Now's Your Chance to be a Dallas Cowboy!

Ex-Cowboys receiver Michael Irvin is going to host a new reality show airing on Spike TV this spring where he gives 12 "football neophytes" the chance to compete for a spot on the Dallas Cowboy's 80-man training camp roster.

Casting is currently going on, and he's looking for 6 candidates to play wide receiver and 6 to play defensive backs - all but eliminating every 20- and 30-something that would actually be interested in this, because those positions actually require a certain amount of speed, dexterity and skill.

I'm torn about this idea. From the fan standpoint it sounds awesome! If you're moderately fit - maybe you played some high school ball, or at a DIII college - then you could actually compete for the chance to play in an NFL training camp! If you're good enough you might even make the team. Or at least the practice squad. Thirty years from now Disney might come out with a movie based on your life: Invincible 2: The Dallas Star.

But let's be honest, this is a terrible idea. The Dallas Cowboys are essentially agreeing to go into the preseason with a 1-player handicap. A roster spot that they could be using to analyze a draft-pick or undrafted free-agent is getting absorbed by some slob who wasn't good enough to play in the pros. Any pro - NFL, CFL or even Arena league. Surely whoever wins this contest is going to be the first player cut when rosters get trimmed.

I understand why Dallas would do this - I just don't agree with it at all. Jerry Jones is a media whore. He turned training camp this past year into a reality show. He thinks that the more attention he can call the the franchise the better. What he doesn't realize is that his team isn't winning, and in the NFL that's all that matters.

Actual photo taken during week 17. Eagles went on to win, 44-6.

If the Cowboys were at the bottom of the league like the Lions or the Chiefs then I could see pulling a stunt like this. It would bring more attention and press to their franchise. It might help move a few Personal Seat Licenses or team blankets. You also have the opportunity to take a risk on the off chance that you do find that miracle player. That Kurt Warner...a guy who's just bagging groceries and not living up to his potential.

If the Cowboys were at the top of the league I could understand it, too. If they had a solid player at every position and had no glaring weaknesses, and they had a stable of young, solid players under long-term contract then they could afford to take a flyer on a player. Unfortunately that's not the reality of the current Dallas Cowboys. (Plus, you wouldn't stay on top for long doing that anyway.)

The reality is that the Cowboys finished 3rd in their division and missed the playoffs. Again. If you exclude the Super Bowls I used to watch as a little kid - back before I really paid attention to the NFL - I have never actually seen the Cowboys win a playoff game. They need some serious help at receiver and safety, but they're not going to get it from a reality-TV contestant. They also need some stability and unity, and they're not going to get that if every aspect of their team, season and now even off-season are turned into a media circus.

Look within the 'Boys own division. The Eagles had 2 solid contributors in their defensive backfield that weren't even drafted. Starting strong safety Quintin Mikell and nickel corner Joselio Hanson were both rookie free agents. There's quality in the rookie class, even in the players that aren't drafted. There's a good chance that the Cowboys could miss out on a solid contributer giving away a roster slot like this. It's just a foolish idea.

Quintin Mikell 2008 Stats: 93 tkls, 2 Sacks, 3 INTs. These numbers match Roy Williams at his best and Williams was the 8th overall pick. Advantage:Eagles.

Although, as an Eagles fan I say "What the heck." If Jerry Jones wants to sit back as his team devolves into a bunch of whiny, apathetic, snitching, snitch-hating, crybabies then I'll let him. I won't shed a tear when the other NFC East teams are smoking the 'Boys 44-6 and T.O.'s head explodes when Romo throws to a wide-open Witten instead of him, even though he was double covered.

Thoughts on the Conference Championship Round

Eagles/Cardinals:

- The Cardinals shocked everyone by beating three solid competitors on their way to the Super Bowl. Everyone is getting down on the Cards because they made the postseason with a 9-7 record after winning the hands-down worst division in football, but they brought it in the playoffs and have not just beaten, but utterly outplayed every team on their way through. Arizona has been playing on borrowed time all month long, there's no reason to think they're going to stop now.

- The Eagles were demolished in the first half, but somehow managed to turn the game into a real nail-biter in the fourth quarter, but in the end the Cardinals early lead was just too much to overcome.

