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Warren Moon Remembers Steve McNair

It was during Steve McNair's rookie season in 1995 with the Houston Oilers when the comparisons initially surfaced. While their NFL paths crossed just once on the field, Pro Football Hall of Fame member Warren Moon had heard enough, saw enough and talked enough with McNair over the years to realize he was indeed a special player with special talents.

"A lot of the players with the Oilers were calling me his rookie season and saying, 'Man, this guy Steve McNair we just drafted reminds us so much of you,' " Moon told FanHouse Thursday morning.

"His temperament, his personality, he's real soft-spoken. But when he gets on the field, he's a tough guy and he's a hard worker. Steve reminded me a little of myself in the beginning. There were a lot of comparisons between Steve and I in the beginning."

The MMA Hour: UFC 100 Preview Show

This week's edition of FightHouse Radio was so great that we actually decided to permanently change the name of our weekly MMA show to The MMA Hour. And on this new and improved edition of the podcast, Mike Chiappetta and I talked about all things UFC 100. From the intriguing storylines to fight breakdowns to reminiscing about how far the UFC has come -- we seemingly covered it all on this historic week. Please enjoy the show below.

Pedro Martinez May Be Joining Phillies

The Phillies may not wait to see if they can trade for Roy Halladay before helping their ailing rotation.

Pedro Martinez told The Associated Press his agent is negotiating with Philadelphia for his return to the majors, and the agent, Fern Cuza, told the Philadelphia Daily News, "There is interest on both sides."
"The Phillies saw me this past Tuesday in a simulated game and I felt very good with my fastball and all my pitches," Martinez said Thursday.

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. denied reports a deal was done, but confirmed the team's interest in the three-time AL Cy Young Award winner.

"He has not been signed," Amaro said before the NL East-leading Phillies played Cincinnati on Thursday night. "We've seen him pitch. He's not in town."

Harden Won't Be Intimidated By Kobe

James HardenORLANDO -- Rookie James Harden, the No. 3 pick in the 2009 Draft, is a smart guy who will become a fine player as he grows up with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

But the NBA Summer League may be giving him a false sense of security. As an NBA shooting guard, he will learn quickly that not everyone in his position puts their pants on one leg at a time.

When he starts trying to defend the likes of Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade, he may find himself a little more blistered than he thinks.

"Kobe is the best player in the world, but he laces up his shoes just like I lace up mine,'' Harden said earlier this week. "Sure, I'll get a welcome-to-the-NBA moment, but it's just basketball. I've played against him before [in the summer]. I won't be intimidated.''

Allen Iverson in Tears Talking About His Scholarship Program



I'm about as cynical as they get when it comes to Allen Iverson (ahem, Exhibit A), but the raw emotion he displays in this video of him talking to student athletes at his summer camp completely caught me off guard. Iverson has performed this "me against the world" monologue dozens of times in his 13-year career, but this is the first time I can recall him revealing just how much he's been affected by criticism.

Should it change your feelings about the man? Not necessarily; truth be told, he brings a lot of the negativity surrounding him upon himself. But at the very least, it should remind you that behind the "tough as nails" exterior, the man is not a caricature. He's been handsomely rewarded for the public life that he's chosen, but having all of his shortcoming dissected by millions of people every day of his career has clearly taken its toll. (via HoopsHype)

Stewart 'Dumped' Me, Kyle Busch Says

If Kyle Busch was hoping to avoid sounding sour about the finish of last Saturday's Coke Zero 400 at Daytona by not talking to the media after the event, he failed in his mission with his comments Thursday at Chicagoland Speedway.

In his weekly media visit, Busch revealed that he felt "dumped" by Tony Stewart, that he doesn't have feelings and that drivers that cause last-lap wrecks for the win should be penalized.

Of course, the comments about his incident with Stewart rang the loudest -- especially after Stewart said Wednesday that the two had talked about the last-lap crash that took the win from Busch and gave it to Stewart.

Pirates 'Not Anxious To Move' Sanchez

If the Pirates trade Freddy Sanchez, would they go unrepresented at the All-Star Game next Tuesday?

It may not be an issue. Contrary to earlier reports, a Pittsburgh source said that while the team is "fielding a lot of calls" on Sanchez, there is "more smoke than fire" and the Bucs are "not anxious to move him."

Pittsburgh, as one of the few established sellers so far, has been active, dealing outfielders Nate McLouth and Nyjer Morgan. And Sanchez's $8 million option for 2010 becomes guaranteed with 600 plate appearances this year (he has 329).

