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Vikings Allegedly Increase Offer for Jared Allen

post from Daily Norseman on 21 April 2008 10:01:57 PM. © Daily Norseman

Take this for what it's worth. . .this information comes from an Insider article that was published on Viking Update. Per protocol and common decency, I'm not going to link to the article here (and, hey, even if I did, you couldn't read it anyway), but the jist of it is this:

The Vikings' offer to the Chiefs for Jared Allen now consists of their #17 overall pick in the 2008 Draft, their #73 overall pick in the 2008 Draft, and a second-round selection in the 2009 Draft.

On the surface, all one can say is "wow." Because, honestly, it looks like a lot at first glance. But after a closer look, it really doesn't seem so terrible. Consider this for a moment.

Our first round pick was, more than likely, going to be spent on a defensive end anyway. If given the choice, who would you rather have. . .a proven commodity like Jared Allen? Or a guy that "might" work out like Derrick Harvey or Phillip Merling? Hell, how many first-round defensive ends has this team drafted since Chris Doleman was traded away with no real success? If you need to be reminded, here's the list:

1995 - Derrick Alexander (11th overall)
1996 - Duane Clemons (16th overall)
1999 - Dimitrius Underwood (29th overall. . .and, hopefully, this will be the last time that that guy is ever mentioned on this site)
2004 - Kenechi Udeze (20th overall)
2005 - Erasmus James (18th overall)

Kevin Williams was drafted as a DE, but I really don't think we're going to count him. Five times since the Vikings traded Chris Doleman to the Atlanta Falcons, they've drafted a DE in Round 1. . .and they've taken some shots in Round 2 as well with guys like Michael Borieau and Kailee Wong.

Take a good look at that list. . .include Borieau and Wong if you want. Of those seven guys, the only one that can't be classified as total crap at this point is Udeze. . .and even he hasn't developed into quite the pass rush guy that the Vikings hoped he'd be when they drafted him out of USC. Unfortunately, there's a chance that we'll never know if he could have developed into such a player. . .but I certainly hope we do. (Get well soon, BKU!)

So, then, if the choice is between taking a risk on Derrick Harvey or Phillip Merling or acquiring one of the 4-5 best defensive ends in the NFL. . .I think the choice is pretty much a no-brainer.

The third rounder we're offering in the trade? Hell, we stole that pick from Denver. It's only right that we use it for something bigger. Essentially, we trade away a pick that really wasn't ours to begin with.

And the second rounder in 2009? Come on. . .how much value does the 32nd pick in the second round have, anyway? (Okay. . .maybe as high as, say, 28th or so.)

So really, when it comes down to it, we'd be dealing next year's second round pick for Jared Allen. Who could possibly have a problem with that? That's the way I see it, anyway. . .as always, your mileage may vary.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.dailynorseman.com/story/2008/4/21/21157/2720

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New Blog Design, Same Old Florio

post from Stampede Blue on 21 April 2008 09:36:41 PM. © Stampede Blue

I'm impressed with all of the new whiz-bang things here on Stampede Blue 2.0. It's like getting that new piece of technology, and wanting to read through the manual, finding all of the cool stuff you can use. I may use a couple here, most likely as overkill, just to try them out.

I was perusing around trying to find some Colt's related news, and found this article by Mike Florio, where he goes through the First Round of the draft, picking any player in the NFL. As has been laid out before here and here, he really doesn't like the Colts, and especially doesn't like Manning. It is very apparent to anyone with a pulse, that if everyone in the NFL went in for a redraft, the first two picks would be Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, in which ever order you choose (I'm obviously biased, as many of you are, for #18). Not the wanna-be GM Florio.

He, of course, picks Brady first, for the Dolphins. He says:

1. Miami Dolphins: Tom Brady, quarterback, Patriots. Is there any doubt about this one? Though he's now 30 years old, Brady will make any team a contender until the day he retires.

Again, no problems here if you want Brady first. Him and Manning are 1 and 1A. I really think he made his second choice, just fishing for someone from here to call him out for it. His second pick:

2. St. Louis Rams: Jared Allen, defensive end, Chiefs. Allen is an absolute beast, arguably the best defensive player in the league. And he's only 26.

