November 21, 2008
Per Adam Schefter of NFLN, Nnamdi Asomugha is the most underrated player in NFL history according to Broncos coach Mike Shanahan.
“He is the most underrated football player in the history of the game,” Shanahan said of Asomugha.
“I can’t believe this guy hasn’t been to the Pro Bowl or people don’t talk about him all the time. He is off the charts and as good as it gets. He doesn’tget the attention for the way he plays consistently. He is the most underrated football player that I have ever seen in my coaching career.”
We agree that Asomugha is the most underrated player in the game, but we’re not sure about NFL history.
People talk about shut-down corners quite a bit, but there really aren’t many in the game. Asomugha is a shut-down corner. No one even bothers to throw his way.
November 21, 2008
Newsday is reporting that the Knicks have dealt Jamal Crawford to the Golden State Warriors for Al Harrington.
An NBA source told Newsday that the Knicks haven’t announced the deal yet because they might not be finished trading. Another rumor has the Knicks shipping Zack Randolph to the Clippers for Tim Thomas and Cutino Mobley.
Photo Caption: Jamal Crawford has perfected his “I’m not even paying attention” brand of defense.
Something else will almost have to happen or the Knicks just serious weakened their back court. This is assuming they still plan to ban Stephon Marbury, which seems likely.
November 20, 2008
Dallas Cowboys RB Felix Jones will be shelved for the year on IR after it was found that he’ll need surgery to repair a ligament in his toe. He’s proven to be explosive, but only played in six games this year due to hamstring issues.
Because he is out for the year, he becomes a risky fantasy option moving forward.
November 20, 2008
Take Chad Johnson out of your lineups tonight because he has been benched for missing a team meeting.
November 19, 2008
G. Cobb was over at practice today and he said Brian Westbrook is definitely more banged up than the team is leading on. Westbrook even said that his high-ankle sprain is preventing him from really cutting.
And now, Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post says that he keeps hearing the same thing:
“I continue to hear that Brian Westbrook is badly hurt, and I wonder if they end up shutting him down, at least for a week or two. Having to play at Baltimore - which has a defense that generally leaves an opposing offense bruised and battered for weeks - will do them no favors, and I wonder if they fall off for good. (I also saw where Reid actually called for pass plays on all 18 of Philly’s third-down plays in the tie with Cincy, including a bunch of third-and-one situations. That’s hard-nosed football. I guess Correll Buckhalter is in the doghouse or something.)”
Why is La Canfora an insider on Brian Westbrook, considering he covers the Redskins? It’s simple: Byron Westbrook, Brian’s brother, plays for the ‘Skins and is probably the best source for BWest information.
November 19, 2008
A source has told the Dallas Morning News that the alcohol treatment center from which Pacman Jones has just “graduated,” says that Pacman doesn’t have a problem with booze.
In our opinion, this is terrible, terrible news for Pacman. This means that he’s just a flat-out asshole with no excuse.
November 19, 2008
This past Sunday in an Italian league soccer match-up between Catania and Torino, three players from the Catania team dropped their shorts. This is the newest, creative strategy that is used to block the goaltender’s vision of the ball. Nothing better than to confuse the keeper with a pair of balls in order to block his site of the soccer ball.
And guess what? It worked. The three Cantania players dropped their shorts (to their knees) during a kick by fellow teammate Giuseppe Mascara. Torino goalie Matteo Sereni couldn’t see the kick and the ball found the net. The goal ended up being the difference in Cantania’s 3-2 victory.
This got me thinking. Can this be done in other sports? And if not, what creative strategies can we think of that are similar to this maneuver?
- Can a basketball player drop their shorts in an attempt to stop a basketball from being passed in between their legs? Would their lateral movement be effected? Can they drop their shorts during an opposing teams’ free throw to try to distract them? Or do the balloon-like noise makers already do that?
- Can Randy Moss pull down his pants, moon the Packer fans, and wipe his bum on the field goal post?
- Can Bill Buckner drop his pants so ground balls don’t go through his legs? Again, will that effect his lateral movement? Actually, does he still play? If not, can I swap Bill Buckner with Akinori Iwamura?
- Can Charles Haley drop his pants in the locker room?
- In an attempt to motivate the 49ers, can a coach…lets say Mike Singletary…drop his pants to show his players what part of their body is getting kicked?
- Can a hockey player drop his shorts to screen the goalie? Probably not a good idea if you want to have babies. Maybe Travis Henry and Jason Caffey should play hockey and drop their shorts? They don’t need any more kids. They have a combined 19 kids by 17 different women (as far as we know). What are the odds that one of those women has a kid from both Travis and Jason? I’ll set the odds at 25-to-1.
