commentary...

Chicago Bears' linebacker Brian Urlacher,who is a very very good player,no doubt,has given the state of the Chicago Bears,in his opinion... he honestly thinks that the Bears,if healthy,will win the NFC North,this upcoming season... one major weakness in the Bears' lineup,is their aging offensive line,and their defense is a little long in the tooth,but still very good... if injuries hit the Bears hard,they will be in trouble,because key injuries can decimate a team... unlike Urlacher,he is downgrading,the Detroit Lions,because of a young offense,and the Green Bay Packers,because of a bad defense,last year,and thinking that both teams have not upgrading their defense,in the off-season...
my opinion:both Detroit,and Chicago have had tough off-seasons,personnel-wise,in Detroit's case,and in Chicago's case,players have had big mouths,in saying they have the team to beat... both teams have improved,no doubt,but are they playoff contenders??? yes,they are,but i dispute that in one way:can the Bears' defense stop both the Lions',and Packers' offenses??? in the Packers' case:Aaron Rodgers threw for 4,643 yards,and had 45 touchdown passes,and had thrown only six interceptions,and in the Lions' case,Matthew Stafford threw for over 5,000 yards,and Calvin Johnson,"Megatron",was ranked number three,by the players,in a poll of top 100 NFL players(Rodgers was number one in that poll,by the way)... so,Chicago may have improved,but how are you going to stop those potent offenses,Brian??? just tell me,and i will believe you...

NFL news,and comments...

the Detroit Lions,and head coach Jim Schwartz have agreed to a multi year contract extension... terms not available... my opinion:Schwartz is a very good coach,but the team has had,i believe,five players arrested this off-season... in that case,that is a big mess,in Detroit... Schwartz better discipline his team,or the NFL will,period... i have respect for the Lions,as a team,but i do not like them one bit...

commentary...

some pundits are saying that one great season warrants that San Francisco 49ers' head coach Jim Harbaugh to be one of the best coaches in the NFL... by the way,the pundits do not have a clue about that,yet... first of all,has he won a Super Bowl? no... has he won the NFC Championship? no... he decimated his division by five games,last season... true... had a great defense... true... had a so-so offense... true... can improve this upcoming season... true... before the pundits anoint him,"the next big thing",in coaching,let him have a few winning seasons,and see overall how he does,as a coach... i am in no way denigrating Harbaugh at all,but folks,let us see how he does... the family pedigree means that he will be a very very good coach... his brother,John,coaches the Baltimore Ravens,and Jim coached Stanford,and Andrew Luck for,i believe,three seasons,before last season,with the 49ers... by the way,Jim,welcome to Lambeau Field,to face the Packers,opening week,this season...

in memory...

AHNAWAKE UNGER-June 28,1938-February 8,2008.... in memory,on what would be her 74th birthday... HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!

commentary...

suspended New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma has asked U.S. District Judge Helen Berrigan to file a court injunction,against the NFL,to allow him to play in 2012-2013 NFL season,if NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell does not rescind his one year NFL suspension,after his appeals ruling... Commissioner Goodell has not made known his decision,yet... Berrigan is hearing his defamation lawsuit,against Commissioner Goodell...
my opinion:Vilma may be a good player,but honestly,i have absolutely no respect for him,as a person,because he believes that he is superior,to anybody else,in the NFL... he has been the most belligerent,of the four players involved,in the "bounty" scandal,because he maintains his innocence,but he has claimed that Goodell has ruined his reputation,in saying that he was a "leader",of the pay to injure (aka "bounty)program... Mr. Vilma,you have a me-first ego,that has gone out of control,and as a shareholder,in the public ownership,of the Green Bay Packers,i find this whole episode rather disgusting,period... Mr. Vilma,you may say that the NFL has no evidence,in saying that you are involved,but sir,you have not sat down and discussed the situation with NFL security,so you look like a prima donna,and a diva,in your petulant attitude towards the NFL,and all your stonewalling,and arrogance does not change the Commissioner's right to suspend you,under the "conduct detrimental" provision,of the year old collective bargaining agreement,approved by the NFLPA,in which you are a member,and the NFL... simply said,take your lumps,and shut up,Mr. Vilma,because you say that your reputation is being ruined,but honestly,the real person to blame for "ruining" your reputation,is the person in your mirror...

