Arizona football: The All-Stoops team

Mike Stoops was the football coach of the Arizona Wildcats for 7 1/2 seasons, during which time he brought in some of the program’s all-time brightest stars.
Cornerback Antoine Cason won the 2007 Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back and was a late first-round pick in 2008.
Wide receiver Mike Thomas is the Pac-12 career leader in receptions.
Tight end Rob Gronkowski was a beast — albeit, all too briefly at Arizona — before quickly becoming a star with the New England Patriots.
Senior quarterback Nick Foles is on pace to rewrite several school season and career passing records in the next six week.
There definitely were some high notes, but in putting together an All-Stoops team, a couple of issues emerge — the dearth of standouts on the offensive line and a lack of explosive playmakers at linebacker.
Here is a look at the best who played for Stoops — the All-Stoops team:

QB — Nick Foles
For now, Willie Tuitama has Arizona’s career passing record with 9,211 yards, and his early commitment for Stoops’ 2005 recruiting class was perhaps the first big sign that the program was moving again in the right direction.
But Foles is closing in on Tuitama’s record with 7,931 career yards. If he continues at his pace in the first half of the season (375.8 yards per game), he’ll finish the season with 10,186 yards.

RB — Mike Bell, Nic Grigsby
Stoops inherited Bell, who rushed for a combined 1,896 yards and 10 touchdowns in the coach’s first two seasons at Arizona. Grigsby battled injuries in his final two seasons and wasn’t able to replicate his sophomore season (1,153 yards and 13 touchdowns), but he did finish with 2,957 career rushing yards and 28 rushing touchdowns.

This is Mike Thomas scoring on a punt return vs. Washington in 2008.

WR — Mike Thomas, Juron Criner
Thomas was a contributor from his very first game — seven catches for 92 yards and a touchdown at Utah in 2005 — and never stopped putting up good numbers. By the time his career ended with a catch on the final play of the 2008 Las Vegas Bowl, he had a Pac-12 record 260 catches.
Criner makes the list on the strength of his brilliant junior season (82 catches, 1,233 yards, 11 touchdowns). His 24 receiving touchdowns are tied for second in school history.

TE — Rob Gronkowski
He played in only 22 games at Arizona, sitting out 2009 because of back problems and then leaving for the NFL with two seasons of eligibility remaining, but he holds school season and career records for receptions, yards and touchdowns by a tight end.
Gronkowski, a third-team All-American in 2008, had 75 catches for 1,197 yards and 16 touchdowns in those 22 games. And UA fans will forever wonder if his presence in 2009 could have lifted Arizona past Oregon in a mid-November game. The Ducks won in double overtime, robbing the Cats of the chance to be in the driver’s seat for the Pac-12 title.
OL — Colin Baxter, Eben Britton, Adam Grant, Joe Longacre, Mike Diaz
Baxter, with a school-record 48 consecutive starts, is the clear pick at center. Britton was the only Arizona offensive lineman to earn first-team all-conference honors during the Stoops years.
Grant persevered through injuries and became a second-team all-league choice in 2009 and 2010. Longacre, a guard, provided stability with 40 career starts. Diaz started 20 games after transferring from junior college, the bulk of them at left tackle during 2009.
DL — Brooks Reed, Ricky Elmore, Earl Mitchell, Lionel Dotson
Reed and Elmore were high-energy ends for Stoops’ most recent teams. Elmore had 21.5 sacks in the past two seasons. Reed earned first-team all-conference honors last season and had 17 career sacks.
Mitchell and Dotson are the All-Stoops tackles. Mitchell was an anchor after moving from fullback for his final two seasons and developing into an NFL talent. Dotson’s senior season in 2007 — 50 tackles, including nine for loss and 6.5 sacks — was the best for an Arizona interior defensive lineman in several years.

Spencer Larsen takes on USC's Joe McKnight in a 2007 game.

