U.S. Marshalls are searching for Mark Ingram, a one-time Super Bowl star as wide receiver for the New York Giants, who failed to show up Friday to begin a 7-year, 8-month sentence at a federal prison in Kentucky.

Ingram had not shown up for sentencing several times at federal court in Central Islip, after his conviction for attempting to launder $100,000 for people he thought were Uniondale drug dealers. Ingram was caught in an FBI sting operation.

When Ingram missed several sentencing dates U.S. District Judge Denis Hurley rescheduled sentencing each time. But Hurley issued an arrest warrant for Ingram on Monday, after federal prosecutor Richard Donoghue told the judge Ingram had not appeared at the federal prison in Ashland, Ky., to begin his sentence, according to court papers.

Ingram’s attorney, Raymond Colon, could not be reached for comment. Donoghue, who said in court after Ingram missed a sentencing date that the ex-football player apparently believed court dates were “optional,” declined to comment yesterday.

A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s office on Long Island, says  a warrant for his arrest was issued.  He is still on the lam!

The former NY Giant standout has sought freedom until after the college football season so he could watch his son’s freshman season as a running back for the University of Alabama.

Stay tuned for more on this developing story.

Oh boy, the NFL Week 15 Power Ranking are out and the Titans have regained top billing.  The NY Giants slipped to number 2 after their week 14 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.  Here are the rankings.
1. Titans (12-1) (2): The train keeps on rollin’. After upset loss two weeks ago to Jets, Titans back on track and on the way to No. 1 seed.

2. Giants (11-2) (1): A momentary glitch, or a sign of things to come? We’ll give the defending champs the benefit of the doubt and choose the former. For a more definitive answer, tune in on Sunday night in Big D.

3. Stillers (10-3) (3): You’ve got to be good to be lucky. In Sunday’s comeback win over the Cowboys, the Stillers were both.

4. Panthers (10-3) (6): Holy Crap(honso) Thorpe! 299 rushing yards against the Bucs? Whoa. Big challenge for Panthers now is winning on the road. They’re unbeaten at home.

5. Colts (9-4) (8): That’s six wins and counting. Home to Detroit, at Jacksonville and home to a Titans team that might not need the win in the finale, and the Colts might win out.

6. Buccaneers (9-4) (4): How often do you see this defense get pushed around like they did last night? Answer: not very.

7. Ravens (9-4) (9): Ravens are in the hunt in the AFC North, but we see Ray Lewis, Joe Flacco & Co. as a wild card team. ‘Specially if they lose at home to the Stillers this weekend.

8. Falcons (8-5) (5): Matt Ryan can’t close the deal in N’Awlins.

9. Patriots (8-5) (11): Huge day for Wes Welker as the receiver keys New England’s comeback in Seattle to insure three-way tie atop AFC East.

10. Dolphins (8-5) (14): The classic example of a well-coached team that doesn’t beat itself.

11. Cowboys (8-5) (10): Tony Romo is still a young quarterback, but he is putting together a series of late-season clunkers that can’t be ignored. Latest example: Sunday in Pittsburgh with a pick-six in the final moments against the Stillers.

12. Vikings (8-5) (12): In a word: whew! Vikes get past upset-minded Lions on the road.

13. Cardinals (8-5) (13): Kurt Warner beats his old Rams team to clinch a rare divisional title for the Cards.

14. Jets (8-5) (7): How many more ways can they break the fans’ hearts? After mega-wins at New England and Tennessee, losses to Denver and San Francisco bring them back to earth with a thud.

15. Iggles (7-5-1) (18): As long as Brian Westbrook is in the lineup, the Iggles have a chance. Massive win against defending champs on the road keeps their slim playoff hopes alive.

16. Broncos (8-5) (15): Looked like the Broncos were gonna lose against to an awful divisional opponent at home. Then Jay Cutler and the Broncos’ D saved the day against the Chiefs.

17. Saints (8-6) (17): Season-saving win over the Falcons.

18. Bears (7-6) (19): Bears manhandle woeful Jags to keep pace in what figures to be a down-to-the-wire race in the NFC North.