Now, don't get me wrong: Jared Allen is a great player, and no doubt is a top 15 player. But #2 overall in the NFL, when building a team from scratch? I couldn't even begin to figure out how that makes any sense at all. We all learned in last year's Super Bowl that Defensive Ends are very important to winning in the NFL. However, I wouldn't say Allen is, by far, the best of the bunch at DE. Many others are quite good, including, of course, Dwight Freeney. I really think Florio is just pulling hairs, as this isn't even close to a reasonable pick.

Almost begrudgingly, Manning is selected third. He says:

3. Atlanta Falcons: Peyton Manning, quarterback, Colts. The Falcons need to put a new face on the franchise. Manning gives them a whole head. And a big one at that.

You have the standard cheap shot at Manning's head, which I've done myself. You can tell he really doesn't want to take him, but knows nobody will take his list seriously if he drops him any more.

The rest of his list is ok. He has both Freeney and Wayne being taken in his first round, but, again, takes a cheap shot at a Colt:

24. Tennessee Titans: Dwight Freeney, defensive end, Colts. Though a tad on the overrated side, Freeney would make a very good defense downright dominant.

A defense can be dominant with an overrated player? I don't understand the logic. It doesn't look like he's actually taking the best player at certain points, like with the Jets and Patriots at 6/7. He has Marion Barber at #15, and Chad Johnson before Moss, Owens, and Wayne. He can be our rival's GM any day, especially making some of these picks.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.stampedeblue.com/2008/4/21/447056/new-blog-design-same-old-f

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Bengals keep saying no to Chad Johnson trade, but
to what end

post from Cincy Jungle on 21 April 2008 09:32:34 PM. © Cincy Jungle

Not long after we posted a musing post about the Eagles and Chad Johnson, NFL Network's Adam Schefter reiterates the Bengals position since day one. No. No. No. Almost like a five-year old refusing to eat brussel sprouts. “No matter the offer,” Schefter says. “No matter the circumstances. No deal.”

Sure, a part of me wants the team to keep Chad and let him pout. His off-season character suicide campaign has worked so well that no matter what he says, that he'll remain the idiot -- not, ironically, the Bengals. Those tides could shift though (see below).

But another part of me wonders to what end. Keeping Chad because of over-inflated front office egos to teach a young, rich, spoiled, egomaniac wide receiver a lesson of contract loyalty, doesn't promise any benefit. I could care less for Chad anymore. He's not my concern. The Bengals are. Keep Chad and run the risk of T.J. Houshmandzadeh's prophesy coming true that it will "be a problem". Sure, it would mean giving Chad what he wants. But when he's gone, he's gone. No worries.

Alright, keep Chad. Then when when drops three third down passes, doesn't reach for a pass over the middle in the endzone, obliterates the locker room chemistry, then it's not Chad's fault. It's yours, the organization. The idiots that had a little fun watching Chad squirm -- admittedly, we had fun too -- but this will ultimately confirm that the team is, and here's the word that Marvin Lewis hates, being enablers.

If a first round offer comes around, why not take it? Because Chad needs to fulfill his contract? Look. I'm the first to criticize pampered players, but at the risk of the football team? There's bigger issues here and the team and its fans could literally find themselves the biggest losers in this.

While beat writers and other official web sites claim that the move is something the Bengals can't do, I find myself asking why? Economics? Do you, team officials, beat writers, Cincinnati sports aficionados, mean to tell me that the cost of dumping Chad Johnson outweighs the risk of keeping him? Is there no possible way to trade him? Other than the rookies, what possible signing would need that money that could make a difference? Injury pool?

NFL Network also reports that the Jacksonville Jaguars could be interested in Chad Johnson. Of course, we're sure that if Jacksonville offers their first five picks that the Bengals will say no. It's this type of thing that makes the league laugh at our silly little team.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.cincyjungle.com/story/2008/4/21/203234/755

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SB Nation Mock Draft: Who should Shake n Bake
pick

post from Stampede Blue on 21 April 2008 08:46:16 PM. © Stampede Blue

We are down to the wire folks; down to the nitty-gritty. With just three picks to go until the SB Nation Mock Draft gets to #59, players like Chris Johnson, Trevor Laws, Earl Bennett, and now John Carlson are all gone. This leaves our community rep in the mock draft, Shake n Bake, in a bit of a pickle (hehe, love that stupid phrase).

