Sports With Silverman

If you didn’t see Saturday Night Live this week, I really wouldn’t worry about it.  Even if you recorded it and skip the commercials, it would still take you the better part of an hour to get through it all.  Do you really want to spend an hour watching a grown man be uncomfortable and awkward in front of a live studio audience?

"Uhhh...can we do a football skit now?" (Photo by Dana Edelson/NBC)

I’ll do you a favor and break down each Eli skit…

1^st skit – Eli playing a guy who is supposed to be overly preppy and boring.

2^nd skit – Eli playing himself, making fun of how bland and unexciting he is.

3^rd skit – Eli playing “Richard”, a boring, preppy deleted character from the Cheech and Chong movies.

4^th skit – Eli dressed as a woman.

Let’s review.

Eli Manning is boring, awkward, and bland, and everyone knows it, including Eli.  A show that reminds us of that over, and over, and over again starts to get boring…and awkward…and bland.  It’s basically like Eli agreed to host the show, but made it very clear he didn’t want to do anything too crazy.

“Sure, I’d love to host SNL!  One thing though…I’ll only play myself, or characters that have all the same personality traits that I do.  Deal?”

Errr…

It’s great that Eli was willing to make fun of himself, but it got old rather quickly.  We get it!  You aren’t entertaining, you don’t do anything controversial, and you are uncomfortably goofy and awkward.  You know what would have been funny?  Watching you play a character with a personality…

What happened?  I mean, really…Peyton is awesome at everything.  When he hosted Saturday Night Live, he was funny!  The guy does everything right!  I can’t argue that you are a great football player, but I honestly believe it ends there.  I’m sure it’s hard being Peyton Manning’s little bro, but you can at least try to extend your talents a little bit.  Loosen up a little!

It can’t be good when the funniest part of a 1½-hour show is when the awkward host says the word “penis”.

Man, I sure have been slacking lately.  It’s been almost two weeks since I’ve posted anything, and that isn’t gonna cut it.  We all know rule No. 76…No excuses, play like champion.  Since I’ve missed so much during my personal all-star break, let’s try to catch up on everything I missed.

Without a doubt, the first thing that needs to be addressed is the HUGE news from the NBA playoffs.  When a star point guard tears his ACL in Game 1 of the postseason,  the entire playoff picture is bound to change.  The most exciting time of the NBA season just won’t be the same without Iman Shumpert.  Since the injury, every basketball fan has been asking the same question…Can the Knicks win it all without Shump?  Only time will tell…

In other NBA news, Bulls point guard Derrick Rose tore his ACL and will miss the rest of the season.

That IS the big injury everyone is talking about...right? (Photo by Lynne Sladky/Associated Press)

Metta World Peace showed everyone that he still has it!  Just in case you were starting to believe he had finally changed his ways…

What do Tyler Flowers, Michael McKenry, Shane Robinson, Devin Mesoraco, Clete Thomas and Wilin Rosario have in common?  1. You have probably never heard of them, and  2.  They all have more home runs than Albert Pujols this season.  I’m not suggesting that it’s time for Angel fans to panic (OK, maybe I am), but what’s the deal?  I understand that it’s still early (Kind of…), and King Albert (Time for a new nickname?) is trying to live up to his new contract with the Angels (He’s not), and that everything is different this year (Not really), but this trend has to be a little concerning for the Clippers of professional baseball.  (That reminds me of a funny story…So I’m sitting at the Dodger game and they show Chris Paul on the Jumbotron…and the entire stadium BOOS him!  Sorry Chris…I know it’s not your fault, and you wanted to play for the Lakers, but you don’t.  Dodger fans are Laker fans…If you want to get cheered at a baseball game, go watch Albert Pujols struggle for the Halos!  Wow!  That came full circle quite nicely!)

