Prince Amukamara ALSO Out Indefinitely With Foot Injury

A great many Lions fans were hell bent on drafting a CB this year. While we weren't going to be able to pick up the "Sure thing" lock-down CB Patrick Peterson from LSU, many still believed that there was much talent to be had at the CB position regardless, and the #2 guy on many charts was Amukamara.

With news that our 1st round pick Nick Fairley would be out for an extended period with a foot issue of his own, many were complaining still about not taking a CB. Today we found out that Prince Amukamara himself is basically going to be our for several weeks as well, so in the end it appears that every road would have lead to failure with out 1st round draft pick this year. Hopefully neither are found needing to do motorhome repair anytime soon with injury plagued careers.

"@NYPost_Schwartz
Paul Schwartz
Prince Amukamara fractures fifth metatarsal in left foot. Needs surgery, Out indefinitely. There goes his rookie season. #NYG"

Get Hand-Dipped Cherries Online

With the NFL growing closer and closer to making a deal and us possibly getting to see the Lions win again, it may be time to start celebrating with some fancy treats. Something that caught my attention the other day was this place that let's you Get cherries online.

Not just regular old cherries, but hand-dipped and fancy cherries. Hand-dipped designs that aren't just pretty, but fun. They are called "sports cherries", but that probably doesn't tell ou a whole lot. The cherries are hand-dipped in various chocolates and are colored to resemble various sports balls. Basketball, football, and baseball hand-dipped cherries look fun and would fit in at any big sporting event.

NFL Owners and Player's Union Agree To Mediation

Typically when someone brings in a mediator they are saying that they can't agree, but they are willing to accept the suggestions from the mediators to reach a deal. The NFL and its players' union agreed Thursday to mediation in their labor dispute, two weeks before the collective bargaining agreement expires.

The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, an independent U.S. government agency, will oversee negotiations in Washington beginning Friday.

After holding separate discussions with representatives from the league and the union, FMCS director George H. Cohen said both sides agreed to have the agency get involved in the stalled talks.

Negotiations broke down last week, leading to the cancellation of one planned session. The players are expecting the owners to lock them out with no roadside assistance if the CBA expires on March 3 without a new agreement.

''Due to the extreme sensitivity of these negotiations and consistent with the FMCS's long-standing practice, the agency will refrain from any public comment concerning the future schedule and/or the status of those negotiations until further notice,'' Cohen said.

NFL's Ridiculous Reception Rules On Display Once Again In Detroit

While the Lions lost this week on their own accord, we all saw around the nation the loss last week due to officials not knowing the rulebook. We have been treated to the new catchphrase "process" from everyone and their brother all week, while anyone that actually took the time to read the 3 LINE rule about the play would notice that "process" is never used once. Where did this mysterious "process" come from?

Like clockwork, the idiot sidekick in the announcer booth this week threw out the term within seconds of a catch that if you watched Calvin Johnson's catch enough you know is now an incomplete pass. Why? It is an incomplete pass because the NFL referees last week got a call wrong and the league is filled with cowards that won't admit a mistake.

Very early in the game Sunday of the Lions and Eagles a Philly WR made a catch, got two feet down, butt hit the ground with control, and then it popped out. Called a reception on the field, Schwartz of course challenged it because guess what...if it wasn't a catch last week it sure as hell better not be one this week. HE'd take off his slimming body wrap and show you my belly before he'd let that slide.

So up to the review box once again to review what a week ago would have been just a normal play. The announcers start throwing around the word "process" on cue as we watch it get reviewed. This guy clearly doesn't understand the rule at all. He's just throwing crap against the wall because it is ingrained in his head after hearing about it

Guess who else decides to grace us with their presence again this week? That's right...the same douchebag retired NFL official that told us all about the "process" of Calvin Johnson's catch and why what was clearly a catch was not. Was it an easy call for him when he viewed the catch? Surely it should have been. It was more clear cut than the one he so adamantly protested the week before. Of course not. His entire tune changed this week and he basically said it was a catch. What? Of course they are in Detroit and if this didn't get overturned there was going to be hell to pay. Officials came out and called it incomplete while clearly it was also a catch.

After all was said and done the idiot announcer that was so quick to say "process" and try to explain the rule and why it wasn't a catch began to say that he wasn't sure it was incomplete after all. The other announcer even chimed in heading to the commercial break by throwing a "controversial calls" jab in. Nobody has any idea what it takes to complete a pass in the NFL anymore.

