some kind of year in review

I, along with seemingly every other American, love football. And, why not? The field has been great this season.

Are the Patriots the greatest team to ever play?
Will the banged up Colts survive?
The "Duel in Dallas," "Superbowl XLI 1/2," and most recently, "NFC Champion, part I."
And two words; Adrian Peterson.
The "Fountain of Youth" Brett Favre has his Green Bay Packers on one of the greatest turnarounds... ever.

There are sub-plots among sub-plots and it has made the season one for the ages. And, if it keeps shaping up like it has, one for the record books.

You've heard of "Tom & Jerry"? Well, how about Tom & Randy? And in this case, yes Jerry (as in Rice) is going to be mighty jealous. Randy Moss is on pace to break (if not shatter) Jerry Rice's single season receiving touchdown record. Tom's not bad himself, as Tom Brady is looking to break Peyton Manning's single season passing touchdown record.

Records are meant to be broken. Did I mention the Patriots are 11-0? Without a what would seem to be a suiting opponent to stop them from being the second team ever to go undefeated.

The season has been great. And, all that said, there is still a lot of work to do.

Last weekend, Washington Redskins defensive back Sean Taylor was gunned down in his home, dying after hours of surgery and what looked to be signs of recovery.
As an issue in every sport, the steriods abuse.
Spygate.
Michael Vick.
Adam "Pacman" Jones.

Among others. And the depressing fact of it all, this will all overshadow the good.

Today, 2 of the men in the Michael Vick case were sentenced to 18 and 21 months. Both harsher than expected, considering their plea deals. So what does this mean for the suspended Falcons quarterback who's already serving his time, waiting on this December sentencing date? Only time will tell...

I've touched some of the "older" issues all season long, but the Sean Taylor story is still rather fresh with a lot of pending investigation. I will not make a lot of comment on this, because I think that it's touchy. Most know the questionable and troubled past of Sean Taylor, but I think that point is void. His friends, family, and teammates have said he was a changed man and I'll take it. The sad fact is for that reason, someone broke into this 24 year old man's home and shot him.

It's a sad time.

I will try to post Taylor's offical obit when I can find it.

Coach Carter Movie Review

Movie Review
Coach Carter
2005
Director: Thomas Carter
Cast: Samuel L. Jackson (Coach Carter), Rob Brown (Kenyon), Ashanti (Kyra), Channing Tatum (Jason)
Movie Review by Derek Grimes

When it happened in 1999, I’m sure Coach Ken Carter had no idea that one day he would be featured in a movie. Back then, he was just looking out for his students and his athletes. Ken Carter returned to his alma mater to take over a sorry basketball program that lacked discipline, fundamentals, and class. The team had only won four games the year before, and Carter showed his toughness and his determination by letting some of the leading scorers leave if they were not willing to follow his instructions.

And when his basketball team failed to get the job done in the classroom, he locked them out of the gymnasium. And for a period of time, he cancelled practice. He cancelled the games. He made his student-athletes sit in the library and study and work to get their grades up before they would return to the court.

This was unheard of for anywhere in American, not to mention a mostly minority inner-city school. The story was amazing and the public was in uproar.

Five years later, Ken Carter’s semi-heroic and honorable methods were featured in a movie. Thomas Carter, no relation to the real coach, along with MTV Productions decided to make a movie entitled Coach Carter as a Hollywood done piece of the story of Ken Carter’s efforts with the Richmond High School basketball team. The question of who to play Coach Ken Carter was answered by none other than Samuel L. Jackson.

Jackson is strong in the film, selling his hard and tough speeches with conviction. His passion looks unparalleled. His presence and voice take this movie to the next level of sports movies.

As the team, few players stick out at individuals. They are vivid enough to show the diversity of the team. Channing Tatum plays the white boy on the team. Robert Ri’chard plays the freshman coach’s son, who’s only way to get a spot on the team is to drop out of his high class private school and pledge to work twice as hard as everyone else. Rick Gonzalez is the gun-toting youth, involved in drugs and mixed up in a vast assortment of different troubles.

However, one character that does stand out is played by Rob Brown. He and his girlfriend, played by R&B star Ashanti, have to deal with the decisions of a high school pregnancy. Brown has to figure out either to give up his dreams and stay with his girlfriend to raise the baby, or to go to college and play basketball and eventually get an education and a degree in order to provide for his family. The issue is controversial from every angle, as Ashanti’s character has to flip flop between the decision of having the baby or not having the baby. This subplot is dealt with differently, with little emphasis being put on the outcome. However, with the strong acting by both involved, audience feels into their struggle even without the intense focus.