And how about those Dodgers!?  Again, I know it’s still early, but 16-6 is 16-6.  Fresh off of sweeping the team that DID have the best record in the National League, the Boys in Blue have tied their best start in franchise history.  This new ownership team hasn’t done a damn thing yet, roster-wise, but what they have done is inject life into a team that was being held down by the most dysfunctional family ever created.  The Dodgers were basically like kids living with abusive, corrupt, bankrupt parents, who were going through a nasty divorce, only to be adopted by one of the most influential sports figures in Los Angeles history.  This team certainly doesn’t have the scariest roster, but what they do have is the support of a city that no longer wants to boycott home games.  LA fans may not always show up on time (Even though I live 100 miles from LA, I have already been to two of the 12 home games, and have shown up over half an hour early to both games…so I’m doing my part!), but with Frank McCourt gone, they are starting to fill the seats at Chavez Ravine once again.

If you don’t think Matt Kemp is the best player in baseball right now, you’re either lying or a Giants fan.

Matt Kemp, leading the world in everything, has been doing a lot of celebrating lately (Photo by Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press)

The NFL draft gave us some valuable information about a number of teams…

1. Cleveland Browns – The Browns really like Trent Richardson, and really don’t want Colt McCoy to be their quarterback anymore.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers – Operation ‘Keep Ben Upright’ has begun.

3. New Orleans Saints – They’re screwed.  Well the draft didn’t really tell us that, but every other major sports story over the last two months did.  They could have had the first five picks and they would still be screwed…They would have found a way to get themselves into trouble one way or another…

4. Jacksonville Jaguars – Apparently they REALLY needed a punter…Taking a punter in the 3rd round of the NFL draft is just as bad as taking a kicker in the 3rd round of a fantasy draft.

5. Indianapolis Colts – Colts management definitely realizes how awful this team is right now.  After taking Andrew Luck with the 1st pick, they drafted his college tight end, Coby Fleener, with the 2nd pick of the 2nd round.  Basically, they are hoping that Stanford’s offense can beat NFL defenses…Unfortunately for the Colts, their D is probably the only defense that plan would work against.

I’ll be back…hopefully in less than two weeks!

So I’ve only been following hockey for a few months now, but I have to say, it is, without a doubt, one of the most entertaining sports to watch.  Especially now, with the playoffs underway, every play and every decision could make or break the game, and in turn, the series.  Because of the violent nature of the sport, a six or seven game series is almost certain to lead to intense player rivalries and scrums with every stoppage.  One big hit leads to payback, which creates a continuous cycle of punch and counter punch.  What does this all mean for the fans?  An awesome viewing experience from start to finish of every game.

As a long-time LA Kings fan (When did this season start again?), I know that a hockey fan has to be patient, and accept the fact that most teams are going to have their ups and downs.  The Kings definitely had an up-and-down regular season, but they could not have started the playoffs any hotter.  After squandering the division lead during the final days before the playoffs, they finished as the No. 8 seed in the West, and would have the daunting task of facing the Vancouver Canucks, who finished the season as the top team in the NHL.  What I’m picking up quickly about hockey is that records mean nothing once the Second Season starts.  Playoff hockey is all about momentum, chemistry, and lucky breaks.

The LA Kings are catching all the breaks in this series, and have a chance to pull off the sweep against the Vancouver Canucks

The Kings have jumped out to a 3-0 lead over the team that captured the Presidents’ Trophy, and seem to have the Canucks by the throat.  Fans in LA are definitely pumped, and can’t wait to see their team put the No. 1 seed away, and move on to the Western Conference Semifinals. The Kings may not have the most talented team in the league, but they are clicking at the right time, and have a chance to do something big.

I always heard about hockey fans going crazy during the playoffs, raving about how awesome this time of the year can be, but I never really understood.  I think I’m finally starting to get what all the buzz is about.  I still have much to learn, but I can already tell that this sport truly is the real deal.

GO KINGS GO!  GO KINGS GO!

Opening Day for a baseball fan is like Christmas morning for a toddler…It’s something you wait all year for, and have marked off on your calendar months in advance to help count down the days (I was a sophisticated toddler).

