Norm's Blog Of Stuff!

MadCatz, the leading video game accessory maker, has gained rights to Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s likeness and trademark for video game and PC game accessories. Here’s the press release regarding it.

SAN DIEGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. (AMEX/TSX: MCZ), a leading third-party interactive entertainment accessory provider, announced today that it has entered into a license agreement with JRM Licensing, LLC providing Mad Catz the rights to produce gaming accessories for all videogame platforms and the PC featuring the NASCAR® motorsports racing attributes, including the likeness and trademarks, of Dale Earnhardt, Jr. The multi-year license agreement allows Mad Catz to distribute licensed products throughout North America.

“Dale Earnhardt, Jr. is synonymous with motorsports and NASCAR,” said Darren Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz. He added, “We are thrilled to be able to produce accessories featuring one of the sport’s most popular drivers to complement our NASCAR license and broad portfolio of professional sports, videogame and lifestyle licenses. NASCAR is one of the United States’ most viewed professional sports in terms of live attendance and television ratings and boasts a loyal and enthusiastic following. We look forward to addressing this large market with a new range of gaming accessories designed to appeal to motorsports and videogame fans.”

For more information about Mad Catz and its product range, please visit www.madcatz.com.

Norman Rhodes

Founder/Editor/Writer

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Straight from ESPN.

ESPN.com news services

The anticipation and speculation can stop. Roger Goodell has reached a decision on Michael Vick, NFL sources told ESPN.

League sources told ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio and Chris Mortensen Thursday that sometime next week Goodell is expected to announce a conditional reinstatement of Vick, which would allow Vick to go to training camp if he signed with a team but that could also include a four-game suspension.

“Can we suspend him in basically double jeopardy?” asked the league source. “That’s the question.”

Goodell had already given Vick an indefinite suspension that ran concurrent with the 23-month federal prison sentence and home confinement stemming from Vick’s role in an illegal dogfighting ring.

According to a source close to Vick, the former Falcons quarterback is hoping to receive no additional punishment. A four-game suspension would likely inhibit his ability to catch on with an NFL team. No teams have expressed interest in bringing Vick in for a tryout as of yet.

As part of the deal, Goodell is reserving judgement in the event of any further transgressions from Vick.

“The review is ongoing and there is no decision yet,” NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said.

Read the rest of this entry »

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You remember Slamball right? You know that sport that was started back in 2001 and premiered on Spike TV? No? You sure? Let me refresh your memory then. Back in 2002, Spike TV brought to us a full contact, high flying, trampoline using sport called SLAMBALL. Its played on a Slamball court that consist of 8 trampolines, 4 at each end. A player scored by using said trampoline to boost themselves into the air to either, shoot, layup or SLAM the ball in for points. Now these aren’t always used, some of these guys still treat it as Basketball as they like to shoot outside of the trampoline for the downtown shot.  The difference between the two sports besides that its full contact, is that its a four on four game, as opposed to the five on five that the NBA has set in regulation. Only after its run on Spike did it air on CSTV, Versus and CBS (currently airing on CBS). It will pick up another network when Family Friendly Cartoon Network picks it up July 11th.

Now I’m not one to judge here but, Slamball, On Cartoon Network? REALLY!? I guess they’re trying to get more people to migrate to this channel that are over the age of 12 and are more the age of 15+. I guess Ted Turner is trying to do something right…but only time will tell with this one. Slamball is a very exciting and innovative concept that has caught the eye of many that has had a chance to watch it. If you haven’t watched it already, your chance comes next month on Cartoon Network, or you can wait for it to show again on CBS?

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You know you ain't Ryu

Dana White is a man that has found twitter. What does Dana White, the man who runs UFC do with Twitter. He announces the next Match Up for Lyoto Machida being Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. This is off the heels of a big win over Rashad Evans last night at UFC 98 and now he has a BIGGER challenge in front of him with Rampage. Rampage is known as one of the best boxers in  UFC, as well as one of the toughest opponents in the Light Heavyweight division. One hit, and Lyoto could possibly be in big trouble against Rampage. Lyoto, very quick, known as one of the most elusive fighters in the UFC and STILL undefeated, if put to good use, he could retain the belt against rampage. No date yet on when these two will face off, but my bet will be UFC 101 or 102.