Yes folks, there is a moral to this story. As you can see from the way the NFL has given us a rule that is ruining the game right before our eyes they did it for one reason, and one reason alone. They aren't willing to admit they made a mistake. They have stuck to their guns all week, and continue to insult us with this rule once again. Of course this rule will show up all year and by the time the playoffs come it will be standard. Who is willing to be that the Super Bowl is lost on this rule?

Sports Illustraded Wide Receiver Rankings

This should piss off all the Lions fans. Not only is Calvin "Megatron" Johnson not in the top 5, but he isn't even in the TOP 10!

Sports Illustrated's ranking of the top 20 WRs is a bit off in my opinion. Some are real head scratchers. Like orur old boy, Roy Williams being ranked #11 above Roddy White AND Housmandzadeh who are ranked 15 and 18 respectively and behind some Mesothelioma lawyers most likely the way this list goes.

#1 you get no argument from me with Larry Fitzgerald.

Rest of his top 10:

2. Andre Johnson
3. Reggie Wayne
4. Anquan Boldin
5. Randy Moss
6. Terrell Owens
7. Braylon Edwards (You kidding me after last year?)
8. Lee Evans
9. Greg Jennings
10. Steve Smith (So underrated all the time)

Pats and Giants to the Super Bowl

I have to admit that the Giants were the last team I thought would make it to the Super Bowl. I've watched this team probably 6 times this season and they are just painful to watch to me. They remind me of the Lions except that they are lucky enough to win the close games. They just seem like a team you want to pull your hair out while you watch them.

So...the Perfect Patriots are playing the Giants who actually gave them a run for their money in the final game of the season. I'll give the Giants a lot of credit. They could have rested all their guys in that last game and just let the Pats skate to their 16-0 season, but they played their starters and made a game of it. Definitely made the Patriots earn their perfect season.

I wouldn't expect anything less in the Super Bowl. Although most people say the PAckers/Pats would have been the highest rated SB of all time New York isn't exactly a third world city with a population of 5,000 so it may just be even bigger than expected. I'll be looking for discount hotels Las Vegas this week while I go there to drop some dough on the game I think.

Patriots at the Colts: Game of the Century

I don't know about any of you all, but I am more excited about this game than I have been in years for any game. Only time I have been this excited about a regular season game was probably the last time the Lions were playing Green Bay at Lambaeu 100 years ago trying to decide who would get the home game for the first round of the playoffs that year. The early spread on the game was New England at -4 and it was sending betters to the Stratosphere Las Vegas. People seem to see another blow out coming from the Pats and jumping all over that line. I am thinking it may settle in the 9-10 range. Pats have been favored by 16.5 the last 2 weeks so seeing his spread has people jumping.

This game has all the feel of a major upset and the season turning from talk of the Pats going undefeated to Indy being the team to do it after this week. Hard to say. The Pats are a machine and are mocking the league by running up scores. Ticked off about accusations of cheating. Wanting payback from the knock off in the AFC Championship game from last year. Losing the last 3 to the Super Bowl Champion Colts.

Are you ready for some real football? This is THE game.

Everyone has gone crazy

Seems like some pretty odd things have happened over the weekend in the world of sports. D'Angelo Hall of the Atlanta Falcons decided to lose it and put up 67 yards in penalties on one drive to help the Falcons lose the game. Apparently all he was worried about was beating the great Steve Smith in their one-on-one match up. He got a 37-yard pass interference call, and then got TWO more unsportsmanlike penalties on the drive. The last was on 4th down and cost the Falcons the ball back.

Then there is Milton Bradley. HE got ejected from a game after he was prodded a bit by an umpire. Yes, an umpire is supposedly being said to have heckled the guy and he went off. Tried to get to the umpire and beat him down, but his manager was able to restrain him. The oddest part was that Bradley injured his knee during the skirmish and is now out for the season. A huge blow for the team and their playoff aspirations. This guy needs some sort of colon cleanse or something.

Football Finally Start!

Big game to start off too. Indy vs. The Saints. Should have a major fantasy impact right away as well. May be time to get a cash advance to start a bit of betting on games :).

Unfortunately not many of my teams have guys in these games. I wasn't able to get Brees in any draft, and Manning goes way too high to make picking him reasonable considering that you have to get RBs before you go out and get a QB. Any time I've ever drafted Payton where he is ranked my team has sucked because I end up with my 2nd RB being a guy that is something like Denver's back up. I have Addai on a team though so at least I have soemone to cheer for. I have an outstanding trade to pick up Wayne, or Harrison in another league, but that won't go through before this week. Still something to pay attention to I guess. Should be a high flying game though.