Alright, I’m done. Feel free to chime in. Let’s hope no clothes are coming off in the WNBA, right fellas?
November 18, 2008
Gentleman and scholar Adam “Pacman” Jones will learn his fate this week after completing an alcohol treatment program that was ordered after he got into a li’l bit of a scuffle with a body guard at a hotel.
“Adam has been through a period of time where he’s gone through medical evaluations and I will be hearing from those personnel later this week,” Commissioner Roger Goodell said through an interpreter. “And we’ll be making a decision some time in the coming days with respect to his status.”
Regardless of whether he reinstates Pacman, the douchebag (Pacman, not Goodell) won’t be able to play this week against San Francisco.
We think Goodell will let him play again, but we aren’t sure why. This ass was kicked out of football for the 2007 season and continues to act like a hump. When does it stop? At what point do we acknowledge that he just doesn’t have the makeup and upbringing to be a productive member of society?
November 18, 2008
As reported on ESPN, “ESPN and the BCS announced the deal on Tuesday. It includes exclusive television, radio, digital, international and marketing rights for the Fiesta, Orange and Sugar Bowls from 2011-2014 and the BCS title game from 2011 to 2013.”
This means the Fiesta, Orange and Sugar Bowls, plus the BCS Championship Game, will be televised in prime…blah blah blah…who the F cares?
I read the article about five times and I still haven’t found the sentences that read, “starting in the 2009-10 college football season the NCAA will have a playoff system consisting of the top-eight ranked teams to determine the National Championship. Four newly formed bowls have been named. The Super Awesome Bowl will be featuring the number one and number eight ranked teams. The It’s Finally Here Bowl will be featuring the number two and number seven ranked teams in the nation. The There Will Finally Be No Arguments About Who Is Number One Bowl will play the number three ranked team against the number six ranked team. And finally, the If You Oppose This Playoff Format You Are An Idiot Bowl will host the number four and number five ranked teams.
PHOTO CAPTION: The Super Awesome Bowl would be played at Lambeau Field.
Don’t give me the argument that the number nine team is left out of this tournament. Nobody cares about Boise State.
After round one we have four teams left, which leaves us three more games that can be played in the Fiesta Bowl, the Orange Bowl, and the Sugar Bowl. These three bowls will alternate every year in hosting the National Championship game. It’s that easy.
I’m sorry I left out the Rose Bowl, but Vince Young and Matt Leinart’s performances in the NFL have completely ruined my perception of the 2006 game in Pasadena.
This new playoff system would be the best tournament in sports and would trump March Madness.
November 18, 2008
I was watching Animal House about five minutes ago and when this scene played a thought crossed my mind…”this is exactly what would happen if Justin Tuck ran into Tony Romo at a fraternity party.” I’m pretty sure of it. Oh, and guess who is who. Enjoy.
November 18, 2008
Donovan McNabb is getting skewered in the national and local media this week for admitting that he didn’t know that NFL games could end in a tie.
Do I think he and every other NFL player should know this rule? Yes, I do. But the fact is, he didn’t. And several other players have admitted to it as well.
Per PFT, Ben Roethlisberger told a Pittsburgh radio station that he thinks half the NFL probably doesn’t know the rule.
“People are making too big of a deal of this,” Roethlisberger said, according to Tim Benz of WXDX. “They’re being too hard on Donovan. I’d bet you fifty percent of the league didn’t know that at the time. You’d be surprised. People seem to think that the quarterback should know it all, and that everyone should know that stuff. And it’s not necessarily true. Because who ever thinks of that situation? How often does it ever come up? And the rules change so often that you never know what happens.”
To me, Donovan’s real crime was admitting his ignorance of the rule publicly. As he’s finding out, it’s just not worth it. The only thing that will save him is more players coming out and saying they didn’t know either.
Hines Ward’s Steelers played in a tie game in 2002 against the Falcons. Yet, he doesn’t know the rule?
“I thought we just played until we had a winner,” Ward said. “It’s kind of weird now that you can tie ball games.”
Everyone thinks the players should know rules like this, but the truth is, everyone has gaps in their knowledge. Regardless of the subject matter, every one of us could be asked an “easy” question and not know.
I know some people that I consider to be extremely intelligent that couldn’t label each state on a blank map of the United States. Do you know the date of D-Day? Do you know the role of the Watergate in “Watergate?” Do you know the address of the White House (I admit, I just forgot the numbers. I know it’s Pennsylvania Ave, but I was thinking 1200, not 1600. I’m stupid)? The engine on your car has how many cylinders?
