Nik Wallenda breaks two death-defying tightrope records while blindfolded (VIDEO)

For those of you who think Ben Roethlisberger's second straight game throwing six touchdowns Sunday night was pretty grandiose, ask yourself, "Could he do it blindfolded?

Well that's exactly how Nik Wallenda successfully did a nerve-wracking, daredevil high-wire challenge airing at the same time as the Steelers-Ravens game last night. Wearing a blindfold!

Wallenda (of the famed family of highwire performers) crossed the Chicago River on a tightrope at a height of more than 50 stories — walking at a 19-degree incline for the Discovery Channel. He made it more difficult by doing it blindfolded and without a safety harness or net between the west and east Marina City towers. 

The man with real nerves of steel slid his feet along the wire and followed a pinging sound as his father guided him. Footage, airing on the Discovery Channel, ran on a 10-second delay so producers could cut away if he fell to his death. He said his only back-up plan if things went wrong would be to attempt to kneel and cling to the wire with his feet.

Even while Wallenda was still carefully shuffling his way across the Chicago River, that bastion of information, Wikipedia, already declared him dead. 

And other social media commentators quipped about Chicago's reputation for gun violence — saying Wallenda was safer 50 flights above the street than trying to walk across it.

Here's the view Wallenda missed seeing:

At 6-foot-11, Logan Routt is the tallest quarterback ever (VIDEO)

In case you haven't noticed, quarterbacks are getting a lot bigger these days, but nobody even comes close to the height one high school signal caller has reached.

Logan Routt, a 6'11", 220-pound quarterback at Cameron High School in Cameron, West Virginia is a playmaker who towers over teammates and opponents on the field and, according to Bleacher Report, is being called the tallest quarterback ever.

The senior is 3 inches taller than the tallest quarterback ever to play in the NFL (Dan McGwire) and a full 2 inches taller than Michael Humphrey, who at 6-9 made waves as a high school quarterback last fall before choosing to play basketball for Stanford.

While most "big" NFL quarterbacks usually top out at around 6'6",  Routt is "a legit 6-foot-11", according to his coach, Scott Holt.



Routt named Ben Roethlisberger (a mere 6'5") as the player he models his game after, but also has props for Brock Osweiler — the NFL's tallest quarterback at 6'8".

The three-sport star also plays basketball and baseball, where he excels. Says MaxPreps: "He took home all-state honorable mention honors for his work as a pitcher and first baseman."

Michael Vick named 'Most Disliked NFL Player' again: Report

It shouldn't come as a complete surprise that Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick made the list of most disliked players in the NFL, according to a survey by E-Poll Market Research and released Monday by Forbes.com.  But, even four years removed from federal prison for animal cruelty, it's a little stunning that the rehabilitated Vick still topped the list.

Vick was followed by San Diego Chargers rookie Manti Te'o with Detroit defensive end Ndamukong Suh finishing third.

Ben Roethlisberger and Mark Sanchez rounded out the top five. Accused murderer Aaron Hernandez wasn't even included.

Forbes conducted the survey to see who the most hated player in the NFL. Vick has been at or near the top of the list for a while due to his dog fighting incident. 

The Te'o selection is strange. How in the world is the catfished Te'o the second most-hated player in the NFL over players that have done all kinds of stupid things. According to the survey,  Te'o was cited for "Not enough playing time as a rookie yet to erase memories of the bizarre fake girlfriend episode at Notre Dame last year."

Detroit Lions linemen Ndamukong Suh (43% dislike), known for the occasional cheap shot, might be more deserving of the second spot.

The scientific surveys are conducted as representative samples from people age 13 and up. They counted only currently active NFL players whose awareness registered a minimum of 10% with the public. Out of the 1,100 people asked, 53 percent of them said they disliked Vick the most. According to the E-Poll numbers, 48% disliked Te'o.

The Top Ten list is rounded out by Jay Cutler, Tony Romo, Tom Brady, Carson Palmer and Reggie Bush.

With Brady, E-Poll’s numbers show that woman love the guy, but a lot of men see him a metro-sexual pretty boy.

Now Justin Tuck says Steelers linemen have 'gotten away with murder'

New Jersey is still recovering from from the devastation left behind by Sandy but one sure sign that things are slowly getting back to normal is the sound of whining returning to the New York Giants locker room.

Giants players took some time off from complaining — maybe it was drowned out by the winds — after the teams' offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride was swiftly chastised by San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh three weeks ago for saying defensive tackle Justin Smith "gets away with murder."

Yesterday, Justin Tuck accused the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive linemen of the same Class A felony.

"I hope we get some holding calls, because they have gotten away with murder," the Giants defensive end told ESPN.com on Thursday.  "They've done a very good job protecting Ben [Roethlisberger] — they don't hold on every play.  But we've seen a whole lot of it."

While the Todd Haley-schemed Steelers O-line has improved in protecting their quarterback significantly this season, the once-vaunted Giants pass rush has seen a drastic decline in sacks.  Tuck only has a total of one posted on his stat sheet through eight games this season.

