MONDAY MADNESS: FANTASY FOOTBALL WEEK 3

Week Three was a low scoring week. Guess what we learned, Green Bay has some hotties. Thanks to my Libra sidekick in VA we found quite a few on that starting line up…

Nick Barnett

Al Harris

Greg Jennings

FB, I had to take AJ Hawk off, he was looking a little like Eric Stoltz in The Mask but I’ll replace him with….

Aaron Rodgers

Although I’ve partially corrupted this football post with eye candy, it’s still the football thread. So discuss, vent, whatever the case may be.

 

WEEK 3 RESULTS:

Rank	Team	W-L-T		Pts
1.	Ki’s Deadly Rhinos	2-1-0		408.38
2.	Intentional Pounding	2-1-0		406.97
3.	The Nuffins	2-1-0		383.83
4.	Replacement Killers	2-1-0		367.68
5.	Unlikely Assassins	1-2-0		366.71
6.	Purple Haze	0-3-0		287.76

 

Another News Break…

NFLPA head Gene Upshaw dead at 63 of cancer

By DAVE GOLDBERG, AP Football Writer 8 minutes ago

Gene UpShaw is seen in an Aug.…
AP – Aug 21, 9:51 am EDT

• NFL Gallery

NEW YORK (AP)—Gene Upshaw, the Hall of Fame guard who during a quarter century as union head helped get NFL players free agency and the riches that came with it, has died. He was 63.

Upshaw died Wednesday night at his home in Lake Tahoe, Calif., of pancreatic cancer, which was diagnosed only last Sunday, the NFL Players Association said Thursday. His wife Terri and sons Eugene Jr., Justin and Daniel were by his side.

“Gene Upshaw did everything with great dignity, pride, and conviction,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said.

“He was the rare individual who earned his place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame both for his accomplishments on the field and for his leadership of the players off the field. He fought hard for the players and always kept his focus on what was best for the game. His leadership played a crucial role in taking the NFL and its players to new heights.”

News of Upshaw’s death first came through a Clear Channel Online report that appeared on several radio Web sites.

Upshaw died only two days after the union announced he would hold a briefing on labor negotiations before the Sept. 4 season opener between Washington and the New York Giants.

His outstanding 15-season playing career was entirely with the Oakland Raiders and included two Super Bowl wins and seven Pro Bowl appearances. Upshaw’s biography was posted on the front page of the Hall of Fame Web site Thursday along with his enshrinement speech from 1987.

In 1983, he became executive director of the players’ association and guided it through the 1987 strike that led to replacement football. By 1989, the players had a limited form of freedom, called Plan B, and in 1993, free agency and a salary cap were instituted.

Since then, the players have prospered so much that NFL owners recently opted out of the latest labor contract, which was negotiated two years ago by Upshaw and then-commissioner Paul Tagliabue.

Upshaw was criticized by some for not being tough enough in talks with Tagliabue, a close friend of the union head. He also was blamed by many older veterans for not dealing sufficiently with their health concerns.

But the salary cap for this season is $116 million and the players are making close to 60 percent of the 32 teams’ total revenues, as specified in the 2006 agreement. In all, the players will be paid $4.5 billion this year, according to owners.

Upshaw recently became more aggressive in his dealings with the owners and Tagliabue’s successor, Roger Goodell. Owners opted out of the collective bargaining agreement, which means a season without a salary cap in 2010. Upshaw declared the cap would disappear for good should there be no new deal by March 2010.

“I’m not going to sell the players on a cap again,” Upshaw said. “Once we go through the cap, why should we agree to it again?”

NFL officials claimed players are getting a disproportionate amount of the revenue. Upshaw’s supporters said management’s viewpoint indicates he did his job well.

The players called a strike in 1987—leading to games with replacements— and it wasn’t until 1993 that labor peace was reached with a breakthrough seven-year contract. It included free agency and a salary cap. Almost ever since, player salaries have spiraled up along with revenue from television and marketing deals made by the league.

The NFLPA also has its own marketing arm, Players Inc., established in 1994, that has grown into a multimillion dollar operation.

Upshaw also negotiated the first-ever union agreement for Arena Football League players.

“He was a tough negotiator but always reasonable and respectful with the ultimate goal of growing the game,” said the league’s acting commissioner, Ed Policy.