Yeah, it's kinda like that

Spring training is great, but it’s such a tease!  You only see glimpses of relevant players, and at the end of the day, the game doesn’t count for anything.  But Opening Day…Opening Day is the beginning of the greatest 6 months (3 or 4 if you’re a Dodger fan) of the year.  Opening Day should be a national holiday.  Really though…We all know Columbus Day is completely unnecessary…

Before you jump all over me…Yes, I do realize the season already started.  That being said…because of the quality of the teams involved, the location of the games, and the horrendous time difference, I have chosen to completely ignore the opening series between the A’s and Mariners that took place in Tokyo a few days ago.  What can ya do?

During football season, I made predictions for every game, every week.  Because I don’t have the energy or audience interest to break down every single game (I was gonna include time, but let’s be honest…), I figured I could at least make some predictions for the season.  Since the A’s and Mariners couldn’t make an impact if they joined forces and made one…super terrible team, I thought you guys could give me a pass on the fact that a couple games have already been played.  Thanks!  Here we go…

AL East

1. Rays

2. Yankees

3. Red Sox

4. Blue Jays

5. Orioles

The Tampa Bay Rays came out of nowhere last year to stun the AL and knock off the Rex Sox for the Wild Card spot.  They aren’t going to be under the radar this year.  The starting pitching Tampa boasts is absolutely disgusting.  James Shields and David Price are both No. 1 starters, no question.  Matt Moore should be the Rookie of the Year in the American League, and could turn into one of the most dominant arms in baseball before long.  Having Jeremy Hellickson as the fourth best starting pitcher in your rotation doesn’t hurt either.  If Desmond Jennings, Evan Longoria, and the rest of the Rays lineup can put together three or four runs a game, they should be able to count on the pitching to handle the rest.  New York and Boston both have ridiculous lineups, but both also have questions to answer on the mound.  It should be a tight race all year, but Tampa has the best balance of pitching and defense in the division, and I see them squeaking it out in the end.

AL Central

He's...just...too...good (Photo by Paul Sancya/Associated Press)

1. Tigers

2. Indians

3. Royals

4. White Sox

5. Twins

By the end of the season, the Tigers could have the biggest division lead in all of baseball.  The Indians and the Royals are both young, improving ball clubs, but they just don’t have enough to compete with Verlander, Cabrera, and Fielder.  Landslide.

AL West

1. Angels

2. Rangers

3. Mariners

4. A’s

Two words…Albert. Pujols.  This guy is going to make all the difference out west.  He makes a tremendous impact on the game, and that will be evident throughout the Angels lineup, all season.  They don’t have the best offense ever, but if Trumbo continues to develop, and Morales can finally stay healthy, they should have the power to back one of the best rotations in the league.  The Rangers should be right there with them, but I wouldn’t want to face Weaver, Haren, and CJ Wilson in the same series.  Stealing Wilson from the Rangers was a huge move by the Halos, and may prove to be just as important as the Pujols signing.

Wild Card teams: Yankees, Rangers

AL Champs: Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers just have too much offense, and the best pitcher in the AL.  When two of the most powerful sluggers in baseball are hitting 3-4 in the same lineup, good things are bound to happen.  They don’t have the best rotation, but with a lineup like that, it’s good enough to get by, and should get them to the World Series.

NL East

These are two guys the Phillies can't afford to be without (Photo by Charles Krupa/Associated Press)

1. Braves

2. Phillies

3. Marlins

4. Nationals

5. Mets

You gotta feel bad for the Phillies and all of their injuries…right?  I don’t think the Braves are complaining.  Atlanta has a solid core on offense, a good, young rotation (For the most part), and maybe the best bullpen in the NL.  With the Phillies missing their two best hitters to start the year (And who knows when they will be able to take the field again?) the Braves will jump on the opportunity to reclaim their spot as the best in the NL East.  The Marlins should be much improved, and the Nationals continue to make progress, but I see this as the Braves division to lose.  And then there are the Mets…Wah wah wah…

