Patriots Actually Celebrating Imperfect Season with Rings, Banner

As if Boston-based teams have not already given us a plethora of reasons to despise them, the New England Patriots and owner Robert Kraft are now seemingly ignoring their historic Super Bowl (collapse, loss, what-have-you) and are presenting players with rings commemorating last year’s near-perfect campaign.

According to the Boston Globe, the Krafts are presenting rings which have “16-0 – perfect season” on one side and “18-1 AFC Championship” on the other.

I have heard about second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, hell tenth place being celebrated in youth leagues to boost the self-esteem of kids that way no one is titled a “loser.”

Guess what, Patriots players and fans?! This is the pros. YOU LOST! YOU ARE LOSERS!

As one former AFC East rival once said, “You play – to win – the game.” You lost the game. You don’t deserve a ring. You don’t deserve a banner in the rafters (which the Krafts are also planning). You don’t get to celebrate failure. 16-0 is not a perfect season; 19-0, however, is, and you fell short.

If Kraft is all about spending money to accurately represent the Patriots accomplishments, shouldn’t there be a little video camera/asterisk on their last three Super Bowls…or at least this past imperfect season?

The Patriots came 35 seconds away from winning a Super Bowl…but they lost. Where is the New York Yankees 2001 ALCS ring for 95 wins and being an out away from winning their fourth-consecutive World Series? Where is Rocco Mediate’s U.S. Open trophy for finishing just a stroke short in extra holes on Monday? Why aren’t the Miami Dolphins celebrating going 1-15 with a Jake Long sign hanging next to Dan Marino’s?

Because you do not celebrate failure, no matter how well you play up until you fail.

Where are Mercury Morris and his quotation-churning brain when I need them?

Why Miami Dolphins fans shouldn't care about Brett Favre to New York Jets trade

To Miami Dolphins Fans: There is no doubt that the 2008 NFL off-season has been dominated by two stories: Jason Taylor’s exodus from the Miami Dolphins and Brett Favre’s decision to unretire (like he was actually retired in the first place) and return to the NFL.

As Dolphins fans, we thought we were in the clear with Taylor being traded to the Washington Redskins a few weeks ago. But then Favre’s situation worsened. It became more than a national story. The Favre Watch was on and, no matter how hard we tried, we could not get away from it. All that we could hope for was some type of resolution—anything to get Favre out of the ESPN.com top story, away from the PTI headlines, muting the mouths of our talk radio pundits and sports commentators that all had their own opinion on the situation. Something that would allow us to re-focus on real sports stories—our own team’s training camp and pre-season games, the exciting MLB season and the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics.

Then they (the Packers, media, God himself) go ahead and f*&k us again. Favre gets traded to our rival New York Jets late Wednesday night. Let’s stop right here so I can clear something up. No, this is not some rant about how Favre being on our hated foe is going to keep us from winning games or the division. In fact, the only negative of this entire situation is that we will not stop hearing about Favre no matter how hard we try. We play the Jets twice a year and follow our division closely—now there is no escaping Favre and the drama he drags along with him.

Aside from that, the fact of the matter is this: as far as Favre and the Jets are concerned, I could care less. I’m indifferent. It doesn’t matter. I could even argue it helps us. Let me break it down and show you The Silver Lining of this whole situation.

* I am going to start by matter-of-factly stating that the Jets are no longer my most hated NFL franchise. The New England Patriots, with the help of Bill Bellichick and the city of Boston, have taken that title with ease. The improvement of the Jets can only help to overthrow the villainous Patriots franchise, perhaps even knock them out of the playoffs all together with a little luck and some hard work. Maybe Favre can be instrumental in sending the Pats back into the dark ages.

* Favre’s first game in the green-and-white will be against our Dolphins at home in Dolphins Stadium on a hopefully hot and sunny Sunday afternoon. Aside from the fact that we can deal a strong blow to Favre’s celebratory return to the NFL by going out and beating the Jets, the game is going to be a LOT of fun! The stadium will be packed, the Dolphins will sell a LOT of tickets—it will be CBS’s 1:00 p.m. nationally televised game. If they allowed a Week 1 Flex game, it would be on Sunday Night Football.