These are just a few examples of things we should all know, but don’t always. There are tons and tons of other things that we should probably know, but don’t. Donovan just had the unfortunate experience of telling the whole world that he didn’t know an important NFL rule. No one notices when you are watching TV on the couch with your wife at night and it comes out that you didn’t know the name of the Vice President of the United States (I’ve seen it happen!).
We all have the gaps and we all have important information missing from our brains. Hopefully, more NFL players that didn’t know the rule will come out and defend McNabb.
November 18, 2008
You can check them out here.
November 18, 2008
Allen Iverson is an amazing talent, but he is not a winner. His career losing record as an NBA player confirms that last statement. Look it up.
When he was a Philadelphia 76er, everyone argued they never put the right players around him. It wouldn’t have mattered. Allen Iverson can’t play within a team because he has a me-first and score-first mentality. Moreover, he lacks the maturity to respect and listen to his coaches. His relationship with Larry Brown is a prime example. And his horrible attitude towards Moe Cheeks on his way out of Philly is another.
Allen Iverson finally found himself with the Denver Nuggets, a playoff team filled with high-profile players in the likes of Carmelo Anthony, Marcus Camby, and Kenyon Martin. He had the opportunity to show the NBA world what he could do on the roster of an elite team. And what happened? The Denver Nuggets became an even worse basketball team and lost eight straight playoff games.
Are you sick of me bad-mouthing Allen Iverson? How about we listen to what George Karl has to say in reference to the Chauncey Billups-Allen Iverson trade?
“There are less bad plays, more solid plays,” Karl said. “I think the wasteful, cheap possessions that we used to have 10 to 15 a game, they don’t exist very much anymore.”
“We have contested-shot charts, bad-shot charts and cheap defensive possessions,” Karl said. “I would say that when A.I. was here, we had most games in the teens of contested, tough shots, sometimes in the 20s. And I don’t think we’ve had a double-digit one since (Billups has) been here.
“I don’t think there’s any question coaching a team for many minutes, without a passing and point guard mentality, is frustrating for a coach. Sometimes I saw something, but I couldn’t get it done on the court because I didn’t have a playmaker out there.”
Back to me, I’ve been preaching this for years. I understand Allen Iverson is fun to watch. He’s amazing at scoring the basketball and very talented. But he never will understand what it takes to win a championship. He can pile on stat after stat, but ‘wasteful and cheap possessions’ will always be Allen Iverson’s downfall.
As a Detroit Piston’s fan, I plead to Michael Curry to start Rodney Stuckey over Allen Iverson. And if he doesn’t, I guess all I can say is ’good luck.’
November 18, 2008
Donovan McNabb knew the game would end in a tie if nobody scored in overtime. I don’t care what he said during the post-game interview. He knew.
He was doing the whole “playing-dumb-because-that-is-such-a-stupid-rule-and-I-can’t-believe-we-just-tied-the-Bengals” card. Donovan has played in 12 OT games during his NFL career. If you honestly fell for that whole “he didn’t know” crap, you are just as dumb as the talk radio hosts in the Philadelphia area.
Maybe Correll Buckhalter didn’t know. Maybe Greg Lewis didn’t know. But they found out from one of their trainers during the OT. Maybe DeSean Jackson didn’t know, but he’s a rookie. Maybe Omar Gaither didn’t know, but whatever. Donovan knew. I think they all knew.
PHOTO CAPTION: McNabb looks down field at his wide receivers’ feet.
They were embarrassed, so they played dumb. We’ve all done it before. There’s a six-pack in the fridge and you know it’s your roommates. Your roommate isn’t home, so you decide to drink one, then you drink two, then you kill the whole sixer. Your roommate comes home and he asks where the hell his beer is and you respond, “I thought that was my beer. If I knew it was yours, I wouldn’t have drank it.”
That’s not a good example. But my point is I think he knew. I know he knew. Saying he didn’t know was his way of letting everyone realize what a ridiculous rule it is to have an NFL game end in a tie. And I agree. It’s a stupid rule.
November 17, 2008
Portland Trailblazer forward Channing Frye was asked who were the top five sweatiest guys in the NBA. Channing, who typically sweats through three t-shirts during practice and used to bring an extra change of clothes to high school because of this very topic, presented his list (five was extended to six):
- Nick Collison, Thunder
- Shaq, Suns
- Zach Randolph, Knicks
- Malik Rose, Knicks
- Channing himself, Blazers
- Greg Oden, Blazers
This got me thinking of another top five list, which I will extend to six. The top five first names I would never name my kid in the NBA:
- ‘Channing’ Frye, Blazers
- ‘Rafer’ Alston, Rockets
- ‘Solomon’ Jones, Hawks
- ‘Dirk’ Nowitzki, Mavericks
- ‘Stromile’ Swift, Nets
- ‘Jawad’ Williams, Cavs
PHOTO CAPTION: Channing Frye makes both lists.
