Tarnished Dynasty?

CameraGate, is what they're calling it. That's right, the New England Patriots used a camera to spy on the defensive calls during last weeks 38-14 victory over the New York Jets. Frankly, I'm having mixed feelings, and have heard many different arguments both defending and crucifying the Pats.

My opinion is biased, but that won't stop me from giving it :) If you're going to cheat, then cheat BIG. That's my take on it.

First, why wouldn't the Pats video tape the offensive play calling? Or maybe tune into the frequency used to communicate with the quarterback? Wouldn't that actually help your team a lot more? When I played football, the defenses didn't even huddle before the play. We called the plays out loud, loud enough to where the offense could hear them.

Secondly, why is this any different than EVERY play where an offensive lineman holds a defensive lineman? How about the defense yelling "hike" when the quarterback is at the line of scrimmage calling the play? They're both breaking the rules, or 'using something illegal to gain an advantage' aren't they?

Let's be real...it's 11-on-11 and when Tom Brady steps up to the line of scrimmage, over 90% of the time he knows what defense he's facing. First he might send a receiver in motion to see if they're playing man to man or zone. Then after the snap, he checks out the safety's to see if they're in a cover 2 or playing the run. How can a video help Mr. Brady (yes a Michigan alumni) at that point in time? The answer is, IT DOESN'T. So, for all the doubters out there, the haters saying they should be stripped of their super bowl titles, Hines Ward, and the rest of the people that were looking for a reason to hate the Patriots....LOOK IN THE MIRROR. Have you ever done something, legal or not, trying to better yourself or your family? Have you ever noticed a player get injured, and the next play try to take advantage of his injury?

I'd like to hear your opinions on this issue. Leave me a comment....try to convince me this is such a heinous crime.

NFL Opening Week

What a start to the 2007-2008 NFL regular season! If you didn't laugh, cry, scream, shout, and (if you're like most) curse at the television this weekend, than you're not a true fan.

There were numerous games won in the last seconds, but none more exciting than the fire drill performed by the Denver Broncos on Sunday. Jason Elam, coming off 2 field goal misses earlier in the game, nails a 42-yard field goal to win the game 15-14 in Buffalo. As a Broncos fan but equally as important, a pro football fan, I couldn't help but think about the losses the Broncos have overcome this past post season, and give thanks not only for the victory against Buffalo, but also the little things we have in our lives.

After the ups-and-downs of week 1, I have a feeling this NFL season is going to be a testament of courage and overcoming adversity.

Kirby Puckett

What are some of the first things that come to mind when you hear the name Kirby Puckett?

Minnesota Twins. World Series. Played an aggressive center field. Hall of famer. Passed away at age 44, nearly a week before his 45th birthday.

The Chicago native Puckett will be missed in Chicago just as much as Walter Payton, who passed away in November of 1999.

Until next time, think about the good old days.

The Flying Tomato in Torino

Shaun White shreds Torina in style. Coming off the 2006 Winter X Games, winning gold medals left and right, he tore up the half pipe competition and showed the world what snowboarding is all about.

Nicknamed the flying tomato, Shaun added a gold medal to his long list of accolades, including winning 3 cars before he could even drive them and not loosing a single event during qualifying for this years olympic games. So what does a 19 year old phenom have to say following his gold medal performance, you may ask. During an interview with Bob Costas, he said among other things, he would use his gold medal to "get hot babes".

He credits his parents for much of his success saying they used to drive him 7 hours into the mountains of California and call in sick to work regularly, in order to get Shaun on the slopes. Congrats to Shaun and the White family.

The United States took gold and silver this year in the snowboarding half pipe event, with Danny Kass taking the Silver.

Super Bowl XL

Guess whose back...back again...TJ's back...tell some friends.

It seems like the last time I posted was the last time the Steelers went to the Superbowl. That was Superbowl XXX. My heart goes out to the Steeler nation. I know, I know, why am I giving props to the Steeler nation after they put a hurtin' on the Denver Broncos? All I'm going to say is, when respect is earned, respect is given.

