LITTLE ROCK — Big Texans catch a ride from Foster
Former Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders used to buy his offensive linemen steak dinners.
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady gave his blockers new cars a few years ago.
This year, Houston Texans running back Arian Foster settledfor something in-between: Segway scooters, a two-wheeled self-balancing form of personal transportation.
According to The Associated Press, the linemen were delighted when theydiscovered their presents, which can be purchased for $5,000 and up. Then, they learned how to ride them with help from Foster, who has had one for a while.
“I can’t do anything without them,” Foster said. “It was just my way of giving back to the big fellas.”
Foster said the linemen were always getting on his case about him riding his Segway everywhere, so he decided to do something about it.
“I feel like all of them big hogs up front can enjoy the joy that Iget from riding my Segway,” Foster told John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. “Guys like Chris Myers and [Duane] Brown and Wade Smith, they’re always getting on me about riding my Segway. ‘You can’t walk? You’re too good to walk?’
“I was like, ‘No, man. I would just rather ride wheels.’ ”
As rapper Chamillionaire wouldsay, “They see me rollin’, they hatin’.”
Not anymore.
“I saw a little jealousy in their eyes when they were talking about me, so I figured I’d get all the linemen a gift,” Foster said.
Duane Brown, who McClain noted learned how to ride quicker than the others, posted his appreciation on Twitter.
“Shoutout to my dawg Arian Foster hookin the O-Line up with Segways for Christmas!!!”
A bunch of 300-pound guys on scooters? Sounds like a setup for a Kevin James movie.
What? No Beanie Baby?
Columnist George Diaz of the Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel said he thinks New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow doesn’t have much of a future as an NFL quarterback.
“Tim Tebow is a Furby,” Diaz wrote. “A Pet Rock. A Zhu Zhu Pet. He has been reduced to an infatuating toy in the NFL. A novelty act.”
Diaz noted that Tebow has had some success, but also pointed out that if his coach thought he had the goods, he’d be on the field against San Diego on Sunday.
“The New York Jets’ season can’t get any worse with two games to go,” Diaz wrote. “Mark Sanchez is a joke. Coach Rex Ryan is under siege, and fans are screaming for change.
“But it will be Greg McElroy, not Tebow, starting.”
Diaz pointed out that Tebow, who has been erratic in practice lately, is “twice-bitten,” dumped bythe Denver Broncos and likely on his way out with the Jets.
“I feel badly for Tebow,” Diaz wrote. “Great guy. Great leader.
Great competitor. But the potential to be a great NFL quarterback?
“Nope.” Rougarou?
The leading contender for the new nickname for New Orleans’ NBA team is the Pelicans, but trademarks have been filed for four other names as well.
The five potential names are the Pelicans, Bull Sharks, SwampDogs, Rougarou - a beast from Louisiana folklore sort of like a werewolf - and Mosquitoes. The trademarks were filed on behalf of the New Orleans Hornets NBA Limited Partnership,according to KL Chouinard of BehindTheBuckPass.com.
In addition, says Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports, Krewe and Brass are also in contention.
“If it works for them, it works for me,” NBA Commissioner David Stern said. “.... There’s the same amount of lakes in LA as there is jazz in Utah, or grizzlies in Memphis. I’m out of that business. Whatever works for a team works for me.”
Here’s hoping Rougarou makes a late charge. Dr. John could be the mascot.
Quote of the day “If he stretches, he wants to stretch better than the next guy. If he’s walking to class, he wants to walk better than the next guy.” Coffeyville Community College (Kan.) defensive coordinator Paige Anders, on Arkansas junior-college signee Martrell Spaight
Sports, Pages 21 on 12/21/2012