Packers' news...

Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers is number one,on the list of Top 100 NFL players for 2012,according to NFL Network... it was voted on,by the players...

trivia...

this is an anniversary of sorts,if you are a WWE fan,which i hate to admit to(laughing):ten years ago,WWE prospect John Cena wrestled first television match,against 1996 Olympic Heavyweight Gold Medalist,Kurt Angle,on Smackdown(one of their television shows),and,of course,lost,but that is the start of a career of a ten time WWE Championship,and two time World Championship career... Cena has had four reigns as World Tag Team Champion,and three reigns as United States Champion,too... you can say that it is scripted,but honestly it is just entertainment,and the fact that there are injuries,means that people do get hurt... traveling up to 250 days a year,in different cities,and countries,does take its toll on their bodies... to Cena,whose mottos include,"hustle,loyalty,respect",and "never give up",i give applause,and a tip of my hat,on this important day for him...

sorry,folks...

i had a bad glitch in posting last post....

odd trivia...

over the last 39 years,no Super Bowl loser has returned to the game the next year...

Packers' news...

Tramon Williams,cornerback with the Green Bay Packers,has had an injured shoulder,from last season(week one,against the New Orleans Saints),and doctors say that it is not responding to treatment,as fast as they would like,and that he may be limited in training camp,but hopefully will be ready for opening day,of the 2012-2013 NFL season... even with a injured shoulder,last year,he had a career high 64 tackles,22 passes deflected,along with four interceptions... not a bad year,so i hope he takes it easy before training camp,rehabs the shoulder,and gets ready for opening week,against the San Francisco 49ers... knowing how motivated the Packers are this off-season,that should be no problem...

Shareholder news...

i voted by internet,for the Shareholder Meeting,today... i will be there,next year,guaranteed...

Buffalo Bills' analysis for the 2012-2013 NFL season...

the Bills started 5-2(and beating the New England Patriots,34-31,in the process),at their bye,but won only one more game the rest of the season... injuries just decimated the team,including to their starting quarterback who played through his injury,but the team played like the Keystone Kops... the offense self-destructed scoring very few points in many games,and then the defense gave up too many points,and too many yards(scoring 20+ points,only twice,after the bye),and get beat,by the Dallas Cowboys,and the Miami Dolphins,in consecutive weeks,44-7,and 35-8,respectively,and then giving up 49 straight points,in a 49-21 loss,to the New England Patriots,in week 17... acquiring Mario Williams(top defensive free agent,this preseason)should help a very good,but overwhelmed defense last season,after the defense imploded after the bye,last season... they should improve,overall,but are they a playoff team(they showed flashes of that),but with New England,and the New York Jets,and an improving Miami Dolphins team,that is not likely,and they should fight for a possible playoff spot,but they need to improve overall,period...

Carolina Panthers' analysis for the 2012-2013 NFL season...

it is chic to pick the Panthers to get to the playoffs,this season,and that would be great for the image of the NFL... however,the games that the Panthers won,were spectacular in scope,but the games that they lost were major ugly,period... quarterback Cam Newton had a great rookie season,throwing for 4,000+ yards,and ran for 700+yards,scoring fourteen rushing touchdowns(NFL record),and threw 21 touchdown passes,but also threw 17 interceptions... the overall running game for the Panthers will be very good,with a three headed running attack,with Jonathan Stewart,DeAngelo Williams,and Newton... with Steve Smith back up to his usual great self,as a wide receiver,their offense will be very good,but the defense is a major question mark... they will get Jon Beeson back from injury,this season,and they have young defenders,in the defensive backfield,but they can be beaten deep,and yet,they are big hitters... the draft they had,with Luke Kuechly,as their defensive cornerstone,along with Beeson,should improve... are they ready for the playoffs? the pundits may think so,but losing to the Detroit Lions,49-35(week 11),and to the New Orleans Saints,45-17(week 17)should tell them that they may be more one dimensional,than they need to be,period,and giving up 40+ points to two playoff teams should alarm them,on defense...

