Monday, July 16, 2012

Knicks trying to win by getting older

Why do the Knicks want to get older? Well, because coach Mike Woodson said that older teams have more success in the playoffs than younger teams.  Just look at the Heat this year, with an average age of around 29, beating up on the Thunder who have an average age of 25.  And Boston has done well these past 5 seasons with old dudes.  In the Larry O'Brien Championship Series, aka "The Finals", the older team wins about 70% of the time.

* Note: Jason Kidd just crashed his car at 2:00 AM in the Hamptons and received a DWI.  Age = smarts.

So with their infinite wisdumb the Knicks (who must think they can compete for a Conference Championship) have taken a very strange route to getting older: by acquiring 3 of the 4 oldest players in the NBA in just a couple of days.  They signed Marcus Camby (39), Jason Kidd (39) and traded for Kurt Thomas (40).

Raymond Felton was the apple of the Knicks trade with Portland which netted Thomas.  Felton is 28 and could be their youngest starter.  A'mare likes Felton because Felton was able to run the show and present him as an MVP candidate (before A'mare got hurt) two seasons ago when they played together. Don't get me started on how fat Raymond Felton is and how much of a solid defender Jared Jefferies (who they traded for Felton) is.

The Knicks are passing on Lin, who's 23, because Carmelo said that the three year, $25 million dollar deal that Houston offered him was "ridiculous".  James Dolan, put down the sexy saxaphone. One thing you definitely want to do is to listen to Carmelo Anthony analyze the value of contracts.  Methinks that Carmelo is protecting his "points = $" ego with that statement.  'Melo did average just 16 points with Lin and 28 without.

The Knicks are totally messed up.  Dolan is probably still consulting Isiah Thomas on a daily basis which all bubbles together to create the best terrible reality show in The Association.  At least Knicks fans can defect and become Brooklyn Nets fans now.

And Jeremy Lin, quit being so hurt by the Knicks not matching the heavily backloaded Rockets offer sheet and having to play in Houston.  Sure, Houston isn't New York and doesn't compare to the NYC lifestyle but just know that your GM is one of the best in the league, your coach loves to let the PG do his thang and run the show (think: Kyle Lowry last season), the Chinese love Houston because of Yao Ming, and you may be throwing lobs to Dwight Howard come November.  Isn't the point of playing basketball to make as much money as you can and win a lot?  You can check both of those boxes in Houston.

Tulloch says Jennings should worry his own team

The Detroit Lions have had some well documented problems regarding their on and off field discipline. Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings touched upon it during a segment on NFL Total Access last Thursday.

Knowing the Lions pose a threat to their NFC North supremacy, Jennings wondered if the Lions could keep their composure when the heat is on.

"Can they maintain their composure, both on the field and off the field?" Jennings asked. "They're a very talented team, but they have struggles on the field containing their composure, and definitely, the things we've heard of, them being in the media with off-the-field problems and off-the-field issues. Can they maintain their composure? Can they be a professional ball club for 16, 17, 18 solid weeks throughout the regular season?"


Certainly a legitimate assessment if you ask me. I've seen the Lions too much to know they commit too many dumb penalties at the most inopportune time. So Jennings isn't making up a tall tale when he said that.

The Lions' Stephen Tulloch took offense to Jennings comments. Tulloch took to Twitter to voice his displeasure with Jennings.


"Who is Greg Jennings to talk about the Lions? The guy should worry about his own team...."


True, maybe Jennings should worry about his own team, but after being pasted the last two games to close out their season, they should take it to heart and rectify the problem.

 

Smoltz suggests that Strasburg should fake injuries

The Washington Nationals are sticking by their stance on the number of innings that pitcher Stephen Strasburg will pitch this season. Pennant race or not the Nationals are not going to let Strasburg overwork himself.

Now I necessarily don't agree with that philosophy. I say go with your best and let the chips fall where they may. Maybe that's why I only manage teams on video games. Former Atlanta Braves pitcher, John Smoltz, chipped in on what he would do to shave some innings and save himself for the September stretch.

“Honestly, I know this is gonna sound . . . well, I’m a little bit different anyways,” Smoltz began. “I’d create my own little gap. I’d have a blister one day, maybe a hangnail the next start. You know, I think there’s ways to do it. And I get it — their statement is every game counts. Well, it does, but it doesn’t count as much as in September.


Sounds like something he has first hand experience in doing. I don't find anything wrong with it, it's not like he's going down with a fake knee injury or anything like that. It's something that Strasburg might want to think about since he might miss some critical starts down the stretch due to his team's insistence that he pitch a certain number of innings.  

Monday, July 9, 2012

Greg Monroe isn't happy with USA Basketball

Detroit Pistons center Greg Monroe didn't expect to make the 2012 Olympic basketball team. At the very least he expected USA Basketball to pick him for the select team. You know, the team that practices against the national team. After taking a look at the roster and who's on the team, it left Monroe a little steamed that he wasn't selected by USA Basketball and will use that slight as motivation for the upcoming season.

The select team features the likes of the New Orleans Hornets Lance Thomas, Boston Celtics center Greg Stiemsma and San Antonio's DeJuan Blair. All players that Monroe sees himself better than.

"No disrespect to those guys, looking at the Select Team roster, I felt like I should've been on there," Monroe said. "That's just the confidence I have in myself."



"I am just a little bit disappointed," Monroe said. "I think, (although) some people don't think so, I should've at least been invited. All of those guys deserved it."


Monroe has played on a worse team than some of the players on the roster which overshadows his on court production. His career is trending upward and he is one of the building blocks on a young Pistons team. But the fact that he does play for the Pistons has clouded the selection process.

Monroe says he isn't bothered by the slight but says he won't forget this and plans to help improve his team.

"But I'm past that, I'm happy to be here with my teammates," Monroe said of the Pistons. "I'm not dwelling on it. We have things to do here (in Detroit)."



"Always," Monroe said. "It always will. I don't forget anything. Anything. I remember what people said in high school. It's always motivation."

Hopefully the Pistons can be the beneficiaries of Monroe's added motivation.

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Thabeet and Thunder agree to two year deal

To say Hasheem Thabeet has had a disappointing start to his NBA career would be generous. He's been an absolute bust, but you don't give up on a seven foot three center who was once the number two pick in the NBA draft.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are taking a flyer on the former Big East defensive player of the year and have agreed to a two year deal with the University of Connecticut product.