NL Central

1. Reds

2. Cardinals

3. Brewers

4. Cubs

5. Pirates

6. Astros

Where has all the power gone?  No, that isn’t a Ryan Braun on steroids joke…With Pujols and Fielder both signing contracts to play in the AL, the NL Central is going to look a lot different this season.  One guy who didn’t leave…Joey Votto.  He’s gonna be hanging around Cincinnati for a loooong time.  I guess I could make the Cincinnati sacrifice for $225 million.  Anyway…The Reds are in a good position for the 2012 season.  Mat Latos will be a nice addition to the rotation, and their lineup is the scariest the Central division has to offer.  St. Louis and Milwaukee should contend, but it’s never easy when you lose your best players and get nothing in return.  What I can say for sure…The Astros won’t leave the division on a high note.  Pujols leaves the NL Cetnral and they decide to follow him to the AL East?  Not smart.

NL West

*The following predictions are coming from my heart, not my head*

1. Dodgers

2. Diamondbacks

3. Giants

4. Rockies

5. Padres

I know, I know.  Anyone that made it this far in the article just left.  With the ownership fiasco finally settled in LA, the Dodgers are going to come out playing inspired baseball from Day One.  The Phillies, wanting to get something for Cole Hamels before he walks as a free agent, will ship him to Chavez Ravine for a couple of no-name prospects (Who might actually be Carlos Santana…Thanks, Casey Blake) at the trade deadline.  Magic Johnson’s presence alone will propel the Dodgers to greatness.  Clayton Kershaw will top his Cy Young performance from a year ago, and Matt Kemp will prove that he deserved to win the MVP award last season, and will in fact win it this season, after living up to his word and becoming the first player to go 50-50.  Speedy Dee Gordon will swipe 100 bases (And will gladly challenge any horse to a foot race) and show that he is the fastest player in the league .  Yeah…let’s go with that…

Don't bother throwing down...he's safe

Wild Card teams: Diamondbacks, Phillies

NL Champs: Diamondbacks

The Dodger dream can only go so far.  Arizona will sneak into the postseason as the Wild Card winners and storm through the competition.  Ian Kennedy and Daniel Hudson will anchor the rotation, with Justin Upton making a strong case for NL MVP.  Paul Goldschmidt’s minor league dominance will carry over to prime time, and the slugging first baseman will emerge as one of the best power hitters in baseball.  The Diamondbacks won the division by 8 games last season, and they are only getting better.

World Series

Tigers over Diamondbacks

Detroit just has too much going for them.  Arizona should put up a fight, but the reigning AL Cy Young AND MVP (Yeah, it’s the same guy) is too good to be beaten.  When you combine Justin Verlander with the big boppers in the middle of that lineup, you get a World Series victory for the Motor City.  Detroit needs a pick-me-up anyway…

There you have it, baseball fans.  Feel free to tell me how much you disagree with my picks!

Now that was a road trip!  What could be better than a week of spring training and fantasy baseball?  Not a whole lot.

We arrived at our vacation house in Tempe, Arizona on Saturday afternoon, meaning the first official part of the trip was quickly approaching.  Our fantasy baseball draft was scheduled for Sunday morning, and the house had a perfect living room to accommodate a bunch of guys, their computers, and a draft board!

Not a bad place to spend a week

The lazy river was a little lazier than we anticipated, so we had to make some slight adjustments to determine the draft order.  We originally came up with the idea of having empty cans race around the river, but we ended up using ping pong balls and just a small section of the river.  By the time my pony made it down the waterfall and finished the race, six other people were already thinking about their first picks.  The 7th pick wasn’t ideal, but it would have to do.

