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Looking for all of the right answers in all of the wrong places

In all the fallout leading to the ongoing criticism of the NFL and its league hierarchy, it seems remarkably strange that not one owner has spoken out in criticising Roger Goodell for his handling of the Ray Rice affair . Baltimore Ravens’ owner Steve Bisciotti has been somewhat naive in his belief , he was misled in how the league would deal with the situation , albeit , he and GM Ozzie Newsome would have been within their right to suspend the running back , rather than leaving it to league to mete out its form of punishment . In light of the issue and the back and forth between the NFL and the beginning of an investigation by the NFLPA (Players’ Union) , the belief remains, the commissioner and many of his subordinates made a horrendous mistake in their handling of this affair. It also goes to the question, if the league can now ban Rice for his actions , but belief no such action is warranted after the San Francisco 49ers’ defensive player has readily admitted in an interview, he beat his pregnant girlfriend , it leads me to believe the NFL and Roger Goodell maintains a “double standard” in spite of the changes about to be made concerning player misconduct as it relates to domestic violence and spousal abuse.

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As a face-saving exercise and makeover the NFL has called upon two former federal civil servants , Robert S Mueller and Louis Freeh to conduct an investigation , start a policy to be adopted by the league and its teams , seeking to address the conduct of players and specifically the issue of domestic violence. Given the fact it has taken numerous incidents for the league to reluctantly pull their collective heads out of their own asses . I simply do not believe any measure now being taken will likely force a player to rethink their pattern of behavior . No deterrent set by the league has stopped players when it comes to misuse of a banned substance , and then collecting misdemeanor charges for DUI , or a felony for having an unlicensed firearm , but rather with a great deal of naiveté on the part of the NFL , the commissioner and a number of rather apathetic fans things are now about to change. Roger Goodell , has never looked himself in the mirror and simply address the fact he has been a poor leader and executive for the NFL , not unlike the poor stewardship seen during the final years of David Stern’s leadership of the NBA .

Three weeks into the NFL and there are few positives be taken away, as the league enters week four and then close out the first quarter of the season. The divisions have not yet provided us with a clear picture as to the likely contenders for the Superbowl , but there have been one or two surprises concerning the play of a number of players through the first three weeks of the season.

Rex Ryan head coach of the New York Jets has begun to mull over whether or not Geno Smith remains the team’s best option to win at this level within the NFL , with the quarterback already showing signs of the traits which plagued him for much of last season with his errant plays , fumbles and proclivity for throwing interceptions . Through three games for the Jets this season , Smith has now become more of a liability rather than an asset for the franchise.

A sloppy and indifferent performance against the Chicago Bears in a home loss has pretty much summed up why Rex Ryan may well seek to sit Geno Smith , given the team’s woes in terms of the offense and their passing game . Defensively , the issues for the Jets point the fact the average points per game being given up by the defense. The alternative for Rex Ryan would be to insert seasoned veteran Michael Vick into the starting lineup , but I seriously doubt at this stage of his career , Vick has very much to offer to the team , while simply seeking to enhance his status as one of the elder statesmen in the league currently playing the quarterback position.

On Sunday afternoon the New York Jets will play hosts to the Detroit Lions Lions and it will be interesting to see whether it will be Smith or Vick lined up to take the snap in the contest.

In the aftermath of the Miami Dolphins’ dour lack of competitiveness in 2013 and the franchise’s off the field issues . It seemed only natural to think the Dolphins would show signs of improvement in 2014 . Instead head coach Joe Philbin has been left wondering , how could things remains so awry , with the team still playing without any passion which is reflected in the Dolphins’ record (1-2) and their standing within the AFC East as well as the AFC .

Ryan Tannehill the starting quarterback for the Dolphins has been far from consistent for the team this season , and it places the head coach in something of a dilemma as to what he should do with the incumbent starter. Matt Moore is Tannehill’s backup , but Moore’s career in the NFL has simply been , one of not too many top-notch moments or what could be described as exhilarating plays. It has been several years since the Dolphins had an offense that would pose a threat to anyone in terms of passing or rushing game and it has to be said , neither Ryan Tannehill or Matt Moore would evoke such a memory or pose such a threat.

Dennis Allen’s …. Oakland Raiders will have the Miami Dolphins as their guests this Sunday in an all AFC clash which will both teams overlooking to overcome their very indifferent starts to the season . For the Raiders in particular , this might well be Allen’s last season as the head coach of a team which has underpeformed with their being barely any signs of life from this roster , even in spite of the spirited play of rookie quarterback Derek Carr . Team owner , Mark Davis and GM Reggie McKenzie , this off-season will likely assess the merits in keeping Dennis Allen based upon how the season pans out as well the retention of certain players on the roster . I firmly believe , we will see another merry-go-round, as another head coach is sent packing from a franchise where their average tenure over the last decade and a half has been less than three seasons.

The expectations were high but the returns now being seen have been an extreme disappointment as Lovie Smith , his coaching staff and this Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ team have performed poorly , getting off to an 0-3 start within the NFL , a record shared with the Oakland Raiders , making the two teams the worst in the league from a record standpoint . I believed Smith would have brought some discipline to a team sadly lacking in that last season , but it has become abundantly clear , the players lacked not only a great deal of discipline and there seems to be no vocal leader , much less a great player on the team willing to lead by example . Vincent Jackson no longer poses the offensive threat as one of the better tight ends in the NFL and the Buccaneers' pass attack can best described as simply mediocre. Neither Josh McCown or Mike Glennon have proven to be the answer this regular season and the signs were there to be observed during the preseason. The Buccaneers were a walking disaster in their 56-14 loss to divisional rivals the Atlanta Falcons , and it was somewhat fortunate for Tampa the Falcons missed several opportunities to build a wider margin of victory in their big win .

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a poor excuse for an NFL franchise and the issues which plague the team covers just about every facet of their game . I do not believe the team can become competitive enough where they are likely to be seen as a credible challenger within the NFC South . Tampa is certainly not good enough this moment to be defeat either the Carolina Panthers or New Orleans Saints and their return visit whereby they will play host to Atlanta Falcons in week ten could very well likely provide us with a similar result as I do not believe the Buccaneers can make that much of an improvement , given their dire situation at present.

Week four will see the Tampa Bay Buccaneers pit their wits against the Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1) at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania , this upcoming Sunday. Pittsburgh for its part will be looking for the win and place themselves into contention for what has now become a tightly contested AFC North division where the Cincinnati Bengals (3-0) maintain a slender lead.

Ben Roethlisberger is not yet back at his very best , but as long as the Steelers have a great running game and a top-five defense then this team can be considered a legitimate contender within the AFC and quite possibly for a deep run in the postseason and to the Superbowl title, itself.

I don’t know what it will take for the Jacksonville Jaguars to be taken seriously as credible NFL franchise . Years of indifference, through poor coaching and needless to say an owner who did not seem to be all that ambitious when Wayne Weaver owned the team. Now with Shahid Khan owning the Jaguars the management has been put into place with a view to making this Jaguars’ organization a legitimate concern within the NFL. Other than the era of Tom Coughlin as the franchise’s head coach, there has been little to cheer about concerning the Jacksonville Jaguars. Mark Brunell and Tony Boselli became synonymous with the franchise but over the past eight seasons , things have been very lean for the organization . With Gus Bradley on board as the head coach and
several changes
having been made in terms of free agent acquisitions and the drafting of Blake Bortles , the belief seems to be, things are about to change for the better.

Chad Henne the Jaguars’ starting quarterback for 2014 has proven to be very ineffective and some might say a waste of space and cap money for the franchise. Bortles was seen as a project , and likely at some point to be the team’s starting quarterback next season . Off to a win-less start , with an 0-3 record shared alongside the Oakland Raiders , Tampa Bay Buccaneers and it is now easy to understand why Bortles had his baptism of fire during the closing stages of Jacksonville’s week three game against the Indianapolis Colts , which ended in a 44-17 loss for the AFC South based franchise.

Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers will host the Jacksonville Jaguars at Qualcomm Stadium this Sunday , where the Chargers will be seeking to prove their impressive start to the season was no mere fluke. Given what Rivers has been working with over the past few seasons , it has come as something of a surprise to see the Chargers off to such a very good start. In what will likely be a very competitive AFC West division , not including the woefully inept Oakland Raiders . I believe the division could very well become a three-horse race if Andy Reid and Alex Smith can actually figure out what is wrong with the Kansas City Chiefs . The Denver Broncos remain as competitive as ever , with Peyton Manning leading the way for the team .

With a bye-week in Week four , the Denver Broncos can rest their injured players while gauging what their divisional rivals are likely to do. Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs have a potentially tough game against the New England Patriots at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City , Missouri on Monday night , part of the season of scheduled games for the Monday Night Football. A win is very much a must , for the Patriots after their labored and non-too too convincing victory over the Oakland Raiders in week three , where Tom Brady had one of his less memorable games against Oakland .

At the start of the 2014 season , many believed the New England Patriots were capable of having a thirteen win season. My only belief , was that the Patriots would not be severely challenged within the AFC East , where they have been the dominant force within the division of the past decade. I see no reason for the premise to change given the issues of the Buffalo Bills , Miami Dolphins and New York Jets. Bill Belichick remains the ” Mad Scientist” , self-absorbed, over-confident and often abrasive with the press and at times with his players with the exception of his renowned quarterback. Brady and Belichick are joined by an umbilical cord , but the cord will likely be severed in the next two or three years. The departures of Ryan Mallett and Logan Mankins shocked not only Tom Brady , but the fans of the New England Patriots and definitely members of the media . And as good as the team might seem to be , there still remains a number of deficiencies which Bill Belichick has clearly failed to address during the off-season . Jimmy Garoppolo might well be waiting in the wings to take over from the franchise’s all-time leader in a number of offensive passing categories, but I do not believe this rookie will have the type of impact seen with Brady over the past decade.

I have always maintained if you cannot provide the consumer or fan with anything insightful , then it is best to say nothing at all . ESPN /ABC has become a behemoth and monolithic sports’ broadcast entity that leaves it competitors in its wake . In terms of its content and on air presence, there are few if any real bright spots to the medium , but yet , there it is filling the airwaves and the television screens with a great deal of banality , while being hypocritical , misogynistic , sexist and without any real moral virtue. However, what makes the outlet simply tick is its economic clout as a billion dollar money-making entity for parent company , Walt Disney Company . The three other major network outlet pale into comparison as money-making entities and yes folks , that includes the upstart NBCSports Network and Fox’s almost redundant FS1 Fox Sports Network (FS1) , whose content might be just as mediocre and convoluted as its broadcast relative Fox News . CBS Sports remains something of an archaic and dated embodiment of the broadcast network in terms of its appeal and demographic skewered towards those aged fifty-five and over .

ESPN made the decision today , to suspend on air personality Bill Simmons for being critical of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell Granted , the league remains one of the outlet’s primary broadcast partners with whom they have a multi-year, multi-billion dollar contract . Hate to say , but ESPN would rather not bite the hand that feeds it but would willingly kiss the ass of the NFL , even when the league is known to have acted egregiously and erroneously. In reality , some fans couldn’t give a #hit much less really care what Bill Simmons might have to say about anything, given his rather clown-like dexterity for making a complete @sshole of himself , when offering up commentary on issues concerning the world of sports. Simmons’ suspension is something of a non-story but in many ways it simply reflects the ongoing hypocrisy of a network and its willingness to cow-tow and remain in obeisance of a paymaster (NFL) which is just as complicit with its behavior and lack of morals . Unfortunately , there seems to be no one with the balls to say it about ESPN or the NFL , but I am ready to do so and will continue to do so without fear of being sought out by their blow-hard cronies or like-minded representatives.

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Picture gallery .

Where and when did you feel the league erred in dealing with the Ray Rice affair and do you believe the NFL can get its house back in order , much less regain the confidence of its fans and many of their commercial sponsors ? Three weeks into the NFL season and what has been the biggest surprise to you concerning the games and the teams ? Your comments as always are very welcomed and by all means do feel free to chime in with your own thoughts concerning not only the NFL but the world of sports in general .

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(1) Steve Bisciotti troubled owner of the Baltimore Ravens, who in the past few days has faced mounting criticism of his and the franchise’s handling of the Ray Rice affair. Getty Images / Greg Parsons …

(2)Quarterback Geno Smith (7) of the New York Jets speaks with head coach Rex Ryan before a game against the Chicago Bears at MetLife Stadium on September 22, 2014 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Getty Images North America / Elsa Martinez …

(3) Miami Dolphins’ quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) whose record with the franchise as a starter is not impressive (16-19-0) , going into week four where the Dolphins will face the Oakland Raiders in an all AFC match-up at the O Coliseum in Oakland , California , on Sunday afternoon . Miami Herald / Hector Nunez …..

(4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ head coach Lovie Smith , center, watches his players stretch after returning from a lightning delay during NFL football training camp in Tampa, Fla., Friday, July 25, 2014. The Buccaneers have gotten off to an awful start to the season with Smith in his first year as the team’s head coach . AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack ….