The deal cannot officially be signed until the league's free agent moratorium period is lifted on July 11. Financial terms of the deal were not immediately known, but the contract, which will be fully guaranteed for both seasons, is believed to be a minimal salary, or roughly $880,000 in the first year of the contract.

Thabeet will be playing for his fourth team in four years. He was picked one spot ahead of current Thunder guard James Harden. It is a minimal investment for the Thunder and could turn out to be a bargain if Thabeet realizes his potential. If not, cut him loose and move on. What could work in Thabeet's favor is that he won't be looked upon as a savior and can just play basketball.

“Playing in that environment is positive,” said Thabeet's agent, Bill Duffy. “Sam Presti has done a great job of not only building a winning organization but a culture that's conditioned to developing and nurturing. So we think it's a really good fit. So now the onus is on Hasheem to buy into that and to develop and to reach his potential.”


It would seem to be the perfect landing spot for him, but I'll just wait and see.

Toomer says Romo is better than Eli

Despite winning his second Super Bowl, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning still has his detractors. If you ask some fans, they would call Manning the equivalent of a hot goalie.

Former Giants receiver, Amani Toomer, might have said a few things that might serve as motivation for Manning this upcoming season. On the Sirius XM NFL show, Movin' the Chains, which Toomer co-hosts, he said that he prefers Dallas Cowboys quarterback, Tony Romo, over Manning.        

“Tony Romo is probably, if you look at it statistically, he’s probably the best quarterback in the NFC East,” Toomer said.  “You look at Eli Manning and what he does in the fourth quarter, but you talk about consistency, talking about 31 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions, that guy can play.”


“For me, if I wanted a guy that is going to throw less interceptions, (be) more productive, higher completion percentage, I'm going to go with Tony Romo. At crunch time, he's not as good as Eli, but every other time, he's pretty darn good.”


You can have this debate with quartebacks of years past. Stabler/Fouts, Marino/Montana, Bradshaw/Staubach. I think Manning can put up the same kind of numbers if called upon, but the Giants have always relied on a solid ground game to balance their offense. The Cowboys put more on Romo's shoulders than the Giants do Manning.

Manning is also a better crunch time performer, and that's why he has two Super Bowl rings in four years and Romo is still looking to get a playoff win under his belt. Romo may have the glitzier stats, but Manning has what really matters. The bling.

Vitali Klitschko gets teargassed at a Russian protest

WBC heavyweight champion, Vitali Klitschko, is well known for his skills in the boxing ring. He also has his hat in the political arena in Russia as well. Klitschko is running for mayor of Kiev and is also the head of the UDAR, a Ukranian political party.

Klitschko attended a rally in Kiev Wednesday, staged by Ukranians, to protest a Russian language bill passed by parliament, making Russian, not Ukrainian, the official language in some formal settings in the former Soviet republic.

What was supposed to be a peaceful protest quickly turned violent. Klitschko managed to avoid serious injury as authorities used batons and tear gas to control the crowd. Klitschko suffered a cut on his left hand but he still plans on defending his title on September 8 against Manuel Charr.      

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

DeMarcus Ware agrees with Jerry Jones about the Cowboys' window of opportunity

With every passing year a team that doesn't win a championship sees their window of opportunity start to slam shut. Back in May, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said that the Dallas Cowboys' window is starting to close and said that the team needed to win now.

Count defensive end DeMarcus Ware as one who is on board with Jones' assessment.


“I feel like from my standpoint, we’re a better team than we were last year, and it’s going to show on the field,” Ware said. “Jerry saying that the window’s closing, I’m with Jerry. The window can be closing. It closes every year. It just depends on if you’re going to walk through that door or not. I’m with Jerry on that.”

With the players the Cowboys have on the roster they should have the urgency to win it all now. The problem is that the stars never align right for them and they fall short of the Super Bowl aspirations.

Carlos Lee dealt to the Miami Marlins

Earlier this week Houston Astros first baseman/outfielder, Carlos Lee, nixed a deal to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Now according to reports Lee will be traded to the Miami Marlins.

Zachary Levine of the Houston Chronicle reported that Lee was removed from the Astros' 6-4 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the seventh inning and his locker was cleared out.

Buster Olney of ESPN says that the deal is done and reports the Marlins are trading Matt Dominguez and pitcher Rob Rasmussen for Carlos Lee.


Dominguez, 22, was the Baseball America’s No. 4 prospect in the Miami organization entering the year. An excellent defensive third baseman who got a brief stint in the majors last year, he’s struggled with the bat for Triple-A New Orleans hitting .234 with a .647 OPS.


Rasmussen, 23, has a 3.90 ERA in 17 starts at high Class A and was rated No. 7 in the organization by Baseball America.


The Astros could potentially make out in the deal, but the downside is that they may have to pay a big chunk of Lee's remaining salary. This probably won't be the end of the Astros' selling of assets before the trade deadline.

Parise and Suter sign with the Minnesota Wild

Minnesota hockey fans will be going wild over the NHL team's reported signings. According to multiple reports, coveted free agents Zach Parise and Gary Suter will be signing with the Minnesota Wild. This will send teams that had Parise and Suter as the top two options on their free agent wish list scrambling for a plan b.

Parise, a forward who is a Minnesota native, and Suter, a defenseman, each received 13-year, $98 million deals according to people familiar with the terms.

In a deal that reminds many of the LeBron/Wade/Bosh signings, this was reported to be a package deal before all of the off-season wheeling and dealing. The signings won't guarantee the Wild a Stanley Cup or being an instant contender, but it will give them some credibility.

Monday, July 2, 2012

Detroit Pistons to sign Ukranian big man Vyacheslav Kravtsov

Outside of Ben Wallace and Greg Monroe, the Detroit Pistons have been devoid of quality big men the past two seasons. Team president Joe Dumars is out to change that. The Pistons are stocked at the guard and small forward positions and want to improve their depth at the center and power forward positions.

While the moves haven't been major and the players are unproven Dumars is set on improving the depth along the front line. With Monroe already on the roster, the Pistons drafted University of Connecticut big man, Andre Drummond with the number 9 pick in the draft. Even though there were questions surrounding Drummond it could prove to be a solid pick. The Pistons were lucky to have what was considered a top five talent fall into their laps for the third straight year.

