From Black Voices: On this week’s episode of HBO’s “Entourage” NFL Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones tells Hollywood agent Ari Gold that the league “doesn’t do scandals.” Struck by the irony-outright lie?-of that statement, TheBVX serves up five episodes from the past year alone that say otherwise.
In Sunday’s “Entourage” episode, Ari was officially dropped by Jones when transcripts of the mega-agent calling his staffers “cunts” and “cocksuckers” leaked, killing the deal between the men to produce an NFL team. “We don’t do scandal,” Jones told Ari. “And the NFL doesn’t do scandals.” This was a funny line given the scandals that have arisen for the football league in the last twelve months alone. Every time Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco opens his mouth, it’s a scandal; meanwhile, his buddy and former Cowboys receiver Terrel Owens, who just signed to the Bengals, is a walking liability. And the NFL tolerates both.
TheBVX remembers a few other scandals the NFL, who “doesn’t do scandals,” recently… did:
1. Ben Roethlisberger
After Big Ben was accused of flashing his personal Big Ben not once, but twice-with more sinister accusations in tow-the NFL came down with a six-game suspension, which might only be four if he behaves himself. Meanwhile, he’s slated to play this weekend in a pre-season game. Fans in Pittsburgh were calling for him to be traded if not ex-communicated from the League altogether. Ari’s said some lewd things, but he’s never come close to being accused of rape.
Yeah, yeah, the Super Bowl is over, but I’m having Miami withdrawals. So I figured I’d relive my time in Miami. I mean I’m supposed to go to All-Star game this weekend, but I mean, it’s cold and snowy in Dallas right now. Also, last time I checked, Dallas is not Miami! Duh! So I’m debating how much fun I’ll actually have.
Either way, Miami was great, the city, the game, the spectacle, etc. Another great thing about Miami was the dichotomy between the fans. The Indigenous Tribe of the Who Dat’s literally turned the three main streets on South Beach into one huge Bourbon Street. They Indigenous Tribe of the Who Dat’s in Miami were the Roman Empire of 2010. On the other hand, the Native Naive Indianapolis Colts fans were quiet and meek. They lied and said the reason for their demeanor was because they’ve been there before and the Saints’ fans haven’t but it was a lie. The Colts fans were meek and quiet because they were scared point blank.
We all know how the game turned out, but see how these fans were turning out the city of New Orleans, um, I mean Miami. It just felt like I was in New Orleans.
In a sports fan’s life, this is why you give your heart and soul to a team.
Today, when you wake up and get ready for work…or when you go to your first class today…or get online to check and see what’s going on in Twitter-land…you will be glowing like Bruce LeRoy.
Great, great football weekend. The games were few, but the quality was excellent. Look at me talking like I’m from Harvard, lol. Anyway, here are my quick cuts and jukes from this weekends games.
College
East vs. West Shrine Game
It’s like the the ugly step child to the Senior Bowl. Everyone that wasn’t invited to the Senior bowl plays in this game. A lot of second tier players to be honest. Well, second tier in terms of the recruiters minds. Some studs could come out of this years game. Freddie Barnes, Dennis Pitta, Bradon Carter, Alterraun Verner, and Max Hall should all be drafted in this years class. (If you are a true fan of football you should know these names, if not, Google em! We’ve got bigger NFL fish to fry).
NFL
Great games! Let me start off with that. I wish I bet money on the games, because I was right on both lines, Colts -8.5 and Vikings +3.5 and Vikings vs. Saints over 54. The only one I missed on was Colts vs. Jets being under 40. I learned my betting lesson a long time ago, so I’ll stick to the air betting glory.
My boy Ed from Edthesportsfan.com drops some knowledge on us today about the Super Bowl. Enjoy! This won’t be a lengthy article, we know what time it is on Sunday. Super Bowl or bust. Jets vs. Colts, Vikings vs. Saints. One game to go to the Super Bowl in Miami, Florida.
My heart is telling me one thing, my mind tells me another. I can guarantee I will not be betting on football this weekend. No sir. Rule of thumb on betting, choosing women, and career decisions: Don’t let your emotions get in the way of you being great. Just trust me on this one. Here are the picks.
Here’s the run down on this lovely Tuesday morning of what went down over the weekend….
College
Navy drove Army for the eighth time in a row. Maybe we should call it the Navy Army game until Army wins a game. Let’s make sure we show love for our troops. They lay their lives on the line so that we can play this game and live in a free country.