Favre now expected to attend Packers minicamp

Oh NOES! Did anyone really think they would let him leave anyways? Favre was saying yesterday that he wanted to skip mini-camp because he wouldn't be doing anything there anyways and he could work on his daughter's graduation. He also asked for a trade earlier that no one took seriously. Why would they? The Packers will never let him leave anyways.

Favre is great and all, but the Packers seem to just be waiting for him to retire and are in perennial rebuilding mode until he does. Was hoping they would trade him to the Lions so he could set the TD and INT record in the same year. Perfect place for him to do it too. Detroit is the king of bad records. Even the Cleveland Browns and their fans that bring dog supplies to the games for their Dawg Pound think the Lions are a joke.

Ricky Williams tests positive AGAIN!

Unbelievable. This guy must be high 24 hours a day if he can't even quit for a few weeks so someone will pay him millions of dollars to suck. What a wasted talent. What is the league even doing for this guy? This is his FOURTH time testing positive for weed. Who does he think he is, Willie Nelson? You can't be a hippie until you retire dumbass. At least not now. You can't hang out in Bill Walton's teepee and hiding your spliffs in bic pens to fly around the country.

And what the hell is this?

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because of the confidential nature of the testing program.

Confidential? It's like my brother finds out a I smoked weed before and he is going to tell our mommy. Same damn thing happened at the draft with this stuff, but that wasn't even testing. These guys were supposed to have confidential conversations where they were asked if they ever used Marijuana. CONFIDENTIAL. Then an hour later some tool is off int he media tarnishing a guys' name and saying that he is a bad character guy. I am beginning to wonder if these reporters sleep in the jock strap laundry bin to get these stories, or NFL officials are drinking on the job all day with these loose lips.

History of Football Uniforms

Football uniforms have come a long ways from the old days, but they have come a long ways just in the last 5-10 years really as well. From the look to the materials, the history of football uniforms is quite an interesting read.

I can remember when I was in high school just a dozen years ago that we had some of the better uniforms in the area. I really think we were quite a ways ahead of the times with the look and feel of our uniforms. While almost everyone we played had those ugly scratchy pants, we looked like Notre Dame in our green and gold. Our pants were comfortable and made of breathable materials. Our jerseys were top of the line for the time, but not even close to what is available at this time.

What is available now in football jerseys & pants is simply remarkable. As the article suggests, there have been many advancements in not only the look of these uniforms, but in the feel, and functionality of the newest jerseys. Customization is available to give teams a unique look, and to give players at different positions advantages by getting customized jerseys in that regard such as lineman jerseys which hug the body. This is a big deal when playing the line I know from experience. The less those pesky LBs and defensive lineman can grab onto the better. No matter what the goal of the buyer, they can get reasonable prices for uniforms and get much higher quality than they ever could before. The article gives a great breakdown on what is available and what the advantages of different customization methods work for the best look.

Dominic Rhodes signs with Raiders

He got himself a 2 year deal that is said to be $7.5 Million. Rhodes split time with the rookie sensation Joseph Addai last year as the Colts marched on to win the Super Bowl. The Raiders on the other hand have the top pick in the draft. Rhodes isn't really a feature back of any sort so i don't see what the Raiders are going to do with them unless they are just holding the spot for whoever they draft.

Giants Get Running Back Rueben Droughns in Trade

Well....looks like they aren't going to be interested in Tatum Bell. Might as well keep him in Detroit and see what happens.

The Browns got Tim Carter out of the deal, a WR from Auburn, who has drafted in the 2nd round in 2002. In five seasons and 11 starts, Carter has 72 catches for 967 yards and three touchdowns.

Droughns found his success under Mike Shannahan in Denver and put together a nice year his first season in Cleveland. Last season he was limited and only started 12 games. He failed to reach the 1,000 yard plateu last season.

They Giants apparently aren't ready to hand the every down duties to the freak Brandon Jacobs and want to continue a commitee approach after the retirement of Tiki Barber. I don't forsee Droughns fulfulling that role so Jacobs should get his share of the workload.