Looking to add more younger, cheaper talent the Pistons signed Ukranian seven footer Vyacheslav Kravtsov.

Kravtsov, an athletic seven-footer, averaged 10.6 points and 5.5 rebounds in 22 minutes per game last season for BC Donetsk in the Ukrainian league.


Kravtsov, 25, was undrafted in 2009 and played for the Celtics' summer-league team in 2010. He's known as a defensive presence, and the Pistons have been familiar with him for some time. Pistons assistant coach Brian Hill was an assistant on the Ukrainian national team last summer.



His Eurobasket.com scouting report lists him as a "phenomenal shot blocker who likes nothing more than contesting absolutely anything on its way up" and that he's "athletic, strong and can explode in and around the hoop on offense although he's still trying to find consistency with anything from range."

Word is that he did have some dominant games against Jonas Valanciunas and Enes Kanter, both of whom were top five lottery picks in 2011. Any basketball fan knows that doesn't mean a whole lot.

Hopefully this can turn out to be more Mehmet Okur than Darko Milicic.

NFL easing up on blackouts

Good news for Jacksonville Jaguars fans that can't watch the games on television since they had a hard time selling out.

According to a report at USAToday.com, the NFL will be relaxing the blackout rules. The league will no longer require that home games are sold out to be televised on local television. I don't care what the suits say, this idea makes perfect sense.

This season, games can be televised locally even when just 85% of tickets are sold. The Wall Street Journal reports that teams will be able to set their own "seat-sales benchmark" -- as long as its at least 85% of total capacity -- and when that benchmark is met games can be televised. "To discourage teams from setting easy benchmarks," says WSJ, "teams will be forced to share more of the (ticket) revenue when they exceed it."   

The relaxed blackout rules also make it easier for fans to view the games at home since a majority of hardcore NFL fans can't afford the tickets to go to a game in today's economy.

Daunte Culpepper knows it's the end for him

There was a point when it looked like Daunte Culpepper would be one of the best NFL quarterbacks that would ever play. Once a debilitating knee injury hit him he wasn't the same player. He lost it just as fast as Jake Delhomme and Steve Blass.

But I'll give Culpepper credit. He's not trying to hang on. His last game action came with the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the UFL in 2010. His last NFL action was with the Detroit Lions in 2009. At a camp at his alma mater, Central Florida, Culpepper resigned himself to the fact that his career is over.

"As far as me playing, I think I am done,'' said Culpepper, 35. "That part of my book is closed. The next chapter is, I have kids and I will be coaching them.


"I will be part of athletics and a part of sports, hopefully my whole life. It makes me feel good. I love to compete. Now I'll be competing in men's leagues, in basketball and softball and stuff.''


"I am retired, obviously, and I am raising my kids and living in South Florida,'' said Culpepper, a three-time Pro Bowl selection. "That's a full-time job.''    

Culpepper's only hope of landing an NFL contract would have been as a reserve role, but at age 35 with no game experience the past two seasons, there was nearly no chance of that happening. Culpepper was a three-time Pro Bowler in the NFL. He passed for 4,717 yards, rushed for 406 yards and totaled 41 touchdowns and 11 interceptions during the 2004 campaign, but a serious knee injury the next season all but ended his career as an NFL starter.

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Raider rookie gets out of traffic ticket

Everyone raise your hands if you've ever heard of Christo Bilukidi. Ok, me neither. But he apparently has some pull on the streets of Oakland.

The sixth round pick from Georgia State got out of a traffic ticket because he mentioned that he was an Oakland Raider. Didn't the cop know that he was Christo Bilukidi and not Darren McFadden? I guess not. Bilukidi released his bit of good fortune on Twitter to let the world know.


“Ran a red light n got pulled over, cop ask me what I do n I said I’m a Raider, I dodged a 428$ ticket. #BigLeague,” Bilukidi wrote.  


If the cop figured out who he was he would've got the ticket. He should've got the ticket for the fact that he played for the Raiders.

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Young and Delmas are "best friends" now

The Detroit Lions probably can't wait to get the season started. In an offseason marred by off field arrests and fights, there is some light at the end of the tunnel.

First, defensive tackle Nick Fairley apologized for his recent arrests. Now Louis Delmas and Titus Young have mended their fractured relationship.

Young said last week that everything was ok after he sucker punched Delmas during an offseason training activity. Delmas finally put this story to bed by telling reporters that he and Young are best friends.


“I guess I’ll say right now this is like the honeymoon, getting back on the right track,” Young said last week. “I am very excited about being on the football field, but I hope this excitement leads my whole team to be excited. I don’t want to be the only one excited, I want everybody else in this locker room to be excited, not just about me being back but about this opportunity we have going forth in this season.”    


If anyone found Young's statement to be shady here is Delmas' end of it.

“That’s my boy,” Delmas said before the start of the Nate Burleson-Stephen Tulloch Celebrity Softball Game. “Me and him are like best friends now at the end of the day.”


That should put an end to that story. For Lions fans they should hope that they don't hear about anymore illicit offseason activities.

Ben Roethlisberger and wife expecting a baby

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and his wife Ashley are expecting their first child later this year. According the Associated Press it will be a boy. Yes Big Ben will be big daddy.

Roethlisberger released a statement on his official website.


Ashley and I are proud to let you all know that we are expecting a baby boy later this year! It is truly a blessing and we are so excited! – Ben   

The two were married just over a year ago.

Congratulations and hopefully it will be healthy.

Monday, June 4, 2012

Chris Johnson says he's the best back in the NFL

Chris Johnson had an off year last year and he's aiming to let people know that it was a fluke. After dealing with a holdout and nagging injuries Johnson averaged a meager 4.0 yards per carry. He now feels as if he's being dismissed by media and fans. But Johnson isn't lacking for confidence. He still feels he's the best back in the league.


"I feel I am still the best back in the league, and I have no problem saying that. None of the active backs have done anything that I have done in the first four years, even though I had a bad year last year. So I still feel like I am the best back in the league."


The NFL Network's top 100 list had a lot to do with what Johnson is saying after being ranked behind players like Darren Sproles, Marshawn Lynch, Willis McGahee, and Vonta Leach.


"I know it is one of those 'What have you done for me lately?' situations," Johnson said. "People are not going to look at me as the No. 1 running back in the league. There are people out there who aren't going to give me the respect I deserve. But at the end of the day it doesn't matter what anybody else thinks.