It's very fitting that this superbowl is XL, it should be extra large. For those of you watching the game for entertainment, other than the actual game, you should be satisfied. Patti LaBelle will be doing a pre-game gospel concert and the Rolling Stones are performing at halftime. Check out these cool past halftime shows and remember the last 40 years. If you really want to experience the last 40 years of superbowl games, check out these videos.

Hope you enjoy, I'll be waiving the terrible towel with the rest of you.

'The Call'

John Gruden's Tampa Bay Buccaneers going for it on 4th down vs the Washington Redskins during the regular season...The 4th quarter touchdown pass that was called incomplete with 3 mins. left in the playoff game (the one that counted)...

If you don't believe in Karma, if you witnessed both of these games, you might have a change of heart. What goes around, comes around in Gruden's case. The 4th down call that helped him defeat the 'skins in week 13 could have been his nemesis in the NFC wildcard game. However it wasn't a coaching call that got him, it was a controversial call by the officials on a touchdown pass with 3 minutes left in the 4th quarter of the game, with Gruden's Bucs driving. The call was challenged, yet upheld after review. "On that one, you really just say a prayer and hope it goes your way", commented Joe Gibbs on call.

The Redskins went on to win the game 17-10 and advance to play another week, however got beat badly by Seattle.

Different Breeds

University of Texas' quarterback Vince Young, the Heisman trophy runner-up, is a great role model. Not only on the field, but off. Young persevered through a horrible bicycle accident at a young age, when he collided with a car 3 houses down from his grandma's house. His dad has been incarcerated since Vince was a child. His older brother was killed in a bicycle accident as well, yet he still demonstrates the poise of a winner. The Houston Texans have the #1 pick of the NFL draft this year, and Young was born and raised in Houston. It would be very difficult to pass on the playmaking abilities of Reggie Bush, however it would fill the 69,500 seats at Reliant stadium on a frequent basis.

Now let's visit the opposite end of the spectrum. Virginia Tech quarterback Marcus Vick, exhibited his true colors in the Gator Bowl versus Louisville, when he intentionally stomped on All-American defensive end Elvis Dumervil's leg. There is no room for purposely trying to hurt another player in football. Football players already put their personal well-being behind when they step onto the field, they shouldn't have to worry about a cheap shot ruining their career. Marcus was dismissed from the Hokie football program following the incident, due to numerous circumstances showing blatant disregard of regulations on and off the field. Sadly enough, Vick annonced Saturday, that he would be entering the 2006 draft. Maybe Philadelphia can pick him up, since they unloaded the problematic Terrell Owens during the 2005 season.

Marcus' brother, Atlanta Falcon's quarterback Michael Vick, even took his younger brother under his arm when he was suspended from the entire college during the 2004 season. He took him to Falcon meetings, workouts, and games to helped him become a better quarterback. Unfortunately, Marcus didn't learn anything on how to be a man and follow the laws set forth by those in a position of power.

University of Texas Longhorns...2006 National Champions.

On the eve of January 4th, 2006, Texas accomplished something no team has done in over 2 years, 37 games to be exact. They beat the University of Southern California Trojans. USC went into the game riding a 37 game winning streak, including back-to-back national championships in 2004 & 2005, but Texas came out ready to play.

With a 19 game winning streak on the line, Texas shocked many viewers with a game winning drive in the last 2 minutes of the game, capped off with a touchdown run and 2 point conversion by Quarterback Vince Young, to beat USC by a score of 41-38.

Overall, the 2006 Rose Bowl National Championship game was one of the best college games I've ever witnessed. It wasn't until they interviewed Trojan quarterback, Matt Leinart, after the game, did I loose respect for the USC team. Leinhart commented on how he knew they were the "better team", they just didn't make the plays in the end. If you're going to go 37-1 in your last 38 games, don't be a sore loser. Take it like a man.

Congratulations to the University of Texas Longhorns. Hook 'em horns!