Jameis Winston: Fitting the "New" NFL Mold

Yesterday it was announced that last year's Heisman Trophy winner, Jameis Winston, will be suspended for the first half of this Saturday's big game against ACC rival Clemson. According to reports, Winston made a scene at a student union where he was screaming obscenities about having sex with a woman. This is the same Winston who had been accused of rape. While criminal charges had been dropped, the U.S. Department of Education is continuing to investigate how Florida State handled the situation. Winston was also involved in a shop-lifting incident that resulted in his suspension from the Florida State baseball team.

I remember the first time I saw Winston play.  It was a game against Clemson and he was spectacular and I was immediately thinking about how he would look in a Cleveland Browns uniform. Now, I wouldn't consider him at all. Winston is a classic example of what is wrong with sports. Here is a kid who has an enormous amount of talent.  I'm sure he has been catered to since he was in Jr. high school. As a result, he could do no wrong and get whatever he wanted.

While the NFL is getting raked over the coals for its mishandling of the various player behaviors that have resulted in violence against women and children, major college athletic programs also need to be called out for their "win at all cost" attitude. What's the difference with the Carolina Panthers letting convicted domestic violence perpetrator Greg Hardy play in their first 2 games and Florida State allowing Winston to play at all this Saturday? There is no difference.

Until college athletic programs and professional sports leagues put a premium on character as opposed to "winning at all costs", we will continue to put up with guys like Ray Rice, Greg Hardy, etc. Both college and pro sport teams need to put an emphasis on proper personal conduct, including domestic violence, alcohol and drug use and the handling of weapons. Prompt and appropriate measures need to be in place to deal with indiscretions.

As fans, we can do something about this too. We need to make our voices heard by not buying products that have the player's name on it and any product that has the team's logo on it. We need to let team sponsors know that we will not purchase their products unless they apply pressure on the teams to take a tough stance with players who violate personal code of conduct policies. We need to stop watching ESPN's Sunday Countdown Show which glorifies violence in it's "Jacked Up" feature and has the nerve and audacity to have Ray Lewis on its panel.

Unfortunately, it will take awhile before anything changes. That means Jameis Winston very well could be the number one pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Why not, he fits right in to the "new" NFL mold.

Tuesday's Thoughts

While wondering what happened to summer, here is what's on my mind this morning:

* Well the countdown to the end of a torturous baseball season continues for those of us who are Yankee fans, as the Yankees lost 1-0 last night to the Tampa Bay Rays and continue to slip further away from the second wild card slot.  The $200 million dollar lineup has only scored 6 runs in its last five games.  I knew back at the end of July that they were not going to make it but the spin masters continued to keep everyone believing that they could make a run.  Well the days of the 1995-2012 teams are done. These guys are incapable of a long winning streak.  Unfortunately, it may be a few seasons before we see such a Yankee team being able to do that.

* The NFL continues to take more hits with the arrest of Adrian Peterson for child abuse and now a second report that Peterson beat one of his other seven children last year. The law and order Commissioner, Roger Goodell, has been no where to be found. If the NFL wants to retain some of its credibility, Goodell needs to suspend Peterson, Ray McDonald and Greg Hardy indefinitely pending their cases making it through the legal system.

* Loved the article that referenced the NFL as the National Felons League.

* I must admit that the Browns have me interested again after their 26-24 win over the New Orleans Saints. The Browns defense seem to sag in the second half after an impressive first half however they did contribute as a result of a beautiful pick six from Tashaun Gipson. The offense sputtered in the second half but Brian Hoyer was able to engineer a drive which led to the game winning field goal. However, there were parts of Hoyer's game which need improvement. 

* Anyone who says that Jay Cutler is soft should have their heads examined. The shot he took late in the first half before the touchdown pass to Brandon Marshall was brutal. Yet, he led the Bears to the victory. Marshall's one handed catch of that first touchdown could go down as the catch of the year. 

* I still find college football more exciting than the NFL.