LB — Spencer Larsen, Ronnie Palmer, Xavier Kelley
Larsen returned from a two-year church mission after playing as a freshman in 2002 and joined Stoops’ squad for the 2005 season. He made 131 tackles as a senior in an All-Pac-10 season, and his 312 career tackles were the most for a UA player in the decade.
Palmer, who started 41 games, led the Cats in tackles (85) and tackles for loss (11) in 2008.
The third spot is up for debate. Sterling Lewis? Vuna Tuihalamaka? Paul Vassallo? All were junior college transfers. Kelley — undersized but speedy — was a four-year player who was second-team all-league in 2009.
CB — Antoine Cason, Trevin Wade
Cason had 15 career interceptions, with highlight-making returns for touchdowns in a 2006 upset of No. 8 Cal and a 2006 upset of No. 2 Oregon a year later. Wade gets the nod over Wilrey Fontenot and others. Wade, a senior, has 11 career interceptions and 27 pass break-ups.
S — Darrell Brooks, Michael Johnson
Brooks was a leader on Stoops’ early teams and the coach’s first all-conference player, winning first-team honors in 2005. Johnson was a key junior college transfer, with 107 tackles and five interceptions in two seasons. Plenty of other solid candidates to consider: Cam Nelson, Nate Ness, Robert Golden.
P — Danny Baugher
A leftover from the John Mackovic era, Baugher punter for Stoops for two season and was leading the nation in punting in 2005 when his season ended in the seventh game because of an ACL injury. His average of 47.5 yards that season qualifies as the school season record.
PK — Nick Folk
Jason Bondzio was more accurate on field goals, but Folk had a big leg and went on to make a name for himself in the NFL. Folk, in 2006, also was the Pac-10′s first-team all-conference punter, averaging 44 yards per attempt.
AP — Syndric Steptoe
Steptoe was a versatile performer for the Wildcats, including two punt returns for touchdowns. He played briefly pre-Stoops in 2003, finishing his career with 1,584 receiving yards, 590 punt return yards and 1,757 kick return yards.

Gronkowski apologizes for pics

Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski said he met with and apologized to team owner Robert Kraft after pictures of Gronkowski with an adult film star appeared on Twitter during the team's bye week.

"I didn’t intend anything to hurt the reputation of anyone on the New England Patriots or on behalf of Robert Kraft," said Gronkowski. "That’s all, just a simple picture, that's all. From here on out, I’m just here to talk about the Pittsburgh Steelers and the big game this weekend."

Pressed on the matter, Gronkowski tried to steer the conversation toward the Steelers. Asked if he had any regrets about the incident, Gronkowski reiterated his sentiment on the matter.

"[I was] not intending to hurt anyone or ruin the reputation of the New England Patriots in any way. [It's a] good organization here... I can't wait to get out to practice and focus on the Pittsburgh Steelers. That’s all I'm worried about, it's all I care about."

Gronkowski, who played his senior year of high school near Pittsburgh, scored three touchdowns in last year's win over Steelers. He said he's excited about going back to Heinz Field again this season with the opportunity to play in front of old friends. Much of his family also plans to make the trek down from upstate New York.

“It’s definitely fun going back to wherever you spent time before in your life,” said Gronkowski. “It’s fun going back and playing in front of some friends and family.”

Asked about how he ended up in Pittsburgh for his final year of high school, Gronkowski noted it was a long story. When a reporter said he had time, Gronkowski suggested to Google it. When the reporter shot back that he doesn’t trust anything on the Internet, Gronkowski ended his time with the media in appropriate fashion.

Gronkowski Pics 

 

 

 

 

 

ESPN : Just a snapshot of athletes' lives

 
That's why Jones is even more real than Gronkowski, who, as far as I can tell, basically apologized for enjoying the perk most everyone else with a Y chromosome wishes they had. There certainly wasn't anything in the photos that warranted being called "racy," not when female singers are photographed without underwear.
"I didn't intend anything to hurt the reputation of anyone on the New England Patriots," Gronkowski said. But from the smirk on his face, you could tell he wasn't really regretting a thing.
The only thing the second-year player needed to apologize for was having such little confidence in his swagger that he rolled around town with his jersey to show people. That move is just a notch below going out late at night with a Bluetooth headset in your ear as if it's a piece of jewelry.
Other than that, I doubt anyone thought less of Gronkowski after seeing the photos.
After last year's Sports Illustrated piece in which former NFL agent Josh Luchs talked about paying college players and partying with beautiful women, we all know what goes on. People who try to characterize Luchs' confession as a one-off, or make University of Miami booster Nevin Shapiro out as just a lying jock sniffer, must think the public has a hard time connecting dots.

Other examples tart up recent sports history. Mississippi State had to do damage control last year after it was discovered three recruits went to The Pony during their visit (and given the nature of this topic, I'm sure you know what The Pony is). Stanford football players and recruits dropped $300 at a strip club in 2003. Three New Mexico State football players were suspended in 2006 for taking recruits to a gentlemen's establishment.
And the mother lode was the Colorado Buffaloes' football program, which got caught up in a recruiting scandal in 2004 that involved strippers, escorts, drugs and sex.
If we're being honest, few of these college recruiting scandals are really shocking. Not if you've seen "He Got Game" or an episode of the reality TV show "Basketball Wives."
The underbelly of high profile sports is hiding in plain sight. Not everyone goes there, but a lot of folks like to look and wave their arms whenever it's publicized.

