Senior Bowl Recap

Well, I am not even going to lie. I did not watch the Senior Bowl because I can't get the NFL Network (great) but this are the highlights and what I have gather from my colleagues:






The person everybody wanted to watch was Tim Tebow, who had an inconsistent game. He made a couple of nice throws, but he showed in this game that he is incapable of running away/around NFL linebackers. His mobility was a huge part of his game in college and this concerns me when projecting him to the league. Some team is going to have to draft him as a quarterback purely on intangibles. Taylor Mays bombed this week and missed a tackle in the game as he got out of control and failed to wrap up. His stock is dropping, but I still see some team taking him in the first round based on his workouts. Nobody knows whether he would be a OLB or DB. Mardy Gilyard, came up big in the game, catching a 40-yard touchdown pass. He showed nice speed in this game deep, but he still shied from contact during the week and struggled to locate the ball. The MVP of the game - deservedly so - was Michigan defensive end Brandon Graham. None of the South offensive tackles could stop him and he finished with two sacks and a forced fumble. Central Michigan's Dan LeFevour was the best quarterback. He threw the 40-yarder to Gilyard and also scored on a one-yard run. McCluster took a snap in the "Wildcat" formation, which would be another way a team that takes him in, say, the second round could get maximum production from him.

Your Turn

Matt Leinart will be stepping into that giant void at quarterback. Leinart watched for 2½ seasons while Warner took the team to a level of success: 2 NFC West championships, back to back winning seasons and a Super Bowl appearance. Leinart has stayed the good, praising Warner, saying he would work hard and would be ready when he got his chance. Well Matt, your chance is here and everybody wants to know what you are going to do with it.If Leinart is the quarterback, he will inherit the same talented receivers that caught so many passes from Warner, with one possible exception, Anquan Boldin, who goes into the final year of his contract. Whisenhunt could well choose to reign in the offense and move toward a greater emphasis on the running game, a tactic he used in his days as offensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Which in that case, would be perfect because that is what he had during his days at USC. Next season the NFC West should be some great storylines ranging from Matt Leinart, Seahawks & Pete Carroll, and the 49ers (for now we won't mention the Rams).

Back to the U

Andre Johnson is back at the U. No Miami fans not to play but to finish getting his education. That's why he's back at the University of Miami this semester. Working toward a degree. Making good on a promise. He's 30 hours away from a liberal arts degree and is taking three sociology classes worth 12 hours this spring. It has been 7 years since he sat in a classroom and dominating on Saturdays. He represents what every professional athlete should represent. All that's missing on his résumé is a trip to the playoffs. He believes he has a more substantive contribution to make and thinks his second career will be coaching high school football. He'll play in his fourth Pro Bowl tonight after a season in which he led the NFL in receiving yards for a second straight season and was third with catches.

Note: 11 former Hurricanes in this Pro Bowl is a record for players from one school, breaking the mark of 9 by USC in the 1986 game.

Anywhere But Here

Nothing new for the Panther fans, Julius Peppers says he's willing to play anywhere in 2010, and really has no preference. He has no idea what was going on with his status with the Panthers. Carolina could restrict his movement by placing the franchise tag on him again. He keeps saying that he has no preference of defensive system nor whether he wants to stay in Carolina. For you that need a translation, that means he wants to play for a winning team and he feels that the Panthers cannot provided that for him with the staff and personnel they have in place right now. How could you argue with him as Jake Delhomme is your starting quarterback? Let me stop but watch Peppers to be on the move to a playoff caliber team.

Shots Taken

I don't know if you all remember Fran Tarkenton, who took shots at Favre earlier in the season, well he is back at it.

"Well, before that I think the Vikings were clearly the best team. They held this New Orleans offense to under 300 yards. They made Drew Brees look ordinary. He didn't even throw for 200 yards. This is a guy that's throwing for 400, 500 yards. They were the better team. Their offense turned the ball over five times, the Viking offense. And still, if he didn't make this stupid play at the end of the game, they win the game. Now you are in Philadelphia, remember a few years ago when Green Bay played you guys for the, I think it was a championship game ... I think you guys went to overtime. I mean, he throws the ball straight up in the air, freefalls. Do you remember that? I have never seen any quarterback — much less, well, he is going to be a hall of fame quarterback — make plays like that at a critical time. He has done the same thing in the Giants game.

And then he went at Favre again:

"No, I think he has been a great, great player. But I'm not a great fan of Brett Favre's because he goes out and all I heard them talk about is Brett Favre and he is tough, he is getting hit. You know, Peyton Manning gets hit. I have played with a torn ACL. Donovan McNabb gets hit. We all get hit, but he is flopping around and jumping around and he is getting hit and he talks in the soft voice. I would rather it be about the team and not Brett Favre. But I get the idea that it is more about Brett Favre than the team. A quarterback is to make his teammates better, but (he is) not about that. Now as a player, he has been a great player. No question about it. Also, great players, my gosh, I have never seen great quarterbacks make that many bad plays in a critical moment in a playoff game."

You thought that was comedy, wait til you hear what he said about him returning:

"He's going to come back and play. He's theater. He's dramatic. He's going to tell this guy, 'I'm not playing.' ... But here's what he won't do. He won't go to any offseason programs. He won't go to training camp. Let's look at the difference. Here's Peyton Manning. Peyton Manning's all about his team. Peyton Manning, he's helping to put in the offense. He's there in the offseason. He's working with those young receivers. Pierre Garcon and the other kid, I can't even think of his name ... (Austin Collie). He loses Marvin Harrison. He loses (Anthony) Gonzalez before the season started. ... Peyton works with these guys in offseason programs in Indianapolis, and he's teaching them how to play offensive receiver because that's what quarterbacks (should do). Brett didn't do that last year. He won't do it this year."

More on whether Favre will return: "He'll be back there. Keep in mind, how did Minnesota do last year? They won the division championship. They went to the playoffs. (Philadelphia) beat them, but they went to the playoffs. So Brett Favre goes in there. This team, I think they have the best personnel in football. They defend the run better than anybody for three straight years. They rush the passer; they're the leading pass-rush team in football. They've got two of the best running backs in football. They've got one of the great offensive lines in football. And last year with Gus Frerotte and Tarvaris Jackson, whatever his name is, they won the division and they went to the playoffs. Green Bay went to the playoffs with Aaron Rodgers. Last year Favre played with the Jets. They didn't make the playoffs, did they?"

Wow So if your a Favre fan do not get mad at me but at the former Vikings quarterback. I am simply the messenger.