 "There's a lot of backs now who probably didn't do anything the year before and then they rush for 1,500 yards and they are the top back," Johnson said. "It's crazy, really."


There are players like Ray Rice and Arian Foster that might have something to say about Johnson laying claim to the top spot.

Johnson does have the stats to back up his claim including a 2,000 yard season. I feel he's still top five but is in a dogfight for top back status. Johnson says he wants to put together another 2,000 yard season to separate himself from the pack.    

"I want to go for another 2,000 yards," Johnson said. "I want to be the first back to go for 2,000 yards twice, and I think it can be done. It doesn't matter what anybody else thinks. I think it can be done."

Olshey shuns Clippers, takes Blazers GM job

After working without a contract this season and being left to twist in the wind by Donald Sterling, Los Angeles Clippers general manager Neil Olshey pulled a swerve on the Clippers and took the Portland Trail Blazers job.

Olshey wasn't guaranteed a contract by the Clippers and had an agreement in principle with the team until the Blazers came calling. Olshey built the team that went to the second round of the playoffs and had the best winning percentage (.606) in franchise history.

Olshey also interviewed for the Blazers job last year. To be honest I really can't blame him for leaving. I won't get into an anti-Sterling tirade but can you really trust him. I could see Sterling pulling the rug from under Olshey and instructing him to blow up the current edition of the team in a few years.

The Clippers have started a search for a general manager before the offseason kicks into full gear. As of now Coach Vinny Del Negro, director of player personnel Gary Sacks and team president Andy Roeser will handle all of team’s responsibilities in regard to basketball operations.

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Mike Tyson says T.O. deserves no sympathy

Terrell Owens has had a rough few weeks capped off by being released from the Indoor Football League's Allen Wranglers with a mere $50 severance pay. And he's not getting any sympathy from Mike Tyson.

Tyson touched on Owens' situation during an interview with Mike Missanelli on 97.5 The Fanatic in Philadelphia.

When asked about Owens' financial woes and his appearance on Dr. Phil, Tyson pulled no punches, no pun intended.

On T.O.'s recent appearance on Dr. Phil and T.O.'s financial woes:

"Well, listen, I can only say about myself. It took a good 18, 20 years for me to go broke, but he got broke pretty quick. It happened quick! We saw him, heard about him signing this contract, but from what you told me, he busted his whole bill. That can happen man when you take liberties for granted."   


If he thinks the upbringing he and T.O. experienced played a role in the kind of quick rise and fall:

 "Oh, man, he's not even in my same league as far as getting blood sucked. He's not even in my league. But we're talking about this issue, so, yeah, they're out there. But in order to get your blood sucked, you have to be in position to want to suck some blood too. Even the con cons the con because he wants to con somebody."


If he thinks people should feel sorry for T.O. for his fall from grace:


"No, we should have no sympathy for him, he's a grown man. We should be jealous and pissed off he has so much goddamned fun. Shoot! That's what we should be jealous about. Listen, this is one thing. When you're living that life you think you're a big boy -- and this is one thing I learned when I was rolling like a big boy -- I said 'don't worry about it, I can handle it, I'm a big boy.' Big boys have big responsibilities and big circumstances."


If he thinks T.O. made a mistake by making an appearance like that where he had to have known he'd face criticism:


"I don't know, I don't know why he would want to do that because that's just a bomb waiting to explode right there. But I don't know. He did the right thing he believed for the circumstances. All I know is he did what he thought was best for him, and I know he's not feeling good about himself right now, but you get over it and life goes on."


Does he know Owens?


"I don't know him. I know he can't be broke because he's a bad guy. He's broke because he didn't know what was going on."


Owens won't get any from me because he was a bad teammate, had scores of money and didn't pay attention to who was ripping him off until it was too late. That's on him and the sooner he looks in the mirror the better off he will be.

DeMarco Murray thinks the Cowboys should be in the Super Bowl

Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray is not making a Super Bowl prediction but during a recent local radio interview, the Cowboys running back did say that the he doesn’t see why the Cowboys shouldn’t be playing on the game’s biggest stage next February in New Orleans according to Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News.

“We have a great group of young guys and we also have a great group of vets who I think they’re still playing like they’re 25, 26, 27 years old,” Murray told Galloway & Company on 103.3 [KESN-FM]. “Look at [Jason] Witten, I’m around that guy everyday and he’s one of the hardest working guys. He’s out there beating me in agility drills. I’m trying my hardest over and over and over to beat him and I can’t beat [him].

“I think we have a great group of guys but at the same time we definitely feel that this year is going to be a great year for us and we don’t see why we shouldn’t be in the Super Bowl this year.”

“I think we have the pieces,” Murray said. “We have a great coaching staff and that’s what we are aiming for. We’re aiming to not only make the playoffs and make a splash, but I think every NFL team is looking to win the Super Bowl.”

Justin Blackmon arrested on aggravated DUI charge

Jacksonville Jaguars rookie and former Oklahoma State standout, Justin Blackmon, was arrested on a complaint of aggravated DUI early Sunday in Stillwater, according to the Payne County Jail.

Blackmon was booked into jail about 10 a.m. The details are scarce right now.

According to Oklahoma law, an aggravated DUI is when one's blood alcohol content is .15 or greater. This is Blackmon's second alcohol related arrest in three years. He was nailed in Carrollton,Texas after attending a Monday night game in Dallas in October 2010.

Blackmon has yet to sign a contract with the Jaguars as negotiations have started two weeks ago.

That explains why he was hanging out in Stillwater.  

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Eddie George trying to save his house from foreclosure

Former Tennessee Titans star Eddie George received a surprise at his home this week in the form of a foreclosure notice. According to George's accountant, Larry Goodman, the home is scheduled to be auctioned on June 7.

Goodman had been negotiating a loan modification with IndyMac Mortgage Services over the past seven months.

The Georges bought the 8,550-square-foot home in the gated Brentwood, Tenn., community of Hampton Reserve at the height of the market. They currently owe more than what the house is worth. They bought it for $1.675 million in September 2007 and recently listed the home for sale for $1.1 million.

"Because the loan and equity is not in balance where it should be, we want to go through a loan modification process," Goodman said.


IndyMac hasn't discussed modifying the terms when the payments were current so George has intentionally missed four or five payments to get the ball rolling on negotiations. The Georges love living in the home and are surprised by the foreclosure.