November 17, 2008
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has been charged with insider trading. Allegedly, he dumped 600,000 shares of Mamma.com back in 2004 on information he obtained that wasn’t public. Hence, insider trading.
“As we allege in the complaint, Mamma.com entrusted Mr. Cuban with nonpublic information after he promised to keep the information confidential,” said Scott W. Friestad, Deputy Director of the SEC’s Division of Enforcement. “Less than four hours later, Mr. Cuban betrayed that trust by placing an order to sell all of his shares.”
November 17, 2008
I don’t know where to start, so let me list some thoughts on yesterday, the season, and what the hell is going on with the Philadelphia Eagles.
PHOTO CAPTION: “My turn?”
- When did McNabb start playing the quarterback position like he is 5-foot-7 inches tall?
- When will Andy Reid realize the “throw the ball into a large mass of linemen” play doesn’t work on 3rd and 1. They ran this play six times yesterday making it a grand total of 79 for the year.
- When will McNabb realize that trying to ricochet a pass off a defensive lineman’s hand is not an effective way to get an important completion.
- Why do Kevin Curtis and LJ Smith run routes without looking back to see if the ball is going to be thrown to them.
- I’m learning to appreciate the art of the 25-second three-and-out.
- Will someone wipe the smile off Donovan’s face? Nothing was funny about yesterday.
- Apparently there is no ‘wind in your face’ in Australia.
- The quarterback sneak gets you one yard, sometimes two.
- The thing about trick plays is the Eagles can’t execute them.
- McNabb may not have puked yesterday, but I sure did.
- When was the last time McNabb engineered a game-winning drive? Seriously, I can’t remember. If you know, please tell me.
- Andy Reid is really fat. Black usually makes you look thinner. But with Andy, black really makes him look fat.
- If a wide receiver is wide open are you supposed to gun it over his head so the ball lands 30 yards down the field…
- Or are you supposed to gun it at his feet?
- I would trade Donovan McNabb straight up for Eli Manning right now.
- I bet the first thing that reads on Andy and Marty’s play-calling sheet is “syalp evisneffO,” because it seems everything they call is ass-backwards.
- I’m going to wear a shirt that reads, ‘Third-and-done,” to the next Eagles’ game.
- Screen plays are effective when the other team is not expecting them.
- Always play for the tie.
- Can you tell that I’m getting ready for the Kevin Kolb era to begin? I have always been a McNabb supporter, but there is no defending that performance yesterday.
- LJ Smith can’t catch with one person defending him, so maybe he can catch with two people defending him?
- I was 70-for-76 in guessing what plays the Eagles were going to run yesterday. Andy Reid has become too predictable.
There we go, I feel much better. Did I miss anything? Feel free to chime in.
November 16, 2008
The Giants almost did it. The Cowboys almost did it. But the Eagles were the ones that actually found a way to not beat the Cincinnati Bengals. Well done, let’s look at the game:
What I liked…
-The defense was pretty good I guess.
-We done here? Good.
…and not so much…
-Someone explain to me what got into Donovan McNabb. Three INT’s? I can’t remember the last time that McNabb threw that many in a game. Like say…the Super Bowl? Even then, the last one didn’t really count that day; the game was already over. But whatever, four turnovers is very un-McNabb-like.
-If the Eagles were worth a darn in short yardage, you could have gone for it on fourth down instead of settling for the Akers field goal with five minutes and change remaining in the game.
-The Eagles cannot run the ball a lick. This is a big problem.
-The Eagles looked like they had no confidence at all today.
-I don’t care how chilly and windy it was out there, Sav Rocca was a disgrace. For a guy that has punted so well this season, he was just terrible every time he had to kick the ball.
-Memo to Eagles; Stop dropping passes.
-Dumb penalties are the sign of a team that lacks discipline.
-Speaking of which, that was a miserable roughing the passer penalty towards the end. The refs have to let guys play.
-It’s troubling that the Eagles struggled all day to get separation from the Bengals secondary.
-This team looked beaten today. I don’t know if it was the loss to the Giants or what, but they had zero life.
November 16, 2008
After the Eagles tied the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Donovan McNabb said in his press conference that he thought they played another overtime. Ummmm…..no.
