NASCAR Nextel Cup Bristol Projections are Up

The projections for the top 20 finishers in this week's Nextel Cup race are now posted on http://nascar.statleader.com/

Steroids and Speed

"Perhaps you should consider cleaning your own house first?"

• Representative Henry Waxman (D-CA) has stated that the congressional committee looking into steroid use in baseball should "examine the new allegations" concerning the NFL. As we have stated before, we are strongly opposed to any performance enhancing substance being used in any sport. However, with all the other problems facing this country (terrorism, budget, gas prices, illegal aliens, etc., etc., etc., ... not to mention an occasional congressional scandal) don't you guys up on the hill have anything better to do than spend taxpayer money investigating sports that should be, and generally are, responsible for policing themselves?
  

"Run Forrest ... err Maurice, Run"

• According to ESPN, former Ohio State embarrassment, I mean, RB Maurice Clarrett has improved on his 40 time over the NFL combine, reportedly having run a 4.67 vs. last month's 4.72 best. Great, now you are the speed of molasses on a warm day rather than an average day. You should realize that had you followed the rules at OSU, had you supported your team at OSU, you would have just finished your Junior year. Assuming you came out a year early (and in shape), you likely could have been a first round pick. Now you'll be lucky to be chosen on the first day (doubtful). We can only hope your antics serve as an example of what not to do to younger athletes.

A Mixed Bag of Stuff

"Dude, like don't they make steroids for the brain?"

• When asked about his relationship with the South Carolina MD accused of writing steroid prescription for three Carolina players, Panther's Punter Todd Saurebrun indicated he liked the doc "very much". 10 minutes later, Sauerbrun called reporters back and said "Dude, we got our communications confused. I don't know this guy".
  

"The Pros and Cons (or perhaps ex-cons) of it"

• In light of the number of NFL players arrested recently, two more stories of note have surfaced. First, Colts WR Marvin Harrison is involved in a lawsuit accusing him along with two others of assaulting three autograph seekers while in Hawaii for the Pro Bowl. We'll reserve judgement on this one since there always seems to be someone out there trying to make a bunch of easy money. Second, A jury has been selected in the drunk driving case of Rams' DE Leonard Little. Some fantasy sources are urging caution when considering Little for an IDP league. We think the power of the NFL will make sure Little is available this season.

"Well, there's still the Pee Wee league"

• QB Kurt Kittner has lost his starting job for the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europe to the ever popular Gibran Hamden. This certainly doesn't bode well for Kittner's future in the NFL.

NFL News Updates

"Like we really trust them now"

• CBS News has named the three current or former Carolina Panther players involved in the steroid investigation. Now we are strongly opposed to use of any performance enhancing substance, and all the information provided may well be true. If so, then the price should be paid by the responsible individuals. However, before we run off demanding any heads on a platter, lets remember that this is the same CBS News organization that Dan Rather led to new depths by failing to verify the authenticity of documents that would have been damaging to President Bush. As you may recall, CBS aired the story only to find out later that the docs were fake.

"About the only things missing are Al Gore and some pregnant chads"

• While Reggie Fowler tries to get the cash together to finalize his purchase of the Vikings, Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor is licking his chops hoping that the Fowler deal falls apart. It's getting to the point where we don't care who or what buys the team just as long as somebody or something does. We still have a problem with current owner Red McCombs method of business (read our earlier post about thoughts of firing Mike Tice to motivate Randy Moss) and feel that the team would be better of with new leadership (or at least not any worse off). Come on guys, just get the deal, any deal, finalized.

He's Baaaaack

Yep, I'm back from my Easter vacation in somewhat sunny Southern California. Thanks to Rocket Man for filling in while I was gone. Now, let's see what has been going on while I was relaxing:

"Perhaps they should be targets rather than piping"

• The Lions have announced that they will be adding black piping to their home uniforms this season. Given some of the problems Joey Harrington had last season we were wondering if another marking might not be more appropriate.