Kobe on Artest: 'He's a Great Teammate'

Elie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back regularly for more videos.

Kobe and ArtestLakers superstar Kobe Bryant is excited about his new teammate Ron Artest, a player who, within NBA locker rooms, has a great reputation. In this video, Kobe talks about the time that Artest paid Bryant a visit ... in the shower. Kobe also talks about missing Trevor Ariza, who is like a little brother to him, as well as his thoughts on the Shaq trade, 'Sheed going to Boston, and more.

Check out the video after the jump.

Chad Ochocinco Likely Faces Fine If He Tweets During Games

Chad Ocho CincoThrough the social media site Twitter, the folks at Houston's 1560 The Game were able to arrange an on-air interview with Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco (otherwise known as OGOchoCinco on Twitter because one man can never have enough names, I suppose).

In the interview, Ocho Cinco discusses many things: how he will have a new checklist in his locker; how he truly is going to live with Carson Palmer's family; and how he wants to be more of team guy than a "me" guy this year. At the 2:34 mark in the interview, he discusses his love of Twitter and the way he will be using it next year:

Steve McNair Jr. Follows in Father's Footsteps, Except at Line of Scrimmage

His last name gave it away. Everyone assumed Steve McNair Jr., would be a football quarterback.

His late father, Steve McNair, rose from anonymity at Alcorn State to become "Air McNair," a Heisman Trophy candidate known for his passing prowess and the third overall selection of the Houston Oilers in 1995.

McNair, Jr., followed his father's footsteps until the ninth grade, when he first began to contemplate a position change from quarterback. McNair Jr., wanted to catch the football, not throw it. So McNair Jr., immediately sought advice from his father, who offered a message that his son still carries with him today:

Never go against your will.

Source: Wife Will Sway Grant Hill to Sign With Knicks

Grant Hill, with wife Tamia Hill.Not many free agents in any sport elect to play in New York because of "family reasons.''

According to a source, it looks like Grant Hill will.

Hill, the 36-year-old small forward, is leaning toward accepting an offer from the Knicks instead of the Boston Celtics or Phoenix Suns on Thursday, and a major reason is his wife Tamia, a national recording artist who would benefit greatly from him playing in New York.

Freddy Adu Limps Back to Portugal

Freddy AduFreddy Adu was carrying a limp as he made his way through the tunnel beneath RFK Stadium Wednesday night. The 20-year-old midfielder had played 64 indifferent minutes for the U.S. national team in its CONCACAF Gold Cup match against Honduras. It was his replacement, Charlie Davies, who was part of the combination that ultimately unlocked the visitors' defense and helped the Americans to a 2-0 win.

It smelled like a lost opportunity, and in fact, it turned out that Adu's Gold Cup was over. U.S. coach Bob Bradley announced, and Adu confirmed, that he is on his way back to Portugal to join Benfica for its preseason. After a quiet year with the Portuguese power and an anonymous one-year loan with Monaco, one is left to wonder when the former prodigy, now a pro for five years, is going to make an impact.

From the Windup: Whining About Ticket Prices? Get Your Facts Straight

From the Windup is Matt Snyder's extended look at some aspect of America's pastime each Thursday. First things first, I should probably tweak the little italicized intro here, because baseball isn't America's pastime anymore. Complaining is now the ...

Nick Boynton ... Anaheim Duck?

As far as I can see, there has been no news or official release that free agent defenseman Nick Boynton has signed a contract with the Anaheim Ducks. At least, not as of this morning, July 9, 2009. That's not stopping his name from appearing on the ...

Summer Scramble: AFC East Position Battles to Watch

It's July, the slowest month of the year for the NFL, and it's driving you nuts. You need a fix. A hit. Anything NFL to pull you through the dog days. FanHouse is here to help with an in-depth look at each division that should have you plenty ...

Dallas Gets Marion for 5 Years

The rumored sign-and-trade sending Shawn Marion to Dallas will become official today, reports ESPN.com and the Dallas Morning News. What had been a tricky deal between Dallas, who is apparently in BUY! BUY! BUY! mode, and Toronto, who is attempting ...

McDyess Will Sign With the Spurs

Antonio McDyess has agreed to sign a three-year deal worth the full mid-level exception with the Spurs on Wednesday, giving Tim Duncan arguably his most reliable sidekick in the post since David Robinson retired. For a team that looked beaten down ...

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