I really didn’t want a pick in the middle of the draft, because I wasn’t too impressed with anyone outside of the top three or four guys available.  I ended up taking Adrian Gonzalez and Justin Upton with my first two picks, but after that, sh!# hit the fan (Not really, but I wasn’t completely satisfied with the end result.  I normally leave every fantasy draft with the belief that I have just constructed the best lineup in the history of fantasy sports).  Because of the way the first few rounds played out, I had to go against my usual strategy of loading up on hitting early.  I felt that the hitters available at that point were underwhelming, so I decided to bite the bullet and take my first pitcher in the 3rd round.  Felix Hernandez is solid for sure, but it definitely hurt to go against what I wanted to do.  Here’s what my team looked like after the draft…

Batters:

C – Geovany Soto (Gross), 1B – Adrian Gonzalez, 2B – Rickie Weeks, 3B – Brett Lawrie, SS – Dee Gordon, OF – Justin Upton, OF – Michael Morse, OF – Corey Hart, Util – David Ortiz, Bench – Mike Carp

Pitchers:

SP – Felix Hernandez, David Price, Ervin Santana, Corey Luebke, Mike Minor, Francisco Liriano, Carlos Zambrano, Bud Norris

RP – Brandon League, Kenley Jansen, Jim Johnson, Sergio Santos

I don’t think it’s the best team I’ve ever assembled, but we’ll see what happens.  On to the rest of the trip!

Thanks, Jeff! (We're on a first-name basis)

The next three days were filled to the brim with spring baseball.  Due to what felt like 150 degree heat, the first two games seemed like they each lasted about five hours (The fact the games were Giants-Royals and Giants-Angels didn’t help).  The Giants-Royals game was pretty boring…until I stood up between innings and moseyed up to the outfield fence.  All it took was a simple, “Jeff!” and Royals outfielder Jeff Francoeur fired a strike from right field to my open hand on the lawn beyond center field (Thankfully, I avoided humiliation and made the catch).  My theory…Francoeur could feel my pain and wanted to help me make it through the rest of the game.

Wednesday’s game was the game I was really looking forward to…Dodgers-Giants.  Finally a game I cared about…until the lineups were announced.  The only starting Dodgers who figure to be in the lineup opening day…James Loney and Mark Ellis…great.

I’m not actually complaining about any of this.  The whole trip was a blast and it’s hard to top a vacation that includes watching live baseball on a daily basis.

Oh yeah!  I almost forgot!  Our whole group got to take a tour of Chase Field, which was awesome (Thanks, Carter!).  We got to see the visitor’s clubhouse, hang out in the dugout, walk on the field…all of it!

Great view

Definitely a fun vacation!

Off to Spring Training for some…uh…official blogger research!  I’ll do my best to provide some updates from the scene, but we’ll see how it goes!

There is never a need for that many catchers. Three of those guys have numbers over 85

Mario Manningham is hell of a receiver, but I don’t think he was the top ‘Manning’ Niner fans wanted to bring in.

You have to admit…

It would at least be a little funny if the 49ers lost Alex Smith because they took a shot at landing Peyton.  Even if you’re a Niner fan, you have to laugh at the situation.  Well maybe not laugh, but definitely think to yourself…’That kinda sucked’.

Alex Smith was finally starting to shed that ‘Total bust’ label, and move towards the ‘Bust’ category.  It sounds pretty similar to when the Bluth family goes crazy celebrating the fact that Mad Money’s Jim Cramer upgrades their company stock from “Triple Sell” to “Don’t Buy”…Hey…it’s a start!

Alex Smith hasn't lived up to the hype coming out of college, but he's finally starting to play like a starter in the NFL (Photo by Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press)

Once the Niners made it known they were going after Peyton, Alex Smith switched agents (Smith and Manning had the same agent until that point…conflict of interests?) and started looking for a new home.  Smith reportedly spent hours talking with the Dolphins on Sunday, and seemingly had a backup plan ready in the case that Manning decided to start calling audibles in the Bay Area.

I’m not arguing that San Francisco was wrong to pursue Manning.  Not even close.  Obviously, he would have made them instant Superbowl favorites, since they were a play or two away from getting there last season without him.  Add Manning (Not to mention Manningham and Moss) to that mix, and you get a completely revamped offense.  But…wouldn’t it be totally hilarious if they lost Smith in the process of courting Manning?

This will likely be a moot point in a few days anyway, because the team that was hot on the trail on Smith, the Miami Dolphins, just reeled in their guy.

