Brandon Marshall wants Titus Young to get some help

Former Detroit Lions receiver Titus Young isn't gathering much sympathy in the court of public opinion after three arrests in the past week.

It has been a historic downfall for Young a former second round pick and was thought to be a major contributor for the Lions for years to come. Now it's all about trying to get his life back together.

Chicago Bears receiver Brandon Marshall sympathizes with that Young is going through and says that he hopes Young gets treatment.

“He needs to get the right treatment plan,” Marshall said. “I was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder a few years and got the right help, the right treatment, and now I’m advocating for it. Mental health in itself is just so stigmatized, it’s a taboo topic in our homes, in our communities, and we need more people to talk about it and not make Titus Young or people like myself or others who can’t fight for themselves a national punchline.”

“Guys like Titus Young, it doesn’t necessarily mean he has to be diagnosed, but if we’re not treating these cases properly, it just gets worse,” Marshall said. “I hear people say his career is over. Well, first of all, it’s really not about his career right now. It’s about his life. And second of all, if he gets that in order, we’ll be looking at a success story, and this is a guy who will be in a locker room and guys will be coming to him for advice.”

Marshall said that he tried to reach out to Young but wasn't able to reach him. Marshall had some off field issues himself and was willing to get treatment. I don't know if Young may be willing do the same but I hope so because in a strange way I'm starting to feel sorry for the guy.

Brady Hoke says Notre Dame is 'chickening out' of rivalry game with Michigan

The Notre Dame-Michigan football game is a storied rivalry. From Harry Oliver's 51-yarder to Desmond Howard's diving grab, the game has had plenty of epic memories. The Fighting Irish are one of Michigan's main rivals along with Michigan State and Ohio State. Too bad the rivalry will be put on hold from 2015-2017.

There was already a two year break scheduled for 2018-2019, so there will be at least a five year break in between games.

The reason, Notre Dame will be scheduling ACC teams in the future since their other sports teams will be a member of the conference.

Michigan coach Brady Hoke doesn't like the fact that the Irish won't be playing the Wolverines and went as far to say that the Irish are "chickening out" of their game with Michigan.

 "The Notre Dame game, that rivalry, which they're chickening out of," Hoke said Monday during the West Michigan Sports Commission Annual Luncheon at the J.W. Marriott in Grand Rapids.

The remark drew thunderous applause from the crowd.

"They're still gonna play Michigan State, they're gonna play Purdue, but they don't want to play Michigan," Hoke continued. "I don't know how they made that decision ... I really do ... But anyway, that's a great national rivalry game. It's a great game."  

I don't really care for Notre Dame but with conference realignment it just made the game more difficult to play. With a beefed up Big Ten schedule I would think Hoke might want to play a lesser team so his team can remain in the college football playoff chase.

The teams had been operating under a three-year rolling contract -- meaning, either program could cancel the series with three games' notice. Notre Dame served Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon with that notice in the moments leading up to kickoff of last year's game at Notre Dame Stadium.

Anyone that follows college sports knows Notre Dame is all about the money. That's why they have all their teams except football in the ACC so they can remain independent and keep all their television and bowl money to themselves. So now they can schedule the Dukes and the Wake Forests of the world and cancel out on Michigan. Michigan brings in more money than Purdue or Michigan State, but in my eyes I feel the Irish view those as more winnable games.

Patriots bringing in Felix Jones for a visit

Free agent running back Felix Jones doesn't have too many miles on him but he's always getting bit by the injury bug. Maybe that's why he's still looking for a team.

Jones has spent his five years in the league with the Dallas Cowboys and the former first round pick is an unrestricted free agent. Among his potential suitors are the Cincinnati Bengals, Philadelphia Eagles, and New England Patriots.

Even after acquiring LaGarrette Blount last week, the Patriots are bringing in Jones for a visit. Jones has already visited with the Eagles and worked out for the Bengals. With the stable of running backs New England has I don't know if they would have room for Jones. Somehow they always seem to find a role for someone.

Jones has pass catching ability and good speed so that shoud allow him to find his way onto a NFL roster.      

Tommie Frazier says the '95 Huskers would beat Saban's Crimson Tide

In the mid 1990's the Nebraska Cornhuskers had a powerhouse football team. Under coach Tom Osborne's guidance the Huskers won three national championships and was very close to a fourth. No team has come close to that type of dominance until Alabama's Nick Saban led squad has put together quite a run.