Correll Buckhalter thought the same thing. So I wonder who in the hell is in charge of telling the players the damn rules.
November 16, 2008
The Houston Texans just got a lot better this week. Bob Sanders (knee), the safety that changes everything for the Colts defense, will not play today.
November 15, 2008
Are you surprised? FoxSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Yankees will be going after Jake Peavy. According to a Major League source, the Padres and Yankees have had “numerous discussions” regarding Peavy.
There are a couple potential problems, however. The Yankees just unloaded five young pitchers to acquire the likes of Xavier Nady, Damaso Marte and Nick Swisher. So, they may be low on ammo.
Also, Peavy has a no-trade clause in his contract and may not want to play in New York.
We wouldn’t be surprised if the Yankees abandoned their one-year philosophy of “we’re going to hold onto our young talent.” The Yankees didn’t do much of anything last year and the Steinbrenner’s aren’t known for their patience.
November 14, 2008
iPhone blogging as OTR is out and about tonight.
The Yankees have offered CC Sabathia (a baseball pitcher) $140 million over six years.
We’re sure that they’ll increase that offer with little effort from CC’s camp.
November 14, 2008
Giants offensive tackle Kareem McKenzie was arrested last night in Little Falls, NJ for DUI.
“We are aware of the situation with Kareem,” Coughlin said. “I spoke to him this morning. He is extremely remorseful. The legal process will take its course, and the league will handle this matter. Nobody will be harder on Kareem than Kareem himself. He is very conscientious and has been a first-class citizen since he arrived here with our organization.”
Despite the arrest, he will still start Sunday against Baltimore.
November 14, 2008
According to the St. Louis Dispatch, Steven Jackson won’t even be on the flight to San Francisco, which will seriously decrease the chances of him playing on Sunday.
Jackson will instead see a specialist to get help with his strained thigh, which has not responded well to treatment.
November 14, 2008
PFT posted this picture of Eagles injured reserve/rookie/whatever/cornerback/fourth-round pick Jack Ikegwuonu. Whatcha crushin’ over there, Jack?….painkillers?! We always think it’s a good idea to engage in illegal drug use while you are already waiting for legal issues to be resolved stemming from theft of an XBox.
November 14, 2008
November 12, 2008
From my good friend Jeffrey Kim, who emailed me his issues with the Birds:
I can barely even talk about the Eagles right now. I am still fuming over Sunday night’s game. Every time I think about it I just see red. The team’s flaws are so obvious; they have been exposed for everybody to see. The Eagles are good enough to compete against any team in the league but they certainly are not good enough to win a championship. And it is not a matter of scheme and execution as Andy Reid would like us all to believe. They are a fundamentally flawed team.
You can argue that the Eagles are built too small to compete against the smash mouth teams in the NFL. After all, the defense gave up over 200 yards rushing against the Giants Sunday night, and the offense got stuffed on that oh so critical 4th and 2 play. I, however, happen to be one of the few who think the Eagles aren’t too small on the defensive side of the ball. Yes, they got gorged by the Giants power running attack. It was painful to watch. But this defense was assembled to have an identity.
As a defense, you are either quick and fast or big and stout. You can’t be both. The Eagles chose to be the former because it’s more prone to make the big play i.e. the sack, the turnover. Now, my problem with the defense, especially Sunday night, is that they are designed to be this aggressive, attacking style defense but yet they don’t attack. They don’t blitz. They don’t take risks. That’s a problem with gameday coaching, not philosophy. Why didn’t they stack the line of scrimmage against the Giants?
Why didn’t they call more run blitzes? Because of the threat of giving up a big play in the passing game? Well, if you’re afraid of taking these kinds of risks then they’d be better off having defensive personnel like the Patriots who are big, slow, and stout against the run with their base front seven. I hate to say this, but it seems to me that the teacher, Jim Johnson, could learn a few things from his pupil, Steve Spagnuolo.
The offensive side of the ball is another story. This is where, in my opinion, the team is fundamentally flawed and it is this side of the ball that will ultimately keep the Eagles from being an elite team in the league this year. Football is a tough man’s game. I’ve always believed that in order to be a championship caliber team there will be moments where the other team knows exactly what you are going to do and you just have to impose your strength and will onto them. In these moments, you just have to be stronger and tougher than your opponent. No strategy. No fancy tricks. Just pure muscle and determination.
On a macro level, what this translates into is the ability to run the football in the 4th quarter with the lead. On a micro level, what this means is the ability to convert on short yardage and goal line situations. This year, the Eagles have not had the ability to do either with any degree of success. As a result, they’ve lost three very winnable games and now find themselves in the cellar of the division.
