Weeken Warriors: Link Dump

I apologize for the lack of activity this week, as the whole "real job" thing gets in the way at times. Anyone willing to pay me to do this, please email to the address in the sidebar, and I'll ensure that your RSS readers are filled up daily. Now, here's what a few others have been saying while I've been a working man...

- I wish I had more time to discuss this whole Patriots/Steelers video-taping issue. Thankfully, Ryan Wilson has loads of time and resources over at the FanHouse. Go check it out there. [FanHouse]

- I continue to love Terrell Owens. I think that this may have just made it that much better. [Awful Announcing]

- For those of you that wonder what on earth happens to all of the t-shirts for the losing Super Bowl team [JetsBlog]

- Fantasy Football fanatics may want to adjust their Tight End rankings a bit. Alge Crumpler is no longer in the ATL. [AJC]

- A quick reminder that the world is a very, very unfair place [Sports Illustrated]

- I sure hope to come up with some time in the near future. I think the upcoming NFL draft needs some more blogging [Free Press]

- And while this has nothing to do with football, and I'm a few days behind the curve, this story about Cat Gaffney (Mighty Ducks fans know what's up) deserves some love [Rumors and Rants]

Everybody's Working For The Weekend: Link Dump

This may be all you hear from me until Monday. So after you check out my marketing ideas and thoughts on Capitol Hill below, I suggest you scope out some of the better works around the sports blogosphere. After all, this is why we get paid the big bucks. From other places.

Enjoy the game tomorrow. Or the commercials. Or just the beers and taco dip. Your choice, really.

- Jeff George, the Damon Jones of the NFL, has called it quits. But that won't stop him from teaching your kid how to have an incredibly overvalued rookie card. No I'm not bitter. [Sports Agent Blog]

- Deion Sanders can now be found placing his blue snake skin boots firmly in his mouth. Figuratively speaking. They may not be blue. [Rumors and Rants]

- At least I'm not alone in the whole "Bug Off, Congress" camp. [Signal to Noise]

- Chad Johnson keeps mentioning Bill Parcells and Miami. But could he go to Washington? Some fans wouldn't mind. [Mister Irrelevant]

- Get your Ryan Pontbriand Pro-Bowl jerseys at NFL Shop today! [Kid Cleveland]

- And finally, for those that have wondered why the city of Los Angeles is sans football. [On the 205th]

Take care, all.

Capitol Hill Moves On To Football

Over the last several months of the steroids-in-baseball talk, many wondered when Washington D.C. would start to sniff around the NFL. Well, it appears that a few of our Government's finest have began to ask some poignant questions to the league's commissioner Roger Goodell.

Oh, no. Not about steroids. Don't be absurd. About the tapes that he allegedly destroyed after the whole debacle following the New York Jets/New England Patriots opening week game. That's right, your United States Senators are now interested in Spygate, folks.

Goodell reportedly fielded a handful of questions regarding the situation as well as his destroying of the actual footage that was turned in by the Patriots organization. But if you think that his justification was accepted, think again.

[Sen Arlen] Specter, R-Pa., said Goodell's explanation, "didn't make any sense at all."

But this is one that kills me:

Congress is interested because, according to Specter, the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, the issue could put the league's antitrust exemption at risk.

"I do believe that it is a matter of importance," Specter said. "It's not going to displace the stimulus package or the Iraq war, but I think the integrity of football is very important, and I think the National Football League has a special duty to the American people — and further the Congress — because they have an antitrust exemption."

Goodell himself feels that his monetary fine as well as the stripping of a draft pick has "sent a message" to the rest of the league. While we can debate this to no end, the fact that United States Senators feel that a professional football franchise allegedly taping the defensive signals of another team even deserves to be in the same light as the Iraq war or Economic stimulus package speaks volumes.

Congress can claim that they are aiming to curb steroid use in baseball due to the after-effects on those that take it. Unless camera lenses are proven to cause cancer, or someone gets decapitated by a tripod, I personally could not care less. Yes, I can side with those that hate New England. I get that. But if it would have been (for example) the St. Louis Rams that had been filming signs, would anyone care? Let alone members of our Congress? Antitrust all you want. This is simply ridiculous.

