Wednesday 18 April 2012

Dancing With the Stars: Jaleel White Ousts Gavin Degraw in Dancing Duel

William Levy’s hot tango saved him from going home on Dancing With the Stars Tuesday night, but popular singer Gavin Degraw was sent home for a flopped samba.

Degraw, whose dance partner was last year’s mirror ball trophy winner Karina Smirnoff (she danced with Salvadoran army vet J.R. Martinez), received the lowest score of the pack on Monday, a 19 out of 30 points.

"It’s been amazing just being part of the show,” Degraw said. “It reunited my family [because] I'm always traveling.”

Degraw added that being on the show gave his family “something to talk about” and do together. He said he was grateful for the opportunity.

Although the singer got sent home, for the first time in DWTS, he and Smirnoff, were given the opportunity to be saved by faceing off in a dancing duel with fellow contestant Jaleel White and partner Kim Johnson.

In duel, the bottom two teams dance the same song at the same time, allowing the judges to choose the couple with the best overall technique to stay in the competition.

The judges chose White unanimously.

Both Degraw and White said the pressure of being in the duel can feel overwhelming.

“I don’t want to let Karina down,” Degraw said.

The judges added that the duel is the last chance for the couples to convince them they should be here. But, if a mistake is made during the duel, it can send the couple home.

"It’s your last chance for salvation," said judge and dance expert Len Goodman.

“It’s not about your favorite couple or the couple you feel sorry for,” he added. “It’s all about the dancing."

Degraw and Smirnoff had been in the bottom two for multiple weeks in a row.

Still the judges praised Degraw for “giving 110 percent” as well as for his energy.

Judge Carrie Ann Inaba had also told Degraw in past episodes that she enjoyed his positive attitude and enthusiasm every time he was on the dance floor.

For White and Levy who remain in the competition, next week they will take on the Motown challenge.

Celebrity performances and guest appearances include the Temptations and Smoky Robinson.

Dancing With The Stars: The Secret Strategies Gavin DeGraw


It's really too bad that singer/songwriter Gavin DeGraw, who knew his Dancing With the Stars days were numbered, didn't get to employ his secret and rather ingenious strategy to stay in the competition: Phone in the Monday night samba and spend the whole week working on the dance he knew was coming, the Tuesday night, fight-for-your-life cha cha.

With the laid-back style that has become his trademark, DeGraw says he expected to be in the bottom two this week. After all, he's been there twice already, and couldn't believe that he had somehow earned enough votes to escape last week.

But this week he saw it coming, and decided to welcome it with open arms. "I love the bottom two," says DeGraw, who is partnered with reigning champion Karina Smirnoff. "It's a special place, and a place that very few people get to experience repeatedly. People are creatures of habit, so us being in the bottom two is like going back home."

So he took a hard look at the new rules this season that introduced the Dance Duel for the bottom two and decided he wanted to give the producers - and the judges - a run for their money. He wanted to dazzle them with his 11th-hour cha cha. "My strategy as a battlefield general was to not worry about our primary dance and spend the whole week working on what would be our dance-off," he says. "But Karina didn't like that strategy."

"I actually did like it," says Smirnoff, "but we never had the time to do it, because we still needed to do some sort of an original [samba] dance."

"No, we didn't," argues DeGraw. "We could've gone out there, given each other a couple of high fives, just stand there for a minute and a half and say, 'See you guys at the "duel."' And then come out and just kill it."

There is an unspoken rule in reality show competitions - whether it be Survivor or Celebrity Apprentice - that in order to win, you don't play the game, you play the show. DeGraw didn't beat Dancing at its own game - but somebody else might.

"Dancing With The Stars": Gavin DeGraw Ballroom Dances From

There was some expectation in the air until Tuesday, "Dancing with the Stars" results show. Because there was a dance-off. This will lead to a kiss-off, at least, the star crossed couple.

This is Gavin DeGraw was supposed to be a farewell kiss, of course, will not be a surprise to many. However, the kiss-off, which really got the audience in the mood to come, when Maria Menounos and Derek Hough have been invited to renew their salsa the night before.

They are criticized for, yes, actually kissing while dancing. Thus, during their recovery, Hugh threw himself on the podium, and judges have tried to put it on Carrie Ann Inaba puckerdom instead. It seemed to connect with the left ear. Menounos, to keep up, then rode Bruno Tonioli and managed to contact both cheeks. And if the impeccable reputation of the family television was restored until the next episode of "The Simpsons."

Meanwhile, we must prepare for what would be two pairs, in fact, to dance on their mental health. I have in mind their safety.

An intimate film ever shown in this exhibition, there is just how much time they spend encouraging professionals stars. Tell them, before they dance, they are proud of them. They talk to them during the dance, they got it. They say that after the dance they are always proud of them. This, despite the errors, mistimings and then fly that blows from time to time in the eyeballs.

Soon, Maria Menounos, Melissa Gilbert and Gladys Knight all said that they would not be part of the dance duel.

"What we're trying to preserve the integrity of the dance," said Len Goodman dancing duel. He was referring to the great dancers like Sabrina Bryan and Kristin Cavallari, who was sent packing is still too early to viewers who were too short-sighted.

Gavin DeGraw explained by a brief break, he already knew, "the time of Alcatraz".

Speaking of feeling abandoned, trains and Selena Gomez made for the masses of prisoners - though the process seemed to be singing a little more than Gomez.

Singing is very happy in the minutes that were Katherine Jenkins, William Levy, and Donald Driver, who said that they would return in Week Motown. Wait a week ago on Motown "Dancing with the Stars"? But, of course. Do you remember the Four Tops are the quickstep.

"Be like a tiger," Kim Johnson whispered Jaleel White before the dance. While viewers may not have been so inhumane to put a tiger in a duel of the dance.

"I can tell you a secret," whispered Karina Smirnoff DeGraw, before trying to dance in unison. Of course, DeGraw said. "I farted." Some say that it was the most flavorful of their contribution as DeGraw, who began the samba in the canoe was drifting through the night. Yes, paddleless canoeist said that he would not sing for his supper. He danced on his dinner.

Roshon Fegan said that he will be around for another week. Who left the White Tiger and slow Draw DeGraw fight.

The nice thing is that they are dancing together. Thus, the judges carefully compare the two that were really the most deserving.

Before the match, DeGraw explained politely that white is better. He went out and proved. His cha-cha, cha, to be charitable, consisting of his stay on his knees, while the Smirnoff was trying to impress the judges, and then standing still while the Smirnoff was trying to impress the judges.

White and Johnson danced for a few seconds before DeGraw and Smirnoff even moved. It was not a fight. He was a man with two guns, they all point in one eye.

DeGraw was not anything, but what he was trying to do lately. Unfortunately, he is trying to become a singer on the stage of which consists of him sitting at the piano.

The judges tried to be good. But they were unanimous in taking off their hats and DeGraw wishing well.

The next week, Temptations, Martha Reeves and Smokey Robinson actually provide the music. Yes, live.

Maybe, DeGraw would stay and offer a few choruses - in particular, however, to avoid the "Songs of My Tears". "Dancing in the Street".

Sunday 15 April 2012

Giants Season is Probably Close to Brian Wilson

Brian Wilson says his season is likely over.

The San Francisco Giants' bearded and boisterous closer said before Sunday's series finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates that he will probably have elbow-reconstruction surgery, ending his season with only a save. An MRI showed the structural damage.

Wilson says he will seek at least one other opinion and probably two, including from the renowned orthopedist Dr. James Andrews, who performs Tommy John elbow-reconstruction surgeries.

The 30-year-old Wilson, led the majors with 48 saves in 2010, already had one Tommy John surgery during college. The three-time All-Star right-hander complained of discomfort in the elbow Friday and was sent for tests.

The Presence of Brian Wilson Will be Missed

News came down on Saturday and it was not very good: an MRI right elbow Brian Wilson revealed structural damage to the starter of the season in jeopardy.

San Francisco Giants will close one or two other opinions, but if they move to their second surgery Tommy John - he was the one playing in college for LSU - it is not surprising. Wilson said that he would often throw as hard as he can, until his arm falls off, well, it seems, this time finally arrived.

This is a huge loss for the Giants, of course. ESPN Steve Berthiaume points indicates that Wilson has recorded 164 saves since becoming a full time team closer in 2008, two more than Mariano Rivera. He was the leader of the team in the 2010 title of World Series, intense presence, which appear in the ninth inning to record a 48-key MLB games this season. Wilson has been used successfully in the spotlight in October to become one of the most recognizable baseball (that marks the beard, of course). His antics provided the perfect fodder for the Big League Stew on more than one occasion, when he was put to the ESPYs to stop, angering the enemy with Taco Bell advertising or blow innocent water coolers.

(A few favorites while we are at: Wilson, dressed as a sea captain, a new air slogans, paying tribute to his late father with a record gift of the Air Force, raging with YouTube Star, Keenan Cahill and complaints about his drawing distracting orange shoes. )

The flow of pleasure comes to an end, however, if the worst fears were confirmed. The same goes from San Francisco to show off body without any problems. Wilson is only 30 and still a lot of time to return, but the history of pitchers return from Tommy John surgery second is less than encouraging. I know some people do not enjoy watching Brian Wilson on the field and outside it, as some of us, but it's still sad to see the entertainment during the baseball off its path.

