Six Nation Can Anyone Get Near Wales?

Once again, I am very happy to welcome in our friends from Heavens Game, to talk a little Rugby Union. Today the topic is 6 Nations. That's right it is our favorite time of year when the European powerhouses take the field for bragging rights. And don't forget, Walker-Sports will be in Ireland in March for the conclusion of this great tournament.

On the eve of the 6 nations does any team have the ability to remove the "kings of Europe" mantle from Welsh Rugby?

On the face of recent eveidence both France and Ireland are a chance. The French are only a chance because.. It is France, a team that is so unpredictable that it is simply not worth saying too much more about them.

Wales travel to Paris with memories of recent wins. This will be without doubt the hardest match for both teams with Wales greater technique seeing them through.

Wales of course start their campaign up against the Scottish forward pack and seven other blokes along for the ride. Scotland should they find a decent backline to compliment their excellent forward pack would be a handful for any team in the world, the problem is they have an average backline and as such will be put to the sword by Wales on Sunday.

The wales v Ireland game is one that provides the two best fullbacks in Europe a run against each other in what will be a play off for the Lions starting spot. Lee Byrne and Rob Kearney both come into the championship under injury clouds, in front of them is where the battle will be won. Ireland have a world class lineout, if Wales get parity they will beat Ireland. In David Wallace Ireland have a great player, he may struggle to keep up his tempo with Wales' ability to build phase after phase. In what should be a tight match Wales will get home on the back of home advantage and the confidence that being a champion team brings.

Wales travel to play The Azzurri, a match that has tested Welsh teams in the past. Not this time I'm afraid. Italy's depth is being exposed and expect Wales to pull away with the match.

England at home will always be an emotional game for the Welsh. This Welsh team is simply too strong for England at the moment.

So there you have it Wales to complete successive Grand Slams, with only Ireland and France to provide a challenge.

Kansas City Chiefs Hire Todd Haley As Head Coach

FOXSports.com has learned that the Chiefs offered the position to Cardinals offensive coordinator Todd Haley and he has accepted. They are now trying to work out terms of a contract agreement.

Haley's name has bounced around the coaching carousel since the Arizona Cardinals made their big splash in the post season this year. According to sources he was in Kansas City earlier this week on interviews with the team.

Todd Haley will be a nice addition to the Chiefs organization. Haley may best be know for his fiery explosion on the sidelines with disgruntled wide out Anquan Boldin. There is no doubt that Todd Haley is an extremely fierce competitor and he will light a fire under what has been an underachieving Kansas City Chiefs team.

However, my once concern with hiring Haley is he may be too much of a competitor to be a head coach. It is okay to be the in your face coach when you are a coordinator, but once you become the head coach it is your job to become a manager. Todd Haley will have to tone his temper down just a bit, especially considering some of the personalities on the Chiefs.

Michael Phelps Suspended

The official word came down earlier today, that U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps will be suspended due to the recent pictures that have surfaced on the internet.

USA Swimming has reprimanded Michael Phelps under its Code of Conduct by withdrawing financial support and the eligibility to compete for a period of three months effective today, Feb. 5, 2009.

This is not a situation where any anti-doping rule was violated, but we decided to send a strong message to Michael because he disappointed so many people, particularly the hundreds of thousands of USA Swimming member kids who look up to him as a role model and a hero.

Michael has voluntarily accepted this reprimand and has committed to earn back our trust.

Too bad the suspension does not come at a time when Phelps would actually be working in the pool.

Elton Brand To Miss Rest of the Season

Elton Brand will not be a part of the Philadelphia 76'ers post season run. The big man who injured his right shoulder earlier this season has elected to have a surgery that will cost him the rest of the season.

Elton Brand signed a five-year deal worth nearly $80 million in July and averaged only 13.8 points and 8.8 rebounds in 29 games. He was first injured his shoulder on December 17. Brand missed all but nine games of last season with a torn Achillies.

"Elton wanted to do whatever he could to get back on the court and initially elected to forgo surgery in order to help his teammates," team president Ed Stefanski said. "He worked as hard as he could over the past six weeks to return, however the scope of the injury would not allow it."

Shaquille O'Neal Anti Gay?

According to some gay rights groups the Big Daddy came across as being anti-gay in this commercial he filmed for ESPN. As a result ESPN chose to pull the ad before he made its way into regular circulation.

The funny part about all of this is, anyone who has checked up on Shaq's track record he is anything but anit-gay. He was one of the first players to come out a few years ago and stated he would have no problem with a gay teammate. To add to that, when Shaq was a member of the Miami Heat he once put on his sheriffs hat and chased down and arrested a group outside of a club who were taking part in a gay bashing beat down. So in reality Shaq is anything but anti gay. Nonetheless ESPN chose to air on the side of caution with this one.

National Signing Day is Here

Today is like Christmas for every major college football team in the country. It is national signing day, the day when a dynasty can be born, and a failing football program can be put back on track. It is also the day that a once powerhouse program can come crumbling back down to earth. Don't believe me? Imagine how much better Michigan would have been this season if they had inked Tyrelle Pryor like they planned on last season.

Top recruits will be signing deals all day today, and thanks to our friends at Scout.com you can check back here as we will keep you informed on all the big movers and shakers. Check back to see where your favorite football team ended up on our big board.

University of Virginia fans can rejoice, Offensive linemen U, has found their newest project. The Virginia Cavaliers signed four star recruit and mammoth of a man Morgan Mosses. Mosses comes form Richmond Virginia, and is a 6'6 332 pound offensive tackle.

The bloggers ESPN use are horrible, that's just this humble blogs opinion.