(5) May 9, 2014; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Blake Bortles (Central Florida) poses with his family after addressing the media at the Upper West Touchdown Club at EverBank Field a day after being selected as the third overall pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars…. John David Mercer / USA Today Sports
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(6) Tom Brady , left , of the New England Patriots is seen here with his back-up , rookie Jimmy Garoppolo . The youngster has been learning all the tricks of the trade from the franchise’s career leader in passing statistics. As a college player, Jimmy Garoppolo had a distinguished career . AP Photo / Martin Kline …

(7) Bill Simmons an editor in-Chief at Grantland.com , columnist and on air personality of with ESPN has been suspended (three weeks) by the broadcast outlet for his profanity laced rant , accusing NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell of being a liar . The San Francisco 49ers suspended their television broadcaster and analyst Ted Robinson for his rather idiotic criticism of Jenay Parker-Rice , wife of Baltimore Ravens’ running back Ray Rice . Robinson is his opinionated criticism of Parker-Rice suggested she was in part to blame for the abuse suffered at the hands of her then fiance. Clearly , Robinson has no clue or common sense when it comes to the issue of domestic abuse or domestic violence. UPI / Ross Mitchell …. …

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Pick your poison ……..

Pick your poison

A very dire time in the world of sports, with the continued stupidity of athletes on exhibit on a daily basis , with fans simply seeking to excuse their behavior by using the premise of freedom of speech and the right for one to express themselves as they so wish . In a decade, where this country has sent off young men and women in a war of futility, with regard to Iraq. And where those members of the military upon on their return at the end of their deployments or careers , are treated more often than not as an afterthought , but an athlete without the decency to know the difference between right and wrong, is still given a “free pass ” for their venal behavior .

Incognito & Glazer — Richie Incognito is seen here in his first televised interview with Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer , as the player seeks to explain his side of the controversy that has exploded within the Miami Dolphins’ organization , leading to the player’s suspension without pay. NY Daily News @ copyrighted material …

Personally, I am of the opinion, that this country, simply has no damn morals or a right to cast itself as light of moral beacon or acceptance of all ! Venal and outright displays of racial intolerance coiled as a joke, shows nothing , but insensitivity and downright stupidity, and anyone seeking to condone that , in any form , is simply an ass ! Never mind the fact, one could ask, is the workplace an acceptable place to display that type of behavior ? I find it somewhat ironic that Fox Sports’ journalist Jay Glazer failed to ask that question of his interviewee, Richie Incognito of the Miami Dolphins , when the two sat down for an in-depth interview to be shown on the now overrated Fox Sports Network (FS1) !

From left to right Jacksonville Jaguars’ general manager , David Caldwell , head coach Gus Bradley and team owner Shahid Khan . The front office for the moment appear to be showing their utmost confidence in the rookie head coach . Yet there are already cries for his firing by the fans after what has now turned out to be a disastrous season for the Jaguars. AP Photo / Rick Mason

In the NFL , as the league enters the final quarter of its season , a number of teams are simply thinking about next season and preparing for the upcoming NFL Draft . For the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tampa Bay Buccaneers , the two teams with the worst records in the league are now plummeting to even lower depths of mediocrity than anyone could have imagined this season . There is likely to be some type of major upheaval during the off-season, within the respective teams’ rosters as well as with the coaching staff. Gus Bradley’s position with the Jaguars now seems almost untenable and I believe that the Jaguars’ GM David Caldwell is likely to “call it a day” for the beleaguered manager with his being properly compensated , with the franchise honoring the remainder of his contract. In the case of Greg Schiano and the continued slump of the Buccaneers , dependent upon who you believe , he will either be retained for next season or he and general manager Mark Dominik are likely to meet to discuss his and the team’s long-term future.

The Buccaneers (1-8) find themselves at the bottom of the NFC South and they face a dire task when the play host to the equally abysmal Atlanta Falcons (2-7) this Sunday at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa , Florida. It would be fair to suggest that a win is of the utmost priority for both teams. Atlanta’s season has simply been one of repeated pratfalls by the team and the play of the team’s quarterback this season could be best described as understated. All this for a player who recently signed one of the most lucrative deals in NFL history in terms of guaranteed money for the player , that came by way of this deal . While Matt Ryan has proven to be a great regular season quarterback, the postseason and 2013 in particular , have simply been, not that kind.

Gus Bradley and the Jaguars are now simply bereft of talent , as the team’s best player, wide receiver , Justin Blackmon has been suspended indefinitely by the team , having violated the league’s substance for second time in two years . Given the fact, that Blackmon entered the league in 2012 as a first round draft pick and thought to be one of the most coveted wide receivers entering the NFL that season . It begs the question , is the player’s career now at an end after less than five years in the NFL, without his departure not being from a career ending injury, but because of a substance abuse problem ? Teams may well be inclined to give the player a second chance, but I am not so sure that Justin Blackmon is deserving of that chance , much less , having not shown any signs of maturity after his indiscretions and willful transgression of the league’s rules !

Matt Ryan and Mike Glennon — Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons and Mike Glennon , right , of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers . The two opposing quarterbacks will meet this weekend in a week eleven contest between the two NFC divisional foes . Both teams are having lackluster seasons with their respective head coaches viewed as **being on the “hot seat”** . Courtesy of ESPN.com ….

Jacksonville has a scheduled contest with the Arizona Cardinals , this Sunday at Everbank Field in Jacksonville, Florida . That game could very well prove to be an indicator of the front office’s intent, should the match-up end in defeat for the home team , with David Caldwell perhaps making the decision earlier than anticipated in forcing Gus Bradley to relinquish his duties as the head coach of the beleaguered franchise.

At the trade deadline this season , there were not as many trades as many analysts had predicted or even suggested would actually take place. The common thought appeared to be that both Adrian Peterson and Jared Allen might be on their way out of after a disastrous season to date where the NFC North based Minnesota Vikings (2-7), who have not even been remotely competitive within the division or conference . It is becoming increasing difficult to see how either Leslie Frazier or GM Rick Spielman can conceivably retain their positions at the end of the year. Neither has shown a propensity with any clarity to suggest that the franchise is now on right track or that they know which players will best serve the Vikings for the future . The Minnesota Vikings are 2-7 and currently reside at the bottom of the division and having won only one of their last five regular season games and at this juncture it is difficult to envisage the team defeating the Seattle Seahawks when the two teams meet at Century Link (Qwest Field) in Seattle , Washington, in a Sunday afternoon contest.

Both Jared Allen and Adrian Peterson remain the most enticing pieces of trade bait on the Vikings’ roster and it is my firm belief that one , if not both of these players are unlikely to be with the franchise at the start of the 2014 NFL season ! Petersen to my mind, the best running back in the NFL , has this season been ill-served by team rendered meaningless , and with the ongoing health issues that surround the team’s starting quarterback Christian Ponder . The former Florida State Seminole quarterback since his entry into the NFL , has yet to have a game that would have you believing , he can be the answer for the Vikings short and long-term future needs at the position. In other words “ failure to launch” !

Allen & Peterson — Minnesota Vikings’ Adrian Peterson and Jared Allen (right) after a game played at Wembley Stadium, in London , England . The two players have been a part of the franchise for over six years with both having contributed greatly to the franchise. However, this season , without the recurring injuries the team has failed to meet the expectation of the fans and NFL analysts alike. **Andrew Matthews/PA Wire ..**

With five weeks remaining in the regular season , we are likely to find out a great deal about the teams thought to be in with a real chance of challenging for a postseason berth . Teams, such as the New York Giants , Green Bay Packers , Baltimore Ravens , Pittsburgh Steelers , Atlanta Falcons and Washington Redskins have proven to be a resounding disappointment this season . Injuries asides, there has to be a decisive reason, why these teams have failed abysmally. From my own personal standpoint, I simply believe that the talent level within the NFL is not all it is cracked to be, alongside a great deal of mediocre coaching coming from experienced and inexperienced NFL head coaches !

As the NFL season winds down , what are you most hoping to see from the remaining games on the schedule ? Also which teams do you believe have the best chance of making a deep playoff run ? Simply, leave a comment, on this article and anything else you believe pertinent to the subject.

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We tend to see what we want to see , and not what has actually taken place ….

We tend to see what we want to see , and not what has actually taken place

In light of the recent events taking place in the NFL and this constant insinuation that everyone is entitled to their right say whatever they want as a way of expressing themselves . At no time in any of the recent debates on the incident , have I read or actually heard the words , “ decency “ , “ common courtesy “ much less “ respect “ . And all of this built upon this still rather asinine premise, that this country being greatest on the planet , built upon Christian and moral values, can and should be seen as a beacon of light for the rest of the world .

I find it now hard to believe that anyone who has seen in print, the words of Richie Incognito directed towards his teammate Jonathan Martin and at his mother , can now view this as a place where everyone can see seen or treated as equals . If racism was meant to be tolerated in the workplace, then why not have it as a statute ? Clearly, not the case, of the charade that has been created in the NFL as a fraternity of brothers . Never mind the asinine idiocy of on air analysts, opining that this matter should have been dealt with as an internal issue or where a player walking out on his teammates after a racial epithet has been directed at him , cannot be trusted once he has opened up to press and public on the matter . Yet , this is now the idiocy that we are now seeing as the league hierarchy and NFLPA (union) begin to “circle the wagons” in seeking to defer and deflect the now mounting criticism directed at the NFL and its lack of oversight and its initial handling of this incident .

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Miami Dolphins’ GM Jeff Ireland did the right thing in suspending Richie Incognito without pay , and in ordering an immediate in-house inquiry , rather than having left it to the team’s now beleaguered head coach Joe Philbin to deal with the matter and whose job is likely to be on the line given the poor performances of the team this season and his own handling of the incident in question, and those initial public statements, claiming that this was nothing more than an isolated incident , when it now seems , it was quite the opposite , with their being what appears to be a mounting feud between the two linemen on the team .

If it was known amongst many of the players on the roster , that there was some type of feud going on between the two players and with it escalating to the point of a physical altercation and now , an uncalled for rationale in Incognito’s behavior , then what should that now indicate to us about the NFL as a league where the players simply are allowed to run wild, have no respect for the law and who then often hide behind their wall of high-priced attorneys to fend of charges of a criminal act or intent . Yet excuses are now being made for this type of behavior, without a thought, about how this is all viewed by outside world . Especially one , where the league tries to sell its brand to the consumer and seeks out corporate partners willing to part ways with countless millions on an annual basis to increase this already $7 billion a year corporate entity with ever increasing revenues , which keeps the team owners , players and league hierarchy salivating at the prospect of ever increasing profits .

If you thought that this has been the only incident that placed Richie Incognito under the microscope in recent weeks , then you would be sadly mistaken . In an incident that is alleged to have taken place at a charity golf tournament , the player is said to have sexually harassed a female patron at a public in view of several members who then took it upon themselves to call in local law enforcement . Yet, here we have another incident of a player on the Dolphins’ roster having ran amok, albeit action was said to have been taken , there seems to be no record of a monetary fine or disciplinary action having been taken against the player subsequent to that particular incident . Now what has anyone got to say about the issue, other than to continue with their usual apathy disinterest ?

For the Miami Dolphins and their own impoverished t season , one where the team is in a circling motion as it awaits the call to land . It does seem, as if this conflict or saga is more likely to pull the organization apart , rather than hold it together. There is not one player amongst this lineup , who one can look to and call that individual the team’s vocal leader and with the constant struggles of quarterback Ryan Tannehill on display each week during this season . Is anyone actually surprised that at this juncture, the talk is not about what the Dolphins have failed to achieve in 2013, but the fact the team now has a possible racist within their mix, with no apparent formal apology yet to have been offered by Richie Incognito for his behavior ? Obviously a microcosm of society , where some have no wish to be held accountable for their actions, but who then would choose to play the “victim” instead , as has been the case in the first public interview granted by the player. Meanwhile, Jonathan Martin has hired himself high-powered criminal attorney David Cornwell , in what is likely to be a situation where some type of civil suit is likely to be brought against either the Miami Dolphins, or Richie Incognito , himself . And clearly, this has been the reason why NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith has summoned both players to the union’s headquarters to seek a resolution in this matter, before it becomes a rather unsavory legal issue . Bear in mind also , that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has also hired an outside investigator head up the league’s own investigation as to what took place between Richie Incognito and Jonathan Martin . Corporate litigator, Ted Wells , has been the individual hired by the league to head up the investigation in this matter .

With all eyes now on the Miami Dolphins , for the team, their urgency will actually evolve around how they acquit themselves on Monday night , when they meet the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-8) , as the two teams get underway in a contest at Raymond James Stadium , in Tampa Florida . While the Dolphins have their own off the field issues , for the Buccaneers their problems this season , have been longstanding as the team has struggled throughout the entire year , with nothing of note coming by way of head coach Greg Schiano or his coaching staff . The game itself, is likely to be one of the less intriguing contests taking place during week ten of the NFL schedule. So make of it what you will and enjoy whatever you believe to be some of the more intriguing contests on the NFL menu for the weekend

There is no denying that a team’s season can be made or broken in one moment of what appears to have been a rather innocuous incident in terms of an injury . In the case of the Green Bay Packers , the loss of quarterback Aaron Rodgers to a broken collarbone , could very well bring their season crashing down around their ears . The alternatives for Mike McCarthy in terms of a substitute for Rodgers can best be described as having a Ferrari in your driveway and then in comes in a 84 Dodge Pinto alongside a ’91 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme . Far be it for me to make this suggestion , but Packers GM Ted Thompson must now have realized that his office made a monumental mistake in the waiving of Vince Young at the end of the preseason , after the player showed a great deal of promise during the team’s exhibition games . Which is a great deal more than can be said of Seneca Wallace and Scott Tolzien combined , who are in fact the number two and the three players behind Rodgers on the team’s depth chart at the quarterback position

When Green Bay play host to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday afternoon at Lambeau Field , in Green Bay , Wisconsin , Seneca Wallace will be making his first start in an NFL game since playing for the Cleveland Browns in contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2011 NFL season . That asides, a great deal is being asked of player, whose NFL career can best be described as spotty in part or moderately average . A win is certainly needed by the Packers if they are to maintain their slender but slight lead over the Detroit Lions (5-3) and Chicago Bears (5-3) within the NFC North . In what is now turning out to be a tightly contested division , the three aforementioned teams will be fighting out until the end of the season with their divisional games likely to be the “make or break” that could prove to be the real pivotal factor decider within the division

In what is now turning out to be a disastrous season for the Atlanta Falcons , it is becoming increasing difficult each week to explain how a team that was originally seen as a favorite alongside the New Orleans Saints (6-2) as the duo thought to be fighting it out for divisional supremacy within the NFC South . Instead, but for the win-less Buccaneers, Mike Smith’s Falcons would now be finding themselves at the bottom of the division with their mediocre record of 2-6 , a mark that would also place them in the bottom half of the conference (NFC) . As of now , it looks as if the Falcons are not only playing for pride and self-respect, but also to determine perhaps their draft position for the 2014 NFL Draft . The real issue Atlanta this season, has been the inconsistency of their defense alongside under-achieving players on both sides of the ball . As to their being leadership on a team that has several seasoned veterans and perhaps one the league’s more consistent passers in Matt Ryan . An explanation has to be sought, as to why the Falcons have been a miserable failure . Mike Smith serves up very little, beyond the usual diatribe of platitudes and a great deal of rhetoric . GM Thomas Dimitroff , is now viewed with a great deal of contempt by the fans , as he is viewed as the architect of the roster over the past two years , with an abundance of draft picks and a number of questionable off-season acquisitions .