Once again, I don’t think this inherent flaw with the offense has so much to do with personnel as it has to do with the overall philosophy believed by Andy Reid of what winning football is. It goes without saying that Andy Reid believes that you win games in the NFL by throwing the football. Year in and year out, the Eagles are always one of the most pass-happy teams in the league. This year, there are only three teams in the league who have rushed to ball fewer times than the Eagles.
On a theoretical level, I don’t have a problem with the fact that Reid calls so many pass plays. If they could still effectively run the ball the limited number of times he actually called for it, then I think the Eagles’ record would be much improved, possibly even undefeated. Reality doesn’t work that way, however, and every offensive lineman will state that running the ball is a mindset and repetitions are needed to help create that mindset.
So it’s not a matter of being too small upfront. In fact, the Eagles have a huge offensive line; across the board they’re bigger than the Giants, who right now have the most dominant offensive line in the NFL. Nor is it a matter of Westbrook being too small. Emmitt Smith was arguably the greatest short yardage back to ever play the game, and Westbrook is comparable in size to Smith. Also, I would argue that Adrian Peterson probably wouldn’t have been able to convert that 4th and 2 Sunday night with how poor the blocking was on that play.
The problem with the Eagles is inherent in the team’s offensive philosophy. It is this same philosophy that convinced Andy Reid to foolishly keep six wide receivers and four tailbacks on the roster while not retain a single true blocking fullback (nor a single blocking tight end, for that matter). Reid believes games are won one way from an offensive standpoint, by stringing together explosive play after explosive play. The mundane 3 yard gain has no function in the overall design of an offensive game plan.
It seems in Reid’s mind of minds, games are won in the abstract or on the chalkboard rather than in the trenches on the field. Strategy and the ability to create favorable mis-matches override the need to be mean, tough, and physical. Until Reid acknowledges this fatal flaw in his offensive philosophy, I fear we’re going to experience quite a few more heartbreakingly tough losses on the field this year.
November 12, 2008
Attn: Ray Daugherty, Veteran Attendee of Washington Nationals Spring Training,
Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports says that the Nationals claim to be in the Manny Ramirez sweepstakes.
Are they really players? Would they really break the bank on one aging player in an attempt to draw fans? Wouldn’t the Nationals have to overspend for a guy that will be overspent for elsewhere? I just don’t see the draw for Manny.
November 12, 2008
Clinton Portis revealed this week that he has a grade-2 MCL sprain in his knee, which will typically take 3-4 weeks of recovery time.
“Right now I can’t straighten it out,” he said of his left leg. “I just started bending it today. So hopefully by the end of the week. We’ve got five days, so hopefully I’ll be ready.”
On Jim Zorn’s radio show, the coach said of Portis:
“He’s probably in a little bit better position to be active as the week goes on [vs. Portis]. He is nowhere 100 percent yet, but I think he looks like he’s gonna participate in practice, where Clinton won’t participate in practice for the first couple days. It’s kind of a mixed bag right now. We’re just trying to get our guys ready.”
Fantasy owners keep an eye on this one.
November 12, 2008
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have activated Cadillac Williams, who is returning from a torn patellar tendon that has kept him out for what seems like 10 years.
To make room for him, the Bucs cut former first-round pick (of the Vikings in 2001) Michael Bennett.
November 11, 2008
Former Lion and current thief Tatum Bell has signed with the Broncos and will play this week.
Wow…that desperate?
Seems like the Broncos are so hungry that they could eat a sandwich from a gas station.
November 11, 2008
Yeah, but not like they normally get laughed at. Usually, the Lions get laughed at by people like their coaches and mothers and coaches’ mothers. But now, according to Kevin Smith, even the opposing teams are getting in on the action. He says the Jaguars actually laughed at them on Sunday.
“They were cracking jokes,” Smith told the Detroit News. “They thought we were a joke. They said we [weren’t good]. They were saying that to me, that I [wasn’t good]. And I told them they [weren’t good], too. And they said, ‘Well, not as bad as [you].’ And I said, ‘You’re right.’ [Because] we haven’t won one game.
“You know how players talk on the field,” Smith said. “But we’re 0-9, so you can’t look for really any teams to respect you. You’ve got to go out there and earn your respect, and you only earn your respect by winning. So therefore, in nine games we haven’t earned any respect.