Ok, though I am not the person charged with the responsibility for making this pick (ohthankyouthankyouGod), I feel it is my duty to help Shake get gauge what the community wants. I think we all agree that if Matt Forte is still there at #59, Shake's job is easy. We all like Forte, and so do the Colts. But what about some of the other players? Click the flip to find out more.

If Forte is gone, and with GB, Miami, and Jacksonville still ahead of Indy it is possible Forte could go. If he does go, it's not the end of the world. There are still plenty of excellent players to snag, but the question is who?

For some, I've done profiles. TE Dustin Keller will likely be there, unless Jacksonville snags him in their desperate need for a TE, or GB who has jettisoned Bubba Franks. LBer Xavier Adibi out of Va Tech could be an option, but when was the last time Indy used a second round pick on a LBer? Mike Peterson in 2000?

I'm not big on guys like TE Fred Davis or TE Marcellus Bennett. The Colts look for specific traits in their TEs Davis is slooooooow and Bennett (despite being a great blocker) is a bad route runner. Neither fit what Indy likes to do.

I mentioned Early Doucet in one of Shake's FanPosts because Doucet could play slot receiver right now and he returns punts and kicks.

Shake mentioned Lawrence Jackson, but not as a DE but as a DT. Jackson is known as an under achiever who doesn't give maximum effort on every down. That sound like a Bill Polian kinda guy? He also lacks quickness which is a MUST playing Tampa 2 DT.

So really, who is left after Forte?

For my money (and again, like all of you this is just my opinion; Shake makes the pick), I would take Doucet, Keller, or just go ahead and reach for Marcus Howard out of Georgia. Why? Because Howard might be there in the third round, but he won't be there in round 4. John Greco, OT out of Toledo, will also be gone in round 4. Since we cannot trade in this mock, it makes sense to get Howard now and use the 3rd round to snag Greco.

What are your thoughts? Post comments, or use the poll.

Poll

If Matt Forte is gone at pick #59 in the SB Nation Mock Draft, who should Shake n Bake pick?

Read The Full Article:
http://www.stampedeblue.com/2008/4/21/447041/sb-nation-mock-draft-who-s

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Eagles don't take Day 2 of draft for granted

post from Eagles football blog on 21 April 2008 08:45:39 PM. © Eagles football blog

The second day of the NFL draft is a lot like New Year's Day. New Year's Eve means parties and is met with great anticipation. The next day? No parties, little attention, but it's still significant. "That's where we make...

Read The Full Article:
http://www.eaglesfootballblog.com/2008/04/eagles-dont-tak.html

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Eagles looking for vet wide receiver. Chad
Johnson

post from Cincy Jungle on 21 April 2008 07:16:57 PM. © Cincy Jungle

There's an interesting development coming out of the Philadelphia camp. Perhaps it's nothing more than reading too much into it -- after all, I REALLY really want Chad Johnson to be somewhere else where he'll sulk because of a single boo-bird from section 325. But Bleeding Green Nation took out a blurb from a recent John Clayton post regarding teams in the running for a veteran wide receiver expressing interest in -- again, and say it with me, if... there's... a... trade -- Chad Johnson by the Cowboys (we've know that for a long time), Raiders and Eagles. The Raiders seem unlikely because of their spree this free agency that included (but far limited to) a maddening $55 million deal for B-rated (by way of injury) wide receiver Javon Walker with $16.6 million in guaranteed money. It would seem unlikely that the trade would happen without a new deal for Chad Johnson.

And it would seem that Lee Evans, another potential wide receiver that could shift teams, is under negotiations to extend his contract with the Bills. He has an "out" option after 2009, which Brian rightly concludes, he'd likely take.

The Pro Football Talk guys wrote the headline Eagles to make a Major Move at Receiver referencing an Eagles blog called GCobb.com. I have to admit, I spit out my Hawaiian Punch. The web site merely mentions a possible trade with the Lions for Roy Williams even though Clayton expressed in the above link that he, along with Johnson and Evans, are not being shopped. Right. Because all NFL teams are soooooo honest. Blah, blah, blah.

