Haven't we all had enough of spygate, already?

I don't condone cheating, in sports or otherwise, but this is just getting ridiculous.

Doesn't Senator Specter have anything else to worry about?  While I do care about fair play in the NFL, I am much more concerned about some of the awful officiating this season than whether or not the Patriots may or may not have benefited from video taping signals.

What's lost in this "controversy" is that while the Patriots did indeed cheat, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has conceeded that opposing coaches are seen waving at the camera on these recently destroyed video tapes.  If this is indeed the case, then this means that coaches within the NFL knew that New England was video taping them.  If this was such a big deal, why wouldn't opposing teams blow the whistle on the Patriots before now?

The truth is that there is a very odd, anti-Patriots bias that has developed over the past year or so.  We know that in this country, people will build you up until you get to the top, and attempt to tear you back down.  With the Patriots, though, I don't get the hate.  It seems people loved the 2000 Baltimore Ravens more than the 2007 Patriots.  A Ravens team that, in the past decade, has been sued and lost over stealing the original helmet logo (the logo changed from the winged, shielded "B" emblem to a Raven head due to a court ruling). 

During their Superbowl run in 2000, Ravens' linebacker Ray Lewis was indicted on murder and... [read more] (1 comment)

    I understand that football's a rough game, I played it. But damn, can anyone that's good at it stay healthy? Take a look at the players missing this year's pro bowl, it looks like the 2015-2020 Hall of Fame inductions.

Jamal Williams-DT, San Diego Chargers
Randy Moss- WR, New England Patriots
Antonio Gates- TE, San Diego Chargers
Tom Brady- QB, New England Patriots
Brett Favre- QB, Green Bay Packers
Jonathan Ogden-OT, Baltimore Ravens
Walter Jones- OT, Seattle Seahawks
Patrick Kerney-DE, Seattle Seahawks
Lance Briggs-OLB, Chicago Bears
Tommie Harris-DT, Chicago Bears
Willie Parker-RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Ladainian Tomlinson-RB, San Diego Chargers
Jason Peters-OT, Buffalo Bills
Jason Taylor-OLB, Miami Dolphins
Troy Polamalu-S, Pittsburgh Steelers
Bob Sanders-S, Indianapolis Colts
Sean Taylor-S, Washington Redskins

Of course, there are legitimate reasons to miss the pro bowl (See: Sean Taylor, who's questionable with a mortal bullet wound), but then there's the case of Randy Moss who wasn't even listed on the Super Bowl injury report and got outplayed by 2'5" 15 pound Wes Welker.

This list of players is basically the same thing as a team in Madden 08 with fair trades turned off. You got:

- The 2 New England Patriots that broke touchdown records in their respective categories

- The league's leading rusher and 4th leading rusher (and in all honesty, he would have gotten it if not for a leg fracture)

-Two future hall of fame tackles

-The last two defensive p... [read more]

Yes I'll admit it, the 2007 New England Patriots season has to qualify as the most disappointing in team history. Back when the Pats stunk you couldn't really be disappointed, you had to expect them to end the season with a loss. I don't think the loss to the Green Bay Packers in 1996 was more than a blip on my Boston Sports Misery Index. We were just happy to not get blown out like we did against the Chicago Bears ten years earlier. But after three Super Bowls your expectations change. Especially when you're playing a team that you've already beaten in the regular season. So yes, this 2007 season goes down as a disappointment in terms of the ultimate goal of winning the Super Bowl. But what positives can we take as we start to pick up the pieces and refocus on 2008?

Well first of all it's safe to say that the debate about who's better - Brady or Peyton - can be put to rest ,for now. (Perhaps we should now debate who the better Manning is, but I digress). Brady rewrote the record books this season putting up astronomical stats, something that he was never known to do. I have to say that this season makes the Patriots past Super Bowl wins look a little bit more impressive when you consider the offenses that we did it with. Of course the Pats defense was better back then. Younger, faster, hungrier and not over-confident... I'm looking at you Richard Seymour. That was the difference between two more Super Bowls most likely.

When we look back at the Patriots dynasty they've already been to 4 Super Bowls and 5 AFC Championship... [read more]

I was not a believer in Eli Manning until the last few games I watched him play. I seriously had the New York Giants written off as Super Bowl contenders. Also, I assumed that Eli would never actually come into his own and learn how to be effective in the NFL. Written off as nepotism, I was one of those naysayers that figured he would be a back-up QB sooner rather than later.

I was wrong!

Of course, he is not his brother Peyton Manning but is quite a formidable player that deserves respect. When he ripped my heart out by not committing his then-signature turnovers when he played against my Tampa Bay Buccaneers, I was forced to take notice. I did not remember seeing him play so well before that.

So congratulations New York Giants fans! The last time your team was in the Super Bowl they were defeated by the Baltimore Ravens. They certainly have a tall order this time – but it is doable! With statistics and the law of averages on their side, they have a shot at ruining perfection for the New England Patriots.

