SMU looking into Deion Sanders Jr.'s backstage visit with Lil' Wayne

Maybe SMU is being proactive or they're still snakebit by the death penalty they received in 1987, but the school is looking into a backstage visit made to rapper Lil Wayne by Deion Sanders Jr. and some of his teammates.

Last week, photos appeared on social media websites of SMU wide receiver Deion Sanders Jr. and some of his teammates hanging out backstage with rapper Lil’ Wayne.  The father of the SMU receiver told Adam Lawson of the Valley Morning Star that “his son was being investigated because ‘they’re trying to say (he) got into the concert because (he’s) an SMU player.’”  The elder Sanders went on to explain that Lil’ Wayne is one of his best friends.

While the former Florida State star claimed that the NCAA is investigating his son, his son’s school claims otherwise.

“It’s not the NCAA. It’s our compliance office. Just doing their due diligence,” SMU official Brad Sutton said via text message when asked about who was probing what. “We don’t expect to find anything amiss, but it’s our responsibility to check stuff like this out.”

This is almost the same thing as Jay-Z making an appearance in the Kentucky basketball team locker room.  

I'd be nervous if I were SMU since the NCAA likes to hammer the smaller schools. And since they received the death penalty before the mighty NCAA probably would hit them with three years probation for this one.

The whole thing is rather harmless as the younger Sanders was probably treating his teammates to a good time and the school is making a bigger deal out of it than it really is.

Rays make a sand sculpture of Mariano Rivera

The Mariano Rivera farewell tour is making its final rounds. Teams have been giving the New York Yankees closer gifts as passes through their city one final time. Unless the Yankees make the playoffs Rivera will be retiring at the end of the regular season.

The Tampa Bay Rays have unveiled a sand sculpture to honor Mariano Rivera on the New York Yankees closer's last regular-season visit to Tropicana Field.

The sculpture, located in the rotunda near the main gate, will be on display for fans to see throughout the three-game series that concludes Sunday.

The Rays also presented Rivera with a check for $3,150 - a number that represents $50 for each save he has earned against Tampa Bay - for the Mariano Rivera Foundation.

Texans' J.J. Watt and Arian Foster will be featured in GQ magazine

Superstars J.J. Watt and Arian Foster are perfect examples of how much the Texans have increased their popularity over the past couple years.

The duo is featured in the September NFL Kickoff issue of GQ, which describes 38 things that are making the NFL the most exciting it's ever been.

In the article on Foster, the magazine lists 10 reasons why the three-time Pro Bowler is GQ's favorite running back in the game.

In the Watt feature, which is titled "Big Tex", the defensive end talks about his rise from pizza delivery man to stardom and the NFL's 2012 Defensive Player of the Year.

Nice to see some positive stories coming out of professional sports.

Redskins GM Bruce Allen calls the NFC East the 'SEC of the NFL'

The NFC East has probably been the most competitive division in the NFL since the mid 1980's. There might have been a few to come close but none that come to mind immediately. Bill Parcells, Joe Gibbs, Tom Landry, Jimmy Johnson, Andy Reid and Buddy Ryan had a lot to do with that run of excellence.  

Maybe that's why Washington Redskins general manager Bruce Allen  called the division the 'SEC of the NFL. During a recent interview with Chris Russell and Rich Campbell on ESPN 980, Allen explained why the NFC East has always been the top division in the league.

“There’s so many changes in the playoff teams each year — I think half of them change each year anyway,” the GM noted. “And in our division, you know, we’re in the SEC of the NFL. This is the big leagues. I think when the Giants last won the Super Bowl, they won it with a 9-7 record. So we have to keep competing in our division, and that’s what our focus is.

“And if we can hold our ground in the division, we’re going to be ok, because they are elite teams in our division,” Allen continue. “That’s where our focus has to remain. We were successful [last year] — 5-1 in the division — and that leads to good things. I think once again the young talent that we have on the team, they tasted success. As long as they’re not spoiled by that little bit of success, then it bodes well for our future.”

Sounds like SEC-speak to me. But Allen's words do ring true. You win the division, you get in the playoffs. From that point on anything can happen. Save for Donovan McNabb's meltdowns in NFC title games and the Dallas Cowboys not being able to win a playoff game in forever, the division has done well for itself in the playoffs.

Despite pasting New England, the Lions shouldn't be too high on themselves

The Detroit Lions beat the New England Patriots handily, 40-9, in both teams' third preseason game.

The third preseason game is usually a good indicator of how a team will play in the regular season. Even though the Lions beat down the Patriots, I'm not buying it. I think it was possibly the worse thing that could happen. It's always good to get that winning mindset but I think Lions players might get a little full of themselves.

