THIS AND THAT..........WEDNESDAY
I told you my thoughts on Denver WR Brandon Marshall the other day. Yesterday, the commissioner decided against suspending Marshall for his February run-in with his girl friend, a kicking slapathon in full view of witnesses. Both of the combatants refused to press charges, so none were filed. Marshall is scheduled to stand trial later this month for an incident in 2008 with his former fiancee, Rasheeda Watley. It's difficult to keep all of his scrapes with the law straight without a scorecard.
Another bad guy I told you about, RB Travis Henry, is back in the Yellowstone County Detention Center in Montana, his probation revoked for alcohol violations. Travis was released last month to straighten out some of his extensive child support problems, Travis has 11 children with 10 different women. While in Florida, he was stopped for a traffic violation & even though he wasn't over the legal limit, he had been drinking, a violation of his parole agreement. Another guy who fails to understand the concept of personal accountability.
The Mizzou Tigers' football program took a hit this week as their number one recruit, Sheldon Richardson, failed to make the grade academically in order to enter the university this fall. The tight end/defensive end, is rated as the #4 overall recruit in the nation by Rivals.com, recognized as the leader in college scouting & recruiting. Richardson will attend The College of the Sequoias, a California Junior College, for the next two years. To maximize his eligibility at Mizzou, Richardson will redshirt his freshman season, devoting his time to improving his grades. He stated his unwavering loyalty to the Tigers & said he still planned to play 3 seasons in Columbia. In another Tiger note, I told you last month of incoming freshman quarterback Blaine Dalton & his suspension for possession of prescription pain killers that weren't his. A former high school teammate stepped up immediately & proved the pills were his. No charges were filed & Dalton has had his suspension lifted.
Ex-Charger & Patriot safety, Rodney Harrison, announced his retirement this morning. Harrison will join the crowded NBC Sunday "Football Night in America" broadcast. Harrison is the only player in league history to have 30+ interceptions & 30+ sacks. Harrison played in 4 Super Bowls, winning 2 & losing 2. I was kind of on the fence regarding his Hall of Fame potential. You have to compare his career to other players at his position from his era. Troy Polomalu, Ed Reed, Brian Westbrook & John Lynch would be his prime competitors to get into the HOF. Based on that alone, I think his chances aren't the best. His suspension for HGH(Human Growth Hormone) & repeated fines for 'dirty play' also would go against him. But after reading a few quotes from radio & TV appearances today, I doubt he'll ever be enshrined in Canton. He was fined $111,000 for a vicious helmet-to-helmet hit on Jerry Rice. Reflecting on that today, Harrison said "That one was worth it, I mean, I Love Jerry, but to be able to knock his head off, Hell, I'd spend a hundred grand on that any day". When asked what his reaction was to being called a 'dirty player', his thoughtful response was "screw 'em, I don't care". Harrison's preseason hit on St. Louis QB Trent Green, sidelined Green for the entire season, elevating backup Kurt Warner into the starter's role, the Rams won the Super Bowl, Dick Vermeil & Green went west to Kansas City & Warner played in 3 Super Bowls. I've never had a beef with guys who try to knock an opponent into next week, Ray Lewis, Ronnie Lott, Brian Urlacher & others. But to me, many times it appeared Harrison took shots at players with the intent of injurying them. Honestly, I don't know what was going thru his mind when he took these shots, but there was a difference in my eyes.
Dallas linebacker, Greg Ellis, was released Tuesday. I told you last week the veteran was coveted by the Patriots, but now, both Denver & Kansas City want to meet with Ellis & his agent.
Chiefs' center Eric Ghiacuic, an ex-Bengal, talked yesterday of the constant distraction Bengal players had to deal with, sometimes unsuccessfully. Without naming Chad Ochocinco, Ghiacuic said "the distraction became so tiresome, I had to get out of that locker room. It was tough on everybody, it was a very selfish distraction." Ochocinco has his detractors in the Cincinnati locker room & some want him gone. Ghiacuic, who signed with the Chiefs as an unrestricted free agent, also said "the distraction was every where, the practice field, the meeting room, the locker room, it made it consistently difficult to focus".