But when I saw that the Eagles were looking at Roy Williams, I was a bit taken aback. Not because it wasn't Chad, but because I just don't think this would be that major. Chad would be major. Reggie Wayne, Marvin Harrison, Randy Moss would be major. A one-time Pro Bowl receiver, while decent enough for front page Sports news, wouldn't be so major. Perhaps to Eagles fans. So I'll reserve my classification of "major".

Again, take all that for what it is. More NFL off-season blodder (my word) that could go either way. Johnson was only referenced as an assumption with no known source claiming anything. Still, it did spark my interest.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.cincyjungle.com/story/2008/4/21/181657/635

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Odell Thurman is back, reinstated by the NFL

post from Cincy Jungle on 21 April 2008 06:38:04 PM. © Cincy Jungle

It was first reported on July 13, 2006, that Bengals middle linebacker, Odell Thurman would miss the season's first four games for violating the league's substance abuse policy. On September 25, Odell Thurman was pulled over and charged with a DUI extending his four game suspension to a full season (the irony here is that he was pulled over driving Chris Henry's SUV). It was reported on July 26, 2007, that Odell wouldn't be reinstated and thus spending another full season suspended -- thus the name was born, Chancellor Goodell.

649 days and a 15-17 record later (three times the losses than Thurman has experienced in his NFL career, ironically), Odell Thurman is officially reinstated into the NFL.

As for the draft, this could be the curve ball the team needs to draft other positions -- provided that either Brooks or Thurman can transition to outside linebacker, or use both over the middle for 3-4 sets. An imposing, and exciting as hell, thought. However, until Odell can prove that he's able to come back at the level he played his rookie season, and Brooks can stop disappointing EVERYONE and stay on the field, it's just as likely that the tandem could crumble. Wait and see. But I'm a bright ray of sunshine. With Thurman returning, this could give the team a better shot at drafting a wide receiver earlier in the draft -- which was presumed anyway. It's all about comfort, yo. And perhaps soon, we can drop the Chancellor title. Not just yet, though.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.cincyjungle.com/story/2008/4/21/17384/0920

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What is blogging truly about - a state of things

post from Cincy Jungle on 21 April 2008 04:46:45 PM. © Cincy Jungle

An interesting article written in the New York Times (yes, they sometimes accomplish the impossible) discusses the divisions between bloggers and mainstream media with sports.

The dispute has grown lately between the press and organized sports over issues like how reporters cover teams, who owns the rights to photographs, audio and video that journalists gather at sports events, and whether someone who writes only blogs should be given access to the locker room.

The article doesn't specify mother-cellar dwelling bloggers, just the art of it and how intellectual property thus becomes a bane to those that conduct "acceptable" monopoly practices -- such as Major League Baseball and the National Football League. Which to me provides a sort of irony. Freedom of information, the act not the amendment, is only available to those that permit such information to reach the ears of knowledge hungry dogs while exempt from federal laws. Billionaires without competition feeding information at their will reminds anyone of an out-of-control government or a do-as-I-please corporate monopolist. That, along with the tiring spin of mainstream media, bore a new bread of media that has the wealthy, the privileged and the snakes of policy spinning with the question: what to do with those damned bloggers. The media, a bedding partner of those that favor them, has long enjoyed the prosperity of feasting with their bedmates. Thus becoming a target of bloggers -- like corporate, like government. More specifically to the above article, with franchise.

The Bengals do not like me. Beat writers despise me. Why is that, you think? Is it fear of a simple keyboard stroke? Perhaps it's personal taking a piece of their pie -- though it would be a mistake to think that money is a motivation, or even a reward, for blogging except for a small, small few.

Nor are bloggers completely without their faults. Some portray themselves as the gift to your prayers, to publish what fits their means; and their means are to entertain you, perhaps inform you when the issue is proper. Some are for fun, some for basic current events, all for slight or suffocating agendas. There's little accountability while a majority of people keep their real names private, hidden and unavailable. It's not an indictment on the anonymous, some just can't afford to. I had a friend that blogged politically but risked being fired if his employers knew that it was him that wrote condemning words. Others simply don't like to be Googled. In the end, it's the observers that see this as doubt that potentially curses a single man's opinion -- no matter how well it's written.