- Eagles D-coordinator Jim Johnson called another game from the booth due to a back injury. Johnson likes to coach from the field so that he can have close contact with his players to give and receive feedback and make adjustments. You have to wonder if that had an impact on the defensive play in the first half.

- Brent Celek played an outstanding game on the NFL's second-biggest stage. There are some solid Tight Ends in the NFC East (Witten, Cooley, Boss) but the fact is only one of them was playing on Sunday. Does that make him the best of the bunch? That's your call. (Answer=yes)

- L.J. Smith is definitely not going to be in Philly next year. Even if the Eagles offer him a contract someone else will pay him more to be the number one on their depth chart.

- Did anyone catch that block by Hank Baskett? He leveled 2 defenders with one hit. That was the best block of the season, by any player, on any team, at any position. (Except maybe that Clemons block on Tarvaris Jackson during Asante Samuel's INT return in round 1.)

This is the best photo I can find. The problem with delivering a devastating block on a TD play is that every photographer is going to take a pic of the Touchdown.

- This is the one game of the season where I wish Andy Reid had passed more. I applaud him and Morningwheg for their renewed commitment to the run game and I hope it continues, but I really felt like the Cardinals were vulnerable (and they did give up some huge plays downfield to Jackson and Curtis.)

- I think Ref's call on the disputed kickoff was correct. The call wasn't that the kickoff illegally went out-of-bounds, but rather that Abiamiri touched it when he was out-of-bounds which would end the play. If you watch the replay closely the ball hits near the sideline and bounces up, and then appears to hit Abiamiri in the left forearm and starts spinning in a different direction. At least that's the way it appeared to me. Either way, once the whistle was blown the point was moot.

- There were 2 uncalled pass-interference penalties against the Cardinals that could have changed the game. Jason Avant was mugged on a third down catch in the first half and the Eagles were forced to kick a field goal and Kevin Curtis was absolutely interfered with on the fourth down play that sealed the game. I'm pretty sure it's never been legal for a defender to grab the legs of a receiver after getting beat. You have to wonder what might have been.

- This was really a down season for Brian Westbrook. Was it because he was banged-up all season long? Let's hope so, because the other option is far worse. Running Backs have a certain amount of carries they can handle in a carreer and when they hit that mark they decline very quickly. That number is different for each back, but all you have to do is look at Shaun Alexander and L.T. to see what I mean. Alexander set an NFL TD record only a few seasons ago and now he's out of football. L.T. broke that record a year later and the Chargers are seriously considering dumping him this offseason.

Ravens/Steelers:

- Defense wins championships and I don't think it's a coincidence that the league's top 3 defenses were all playing this weekend. I'm surprised there were so many points scored in a game between the first and second-ranked defensive units. I was half expecting a 3-0 victory in quintuple overtime.

- The Steelers' Offensive Line has turned things around pretty well. They were demolished by Philly early in the season, but now they're doing a better job at protecting Roethlisberger and they're getting things done with tough, physical run blocking.

- Excellent challenge by Harbaugh on the Santonio Holmes reception. Holmes clearly did not control the ball all the way to the ground. I heard someone complain that "The ground can't cause a fumble," but that was never the call. A receiver has to have complete control of the ball the entire time on a diving catch.

- Mike Tomlin is an excellent coach. I can't believe there were so many people out there who didn't believe he was experienced enough when he took the job.

- Harbaugh too.

- Joe Flacco played well for a rookie going up against the league's best defense in a conference championship game. This kid'll be back here real soon.

- My thoughts go out to Willis McGahee. All indications are that he'll be alright. He has movement in his arms and legs and is "neurologically intact." That's great news to hear. People get wrapped up in the sport sometimes and forget that it's just a game. It's not worth getting maimed for. Let's hope for a speedy recovery.

Plaxico Linked to '05 Shooting?

Authorities in New York are looking for a match between bullets fired from the back of a truck that Plaxico Burress rented in 2005 and the guns seized from his house.

Apparently Plax's truck got stuck behind a Garbage truck in the Bronx and a shooting occurred (did they shoot up the back of the truck? Was it a road rage incident? Who knows, I'm not finding any specifics.) Anyway, the driver and a passenger fled on foot when the cops arrived, but two other passengers - both with criminal records - were arrested.