"We're not trying to walk away from anything," Goodman said. "They love living there. It's a great house. Like anybody else who buys an expensive house, it flipped on him."


Don't confuse the foreclosure with George being broke. Goodman says George and his family are financially stable and are in no danger of going broke. They're just like any other American homeowner who is trying to get out from under some bad terms regarding their house.

George has a landscaping business with offices in Ohio and Nashville. He also appeared on sports related television shows.

Tamara George was part of the singing group Sisters With Voices, or SWV, during the 1990s and recently released a new cd. She later appeared on a season of the television reality series Survivor.

Reggie Jackson says there's too much showboating in baseball

Once upon a time, Reggie Jackson told a reporter that he was the straw that stirs the drink, referring to his status in the New York Yankees hierarchy. At the time the comment was seen as controversial and self promoting. But he backed it up, as his three home runs in Game 6 against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1977 World Series proved.    

Now Jackson looks at the flamboyance and showboating of some players with disgust. Jackson says there's too much strutting and showboating by players that aren't any good.

"If you had talent," Jackson told USA TODAY Sports, "you could have style. There's nothing wrong with style. I had style when I hit (563) home runs. But you've got to build up some history.


"What I'm seeing these days, and some of the arrogance, I feel like walking up, and saying, 'What's wrong with you? You can't play. That's not style. It's a goofy act.'


"I know it's entertainment, but if you have style and can't play, then you're nothing more than a fool. I see a lot of fools out there."


"If some of these guys were as concerned with getting base hits and winning games as they were Twitter, maybe they could perform better and earn some style," Jackson said.


When I watch the game I do agree with Jackson although he sounds like a bitter old man. Not many of the players today could back up their bravado like Jackson could. The worse part is seeing lesser players always having their name in the news and it's not for their on field accomplishments.

If you can't play you shouldn't be out there making a spectacle of yourself.

Pablo Sandoval investigated for possible sexual assault charges

San Francisco Giants fan favorite and third baseman, Pablo Sandoval is being investigated by the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Department and faces possible sexual assault charges that took place early Friday morning.

Sandoval is currently on a rehab assignment at the Giants' Single A San Jose.

The incident allegedly took place at the Seascape Beach Resort in Santa Cruz County. Police were not called to the scene, but the woman in question later contacted authorities and said that she was was too intoxicated to give consent. She then provided a sexual assault forensic evidence kit at an area hospital. 


“On Friday, June 1, Pablo Sandoval voluntarily met with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Department related to a consensual, personal relationship of a sexual nature that took place on that day,” attorney Eric Geffon told CSN Bay Area. “Pablo fully cooperated with the Sheriff’s Department out of respect for the process. We have no further comment at this time.”


Sandoval remained on schedule for his rehab assignment but did not report to AT&T Park because he was being questioned by authorities.

When will professional athletes and entertainers ever get it through their head that sex is not a given. Hire an escort or something. Move on to the next one. It's not like they have trouble getting some action.

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Bill Ford Jr. puts Lions players on notice

After Jim Schwartz had a mouthful to say about the off field troubles of a few Detroit Lions players, Bill Ford Jr. got in on the act. For those who aren't familiar with Ford Jr. he was the one who basically greased the skids for Matt Millen to be fired since his father (William Clay Ford) was hesitant to do so.

Ford Jr. went on WJR in Detroit to express his disappointment with the players involved in legal troubles this offseason. He didn't call out any names but everyone knew who the message went out to. Nick Fairley, Titus Young, and Mikel Leshoure, consider yourselves to be put on notice. Never a good thing when the top brass calls you out.

“Unfortunately it’s just a couple guys who are just tainting our whole image,” Ford said. “There’s no question, some of our young guys better get their act together because that’s not the way you become a professional. The good news is we’ve got some great veteran leadership on our team that are great guys and can set the tone and I suspect it’s going to be those veterans who are really going to get these guys back in line.”


Either the players need to fall in line under Schwartz or the Lions need some swift locker room justice. Remember that commissioner Roger Goodell hasn't wielded his mighty hammer regarding the off field issues. The Lions need the youngsters to march in step with the others before a promising season can possibly be derailed before it begins.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Warren Sapp staying with the NFL Network

After months of rumors swirling about being unemployed, Warren Sapp will be staying with the NFL Network for at least another year.


In revealing the move publicly for the first time, NFLN executive producer Eric Weinberger tells USA Today Sports that "this is probably going to be news to some blogs and articles out there who've said his time is up here, but we picked up an option year on his contract." Sapp's on-air duties, including working NFLN's Sunday pregame show, will remain essentially the same.  


Sapp was dumped by Showtime's Inside the NFL and filed for bankruptcy. He also has his book coming out so things might be looking up for Sapp.

Hopefully that TV judge show doesn't ever get off the ground and he doesn't give us any reports from anonymous sources.

Jeremy Lin owns Linsanity

If Jeremy Lin can continue his meteoric rise in the NBA he'll get paid in more ways than one.

Lin now owns the rights to the term, phrase or whatever you want to call it, "Linsanity". The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office registered the term for Lin after he filed for it in February.

It's obvious that someone close to Lin was on to something after Lin became the hottest name in the NBA after the New York Knicks put him in the starting lineup. Anyone wishing to use the "Linsanity" term will have to go through Lin or his representatives.a

If he can keep up his stellar play he stands to get paid.

Michigan football commit threatens Ohio State fans

The Michigan-Ohio State rivalry has started to take form on the recruiting trail. Over the holiday weekend Michigan recruit Logan Tuley-Tillman  lit a recruiting letter from Ohio State on fire.

Buckeye nation didn't take too kindly to Tuley-Tillman's actions and responded by making alleged death threats to Tillman.

Michigan commit Kyle Bosch has jumped into the fire feet first by coming to Tillman's defense as he lashed back at Ohio State "fans" and made a threat of his own on Twitter.

“OSU fans giving @LoganTillman threats on your way to his house make a stop by mine and I’ll show you what a real death threat is#bringagun”


The message has since been deleted and he has clarified his comments.

Bosch: "I'm just trying to defend my teammate and my friend. Logan is like a brother to me and when somebody threatens his life and his family's life, I am going to come to his defense. The gun comment has been taken out of context. I'm only saying that if you're going to threaten my friend and brother that you better bring a gun because if you're truly threatening his life, you'll have to take mine too. I should have realized that it may have been misinterpreted, but it's hard not to be angry when he and his mother have gone through so much."