Goodell Defends Destroying Pats Tapes [Associated Press]

A Demographic Disadvantage In The Midwest?

While I touched on the topic in today's minute over at CSM, I thought that this would be a better forum to discuss the possible demographic disadvantage of schools in the Midwest - specifically the Big Ten.

Terry Pluto's Sunday talking points were very intriguing, as he discussed a theory that he has had for years. It is the same notion that has plagued businesses all across the Midwest, with a lot of families - and thus, students - moving out of the Midwest due to lack of opportunity. Families leave, businesses suffer due to lack of revenue generation, and then said businesses relocate to a more lucrative area; typically the South or even the West Coast (if not overseas).

Well, it appears that the same level of demographic shift is going on in college football, with a lot of talent relocating at the high school level, making it that much more difficult to recruit players to come back North. Terry's research has definitely backed up his notion, especially this season:

"I went through the list of the top 50 high school senior football prospects on ESPN.com, supplied by Scouts Inc. Not a single Ohio kid was on the list. Nor was anyone from Michigan or Indiana. There were three from Pennsylvania. The highest rated Ohio kid on a longer list of 100 was DeVoe Torrence, the Massillon running back at No. 64. He is committed to the Buckeyes."

In fact, 32 of the top 50 recruits in the country are from Florida, Georgia, Texas or Alabama - smack dab in the middle of SEC country.

Perhaps the Big Ten's bowl record against the SEC is telling us a lot more than how much more talented one team (or in this case, Conference) is than another. As families continue to flock south, the collegiate athletic programs will also continue to evolve in those areas. It wouldn't be surprising to see the number of recruits in the aforementioned areas increase over the next few years, as there may even be a lagging effect given the seasoning that future highschoolers will receive in the coming years.

There's a reason that shows like Friday Night Lights are not set in areas like Detroit or Pittsburgh. And as long as current trends continue, the talent gap could widen a lot more before it even begins to narrow.

Terry's Talkin' [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Welcome Back!

I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable holiday.

A few things I learned this weekend:

1) American Gangster is a pretty sweet movie - even in bootlegged DVD form.
2) Your quarterback can be pretty good all year, but it is always the one game that matters most
3) My sister is pretty freaking creative. More on that later in the week.
4) My fiancee is very generous - even in tough times
5) White Christmas' are nice and all, but man is it great driving to and from holiday get-togethers on dry roads
6) LeBron's kids likely had a decent Christmas

With that said, here's a quick recap of what some others are saying around the net to catch you up to speed...

- CBS, NBC and the Fans: 1. NFL Network: 0 (Signal to Noise)

- A slew of bloggers more important than myself chipped in for a Year-in-Review of sorts. (Yahoo! Sports)

- Philip Rivers apparently forgot that he's not a good quarterback. (NFL FanHouse)

- Maybe the Mario Williams pick wasn't so bad after all. (Jim Rome)

- Another long year for Jerious Norwood on the docket? (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

- Could Derek Anderson be heading to Miami? (PFT via FanIQ)

and finally...

- Thanks for all of those fantasy points down the stretch, Reggie. (The Big Lead)

More to come later.

Enough Already

First, many apologies for the lack of posts lately. The 'real job' has been pretty intense thanks to year end. I'll see what I can muster up this week!

The only thing that I really want to dip in to this morning is the NFL attempting to force a Colts/Ravens "rivalry" down our throats. Yes, I know that the Colts once played in Baltimore. I get that. Yes, I know that they moved the team overnight - queue the Mayflower Moving Company plug. I'll even give you that the Ravens were actually good last season, and that they were knocked out of the playoffs by Indy.

But I refuse to believe that these two teams have a rivalry. Even the AP Preview Report says that Ravens fans have "bad blood towards the Colts franchise." A quick peruse of Ravens fan blog RavensTD and all we get is the fact that they knew they were going to be "slaughtered." Not one mention of a rivalry of any sort.