commentary...

i have had it with prima donnas,and divas,like Cleveland Browns' Scott Fujita... he believes that the NFL "bounty" scandal,is a "smear campaign",which is dead wrong... Mr. Fujita,you got suspended only three games,least of the four players involved,in the NFL "bounty" scandal... you have a very big mouth,and are outspoken,which is protected under the US Constitution,but sir,let me tell you something:to tell me,or anyone,that the NFL "bounty" scandal is a "smear campaign",is scandalous,and wrong... the investigation took up to three years,because people lied to,cheated,and were told to,"get your ducks in order",and according to one of your cohorts(Packers' Anthony Hargrove),he was told to lie,by the New Orleans Saints' organization,to NFL security,and that little fact got him suspended eight games,by the NFL Commissioner... even though,you and your cohorts may go to federal court,to avoid the suspensions,after the "bounty" scandal appeals,your union,NFLPA's,grievances were denied by two arbitrators(one being appealed,by the way)... you need to be grateful that it(your suspension)was only three games,not more,by the NFL,because your suspension was deemed to be under the "conduct detrimental" clause,in the section,of "Commissioner Discipline",of the collective bargaining agreement(CBA),approved only last year,by both the NFL,and NFLPA,for ten years,of labor peace... Scott,if the NFLPA did not cave in on the subject,of "Commissioner Discipline",of the players,in negotiating the CBA,last year,and ultimately,your big mouth,which got you into this mess,you would not be in this unenviable position,so Scott,if you want to blame somebody,for your situation,look deeply in the mirror,and see the culprit to simply blame,period... by the way,just take your lumps,and play football...

NFL news...

NFLPA union head DeMaurice Smith has sent a letter,to the NFL,and Commissioner Roger Goodell,asking them to "re-do" the NFL "bounty" scandal investigation,saying that NFL security "egregiously" failed the NFL,in putting the "bounty" probe together... for a head of a players' union,who failed to support "his" players involved in the "bounty" scandal,by not showing up,even for moral support,during the appeal hearings,that is a desperate act of a "fool"... my opinion:i am getting very tired,of people denigrating the NFL,in this disgusting,very sad,and sordid episode...
the NFL pointed out that suspended Packers' defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove got an eight game suspension,for basically lying to NFL security,during the "bounty" scandal investigation,as a member of the New Orleans Saints...

interview with Brett Favre...

in a interview with Hall of Fame member Deion Sanders,on NFL Network,retired quarterback Brett Favre basically said that he did not care about the New Orleans Saints' "bounty" scandal,concerning him,during the 2009 NFC Championship game,between the Minnesota Vikings,and the Saints... he was more bothered about not winning the game... one memorable quote,"I'm not going to sit out the last three minutes... i am going out there with bones sticking out of my skin... i am going to finish it..." CLASSIC FAVRE!!!!!

Packers' regular season start,and their attitude...

according to wide receiver/punt returner Randall Cobb,and head coach Mike McCarthy,the Green Bay Packers' coaches,and players are still steamed over the 37-20 loss,to the New York Giants,in last year's playoffs... they have a big collective chip on their shoulders,going into this season... i believe that they are very angry that they played their worst game,of the year,and they deeply want to prove the critics,and pundits,wrong about the team... they play the San Francisco 49ers,and the Chicago Bears,at home,four days apart,to start the season,then they play their only Monday Night Football game,of the year,against the Seattle Seahawks,in week three,and then they play the New Orleans Saints,in an afternoon game,at home,to end their toughest stretch of the season,minus their divisional games,after their bye... they want to go for broke-Super Bowl XLVII,or bust... love that "underdog" attitude,in wanting to prove everybody wrong...

will Saints ever learn???