Fix Problem

Adrian Peterson he is still not over his team's overtime loss to the New Orleans Saints. He has a right i mean considering that he helped to the turnover problem his team had Sunday and during the season. Even he knows that himself saying securing the football was something he was going to focus on during the off-season. Peterson lost six of seven fumbles during the regular season then fumbled twice against the Saints, although the Vikings recovered both of them. A lost one, though, was credited to Brett Favre. Coaches plan to analyze his running style in hopes of coming up with a fix. Even though Peterson's aggressive rushing technique, which often involves swinging his arms erratically and jostling with defenders for extra yards, is ripe for an occasional strip, alterations to his placement of the ball can help to make the fumbles more infrequent. After all, coaches were able to mostly cure Tiki Barber of his ball security problems. He said he wants to bounce back and be the best player next season so we shall see.

Pro Bowl Changes

So in case nobody has noticed, the Pro Bowl is this weekend. A lot of people are having problems with that because it is usually after the Super Bowl but this year it is before. Roger Goodell likes just about everything so far regarding this one-year test. The Pro Bowl has traditionally been held the week following the Super Bowl. Sunday’s game marks the first time in three decades the Pro Bowl is being played somewhere other than Honolulu, where it will return for 2011 and 2012. No decision has been made on whether it will be played before or after the Super Bowl in those years. But if it was up to me I would leave it alone after the Super Bowl. Playing the Pro Bowl used to be a nice perk for NFL players and their families. More than 30 of the players originally picked for the game have opted not to play this Sunday, citing injuries or more important commitments like preparing for the Super Bowl. NFLPA contends the game change is all about money. But the Pro Bowl's always been a money loser and probably will be this year as well. It doesn't help that the A-list players originally selected for the game still get paid tens of thousands, whether they end up opting out or not. So I am hoping that they change this for next year.

Two Different Stories

The stories everybody has been talking about from the Senior Bowl week in Alabama, has been Dexter McCluster and Tim Tebow. For those people who are worried about size of McCluster should not worry about a thing. A few years ago everybody was saying the same thing about DeSean Jackson when he was only 168 now look at him, Pro Bowler and big time playmaker. Some so-called "analyst" are predicting him to be a 4th rounder and if that happens a lot of teams will have passed up on something special. At least that he is keeping his options open by classifying himself as a reciever-running back. He wants to run a 4.37 during the combine next month. Two things have jumped out about McCluster – his speed, and his versatility. At running back, he has shown superb acceleration through holes. At wide receiver, he has made acrobatic catches. No matter his weight you can't deny what he done in the SEC at that weight.

On the opposite side of things Tebow has been the talk of things but not in such a great way. ESPN analyst Todd McShay said Tebow did not elevate himself into a top-echelon NFL draft QB prospect at this week's Senior Bowl practices. McShay even argued that Tebow may have hurt his draft stock if NFL talent evaluators consider how far he lags behind his competitors such as Sam Bradford, Tony Pike and Jimmy Clausen. I was shocked by those sayings. I know he is not Peyton Manning but he wins and is a competitor. Look at Farve he is not completely orthodox on everything he does. I mean but Tebow was hospitalized for strep throat. I do not know where Tebow will be taken or at what position but he is a winner no doubt, but I can't see him playing QB on the next level. He is similar to Bush, great college all-star but short of the NFL superstar.

Pro Bowl Kicker

Chad Ochocinco wants to kick this weekend at the Pro Bowl game. This is nothing new as he kicked an extra point and had a deep kickoff, providing the winning point in Cincinnati's 7-6 victory. Afterward, he referred to himself as "Esteban Ochocinco". He is an international soccer fan and practices kicking. He had never done it during a game until last August. Ochocinco said that he's also planning to kick field goals during practice this week. He wants to show AFC coaches that he could be more than a just receiver during the game Sunday.It shouldn't be a problem, if they're going to let him do it. He has to do it early in the game before they get serious and they start to play for real.

Retirement

Kurt Warner announced his retirement from the game at age 38. He said he was walking away from the game after 12 seasons while he could still walk. That right there is a smart man. His career is something that was special. He made it to the NFL after spending time playing in Europe, the Arena League and stocking shelves at the Hi-Vee Grocery Store back home in Iowa. He made it to three Super Bowls, winning two MVP awards and making four Pro Bowl which is to me Hall of Fame credentials. What is crazy though after his last season with the Rams we would not have been talking about HOF. He was benched by the Rams, Giants and Cardinals and it appeared Warner would finish his career as a backup. Warner has admitted he likely will go through withdrawal from the game, but has long said he had many other things in life to accomplish. You have to respect this guy because he is going out a winner no matter the outcome of his last game.

Backup QBs

Ravens coach John Harbaugh made it clear that the team is happy with its backup quarterbacks Troy Smith and John Beck. But he predicted that the Ravens could receive some offers from other teams involving them. "My guess is there’s going to be some people that are going to be interested in those two guys, so we’re not going to hold them back," Harbaugh said. "But we’re going to make sure we do what’s best for the Ravens.” Harbaugh also touched on the possibility that Smith and Beck could battle for the No. 2 spot behind starter Joe Flacco. We think we have two good, young backup quarterbacks – obviously, two guys that want to start in this league," he said. "So, I think we’re very happy with our situation. We’re very content to have those guys as a strong two and a strong three, and even battling it out within those roles as we go forward."

Vick Option

Michael Vick said he wants to be a starter somewhere in the NFL next season, but he is prepared to return to Philadelphia in a backup role. "Everybody wants to be a starter in this league and everybody wants to play," Vick said Sunday, via the Philadelphia Inquirer. "That should be your goal. The ambition you should have is to want to be great. ... I know I can still play at a high level." Vick returned to the NFL in 2009 after a two-year layoff serving a federal sentence for a dogfighting conviction. The Eagles signed him to a deal that gives them a $5 million option (perhaps too expensive for a second- or third-string QB) on Vick next season. Vick has attempted to rehabilitate his image and improve his behavior this season. And he hopes that helps him earn a shot as a starter. "I would hope so," Vick told reporters. "I tried to be the best ambassador that I could be in the community, the best football player that I could be. And that won't stop. I'll continue to do that, and I'll continue to work hard." Vick played in 12 games for the Eagles. He is behind Donovan McNabb and Kevin Kolb on the Eagles' depth chart, but he said he's ready to try and reclaim the level of play that made him a three-time Pro Bowler earlier in his career. "I feel like I'm probably better than I ever was in my career, as far as the mental aspect of the game," he said. " Physically - that will come. There are plenty of teams that need a QB but he needs to be in a good environment with people around him that can help rebuild his career. He is only 29. I mean Favre is 40 and still is playing. Vick just has to show people that he is worth the risk.