While I'll give them that 44-20 isn't exactly a "slaughter" given a few other scores that I've seen this season, but you can bet that Ravens fans are more upset about losing than who they lost too. NFL, take note. The Ravens rivalries will stick to the AFC North - specifically, Cleveland.

Braylon Edwards and Derek Anderson: Pro Bowl Bound?

Don't look now, but the Cleveland Browns are 4-3 on the season. You know that things are pretty bad off when you win two games in a row and it's talked about as some sort of record.

Two players that have had a profound impact on the recent successes of the Cleveland Browns thus far are a quarterback that limped into the role and a wide receiver who was known more for his outbursts than outplaying of opponents.

Now, this is obviously a bit quick to the take given that week nine is upon us in six days, but I cannot help myself. Since returning to the NFL in 1999, the Cleveland Browns have had one player go to the Pro Bowl - Jamir Miller, back in 2001. Long gone were the days of the 1980s (eight players selected in 1987) and 1990s (six players selected in 1994). Could the team have someone selected this season? Would it be far-fetched to have multiple selections?

Some may argue that Kellen Winslow, Jr. should have received some consideration last season for racking up 89 receptions. But when you're in the same conference as both Antonio Gates and Tony Gonzalez, you'll have to have one heck of a year to get to Hawaii.

This is why I'm officially throwing in my nominations of Derek Anderson and Braylon Edwards for Pro Bowl consideration this season.

Anderson has gone from the guy who was to keep the seat warm for Brady Quinn to the guy who is now second in all of football in touchdown passes with 17. And let's face it, no one is catching Tom Brady and his 30, especially when the Pats run up the score with the best of them. But I digress.

While the yardage may not be tops in the league, he is currently eighth overall - ahead of players like Drew Brees, Eli Manning and Brett Favre. For good measure, Anderson has also tacked on two rushing TDs despite a 40-time that would struggle to crack 6.5.

His main target in Braylon Edwards is absolutely blowing up in his third season. Many could even consider this to be his second year given the fact that he only played in 10 games his rookie year before injuring his knee.

Edwards is among league leaders in touchdown receptions (nine), receiving yards (669), and yards per reception (18). In fact, if you eliminate anyone in a Patriots jersey, Edwards is right there in overall receptions as well. This kid obviously has his head on straight this season, making the news for positive reasons, opposed to negative. Making acrobatic catches, and providing the Browns with a true go-to option.

Of course, the Browns can lose from here out, Anderson could throw three picks next week and something catastrophic can happen to Edwards making this whole post one of the most ridiculous jinxes in the history of man. But it wouldn't be surprising on any level at all - which is the sad part of the entire Pro Bowl drought.

(photo inspired by The Mothering Hut)

Morning YouTubeness: Office: 1, Sarge: 0

First, I want to apologize for the back-to-back YouTube posts. Yesterday was just brutal around the "real" job, making it nearly impossible to post.

With that said, we'll go reminisce a bit with Felcher & Sons greatest employee ever...Sure could use one around here!

Someone May Want To Sit Down With Brandon Marshall

By now, you're likely aware of second-year wide receiver Brandon Marshall. With Javon Walker having a less-than-stellar campaign, Marshall has stepped up pretty big in his absence for the Denver Broncos.

In six games this season, Marshall has 33 receptions for 440 yards and two touchdowns. As of this morning, he can now add a DUI arrest to his resume.

The Associated Press reports that Marshall was pulled over in downtown Denver shortly after 2 a.m, conveniently after Denver's last second win over Pittsburgh in front of a National audience.

While he's not the first athlete to be arrested on DUI suspicions, this matter deserves some more attention from the NFL as it's not Marshall's first run-in with the law this season. In late March, Marshall was arrested (again in Denver) for a domestic dispute that resulted in charges of false imprisonment and domestic violence. Though the charges were later dropped, Marshall was forced to attend anger management counseling.