Plaxico claims that he lent the truck to his cousin that day and had no knowledge of the shooting. Well in that case he seems completely innocent in this whole situation. PSYCHE! This clearly isn't as bad as Michael Vick bodyslamming dogs to death or Pacman Jones ordering hits on people, but even if he wasn't present at the shooting (which he may well have been, two of the occupants of the car did manage to escape) and even if he had no knowledge of it until the police arrived he's still complicit. He gave the thugs the car, and if the authorities can match the bullets then he gave them the guns too. That's a really big deal.

Plax should have been smarter from the start. Don't associate yourself with thugs, especially when merely knowing them could land you in trouble with the fuzz. I don't care if they're childhood friends from the old hood, or if they're family or if they make you feel like a tough guy. You have everything to lose and shady characters like these are just going to ride your coat tails, mooch off your success and ultimately get you in trouble with their criminal acts. Even if you had no prior knowledge and weren't present you're still enabling their lifestyle, and they're eventually going to bring you down.

Incidently, the truck was the rental car that Plax was recently litigating over. Apprently the damages Plax had to pay for were incurred when the Police were impounding the vehicle.

This guy is just cocky and acts like he's above the law. He doesn't respect his coaches, his teammates, the NFL or the legal system. At first I was rooting for him, hoping the courts went easy on him for shooting himself in the leg, but now I'm not so sure. Maybe a few years in prison will humble him. Although if he does go to prison his football career will likely be over. A manditory 3.5 year sentence means that he'd be at least 35 when he got out. Likely too old to resume his career, especially after missing about 4 seasons.

Quote of the Day: 1/14/09

This is entirely unrelated to sports, but I was reading this article on cracked.com. The hilarious quote in question was a subtitle for one of the photos:

"Are stereotypes still wrong when they're awesome?"

Pioli Leaves New England for Kansas City

In one of the best examples of "from the penthouse to the shithouse" Scott Pioli has left his position as Vice President of Player Personnel for the New England Patriots in order to take the GM job with Kansas City.

I understand why Pioli left his position with the Pats - he wants to carve out his own legacy. He didn't have full control in New England, everyone knows that was Belicheat's team. Pioli is the only guy holding the reigns in Kansas City. He doesn't have to defer to anyone else (except maybe the owner.) If Pioli can build the Chiefs back into a contender then he's the hero, not Belichick. So, I understand why he took the job, I just don't agree with it.

Kansas City needs a lot of work, and there's a very good chance that Pioli could also tank his career by taking this job. If he builds a winner then he's going to get a lot of credit and respect, but the odds are stacked against him.

This also likely means the end of Herm Edwards in KC. ESPN's Michael Smith reported an unnamed source close to the team said not to rule out Herm Edwards to continue as Head Coach, but I don't buy it. I like Herm Edwards a lot, but I really don't like him as an NFL head coach. He is far too conservative for my tastes. He's an average coach. An 8-8 kind guy, meaning he has the ability to eek out 8 wins from a terrible team, but he'll also frusterate fans by losing 8 games with a great team. I just don't think he's the answer for the Chiefs and he will get the axe sometime this offseason.

Quote of the Day: 1/11/09

This one comes from my girlfriend. She was on her computer and passively watching the Eagles/Giants game this afternoon when she said:

"That Philadelphia guy looks like a walrus."

"That Philadelphia guy" was, of course, Andy Reid. I'm not really sure where she's coming from though.

A walrus? I just don't see it.

Happy Birthday Jake Delhomme

I'm flabbergasted. If you had told me yesterday that the score in the Arizona/Carolina game was 30 to 7 in the 4th quarter I wouldn't have been phased. If you told me that the Cards were on top I wouldn't have believed you. Not even for a second.

Jake Delhomme is delivering one of professional sports' all-time choke jobs. And to add insult to injury it's his 34th birthday.

This is even more embarrassing than that time I ripped my pants.

Congrats to the Cardinals. They're not ready to go home yet, and they're playing their hearts out.

Quote of the Day: 1/10/09

I got my new issue of Sports Illustrated today and there's a great quote by Panthers LB Jon Beason in the Pop Culture Grid section. When asked what celeb he'd like to see take it easy in 2009 he replied:

"The Dallas Cowboys. All that off-the-field stuff and hearing about them in the media. I'm tired of it. they're like five-year-olds who say 'I'm mad he didn't come to my birthday party!'"