Maybe Walking Away

Sounding like a player dead-set on retiring, Kurt Warner told ESPN's Rick Reilly that playing football has lost its fun. "You have a game that isn't that great and people are like, 'What's wrong with Warner?' That wears on you," Warner said. "You don't have the joy and the fun and satisfaction of having one of those great games because everybody expects you to. You never get to exhale." Warner, who turns 39 in June, has been named NFL MVP twice, played in three Super Bowls, and made a strong case for Hall-of-Fame enshrinement. Reilly, for what it's worth, came away from the interview convinced Warner is done. After taking hits like he did in the last game and not making it back to the Super Bowl, that's probably helping him make his decision.

Source: ESPN.com

Coming Back

Tony Gonzalez has confirmed he will return to the Falcons in 2010. This will be a huge boost to the Falcons next season. “I’ll be around for sure next season,” the 13-year veteran said in an interview on the Falcons' website. His 999 career receptions are the most by a tight end in NFL history and seventh-best among all receivers. "I’m excited about the direction this team is going in. We’ve got a really good football team and I really do believe this could be the best football team I’ve ever played on coming up next year,” he said. Gonzalez finished his first season in Atlanta with 83 catches for 867 yards and six touchdowns. He must feel that they can win the Super Bowl if his team stays healthy. That is the only reason why he wanted to go to the Falcons and it was to make the playoffs and go to the Super Bowl. Because of injuries, that did not happen.

Early Entrants for '10

All players listed in this section have decided to forgo their college eligibility and declare for the 2010 NFL Draft.

Quarterbacks:

Sam Bradford, Oklahoma
Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame
Jevan Snead, Ole Miss

Running Backs:

Toney Baker, North Carolina State
Jahvid Best, Cal
Jonathan Dwyer, Georgia Tech
Toby Gerhart, Stanford
Stafon Johnson, Southern Cal
Darius Marshall, Marshall
Ryan Mathews, Fresno State
Shawbrey McNeal, SMU
Joe McKnight, USC

Wide Receivers:

Chris Bell, Norfolk State
Arrelious Benn, Illinois
Dezmon Briscoe, Kansas
Antonio Brown, Central Michigan
Dez Bryant, Oklahoma State
Carlton Mitchell, South Florida
Golden Tate, Notre Dame
Demaryius Thomas, Georgia Tech
Damian Williams, USC
Mike Williams, Syracuse

Tight Ends:

Jermaine Gresham, Oklahoma
Rob Gronkowski, Arizona
Aaron Hernandez, Florida



Linebackers:

Navorro Bowman, Penn State
Rennie Curran, Georgia
Rolando McClain, Alabama

Secondary:

Eric Berry, Tennessee
Morgan Burnett, Georgia Tech
Dominique Franks, Oklahoma
Joe Haden, Florida
Kareem Jackson, Alabama
Reshad Jones, Georgia
Joshua Moore, Kansas State
Jerell Norton, Arkansas
Dennis Rogan, Tennessee
Amari Spivey, Iowa
Earl Thomas, Texas
Donovan Warren, Michigan
Major Wright, Florida

The Hot Teams Cool Off

Game #1

The real Cowboys showed up Sunday and did not disappoint.I at least felt that it would be a close game with Romo blowing it at the end. But it was the opposite but Tony Romo and his stats did come back down to earth on Sunday. Romo lost two of his three fumbles and threw an interception in a 34-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. But if you were to take away those turnovers then Romo had his best individual season of his career completing 22 of 35 passes for 198 yards. There was a more impressive stat though and it was the Vikings had six sacks and 10 hurries. I don't know if the bigger story is Favre and his pants on the ground song or the Cowboys crying about the score being run up. First of all there is no such thing Keith Brooking who was complaining when the last touchdown was scored. But to call one of the best quarterbacks ''classless'' is terrible. We aren't playing recreation or middle school. You get paid to stop things like that. But in other news (as of right now) Wade Phillips is currently going to return as the coach of Cowboys.

Game #2

So maybe Rex Ryan was not crazy about his whole pre-playoffs statements. But I am not even going to lie I thought they were going to be out in the first round. I mean they barely made the playoffs to begin with and now they are 1 game away from the Super Bowl. The Jets gain was the Chargers lost. The Chargers made several key mistakes in the Jets’ 17-14 victory. One is their kicker missing field goals that he normally make. Then you have players causing penalties and just doing dumb things. For the second straight week though, rookie Shonn Greene ran for over 100 yards, while Thomas Jones picked up key yards when the Jets needed them. The rookies have been quite a surprise for the Jets. And what is sad for the Chargers is that, that may have been LT's last game in a Charger uni. This was suppose to have been the Chargers year but it looks like it is Joe Namath, I meant Mark Sanchez.

Lebron Says NO

Well I get from class and I get disappointing news. Lebron James is not one of the contestants for the dunk contest. I am sure that there has to be a misunderstanding somewhere as Lebron assured us all he would be in the 2010 dunk contest. Looks like that it will be a "dream" of mine (MLK Day pun intended). But the dunk contest must go on even without the King. Defending champion Nate Robinson will return to the slam dunk contest, trying to become the first three-time winner. He will be joined by Gerald Wallace and Shannon Brown (who has been calling out Lebron). The fourth contestant will be determined by a dunk-off during halftime of the rookie game between the Clippers’ Eric Gordon and Toronto rookie DeMar DeRozan. Personally I hope DeMar gets it but they all better bring something fresh to the table come Feb. 13.

Bush Leads the Saints

Reggie Bush of old showed up yesterday in the playoff game against the Cards. Reggie Bush set the tone for the Saints before they even kicked off though. He took coach Sean Payton’s symbolic gesture of giving the players baseball bats inscribed “Bring the wood” one step further by carrying his bat with him as he and the team ran on the field during pre-game introductions. The Saints runner/receiver/punt returner had 217 all-purpose yards — 84 rushing, 24 receiving, and 109 on punt returns — and scored touchdowns on a 46-yard run (the longest run by a Saint in the playoffs) and an 83-yard punt return. Bush had seldom seemed like the same player for most of the past two years because of a knee injury suffered last season. Darren Sharper said that Bush looked like ''vintage'' Reggie Bush and I couldn't agree any more.

