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Matt Leinart … Menace to Society?

April 18, 2007 By 1 Comment

Alright, I’m not too concerned with Leinart slipping one past the goalie. That’s his business and his life … and his child support payments. Lots of em. And we already know he has a reputation for being a Hollywood guy, but has he taken the Hollywood mentality a bit too far? Quite possibly.

Via Fark, the Arizona Republic says Leinart’s car was caught by speed cameras four times for being over the speed limit (by at least 11mph). One of Leinart’s agents, Chuck Price, protected Leinart saying one of the tickets was his. Three of the instances were within a span of five days!

Sure, speed racer wasn’t too far over the speed limit, but he should know better, especially considering he could wind up with his license suspended because of repeat violations. No meetings to be reprimanded by Commish Goodell have been scheduled.

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Screw New York, Joe Thomas Is Going Fishing

April 18, 2007 By Leave a Comment

You know how on draft day, there are constant shots to the green room where the humble former collegians are awaiting the moment that will change their live for the future? All the players are gathered so when their name is finally called, they can proudly prance across the stage, pose alongside the commissioner, jersey in hand, cap atop the head, and break open a lovely smile. It is at that very moment that the man makes a transformation from draft prospect to future cornerstone of an NFL franchise.

Why all the sentiments and the poetic waxing you ask? Well, because Joe Thomas has made it very clear that he will not be present in New York City for the 2007 NFL Draft. He will not be there to crack the proud smile alongside the commissioner when his name is called — be it early like a Robert Gallery before him — or embarrassingly late like Aaron Rodgers a few years ago. Instead, as Adam Schefter reports, Joe Thomas will be gone fishing:

Despite a personal e-mail from commissioner Roger Goodell, Thomas rejected the NFL’s repeated written and verbal invitations to attend the draft-week festivities in New York.

Thomas wants to maintain a years-old tradition in which he spends draft day fishing for coho salmon on Lake Michigan with his dad.

That’s so sweet. Sentimental. Wholesome. Refreshing. A good family man, spending good quality time with his pops.

Unfortunately, Thomas isn’t as wholesome as his actions would make you believe. He has endorsement deals with companies such as Under Armour who I’m sure is not happy about Thomas’ planned absence on the biggest day of a draftee’s life — in front of millions of viewers no less.

I guess in the end this whole deal won’t even matter by the time Thomas is in training camp. But for now, I’m sure he’s upset several sponsors, and we already know the commish ain’t happy about it. Hey Joe, don’t be surprised if you get flagged for a couple of extra holding calls this year buddy.

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The Cincinnati Bengals Are on the Clock

April 17, 2007 By Leave a Comment

And I’m picking for them! Actually, I’ve already picked for them … in the Awful Announcing Complete Sports Bloggers Mock Draft Version 1.0. We left off yesterday at pick 15, with The Starter Wife from Ladies… selecting Penn St. OL Levi Brown. Here’s the recap of Day 1 (picks made on behalf of blogger listed in brackets):

  1. Oakland Raiders [Dan Shanoff] – Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
  2. Detroit Lions [The Wayne Fontes Experience] – JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
  3. Cleveland Browns [A Price Above Bip Roberts] – Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma
  4. Tampa Bay Bucs [Leave the Man Alone] – Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame
  5. Arizona Cardinals [Deadspin] – Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
  6. Washington Redskins [Unsilent Majority] – Amobe Akoye, DT, Louisville
  7. Minnesota Vikings [Our Book of Scrap] – Ted Ginn Jr., WR/KR, Ohio St.
  8. Atlanta Falcons [The Big Lead] – LaRon Landry, S, LSU
  9. Miami Dolphins [Just Call Me Juice] – Joe Thomas, OL, Wisconsin
  10. Houston Texans [Seal Clubbers] – Greg Olsen, TE, Miami
  11. San Francisco 49ers [The Fan's Attic] – Jamal Anderson, DE, Arkansas
  12. Buffalo Bills [Shot to Nothing] – Leon Hall, CB, Michigan
  13. St. Louis Rams [J-Money] – Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska
  14. Carolina Panthers [Digital Headbutt] – Paul Posluszny, LB, Penn St.
  15. Pittsburgh Steelers [TheStarterWife] – Levi Brown, OL, Penn St.

Hey, might not be exactly what you see on draft day, but it’s a good barometer for what the fans are feeling across the blogosphere. Look out for Day 2 of the draft over at Awful Announcing today.

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Filed Under: College Football, Football

Michael Michaels Is as Crooked as a Reggie Bush Punt Return

April 13, 2007 By 13 Comments

Image courtesy Bevo Sports

For as much crap as Reggie Bush has taken over the scandals he created upon leaving USC for the NFL, I truly believe Michael Michaels is the real crook here. Here you have a guy who was trying to make it on the sports agent/sports marketing scene by throwing a ton of cash and perks Reggie Bush’s way. No question Bush wouldn’t have been the first athlete to illegally receive gifts and bribes from agents and marketers while in school — not as if that makes it OK — but he’s not the one who cried out to the public as soon as the deal went sour.