UPDATE 1-At least Five Tornadoes in Oklahoma, That The Book of The U.S. Plains

Rescue and clean-up efforts were underway across the Midwest on Sunday after dozens of tornados tore through the region, killing at least five people in Oklahoma, leaving thousands without power in Kansas and damaging up to 90 percent of the homes and buildings in one small Iowa town.

Storms skipped across what is often called "Tornado Alley" in the U.S. Central and Southern Plains, but the high winds and dozens of tornados mostly struck rural areas, sparing the region from even worse damage.

The stormy weekend isn't over yet for the Midwest - there is a moderate risk of more "significant" tornadoes later Sunday afternoon from southeast Minnesota through a large part of Wisconsin and northeast Iowa, according to National Storm Prediction Center meteorologist Greg Dial.

Damaging thunderstorms are also predicted from Minnesota south to Texas into Sunday night, according to AccuWeather.com.

Earlier Sunday, a twister struck the northwest Oklahoma city of Woodward, where storm sirens failed to sound after lightning apparently disabled its warning system, Mayor Roscoe Hill said.

A total of 29 people were treated at Woodward Regional Hospital, chief executive officer Dave Wallace said. Of these, five were in critical condition and moved to other hospitals.

Two children died at a mobile home park in Woodward, a town of 12,000 people, while two adults were killed in a small community just outside the city limits, Hill said. Details of the fifth death were not immediately known, said Keli Cain, spokeswoman for Oklahoma Emergency Management.

"This thing took us by surprise," Hill said. "It's kind of overwhelming."

Woodward city manager Alan Riffel told CNN that all the missing people had been accounted for, and that 89 homes and 13 businesses had been destroyed.

A tornado that struck Woodward in April 1947 still ranks as the deadliest in Oklahoma history, with 116 people killed, according to the National Weather Service.

In tiny Thurman, Iowa, population 250, an estimated 75 to 90 percent of the town's buildings and homes were damaged or destroyed by the storm, Freemont County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Crecelius said. Only minor injuries were reported.

98 TORNADOES

The National Storm Prediction Center had an unofficial count of 98 tornadoes in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Oklahoma, starting Saturday morning and going until early Sunday.

In Kansas, Governor Sam Brownback declared a state of emergency as officials assessed storm damage.

No deaths or serious injuries were reported in Kansas, but about 11,000 people were reported without power, most of them around Wichita, Sharon Watson, a spokesperson for the state's National Guard and emergency services, said in a news release.

The storm damaged a hangar at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita and destroyed several homes around the area, authorities said.

Storm chaser Brandon Redmond, a meteorologist with the Severe Weather Alert Team, said the twister passed over his vehicle and lifted it 2 feet (60 cm) off the ground in an industrial area south of Wichita, the state's second-largest metropolitan area after the Kansas City metro area.

"The tornado literally formed over our vehicle," he told Reuters. "I've never been that scared in my life. ... We had power flashes all around us and debris circulating all around the vehicle, sheet metal, parts of a roof, plywood."

Sedgwick County Commission Chairman Tim Norton said the tornado missed downtown Wichita and heavily populated neighborhoods and passed through areas to the south and east where there are manufacturing businesses and mobile home parks.

"With the storms we saw coming our way, it could have been much worse," Norton said. "We lucked out."

The damage included a Spirit Aerosystems production facility that manufactures fuselages for Boeing's 7-series airplanes. A Spirit spokesman said the facility was shut down on Sunday after a tornado damaged the roof and knocked out power, but the company hoped to have the plant running again soon.

"We do believe that the majority of the operational capabilities and facilities are intact," spokesman Ken Evans said.

A Boeing spokesman said the company had been in touch with Spirit to assess the situation.

The U.S. tornado season started early this year, with twisters already blamed for 62 deaths in 2012 in the Midwest and South, raising concerns that this year would be a repeat of 2011, the deadliest tornado year in nearly a century.

Some 550 people died in tornadoes last year, including 316 killed in an April outbreak in five Southern states, and 161 people in Joplin, Missouri, the following month.

Nats Pay Tribute to Jackie Robinson Day

The Nationals took part in a league-wide celebration of Jackie Robinson Day by honoring the first African-American player in Major League Baseball. Before the game, the Nationals had a trivia show with fans about Robinson.

The team also recognized the Jackie Robinson Scholars program prior to the series finale against the Reds.

Robinson was the first player to break baseball's color barrier and bring the Negro Leagues' electrifying style of play to the big leagues in 1947. He quickly became one of the game's top draws, most daring baserunner and a symbol of hope to millions of Americans. The Brooklyn Dodgers won six pennants in Robinson's 10 seasons, and he was named National League Most Valuable Player in 1949. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962.

Because the league-wide tribute officially took place Sunday, the anniversary of Robinson's barrier-breaking debut, all Nationals players wore Robinson's No. 42.

Nationals right-hander Edwin Jackson is one person who appreciates what Robinson did for him.

"He is the reason we are able to play today," Jackson said. "Without him, who knows where we would be in the game, how long it would have taken to open up doors for African Americans to play baseball. To endure the things he endured, all the death threats, everybody hated him, he still continued to play. It says a lot."

Former Nat Harris likes what he sees in DC

Reds infielder/outfielder Willie Harris is not surprised the Nationals are off to a great start. Entering Sunday's action, Washington was 7-2 and in first place in the National League East.

Harris said it helps that the Nationals have added a leader in the clubhouse in Mark DeRosa, and an experienced bench.

"They have the role players on the bench. Those guys are solid doing it -- DeRosa, [Xavier] Nady, [Roger] Bernadina if you need somebody to steal a base. They have a great team. They designed it well. It's going to be exciting to see those guys. I just wish them the best. Hopefully, they will continue to play well."

Harris also credits manager Davey Johnson for the good camaraderie in the Nationals' clubhouse.

"He has been in the game for a long time. He can look at a player and tell if they are in the game or spaced out somewhere," Harris said. "He has an edge over some managers. He and [Reds manager] Dusty Baker are pretty much the same managers. They are both icons. Davey knows what he is doing over there. He just a great guy to talk to, and great guy to be around. Those guys love playing for him. You can see it."

Harris knows the Nationals well. He played for the Nationals from 2008-10 and was considered one of the better bench players they've had in recent years.

Storen looking forward to rejoining 'pen

Entering Sunday's action, the Nationals' bullpen had a 1.98 ERA with two saves. The bullpen will be even better once closer Drew Storen returns from his right elbow injury.

After getting a bone chip removed from his right elbow this past week, Storen is not expected back until right before the All-Star break.

"It's going to be a lot of fun," Storen said about his return. "The tough part is that it's not easy being patient and seeing those guys have so much fun. But it's good being around it and seeing how much fun they are having. It's definitely a lot of fun to watch."

Saturday 14 April 2012

Review Revue: Three Stooges a cabin in the woods, The Castle

This weekend at the multiplex, we’ve got two Howards and a Fine (the Farrelly Brothers’ update of “The Three Stooges”), a spooky rural dwelling (“The Cabin in the Woods,” written by cult-favorite Joss Whedon), and an outer space prison riot (“Lockout,” starring Guy Pearce). Find out what the critics have to say.

“The Three Stooges”

If anyone could update the Three Stooges’ brand of violently stoopid slapstick for the 21st century, it would be the Farrelly Brothers. And while critics say they’re helped immeasurably by the uncanny performances by Sean Hayes, Chris Diamantopoulos, and Will Sasso as Larry, Moe, and Curly, “The Three Stooges” is ultimately a not-bad comedy with some decent gags and a little too much filler. In their attempts to save the financially-strapped orphanage where they were raised, the Stooges get mixed up in a murder plot and find themselves involved in a reality show. “The Three Stooges” is currently at 47 percent on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer; check out some of the reviews here:

Rotten: “While a good part of the picture reached my submerged Stooges person and made him laugh, too much of it just didn’t connect at all.” — Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune

Rotten: “The problem is that you feel the Farrellys’ attention to detail may have gotten in the way of the larger mission — to create a workable movie around the central performances.” — Gary Thompson, Philadelphia Daily News

Fresh: “Don’t be a numbskull and write off Peter and Bobby Farrelly’s remake of ‘The Three Stooges’ before seeing it. This is a more than reasonable facsimile of the comedy act that launched 1,000 emergency room visits.” — Steve Persall, Tampa Bay Times

Fresh: “It’s a concept that shouldn’t work at all. But — who’da thunk it? — it’s better than a hammer to the head.” — Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News

“The Cabin in the Woods”

Plenty of filmmakers have attempted to wring laughs out of horror clichés, but critics say few have pulled off that tricky balance with as much energy and aplomb as writer Joss Whedon and director Drew Goddard have in “The Cabin in the Woods,” a twisty, gory, funny, and thoroughly original horror hybrid. As the title implies, the movie tells the tale of a group of teens who abscond to a rural retreat, where scary things happen; to say any more would ruin the surprise. “The Cabin in the Woods” is Certified Fresh at 91 percent on the Tomatometer; read what the critics have to say here:

Fresh: “A dazzling blend of scary movie clichés and self-referential callouts subverted by a mind-warping twist that the writers roll out slowly from the beginning rather than saving for a conventional 11th-hour gotcha!” — Maitland McDonagh, Film Journal International

Fresh: “‘Cabin’ goes beyond the parody of the ‘Scream’ franchise into darker, richer territory.” — Mary F. Pols, Time Magazine

Fresh: “Whedon and Goddard aren’t just having a fun little go at tired horror movie conventions — they’re trying to nuke the entire genre.” — Jen Yamato,Movieline

