The Early Lead - Where your daily sports conversation begins ... and never ends - September 19, 2010

Redskins-Rams chat on Sunday

I'll take a brief break from NFL talk to chat Redskins as soon as their game against the Rams ends. Join me then. http://live.washingtonpost.com/redskins-vs-rams.html...

By Mitch Rubin | September 24, 2010; 4:15 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

Save & Share:

Move over, Elmo. New York Jets own 'Sesame Street' (then lose jobs)

You know who never ever embarrasses Elmo on "Sesame Street" the way Katy Perry did? Pro athletes, that's who. Among the best: a pre-pre-Suzy-Kolberian Joe Namath and Bo Jackson. The Bleacher Report had the New York Jets atop its top-10...

By Cindy Boren | September 24, 2010; 9:41 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

Save & Share:

Dreaming of the 1960 World Series? Bing Crosby will bring it to you

Know how you've seen those grainy clips of Game 7 of the 1960 World Series, perhaps the greatest game ever played? You watch Bill Mazeroski's walk-off home run give the Pittsburgh Pirates a 10-9 victory over the New York Yankees...

By Cindy Boren | September 24, 2010; 8:04 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: MLB
Save & Share:

NBA gives refs license to issue more technicals

Hot on the heels of the NBA's decision to limit free speech suggestion that the Wizards and Gilbert Arenas move on from the gun incident comes an expansion of the rules on technicals. ESPN reports that refs have been instructed...

By Cindy Boren | September 24, 2010; 7:41 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Have another doughnut
Save & Share:

Stan Kasten announces resignation as Nats president

Updated at 3:26 p.m. Nationals managing principal owner Theodore N. Lerner has issued a statement about Stan Kasten's resignation as team president: "Stan Kasten will always be an important part of the history of the Washington Nationals. He was vital...

By Cindy Boren | September 23, 2010; 1:39 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (33)
Categories: Nationals
Save & Share:

Kenny McKinley's former teammate says 'something's fishy' about his death

Although Colorado authorities have determined that Denver Broncos wide receiver Kenny McKinley died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, one former teammate says there's "something fishy" about McKinley's death. "I don't think it happened the way they're saying it happened," D.J....

By Cindy Boren | September 23, 2010; 10:22 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: NFL
Save & Share:

Caps, Penguins to get 'Hard Knocks' treatment leading up to Winter Classic

Updated at 3:03 p.m. It's "Hard Knocks" with fewer teeth and a far less catchy name. HBO will air a four-week miniseries leading up to the Washington Capitals' Winter Classic game with the Pittsburgh Penguins on New Year's Day. "24/7...

By Cindy Boren | September 23, 2010; 8:02 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Capitals, Have another doughnut, NHL
Save & Share:

Ladell Betts re-signs with New Orleans Saints

Former Washington Redskins running back Ladell Betts has re-signed with the New Orleans Saints. Betts, who had been released by New Orleans at the end of training camp, replaces Reggie Bush, who broke his right leg in the Saints' "Monday...

By Cindy Boren | September 22, 2010; 3:58 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: NFL, Redskins
Save & Share:

Braylon Edwards apologizes for drunk-driving arrest

New York Jets wide receiver Braylon Edwards apologized this afternoon for his drunk-driving arrest early Tuesday morning on Manhattan's West Side. "I would like to apologize to my family, my fans, [Jets owner] Mr. [Woody] Johnson, [General Manager] Mike Tannenbaum,...

By Cindy Boren | September 22, 2010; 3:15 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: NFL
Save & Share:

For one Italian soccer team, empty seats are dressed as fans

This is a really horrible idea. Sure, giant pictures of cheering, adoring, fighting fans look good on TV ... certainly better than the black curtain some American sports teams use. The problem for Triestina, a professional soccer team from the...

By Cindy Boren | September 22, 2010; 1:56 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

Save & Share:

Kevin Kolb, Michael Vick say they accept whatever Andy Reid decides

Kevin Kolb is disappointed that he no longer is the Philadelphia Eagles' starting quarterback, but he understands. Michael Vick is sympathetic but ready to start in Kolb's place. "I want to be out there," Kolb told reporters. "I feel like...

By Cindy Boren | September 22, 2010; 1:27 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Michael Vick, NFL
Save & Share:

Kenny McKinley's teammates, coaches seek answers for his suicide

Those who knew Denver Broncos wide receiver Kenny McKinley were in shock after his suicide Tuesday and were at a loss for words and answers as to why the 23-year-old took his life Tuesday. "Obviously, he had things going on...