That is so wrong in so many ways. You’re trying to illegally persuade a top-notch client to join your business — and when he doesn’t — you try to solve it in a court room?

The former landlord for Reggie Bush’s parents in Spring Valley has reached an undisclosed settlement agreement with the Bush family for alleged unpaid rent and other losses in a case still under investigation by the NCAA.

Michael Michaels alleged last year that Bush’s parents lived rent-free in his house for a year while Bush was at USC, with the understanding that Bush would be a centerpiece in Michaels’ fledgling marketing agency after he turned pro.

So no, I do not condone Reggie Bush and/or his family accepting gifts while Reggie was playing at USC, but Michael Michaels is far worse. By the way, what a sound recruiting strategy. Imagine how many other prospective clients will want to sign with Michaels now that they know should their business dealings go wrong, they could wind up going to court? What a fantastic approach!

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Filed Under: College Football, Darwin Nominees, Football Tagged With: ,

Pacman Suspension Is Wrong

April 10, 2007 By 9 Comments

The following piece has been written by featured contributor, John Ramey 

Let me first disclose I am no Pacman Jones fan. He is a defensive back for a team I care very little about in a league I like even less, especially after today’s action from NFL Commissioner, Roger “Benito” Goodell.

Pacman Jones has been suspended for the entire 2007 season. And I’m wondering why.

Oh yes, he has a litany of arrests from 2005 and 2006. He has been involved in an ugly shooting incident in Vegas this year. Pacman may very well be a bad guy. I have no proof that he is not.

how EVAH

The law has traditionally been applied in unequal volumes upon the young and the black. So let’s keep that in mind before we decide that Pacman is always “at the wrong place at the wrong time.” American Law Enforcement has a 400+ year history of picking on the black man. This is an unimpeachable fact. It is not inconceivable, nor even unreasonable to assume Pacman’s sordid history with the police can be, in part, a symptom of this societal ill. You will either understand this as truth or dismiss it as excuse making. Whatever.

What really concerns me is the lack of outcry. It is an outrage that the NFL Commissioner, the governing office for 32 football teams, can unilaterally suspend Pacman for a season. Isn’t that blacklisting? Collusion? Let’s say I am an employee of Larry Brown Media Enterprises. Let’s say I’m part of an investigation relating to a very serious crime. Is it ethical or legal for Larry to suspend me, assuming my cooperation with the investigation has not affected my ability to perform the duties for which Larry has hired me to perform? Has Pacman’s ability to perform football duties for the Titans been impaired by these incidents?

Moreover, if there is something in Pacman’s contract that allows the league to take such an action resulting in his being contacted by law enforcement, is that an ethical agreement? Legal? Are these agents even reading the damn things? What good is that union? I’m waiting for proof that NFL Labor leadership aren’t the lapdogs of the commissioner’s office.

Some have pointed out to me that Pacman’s unsavory reputation has impaired “the fans’” ability to enjoy any game in which Pacman performs, and that the NFL is protecting “the fans”. But when was it legal for an employer to deny a worker his right to earn a living simply because certain patrons had a problem with said worker?

Oh, wait! I remember it used to happen all the time before the Equal Employment Opportunity executive order was signed in 1965. You might recall that period as American Apartheid. Or you might not. How convenient.

Here’s a hint: If you have a problem with Pacman’s personal affairs, I suggest you root against him, or boo him, or choose not to patronize the Titans, or the NFL, or boycott their sponsors.

Larry Brown has pointed out to me that the Commissioner is well within his right to suspend Pacman in order to preserve the NFL’s reputation. If this is the case, I am hereby encouraging a boycott of the NFL by current and future players. Only a fool would willingly bind themselves in legal fashion to an employer so obsessed with the whims of racist law enforcement over the interests and labor rights of its most basic and beautiful product, the players. 60% of the NFL is black and I’m pretty sure that means 60% of the league has an elevated chance of being fucked with, merited or otherwise, by the police. I encourage all those in the players union to rethink the terms of the current collective bargaining agreement. Think about it; if the NFL is banning players at will because of police contact, not convictions, no felonies, no jail-time but mere police contact, then it might not be the best place for minority athletes to draw a paycheck.

Surely we as a society cannot cheer the denial of a man his right to exploit his considerable skills in his given profession, because that would be inhumane. The welcoming of this action is disgusting. Shame on Roger Goodell, the NFL, and all of the rest of you who think this is acceptable.

