No Jolly Times In Green Bay

Green Bay Packers defensive end Johnny Jolly was suspended by the NFL for a year and possibly more for violating the league's substance abuse program. He's eligible to apply for reinstatement after the Super Bowl. He also could be facing up to 20 years in the slam if he's convicted of his July 2008 arrest for possession of at least 200 grams of codeine outside a Houston nightclub. That's right,codeine.

I'm no drug major, but I know about some of what goes on in the drug culture. I did not know codeine could be measured in grams. For some reason codeine or the codeine based cough syrup seems to be the new drug of choice among some NFL players. It seems like most of the players hail from the south. think about it. Late Chargers safety Terrence Kiel hailed from Texas. JaMarcus Russell, from Alabama and played college ball at LSU. Johnny Jolly, from the home of the "lean" Houston, Texas. Both Kiel and Jolly played collegiately at Texas A&M.

I'm no counselor or anyone of that ilk,but you would think that some of he high profile deaths due to the "drank" and "lean" in the hip-hop community would put a bug in their ear that codeine is a potential danger. Just as much as any other drug out there. I'm not trying to tell anyone how to live their life, but for pro athletes, kids look up to you guys. Stay away from the drugs.    

Russell Starts The Long Road Back (Maybe)

A report was put out earlier this month that the New York Jets had thoughts about signing former first round bust and Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell. Hopefully Jets brass came to their senses and put an end to that rumor. I haven't heard too much about it so that one probably went up in smoke. There has been a report that Russell could begin his long road back to respectability and the NFL with the Omaha Nighthawks of the UFL (United Football League). I guess UFL officials have denied the report, and he wasn't listed on theNighthawks' roster or any other team roster for that matter. I guess everyone deserves a second chance, fresh start, or whatever. Problem is, he still has that little "sizzurp" case hanging over his head. There's also a rumor that anyone who signs him might have him switch positions. Stay tuned.

The Story That Won't Die

I'm sure you've heard what everyone else has. You know, Jesse Jackson's statement about Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert. In a nutshell, he said Gilbert's reaction to LeBron James' departure from the Cavaliers reflected a slavemaster mentality. Sorry Jesse, I don't think it's that deep. While I don't agree with the way Gilbert reacted, I also don't think of major league sports owners as "slavemasters". Hell, James must be the most encumbered slave in the history of the United States. If making around $20 million is being enslaved, then put the shackles on me and sign me up. This adds another level of absurdity to this whole saga.

First, I don't agree with the way James put his free agent status on display. It was ridculous. Lots of people watched,but it was ridiculous. I don't agree with the way he left the Cavs in a lurch. If he knew he was going to leave, he could've told them sooner so they could proceed with a plan B. Now you know why Gilbert is so angry.

Which brings me to Gilbert. I hate to say it, but he acted like a bitch. I can understand he has to galvanize the fan base in Cleveland to sell tickets and make money. But with the fans already burning James' jersey, he did nothing but add fuel to the fire and possibly put James' life in danger anytime he sets foot in the State of Ohio. I do agree with Jackson in that regard. Gilbert knows he's lost about half the value of his team and they're about to return to the Cadavalier days and he knows it. He also knows he won't win a championship before James in Miami,but he has to be a showman to get someone to buy tickets there.

Now this is something Jesse Jackson shouldn't be involved in. It was front page and I guess he had to get involved and get in the spotlight in some kind of way. Comparing this to slavery is an insult to thosewho went through it and the descendants of those who went through involuntary servitude. Last time I checked playing in the NBA was the farthest thing from slavery, involuntary servitude, etc. Please,stay out of this one Jesse. Isn't there some hostages that need to be freed somewhere?

This story just doesn't want to die. All parties besides James, need to let go and move on.

Let him go

In the wake of USC releasing Seantrel Henderson from his national letter of intent, there's a similiar story brewing in Chicago. The University of DePaul won't grant a release to Walter Pitchford from his letter of  intent. Pitchford was recruited by coach Jerry Wainwright and committed to Depaul. Problem is, during last season Wainwright was given the ax. Pitchford a 6-10 center decided he wanted out and try his luck elsewhere. No problem right? Wrong. Depaul has behaved like the bully on the block and won't release him. This is ridiculous. I'm not trying to bash the young man, but he was a two star recruit from the info I read on Rivals.com. But he was good enough to be recruited by several Division I schools. So why are the Blue Demons intent on keeping the young man? The athletic director (Jean Lenti Ponsetto) said they wanted to find a player to replace him at the same time. This is the biggest bunch of bull I've heard. Let the young man go. He clearly doesn't want to be there. Why keep him? Maybe he didn't connect with the current coach Oliver Purnell. Maybe he was made promises by the former regime that won't be kept under the current one. You always hear that you choose the school, not the coach. The main reason a player chooses a school is because of the coach. Once the coach leaves or gets fired, the player really has no interest in staying with the program.