We can also go back to 2004 where Marshall was arrested in Orlando, resulting in a slew of charges:

- trespassing
- resisting an officer
- refusal to obey
- disorderly conduct and....wait for it...
- assault on a law enforcement officer

Now we'll need to realize that if the NFL is going to do anything to Marshall, it will likely not happen this season. After all, he's not even first in line, thanks to teammate. And don't forget about Najeh Davenport - issues also stemming from the ever-damning "domestic" news.

And to think that Roger Gooddell started off so strong, only to fade into obscurity during the regular season. Although, it is quite the queue for the off-season...

Broncos' Marshall Arrested On DUI Suspicion [Associated Press]

And Here Come The Suits

Lawsuits, that is.

Remember the whole Pacman-Jones-"Making it Rain"-biting-strippers-gunfire escapade? Well while Jones is still watching football from home, or just other strip clubs, the club manager that was shot and paralyzed has filed a lawsuit against Jones, the National Football League, AND the Tennessee Titans.

How can the manager, named Tommy Urbanksi, sue the NFL and the team which employed Jones? Simple.

The fact that the NFL and the Titans did not punish Adam "Pacman" Jones until after Tommy was paralyzedis a proximate cause of Tommy's injuries.

Wait, what? Because Jones was not punished for previous encounters with the law, Urbanski should benefit? If Jones had been suspended before the Las Vegas incident, he wouldn't have been at the club?

Not surprisingly, the NFL and the Titans have said they will fight the lawsuit, which is being called a "Hail Mary" by Pacman's attorney, Robert Langford. Very nice of him to use a football term so that we all understand.

Paralyzed shooting victim sues NFL, Titans, Pacman [NBC Sports]

Hey CBS! What the F--k?

In 1998 when CBS took over the coverage of the AFC, I admit that I could not have cared less. I'm not one to complain about whether Cris Collinsworth or Jim Nantz would be the man to talk throughout a Browns game - though I would prefer Collinsworth, but that's just me.

But since the advent of High Definition Television, and even more importantly the purchase of one for my home, something needs to be done about this:



Now I know that the $14.5 billion CBS stepped up to the plate this year and "doubled" their HD coverage, but would it kill them to broadcast one more game? There's no denying that Miami at Cleveland isn't a big ticket contest by any stretch, but is Houston at Jacksonville? Tennessee at Tampa Bay?

This isn't the first time that Cleveland was fisted by the lack of HD this year as the game in Oakland was broadcasted in Standard Definition as well. I'd like to testify about the others, but I was at the stadium, thus not watching on television.

The Browns are on a bye next week, so CBS only has five games on the dockett - of course, all in High Definition. That's right, you'll get to see Tennessee at Houston or even Baltimore at Buffalo all in crystal clear imaging.

With seven AFC games for week eight, and Cleveland heading to St. Louis, I'd be willing to bet that we won't get High Def coverage for yet another week. I've noticed that while CBS broadcasts up to six games a week in HD, the 4p (ET) games always get the nod.

Typically, there are one or two 4p games on CBS, but week eight has three: Buffalo/Jets, Houston/San Diego, Jacksonville/Tampa Bay. Of the 1p games, the Colts will undoubtedly get coverage against Carolina, and Pittsburgh/Cincy is a division rivalry. This leaves Oakland at Tennessee and the Browns at (the 0-6) St. Louis vying for that final set of cameras.

All I know is that those fans in the Cleveland/St. Louis markets may want to get their HDTV's placed on "stretch" beforehand. It may limit the disappointment come game time - at least until the "THIS GAME IS NOT BEING BROADCASTED IN HD" banner roles across the bottom of the screen.

CBS Doubles HD Coverage [TV Predictions]

Ed Must Protect This House

Tom Sifferman: Hey Ed, what's with the sleeves?
Ed Hochuli: Do these tri's look like they need Under Armor to you?

I must admit out front that I'm not a big reader of the USA Today. To me, they're known more for their color-coded sections and shitty layout than anything else. However, their recent "Behind the Scenes" deserves at least a little bit of love - if only for one reason: Ed Hochuli.

It comes as no surprise that Hochuli and his arms are in charge of a nine-man officiating crew. What does come as a surprise is the fact that the #85 and his white hat is a big fan of handing out rubber animals and plungers to his team. It's also shocking that the big guys is actually an attorney as well, but let's not get too serious here.