Bobcats Need Help

If the Bobcats want to keep winning and make noise in the playoffs, they are in need of help at power forward. Larry Brown says he's “begging” general manager Rod Higgins for a trade, so even the most dense among us will get the point. Something really must happen before the Feb. 19 trade deadline, and Larry will keep asking for it. Brown needs someone reliable to back up Boris Diaw at power forward. You can spend all day saying what rookie Derrick Brown might be, but he's still a rookie. Gerald Wallace can pretend to be an NBA power forward and Stephen Jackson can, too. But the more time they spend banging bodies with men 50 pounds heavier, the more they wear down. But I will give the Bobcats props so far but I am not ready to crown them as one of the teams to watch out for. I mean they still can't win on the road although lately they have had some quality wins. They are maybe a player or two from being ''there''

RIP Gaines Adams

Wake up this morning to hear that another athlete has died today and another young athlete at that. Former Clemson University football star Gaines Adams, 26, died this morning after he was taken to the Emergency Room. He was drafted fourth overall by the Bucs in 2007, then traded to the Bears last year.The cause of death is believed to be a heart attack. I send my best wishes and condolences to Adams' family.

Devine Comes Back

Noel Devine will return to West Virginia next season instead of entering the NFL Draft, coach Bill Stewart announced on Thursday. Devine was considered the more likely of the two to turn pro. The first-team All-Big East performer rushed for 1,465 yards while averaging 6.1 yards per carry and scoring 13 touchdowns this past season. He has run for 3,381 yards in his career with a 6.5 yards per carry average. He had a difficult family background, as both his parents died of AIDS. But Devine said he wanted to earn his diploma. "It's all about unfinished business on the field and in the classroom," Devine said in a statement released by the school. "I want to be the first member of my family to finish with a college degree, and I want to bring back a championship to Morgantown." It would be easy to see why Devine could be tempted to run to the NFL and have a secure financial status, but he should be applauded for his dedication to education. When Devine is ready to enter the draft next season his size is a question mark. Like his idol Barry Sanders, Devine is one of the most exciting players to watch in football, and you should expect nothing different from him in 2010.

No Surprise

Runner-up Toby Gerhart announced Friday that he will enter the NFL draft instead of staying at Stanford for a fifth season. The only question that this settled was that of whether Gerhart would go pro in football or baseball. He could have stayed for a fifth season because he played just one game in 2007 because of injuries, but opted for the NFL instead. Stanford (8-5) lost the Sun Bowl to Oklahoma, but had many breakthroughs this season led by Gerhart. The Cardinal made it into The Associated Press rankings for the first time in eight years and were in contention for the Pac-10 title. Gerhart ran for a school-record 1,871 yards and a nation-leading 28 touchdowns this past season. He won the Doak Walker Award as the nation's top running back. With Gerhart in the NFL, Stanford's offense next season will revolve more around quarterback Andrew Luck.

Murray & Co. Returns

The deadline for underclassmen to declare for the NFL Draft came and went Friday. DeMarco Murray and Ryan Broyles decided to return to school for next season, brightening the outlook of OU’s 2010 season. Murray felt he had unfinished business in Norman. I still had some more things I wanted to get accomplished with my teammates and become a better player as well,” Murray told ESPN. "I won’t have to share carries anymore, so I will get to play a lot more than I have here and be the guy.” Murray will finally get his opportunity to be "the guy.” OU’s coaches have used running back rotations in part to keep their backs fresh. But also because there wasn’t that drastic of a difference between the three, or two. But next season, there will be a dropoff from Murray and the rest of the backs. If he can remain healthy, that could do wonders for Murray’s draft stock, which has been damaged by his tendency to get injured. Being "the guy” means Murray could also make an assault on the OU record books, in addition to improving his draft stock.

Griffin Season Over Before Started

Ha! Well I am starting to think the Clippers should just trade away future #1 picks because they never star out good for them. Look at the past two, Danny Manning played just 26 games in his rookie season in 1988-89 after tearing his knee ligament and undergoing surgery, though he eventually became an All-Star before fleeing town. And Michael Olowokandi, the top pick in 1998, played just 45 games in his rookie season, and he wasn't much help even when healthy during five underachieving seasons. Now, Blake Griffin will have surgery on his broken left kneecap, keeping him out for at least more four months. Griffin hasn't played a regular-season game yet for the Clippers after injuring his kneecap in their final preseason game. This hurts me as an OU supporter but hopefully for the sake of OU and Blake's future he will bounce back from this injury.

Kobe Visits Sesame Street

Offensive POY

Like I predicted, as a consolation prize, Chris Johnson won the Offensive MVP. But CJ should have won the MVP over Peyton Manning. I mean a runningback on an 8-8 team deserved the MVP award over the game's best quarterback playing on a 14-2 team. It's hard to argue either way, but this is to congratulate him. Johnson received 38 1/2 of 50 votes from a nationwide panel of NFL writers and broadcasters in balloting conducted by the Associated Press. New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees was second with nine votes. Johnson rushed for a franchise-record 2,006 yards to join Eric Dickerson, Jamal Lewis, Barry Sanders, Terrell Davis and O.J. Simpson as the only NFL running backs to reach the 2,000-yard mark in a season. Johnson rushed for at least 100 yards 12 different times, including his final 11 games. His top performance was a franchise-record 228- yard. Back to this topic though why didn't he get the MVP. I mean the last time an MVP went to a non-QB on a team with fewer than 10 wins was 1997, when Barry Sanders shared the honor with Brett Favre. That year, Sanders finished with more than 2,000 yards rushing for a 9-7 Lions team. So maybe if the Titans would have made the playoffs we wouldn't be singing this song. So the conclusion is Offensive Player of the Year is simply a consolation prize for players with crazy stats.

Prayers for Haiti

I hope everybody has heard bout the earthquake that hit Haiti. Not only did it send shock waves to nearby places but it is affecting the NFL. Pierre Garcon, the second-year veteran has relatives in Haiti, most of whom are his family. If you are still lost there was a 7.0-magnitude earthquake that destroyed buildings, made communication all but impossible and officials fear death totals near or over 100,000. Garcon was born in New York and grew up in South Florida, but his mother, father and three sisters were born in Haiti. He said he has more aunts, uncles nieces and nephews on the island than he can count. Garcon is using his Twitter account, www.twitter.com/ShowTimeP85 to raise awareness for the situation. Keep this man and everybody else in Haiti in your prayers.

Lane Kiffin to USC

Word is USC wanted a "Pete Carroll'' guy to replace the real Pete Carroll. And while there have been rumblings the last few days that that could mean USC would look to pry Steve Sarkisian away from UW, good sources have indicated tonight that the ex-Carroll assistant that the Trojans will instead get is Lane Kiffin, who just finished his first year as head coach at Tennessee. Like Sarkisian, Kiffin was an offensive coordinator under Carroll, and is reported to be making about $2 million a year with the Vols, a salary he would likely increase substantially at USC. He also has what's reported to be a pretty small buyout of $1 million. Sources indicate that Sarkisian was never in the running for the job, preferring to stay at UW. However, if what we're hearing is true, he will now have to play his good buddy Kiffin at least once a year. The two worked together on the USC staff for five years, Sarkisian once saying they used to sit and draw up lists of schools they regarded as good jobs. Kiffin was an assistant at USC from 2001-2006 before leaving to become head coach of the Oakland Raiders, and then on to Tennessee.