Frequently listed as one of the most powerful men in U.S. sports, Upshaw was drafted in the first round by Oakland in 1967 out of Texas A&I—hardly a football factory. He was an NAIA All-American at center, tackle and end, but was switched to left guard by the Raiders.

And that’s where he stayed through a magnificent career that included 10 conference championship games as well as the Super Bowl victories.

AP Football Writer Barry Wilner contributed to this report.

 

Intentional Pounding…

Yadig Fantasy Football?

If you’re a fan of football, whether it’s little league, high school, college or the NFL/Arena, there’s someone you like to see play. Someone that gets your attention whenever they’re on the field. What if you could have your own team full of players like this? Fantasy Football gives you the opportunity to build your own team of players and compete against other teams during an NFL season.

It begins with the league draft. Do your research, find out what players are likely to go fast and what players you can pick up later to complete your roster. Be prepared, you could see your coveted players go to other teams! You are the general manager calling the shots and making the trades. You are also the head coach selecting the starting lineups each week. The way you win games is by selecting the right combination of players to start that will give you the highest point total you can achieve that week. The catch is, you’re up against another team who is also trying to do the same thing. If their players have better stats than your players, they win the game. Each week you will face another team in the league and depending on how many teams we have, you may face someone twice.

Each play during a football game can result in positive and negative points. If your defense blocks a kick or sacks the QB you get points! If your QB throws a pass for positive yardage and/or a touch down, you get points. On the flip side, if your team is the one whose kick was blocked, you lose points, the same with fumbles, interceptions etc.

Let’s not leave out the pitfalls. Just as teams have to pickup free-agents to replace lost position players during the season, you will also have to acquire players to start in place of those that are sitting out due to injuries or aren’t playing because their team has an off week.

Over the course of the season, your wins and losses will rank you among the rest of the teams in the league. Do well, and you could find yourself in the playoffs (last 3 weeks of the NFL regular season); competing for the league championship!

The more teams in the league, the more competitive it is because there is less of a chance that one person would end up with all of the top performers. In this case, drafting and paying attention to the free-agent stand-outs could help your team recover/stay on top.

Are you ready for some football?

I see you…

Intentional Pounding a.k.a Snazzy

 

Olympic Controversy

 

 

So now that they have stopped beating the dead horse (Michael Phelps’ historic Olympic victories), the media now moves on to controversy. There has been much discussion about the age of the girls competing on behalf of China in gymnastics. Yes, they look young, and recent news stories have them at about 13. However, you must be at least 16 to compete in the Olympic games. Yesterday, US golden child and daughter of another Olympic legend, Nastia Liukin, received the exact same score as He Kexin, making it a tie. Still Liukin received the Silver medal instead of two gold medals being awarded. The IOC, International Olympics Commission required that the Gymnastics portion of the competition set in place special tie breaker rules after prior Olympic games ended in the awarding of three gold medals a few years back. Many are crying foul at the determination of who wins the gold, citing home court advantage on behalf of China. This is not the first occurrence of skeptical behavior in the Gymnastics competition. The US has been plagued by unclear instructions and interruptions during routines. Controversy or crybaby? What say you?

 

Then there are the complaints regarding Usain Bolt. Some describe his behavior on the track as arrogant. Stating that he looks over his shoulder to boast about the distance his created from the other racers. When you’re good, you’re good. What will they ask him to do next, slow down, to make the win fair? Should he bow down and kiss the feet of his competitors? Why is it a problem. This man runs effortlessly. Exerting very little energy and still blowing every one else out the water. Shouldn’t he feel some pride?

 

Ki’s Question of the Day

He’s being called the greatest Olympian ever. Now some even venture to call him the greatest athlete ever. Ahead of greats like

Ali

Nicklaus

Jordan

Is Michael Phelps the greatest athlete ever?

 

WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS…

Have I ever owned up to my crush on Dirk Nowitzki…sorry…it’s true…he’s goofy I know…but can’t help it…

Dwayne Wade…look at that form…I could stare at this pic all day…

Deron Williams and Jason Kidd in the same pic…perfection

So when all else fails…basketball…with a sprinkle of good looking men…makes Ki smile…carry on…

 

 

To The Jets He Goes…

Favre saga over as QB gets fresh start with Jets

By CHRIS JENKINS, AP Sports Writer 3 hours, 48 minutes ago

Favre’s last game as a Pac…
AP – Aug 7, 1:34 am EDT

In this April 25, 2008 file ph…
AP – Aug 7, 1:14 am EDT

• GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP)—Brett Favre’s journey from retirement and back has finally ended—in New York.