Right on Jon. The Cowboys are a bunch of crybabys. The entire organization, from Jerry Jones on down. This team needs a serious shot of chemistry. Pacman's gone and Tank Johnson should be out too. Now all they need is to oust T.O., bring in a coach that can inspire and unite and Jerry Jones needs to step back and let his players and coaches do their thing.

Everyone on that team spends way too much energy placating Owens. If they got rid of him Romo would finally be able to take over and make it his team. Not going to happen with JJ in charge, though. The city of Dallas wants winners, not whiners.

Quote of the Day: 1/09/09

Today's quote comes from Bill Simmons' Sports Guy: Award-sinning Picks for round 2 article posted on ESPN today.

Simmons is defending a joke he wrote about Philip Rivers dropping f-bombs. Apparently Rivers is a devoutly religious person who prides himself on never swearing. Needless to say, Simmons got a lot of angry emails from fans:

"Here's a typical e-mail, courtesy of Roger in San Diego: "Have you ever heard Philip Rivers use the F-word? Have you ever met anybody who ever heard Philip Rivers use the F-word? Didn't think so. Your statement that Philip Rivers would be pacing the sidelines yelping out F-bombs is unfair, and quite frankly, nothing less than irresponsible journalism. It's almost as though you feel you have carte blanche to just make things up and put them in print." Irresponsible journalism? Who said I was a journalist? I just advised Joe Buck to become a drunk a few paragraphs ago!"

That one gave me a chuckle.

Gators are National Champs

Congratulations to Tim Tebow, Urban Meyer and the rest of the Florida Gators on winning the NCAA Football title game. They managed to overcome some early setbacks on offense to post a 24-14 victory.

Oklahoma played well, especially early on, but just didn't have an answer for Percy Harvin and Tebow in the second half. Maybe they were distracted by Tim Tebow's Girlfriend's boobs.

"My God, look at those Bazooms!"

In my opinion, Florida was the best college football team, even though they did lose one game this season. However, I still would have liked to see at least two other teams with a shot at the title. Texas missed out on the title game because of a tie-breaker with Oklahoma and an undefeated Utah squad was never considered. I think the Gators would have ousted both of those teams, but they deserved a shot. Mix in USC and a handful of other teams with legitimate claims and you have a murky mess at the top.

Wake up people, even our Commander-in-chief-in-waiting wants a college football playoff system. It's the only way to crown a legitimate champion.

"My Fellow Americans, I come before you to say we as a people are desperately in need of a College Football playoff syst--Holy Crap, check out those Bazooms!"

If Tebow returns, do the Gators repeat? They've got as good a shot as anyone.

It must be easy to recruit with Tebow there: "Come play with one of the greatest players to play the college game." How can someone pass that up? Even if they play quarterback.

Spagnuolo's Not Going Anywhere

Steve Spagnuolo is atop every NFL team's short list for head coach candidates, but I don't think I'm going out on a limb here when I say he's not going anywhere. I do think that Spagnuolo has what it takes to be a solid NFL head coach. Which is exactly why the Giants aren't going to let him go without a fight.

Remember last year when Dallas coordinator Jason Garrett was the hot coaching candidate, and everyone wanted to interview him for their vacancy? Then Jerry Jones gave him a huge raise and basically made him the head-coach-in-waiting. I expect the same basic thing to happen with Spagnuolo. The Giants don't necessarily want to get rid of Caughlin, but they're not willing to let Spagnuolo get away either.

The major difference between Garrett and Spagnuolo is that Garrett was a flash-in-the-pan and needs more experience before he's ready to take over an NFL club. Jerry Jones (predictably) overpaid for a marginal talent. Spagnuolo, on the other hand, is ready to take on a club right now. In fact, he was probably ready to run a team as an Eagles assistant. So if the Giants give Spagnuolo a new contract they're going to get a good bang for their buck.

Candace Parker Pregnant

Reigning WNBA MVP Candace Parker has confirmed that she is pregnant. Congratulations to her and her husband (Sacramento King's Forward) Shelden Williams.

This is great for the couple, but could have ramifications for the WNBA. Candace Parker is not only one of the best players in the WNBA, she's one of the best Basketball players in the World. Male or female. No one want to see her sidelined for any ammount of time, even if it's for something joyful like having a baby.

Ultimately, Parker is only 22 and she has years ahead of her. She'll be back before you know it. The WNBA should be praying she has a daughter. Both parents have professional basketball pedigrees, and offspring they have would surely be turning pro in about 20 years.

