The Checkdown

July 2009
Breakfast(s) of Champions
Sports headliners who need their own breakfast cereals
By Danny Nicklin|Posted 07.30.09

Can't get enough Terrell Owens in your life? Well, grab a spoon because now T.O. can join you at the breakfast table. Owens unveiled Terrell Owens' Honey Nut Oats on Thursday.

This Pick 6 is going to steal some of Owens' "part of a balanced breakfast" thunder by picking other sports figures and attaching their recent headline-making abilities to brand-name, a.m. staples....

30
July
A 'League' of their own
New FX comedy to follow fantasy footballers
By Anthony May|Posted 07.16.09

Anyone who's ever bemoaned the two-back system or protested a trade can tell you that you'll never find a more comedically-dramatic place than a fantasy football league.

It looks like the folks over at FX are harnessing that drama for a new "semi-scripted" show....

16
July
The Name Drop: Ron Gant
ATV accident the turning point in Gant's career
By Anthony May|Posted 07.14.09

In honor of tonight's Midsummer Classic, we'll be featuring a two-time All-Star in this, the first edition of "The Name Drop."

A rookie in '87, Ron Gant played a major role in the Atlanta Braves worst-to-first season in 1991. He was a two-time 30/30 clubber ('90 and '91) and currently ranks 97th on the all-time homeruns list with 321....

14
July
FUNdamentals: Bartolo Watch
Colon flying under the White Sox radar
By Anthony May|Posted 07.09.09

How do you lose a 245 pound, Cy Young Award winner? Ask the Chicago White Sox.

The ChiSox have been unable to locate Pitcher Bartolo Colon, who is scheduled to make a minor league rehab start tonight with Triple A Charlotte....

09
July
Previewing EA's NCAA 2010
EA adds the other "E.A." to college football game
By Grant Bachman|Posted 07.08.09

So we are officially six days away from the release of NCAA Gootball 2010 from EA Sports. But for those wanting to get a taste of what is to come, EA has released the demo version on both the XBox Live network and the PS3 Network.

After downloading onto my XBox, I must say one thing: ERIN ANDREWS IS IN THE GAME! Now, normally that would be enough of a review but I feel I must continue ...

08
July
Rare "Air"
Media's attempt to put McNair's life, death in context
By Danny Nicklin|Posted 07.06.09

A.E Housman's poem "To An Athlete Dying Young" suggests it's better for an athlete to die young so their accomplishments can be immortalized while they're still fresh in the minds of those who witnessed them.

It's a romantic notion, but the sentiment couldn't be more wrong in the case of Steve McNair...

06
July
A Simms family tea party
Football father and son duo pushing green tea?
By C.L. Lovett|Posted 07.06.09

Recently, I was perusing through a semi-new Sports Illustrated and came across an advertisement featuring Phil and Chris Simms on a golf course, apparently drinking Bigelow brand green tea. The print for the add read, "Look who's drinking Bigelow Green Tea now."

Well.....YEAH! Of course they do. Chris probably had green tea in his IV after he had his spleen removed....

06
July