At each session reviewing the previous game, Hochuli, 56, awards the rubber ducks to those in the group who had the easiest calls to make (former ref Jerry Seeman calls such penalties "duck soup"). Saturday, Hochuli tosses one to [Scott] Helverson, who had thrown a penalty flag for an obvious pass-interference infraction in the Green Bay-Minnesota game.

The luckiest crew members get rubber bears handed there way. Why? Well, because "sometimes you get the bear, and sometimes the bear gets you." Duh.

While I attempt to figure out what the hell that actually means, we'll just go on to the plunger. The rubber plunger gets handed to the guy that made the worst call of the game. In basketball, this would likely go to Steve Javie, but since this is the NFL - it gets dealt to the member of Hoch's crew who makes the biggest bonehead move of the game. And that guy best take that plunger unless he want's Big Ed to really give it to him.*

The head official disusses his four-times-a-week workout (surprisingly focusing on the "upper body") as well as the rituals that also take place pre-game, including plenty of video-watching and interofficial banter. But it is the 3 hours of game time that actually gets Ed going. Hochuli himself went on record to say that his game days are like "having a mainline of adrenaline running through my veins for three hours. Right, Ed. Adrenaline.



*This possibly doesn't happen. Maybe.

(photogs courtesy of USAToday)

The Name Game

Each year, the NFL Draft brings us a list of glorious names. This past year alone saw Jermon Bushrod (offensive tackle, shown above), Turk McBride (defensive end), and C.J. Ah You (defensive end).

Maybe it has something to do with linemen, but Deuce of Davenport brings us a collection of some of the greatest names in the NFL - broken down into categories, no less.

The All-Round Toughguys -
These guys names are just badass in their own, unclassifiable ways. How can you label a D'brickashaw?

Bam Childress - ne wr (prac. sqd.)
D'brickashaw Ferguson - nyj OT
Tuff Harris - mia cb - (prac. sqd.)

While The Deuce didn't include some of my favorites, like Craphonso Thorpe (WR, IND), it's a pretty solid collection of some of the best in the league.

What is in a Name? [Deuce of Davenport]

Bring In The Big Guns

Gene Upshaw versus the world...or so it may seem.

NBC Sports is reporting that the NFLPA has asked Congress to step in and aid them in what they are calling insufficient benefits.

For all of the pounding that players have taken over the years, the retired ones are claiming that the disability claims are not being met. While Roger Goodell and Gene Upshaw are claiming that this scenario is "improving," it's obviously not enough of the pie - a $1.1 billion dollar pie.

"I would give my life to never see another family end up like mine."

Those were the words shared by Mike Webster, a Hall of Fame center who has suffered from mental illness after receiving too many blows to the head. Other big names have testified including Gayle Sayers and Daryl Johnston, whose career was also ended prematurely by injuries.

While some may say that the United States Congress has other things to worry about aside from the injuries of millionaires, this is obviously an issue with one of our nation's pasttimes. While techonolgy is imprioving to allow for fewer injuries in present day, the past players have obviously not been provided for and it is a huge problem.

Yes, these players all have enough money - but ask any family member of a permanently injured player and I'm positive they would rather give it all back as well.

Gearing Up...

For the weekend, that is.

A few pieces of note worth mentioning before we all head out for a few days.

If only every team had an HBO Special. The Browns one would definitely feature Ted Washington - and would take a lot more time. And a wide screen. [Arrowhead Addict]

Wait, the Patriots will be under the microscope this week? Get out. [Ghosts of Wayne Fontes]

Wade Wilson will still be at home this weekend. At ease, sir. [FanIQ]

Eli may actually play this week. Feel free to take Jared Lorenzen out of your fantasy lineup. [The Fifth Down]

Deltha O'Neal may want to invest in leashes. [With Leather]

That's about all for the week. Next week will be live and in color for the whole span. Oh...and for you gamblers out there... Chargers +3.5 seems too good to be true. Not that I condone it, I'm just saying.

Until Monday...