That guy…David Garrard?

Man…talk about an organization down in the dumps.  The Dolphins were expected to be players in the Robert Griffin III sweepstakes.  They weren’t.  They were picked as one of the early favorites to sign Peyton to a deal.  He instead took his talents from South Beach to the Rocky Mountains.  Worst case, they could at least convince Matt Flynn to relocate to Miami, right?  Wrong.  You know it’s bad when you get shut down in favor of Seattle.

Was David Garrard really the next name on Miami’s wish list?  Sometimes it’s tough being a fan.

Not like it’s looking too much better in Pittsburgh right now.  My favorite team is cutting anyone that makes more than the league minimum, including one of the most popular players in team history…who will eventually be in the Hall of Fame…who was willing to take a major pay cut to come back in a limited role…who is even making a cameo in “The Dark Knight Rises”.  How do you release this guy?  And now I have to wear the jersey of a player who isn’t even on the team anymore.  Great, I just became ‘that guy’.

THAT'S the jersey I want!

So Peyton Manning has chosen to start the next chapter of his career in Denver.  Ah, yes…the story comes full circle.  The most important question now is…

What will Tebow do?

“In his 8th season for the Orlando Magic, a 6’11″ Center/Co-Owner/Team President, from Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, Dwight ‘Don’t Piss Me Off Or I’ll Fire You’ Howard!”

It must have been a rough day for the people who thought they were calling the shots in Orlando.  According to reports, Magic CEO Alex Martins promised Howard that, if he signs an extension and stays with Orlando, he will be given the freedom to decide the fates of Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy and general manager Otis Smith.

I’m sorry…WHAT!?

Obviously, the Magic came out and denied these reports, but apparently, if he decides to sign a new deal with the Magic, Howard will be able to decide whether these guys stay or go at the end of the season.

Dwight could be giving the Magic staff the boot at the end of the season (Photo by the Associated Press)

If these reports are true, not only would it be completely absurd, but it would be absolutely disastrous for the Magic organization.  Clearly, Howard’s teammates already know he is valued more than they are, but when the CEO comes out and says that a player is basically second-in-command, under ownership, there are major problems.

What’s the point of even having a coach for the rest of the season?  Van Gundy has already stated that he doesn’t ‘give a damn about getting fired’.  What is a coach supposed to do in this situation?  How is he supposed to coach when he knows that he could be fired if he doesn’t keep one player happy?  How can a coach be expected to discipline a player who is now his boss?  I’m guessing timeouts in Orlando go something like this…

“What do you think the play is, genius?  Give the ball to Dwight.”

I’m not saying that wasn’t already the play-call before this report came out, but that’s not the point.

And how is the general manager supposed to run a team when the star player has control?  He might as well call up Dwight’s friends anytime the team has a position to fill.

“Sorry, Hedo, you’re out…this guy’s in now.  What’s your name?”  “I’m Zach…I went to school with Dwight.”  “That’s right…Zach…Zach is the starting small forward.”

Whether or not these reports are accurate…and whether Dwight stays with the Magic or gets traded before the deadline on Thursday, there are a lot of questions to answer in Orlando.

Choose your next words carefully, Stan.  They may be your last as head coach.

"Damn right I'm getting the ball" (Photo by David Zalubowski/Associated Press)

And just when the NFL was making strides toward a safer league…

When word started to spread that defensive coordinator Gregg Williams (Currently with the Rams, previously with the Saints, Jaguars, Redskins, and Bills, among others) had been the ring leader for a bounty program in New Orleans, the topic quickly became the most talked about story in sports.  The latest scandal to hit professional football makes the last big scandal, Bill Belichick’s “Spygate” of 2007, seem like child’s play.

Commissioner Roger Goodell has earned a reputation for being heavy-handed when it comes to doling out punishment, and I can’t imagine he will change his ways for Williams or the Saints, or anyone else found to be involved.  When the crime is as serious as paying players thousands of dollars to injure members of opposing teams, you would have to believe the punishment will be more than a slap on the wrist or a stern talking-to.

