Seriously?

Each week I will look back at the week that was with a bit of a sarcastic tone in a weekly segment called, “Seriously?” This is my version of the Seth Meyers and Amy Poehler segment called “Really!?!” on SNL’s Weekend Update.

So its official Darrelle Revis, the New York Jet’s star cornerback, is holding out for more cash money. I’m not a fan of holdouts and not being a Jets fan I couldn’t care less if he reports to camp on time, missed the preseason, or even real games. But Rex Ryan saying that the Jets will have the best defense and win the Super Bowl without Revis has me just a smidge perplexed. Seriously, Rex? He was your Defensive Player of the Year last year. Remember when you were whining over Charles Woodson of the Pack winning the award? Rex was so pissed that I thought he was going to go all Al Davis and roll out an overhead projector. Now, you don’t need him? Seriously? You are cool with Rookie Kyle Wilson and Dwight Lowery starting opposite Antonio Cromartie? Have you watched any tape on Cromartie? Put on the tape from the Jets/Chargers game from the Playoffs last season, you remember that one, don’t you? Call that exhibit one. He cannot tackle and calling him a “cover corner” is quite generous. Seriously, Rexy? If I go online to fathead.com and order a Rex Ryan Fathead for my basement, do you actually show up at the door? By the way, Rex, I understand this is posturing but come on, make it believable. There is no more important player to the Jets; they don’t call it Regis Island for nothing. With the blitzing nature of a 46 defense it is essential to be able to close off one half of the field. Regis can do that his replacements, not so much.

So the saga continues as Albert Haynesworth still cannot pass his conditioning test for the Washington Redskins. He failed it on Thursday and Friday last week and then rested on Saturday and Sunday. Okay wait, you are out of shape and your resting? Seriously? This is like someone on a diet taking a weekend to chow down at the local McDonald’s. Where is the logic on this? Okay, his knee is swollen but that’s because he’s not in shape. Seriously, Albert? You have been paid $35M over the past 16 months to be a professional athlete. You have the money now, when do you turn into a professional athlete? Obviously, not today as you refused to take the test. Seriously? Step one Albert, hire a trainer. Step two, show up at Redskins Park for team workouts it will help you in the long run. Step three, carbs are not your friend. Step four, look up the word professional and memorize the definition…use flash cards if you need to.

Alex Rodriguez is still stuck on 599 career homeruns. Seriously, is anyone surprised that A-Rod went all mental on us as he chases 600 career home runs. He did the same thing on 499 to 500. Has there ever been a player of his caliber that is more mentally fragile. Just when you think that he may have broken through to the other side (see last year’s playoffs) he goes mental. Seriously, get it over with and it will be better for all of us…do us all a favor, please. Some will say that this proves just how hard the game is but A-Rod has gone 9 for 38 in his little homer drought. I think it proves that baseball, more than most sports, is played not on the infield dirt or the outfield grass but on that very small patch of “land” between the ears. Seriously, like a band-aid A-Rod.

Is it me or did the New York Yankees go wee bit nutso at the MLB trade deadline? Lance Berkman, Austin Kearns, and Kerry Wood? Seriously, are they assembling the NL All-Star team from 2003? Experts praised the Yankees moves. Seriously? It reeked of a front office that was itching to do something because they felt like that had too. With Cliff Lee and Dan Haren gone and Adam Dunn going nowhere the Yankees responded like a college kids with a new credit card in their pocket. Seriously, Yankees you are a big sea fisherman don’t start fishing at the local pond.

The Philadelphia Phillies traded for Roy Oswalt…Seriously, I’m so very surprised. Seriously, I’m shocked.

Lane Kiffin. Seriously? That’s all I have to write. Seriously.

I hope that someone got fired over at the Major League Soccer home offices this week. After Manchester United wiped the pitch with the MLS All Stars someone has to ask, seriously? Who thought it was a good idea to schedule an exhibition to showcase just how bad the MLS is? Seriously, why does the MLS need an All Star game? Can anyone name 11 players in the MLS (and I’ll give you Landon Donovan can you give me the other 10)? Are those 11 players, All Stars? Next year, MLS, just hand out certificates to your “All Stars” and give them a few days off. Seriously embarrassing, Man U scored in the first 24 seconds and this is soccer not basketball.