* Kudos to the Radisson Hotel chain as they have pulled their sponsorship with the Minnesota Vikings after the Vikings reinstated Peterson for Sunday's game against the Saints.

* Who has a better future: the Chicago Cubs or the Yankees?

* Rookie camps throughout the National Hockey League were in full swing over the weekend with preseason camps beginning later this week.  Needless to say I can't wait for the season to start.

* Well, the parade route is being developed for the Buffalo Bills Super Bowl win that is bound to happen as a result of the team being 2-0.  It should be interesting to see how they do Sunday against the San Diego Chargers, who defeated the defending World Champion Seattle Seahawks.

* I wonder where all the morons are who were criticizing Sammy Watkins during the preseason?

* And finally, I'm so happy to be living in Pegulaville.

Is The New York Media Waking Up?

For months I have been calling out the New York media for not getting after the New York Yankee organization for its inability to develop talent and to a strategy of signing past their prime free agents.  In fact, I have been complaining about the lack of a farm system for the last three years.  The typical Yankee media hacks like Mark Feinsand, Sweeney Murti and Michael Kay have made plenty of excuses throughout the season.  I remember distinctly during a telecast in July how Kay was extolling the fact that in spite of the Yankees terrible run differential they were still a playoff contender.  Really Michael?  How are they making out now?

Well, Thursday morning I was pleasantly surprised by two articles: one in the Daily News by Bill Madden and the other in the Post by Kevin Kernan.

http://nypost.com/2014/09/11/troubling-new-reality-for-old-bombers/

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/madden-chasing-wild-card-yankees-answers-injuries-article-1.1935750

Madden's article slams home the point that the Yankee farm system is bereft of talent. They don't have a shortstop, third baseman or any outfield prospects who will be ready to step in next year. The only position player who may be major league ready is second base prospect Robert Refsnyder. It's a total joke that the richest sports team in the world cannot scout and develop talent.  As Madden states,  "When is Hal Steinbrenner going to hold someone accountable for a team with a payroll of over $200 million, clogged with grossly overpaid, fading veterans, that likely will finish out of the postseason money for the second straight season — an organization that hasn’t drafted and developed a single All-Star-caliber position player since Derek Jeter in 1992?

Is no one responsible for this?

Kernan accurately identifies that we have reached the beginning of a period of terrible baseball in the Bronx. This will mark two years of not making the playoffs, the first time since the 1991-1992 seasons.  Kernan pounds away at the point that the team is old and desperately need the infusion of youth.  In the article, here's what Joe Maddon of Tampa Bay had to say, " “Money can’t buy you happiness anymore,’’ Rays manager Joe Maddon told The Post. “Now it is about playing better baseball and not about spending all the money. There’s a lot of talk about organizations overvaluing prospects, but you can see why in a sense. You can’t go out and buy 40 home runs anymore, they’re not there. It’s hard to buy 20 victories anymore, it’s not there.’’

Maddon said the secret to success is the middle ground, not the totally inexpensive route and not the really expensive route.

I give credit to both writers for calling it like I have been seeing it for months. However, there are still morons like Joel Sherman who in an article says the Yankees should go after Victor Martinez in 2015.  Just what they need: another over-35 year old DH/first baseman.

Yankee fans need to come to the realization that this team is in BIG trouble for the next 4-5 years unless there is a change in philosophy. Joe Maddon is right. You are not going to buy your way out of this. The Jeter teams from 1996-2001 were built around home grown players. They added players through trade or free agency, like Chili Davis and David Justice. But the key guys were Williams, Jeter, Rivera, Posada and Pettitte.