* Favre’s tenure with the Jets will not be long. We’re looking at most likely a two-year run, three years max. (Interesting, considering he “retired” this year and may now play for another two.) The Dolphins are nowhere near close to seriously competing for a division title, conference title or Super Bowl championship in the next two years. Let’s stop kidding ourselves. We’ll be lucky to win 4-5 in ’08, 6-8 in ’09 and 9-11 in ’10…and that’s if everything goes right! Favre’s presence in New York does not affect the future of the Dolphins. Will we lose a few more games to the Jets over the next two years? Sure. Do the Jets have more time to find a suitable QB to replace Favre? Maybe. Aside from that, it doesn’t matter.

So, in the end, the Favre situation has come to impact us more than we would have originally hoped. Luckily, it will all be superficial. He is not a threat to the future of the Miami Dolphins, and the present isn’t promising enough for us to get worked up over anyway.

The goal of this edition of The Silver Lining is to qualm any concerns about Favre joining the AFC East before they arise—to put out a flickering, hopefully non-existent fire. To say, honestly, as far as Brett Favre is concerned, I no longer care and haven’t for quite some time—and neither should you.

Army orders Caleb Campbell to withdraw from Lions, fulfill obligations

I am sure there are plenty of you who remember the story from the 2008 NFL Draft of Army safety Caleb Campbell. He was drafted to the Detroit Lions and, therefore, avoided military service due to a new rule giving those with a chance to play for a professional sports team the ability to serve their term of duty in the United States as a recruiter instead of on active duty.

Well, it should come as no suprise to you that the inspiring story has changed course.

Caleb Campbell, the Detroit Lions' seventh-round pick, will not be playing for the team this year. According to a Lions press release, the U.S. Army reversed its stance that would have allowed the safety to fulfill his military obligations in Michigan had he made the Lions' roster.

What a crock! In a time where the Army is trying to recruit new members and increase military service in this country, they do something to once again hurt their image. It is not like there are hundreds of soldiers that this affects at the present time, just one. They allowed the kid to get drafted, earn a roster spot and sign a three-year contract and then they take that all away from him?

The fact of the matter is this: Campbell is an Army guy and will never mention a word about how hurt, upset and dejected he probably is right now. That doesn’t change the fact that this is the wrong decision. If I was the Lions, I’d consider suing to get the signing bonus that I’ve already laid out back. This is wrong in every way and, unfortunately, these things aren’t even a surprise anymore. Big mistake, Army, big mistake.

Carson Palmer speaks his mind, the truth

That’s it. Game over. Carson Palmer is my favorite NFL quarterback.

Not because he won me a fantasy football championship (he didn’t), plays for my favorite team (he doesn’t) or is even the best at his position in the league (he’s not.) It only took one long quote, one radio interview, one beautifully phrased piece of truth to turn me into a Carson Palmer fan.

I don't watch what I say. I cannot stand the Buckeyes and having to live in Ohio and hear those people talk about their team, it drives me absolutely nuts. We got Keith Rivers out there and we got Frostee Rucker, we finally got a couple other 'SC guys. It's amazing to hear what those guys think about that university and what they think about that football program and (Ohio State coach Jim) Tressel and all the crap I gotta put up with being back there. I just can't wait for two years from now when 'SC comes to the 'Shoe and I get to, hopefully we'll have a home game that weekend and I can go up there and watch us, pound on them in their own turf and kind of put all the talk to rest. Because I'm really getting sick of it and I just can't wait for this game to get here so they can come out to the Coliseum and experience LA and get an old-fashioned Pac-10 butt-whoopin' and go back to the Big Ten . . . I can't wait.

Have I converted you, too? No? You must be an Ohio State fan.

Let’s put aside the cojones it takes to say these words while playing for the Cincinnati Bengals in Buckeye country. Especially because the fans that pack your stadium and buy your jersey care 10 times more about OSU than they ever will about the Bengals.

The fact of the matter is Palmer did two things I love and respect: (1) He spoke the truth without regard for backlash and (2) He still has pride and loyalty to his school and conference.

