The Buzz: Grind it out

Jason Taylor, Monica Seles and Kristi Yamaguchi are the athletes anxious to put their best foot forward on the next "Dancing with the Stars," to begin airing in March. Some salient questions: Still with the Dolphins, is this Taylor's only chance to win something meaningful in '08? Can Yamaguchi figure out how to spin sans skates? Will Seles sound her special shriek when she salsas?

The cast also includes magician Penn Jillette, who'll probably disappear early, and comedians Adam Carolla and Steve Guttenberg, who'll bomb at boogying, since they barely have the hang of stand-up.

If The Buzz had to pick a standout NFL defensive end, we'd select Michael Strahan, just to see him stomp someone out.

Spirits move him

Arsenal F.C. goalie Manuel Almunia apparently is the keeper of a haunted house. Almunia and his spouse have reported strange occurrences, perhaps because their pad was built on the same grounds a mental institution once occupied. According to The Sun (U.K.), manager Arsene Wenger has even granted Almunia permission to eat lunch at home, so his wife won't have to be alone with the apparitions (they feast on ghoulash and lost soul food). Predictably, the British tabloids are goblin up the news.

Making the cut

Maybe people complain about the glass ceiling, but few ever consider the glass door. Astros outfielder Hunter Pence didn't. Pence fell through one in the bathroom of his spring training home, giving new meaning to the phrase "hit the shower."

Ivan-handed

A photographer has accused former tennis player Goran Ivanisevic of attacking him and breaking his camera. Ivanisevic was always a bit of a wild card.

Passing interest

"I just want to see the Spurs succeed, and, if I can help, that's great," isn't the type of sentence you'd expert Steve Nash to utter, but never fear Suns' fans, Nash was actually talking about Tottenham Hotspur, his favorite soccer squad, in The Guardian (U.K.). A fervent fan, Nash also kicked around the idea of becoming more involved with the club after he retires. As usual, Nash is looking to assist.

A-Odd

Alex Rodriguez really went to bat defending Andy Pettitte, going so far as to remark, "If I had a daughter, I would want 'em to marry Andy Pettitte. The age difference might be a little awkward, but in today's day and age anything is possible" (never mind that Pettitte has a wife and A-Rod has a daughter). After witnessing the Red Sox win two titles in four years, The Buzz is inclined to agree.

Huddling up

So what do you do with a bad luck charm? If you're Tony Romo, you marry her. According to Us Weekly, Romo and jinx minx Jessica Simpson are on the verge of getting engaged (no telling if Dallas is on the verge of winning a playoff game under Romo's command). The Buzz is on standby with tissues for T.O.