It's being reported that Mark Newman, the man in charge of the Yankees' farm system is retiring at the end of the season.  He headed a system that did not see one of the Yankees minor league teams make the playoffs. Maybe Newman saw the handwriting on the wall. The whole farm system needs to be examined including various instructors and coaches. Newman leaving is the first step but more needs to be done including a decision on whether or not Brian Cashman remains as general manager. The question is whether or not Hal Steinbrenner has the ability to make the tough decisions. I'm betting he doesn't

The NFL I Remember

As I have said many times, I have been a long time NFL fan. The Cleveland Browns were my team and they were on every Sunday. When I would go home from grade school, I would run pretending I was alluding tacklers like Jimmy Brown. Then Leroy Kelly was my guy and I lived and died with the Orange & Brown every Sunday.

As I got older, while still a Browns fan, Joe Namath was my favorite player. I'll never forget Super Bowl III, watching it with my Dad, brother and cousin as the AFL NY Jets knocked off the Baltimore Colts. The same Colts who buried my Browns in the NFL Championship Game one week earlier. 

It was common for me to watch games from 1pm until 7pm every Sunday. Years later, Sunday night football started and it was football from 1pm until 11pm. Of course, in 1970, Monday Night Football began and I wouldn't miss it for anything. I loved NFL Football 

Throughout the 60s through the 80s, players making a sack or defending a pass didn't go into a wild dance or some kind of other histrionics.  When a guy like Walter Payton scored a touchdown, he just handed the ball back to the referee. Even the guys who started the touchdown celebrations were fun to watch like the Ickey Shuffle or the Fun Bunch. There wasn't an attempt to embarrass your opponent unlike today. 

Were football players perfect in that time period?  Certainly not. Namath was known for his partying as were guys like Paul Hornung and Dante Pastorini. But the one thing I don't recall is rampant gun use and violence. 

Nowadays a guy has a sack and he celebrates like his team just won the Super Bowl even though his team was trailing by 3 touchdowns. Football highlights didn't focus on ego-maniac displays but on key plays of the game. You didn't have highlight shows with the hosts screaming "Jacked Up". 

Since the late 90s, the NFL has been on a downward spiral. The quality of play has not been up to par with too many teams added which has diluted the talent pool. Players leaving college early to turn pro has not helped either as these guys are not mentally prepared for all aspects of being a pro football player. 

Back in the 60s through the 80s, NFL owners were sportsmen first, businessmen second. Halas, Mara, Rooney and Wilson, to name a few, recognized the importance of all teams doing well for the benefit of the league.  These owners respected the game and that's what they expected from their players. Now, it's all about making money.  And in Jerry Jones' case, hitting on women young enough to be his granddaughter.  When owners have no respect for the game, it makes sense that the players have no respect either. 

The NFL is out of control. Players carrying guns, beating women, abusing drugs and being involved in homicides are what characterizes today NFL.  Think about this: Major League Baseball this year has honored Derek Jeter. Jeter personified grace and class and was the face of the game. Two years ago, the NFL honored Ray Lewis. You tell me who would you want to be the face of your league: Jeter or Lewis?  

The Ray Rice situation is the tip of the iceberg. The NFL is out of control. It is now being reported that law enforcement provided the NFL with the tape that showed Rice cold-cocking Janay Rice. If this is true, Commissioner Goodell has some explaining to do. If he was smart, he would immediately announce that the NFL was going to initiate a full blown public service campaign concerning domestic violence. There should be zero tolerance for such behavior. Anyone arrested of a violent crime should be suspended pending the outcome of the criminal investigation. Conviction of a violent crime should result in a lifetime suspension. 

I'm not sure I can ever get back to being the type of NFL fan that I was 30 years ago. But in order to get me to care anymore, the NFL needs to clean up its act, both on and off the field. Somehow I don't see it happening

NFL and Ravens Just Don't Get It

A day after the Ravens released Ray Rice and the NFL suspended him indefinitely as a result of a video that shows Rice cold-cocking his fiancé and knocking her out with one punch, it is clear that the team nor the league gets it. Reading Baltimore owner Steve Biscotti's apology left me shaking my head.

Biscotti, while admitting that the team did not handle the situation properly, still had to say that it was a situation where Rice & his then fiancé were drinking and started hitting each other. Really Steve. Forget the second video. The first video shows an NFL player pulling a woman face down who was unconscious out of an elevator. From that video, Biscotti's team did nothing. In fact, they defended Rice. 