This is a sports film that takes a different action on how to be portrayed. A lot of clichéd sports movies of modern times focus less on the game and more on the school story. The drama on the athletes lives. This movie focuses almost squarely on the issue of the student athlete and how that term is getting misused. Instead of focusing on the drama of an athlete’s life, Coach Carter puts the drama on how the game is coached and it puts the drama in the student’s life. It is nice to see that someone is finally documenting in an entertainment film what the students go to school for.

Ken Carter was one of a kind when he knew it in 1999. Hopefully this film opened more eyes.

a few updates

As reported by ESPN yesterday, an arbitrator ruled that Michael Vick will have to pay back about 20 million dollars to the Atlanta Falcons organization. This is bonus money that the team paid to Vick and feel they are owed back due to Vick violating his contract with the team. The Falcons believe that they are owed because Vick knew he was in violation of the contract when he signed the 10 year deal in 2004.

The breakdown of what Vick owes back is http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=nfl&id=3056591

Also, the current leading rusher of the NFL, Travis Henry, is to be suspended for a year for violating the leagues substance abuse policy.

I guess with the apparent return of former Dolphins RB and Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams, so is marijuana.

Michael Vick tests positive for marijuana

From the "oh wow you have to be freakin' kidding me" department, a urine sample submitted by Michael Vick during pretrial services last month has come back positive for marijuana. All of the sudden, the guy that many thought was wrongly labeled a scapegoat in this felony case, Michael Vick is getting hard to root for. If there was one person that was trying to pull behind this guy (and there was many more than one) and try to make people believe that Vick was a decent person with deep rooted mistakes it was me. Now, I'm wondering just how long has Vick been pulling the wool over the public's eyes?

It is like Jim Rome said on his daily ESPN television show, Jim Rome is Burning, "This man should not be jaywalking, let alone burning the hippie lettuce."

And why is Vick NOT in jail now. Due to this positive drug test, Vick is now on home confinement that is regulated by electronic devices? Is it because he is "more than likely" selling out other dog fighters to the feds? Whatever the reason, if you didn't feel like it before, you definitely should now. Vick should be locked up. Let's face it, I would be.

So everyone that is clutching on to your 7s, sitting and waiting for Michael Vick's triumphant return to football... fold it up and put it away. Far away, so you won't have to think of this guy anymore. Find another hero, Atlanta, because Vick is done. He will spend at very least 1 year in jail on federal charges, and now he is facing charges from the state of Virgina that could tack on more prison time. Now, what does he have to present to Mr. Goodell? Not good behavior, a drug charge.

I was ready to welcome Michael Vick back in a Raiders' jersey in a few years, doesn't look like that will happen now. Goodbye Michael Vick, and good luck because you need it.

Technorati!

Technorati Profile
To claim my Technorait account..

Don't take the entertainment out of entertainment

In the wake of Roger Goodell's "Iron Fist Era" there is something in the league that is really beginning to irk me. It seems like all of the sudden, the NFL is beginning to nickel and dime the players for everything.

Terrell Owens had a brilliant touchdown celebration last weekend, in which he poked fun at Bill Bellichick and the "spygate" scandal. T. O. "hid" behind the goal post and used the ball to simulate a camera. Honestly, one of the funniest things that I have seen in a football game, well, since Owens's "Ray Lewis" dance... in front of Ray Lewis.

The NFL fined Terrell Owens $7,500 for violating the rule concerning touchdown celebrations, in which you are not permitted to use the ball as a prop in any celebration. I'm a huge supporter of Goodell's new rules regarding conduct, and I think that it is doing some good in the NFL which was beginning to be a lighter version of the Indiana Pacers. However, why are we making the game, this form of entertainment, so systematic?

Here's my proposal to fix it. If the celebration is fun and entertaining and not vulgar or indecent; fine. However, I propose that if the celebration is not funny, vulgar, indecent, not well thought out, or even over-hyped, then the player should take his $7,500 fine as incentive to be more creative. Or in one case, shut up and do it. (Right, Chad Johnson?)