True the defense played with a lot of fire and the defensive line showed that if everything is clicking they are a force to reckoned with. But as always the old bugaboo came back to haunt the Lions. Personal fouls. And coach Jim Schwarz has seen enough. After the first two against Nick Fairley and C.J. Mosley, Schwartz benched defensive end Willie Young for the rest of the game for taunting Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and drawing a flag in the process.

Defensive end Jason Jones was impressive with two sacks and three tackles for loss. Jones said the defensive line was trying to send a message and their mission was accomplished.

"Everyone's eye was on the Patriots, not us," he said. "But it's cool. We did our thing.

"Watching the game, people can see what kind of talent we have on the defensive line. And man, we're not even playing with (safety Louis) Delmas right now. He's going to add another dimension to our team."

While the offense has struggled somewhat in the preseason it's good to see the defense have a game like last night. But instead of using words like mission accomplished, they should just realize that when it all comes together they can be good, because their mission is far from accomplished. If the Lions players think so, they're in for a rude awakening. Just check out last season. I think the players felt that since they made the playoffs in 2011 that they arrived.

I have a feeling that they're starting to think too highly of themselves after a preseason win.  

Coaches that could be in trouble this season

The college football season is fast approaching. While some teams are in clear rebuilding mode, some teams are forever rebuilding. Or there are some that have plateaued or underachieved. That normally lands a coach in hot water. I have an opinion on who might be in trouble this year if their team can't catch a lucky break.

Mike London, Virginia- London came to Charlottesville with some impressive credentials after two years at Richmond. He had a 4-8 season his first year but orchestrated an 8-5 turnaround in his second season and won ACC coach of the year, which inflated fans and administrators' expectations. After taking a step back with another 4-8 season the heat is on London's Cavaliers squad to at least make a bowl game. If not London could find himself looking for another job.

Ron English, Eastern Michigan- It doesn't help when you inherit a hopeless situation. It also doesn't help when Sports Illustrated names you as one of the five worst coaches in college football. Two years ago it looked like the Eagles were poised to turn the corner after posting a 6-6 record. After last year's 2-10 record it looks like it was more of a fluke than legit. With Northern Illinois going to a BCS bowl last year, Eastern Michigan needs some dramatic improvement for English to keep his job. That's a steep hill to climb.

Lane Kiffin, USC- This is an obvious choice and everyone knows why. After being hailed as a national championship contender last season and thought of as the team to end the SEC's championship dominance the Trojans failed miserably, finishing at 7-6. Kiffin is more bluster than sideline genius, but he did get a vote of confidence from athletic director Pat Haden. Doesn't make Kiffin secure but the Trojans better be in the Rose Bowl conversation in November and December.    

Kirk Ferentz, Iowa- Even though Ferentz has been at Iowa for 14 years, this is a what have you done for me lately business. Ferentz has twice dragged the Hawkeyes out of mediocrity and into national prominence. He's also been named Big Ten coach of the year three times.  If the Hawkeyes lose to another MAC team or two, and if they finish below .500 in conference play in what appears to be a less-than-stellar Big Ten, it might finally make fiscal sense to get Ferentz out of town. The Hawkeyes were 4-8 last season and finished with six straight losses to end the season.

June Jones, SMU- This might be a little unfair since the Mustangs still haven't fully recovered from the 'death penalty' levied by the NCAA. After his success at Hawaii I'm pretty sure the administrators at SMU were looking forward to seven win seasons and mediocrity. They want to be a BCS buster/playoff contender. I think Jones is secure at SMU but you never know.

Gary Pinkel, Missouri- This also might be unfair since Pinkel will now be judged on what he does in the SEC than for his full body of work. He made the Tigers nationally relevant and achieved a No.1 ranking at one point in 2007 when they finished at No.4. The Tigers suffered some injuries to their main playmakers last season derailed their potent offense but were just a few plays from being bowl eligible. If things don't turn around soon, he might be out as head coach of Missouri. However, no one should ever doubt the amazing job he has done at Missouri.   

Robert Griffin III fined $10,000 for wearing 'Operation Patience' t-shirt

Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III has ran afoul of the NFL's apparel police once again.

Griffin was fined $10,000 by the NFL for wearing unauthorized apparel during warmups prior to their Monday night preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Players are prohibited from wearing unauthorized apparel during the period on game days when they are visible to the stadium and television audiences, including pregame warmups.

Griffin III was wearing an 'Operation Patience' t-shirt made by Adidas. Nike is the league's official apparel maker which makes wearing Adidas apparel a no-no. This is the second time Griffin III has been fined $10,000 by the league for wearing Adidas apparel.

Even though it seems petty for the NFL to fine Griffin III that much for wearing Adidas gear, they can't have one of the league's young marquee players pimping other apparel other than what the league sponsors.

I also understand that Adidas sponsors Griffin III so they need him to market their apparel whenever possible.