Via ESPN

Woodson Defensive POY

Well I guess Primetime got this one right. Charles Woodson has won The Associated Press 2009 NFL Defensive Player of the Year award. He said that Woodson just deserved it this season but Revis is just as good if not better. He doubled the number of votes for that Darrelle Revis received (Woodson got 28 votes from a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters). Woodson tied for the league lead with nine interceptions, returning three for touchdowns, and was a key to the Packers' turnaround on defense. His role played a huge part in Green Bay's ranking second in overall defense. How funny is it that Woodson is the first cornerback to take home the honor since Deion Sanders.

Redd Down

A basketball source has confirmed that Michael Redd suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament and torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee on Sunday night in Los Angeles. The injury will sideline the Bucks shooting guard for the rest of the season. The injury is the same one that Redd suffered nearly one year ago, on Jan. 24 against Sacramento at the Bradley Center. He suffered a torn ACL and torn MCL in his left knee on that night and was lost for the rest of the season. The 30-year-old Redd has been plagued by injuries in recent years. He missed the final 35 games of last season after being injured, and he was out for 16 games earlier this season due to a left patella tendon strain. Redd has one year remaining on the six-year, $91 million contract he signed with the Bucks in the summer of 2005. The final year of the deal is a player option worth $18 million. This may be it for him and I am sure it will be for the Bucks as they have plenty of back up shooting guards.

It's Official

Finally it's official. The Seattle Seahawks just announced they have hired Pete Carroll as the eighth head coach in the club's history. "We are excited to add Pete as our coach," Seahawks Chief Executive Tod Leiweke said in a written release. "We now turn our full attention to the hiring process for a general manager. Our intended structure is for Pete and the new GM to work in a collaborative capacity on football matters."The Seahawks did not release financial terms of the deal, but The Times has learned it's a five-year agreement worth $32.5 million, or $6.5 million per season. His assistant coaches may range from USC assistants to Pac-10 coaches. Let's see how long it takes him to get Seattle back to being halfway decent.

BREAKING NEWS!!

Ok so maybe I am exgeratting. But nobody is really shocked about the fact that Mark McGwire has used steriods. Rather they just want to know what took him so long to tell.Here is the text of the statement Mark McGwire issued Monday, admitting he used steroids during his career, as provided by The Associated Press:

"Now that I have become the hitting coach for the St. Louis Cardinals, I have the chance to do something that I wish I was able to do five years ago.I never knew when, but I always knew this day would come. It's time for me to talk about the past and to confirm what people have suspected. I used steroids during my playing career and I apologize. I remember trying steroids very briefly in the 1989/1990 off season and then after I was injured in 1993, I used steroids again. I used them on occasion throughout the '90s, including during the 1998 season. I wish I had never touched steroids. It was foolish and it was a mistake. I truly apologize. Looking back, I wish I had never played during the steroid era. During the mid-'90s, I went on the DL seven times and missed 228 games over five years. I experienced a lot of injuries, including a ribcage strain, a torn left heel muscle, a stress fracture of the left heel, and a torn right heel muscle. It was definitely a miserable bunch of years and I told myself that steroids could help me recover faster. I thought they would help me heal and prevent injuries, too. I'm sure people will wonder if I could have hit all those home runs had I never taken steroids. I had good years when I didn't take any and I had bad years when I didn't take any. I had good years when I took steroids and I had bad years when I took steroids. But no matter what, I shouldn't have done it and for that I'm truly sorry. Baseball is really different now - it's been cleaned up. The commissioner and the players' association implemented testing and they cracked down, and I'm glad they did. I'm grateful to the Cardinals for bringing me back to baseball. I want to say thank you to Cardinals owner Mr. DeWitt, to my GM, John Mozeliak, and to my manager, Tony La Russa. I can't wait to put the uniform on again and to be back on the field in front of the great fans in Saint Louis. I've always appreciated their support and I intend to earn it again, this time as hitting coach. I'm going to pour myself into this job and do everything I can to help the Cardinals hitters become the best players for years to come. After all this time, I want to come clean. I was not in a position to do that five years ago in my congressional testimony, but now I feel an obligation to discuss this and to answer questions about it. I'll do that, and then I just want to help my team."

Wildcard Day 2

Pats vs Ravens

Man if you would have told me that the Pats would have gone down without barely a fight, I wouldn't have believed you. I really wouldn't have believed you if you said that Brady wouldn't show up and would have betted you on that. But it is true. The Baltimore Ravens started out this decade with a stunning, start-to-finish beating. Brady had been 7-0 in postseason games at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots were 8-0 there during the regular season. None of that matter on Sunday as Brady threw three interceptions and gained less than 200 yards passing for the fourth time in his last five games. I mean if we were playing Madden, it would have been a skunk after the score was 24-0 in the 1st. The Ravens were led by Baltimore's running trio of Rice, Willis McGahee and Le'Ron McClain who overpowered defenders for 234 yards. Of that, 159 of it was by Rice. That sad because he almost out-gained Patriots 196 yards of total offense. Randy Moss was nowhere to be found but the only good thing that came out of the game was Wes Welker's replacement, rookie Julian Edelman, who caught two touchdown passes. Next week the Ravens will line up against the ''undefeated'' Colts. Should make for an interesting game.


Packers vs Cards

This was by FAR the best of game of wildcard weekend. First off I want to give Kurt Warner some credit. He doesn't get enough because he isn't Favre but this man went 29 of 33 for 379 and five touchdowns, without a single turnover. It was one of the wildest playoff games the NFL has seen - there were more than 1,000 yards of offense and just two punts It started as if it would be a blow out as the Cards went up 17-0 but it turned out to be a good game. It even went into overtime and I knew for sure that the Packers would pull it out but Rodgers got sacked, lost the ball and watched helplessly as linebacker Karlos Dansby returned it. Nobody will remember how he led them back though after they were down 31-10. Nobody will remember his 422 yards and the four touchdowns he threw. But everybody will remember the fumble and the lost 51-45 in overtime. I hope this doesn't hurt his rep because obviously the Packers have something good going on over there if they can keep building around him. It was just one of those wildest playoff games the NFL has seen. There were more than 1,000 yards of offense and just two punts between the two teams. What is funny is the Cards ran that same blitz earlier in the game but Rogers avoided it but he wasn't so lucky this time. Some fans wanted a face-mask penalty on thee play which clearly it was but the Packers aren't going to do that. They will just wonder how they let one get away. I was upset that Woodson didn't step up though. He was having a good season and to let it end on that note. Next up for the Cards will be the ''N'orleans''.