Rotten: “‘Cabin’ is so bent on switcherooing the heck out of us that it ends up resembling a TV soap.” — Chris Hewitt, St. Paul Pioneer Press

“Lockout”


“Lockout”‘s premise — “Escape from New York” in space – sounds pretty promising. Unfortunately, critics say while the movie has a few dumb thrills and a hard-boiled performance from Guy Pearce, it’s also silly and wildly illogical. Pearce stars as a disgraced government agent who’s tasked with rescuing the president’s daughter from an outer space prison that’s engulfed by rioting. “Lockout” is currently at at 34 percent on the Tomatometer; read what the critics have to say here:

Rotten: “Movies like this are supposed to be ridiculous on some level. It’s part of the fun. But, dang.” — Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic

Rotten: “At a certain point, the pic’s unpretentious B-movie style, like its generic and uninformative title, seems to indicate a simple lack of ambition.” — Justin Chang, Variety

Rotten: “Too serious to be a parody and too stupid to be a viable action pic, ‘Lockout’ floats like space junk in the final frontier.” — Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly

Fresh: “‘Lockout’ isn’t high art, but it’s ridiculous fun.” — James Rocchi, Boxoffice Magazine

Even The Three Stooges to The Second Violins

Diminish the Three Stooges, if you want, you directed. Reject their films with a wave of fatigue your Gauloise smoldering. But give them this: Moe, Larry, Curly and Shemp inhabited world completely on their own, a place where surreal cream pies can fly, and blows to the head was never drawn blood.

The Stooges continued their violent safer world for decades, starting with the short comedy house in the 1930s and continuing into the era of television. But they gradually slip Stoogeland as hollow Atlantis, dummy - that is, until he lifted the Farrelly Brothers film, a tribute to this week's "Three Stooges".

But what about all that threatening a cup sitting on a sizzling waffle? And all the girls, who fell to Larry sassy hair, as if it were drawn? And all the others living in this crazy house in black and white, delivery and collection in a quick, go home and return in the morning to do it again? Sometimes the best features did not go further: "Hey you, Come back!" Or: "Why should I be."

In other words: What are the puppets of The Stooges?

Play ladies and thugs, judges and juries, police and nurses, and merchants, and mad scientists, people unfamiliar Columbia Pictures were worth less than their control Shakespearean canon of their ability to spit take. I would like to hear your update Agincourt, King Henry. Indeed. But for this scene, when Moe hits you over the head with a wrench, you cross your eyes, fix his knees and collapsed on the frame.

These character actors struggled for decades, cheap shorts two coils, which lasted from 15 to 18 minutes. And as these charges were in the service of home theater to the main function of these players were in the service of Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Howard and Shemp Howard, who intervened to help his younger brothers, when illness forced Curly retired in 1946.

(Yes, we know about the later years, Joe Besser, send letters to perturbations in the journal Cahiers du Cinema, Paris, France).

No matter how thick Vernon Dent, for example, it was clear from the outset as a credible actor in silent film comedy, Mack Sennett studio. Here he is now making comics "slow burn" in dozens of films short Stooges: "Guest laughing" in "Three Little sew and sew" (1939), "Balbo Magician" in the "Boy Loco well" (1942), King Arthur in the "domino Round Table "(1948).

Regardless of the sculpture by Christine McIntyre was a classic beauty and voice. Here she is now putting to use her musical talents by singing "Voices of Spring" in the "Micro-phonies" (1945). In 1950 she appeared in only six Stooges two winders, none of them will never be mentioned next to "Citizen Kane": "Hugs and cups." "Dopey Dicks", "Three ham on rye.".

McIntyre, in Nogales, Arizona, probably did not come to Los Angeles in hopes of one day appear in the "Three Pests in a mess" (1945). But, according to David J. Hogan, author of "Three Stooges FAQ: All about Left Eye-stinging face slaps, hollow head of geniuses" (Applause, 2011), she and the other henchmen in the Stooges were lucky that the film, given the complex and competitive, which was a golden Age of Hollywood.

"There was only enough room for the players of the characters in Hollywood at some point," Hogan said. "And it was also a stigma, if you have worked in both winders. It was a wonderful caste system."

He said that many of these actors, supporting actors cruets, and worked in two other comedies of the drums, which are mostly forgotten today. (When was the last time someone mentioned the Columbia shorts Vera Vague, or Andy Clyde?) But in the universe Stoogian limited, at least, those selected to live, but with pie on their faces.

This was made possible thanks in large part, to the passionate fans of almost all male members of which are cataloged and deconstruction seeks any time Stooge film. Mr. Hogan, for example, an analysis of each 190 shorts Stooges - with the "Woman Haters" (1934) to "Sappy Bull Fighters" (1959) - with scientific precision worthy of Truffaut.

Therefore, those who may forget to remember. Here, in the tiny Brouwer, a gangster reliable and Bud Jamison, a detective and reliable Symon Boniface, matron of a perfect society, and Connie Cézan, go to the gold digger with a silver dollar eyes.

Here, Emil Sitka, a tall, talented actor who was so omnipresent in Stoogeland it is sometimes called the "fourth Stooge". His greatest pride of the time, "Brideless Bride" (1947), was angry when he played the magistrate, who says over and over again, "Keep your hands and doves" - even after being crowned in the organs of a bird cage is required.

His tombstone, incidentally, includes a "hands in anticipation, you're in love." Input

And finally, here's Joe Palma. In 1955, Shemp Howard died, and the Stooges have a contract with Columbia for a few short films. Decision: The processing of some short movie with a few new scenes that showed Moe, Larry - and Joe Palma, as Shemp dressed but appear only in the back or side.

We can say that the work of Palma, say, "Boom in the Harem" (1956), is a tribute to all those who work the secondary inhabit a strange world, which was Stoogeland. This is because it is not easy to play Shemp. It was a Shemp.

Cory Booker Told to Risk Their lives in a Dramatic Rescue Fire Near Newark

At 9:30 p.m., the call came — a fire at 433 Hawthorne Ave.

At 9:35, when Newark firefighters arrived, they saw Mayor Cory Booker. He was doubled over, struggling to breathe. Rescue workers immediately treated him with oxygen.

But by 10:15, Booker, his right hand singed by second-degree burns, was tweeting that he had just saved his next door neighbor, Zina Hodge, from a kitchen fire and was on his way to University Hospital.

Though firefighters doused the flames in short order Thursday night, Booker, who also suffered smoke inhalation, fanned a conflagration of media attention today, elevating his social media cachet from the Oprah-dubbed "rockstar mayor" to somewhere between Chuck Norris and Superman.

Booker gave a handful of interviews Thursday night, then appeared on on "CBS This Morning" today. After that, he summoned dozens of reporters back to Hawthorne Avenue for a press conference in front of the charred house.

Booker’s act of heroism was the latest in a series of well-publicized feats the 42-year-old two-term mayor has performed — some of them verified, some more legendary.

There was the time he chased down a bank robber, the mysterious tale of "T-bone," the street thug whom Booker counseled to a better life and the well-tweeted story of the mayor personally clearing driveways for Newark residents after the 2010 blizzard.

But according to police officers, firefighters, witnesses and the family he saved, Booker’s brush with death was more than just shoveling snow.

Booker said that as he arrived home from a television interview Thursday night, he noticed a member of his security detail leading two women out of the house next to his South Ward apartment. The officer, Alex Rodriguez, told the mayor there was a fire in the second-floor kitchen.

Booker and two other officers helped the women out, then went inside the burning building where they found a man trying to douse a kitchen fire. The man was rushed downstairs, but Booker said Jacqueline Williams, one of the women who was already out, told him her daughter was still upstairs.

Instantly, Booker tried to run back in. But Rodriguez, charged with protecting the mayor, forbade it. He was quickly overruled.

"It wasn’t easy," Rodriguez said. "I was trying to hold his belt, but he gave me an order."

Fighting through flames and thick smoke, Booker tried to locate the 47-year-old Hodge.

"When I got through the kitchen and was searching for her and looked back an saw the kitchen in flames it was really a frightening experience for me," Booker, his hand still bandaged, told a throng of media outside the house this morning. "I didn’t think we were going to get out of there."

Booker said he fell to the floor, gasping for breath.

"Just as I was looking down, finding somewhere to breathe, I heard her," he said.

Then the mayor lifted the woman from her bed and carried her to safety.

"Every time I breathed in, I just a felt a blackness," he said. "We were just fighting for our lives."

Fire Director Fateen Ziyad said embers falling from the ceiling burned Hodge’s back and Booker’s hand.

The two-story home was boarded up today but did not appear to have sustained significant exterior damage. Ziyad said the cause of the fire was still under investigation but appeared to be the result of unattended cooking.

After the press conference, Williams arrived at the house.

"She’ll be well," Williams, 65, said of her daughter. "I’m very grateful."

Hodge remained in serious condition tonight at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, though her injuries are not considered life-threatening, Booker and other officials said.

Patrick McCoy, Hodge’s cousin, said his family has always been close with their high-profile neighbor.

"The mayor had a very good relationship with the family for all the years that he’s lived there," McCoy said.

He said his uncle was the man upstairs when the fire broke out and verified the ferocity of the blaze.

"He said the flames were just so high that he couldn’t go in," said McCoy, who owns Gino’s Pizzeria in Irvington. "For the mayor to risk his own life and go in there, that was heartfelt."

The Terror Felt Newark Mayor Cory Booker in The Heroic Rescue of a Fire

There was a time when Cory Booker, "thought we were not going to do."