To a lot of NFL players, college football is a stepping stone to the pros. But there are always those select few that bleed (in this case) cardinal and gold through-and-through, even when their playing career is over. It is even better when those players are solid pros as opposed to your fourth-stringers that hardly see the field.

Aside from having pride in his former accomplishments, Palmer points out a painstakingly obvious fact: the Big Ten is a joke. It has been a joke, and it will continue to be a joke until one more team is added and there is a conference championship game. As if their last two BCS Championship games are not proof enough, they have missed the boat on how the game is played these days while the powerhouse SEC schools like LSU, Florida and Georgia and major programs like the Pac-10’s USC and Big 12’s Texas have it easily figured out.

Yet fans of the Big Ten and, more importantly, Ohio State, continue to carry on like their stool don’t stink while they slowly become the Buffalo Bills of college football—always the bridesmaid, never the bride.

Taylor's acting desire a finely orchestrated deception

For my conspiracy theorists and pessimists out there, I bring you the following: A commentary on my own suggestion that Jason Taylor’s recent and sudden desire to escape to Hollywood was nothing more than a finely orchestrated deception by his agents and management.

Seemingly content as a Miami Dolphin for a decade, things began to unravel for the All-Pro early during the 2007 season. Noticing the Dolphins falling to an inconceivable level with a boob (Cam Cameron) as a head coach and no prospects of success in the near future, Taylor began to turn. His power in the organization was legitimate—from having owner H. Wayne Huizenga’s ear to being the vocal locker room leader. When Taylor spoke, people listened.

It was during the ’08 season that Taylor dropped the ball—he gave up. He realized the worthless, day-to-day struggle he faced as a member of the Dolphins. His attitude and disposition permeated throughout the locker room. Once Cameron lost Taylor, he lost every remaining player, the season and his head coaching career with the Dolphins. No wonder Bill Parcells was put-off by Taylor; he realized Taylor’s contributions on the field would be less significant than the detriment he would do to the team in the locker room. In a Parcells system, the coaches (and specifically chosen players) have the voice, not just sour veterans.

With the season over and an offer on the table from ABC to compete in “Dancing With the Stars,” Taylor finally had his out. And as any agent worth his 10% would, Gary Wichard started putting together a plan. Perhaps not the perfect plan, but nevertheless a good one.

Taylor performed on DWTS for two reasons: to be more noticeable in Hollywood and to begin the deception—the deception that his goal all along was to be an actor. Once again, any agent worth his 10% should have a plan ready for his client’s post-playing career. Taylor is not unique in wanting to go Hollywood and keep himself in the spotlight. He is, however, unique in using that desire to deceive his team into trading him.

Go on DWTS, refuse to commit to the Dolphins and then publicly state you are only going to play for one more season (and you want it to be with a contender) because of your desire to act. Refuse to attend any mini camps or OTAs, making up excuses that, while sounding legitimate, are obviously bogus. Then, continuously placate to the media and your fans that you are not doing this because you WANT to leave but because with such limited time left you have to leave. Why would any team accept a player doing those things? They would not, and Gary Wichard knew that from the start.

And now that the deception is completed and a trade has been made, everyone will begin to see it unravel. It started with Washington’s executive vice president Vinny Cerrato being "100 percent positive he'll play longer than one year." Of course he will; he was always going to.

Let’s face it--Taylor’s prospects in Hollywood are slim-to-none. Meeting with Denzel Washington, studio executives and reading offers in La-La-Land? They may have happened but none were approached with much seriousness. Taylor probably made his rounds to learn more about the industry for when he actually retires in 2011 or 2012. Yes, you heard it here first—2011 or 2012.

Taylor will play out the remainder of his contract (two years) with the Redskins, and he will be happy to do so because he NEVER truly considered retiring. When the Redskins have not provided Taylor with his shot at contention for a Super Bowl ring, he will do what so many two-faced athletes (read: Junior Seau) have done and sign a one- or two-year deal with a team (read: New England Patriots, Dallas Cowboys) for that last shot at glory. Then, he will ride off into that Hollywood sunset that will look eerily like an ESPN (owned by ABC who produces DWTS), NBC or FOX studio.