Quote of the Day: 1/08/09

Jim Rome talking about Pacman Jones on his show Jim Rome Is Burning (I'm paraphrasing):

"If you can't help acting felonious when you have everything to lose, what's going to stop you when you have nothing to lose?"

Right on Jim. Pacman can't keep his nose clean when his livelihood is at stake. Now that he's finished in the NFL he has nothing to lose. If Pacman Jones doesn't die in prison or as an act of violence I will be incredibly surprised.

NFL Film Room: 71-yard Screen Pass

The Eagles were clinging to a scant 2-point lead against the Vikings in Minnesota on Sunday afternoon. Brian Westbrook had been bottled up all game and the Vikings defensive line, lead by Jared Allen and reserve lineman Brian Robison were getting great pressure on McNabb.

The Eagles step to the line on first down with a bit under 7-minutes left in the game and bust out this play:

Sorry for the poor video quality. It's the best I could do.

Why was this play so successful?

1. It starts with the Vikings game plan. The Vikings had been very aggressive up to this point and they didn't disappoint on this play. Eagles' RG Nick Cole and C Jamal Jackson pass block for about one second and then slip out into the flat to block, followed closely by LG Todd Heremans. The Tackles, Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan remain in to pass block. The D-line bites and they all rush the QB leaving a lot of room for Westbrook and his blockers.

2. Meanwhile, Vikings LB Ben Leber has the best shot at blowing this screen up, but he is taken out of the play by Correl Buckhalter. Buckhalter is lined up as the FB thanks to injury. When McNabb drops back and fakes a hand-off Leber steps up, but when he realizes it's a pass he backs into coverage, covering Buckhalter. Buckhalter knows it's a screen, so he charges Leber and takes him out of the play.

3. McNabb drops back and releases the pass to Westbrook. The play almost falls apart here as RG Nick Cole hasn't gotten out in front yet. In fact, he almost runs into Westbrook as he's catching the pass. Westbrook, though, has the presence to wait for his lineman to get in position. Jamal Jackson throws a block knocking his man back, and Cole picks up that man, taking him out and sealing the sideline. Westbrook takes it, and before you know it he's 20 yards downfield with the linemen still opening holes for him.

4. The Wide Receivers are what turns this from a 20-yard gain into a touchdown. DeSean Jackson blocks his man on the right side, but has the presence of mind to release him when his man turns (so as to avoid a holding penalty or an illegal block in the back.) Westbrook runs bye, but Jackson's not done yet, he sprints ahead of his man and screens him from making a play on Westbrook as the running back crosses the goal line. Meanwhile, Kevin Curtis makes one of the biggest blocks on the play, knocking the Viking's last line of defense to the turf and allowing Westbrook to run in for the score. Props to Avant for blocking well, too.

This was the perfect play, called at the perfect time. The Eagles have used the short screen almost as a running play for years now, and this was no different. Westbrook had been bottled up all game, but they gave him the ball in space, with blockers out front. He followed his linemen and receivers, slipped a couple tackles and it was all gravy after that.

The eagles took advantage of the aggressiveness of the Viking's d-line and also the fact that they had to treat Buckhalter as a legitimate receiving threat, so Ben Leber couldn't abandon him and blow up the screen.

The offensive linemen did a good job turning this into a 20-yard play, but the blocking downfield by receivers turned into a gamebreaking TD.

Every player on this offense executed it to perfection, and that's why it turned out so well.

Eagles GM withdraws Name From Browns Search

Eagles GM Tom Heckert was going to interview for the Browns GM opening on Friday, but he withdrew his name after Eric Mangini was hired. I don't think Heckert has anything against Mangini, he's just not interested in taking a position where he isn't allowed to hire his own head coach.

I don't know why Heckert would even consider leaving a perennial contender like Philly for a perennial pretender like Cleveland (unless the paycheck is substantially larger). The fact that the head coach is already in place may make finding a GM more difficult, since the primary responsibility of a brand-new GM should theoretically be amassing a trusted coaching staff. Someone is certainly going to take the job, but it's most likely not going to be someone from Cleveland's short list.

Cowboys to Release "Pacman" Jones

The Cowboys are going to release Adam "Pacman" Jones on February 9th, the first day the NFL allows waiver claims.

