Back Porch Podcast

The FanHouse Podcast: Because bloggers are much sexier on the phone.

In a special edition of ye olde Hauscast (it's special because Wilson's not here!), everyone gets the answer to the age-old question of "What happens when gravel collides with velvet?" Joe Buck joined Will Brinson to talk baseball playoffs, Peyton Manning and some mild mocking of Artie Lange.

Extra bonus: I somehow forget to shill Buck's cause -- a cancer charity -- and he promptly mocks me for it. Seriously though, I egged on that, but I will say that Buck is decidedly more likable on the phone than he is in the booth. That could have to do with Tim McCarver though.

Podcast after the jump.

The FanHouse Podcast: Because bloggers are much sexier on the phone.

SteelCityInsider.com's Jim Wexell comes on the show to talk Titans-Steelers. We get his thoughts on why he likes Pittsburgh to win (even though he's concerned that Kerry Collins and the Tennessee tight ends could pose problems). Jim also discusses the whole "Casey Hampton might get cut?!" rumors, the Big Ben vs. Philip Rivers debate, and the differences between Bill Cowher and Mike Tomlin*.

Fun starts after the jump.

You can follow Jim on Twitter @JimWexell, and buy his most recent book, Steeler Nation: a Pittsburgh Team, an American Phenomenon, here.

The FanHouse Podcast: Because bloggers are much sexier on the phone.

Football Outsiders' Doug Farrar* is back on the show to preview the 2009 NFL season. We talk about just how unlucky the 2008 Seahawks were, and why so many offensive coordinators are suddenly getting canned during preseason.

We also defy Doug to offer a semi-rational explanation for why the Raiders would pull the trigger on the Richard Seymour deal (added bonus: speculation on how Seymour might have been destined for Kansas City before Big Al stepped in), before we discuss those rookies who will have the best chance to contribute this season.

Listen after the jump.

* If you haven't already, please pick up the Football Outsiders Almanac, hands down the best preseason football guide anywhere. In addition to his work at FO.com, Doug can also be found on the Washington Post, and he's the editor of FalconInsider.com.

The FanHouse Podcast: Because bloggers are much sexier on the phone.

Houston Texans starting quarterback Matt Schaub, who has teamed up with Gatorade to educate parents and youth coaches on heat-related illnesses, joins HausCast to talk about the obvious -- Andre Johnson's greatness and the team's expectations heading into the season. We also discuss the truly important stuff; namely, what's it's like to drill a spectator with an errant tee shot at a celebrity golf event.

The FanHouse Podcast: Because bloggers are much sexier on the phone.

Michael Tunison, one of the founding writers of Kissing Suzy Kolber, joins HausCast to talk about his new book, "The Football Fan's Manifesto." Mike explains to Brinson why you have to pick a team by age of 8, then talks about how much team merchandise is too much for superfans, before the conversation turns to the recent Plaxico Burress news. Also find out what it would mean to own a Tommy Maddox Fathead, and if Ben Roethlisberger likes to fake injuries, play up the drama queen angle and use it as motivation during the season.

Moving pictures promo for Mike's book, as well as the podcast audio, after the jump.

The FanHouse Podcast: Because bloggers are much sexier on the phone.

It's been a busy few weeks in the sports media. First, news broke that ESPN sideline reporter Erin Andrews had been illegally videotaped in her hotel room.

And then on Monday night, we learned that Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was accused of sexually assaulting a woman in a Las Vegas hotel room last July. The World Wide Leader decided not to report the news because, as ESPN Mac Nwulu told FanHouse's Michael David Smith, " ... [N]o criminal complaint has been filed. As far as we know, this is a civil lawsuit that Roethlisberger has yet to address publicly."

So we fired up the HausCast machine to talk to Newsday's Neil Best who, according to his blog, "leaves no stone unturned as he brings you news and commentary on the world of sports media." Podcast after the jump.

The FanHouse Podcast: Because bloggers are much sexier on the phone.

The British Open starts Thursday morning (very, very early if you're in the States), and that means a British Open podcast is in order. In a predictable turn of events, Will and Ryan talk Tiger Woods, then discuss what it means that no one will be able to see most of his first round on their TVs (although, for those of you with something more than a dial-up connection, there's this*).

Also on the agenda: the other guys in the field who have a chance, and why that list doesn't include Padraig Harrington (or John Daly, which is obvious to everybody but Brinson), as well as some sleeper picks, courtesy of Shane Bacon.

Talking starts after the jump.

The FanHouse Podcast: Because bloggers are much sexier on the phone.

CNBC's Darren Rovell is back on HausCast, this time to talk about about his upcoming documentary "Inside Track: Refueling the Business of NASCAR."

Along with co-host Will Brinson, we talk about how the collapse of the automotive industry has affected the sport, the similarities between NASCAR and less popular sports like the LPGA Tour, and what effect, if any, Danica Patrick might have on NASCAR should she make the switch. Darren also discusses Tony Stewart's biggest fan, and how Ryan Newman is in the enviable position of having the mostly recession proof Army as his primary sponsor.

We end things by getting Darren's thoughts on the late Billy Mays, one of the infomercial pioneers.

Fun starts after the jump.

The FanHouse Podcast: Because bloggers are much sexier on the phone.

Stephanie Stradley has been with FanHouse since its inception, and Thursday night might have been the lowlight of her internet career: she joined Will Brinson and Ryan Wilson on HouseCast.

Actually, Stephanie's a lawyer in real life so we decided to have her on to talk about two of her recent posts: Tweeting with T.O., and Donte Stallworth's plea deal. And while the Stallworth news has obvious legal implications, so does T.O. TweeterGate.

Stephanie also talks about the Twitter phenomenon -- especially among athletes -- the differences between the Stallworth and Vick cases, the prospects for the Texans in 2009, and, of course, Brett Favre. (Seriously.)

Fun starts after the jump.

The FanHouse Podcast: Because bloggers are much sexier on the phone.

The NFL never really has an offseason, even if there are no games for nearly seven months of the year. But the 2009 season officially gets underway when training camps start in six weeks. Quarterback Matthew Stafford, drafted No. 1 overall by the Detroit Lions, took time out from his day job to join Will Brinson and Ryan Wilson on HouseCast.

Stafford talks about the inspiration behind his Upper Deck end zone celebration, what it means to have the weight of the Motor City on his shoulders, his thoughts on Denver drafting his college teammate Knowshon Moreno 12th overall, the awesomeness that is Calvin Johnson, as well as the truly important stuff: his partnership with AXE Hair.

Matthew even gives us his U.S. Open prediction because, well, that's what guys with great hair do. Click below to listen.