Commissioner Roger Goodell has said he never saw the second video. So what Roger. The bottom line is you blew it and the second video shows that big time. A former Carolina Panther team executive on TSN Drive 1050 Toronto stated that he believed that the NFL underestimated the importance of the issue of domestic violence because it would be the only reason why they wouldn't have seen that second video.  The NFL knows how to conduct a thorough investigation. It's clear that this did not happen in this case.

The NFL and the Baltimore Ravens have given themselves a black eye.  I've yet to hear a major politician speak out and demand that the NFL take immediate action to deal with the issue of domestic violence. The NFL has a considerable amount of influence in our society (too much as far as I'm concerned).  If they took a no tolerance approach and went on a public education campaign about the evils of domestic violence, they could have a significant impact. They could start by combining their Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October with Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Have October be the month where the NFL shows it sensitivity to these issues which impact women. A meaningful effort for the entire month of October in educating the public on breast cancer awareness and domestic violence awareness would go a long way in the NFL rehabilitating itself. It's up to you Mr. Goodell: face the issue head on or bury your head in the sand and hope everyone focuses on their fantasy league. 

Tuesday Thoughts

While wondering where the hell summer's gone, here is what's on my mind this morning:

For over 50 years I have been following the NFL but for the last 2 years, I have become more disgusted with its hypocrisy and arrogance. The latest display of such hubris has to do with the Ray Rice situation.

I find it hard to believe that the NFL & the Baltimore Ravens just saw the video which shows Rice cold-cocking his then fiancé and now wife. The NFL is the biggest sports league in North America. To paraphrase Hyman Roth, they're bigger than US Steel. As a result, it would be nothing for the league to ask law enforcement to view the video. Peter King and others reported in the summer that the NFL did see the video. Now King is backtracking. What a shill!!

If the league did not see the video or ask to see the video, shame on the league. This woman was dragged out of that elevator like a sack of potatoes. How does the $44 million dollar Commissioner think she got into that condition??  Goodell should be ashamed of himself. Mr. Law & Order.  He was going to correct the problem of violence and lawlessness that threatened the league's image and more importantly its business.  What a joke. Before TMZ came out with the video, Goodell & Company were hoping that the commissioner's mea culpa and new harsh penalties would help smooth out the criticism over Rice's 2 game suspension. 

And then there are the Ravens. See they too are claiming they were unaware of this video until yesterday.  They also said that Rice lied to them because his fiancé attacked him. Really?? Even if that was the case, which it clearly was not, that gave Rice the right to knock her out??  But remember this is an organization where Head Coach John Harbaugh minimized the whole situation. This is an organization that has a statue in front of its stadium of someone involved in double homicide, Ray Lewis. If not for the TMZ video, Rice would be ready to play in week 3. What a joke. 

Unfortunately, this will all blow over. Goodell will not be held accountable. Neither will anyone in the Ravens organization. No politician would dare to come out and say that the NFL is out of control.  The main stream media certainly doesn't have the guts to demand action be taken to clean the NFL of it violent and lawless behavior. Don't forget this is a league that has had gun violence, a hazing incident in Miami and plenty of vehicular drug & alcohol related events. Back in the late 70s, the NBA was on the verge of losing its popularity as drug use was rampant. As a result, they suffered in attendance, TV ratings and merchandise sales. It forced them to clean up their act. But the NFL hasn't had to worry about that because as long as there is gambling, football pools and fantasy football, people will tune into watch.  It's a damn joke and I for one have had it. The NFL could shut down tomorrow and I could careless. 

I wonder if anyone has questioned why there is such violent behavior on the part of NFL players off the field. Could it be possible that steroids or other performance enhancing drugs could be the reason??  Hmmm, probably not.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month so maybe the NFL should include that as part of its Breast Cancer Awareness Month activities. Just a thought.