Lately, I've learned two problems with the mainstream media and blogger divide summed in one pretty word. Crossover.

I don't have a problem whatsoever with people that want to go beyond the momma-basement character gaining press credentials for Presidential campaigns or a team's lockerroom. Everyone should have their ambitions. It makes people happy, goal worthy and strong. At the same time, I don't believe the art of blogging should find goals to replace the mainstream news medium. Bloggers are the mainstream media's bane. We are their Darth Vader -- I was always partial to the Sith. Lately, both sides are changing through a silent crossover movement. Bloggers are becoming mainstream and mainstream are becoming bloggers. The irony is never lost while the line between both becomes more grey, thus, less definable. Then again, is it really a problem? Why not simply group everyone as Internet Writers and decipher that yourself? That is if you consider bloggers as writers -- which many do not.

For a time, that line was so well defined, that any web site with an unrecognized URL could be define as an independent "blogger" having their way with the pen. With mainstream media adding blogs for their writers, that focus has blurred. Some have thrived with it. Hal McCoy is not only a tremendous beat writer for the Reds, but an ace blogger. He keeps facts with his beats, opinion with his blog. Few have made that transition, like Mark Curnutte who writes facts but rarely opines in his blog -- it's like an extra inning place for writers with overflow, but a blog by name only. Again, the irony isn't lost when mainstream media blames bloggers for their lack of successive welfare thus becoming bloggers themselves. It's the can't beat them, join them mentality.

First, something you may have concluded already, but a quick explanation nonetheless. I've never scoured or soared when the Cincinnati Bengals do not provide press access. In fact, I've never even tried to gain access. I never wanted to have a pen scribbling on my paper asking the same redundant questions to the same talking point athletes. I'm not a reporter by rights and refuse to take what's not earned to me.

Furthermore, I'd understand if they didn't want someone that blabbers sourly about the team's horribly run franchise. "Hello, Mr. Brown. So tell me, why do you always suck at this front office gig?" Paul Brown, he might not be. But a punch in the eye would be well deserved. At least I'd have him sign the black eye. That would make me a celebrity and hero, surely.

And surely athletes want, and to many degrees deserve, a small piece of seclusion instead of 20 team bloggers rambling off the same questions. I'm not without my understanding or sympathy. I find myself the model blogger, fat slob that dwells in his basement reflecting, reacting and sometimes creating.

Second, I hope to god that bloggers like me are never a source of unbiased news and reporting -- we're not journalists. I would take a guess that -- a made-up percentage (for you Todd Snyder fans) -- most bloggers are as perfectionist spin doctors as columnists in the New York Times or editorials on the Fox News Channel -- just read your sort of political blogs and see how different they are as left is to right. Friends joke with me that I can twist so many words to make them believe one thing, when in reality, I'm just baiting them for a good ol' fashioned Irish pub debate.

Bloggers are not here to state facts, or report the latest happenings -- though the anti-blogging faction would have you believe differently. When I first ventured in blogging at the turn of the century (when blogging was purest) I reacted. I opined. Nothing more. And nothing's changed since. Sure, I may write about what's going on without opinion, but rarely am I the only one. I'm not here to inform you totally. I'm here to take that information that's in your mind and inject a perspective you might not see.

In the end, going back to the New York Times article, when you start entangling yourself in a multi-billion dollar business, you start pissing off suits. And while the thrill might motivate or refresh you, in the end, it's in their right to exclusively hold their material. As it is ours to bash and slain them for being such fickle pricks who claim to you that freedom of press and speech are strictly a restriction of government action while they bask from the same government exceptions that any other corporation would be in court for.

Blogging is still in its infancy compared to the long-tenured print newspapers. We've been alive for a minute in a 24-hour day. We're revising, growing, focusing, shifting and keeping those mainstream mediums, and to many degrees, corporate and government, in check. We're simple folk doing simple things -- pissing everyone else off. And we're getting damn good at it.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.cincyjungle.com/story/2008/4/21/154645/406

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Falcons Being Set Up For Glenn Dorsey Pick

If you believe NBC Sports writer Tom Curran, the Dolphins are extremely close to agreeing on a contract with OT Jake Long. Let the gnashing of teeth and weeping commence.