As Atlanta prepares for the visit of the Seattle Seahawks (8-1) to the Georgia Dome in a conference match-up this Sunday, it would be safe to say, a defeat here and there may well be questions raised as to whether or not Mike Smith has taken this franchise as far as he can , in spite of the recent postseason appearances , where once again his teams have failed abysmally , along with Matt Ryan, and his multi-year , mult-million dollar contract . I have no doubt that the quarterback will remain the centerpiece of this team , but there are several players on this roster , who are now past their “sell by date” in terms of their dwindling productivity . We will either find out a great deal about the temperament of the Falcons this Sunday or we are likely to witness a team who has lost the appetite to win.

The façade long-held up that the NFL cares , and specifically about the health of their retired veterans continues to take repeated hits . In recent breaking news , Hall of Fame running back Tony Dorsett was recently diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) , along with the early onset of Alzheimer’s Disease. Repeatedly, I have heard and read comments by fans and analysts alike stating that these players know the risk of participating in a physically demanding and full contact sport. Yet what seems to be missing in this ongoing debate , has been the years of research that was in the NFL’s possession on the studies conducted by a well-qualified medical team conducting studies in blunt force head trauma and other neurological disorders associated in playing professional football. A great deal of the of findings when published was never entered into the public domain , with that evidence remaining in the NFL’s possession . with both Roger Goodell and his predecessor Paul Tagliabue refusing to acknowledge the “cause and effect ” of CTE and blunt head force trauma. Excuses from all around, came from veterans , current players, coaches and fans alike . But it was not until the recent deaths of Junior Seau , and previously that of Dave Duerson , both from self-inflicted gunshot wounds, recorded officially, as a homicide, that the fans and public alike started to take note . Congressional Committees were convened, all to no avail , with the usual perfunctory answers being proffered up by Roger Goodell, and DeMaurice Smith .

Courtesy of USA Today

Dorsett among former players showing signs of CTE
Dorsett admits suicidal thoughts

By Maggie Hendricks

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy is as familiar to football fans as a torn ACL or ruptured Achilles. It’s the degenerative brain disease that has been blamed for the suicide and untimely deaths of players including Junior Seau, Dave Duerson and Chris Henry. Some researchers have linked CTE to football head trauma and cited long-term effects such as depression and dementia. The unfortunate truth of the disease was it could not be diagnosed until after death.

However, UCLA researchers have preliminary results on a test to diagnose signs of CTE in living former players. Among those diagnosed in the initial sample group is Tony Dorsett, the Hall-of-Famer who is now 59 and struggling with depression, emotional outbursts and memory loss.

He spoke to ESPN’s Outside the Lines about how it’s affecting his life.

“It’s painful, man, for my daughters to say they’re scared of me. I’ve thought about crazy stuff, sort of like, ‘Why do I need to continue going through this?’” he said. “I’m too smart of a person, I like to think, to take my life, but it’s crossed my mind.”

The report said researchers notified Dorsett Monday. In an appearance Wednesday on ESPN, Dorsett acknowledged he had been tested at UCLA and received results.

“I’m trying to be proactive rather than reactive,” he said.

Joe DeLamiellure and Leonard Marshall are going through similar problems, and were also diagnosed with signs of CTE. The NFL recently settled a lawsuit with former players over ongoing health issues from concussions (including a Dorsett), so these men are likely not alone.

While it’s heartbreaking that these men are dealing with this diseased at such a young age, it’s also good news that researchers are getting closer to diagnosing, and possibly treating, CTE in the living.

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A recent civil suit settled in the US Federal Court has not really done anything to actually absolve NFL of their responsibilities , as they simply patted themselves on the back along with fellow defendants the NFLPA, in avoiding having to make a multi-billion dollar payout, as the plaintiffs (4,300 retired NFL veterans) in the case settled for a $1 billion settlement , that will be used for further medical research , as well assisting players such as Dorsett and many of his peers, who now find themselves in a similar position from a medical standpoint. That settlement figure will hardly make a dent in the NFL’s annual $ 7.4 billion in revenues , especially when one considers that the payout will not be a lump sum. . The fact of the matter is, the more it is alleged that the NFL cares, there is very little evidence to actually substantiate the actual claims being made . In truth, the NFL hierarchy has hidden behind a great deal of deceit and along the way, sought to throw out many of the original legal suits filed against them in the various courts around the country at the varying levels within the legal system. Now with the various medical articles published from accredited medical institutions within the field neuroscience and gerontology , it begs the question, why is it , that at every turn , the NFL so willing to discredit the findings of these esteemed practitioners in the field , when their own research and findings bore out and came to the very same conclusions from academic establishments such as Johns Hopkins , Stanford University School of Neuroscience , Harvard School of Medicine & Neuroscience , UCLA Dept of Neurology , Sloane Kettering and the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) ? It seems incredulous that many are now trying to acknowledge that the NFL has become proactive , after so many years of denial on their part. The only reason that Roger Goodell and the league hierarchy chose to do an about-face on the issue , was clearly , because of the adverse and negative publicity towards the NFL and the public relations’ hit that the league itself continued to take , because of their poor handling of the issue

Tony Dorsett has joined a growing list of players recently retired as well as many of his peers who now face a very uncertain future in terms of their well-being. Advances made in the field of neurology have been considerable , but there are no cutting edge breakthroughs that have come to the fore. Unfortunately, for the likes of Bernie Kosar , Jim McMahon , Dorsey Levens and the aforementioned Dorsett , their years will be ones where memory loss chronic headaches and numerous other medical ailments associated with Alzheimer’s and CTE will play an even greater part in their daily lives , more than they would each care to acknowledge. In the midst of this all, Roger Goodell’s only public statement on this issue has been that the league set aside $1 billion as a settlement , yet what he also failed to state , that to date less than $50 million has been used to assist the numerous plaintiffs who sought the league’s help. Somehow the alleged caring we are so often told about as it relates to the NFL , has simply been for show and not much else. Good deeds within a community is one thing , but the greater disservice by the NFL has been their continued deceit and the mistreatment of retired seasoned veterans . .

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(1) Beleaguered Miami Dolphins’ head coach Joe Philbin who has come in for a considerable amount of criticism of the Richie Incognito scandal that has cast a giant shadow over
the organization . Unsubstantiated sources, now state that Philbin was not made aware of the alleged abuse or any physical altercation that was alleged to have taken place at the team’s training facility in Davie , Florida or in the team’s locker room at Dolphins’ Stadium , in Miami , Florida between Richie Incognito and Jonathan Martin. Either the head coach, simply does not keep himself abreast of problems amongst his players or he simply chooses to ignore them until something rather drastic has happened . Miami faces the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a Monday night game at Raymond James Stadium , in Tampa , Florida, on the 11th November , 2013. With a great deal on the line for both teams , a victory is of the utmost priority for each franchise. AP Photo / Mark Carter …..

(2) In a yet to seen interview that will be shown on the Fox Sports Channel (Fox Sports 1) and various affiliates Richie Incognito of the Miami Dolphins will sit down with Fox’s Jay Glazer to discuss his side of what has now become a very unsavory story. Incognito states that he feels betrayed by teammate Jonathan Martin , in his going public much of what has gone concerning an apparent altercation and Incognito’s racially insensitive tweet , which speaks of the player and his mother in racially derogatory terms , Perhaps someone should remind a buffoon such as Richie Incognito (right) that once you use a social media platform such as ‘ Twitter ‘ , it is extremely difficult to disprove the fact that you did not make those statements , if it is your own personal account used and then you have made a number of your own teammates aware of your actions . @ copyrighted photograph all rights reserved .

(3) Miami Dolphins’ defensive linemen Richie Incognito (68) and teammate Jonathan Martin (71) are seen here on the sidelines for the team during a game earlier this season. In what is said to have been an incident that allegedly took place within the team’s locker room , Martin was said to have left the Dolphins’ headquarters to make his way back to California to be alongside his family. For Incognito , he now has to explain to the world why he used racially derogatory terms aimed at Martin as well his teammate’s mother. Richie Incognito’s intelligence does not appear to be that high, along with the Miami Dolphins’ own intellect on the field of play this season . Getty Images / Gabe Potter …

(4) Seneca Wallace of the Green Bay Packers will replace the injured Aaron Rodgers when he starts for the Green Bay Packers in their Sunday afternoon game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lambeau Field in Green Bay , Wisconsin ,. This will be the backup’s first game as a starter since a 2011 regular season contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers when playing for the Cleveland Browns . With the Packers at 5-3 jointly sitting atop of the NFC North alongside the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions , a win for the will be of their utmost priority on Sunday . Getty Images / Ryan Hart ……

(5) Atlanta Falcons’ head coach Mike Smith is seen here on the sidelines talking to team quarterback Matt Ryan (2). A disastrous season in terms of the team’s season has left them clinging for dear life with a 2-6 record lying in third place within the NFC South and likely to miss the playoffs . GM Thomas Dimitroff during this upcoming off-season will have to make several tough decisions concerning the team’s roster and its makeup as a precursor to next season . AP Photo / John Raoux ……

(6) Hall of Fame running back Tony Dorsett recently diagnosed with CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) , a neurological degenerative disorder brought on by repeated hits and a bye product of concussions after repeated hits to the head, causing the brain to become swollen and bruised . A further bye-product of this also, can be long and short-term memory loss and the early onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Dorsett whose playing career was highlighted by his tenure with the Dallas Cowboys , was one of the NFL’s greatest rushers in the league’s history . Getty Images North America / Helen Richardson …..

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As the NFL enters week ten of its sixteen week regular season schedule , with the plethora of stories that have made up the season thus far. Perhaps no one story, than the one currently fomenting will have a lasting effect on the league as we know it to be at present . No matter how anyone now tries to spin what appears to have been an unsavory incident between Miami Dolphins’ teammates Richie Incognito and Jonathan Martin , there is absolutely no way that one can justify the stance that racial intolerance or abuse should be part of anyone’s work environment . As to this downright idiocy , that a code of conduct amongst a brotherhood was broken by Martin, after he made it public, as to an incident that took place between he and Incognito, speaks to the damn stupidity of former NFL player Damien Woody , that with Jonathan Martin having broken that code , it now makes him “ a marked man “ who is likely . to distrusted by a teammate .

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Personally , I believe Woody to be entirely wrong, due to what appears to be ignorance and the fact , that as an African-American , I seriously doubt that he would have chosen to simply walk away, were a racial epithet directed at him or a member of his family , as appears to be the case with the online evidence of the “tweets” that were directed at Jonathan Martin and his mother in derogatory racial terms . As to those who simply want feel-good stories in a world where we have corrupt politicians , businessmen and violent crimes being perpetrated against women and children , simply add this episode, in another chapter in country spinning out of control , where common decency and respect no longer prevails .

With no formal statement from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on the matter, from an incident, that is now almost a week old. It begs the question, is the commissioner simply an executive, who cherry picks the issues where he feels it is simply another area where he can be seen in a positive image , albeit that the NFL brand is now once again coming under fire for all of the wrong reasons and a great deal more ? In appointing an attorney Ted Wells , to conduct an in-depth investigation , that will seek input from both of the players involved in this matter , as well as head coach Joe Philbin and the Dolphins’ general manager Jeff Ireland . It now remains to be seen, if there will be parameters set, as to whether or not this matter will be given greater latitude by way of an even greater investigation not just solely of the Miami Dolphins’ organization , but also of all of the thirty-one other teams that make up the NFL . Philbin, originally tried to suggest that this was an isolated incident , but clearly the head coach is now at a loss to explain how an environment of racial intolerance was acceptable within the Dolphins’ locker room , with a makeup of players of different ethnic backgrounds . Clearly, the matter was taken seriously enough by Jeff Ireland to suspend Richie Incognito indefinitely , without pay , while the organization now conducts its own in-house inquiry .

NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith has summoned both Richie Incognito , his agent and that of Jonathan Martin and his own legal counsel to meet at the Players’ Union headquarters to meet and deal with and discuss d this matter in some clarity . To my mind, this is simply the union trying to line up all of its ducks in a row, in order to abate any possible public outrage over the matter that has blown up over the past forty-eight hours ! The NFLPA , has done little to monitor or dissuade the often criminal or outrageous behavior of its members who have often deemed themselves above the law. Need we also be reminded, this is the very same union that has continued to hide behind the matter of it being a privacy issue , as to why they have yet comply with the league’s request with the commencement of in and out of season testing for anabolic steroids as well as human growth hormones , even after a vote ratifying testing to begin . All this in accordance with a promise made to a US Congressional Committee in 2010 , for which this policy has yet to be instituted three years later . Such hypocrisy , not only from the executive committee of the union, but also the entire NFL hierarchy , led by Roger Goodell.

For a league, where the player personnel makeup extends beyond 65% of players, who are of African-American descent, and other ethnic backgrounds. One has to ask , if the so-called family friendly and all-inclusive atmosphere created and marketed towards its consumers by the NFL , has simply glossed over the at times and often overlooked behavior of the players . Player misconduct is one thing, but where racial bigotry has now become part of the environment , not where a fan has been directing racially insensitive remarks at a player , but that of a player directing those remarks at a fellow teammate and directly at a family member . Should we really be now asking , what else has the NFL chosen to tolerate within its own insular world of the male testosterone driven bastion of the league’s locker rooms and practice field environment ?

This season in the NFL, there have been several terrible games that the fans have been subjected to , on not only on Monday Night Football , but also on Thursday night . Tonight, should prove to be no different , with the Washington Redskins (3-5) as the guests of the Minnesota Vikings (1-7) , in what could prove to be a ” make ” or ” break game ” for both teams, with their respective seasons said to be on the line. In what has turned out to be a monstrously bad season within the NFC East , only the Dallas Cowboys (5-4) currently possess a record above .500 . As to what this actually indicates about the division as a whole , can be best summed up by how one views each of the four teams and their respective records and play over the course of this season . Suffice to say , the New York Giants (2-6) , the Washington Redskins , Philadelphia Eagles (4-5) and the divisional leaders , the Dallas Cowboys have given us a perspective as to what truly bad football is said to be about , at this point of the season. It would be terrible to think or witness the fact that a team with a sub .500 record is likely to win the division and a guaranteed berth in the postseason. Yet , this is what the fans could be facing over the remainder of this season , as I simply cannot foresee either of these four teams showing the type of consistency needed to end up with a winning record by week sixteen !

Greg Schiano , head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-8) , came in with a blaze of glory , having been hired by general manager Mark Dominik to resurrect the fortunes of the franchise after a dismal 2011 foray , which in the end led to the firing of Schiano’s predecessor Raheem Morris . Now win-less, with an 0-8 record , which they jointly share with the Jacksonville Jaguars (0-8) for the worst in the NFL . The countdown is now on to see whether or not the Buccaneers can gain their first victory of the season , as things continue to spiral out of control for Greg Schiano , his coaching staff and the entire team . And I use the word “team ” loosely , as there seems to be no desire from anyone on the roster to show any passion , much less leadership or to be held accountable for what is now turning out to be a truly miserable season by any stretch of the imagination.

The Buccaneers will play host to instate neighbors the Miami Dolphins in a game that will have a bearing on both of their seasons and quite possibly determine the fates of both Joe Philbin and Greg Schiano , and their long-term futures as NFL head coaches in the league .

Early season in the NBA and it would appear, as the Indiana Pacers (5-0) remain the lone unbeaten team in the NBA , sitting atop of the Central Division in the Eastern Conference . On Wednesday night the Pacers played host to the Chicago Bulls in one of ten games that was on NBA schedule for the day. Frank Vogel has this team playing at a high level with Paul George giving the sort of performances that was most notably seen in last season’s highly contested and competitive Eastern Conference Finals against the Miami Heat . While I have no doubt that the Pacers are good enough to make return the postseason this year , beyond their being joined by the defending champions . It is difficult to state, which six teams within the Eastern Conference will join that duo and what that determining order is likely to be !

On Friday evening, Indiana will seek to stretch opening season run to six straight unbeaten games , when they play host to the Toronto Raptors (2-3) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indiana , Indianapolis,. With the Pacers having the upper hand in the regular season meetings between the two, twee this game is likely to prove to be somewhat uncompetitive . Frank Vogel’s players , but it would be rather impudent to simply think that , because the opponent just happens to be a team with a two-game winning streak , they should be taken lightly , because they have never been part of a competitive season , much less a part of the NBA’s postseason soirees . Chances are, this contest is likely to be close, based on the current disposition of both teams and the mindset of the Indiana Pacers’ players and how they will actually approach the game .

New ownership , same old story , as the Sacramento Kings continue to under-achieve , while their fans remain forever optimistic. From my own perspective, the loss of the Maloof family from the ranks of the NBA owners , should not be seen as that great a loss ! Consider the fact, that they continued to mismanage the franchise and almost brought them to the verge of bankruptcy , speaks volumes as to the lack of oversight that continues to be shown by the NBA hierarchy led by David Stern and his continued abstinence in insisting that the teams are and will remain financially solvent . Either, the NBA commissioner lives in the world of make belief , or he is of the opinion that creative accounting continues to be the best way to inflate the value of the franchises and their profitability .

Sacramento is off to a 1-3 start placing them at the bottom of the standings within the Pacific Division of the Western Conference . For rookie head coach , Michael Malone , beyond having to deal with a completely new hierarchy led by owner Vivek Ranadive , general manager Pete D’Alessandro , special consultant Chris Mullin and Shareef Abdur-Rahim as Director of Player Personnel . It is difficult to see how Malone will seek to navigate the waters of the NBA along with an untested coaching staff and a team led by the talented , but always temperamental DeMarcus Cousins . Already , the mercurial center and his coach are off to rocky start with the two seen clearly angrily gesticulating with one another after Malone sought to substitute the player during a game against the Golden State Warriors that ended in a 87-98 loss to their conference rivals . As to what this say as a precursor for the rest of the Kings’ season , will clearly be determined by the mindset of Cousins and how he views his head coach . Things are obviously not that great in terms of the long-term relationship between the two and it now defies logic as to any reason behind the franchise’s decision to re-sign the player to a four-year $62 million deal . Yet, it was felt by Chris Mullin , Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Pete D’Alessandro to retain the player and make him the centerpiece of any future development of the franchise and its long-term future. Unless DeMarcus Cousins can show signs of maturity as a player , rather than the petulant individual seen in college and repeatedly shown in the NBA when adversity looks him squarely in the eye , then in all likelihood his days in the NBA could very well be numbered as a starter in this league .

It would be fair to suggest that four years into his NBA career , in spite of the hype surrounding a collegiate career with the Kentucky Wildcats that brought about numerous highs and lows . It has to be said that with his being drafted as the fifth overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings . It would be fair and enough to suggest that the Kings’ center has simply failed to live up to the perceived expectations and that John Calipari believed that DeMarcus Cousins would prove to be an immediate success in the NBA because of his undoubted skill-set .

In spite of being overwhelmed in the NLCS by the St Louis Cardinals , it now looks as if the Los Angeles Dodgers are prepared to reward manager Don Mattingly with a new contract, extending the current deal , which the manager intends to honor , as he enters into its final year. If the rumors are to be believed Mattingly and his agent Ray Shulte have met with Dodgers’ general manager Ned Colletti and team President Stan Kasten to hammer out the finite details of a deal , that is likely to make the former New Yankees’ player one of the highest paid managers in Major League Baseball . Kasten’s wish to have Mattingly sign a five-year deal, with the option of an additional year on top of that, shows the intense belief of this front office in their manager and his abilities . In what turned out to be an astonishing year for one of baseball’s more venerable organizations, although the heightened expectations were there , with the expectations that it would be the Dodgers facing off against the Boston Red Sox in the World Series . The team’s failure to cool down the Cardinals’ pitching in the NLCS pennant series , was a clear indicator that there were and remained flaws that were often overlooked , because the Dodgers were a team capable of showing momentary flashes of brilliance. Instead , what was really needed , was in fact a great deal more consistency from the entire team , rather than those momentary showings of brilliance .

With the certainty that Don Mattingly will be retained, along with his managerial staff intact for 2014. The front office, will now look to assess the entire roster and review what they believe their most urgent needs are said to be. The pitching staff was amongst the best in the NL during the regular season , with their starting ace Clayton Kershaw having one of the best years in franchise history as well as in the game’s history , posting figures that were simply astonishing .

With a team payroll that already exceeds $200 million , with only the New York Yankees this past season having a larger salary obligation . This upcoming season could very well be the year where we could witness baseball’s first team with a payroll commitment close to $235 million annually . Certainly , with the ambition of team owners Magic Johnson , Peter Guber , Todd S Boehly , senior managing partner Mark Walter and the financial backing of Guggenheim Baseball Properties LLC and that of holding company Guggenheim Partners Inc , as well the $ 8 billion twenty-year television deal with Time Warner Inc . It begs the question , if the Dodgers simply want the best free agents available , will they simply outbid their opponents at the drop of a hat ?

With Clayton Kershaw as the team’s most urgent priority in terms of re-signing the player to a long-term multi-year deal , rather than losing him to free agency in 2014 . The question remains whether or not Ned Colletti will now make the player the highest paid starting pitcher in the game, with a deal thought to be in excess of $275 million over ten years . The Los Angeles Dodgers currently have some of the highest paid players in the baseball , me with notables such as Zack Greinke and his compensation package in the upper echelons of the starting pitchers in the game . Kershaw and his agent J D Smart will likely seek a deal commensurate with what is being earned by the top pitchers in the game ,albeit that salary arbitration in 2014 , will not prove to be that great a hurdle with Stan Kasten Ned Colletti eager to sign the pitcher to a long-term deal . And if Magic Johnson’s statement are to be believed “ that money will be of no object “ as the Los Angeles Dodgers seek to bring the franchise its first World Series’ title since 1988 . A quarter of a century has passed since that achievement came into being , so next season ought to portend to something special for the franchise , as they seek to make winning baseball’s biggest team prize a reality for this upcoming year . Is this team capable of doing that , given the makeup of their present roster , without seeking to delve amongst many of their prospects within their farm system to bolster that lineup ?

We have yet to know the fate of Alex Rodriguez , as he awaits the date to be set for his arbitration hearing in front special arbitration adjudicator Fred Horowitz . Rodriguez , denies any wrongdoing on his part in what he feels are scurrilous accusations and claims being brought by the MLB hierarchy that he was a customer of the defunct supplements’ company Biogenesis Inc, whose founder Anthony ‘ Tony’ Bosch claims that the Yankees’ third basemen purchased anabolic steroids from the company for his own personal use. The company founder, will be baseball’s chief witness in the proceedings against the player along with what is said to be detailed factual evidence now in the league’s possession . As to the veracity of MLB’s case against Rodriguez , without any evidence for the public to view , this all remains speculative in nature. Yet , to my mind, Alex Rodriguez when questioned on the matter , has sought defer the questions claiming that under advice of counsel (his lawyers). he cannot answer any questions pending a legal matter. Clearly , with the hiring of two noted criminal attorneys , Alex Rodriguez is now seeking another avenue to refute the charges being leveled against him and what better way to do that , than by legal means , in seeking to bring about a civil suit against Major League Baseball as well as the New York Yankees’ chief medical physician . Muddy the waters of the case against you, and then also seek legal recourse with attorneys David Cornwell and Joseph Tacopina as the conduits in pressing ahead with your civil suit in the New York City , US District Federal Court .

Should the arbitration not go in Alex Rodriguez’s favor , one of the more likely premises to arise out of this all, will be that the New York Yankees , will have Rodriguez’s future salary obligations taken off their books , allowing them instant relief and wiping away in one fail swoop the approximately $43 million owed to the player , which would cover the two hundred and fourteen game suspension that the baseball hierarchy leveled as a verdict for Rodriguez’s alleged wrongdoing . With that financial burden taken off the books of the Yankees , it would allow them to pursue their likely target amongst the free agents sought , none other than Carlos Beltran of the St Louis Cardinals, whose postseason productivity has been consistent , as well as his regular season performances , during his career with the Cardinals. A number of front office executives around the league as well as a number of owners are simply dumbfounded that once again the New York Yankees are in a favorable situation , in spite of what appears to the misdeeds of a player known to be disingenuous and most certainly deceitful , given his actions of March of 2010 , when Rodriguez gave his less than contrite public apology for lying about his not having been a user of performance enhancing drugs (PED’S) . Less than two years after that apology, the player’s name was again linked to another establishment and producer of anabolic steroids and other prohibited substances banned under the league’s policy, but no investigation was called for by Bud Selig , even in light of federal prison sentence handed down to now disgraced Orlando , Florida medical doctor Anthony Galea . Which once again begs the question and strains the ongoing credibility and claims now constantly being made by Bud Selig that baseball has the most stringent testing procedures in all of professional team sports . My question for the commissioner , if the claims you are making has any veracity to it all , then where is the evidence and what about the investigative side of the league’s actions ?

The Biogenesis scandal was not uncovered by any work done by league investigators and the league hierarchy itself , who we now know to have purchased a great deal of the evidence said to be in its possession from Biogenesis for use as evidential proof against twelve of the thirteen players suspended this past season . Once again, the bumbling incompetency baseball’s hierarchy and the now less than credible and soon to be outgoing MLB Commissioner, have taken a monumental hit from an image and intelligence standpoint . As if we needed any further proof, that baseball is being ran by a bunch of supercilious buffoons, whose intelligence and credibility have repeatedly come into question over the past decade and a half, without anyone ever being held accountable for the stupidity that has been on display ! Pretty much sums up not only MLB at present , but also the NFL , if those with any discerning interest would care to look at the tenure of Roger Goodell.

