People can change!

Michael Vick was a number 1 overall draft pick in 2001 of the Atlanta Falcons. Vick went to college at Virginia Tech and looked to be one of the best quaterbacks of all time. Vick was well on his way to an outstanding career when everything came to a hault. Vick had been a stellar player and a role model with only a couple altercations with the law for marijuana but he was now in serious trouble after being accused of hosting a dogfighting ring in one of his homes.
In 2007 Vick was accused of dogfighting. His home was being searched because of drug suspicions from his brother polie found eveidnce of a dogfighting ring on his property. after the accusations Vick was supended by the league and pleaded guilty to dogfighting. Vick was sentenced to 23 months in prison where he had plenty of time to think about his actions. After his release Vick was signed to the Philldelphia Eagles and after his first year of being a back up Vick is now more focused then ever and is again one of the most elite quaterbacks in the league. It seems like Vick has learned his lesson and now that he has a second chance in his life he is not taking it for granted. Im happy for Vick because he has served his time and is back and is more then ready to play and has shown that he has still got it. He is leading a young Eagles team and will likely take them to the playoffs.

Fight during a Football game!

      Last week during the Houston Texans and the Tennessee Titans game a fight broke out. Andre Johnson of the Houston Texans and Cortland Finnegan of the Tennessee Titans started fighting during the game last week but their hatred for each other dates back to 2009. On January 20, 2009 Johnson had Finnegan beat and Finnegan jumped on Johnsons back but Finnegan only received a pass interference call and no fine. Last Sunday during their meeting against each other was a little different. It was a scary scene at Texans Stadium when the two broke out into a fight, Finnegan went at Johnson neck area first and Johnson lost his cool and ripped Finnegans helmet off and landed three punches on Finnegan before Finnegan could rip Johnsons helmet off and at this point the referees were able to break up the fight and both players were ejected.
      After the fight there were speculations that the two players would be suspended but nobody knew for how long but a day later the league decided only to fine the two players 25 thousand dollars each which is a slap on the wrist I think to an incident where both players should have been suspended for at least one game. A suspension would make more sense because it is a bigger punishment and it would ensure that things like this don't happen again. A suspension means that you have to miss a game and you don't get paid for that week so a loss of a paycheck and a game is an ideal punishment to ensure fights don't happen more often. The league thought that 25 thousand was enough so we will see if any more fights happen the rest of the season.      
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBT6MygnKKw

Thanksgiving Games

            Every year on November 25th, Thanksgiving, their are several football games for people to enjoy for the holiday. Have you ever wondered how this tradition started? The Thanksgiving day NFL games were started in Detroit, Michigan back in 1934. The new owner of the team George A. Richards planned a game on Thanksgiving as a marketing stunt to increase attendance and the game was also shown on television on NBC so everybody could watch. Since the game was such a huge success the game is still played every Thanksgiving and the Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys always play on this day. This year during the Lions turkey day game they were winning over the New England Patriots entering the second half 17 to 10 but the Patriots came back and won the game 45 to 24 so it was another loss for the Lions something the Dtroit fans are used to. Thanksgiving day games are personally my favorite games of the year because their is nothing like food, football and family to make the day perfect. The Thanksgiving day games are always the best games because it always seems like the teams try harder because everyone is watching on Thanksgiving and the games are always good games. This was a wonderful tradition that was started 70 years ago and millions of people enjoy it every year and it brings families together around the television every year.

http://detroit.about.com/od/sportsrecreation/a/Lions_Thanks.htm

Troubles in Tennessee

        Vince Young                                                                                                               Jeff Fischer

 

This week in the NFL their has been some drama in Tennessee. During their loss to the Washington Redskins, the Titans quarterback Vince Young was injured. Young had a torn tendon in his thumb but he wanted to return to the game. Titans coach Jeff Fischer did not allow him to or did he know that Young was able to return and in  frustration at the end of the game he threw his uniform and shoulder pads into the stands. Fischer aknowledged that Young was no longer the starter of the Titans. After the game "Young reportedly ran out of the locker room after telling Fisher he was quitting on him, not his teammates." This is a tough situation because obviously no one wants to be taken out of a game that they think that they can play in or even win the game and emotions just got hot but I dont think that this is anything to worry about and I think that the Titans will be fine. Young is now out for the season after deciding to have season ending surgery on his thumb so this situation will blow over in a couple of days and everything will be back to normal.