In the end, he may win his ring, get his Hall of Fame bust and win back some fans, but one thing will never change: This was a farce, a sham, a finely orchestrated deception.

Tomlinson Campaigns to be No. 1 Fantasy Pick

San Diego Chargers RB LaDanian Tomlinson wants your vote. No, he’s not campaigning for Barack Obama or John McCain. He wants to be your No. 1 fantasy draft selection.

Tomlinson has been making his rounds on the talk-show circuit, throwing out advertisements and even shaking hands and handing out bumper stickers in Times Square asking fans to trust him to lead their fantasy teams for the 2008 season.

"I should be the No. 1 pick because I'm proven," Tomlinson told The Associated Press. "I've been doing it for a while and have experience helping owners win their leagues. I got a good track record, and I'll be ready on day one."

Awesome. But, maybe not.

It seems LT isn’t doing all of this for himself, but because FOXSports.com is paying him to promote their fantasy games. So much for the great story! If Tomlinson had been doing this on his own, I’d be praising him for being unique, fun and an example for a lot of the guys in the league to learn from.

Instead, he’s a shill.

Nevertheless, I’m giving consideration to not even taking a RB in the first round for the first time in my fantasy career. After seeing how the NFL passing game has exploded and the abilities of Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning and New England Patriots QB Tom Brady to put up huge fantasy stats, one must wonder if it makes any sense to go the power RB route anymore.

Favre Speaks, (Billy) Packer Fired, Donaghy Co-Horts

I figured Monday is a good time to tie up some loose ends from the weekend and, without computer access all day, I honestly didn't feel like going too in-depth on one story.

Favre Speaks: Retired Green Bay Packers QB Brett Favre spoke publicly for the first time since deciding to return to the NFL with none other than Packers fan and shareholder and FOX News talking head Greta Van Susteren. Conflict of interest?! Among other asinine comments, Favre said he wants to return but no longer feels welcome in Green Bay. Read the rest...

(Billy) Packer Fired: After 27 years as the lead college basketball analyst for CBS, Billy Packer was fired over the weekend. Packer covered 34 consecutive years of March Madness tournaments (starting at NBC) and is now being replaced by studio analyst Clark Kellogg. While I enjoyed Packer during broadcasts, especially the two Florida Gators runs in 2006 and 2007, it was time for him to leave. All the best, Billy. Read the CBS story...

Donaghy Co-Horts: Also big news stepping from the weekend is former NBA referee Tim Donaghy's private phone records. According to reports FOX, Donaghy made 134 phone calls during the 2006-07 season (most before or after games he worked) to fellow official Scott Foster. Perhaps this scandal is not based on "one rogue official" as Commissioner David Stern claims?

Brett Favre: I Want To Play (Just Not in Green Bay)

Just when you thought it was safe to be an NFL general manager, your long-time, future Hall of Fame, Super Bowl-winning RETIRED franchise QB makes your life difficult. That has to be what Ted Thompson and head coach Mike McCarthy are thinking this afternoon as Brett Favre has told the team he wants to play with an unconditional release from his Green Bay Packers contract.

Wow.

Three days after expressing to Packers' officials during a conference call his desire to play in 2008, Favre had his agent James "Bus" Cook send an overnight letter officially asking for his client's contractual release. Favre claims pressure from the Packers seeking a decision caused him to retire in March even though he had felt the same way about retirement as he did in previous seasons.

More so, Favre indicated that his tenure and dedication to Green Bay should be enough to afford him an unconditional release, without any strings or worry of trade: he wants full control of his future, even though he is under contract for three more years.

Wow again.

Simply put, this is a horrible move on Favre's part. While I fully support ANY athlete wanting to play as long as he is physically able to, Favre went out like a champion last year, even if his last pass was an interception. The only reason to return should be to win a Super Bowl and, at this point, is that really going to happen? Of course not.

What are the chances that Favre is going to pick the one team out of 32 that will win the whole schabang? He is going to have to learn a brand new system and work with a new offensive line and receivers. The chances for ultimate success are slim, regardless of where.