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In light of the topics raised in this article , what if anything do you believe to be or find anything disturbing as to the veracity of the content ? Also , are you of the opinion that the NFL can deal with this unwanted story concerning Richie Incognito of the Miami Dolphins appropriately without their being further damage done to the image the league ? With the New York Yankees quite possibly being in an advantageous position should the suspension of Alex Rodriguez be upheld , with the ball-club not having to pay any luxury tax, are you of the opinion that this situation has become too advantageous for the organization ? By all means do leave a comment on this and anything else you believe to be relevant the subject matter at hand.

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(1) Richie Incognito (68) and Jonathan Martin (71) of the Miami Dolphins . A furor over racially insensitive comments posted by Incognito has created a firestorm within the NFL , that has led for an in-depth investigation to be called for by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell ,which will be headed by noted corporate litigator Ted Wells . Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland thought the matter serious enough to suspend Incognito indefinitely without pay , pending the team’s own in-house investigation . Meanwhile , NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith has summoned both players to the union’s headquarters to discuss the alleged incident that took place between the two players . AP Photo / Ricardo Gutierrez ….

(2) Damien Woody , formerly a player with the New York Jets , now an ESPN NFL analyst went on record in suggesting that Dolphins’ defensive lineman Jonathan Martin was wrong in making his incident with Richie Incognito public and bringing to attention what apparently goes on inside of NFL team locker room . It is clear that Woody simply does not get it , if he feels that “racism ” and racial bigotry somehow belongs within the environment of the NFL, which he duly failed to acknowledge concerning the actions of Richie Incognito . The former Jets’ player has yet to respond to comments calling for an explanation as to what he meant in stating that Martin was wrong to address the media . However, when pressed on the issue of Richie Incognito’s now viral “tweet” and the player’s depiction of Jonathan Martin and his mother , Woody was non responsive . @ copyrighted material courtesy of ESPN …

(3) From left to right , NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith , center former union president Kevin Mawae and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell are seen outside of the NFL headquarters in New York City , New York . The two lead executives are now caught up in a firestorm , which further casts the image of the NFL as an entity that appears to have a code of conduct wherein reprehensible behavior is tolerated and kept out of the media and public’s view. Both Goodell and Smith have failed miserably in dealing with repeated player misconduct and the fact that the league’s athletes now run afoul of the law with alarming regularity on annual basis . The incident now widely being reported in various media formats centers around the behavior of the Miami Dolphins’ Richie Incognito and his racially insensitive remarks about his teammate (Jonathan Martin) and that player’s mother , both of whom were depicted in racially derogatory terms . Getty Images North America / Paul Mason …..

(4) Native Americans protest before the Minnesota Vikings and Washington Redskins game on November 7, 2013 at Mall of America Field at the Hubert Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Many of those protestors were not only protesting the use of the word ” Redskins ” and that of its use by NFC East franchise the Washington Redskins , but also the incident now being widely reported in the national media that took place within the Miami Dolphins’ organization . Getty Images North America / Adam Bettcher …..

(5) Robert Griffin III (10) of the Washington Redskins, Adrian Peterson (28) of the Minnesota Vikings and Trent Williams (71) of the Washington Redskins pose for a photo on November 7, 2013 at Mall of America Field at the Hubert Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Getty Images / Adam Bettcher ….

(6) Washington Redskins’ quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) looks to gain some yards as he evades the Minnesota Vikings’ defensive lineman Jared Allen . Minnesota gain a well-deserved victory in erasing a double-digit deficit to beat the Redskins 34-27 . AP Photo / Ann Heisenfeldt …

(7) From left to right , Tampa bay Buccaneers’ general manager Mark Dominik , team wide receiver , Mike Williams and head coach Greg Schiano . The Buccaneers are off to a miserable start this season , win-less and bearing an 0-8 record , placing them firmly at the bottom of the NFC East division. The team will play host to instate rivals the Miami Dolphins this Sunday at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa , Florida , as they seek to earn their first victory of the season . There are now growing calls for the firing of Schiano as well as the removal of Mark Dominik in his current role with the organization . The Tampa Tribune / AP Photo / Keith Morris …..

(8) ) Indiana Pacers’ Paul George, right, talks with head coach Frank Vogel speaks during a news conference Tuesday, April 23, 2013, in Indianapolis. George has been honored as the NBA’s Most Improved Player . This season the Pacers are off to an excellent start and presently the NBA’s only unbeaten team . They will put that five game start and unbeaten run to the test when they face the Toronto Raptors on Friday night in a match-up of these two East Conference teams . AP Photo/Darron Cummings ….

(9) Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins, left, is walked off the court by head coach Michael Malone after he was called for a technical foul during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers in Sacramento, Calif., Friday, Nov. 1, 2013. The Clippers won 110-101 . AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli …

(10) Alex Rodriguez ,right , is seen leaving a limousine alongside his lawyer Joseph Tacopina as he arrives at the MLB headquarters for a preliminary meeting with league investigators to answer questions concerning his suspected use of performance enhancing drugs (PED’s) . The player denied any wrongdoing or the accusations that he has once again begun to use any type of illicit substance prohibited by Major League Baseball . Not a far cry from Rodriguez’s original claims in both 2006 and 2008 , before finally admitting publicly in 2010 , that he had indeed used anabolic steroids supplied to him by a family relative , his cousin , Yuri Sucart . NY Daily News / Mark Hall ……………

(11) Los Angeles Dodgers manager Don Mattingly, left, checks on starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw, center, during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies Tuesday, July 2, 2013 in Denver. The Dodgers won 8-0 . Mattingly is likely to be rewarded with a lucrative contract extension , a five-year deal , with the option for a sixth , that is likely to make him one of the highest paid managers in Major League Baseball. Likewise , Clayton Kershaw , who is in an arbitration year with the franchise in 2014 , is seeking a long-term deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers , having met informally with team President Stan Kasten , GM Ned Colletti , along with his agent J D Smart to begin the initial talks, concerning a new deal that is likely to make the pitcher the highest paid player in the game in his current role . The Dodgers’ ace also highly favored to win NL Cy Young Award and is also seen an outside favorite to perhaps pull off the ” double ” of also taking home the NL MVP Award to adorn his own personal trophy cabinet , after a tremendous season in 2013 . AP Photo/Barry Gutierrez …

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Jordan Carver and a montage below of Carver, again.

Nice , real nice !

An NFL Season By Any Other Name ………….

By tophatal ……….

Well as the NFL season begins to wind its way down with week 13 schedule of games I can’t help but wonder what many of the fans made of the results we witnessed this past Sunday . Is it me , but are the Miami Dolphins that good or were the Oakland Raiders simply that bad ? I might hasten to add that given the fact that the AFC West continues to remain a conundrum I am liable to think that it has to be the latter ! That Raiders’ defense in terms of athleticism can be described as being so ambiguous that one could liken their talents to that of an effeminate group of gay weightlifters ! Injuries or not , that team simply did not come to play as Tony Sparano’s players continue to defy logic . As Charlie Sheen has so infamously stated …… ” duh winning !

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Anyone who witnessed the 31-14 ass kicking that the Raiders were subjected to , will know that were Hu Jackson’s team to make the playoffs their foray would not be that long , based on the performance at Sun Life Stadium in Miami , Florida . Given the fourteen “garbage points ” given up by the Dolphins in the waning moments of the game , the margin of victory could very well have been far greater , had the Miami Dolphins players thought to defend their home turf more resolutely . But then again , this a team that has somehow manage to win 4 of their last 5 games , albeit that it might not be enough to dissuade GM Jeff Ireland and team owner Stephen Ross to fire the team’s beleaguered coach , Tony Sparano .

Miami Dolphins quarterback Matt Moore played with a great deal of calm unlike his AFC counterpart Carson Palmer who looked like a deer caught in headlights on the day . The acquisition of Palmer was meant to be seen as something of a transition with the loss of Jason Campbell for the season but it is clear that all of the ring rust cannot hide the fact that player simply , is not as good as first advertized . Never mind the salary that he’s now receiving courtesy of the organization which if anything further undercuts the belief that he is good enough to lead the team into the postseason .

When it is all said and done this victory might well be one that seals the fate of Tony Sparano in terms of immediate future . I certainly do know this , if it takes the second half of the season before his players get up off their ass to play with any kind of resolve , then I have to ask what was it the coach and his coaching staff had been doing in the prior weeks ? Respectability and pride now appear to be the only things that the players are now playing within this Dolphins organization . And I am most certainly sure that Stephen Ross and Jeff Ireland may well bring about changes not just in terms of the player — personnel but also as it relates to the coaching staff.

If the Oakland Raiders’ loss to the Dolphins might well have been viewed as upset given the fact that the Raiders stood atop of the AFC West . Then knowing that Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos continue to turn the division and league on its ear now must be pissing off the members of “Raider Nation ” . Tebow and his band of gallant band of warriors slayed the Minnesota Vikings while at the same perhaps placing another nail in the coffin of Vikings’ coach Leslie Frazier who clearly isn’t demanding enough from his players or actually holding them accountable for their actions. There’s no semblance of leadership from anyone on the playing staff and Christian Ponder , as good as he might well appear to be is perhaps at two years away from being considered a very good quarterback in this league . Baptism by fire or not he has struggled in large part over the course of this season .

The Minnesota Vikings playing at home lost a high scoring and error filled game in regulation 35-32 , sealing their own fate , much to the dismay of their fans in attendance . And any thought that Zygi Wilf and his partners might have that a $1.255 billion purpose built new venue would be in the organization’s best interests and that of legislators and residents must now be taking a turn for the worse given this laughable display by the team . I am sure that Governor Mark Dayton in knowing that his state legislature has a $5 billion ($5,000,000,000) budget deficit to deal with , has to be perturbed that he is being asked to finance this ostentatious request given the state’s economic plight . I mean , it is not as if Wilf and the front office of the organization are said to be stumping up any monies as a gesture of good faith towards the proposed edifice .

John Elway and the Broncos’ organization know that he may well run the wrath of the fans come the end of the season , with the preferred thinking that he and GM Brian Xanders might well choose to either draft a quarterback for the future while also seeking a free agent during the off season . It is clear for many, who have witnessed Tim Tebow’s play that he places himself at great risk while continuing to lead by example . Calmer heads ought to prevail but is clear that John Fox and Broncos’ quarterback’s coach Adam Gase will ride the ” Tebow train” for as far and as long as it may well take them over the remainder of their season . The Denver Broncos and their fans know that their quarterback is but a concussion or twisted ankle away from seeing their season quite possibly end in doom and gloom. Then what ? The culminating three weeks to the end of the regular season should tell us a great deal about the resolve of this Broncos’ team and whether or they have what it takes to win their first divisional AFC West title since 2005 . Jointly tied atop of the division at 7-5 alongside the Oakland Raiders that race now appears to be a dogfight between these two teams .

” The Dream Team ” in name only the Philadelphia Eagles’ (4-8) — season is slowly descending like a piece of fecal matter as it winds its way down the S- bend of a toilet system . If team owner Jeffrey Lurie has any damn sense , then he ought to fire the entire front office along with the coaching staff led by Andy Reid . LeSean McCoy while being a prodigious player he has been under- served this season while DeSean Jackson simply has become a cancer in the locker room with his demands . And the contention that he deserves far more respect than he gets from the organization because he believes that he’s underpaid . Someone ought to remind the player before he gets respect , you simply have be deserving of it to begin with and by decrying the fact that your boss simply is not treating you right because of your salary — demands , shows Jackson’s complete lack of maturity and intelligence ! But then again , look at whom he has , as his agent ? It should not at all come as a surprise that Drew Rosenhaus just happens to be the marionette pulling the strings once again !

At this point there is not much more that can be said about that the Philadelphia Eagles’ season that hasn’t been yet well chronicled . Suffice to say that the longer the fans have to endure this idiocy the more likely that it is that Andy Reid , Joe Banner and Howie Roseman will have to be jettisoned along a number of players on the Eagles’ roster . Far too much power has been wielded by the triumvirate , with little to show for it over the past few years .

At the start of the season there were a number of patrons simply jumping unto the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears’ bandwagon . And to a point there might well have been just cause but now herein lies the caveat to this all , where are those fans now , ……. that the wheels have began to fall of those erstwhile vehicles ? Lions’ coach Jim Schwartz has began to show that he simply cannot handle adversity well and neither can his team ! And nothing proved this point more than their complete annihilation 31-17 by Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes Benz Superdome in New Orleans , Louisiana , this past Sunday . Two straight losses for the Detroit Lions may not seem a great deal to worry about but when a playoff berth is said to be on the line and the NFC North is now simply out of reach with the Green Bay Packers having but all sealed the division it begs the question how “much heart ” is said to be left on this Lions’ team ?

I have repeatedly said this time and time again , Jay Cutler is simply overrated as a quarterback within the NFL ! Brian Urlacher for all of his leadership qualities and wanting to rally behind his quarterback , now has to understand that all the hype in the world won’t get you anywhere when you’re simply not willing to show that you haven’t an ounce of common sense ! And it is clear that Cutler has little of either in spite of the perceived belief that he’s said to be one of the better quarterbacks within the league . I tend to use the analogy ………” if you dress up pig and call it a sow it simply doesn’t make it one ” !

Jay Cutler is now quite possibly lost to the Bears’ for the remainder of their season and with backup Caleb Hanie having been asked to take the helm the consequences proved to be dire for the team when they took on the lowly — Kansas City Chiefs (5-7) . Pardon me for saying this but when you’re held to a measly three points in a low scoring game (10-3 ) at home (Soldier Field in Chicago , Illinois) where neither team either proved or showed that they had an ounce of creativity on the offensive side of the ball then your ass needs to be embarrassed in such a way ! Starting quarterback Caleb Hanie did the team no favors in throwing three interceptions whilst ending up with a QB rating of 23.8 in the Bears’ 10-3 loss suffered at the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs .

Things now must be taking a turn for the worse if the rumors are to be believed , as Chicago Bears’ head coach Lovie Smith is said to be considering calling upon the services of either Brett Favre or Donovan McNabb . Clearly , the front office simply didn’t consider calling up either Jim McMahon , Jim Miller or Dave Krieg , not wanting to embarrass themselves ___ but the thought of calling upon either Favre or McNabb wouldn’t be seen as an act of desperation ? Yep, that’s what I thought Lovie Smith’s mental wits no longer seem to be with him ! I can only surmise that GM Jerry Angelo and his head coach (Lovie Smith) share a need to be seen as complete idiots !

Coaches , coach but it’s left to the players to win games . Then can someone honestly explain to me what just happened to be the thought process with Dallas Cowboys’ coach Jason Garrett , his coaching staff and the players during the waning moments in regulation of their game against the Arizona Cardinals prior to it going into overtime ? The fact that the Cowboys came off on the losing end of this result 19-13 and still stand atop of the NFC East with a 7-5 record with a one game margin , over the equally befuddling New York Giants (6-6) simply cannot underscore how insipid the division has been this season .

If the aftermath of that loss I am sure that Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones must have wanted to kick Garrett in the area of his genitals , as a way showing his utter disgust in his coach ! Ice the kicker by calling a timeout just as he was about to kick the game winning field goal during regulation ? In negating the play , and then only for kicker Dan Bailey to miss in his second attempt simply shows not only what an asshole Jason Garrett just happens to be but also if anyone is of the belief that this Cowboys’ team can usurp the likes of the Green Bay Packers or New Orleans Saints then clearly they’re not sound of mind or sound in their thinking !

Now with everything on the line in determining the rest of their season the Dallas Cowboys still face two (Week 14) daunting games (Week 17) against their divisional rivals the New York Giants . Anything short of a victory in either game , could very well much seal the fate of the Dallas Cowboys . Jason Garrett may well have been Jerry Jones’ choice to assume the role as successor to Wade Philips but in all honesty what has he actually brought to the table since he assumed coach’s mantle of this team ? It is not as if we have seen any type of real improvement in the play of this roster . We may well have been in awe of DeMarco Murray’s exploits in breaking the franchise’s single game rushing record (23 carries , 253yds , 2 TD’s ) . But one game or season does not a player make , and thus far all one can attribute to Murray is that he is no more than a capable running back in this league .

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Picture gallery for your perusal .

As the NFL season has unfolded what if anything has been of all the biggest disappointment or surprise to you ? And which teams do you feel this off season will be making what you feel should be the necessary front office and coaching changes ? Simply leave a comment as you see fit and thanks as always for your ongoing support as it is greatly appreciated !

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(1) Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Richard Seymour (92) walks off the field after he was ejected from the game for throwing a punch against the Miami Dolphins during the third quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011, in Miami. The Dolphins defeated the Raiders 34-14. AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee …

(2) Tight end Anthony Fasano (80) of the Miami Dolphins is brought down by Kamerion Wimbley (98) of the Oakland Raiders at Sun Life Stadium on December 4, 2011 in Miami Gardens, Florida. The Dolphins defeated the Raiders 34-14. Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images …..

(3) Oakland Raiders head coach Hue Jackson shakes hands with Miami Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano after a game at Sun Life Stadium on December 4, 2011 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images ….

(4) MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 4: (L-R) Adrian Peterson (28) of the Minnesota Vikings and Tim Tebow (15) of the Denver Broncos talk after the game at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on December 4, 2011 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photo by Adam Bettcher /Getty Images ……

(5) Matt Prater (5) of the Denver Broncos kicks a 23-yard field goal in the final minute against the Minnesota Vikings on December 4, 2011 at Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Broncos defeated the Vikings 35-32 . Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images …..

(6) SEATTLE, WA – DECEMBER 1: Vince Young’s dumb ? Well well , who knew ? Vince Young(9) of the Philadelphia Eagles before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field December 1, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. Seattle won 34-14 . Photo by Jay Drowns/Getty Images …..

(7) Vince Young (9) and Jason Kelce <(62) of the Philadelphia Eagles go up against Brandon Mebane (92) of the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field December 1, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. Photo by Jay Drowns/Getty Images …

(8) Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha walks off the field with Eagles coach Andy Reid after being checked for injuries in the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011, in Seattle. AP Photo/Ted S. Warren …..

(9) This Dec. 4, 2011 file photo shows Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz complaining to an official during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, in New Orleans. The Lions were flagged 11 times for 107 yards in a 31-17 defeat. AP Photo/Bill Feig ….

(10) NEW ORLEANS, LA – DECEMBER 4: Head Coach Jim Schwartz talks with quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) of the Detroit Lions during a game against the New Orleans Saints to score a touchdown at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints defeated the Lions 31-17. Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images ….

(11) Jimmy Graham (80) of the New Orleans Saints is tackled by Amari Spievey (42) of the Detroit Lions at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints defeated the Lions 31-17. Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images ……

(12) Running back LaRod Stephens-Howling (36) celebrates with Alfonso Smith (46) after scoring the game winning 52 yard touchdown reception against the Dallas Cowboys during the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 4, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Cowboys 19-13 in overtime. Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images …

(13) Runningback Beanie Wells (26) rushes the football against the Dallas Cowboys during the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 4, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Cowboys 19-13 in overtime. Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images ….

(14) Head coach Jason Garrett of the Dallas Cowboys watches from the sidelines during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 4, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Cowboys 19-13 in overtime. Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images ….

(15) Oops ! Jason Garret fu_ks up again ! Kicker Dan Bailey (5) of the Dallas Cowboys misses the possible game winning field goal in overtime during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 4, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Cowboys 19-13 in overtime. Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images …..
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Hot chic pic of the day ……… Lucy Pinder (brunette) and a friend . With friends like that who gives a s_it about your enemies !

Nope We’re Just Not Quite There Yet ….

The AFC East is proving all I believe it would be with the exception of the rather mediocre — Miami Dolphins ! However just when I thought they would still be in with a shot of playing their part in the Andrew Luck sweepstakes low and behold Tony Sparano’s players simply upend the Kansas City Chiefs by beating thier AFC opponent 31-3 . In garnering that victory the Miami Dolphins their sole win of the season and pushing their record to 1-7 . The Indianapolis Colts (0-9) now remain the only winless team in the NFL which now places them front and center as the prohibitive favorite for the Stanford Cardinals’ — quarterback .

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The remaining residents within the AFC East are all tied atop of the division a record of 5-3 but by way of their conference record — Buffalo Bills , New York Jets and New England Patriots . Personally, I am not so sure what to make of the Miami Dolphins as a team because they are so damn awful in so many facets of the game . This Sunday the Dolphins will play hosts to Mike Shanahan’s rapidly declining Washington Redskins . And if ever there was a time for Miami Dolphins to take advantage of an opponent then the Redskins are primed for the taking in the aftermath of their totally embarrassing 19-11 loss to the fast improving — San Francisco 49ers .

In truth , I can honestly say that there have been some awful performances within the league this season as can be borne by the results. And granted , everyone is awe of the Green Bay Packers (8-0) who seem to be hell bent on proving to everyone that they are by far in way the best team in the NFL . Aaron Rodgers appears to be fast running away with the lead as early and prohibitive favorite as the league MVP. If there is a quarterback in the league playing any better than Rodgers at present , then I have yet to witness it . Coach Mike McCarthy’s — team are certainly making everyone sit up and take note their commanding style . The Packers’ destruction of the error prone San Diego Chargers was simply proof of that as they notched up their league leading ninth win of the season in defeating their AFC opponent 45-38 . The margin of victory may well have been larger had the Green Bay Packers had not sought to take their foot off the gas pedal .

Chargers’ quarterback Philip Rivers is definitely having a down year but at present appears to be the least of Norv Turner and his coaching staff’s problems . Injuries asides it has been anomaly of things that has led the San Diego Chargers not meeting the expectations of their fans and in particular a number of NFL analysts , as they uncertainty now encompassing the AFC West . The division itself simply bearing out what I have always felt all along , it simply isn’t as competitive as some would have us believe . The combined records of the four combatants are a combined 15-17 (0.46875). The Kansas City Chiefs (4-3) , Oakland Raiders (4-3) , San Diego Chargers (4-3) jointly hold the lead atop of the AFC West but with the Denver Broncos’ (3-5) improbable win over the Oakland Raiders 38-24 , you simply get the impression that the division is still up for grabs. Would you care to take a guess as to may well come away with the division as its champion ? Not I !

I know that it’s too soon to make prognostications , as there is still a great deal to play for this NFL season . But the biggest surprise for me this year has been to see the rise of Alex Smith and the San Francisco 49ers (7-1) , their surprising start to their season . The Niners’ head coach John Harbaugh has brought about a vitality to this team not seen in a very long time . Smith has been playing at an exceptionally high level and with his confidence being at its peak this team seems intent on making their resurgence one that pays off not just for their fans but also for the organization as a whole. John Harbaugh and his coaching staff have got their players believing in themselves and it has shown in the play of Patrick Willis , Frank Gore and most notably Alex Smith.

Candlestick Park and the Niners will play host to Tom Coughlin’s — New York Giants in an enticing NFC match-up between two first placed teams . Smith if he continues in this vein could end up being the NFL’s Comeback Player of The Year , no mean feat given his predilections previously.

All of a sudden there now seems to be life to the Cincinnati Bengals and that if anything has to be down to the growing confidence and play of Andy Dalton . Barring an almighty meltdown by the team over the remainder of the season coach Marvin Lewis’ job might well have been saved by his rookie quarterback . Many felt that with the departure of Carson Palmer , acquired by the Oakland Raiders in a trade wherein the Bengals obtained (1st round draft pick [2012] & conditional pick 2013) what a number of analysts and fans alike viewed as a rather generous offering . It remains to be seen who will end up benefiting the most from this particular deal. Palmer for his part has struggled for the Raiders whereas , Dalton is well on the way in gaining a deal of recognition. The former TCU (Frogs) quarterback as a rookie has notched himself a record having thrown 12 touchdowns which is one ahead of the record for first year quarterbacks in terms of that specific feat.

The Bengals’ front office led by GM Jim Lippincott and Head of Player Personnel Pete Brown . The organization certainly lucked out in acquiring Andy Dalton in in the 2011 NFL Draft which obviously has paid dividends for the Cincinnati Bengals and their surprising start to the season. It has certainly made a believer out of the much troubled veteran Cedric Benson who seems to be having one of his most productive spells in quite a while .

This Cincinnati Bengals’ ( 6-2) team does seem intent on shaking up the order of things within the AFC North this season. And clearly with there being as only one game separates the top three teams within the division. The hard battling Baltimore Ravens (6-2) share a similar record , followed by the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3) and bringing up the rear we have the Cleveland Browns (3-5) . From my own perspective because of youthfulness and inexperience in the core of the Bengals’ roster , I do feel that they could very well come up short this season ! But if anything , it should prove to be a positive test as they seek to grow and build upon the organization’s aspirations .

It simply had to happen ! Bill Belichick as he continues his “Mad Scientist” experiments in continually tinkering with the New England Patriots’ — defense . Never mind that at present the team just happens to be one of the worst defensive — units in the NFL . Now comes word that the coach in his infinite wisdom has seen fit to jettison the unconditioned and less than productive Albert Haynesworth . No one at all should be surprised at this but here’s my question for Bill Belichick what in hell made him think he would be the one to work miracles and simply change the change the mindset of this player ? Haynesworth was a bust with the Washington Redskins and he has contributed about as much to the Patriots this season as a dog defecating and urinating on a fire hydrant ! He simply stank up the joint and it is likely to be the same with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers , the player’s latest home on his nomadic journey around the NFL .

Albert Haynesworth has yet to fulfill the monies paid to him , certainly not the $100 million contract so foolishly thrust upon him by the Washington Redskins . Dan Snyder as the owner of the franchise has yet to learn from the numerous mistakes the front office has made since he assumed control of the organization . The Redskins’ owner has squandered money wastefully like a drunken sailor on furlough in search of a high class hooker . In Bangkok and Phuket you tend to get what you pay for and many of the free agent acquisitions and draft picks made by the Washington Redskins have yet to truly pay any dividends .

I understand the Buccaneers’ need to acquire a defensive presence with the loss of Gerald McCoy for the season . But I feel that GM Mark Dominik and head coach Raheem Morris have made a monumental mistake ! Granted, the financial outlay for Albert Haynesworth will be minimal , as he was picked up off waivers but as I alluded to before the player has produced little to show that he would be of any real benefit to this Tampa Buccaneers’ defense or the team in general.

At 4-4 the Buccaneers are seated in third place within the NFC East behind the division leading New Orleans Saints (6-3) , second placed Atlanta Falcons (5-3) and rooted at the bottom are the Carolina Panthers (2-6) . Raheem Morris’ team faces a stern test when they host the Houston Texans this weekend at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa , Florida. Coming off a 27-16 loss to the New Orleans Saints it is imperative that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers get back to winning ways if they are going make inroads into the Saints’ divisional lead. A loss would further hinder their aspirations this season but clearly a victory could put them amongst the mix within conference and division if the chips were to fall their way this Sunday .