Jones was unimpressive this season both as a return man and a cornerback. He missed 6 games due to suspension for an alcohol fueled fight with a Jerry Jones-hired bodyguard, proving that he's not really ready to turn himself around.

He ended up with a 4.6 yard return average, no interceptions and countless missed coverage assignments. His season was capped off when Quintin Demps stripped the ball from him on a kickoff return at the end of the first half. The Eagles recovered, kicked a field goal and finished off a 24-point quarter.

I'd like to say that Pacman Jones is done in the NFL. Dallas was suppossedly his last stop, and he was one-and-done there. Unfortunately there are some teams in desperate positions that would be willing to risk another legal transgression if he was able to return to his pre-2007 suspension form.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the Raiders make move. Lord knows Al Davis likes to throw millions at marginally talented trouble-makers.

Don't worry Pacman, you can always continue your carreer as a wrestler.

UPDATE: Apparently Pacman's release was not solely related to his poor play. The Cowboys released him because new information came up related to a 2007 shooting he ordered two months into his 1-year suspension. ESPN reports:

"The June 2007 shooting occurred outside a suburban Atlanta strip club. One of the shooting victims told "Outside the Lines" that he had a dispute with Jones inside the strip club and that not long after he and the two others left the club, a hail of bullets struck their car. The NFL knew about that incident, but charges were never brought against anyone because the victims did not see the shooter.

"Outside the Lines" obtained information that police, investigating a separate Atlanta-area case, had been told by an informant that Jones ordered the June 2007 shooting following his dispute with one of the men."

Well if this is true Pacman Jones is officially done in the NFL. Roger Goodell has put up with his shit for long enough and he's surely not going to overlook this. The NFL was aware of the incident, but didn't know the extent of Pacman's involvement. Now that there's a witness it's "bye bye Pacman."

Have fun in Canada - assuming you're not in jail.

"Prison ain't nothin' but a Thang."

Quote of the Day: 1/07/09

This quote was too funny not to share, it comes from Ian O'Connor's article "McNabb shows what toughness, resolve can do" on foxsports.com:

"Philly crowds best match up with the torch-carrying mobs from those old Bela Lugosi films. In fact, Philadelphia fields the only teams in sports that try to score early to take their own fans out of the game."

That's really funny. I laughed out loud when I read that, especially because it's absolutely true. How many other cities can boast booing Santa Claus? Maybe Tehran? Kabul?

McNabb's had to fight through criticism from his own fans since he was booed when he was selected as the 2nd overall pick in the '99 draft.

Boston College Head Football Coach Fired

Boston College Head Football Coach Jeff Jagodzinski was officially fired this afternoon after interviewing for the Jets' head coaching position.

I'm a little bit confused why BC is firing Jagodzinski. Yes, he did defy the Athletic Director, the school, the team and the fans by interviewing for the position, but I would think they should be happy to let him interview.

There is a difference between coaching at the college level and coaching at the pro level. Not as big a difference as playing in college or playing in the pros, but an NFL head coaching position is the dream of any head coach. It's the top rung of their professional ladder. Boston College was essentially trying to block Jagodzinski's promotion. Why?

Secondly, Jagodzinski -- as far as I know -- was not offered the Jets' head coaching position. He just interviewed. Isn't that a good thing to have on a resume? "Interviewed for NFL Head Coaching position for a team in one of the largest media markets in the world." Even if he's not offered the job he was still considered a better candidate than all the other college head coaches and NFL coordinators in the league.

NCAA programs love to brag about all the players they've helped reach the pros. Why wouldn't they be equally proud of all the coaches they've helped reach that level as well? Doesn't that just help build the program? Make it that much stronger? Wouldn't that be huge for recruitment, letting players know they're playing for a pro-level coach?

I understand that the school feels slighted. I understand that they expected Jagodzinski to honor the contract that he signed. I understand that AD Gene DeFilippo felt personally insulted because he thought he had a handshake and an agreement that "Jags" wouldn't interview. Ultimately though, it's expected now-a-days that a coach seek out a promotion mid-contract if it's offered. Everyone does it. At least he's not abandoning a team mid-season like Bobby Petrino.

Chargers' WR Arrested on Suspicion of DUI

Vincent Jackson was arrested this morning on suspicion of Driving Under the Influence in San Diego. He was pulled over in the wee morning hours and failed a field sobriety test according to Highway Patrol Officer Ray Scheidnes. Scheidnes did not know Jackson's BAC.