Maybe Eli Manning will get to have more speaking roles in the commercials with his brother now! ... [read more]

http://lebasketbawl.blogspot.com/2008/01/dwight-howard-daddy.html

On November 18, 2007, Braylon Joshua Robert Howard was born! On December 23rd the Orlando Sentinel posted a birth announcement for the young Howard, except it didn't list the father? That's right! Dwight had a baby and no one knew about it! He even played a game on November 18th, the same day the baby was born and didn't say a word! That crazy boy! The mother, a former Orlando Magic dancer (word!), now lives in Miami, where she also dances and also no longer sees DH. Another athlete making more babies!

Dwight now belongs to this elite list: Dwight Howard - Orlando Magic - 1 child, 1 motherTom Brady - New England Patriots - 1 child, 1 motherMatt Leinart - Arizona Cardinals - 1 child, 1 motherMarshall Faulk - Former NFL star - 6 children, 3 mothers
Ray Lewis - Baltimore Ravens - 6 children, 4 mothers
Shawn Kemp - Former Seattle Sonic - 7 children, 6 mothersTravis Henry - Denver Bronco - 9 children, 9 mothersEvander Holyfield - Washed up boxer - 9 children, mothers unknown
Calvin Murphy - Former NBA star - 14 children, 9 mothersNow, Dwight has a ways to go to catch some of these pros, but he sure is off to a good start! Check out this blog as well.... [read more]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers!

Well, today it finally happened! The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have finally returned a kickoff for a touchdown! Woohoo! From a new face nonetheless! I looked outside and there are no donkeys flying but it has been a bit cold…

This game against the Atlanta Falcons was vintage Buccaneer defensive football! With the first touchdown coming courtesy of a Rhonde Barber interception, the D continued to cause turnovers and embarrassment for the Falcon offense. It was quite an emotional game that had the players duking it out on a few occasions! More importantly, the Bucs clinched the NFC South title.

It is always so much fun to watch your team pummel their opponents (37-3)!

Miami Dolphins!

The hapless Miami Dolphins can sleep tonight! They will not go winless this season as they managed to stave off the Baltimore Ravens in overtime. When Matt Stover’s 44-yard field goal attempt was no good, the Dolphins answered with their longest drive this season! Yeah Dolphins!

Jacksonville Jaguars!

In a most remarkable feat, the Jacksonville Jaguars beat the Pittsburgh Steelers at home – in the snow! It is no small accomplishment that a Sunshine State team was able to hold off the Steelers under these conditions. This broke the Steelers unbeaten-at-home streak.

Overall, the state of Florida can celebrate tonight. Not only because they are not buried in snow, but because their NFL teams showed everyone that they won’t go away quietly. I am really proud of my second favorite state in the nation! Yeah... [read more]

Brian Billick isn't going anywhere if the reports coming from the owner of the Baltimore Ravens Steve Bisciotti are true. According to various sources he will have Billick back at the helm of the Baltimore Ravens who have lost seven straight games and look like a team in meltdown mode. Billicks job security has been a bone of contention all season long, but now it looks like he's safe and it makes me wonder why.

I will give Billick credit he did win a Super Bowl and did guide the Ravens to a 13-3 season last year and a playoff appearance, but that was last year and were on a new season. I will give him the fact that injuries and losing Steve McNair has hurt, but other NFL teams have injuries too as it's part of the game. The Ravens have lost games because of offensive and defensive breakdowns. Against the New England Patriots their really was no excuse to lose that game. People can blame this person or that person, but in reality it comes down to the head coach injuries or not. Billick has just not performed and should not be coming back.

In life you have to be accountable for things you do and it's time that the Baltimore Ravens make Billick accountable for the teams poor play. Bringing him back doesn't show accountability it just shows the fans that losing is okay and were going to go down the same path we are. When you got players like Ray Lewis and Ed Reed question their head coach in the media than changes need to be made. Unfortunately for Ravens fans it could be another long season for them next year with Brian Billick at the helm. ... [read more]

Ogden steps away from NFL after 12 years

There was no crying, no second-guessing and absolutely no remorse. Jonathan Ogden wore a broad, toothy smile Thursday as the left tackle announced his retirement after a 12-year career in which he established himself as one of the greatest offensive linemen in NFL history.Ogden was selected to play in 11 Pro Bowls, and he probably would have made it an even dozen had he opted to return for another season with the Baltimore Ravens. [read full article]

Posted Thu, 12 Jun 2008 21:31:40 GMT - via FOXSports.com News for NFL

Ravens OT Ogden announces retirement (AP)

[read full article]

Posted Thu, 12 Jun 2008 12:38:11 PDT - via Yahoo! Sports

Ogden, stalwart LT, to end 12-year career

Jonathan Ogden is expected to announce his retirement Thursday, ending a stellar career with the Baltimore Ravens in which the left offensive tackle garnered 11 Pro Bowl invitations and a Super Bowl ring.Ogden, who turns 34 next month, told friends he won't return for a 13th season. The 6-foot-9, 345-pounder has been bothered by an hyperextended toe since December 2006. [read full article]

Posted Wed, 11 Jun 2008 20:45:20 GMT - via FOXSports.com News for NFL

Ravens OT Ogden to retire Thursday (AP)

[read full article]

Posted Wed, 11 Jun 2008 13:35:55 PDT - via Yahoo! Sports