I would report on the all the FCS and Division II and III playoffs, but I must walk before I can crawl and to act like I have any knowledge on the teams or players would be extremely fraudulent of me.
NFL
Umm, Pittsburgh is tripping. Point blank. I’m trying to figure out what went wrong with the rest of the world. Brady Quinn went 6 for 17 and the Steelers still lost to the Cleveland Browns.
Oh, Falcons, close but no cigar. Drew Brees did it again. Take that back, Jonathan Vilma did it. Great tackle at the end of the game by Vilma. Chris Redman played well in relief of Matt Ryan. That’s two weekends in a row the Saints have come close to losing that undefeated badge their wearing with such pride.
One day the Detroit Lions jokes are going to get old like all the Tiger jokes. Not anytime soon though. 48-3 loss to the Ravens.
You got Charles Woodson stock, I’m buying, I don’t care how much either. He’s Defensive Player of the Year hands down. I don’t wanna hear any Jared Allen or Darren Sharper talk either. I got some Jay Cutler stock and I’m giving that shit away for free. Hell, my garbage man won’t even pick it up. Maybe a vulture will come out the sky and take it off my hands. It’s stock, so if it becomes a commodity again I’ll buy more, but for now, it’s bad for business. Oh yah, the Packers are 9-4, and I don’t think anyone wants to play them in the playoffs.
Peyton Manning threw three picks. Brandon Marshall set an NFL record with 21 catches, surpassing the mark of 20 catches set by Terrell Owens set on December 17, 2000. And the Colts still won, yes, I said WTH because it was a Sunday but I totally understand your WTF.
I’m sticking to my guns when I say Miami is going to make the playoffs. First step, chip at the Jaguar’s lead on the 6th and final AFC spot with a 14-10 win. Bill Parcells is cold!
Do I have to talk about the Buffalo and Kansas City game? Cassell threw 4 picks. Looks like Cassell might be joining Larry Brown and Alvin Harper in the all-time free agent bust signings.
The Vikings are 11-2. Understandable, Brett Favre, Adrian Peterson, Jared Allen, Antione Winfield etc. But AD has only rushed for 100 yards 4x this year. Weird.
Seattle went to the Super Bowl four years ago. The Patriots have stayed consistent. Both teams have the same quarterback, what gives? Please tell me someone. Either way, the Hawks got drove by the Texans 34-7 in case you cared.
Best comment in regards to Randy Moss’ quitting in the game against Panthers this past weekend came from Coach Belichick. Panther’s defensive backs, Chris Gamble and Chris Harris, said Randy Moss quit last weekend and they knew he would. In response, Belichick was quoted as saying, that Randy never quits, plays hard all the time. He also noted that teams prepare for Randy by double and triple teaming him week in and week out. “Only people that don’t think so are these two guys, who still lost the game. Panthers haven’t won that many games.”
Look at this commercial and insert Belichick for Urban Meyer and replace those BCS rings with 3 Super Bowl rings…BITCH!!! lol.
Excuse me while i breathe on my finger nails and buff em out with my shirt. Jets, cornerback, excuse me Pro Bowl cornerback, Darrelle Revis recorded his third straight game with an interception. That is now four picks in three games for Revis. He was out October cover story. Damn, I know how to pick ‘em. Uhhh, Jets 26 Bucs 3. I told the Bucs they pulled the cord on Josh Johnson a little too early, because Josh Freeman isn’t fairing any better.
Chris Johnson for MVP. He has 1,626 yards. His average is 125 yards/gm. If he sticks to his average he’ll get be one yard over two stacks. I don’t want to talk about Dickerson’s record until Week 17, let’s not jinx the man now.
Washington 34 Oakland 13. What? You expected more?
Dallas loses to the Chargers….in December. What? You expected more?
Apparently the Giants and Eagles thought they were mourning for the death of the Arena Football League and decided to score alot of points in their honor forgoing their smash mouth traditionally defensive minded NFC East brand of football. Both teams combined for 83 points and five touchdowns over 60 yards. Eagles got the win 45-38.
Don’t ever bet money on the Cardinals. Last week they destroy the spread and the Vikings. This weekend they allow the spread to be destroyed by the 49ers. I think I found my next star defensive back to feature on a cover story before the “conglomerates” catch on Dashon Goldson. Oh my, let the 49ers get on tv and they wanna act a fool.