This may be all fun and games to Favre, but while his achievements and success in Green Bay will be unscathed, his legacy won't be. All he needs to do is look at Joe Montana and ask him how it worked out in Kansas City. Montana got injured and played well but never reached the level of success he did in San Francisco--and he spent FIVE YEARS there. What is Favre going to accomplish in one or two? Or is he planning to play until he's 43?

Green Bay Packers Press Release: The finality of his decision to retire was accepted by the organization. At that point, the Green Bay Packers made the commitment to move forward with our football team.

As a retired player, Brett has the option to apply for reinstatement with Commissioner Goodell. If that were to occur, he would become an active member of the Green Bay Packers. As always, the Packers will do what's right and in the best interest of the team.

Brett Favre Not Retiring?

Don't call it a comeback because, let's face it, he never really left. According to multiple sources including ESPN's Chris Mortensen and current Green Bay Packers players who wish to remain nameless, future Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre is giving serious consideration to returning to the gridiron this year.

What a surprise.

For me, the surprise was that Favre "retired" in the first place. Especially considering he put up totals of 4,155 yds. and 28 TDs while compiling a 95.7 passer rating just last season. He also brought his team to the NFC Championship game and came close to making the Super Bowl a season after putting up dreadful numbers: 18 TDs, 18 INTs and a 72.7 passer rating.

ESPN is expected to go on the air in just a few minutes with a Favre report. I was allerted to this from a text message from ESPN's news service telling me to be sure and watch NFL Live at 4:00 p.m. today. The show started with host Trey Wingo saying Favre has told head coach Mike McCarthy that he has the itch to play again and continued with studio analyst and current Green Bay Packers player Al Harris saying he has spoken to Favre on a few occaions in which he has reiterated the same feelings.

If Favre does return, one would expect he wants it to be with Green Bay, though in all actuality it may have to be with a team other than the Packers. They just spent the draft giving new QB Aaron Rodgers a plethora of back-ups and competition for his job. One now wonders if Favre's retirement was premature or if he's trying to pull a Roger Clemens and get max money for the least amount of work and has wanted to play and return to the field all along?

Favre is still under contract with the Packers and is currently listed on IR. His family is reportedly pushing him to return to the field. All he would have to do is speak with management and request a reinstatement into the league in order to make his contract active again. There should be more developments in the coming days.

All I can say is if I was the Packers, I would say it's time to move on. If they decide not to, Rodgers should find somewhere else to play.

Pacman Jones: Just Call Me "Adam"

In his latest effort to improve his image now that he is a member of the Dallas Cowboys, Adam "Pacman" Jones is telling you, I and whoever else will listen what to call him these days. Like it makes a difference.

"There's really just a lot of negativity behind (the Pacman nickname)," Jones said. "It's just time for a change, man. I'm doing everything to make sure that I'm all right as a person, mentally and emotionally."

While that is all well and good for his brain, in reality what you call yourself couldn't matter any less. In fact, dropping a nickname after it is already established in the sports landscape is usually more of a negative change than a positive one...at least for Jones' portfolio.

Now I realize Jones worked in professional wrestling during last season but things don't work the same way in real life. You don't become a good guy just because you change your name from Rocky Maivia to The Rock or a bad guy because you go from Hulk Hogan to Hollywood Hogan.

You improve your image, career and legacy by BEING a good person. Making assurances that you are not around situations or people that could compromise your image, personality and actions. Making smart decisions starting with those that advise and surround you.

"Pacman" Jones was marketable. Adam Jones is nothing. Nobody even knows who he is because as far as the average fan is concerned, he's never exited. Jones may want to be like his new idol and mentor Deion Sanders (who coincidentally dropped the "Neon" after departing the NFL), but Adam is not as cool of a name as Deion is. Trust me, I know.

Stick with football, your coaches and teammates, your new mentor and improving your day-to-day life and associates. Stop worrying about trivial things like your name. Nobody else, including the media, your employer or your fans do. What they care about is you keeping your nose clean (literally and figureativley) and only "making it rain" on an American Indian reservation. And no, not a casino.

Pats Also Good at Spying for Government

New England Patriots offensive lineman Nick Kaczur was arrested in April for illegal possession of painkillers but somehow it never got out to the media. That is because Kaczur, instead of being arraigned like a normal arrest, decided to cooperate with federal agents in a sting operation against his alleged supplier.