Five or ten years ago, this story might not have been quite as big of an issue, but in today’s NFL, it’s huge.  The NFL of 2012 is a league that discourages any kind of unnecessary contact, and is doing everything possible to protect players, especially quarterbacks.  It is no secret that Goodell does everything in his power to keep his high-profile quarterbacks upright, so that fact that most of the bounty targets have been quarterbacks doesn’t bode well for the guilty parties.

There is speculation that Saints players may have had extra motivation to knock former Cardinals QB Kurt Warner out of the game in their 2010 playoff matchup (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

So what do you think about this situation?  Do you think a player would put a little extra into a tackle or a sack if he knew he had the potential to earn some quick cash?  Could a linebacker’s motivation for giving 110% really be an extra thousand bucks?

For the last few days, I’ve been listening to both sides of the argument on various sports talk programs.  I’ve heard the opinions of former players and coaches, NFL analysts, and guys who have no idea what’s going on.  In my personal opinion, I don’t think the idea of receiving a (relatively) small amount of cash would change the way a player performs.  I don’t think a player would go into a game thinking, “OK, I’m gonna go in there and knock this guy out, because an extra grand sounds pretty sweet.”  I’m guessing most of the defensive players in the NFL go into each game with the goal of knocking out opposing players for fun…for pride…for football reasons.

Now…while I don’t think these bounties would have a huge effect on most players, I could see them at least having a small impact.  Let’s say a linebacker is coming around the end on a blitz.  The quarterback is just about to release the ball, and the linebacker has a decision to make…he can either pull up and avoid him (And potentially a penalty and fine, and a suspension if it’s James Harrison), or continue at full speed, driving into the QB.  I think it would be somewhat ignorant to think that the idea of extra money wouldn’t at least run through a player’s head in the split second it takes to make the decision.  My point is that the idea of receiving a little extra ‘cash money’ (As Wilmer Valderrama would say) can’t be ruled out in a situation like that.

"You see that crap, Joe? He walked off under his own power. What are we doing out there?" (Photo by US Presswire)

As many analysts have pointed out, these kinds of operations have been happening in the NFL for years.  Whether it’s based on creating injuries, forcing turnovers, or scoring touchdowns, receiving money for performance isn’t anything new.  The major problem with this particular bounty program is the mentality it encourages.  If one player wants to give another player some kind of bonus for delivering a crushing blow, so what?  But when coaches are preaching this to their players…it’s completely different.  Football is a violent sport by nature, and players don’t need extra incentive for taking out the competition.  Whether or not the bounties meant anything to the defensive players is irrelevant…it’s the concept that is concerning.

In an age where player safety is the most important issue in the NFL, Gregg Williams picked a bad time to preach violence.

Ah well…Saint Gregg doesn’t have a good ring to it, anyway.

In honor of the Saturday Night Live skit featuring Seth Myers and Amy Poehler going back and forth with “Really?!” questions  on Weekend Update, I have a few “Really?!” questions about recent sporting news.

Really?!

The Lakers rejected a trade offer of Michael Beasley for a first-round pick because they didn’t want to pay his salary?!  Really?!  You have been wanting this guy for weeks!  Did you think that once the Wolves agreed to give him to you they would offer to pay for him too?

Actually...I guess I would be worried about anyone that liked that Clippers that much. I take it back, Clippers...good call

Really?!

The Clippers have asked superfan Darrell Bailey to drop the name “Clipper Darrell”, after 15 years of support and 10 years with the nickname.  Really?!  Before this year, he was your only fan!

Really?!

The Pittsburgh Steelers have released veteran (Aka old, but still) wide receiver Hines Ward, even though he offered to restructure his contract, and take a major pay-cut.  Really?!  This guy has been the face of the franchise for years, and was named Superbowl MVP just a few season ago.  Show some respect!

That’s all I got for now.  But here’s a “Really?!” Saturday Night Live sketch on Michael Vick.  Pretty funny.