Eric Volz Out Of Jail (!) In Nicaragua But In Hiding Due To Death Threats

On December 21st, the Family of Eric Volz annouced that he was released from a Nicaraguan Prison yet is in hidding as ...well, here's what the website reports:

DECEMBER 21, 2007
Statement from the family of Eric Volz – Friday, December 21, 2007 – 8:30pm Central
“Eric Volz was released from a Nicaraguan prison hospital earlier today and will be in hiding, due to reports of threats against him.
We have reason to believe he is being followed and are taking every precaution to assure his safety.

Our family is overwhelmed by the incredible outpouring of support of Eric’s innocence over the past year. In the center of an impossible situation, we have experienced the most abundant love from friends and total strangers, and we thank you.

We are grateful to the courageous individuals in the Nicaraguan government who fought for truth and justice to prevail in this case as well to those in the US government who provided assistance in securing Eric’s release.

This ordeal has taken an incredible physical and emotional toll on all of us, especially Eric. We thank you in advance for respecting our privacy and allowing our family to recover.”

Thank GOD he's out of there! See this CNN video.

Patriots Go 16 and 0, With Anger | On Winning Ugly

I'll write more about this soon, but as you know, the New England Patriots went 16 and 0. but they did it in such a fashion that no one seems realy happy about it. I'm happy for Randy Moss, but even he could not enjoy that record and his own touchdown catch record (23 for this year beats Jerry Rice) without taking a vicious shot at the media. Moss stated that he was happy not about breaking the record, but about "shutting up you guys", talking about the media.

It seems that America's waiting with chained emotions for the Pats to be knocked out of the playoffs.

CloverField A Remake Of "Beast From 20,000 Fathoms"?

Is J.J. Abrams upcoming Cloverfield movie really a remake of the 1953 "Beast from 20,000 Fathoms"? Blogger Adam Polselli sure thinks so and he gives seven very good reasons why. All of them neatly tie together the Cloverfield story.

Whatever the case, it's going to be a hell of a movie.

Miley Cyrus Kissing Photos Latest Internet Voyeur Craze

As we close out 2007. we do so with this report on singer Miley Cyrus, who has photos of her being friendly with her female friend. To that, I say, so what.

I mean it is really nothing to get excited about in my view. I just can't see what all the fuss is about. Can you? I think too many Laure Manadou posts have left me chilled.

You can go over to Perez Hilton's website to see the picts, but to me the photo I have here is much better and plus, she's a teenager! Geez, people. What's wrong with you???

Speed Racer Trailer & Movie Review | Speed Racer Review

Speed Racer was my favorite cartoon as a little boy. I was looking forward to this movie, but the Matrix creators messed it up by forgetting about the Mach 5. Here's the trailer for the new movie and my review.

YouTube's Chad Hurley & VC Tim Draper at BizWorld Lunch

I had the pleasure of attending a great lunch event. YouTube Co-Founder Chad Hurley was the featured guest at the BizWorld.org luncheon on December 4th, 2007. He was introduced by MySpace Co-Founder Brett Brewer and interviewed by Tim Draper, VC & Managing Director of Draper Fisher Jurvetson.

In the talk, Draper asked Hurley questions surrounding YouTube after its acquisition by Google, and really focused on the changing landscape of the online advertising industry and how YouTube was responding to it. Hurley said that Youtube's success rests in the constantly growing inventory of video content that people want to see.

As for the Google relationship, Hurley commented on their food and the large resource base that they have at their disposal for growth and for legal protection, although he didn't say that directly.

Hurley also pointed to YouTube's new relationships with educational institutions like UC Berkeley and MIT, where students can view class lectures online.

There's more in this 20 minutes video and be sure to visit the BizWorld.org website as well. BizWorld teaches entrepreneurial thinking to kids, and Tim Draper's the founder, with Catherine Hutton as its CEO.

Patriots Starting Right Offensive Tackle And Guard Out For Giants Game

This is the unknown blow. And it comes on the heels of the best pass-rush in the NFL.

Kaczur can't tackle practice
He's among three who miss workout

Email|Print| Text size – + By Christopher L. Gasper
Globe Staff / December 28, 2007
FOXBOROUGH - The Patriots may have to face the New York Giants, the NFL leaders in sacks with 52, without starting right tackle Nick Kaczur.

The team released its injury report yesterday and Kaczur (foot) was among three players not participating in practice. The others were tight end Kyle Brady, who missed last Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins with an ankle injury, and fullback Kyle Eckel, who injured his stomach on kickoff coverage during the second quarter of the Patriots' 28-7 win over the Dolphins.

The Patriots have played the last three games, and seven games this season, without right guard Stephen Neal, who has been troubled by a shoulder injury and had limited participation in practice yesterday. But Kaczur has started all 15 games at right tackle.

The options to replace the third-year tackle are second-year tackles Wesley Britt and Ryan O'Callaghan. Britt made his only career start last season, against the Cincinnati Bengals, and O'Callaghan started six of the first seven games last season before ceding to Kaczur, who was recovering from a shoulder injury.