"So does bad news"

• "Good news comes in threes", so started a recent article in which Lions president and CEO Matt Millen gushed with optimism about the progress of Lions players Roy Williams, Charles Rogers, and Boss Bailey. While it has been many years since my Shakespeare class, it seems to me that it was actually bad things that came in threes. Let's see, two years, two broken collarbones for Rogers. Year three coming up.

"Naturally the other 31 teams would never be involved in something like that"

• The Carolina Panthers continue to take hits in the illegal steroid distribution investigation. Most recently the Panthers defended their medical staff's behavior. We keep wondering when someone is going to mention anything about the other teams in the league. Do investigators think that, if this problem does exist, it is limited strictly to the Panthers? Perhaps they just want a scapegoat, or, maybe Carolina officials are correct and there really wasn't anything there to start with.
  

"Of course, had it been 154 we would have looked at it differently"

• With 153 games missed by their starters in 2004, the Tennessee Titanics have decided that it was "just one of those years". That proclamation despite the fact that the previous year saw only 27 missed games by starters. Either 2003 was a really good year or something should be done to correct some of the problems in '04. The Titanics have indicated that they don't expect to change their strength and conditioning program very much.

Easter Wishes

Repeating the Crew Chief's message on http://nascar.statleader.com/

The staff of StatLeader want to extend our wishes to all of you for a Happy Easter.

Doc has been on Easter Break (he's too old for it to be called Spring Break any more) but will be back with his regular unconventional style on Monday.

Since there is no NASCAR Nextel Cup tomorrow, we'll be taking the rest of the weekend off as well.

Again, Happy Easter and we'll see you Monday.

Did Ya Find Me???

Well, yes and no.

Props to Mitch C. of Reston VA who came up and introduced himself to me shortly after I arrived at Dulles this morning. Mitch correctly figured out the "teamwork" clue meant United Air Lines. For his effort, Mitch will receive a free full-years unlimited membership.

The second free membership was to be awarded to anyone on the plane who happened to find me. I didn't really expect that to happen, and it didn't.

As for the third membership, it was to be awarded to anyone that could find me at LAX. I knew the odds of this were small given the size of LAX and the fact that I was only there long enough to pick up my bags and leave. I almost was found as someone drove by, beeped and waved while I was waiting for the shuttle bus. Sadly, however, I was already gone when and if they returned.

In a few weeks I will be driving across country and will offer a few more memberships to those that can find me along the route. We will provide more information and hints as we get closer to the trip. Meanwhile, our congrats again the Mitch.

Free Membership - More Hints

Doc continues to be on vacation this week, so to keep you amused, here are a couple more hints that might help you find me tomorrow.

If you read yesterday's post, you know that I will be flying back to California (LAX) tomorrow morning from Washington Dulles airport. We have three free full-year memberships that we will be giving away to the following individuals:

• The first one to find me and identify themselves at Washington Dulles
• The first on the plane to do the same (not likely)
• The first to locate me at LAX (You'll have to be quick here)

As I told you yesterday you are looking for a tall (6'4") gray haired guy with glasses wearing a red "Property of Ohio State Football" shirt and a black baseball cap with a red "Block O".

Here are a few more ints that might help:

• If you hven't found me by 8:15 AM eastern, don't bother looking as I will already have boarded the plane (assuming no delays).
• If we are on schedule, I'll be out of the LAX area by noon pacific.
• Which airline??? Just think teamwork

Good Luck, You'll Need It.

Find Me If You Can

Here is another chance to win a free one-year full membership to StatLeader. All you have to do is find me, come up and introduce yourself.

As Doc told you, I've been in Washington DC this week. I'll be flying back to California Thursday morning from Washington Dulles airport. My flight leaves some time before 9:00 AM eastern and arrives at LAX no later than Noon pacific (sorry, no additional information as to the airline or more specific times...yet).