"No Air", the mayor of Newark, New Jersey, said on Friday. "I could not breathe. Then I thought," If I can not find this woman a few minutes, we both die. ""

Less than 12 hours earlier, Booker rushed into the burning house and the neighbors brought the woman to safety, but only after arguing with the detective assigned to protect him.

"It was just one of those moments in life when you just decide to go to," said the 6-foot-3 former tight end at Stanford University.

A woman reported that, in stable condition Friday with second-degree burns on his neck and back. Booker received minor burns and smoke inhalation and was hospitalized briefly on Thursday night.

Already revered in some circles for his good deeds, Booker, 42, is a rising star in the Democratic Party and is considered a potential candidate for governor or U.S. Senate.

Instead of living in posh areas mayorly, he lives in one of the poorest areas of the city to better communicate with people. In 2010, a blizzard that paralyzed the city, Booker grabbed a shovel and began to work.

He is known to ride along with police on the night patrols to hunt down another flight of a suspect. Award Peabody Sundance Channel series "Brick City" documented their efforts to reduce crime in Newark and to address the financial problems. Profiles were published in Time and Esquire.

And when Conan O'Brien began taking potshots at Newark, Booker turned his back to a joke at the end talk shows at night, has been banned from Newark Liberty International Airport and demand a public apology. Operation "feud" ended when Booker O'Brien appeared on the show.

A scientist with a degree from Yale University, Rhodes, Stanford and Oxford, Booker and social media savvy and an interview with Oprah Winfrey and has attracted donations of $ 100 million school Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.

Booker past actions should not harm his political aspirations (if someone is accused of working on the fire).

The history of salvation, of course, exploded nationally night.

At one point Friday morning, "Cory Booker" was the most searched term on Google. NPR crowned the "heroes of today." The story also took the life of its own Twitter with a sense of humor, with the social media guys who are trying to outdo each other with makeup # corybookerstories (Example: ". When Chuck Norris has nightmares, Cory Booker, the light turns and with him while he sleeps. ")

At a press conference, Booker framed their experience with fire in religious terms. "I feel a sense of gratitude to God that I am here today," said the mayor, in office since 2006. "I have been notorious to come to Jesus moment in my life."

He said one of the detectives riding with him saw the first fire, and called the dispatcher for about 10 hours, then knocked on the window. Detective, Santos Duran, compared the situation to "a scene from the movie" Backdraft. " "

"It was really intense," said Duran.

The passengers did not know, two-story house was on fire. Koli Whitaker, retired truck driver who was sleeping, said a voice shouted that there was a fire - the voice of the mayor - he was awakened.

Whitaker said that the fire in the kitchen upstairs, and that he and the owner of the building tried to turn it off. But the water seemed to be worse, Whitaker said.

Lamar Hodge, who was at the bottom, said she heard her sister Zina, to call for help from above, behind the kitchen. Detective, Alex Rodriguez, the details of the security of City Hall in June, said he went to the second floor, just behind the Booker.

In addition, they heard cries Hodge Zina. By that time, Rodriguez said, fire up the wall and blow it through the ceiling, and they could not hear what he described as a small explosion.

Booker went to the kitchen. Rodriguez said he stopped him and the two "exchanged words."

"I said." I can not let you, it's my job, I have to watch out for danger, "Rodriguez recalled.

Booker tried to load it into the fire again, the detective said, and he has once again chosen mayor, this time to capture the belt. These two words were once again, Rodriguez said, and Booker, this time the situation noted in no uncertain terms.

"He gave me an order, and I respect," said Rodriguez, "was the order." Let go of me. ""

The smoke in the back room was so thick that he "did not see anything," the mayor said. He said that "scary" because he could not find Hodge, aged 47, in the first place.

Once he finds her, he said, raising his shoulders, "and ran as fast as I could through the kitchen, which was on fire, and Rodriguez, who helped me to take home."

The mayor downplayed the fact that he was a hero.

"I have a neighbor who has done what most of the neighbors will be, which leaps into action," he said, adding that with a nod to Rodriguez: "I think most people will have exactly the same, only difference is that I. was to convince someone to let me go, that he did his job to protect me. "

Coachella Gentle Sloshing Into The Pit Cold, Rain

This was supposed to be the year Coachella looked like “Project Runway.”

Instead, those in the thinner-than-usual first-day crowd at the Empire Polo Club created their own fashion statements out of plastic bags and beach blankets to protect themselves from the rain and cold.

Kelly Mack and Jen Bluschi of Los Angeles walked almost arm-in-arm under a beach blanket they were planning to sit on.

“It's very different from last year,” Mack said. “It was sweltering, and we were dying, and I was falling asleep. But this year, it's freezing, and I don't think I could fall asleep if I tried. I would settle for a happy medium, but I don't think it exists.”

This is the first time in Coachella history that the festival has stretched over two weekends. It's also the first time it has rained.

Although it sprinkled intermittently and temperatures dropped into the 50s, it wasn't enough to spoil the opening night party.

“I'm not disappointed,” said Alexis Pain of Los Angeles, who was wearing short pants and a sleeveless top. “I think it's really great except for the whole weather thing.”

Guys like Scott Douglas of Canada danced wildly without a shirt and in shorts.

Most festival goers said they weren't upset they bought tickets to the opening weekend instead of the second.

“It's more exciting the first weekend,” said Bluschi, “just because you don't know what you're getting. So you're getting it the first time instead of anticipating it too much.”

“Absolutely,” said Brenda Argueta of Anaheim, who was wearing a plastic body bag. “It's the original weekend! I brought clothing for super freezing cold and blazing hot, so I'm prepared for any kind of weather.”

Despite the unusual weather, it was still a typically diverse music festival with a positive vibe created by a carnival atmosphere.

The most consistently large crowds were for the electronic acts in the Sahara Tent, such as Afrojack, Madeon and SebastiAn, who brought an unusual level of creativity to an afternoon audience that would normally dance themselves sweaty.

But Gary Clark Jr., who has been ordained as the next great blues star, brought his crowd in the Gobi Tent to a similar state of enthusiasm with his shredding guitar solos. Clark, who says he has rehearsed with his band just a couple times all year, performed without a set list and showed both his soul and blues influences. He built his finale, “Bright Lights,” inspired by the Jimmy Reed classic, into one of the festival highlights.

Jarvis Cocker, lead singer of Pulp, had to work hard to get that response on the main Coachella stage for his '90s anthem, “Common People,” possibly because a VIP crowd was standing at the front of the stage.

The Black Keys sustained that crowd spirit by starting their set with a rousing version of their two-year-old “Howlin' For You,” one of more than a half-dozen hits in the supplemented duo's repertoire.

Arctic Monkeys, who recorded their 2009 album, “Humbug,” in Joshua Tree with part-time desert resident Josh Homme, put a harder edge to their early pop hit, “You Look Good On the Dance Floor,” and also introduced some strong new material, including their latest single, “R U Mine,” which closed their set.

Reggae legend Jimmy Cliff, performing with a 10-piece band and two back-up singers led by Rancid's Tim Armstrong, was in good voice and energy, but had trouble connecting with his audience except on the ironic “I Can See Clearly Now” with its references to clear skies and rain being gone.

There were 17 arrests Friday, including 14 alcohol-related violations, plus three cases for drug possession, according to the Indio Police Department.

Friday 13 April 2012

Ice Hockey: Capitals Need to Create More Scoring Chances Against The Bruins

On Hockey: Capitals need to create more scoring chances against Bruins: Washington, DC Thursday are quite optimistic because believe it will be a long series.

But they also have problems just skeptical enough to provide sufficient evidence for a strong case in front of the building.

Let's start with the fact that the right to Braden Holtby and his teammates.

No one knew how Holtby, the pressure of his first series start of the NHL. But after 22 years as a rookie 17 saves in the second period of Game 1, including two on the rich Peverley to Bruins blank is pressed on the power play, we now know. He is ready.

"We told you it would be a good goalie," Capitals forward Matt Hendricks said.

Holtby took the blame for the overtime winner, Chris Kelly, but as a veteran of the injured Tomas Vokoun once said, "if you do not score, it's hard to beat."

Capitals played a solid game in defense. Boston 3.17 goals per game was tied to a second place in the league in the regular season, but Tyler Seguin and the rest of the deep and diverse, "Bruins was limited to six or chances to score in 60 minutes plus.

In addition to blunting of the velocity Boston through the neutral zone and limit the space on the offensive end, the capital also blocked 22 shots, including nine in the first period. The effort was headed by Roman Hamrlik, who blocked five years, and Troy Brouwer, who beat four.

The optimistic atmosphere in the locker room guests at TD Garden, after the game will be just as important as everything that happened during the race. In the past playoffs, the capital, probably a crushing defeat for overtime work must be transferred into practice the next day and maybe for the next game.

It will not happen this time. In the unfamiliar role of underdog, they freely and confidently before the game after.

"We bent, but we did not break," Brooks Laich said. "In the third period, we have 9.3 shots, and I liked our chances going into overtime. Thus, a game, there is a lot of hockey left, and we return the rink is very pleased to return to the game 2. "

Ovechkin added: "We know we can play against them, there is nothing special, we just focus ..."

Now the issues of concern.

They need a way to have a better chance at an offensive set and forget. These nine chances to score, they have collected (17 shots) is not enough against Tim Thomas.