One of the things that was definitely prevalent in the divisional loss to the Saints were the needless penalties incurred by the team both on defense and offense . It has been a problematic issue for Raheem Morris and his coaching staff , as it involves many of the young players on the roster . That sort of ill discipline has to be erased and it must be up to seasoned veterans such as Ronde Barber , Kellen Winslow and Jeff Faine to implore their teammates to keep hold their tempers in check . Play aggressively , yes but for God’s don’t do so and give up needless penalties that gives your opponent an advantage . These are the stupid things that has hindered the Buccaneers over the course of their season .

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Picture gallery for your perusal .

We have now passed the midpoint of the season and there is still a great deal to play for . But I think we are now getting to the point where a number of teams can be counted out because of their inconsistency and poor play ! It will be interesting to see what the second half of the season holds for the franchises and for the fans in general . Hopefully , we will get to see a number players and clubs meet the expectations rather than falling short of them . What thoughts if any do you have on the points raised within this piece ? By all means do leave a comment and once again thanks for the continued support !

E-mail contact me at rapptu@gmail.com . Any suggestions that you might like see in terms of content matter ?

😉

Picture and slide show details below .

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(1) (1) Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel (7) tries to keep Miami Dolphins free safety Tyrone Culver (29) at bay during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011, in Kansas City, Mo. The Dolphins would go on to defeat the Chiefs 31-3 to raise their record to 1-7 within the AFC . AP Photo/Charlie Riedel ….

(2) KANSAS CITY, MO – NOVEMBER 06: Running back Reggie Bush (22) of the Miami Dolphins rushes against linebacker Jovan Belcher (59) of the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter on November 6, 2011 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Miami defeated Kansas City 31-3. Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images …

(3) Head coach Tony Sparano of the Miami Dolphins yells out some instructions during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs on November 6, 2011 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Miami defeated Kansas City 31-3. Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images ….

(4) (4) San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers stares back at the field as coach Norv Turner, left, walks past after Rivers threw his second interception for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011, in San Diego. The Packers would go on to defeat the Chargers 45-38 . AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi …

(5) Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, right, and receiver Greg Jennings congratulate each other after connecting on a four yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter of the Packers’ 45-38 victory over the San Diego Chargers in an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011, in San Diego. AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi …..

(6) SAN DIEGO – NOVEMBER 6: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) of the Green Bay Packers scrambles from the pass rush in the pocket on the 1-yard line during the 4th quarter of the Green Bay Packers vs. the San Diego Chargers NFL Game on November 6, 2011 in San Diego, California. Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images …..

(7) LANDOVER, MD – NOVEMBER 6: Alex Smith (11) of the San Francisco 49ers passes against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field on November 6, 2011 in Landover, Maryland. Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images ….

(8) Andy Dalton (14) of the Cincinnati Bengals gives instructions to his team during the NFL game against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field on November 6, 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Bengals won 24-17 . Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images ….

(9) Head coach Raheem Morris of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 6, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints would defeat the Buccaneers 27-16 . Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images ..

(10) Preston Parker (87) of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers stiff arms Will Herring (53) of the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 6, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images ….

(11) FILE – In this Sept. 1, 2011, file photo, New England Patriots defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth looks on from the sideline during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the New York Giants at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. The Boston Herald is reporting Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011, that the Patriots have released Haynesworth. The move came two days after Haynesworth did not play for most of the second half of Sunday’s 24-20 loss to the New York Giants. The Patriots would not confirm the report. The player has since been acquired off waivers by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers having lost defensive player Gerald McCoy for the remainder of the season . AP Photo/Stew Milne …..

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NFL standings by division

NFL week 10 schedule

NFL player stats

NFL teams stats

NFL team transactions

Cincinnati Bengals news

Green Bay Packers news

Indianapolis Colts news

Miami Dolphins news

San Francisco 49ers news

Tampa Bay Buccaneers news

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Neetu Chandra/

Hot chic pic of the day “Bollywood” actress Neetu Chandra .

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Goin’ ol’ skool ……….. Nicole Wray ….. feat’g Missy Eilliott ….” Make It Hot” . Spot the artists that Missy has either written for or co produced with Timbaland .

Care To Take A Bite Out Of This Apple …. ?

Care To Take A Bite Out of This Apple ?

No time to linger on week 5 of the NFL with week 6 comes teams positioning themselves for the long haul. With only two unbeaten teams both residing in the NFC North the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers could very well be the lone teams vying for the postseason from within the division. Matt Stafford and Aaron Rodgers are showing their mettle for the Lions and Packers respectively , in proving to be amongst the best quarterbacks not solely within the NFC but also the NFL as a whole.

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When a team has aspirations to be better than they claim to I’d like to feel that the coach or manager can actually back up that claim. Last season (10-6) the Tampa Bay Buccaneers coming off a great year , albeit that they narrowly failed to make the playoffs . Head coach Raheem Morris bitterly disappointed by the team’s free-fall made it his sole purpose to see an improvement from his team this year. He has seen his players flourish but I doubt that he could have envisaged this Bucs’ team would prove to such disappointment in their last regular schedule outing against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park , in San Francisco , California . Jim Harbaugh’s — team simply laid waste to the Buccaneers’ defense on their way a lopsided 48-3 win .

Raheem Morris and his coaching staff now have to get this team amped up and prepared to meet — divisional rivals the New Orleans Saints as they play hosts to Sean Payton’s — team at Raymond James Stadium , Tampa , in front of what is sure to to be a raucous and vociferous home crowd . No slip ups here for the Buccaneers and in particular from their young quarterback Josh Freeman . His play if anything has to be clear and indicative of the team’s aspirations .

Forty Niners’ quarterback Alex Smith and the offense looked like the Niners’ offenses of old that simply were as efficient and as devastating as one could imagine. The San Francisco 49ers at 4-1 lead the NFC West and given their performances this season it would be fair to presume that they are now to be viewed as the presumptive favorites for the division and a playoff berth.

The Forty Niners are guests of the high flying Detroit Lions (5-0) at Ford Field , in Detroit , Michigan this upcoming Sunday. Matt Stafford , Calvin Johnson , Jahvid Best and Ndamokung Suh are the talk of the town at present as the rest of the NFL are now taking notice of Jim Schwartz’s young and confident team .

I am not so sure that if I were Steve Spagnuolo’s footsteps , that I would relish the thought of playing the Green Bay Packers in front of a raucous home crowd at Lambeau Field , Green Bay , Wisconsin. The St Louis Rams’ coach has a winless team , lacking in confidence and playing without any real passion . And season given the strengths of this Packers’ team I view this match-up as a train wreck waiting to happen because the Rams are on a collision course with a locomotive traveling at a very high rate of speed.

Two teams with supposedly taking diverging paths but somehow within the AFC East the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets at present seem to be having a multitude of problems . Both Tony Sparano and Rex Ryan are coaches desperately seeking solutions to the malaise of their teams. At 0-4 Sparano must now realize that his very future is on the line if he cannot begin to turn things around and the coach has a Dolphins’ team that simply hasn’t a competent quarterback on their roster. Chad Henne in what universe can this player be viewed as a leader , much less a competent enough starter at the position ?

The New York Jets for their part seem to have a problem with their offense most notably running the ball . And it hasn’t helped that there now seems to be off the field problems concerning one of their more experienced players on the roster with Derek Mason . Clearly things are not all a bed of roses within that Jets’ locker room and now Rex Ryan has to show that for all of the false bravado and sound bytes , he will now have to once again prove that he can become the toast of the ‘Big Apple’ along with his team . Monday night when these two teams collide at the New Meadowlands/ Met Life Stadium , in East Rutherford , New Jersey .

This contest between two teams within the AFC East with stark contrast as to the apparent directions that their respective seasons could be heading in , may well determine the fate of one coach and most certainly a number of players on his team. Rex Ryan , himself, is definitely not out of the woods , as he and this Jets’ team can ill afford to lose a conference and divisional game , only to fall further behind the Buffalo Bills (4-1) and New England Patriots (4-1) within the division.

Either Jacksonville Jaguars’ owner Wayne Weaver loves to endure constant pain or he’s simply enamored with Jack Del Rio and the coaching staff . There has to be a reason why Weaver and the entire front office seem adamant on retaining their coach ? Personally , after the record of the team over the past five years , I cannot think of one ! Del Rio has been an absolute bust and the malaise of the team’s woes can be firmly laid to rest upon his shoulders . He’s simply wasting the talents of Maurice Jones-Drew and even with the organization jettisoning — David Garrard they now have to thrust Blaine Gabbert —- given him his baptism of fire within the league .

The Jacksonville Jaguars (1-4) are the guests of the Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2-0) at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania , this upcoming Sunday. And while Mike Tomlinson’s — team have had their issues this season this game could very well be viewed as a “gimme ” if they play up to their full potential . Overall — defensively the Jaguars are struggling as a cohesive unit and it has been one of the telling signs as to why they have continued to struggle . As an effective offensive unit with Garrard as the signal caller you simply never knew what to expect of the team or the player and that may well have been the primary reason why the decision was made to jettison the veteran and his $9 million salary .

Gillette Stadium in Foxboro’ Massachusetts should be the scene of some real fun and games this Sunday , as Tom Brady and the New England Patriots entertain the Dallas Cowboys . And for those aspirants who continue to make their continued claims as to the “greatness ” of Tony Romo can they please take him down off that damn pedestal ? The player has yet to lead or win a meaningful game in the postseason for the team but yet he’s being placed amongst the throng of great quarterbacks in Cowboys’ history . Isn’t that like saying the “hot chick” in high school gave ” good head “ even though her lips and mouth were covered in blisters ? Ouch ! You’ll either get momentary flashes of brilliance from the player but he simply cannot string together consecutive games where he has played at a consistently high level .

Now I would contend that for Jerry Jones and the entire front office of the Dallas Cowboys this has to be a make or break season for the organization and team . A number of players on this roster are playing for their very livelihood this season . Anyone who believes that to be the contrary had better wake up and smell the coffee at this juncture ! Jerry Jones has been known to tolerate a great deal and through his own sheer ignorance and stupidity the franchise has been something of a laughing stock over the last decade. The organization may well be one of the most profitable sports franchises in North America but when it comes to recent success , well let’s just say for the Dallas Cowboys there has been little to actually rejoice about much less hang one’s hat unto in terms tangible on-field success .

Tony Romo knows that the jury is now in session as to his abilities and leadership skills . He may well be statisically be one of the franchise’s most successful quarterbacks in terms of regular season wins but that simply counts for absolutely nothing if you can’t lead the team to the “Promised Land” . It’s a Superbowl win or bust because that’s how Romo’s legacy will be adjudged amongst his more successful predecessors within the Dallas Cowboys’ fraternity of quarterbacks . Nothing less will be acceptable for the fans or for that matter for those within the front office of the franchise . They may well not voice that opinion openly in public but there’s a reason they tied the player long term , to a very generous and lucrative contract .

As to the game itself between the Cowboys and Patriots it should be an event of contrasting styles . The New England Patriots’ defense ought to be able to contain and contend with whatever Jason Garrett and his coaching staff have prepared for Bill Belichick’s players . With that being said nothing can be taken for granted by the Patriots’ coach . Brady and the plethora of offensive weapons at his disposal should be able to show why it is that they are a high octane offense and amongst the very best in the NFL at present .

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Picture gallery for your perusal .

The the NFL season is not yet at its halfway point what thoughts if any do you have on the schedule so far ? And which teams if any have been a major disappointment to you in general as a fan ? Of the coaches at present whose future appears to be in the greatest jeopardy and which one if any could very well be the first managerial casualty of the season ? Chime in with a comment as you deem fit on this and anything else you feel pertinent to the subject matter .

Alan aka tophatal ……….

http://facebook.com/tophata2

E-mail …. rapptu@gmail.com

Picture and slide show details .

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(1) Mike Williams (19) of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers gets separated from the ball by Dashon Goldson(38) of the San Francisco 49ers in the third quarter during an NFL football game at Candlestick Park on October 9, 2011 in San Francisco, California. The 49ers won the game 48-3 . Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images ……

(2) Tim Hightower (25) of the Washington Redskins runs the ball against the St. Louis Rams October 2, 2011 at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Missouri. The Redskins defeated the Rams 17-10 . Photo by Whitney Curtis/Getty Images …….

(3) Quarterback Chad Henne (7) of the Miami Dolphins throws a pass against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on October 2, 2011 in San Diego, California. The Chargers won 26-16 . (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images ………

(4) Tom Brady (12) of the New England Patriots hands the ball off to teammate BenJarvius Green-Ellis (42) in the first half against the New York Jets on October 9, 2011 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. Photo by Elsa/Getty Images …….

(5) Tony Romo (9) of the Dallas Cowboys calls a play in the huddle against the Detroit Lions during the second half at Cowboys Stadium on October 2, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images ……

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NFL standings by division

Week 6 schedule

Week 5 results

NFL standings by conference

NFL statistics :

NFL player stats thru’ week 5

NFL team stats thru’ week 5

Teams with byes : Arizona Cardinals , Denver Broncos , Kansas City Chiefs , San Diego Chargers , Seattle Seahawks and the Tennessee Titans

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Michelle McCurry …….. she definitely makes me feel like plucking her strings !

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Worth plucking her strings don’t you think ?

Come Get Some …………….

Come Get Some …

Try as hard as I can it sometimes come down to complete idiocy when I hear a former player of a team being critical of current players on a franchise ! Ridiculous as it may seem we now have a once great quarterback in Joe Namath being critical of Rex Ryan and in part the team assembled in his guise and that of the front office of the New York Jets . From my own perspective anything that Namath has to say on any subject be it on the subject of the NFL or domestic or foreign policy is simply not worth listening to ! Beyond the fame and accolades the player’s greatest accomplishment in recent years was to embarrass himself in front of the public whilst in a semi drunken stupor by suggesting to ESPN on air reporter Suzy Kolber that he would like to kiss her rather suggestively . . Can someone remind me beyond his achievements in the organization’s lone Superbowl win , is there anything else that Namath has achieved that has been notable in his professional career or beyond that ?