Wildcard Day 1

Playoff Matchup #1

I am surprised at the first game. Not at the lost but at how the Bengals lost.For the second straight week, Darrelle Revis and the Jets silenced Ochocinco. He had two catches for 28 yards in the Bengals’ 24-14 loss. Ochocinco did not record his first catch the fourth quarter. Revis said he saw Ochocinco getting frustrated as the game went on. Except for Cedric Benson (who rushed for 160+), the Bengals’ offense sputtered all day. Palmer looked awful, overthrowing and underthrowing receivers. I mean he was missing wide-open receivers and then they want to drop passes when he did get it to them. Then you have kicker who wants to miss two field goals. But the game wasn't lost by the Bengals the Jets just played equal as good. Mark Sanchez played nothing like a rookie. He played way beyond his 23 years. Then on top of that, rookie Shonn Greene,had a dynamic 21 carries for 135 yards. Yeah the Jets looked good but the choice next week is either the Chargers, who have won 11 in a row, or the Colts, who have won the last 23 of the last 24 games they’ve played in which they actually tried to win. Should be interesting though. If Sanchez keep playing mistake free, the defense will come to play.


Playoff Game #2

Who would have ever thought that Felix Jones would come on strong at the right time. Jones ran for 148 yards, including a 73-yard touchdown. Jones' 148 yards were the third most for a playoff game in team history. Even if you would have told me that the Cowboys would have dominated I wouldn't believe you. I mean I thought the Eagles were coming to play. At least McNabb and his dancing during pregame. But fact there is no NFC team looking more dangerous than the Cowboys right now. Four consecutive wins. Three over playoff teams. And most impressive, they seem to be getting better. For the Eagles, it’s another painful way to end a season in which many NFL experts had them going to and winning the Super Bowl. The Eagles were pounded by the Cowboys defense. The only bright moment of the game was when Michael Vick threw a perfect strike to Jeremy Maclin where he broke free for a 76-yard score to tie the game at 7. Other than that it was all she wrote. Now the Eagles have to figure out if they want to bring Vick back now.

Trying to Persuade

Tim Tebow will not shun the Senior Bowl like many high-profile quarterbacks, according to an ESPN.com report. ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reports that Tebow will play in this year’s Under Armour Senior Bowl in the last week of January in Mobile, Ala. Tebow is expected to play quarterback for the South team, according to the report. Of course this is a good move for him beacuse why else would he turn down an opportunity to show the NFL he can become a QB. Tebow has received a wide range of evaluations for his potential as an NFL quarterback. Even though many personnel men have told ESPN he will struggle in the league if he plays quarterback, at least a half-dozen general managers or coaches say he not only will be successful as a pro quarterback, but also likely to be chosen in the first round. We will see but I do not seeing a lot of teams needing a quarterback in the first round. And if they do the there is only 2 or 3 teams.

Losing One of the Best

Texas All-America safety Earl Thomas is leaving school after his sophomore season to enter the NFL Draft. Thomas announced his decision Friday night, nearly 24 hours after Texas lost to Alabama 37-21 in the BCS championship game. Thomas, a Thorpe Award finalist, set a Texas record with eight interceptions this season. Some people felt he was the best defensive backs in the nation. Not to me though. I feel that Thomas isn't as physically gifted as either Eric Berry of Tennessee or USC’s Taylor Mays. Both figure to be picked ahead of Thomas . So him leaving to me is a shocker but I guess a lot of people are going to the draft not just juniors. "It was a tough decision because we’re like brothers here," Thomas said in a statement released by Texas. "The last two years the team has done great. We got to play in a lot of big-time games, won a Big 12 championship and just got done playing for the national championship. I think all of those experiences have helped prepare me for the next level." Thomas is coming off one of the best seasons for a Texas defensive back.

Tuberville Becomes a Red Raider

Former Auburn coach and one that I respect, Tommy Tuberville has been named head coach of Texas Tech (from a source of course). Tuberville will be introduced in a press conference on Sunday. It is reported that he will receive a five-year contract for just less than $2 million a year. Leach was scheduled to make $2.5 million next season before being fired a week ago. Texas Tech interviewed only Tuberville and Tech defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill and had phone interviews with Arizona offensive coordinator Sonny Dykes and Baylor head coach Art Briles. There’s no word on whether Tuberville will keep McNeill or retain anyone else from Leach’s staff. I wanted good ol Ruffin McNeill to be the head coach, sorta like what West Virginia did for Bill Stewart. I still think it is a good pick up though don't get me wrong. It will be interesting to see what offense they will run in the Big 12 now. If he will bring his running attack to a throwing conference and how it will translate.

Peyton Wins 4

I can't argue with who is the MVP just thought it would be somebody different (Chris Johnson). Peyton Manning added to his growing and historic resume today by claiming a record-setting fourth NFL Most Valuable Player Award.Only one other player, Minnesota quarterback Brett Favre, has been honored three times by the AP. He led the Colts to an undefeated season (at 14-0, and no I do not count those last two). Manning finished the season with 4,500 yards and 33 touchdowns, the second-highest totals in his 12-year career, and broke his own club records with 393 completions and a 68.8 completion percentage. Manning received 39 1/2 of 50 votes and Saints quarterback Drew Brees was second with 7 1/2 votes. I just can't believe that the fact that CJ didn't receive one single vote blows my mind. Maybe when the Offensive Player of the Year which is named next week comes out he will get that. Never the less, congrats to Peyton Manning.

Fast Start

We all know I am not a big fan of Brandon Jennings like that but he has discovered the same thing Derrick Rose did last season - start fast as a rookie and opponents will quickly turn up the defense. Jennings was sensational in November, averaging 22.1 points and shooting 42 percent from the field. He exploded for 55 points against Golden State in his seventh NBA game. December was a different story, as Jennings' scoring dropped to 16.7 points and he shot 37.6 percent. "I think a lot of people expect me to score a lot now, but that's not really my game," Jennings said recently in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "Actually, I'm a better passer than I am a scorer, and a lot of people don't know that yet. I'm not going to be able to put up big numbers every night. I've got to find another way to help the team win."

Returning to All-Star Form?