The ownership and management of the New York Yankees should be ashamed of themselves for their pimping of Derek Jeter.  Jeter is my favorite Yankee but Sunday's tribute was nothing more than Hal & Company trying to get another sell out because the product on the field can't draw them in anymore. You see, those last 3 games against Baltimore will draw capacity crowds to see The Captain's last games at home.  I could see on the last day having a video tribute and some gifts presented.  But Sunday was a money grab, just like the commemorative patch on the jersey and hat that the team will wear. 

Next season, we will have Bernie Wiiliams Day, Andy Petitte Day and I'm sure a ceremony retiring Jeter's jersey number. When you can't field a playoff team, you have to sell memories. 

David Ortiz said that he would not have a farewell tour like Jeter and Mariano Rivera. Guess what Ortiz, you are not even in the same league as either of them. Can't remember Jeter or Rivera showing up an opponent like you have done nor have I heard of them being steroid users as you were. What an ego-maniac. Jerk.

When the Oakland A's acquired Jeff Samardizja, Jason Hammel and Jon Lester and the Tigers got David Price, I believed they would play each other in the ALCS. Forget that now. Two teams to watch: the Angels and the Orioles. 

Would love to see the Dodgers win the World Series for Donnie Baseball. 

Many have told me that I should be happy that the Browns erased a 27-3 deficit before losing 30-27.  Well I'm not happy because like many times last year, the Browns defense could not make a big stop at the end. 

Last Friday, self-proclaimed expert and Notre Dame hater, Mark May, predicted a Michigan victory over the Fighting Irish. May droned on about how good the Wolverine offense looked in week 1. Really?? They looked good against Appalachian State and that made them a sure fire pick. May is a damn joke and a disgrace. 

Everett Golson looked very good Saturday night against the Wolverines and if he continues to play like that throughout the season he should be a dark horse candidate for the Heismann. The ND defense did a great job containing Devin Gardner who destroyed them last year at Ann Arbor. 

Was laughing big time watching Virginia Tech beating the Buckeyes at Columbus. What a nice way to knock the smugness off Urban Meyer's face. 

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced two new members to their Legends Row statute that will be outside Air Canada Center: Johnny Bower and Darryl Sittler. Sittler is my all-time favorite Maple Leaf and I'm happy to see him being honored. 

Counting down the days for the Leafs training camp to open. I like the moves that they made in the off season but I wish they would have fired Randy Carlyle. 

Speaking of firing, I'm not surprised that the Yankees are going to retain Brian Cashman. He should have been fired a year ago but Hal doesn't have the stones to do the right thing.  The Boss must be besides himself.

And finally, are there any sportsmen left among the money grubbing owners of the NFL??

Re-Arranging the Deck Chairs On The Good Ship Pinstripe

Well, I guess I'm suppose to be happy.  The Yankees acquired Martin Prado and Stephen Drew and this will allow them to compete according to General Manager Brian Cashman. Compete for what?? If they are lucky, being the second wild card team to have the privilege of going out west to get beat by the Angels. Boy, am I happy!!

I have to laugh when I hear New York media types say that its great that the Yankees have a "win now" attitude as oppose to "building for the future." But what are they winning? They haven't won a World Series since 2009 and were ceremoniously knocked out in 2010, 2011 and 2012. This team is no closer to being a legitimate World Series contender than are the New York Mets. At least the Mets have some kids who can make them contenders for the next several years while the Yankees have a bunch of 30-something mercenaries who will keep them around the playoff chase but never be able to do anything more. From 1983 to 1990, the Yankees had the best winning percentage in all of Major League Baseball. Yet, they never made the playoffs in any one of those years.

The Yankees traded Pete O'Brien for Martin Prado. For the past couple of months, the Yankees have been telling us what a good prospect O'Brien is and how he had awesome power. While he was a catcher, it would seem that the move would be to work with this kid to play first base as Mark Teixiera is getting older and obviously can't stay healthy. But, the kid gets moved for Prado who can play 2B, 3B and the outfield where he has played mainly left field. Prado is a nice player and would be a great addition to a legitimate playoff contender. The Yankees are far from that.