I'll be wearing a red Ohio State Football tee-shirt and a Woody style baseball cap (Black with a red 'Block O'). I'm about 6'4", short gray hair and glasses.

There will be one free membership available on either end of the trip plus one on the plane should one of you happen to be on the same flight.

Check back tomorrow for some additional information that might help you track me down. Good Luck.

Rocket Man

Just when you think it can't get any worse...

"No, I don't drink any more, of course I don't drink any less either."

• Retired RB Ricky Williams has indicated that he is not smoking marijuana any more, having stopped over a month ago. Williams has also a) agreed to meet with Dolphins coach Nick Saban and b) indicated he may end his legal battle with the Dolphins over an $8.6 M judgement against him. A new Ricky? A returning Ricky? Or maybe just a Ricky who is now smoking something stronger. Only time will tell.

"Well, I didn't want to be the only one left on the outside."

• Still another NFL player has gotten himself arrested. This time it was Jacksonville reserve LB Tommy Hendricks. Hendricks was arrested for violating a restraining order issued against him by his ex-wife. Tommy, ... Tommy, you gotta use your head. When coach said "If you want to be a starter you have to act like a starter", this isn't what he meant.

Classy Move for a Cowboy

Cowboys re-sign Emmitt Smith, who will retire with Dallas.

Arizona running back Emmitt Smith signed a one-year contract with his old team Thursday so he can retire as a member of the Dallas Cowboys.

The league's leading rusher spent the last two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals.

After Smith submits his official retirement notification to the NFL, he will be placed on the Cowboys' reserve retired list.

The 35 year-old Smith ran for 18,355 yards and 164 touchdowns in his career, both NFL records. He closed it out by running for 937 yards and nine touchdowns in Arizona last season.

Smith, who announced his retirement last month, was drafted by the Cowboys in 1990 from the University of Florida, and played 13 seasons with the club.

Doc In Phoenix, Rocket Man in DC, and Mister2 in Trouble.

You may have noticed there were no Statleader posts yesterday. That was due to our main three contributors all being on the road.

I was in Phoenix checking on the status of the new Arizona Cardinal's stadium construction. Gotta tell you, I was impressed. I've been to some great baseball, football and general purpose stadiums (SBC Park, Dodger Stadium, The Astrodome, Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, The Super Dome, The Rose Bowl, The Big House in MeatChicken, and, of course, the best of all, Ohio Stadium on the campus of THE Ohio State University), but this facility is going to rank right up there with the best of them. I've seen the pictures and the web cams, but to truly appreciate what this facility is going to be you need to see it in person. If you are in the Phoenix area, you can find it along the 101 Loop off of I-10 on the west side of town.

While I was tromping around Cardinal's Stadium, Rocket Man has been in Washington DC advising the President on the State of Fantasy Sports. Not really, he has, however, been theer working with one another one of our staff on some of our new Fantasy Football statistical analysis methods. He'll be flying back from Washington Dulles to LAX Thursday morning. Look for the tall guy with the red Ohio State Football tee shirt, short gray hair, and glasses, introduce yourself and win a free membership.

Finally, after his sterling job of covering the NASCAR UAW DaimlerChrysler 500 in Las Vegas last week, Mister2 has been sent to Los Angeles on a special assignment. In order to recover his StatLeader cash advance (read his post, Mister 2's Misadventures in Las Vegas, on http://nascar.statleader.com/ ) by selling pencils in the LAX area. Don't bother trying to find him, he looks just like any of the other homeless, except for his lack of hair. (Just kidding 2.....except for the hair part).

We'll have some NFL news for you later.

Software Issues

Due to software problems, yesterday's post never made it to the site. We now present it for your reading enjoyment.

"And when you're done children, put all your toys where they belong."