This much is clear when we talk about the 2009 NFL season. There are the “have’s” and the “have-not’s”. The pundits will tell us that there are some truly exceptional teams and there are some really crappy teams. Things have changed so much from what we thought we knew at the beginning of the season, to what we thought at the quarter pole, to what has defined at the end of the first half speaks volumes to the parity in the NFL. With that being said, here the studs who are making some of these teams play phenomenally. Oh, and I definitely expect some of you to disagree. Here we go…
MVP of the 1st Half: Brett Favre, Minnesota Vikings
Obviously the easier choices here are Drew Brees and Peyton Manning, as their teams are both 8-0. However, nothing about their offense is any different that its been in prior years. Minnesota on the other hand, had been EXTREMELY handicapped in recent years as they relied on the likes of Brooks Bollinger, Gus Frerotte, and the Tavaris Jackson experience. #4 has made this team a Super Bowl contender and has energized an offense that now all of a sudden has a ton of playmakers, plus the ability to change the world with a single throw. Look at Percy Harvin, Bernard Berrian, and Sidney Rice…is there a better trio of WR’s in the league right now better than those three? Purple Jesus is still in the backfield, and the fact remains that this offensive line is very solid. The 40-year old graybeard can sit back in his Wranglers’ and pick apart defenses like he’s shooting cans on a fenceline. Easy pickin’.
Offensive Player of the 1st Half: Cedric Benson, Cincinnati Bengals
Clearly if I went by the pure numbers then you’d again go with Brees or Manning, or even by who’s leading the league in rushing I could’ve selected Chris Johnson of the Titans, however…there’s no way in hell you could’ve told me that in 2009 that CEDRIC BENSON would be 2nd in the NFL in rushing yards and on pace to finish with almost 1700 yards rushing??!? Never, couldn’t happen. He wins this by a landslide, its not even close.
Defensive Player of the 1st Half: Darren Sharper, New Orleans Saints
For someone who was released by the Minnesota Vikings, for someone who’s been an all-time great in our generation of football, to see that the Saints safety already has 7 interceptions through 8 games and has helped turn a mediocre defensive 11 into an elite 11 is truly astounding. D-Sharp is doing it all, as he has returned three interceptions for touchdowns this year and has assumed a leadership role for his team. My buddy Tyrell, who is an avid Saints fan, would always get nervous when teams would throw deep on the Saints. They were liable to give up a big play nearly every time. Sharper has eliminated that fear, and is leading the Saints to glory in 2009.
Rookie of the 1st Half: Percy Harvin, Minnesota Vikings
By far the easiest choice I’ve made in a long time. Easier than choosing Alpha, easier than choosing my prom date back in high school, easier than choosing my favorite ice cream, (butter pecan) Percy Harvin has done EVERYTHING the Vikings have asked him to and excelled. Catching the ball, running the ball, returning the ball…Percy’s done it all. He is the essential X-Factor in football, and anytime he gets his hands on the ball he is feared that he’ll take it to the house.
Coach of the 1st Half: Josh McDaniels, Denver Broncos
Simply put, I cannot believe what’s going on in Denver. There was more turmoil in the Mile High City than could ever be imagined and they hadn’t even played a game yet. He traded away their supposed franchise QB, had multiple quarrels with their superstar wide receiver, and made some questionable free agent acquisitions in the off-season. They were picked to be in the CELLAR behind the RAIDERS & CHIEFS! What???? Now they are 6-2 and sitting pretty atop the AFC West where the Chargers were predicted to stand all along. Yes they just hit a 2-game skid, but there’s no shame in losing to the Ravens and Steelers. McDaniels is a smart & young coach and he’ll figure it out. Denver’s making us all look real bad.
Team of the 1st Half: Indianapolis Colts
No Marvin Harrison, no Anthony Gonzalez, no Bob Sanders, and a severely depleted offensive line have all been major speed bumps to the Colts. However, losing the Gandhi of pro football in Tony Dungy might be an even bigger blow to this team. Yet, Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne, and Dwight Freeney have manned up and put on a masterful performance through the first 8 games of this season. #18 is simply a maestro on the football field. I don’t even think Jim Caldwell is actually coaching anyone out there, he’s just a figurehead. #18 does it all. The defense has been high-energy all year and there are a ton of new faces that are continually making plays for this team. Plus, with the AFC as loaded as it is now, their 8-0 record looks all the more elite with every passing week.