Want to follow UFC President Dana White on Twitter. http://www.twitter.com/danawhiteblog

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Today, A legend in Football and Gaming has decided to hang up the old microphone. John Madden is well known to football fans and gamers a like. For the football gamers, he’s known through the Madden NFL Football Series that has been the dominating force for over 20 years. To the football fans, You’ve either seen Madden on the sidelines coaching the Raiders or in the booth as a Football Analyst every Sunday on NBC. John Madden has also been inducted into the Football Hall Of Fame in Canton, Ohio and will forever be remembered for that one catchphrase you heard after a big hit on the old madden games “BOOM”. With this retirement, some will feel relieved, some will feel like a part of them is gone. For that Majority, We wish Madden the best of health and luck in retirement and hope to see the madden games continue on even after he’s left football.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers       3/3        Derrick Ward  (RB) signed/unrestricted free agent (four-year contract).

Dallas Cowboys     3/3     Matt Stewart (LB) signed (one-year contract).

Miami Dolphins     3/3     Jake Grove (C) signed/unrestricted free agent (five-year contract).

Atlanta Falcons     3/3     Chauncey Davis (DE) re-signed/unrestricted free agent (four-year contract).

Buffalo Bills     3/3     Corey McIntyre (RB) re-signed/unrestricted free agent.

Jacksonville Jaguars     3/3     James Wyche (DE) signed.

Minnesota Vikings     3/3     Vinny Ciurciu (LB) cut.

Cincinnati Bengals     3/3     Cedric Benson (RB) re-signed/unrestricted free agent (two-year contract).

New York Jets     3/3     Jim Leonhard (S) signed/unrestricted free agent (three-year contract).

Denver Broncos     3/2     Andra Davis (LB) signed/unrestricted free agent.
Ronald Fields (DT) signed/unrestricted free agent (two-year contract).

New England Patriots     3/2     Russ Hochstein (G) re-signed/unrestricted free agent.
James Sanders (S) re-signed/unrestricted free agent (three-year contract).

St. Louis Rams     3/2     Ron Bartell (CB) re-signed/unrestricted free agent (four-year contract).

Washington Redskins     3/2     Jason Taylor (DE) cut.

Arizona Cardinals     3/2     Brian St. Pierre (QB) re-signed/unrestricted free agent (one-year contract).
Ben Graham (P) re-signed/unrestricted free agent (two-year contract).
Keith Lewis (S) signed (two-year contract).

Tennessee Titans     3/2     Jovan Haye (DT) signed/unrestricted free agent (four-year contract).
Nate Washington (WR) signed/unrestricted free agent.

Cincinnati Bengals     3/2     Orien Harris (DT) signed.
Darryl Blackstock (LB) re-signed/unrestricted free agent.
Detroit Lions     3/2     Bryant Johnson (WR) signed/unrestricted free agent (three-year contract).
Seattle Seahawks     3/2     T.J. Houshmandzadeh (WR) signed/unrestricted free agent (four-year contract).
Miami Dolphins     3/2     Vonnie Holliday (DE) cut.

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Former Philidelphia Eagle Pro Bowl Safety Brian Dawkins has flown the coop to the snow capped moutains of Denver Colorado to sign with the Denver Broncos. Brian Dawkins who was an Unrestricted Free Agent coming in to the Free Agency Period and finally got picked up today by Denver. He signed a 5-year 17million dollar contract that includes 7.2 million in guaranteed money. While this might be a good move on the Broncos to boost their backfield, I don’t see Dawkins being the type of Safety to live up to his own hype late in his career. If he does, I will gladly take that last sentence back.