Apology aside, neither Jones nor Gronkowski broke any rules. And if we're being real, their picture is not even tawdry or crude, just another image of what we expect.

Top 10 Best Halloween Parties in New York City – 2011

10. Fright Night at Electric Beach

Attractive lights, tempting music beats, and an evening of fright; spending a night at the Electric Beach is perfect for a Halloween with a different light. With the event held at the Santos Party House, expect to have a private party time with friends and burning the dance floor.

9. Raise Some Hell at Carlton Hotel

As the evening gets cold, the party gets hotter as the Halloween celebration at the Carlton Hotel would raise some hell in its attendees. Millesime, the hotel’s chic restaurant, opens its Vodka bar to fuel the burning fire in each person who looks forward for a steamy, fiery night of dancing and clubbing.

8. Masquerade Ball at Capitale

On its 10^th year, the Capitale Annual Masquerade Ball for Halloween 2011 is celebrating the event with wonderful sounds from notable DJs like DJ Price, DJ Sinatra, DJ DL, and DJ Phresh. Haunted haute couture style and vampire costumes are recommended in this venue. Music of hip-hop, dance, disco, rock, and 80s classics are enjoyed in a 65-foot Grand Venetian Ballroom. You can see stars like Heidi Klum, Jay Z, and Sean Diddy Combs attend the party.

7. Halloween on Mars

At daytime, this location is a safe place for kids to enjoy the out-of-this-world experience. But on October 29, 2011, Mars 2112 transforms into a 15,000sf venue of outer space horror that is only available on one location all over NYC. As the idea is unique and intriguing, you are attracted to attend this venue for fun.

6. Ha11oween at Espace

When you look for a party space in style this Halloween, celebrating at Espace is your great avenue. Included as one of the best locations in magazines like Page Six, Style, and Gotham, scare and seduction is all over the dance floor, in sleek and contemporary style that you cannot just pass up or take for granted.

5. Halloween Playboy Mansion

The party begins as early as October 29, starting at 9pm. As the name suggests, this is the place if you are looking for spending some time with next-door babes in bunny suits, pantyhose, and other mind-blowing costumes. It will be held in Bowlmor, where the four storey building is converted into a high part venue full of beats, drinks, and girls.

4. Unlock the Door to the Underworld at Room Service

This is one room service that brings you to the underworld, a place where you can experience a mix of heaven and hell. Drinks that will raise your spirit, sounds that can move your body, and movement that can blow your mind will keep you hanging.

3. Spellbinding Penthouse Spooktacular above Manhattan

When we are talking about Halloween celebrations, the night is high and sky is the limit. Feel the rush of the scary air as you spend the event at the penthouse above the streets of Manhattan, 16 stories high. XVI has staff and personnel that can concoct the best combination and mixture of spirits. Enjoy the view of the Hudson River while hearing great music from visitor DJs.

2. Webster Hell

As one of the few venues to celebrate the Halloween event at October 31, Webster Hall presents its halls for the Halloween Parade Afterparty, a perfect way to end the celebration. The hall changes into a 4-storey high mausoleum, where the best party is done. Be prepared to dress your scariest as you may take home over $5,000.

1. Hell to Redemption

Who says that Hell is only experienced way down under? In NYC, Hell is experienced at one of the most iconic and highest buildings ever created. The Empire State Building is hosting a Halloween event where scary vampires and other ghoulish creatures dance the night away with drinks and pulsating beats from DJ Tommy Virtue.

Top 10 Best American TV Series in 2011 – [Serials]

10. Grimm

Imagine being out in the woods and searching for answers of a murder that died in a questionable way of death. As you are trying to get the pieces together one by one, you find out that what you are dealing with is way beyond your imagination. You are in pursuit of a suspect that is not part of the usual preference.

9. Homeland

The story centers with a Marine Sergeant Nicholas Brody who has came home from Iraq, eight years after missing from his mission. His return may be a remarkable feat for his countrymen, however, a particular member of the CIA, Carrie Anderson, sees him as someone different. He may be turned into a spy that holds the key to attack the US at its weakest.