T-Mac is another week closer to returning to the floor but not for the Rockets but as a starter in the All-Star Game. In the latest voting update, McGrady remained second among Western Conference guards behind only the Lakers' Kobe Bryant. McGrady said last month that he would not participate unless he was playing at an All-Star level at the time of the Feb 14 game. Some people aren't feeling the whole thing but I am. I mean the Rockets are doing this guy wrong. If I was Tracy I would soak every bit of this up and go out there and put on a show just for next season. Obviously, the Rockets aren't going to play you. I mean even if they were in Game 7 of the NBA Finals he wouldn't play. That is how bad they have gotten towards him. So Tracy from a supporter of you man, it might not be right but last time I check the fans vote and the what the fans want, they get.

Failed 2nd Overall Pick

I feel bad for Darko. I think everything is finally hitting him and it sucks. I mean to the everyday NBA observer, we all know that Darko Milicic was a terrible pick but now even he is admitting it. The Pistons took Milicic second overall in 2003 -- after LeBron James -- and missed the opportunity to take Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh or Dwyane Wade (who are all superstars and doing quite well. Milicic was asked by SLAM magazine if he gets upset when it is suggested the Pistons wasted their No. 2 pick on him. "They did," Milicic told the magazine. "They did waste a pick. Why did they take me? Who knows if I really had a chance to play like these players that play like Dwyane Wade or Carmelo. Those guys are incredible players." "For me, being a second pick, I don't get why they didn't play me at all," Milicic told SLAM. "Why did they take me? You should take someone that they really think was gonna play right away because just taking someone to sit on the bench, you waste a pick and you waste the guy's time. "You wasted my time for three years not playing so you (explicit) up a player and you (explicit) up yourself, and I just didn't get it. I guess they thought they were gonna be champions forever."

Wow some very strong words from this guy. I mean he even dropped the F-bomb but that is what frustration can do to you. Nobody will never know what the Pistons were thinking when they drafted him. I mean at worse if they didn't want a player for the future they could have traded down for something but to get Darko. Wow! Milicic was on the bench in Detroit for three seasons before Joe Dumars gave up on his failed pick and traded Milicic to Orlando. Milicic also has been with Memphis and the Knicks, and recently said this season would be his last in the NBA.

Pete Maybe Back to the NFL

I think Pete knows that USC is about to get into some legit trouble so he is doing like former coaches and players have done and is leaving. Coach Pete Carroll was close to reaching an agreement with the Seattle Seahawks. That would deliver yet another blow to the university's besieged athletic program. Carroll has been offered the job of both coach and president at an annual salary of $7 million for five years, according to a source close to the negotiations. Some people are like Pete wouldn't leave but why not? He has dominated the college football scene for a minute now and USC is down a little bit. Coaches have a sense of how teams are looking for the future and evidently the Trojans are not going to be close to winning the BCS Championship anytime soon. Seattle announced early Friday it had fired Coach Jim Mora. Team President and General Manager Tim Ruskell was forced to resign early last month. The control Carroll would have as Seattle's president is important because he thought he had too little say about drafting and signing players in his previous NFL jobs. The man is smart though. Carroll's reputation during all the crazy stuff with Bush and McKnight has remained largely untouched during all of this, the investigations have sparked some grumbling that he plays loosely with NCAA rules though. But even if he did do something, the athletic department wouldn't do anything. Why? Because the football team generated $35 million in revenue between July 1, 2008, and June 30, 2009. If Carroll were to leave USC now, it could badly damage a team that fell to 9-4 this season, missing a Bowl Championship Series postseason game for the first time in seven years. The search for a coach would harm the Trojans' ability to restock with new talent.

More Leaving

Not surprisingly, Joe McKnight and Damian Williams, USC's star receiver, said they would forgo their final season of college and make themselves available for the NFL draft. Some people think Joe is trying to leave before his legal troubles get him but I mean he does not have a reason to come back. He ran for 1,014 yards last season, becoming the Trojans' first 1,000-yard rusher since 2005, when Reggie Bush and LenDale White accomplished it. Williams who started at Arkansas, was All-PAC 10 Conference and USC's MVP last season, when he had 70 receptions for 1,010 yards and six touchdowns and ranked sixth nationally in punt returns with a 14.2-yard average. He took two back for touchdowns. He finished up very strong in the Emerald Bowl with a 12-reception, 189-yard performance against Boston College in winning the MVP award.

McCoy's Post-Game Interview

The star quarterback, who won the prestigious Maxwell Award, was named an All-American and finished as a Heisman finalist, never returned to the game, which the Longhorns ultimately lost by a final score of 37-21. Here is the post game interview that speaks volume even though he didn't play.

'Bama Brings it Back Home

Taking advantage of a devastating injury to Texas' All-American quarterback Colt McCoy, with its running game, and defense, Alabama steamrolled through the first half and survived the second to claim national championship. First off I want to give my thoughts and prayers with McCoy. I mean there's all the talk about if he would have played the game would have been different but you never know. You can say so man ifs in sports we would be here all day (what if Sam Bradford didn't get hurt?). But there is no doubt that injury changed the game (not the outcome). I hope he comes back healthy though for the NFL Draft. McCoy’s official diagnosis is a pinched nerve. He suffered a somewhat similar injury his freshman season against Kansas State, when he pinched a nerve in his neck/shoulder area. But no matter what one question will always be part of Jan. 7, 2010, what if? I did appreciate his interview at the end though. Speaks volume for him and I sure did appreciate it. But I felt though Alabama was going to win regardless. Heisman winner Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson both ran for more than 100 yards and scored two touchdowns, Alabama's defense gave up just 91 first-half yards. And even if Ingram leaves, Richardson looks like a sure next great back for 'Bama. That run he scored on was a great speed but of course that experienced offensive lined helped too. Alabama's 205 rushing yards were the most allowed all season by Texas, and the Longhorns' offense couldn't manage a first down in its first four possessions after McCoy's injury, Alabama began to roll through the nation's top-rated rushing defense. Defensively, the Crimson Tide forced five turnovers, including three to ice the game in the final minutes and a 28-yard interception return by the game's defensive MVP with three seconds remaining in the first half. The freshman that had to replace McCoy, Gilbert wound up 15-for-40 for 186 passing yards and four interceptions. I know this will probably be the hardest lost that he will take because he did not in his wildest dreams think he would play last night. Texas actually outgained Alabama 276 yards to 263 but the injury, turnovers, and inexperience cost them. Last night's championship made No. 13 for the program while also making Saban the first coach to win a BCS title at two different institutions. One guy who I thought I would hear from was Julio Jones. He did not even catch a ball (I don't think). But then again it wasn't his fault as they only threw the ball 11 times. On the other side though, Jordan Shipley had 10 grabs by himself as he kept his team in the game.