What's interesting about this is that Curran thinks the Rams will also snap up Chris Long at #2 in this scenario, which leaves the Falcons with a clear choice between Matt Ryan, Glenn Dorsey and perhaps Sedrick Ellis. Because I believe our good Comrade does not like weak American quarterback, Dorsey seems like a better than 75% bet to be the Falcon pick at #3.

I would be more than okay with that. While I believe the Falcons would be best served with Long and then a series of picks aimed at our other needs, Dorsey would be an absolute killer building block along that defensive line. I don't know how Jamaal Anderson would avoid getting a sack or two next year if Dorsey was mauling linemen like an angry bear. In this scenario, the Falcons still have an excellent chance to pick up Sam Baker or Gosder Cherilus (greatest name ever!) at offensive tackle in the second round. Frankly, I don't think we lose with either Dorsey or Jake Long at that spot.

This does give the Falcons an interesting look next year. Assuming the team takes Dorsey, they have chronically injured but also amazing John Abraham on one end, Dorsey and either Trey Lewis or Babineaux in the middle, and giant rookie disappointment Jamaal Anderson on the other side. Pair that with goddamn soul-devouring phantasm Michael Boley, Keith Brooking and Stephen Nicholas in the linebacking corps and you have a very underrated front seven that could make our lives a little more bearable next season.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.thefalcoholic.com/story/2008/4/21/123512/829

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Dude, the NFL Draft is this Weekend

NFL.com ran a mock draft that included beat writers from their respective home towns (note to NFL.com: there's nothing better than watching an ad before a full minute video of Mark Curnutte to find out a pick that takes one single second to read... goooo corporate marketing). It's Phillip Merling for you dial-up folks. Keep it simple, let us read it. I have to question that pick. Why take -- general consensus here -- the third best defensive end in the draft as your #9 pick? That would counter Marvin Lewis' theory that you just pick the best available player -- not certain position -- of the draft. Especially for a position where the team already has two highly paid pass rushers in Robert Geathers and Antwan Odom.

ESPN.com ran a piece ranking the top-50 draft busts. Bengals were:

#16 - Peter Warrick - surprise considering he wasn't great, but did perform when he had the talent around him (perhaps that's the point).
#17 - David Klingler (sigh)
#26 - Jack Thompson
#42 - Akili Smith - another surprise. Deserving of having "draft bust awards" named after him, much less #42.

Mel Kiper thought Levi Jones, at the time of the draft, was a reach ranking him as the tenth biggest surprise (Insider req'd).

I bring up Jones because I thought he was a reach with the 10th pick. At the time, Cincinnati needed picks and players, so I thought the Bengals should trade down, get more picks, and pick Jones later if he was still available. I liked Jones, I just thought it was a reach to draft him that high, but he's turned out to be a very good player.

There's a rumor going around that Chris Mortensen reported on ESPN Radio Friday afternoon that the Dallas Cowboys offered up one of their first-round picks for Chad Johnson. Like, officially. Knowing the buzz that it would create if true, we're highly suspect of the rumor and so should you. And we're not sure if the rumor is if Mortensen actually reported it -- which would create buzz in itself (remember NFL Countdown?) -- or if the Cowboys actually offered up the pick. Though Mort could simply be projecting it as a realistic possibility, which we've done time and again. Perhaps the Redskins can take Chad off our hands. (note: Hogs Haven, SB Nation Redskins blog, has made the conversion to the new site... we're scheduled for Wednesday. Make sure you swing by and tell all of your friends).

Lance McAlister -- the area's best sports talk -- has this little nugget on his blog: "There was a beautifully framed and signed jersey of Chad Johnson at Moeller's annual charity auction on Saturday night.....zero bids."

Bleacher Report's "final Mock Draft" suggests the Bengals pick Keith Rivers. The Football Expert projects the same. New NFL Draft sees Ellis dropping to the Bengals -- who the entire world thinks the Bengals will pick if available -- like Scouts Notebook, Football Draft Analysis, NFL Draft Countdown and that guy that can't write more than eight words about the Bengals -- tied with San Francisco and one more than San Diego for less dribble. Big C also picks Ellis with the note: " Bengal fans, holla at a brutha and tell me what you think about this pick!". Ummm, alright. YAR!

