Take-Two, the company that produces Grand Theft Auto, has turned down a $2 billion dollar takeover bid from Electronic Arts. This doesn’t mean the deal is dead. In fact, it could take place April 30th, the day after GTA IV is released.. The two companies have differing opinions on the bid; Take-Two thinks it’s too low, and of course EA thinks it’s more than fair.

I don’t care what the two sides have to do, but this deal must get done. The combination of Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. and Electronic Arts Inc. could lead to the greatest video game in the history of video games.. Grand Theft Auto: John Madden.

Imagine a game with the GTA crime theme and an NFL storyline. Sorta like Playmakers for Playstation. There are endless directions to take this idea…

The game always starts easy so the first mission would be something simple.. Like using the Madden Cruiser to run over Joe Buck. After that, it’s on.

• Nashville: Take down the notorious Pacman crew that has been terrorizing local strip clubs. Score extra cash by letting the leader make it rain before you take him out.
• Dallas: Use any means necessary to keep the paparazzi away from Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson. You can earn bonus points for rushing Terrell Owens to the hospital before he starts crying.
• Miami: Kidnap Ricky Williams from a yoga studio and get him to Dolphins’ practice before he retires or gets high.
• New England: Escort Matt Walsh from his hotel to the Federal building without Bill Belichick videotaping you or eliminating Walsh.
• Atlanta: Stomp out the Bad Newz dogfighting ring, but watch out for the killer pitbulls. This task is easy if you catch one of the low level guys that is likely to snitch on his boss.
• Cincinnati: One of the hardest levels in the game. You gotta keep every member of the Bengals outta jail for 48 hours.
• Las Vegas: A final showdown in a hotel room with O.J. Simpson. You’ll have to fight Jerry Porter and Levi Jones before you get up to the Juice’s room. Once you’re there, he’s pretty much impossible to put away. I suggest using a white woman to distract him before you make your move.

Who’s not buying this game? Nobody. EA, email me so we can straighten out my royalties.
Take-Two: EA Bid Wrong Price, Wrong Time. Courtesy of The Associated Press

Tags: John Madden, EA Sports, Grand Theft Auto, NFL, video games

I was checking out NBA TV when they rolled out the first in a new series, The All (fill in the conference) team. The teams are made up of current NBA Players and the Big East was the inaugural conference. The squad will be posted at NBA.com a little later, but who wants to wait?

The teams are based on how the player is playing now.

ALL BIG EAST NBA 1ST TEAM
PG Allen Iverson, Georgetown
SG Dwyane Wade, Marquette
C Emeka Okafor, UConn
SF Carmelo Anthony, Syracuse
PF Ron Artest, St. John’s

ALL BIG EAST NBA 2ND TEAM
Ray Allen, UConn
Caron Butler, UConn
Samuel Dalembert, Seton Hall
Rudy Gay, UConn
Ben Gordon, UConn
Jeff Green, Georgetown
Richard Hamilton, UConn

ALL BIG EAST RESERVE TEAM
Troy Murphy, Notre Dame
Alonzo Mourning, Georgetown
Dikembe Mutombo, Georgetown

ALL BIG EAST DEVELOPMENTAL SQUAD
Matt Carroll, Notre Dame
Francisco Garcia, Louisville
Ryan Gomes, Providence
Kyle Lowry, Villanova
Kenyon Martin, Cincinnati
Jason Maxiell, Cincinnati
Hakim Warrick, Syracuse
Marcus Williams, UConn
Tim Thomas, Villanova

Quick note: The developmental team doesn’t mean that the guy sucks.. Andre Aldrigde of NBA TV explained it this way:

“We had to have a developmental squad for our team because we’re making this a franchise. This isn’t just about all-stars, this is a franchise.”

With that said… Where the hell is Charlie Villanueva? If Tim Thomas’ sometimey ass can make this squad, then I know Chuck V could make the team… And Rip Hamilton, ouch.. It’s hard to find a spot for a guy that runs non-stop, can stick the midrange jumper consistently, and that has big game experience… Can’t really argue with AI and Wade tho.

Tags: NBA, All Big East NBA Team, Basketball, Big East Basketball, NBA TV

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CxMhc28qGg[/youtube]

Storming the field looks like a fun and safe time for all when you edit it properly.. I’m sure nobody got trampled.. As far as the South Florida Bulls go, live it up. The dream could be over by Sunday morning.

I’m not trying to rain on USF’s parade, but in a season where Appalachian State beats Michigan, Stanford beats USC, and Kentucky takes down LSU, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bulls lost at either Rutgers, Syracuse, or Pittsburgh. Hell, maybe Cincinnati will get ‘em.. Or maybe this college football season is so nuts that South Florida will run the table and end up playing Arizona State for the national championship.

Tags: South Florida, College Football, You Tube, Storming The Field, Bulls

If gambling was abolished, do you know who would suffer the most? The NFL and the NBA referees. Regardless of the NFL’s official stance on wagering, the reason the league is so popular is because of the violence, gambling, and video games. But I’m not here to call the NFL a bunch of hypocrites, I’m here to salute the gridiron gladiators. I am entertained and hopefully my picks do likewise.

I’m superstitious, so I never pick for or against my favorite team, the Philadelphia Eagles. The home team is in bold type.

Houston -3 over Kansas City: I didn’t see a lot of the Texans in preseason but I saw all of Hard Knocks.

Buffalo +3 over Denver: The Broncos are gonna have a nice season but it’ll get off to a slow start in upstate New York. Under 37 is tempting.

Pittsburgh -4.5 over Cleveland: The Browns aren’t gonna put it together over 1 summer.

Tennessee +6.5 over Jacksonville: The rule of thumb is to decide which team you think is going to win outright, and then bet on that team. I’m breaking the rule. The Jaguars win a close game.

St. Louis -1 over Carolina: If the Rams are gonna be who I think they are, they have to win this game.

Minnesota -3 over Atlanta: Joey Harrington is 1-4 lifetime vs. Minnesota. 0-4 at the Dome. The lone win came last year at home in Miami.

Miami +3 over Washington: I’m not expecting a lot from either of these teams this season but I like Miami a little more.

NYJ +6.5 over New England. I can make an argument for both teams in this game. That makes me think the game will be close.

Seattle -6 over Tampa Bay: Holmgren vs. Gruden. Hasselbeck vs. Garcia. I like the Seahawks in those matchups and the game.

San Diego -6 over Chicago: One of these teams will be almost as good as last year and the other’s qb is gonna end up costing them.

Detroit +1.5 over Oakland: It wouldn’t be Oakland if they didn’t start the season with a quarterback controversy.. Which should start about midway through the 2nd quarter.

Dallas -5.5 over NYG: The Cowboys offense gets all of the attention but that defense is gonna be really tough up front.

Cincinnati -2.5 over Baltimore: If the game was in Baltimore, I would pick the Ravens.

San Francisco -3 over Arizona: Every year is the year that the Cardinals are gonna turn it around. This might really be their time, but not this week.