In Game 2, they will have more photos and the traffic in front of the reigning Vezina Trophy. Thomas stopped every puck, he clearly sees, but he tends to over-commit to the shots and easily excited, in particular, by contact in the crease.

"We just need to find ways [the puck] to the network and go online," forward Jay Beagle said. "This is a fat, dirty goals. It will not be pretty. We just need to find a way to more traffic, more and more pictures."

If a coach Dale Hunter ends his lines intact on the morning of Saturday, the Capitals' top unit of Ovechkin, Laich and Brouwer would be better.

Ovechkin, in particular, have to fight harder to make room for maneuver and get your wrist fatal shot as Zdeno Chara and the defenders and Dennis Seidenberg on the face of each shift to find. The first line is the only chance to score, it should be noted, was shot from Ovechkin in the third period, and he came up with Chara in the cross-checking penalty.

Ovechkin, Laich can help us better in the circle against Faceoff specialist Patrice Bergeron. Laich won only seven of the 26 tracks that are left behind Ovechkin the puck more than he was.

This can be a difficult decision for the capital: they tried to play Bruins physical bruises, but could not. Ovechkin convex game high seven hits, but he was on the receiving end of much, if not more. In the end, it was Bruins, winners in a row with the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers, the capital of the blow-40-29.

During a long series, which will take its toll.

"They have a ton of talent and how to slow down the body to" Bruins forward Brad Marchand said. "We have a physical team and if we play like we play our best hockey."

Capitals, meanwhile, is not far from their best.

Game 1 could go both ways. But if Ovechkin and hopes to win the series - and the answer to the skeptics - they have to go to my Saturday.

Julien, do Not Hesitate to Call For Corvo

In mid March, when Joe Corvo couldn’t find his way out of a suit and tie, Claude Julien was quick to note that the defenseman would be called upon again. The Bruins coach was correct.

Corvo was in the Game 1 lineup Thursday night at TD Garden. With Adam McQuaid (eye/head) sidelined indefinitely, Corvo got the nod for the stay-at-home defenseman’s position on the third pairing alongside Greg Zanon. He finished with 19 minutes 10 seconds of work in the Bruins’ 1-0 overtime win.

During the regular season, Corvo didn’t play at the consistent level the Bruins hoped he would. In 75 games, he had 4 goals and 21 assists. Corvo’s 25 points were second among Bruins defensemen after Zdeno Chara (12-40-52). But he didn’t deliver the offensive pop his bosses were seeking on the power play. On the man advantage, Corvo had 1 goal and 8 assists.

Corvo’s most troublesome area was his own zone. He especially struggled with his down-low coverage, both in the corners and in front of the net.

All of that, however, has been forgotten.

“I feel very confident,’’ Julien said before the game. “Everyone that we have here is very capable of playing. We’ve got one guy that’s going to be out for sure tonight in McQuaid. But the other seven, we can put any one of them in there. They’ve done a great job. If anything, I feel extremely confident.’’

Corvo proved his coach correct. In overtime, Corvo made a critical play to initiate the game-winning play. After Tim Thomas kicked out Marcus Johansson’s shot, Corvo collected the puck and rapped it off the right-side boards. Two passes later - Brian Rolston to Benoit Pouliot, Pouliot to Chris Kelly - the Bruins were enjoying a 1-0 OT win.

“Very happy,’’ Corvo said of seeing Kelly’s goal. “It’s one of those games that kind of scares you because they’re hanging in there, hanging in there. Their goalie’s playing well. You just don’t want to let them steal the first one. It was a relief.’’

Corvo is also more familiar with the Capitals than his teammates. On March 3, 2010, Washington acquired Corvo from Carolina for Brian Pothier, Oskar Osala, and a 2011 second-round pick. Corvo appeared in seven playoff games for the Capitals that year.

“They’ve always been a fast team and a skilled team,’’ Corvo said. “That hasn’t changed.’’

Depending on McQuaid’s situation, Corvo could fill the role played by Tomas Kaberle last year. Kaberle, paired mostly with McQuaid, saw plenty of time on the power play. But the coaches were careful to keep Kaberle away from dangerous matchups. Kaberle didn’t play on the penalty kill.

Corvo could be in a similar position. During practices leading up to Game 1, Corvo was on the point on the No. 1 power-play unit alongside Chara.

Assignment: Ovechkin  
 
During the three regular-season games he played against the Bruins, Alex Ovechkin went head-to-head with Chara and Johnny Boychuk. In Game 1, Ovechkin battled Dennis Seidenberg for the first time this year. In the second period, Seidenberg and Ovechkin came together in one of the most jarring smashes of 2011-12.

Seidenberg isn’t as punishing a hitter as Boychuk, but he was just as thorough as Chara during last year’s postseason run. Seidenberg’s toughness, positioning, and big-game capabilities make him a natural to play against Washington’s most potent sharpshooter. Chara and Seidenberg also got assistance from Patrice Bergeron, who was used in a matchup role.

In 17:34 of ice time, Ovechkin had just one shot. It came on the power play, when he teed up one of his trademark one-timers from the left circle. Thomas followed the play well and kicked out Ovechkin’s shot with his right pad.

“It’s two big, strong defensemen he has to go through, and probably one of the best two-way centermen in the league in Bergy,’’ said Julien. “He was good, but our guys were better tonight. We did a good job of minimizing that. He’s a big part of their offense.’’

Power play misfires

The Bruins went 0 for 4 on the power play. In the second period, during four-on-four play (David Krejci and John Carlson were sent off for roughing), the Bruins got a four-on-three man-advantage after Braden Holtby was whistled for roughing. Even with more space, the Bruins couldn’t find a weakness in Washington’s penalty kill.

“Our guys weren’t seeing much tonight,’’ said Julien. “There were some openings we could have used. We were dusting the puck a little too much versus shooting it. When we made some of those passes, some of those guys should have ripped a shot right away. Instead, we stopped and started looking for another play.’’

The Bruins went 0 for 21 on the power play in last year’s first round against Montreal.

Boychuk good to go

Boychuk shook off his left knee sprain and dressed for Game 1. He has been using a knee brace along with a heavy tape job. add Boychuk had one shot, two hits, and three blocked shots in 17:58 of ice time . . . At the end of the game, Krejci was hit by a pane of glass knocked loose by celebrating fans. Krejci fell to the ice, but got up and skated off on his own . . . Mike Mottau and Jordan Caron were Boston’s healthy scratches . . . Bergeron won 18 of 25 faceoffs (72 percent).

Capitals Slip Past Bruins in Overtime Thriller

The new decoration, Chris Kelly, a heavy padlocked chain he wore around his neck, scoring the winning goal in the first leg play-off in Boston on Wednesday night.

Message: Try not to be the weakest link

"It was not" Bruins goalie Tim Thomas Kelly after the goal on a long strike on goal 1:18 into overtime gave the Stanley Cup champions to defend a 1-0 victory over Washington in Game 1 of their first round playoff series.

"I had a good feeling he was going to go, and I had a good feeling about this guy who had the puck," said Thomas, the reigning Vezina and Conn Smythe Trophy winner. "I can say that it is something today. It was a detachment of some past me in practice, in recent days."

Thomas stopped all 17 shots he faced in Boston to win his sixth career shutout in the playoffs - four of them running for the championship in Boston in 2011. But it was adapted for the three periods goaltender Braden Holtby of the capital, third-stringer to debut in the playoffs because of an injury of Tomas Vokoun and Michal Neuvirth.

Holtby made 29 saves for the capital, and is always great, when Marcus Thomas Johansson returned from the legs, which began in the Bruins break. Brian Rolston has decreased by Benoit Pouliot, to clear the area, and he pushed it to Kelly.

At the top of the circle to the left of the playoffs, Kelly opened the Slapper who sailed on the glove Holtby for the game winner. What Kelly has earned the necklace, which took place last year's lucky charm, ragged, as the Bruins windbreaker returned to star in a game during their execution in accordance with the NHL franchise for the first time since 1972.

"It's always nice to finish early," said Kelly, who thought that the attack is deflected by a defender with a stick. "Goalkeepers are so good, I think it survived the wing and beat the goalkeeper is long gone. So I was pleasantly surprised when he saw him enter the "

Washington star Alex Ovechkin on the ice comforted Holtby, and Bruins celebrated their first victory in its quest to become the first champions of the Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings repeated in 1997-98.

2 games on Saturday at the TD Garden before the series moves to Washington for Games 3 and 4, Monday and Thursday.

"The next game will be different," Ovechkin said. "We know we can play against them. Holtby played a damn game. He was nervous, but once he made the first save, he calmed down."

Kelly, 31, had career highs with 20 goals and 39 points with a plus or minus 33 who was tied for third place in the league.

"Coaches talked about how he was the unsung heroes of this year," coach Claude Julien said the Bruins. "Scored 20 goals, the fact that he had never done before -. It was not always the same wing of the He created more than ever this year and was very solid defense."

Veteran NHL 21 games, only 21 Holtby moved in line with the Capitals because of a groin injury and Vokoun left leg injury on Neuvirth. He played only seven games this season, but he started five final 10 games of Washington and graduated with a 2.48 goals against average.

He helped the capital killed almost six minutes of consecutive man advantage late in the first and the beginning of the second period with a 4-for-3 Boston power plays late in the second.

"I was a little sloppy with some things, and these things I need to do better next game," he said. "Most importantly, I was not there for the boys, overtime, and I will definitely be better for him."

