing."
Dr. Murray says he began CPR and at some point ran downstairs and asked the chef to send up Prince Jackson, the eldest son, then Murray continued performing CPR.
Dr. Murray says he noticed that Jackson wasn't breathing at around 11 AM. He was then on the cell phone for 47 minutes with 3 separate calls, from 11:18 to 12:05. The 911 call came in at 12:21 PM .... a much longer delay than originally reported.
Dr. Murray told cops other docs had administered Propofol to Jackson, including Las Vegas Dr. David Adams. Dr. Murray said he was at a cosmetologist's office where Dr. Adams gave Jackson Propofol.
Interestingly, according to the warrant, Dr. Murray refused to sign the death certificate at the UCLA Medical Center.
UPDATE: If Dr. Murray is charged with a crime, there's a statement in the affidavit that could be evidence of a consciousness of guilt. The document also states both "UCLA doctors and L.A. Fire Dept. paramedics stated that Dr. Murray had only disclosed that he had given the medication Lorazepam [Ativan] to Jackson prior to his medical emergency." Dr. Murray did not disclose that he had given Jackson Propofol.
#327 Re: The Sunset Strip » Michael Jackson's This Is It Discussion » 885 weeks ago
It'll be interesting to see how history will remember this. Will people look back on Jackson and say "he OD'ed", or will they look back on Jackson and say "he was murdered".
Substitute Propofol for Heroin/coke and this is going to be a repeat of Belushi. Although someone went to jail b/c of his death, everyone still considers it a OD.
#328 Re: The Sunset Strip » Michael Jackson's This Is It Discussion » 885 weeks ago
Coroner rules Jackson’s death a homicide
Court document reveals singer had lethal levels of propofol in system
msnbc.com news services
updated 5:41 p.m. ET, Mon., Aug 24, 2009
LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles County coroner has ruled Michael Jackson’s death a homicide, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press, a finding that makes it more likely criminal charges will be filed against the doctor who was with the pop star when he died on June 25.
The coroner determined a fatal combination of drugs was given to Jackson hours before he died in his rented Los Angeles mansion, according to the official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the findings have not been publicly released. Forensic tests found the powerful anesthetic propofol acted together with at least two sedatives to cause Jackson’s death, the official said.
Dr. Conrad Murray, a Las Vegas cardiologist who became Jackson’s personal physician weeks before his death, is the target of a manslaughter investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department. Dateline NBC's Josh Mankiewicz confirmed that Murray is the target of a manslaughter probe. According to a search warrant affidavit unsealed Monday in Houston, Murray told investigators he administered a 25 milligram dose of propofol around 10:40 a.m. after spending the night injecting Jackson with two sedatives in an unsuccessful attempt to get him to sleep.
The warrant, dated July 23, states that lethal levels of propofol were found in Jackson’s system. Besides the propofol and two sedatives, the coroner’s toxicology report found other substances in Jackson’s system but they were not believed to have been a factor in the singer’s death, the official said.
Murray has spoken to police and last week released a video saying he “told the truth and I have faith the truth will prevail.” His attorney, Edward Chernoff, had no immediate comment but has previously said Murray never administered anything that “should have” killed Jackson.
A call to the coroner’s office was not returned Monday.
Murray has spoken to police and last week released a video saying he “told the truth and I have faith the truth will prevail.” His attorney, Edward Chernoff, had no immediate comment but has previously said Murray never administered anything that “should have” killed Jackson.
A call to the coroner’s office was not returned Monday.
According to the warrant, Murray had been treating the singer for insomnia with the sedative for six weeks. Murray said he had been trying to wean Jackson off the powerful sedative by using smaller doses in combination with the sedatives lorazepam and midazolam.
On the morning Jackson died, Murray said he tried to induce sleep without using propofol, starting first with valium at 1:30 a.m. When Jackson was still awake at 2 a.m., Murray injected Jackson with lorazepam, then injected him with midazolam at 3 a.m. Murray told police he administered several other drugs over the next few hours.
By 10:40 a.m., Jackson, still unable to sleep, urged Murray to give him propofol. Murray said in court documents that he administered 25 milligrams of the drug at that time, then left Jackson alone under the influence of the drug to make phone calls to his Houston office. When he returned, Jackson was not breathing. He performed CPR while a member of Jackson's staff called 911. The singer was rushed to UCLA Medical Center where he was declared dead sometime later.
The affidavit says, while Murray acknowledged to police that he administered propofol, authorities find no evidence that he had purchased, ordered or obtained the medication under his medical license or Drug Enforcement Administration tracking number. Police detectives found about eight bottles of the anesthetic in Jackson's house along with other vials and pills that had been prescribed to Jackson by Dr. Murray, Dr. Arnold Klein and Dr. Allan Metzger.
Valium, lorazepam, clonazepam, tamsulosin and other drugs also were confiscated in the search, and propofol was found in Murray's medical bag. According to the warrant, Murray told police he was not the first doctor to administer propofol to the singer.
Authorities subpoenaed medical records from Klein, Metzger and Dr. David Adams, in addition to Murray, the affidavit states. They also asked for medical records from Dr. David Slavitt, who conducted the independent medical examination of Jackson for Anschuntz Entertainment Group, Dr. Randy Rosen and nurse practitioner Cherilyn Lee.
The affidavit also states that Jackson told Murray that two doctors in Germany had given him propofol. Murray said he repeatedly asked Jackson what other physicians were treating him and what drugs they were prescribing. Murray said Jackson refused to give the information.
© 2009 msnbc.com
#329 Re: GNRevolution Madness » GnREvolution T.V. Madness - Round 3, Battle 8 » 885 weeks ago
Scrubs
#330 Re: The Sunset Strip » Model Murdered By VH1 Dating Show Contest/Ex-Husband? » 885 weeks ago
According to CNN.com the guy was just found dead.