O'Callaghan replaced Kaczur for a series during the Patriots' 48-27 win over the Dallas Cowboys Oct. 14. Kaczur had moved to left tackle to spell an ailing Matt Light. O'Callaghan surrendered a sack to Cowboys Pro Bowl linebacker DeMarcus Ware.

Even with Kaczur in the lineup, the Patriots, who have surrendered 20 sacks, the fifth fewest in the league, are in for a challenge against the Giants, who boast defensive linemen Osi Umenyiora (13 sacks), Justin Tuck (10 sacks), and Michael Strahan (nine sacks). The Giants tied the NFL record for sacks in a game (12) earlier this season against Philadelphia. Umenyiora had six in that game.

Young Voter PAC Helps Iowa Students Get Back For Caucus

I just found this at the Des Moines Register website. It's from the Young Voter PAC. Here's the text:

Students Needing Help
If you are going to school in Iowa and want to come back and caucus, we can help. In order to get gas money and a hotel room just download and fill out this form. Email the form to jane@youngvoterpac.org. You MUST complete the form by Dec. 31st.

Youth Caucusing Stories + Press Inquiries
We compiled a Youth Press Corps that includes youth voting experts and young people living in Iowa. Please call Jane Fleming Kleeb at 202-445-5263 or email mail jane@youngvoterpac.org to set up interviews and to find out what groups are doing on the ground in Iowa.



This is great news for college students in Iowa who want to get back home for the Iowa Caucus, Jan 3rd.

Bill Clinton Helped Dubai On Ports Deal In 2006 - FT.com

What does this say if on the one hand the Clinton's are helping Dubai, but then opposing the same deal on the political end?

Bill Clinton helped Dubai on ports deal
By Stephanie Kirchgaessner in Washington
Published: March 1 2006 23:50 | Last updated: March 1 2006 23:50

Bill Clinton, former US president, advised top officials from Dubai two weeks ago on how to address growing US concerns over the acquisition of five US container terminals by DP World.

It came even as his wife, Senator Hillary Clinton, was leading efforts to derail the deal.

Mr Clinton, who this week called the United Arab Emirates a “good ally to America”, advised Dubai’s leaders to propose a 45-day delay to allow for an intensive investigation of the acquisition, according to his spokesman.

On Sunday, DP World agreed with the White House to undertake the lengthy review, a move which has assuaged some of the opposition from the US Congress.

However, Mrs Clinton remains a leading voice against the deal, and this week proposed legislation to block it, arguing that the US could not afford to “surrender our port operations to foreign governments”.

Mr Clinton’s spokesman said: “President Clinton is the former president of the US and as such receives many calls from world leaders and leading figures every week. About two weeks ago, the Dubai leaders called him and he suggested that they submit to the full and regular scrutiny process and that they should put maximum safeguards and security into any port proposal.”

He added that Mr Clinton supported his wife’s position on the deal and that “ideally” state-owned companies would not own US port operations.

Mr Clinton’s contact with Dubai on the issue underscores the relationship he has developed with the United Arab Emirates since leaving office. In 2002, he was paid $300,000 (€252,000) to address a summit in Dubai.

The backlash against Dubai’s takeover has seen some lawmakers in Washington highlight the UAE’s alleged role in helping to finance September 11.

NFL NETWORK GAME RATINGS UP 31 PERCENT - NFLMEDIA.COM

Patriots-Giants Concludes Slate Saturday at 8:00 PM ET

Thursday and Saturday Night Football Tops Cable Ratings
For All Games to Date

Viewership among Men 18-49 up 55 Percent for Season

NFL Network’s Thursday and Saturday Night Football games have scored a ratings touchdown this season… before the eagerly anticipated New England Patriots-New York Giants matchup on Saturday at 8:00 PM ET.

After seven contests this season (including Dallas-Carolina on Saturday night), NFL Network games are averaging a 7.1 coverage area rating – up 31 percent from last season at this point (5.4). In addition, Thursday and Saturday Night Football posted a 48 percent increase in average viewers (4.6 million vs. 3.1 million through seven games last year) and is up 55 percent among Men 18-49 (1.7 million vs. 1.1 million).

Saturday night’s game had a 7.5 coverage area rating, continuing the network’s streak of topping the day’s ad-supported cable ratings for all 15 of its Thursday and Saturday Night Football games since November 2006.

Following is a look at NFL Network season-to-date ratings for Thursday and Saturday Night Football:

Season-to-Date Summary
All seven Thursday and Saturday Night Football games topped daily ad-supported cable ratings.
Average coverage rating of 7.1 is up 31 percent from last year at this point (5.4).
Average of 4.6 million viewers is up 48 percent from last year at this point (3.1 million).
According to Nielsen Media Research December 2007 reporting, NFL Network reaches 43 million U.S. households.

Patriots-Giants is the second of three live games in a four-day span on NFL Network. The 2007 Texas Bowl (Houston vs. TCU) airs at 8:00 PM ET on Friday, Dec. 28 on NFL Network and the 2007 Insight Bowl (Indiana vs. Oklahoma State) at 6:00 PM ET on Monday, December 31.