THOUGHTS ON THE 1ST HALF AWARDS? WHO WOULD YOU PICK? LET US KNOW YOUR PICKS!
Donald Buckram, UTEP RB – Buckram got it in against #12 ranked Houston Cougar squad. He ran the ball 32 times for 262 yards and 4tds in a win.
Golden Tate, Notre Dame WR – With a name Golden he was destined to go to Notre Dame. Anyways, Tate hauled in 9 balls for 244 yards and touchdown in the Fighting Irish’s OT victory over Washington.
Demetrius Hartsfield, Maryland LB – He had a Merriman-esque performance in Death Valley. 10 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in a 24-21 Clemson win.
NFL
Brett Favre, Vikings QB – Revenge is sweet. Brett experience his revenge with a 24/31, 271 yards, and 3 td passes.
Darren Sharper, Saints FS – First the Vikings now the Packers. Why do teams continue to doubt this man’s fountain of youth. He made Mark Sanchez look like a rookie. He finished the day with 8 tackles, 2 passes defended, and 2 picks, returning one 99 yards for a touchdown as he was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week.
Champ Bailey, Broncos CB – The AFC Defensive Player of the Week had 8 tackles, 4 passes defended, and one interception. Two of those passes defended were on the final two plays of the game with the Cowboys on the Broncos two yard line. I have no clue why Romo challenged the best corner in the game on the final two plays.
Terrell Owens for once held his tongue. And now he is being scrutinized by one man. Tim Graham. According to his bio, Graham joined ESPN.com in 2008 he’s covered the Dolphins, Bills and now covers the NFC East. He is an award-winning NHL and boxing writer, and he now works for ESPN so his credentials speak for themselves.
I do have to wonder about Mr. Graham though, he’s been going in on Terrell Owens over the past few days. I count six articles on Owens and he may be writing one as we speak right now on Mr. Owens. I mean that’s six articles in four days for a man who has only caught 5 passes for 98 yards and 1 Td in three games so far this season.
Why is this man all up in T.O. ’s grill? That is because T.O. put a muzzle on himself this past Sunday. Reporters baited T.O. into starting his mid-season rant of “it’s everyone else’s fault but mine”. T.O. didn’t even come close to budging. I mean duh, does it look like we are half way through the season yet? And plus, this is his first year with the Bills. T.O. is always a model citizen in his first year with a club. It’s always in year two or three that he is just a little to honest for a team, owner, quarterback, and city’s liking.
I was going to have you read the transcript from the press conference, but I figured seeing and hearing would be better. Watch this, then I’ll continue.
Now, I’ve read a ton of responses. A lot from a lot of different websites, and I’m not going to take it “there” but there is a fine line drawn in the sand of those who think Owens handled this the right way and others who think he handled it wrong. It’s funny because both sides have a lot in common with one another, but like I said, I am not going to go there.
I’ll just offer up my thoughts. I’m proud of the way T.O. handled it. The questions were loaded. I’m not a huge T.O. fan. I like Randy Moss better, but I like T.O.’s game. I think Owens does bring a lot of media backlash and early team exits onto himself. But last Sunday was un-called for.
I mean is T.O. supposed to be happy and smiling after a loss. Not only a loss, but he was a non-factor in the game. He dropped a ball, which is typical, but a few were under thrown and two over thrown. He had five of Trent Edwards’ 35 passes thrown his way. There are few people in the league that can cover T.O., but I don’t think Jabari Greer or Tracy Porter can cover him even with Darren Sharper over the top. With all that said, I’d be pissed too if I was T.O. and he was rightfully so. It’s sad no one ever puts this into practice but it actually works: “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” T.O. wanted to take this route but the NFL demanded he speak to reporters after dodging them after the first two games. I mean you saw the video above, whether you think he was a jerk or not or if the reporters were asking loaded questions or not, what T.O. didn’t do was go off on his teammates, coaches and most importantly his quarterback, which I applaud him.
Two people that were not happy with T.O.’s answers were NBC analysts, Tony Dungy and Rodney Harrison. Dungy was quoted as saying,
“You really don’t want that,” Dungy said of Owens’ snide demeanor. “But I think you know that’s what you get with Terrell Owens. When things aren’t going well, you’re going to get stuff like that. That’s hard to coach.”