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Day 1 of the NFL Free Agency period has concluded and Day 2 is in effect (Eastern Time) as I type this. But this blog is about Day One. As reported earlier, In the wee hours of the morning when the Washington Redskins kicked off Free Agency with the biggest signing of FA. Lets say 7 Years 100 Million Dollars to a Defensive Lineman named Albert Haynesworth. This wouldn’t be the only signing that happened today but it held the spotlight throughout the day. Other signings that went down included Bart Scott going to the Jets, Fred Taylor Going to the Patriots, Kellen Winslow being Traded to the Buccaneers and Derrick Dockery signing with the Redskins. Oh and lets not forget Chris Backer to the Pats, and Deangelo Hall being resigned to a big deal himself.

As much as I would like to give you all of Day 1 Signings, I just can’t, But you can follow all the free agents through NFL.com’s Free Agent Tracker.

There are still some key players out there on the market though, this includes guys like MLB Ray Lewis, WR Laveranues Coles, WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh, and many more. Day 1 was packed but Day 2 should be yet, another interesting day of signings.

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In the wee hours of the morning, Haynesworth was on a jet to Washington to seal a deal that officially makes him a Washington Redskin for 100mil over 7 years and 45mil guaranteed over three years. This also comes on the heels of Deangelo Hall signing a 6 year deal with the skins worth 54mil.

In Other news as Free Agency kicks off, The Patriots sign Running Back Fred Taylor and Tight End Chris Baker. Fred Taylor was looking between Buffalo and New England and finally signed with the Patriots this morning. Former Tight End of the New York Jets, Chris Baker, signed with the Patriots as well.

Free Agency is just kicking off, and I personally can’t wait to see who else gets signed.

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Free Agency is coming up, and already there are rumors to what player is going where. For starters, Albert Haynesworth was rumored to sign with the Washington Redskins to a 100mil Dollar contract which his agent quickly squashed on NFL.com, saying that the Redskins along with 2-3 other teams are interested in signing the big named defensive linemen. Its not going to be cheap though, Haynesworth wants to be paid BIG money. So teams better have A LOT of cap space if they are pursuing this guy.

Another big named free agent looking for a team is Former RB for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Fred Taylor. Last I heard he was looking towards both New England and Buffalo as a possible team for him. No clear word on where he’ll end up though, he’s already visited Buffalo and went to New England recently to scout them out. If he does end up with the Patriots, team better look out for not only the passing game with Tom Brady back but the run game with Fred Taylor.

Marvin Harrison is yet another big name who was recently released. After asking for big money from the Colts (which god bless them they didn’t have), the two parties came to an agreement on his release. This guy is old and had a lackluster season last year, I don’t see many teams going after him. If they do, its mainly to see if the last season was just an off-season, or maybe he’s just in decline.

Some honorable mentions for this include: Lineback Marcus Washington, who was not ready to take a hit in his contract to make cap room, therefor him and the Washington Redskins called it quits. We won’t be seeing Washington in Washington anytime soon. Running Back Warrick Dunn, Linebacker Derrick Brooks, and two other Wideouts in Ike Hilliard and Joey Galloway and Linebacker Cato June said goodbye to Tampa Bay after being waived from the team, in what looks like a move to free up some cap space. If anything, it was definitely a surprise to see Derrick Brooks go, and I see someone who need a good Veteran Linebacker going after him (if Ray Lewis doesn’t overshadow him too much). Laverneus Coles, former wideout from the Jets recently got released and this will be another possible pick up for teams that aren’t waiting till the NFL Draft to get a wideout to add to the team.

Before I end this, I must mention Ray Lewis again! After wanting more money with Baltimore, the two split up and now Ray Lewis is looking to go to Dallas. If this happens…as a Redskins Fan myself….I will not hesitate to say “FUCK RAY LEWIS” on both meetings this upcoming season. Other than that, it will be yet another HUGE signing for Dallas over its storied history.

With a very heavy wideout draft coming up, I don’t see a lot of  Wideout Free Agents being picked up. Especially if they’re Vets who are looking to retire soon. Keep a lookout though and maybe one of these guys will get picked up.

If I forgot anybody, feel free to drop me an email at normster@theindysource.com

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