Let's hope that everyone can control their temper and act accordingly.





Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Jim Schwartz scolds young Lions

After the latest off field fiasco involving Nick Fairley trying to play the role of the bandit, Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz couldn't take it anymore. Schwartz had a lot to say regarding the incidents involving Mikel Leshoure, Titus Young, and Nick Fairley, mentioning that their actions are tainting the reputations of their teammates.

"What we have here is a case of a few guys tainting the reputations of a lot of others," he said. "The actions of a few have affected the reputations of not just the other guys on the team but the organization as a whole and obviously, that's not a good situation."


"The issues we have here have involved young guys, guys coming off their rookie year," he said. "It's obviously a big concern that the problems have come up more than once with a couple of guys. You always approach this with the idea that guys will make mistakes and learn from them. It appears that a couple of guys haven't.


"It is a concern but they are still young and there is still a lot in front of them. We are hopeful that with the means at their disposal and the means at our disposal, they will eventually be able to put this behind them."


Combine that with Ndamukong Suh's on and off field behavior, Schwartz has every right to be concerned and angry.

Schwartz can "scold" players all he wants, but until they mature and learn how to police themselves it's gonna keep happening. Players don't call out each other for their bad decisions anymore and the vets in the locker room aren't respected if they haven't won anything. Maybe general manager Martin Mayhew needs to come in and threaten a few jobs to get some of them in line.

Former Duke center, Brian Zoubek to open a cream puff shop

The last memory of former Duke center, Brian Zoubek, was of him celebrating a national championship victory over Butler. After that he kind of vanished. Not that it's a bad thing some people excel outside of the sports world and Zoubek is putting his Duke education to good use.

Zoubek will be opening a cream puff pastry shop in his hometown of Haddonfield, New Jersey. Cream puffs have been a lifelong favorite of Zoubek's and now he aims to turn his love of them into a successful business.


"I love to make cream puffs," he said. I'm just a fat kid, at heart. I've loved cream puffs my whole life. When I was growing up, I used to get therm from another place in town."  


Zoubek’s store will be called Cream Puff Creations, amended from “Heavenly Cream Puff Creations,” after that name didn’t align with city code that requires signs to have no more than three words. Zoubek won't be making the pastries himself.

This isn't the big man's first time around in the entrepreneurial arena as he and a few of his college buddies started a technology store in New York City so he does have some knowledge in running a business.

Monday, May 28, 2012

Jered Weaver out after 12 pitches

It's been a terrible holiday weekend for elite pitchers in MLB. Philadelphia Phillies ace Roy Halladay went down early in an outing against St. Louis and now you can add the Los Angeles Angels' Jered Weaver to the list.

Weaver left tonight's outing against the New York Yankees after 12 pitches. The Angels say Weaver suffered a lower back injury.



Weaver didn't record an out and appeared to hurt himself on his second pitch to the Yankees' Robinson Cano. On a 1-1 pitch, Weaver landed gingerly. He tried to throw one warm-up pitch after the injury and immediately headed to the dugout.


This happened right as it looked like the Angels were starting to put it together.

Brewers' Lucroy injures hand in suitcase accident

In one of the more bizarre injuries of the Major League Baseball season, Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy was injured via suitcase.


Lucroy told Adam McCalvy of MLB.com that he was "reaching under his hotel bed Sunday night for a lost sock when his wife shifted a suitcase, which fell on Lucroy's hand."

Lucroy tried to make a go of it but couldn't do it and had to pull himself from the lineup.

“I didn’t want to say anything because I don’t like not playing,” he said. “I want to play. But I went down and took some swings and it didn’t feel good, so I had to spill it.” 

Phil Mickelson to get involved with potential Padres ownership group

Phil Mickelson is trying to get into the ownership game. Mickelson is reportedly putting up some of his own money to get involved with a group trying to buy the San Diego Padres. The Padres are Mickelson's hometown team.

Mickelson has joined the group headed by Kevin and Brian O’Malley and their cousins Peter and Tom Seidler, whose Top of the Third, Inc., owns the Single-A Visalia Rawhide, are one of five parties known to be exploring the purchase of John Moores’ controlling interest in the Padres. Their efforts are being guided by Peter O’Malley, the former Dodgers owner, but the senior O’Malley does not anticipate being actively involved in the Padres operation, preferring to leave that to “the next generation.”

"This was a unique opportunity with families that had done this before and know how to do it right and want to get involved in the community," Mickelson told the newspaper. 


Padres legend Tony Gwynn has backed a different ownership group but if the O'Malley team gets the deal Mr. Padre won't be shut out of the franchise completely.

“If we were able to get control, (Gwynn) would be the first person we’d want to get involved,” Mickelson said. “He’s such an icon with the team. Hopefully, it won’t be combative.” 


The franchise is twisting in the wind right now regarding their ownership status and they need someone to take full ownership of the team soon.

Paul Williams paralyzed in motorcycle accident

Two time welterweight champion, Paul "The Punisher" Williams is now in the fight of his life. Williams has been paralyzed from the waist down in a motorcycle accident Sunday morning in Marietta, Georgia. Williams has been listed in serious but stable condition after severing his spinal cord. Surgery is scheduled for Wednesday to try to stabilize his spinal column.

For a while Williams was known as the most avoided man in boxing until he endured a knockout loss to Sergio Martinez in a rematch from an earlier fight. Williams was scheduled to take on Saul Alvarez on September 15 in Las Vegas. His manager, George Peterson said Williams probably will never fight again.


The two-time welterweight champion Williams was in Marietta, Ga., to attend his brother’s wedding on Monday and was driving back from the bachelor party around 7 a.m. on Sunday when he got into the accident, Peterson said. Williams was going around a curb when he swerved out of the way of a driver of a car who was on the inside lane that Williams told Peterson was “on his cell phone.”


“He got separated from the motorcycle and must have gone about 65 feet in the air,” said Peterson, who left Williams’ side in the Atlanta area hospital to speak to the Daily News. He declined to give the name of the hospital to protect Williams’ privacy.


“He was doing about 75 mph on the motorcycle. When he came down, he came down on his back and when he came down on his back, of course he severed his spinal cord. He’s paralyzed from the waist down. In terms of him walking again... that will never happen.”