suspended(for first six games,of 2012-2013 NFL season)interim New Orleans Saints' head coach Joe Vitt keeps on defending the players involved,in the NFL "bounty" scandal... i understand his passion for defending "his" players,but honestly after the miserable off-season that the NFL has had,i am getting tired of hearing that "no" players did anything wrong,but only one question remains,for Mr. Vitt,why were you suspended for six games??? answer:you did something wrong,Joe... oops,one more question:why should "we" believe you,Joe??? Joe,why did it take three years for the NFL to investigate,the scandal,and why did players get hurt(Brett Favre,and Kurt Warner),on your watch??? answer:the Saints' coaches,and executives,and players lied to the NFL security,and were told,"to get your ducks in order"... by the way,in one case(Favre),the injuries required surgery on his ankle(and in my book,the beginning of the end of his Hall of Fame caliber career),because it slowed him down,and he spent a little more time,in the pocket,behind the Minnesota Vikings' offensive line,instead of rolling out,and throwing the football away... my opinion:just shut up,take your lumps,and coach the Saints,when your suspension ends,Joe... i respect the Saints,as an opponent,but they have to show me that they have changed the culture of being a team that plays football with an reputation,of being shady,and some players need to simply shut up,and play football...

blog statement...

i will finish up my analysis of all 32 teams,in NFL,next weekend... so be prepared to get great blogs,next week...

ugly NFL news...

the "bounty" appeal hearings ended with acrimony,among suspended New Orleans Saints' linebacker Jonathan Vilma,and suspended Cleveland Browns' defensive end Scott Fujita,who both acted like prima donnas,and divas,when they walked out of the appeal hearings,and simply blasted Commissioner Roger Goodell,and NFL security,for a "flawed" investigation... new evidence was pointed out to the media,and a new unknown fact was uncovered that,among the players,and coaches that not $10,000,but a total of $35,000,was pledged,to knock Minnesota Vikings' quarterback Brett Favre,out of the 2009 NFC Championship game,between the Saints,and the Vikings,and there is audio,and video,of assistant coach(now interim head coach-suspended six weeks,i may add)Joe Vitt telling the defensive players that Favre may have broken his leg,and suspended Green Bay Packers' defensive end Anthony Hargrove saying,"give me my money"... supposedly,the NFL got some of the evidence,off of a computer hard drive,and testimony from disgraced Saints' defensive coordinator Gregg Williams,and suspended(for first six weeks of 2012-2013 NFL season)interim Saints' head coach Joe Vitt...
now for the players involved,especially Vilma,and Fujita,who still claim that they have not received a fair hearing,and shown any evidence,and what evidence that they were shown,was misinterpreted,and simply wrong,with Vilma,calling it,"a sham" of a hearing,and Fujita calling it "a shame"... both have said that the NFL,and Commissioner Goodell,have tried to destroy their hard-earned reputations,and both accused the NFL,of tarnished their images,inside,and outside the NFL... my opinion:the Saints' organization and the players involved have done something wrong,and now the players involved are acting like big whiners,saying that they should not be suspended for their actions,or they have not been shown any evidence,and they simply deny their actions... what irks me that there are some Saints' teammates,who actually stand up for the coaches,and for the players involved... football is a team game... the players,and coaches involved,along with the Saints' organization,simply have forgotten that major,but little,fact in this very disgusted,and sordid tale... expect a court fight,because Jonathan Vilma,and Scott Fujita will not go quietly,into that good night... Vilma simply being so irate that i really expect that from him... there is a possibility that all four players may play this season,because simply expect a federal court injunction,to prohibit the NFL,from suspending the players... do not be surprised,if Vilma,and the players try to get the court injunction,because simply said,this is far from over,knowing how really nasty this fight has become,period...

NFL news...

LaDainlan Tomlinson will sign an one day contract,and then retire,as a San Diego Chargers' player... he played nine years,of his eleven year NFL career,in San Diego... he finished fifth,on all-time rushing list,with 13,684 yards... side note:he was a great running back,and the four people ahead of him,on the all-time rushing list,are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame,as of this year(Emmitt Smith,Walter Payton,Barry Sanders,and 2012 Hall of Fame member Curtis Martin)...
side note:the four suspended players,in the "bounty" scandal,are meeting with the NFL,as of right now... more later on that...

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!!!