"There's a reason why they call him Big Ben, but he's definitely a guy that does a great job of prolonging plays," said Tuck.  "Not necessarily with his feet — he's good that way, too — but you see guys get straight rushes, and he kind of sidesteps them and they kind of fall off of him, so we realize that's going to be a big obstacle for us, and we got to make sure we wrap up when we get to him."

Tuck and his fellow defensive linemen have had a lot of practice chasing around mobile quarterbacks this season.  Besides the hulking Roethlisberger, the Giants have met up with shifty scramblers like Cam Newton,  Tony Romo, Michael Vick and Robert Griffin III.

"It's no easy task being a Giant D-lineman this year," Tuck quipped.  "We've had some different animals out there, but you got to look at it as a great challenge for us."

Sounds like it's not as much of a case of "murder" as it is larceny — like Tuck being robbed of his sacks.

Eli Manning's ranking on NFL Network's top 100 still not 'elite'

Eli Manning has finally made his debut on the 2012 NFL Network's top 100 list coming in at No. 31 after being left off the list last year.  It's not exactly an "elite" position but it's better than be left out of the equation altogether.

No matter what you think of the arbitrary list voted on by a handful of players in the NFL, the thought that they think there are 30 players better than the two-time Super Bowl MVP is perplexing.

Thirty better players?  Really, now.

The selection at No. 31 might be some sort of redemption for Manning after he considered himself an "elite" quarterback before the 2011 season, but it still might not be enough.  The remark was enough to make it a sound bite on every sports show and get the Eli debates started

.

After last night's round was announced, there are apparently four quarterbacks who will be ahead of him— Drew Brees, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers and Ben Roethlisberger.

Big Ben?  Get out.

Eli did manage to over take his older brother Peyton— who came in at #50.

Other notable quarterbacks the Giants signal-caller surpassed include Cam Newton (No. 40), Matthew Stafford (41), River Phillips (61) and division rivals Michael Vick (70) and Tony Romo (91).

In case you were wondering Tim Tebow came in at No. 95.

A few other Giants players joined Manning in the top 100.  Salsa-stepping wideout Victor Cruz came in at No. 39 while Justin Tuck (62) and Hakeem Nicks (90) are the other Giants players revealed so far.  But it would be a real head scratcher if there was a teammate of Eli's ranked ahead of him— Jason Pierre-Paul— maybe?

Manning might have finally cracked the top 100 but didn't he beat Rodgers in the playoffs and Brady in the Super Bowl last year?

Eli Manning's Silence About Plaxico Burress Spoke Volumes

It looks like Plaxico Burress found a fly in his soup during last night's dinner meeting with Tom Coughlin-- and that fly's name might be Eli Manning.

Burress can cook up every reason in the book to explain why he spurned the New York Giants for their Meadowlands cellmates--I mean stadium-mates--the New York Jets, but the absence of any public support from Manning down the stretch might have swung Burress's decision from Big Blue to Gang Green.

If the Giants quarterback is still blaming Burress, and his arrest for gun possession, for costing the team the 2008 season and Manning's chance to get back-to-back Super Bowl titles, he's barking up the wrong goal post.  Ironically, Manning's lack of vocal support for the return of his one-time favorite target could cost him this season as well.

The Giants team is getting old and, now that the Philadelphia Eagles have buffed up their defensive backfield-- with the signing of DB-extraordinaire, Nnamdi Asomugha-- and the uncertain return of receiver Steve Smith to the Giants, the loss of Burress may have just given a huge advantage to the Eagles in their two division game match-ups.

 Coughlin seemed friendlier than a flair-covered waiter at Bennigan's, leading up to his dinner with Burress, while Manning played the snobby waiter at a French bistro.

All week Roethlisberger openly campaigned for Burress' return to the Pittsburgh Steelers.   Manning only mumbled a few standard comments.

"You just don't want distractions," said Manning.  "Distractions, whatever they may be, can hurt a team.  If you're spending your time concerned about something else, bringing your attention away from the opponent on your preparation, that's considered a distraction."

I tell you what distraction is Eli.  Distraction is being asked 'Why didn't you lobby harder for Burress' about five-thousand times this week and looking for a top-notch wide-out in the fourth quarter this season.

Make no mistake, Manning supports Burress' second chance and even made a call to his former wide-out while he was in prison, but hasn't bothered to jump on the "We Want Plax" bandwagon.

By all accounts, the meeting with Coughlin went swimmingly.  The head coach was smiling yesterday and put it bluntly, "The meeting went well."

Not well enough, as Burress's "fully-guaranteed," one-year deal for $3.017 million with the Jets the next day will attest.

Let's give Manning the benefit of a doubt.  Maybe the silent treatment wasn't such a bad idea.  I don't remember Jets quarterback, Mark Sanchez, standing in Times Square singing a tribute to the ex-con and look where Burress ended up.

"I never really lobbied for anybody," said Manning before the meeting.  "So if this is the right spot for Plaxico, if the Giants and Coach Coughlin are pleased with his attitude and after talking to him, then [I'm] happy to have him."