Note: The last two times these teams met in the playoffs, the winner went to the Stanley Cup finals. Bruins did in 1990, and the capitals in 1998. ... Dale Hunter, Washington directed his first game today, the NHL playoffs. As a player, a hunter was 42 goals and 76 programs with 729 penalty minutes and 23 battle staffs in 186 career playoff games with Quebec, Washington and Colorado. ... NCAA champion Boston College hockey team was honored during a break in the first period. ... Capitals, № 7 seed in the Eastern Conference, not to win a playoff spot until the last week of the season. They beat Boston in three of four games this season, including two trips to the Garden of TD.

Ann Romney and Hilary Rosen Valve: If the Obama Team Will Always be The First Speaker?

President and Michelle Obama and damage control Hilary Rosen fake comment about Ann Romney and stay at home mom. What happens the next time the Democratic judge misspeaks on camera?

The flap, Ann Romney could have unpredictable consequences for the Obama team.

When a Democratic activist Ann Romney dissed Hilary Rosen on Wednesday, saying she had "never worked a day in his life," the president, first lady, and countless other Democrats broke into the helmet and the condemned woman presumed GOP candidate Mitt Romney. Ms. Rosen apologized for his "poorly chosen" words.

So what happens the next time someone in the vast universe of Democratic strategists and experts cable unfortunate remark about a problem or a critical group of voters? Will President Obama and his surrogates need to intervene? And if they do not, that Obama be accused of tacit connivance comment?

Liberal columnist Jonathan Kepehart a test on Thursday. In the Washington Post blog called "selective indignation, Hilary Rosen v. Allen West," Mr. Kepehart statement raised a Republican congressman from Florida on Tuesday that he believes that there are "about 78 to 81 members of the Democratic Party who are members of the party Communist Party. "This is called progressive forum of the Congress, said a member of the West.

Of course, absurd demands, as the Kepehart. Maybe so ridiculous, does not deserve a response. But Kepehart scolds GOP leaders do not condemn the alleged McCarthy-la.

In practice, Obama and company can not get all the records with a key ally of the set in front of cameras is growing. They begin to resemble the children in the arcade game Whac-A-Mole.

But it is clear that the comment hit the nerve of the law Rozen, that Mr. Romney is essentially blocked in the Republican presidential nomination, and attention turned to the general election. Obama won big among women, and must maintain this advantage to win in November. In the left-hand comment, suggesting that Ms. Romney can not understand the struggle of women, because it did not work outside the home - Rosen presented a gift to Mr. Romney is right when he needs it.

Romney's campaign has followed a fundraising email titled He said: "If you're mom to stay home, the Democrats have a message for you" war on moms. ": You never worked a day in your life."

According to the latest census, about 1 in 4 women with children under 15 years do not work outside the home. This is a significant voting bloc - and most of them are not rich, like Ann Romney. Ms. Romney said Thursday that it had its own struggles, especially with his health.

In addition, Ms. Romney created an image as an attractive replacement of her husband, complete with stories about how exhausting it was to raise five boys. Polls show that his approval rating is much higher than the negative ease.

So, Obama has created an extraordinary comment Rosen PR on several levels: it was disrespectful to a large voting bloc, and disappeared after the wife of a candidate. The Obama team has pushed the panic button.

"I do not have much patience for comments about the wife of political candidates," he said.

First lady Michelle Obama has intervened in Twitter: "Every mother works a lot, and every woman deserves to be respected," she writes.

Rosen error, probably as big as a representative of Romney, Eric Fehrnstrom Etch-A-Sketch comment - if Rosen did not work for Obama. Nevertheless, she called a "war mom" debate continued to rage on Friday. The next time some expert Democratic mistakes on camera - and it certainly happens, everyone will be watching to see if it deserves a presidential response. And yes nor no, that will tell you about the priorities of Barack Obama.

Andrew Luck, RG3 Among Top Prospects to Attend 2012 NFL Draft

Record 26 top prospects have confirmed participation in the 2012 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall in New York, the NFL announced Thursday. This includes a record five players to BCS champion Alabama: safety Mark Barron, Dont'a Hightower linebacker, cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, Trent Richardson, running back and linebacker Courtney Upshaw.

Louisiana will be represented by three players, and Baylor, South Carolina, Southern California and Stanford will have two players in New York this year.

The complete list of players confirmed to attend this year's draft:

1. Mark Barron, S, Alabama
2. Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
3. Michael Brockers, DT, Louisiana State
4. Morris Claiborne, CB, Louisiana State
5. Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina
6. Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State
7. Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford
8. Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
9. Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina
10. Cordy Glenn, OT, Georgia
11. Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
12. Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama
13. Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech
14. Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina
15. Matt Kalil, OT, Southern California
16. Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
17. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
18. Shea McClellin, LB, Boise State
19. Nick Perry, DE, Southern California
20. Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis
21. Rueben Randle, WR, Louisiana State
22. Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
23. Devon Still, DT, Penn State
24. Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
25. Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama
26. Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

The NFL draft returns to prime time this year, with the first round taking place on Thursday, April 26. The event begins at 8 p.m. ET with the selection of the first round. Rounds 2-3 will take place on Friday, April 27 starting at 7 p.m. ET, and Rounds 4-7 will take place on Saturday, April 28 starting at noon ET. Watch and follow all of the excitement of the 2012 NFL Draft on NFL Network and NFL.com.

Osi Doesn’t like Being a Backup to Tuck And Pierre-Paul

Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora had a good postseason, recording 3.5 sacks and helping his team win the Super Bowl. But that doesn’t mean he’s happy with his situation.

Umenyiora was not in the starting lineup for any of the Giants’ four postseason games, and even though he got plenty of playing time behind Justin Tuck and Jason Pierre-Paul in the Giants’ defensive line rotation, he says that’s not enough.

I don’t like being a backup, I can tell you that,”

Umenyiora told the New York Daily News. “It worked for us last year, but I was coming of an injury or whatever. But I see myself as a starter in the NFL. I see myself as a Pro Bowl type player. That’s the way I see myself.”

Umenyiora said he “didn’t complain” last season, and “I’m not complaining now.” But he might start complaining if he spends time on the bench behind Tuck and Pierre-Paul this year.

“I don’t like being on the bench,” Umenyiora said. “I’m not OK with that.”

NFL teams frequently rotate their defensive linemen to keep everyone fresh, and for the Giants, it’s great that they have three defensive ends who are good enough to start. At least, it would be great if they could do it and keep everyone happy. Umenyiora, however, won’t be happy if he’s looking up at anyone else on the depth chart.

Umenyiora is also unhappy with his contract, which pays him $3.975 million this season. He is not expected to participate in the team’s voluntary offseason program, which begins on Monday. There’s been talk that the Giants might trade Umenyiora, but the best way for Umenyiora to get what he wants may be to play out the final year of his deal, play well, and then hit free agency next year and find some other team that’s willing to make him a starter, and pay him like a starter.

Thursday 12 April 2012

Christmas Nerlens Picks Kentucky

Nerlens Noel, the No. 1 recruit in the ESPNU 100, committed to Kentucky over Georgetown and Syracuse on ESPNU's "Signing Day Special" on Wednesday night.

"It was the toughest decision of my entire life," the 6-foot-10 center from Everett, Mass., said. "Georgetown and Syracuse are great programs."

However, in the end it was John Calipari, Kentucky's winning ways and the rabid fan base that swayed Noel to Big Blue Nation.

"Coach Cal recruited me real hard. He is a good person who cares about his players, he helps them reach their goals and the team's goals," Noel said. "They play as a unit and are very unselfish. Also the fans were incredible on my visit. They are behind the program 100 percent."

In three years, Calipari has taken Kentucky to two Final Fours and is fresh off a national championship, the eighth in school history, which certainly didn't hurt the school's chances of landing the nation's top high school prospect.

"It opened my eyes to what a good job they do developing young talent and winning it all," Noel said.

SportsNation: College basketball Top 25

SportsNation Andy Katz has come up with his early rankings of the top 25 college basketball teams for 2012. Where do you have them ranked?
• Cast your votes!

Noel joins fellow ESPNU 100 prospects Alex Poythress (Clarksville, Tenn./Northeast), Archie Goodwin (Little Rock, Ark./Sylvan Hills) and Willie Cauley (Spearville, Kan./Olathe Northwest), giving Kentucky its fourth consecutive No. 1 recruiting class.

"It's a big family down there and I am excited to be a part of it," Noel said.

Noel wants to make his own mark and help Kentucky win another national championship.

"That's the plan."

Christmas Nerlens land in Lexington

Kentucky struck gold again. John Calipari and the Wildcats hit a grand slam with a statement that the seven-foot Christmas Nerlens wear the uniform of Kentucky.

Why is this guy so important? Every time you lose a quality player, Anthony Davis, you need to recharge. Wildcats lose a lot of team championships, as well as create a class of dynamite Calipari, led by Noel in the middle. Then, add Alex Poythress, Archie Goodwin and Willie Koli Big Blue Nation and smiles again. Mr. Calipari can recruit hard.

These guys will be vital contributors, but Christmas is a star a star. His shot-blocking ability is unprecedented, I saw myself in the tournament Palms in Fort Myers, Fla., and was very impressed. Christmas as a good shot-blocker, as I've ever seen on a school ranks.

How do I put it on the college level? Only time will tell, but I think it will be a great success in Lexington.