You see that USC released Henderson, a mega recruit, so he could head to Miami. That was in the wake of USC going on probation. They could've easily told him no. Recently Kansas State granted Dominique Sutton a transfer to a school closer to home and his two children. Sutton was a key player in K-State's run to the Elite Eight. So there should be no reason DePaul wouldn't grant Pitchford a release. If they don't release him, it could hurt with other recruits, as Purnell tries to turn this once proud program around. DePaul needs to think twice about holding this young man hostage in a place he doesn't want to be.

Lee Makes Rangers Legit

The Texas Rangers ended up being the surprise winner in the Cliff Lee sweepstakes. Even though the newly acquired Lee lost his first start for his new team,he transforms the Rangers into a legitimate contender for the American League pennant. It definitely gives them a  leg up on the Los Angeles Angels in the AL West. Lee has been a mercenary of sorts the past two years.Last year being traded to the Philadelphia Phillies,then to Seattle and now division rival Texas. The only hurdle that remains is can the Rangers sign him to a long term deal after the season is over. 

Champagne Dreams Gone In The Wind

For the Cleveland Cavaliers organization and their fans their championship dreams are LeGone. Gone down to Miami, with the dozens of fans and thousands of others that have jumped on the bandwagon in South Beach. Right now is a desperate time for Cleveland and their fans. A group of people that have had the dagger in their heart over and over. The champagne dreams they had had with LeBron are now replaced with thirst and the taste of Steel Reserve.

From way back in 1954, when Willie Mays robbed Vic Wertz in the World Series, sports in Cleveland hasn't been the same. Sure they still can hold on to the black and white footage of Jim Brown running over the Colts back in 1964, but that's about all they have to hold on to. Let's see, there was 1981 when Mike Davis picked off Brian Sipe on that cold day in Municipal Stadium. How about The Drive and The Fumble in consecutive years, the latter which the fans of Cleveland ran Earnest Byner out of town. Never mind he was the reason the Browns were in the position they were because of him. There also was another AFC title game loss to the Broncos. There was The Shot, which brought Craig Ehlo into kids' bedrooms across America (posterized). Brad Daughtery's bad back, Danny Ferry being a bust. Art Modell moving the Browns franchise out of Cleveland. The city to reap the benefits of a Super Bowl winner, Baltimore. There was 1994, when the Indians finally righted the ship only to have a  the rug pulled out from a possible World Series winning team due to a strike/lockout. There was World Series loss to Atlanta. The memory of Joe Table (Jose Mesa) not being able to close the deal against the Marlins in 97. Or was it 98? The playoff loss to the Steelers in which the Browns wasted a sizable lead. The ALCS where the Indians blew a 3-1 lead against the Red Sox.

Cleveland's luck looked to change for the better when the Cavs drafted LeBron James. He led them to the brink of the playoffs, then went on to crash the big stage,dethroning the Detroit Pistons as kings of the East. He never made it back to the Finals,as the last two years proved to be disappointing, bowing out to the Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics in six games both years. Which leads us to this. Owner Dan Gilbert says that the "curse" will go down south with James. Sorry Dan, this ain't the Bobby Layne Lions curse here. The champagne will be replaced with Steel Reserve and Cleveland fans will remain thirsty for another 50 plus years, because as I see it right now there is no hope with the Browns, Indians, or Cavaliers. Hey Clevelanders, at least you have the Buckeyes and old Jim Brown footage. How about this, you guys can come up here and pull for our perennial losers, the Detroit Lions. 

LeBron Will Never Be Viewed As The King

With LeBron James officially a member of the Miami Heat, its safe to say that many will say that no matter how many titles he wins there, he will never be known as the King. James is without a doubt one of the top players in the NBA today and perhaps will go down as one of the greatest of all time. But with him signing with Miami just says that he wasn't able to close the deal in Cleveland. I will agree with many that a championship in Cleveland would've meant a whole lot more to his legacy than teaming up with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh to win one and possibly more. I'm not here to bash James for his decision. In the spirit of competition,the man wants to win.I can't blame him for that. Same goes for Wade and Bosh. Both of them will be look at the same. Players that couldn't win without another superstar. Wade does have a ring and it was his team, but he still had Shaq with two good knees and something to prove. It also helps to have the officials in your back pocket and another star (Dirk Nowitzki) shrinkig up in the spotlight.  All three are grea players, but the spotlight wll be squarely on James. This is Wade's team and his town. I've always said that James lacked a killer instinct, and him going to Miami confirmed my suspicion. True, he's a great player, but in the past and this year's playoffs included, he has shrunk in big moments. It kind of reminds me of Ric Flair hiding behind the Four Horsemen. There's a tier of great players like Bill Russell, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird. Its true they had stellar help around them, but the team was built around them. Like the Cavaliers were built around James. Instead he will go down with the likes of James Worthy, Billy Cunningham, Robert Parish, and countless good players who were a cog in the machine.