Everyone makes mistakes (although athletes seem to make an awful lot of the alcohol-related variety) but this could be a biggie for Jackson and the Chargers. Jackson is on probation for a prior DUI arrest and we all know how serious Commissioner Goodell is when enforcing the personal conduct policy. Goodell's not afraid to hand down punishment regardless of the outcome of legal proceedings.

If Goodell decides to take immediate action and suspend Jackson then the Chargers might be short-handed when the take on Pittsburgh this weekend. They really need every weapon they can get if they hope to win against the Steelers and their tough defense.

The Falacy of the Pro Bowl

I was reading Gregg Easterbrook's Tuesday Morning Quarterback article on ESPN's Page 2 today and something he wrote got me thinking:

"This weekend was distinctive in two other ways. First, the games were yet another argument the Pro Bowl voting should wait at least until the regular season is complete, not close around Armistice Day. The NFC Pro Bowl roster includes 16 players from teams that did not reach the playoffs, and only two Philadelphia Eagles. Yet the Eagles were the NFC's hottest team down the stretch and on Sunday played tremendous defense. The AFC roster has 20 players from teams that did not reach the postseason, and only two San Diego Chargers. Yet the Chargers were the AFC's hottest team down the stretch and on Saturday played tremendous defense. Both Pro Bowl rosters are dominated by gentlemen from clubs everyone was talking about at midseason (the Cowboys, the Jets) rather than those that performed well over the long haul. Please change the Pro Bowl voting so that full-season performance rather than early-season hype is what's rewarded!"

He's absolutely right! Pro Bowl voting is completely back-asswards. It makes Zero sense to vote for the best players of the year before the season is over.

I also believe that the fan vote counts for way too much in the voting formula. It's important to the league to put the most popular players in the Pro Bowl, but that means the Pro Bowl teams are loaded with players from bigger markets. Meanwhile it's practically a miracle to see a Brown or a Bill.

D'Qwell Jackson led the NFL in tackles with 154 but failed to make the Pro Bowl.

Washington and Dallas deserve nine Pro Bowlers even though they're stuck watching the playoffs from home? While playoff teams Atlanta and Philly are each only sending two?

Players like Mike Sellers and Chris Cooley get to go to the Pro Bowl but league-leading tackler D'Qwell Jackson and solid players like Brodrick Bunkley and Quentin Mikell from a playoff team don't? A travesty. The only thing I remember about Mike Sellers is a stuff and a stripped ball on consecutive plays against Cincinnatti. Washington lost that game.

It would be nice to see the Pro Bowl deadline held out until the end of the season, that way you can reward a player's entire campaign, as opposed to a few solid early-season games and preseason hype.

10 Athletes That Have Lost a Battle With Dignity: Part 1

1. Charles Barkley:
Who?:
Charles Barkley (aka the “Round Mound of Rebound”) was an outstanding NBA forward, amassing 11 All-Star appearances and 1 League MVP in his 16-year career with Philly, Phoenix and Houston.

History:
Barkley once spit on a little girl during overtime of a 1991 game in New Jersey. In all fairness though, he was actually trying to spit on a decidedly more racist and less mature adult heckler.

After his playing career he joined TNT’s Inside the NBA where he went on to do some of the most ridiculous stunts in-between nearly incomprehensible rants. In 2006 he claimed he could hold his breath for 9 minutes and attempted it on-air in the studio. Let’s see how well he did:



24 seconds! He could only manage 24 seconds? And you know he thought he could actually do it. At least he didn’t go all Houdini with a locked tank and a straight jacket.

In 2007 he challenged 67-year-old referee Dick Bavetta to a foot race and barely won, even after false starting two times! Barkley has also admitted to losing more than $10 Million gambling. He says he once lost $2.5 Million in six hours playing Blackjack! When do you say enough is enough? Apparently after you’ve blown $2.5 mill in the time it takes to watch The Return of the King extended edition.

Where He Finally Lost The Battle:
Charles Barkley was arrested last week for Drunk Driving after he ran a stop sign because he was in a hurry to get his freak on. This was taken from the arresting officer’s report:

"He told me that he ran the stop sign because he was in a hurry to pick up the girl I saw get in the passenger seat."