In the end, here's what Manning's silence about signing Burress said.

No distractions.  Burress' return to the Giants will disrupt an already shortened training camp.  It's about the team, not one player.

Why all the fuss over a soon to be (August 12)  34 year-old receiver who hasn't played a down in 2 1/2 years?

How is a guy who was never a fan of Coughlin's discipline and structured system going to feel about  routine after almost two full years in lockup?  Does the prison stint help Burress cope with Coughlin's Captain Bligh act?

Finally, Manning doesn't want to insult his current group of receivers.  After all, he threw for over 4,000 yards last year and has two Pro Bowl-caliber wide-outs in Steve Smith and Hakeem Nicks.  Joined by Mario Manningham, Manning believes he has the nucleus of a solid receiving corp.

"I like our receivers here, I think we have a great crew, very talented, they work hard," he said.  "Can you have too many good receivers?  No, I don't think so.  I'm going about my business and preparing for myself.

Hey, everybody wanted little Eli to man up and be more assertive--so there you go.

Maybe Burress would have picked the Giants if Manning took the time to drop a dime or, just maybe, Coughlin put that fly in the soup.

Will Rex Ryan Get 'Personal" With Roethlisberger?

It's hard to believe the soft and cuddly person on the podium yesterday, extolling the virtues of Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots, was New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan.  Ryan, who had been the NFL's version of Ricky Gervais at the Golden Globes, was now speaking fondly of last week's vanquished foes and acted like Dr. Phil when asked about the upcoming AFC Championship Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

No war of words between the Jets and Steelers.  The only blip on the No Fun League's Polly Purebred meter came from Patriots receiver Deion Branch who called the New York team "embarrassing" and "classless."  That's pretty tame stuff in the Jets universe.

The Jets head coach has been saying 'it's personal' about a lot of things the past few weeks beginning with the foot-fetish videos, which popped up on YouTube, and calling out opposing team's proven leaders the week before they meet.  Now the boastful Ryan has become...boring.  It makes one wonder why he would tone it down and tinker with success now?

Ryan and the Jets have been winning after targeting a prominent person on the opposing team and turning it into a personal vendetta.  Could the Jets actually respect the Steelers or are they afraid?

First, it was Ryan's old thorn-in-the-shorts tormentor Peyton Manning of the Colts who got the Jets skipper yapping.  Then last week, it was Mr. Personality, Belichick and a side order of Tom Brady, who got Ryan riled.  The Jets won both games.

The closest Ryan got to insulting anyone yesterday, after showering the Steelers with everything but candy and flowers, was ask whom he was gunning for this Sunday.

"Give me somebody you want to call out," said Ryan.  "I guess Hines Ward, Casey Hampton."

The Steelers wide receiver and nose tackle make good adversaries but what about quarterback Ben Roethlisberger?

The Jets have had one of the toughest roads to the Super Bowl.  If they succeed, they will have faced, and beaten, the holy trinity of NFL quarterbacks--Manning, Brady and now Roethlisberger.  No small feat, but that task just got bigger--a lot bigger.

Big Ben is the largest and strongest quarterback of the three and could set up the fiercest challenge for the Jets defense.

Roethlisberger may not have the statistical clout of the the other two but he makes up for it in pure size and toughness.  The brutish, 6'5", 240-pound Steeler can flick a pass 50 yards, can pound the defense on the ground and improvise a play-in-progress with the best of them.  The Jets D will have their hands full.

"You can't prepare for what he naturally does," said defensive-end Trevor Price.  "How do you prepare to tackle a guy as big as a polar bear?"  How do you prepare for a guy who wants to win like he wants to win?"

Ryan agrees.  He said, "I've never seen a guy take the hits he can take and also make people miss the way he does and be as accurate on the run."

The Jets beat the Steelers 22-17 on December 19 in Pittsburgh by executing their "Plaster Rules."  It was a zone scheme which turned into man-to-man coverage after Roethlisberger was chase out of the pocket.  On the plays where Pittsburgh started in a man coverage, it usually ended with Steelers gaining large chunks of yardage.

The Jets rough-and-tumble road to Dallas must continue through a solid Steelers team.  The Jets have exorcised the ghosts of their arch-enemies-- the Colts and the Patriots.  Now they face the daunting task of beating an experienced and playoff-tested  team.  Can they do it without puffing out their chests and flapping their gums? It seems unlikely.

If anyone can find a way to rile the Steelers with trash talk, it is Ryan. Many have called him and his team loud-mouthed braggarts.  The Jets 4-1 playoff record over the past two seasons have been partially attributed to the blustery head coach whom his players adore.  Many have called the Jets uncouth but they seem to be winning when everyone expects them to lose.

The Jets have been winning by getting under the other team's skin and making it 'personal'.  The bragging, mocking and seven-letter words are what set the tone for this squad.  Something just doesn't seem right with this new fuzzy-puppy version of the team.

The NFL is probably happy about the eerie quiet.  The networks, not so much.

Anyway, there are still five days to go.  An eternity in Rex Ryan press conferences.