Look for Kentucky will again be dynamite. Wow, fans of this region has something to celebrate. Louisville Cardinals' Rick Pitino will be special with Peyton Siva, Gorgui Dieng and Chane Behanan have to go back. Of Indiana has 10 recruiting class and the return of Cody Zeller and Christian Watford and both said no money from the NBA to return to Bloomington.

They had three of the five best teams in the preseason rankings. Good times are coming to the Lexington, Louisville and Bloomington, baby!

It is also said to send greetings to Ben Howland has UCLA as a kind of quality talent, which he loved, was when the Bruins Kevin Love, Russell Westbrook and company.

Bring to class, led by Muhammad Shabazz and Kyle Anderson is really special. That duo will be. The universality of Mr. Anderson, as he showed to play for Bob Hurley at St. Anthony. Then add Muhammad, a prolific scorer who put points on the board.

There is much to celebrate in Westwood after the fiasco of last season.

Pac-12 will return to Los Angeles and Arizona dandy sporting layers high.

College basketball in the news big time these autographs.

George Zimmerman will be Charged in Connection with The Death of Martin Trayvon

George Zimmerman charged over Trayvon Martin's death: Six weeks after police admitted in Florida, that he shot Trayvon Martin, 17, and was released on bail, George Zimmerman faces life in prison if convicted.

Mr. Zimmerman said after the murder of Trayvon in the subdivision in Florida in late February that he shot the teenager in self-defense during a physical struggle.

Trayvon supporters, including prominent leaders of the African-American community, argue that it may become a victim of a hate crime to race the following information on the background of Mr. Zimmerman and the release of vote recorded 911 calls that followed Trayvon Zimmerman said, despite a request refusal of the operator.

Mr. Zimmerman, 28, captain of the Latin American region shows, called 911 while driving to report suspicious behavior after spotting Trayvon wear a shirt with the "hood" over his head.

"Man, it seems that it is up to no good - he is on drugs or something," he said.

Despite advice from the operator, Mr. Zimmerman goes out of his car and walked Trayvon a few minutes before shooting.

Supporters of Mr. Zimmerman said he fired in self defense after he allegedly attacked Trayvon, broke his nose and forcing it to land.

During shooting, Trayvon back of the shop units in the rain in Sanford, Florida, where the bride's father lived.

For a few moments before his death, he spoke to his girlfriend on his mobile phone.

The murder caused a heated debate not only about the possible motives of Mr. Zimmerman, as well as the controversial Florida "stand their ground" law that allows people to use force against force, and then pull self-defense if they feel threatened.

Critics of the law say it has nothing to do with social security coverage and brand to promote the use of firearms.

Before his arrest yesterday, Mr. Zimmerman has been on the run. He feared for his life after thousands of angry protestors took to the streets of Florida refusal to press charges against police during the shooting.

Florida Special Prosecutor Angela Corey confirmed at a press conference yesterday that Mr. Zimmerman was in custody, but refused to reveal his whereabouts for security reasons.

Despite weeks of pressure on the authorities in Florida to take action, Ms. Corey said that the debate did not influence the decision to entrust Mr. Zimmerman. "I can tell you that we have not taken this decision lightly," she said.

While the charge of second-degree murder carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, as a rule, are used in the states of the United States, where the murder occurs without evidence of premeditation or during a physical confrontation.

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced yesterday by the Ministry of Justice was the case after the start of its own investigation last month.

"If we find evidence of a potential federal crime to civil rights, we will take appropriate action," said Mr. Holder.

Barack Obama has stayed away from the entrance to the debate about racial case as the first African American president of the United States, except for a brief, carefully worded observation that "if I had a son, he looked Trayvon".

Man found Mr. Zimmerman was seen in the video yesterday, accompanied by the authorities in the Central Florida Reception Seminole County.

Zimmerman's Second-Degree Murder Charge in Shooting Trayvon Martin

George Zimmerman, Ward 28 years old watchman, who shot Trayvon Martin on February 26 in Sanford, Fla., was charged with second-degree murder in the death of 17 years. Zimmerman was transferred to a prison Seminole County, according to reports, and held without bail.

"Moments ago, we talked on the phone with Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton," Angela Corey, a special prosecutor investigating the case, said at a news conference in Jacksonville. "Three weeks ago, our team has promised prosecution of parents of a sweet we get answers to their questions, no matter where our search for truth leads us. And it is this desire for justice for Trayvon which led us to that night."

"We have not taken this decision lightly," she said, refusing to discuss details of the investigation. "We have no further pressure or at the request ... We are law enforcement officers. We apply the law."

Zimmerman and went in custody in Florida, Corey said, but did not disclose where he is detained.

According to CNN, Zimmerman left Florida, but returned when he learned that he will be charged. Zimmerman will now be transferred to a prison Seminole County, Corey said.

The announcement was made on the day after Zimmerman's lawyers said that they fell so, because their client is no longer communicate with them. (On Sunday, Zimmerman started a website for donations to his legal expenses and life). According to Corey, Zimmerman retained new counsel "in the last hour."

The lawyer, Mark O'Mara said Zimmerman would plead not guilty, and I hope that the judges can see links.

"He was concerned about what happened," said O'Mara. "In truth, it must be terrible to not be able to go to the 7-Eleven or in a store. This will break any of us."

O'Mara said that because of the "strong emotions" involved in the case, Zimmerman is likely to be held in pretrial detention.

O'Mara was a television analyst during the trial Casey Anthony.

Zimmerman told police he was attacked by Martin and acted in self defense.

Earlier this week, Corey announced the case will not go to a grand jury.

"There was a lot of advertising," said Corey, expressing concern about the potential prejudice to the jury. "It is unfortunate that so many facts came out, and wrong."

"Forty-five days, Trayvon Martin was killed," Rev. Al Sharpton said in a separate press conference in Washington, surrounded by parents Martin. "No one was detained. Chief of Police said, after considering evidence that was not to stay. Her parents refused to leave him there."

"Today," Sharpton continued, "Maybe America can come together and say that facts are important when it comes to death.

"It's not a night partying," he added. "This is a night that should not stand in the first place."

"This is justice, fairness, justice," Ben Crump, family lawyer said Martin. "If we just had our land, we can make a difference."

His parents, Martin spoke briefly at a press conference.

"We just wanted to arrest, and we've got," said Fulton. "Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Jesus ... My heart has no color. It's not white, not black red. And I just want to thank you from my heart to your heart."

"We will continue to walk by faith," Tracy said Martin. "And we're going in March and March to March properly done."

George Zimmerman Was Charged in The Death of Martin Trayvon

Special Prosecutor in Florida accused of Neighbourhood Watch volunteers George Zimmerman to second-degree murder Wednesday in the shooting death of black teenager Trayvon Martin arms, asked the protesters to move some of the week in the case has riveted the racist United States.

Zimmerman, who was a fugitive, was arrested in Seminole County jail in Florida after turning himself, officials say. His lawyer said he did not plead guilty, and the news that a hearing to set bail may be taken as early as Thursday.

Special Prosecutor Angela Corey Zimmerman to load the solution, which is white and Hispanic, came 45 days after the shot in a quiet closed in central Florida Sanford.

The police refused to arrest Zimmerman, based on his account and self-contradictory Florida's "stand on his" law, which caused civil rights demonstrations across the country.

"I can tell you that we have not taken this decision lightly," Cory said at a press conference in Jacksonville.

"Let me emphasize that we have not pursued under the pressure of the public upon request. We are still based on the facts of the particular case, and the laws of the State of Florida."

Martin, 17, was on his way back to the house of the bride from her father when Zimmerman said it and thought it suspicious, call the police, and to challenge their advice in accordance with the teenager.

Zimmerman told police that he returned to his car, when Martin was attacked, putting him a blow on the nose. Martin then repeatedly criticized the head against the concrete sidewalk Zimmerman, Zimmerman's brother and father. Zimmerman then took out a 9mm pistol, was allowed to carry and shot Martin once in the chest.

Witnesses heard screams for help, and then shot, sounds that were captured on the 911 emergency call neighbors. It was unclear who was shouting. Martin's parents said that they recognized the voice of his son. But Zimmerman's brother, Robert swore that it was George Zimmerman pleas for help.

The decision whether to download the rest Corey Zimmerman as she was appointed governor of Florida on March 22.

The noise made Police Chief Sanford to step aside and regularly appointed attorney to abandon the case, which led to the appointment of Corey.

Disputed facts related shooting were taken continuously television commentators, while dominating headlines and spark debate about gun laws self-defense and what it means to be black in America.

I am looking for second-degree murder, the smaller the charge, such as murder, Cory reaffirmed its reputation as a prosecutor seeking to bring the most serious charges possible. If convicted, Zimmerman could face a prison term of up to 25 years to life.

"Standing on its" on the court

In deciding against the arrest of Zimmerman, the police led Florida to "stand on his" law that allows people to use deadly force when they believe that they are under threat of death or severe suffering injuries.

One of the first test case will be a hearing at which counsel Zimmermann to get the immune system in "stand on their" must convince the judge there is sufficient evidence to show Zimmerman has reasonable grounds to believe that he is in danger.

Zimmerman's relatives and supporters insisted that he was not a racist and unjust reproach. They said that he feared for his life during a clash with Martin and was justified in using deadly force.

Parents Travyon appeared on camera several times, demanding justice for her son.

"We just wanted to arrest," the mother Travyon, Sybrina Fulton, told reporters in Washington after the announcement of Corey. "We wanted nothing more, nothing less. We just wanted to arrest. And we were. I thank you. Thank you, Florida. Thank you, Jesus."