Peterson said that Williams is still in good spirits and believes that he'll box again.



“It’s the same old Paul,” Peterson said. “As I was walking out of the door to talk to you, he said, ‘Believe me, if I don’t ever box again, I’m going to do some stand-up comedy.’ He’s not suffering.”


"From the waist down, he has absolutely no movement. He's in very good spirits, though," Peterson told The Associated Press from his home in Aiken, South Carolina. "He still believes he's going to fight again."


The fight with Alvarez would have been one of the better fights of the year, but since it's now off, it's time for Williams to give thanks that he's still alive and try to attempt to walk again.

Johnny Tapia found dead in his home

Former five time boxing champion, Johnny Tapia was found dead in his Albuquerque home Sunday according to a police report. No known cause of death was given.

Authorities were called to the house at about 7:45 p.m. on Sunday, spokesman Robert Gibbs said. The death didn't appear to be suspicious, he said. The body is believed to be Tapia’s, but police could not say with certainty that it was. 


Tapia was the ultimate hard luck, underdog story in boxing. He had numerous run ins with the law and fought depression and his cocaine demons for most of his boxing career. Somehow he overcame them to win five championships in three weight classes, winning the WBA bantamweight title, the IBF and WBO junior bantamweight titles and the IBF featherweight belt. 

Despite his troubles outside the ring he was one of the more exciting boxers of the 1990s. He last fought in June, outpointing Mauricio Pastrana in an eight-round decision. He finished with a 59-5-2 record.

An autopsy will be performed within the next few days.

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Reebok comes up with a slick marketing campaign

The Los Angeles Kings have stunned the hockey world by making a run to the Stanley Cup finals. In the middle of it all is Kings goalie Jonathan Quick. He has stood tall in net and has played above his head this postseason.

Reebok saw enough of Quick to make him the center of a marketing campaign. It might be a ploy to sell more jerseys to women or just more Kings jerseys in general. But the billboard is pretty slick and could get more women to buy a Johnathan Quick jersey.


A clever sexual joke thrown in there, but it might work.
  

Patrick Willis comes to Alex Smith's defense

When San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith said that winning trumps stats in the grand scheme of things in the NFL, he cited Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton as an example of a player who puts up monster stats but the team had a losing season.

Upon hearing about what Smith said, Carolina linebacker Jon Beason stepped in Newton's defense. Now 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis is standing up for his man. Willis took to Twitter to defend Smith in this he said/he said debate about stats and winning.


“Wins are Wins I stand with My Qb Alex Smith and all my teammates. I can’t wait for the season,” Willis wrote.

All in all both have valid points. The 49ers win in spite of Smith, how do you describe their flirtation with Peyton Manning. And once the Panthers get a few more pieces around Newton (a defense) they will be a force in the NFC.

Report: Jamal Lewis files for bankruptcy

Former NFL running back and member of the 2,000 yard club, Jamal Lewis, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy according to a report on TMZ.com.

Lewis who last played for the Cleveland Browns in 2009, is trying to reorganize his debt, saying he's having trouble paying them. Lewis has $14,455,854 in assets but he also has $10,566,764.18 in debts. Lewis is currently self employed and makes about $35,000 a month. And he having trouble paying his bills?


Among his creditors -- Bank Of America has a lien for $947,876, Benz has one for 113k, Chrysler for 15k ... and the list goes on.


As for his assets -- Jamal's got five homes, a bunch of expensive cars, a $500,000 401(k), and 50% ownership in Fort Rapids Indoor Waterpark in Columbus, OH (worth about $6 mil).


Sounds like someone needs to hold a garage sale or quit spending so much money. Considering what he's made in his career and still banking around $420,000 a year, I don't think the bankruptcy judge or creditors will take it easy on him.

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Pete Carroll and the Seahawks pass on Hard Knocks

Add the Seattle Seahawks to the list of teams that have turned down HBO's "Hard Knocks" series. The  Houston Texans,Washington Redskins,San Francisco 49ers and Atlanta Falcons have all reportedly turned down Hard Knocks.

The Seahawks weren't officially offered to do the show, but they were approached and turned down HBO.

Head coach Pete Carroll doesn't dislike the show, he just doesn't want his team on it and says it's "not their style".

“That’s just not going to suit what we’re trying to get done here,” Carroll said. “I think it’s a great show. I love watching it. I loved Rex [Ryan], and when the Bengals — I love those kinds of shows. I look forward to seeing it. But I just don’t want to put that in the middle of our process. We’re trying to win football games and hopefully we can entertain that way, not on the show. That’s not our style.”


Translation: We're in the business of getting the team ready to win football games not put on a show for the cameras.

The NFL show comes on every Sunday complete with mics and cameras. The only edits are when some one drops an F-bomb or any of those words. I agree with the Seahawks' decision to not do the show. Who needs the distraction or the media attention.

Jeff Garcia still wants to play

Jeff Garcia hasn't played in an NFL game since 2008, but that doesn't mean he's about to give up playing.

In an interview on 94 WIP in Philadelphia that if Andy Reid came calling to offer him a job he'd jump at the chance in a heartbeat.

“I’m picking up the phone and saying ‘Andy, how much do you want me to pay you so I can come in and get things fired up around there?’” Garcia said. “I’d pay to play, that’s just me. I can be that person who can continue to motivate and inspire and help teach and educate. And if given the opportunity to step on the field, I’m going to give everything I have to find success, no matter how it happens.”

At this point I'm not sure how much Garcia has left to give besides leadership. But the Houston Texans did sign him last season to back up T.J. Yates so he might just have something left in the tank. He could go elsewhere and get a shot but he and his wife prefer the Eagles.

“Philly is the team my wife will let me go back and play for,” Garcia told Glen Macnow and Anthony Gargano. "She’s the only one who can approve the move.


At 42 he Garcia would be the new age George Blanda, but with the Eagles currently four deep at the quarterback position I don't know if he'll get a shot in Philadelphia.







Friday, May 25, 2012

Kevin Sumlin and Will Muschamp trading words

It's hard being the new kid on the block in anything. Unless there is a reputation of being the biggest bad ass in your old neighborhood there is always going to be someone that picks on you.

Texas A&M consider yourselves picked on. Last week Florida coach Will Muschamp decided to fire the first shot at newcomer Texas A&M. 