Even though Kaczur, 28, had purchased hundreds of oxycodone pills from this dealer beginning in November 2007, the federal government must have seen something that said "spy" in him and had him wear a wire during three drug buys in southeastern Massachusetts. According to the Boston Globe, the third of those buys was followed by federal agents arresting the alleged supplier.

While, of course, no one will comment on the matter further, it does make for an interesting thought: Maybe the Patriots teaching their players to cheat and their team to spy is good for something?! Nah...

Supreme Court Declines Case on Fantasy Sports

In the vain of "What will the government waste their time with next?" finally comes a story about the Supreme Court declining to hear a case between Major League Baseball and fantasy sports about licensing rights. The MLB was sued for denying a fantasy sports company, C.B.C. Distribution and Marketing, a license to use the names of players saying they would be illegally profiting from the commercial use of a person's name.

With fantasy sports exponentially growing on a yearly basis, "A federal court and the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis ruled in favor of the fantasy baseball business, saying that enforcing state law rights would violate C.B.C.'s right of free speech protected by the First Amendment."

Of course, this answer wasn't good enough for MLB, who tried to take the case to the Supreme Court but were flat-out denied. Interestingly enough, the NFL Player's Association supported MLB's request that the case be heard.

Weird that the NFL and MLB want the government's help now but continue trying to keep them out of other matters much more important to the fairness and legitimacy of their games and call those an intrusion on their private businesses. Can't have it both ways, fellas.

Weekend Wrap-Up

Some stories from the past weekend, then a new post later today!

Prior injured, again: San Diego Padres pitcher Mark Prior has a shoulder tear, again, will require season-sending surgery, again and will go without pitching in another full season, again. All the talent in the world and this guy can't catch a break for anything.

Kimbo should box: The New York Post's Dave Willis writes a great article about Kimbo Slice following his so-so coming out party on CBS. Willis thinks Slice's fists would have been better off in boxing then MMA. I happen to agree.

Whose moving to L.A.? With Los Angeles still without a NFL team, many have begun speculating who will take the home of the new $800M stadium that has already been promised a Super Bowl? The San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers and Minnesota Vikings are all viable options. This article explores the issue.

Get over it! And finally...New England Patriots safety Rodney Harrison is stuck in denial over New York Giants wide receiver David Tyree's circus catch in Super Bowl XLII. I guess Bill Belichick didn't have the Spygate film on that one. 18-1 is perfect to me.

Saturday News & Notes

Rose Won't Wither - Continuing the trend from two stories below, Pete Rose still can't keep his mouth shut. This time he claims he would have amassed 5,000 hits if he would have been on steroids. Pete, I thought we just went over this--stop.

Kimbo Slice Debuts - There is no more waiting as backyard brawler-turned-MMA superstar Kimbo Slice will fight in an EliteXC card tonight live on CBS. This is the first time MMA is being broadcast on network television and EliteXC is using Slice (real name Ferguson) as their poster boy for potential success. While his peers still question Slice's ability, there is no questioning his star power and potential to brutally dominate the sport.

I Thought Seau was Retired? - New England Patriots LB Junior Seau retired from football (and his Miami Dolphins contract) in 2006 by signing a one-day deal with the San Diego Chargers. Four days later, he signed with the Patriots and is now considering a third year with the team. What a stand-up guy, huh?

Dukies Hire Notre Dame AD - While Duke (outside of lacrosse and basketball) leaves little to be desired as far as a collegiate athletic program, hiring the AD that hasn't done much at all with Notre Dame makes you wonder if they are even serious about improving their programs?

More U.S. Friendlies with Euro Clubs - F.C. Barcelona has signed to play two friendlies in the United States by scheduling games in Chicago and New York against Mexican club Chivas Guadalajara at Soldier Field and the MLS's Red Bulls at Giants Stadium respectivley. This will be the club's third trip to the U.S. in the last five years.

The Caleb Campbell Story

To honor Memorial Day this year, I wanted to take a look back at the 2008 NFL Draft in April and the roller coaster ride it was for one student, former Army now Detroit Lions safety Caleb Campbell.