• In response to having three current of former players arrested within a month, Tennessee Titanics owner Bud Adams issued the following statement: "Our coaches and front office work hard to make sure our players understand what is expected of them in the community and will continue to do so." Are you kidding us? Most kids know you don't go beat up girls, drink and drive, and assault people. These are men who have allegedly attended college and you need to make sure they "understand what is expected of them in the community"?. Perhaps you need to use short sentences with no words over four letters, for example: Act like good boys. Is that tooooo much of a stretch?

"The 2010 Super Bowl, Sun, Fun, and Ice???"

• New York City is in the running for the 2010 Super Bowl. The bid is based on using the Jets new stadium (which, of course hasn't been built yet). Now, we like New York, but Super Bowls are supposed to be in warm climates to give all the northerners the chance to get out of the winter weather for a while. We just don't like Super Bowls in the North. It's just a good thing the league is too smart to ever award a Super Bowl to really northern city like, say, Detroit. What?... What's that?... They already did? Next Year? I don't know about the rest of you but if I wanted to spend a lot of money to go someplace cold it would be Aspen, or perhaps the Winter Olympics in Turino, but not Detroit.

The (NFL) Inmates are Running the Institution

"One prison team may not be enough"

• Having rid themselves of one team member (Samari Rolle) who ran afoul of the law the Tennessee Titanics have quickly found a replacement to partner with their other man in stripes Tank Williams. OT Brad Hopkins was arrested Monday afternoon and charged with domestic assault after an incident in a Wendy's parking lot.

"Next we'll be giving them baseball, apple pie, and the 4th of July"

• On the heels of NASCAR's Busch Series race in Mexico City, the NFL has announced that the Cardinals and the 49ers will play a regular season game there on October 2nd. Now I have great respect for our neighbors to the south but come on. We held our tongue (and it was very hard) when what is probably to purest American sport took their cars across the border. We've held our tongue about NFL Europe (since it is basically the minor leagues). But no longer. It's about time to stop sharing every thing that is uniquely special to us. It's time to realize that wehave to keep some distinctly American things distinctly American.

"Well at least he was smart enough to take the helmet off first"

• "There was an uncertainty as to whether he would mature into an NFL caliber player,". That's what former Raiders coach Bill Callahan had to say about former TE Marcus Williams. Williams is suing former teammate Bill Romanowski for $3.8 M for ripping off Williams' helmet and punching him in the eye, a move that Williams claims ended his promising career. We're not sure how to take Callahan's comment.

"Perhaps it's the FCC's lack of intelligence that's indecent"

• After four months of reviewing a Monday Night Football opening skit between Eagles WR Terrell Owens and "Desperate Housewives" Nicolette Sheridan, the FCC has decreed that the piece was not indecent. Hmmmm, let's see, no improper body parts were shown, there were no wardrobe malfunctions, language wasn't a problem.....what could it be that made them think it might be indecent in the first place? Surely not the fact that one of these two was African-American and one wasn't. It would be interesting to see if this was an issue if both parties involved were of the same ethnic background. Grow Up FCC, the war is over, those supporting views like that lost about 140 years ago. The first Black-White kiss on TV was almost 40 years ago (Star Trek). If you want police the airwaves for indecency why not target the graphic violence, language, and far more provocative scenes that take place every night on weekly television programs.

Big Birds and Jail Birds

"Maybe they should rename the team the Carolina Ostriches"

• Carolina Panther players are supposedly surprised by the fact that 9 of their current of former teammates are being questioned about steroids by the DEA. Not one has indicated any knowledge of any involvement by a team member in this matter. Now we are all for teamwork and togetherness, but given the fact that the feds have confiscated 256 audio tapes, computer data and medical records, couldn't we be given a slightly more believable response?

"Why not just give Sing Sing a team and be done with it?"

• Another NFL player has run afoul of the law. Giants DE Michael Strahan has been charged with harassment in a situation involving a domestic dispute with his wife. Strahan also had a restraining order issued against him. Unfortunately, this is the flip side of the fame and fortune involved in being an NFL star, visibility. Every detail of your life is fair game for the media. We realize you guys are only human and that some less that wonderful things are going to occasionally happen. However, you wanted the money, you wanted the fame so it's about time you grow up and develop the responsibility that must go hand-in-hand with that visibility. After all you set the example for many young fans that look up to you.