The Green Bay Packers reached an agreement Wednesday night to trade their three-time MVP and Super Bowl-winning quarterback to the New York Jets, ending an emotionally grinding month of indecision over Favre’s future.

The move ends a remarkably ugly split between Green Bay and one of its most beloved players, allows the Packers to move forward with new starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers and gives Favre a fresh start—although not exactly the one he wanted, as Favre’s first choice was widely believed to be the Minnesota Vikings.

Terms of the trade weren’t immediately available.

“It is with some sadness that we make this announcement, but also with the desire for certainty that will allow us to move the team and organization forward in the most positive way possible,” Green Bay officials said in a statement.

Jets chairman and CEO Woody Johnson issued a statement early Thursday.

“I am looking forward to seeing Brett Favre in a New York Jets uniform,” Johnson said. “He represents a significant addition to this franchise, and reflects our commitment to putting the best possible team on the field.”

Green Bay had been talking with the Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers since deciding earlier this week that they could no longer coexist with Favre.

The Packers decided to move forward with Rodgers as their starer after Favre announced his retirement in March. Given their commitment to Rodgers, team officials weren’t particularly receptive when Favre decided just over a month ago that he might want to play after all—the latest development in several years’ worth of flip-flopping about his football future.

The agreement was first reported by Fox Sports on its Web site.

“We just felt like this was an opportunity to go get somebody of Brett’s stature and what he’s accomplished,” Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum said during a conference call early Thursday morning. “We felt it was in the best interest of the team and when the opportunity presented itself, we felt it was the right move for us to make and we went ahead and did it.”

A number of fans made it clear throughout training camp that they wanted Favre on the Jets with signs and “Get Brett!” chants. Favre’s new No. 4 Jets jersey already was for sale on the team’s Web site about an hour after the trade was announced.

Tannenbaum, who said he had a “good” conversation with Favre, wouldn’t speculate whether the quarterback will play in New York beyond this season.

“We had discussions with him and his agent, Bus Cook,” Tannenbaum said, “and we’re going into this and we’re going to take this one year at a time and we’re excited to have Brett on the team this year.”

The arrival of Favre signals the end of Chad Pennington’s career with the Jets. Tannenbaum said there would be another transaction regarding Pennington, who spent his first eight seasons with the Jets.

“It’s a bittersweet moment for us,” Tannenbaum said. “I have all the respect in the world for Chad as a person, as a player. We’ve accomplished a lot of good things with Chad … He gave his heart and soul to this organization for a long, long time. I really appreciate everything he’s done.”

In this Jan. 20, 2008 file pho…
AP – Aug 7, 1:15 am EDT

Favre left Green Bay on Wednesday, boarding a private plane that left for Hattiesburg, Miss. at 1:25 p.m. EDT with his wife, Deanna, and Cook. Favre’s family home is near Hattiesburg.

In Mississippi, Favre confirmed that he was considering the Jets and Buccaneers.

“We’re working on it,” Favre told Jackson TV station WJTV. “Hopefully, we can get something resolved. I’ve been saying that for quite a while now. I don’t want to say we’re running out of time, but I need to get into a camp somewhere.”

The 38-year-old Favre holds most major NFL passing records and led the Packers to the NFC Championship last season, where they lost to the New York Giants. Favre threw what would prove to be the decisive interception in overtime.

The Jets went into training camp with an open competition between Pennington and Kellen Clemens after neither established themselves during a 4-12 season. Pennington was 1-7 as the starter and was benched midway through the season. Clemens went 3-5, but Pennington actually had the better season statistically.

In this Jan. 20, 2008 file pho…
AP – Aug 7, 1:14 am EDT

After some hope for reconciliation between Favre and the Packers earlier this week, the final split became obvious Tuesday evening.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy told reporters on Tuesday that after approximately six hours of what he called “brutally honest” conversations over two days, the coach had determined that Favre doesn’t have the right mind-set to play for the Packers.

McCarthy said Favre couldn’t seem to get past emotional wounds that were opened as tensions mounted in recent weeks—even with the chance to win his starting job back potentially on the table.

“The train has left the station, whatever analogy you want,” McCarthy said Tuesday. “He needs to jump on the train and let’s go. Or, if we can’t get past things that have happened, I have to keep the train moving.”