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With the New York Jets off to an inauspicious start to the season at 2-2 within the AFC East the team and its coach now find that they are being questioned as to the competitiveness of the players ans whether or not they lack the will to win. For the past two season the New York Jets made the AFC championship game — 2009 and 2010 . Clearly many felt that this team was finally ready to stop the dominance of the New England Patriots and the apparent stranglehold that they have had on the AFC East. And as dominant as the Patriots have been the New York Jets have been the Achilles’ Heel and the irritant in the ointment , that of the fans and their divisional foe . The swagger of Rex Ryan was exemplified by the attitude of several players on this team , most notably Darrelle Revis , Santonio Holmes and to a lesser extent Mark Sanchez .

Like many of the teams during the NFL lockout the New York Jets sought to be competitive through the usual free agent acquisitions one would usually be accustomed to seeing . And most certainly through their draft choices from the 2011 NFL Draft Rex Ryan and his assistant coaches are now looking to make this team a cohesive and competitive unit .

As I alluded to earlier , the Jets’ start to the season was an inauspicious one and the very fact that the team now finds itself sitting above only the Miami Dolphins within the AFC East. Things are not about to get any easier this weekend as the New England Patriots play hosts to the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium , in Foxborough , Massachusetts. Bill Belichick knows that his team needs to answer more than a few questions especially with regard to the defense . The Patriots rank dead last within the NFL in total defense AND within the AFC overall things simply embodies the real problems that they face altogether. And as combustible and prolific as the offense is , there is no denying unless the New England Patriots can shore up the defense then they will be in for a great deal of trouble once the postseason comes around .

There is an animus between these two teams ___ the Jets and Patriots that I don’t believe is typified by any other current rivalry in the NFL today, with the exception of a meeting between the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers ! If there is currently as combative a match-up beyond these two rivalries existing within the league currently , then I have yet to witness it . Sunday afternoon should give us a peek into the mindset of both teams , with Tom Brady , Wes Welker , Rob Gronkowski , Steven Ridley and Benjarvius Ellis-Greene will be looking to stamp their authority on this division as well as sending a signal to the rest of the NFL that they are a team to be reckoned with .

Now while I’m not under the pretense that the New England Patriots will have this game all to themselves I do believe that if they are not complacent then they will prevail over their most hated foe . During the playoffs last season when the two teams met the Jets under Sanchez’ leadership made a mockery this Patriots’ team . In order for the New York Jets to win I think that it will be incumbent upon Mark Sanchez to get his passing game at his optimum level to take advantage of the Patriots’ very suspect secondary . This will become a test of wills between the two teams as well as the respective coaching staffs of the New York Jets and New England Patriots .

I have no doubt that Bill Belichick would like get this game over and done with , placing the Jets in his rear view mirror and take advantage of putting his team at the top of the AFC East with there being some separation between themselves and co-leaders the Buffalo Bills who are off the a surprising start to their season (3-1) under their coach Chan Gailey . The Bills for their part will play host to the surprisingly lax Philadelphia Eagles who at 1-3 clearly are defying all logic in terms of being viewed as the early prohibitive favorites in the NFC for the Superbowl . Clearly Andy Reid , his coaching staff and the team have great deal to worry about . ” Dream Team” or not the Eagles are currently the ” laughing stock” of the NFL . And with the demise of the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS at the hands of the St Louis Cardinals do you get the feeling that things could very well erupt within the city of ” Brotherly Love” this weekend should Philadelphia Eagles also meet the same fate as their baseball counterpart ?

While Andy Reid now has to be looking over his shoulder while the Eagles’ front office staff assess not only his performances , that of the coaching staff as well as the team . Clearly in the case of Chan Gailey for now, all appears to be right in the world for he and his players . Well that’s until they face their first sense of real adversity and since the start of their season the team has been playing with the heart and passion not seen from the organization in a number of years. If the Buffalo Bills are truly back as their fans now believe them to be then this will be the season for the team to truly show that they belong amongst the elite within the game. If not , then they will be considered what we have all contended that they are meant to be ………….. an also ran .

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Picture gallery for your perusal .

Which of the weekend match-ups within the NFL are you most enthralled by ? And which game or games you least interested in ? Leave a comment as to your thoughts and anything else you believe to be pertinent on the subject matter.

Alan aka tophatal …………

https://tophatal.wordpress.com

Picture and slide show details below.

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(1) BALTIMORE – OCTOBER 2: Head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens shakes hands with Mark Sanchez (6) of the New York Jets at M&T Bank Stadium on October 2. 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Jets 34-17 . Photo by Larry French/Getty Images ….

(2) Head Coach Rex Ryan of the New York Jets hugs head coach John Harbough of the Baltimore Ravens after the game at M&T Bank Stadium on October 2. 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Jets 34-17. Photo by Larry French/Getty Images …

(3) LaQuan Williams (5) of the Baltimore Ravens runs the ball against Jim Leonhard (36) of the New York Jets at M&T Bank Stadium on October 2. 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Jets 34-17. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images …..

(4) Mark Sanchez (6) of the New York Jets hands off against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on October 2. 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Jets 34-17. Photo by Larry French/Getty Images …….

(5) New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick listens to a reporter’s question during an NFL football media availability in Foxborough, Mass., Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011. AP Photo/Charles Krupa …..

(6) OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 02: Wes Welker (83) of the New England Patriots tries to run away from Chimdi Chekwa (35) of the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum on October 2, 2011 in Oakland, California. Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images …..

(7) Tom Brady (12) of the New England Patriots celebrates after the Patriots scored a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum on October 2, 2011 in Oakland, California. Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images ……..

(8) Kevin Boss (87) of the Oakland Raiders is tackled by Gary Guyton (59) of the New England Patriots at O.co Coliseum on October 2, 2011 in Oakland, California. Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images …….

(9) Heartfelt commiserations to the Oakland Raiders’ fans and the untimely death of the team’s owner Al Davis at the age of 82 . Davis seen here looks on from the sideline as he watches the Raiders 32-27 pre-season victory over the New England Patriots on August 25, 1995 at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, California. Davis the long time owner of the Oakland Raiders was reported as passed away on the team’s website. Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images …

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AFC East teams’ defensive statistics

NFL player injuries

NFL team transactions

AFC East Standings

AFC East teams’ offensive statistics

New England Patriots’ profile

New England Patiots’ news

New England Patriots’ roster

New England Patriots depth chart

New England Patriots’ team statistics

New England Patriots’ assistant coaches

Bill Belichick head coach

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New York Jets profile

New York Jets news

New York Jets’ roster

New York Jets’ depth chart

New York Jets’ team statistics

New York Jets assistant coaches

Rex Ryan head coach

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Crissy Moran adult entertainer .

The Luck Of The Irish …………

Granted week 5 of the NFL season comes about and there seems to the considered belief that a number of teams now simply struggling to stay alive . Four winless franchises and as pitiful as these performances have been for the ball clubs I am not so sure what to now expect !

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The Miami Dolphins are complete mess on both sides of the ball and incumbent starting quarterback Chad Henne now injured has been lost to the team and it would appear for their entire season . Henne’s backup Matt Moore is clearly not the answer as to the organization’s most dire need. Coach Tony Sparano and GM Jeff Ireland now have a decision to make as what is the Dolphins’ best interest as they seek to move forward without a true starting quarterback on the roster. David Garrard as a free agent remains unsigned but the player’s asking price may well be too high . In what now appears to be an act of desperation on the part of the Dolphins’ front office they have signed Sage Rosenfels . The less said on the matter , it is essentially for the better !

Now rooted firmly rooted at the bottom of the AFC East and there seems no apparent signs that things are about to change for the better as the team embark on their schedule . Team owner Stephen Ross might now have to make take a closer look at his coaching staff and the decisions that have been made the coaches. With the influx of draftees and offseason acquisitions the thought that these players would be able to make an immediate contribution has not materialized . As to what now awaits the Miami Dolphins over the remainder of this season remains to be seen.

If there has been a surprise to this season then it must be the fact that the St Louis Rams remain one of the quartet of teams that are winless . Injuries have plagued Steve Spagnuolo’s — roster and the fact that incumbent starting quarterback Sam Bradford has suffered what seems to what many thought to be an innocuous injury but it has somehow affected the quarterback’s play and the team’s overall effectiveness.

The NFC West remains a division of where the quality of play can be best described as being anemic . And with Stephen Jackson simply having somewhat of an indifferent start to his season it certainly doesn’t bode well for the fortunes of this team at present.

There’s not much more that can be said about the Minnesota Vikings that hasn’t been said about this team already. Poor play and a coach in Leslie Frazier who appears to be out of his depth and who has a coaching staff that simply brings nothing to the table by way of their coaching acumen. With Christian Ponder about to be thrown into the fray after Donovan McNabb playing so ineptly the time was ripe for Ponder to be given the chance to prove himself to the Vikings’ fans. If the former FSU Seminole can by any measure showcase his college ability then this team certainly will be better off than having McNabb quarterback the ball club. .

Everything about the Minnesota Vikings would suggest that ” the window of opportunity” for the team has been slammed shut and is not about to open again anytime soon. For years the franchise has sought to be relevant during the modern era of the NFL . Now in the midst of this malaise there seems to be no sense being shown by anyone within the organization from the upper echelons of the hierarchy down to the players themselves.

We are all aware as to the issues now facing the Indianapolis Colts and the loss of quarterback Peyton Manning for the forseeable future . Such has been the conjecture and speculation regarding the future of the player that the statements from the front office of the Colts seemingly changes from one moment to the next . Perhaps none more so than the retraction of a “tweeted statement “ made by owner Jim Irsay . Now with the team off to an 0-4 start to their season and the inconsistent play of Kerry Collins and Curtis Painter one wonders how much worse things can now get for the organization . It is not as if the team is in a position to run off four or five consecutive wins and make themselves a contender within their division much less the conference as a whole .

Jim Caldwell and his coaching staff will now have to coax and cajole this team to play with a great deal more aggression than they have been exhibiting . And with the fact that there seems to be no one on the roster who is looking to assume the role of a leader , it leads me to believe that the Colts will be in for a tough time over the course of this season !

With the problems that the Colts now seem to be having at the quarterback position and there not being what one might deem an abundance of talented free agent quarterbacks available it will be interesting to see what maneuvers will be made by GM Bill Polian in conjunction with the team’s head coach in order to remedy the situation .

At the end of the regular season schedule all eyes will be on the postseason and the teams that have garnered the respective berths for the NFL’s season finales. Those left by the wayside in terms of the teams will be looking to the 2012 NFL Draft and the talent available amongst the declarees . With what appears to be an abundance of talent at the quarterback position the consensus will be that Andrew Luck will be the number one overall pick. The Stanford quarterback has had an outstanding collegiate career and it bodes well for any of the teams in question with the desire to make Luck the face of their franchise . Alongside the Stanford player there’s also Denard Robinson , Kellen Moore , Case Keenum , Landry Jones , Brandon Weeden , Robert Griffin III and Nick Foles to name but a few who may well declare for the NFL Draft.

Given the uniqueness of the situation for a number of NFL franchises and their situation it certainly will be interesting to see the choices being made by the respective head coaches and that of general managers when the time comes to make their draft choices . But as of now we will just have to see the season pans out for the teams mentioned within this article .

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Picture gallery for your perusal .

What thoughts if any do you have with regard to the immediate future of the four franchises discussed within this piece . Which of the quartet do you believe if possible may well end up taking that number one pick overall ? Furthermore , do you believe that the choice in question has to be a quarterback taken by that prospective team ? Simply a comment as to your thoughts anything else that you believe pertinent with regard to this piece .

Alan aka tophatal ………. https://tophatal.wordpress.com

facebook.com/tophatal

Picture and slide show details .

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(1) SAN DIEGO, CA – OCTOBER 2: the Miami Dolphins the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on October 2, 2011 in San Diego, California. The Chargers won 26-16 . Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images …..

(2) ST. LOUIS, MO – OCTOBER 2: Sam Bradford (8) of the St. Louis Rams playing with a nagging injury passes the ball against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome on October 2, 2011 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Redskins beat the Rams 17-10 . Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images …….

(3) Quarterback Donovan McNabb (5) of the Minnesota Vikings reacts after throwing for a touchdown during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs on October 2, 2011 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images ….

(4) Quarterback Donovan McNabb (5) of the Minnesota Vikings is hit by Tyson Jackson (94) and Tamba Hali (91) of the Kansas City Chiefs as he scrambles during the game on October 2, 2011 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images ……

(5) TAMPA, FL – OCTOBER 3: Defensive lineman Michael Bennett (71) of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers tackles quarterback Curtis Painter (7) of the Indianapolis Colts October 3, 2011 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images …..

(6) Quarterback Curtis Painter (7) of the Indianapolis Colts throws the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on October 3, 2011 in Tampa, Florida. Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images ……

(7) Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck (12) waves to crowd after Stanford defeated UCLA —- 45-19 in an NCAA college football game in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011. Luck threw for 227 yards and three touchdowns. AP Photo/Paul Sakuma …. ….

(8) Landry Jones (12) of the Oklahoma Sooners passes against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium on September 17, 2011 in Tallahassee, Florida. Oklahoma would go on to defeat FSU 23-13 . Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images ……

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