Brett Favre

        Over the past couple of years the NFL has had a lot of drama over Brett Favre. Favre is definitely going to be a Hall of Famer and is one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. Favre who has retired twice in his career looks like he can play forever at the age of 41 years old. This season Favre has been facing more injuries then normal that could hold his career in jeopardy. 
        Favre's contract is up at the end of the year and when asked if he would return next year he replied "No," . This would end his career after 21 seasons in the NFL. But he still has to make it through this year first. This season Favre has been beaten up pretty bad but has player through all of his injuries. In week 7 Favre was sacked hard against the Green Bay packers and suffered two fractures in his left ankle but he still played through it. In week 8 Favre was not as fortunate he was sacked hard again and received a laceration to his face from the opposing players helmet. There was a lot of blood coming from his chin so he left the game and did not return. He still did start the next week keeping his consecutive starting streak alive at 212 games which is unbelievable especially after all of these injuries that he has had. 

                                                                  ( Brett Favre above )
      In my opinion I think Brett Favre is one of the greatest players that has ever played the game, he is also one of the toughest players. Just the fact that he is in the starting line up gives his team a chance to win that is how effective he is. If Favre does decide to retire after the season the NFL will lose one of the greatest players to ever play the game. 

Moss And Others On The Move

         Earlier this week the Minnesota Vikings released Randy Moss Just 4 weeks after trading for him. Moss returned to his original team but never really felt welcome when he returned. Another player that switched teams this week is Shawne Merriman who was claimed off waivers by the Buffalo Bills. Merriman has been injury prone but is looking for a fresh start in Buffalo.

                                                                  Randy Moss #81
          Moss after a controversial press conference on Sunday Oct. 31 was released on monday November 1 and was then picked up by the Tennessee Titans later in the week. Moss was released by the Vikings because of his bad attitude and his presence in the locker room. Jeff Fischer, the coach of the Titans, says  "We've got a great locker room. They'll accept him. I'm confident he'll accept his new teammates as well." This looks like a great fit for Moss as the Titans are a great team and our currently in first place so I think Moss will be a big help for the Titans now that he is on a contending team. Moss will also be a go to reciever as some of the current Titan recievers are currently injured.
         Merriman another player on the move this week is moving from the west coast to upstate New York and will be playing for the Buffalo Bills. Merriman was one of the best linebackers in the league his first 3 seasons but in that last couple seasons he has been injured and has not been the same player. The Bills are hoping he can return to form and help out the pass rush and help the Bills win which is something the Bills have yet to do this year. Current linebacker for the Bills, Chris Kelsay says "We need more playmakers," Shawne Merriman is a big playmaker and if he can return to the Merriman of old then he will help the Bills out immensely.

                                                                 Shawne Merriman #56

Concussions a Growing Problem in the NFL

Playing a hard hitting game like football and at such a high level of play, players are going to get injured it is just a part of the game. It seems like this year in the NFL there have been many more concussions then ever. Are people getting hit harder or are teams just more knowledgeable about concussions and head injuries?
    During week 1 in the NFL four different players left games with concussions but doctors do not see this as a trend. Dr.Batjer said "one weekend doesn't make a trend but its certainly a number that caught everyone's eye " and this is something that will be looked at.Roger Goodell the Commissioner of the NFL has been trying to keep the players safer and has started to fine players for helmet to helmet hits and for making avoidable hits. Some analyst have said that "the NFL has to do more then fine its players if it really wants to change the big hits"   .
   In my opinion taking the big hits out of the game takes the excitement out of the game, injuries are going to happen but I think the league has done a better job of diagnosing and treating concussions. Players take a risk every time they step on the field that is how physical the game is and the players know that risk and that is one of the reasons that players get paid so much money. I also think that players are getting treated better they used to  and that they are safer because of the research and advancements of concussion testing. I think concussions are going to happen but the key is to make sure players are fully healed before they get back into the game.  

                               Desean Jackson leaves the field after receiving a concussion last week.