While he was at a gathering for the Florida faithful, Muschamp took a shot at College Station, the home of the Aggies and the 12th man. He poked fun at Aggieland and I'm sure the locals aren't too thrilled about it.

Muschamp last week had asked a gathering of Gators fans, “You ever been to College Station? It'll be the only time you go,” according to the Lakeland (Fla.) Ledger.

Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin didn't take too kindly too Muschamp's jab of his new home.




“He needs to worry about his own team,” Sumlin said Wednesday.

Guess who will be the Aggies' first SEC opponent. That's right, Florida.

That should add some spice to the conference kickoff

Isiah Thomas wants another shot in college or the NBA

After his well documented failures in both college basketball and the NBA, Isiah Thomas wants to get another shot at coaching or being a general manager at either level.

Thomas was recently fired by Florida International after compiling a 26-65 record over three seasons. Thomas has also coached the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers and served as the general manager for the Knicks and Toronto Raptors. Thomas has a good friendship with Knicks owner James Dolan and has been connected to any opening in the Knicks organization.

"I definitely want to be in basketball again whether it be coaching or as a general manager," Thomas said by phone. "My gift is basketball. I would love working with the kids. If it's the right college program, I would consider it. If it's the right GM job or coaching job in the NBA, I would consider it. I love the game. I just want to be in the game."


"I have great friends in the organization," said Thomas, a two-time NBA champion and 12-time All-Star with the Detroit Pistons. "A lot of them I gave them their first job opportunities in the NBA. The owner and I have a very good relationship. It's an organization I will always root for and will always want them to do well because they're all personal friends of mine." 

Thomas says he would be willing to listen to all offers college or pro.

"I'm like everyone else, I keep my options open," Thomas said. "My mom always said don't burn any bridges. I followed her advice. It would have to be the right option and right place."


The question is would anyone be willing go all in on Thomas. When he played he was one of the best players of all time. He was a winner. Off the court is another story where he's had more than one failure. Namely running the Knicks into the ground.

Call me a homer since he did play for my hometown Detroit Pistons, but I think he should get another chance despite his track record, but it would have to be the right situation. He shouldn't be thrown into a rebuilding situation.

Parise and Suter a package deal?

Rumors concerning a package deal to the Red Wings between Nashville defenseman Ryan Suter and New Jersey sniper Zach Parise has been somewhat persistent this spring and early summer. Rumors continued on a Parise and Suter rendezvous in Detroit continued at the IIHF World Championships.

Gregg Krupa of the Detroit News reports it’s a “common assumption … Parise and Suter are intent on signing together with a new team” while the Wings have a mutual interest in the two 27-year-old players.

“I am assuming that, at least as of right now, they are a package deal,” one NHL team official told the Detroit News. “They certainly seem to have set it up that way, themselves.”

But before Red Wings fans start committing money to those new Parise and Suter Winged Wheel jerseys, there is still a chance that Suter re-signs with the Predators. Suter has made it clear so far that he intends to sign his last contract this offseason so the Wings and their fans need to be totally sure if they want Suter for the next 10 years or so.

With Parise, there may be little point speculating on his future considering the Devils are one win away from the Stanley Cup Finals.

But, if Suter and Parise do in fact hit the open market, it’s looking more and more likely that their preferred destination would be Detroit.

If longtime forward Tomas Holmstrom retires, defenseman Brad Stuart heads out west and Jiri Hudler signs elsewhere the Wings would have roughly $44 million dollars committed to salary in 2013 and should be able to accommodate both Suter and Parise without issue.

This is how Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade, and LeBron James ended up with the Miami Heat.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Report: Knicks on Odom's short list

No one knows where Lamar Odom will be playing basketball next season. After a tumultuous season with the Dallas Mavericks he'll more than likely wind up as a free agent since I don't think Odom could be traded for a bobsled at this particular moment. Odom is still under contract with the Mavericks and he could be traded or waived/bought out.

Despite his one bad season with the Mavericks, Odom will be a highly sought after free agent due to the versatility he can bring to the table. A source close to the situation says that the New York Knicks might be a team on Odom's short list.


A source with knowledge of Odom's thinking says the New York Knicks would be "on the top of his list" if the Queens native becomes a free agent.


"Lamar is big on being comfortable," the source said. "And New York is somewhere he can be comfortable."


"He wants to find a place where he can end his career, and New York is ideal," the source said. "He's won championships in the past and he wants to win another. And to do it there would be great."


He could go back to the Los Angeles Lakers where he had his best years or to the Miami Heat where he once played and could be sixth man supreme. I don't see him fitting in with the Knicks since all they do is acquire name players and implode. But a front line of  Odom, Amare Stoudemire, and Tyson Chandler could be pretty good if Carmelo Anthony wants to shift to the two guard spot. So it's highly unlikely he'll wind up in New York.

Wherever he lands they'll probably get the Odom of years past and not the Dallas version which was a bad bill of goods.
 

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Panthers' Steve Smith knows why NFL players are broke

Year after year you always hear stories of professional athletes going broke. No matter how much money some of these players make there will be at least one that has a sad tale of wasting or mismanaging scores of money.

Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith usually isn't the voice of reason, but he has a pretty good reason of why players are going broke.


“Mismanagement of money doesn’t change because you have a lot of money, there are a lot of guys out there that make a lot of money and that make a little money and still live paycheck to paycheck,” Smith told WFNZ in Charlotte on Wednesday.  “You know, ignorance of how the financial game works or managing money doesn’t exclude you because you have a lot of it, it just enables you to make bigger and dumber mistakes because you have a lot of money.”


Smith also explained that players “sometimes mismanage and mistrust people that they shouldn’t have [trusted],” and that efforts to educate players only go so far, given the nature of how they are paid.  “Just because you are in the NFL doesn’t mean there is a different standard, a lot of people work paycheck to paycheck,” Smith said.  “I’ll tell you why so many players are broke, 17 weeks out of the year you get paid, and the rest, you have to manage.”


“Some people get dangerous, get desperate, and that’s how you get these guys that do drug runs and start driving down highways with kilos of marijuana just so they can get that fast cash.”


Look at what happened to Nate Newton after he retired. He was busted twice for rolling the dopewagon. Recently Sam Hurd was busted for trying to score kilos of cocaine and marijuana.

This is something the NFL needs to get a handle on because if players are trying to get some fast money to make up for what they're losing you'll have some of these players going to jail.