Packers' individual seasons...

just a reminder:Green Bay Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw for 4,643 yards,with 45 touchdown passes,and 6 interceptions,with a quarterback rating,of 122.5,in only 15 games,in 2011-2012...

blog statement...

knowing it is vacation time,for you,Dad,i will blog once a day,except to tell u about "bounty" scandal appeals being heard on Monday,to give you both a break,in Hawaii... have fun,Toad!!!!!!!! (laughing)

commentary...

i honestly believe that the Green Bay Packers may enjoy having a big collective chip on their shoulders,because even though,they are one of the better teams in the NFL,there are pundits,who have discounted the team,because of last year's overall defense ranking of 32nd,which i have to admit really sucks,but the pundits,and the teams forget one major,but little,fact:the Packers did win fifteen games,and were ahead starting the fourth quarter,in every win,and did not lose those leads... that means that teams were trying to catch up to the Packers,in every win,and that really means that the Packers' defense gave up too many yards,in every game,and the Packers' defense got worn down in the fourth quarter,in every game,and then it caught up to them,in the Giants' playoff game...
they,i have to admit,were a very poor tackling team,especially,against the New York Giants,and they did not play well,in the playoffs,and honestly may have taken the Giants too lightly,and read their own headlines,but again,they played their worst game,in over a year,and the deficits on defense showed up,at the worst time of year... honestly,i have to give much credit,to the Giants,for having a great game plan,in giving the Packers' receivers,no YAC(Yards After Catch),and throwing Aaron Rodgers,literally for a loss,and the Packers' offense's timing was way off,along with the special teams' bad play,and i have to admit that head coach Mike McCarthy was simply out-coached,by Giants' head coach Tom Coughlin,but that was last year,and every opponent may not like to play the Packers,because the Packers were embarrassed,and they will improve,and will be very dangerous,to play... they will respect every team whom they play,but they will look to prove that they are one of the better teams,in the NFL...

"bounty" scandals appeals heard Monday...

the NHLPA has requested that suspended New Orleans Saints' head coach Sean Payton,disgraced defensive coordinator Gregg Williams,suspended Saints' general manager Mickey Loomis,and suspended interim Saints' head coach Joe Vitt attend the appeal hearing scheduled for Monday,for Saints' linebacker Jonathan Vilma,Will Smith,Cleveland Browns ' Scott Fujita,and Green Bay Packers' Anthony Hargrove,who were suspended for various lengths of games,ranging from three games,to a year,along with two members of NFL security ... they want to try to gather evidence,to fight the players' appeals... it is up to the NFL to accept,or decline,their request...

oh no,not again!!! wonder if Saints will ever learn...

NFLPA,and New Orleans Saints' quarterback Drew Brees will have their grievance heard,by a negotiator,in saying that his franchise tag tender should be 144%,of his 2011-2012 salary,not 120%,of his salary,as the Saints say,on June 27th...... he made $16.4 million,last year... my opinion:he will be paid,i know,but is he being greedy???

Saints',and Hornets' owner....

the NBA approved New Orleans Saints' owner Tom Benson,as the New Orleans Hornets' owner...

NFL news...

Detroit Lions' Mikel Leshouse got suspended for two games,and docked two additional game checks,for his two marijuana-related arrests(violation of NFL substance abuse policy)...

NFL news...

the Miami Dolphins signed free agent wide receiver Chad Ochocinco,to an one year contract... he had career lows,in receptions(15),and yards(276),with one touchdown catch,with the New England Patriots,last season...

remembering Lombardi....

Vince Lombardi would be 99 years old today...

Packers' news...

Green Bay Packers' tight end Jermichael Finley plans to fly out to California,after mandatory minicamp,to continue to work out with Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers,to improve his overall timing with Rodgers... last season,it was not his best pass catching season:he dropped too many passes,including a few,in the critical 37-20 Packers' playoff loss to the New York Giants... my opinion:what he will do,can not hurt team chemistry,in long term... let us see if he can catch a pass,in a critical situation,before jumping up and down,in celebration,just yet...

commentary...