Dallas signs "at risk" Johnson

It just goes to show that the Dallas Cowboys will do ANYTHING to win. Earlier this week, the Cowboys signed suspended Terry "Tank" Johnson to replace injured nose tackle Jason Ferguson. However, Johnson is sitting out an eight games suspension for violating the zero tolerance player conduct rule. There is a chance that Johnson can get his suspension reduced by two games to six, but even then he is out for another month, so his impact will not be quick.

Or will it? This week, the Cowboys take on the Chicago Bears, Tank's former team. Maybe I'm just getting all caught up in this "spygate" scandal, but it does seem like every team in the league is trying to get any advantage at all costs. I'm sure the Cowboys had every intention to sign Tank but honestly, there was no rush. So it is possible that Dallas picked up Tank to pick up some "watergate" type information on the Bears.

"I know I'm not a risk," said Johnson. Well, that makes one of 350 million. You're not a risk, Tank? You know, I'm all about giving people second chances, but it does seem like Tank gets, in an algebra sense, nth chances, and he just keeps getting on.

"We're going to welcome him just like the guys welcomed me," commented Terrell Owens.

Yes, that Terrell Owens. That's exactly who I wanted to hear from in conversation about character.

It is Cleveland.

The shock of the Michael Vick dogfighting case doesn’t even touch this story… Cleveland Browns starting cornerback Leigh Bodden was arrested at a Cleveland airport as first reported by the Associated Press in Berea, Ohio. No, seriously… the Cleveland Browns? Com’mon fellas, it is CLEVELAND.

Apparently, Bodden was spotted driving in reverse down a one way street and then was “verbally abusive” with the police that instructed him to pull over. After getting out of the car, Bodden more or less began to resist arrest before being place in handcuffs and transported to a nearby jail, where he sat for nearly five hours.

I’m going to say it again, this is Cleveland. I’m almost beginning to think that players are going out of their way to get in trouble. This isn’t a “Pacman” incident where he is “making it rain” in a strip club. Nor is it a case where he is being blatantly inhumane. This is not even your normal bar fight. More or less, Bodden was driving in reverse. It is a traffic violation. A normal individual pulls over, apologizes to the officer and goes along with his day. It seems the NFL players, and maybe athletes in general, are TRYING their hardest to get arrested. I mean, as I understand from Cleveland (both from what I see and being there) that one would have to actually wake up in the morning and think about how he is going to get arrested.

And besides, Bodden, you play for the Browns. Don’t you think the team has enough problems of its own? First, they were flipping coins to determine the starting quarterback. What is going on now? A fun game where a flip of a coin determines who is going to go out and get arrested?

Creativity gets you bonus points.

The possible punishment for sign stealing?

In a story that is probably not as uncommon as it sounds, the NFL is evaluating the charge of the New England Patriots using a video camera to steal defensive signs from the New York Jets in last Sunday’s game, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reports. Roger Goodell is waiting on the Patriots defense on this matter before deciding on what punishment is going to be dealt.

Basically, the Patriots had someone on its staff in charge of a video camera. His sole purpose was to record the Jets’ defensive coach’s signs, that way they could possibly be studied during halftime or otherwise. Certain signals mean certain things, and knowing a piece of information like where the blitz is coming from is a huge competitive advantage.

This story is amazing to me. First of all, the league is expecting its players to conduct themselves with dignity and respect, but right under its nose this blatant act of cheating is going on. Of all organizations, the New England Patriots!

So what punishment is Goodell expected to deal? Rumors are that the Patriots will be docked a draft pick and possibly multiple picks. What does an anti-New England sports anything person like myself want to see? Make them forfeit the game. If the league wants to stop these actions right now and never have it be a question again, Mr. Goodell should award the game to the New York Jets. If this happens, then all of the sudden the Patriots are 0-1 rather than 1-0, and the loss is a divisional loss. Instead of being way ahead of the eight ball as it seemed the Patriots are, they are starting from behind.

When you think about it in this light, it really tarnishes that high power offense, doesn’t it? If this has been going on for a long time (which this is not the first time the Patriots have been accused of this act, just the first time they have been caught) it’s no wonder that Tom Brady could pass for near 4,000 yards to the likes of Reche Caldwell!

Or better yet, ban Bill Belichick. Forever. That would really show these cheaters!

A follow up of sorts...

The NFL took back the suspension of Bengals DE Frostee Rucker that I wrote about a few days ago. However, Rucker is ruled out due to injury...

Atleast he's getting paid, right?