“We play hard. We get close. But if you look at an 0-9 team — or you look at an 0-8 team when you play us — and say you beat the Detroit Lions by a point, you don’t look at it like, ‘Oh, we respect them because we only beat them by a point.’ No, you might look at it like, ‘Oh, we slipped up. We played to their level.’ I guess that’s how they look at it when they beat us close.”
At this point, I honestly feel badly for the Lions’ players. That team is such an unmitigated disgrace from top to bottom that the majority of the blame does not lie with the players.
November 11, 2008
Is his 2009 season in jeopardy?
November 11, 2008
I was, and stop calling me Shirley.
Actually, it’s ok to call him Shirley because that’s his name. Former Fresno State Bulldog and current (surprise!) Cincinnati Bengal Jason Shirley has been found guilty of drinking and driving and hit and run. On October 8, 2007, Shirley backed his car into an apartment building and then drove off. In liberal California, they frown upon that sort of thing.
Shirley was sentenced to 30 days in an adult work offender program and was told he could serve that sentence apres le season.
November 10, 2008
MLB has announced the Rookies of the Year.
November 10, 2008
Not necessarily, but they did add Law. As in, Ty Law. The Jets signed Law to a one-year deal according to NFL Network’s Adam Schefter, who thinks he’s so damn smart.
“This is going to be different playing Thursday night against the Patriots, matching up against my former team and the players I’m used to practicing against,” Law said. “I know they’re going to throw at me, but I welcome the challenge — bring it. I got the tricks for you.”
Oh no he diiii’nt!!! Oh no he diiiiiiii’nt!!!
November 10, 2008
SI.com is reporting that the A’s and the Rockies have a deal that will send OF Matt Holliday to the Bay Area.
Reliever Huston Street, lefty starter Greg Smith and outfielder Carlos Gonzalez are names that have come up in recent days, but it’s not known at this time what the final deal is.
November 10, 2008
Remember how Larry Johnson got charged with simple assault about a month ago for spitting in a woman’s face and threatening her boyfriend? Ummm…yeah. Well, that broad is now suing him for punitive damages.
Ashley N. Stewart is seeking money for negligence, assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligent infliction of emotional distress.
The suit shouldn’t affect Johnson’s NFL status, but one can’t help but wonder what Roger Goodell thinks when he hears this crap. We’re sure that GM Carl Peterson is rolling over in his grave as well (he’s not dead). And, since the Chiefs are 1-A Big Number, they should just cut Johnson or trade him for a barrel of QB talent that Tyler Thigpen could drink.
November 10, 2008
Josh Cribbs, the best special teamer in the NFL (let’s see Devin Hester cover a punt like Cribbs), agrees with Browns RB Jamal Lewis’ assessment that some guys quit in Thursday’s loss to the Broncos.
“When you have a team like that that comes into our house and we’re capable of beating them, that’s the first thing that comes to mind,” Cribbs said. “We can’t figure out what man, but that’s what it looked like — some guys quit. … We know if everybody didn’t quit, we would have won that ballgame.”
Lewis said the Browns need to “check their egos at the door,” and Cribbs agreed with that. But neither player called out a teammate by name, at least not publicly. It’s safe to assume, however, that they’re pointing fingers at a defense that allowed the Broncos to score three touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
“He goes out there and busts his tail every day, every game, and I do the same,” Cribbs said of Lewis. “It hurts when people don’t do the same and don’t show the same will and don’t show the same fire and desire for winning.
“It’s a shame sometimes, but we just have to pull together as a team and weed out those guys and play the rest of the season out.”
The Browns need to be gutted from Romeo Crennel on up. That’s what needs to happen.
November 10, 2008
According to a PFT source, Jeremy Shockey is “hated” by some teammates and coaches for on- and off-field behavior.
“Things in London, things in practice, things in games,” the source said.
What a complete and total ass. You’d think he’d make an effort to be a team guy, considering the fact that he is always hurt and drops too many balls.
Yet another case of a guy who thinks he’s much better than he is.
November 10, 2008
You can make several arguments for why the Eagles lost this game.
They controlled the ball for about one second of the first quarter and I’m really not exaggerating too much. They couldn’t stop the run if they were paid to do so (which they are). The two turnovers led to six points and they lost by five. Andy Reid is one of the worst game-day coaches in the NFL. The truth is, it’s a combination of all of it. So, let’s look at the game:
What I liked…
-Mike Patterson was excellent. The interception on the first drive should have set the tone for the win.
-Stewart Bradley looks like a great draft pick by Heckert and Reid. 10 tackles in the first half? I’d be much more excited if they weren’t four yards down the field, but that’s what happens with the Giants and their running game.
-The Phillies won the World Series.