McCarthy said Wednesday he was happy the rest of his players were getting a chance to move forward.

“We talked about it last night,” McCarthy said. “The players want resolution, they want what everybody wants. To come out here every day and talk about somebody that is not here and then shows up, it’s gone on too long, and understandably so. They want to play football.”

AP Sports Writers Dennis Waszak Jr. in New York and Brett Martel in New Orleans contributed to this report.

 

It’s That Time Again…

So, Brett, left training camp yesterday. Although he’s been reinstated, a lot of damage has been done to his relationship with the Packers and it doesn’t look like he can make a go of things there. It’s sad honestly, the continuous coverage, makes him seem as if he was whining and being difficult. Look at how many years he dedicated to that organization and in a sense he felt betrayed. He felt that he wasn’t allowed enough time to make an informed decision about the future of his career and retired in haste. Bad blood was created among Favre and the Packers organization by media speculation. A hostile work environment is a difficult thing, now it seems that a trade may be in line. To the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, I know one fan that will be extremely happy about that if it happens. Still, what does the future hold. Will he be a starting quarterback or simply a name on the roster to fill the seats? Will the cloud of doom still hang over his head?

There’s been a lot of discussion about Kidd’s position as starting point guard on Team USA. Many are questioning Coach K’s judgement on this one. First things first, Coach K, will definitely go down as one of the greatest college coaches in history, and I wouldn’t question his judgement. Second, I understand that Chris Paul is a force to be reckoned with, but right now experience might get you a little farther. Kidd has been in this position before. Yes, reflexes may be slowing, body may ache a little more, but at the same time, the wisdom that comes from years of playing, has to count for something. Plus he can lead by example. So we’ll see where the team goes with this one.

 

A Girl Talking About Sports Again…

I love Brett Favre. Let me count the ways. I cried when he retired. I cried when he failed to make it to the Superbowl earlier this year. I think he is a class act and he looks gorgeous rocking the salt and pepper gray hair. However, what I don’t like this moment is the back and forth in the media between Favre and the Packers. It’s a game of he said…they said and it’s getting a bit tiring. It’s taking away from the reputation that he worked years to build. At 38, yes, Favre could continue to play for at least another season or two. Things may ache a little more than they did in the past and he may not recover from a quarterback sack as quickly as he did in his earlier seasons but what he has on his side is wisdom and passion that he possesses for the game of football. Now there’s talk that he may call the Packers bluff and show up for training camp. He states that they somewhat forced him to retire by backing him in a corner. He wanted to wait until training camp to make a final decision but they needed to know prior to the draft. Favre says he wasn’t really ready to walk away from the game. Now he wants to come back green and gold or be released to play with another team, next season. We’ll see where this saga goes.

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson arrested after a series of collisons…driving on a flat tire…talking on a cell phone (which is now illegal in CA)…Pro come get your man.

 

The Program…

 

 

Remember the movie The Program, from 1993 starring Omar Epps and Halle Berry. It followed life behind the scenes of college football players from every walk of life and how they coped with the stress of being a part of a successful but extremely stressful sports organization. The movie was met with some controversy due to a few of its scenes. Players using anabolic steroids…laying in the road and playing chicken…and just the overall subject matter. Still, many would say the depiction is nearly accurate. A few years later I went off to school at an equally successful university. Although my time was short lived there I saw many things reminiscent of the movie. There was a basketball player that I had attended high school with, he was dumb as a box of rocks. Yet, they thought he had a promising future. Due to his height and some of the talent he had shown. Basically he had someone who handled all of his work for him, because he wasn’t capable of completing it. Then there was a soccer player that I had also attended middle school and high school with, yeah he greased my palm and I wrote his English papers. All these memories come flooding back as I see news story after news story of college athletes getting in trouble. The latest one, a promising rising sophomore football player from Clemson University arrested for Domestic Violence against his girlfriend. It doesn’t matter the school, the stories have been everything from drunk driving, drug possession, robbery, and the list goes on. Then you have those with academic woes. Do they get it?

Even moving a step further and looking at the situation of Michael Vick, his brother Marcus Vick, Ray Lewis, and Adam Jones formerly known as Pacman Jones. This attitude of being above the law, above the rules that are in place for everyone else. Does it start in college. In the public school system as we watch promising future stars passed along just to keep the athletic program moving. Does the failure occur in the communities that these individuals come from, are we failing the people who hold the future in their hands?