Also, it doesn't deal with the NFL or really player conduct for that matter but I decided that it was note worthy.

SI.com reported this afternoon that feel-good story-of-the-year and Cardinals pitcher turned outfielder Rick Ankiel received eight shipments of the performance enhancing drug human growth hormone from January to December 2004. MLB did not ban HGH until 2005 and still does not test for it, but any player that is caught using it or possessing it is banned for 50 games.

However Ankiel did not technically break any rules if these reports are correct, it really puts a damper on this feel good story, does it not? Instead of a pitcher gone bad that changed his game and turned adversity into success... he becomes just another player in a long line that ethically cheated to get ahead.

It's sad to say that you can't enjoy performance by any player anymore without first considering what this guy is "all juiced up on."

I guess it is our fault for believing in a fairy tale.

Which is worse?

As if the “Summer of Sin 2007” needed another story, the NFL has a new blunder to worry about; performance enhancers (namely Human Growth Hormone also known as HGH). Recently, New England Patriots’ safety Rodney Harrison and Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback coach Wade Wilson were suspended due to their involvement in an illegal internet drug operation that is currently being investigated by the Albany, New York District Attorney’s office.

Harrison is, some would say, the emotional leader on a strong New England defense, and it is hard to believe that the brash, hard-hitting, up-front safety would ever be involved in a drug case. However, in this day and age, it is not out of realism to expect ANY athlete to be doing something he or she should not be doing.

Ever since Commissioner Roger Goodell took over one year ago, he has demonstrated his heavy hand of discipline on the “evil-doers” of the NFL. Just ask Chris Henry and Adam “Pacman” Jones how friendly the Commissioner is regarding repeat criminal offenses. But it is a good point to raise, which is worse; the use of performance enhancing drugs (cheating) or the breaking of the law?

I’m not suggesting that either case is lighter than the other, but from a commissioner viewpoint where the integrity of your league is of dyer importance (right Commissioner Stern?), is it more important to focus heavy judgment on those that make fools of themselves off of the playing field, or should Mr. Goodell be focusing much of his “hammer-hitting” on these ever arising performance enhancing issues?

For example, San Diego Chargers DE Shawn Merriman tested positive for steroids, faced his 4 game suspension, came back to a monster year and is regarded by many as one of the best defensive players in the league. Almost as if he had never cheated. However, for troubled youth “Pacman” Jones, it’s not out of the question to think that he may not ever play again.

But which is worse?

The NFL to suspend Bengals DE Frostee Rucker for violation of Personal Conduct policy

As first reported by FOXSports.com, the NFL is to suspend Bengals defensive end Frosty Rucker for violating the league's personal conduct policy which stems from the settling of a domestic violence case in April.

The suggested suspension is proposed for one game, but Rucker and his agent are taking an appeal to the NFL Players Association. Their base of appeal is that the incident in question was in 2005, while Rucker was attending the University of Southern California.

"We're confident in the merits of our appeal of the suspension," agent J.R. Rickert said. "We're not aware of any case where the personal conduct policy has been applied to a person for an offense that occurred while they were in college." (ESPN.com)

The question is do Roger Goodell and the NFL have the right to suspend someone for actions that occurred while their player was actually not their player at all. The personal conduct policy was put in place to make the NFL players more or less "think twice" before they put themselves in situations that could make them, their team, or the league look bad. However, how can the league justify suspending a player for any amount of time if the player was not under these set of rules?

If Rucker loses the appeal and is suspended, he will be the third Bengals player to be suspended for the season opener. Rucker is also one of 10 Bengals players to be charged with criminal charges in a 14 month span. (ESPN.com)

Groups of players like these have been the basis for Commissioner Goodell's "Zero Tolerance", but there is no precedent set for suspending a player that was in violation while he was not a legal member of the NFL. Goodell's case may be made on the fact that even though the incident didn't occur while Rucker was a Bengal, the files were charged two months after he was drafted.

Mostly, the personal conduct policy has been great for the NFL in sending the message that if a player is going to act in a negative way, off the field; he is going to pay the price on it. However, in this case, I feel that Rucker is being treated unfairly. If the incident happens at a later date, maybe the impending conduct rule would be enough for Rucker to keep his cool. However, at the time Rucker was in college and still a student. That does not give him a pass on criminal charges, but maybe it is true that his bad decisions as a student should not follow him around in his career.