-The fade route is 2-2 this year. Two TD’s to Hank Baskett. That’s pretty frustrating when you count up the losses due to not being able to punch the ball into the end zone.
-I have not seen one mention today of the fact that the Giants did not touch Donovan McNabb. They sack everybody. The Eagles had to pass and couldn’t run the ball, yet no one got near McNabb. If they could just run block…
-I think it was only a matter of time before Andy Reid jumped into the fun that is the Wildcat formation.
…and not so much
-If it wasn’t clear before, it’s clear to me now. Andy Reid is hurting this team. I’ve defended him for a long time, but it’s clear that talent is not the problem with this 2008 team. Coaching decisions are costing this team week in and week out. The Eagles had two downs to get two yards, so they decided to try something that hadn’t worked all game: run. Stupid, stupid, stupid. In the NBC studios, Tiki Barber knew exactly what they were going to do. Think Steve Spagnuolo did too? I knew that play was dead before the ball left Donovan’s hands.
-This Eagles defensive line is getting worn down. Happens every year.
-I wouldn’t say the Giants are lucky, but if they lost this game, I’d have to question the play calling. Why on Earth would you ever throw a single pass? The Eagles couldn’t do anything against the run.
-Donovan has to get off to better starts. I don’t have any clue why it takes until the second quarter to get his footwork down.
-Andy Reid’s scripted 15 plays were the only part of the Eagles offense that seemed to work earlier in the year. Now? They stink.
-It wouldn’t really kill the Eagles to go through an entire game without dropping a pass, would it?
-While we’re piling on Andy Reid, anyone get a whiff of those two challenges on Brandon Jacobs? I’m really baffled at this point by Reid’s management of football games. It was cute when he did stupid stuff in 1999 because he was still growing into the roll. It’s 2008. I don’t know who, if anyone, is advising him to throw the red flag, but he should really hand it to someone else and let them handle challenge duties. Whoever he delegates that to can’t possibly be worse than he is.
-You rang up 31 points on the defending champs…and lost.
-Did anyone think that maybe letting one or two loose downfield early in the game might keep the Giants honest in run defense?
-Qiuntin Demps, hold onto the ball. That was hardly a blindside shot that popped that ball out.
November 8, 2008
The guy that famously took a dump in a female student’s dorm closet while at the University of Miami has been released by the Steelers for the second time this season.
The only team that we can think of that might be interested in signing him is the Patriots. They love running backs and they have an ex-employee who might need her closet crapped in.
November 7, 2008
The NFL has rescinded the $7,500 fine on Giants DE and manbeast Justin Tuck. Supposedly, Roger Goodell hadn’t even seen the hit until Tuck appealed the fine.
As we see it, it was a clean hit that shouldn’t have even been a penalty let alone a shot to Tuck’s wallet.
“The officials are instructed to err on the side of safety,” an NFL official said. “Therefore, we support the call on the field. However, as you know, most penalties do not require a fine. A fine was not justified.”
Here it is:
November 7, 2008
Brown RB Jamal Lewis ripped into some unknown teammates following the Browns loss to the Broncos on Thursday night.
“This is the NFL, you can’t call it quits until the game is over,” the former jailbird said. “But it looks to me like some people called it quits before that. Denver was down, but they didn’t call it quits. They kept their heads up and they finished. We didn’t do that two weeks in a row — at home.”
Lewis continued, “Some people need to check their egos at the door and find some heart to come out here and play hard. This is a man’s game. The way we went out there and played two weeks in a row, finishing the same kind of way, it’s not there. I think there are some men around here that need to check their selves, straight up. That’s it.”
Although he didn’t come out and say it exactly, Lewis seemed to be saying that certain players needed to chickity check themselves before they rickity wrecked themselves.
“Honestly, I’ve never seen anything like it ever in my life as long as I’ve been playing,” he said. “I’m not cut from this kind of cloth. I play physical football, and I come out here and give it my all. I give it my all all week. To come out and be up by whatever — this is the NFL. You can’t call it quits until the game is over.”
November 7, 2008
Jared Allen just got fined $50,000 for two low hits on Matt Schaub last week. The video is below, it’s pretty dirty looking.
November 7, 2008
Adam Schefter of NFL Network is reporting that the Redskins have agreed to a one-year deal with former Falcon and Raider corner DeAngelo Hall.
Hall is so overrated it’s not even funny, although he will provide depth. They signed him for a prorated $1 million salary, so it’s not a big deal if he stinks.
November 7, 2008
The Denver Post said Wednesday that several GM’s around the league see the Phillies as one of the top teams in line to