Campbell was in the unique position to take advantage of a new Army rule allowing those with a chance to play for a professional sports team to serve their term of duty in the United States as a recruiter instead of oversees in active duty. Please take a look at the story below on both a factual and opinionated basis.

My favorite storyline of the 2008 NFL Draft - Caleb Campbell.

Caleb Campbell story from the eyes of an Iraq War veteran.

Porter Brings Heat on Beli-cheat

During an interview with NFL Live and host Trey Wingo this afternoon, Miami Dolphins LB Joey Porter called out the New England Patriots, Bill Belichick and the NFL for the handling of Spygate and the most recent discovery of further cheating by Belichick by allowing players on the IR to practice with the team. Below is my transcription of the interview:

JP: They cheated, there should be an asterisk. They cheated and they got caught. Marion Jones—she got caught they took the gold medals back. Obviously, they got caught. If it wasn’t that bad, why would they destroy the evidence? If you have nothing to hide, why would you destroy it? Why destroy something that doesn’t have to be destroyed? Let everybody see what was on that tape. Why are you going to destroy it so fast? I think it must’ve been that bad to where they didn’t want anybody else to see it. It had to be that bad. And if it wasn’t helping nobody, why did you do it? If Tom Brady wasn’t getting help out of it—why would you do it every week? Everybody wants to wonder how these guys just went from 0 to 60 overnight. That will do it for you.

TW: Is there a lot of talk among the players about that? Whether the Dolphins or other locker rooms around the league?

JP: Anybody I know that lost to them in big games—they’re very upset about it. The slap on the wrist didn’t really fit the crime. I don’t think the $500K fine was really big enough when you make multi-millions and billions off of the championships. He probably didn’t even have to pay it anyway—Kraft probably paid that fine, so it didn’t really hurt Belichick. He’s supposed to be this great coach—but cheating. He’s supposed to be a good coach, a great great coach and he got caught cheating. I don’t understand that. I lost two of those championship games, and if you tell me that happened, there is no way I can look at it and not feel cheated.

Anyone that knows my opinions of the situation will agree that I've been calling for steeper penalties, further investigations and the suspension of Belichick since the original punishment was levied. With further confirmation from former New England Patriots OL Ross Tucker that the Pats did, indeed, cheat in more ways than Spygate--why hasn't Commissioner Roger Goodell done more to investigate and justly penalize the coach and franchise?

Read my thoughts on Goodell and Spygate from February 2008.

Basebally "May Try" Replay in Fall Leagues

I never thought that I would find something, anything to commend the NHL on, until I heard the MLB's possibly planned plans for maybe, possibly trying out instant replay in their fall leagues--after the season has ended.

In a time with betting scandals in the NBA and blatant cheating (and cover-ups) going on in the NFL, why can't a league--or, more importantly, its commissioner--take care of an obviously prevalent flaw in the way its games are run and rules are constructed?

This is what the NHL did when Sean Avery found a loophole in the rules in the current Playoffs and blocked Martin Brodeur with his back to him in the crease while waving his arms in the air obstructing the view of the goaltender:

Incident occured Sunday night, April 13, 2008.
Response below occured Monday afternoon, April 14, 2008.

National Hockey League Senior Executive Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell issued a statement Monday to make the league's position clear going forward. The statement said:

"An unsportsmanlike conduct minor penalty (Rule 75) will be interpreted and applied, effective immediately, to a situation when an offensive player positions himself facing the opposition goaltender and engages in actions such as waving his arms or stick in front of the goaltender's face, for the purpose of improperly interfering with and/or distracting the goaltender as opposed to positioning himself to try to make a play."

It took the NHL less than 24 hours to change/add the rule and please fans, players and the media. At a time when the NFL, NBA, NHL, NCAA sports and Pro Tennis all use some form of instant reply, the MLB is letting the FOUR incorrect home run decisions in the last week begin a trend rather than help find an immediate solution to one. This is 2008 not 1908--it is the standard in professional sports in this country.

How about the fact that seven months ago in November, the MLB's own collective general managers voted 25-5 to at least explore the possibility of using a form of instant replay to help decide disputed home run calls such as fair or foul (ONCE this week) and in or out of the ballpark (THREE times this week).