19. Texans (6-7) (22): It’s too little too late, but at least the Texans are showing something down the stretch.

20. 49ers (5-8) (23): Ever since Mike Singletary realized dropping his pants wasn’t the best way to win his players’ hearts, the 49ers have played some solid ball. Latest evidence: upset win over the Jets on Sunday.

21. Bills (6-7) (20): Nice way to export the NFL. Bills look completely inept in “home” game in Toronto against Dolphins.

22. Redskins (7-6) (16): They’re at Cincinnati, but they’re still no lock. They’re just awful.

23. Chargers (5-8) (26): Bolts thrash Raiders at home in 3-D on NFL Network. Whoop-de-do.

24. Packers (5-8) (21): How do you give up more than 500 yards … at home … to the Texans?

25. Jaguars (4-9) (24): Put Jack Del Rio at the head of the 2009 class of Coaches on the Hot Seat.

26. Browns (4-9) (25): Even Marty Schottenheimer is poo-pooing a return to Cleveland. Then again, he’s not offering a flat-out “no.”

27. Seahawks (2-11) (27): About the only good thing you can say about this team: They still play hard. Always the loser’s lament.

28. Chiefs (2-11) (28): See comment above.

29. Raiders (3-10) (29): The three words in the NFL that ring hollow: Pride and poise.

30. Bengals (1-11-1) (30): Well, at least Carson Palmer might not need elbow surgery.

31. Rams (2-11) (31): Did this team really beat the Redskins and Cowboys?

32. Lions (0-13) (32): Before Sunday’s game against the Vikings, head coach Rod Marinelli showed his players the team picture and asked if they wanted to see this in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, representative of the league’s first-ever 0-16 team. Even that didn’t work, as Lions blow a lead against the Vikings in what have been their last best chance to win.

Source: Newsday

GAME INFO
New Orleans Saints (7-6) vs Chicago Bears (7-6)

Date: Thursday, Dec 11, 2008
Kickoff:  8:15 PM ET
Teams: Location: Soldier Field, Chicago, Ill
Weather Forecast: 21 – 31 degrees with 10% chance of precipitation

THE LINE (subject to change)
Bears giving 3 points to the Saints  Under/Over 44

THE MATCHUP
New Orleans Saints are 4th in the NFC South (7-6-0), 3 games behind the Carolina Panters who are 10-3.  They have scored 366 points and given up 326.  They are 2-3 in the division and 4-5 in the conference and 1-5 on the Road.

The Chicago Bears are 2nd in the NFC North behind the Minnesota Vikings.  They have scored 304 points while giving up 278.  They are 3-2 in the division and 5-5 in the conference and 4-2 at home.

AGAINST THE SPREAD (ATS)
The Saints are 9-4 ATS, 3-3 ATS Away, 3-2 ATS as the underdog and 2-2 ATS as an away underdog

The Bears are 6-6 ATS, 3-3 ATS at hoe, 4-3 ATS as the favorite and 2-2 ATS as a home favorite.

PREVIEW
This is probably the toughest game of the week to call and the first meeting between the two this season.  The game will be on the shoulders of the Saints QB, Drew Brees and the Bears running back, Matt Forte.  If Brees keeps his interceptions to 1 or less there is a good chance the Saints can upset the Bears.  If Forte has a 100+ yard game it puts the Bears in a good position to keep Brees off the field and win the game.

Both teams are still in the post-season hunt but they need to continue to win to have a chance.

Weather should not be an issue Thursday night. It will be cold but the wind should not be a factor. 

One big stat that sticks out is the Saints are only 1-5 on the Road.

INJURIES
Bears
Marty Booker WR Ribs Did Not Participate In Practice
Desmond Clark TE Hamstring Did Not Participate In Practice
Tommie Harris DT Knee Did Not Participate In Practice
Jason McKie RB Quadricep Did Not Participate In Practice
Garrett Wolfe RB Hamstring Did Not Participate In Practice

Saints
Jammal Brown T Ankle Did Not Participate In Practice
Will Smith DE Not Injury Related Did Not Participate In Practice
Roman Harper S Shoulder Full Participation in Practice
 
 
PREDICTION (ATS)
The Bears are giving 3 points (-3) to the Saints who are 1-5 on the Road.  I see the Bears controlling the ball and winning the game by 4 points.

Chicago Bears 24 New Orleans Saints 20