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Caught in the Middle of a Possible Johnnie Morton Family Feud

April 4, 2007 By 2 Comments

A few weeks ago, I posted the story that Johnnie Morton would be trying out mixed martial arts fighting. Naturally, many people including myself thought it was an odd way for Morton to spend his retirement. Anyhow, it now appears as if some members of the Morton family, including Johnnie himself, may have used the post as a forum to air some grievances. First, a man claiming to be a cousin of Johnnie’s talked about beating Johnnie at wrestling back in the day. Then, a man named Alan, who claims to be related to Johnnie through marriage wrote this:

I’m related to Junior only by marriage. When he started out in football you could call him human. My wife baked him cookies so when I met him at the end of the game he could have a treat. Well how did he ‘treat’ us once he made a buck or a touchdown in football, like dirt. His mother was worse. One day I asked his younger brother Chad to see if he could get Junior to autograph a Chiefs football for my best friend who had broken his neck but loved his Chiefs and admired Junior. Well a $65 football never got autographed, it was lost by either brother and when I asked his mother and father about it by leaving a note on the iron fence that guards their home, the next thing I heard was from my mother in law, Johnnie’s aunt who told me that Katz and Johnnie accused me of ’stalking’ them. So why the story, while family should always be family and former USC greats like Johnnie and his brother Chad (who have a 1/2 brother who played for J.K McKay and the Bucs in the 70’s) go from career to career, now fighting for a living, no matter how much money they make, they should always remain ‘humans’ and kind to their fellow man. Millen was wrong on words but maybe right on in judging Johnnie as into himself. I remember Chad riding ontop of his older brother when they were youngsters, they always would ask me for a ride in my 82′Mustang GT, when I asked them over 20 yrs later for an autographed football for my injured friend, I got nothing but attitude. Johnnie – I wish you well in your new career, you’ll always be successful in life, just one question – where is my friends special KC Chief Football signed. See he still values you and a team you were a part of, even after what you never did and costing him a valued item.

He was obviously bitter and still had some anger inside him over the football that allegedly was never signed. Then, imagine my surprise to see a response left by J-Mo, who registered the comment under a pretty legit email address:

Alan,

First of all, if you have something to say, say it to my face. Why go onto a website and leave a posted message? If you were a real man you’d address me personally. You know how to get ahold of me. You say you’re not a stalker? How did you find out about my fight and why are you on some site blogging about me? You seem to be infatuated with me. You talk about what Matt Millen said about me? Maybe he was talking about you. Why don’t you mention in your little whiny little blog about the time you asked me for $35,000 but didn’t want me to mention it to anyone? You’re the only relative to come out of the woodwork and ask me for money. Hmm, seems you forgot about that. The time after the San Diego game a lot of people asked me who that crazy guy was who wouldn’t leave you alone and was harassing you. One final thing. My father was shot 8 times and survived and that incident caused a lot of grief for my family. He survived luckily. Some time after that you wrote an anonymous letter telling him how happy you were that that happened. You said a lot of nasty things in that letter. I know it was you that wrote it because it came shortly after I denied you that money and you know my father didn’t approve of you asking. You are a fucking coward and know that you’ve gone public talking shit about me, when/if I see you next, you’re going to have a big fucking problem. You fucked up Alan and I’ll see to it that you pay bitch. Payback’s a motherfucker…

The legitimacy of these comments can definitely be questioned, but it begs to be answered, why would a Johnnie Morton impersonator go out of his way to write all that? And who else would have those types of details?

Did Johnnie Morton really respond to that comment? Thoughts anyone…

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Bengals WR Chris Henry in Trouble, Again, Sun Still Sets in the West

March 27, 2007 By 2 Comments

This is getting sickening but must be addressed. As passed along by commenter JS, Bengals WR Chris Henry is having legal problems, again (although this time they are on a considerably minor scale compared to some of his past issues). Chris Henry could be spending time in a Kentucky jail for three traffic violations.

Henry was ticketed March 21 in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine for driving on a suspended license, not wearing a seat belt and not using a turn signal.

Chief prosecutor Ken Easterling of the Kenton County Attorney’s Office said Tuesday a conviction on those charges would be enough to revoke Henry’s Kenton County probation and send him back to jail to serve the rest of his 90-day sentence.

These chargers are nothing compared to what else is on Henry’s rapsheet, but once you establish a pattern of behavior, the ninth strike is sometimes enough to do you in for good.

Or so says commish Roger Goodell

Goodell said some disciplinary hearings already are scheduled for next week in New York. Henry and his former West Virginia college teammate, Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones, are believed to be among the players who will appear.

What is it with these West Virginia cooks?

I’m not even going to bother listing the Bengals problems over the past year, I’ll let you read about em here if you choose.

I also don’t have the energy to explain why this sort of behavior has made me embarrassed and ashamed to be a Bengals fan. You can read my explanation at my old blog on foxsports.com here. In case you were wondering, I’ve stayed true to my word. I couldn’t tell you the last time I wore any of the Bengals shirts or jerseys that I own — and that my friends, is truly disappointing.

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