Happy Birthday Mister2

Special Birthday Wishes to Mister2, our all around........um ..........generalllll......ah......oh yeh, leader of the........ya know, I haven't the foggiest idea what he does around here. Anyway, Best Wishes on your 44th (don't forget to update your contributor info) and also give our best to Mrs.2 and the little 2let.

NFL Latest Non-News News

"Gee, and we didn't even know he was available"

• ESPN has reported that the 49ers have reached a four-year agreement with Susquehanna Radio. We loved the movie but thought he was getting a little long in the tooth to play (....think about it....think....there you go).
  

"Fool me once, Shame on you...Fool me twice..."

• Cowboys new guard Marco Rivera has undergone surgery for a herniated disc in his lower back. This only 9 days after Dallas owner Jerry Jones touted Rivera's durability. By the way, this is the same injury that forced Cowboys safety Darren Woodson to retire earlier this year.

"So exactly what goes on at a show with that name?"

• Rivera sustained his injury while in Baltimore for the Ed Block Courage Awards.

"Of course then there are the other 24 too"

• Colts RB Edgerrin James, rumored to be on his way to Miami has indicated that there are now 7 teams he is interested in.

"Maybe if you didn't keep threatening to fire the guy he wouldn't worry about the money"

• Vikings coach Mike Tice has admitted to scalping some of the Super Bowl tickets he received earlier this year. While a violation of the rules, most offenders are simply fined. However, given Vikings owner Red McCombs admission the he almost fired Tice twice this past season (just to motivate Randy Moss), don't be surprised if Tice's punishment is somewhat stronger.

"When is a duck not a duck?"

• Washington safety Sean Taylor, who recently refused to take a breath test when charged with DUI has been acquitted of refusing to take a breat test by a Fairfax County VA judge. Naw, there's no favoritism towards rich professional athletes.

Farve Brightens Otherwise Dismal Packers Period

The feeding frenzy concerning NFL Free agents continues at a torrid pace. Teams are gaining and losing players faster than Oprah does pounds. One team particularly hard hit this year has been Green Bay. Having lost G Marco Rivera (FA), S Darren Sharper (Released - Salary Cap), G Mike Wahle (FA), as well as a few others, the Pack has yet to sign a single player. The situation improved when QB Brett Farve indicated that he will return for the 2005 season. Too bad the rest of the team will be missing.

As bad as things have gone for the Packers, the worst position so far goes to the Tennessee Titanics. Not only have they not signed anyone yet, to date they have lost 7 players (DE Kevin Carter, FB Robert Holcombe, WR Derrick Mason, TE Shad Meier, OT Fred Miller, K Joe Nedney, and CB Samari Rolle.

The Patriots have the same net loss of seven having 2 re-signings and 9 departures. The Pats re-signed G Steve Neal and RB Patrick Pass, but lost G Joe Andruzzi, WR Troy Brown, OG Wilbert Brown, TE Zeron Flemister, CB Ty Law, CB Earthwind (& fire) Moreland, WR David Patten, LB Roman Phifer, and DL Buck Rasmussen.

We're all for moving on to new opportunities, but at the rate some teams are going there may not be anyone left to turn out the lights.

Crew Chiefs Nextel Cup Projections

The Crew Chief's projections for the top ten finishers in this weekend's NASCAR UAW DaimlerChrysler 400 race in Las Vegas are now posted at http://nascar.statleader.com/

NASCAR Qualifying Projections

Our projected qualifying positions for this weeks Nextel Cup race are now posted on our NASCAR site at http://nascar.statleader.com/

Cleaning Up the Scrap Heap Some

The NFL has announced that up to 70 players will be able to use the leagues tuition reimbursement program to attend Harvard and Wharton business schools. This is part of the effort to help prepare players for their "life after football".

