Each week, The Reporters put their thumbs out to the good and the bad in the world of sports.
Jim Kelly Bills Jersey . This week they discuss the NFL suing rapper MIA, Toronto Argonauts QB Zach Collaros, boxing judge CJ Ross, and Philadelphia Eagles fans warm reception for Donovan McNabb. Bruce Arthur, National Post: My thumb is down to the NFL which has apparently been secretly suing the Sri Lankan singer/rapper MIA since she appeared in the Super Bowl halftime show last year with Madonna where she flipped the bird to the camera. And yes, she did sign a contract which acknowledged the “tremendous public respect and reputation for wholesomeness of the NFL.” And the NFL thinks that this has apparently damaged that reputation as opposed to say Bountygate, the fact that Aldon Smith is playing this Sunday after being picked up for a DUI Friday morning, or the $765 million concussion settlement in which it has been revealed the NFL tried to exclude players who died or killed themselves before 2009. Nope, its MIA, thats the problem. Steve Simmons, Sun Media: This surprises even me to say this but my thumb is up to Zach Collaros , the backup quarterback to Ricky Ray now starting for the Toronto Argonauts. The Argos went on the road to Montreal, to Regina, and last night to Calgary. Win, win, win. Collaros came back in the second half of each of those games and brought the Argos to victory. The Argos are now not just the defending Grey Cup champions but I think the favourites for this year because Collaros has kept them in games and won them. Collaros has done more than anybody could have possibly anticipated. Michael Farber, Sports Illustrated: My thumb is up to CJ Ross, who made her best decision of the week after making a mess of her scorecard at the Floyd Mayweather-Canelo Alvarez mismatch. The veteran boxing judge has decided to take a break from the sport, perhaps permanently. In what looked to be a one-sided fight to just about anyone with vision last Saturday night somehow ended up as a draw on Ross scorecard. This wasnt the first time anything like this has happened in a big fight. Ross was criticized for improperly scoring the Timothy Bradley-Manny Pacquio controversial fight last year as well. Its best for her to walk away now. And its best for boxing. Dave Naylor, TSN: And my thumb is up to the reception given to former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb at his jersey retirement ceremony on Thursday night. Etiquette has never been the strong suit of Philly fans, and we sure know they seemed to hate McNabb as much as they loved him, starting with the infamous booing of his selection on draft day. But though McNabb never delivered a Super Bowl win to the City of Brotherly Love, Philly fans recognized that he kept the Eagles in the hunt during nearly every one of his 11 seasons in Philly. All the while managing the distinction of being a lightning rod for controversy and a model citizen at the same time. The fact his former coach Andy Reid was there to be honoured as well made this a rare touching moment for what is undoubtedly one of the most harshly critical - and occasionally abusive - fan bases in all of sports.
Chandler Catanzaro Jersey . -- Dan Boyle delivered a proper finish to his length-of-the-ice rush that helped carry the streaking San Jose Sharks to their sixth straight win.
Jacob Tamme Broncos Jersey . I admit, I actually had to look it up. It was back on December 14th when the Jays sent reliever Brad Lincoln to the Phillies for 33-year-old catcher Eric Kratz and 24-year-old lefty reliever Rob Rasmussen.
http://www.thechargersofficialshop.com/black-friday-eddie-royal-jersey/ . Alameda Taamu, 22, of Kent, Wash., was driving a sport utility vehicle the wrong way on Pittsburghs South Side at about 2:30 a.m., police said. The 6-foot-3, 348-pound Taamu fled officers and crashed into four parked cars, injuring a woman, then tried to flee on foot before he was restrained by four officers and arrested, police said.
Philip Rivers Jersey . Luke Hughes and Ben Revere highlighted the Twins attack, with a pair of hits and two RBI apiece. We just hit and found the right holes, said Revere. Alexi Casilla belted a solo home run while Danny Valencia and Michael Cuddyer added RBI doubles for Minnesota, which extended its winning streak to a season-high eight games.
Antonio Gates Jersey .com) - A highly anticipated battle between teams that swapped head coaches during the offseason is on tap today, as John Tortorella and the Vancouver Canucks visit Alain Vigneaults New York Rangers for a clash at Madison Square Garden. (Sports Network) - Journeyman right-hander Carlos Villanueva can continue a successful return to the rotation tonight when the Toronto Blue Jays play the third test of four against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Toronto evened the series in Tuesday nights second game when Adam Lind and J.P. Arencibia each blasted a home run and combined for five RBI in an 8-5 victory. Lind finished with three RBI and a pair of runs scored, while Jayson Nix and Mike McCoy, who replaced the injured Yunel Escobar in the fifth, each drove in a run. Kyle Drabek (4-4) earned the win despite allowing five runs on nine hits over 5 1/3 innings for Toronto, which has won two of three. KC starter Vin Mazzaro (0-1) allowed six runs on eight hits in five innings to take the loss. Jeff Francoeur was 2-for-5 with three RBI for the Royals, who snapped a four- game losing streak with an 11-inning victory over the Blue Jays in Mondays opener. Villanueva, a veteran of 246 big-league appearances since debuting in 2006, came in from the bullpen for his first 13 outings this season before starting at Yankee Stadium and defeating New York, 7-3, with five innings of two-hit ball on May 23. He got a no-decision five days later in Toronntos 9-8 defeat of the Chicago White Sox, then picked up another win with 5 1/3 innings of two-run ball in an 8-4 win at Baltimore.
Desmond Trufant Falcons Jersey. . Overall, in 39 2/3 innings, the 27-year-old Dominican has allowed 26 hits and 12 earned runs. Hes made 30 career starts in the majors, including nine in 2008, when he was 4-7 with the Milwaukee Brewers. His career-high win total came in 2007, when he went 8-5 in 59 appearances -- six starts -- with the Brewers. The Royals reply with rookie lefty Danny Duffy, wholl make the fifth start of his debut season and first against Toronto. The former third-round draft pick got his first decision, a loss, after allowing seven hits and three runs over five innings against Minnesota on June 3. In three previous starts -- all Kansas City losses -- he allowed 14 hits and seven runs across 15 1/3 innings against Texas (twice) and Baltimore. Now 23, Duffy broke into the minors with the Royals at age 18 and compiled a 27-14 record with a 2.59 earned run average across 73 games over five seasons. He was 3-1 in seven starts at Triple-A Omaha this spring, allowing 30 hits and striking out 43 batters in 36 innings. Kansas City split its six games with the Jays a year ago. ' ' '