The officer continues: "He asked me to admit that she was 'hot.' He asked me, 'You want the truth?' When I told him I did he said, 'I was gonna drive around the corner and get a blow job. He then explained that she had given him a 'blow job' one week earlier and said it was the best one he had ever had in his life."

I give him props for his honesty. It didn’t get him out of the DUI, but it was pretty hilarious. Apparently Barkley also offered to “Tattoo my name on your ass” if a civilian employee let him off the hook for the DUI. He then quickly corrected himself and said “Tattoo your name on my ass.” Sadly, I bet he thinks that would be a good offer when sober too.

NFL Awards

MVP: Peyton Manning
Manning was the trendy pick for this award. He was red-hot through the last nine games of the season, but this is the weakest of his three MVP campaigns. Still, in the absence of a clear-cut MVP voters went with the safe, comfortable pick.

Biggest Snubs:
Michael Turner was the motor to Atlanta's offense and he made things a whole lot easier on Matt Ryan. A good running back can make any QB look good.

Phillip Rivers and Drew Brees had outstanding seasons, but the fact that their teams' underperformed really hurt their stock.

Offensive Rookie: Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan had a season for the ages, posting one of the best campaigns for a rookie QB. Ever. This kid has the skills to pay the bills and is going to be a perennial Pro Bowler if he can doesn't spiral out of control. Rookie QBs like Ryan, Flacco and Roethlisberger are putting a lot of pressure on any players that follow in their tracks. Coaches, GMs, owners and fans are going to be (unfairly) expecting immediate returns.

Biggest Snubs:
There are a lot of rookie running backs that got the shaft this year. Steve Slaton, Matt Forte and Chris Johnson all topped 1,200 yards and each had at least 8 TDs. Any one of those guys could have gotten serious consideration.

Eddie Royal and DeSean Jackson both came up huge for their teams, but a receiver's never going to win this award.

Defensive Rookie: Jerod Mayo
It's easy to measure an offensive player's production in yards and touchdowns, but it's much harder to quantify defensive statistics. 128 tackles, 1 FF and 1 FR are outstanding wether you're a rookie or a veteran player, though. The Pats linebacking corps needed a youth transfusion and they got it.

Biggest Snub:
No one else really deserves the award over Mayo, but the Redskins' Chris Horton comes close. He had 76 tackles 3 INTs and a FR from the strong safety possition. That's an outstanding season.

Comeback Player: Chad Pennington
Pennington was unceremoniously dumped when the Jets picked up Favre, but he was quickly snapped up by Bill Parcells to Quarterback division rival Miami. There are a lot of knocks on Pennington, namely his arm strength and mobility (or lack thereof), but I think his pros outweigh his cons. Simply put this guy is one of the most accurate QBs in the league. I'd take him over at least half the starting QBs, including Favre. Pennington deserved this award.

Biggest Snubs:
Nobody's rise from the ashes was as big as Pennington's but Antonio Bryant's resurgance comes close. Bryant was basically ran himself out of the league with his bad attitude, but has returned, presumably humbled and become a top-tier receiver in Tampa. Remember that one-handed touchdown catch? Outstanding.

Kerry Collins should get a nod here too. He took over for Vince Young in Tennessee and quietly led an outstanding team into the playoffs. Critics claimed that the Titans couldn't win with Collins if you could shut down their ground game and he answered them in week 10 and 11 tossing for 519 yards and 5 TDs in those two weeks, both victories.

Coach of the Year: Mike Smith
No team was in as much turmoil last season as the Atlanta Falcons. Abandoned by Head Coach Bobby Petrino, star Quarterback (read vastly overrated coach-killer) on his way to federal prison for heinous crimes. The team just fell apart. Boy what a difference a year makes. Owner Arthur Blank and management made all the right moves. Hire a high-character coach, sign the best running back available and draft a franchise QB. This team had great success in just one season, but is built for the future.

Biggest Snubs:
Two other rookie head coaches also turned their franchises from doormats to contenders. The Dolphins went from 1-15 to the top team in the AFC East thanks in equal parts to Tony Sparano and Bill Parcells.

The Ravens struggled last year, but Harbaugh managed to turn them around into a playoff team. His feat isn't as impressive, though, since the Ravens were a vastly superior to the Falcons and Dolphins talent-wise.