the main flaws,in the Packers' 2011-2012 season,were on the defensive side of the football... no pass rush,defensive backfield breakdowns(minus the interception total,and basic turnovers,on defense),because that is what saved the Packers,last season,along with an offense that averaged thirty-five points/per game... if the Packers' defense does not improve(it really should improve)then the Packers will get to the playoffs,and not much further,but knowing defensive coordinator Dom Capers,head coach Mike McCarthy,Clay Matthews,Charles Woodson,and Aaron Rodgers,the fact that they all have an insatiable hunger for the Lombardi Trophy,and finally knowing that they were embarrassed,by the New York Giants,37-20,after going fifteen and one,in the regular season,i can see and hear the fire in how they talk,and respond to criticism,about their ineptitude,in last year's playoffs,and not being considered a favorite for the Lombardi Trophy... one pundit said the Detroit Lions may win the NFC North division(that may be true),but to denigrate the Packers' chances of winning the NFC North division,means that you have a bunch of "underdogs",who have been poked at,by the pundits,and have a real big chip on their collective shoulders,who would love to put that pundit's opinion,in all those pundits' ears... right now,you must have fumes coming out of 1265 Lombardi,and i would hate to be the Packers' opponents this season,because they will go into the season to prove how good they are... the record may not be 15-1,but they will be a better overall team,and that will be very dangerous,to the rest of the NFL...

Packers' history,and trivia...

what Packers' Pro Football Hall of Fame member intercepted a pass in first Packers' game,on defense(Thanksgiving Day,1961,vs. Detroit Lions,won by Packers,17-9),for Vince Lombardi,and intercepted a pass,for first defensive touchdown,in Super Bowl history(Super Bowl II),in Lombardi's last game... answer:1980 Pro Football Hall of Fame member Herb Adderley... two side notes: he gave football to Lombardi,after Super Bowl II,saying to him,"i intercepted a pass in my first game for you,and i intercepted a pass in your last game",knowing that he would retire,as Packers' coach,noting also that the team was ready for the game,on Thursday,of Super Bowl II week...

NFL news...

Both Cliff Avril,and the Detroit Lions say that,"the ball is in each other's court",in talks for a long term contract... they are supposedly about $2 million dollars,apart/per year,in the talks... my opinion:this entire off-season has been a total circus....

a personal note...

to Malcolm Jenkins,Scott Shanle,and Roman Harper,a personal note:you are a tough trio of players,but Gregg Williams got himself into a mess,and is serving an indefinite suspension,from the NFL(pending a review,by Commissioner Roger Goodell)... he may be brash,and a good defensive coordinator,but why did he do the same thing,in Buffalo,and Washington,according to various reports... according to the NFL investigation,into the "bounty" scandal,why did he set a "bounty" pool of money to injure players??? you said that he,and you did nothing wrong,again,like i asked suspended New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma,earlier,why did it take the NFL investigation three years to come out with a report??? simple reason:people in your organization lied,cheated,and told players,to "play dumb",when asked about investigation into scandal in 2010,and again,last season... now that is the truth,so just shut up,and play football...

Jacksonville Jaguars analysis for the 2012-2013 season...

the Jacksonville Jaguars were 5-11(2-6,before bye,and 3-5,after bye)... had switched their starting quarterback,after Luke McCown threw for 59 yards,and four interceptions,during game two,midway into game two,to Blaine Gabbart,who finished his rookie season,as starting quarterback,but the only reliable weapon,for the Jaguars,was Maurice Jones-Drew... "Pocket Hercules" ran 343 times for 1,606 yards,and eight touchdowns,but the rest of the Jaguars' offense really sucked,and yet,the Jaguars' defense was pretty good,losing most of their games,by a small deficit,when the offense could not score enough points,and they beat the Baltimore Ravens,12-7,before the bye(their biggest win all year)... in the 2012 NFL draft,they drafted Justin Blackmon,out of Oklahoma State(first round),and Bryan Anger,a punter,out of Stanford,in the third round... they play the NFC North,this season,including,the Green Bay Packers,at Lambeau Field,in their week eight,so they are in tough,schedule-wise,this season... they also play the Houston Texans(twice),along with the Miami Dolphins,the Buffalo Bills(in Buffalo,late in year)the New York Jets,and the New England Patriots,in Jacksonville... tough schedule....