Zimmerman was represented by two lawyers, Craig Bash and Hal Uhrig, who left the event on Tuesday, saying that they had lost contact with Zimmerman and Zimmerman that the office is contacted directly by Corey on Tuesday in an apparent attempt to resolve the issue of its own.

Ring and Uhrig said they feared for Zimmerman emotional and physical well-being of the stress of life on the run, mostly alone, and television commentators and sports stars have demanded his arrest.

But his new attorney Mark O'Mara said Zimmerman is in order.

"I am not concerned about his mental well-being right now," O'Mara told Reuters. "It seems very clear."

He later told reporters that he expects Zimmerman to attend the hearing on Thursday and said he hoped the judge set bail in the family can afford to Zimmerman.

"Let the process work," said O'Mara. "There are a lot of emotions high, perhaps, some of them were rescued by the arrest .... We need to calm down. It should be judged in court."

Filming has received little media attention at first, but the parents of Martin, who divorced, and their lawyers continued to make public calls for the arrest of Zimmerman. This eventually led to the madness of the media, angry messages on the Internet, celebrities, and the comments of President Barack Obama: "If I had a son, she would look Trayvon".

"There is some relief" Sanford Mayor Jeff Triplett said, referring to the "road to recovery" for his city, now that the cries of community detention Zimmerman was the answer.

"We call for calm after in Sanford, and surrounding communities throughout the country," said Triplett.

"This event has touched the hearts of many, many lives, and began to talk, but we hope that the atmosphere of civility will continue."

Wednesday 11 April 2012

Coach Bobby Petrino Should Have Been Dismissed, Arkansas Fans Say

After hearing that football coach Bobby Petrino had not only lied about who he was with when he had a motorcycle accident on April 1, but that he was also having an affair with that young woman, had paid her $20,000 and had arranged for her to get a job with the university, Arkansas Razorbacks fans are saying they agree with the decision to fire him.

"I'm disappointed," but it was the right thing to dismiss Petrino, says fan Donnie Holt, one of a series of Razorbacks faithful interviewed on video by Arkansas Online. Petrino deceived the univerisity, its fans and its players, says another fan, Janis Harrison.

As UALR Public Radio reports, University of Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long announced Tuesday that Petrino was dismissed because "he made a conscious decision to speak and mislead the public ... and in doing so he negatively and adversely affected the reputation of the University of Arkansas and our football program."

Long also said the university does not plan to pay an $18 million buyout in Petrino's contract because he's being dismissed for his conduct.

In a statement issued Tuesday, Petrino says he accepts "full responsibility for what has happened. ... I have hurt my wife Becky and our four children. I've let down the University of Arkansas, my team, coaching staff and everyone associated with the Razorback football program. ... I wish nothing but the best for the Razorback football program, the University and the entire Razorback Nation."

He had been at Arkansas for four seasons and, as Arkansas Online recounts, "led the Razorbacks to prominence in the Southeastern Conference, with a 34-17 record ... and to the school's first Bowl Championship Series appearance after the 2010 season."

Bobby Petrino at Arkansas Fired After 4 Years

Bobby Petrino said time and time again to win the national championship in Arkansas. From the day he was hired in 2007, Petrino never wavered in purpose or belief.

Petrino will have a chance now, shot by a scandal, and he blamed no one but himself to escape.

"The simplest answer I have: I'm sorry," he said. "These two words seem very inadequate. But this is my heart."

Athletic Director Jeff Long shed Petrino Tuesday and presented a long list of great harm to the man whom he hired from the Atlanta Falcons four years ago.

He tore the Petrino hire him and his mistress for deliberately misled about the secret relationship that had been exposed as a result of his journey in April, along with the bike, which ended in disaster. Petrino said he missed several chances in the last 10 days to tell the truth about the case, who crossed the line into infidelity of favoritism in the workplace.

"He decided to deliberately mislead the public on Tuesday, and thus adversely affects the reputation of the University of Arkansas and our football program," Long said, choking as he spoke the players say their manager was not there. "In short, Coach Petrino is engaged in pattern of deception and manipulation, designed to deceive me and athletics staff before and after a motorcycle accident."

Petrino, 51, a married father of four children, maintained relations with inappropriate Jessica Dorrell 25 years of "significant" amount of time and at some point in his $ 20,000, Long said.

Long would not disclose details of the payment, or when the money changed hands, but said that both sides have confirmed a "gift." Kevin Trainor, press Long, said the money came from Petrino, not university funds.

Petrino apologized at length and said he was inclined to try to make amends to his family.

"All I could think of is the number of people that I gave up the decision-making, self-centered," he said. "I have decided to participate in an abusive relationship. J" I also made some bad decisions after the end of this relationship, and as a result of the accident. I accept full responsibility for what happened. "

Dorrell, a former volleyball player Razorbacks, Razorbacks worked in the Fund before she was hired Petrino March 28, four days before the accident on a rural road 20 miles outside of Fayetteville. Long said that she was one of three finalists out of 159 candidates, and got the job after only a short time.

Petrino never disclosed his conflict of interest in hiring or pay Dorrell and clearly was an unfair advantage over other candidates, Long said.

"Coach Petrino has abused his authority when, in recent weeks, he decided on a personal and individual choices that benefit themselves and jeopardize the integrity of the football program," said Long.

Petrino Arkansas built a national power in the four seasons, including a record 21.5 in the last two years, and he was in the midst of a seven-year contract under which the average salary of 3.53 million dollars per year. The article has long been granted the right to suspend or dismiss a coach of conduct "or adversely affect the reputation of sports programs (university) in any case."

Long Petrino was dismissed "with cause" - meaning that it has received a ransom of 18 million are detailed in the contract - and there were no discussions on ways to keep in Arkansas Petrino. Long Petrino met Tuesday morning to inform him that there are grounds for termination and that the coach was "concerned" about it. Long sent a letter Petrino today officially inform him that he was fired.

"I decided to do this in writing because it is the conditions of his contract," he said.

Long declined to comment when asked about the status of Dorrell. She was hired as coordinator of student athletes of Arkansas football, paid $ 55,735 a year to organize visits to the campus set for the team and help in the initial right of each player's input

She was "at some point," seeks to Josh Morgan, director of competitive swimming and diving, according to a person with knowledge of the situation, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the details I have not been disclosed. Morgan said that the man is still working at the University of .

Petrino finished his tenure in Arkansas with a 34-17 record in four years, which led to the Razorbacks № 5 in last season's final ranking and the Cotton Bowl victory over Kansas State. In the fourth Tyler Wilson, running back Knile Davis and others return, we're talking about Arkansas, because the two giants SEC West, Alabama, national champion and vice-LSU.

And maybe pigs will be. But they will not do with Petrino.

Beginning of the end came on April 1, Petrino, who first described as a Sunday spent with his wife in the lake region.

Instead, he went and Dorrell for evening walks and skidded off the road in an accident that left him with four broken ribs, cracked vertebrae in his neck and bruises on his face. Motorcycle enthusiasts say that the sun and the wind caused him to lose control.

The fact that he did not mention at the press conference after two days and long term for another two days, Dorrell is the presence, except for a vague reference to a "lady" who stopped the passage of the drivers. Everything changed when the state police released an accident report. Petrino, warned the State Trooper, which normally provides security for him during the season, have long been told 20 minutes before the report was released, and he admitted that he calls the inappropriate relationship with the previous Dorrell. Long put him on paid leave.

He can not do better for Petrino. Audio 911 call reporting the accident revealed that he and Dorrell did not want the police called in an accident, and police later revealed that he asked whether it was necessary to give the name of the passenger in the accident.

Petrino was named Dorrell and the presence of the investigators, but only after a long time to mislead both the public and during his press conference. The school even made a statement in the family Petrino on the day after the accident, who said "no" to other persons were involved.

Fraud and how Dorrell was hired for too long.

"Our expectations of quality and integrity of our employees can not be less than we expect from our students," Long said. "No one more than the team, Razorback football program at the University of Arkansas."

The constancy of the coach with the Razorbacks began under a cloud of second guessing after the abrupt departure from Atlanta's 13 games in a season in 2007.

Petrino left a farewell note in the lockers of players in Atlanta, but did not tell them of his resignation in the face. He was inducted into the end of the night, as the new coach Razorbacks, taking with him the image of wandering after the 15 jobs in 11 different programs and organizations in 24 seasons. He is infamous meeting with Auburn in 2003 to talk about adoption of the Tigers head coach Tommy Tuberville at the same time was not.

Nevertheless, he was met in Arkansas and took the school to its BCS bowl game after the first season in 2010, losing in the Sugar Bowl in Ohio. It has improved its win total each year. 5.7 Arkansas its first season in 2008, the second 5.8 until the end of 10-3 and 2.11 in the last two seasons.

In a statement, Petrino said he and his staff had left Arkansas in better shape, and wished him success.

"Because of my own mistakes, we will not get to finish our goal of building a championship program," he said. "My only goal at this point to try to repair the damage I have done for my family. They do not ask for this and deserve better. I'm going to be a better husband, father and man, as a result of this and are working every day to prove that for my family, my friends and others.

"I love football. I love to workout. I certainly hope I can find my way back to the profession I love. At the same time, I will do everything possible to heal the wounds that have" created ".

Assistant coach Taver Johnson will continue the program until spring practice, ending the game with a spring school on April 21. Long said he has asked other staff, including offensive coordinator Paul Petrino, brother of Petrino, to stay at least until then.