Through My Head: Random Musings

If an NFL rookie does not have a contract can they really be a holdout?

Domonique Foxworth’s season ending injury (ACL) on the first day of Ravens camp is potentially a huge blow to the Ravens’ season. Already thin at corner and with the prospect of Ed Reed missing substantial time the Ravens defense, particularly the secondary, could be the weak link on a strong team.

Way to go Cincinnati Reds. Taking 2 of 3 from the Braves is exactly how you challenge for the central division title and the wildcard.

This has been a great MLB season so far and the stretch run is shaping up to be one of the most compelling in years. We are enjoying tight races in all but one division (AL West). It’s August and I can only confidently say that three teams (Yankees, Rays, and Rangers) are playoff bound.

Training Day

Took the day off work and headed south to Georgetown, KY for the Bengals first practice of training camp. I knew going in that TO was not going to be there and the buzz throughout the practice was that he missed his flight. It was the most asked question among fans and media alike. I overhead Wendi Nix of ESPN asking whether he really had missed his flight. Antonio Bryant took the field wearing his number 81. I learned while I was at training camp that Bryant would give up the number to TO and TO would help fund a little league football team in Florida. Peter King, from Sports Illustrated, was in camp and you can read his postcard from camp.

Observations from Camp:

The largest crowd reactions today were predictably for Carson Palmer and Chad Ochocinco. It is amazing the admiration that exists between Bengals fans and Chad. Hard to believe that just a year or so ago he was asking for a trade after a very below average year for him in 2008. He is the rock star in camp. I was surprised by the very warm reaction the crowd had for Cedric Benson, Bobbie Williams, and Rey Maualuga. It’s good to remember in the constant discussions of rookie QB contracts and diva wide receivers that the NFL is built upon workhorse backs, gritty offensive linemen, and ferocious linebackers. It’s good the fans recognize that as well.

I spent most of my time at camp watching the linebackers work. Linebackers coach, Jeff FitzGerald, is fundamentally a great teacher. He was teaching technique throughout the morning practice. Exhorting good effort and calmly coaching up mistakes that were made. He used the players’ first names, not the standard last names or numbers, making personal connections through the drills. Abdul Hodge bobbled a ball during a fumble recovery drill and coach FitzGerald calmly addressed the issue and used it for a teachable moment. You could tell that the linebackers respond to his coaching and based on last year’s performance he’s made an impact.

One linebacker that stood out to me, and there is talent among the corps of linebackers including Dhani Jones, David Rivers, Rey Maualuga, and Rashad Jeanty, was Michael Johnson. Johnson is a second year linebacker (played at DE last year and still sports number 93) out of Georgia Tech. He is a physical freak of nature. He is 6-7 240 pounds and moves with smooth fluid motion and speed. I tweeted about him today. Not sure what role he will have with the team maybe third down pass rushing specialist but there is some buzz is that he may win a starting OLB spot. That will all play out in due time but believe me he is fun to watch.

A major absence at practice today was last year’s first round pick, Andre Smith. He is struggling with his weight, conditioning, and nagging foot injury that according to some sources is nagging because he has not been fully committed to rehabbing it properly. He could end up starting the season on the PUP list meaning he would miss the first 6 games of the season.

I have to give Rey Maualuga credit for spending time with the fans after practice he was the last Bengal to leave the field. He exuded class, signed countless autographs, and posed for pictures.

Through My Head: Random Musings

What is the deal with former University of Alabama players and conditioning issues in NFL camps? Smith in Bengals camp and Terrence "Mount" Cody in Ravens camp, I’m not a Nick Saban fan at all but give the guy and his strength and conditioning staff some credit for keeping these guys in playing shape.

Is it me or did the MLS just prove last night that MLS stands for Minor League Soccer? The Man U drubbing of the MLS All Stars 5-2 unfortunately proves that the MLS is merely an “also ran” league in the world of soccer.

The fan in Cleveland that wore the LeBron James Heat jersey to a Cleveland Indians game last night and the reactionary fans at the game collectively win the Forrest Gump Mama’s award, remember, “Stupid is as stupid does.”