By Cindy Boren | September 22, 2010; 12:22 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: NFL
Save & Share:

Andy Reid says he's okay with being bad guy in Michael Vick, Kevin Kolb switch

If there's a bad guy in the Philadelphia Eagles' change in starting quarterbacks, it's Andy Reid, not Michael Vick. Take it from Andy Reid. "If I'm the bad guy, then I'm okay with that," Reid said (via Geoff Mosher) of...

By Cindy Boren | September 22, 2010; 11:55 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: Michael Vick, NFL
Save & Share:

Next time, Braylon Edwards should just dial

Braylon Edwards will dress but not start for the New York Jets on Sunday after his drunk driving arrest in the wee smalls Tuesday morning, but a larger question remains: just what is the PlayerProtect program (long on security, short...

By Cindy Boren | September 22, 2010; 10:56 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Have another doughnut
Save & Share:

Vincent Jackson trade talks going down to the wire

The deadline for a trade for wide receiver Vincent Jackson is 4 p.m. EDT today and it appears that the team most inclined to be involved, the Minnesota Vikings, is at an impasse with the San Diego Chargers. Jason Cole...

By Cindy Boren | September 22, 2010; 8:32 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: NFL
Save & Share:

Michael Vick's future now tied to Andy Reid's in Philly

Ready or not, NFL fans are going to see Michael Vick as something other than a starting quarterback by default again. In a curious yet mesmerizing press conference late Tuesday afternoon, Philadelphia Eagles Coach Andy Reid explained why he was...

By Cindy Boren | September 22, 2010; 7:27 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Michael Vick, NFL
Save & Share:

Baltimore Ravens Coach John Harbaugh fined $15,000

(Baltimore Sun) The NFL has fined Baltimore Ravens Coach John Harbaugh $15,000 for having impermissible verbal and physical contact with an official during the Ravens' loss Sunday to the Cincinnati Bengals. By Monday, Harbaugh knew he might have been out...

By Cindy Boren | September 21, 2010; 1:28 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: NFL
Save & Share:

Yankees honor George Steinbrenner in a really big way

(Getty Images) Everybody knew that New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner was larger than life, but who knew he was bigger than Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio and Mantle -- combined? His monument in Yankee Stadium's monument park was unveiled in a...

By Cindy Boren | September 21, 2010; 11:16 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: MLB
Save & Share:

Report: Jets wide receiver Braylon Edwards arrested for DWI

New York Jets wide receiver Braylon Edwards was arrested early this morning and charged with DWI on Manhattan's West Side. Edwards, 27, was pulled over by police at 5:15 a.m. at 34th Street and 12th Avenue for having overly-tinted windows,...

By Cindy Boren | September 21, 2010; 8:48 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: NFL
Save & Share:

Denver Broncos wide receiver Kenny McKinley dies in apparent suicide

(Associated Press) Kenny McKinley, a Denver Broncos wide receiver who was out for the season recovering from knee surgery, was found dead of an apparent suicide Monday afternoon at his home. The body of McKinley, 23, was found by...

By Cindy Boren | September 21, 2010; 7:45 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (22)
Categories: NFL
Save & Share:

Reports: Reggie Bush suffers broken bone in leg

Running back Reggie Bush broke a bone in his lower leg in the fourth quarter of the New Orleans Saints' victory Monday night in San Francisco, according to multiple reports. Bush, who only a week ago returned the 2005 Heisman...

By Cindy Boren | September 21, 2010; 5:23 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (13)
Categories: NFL
Save & Share:

Darrelle Revis may miss week or two with a strained hamstring

New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis said that an MRI showed he has a strained left hamstring and, although he refused to rule himself out Sunday, he said he won't return until he's 100 percent healthy. He added that he...

By Cindy Boren | September 20, 2010; 3:50 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: NFL
Save & Share:

Fur flies in mascot flght between Rufus the Bobcat and Brutus the Buckeye

The two greatest words in American sports: mascot fight! Admit it. You wanted to see the smug smile wiped off one of their faces when Rufus the Bobcat of Ohio University attacked Brutus the Buckeye of Ohio State. Didn't happen....

By Cindy Boren | September 20, 2010; 2:55 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: College football
Save & Share:

Ray Lewis questions refs after calls against Baltimore Ravens

It's possible that Ray Lewis got a better workout in the locker room than he did on the football field in the Baltimore Ravens' 15-10 loss Sunday to the Cincinnati Bengals. Lewis was energetically ripping officials, particularly for a roughing-the-passer...

By Cindy Boren | September 20, 2010; 2:21 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: NFL, Ravens
Save & Share:

Network News

The Early Lead: September 19, 2010 - September 25, 2010