As much as I admire and respect Coach Dungy, I have to disagree. This isn’t Tom Brady or Peyton Manning rocking shades and having an attitude with reporters. It’s Terrell Owens. I mean it’s a situation where you’d rather have him parry reporters than cause locker room division right? Also, I don’t see how Coach Dungy didn’t think the reporter’s questions were not loaded.
Soon after Coach Dungy was done, Rodney Harrison jumped in the mix.
“He’s just a clown, a straight up clown. He’s more concerned with individual stats as opposed to the team’s success. Just a clown.”
While it can be argued that Owens is more concerned with individual success than team success in most cases it cannot be argued here. Where in this conversation did he say me, or they’re not throwing me the ball etc. He simply declined not to answer the questions. Harrison needs to fall back. He could have called Owens something far worse than a clown, but still for a pseudo-analyst to be calling players names is not acceptable.
In fairness, I have to tell what Owens said in response to Harrison via Twitter.
“I could less about Rodney Harrison! Anybody tht using steroids, yes STEROIDS rodney, is a cheater & cheated the game!”
“Is tht Y u used steroids b/c u were worried about ur stats or ws it b/c u were losing it? Lol! U’re a loser & a cheater? Got any steroid …”
“Hey rodney! Send me sum steroids 2 the Bills facility next week!”
The steroids comments are regarding Harrison’s four-game suspension to start 2007 for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. Harrison admitted to obtaining HGH, but insisted he never took steroids.
Now onto this Tim Graham cat. I’ve read some of his writing, and while I wouldn’t call myself a fan, the guy is a pretty damn good writer. I have no clue what is deal is lately though. He is T.O.’s personal Media Takeout, TMZ, World Star Hip-hop you name it. I wouldn’t be surprised if Graham didn’t blog about T.O. only leaving a 15% tip at a restaurant instead of 20%.
What got me going on Graham was his post yesterday, T.O. wallowing in his own martyrdom , where he essentially went in on T.O. for being in his words “condescending” and “patronizing”. I get it. Graham is apart of the media, and they do this for a living. They need good quotes in order to print/post interesting and relevant stories. But c’mon, there’s no way he can’t say those questions T.O. was asked were not loaded questions. I mean even Tim Hasselbeck, Trey Wingo and Trent Dilfer on NFL Live thought the questions were loaded. Sure Owens fired back tweets at Rodney Harrison, I’m sure he would have done the same if one of the reporters disrespected him and called him a clown at the press conference. Yes, Owens went on 2 Live Stews and gave them responses, but the 2 Live Stews didn’t ask T.O. loaded questions. There was no way T.O. could have answered those questions without making Trent Edwards look like a lousy quarterback, thus being vilified by the media as he always is which I’ve stated earlier, he most of the time brings upon himself. So no, Mr. Graham, T.O. didn’t “create” an incident for himself to say the media is twisting his quotes. It was actually created for him by Dick Jauron and his coaching staff’s play calling, Trent Edwards “bad day”, NFL PR forcing Owens to speak to reporters and over the top Buffalo media for asking loaded questions. This time it really wasn’t T.O.’s fault.
Graham stated that the Buffalo media isn’t like the New York or Philadelphia media. He is exactly right, NYC and Philly media are much more sophisticated in riling T.O. up and getting the “selfish” quotes out of him. Maybe that’s why Sunday’s reporters are in small market Buffalo and not big market NYC or Philly.
Tate Forcier, QB Michigan – The Cali QB rose to fame in a huge game this past week 310 total yards, 3tds and most importantly one W. Rahim Moore, FS UCLA – More was the first to make Lane Kiffin look stupid this season. He hit up the Vols for 6 tackles and 2 picks for a 19-15 in Knoxville. Case Keenum, QB Houston – The ring leader of the OSU upset led his team with 366 passing yards on 32/46 pass attempts and 4 total TDs as the Cougars upset the #5 ranked OSU Cowboys in Stillwater.
NFL Adrian Peterson, RB Vikings – The Deal ran for 180 yards on 25 attempts and hit up the Browns for 3 TDs.
Drew Brees, QB Saints – Brees was disgusting throwing for a 77% completion percentage. He was 26/34 throwing for 358 yards and 6 TDs. Someone tell Drew to slow down, it’s only Week 1.
Sheldon Brown, CB Eagles – The oft disrespected DB let his organization his value once again with two passes broken up and two passes picked off. Eagles, please pay this man!