Most of us tend to think of NFL players as the wealthy elite who are financially set for life, and in fairness, many of them are. However many more are not.

In any given year there are over 2,000 players who appear on NFL regular season rosters. While the 2004 average player salary sat around $1.3 Million, the sad fact is that this value is skewed significantly by a relative handful of superstars. The median for all players (starters and backups) was only $537 thousand. That means that half of the 2000+ NFL players make less that the $537,000 per year, many significantly less.

Given that the average career lasts somewhere around four years serious financial concerns can arise. Former Giants and Jets ('93-'97) RB Kenyon Rasheed exemplified the situation. He noted that "Like most NFL players, I was not given the option to retire as much as I was forced to quit. I had been playing football my entire life, but at the ripe old age of 26, it was time to give it up due to a neck injury."

Rasheed indicated that only a small minority of former players "retire on their own terms, with so much money in the bank that they don't have to work again." However, for most players, the situation is different. "The majority of players--and I fall into this group--don't have that option when they turn in their playbooks. They have to go out and get jobs." he stated.

Former Tennessee Titan Marcus Robertson followed in the same vein when he noted that "I've seen players play one year and get hurt, I've seen first round draft picks go broke, and I've seen players play 10 years, yet, don't have any money,"

So what do you do to survive when the playing days are over? Well, some stay in the league in another capacity, a few go in to broadcasting, but most have to fall back on what they studied in college. Unfortunately, as we all know, graduation rates are not that spectacular (around 30%). That leaves a void to fill, and that is where the league needs to help out.

There is still a lot of work to be done and a lot of now programs that need to be started. Regardless, this new NFL program is certainly another step in the right direction.

Another League Added + Some News

Those of you who have been with us for a while know that we provided customized stat analysis for a dozen leagues this past year. Well for 2005 we will be adding several more leagues, the first of which will be the World Championship of Fantasy Football ( http://www.wcoff.com/ ). WCOFF is brought to you by the gang responsible for Fantasy Sports Publications Inc. and is a high stakes league which paid out over $700,000 in 2004 including a $200,000 check to the overall champion.

So check out the WCOFF site and while you're at it go visit our buddies at Fantasy Sports Publications ( http://fspnet.com/ )

Meanwhile, in the news:

"That's assuming there was one there in the first place"

• Dr. William Mathews, medical expert witness, has testified that former Raider Marcus Williams suffered "irreversible" drain bamage...er...brain damage as a result of being punched in the face by former teammate Bill Romanowski. Mathews brings with him impressive credentials as we are sure will the medical expert witness for Romanowski. We suspect that if there is any documented brain damage Romanowski's expert will testify that it comes from years of playing a sport known for head injuries. Ultimately this will degrade into an battle of dueling experts. Frankly, we have our doubts that there is an undamaged brain among them.

General Grumblings...(That's General Grumblings SIR)

"Blimey, this redistribution of wealth is trickier than I thought" (Monty Python)

• While the Redskins seem very happy to have WR Santana Moss, they have found themselves with a salary cap problem. Moss' salary has left the Skins less than $2 M headroom under the cap. They are going to have to do some fancy bookkeeping if they wish to sign any more Free Agents (which they do).

"I was just practicing the elusive moves I was going to use on the defenders"

• As we reported earlier former Cardinal RB Larry Ned was arrested for stealing another passenger's laptop at Phoenix's Sky Harbor airport. No one can seem to figure out why Ned would steal something from a location that has security roughly approaching that of Fort Knox. This reminds me of the Winona Ryder shoplifting case a couple of years ago. Part of her defense was that she was just practicing for a movie roll. Well, I figure that Ned decided if he could avoid airport security, he would then be able to hit the Cardinals up for a salary increase based on his elusive abilities. Sound stupid? Can't be much more so than what Ned actually did.