New England a magnet for free agents

Why wouldn't they be? The team is legendary and they run it right. Everyone there knows they are part of a team. They know they are there to win a Super Bowl. Even though they finally got knocked off by the Colts this year you really don't think they are going to roll over and die do you? They use the draft and free agency as well as anyone.

It's been two long seasons since the New England Patriots won a Super Bowl championship -- far too long for many of their fans.
But the organization itself has lost none of its championships luster among the NFL's players.
At least that's the word from the free agents the Patriots have courted and signed this offseason.
From linebacker Adalius Thomas to tight end Kyle Brady to wide receiver Wes Welker -- acquired in a trade from Miami earlier this week -- New England's championship possibilities were among the primary reasons they are coming north to play for Bill Belichick and his band of Patriots.
Welker, speaking on a conference call Wednesday morning, said he has always been jealous of New England's success, particularly since much of it came at his former team's expense. The Patriots have won four consecutive AFC East titles, the first two leading to Super Bowl championships. read more...

NFL Looks at Effects of Head Injuries

Mar. 8--Confronted with unhappy and increasingly unhealthy retired players, the NFL is embarking on a study of concussions -- estimated to cost as much as $3 million -- in search of evidence of chronic brain dysfunction.

Dr. Ira Casson, co-chairman of the league's research team on concussions, this week said he hopes to answer the ominous question "of whether or not a career in the NFL results in any kind of chronic brain injury."

To a number of retired players, including several former Colts, that answer is already in.

Merril Hoge was forced to retire from the Chicago Bears after suffering two concussions within the span of 42 days early in the 1994 season. He says he never had a follow-up evaluation after the first one and was back on the practice field five days later.

When Hoge, a running back, suffered a second concussion six weeks later, he says he stopped breathing in the locker room and nearly died.

Read more...

NFL players visit heroes in Iraq

The NFL's Director of Community Affairs, David Krichavsky, is accompanying four NFL players -- Atlanta Falcons tight end Alge Crumpler, Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Shelton Quarles, Kansas City Chiefs guard Will Shields, and New England Patriots tight end Ben Watson -- on a 12-day USO tour to U.S. military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan.

DAY 3 -- BAGHDAD AND BEYOND (MARCH 7)

Breakfast at the DFAC found us seated with a spirited soldier from Mississippi who had strong views on his favorite team, the Atlanta Falcons.

"Where's Alge? Where's Alge?" he screamed when he learned that Alge Crumpler was with our group but just hadn't made it to breakfast yet. Without Alge to pepper with questions about catching passes from Michael Vick or the new coaching schemes of Bobby Petrino, the soldier settled for quizzing Shelton Quarles about his Buccaneers' intra-division battles with the Falcons. Get Simpsonized

read more...

Bills trade RB McGahee to Ravens

Whoa...the Ravens didn't waste any time replacing Jamal Lewis it seems. They went from a guy that was sort of washed up to a guy that is plagued with injuries, but has huge potential.

The trade is pending a physical that is likely to take place on Friday. The Ravens will send three draft picks, two in this year's draft and one in 2008, to the Bills in exchange for the versatile tailback.

"This is a runner who can make people miss and has the explosion and speed to take it the distance," said Baltimore general manager Ozzie Newsome. "He also has the power and size to run inside. He's a viable receiver out of the backfield and is a good pass blocker, not something every back can do. He also plays physical and with toughness, which are things we pride ourselves on here." read more...

Falcons sign WR Joe Horn

That Falcons team has the worst receivers I've ever seen. Last year they had no players of any fantasy value catching the ball. At least Horn has something left in the tank, but I don't see this as being that big a deal. The Saints had a huge boost last year from a guy that came out of nowhere. Mawrques Colston was one of the last 10 picks int he draft and just destroyed the league. Though of as a tight End he just dominated and really was the best rookie in the league even though Reggie Bush was the one on the team getting all the attention.

I've always like Joe Horn so I hope he can find a way to help that team, but Vick is still not a great QB and I will say that forever. The option doesn't work int he NFL.

Jamal Lewis agrees to one-year deal with the Browns

This guy has been killing fantasy teams for about 3 years now. After his 2000 yard season he got to spend some time in jail and has never been the same since. Now in Cleveland, where the Ravens team was originally from ironically, he will replace Droughns who was a so-so running back and now is out of a job.

Cleveland got hosed when the Browns left and becamse the Ravens. Only took a short while and the Ravens picked up a Super Bowl win while Browns fans got rewarded with an expansion team with the same name they had before.