"bounty" scandal grievance rulings...

both arbitrators ruled this week,in both "bounty" scandal grievances,filed by the NFLPA,against the NFLPA,in ruling that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has the authority to discipline the NFL players,involved in the New Orleans Saints' "bounty" scandal... he is supposed to hear the appeals,June 18th,2012...

NFL news...

the New Orleans Saints have hired former FBI director Louis Freeh,and the Freeh Group,to take an independent look at the entire organization,and to look at serious allegations that have made about the Saints,this off-season...Saints' owner,Tom Benson,said in an e-mail,"serious allegations have been made about this organization,this off-season(and)we take these allegations very seriously..."

Saints being saints???

during Greg Williams' notorious "targeted body parts" speech,on eve of last season's New Orleans Saints/San Francisco 49ers playoff game,Williams trumpeted $200 handouts,to Roman Harper,and Jo Lonn Dunbar,for "whack" hits,against the Detroit Lions... both players did decline the handouts...

contract for Brees???

there are various reports saying that Drew Brees is either "close" to a long term contract signing,or he is not even close... according to radio station WWL,he is very close to contract signing... however,NFL.com says that,even though,they have worked out an average year's salary,they(the New Orleans Saints,and Brees)have not worked out the salaries,for the(most likely)front loaded contract,with a guaranteed signing bonus... Brees has said that he will not work under the franchise tender offered,by the Saints...

NFL news...

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will hear appeals of the players,involved,in the NFL "bounty" scandal,June 18th,2012...

NFL news...

the NFL and NFLRA(NFL Referees Association)are at an impasse over a new contract,and the NFL are looking into hiring other(college,high school)referees to fill up,until a new contract is ratified... both still think a new contract should be ironed out,by opening week,of the 2012-2013 NFL season...

Packers' news...

Packers' defensive end Mike Neal is appealing,for a second time,a four game ban for,he says,is Adderall,prescription drug,for attention deficit disorder... he should be encouraged by an overturned four game ban,for New York Giants' running back Andre Brown,for exactly the same drug...

charity softball game...

Donald Driver held his annual charity softball game,yesterday... guess who hit two three run home runs,in the game? answer:Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers... his team won game,22-10... the game raised money,for homeless families,and disadvantaged youth,in Wisconsin,and in Driver's hometown,in Houston,Texas... side note:sorry,folks,this post was on my other blog early this morning,because of fatigue...

commentary...

for true football purists,the problems with the "bounty" scandal,has to do with the collective bargaining agreement,with the NFLPA looking at,and banking on that the union is starting to focus on Article 43,"non-injury grievances",and the NFL is banking on,and looking at Article 45,"Commissioner Discipline",which has two words in it that mean a great lot to the NFL,"conduct detrimental"... article 43 says a four member panel sets discipline,for players,for anything non-injurious,to the players,and article 45,gives the Commissioner,under the term,"conduct detrimental",the power to discipline...
the NFLPA wants to strip the Commissioner,of that "conduct detrimental" power to discipline players,and yet both the NFLPA,and the NFL are in a quandry,on how to proceed with this stuff,because the NFL has evidence that the conduct detrimental clause has been tripped,and the NFLPA thinks that is a non-injury grievance procedure,in accordance to the players... that is the differences in discipline...
now for my opinion:i see both arguments,but honestly believe that the players involved have tripped the "conduct detrimental",and that the NFLPA simply wants to protect the players,from any discipline,at all,and yet,the executives,coaches,and players(remember it was 22 to 27 players,originally implicated),so the NFL took the executives,coaches,and players mostly to blame for the scandal,and disciplined them very hard,and the players,and NFLPA do not want to accept their alloted discipline,claiming they did nothing wrong,and after,"the soap opera that will not end",is over,it will be an episode that has soiled the image of the NFL...
to the players involved,accept your discipline,like men,and shut up,and just play football...

change of pace...

i pounded the Detroit Lions' defensive end Ndamukong Suh,last season for his immaturity,and punk-like play(stomping Evan Dietrich-Smith's arm,during the Thanksgiving Day game,between the Packers,and Lions)... however,that was last season... well,recently,he was grand marshall for the Detroit Grand Prix,and he received $5,000,from the race committee,for his local youth football camp... well,Mr. Suh,i hope that you show your true character,and that the gesture begins to show that,sir... it does not mean that i do not want to "stomp,and destroy"(with utter respect)the Lions two times a year...