Morning YouTubeness: Coolest Kid...Ever

Happy Friday, all. For all of you fans of youngsters, this one is right up your alley. Apparently, this young lad is named Noah, and Noah busted out the names of every NFL team based on their helmet.

Not bad considering that my father is in his early 50s and he struggles to do the same. Damn teams keep switching things up on him. When did the Buccaneers switch from the white and "creamsicle" again??

Enjoy.

Ten Inches of Forecasting

As everyone an their step-brother are making predictions for this season, I figured that there's enough room for one more blogger to jump on board.

I had something a bit more colorful planned, but due to a lack of time - all you're getting is content today.

AFC North: Baltimore Ravens
AFC South: Indianapolis Colts
AFC East: New England Patriots
AFC West: San Diego Chargers

AFC Wildcards: Denver Broncos, Cincinnati Bengals

NFC North: Chicago Bears
NFC South: New Orleans Saints
NFC East: Philadelphia Eagles
NFC West: San Francisco 49ers

NFC Wildcards: Seattle Seahawks, Dallas Cowboys

AFC Champ: New England Patriots
NFC Champ: New Orleans Saints

Super Bowl Champ: New England Patriots

And yes, this pick is made strictly based on my ability to curse a team by selecting them. I'm actually going to be pulling for the Saints to win the whole she-bang this season...with the Chargers close behind.

The AFC North is going to be a three-horse race, and I could easily see the Steelers getting that wild card bid over the defenseless Bengals. The Rams may surprise a few people, as well as the Cards - but I'm sticking with my Seahawk-Niners combo. And don't underestimate the Broncos this season...They could easily go 13-3.

But that's why they play the season... Go Browns.

The Teacher Becomes The Student

As the Pittsburgh Steelers roll in to the 2007 season with a new coaching staff, their former coach may be found in a local recital hall playing some advanced form of chopsticks. Thanks to Lion in Oil, we've been educated on the new hobby of one Bill Cowher: The Piano.

The Chin discucsses his teacher, Kim Russ, and how hard she is on him. Now I don't think it's reached Tiki Barber whining about Tom Coughlin type levels, but apparently Russ rides Cowher pretty hard when he doesn't tickle the ivories enough each week.

"I walk out of there, my back's hurting, my neck's knotted up, and my fingers are really sore. I told her I had a bad pinkie, she said she wanted to hear results -- she doesn't want excuses."

When asked about his love for the piano versus his love of coaching, Cowher extended his feelings that he can always return to the sidelines. Like the abovementioned Barber, it looks like Cowher will be wearing his analysis hat as a part of the CBS crew with Shannon Sharpe, Boomer Esiason, and Dan Marino.

While I'm a big believer that Cowher will join the extended list of former coaches to jump back into the game when the time is right (or not-so right, Art Shell), it looks like he's pretty content with his life right now and will have to pull for the Steelers when the cameras are turned off.

Bill Cowher: Piano Man [Lion In Oil]

Morning YouTubeness: Almost There...

Happy Tuesday, all. This lovely compilation titled "Preseason" brings us some decent football clips set to a song by Ludacris and R. Kelly. Possibly named "Rockstar," it does have some language that may be deemed NSFW.

While I'm not sure what "bare minimums" has to do with football, I am quite certain that Thursday cannot come soon enough. Enjoy this clip for now as we'll all be graced with some NFL football in less than 72 hours.

The Easy Way Out

Being the holiday, I'm opting to just spread some of the links of the day in your general direction.

This will be it for today, but I'll be good to go tomorrow morning. Until then, check these out...

Missed DeSean Jackson's punt return on Saturday night? FanIQ has you covered. This kid's good.

I'm not the only lazy one today. Rumors and Rants appear to be joining me, while sparing no fan of the University of Michigan.

Michael Strahan's live and in color. Wait, he's not there? (via FanHouse)

Fan of Kige Ramsey? If not, you will be soon thanks to Unsilent Majority's tour of duty at Deadspin this weekend.

Now get outside and enjoy the day. As Skeets puts it best...Embrace the weekend, people!