This is a move that I just don't get. It was my understanding that today was national signing day and this was the last day players were eligible to sign a scholarship to a school. However, Pryor did it last year and not someone else is making the same moves. I have to say I don't like it. Four-star RB David Oku from Midwest City Carl Albert (Okla.) won't sign today and will sign in late February, considering Tennessee, Auburn and Syracuse. He is Scout.com's No. 9 running back nationwide. --Allen Wallace

USC loses another recruit. It looks like once again Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis is putting together another stellar recruiting class, this time at the Trojans expense. The nation's No. 1 strongside linebacker, Manti Te'o from Honolulu (Hawaii) Punahou, just announced he will be signing with Notre Dame, choosing the Irish over USC and UCLA. --Brandon Huffman

This one is big: Corona (Calif.) Centennial linebacker Vontaze Burfict, the No. 1-ranked MLB in the country, has switched his longtime commitment to USC to Arizona State, just signing his Letter of Intent. Fellow Centennial linebacker Ben Letcher is signing with Fresno State, deciding this morning. --Brandon Huffman

Ole Miss continues its huge winter run by inking five-star wide receiver Pat Patterson. Patterson is a college-ready type of wideout who is solidly built and does everything on the field well. --Scott Kennedy

Florida is on a roll as they just landed the signature of Olney (Md.) Good Counsel five-star linebacker Jelani Jenkins. Jenkins chose the Gators over Penn State and Stanford. The Gators also picked up talented three-star safety Joshua Evans from Irvington (N.J.). Evans chose the Gators over Oklahoma and Pittsburgh. --Bob Lichtenfels

Tom Cable Finally Hired in Oakland

Yesterday evening the Oakland Raiders announced they have finally filled their coaching vacancy. And who did they find after their several month search for a new head coach? The guy who has been in charge since mid October, Tom Cable. Cable was promoted yesterday when the Oakland Raiders removed the interim tag, and made him the full time head coach.

Tom Cable went 4-8 last season after taking over as the head coach of the Raiders once Lane Kiffen was fired. Cable had been the offensive line coach for the Raiders before being promoted to interim coach.

There is no question that the Oakland Raiders need a lot of help. And there are plenty out there who would say the first change the Raiders need to make in their attempt to reclaim past success would be removing Al Davis as owner and general manager. I am one to agree with that school of thought. However, the reality of the situation is Al Davis is not going anywhere. He owns the Oakland Raiders and despite some help concerns he does not appear to be going anywhere any time soon. As a result, his new head coach Tom Cable will always have to answer to Davis and Cable will always have his hands tied.

NBA All Star Weekend to Play Some HORSE

Who doesn't love a good game of horse? I for one always do and so do NBA players. We have have seen the YouTube of Gilbert Arenas in a shooting contest while at practice, and we have heard stories of NBA players laying down some big money in shooting competitions after practice. So what better way to harness that excitement and bring it to NBA All Star Weekend. This year on Saturday night, a group of NBA players will play a winner take all game of Horse.


The game will take place on a 45' X 50’ court alongside the network's new NBA on TNT Rig at the NBA All-Star Block Party, the NBA's new outdoor All-Star event. Calling the action from the rig will be Ernie Johnson, along with analysts Kenny Smith and Chris Webber.

The game will use a traditional format in which three players will establish the playing order. Once a shot is made, the next player in the predetermined order will attempt the same shot. You all know how the game goes, so no need to explain the rules here. An NBA referee will be assigned to authenticate the new shots (that the player executed what he announced) and any mimic shot.

Check back soon and we will post the contestants to this contest once they are announced.

Walker's Post Super Bowl Rants

The Super Bowl far exceeded my expectations, I will admit that. It was a great game. I am not sure if it was the best that I have ever seen, but it was pretty damn close. And while this may not be the best thing on the net, I can guarantee that this edition of Walker’s Rants will be the best thing you read on the internet all week.

So glad I bet the Cardinals +7 and despite the outcome of the game, I was able to walk away with a nice stash…

So Phelps gets caught with a bong and his sponsors back him. Charles Barkley gets caught with a DUI and he is banished from the face of the earth, how is that fair?

Let me get this straight, Andrew Bynum goes down for 8-12 weeks and all Kobe Bryant does in response is go off for 61 points on in the most historic arena in America. That boy is the truth…

Larry Fitzgerald is the truth…

The Cardinals should look to move Boldin and insure they get a solid replacement for him. It is beyond clear that Fitzgerald is the go to guy and they should build with that with a solid # 2…

Its true Tiger Woods is a horrible tipper. I have a friend who worked at Augusta a few years back as a caddie. Custom is the golfer’s tip the caddies when they come in for the Masters since the guys are out of work while the pros are there. Tiger never dropped a dime…

I am so sick of Manny Ramirez. I’d be fine if no one signs him and he retires forever…

What GSP did on Saturday night to B.J. Penn surprised the hell out of me…

If you thought the Super Bowl was lackluster in terms of the parties and the extra hoopla due to the economy. Just wait till you see how toned down this year’s Daytona 500 will be…

As the midpoint of the NBA season approaches, it is obvious that many players are breaking down, as the number of injuries is rising. The All Star break will be a welcome rest for several top contenders…

Funny that UConn is emerging as the elite team in the country…

Apparently the global economic recession has not hit the EPL, $227.2 in mid season transfers alone…

What was your favorite Super Bowl commercial? I know what we liked here at Walker-Sports…

I cannot believe that Scott Johnson spent less than a year with USA Rugby and then jumped ship to the next best thing, sickening…

Call me a nerd, I can’t wait to watch some NFL Combine film and start writing my mock draft. I live for that stuff…

National signing day is tomorrow, and I can promise you that the Virginia Cavaliers will once again come home empty handed…

Ben Roethlisberger is a great QB. He does not do everything right, but the guy is flat out clutch…

When did Brenda Warner get hot?