Cam Cameron, Randy Muller, and Joey Porter To Be Out At Miami Dolphins - Profootballtalk.com

If this is true, then Bill Parcells is cleaning house big time. The organization needs a shake-up. I would link to the specific place where this is, but they don't have a standard blog system, so I can't.

"SWEEPING CHANGES" COMING IN MIAMI

A source with knowledge of the situation in South Florida tells us that "sweeping changes" are most likely coming for the Dolphins. And soon.

Coach Cam Cameron? Out. General Manager Randy Mueller? Out as soon as Monday, even though he's been doing research all year for free agency and the draft.

We're told that Parcells already has been working directly with the league office to obtain the appropriate permissions to hire Cowboys V.P. of college and pro scouting Jeff Ireland.

As Peter King of SI.com pointed out earlier in the week in his MMQB column, Parcells' contract makes clear that he merely is the overseer of the football operations.

"We set it up so the general manager I hire will have that authority. I want to make it clear: I don't want to be the general manager. I don't want to be the head coach. I told Wayne [Huizenga] that very clearly. I don't think it will be an issue.''

If it is an issue -- if the league concludes that Parcells has final say over personnel -- then the Fins might have trouble finding a G.M. Under league rules, a team is not required to allow a front office employee to leave unless he will have final say in his new job.

So if it's determined that the Tuna has the juice, the only guys he'll be able to hire are guys who are permitted by their teams to leave, or who have contracts that specifically allow a premature departure.

And even if a guy is in the final year of his contract, most front office deals run through the draft.

With all that said, there's a growing sense in some circles that Parcells will get Ireland, and that the pair will work together in reshaping the front office.

Another source tells us that the fates of Mueller and Cameron have been sealed by people telling the Tuna that the current G.M. and coach don't burn the midnight fish oil in South Florida. Parcells, a workaholic, doesn't like the idea of guys not doing all they can to win.

POSTED 9:38 a.m. EST, December 28, 2007

PORTER DONE IN MIAMI?

With new Fins football poobah Bill Parcells declaring that he wants no "thugs and hoodlums" in Miami, the immediate reaction in league circles is that linebacker Joey Porter won't be long for South Florida.

Though Porter is primarily a bag of hot air, he was busted earlier in the year for busting up Bengals left tackle Levi Jones.

And Parcells surely means it. The Cowboys, a team primarily built by Parcells, have had no arrests in 2007. Ditto for the Patriots, who are led by a long-time Parcells' lieutenant, and by Parcells' son-in-law. And the Jets, under the leadership of Parcells' protege G.M. Mike Tannenbaum, have had only one incident this year.

Meanwhile, the Dolphins have amassed the most points in our Turd Watch game (which we need to update). Much of the damage was done by defensive tackle Fred Evans and receiver Kelly Campbell, who already are long gone.

The only caveat as to Porter is that the $20 million in guaranteed money that he reportedly received when he signed would hit the cap. Parcells could designate Porter as a post-June 1 cut, taking the bulk of the hit in 2009.

Oakland Raiders' Warren Sapp Was Fined $75,000

NFL docks Raiders' Sapp $75K for penalties in loss to Jaguars - ESPN and AP


ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Warren Sapp was fined $75,000 on Thursday by the NFL for his confrontation with game officials that led to his ejection last week.

The league said Sapp was punished for "physical and verbal actions toward game officials that drew an unprecedented three unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and ejection from last Sunday's game."

Defensive end Derrick Burgess was also fined $25,000 for verbally abusing an official during the same sequence.

The punishments were announced after the Raiders' media availability on Thursday, so neither player nor coach Lane Kiffin was available to comment. Both Sapp and Kiffin said previously they were not worried about a possible suspension.

The altercation came late in the first half of last Sunday's 49-11 loss at Jacksonville, when the Raiders were called for four unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in one sequence. The dispute began when Jaguars right tackle Tony Pashos was flagged for illegal use of his hands to the face.

Officials initially said the Raiders declined the penalty, and the Jaguars lined up for a 43-yard field goal attempt. Officials then said Oakland would accept the penalty, making it third-and-20 from the Raiders 35.

Jacksonville's offense went back on the field, but a few seconds later, the officials called the first unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Sapp, who said Wednesday he was angry the officials declined the penalty without checking first with the Raiders.

That gave the Jaguars an automatic first down, and Sapp started jawing at officials. Sapp and Burgess were both flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct penalties during the arguments. Sapp kept talking and then drew the third penalty and the ejection. Sapp had to be restrained by teammates and defensive line coach Keith Millard after being kicked out of the game.

Referee Jerome Bogar said after the game that Sapp was ejected for bumping umpire Garth DeFelice. Sapp denied making any contact with an official.

Sapp has had run-ins with officials in the past. Before a game against Washington in 2003, Sapp, then with Tampa Bay, reportedly bumped an official. Four days later he was fined $50,000 for what the league called "repeated violations of abusing officials."