Trades Spice up The NFL

                              Randy Moss #81 above.



Marshawn Lynch #23 above.

Recently there have been two big trades in the NFL. Randy Moss formerly of the New England Patriots is now a Minnesota Viking and Marshawn Lynch formerly of the Buffalo Bills is now a Seattle Seahawk. Randy Moss has been unhappy since the season started because he wanted a contract extension with the Patriots and thought that he was "unappreciated" in New England. Moss is returning to Minnesota where he spent his first 7 seasons in the league. Moss will have a big impact in Minnesota giving Brett Favre a deep threat in the passing game so look for Favre and Moss to hook up a lot and I think Moss will have another great year in Minnesota. Marshawn Lynch started out as a fan favorite in Buffalo but after some off field issues Lynch has been nothing but a disappointment. Lynch went to the pro-bowl in only his second year with the team but his numbers have only declined since as injuries and suspensions limited his playing time. Lynch was traded to the Seahawks last week hopefully giving him a fresh start. He is joining Justin Forsett who was a college teammate of Lynch's  at Cal university. This fresh start for Lynch could really help Seattle because Lynch has been the best running back for the Bills this year. Look for Lynch to get a lot of playing time and to play a big part in Seattle's offense. Both Moss and Lynch are looking for fresh new starts and will have immediate impacts on their new teams.


http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/feed/2010-09/randy-moss
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/Marshawn-Lynch-traded-to-Seattle-Seahawks-from-Buffalo-Bills

Off Field Issues In The NFL

Players in the NFL have always had off field issues involving the law. It seems like every year more and more NFL players are being arrested and getting in trouble. During the off season there were many big names that ran into trouble with the law. Ben Roethlisberger, Santonio Holmes, Lendale White and Vincent Jackson just to name a few had some issues. Just recently this week Braylon Edwards was arrested on DWI charges in New York City. Edwards blew a .16 into the breathalyzer which is double the legal limit. The worst part about this story is that the New York Jets, the team that Edwards plays for, has a plan set to prevent bad situations like this. The Jets have a 24 hour driving service that will pick players up in situations like this so that these things do not happen. Edwards has not yet been punished by the league but I am sure he will be suspended for some games because this is not his first run in with the law. Last year Edwards pleaded no contest to misdemeanor assault charges where he was involved in an altercation outside of a Cleveland nightclub. He was also on probation when he was arrested for a DWI so Edwards may be facing some jail time. Players need to be more responsible for their actions because people look up to athletes and when players set bad examples and people will mimic what athletes are doing.  Many Athletes think that they are above the law but it is good to see that they are not and that they can get in trouble also. Athletes need to make better decisions because they are only hurting themselves and more importantly their teams.

http://www.scoresreport.com/2010/09/07/nfl-has-14-players-suspended-to-start-season-but-mlb-has-steroids/

http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/news/story?id=5598872

Reggie Bush not really a "Saint"

Last year the New Orleans Saints won Super Bowl XLIV and one of the key players on the team was Reggie Bush. Bush has since been accused on allegations from the NCAA of being ineligible for the 2005 season in where he won the Heisman Trophy while playing at the University of Southern California (USC). He was accused of accepting money and gifts from agents while playing in college that would have made him ineligible in 2005. Bush has forfeited his Heisman Trophy and there will be no winner of the Heisman for the 2005 season. In the 75 year history of the award there have never been talks of taking a trophy away but i guess there is a first time for everything. Bush was not forced to forfeit the trophy but did it "out of respect to the award"(Bush). He has apologized to the University saying " If I could turn the clock back I would" (Bush). He does regret the whole situation and admits to making mistakes. USC was also forced to lose scholarships and are not allowed to go to any bowl games for 2 years so Bush was not the only one punished for his actions. In my opinion I don't think he should give back his trophy because he was still the best player in the 2005 season so he still deserves the trophy. The gifts and money that he received did not make him a better player, they may have tarnished his reputation but the stats do not lie. Reggie Bush was the best player in the 2005 season and deserves the Heisman.


http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/ovic/NewsDetailsPage/NewsDetailsWindow?displayGroupName=News&prodId=OVIC&action=e&windowstate=normal&catId=&documentId=GALE|A237097704&mode=view