The Tide have strung together three national championships and have been the flag bearer for the mighty SEC.

Former Husker quarterback Tommie Frazier was recently elected to the College Football Hall of Fame and spoke about comparing the Nebraska teams of the '90s against the Alabama teams of now. He had a lot to say and when asked who would win he was biased about his pick. He says the Huskers would'v beaten the Tide.

 "They won back-to-back championships. That right there compares," Frazier said. "But it's a different time, different era. There are some good things that they did and there are some good things that we did.

"And there will always be that burning question in everyone's mind, 'Well, which team is better?' Well, in my mind, I already know which team is better. I say it publicly all the time that I don't think there's any team out there that would have beat that '95 team.

"And over a five-year span, I don't think there's too many teams that put up a record of (60-3). Coach Osborne built something special here in the mid-90s. Even though he built something special during his whole career, for some reason those mid-90s into his last game, those were special years. And I think it's going to be hard to duplicate that."

If it wasn't for a missed last second field goal against Florida State we might not b having this conversation. we might not be having it if it wasn't for Shevin Wiggins' kicked ball that allowed Nebraska a share of the title in 1997. We could easily say the same for Alabama. If not for the politics of the BCS they wouldn't be back to back as we speak.

There was no let up in those Nebraska teams and that's where I give them a razor thin edge. despite being a modern day dynasty Bama has gone 61-7 in the same five year stretch.

It's a different era and a different time. We'll always have these debates of who was the greatest and which team was better. But that's what makes sports so great.

Minnesota governor questions Chris Kluwe's release

Chris Kluwe's release from the Minnesota Vikings has stirred up a slight debate. Many are questioning whether the Vikings released Kluwe for being outspoken on a number of issues or was he released because of his punting ability or lack thereof.

One person that seems to be in Kluwe's corner is Minnesota governor Mark Dayton. Dayton finds it kind of fishy that Kluwe was released a short while after the Vikings said there would be an open competition for the punting job between Kluwe and fifth round draft pick Jeff Locke.

“I don't feel good about it,” Dayton, a Democrat, said. “I mean I'm not in position to evaluate the role and their punting abilities. But it seems to me the general manager said right after the draft that they were going to have competition. Well, then he brings the one guy [fifth-round pick Jeff Locke] in, he kicks for a weekend and that's the competition? I mean, I just think sports officials ought to be honest about what the heck is going on. Same way I think public officials should be honest about what's going on. So that bothers me probably as much if not more than the actual decision.”

“If you're going to check and see who's the better kicker under the pressure of an NFL season, seems to me you at least go into the exhibition games and have them both kicking under that kind of pressure,” Dayton said. “If you're to have true competition, that's how I would think you'd resolve it in a straightforward way.

“But that's their decision to make. They don't give me political advice. I don't give them coaching advice.”

I don't agree with the way it all went down, but maybe the Vikings wanted a younger, cheaper option which I find nothing wrong with. It's the way business is done in every way of life. But don't say there is an open competition and can a guy after seeing one guy kick over the weekend.

Dayton can have an opinion, but he's out of his element. Governors should govern and coaches should coach.

"It Girl" of the week: Karli Madaline

This week's "It Girl" of the week is Karli Madaline

Kobe Bryant calls Floyd Mayweather "Bobby Fischer with gloves"

After his victory over Robert Guerrero Saturday night, Floyd Mayweather impressed another fight fan from afar.

Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant was impressed with the way Mayweather handled his business. Bryant tweeted: @FloydMayweather is like Bobby Fischer with gloves #vino".

Bryant is referencing the great chess master, who many considered to be the greatest chess player of all time.

"I told him this is chess, not checkers," Mayweather said.  

Lakers teammate Metta World Peace agreed with Bryant's assesment of Mayweather.


"They have a lot in common," World Peace told Yahoo! Sports. "When you get great athletes and look at them you see these similarities in the way their mind works.

"There is this focus and mindset that comes from knowing you have the physical and technical ability to outperform your opponent, that you are starting out with that advantage already in your pocket. From there it is about executing when it matters and they have both done that time and time again."

Even after the layoff and having to shake the ring rust, Mayweather is still at the top of his game.