Vick Pleas

 

Among his admissions were that he financed the operation and that he and his co-defendants collectively participated in the dog slayings by hanging and drowning.  While some may be remorseful for Vick, I feel terrible for the Falcons.  Not only do they have to live with financial burden of one of the highest paid players in the league going to prison, but their starting QB is now Joey Harrington which ultimately spells doom for any franchise.

 

Vick has been suspended indefinitely and if we ever see him dawn a pro football uniform again, it’s very likely he’ll be playing a position other than QB.  Quarterbacks are traditionally the face of the franchise and there aren’t many, if any, franchises that want to deal with the backlash of Vick being their leader.

 

The list of athletes who have come to Vick’s defense so far warrants a column by itself.  Stephon Marbury (who later softened his stance), Clinton Portis, Roy Jones Jr., who all attempted to minimize Vick’s actions.  This might be the E list of athlete intellectuals.  When Peyton Manning, Tiki Barber, or Priest Holmes defend his actions, let me know.

 

2008 NFL Season Predictions (with the aid of Madden 08)

 

The Detroit Lions may have a shot at the playoffs.  If Madden is any indication, Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson may be the best WR combo since Jerry Rice and John Taylor.  With the immensely underrated Mike Furrey in the slot (98 rec. 1,086 yards) the Lions look formidable.  Their success will depend on the following equation:

 

Does Kevin Jones + Tatum Bell + T.J. Duckett = One Quality NFL Running Back?

 

Cowboys to lead the league in turnovers?  It could happen.  I despise the Cowboys but you cannot deny how formidable their offense looks.  However, every time I’ve played with them or against them, TO is good for 3 drops and a fumble.  My first drive with the Cowboys?  1st down out route to TO, fumble, TO recovers.  2nd down drag route to Terry Glenn, fumble, Barber recovers.  3rd down post to TO, fumble, Witten recovers.

 

Same old Eagles?  Probably will happen.  Curtis and Brown are average receivers and it can be extremely tough to get either of them the ball against good secondaries.  Combine that with the fact that the Westbrook is injury prone and susceptible to being tackled by a stiff wind, and the Eagles offense resembles the days of Trash and Stinkston in Madden 08.  I hope this isn’t an indicator of things to come.

 

Hard Knocks

 

The return of the HBO documentary covering NFL training camps is quality television.  There isn’t much better primetime entertainment than uncensored Herm Edwards.  The highlight so far has been Edwards ordering rookie David Bowe to have a dozen glazed Krispy Kreme donuts on his desk by 9am with a stern prohibition on Bowe eating any of the donuts.  Edwards also purportedly fined a player for conduct detrimental to the team for dancing in the locker room better than your average stripper (splits included).  Be sure to tune in if you haven’t been watching.

 

Team USA

 

I guess I have to talk about Team USA with new editions Kobe Bryant and Jason Kidd. 

They’ve been blowing people out.  Great.  I hope they don’t expect a “good job” or other congratulatory statement.  As my mother always said, you don’t get credit for doing things you’re supposed to do.  There was no celebration when I turned 25 for making it that far in life without going to jail.  No 'thank yous' for keeping my room clean.  That is  essentially what Team USA has done to this point.

 

NBA Live 90’s Comebacks

 

Penny Hardaway, Reggie Miller, Allan Houston, Charles Oakley, and Shawn Kemp.  It a list of former all-stars.  A list of dominant players on 90’s EA Sports video games.  Its also a list of late 30s to early 40 somethings who have contemplated comebacks in recent weeks.  (Reggie Miller officially gave up his comeback attempt)  What about this summer makes the old-timers think they can be successful again?  There seems to be an overriding perception that the league is diluted.  Diluted or not, we’ll see how long they can make it without that arthritis flaring up.