8. Drew Carey’s Improv-A-Ganza

You may have seen “Whose Line is it Anyway?” and “Drew Carey’s Green Screen Show”, and wondered how those singer comedian contestants have fared with silly sketches, and the unique and rad improvised games. Yep, it is all about the team helping aspiring contestants improve in their skills and craft while being loaded with lots of stuff to laugh about.

7. The Confession

Try to imagine a scene where a hit man meets with a priest and both discusses the immensity of good and evil, and sharing the matter inside a confessional. The hit man exercises his judgment in deciding who or who not to kill. He still has compassion. However, the series becomes darker and more intriguing when the priest talks inside the confession box and mention some things that you are not expecting.

6. The Booth at the End

“How far would you go to get what you want?” You may have heard this question once or twice in your lifetime, running your imagination and thinking of the things you desire and dream to have. In this series, different characters get to speak with the man at the booth, located at the end of the diner, in a wish for them to have what they want, on one condition. They need to update him of what is happening with his or her life.

5. Suits

Being an attorney at law takes more than just intellect, but mastery of the law and its principles and applications. However, for Mike Ross who has an eidetic memory, it is all possible for him, even if he did not have any college degrees for law. Yup, his level of knowledge can be compared to that of a Harvard graduate that he gets away by faking it.

4. Wild Kratts

Who says adults rule the airwaves. Kids also have the chance to watch a top rating US cartoon TV series, Wild Kratts, inspired by real Kratt characters, Martin and Chris.

3. Swamp Wars

Animal Planet has documented a series about an elite team of firefighters and paramedics, responding to different kind of emergencies in Miami. What makes the war worse is that it involves snakes and other reptiles causing demise to residents.

2. Caribe Road

When a mission goes wrong, you have to quit and have a new life to start over. However, for Mark Caribe, his life may not be as pleasant as it will be, because the President of the United States has requested him to be the commander of an elite combat unit. He gets back into the old life as this may be the key to meet his kidnapped daughter again.

1. Game of Thrones

Just like in the old days of knights, swords, king, and queens, the seat of power is what’s ruling all about. Once they have conquered a land and take on the throne, they become victor of their own dominion. And if you think that this is all just a game, then think again as it takes lives and reputation.

Top 10 Guinness World Records In 2011 – 2012

10. Fastest Wedding Chapels in the World

No other bride can forget her wedding experience, especially if you are in a hurry to have the most important person in your life to be wedded to you. Thanks to the invention made by Reverent Darrell Best who has converted his fire truck into a wedding chapel that could drive up to 62mph. For the record, there were 40 couples who have said, “I do” while on the road and on fastest speed.

9. Largest Natural Afro

It is amazing how Aevin Dugas has grown her afro for 12 years. Yes, it is not a year of waiting but she had to wait more than a decade just to achieve the length and size that she wanted. In fact, it measured 4 feet 4 inches and its not fake but a natural afro.

8. World Oldest Swimmer

Who would ever think that a 70-year old could still compete and be as active as other athletes are, particularly those who are in the sport of swimming? His name is Roger Allsopp that swam in the English Channel from Dover, England to Northern France, which took him almost 18 hours to complete the swimming challenge that he participated.

7. Consistent Number 1 Album for 11 Weeks

It is rare to see that an album being released by any singer, whether it is an individual or group, to be consistently on top. In fact, Adela from UK had proved it for 11 consecutive weeks and had her two albums included on the top five lists at the same time.

6. A Lady Holds the Highest Number of Followers on Twitter

Aside from her “extraordinary” and unique fashion sense, she has also caught people because of the highest followers that she got on her twitter. Lady Gaga is not just the favorite when it comes to her body movements whenever she sings, but she truly magnified that people loved her and not just her voice.

5. 13 Dogs Played Skip Rope

Training a puppy or any animal is such a challenge. In fact, it will take you patience and months just to see their ability. Hence, with the 13 dogs that have skipped the rope simultaneously was such a remarkable mark done by the training given by the Uchida Geinousha’s Super Wan Wan Circus, which is popular in Japan.

4. Most Popular TV Program

There is a different kind of rating that a medical drama has achieved; it is not just the highest share rating for viewers but the number of countries who have been following it. Imagine 66 countries were watching the show where it got 81.8 million viewers.

3. Largest Collection of Daleks

You may find it weird but Rob Hull has collected 571 models of Daleks where part of his collection is the 6feet size-replica model. He has been doing this for the past 20 years. He started collecting at age 29.