Todd McShay says that character is no longer a concern with Darren McFadden -- then why does everyone keep talking about it then?

We haven't made reference of the NFL Network's progression into the cable medium for a long time. Why? Well, simply put, nothing has changed. Except that the NFL Network is filing suit against Comcast because the cable company moved the network to the sport tier -- the primary point of the swaggering big-dick back-and-forth. Same thing applies. Cable companies want NFL Network on their respective Sports Tier while the network wants to be on basic cable. "Comcast has taken NFL Network away from millions of fans and placed it on a costly sports tier," NFL Network president and CEO Steve Bornstein said in a statement. "We don't believe that Comcast should charge consumers extra for our Network while making sports channels it owns available to all viewers on a less costly basis. After months of trying to get Comcast to negotiate fair treatment, we have been forced to turn to the FCC."

Sena Fitzmaurice, Comcast's senior director for corporate communications and government affairs, said in a statement, "Comcast makes the NFL Network available to all of our customers on a tier of service that the NFL agreed to by contract. The NFL has immense power in the marketplace, yet it keeps running to the federal and state governments to try to force changes in the deal it freely accepted in negotiations with Comcast. The agreement we have to carry the NFL Network is pro-consumer. It allows us to place this expensive channel on a tier of service for those who wish to pay for it, not on a tier where everyone must pay for it."

Hey, aren't you glad that everyone else gets to make the choice for you? It makes life simple, easy to manage and quick to remember. If Time Warner believes I'm ready for the NFL Network, then I'm grateful. I've earned it. If not, well, then perhaps I'm just not ready yet. At least we're forced not to hear the ramblings of Brian Billick, so that's a Pro. Or the constant ramblings about what the Bengals will do with Chad. Another Pro. And it's perfect timing to debate the fantasies of choice. We're in the political season where we never really have a choice. Vito Stellino's read about the network is good, but brief. It points out how the network keeps making decisions the hurts the network and league -- like the likeliness of losing NFL Films. The Pro Football Talk guys point out that the NFL won't give refunds to cable operators that paid for the network to air eight "exclusive" games, while the eighth game (between the Giants and Patriots that aired on CBS and NBC) wasn't exclusive at all.

A quick note over the weekend.

I had a blast watching the NBA Playoffs this weekend. Even tried my best to convince my NBA pessimist cousin -- who wants more Call of Duty like Christopher Walken wants cowbell (oo-wow). The highlight came -- what many argue as the best series in the playoffs, not just the first round -- when the Spurs' Michael Finley drained a three with over 15 seconds left to tie the game and eventually send the game into overtime. Then, this:

.
video details and more

Of course Shaq wasn't pleased. Nor was Pounding the Rock pleased that Shaq wasn't pleased.

Restrictor Plate This, an SB Nation NASCAR blog, took issue against those that say Danica Patrick's first career IRL win was cheap because of fuel strategy -- not fastest car or best overall talent. Most of you -- well, not really, but NASCAR fans -- will remember that the last Cup race was won in the same fashion when Jimmie Johnson crept along the track of Phoenix International Raceway with crew chief Chad Knaus repeating, "slow down". They stayed out on fumes while most of the field pitted with a handful of circuits left -- even though he had enough to make a victory lap and a burnout (Hendrick conspiracy!). A win is a win, stolen or not.. A win is a win (or loss in this case) when Justin Smith is flagged for roughing the quarterback after sacking the quarterback enabling the quarterback to throw a game-winning touchdown later that drive -- even though the Bengals offense only scored 13 points. God I can't get over that game.

Oh, and Tiger Woods didn't golf this weekend. So we don't care about golf.

Who hasn't gotten sick at Chipotle's? When you add three thousand things into a burrito that makes a cement brick seem anorexic, there's bound to be some tumblin' tummies.

Dude, the draft is this weekend!

Read The Full Article:
http://www.cincyjungle.com/story/2008/4/21/111018/395

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