The NHL's problem popped up overnight. The MLB has seen theirs coming and, after seven months, should have done enough research to fix it and be able to do so immediately.

But, they won't. Nah, they'll just wait until one of these ill-fated calls occurs during Game 7 of the ALCS during the bottom of the 9th with a team down by one. And then they'll finally decide to test instant replay in their fall leagues and the World Baseball Classic and institute it on Opening Day next year with some dumb restrictions or decisions the umpires can't overturn--but should be able to. And then we'll have to wait another year until those are corrected and the system is ironed-out.

When it all could be done in a day.

(It is just now being reported by the Chicago Tribune that the system MAY be in place by the upcoming postseason but probably will not. The point is made regardless as the postseason is in six months.)

Taylor "Steps" Away From Dolphins

During a post-practice press conference Wednesday afternoon, Miami Dolphins Head Coach Tony Sparano shocked the media and sports landscape with his announcement regarding the future of Pro Bowl DE Jason Taylor and his decision to hold out from the team.

"This is my reaction with the Jason Taylor situation, and I'm going to answer this question one time. I'm not going to answer another question about the Jason Taylor situation after I answer this," Sparano began.

"Here's what I know: What I know is that Jason Taylor -- and I'm glad we've gotten the information; that's important -- I know that Jason is not going to be at any OTAs (organized-team activities). I know that Jason is not going to be at any minicamps, and I know that right now, that Jason is not going to be at training camp. So that's what we know. Jason's a player under contract with the Miami Dolphins. He knows that. Both parties are well aware of the information. That's all I'm going to say about it. I want to talk to my players now."

There are not many situations in which I find myself at a loss for words. This is one of them. The fact of the matter is that I have never been more dead-on in my assessment of a situation such as this one in as long as I can remember! Additionally, many columnists have already put this story in such great perspective that I would rather feature their words to sum-up my opinions.

In this case, we are talking about Omar Kelly, the Sun-Sentinel's Miami Dolphins beat writer and blogger.

The voluntary stuff most of us can understand. After all, it is VOLUNTARY. But passing on an obligation, missing mandatory team stuff...that's betraying your commitment to the relationship, and it crosses the line. (. . .)

Dolphins fans need to hear the words for it to officially be over. Jason Taylor, you need to breakup with the Dolphins for everyone involved to move on, allowing you and the team to finally part ways. (. . .) If Jason Taylor wants out he needs to say it so we know where he stands.

Stop being so darn image conscious. Stop dancing around your intentions like you do a dance floor. We understand you've been unhappy in this relationship for the past four or five years. We understand the reasons you might want out. It's never fun losing. How many new coaches and regimes have you had? You want to end your possible Hall of Fame career on a title contender, and we realize we've let our looks slip a little.

It's fine that you want to move on. Not everyone still believes in true love. But don't try to blame shift your desires for another on our alleged wandering eye. Don't try to make new management out to be a bad guy to save your image, painting a picture that Bill Parcells wants to get rid of you, and has given you - the franchise player - the cold shoulder.

While that very well might be the case, if you truly plan to sit out training camp for WHATEVER reason you need to fess up. Put ego aside, as difficult as it might be right now, and be a man! Jason Taylor needs to stand-up and say it's over. Say, "I love you, we've had a good run, but I don't want to be with you anymore Miami. (. . .)

But you Jason Taylor, all this sneaking around, all this he said she said. All these rumors about your secret desires, and back-door dealings and demands, or requests, it's made this situation ugly.

All the Trifecta did on Wednesday was air out your dirty laundry, put your business out on the street without any spin doctoring. They blame shifted, and it was strategically done. Now the ball is in your court.

If you're ready to move on, we can deal with it....we really can, and we'll still check out your movies and support your charity efforts.... but you need to be upfront and tell Dolphins fans that's the case.

Sure it'll hurt, but that's the only way there can be a clean breakup, and that's what Dolfans need to start the healing process. It's about time this franchise finally starts healing, and if that means doing it without you, so be it.

Read Omar Kelly's full column and his blog at Sun-Sentinel.com