"OK...(sigh)...but just one more time...(What?..I don't know why...They're worse than a bunch of kids, I mean really, you think by now they would know how to... )"

• Because you keep asking us to post them at the top of the page rather than making you scroll down a couple of inches, here are the links to the NFL sites that list the latest player signings:

• For the AFC: http://www.nfl.com/freeagency/afc-signings

• For the NFC: http://www.nfl.com/freeagency/nfc-signings

Vikings Lie? McCown Sits?

"Like...we are so surprised"

• Minnesota Viking management has indicated that they may not be altogether truthful in providing information on their approach to the upcoming NFL Draft. Their honest lack of honesty is aimed at disguising their draft strategy.

"This almost sounds like Eli II, the Sequel"

• With Kurt Warner signing a one-year $4M contract with Arizona tomorrow, look for starter Josh McCown to suddenly find himself with some bench time. However, the team could also decide to keep the younger McCown as their starter. This is a good position for the Cardinals but once again will make both Warner's and McCown's Fantasy Football value questionable.

The NFL (National Felons League) Strikes Again

Yet another NFL player has run afoul of the law. Newly claimed Arizona RB Larry Ned was arrested Friday at Phoenix's Sky Harbor Airport on charges of stealing someones laptop. Ned was reportedly arrested while in possession of the computer in a men's room of Terminal 4 at the airport.

Note to Larry: Larry, you're an NFL player.That generally translates to a fairly high salary. You know what you can do with some of that money? You can go out and actually buy your own laptop. What a concept! One would think that someone who allegedly attended college and who appears to understand how a computer works would have figured that out.

Ned is the fifth player to be arrested since the SuperBowl. What a sad state of affairs, especially given the way today's youth look up to these guys. Credit the Cardinals organization with acting in the right manner by immeadiately releasing Ned and re-signing RB Damien Anderson.

Meanwhile, a flurry of player transactions continue.We will continue to post the links to the AFC and NFC Free Agent Signings.

For AFC Signings

For NFC Signings

NASCAR UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 Schedule

The schedule for the next race in the Nextel Cup Series,the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 from the LasVegas Motor Speedway is now posted on our NASCAR Site http://nascar.statleader.com/

March Madness - NFL Style

Now that March has arrived there is a flurry of activity with NFL players doing their version of musical teams.

Rather than flood you with a bunch of signings (and make me type in a lot of names) the NFL has a couple of nice pages that pretty much summarize everything. Here are the links:

Click here for the AFC Player Signings
or
Click here for the NFC Player Signings

Meanwhile, word is out that Vikings owner Red McCombs nearly fired coach Mike Tice on two occasions last season. McCombs was apparently hoping that by firing Tice he would motivate WR Randy Moss. HEY RED, IF YOU WANT TO MOTIVATE MOSS, WHY NOT CONSIDER FIRING MOSS INSTEAD OF TICE. Think about it. If you had fired Moss you would have lost one player that you are not going to have next year anyway. Losing Tice would take the heart out of this team.

This situation is a classic example of a growing problem in professional sports. Millionair brats that are able to direct the fate of their coach rather than respecting them as they should. We've seen it in Basketball with Coby and the Lakers (to name one), well now here we are in football. A sad state of affairs when an owner stoops to such a low level that he will sacrifice a quality coach for the sake of one player.

So, We Lied

At the end of last night's post we indicated that we would be posting more player moves later in the evening. Unfortunately, due to some technical problems, that didn't happen. In fact, we were unable to get the daily NASCAR post at (WARNING: SHAMLESS PROMOTION ALERT) http://nascar.statleader.com/ until this morning.