Hall of Fame trivia...

what Pro Football Hall of Fame coach,actually played one year,at Notre Dame,under Knute Rockne,in 1918? answer:Earl Louis "Curly" Lambeau... a severe case of tonsillitis prevented him from playing anymore for Rockne,in his sophomore year... he helped found the Packers,in 1919...

simple talk...

the time between the NFL seasons can be irritating... the only thing that i wish is that suspended New Orleans Saints' Jonathan Vilma,and his attorney,would just shut up... in a letter leaked to the media,his attorney,and he laughs off the story about the ledger,that may connect him to the "bounty" scandal... i just find his arrogance towards the NFL,and its authority irritating,because Vilma may think he is above the NFL,and i believe that no player is above the League,and it find his arrogance towards the NFL,totally offensive,and he may be a very good player,in the NFL,but if he plays again,in the NFL,after his (right now)one-year suspension,he may find employment very difficult to find,except in New Orleans,because the NFL owners will not forget what he has tried to do,with his arrogance,and lawsuit,toward Commissioner Roger Goodell(try to basically smear his name,and character),and they are embarrassed(and maybe angry)about this episode... being a shareholder,of the Packers,i can not wait for the season to start,and i am very upset,about Vilma's arrogance,and immaturity,when he laughs about this episode,in a tweet,today... Vilma has said that he is innocent,and for argument's sake,let us say that he is innocent,i have several questions for him:why were you suspended for a year(season)?;why did you decline in talking to NFL security,when you had a chance?;if the NFLPA was supposed to file an appeal for you,why did you hire a separate attorney,and basically sue the Commissioner,in a defamation suit? two reasons:need to play for the New Orleans Saints(that i can respect,and understand),but you want financial compensation,and blacken the image of the NFL,and make yourself look like you are superior to everybody else,who plays for the 32 teams,of the NFL... i simply find that your greed,and arrogance(and laughter)very offensive,period... basically,you are a real jerk...

NFL news...

the Louisiana District Court has given NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell until July 5th,to respond to the defamation lawsuit,filed,by suspended New Orleans Saints' linebacker Jonathan Vilma...

Breaking news...

according,to Yahoo Sports,and NFL.com,NFL security has a "ledger" detailing weekly earnings of "cart-offs",and "whacks",for players... $1,000 were paid for hits on players,who were helped off field on carts,"a cart off",and earned $400 for a whack,and points were deducted,for "mental errors"... one player who was injured ended up on injured reserve,and he had exclamation marks,after his name,in the ledger... for the players who have said that there that was no evidence was shown to them,there is a report that the NFLPA knew of the ledger,in talks about the "bounty" scandal,with the NFL... i can empathize with the players who are appealing their suspensions,without too much hassle,but honestly i have no empathy,for Jonathan Vilma,whose big mouth has him looking like a jerk,a diva,and an arrogant laughingstock,at least,to me... my opinion:if true,the fact that the players involved have said that they have done nothing wrong seems to be a very moot point...

goofs r us...

open mouth,insert entire leg!!!!!! suspended New Orleans Saints' linebacker Jonathan Vilma said,in an interview,that,"he would not cooperate with NFL security,in talking about "bounty" scandal,because the NFL would not show any evidence to him..." the NFL did say,in response,that,"(Mr. Vilma)had an opportunity,with his attorney,to discuss the evidence,earlier,and that he still has that opportunity,to discuss the evidence,with his attorney,and with NFL security,during his appeal... he declined to do so the first time... my opinion:he was the "captain" of the Saints' defense during the time,of the "bounty" scandal... if Payton,Williams,and company were suspended for that,why not the players involved,and to tell me that basically you did not do it,or even knew about it,that is bush league,and Mr.Vilma,you must think that i must be a dunce to believe you,because i simply do not believe you...