Tim Tebow probably never wanted to see the day when he’d be lumped in with such damaged goods as LeGarrette Blount, Michael Vick, and - ugh - Jeff Fisher. But here it is and here we are, Tebow: Tony Dungy has come rushing to your aid. Yes, the St. Jude of sports, the patron saint of lost causes and dog killers. Dungy. Accept it.

Dungy’s latest comments came to Dan Patrick this morning when talking about drafting a quarterback for a team with a Top 10 pick. Patrick threw out alternative choices like Sam Bradford, Jimmy Clausen, Colt McCoy, and Jake Locker. Nnnnnope. Because Tebow’s a winner, you see. Winners win games. Oh yeah.

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We finally have some on-the-record reaction from Jimmy Clausen and Rich Gunnell after their confrontation following ND’s 20-16 win over BC last Saturday.

(Clausen a “phony”? Mr. Gunnell, get in line)

Clausen said this week that he did his best to avoid what happened: “I was just going up to him to say he’s a heck of a receiver. He was making plays left and right and he’s a real good talent.”

Gunnell wasn’t nearly as complimentary. Actually, swap out “nearly as” with “at all”. Read more…

After Notre Dame’s shaky 20-16 win over Boston College today, Jimmy Clausen went over to shake the hand of BC player Rich Gunnell.

(Screenshots via Chris Littman of TSB)

Gunnell was in no mood for consolation though, and he delivered some pointed words in Clausen’s direction. One guess how Clausen reacted to the situation.

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Steve Clarkson is known as a quarterback king maker. He started the hype machine that led to Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen being called “one of the greatest high school recruits ever”. He helped launch the careers of Ben Roethlisberger, Matt Leinart, J.P. Losman (maybe not such an endorsement) and Gino Toretta. Now he’s in the early stages of launching a primo career for David Sills, a Delaware native who just so happens to be 12 years old.

(Meet the future of the quarterback position, aged 12.)

That’s right folks, a 12 year-old is running through passing drills and prepping himself for college recruitment. He reportedly received a questionnaire from UCLA a year ago, and he’s not alone. According to this piece from CBSSPORTSLINE, Clarkson is tutoring no fewer than four middle school quarterbacks across the country, teaching them advanced formations and schematics as if they were seniors in high school.

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Stanford offensive lineman Chris Marinelli talked a big game earlier this week when he said that he “hated” Notre Dame, Catholics, and pretty much anyone who’s ever lived in the state of Indiana. He backed it up with…well, he’s an offensive lineman so it’s kinda hard to quantify what he did exactly. But his team lost, so all that yapping really worked out for him.

Marinelli’s motivation apparently worked for the Irish, though, who built a 28-7 lead before holding on for a 28-21 win over the Cardinal in South Bend. But we were treated to a little extra drama, as the teams scuffled after the final whistle and then Jimmy Clausen accused Jim Harbaugh of giving him the cold shoulder afterward. And, naturally, Pac-10 officials screwed up a call in the second quarter that had Harbaugh livid.

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• THE SPORTING BLOG wonders if Chinese swimmers cheated. Sounds like a job for Spooky Mulder.

• FREE DARKO uncovers the original No. 4 for the New York Jets (sadly, he didn’t set a single-day sales record).

• Hey, if it’s good for LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, BALLHYPE points out that it’s good for Dwyane Wade, too.

• LARRY BROWN SPORTS writes that Aaron Rodgers isn’t fond of young children cussing at him. Weird. Read more…

• Tony Kanaan’s wife suggests her IRL hubby go throw on a dress if he’s gonna qualify behind Danica Patrick.

Maybe a little stylish number like this?

• Speaking of married life, a couple of Dallas DJs don’t show much respect to some of the Royals’ significant others.

• First, Mindy McCready’s mom confirms her daughter’s connection to Roger Clemens. Now, the country singer’s dad adds that the two did the tantric tango together.

• Jason Taylor tries to bring some football flair to “Dancing With The Stars.” Bill Parcells remains unimpressed.

• Hulk Hogan caught placing his 24-inch pythons on some pretty posteriors.

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The kids at M ZONE tickled us today with these S.A.B.’s of Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen.

We feel for JC. Having to resort to a combover at 19 is really no fun:

The photo at right is of Woody Harrelson in Kingpin, which we happen to think is, along with Raising Arizona, the funniest movie of all time. That is, until ESPN Original Entertainment sends us the initial treatment of “Emmitt Smith, Mic’d Up“.

And why is it that most of the comedic talent in the sports blogger community resides at the college football sites? Case in point.