2. Longest Fingernails

Despite that Chris Walton has not experienced cutting or trimming her fingernails for the past 18 years, she was able to maintain them as clean as possible. She bagged the second spot and she resides in Las Vegas as a popular singer. She admits it was hard for her for the past 18 years but she is doing her best to fulfill her responsibilities at home even though it is hard for her to do her personal make up or cutting her own nails.

1. Longest Tongue in the World

Stephen Taylor’s record has been broken when a Californian student named Channel Tapper grabbed the title of owning a 3.8-inch tongue, which is equivalent to 9.75 centimeters. Imagine the size of an average chocolate bar that is exactly the size of her tongue and no, she does not belong to any serpent empire because she lives a normal life just like anyone who has a regular size of tongue.

Top 10 Best Car Racing Movies of All Time

10. Herbie: Fully Loaded

A classic all time favorite Volkswagen Beetle is great for easy city driving or going to a nearby store, but not in racing! However, in Herbie: Fully Loaded, Herbie, a fancy talking Beetle finds its way into working with the youngest member of the Peyton racing clan, Maggie. They have been through many things together, including beating a NASCAR champion in an impromptu race, winning a destruction derby, and getting first place in a professional NASCAR event.

9. The Cannonball Run

Would you ever believe that this film was actually produced by Golden Harvest Films? You know, the same film company that made famous Chinese karate movies for Jacky Chan, Samo Hung, Chow Yun Fat, and Jet Li? Yes, just imagine how action and comedy packed The Cannonball Run would be. The film was released in 1981 but the cars included in the race are already notable. The plot revolves about a cross country race that includes a Ferrari 308 GTS, a Lamborghini Countach, Subaru GL, Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow, and a Dodge Tradesman ambulance?!

8. Days of Thunder

Cole Trickle, played by Tom Cruise, is a racer that had long years of experience being an open-wheeled racing, driving formula cars or single-seaters. He had been hired to race in a NASCAR cup series and had struggled so much in adapting to the difference of driving large stock cars, very far from what he drove previously. He was successful in the adjustment and had been winning races ever since.

7. 2 Fast 2 Furious

The second sequel of The Fast and the Furious movie series, and has focused on Brian O’Conner in having a new life after being a former LAPD officer who knows how to drive cars. In his new setup, he met friends and he has been winning races with high stakes, thanks to his customized silver Nissan Skyline GT-R R34. Now standing on the different seat, he has been caught by the FBI and asked him to work for them in catching speed devils with evil reputation.

6. The Fast and the Furious

Being the first in the following movie series of fast cars, hot girls, and dirtier crimes, The Fast and the Furious has featured not only US made vehicles, but has also showcased Asian models in the movie series. This is where Vin Diesel has been famous for his car films. In the movie, Dominic Toretto, played by Diesel, is the leader of a crew that uses three 1995 Honda Civics to hijack trucks and steal goods for money. He was chased by LAPD agent Brian O’Conner by working undercover, which ironically, have worked together to face a bigger evil.

5. Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

Will Ferrell plays as Ricky Bobby who has made a name in NASCAR when he became older. Despite of having a terrible childhood being raised solely by his mother and a drunkard father, he has learned a lesson that shaped his career. His father mentioned, “If you’re not first, you’re last”. This same drunkard dad raised Ricky during the lowest point of his life, driving a motorcycle while working as a pizza delivery boy. He trained his son to drive with fear, which later became a secret weapon in winning the race in the Talladega 500.

4. Fast and Furious

In the fourth installation of the movie series, Vin Diesel now drives with a new crew that was formed from a disbanded group from the first movie.

3. Cars 2

Kids and adults alike are set to take speed in a whole new level with the second installation of Cars from the first release in 2006, by Pixar. Lightning McQueen now takes part in the World Grand Prix, which was held in Japan and Europe.

2. Fast Five

Dominic Toretto is back together with his sister Mia, and former LAPD agent, Brian O’Connor, and sets the fifth installment of the series in the streets of Rio de Janeiro. Trying to steal cars and killing DEA agents in the process, they are hunted down by DSS agent, Luke Hobbs, played by Dwayne Johnson.

1. Cars

Cars was the first in the movies that portrayed various vehicles and racing fun in a cartoon 3D format. Because of this new flavor, the world has accepted it with a large moviegoer’s share, which totals to a gross of $244,082,982. The story is about Lightning McQueen and his tons of car friends that are in an adventure of a lifetime. Firetrucks, muscle cars, even choppers, and muscle cars are included in the team.