Then the Yankees trade Kelly Johnson to Boston for Stephen Drew. I am not a Kelly Johnson fan, in fact I thought it was a joke when they signed him. But, acquiring Drew is a joke also particularly when it is the Yankees intention to play him at second base where he has never played. If I recall, Johnson has played second base. But once again Brian Cashman wants to look like the smartest guy in the room. What a joke. So Drew will play second, even though he has never played there, and Prado will play right field where he has never played. But boy, hasn't Cashman done a great job??

What Boston is doing is what should be happening in the Bronx. While the Yankees continue to string their fans along with getting players who are in their 30's and will soon be on the downside of their careers, (if they are not there already), Boston is building for another legitimate playoff run. It is a given truth, acquiring big name free agents is not the way to build a championship team. Free agents should only augment what you have and trades (like David Justice) should help a team get over the top.  Prado and Drew get the Yankees no closer to being a bona-fide contender. All it does is appease the masses who buy the Pinstripe BS that comes out of the Bronx. Your infield next year will be Prado at 3B, Drew at SS, Robert Refsnyder 2B (kid at AAA who they've jerked around between the OF & 2B) and Teixiera at 1B. Of course, it is not given that the kid will be given a chance. Smarter move would have been to bring the kid up now and let him get his feet wet. But that's not the Yankee way as it is more palatable to acquire 30-somethings who have names that will get everyone all fired up. By the way, why didn't they just get Drew in the off-season if he was so much better than Kelly Johnson. Instead, they sell us a line of crap on how Johnson will hit for power and is versatile to play in the infield and the outfield. How did they make out with that fairy tale??

Can someone please tell me what is the plan to make the New York Yankees one of the premier baseball teams in the American League? I am sick and tired of the smoke and mirrors that Cashman & Company spew. What we all need to realize is that Trost, Levine and Hal only are concerned about the bottom line. They lived off Jeter this year. Next year they will bring Bernie back (after they have screwed him for the last several years) and I'm sure they will have some other things planned like maybe El Duque Day & David Wells Day all in an attempt to get people into the stands. Who knows, if ARod calls it quits they will honor him too. How about Mike Mussina Day!

This franchise is a goddamn joke and fans need to wake up and realize it. For once I want Brian Cashman to tell us what the long range plan is for this team. But you know what, that will never happen because there is no plan other than to make sure that they do just enough to reel us in to believe that they are doing everything they can to be a contender when in fact they are doing nothing but guaranteeing mediocrity. Look at the rotation for next year. Nova, Tanaka and Sabathia all coming off of an injury. Who knows what you can get from Pineda and then you have Phelps or possibly Greene. Does that sound like a championship rotation? Hardly.

Who's playing right field next year? Carlos Beltran? Really?? Beltran will be 38 years old next April. There's no one down on the farm. It's totally pathetic yet we are suppose to be happy because the Yankees have a "win now" attitude. It's a joke and an insult to any intelligent Yankee fan. But, the New York media will continue to peddle what Cashman and Company are selling and many fans will buy it hook, line and sinker. Nothing will change until Cashman and Mark Newman are fired and even then it might not be enough because the money men are running this team. I have followed this team for 52 years and I have to tell you it's getting hard to accept what is happening. At least in the 80's there was Don Mattingly who made you want to follow the team. In the mid to late 60's, the Mick was still around and then Bobby Murcer came along to be followed by Thurman Munson. Once Jeter hangs them up, what homegrown Yankee is there to be excited about?

So those Yankee fans who are thrilled with the great moves that Cashman has made, your excitement is what they wanted and their mission has been accomplished. In the meantime, the rest of us Yankee fans will hunker down for another October for no playoff baseball in the Bronx and what is more depressing is the thought that there might not be October baseball in the Bronx for years to come.