No Deal

Since their failed bid to acquire Travis Outlaw from the Blazers, the Griz failed at signing free-agent guard Von Wafer. The former Houston Rocket reached a buyout with a Greek team last month but then failed his physical with the Grizzlies. That development led Memphis to negotiations with the New York Knicks about guard Nate Robinson. Team insiders confirmed a recent New York Newsday report that the Griz and Knicks agreed in principle to exchange Robinson for guard Marcus Williams and a draft pick. But the deal died because of Robinson's veto. Robinson is in the last year of a qualifying offer with the Knicks therefore he has to approve any trade, according to league rules. I know the Griz are hating that but Nate is smarter than that. Memphis has three first-round picks in the 2010 NBA draft and is peddling its two late-round selections in an attempt to add scoring off the bench. The Griz will not take a player whose deal extends beyond this season if they indeed consummate a deal.

Making it ''Wayne''

Wayne Ellington doesn't need that heat pack as much he did a few weeks ago. The Timberwolves' rookie shooting guard wears the device during games to keep his leg and back muscles loose while sitting on the bench. Ellington has been too busy lately to get much use out of it. Wolves coach Kurt Rambis is bringing him off the bench much sooner and playing him longer — even in the fourth quarter. In the past three games, Ellington has been one of the Wolves' more effective players. He's averaging 14.0 points and 4.6 rebounds and shooting a startling 64 percent from the floor (16 of 25), including 6 of 11 from three-point range (54.5 percent). Two months ago, Rambis said Ellington looked "nervous" on the court. Today, Ellington is calm and confident. He's getting more quality minutes, which is helping him develop into the Wolves' best outside shooter. He always had it in him but just had to give him time to become that guy.

Stepping Up

Coach Don Nelson had a special request for Stephen Curry."He told me he needs me to make plays," Curry said. What his aggressiveness has done is prevent guard Monta Ellis from always initiating the offense and creating against a set defense. It also forces the defense to respect Curry, resulting in less help opponents can provide on Ellis and forward Corey Maggette. Considering his struggles on defense, especially against bigger guards who post him up, Curry's offensive production is that much more important to the Warriors."The last two games," Curry said, "I tried to get in the middle and tried to make plays, dishing to the wings and get guys shots. The more aggressive I am, I think the more plays I'll be able to make and help my team instead of being that fifth man out there just running around in the lane and not being involved in the offense."

MVP Watch: Steve Nash

Sacramento coach Paul Westphal handed Steve Nash the best compliment anyone has given him this season. "I don't think I've ever seen him play this well and he's got two MVPs," Westphal said. "He's unbelievable." It's hard to argue. Nash's 54 percent shooting is the best of his 14-year career and better than any other NBA point guard or wing player. For the fourth time in six seasons, Nash is the NBA assist leader with more games of 14 or more assists (nine) than the rest of the league's players (eight). He is on pace to have a fourth season in which he shoots at least 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from 3-point range and 90 percent from the free-throw line. Larry Bird is the only other player to ever do it twice. Nash is also close as ever to Mark Price for the NBA career free-throw percentage record. Price shot 90.39 percent over his career and Nash's best career free-throw game Tuesday (13 for 13) put him at 90.21. Keep tabs on Nash he may go for 3 MVPs.

Looking for a New Home

In the Oakland game, Willis McGahee has proven to be a potent weapon. McGahee seems to be in the best health and shape of his career but yet the Ravens may release McGahee next year. Ravens are willing to pay McGahee the kind of money his contract warrants to be a backup. Basically, every team needs two good backs, but you don't want to overpay. I'm sure McGahee would like to move on and play for a team where he is the No. 1 starter as well. It took him a year, but McGahee has found his niche and accepted his role. But he still has plenty of juice left and can be a prime-time starter.

More Details

New details emerged about the locker-room confrontation between Arenas and Javaris Crittenton. A Wizards teammate that suggest a potentially far more volatile incident than was originally reported by Arenas.

According to two first-hand accounts of the confrontation, Crittenton responded to Arenas's action -- which included laying the four unloaded weapons in Crittenton's cubicle with a note that read, "Pick One" -- by brandishing his own firearm, loading the gun and chambering a round. Two of the five people in the room that morning, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Arenas had originally not disclosed Crittenton's action to protect the little-used guard from prosecution and had told Crittenton he would assume full responsibility for the actions of both players that day.The dispute between Arenas and Crittenton began on the team plane during a popular card game between players called "Boo-ray." Crittenton lost roughly $1,100 to JaVale McGee, a Wizards center, in the game, according to a player who watched the game and who also spoke on condition of anonymity. Crittenton, already angry over a dispute over the game's rules, became irate when Arenas began needling him. Their barbs escalated to a point where Arenas, smiling, said he would blow up Crittenton's car, according to two players on the flight, who requested anonymity. Crittenton replied that he would shoot Arenas in his surgically repaired knee.Walking into the locker room two days after the dispute on the team plane, according to two witnesses, Arenas laid out the guns in Crittenton's locker. Two other teammates eventually sauntered in and, while Arenas was writing the note in front of Crittenton's cubicle, in walked Crittenton, according to their account. Asking Arenas what he was doing, Arenas replied, "If you want to shoot me, I'd just thought I'd make it easy for you." As other teammates laughed, Crittenton crumpled up the paper, tossed one of Arenas's guns across the room, where it bounced in front of a team trainer, and said he didn't need any of Arenas's firearms because he had his own, according to the witness accounts. Crittenton then drew his weapon, loaded it and chambered a round, the witnesses said. Neither witness said the gun was ever pointed at Arenas, but both said Crittenton began singing as he held the gun.

This is not a funny situation and I stand behind the commish on this one. It was unclear Wednesday when Arenas's suspension might be lifted. I also feel that Crittenton should get the same punishment as Arenas if he gets ban. That is definitely nothing to play with.

Rebuilding

Schwartz said Monday that he thought the Lions were in pretty good shape at running back when they were healthy. Came to the conclusion that he was probably lying. Kevin Smith, even when healthy, does not have the burst to be a starting running back for a good team. So Lions will "likely" look for a new starting running back this offseason. Kevin Smith is coming off a torn ACL, and potentially more knee damage the team hinted at but never revealed. Despite his injury, he wrote he wants to “get back into the race” next year with the other running backs in his draft class: Chris Johnson, Rashard Mendenhall, Matt Forte, Tim Hightower, Ray Rice, Jonathan Stewart, Darren McFadden, Steve Slaton and Felix Jones. But Lions "like (Smith) and Aaron Brown in backup roles," and both should be on the 2010 roster. But this is still a 2-13 team that does not feature a lot of talent on either side of the football.