Now that everything is back as it should be, we will pick up where we left off...sort of:

"I like money, lots and lots of money"

• RB Lamont Jordon to the Oakland Raiders on a five-year $27.5 M deal (that's $27,500,000.00)
• CB Anthony Henry to Dallas on a five-year $25 M deal
• DT Jason Ferguson to Dallas on a five-year 21.5 M contract
• G Marco Rivera to Dallas on a five-year $20 M deal
  
• LB Chris Claibourn to the Saint Louis on a three-year $10.5 M deal
• T Seth Payne remains in Houston on a four-year $16 M deal
• G Morlon Greenwood to Houston on a $22.5 M contract
  
• LB Antonio Pierce to the Giants on a 6 year $26 M contract
• OL Jonas Jennings to the 49ers on a seven-year $36 M contract
• DT Pat Williams to the Vikings on a three-year $13 M deal
• WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh re-signs with Cincy on a four-year $13 M deal
• DT Reggie Hayward to Jacksonville on a five-year $25 M contract

Let's see, that's 12 players for a total of $256 million. Rocket Man tells me he has been on numerous space programs that don't cost that much. Worst of all roughly 1/3 of this figure is in signing bonuses which the players get if they don't even participate in a single down.

You probably are thinking, "Doc, you only pick in these guys because you don't make that much " or "If someone offered you that much you wouldn't turn it down." Darn right on both counts. But still, the money spent on these players, which is generally more that they could spend in several lifetimes, comes out of our pockets in higher ticket prices, concession prices, parking at the stadium and so on.

The game is for the fans. However, too many of these fans are being priced out of the ability to actually go be at a game. Will the days of runaway salaries ever change? Probably not, at least as long as stadiums continue to show record attendance. But that raises the question, where is the breaking point, and what happens when it is reached?

Lots of Player Moves

We continue to have signings, re-signings, departures and terminations. Leading today's action:

"Ah'll Be Back (just with someone else)"

• The Colts released TE Marcus Pollard
• The Packers released G Mike Wahle and C-G Grey Ruegamer
• The 49ers dumped DE Brandon Whiting
• Randy Moss is officially going to Oakland for RB Napolean Harris and a 7th round pick.
• The Steelers WR Plaxico Burress, LB Kendrell Bell, G Oliver Ross, and T Keydrick Vincent are all officially free agents.
• Former Titan WR Derrick Mason has signed a five-year deal with the Ravens
• Seattle LB Anthony Simmons has been released
• NYJ RB Lamont Jordon appears to be gone
  
• Carolina has released QB Rodney Peete and G Doug Brzezinski

More to come later tonight

Big Macs, Pythons, Pellet Guns, and Cannibalism

"Well what did you expect? A Big Mac?"

• Two Tampa Bay fans were surprised when Bucs' Safety Dwight Smith pulled a pellet gun on them as they approached Smith in a drive thru lane at McDonalds around 4:00 AM Monday. Smith, who was arrested for pulling a handgun in a 2002 road rage incident was arrested again. Now you know how little tolerance I have for overpaid players that can't seem to behave themselves after the season is over. This is the fourth incident since the Super Bowl just three weeks ago. Now Smith may not be a model of self control, but in this case I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Let's face it anyone who is dumb enough to walk up to someone in a drive thru lane at 4AM should be happy it wasn't a shotgun pointed at them.

"It probably costs that much just to stitch his name on the uniform"

• Jacksonville has offered RB Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala a roughly 50K (that's $50,000.00) bonus to sign a multi-year deal with the Jags. Fuamatu-Ma'afala carried a whopping 20 times for amazing 69 yards last year. That's about $2,500.00 per carry in bonus money.

"And when I say there is absolutely NO cannibalism in the Royal Navy, I mean there IS a certain amount" (Monty Python)

• After indicating that he would absolutely sit out the entire 2005 season if franchised, Bengals RB Rudi Johnson has confirmed that he will play the entire 2005 season by signing the one-year franchise offer.

"Yes but is there a Get Out of Jail Free clause?"

• Former Titans' CB Samari Rolle appears to have made bail from his earlier arrest as he will be in Kansas City to conduct contract talks with the Chiefs. Rolle is also rumored to be in serious discussion with the Redskins.