The word is the Chiefs want to talk to former Bear All-Pro safety Mike Brown. Brown has been hampered by injuries the last four seasons. Because of those injury issues, I'm rather surprised to hear of their interest in Brown. A very fine player when he's healthy, the 10-year veteran has sustained a severe knee injury, a ruptured achilles tendon & multiple hand & shoulder injuries. Brown's presence was on a par with the Colt's Bob Sanders, similar in stature & playing style, but like Sanders, Brown found it difficult to stay on the field & out of the trainer's room. The former Nebraska star was both a first team All-American & Academic All-American & probably the best strong safety to ever play with the Cornhuskers.
Another Chiefs rumor floating about concerns former Saint & Cleveland Brown, LeCharles Bentley. Bentley retired after a series of injury-related setbacks last June. During the opening game of the 2007 season, Bentley tore a patellar tendon. After surgery he developed a staph infection that became so serious, doctors considered amputating his leg. He required four operations & in March of 2008, he was cleared medically to return to the Browns. But in June, a statement from his agent announced his retirement & he didn't play in '08. Bentley may now be talking about a return to the NFL. Bentley can play both center & guard & is a 2-time Pro Bowl starter. Whether there is any truth to Bentley or Mike Brown talking to the Chiefs, I'd say the rumors are founded in Scott Pioli's desire to find smart, committed, veteran players who can help Kansas City for a year or two & not break the bank.
Another bad guy I told you about, RB Travis Henry, is back in the Yellowstone County Detention Center in Montana, his probation revoked for alcohol violations. Travis was released last month to straighten out some of his extensive child support problems, Travis has 11 children with 10 different women. While in Florida, he was stopped for a traffic violation & even though he wasn't over the legal limit, he had been drinking, a violation of his parole agreement. Another guy who fails to understand the concept of personal accountability.
The Mizzou Tigers' football program took a hit this week as their number one recruit, Sheldon Richardson, failed to make the grade academically in order to enter the university this fall. The tight end/defensive end, is rated as the #4 overall recruit in the nation by Rivals.com, recognized as the leader in college scouting & recruiting. Richardson will attend The College of the Sequoias, a California Junior College, for the next two years. To maximize his eligibility at Mizzou, Richardson will redshirt his freshman season, devoting his time to improving his grades. He stated his unwavering loyalty to the Tigers & said he still planned to play 3 seasons in Columbia. In another Tiger note, I told you last month of incoming freshman quarterback Blaine Dalton & his suspension for possession of prescription pain killers that weren't his. A former high school teammate stepped up immediately & proved the pills were his. No charges were filed & Dalton has had his suspension lifted.
Ex-Charger & Patriot safety, Rodney Harrison, announced his retirement this morning. Harrison will join the crowded NBC Sunday "Football Night in America" broadcast. Harrison is the only player in league history to have 30+ interceptions & 30+ sacks. Harrison played in 4 Super Bowls, winning 2 & losing 2. I was kind of on the fence regarding his Hall of Fame potential. You have to compare his career to other players at his position from his era. Troy Polomalu, Ed Reed, Brian Westbrook & John Lynch would be his prime competitors to get into the HOF. Based on that alone, I think his chances aren't the best. His suspension for HGH(Human Growth Hormone) & repeated fines for 'dirty play' also would go against him. But after reading a few quotes from radio & TV appearances today, I doubt he'll ever be enshrined in Canton. He was fined $111,000 for a vicious helmet-to-helmet hit on Jerry Rice. Reflecting on that today, Harrison said "That one was worth it, I mean, I Love Jerry, but to be able to knock his head off, Hell, I'd spend a hundred grand on that any day". When asked what his reaction was to being called a 'dirty player', his thoughtful response was "screw 'em, I don't care". Harrison's preseason hit on St. Louis QB Trent Green, sidelined Green for the entire season, elevating backup Kurt Warner into the starter's role, the Rams won the Super Bowl, Dick Vermeil & Green went west to Kansas City & Warner played in 3 Super Bowls. I've never had a beef with guys who try to knock an opponent into next week, Ray Lewis, Ronnie Lott, Brian Urlacher & others. But to me, many times it appeared Harrison took shots at players with the intent of injurying them. Honestly, I don't know what was going thru his mind when he took these shots, but there was a difference in my eyes.
Dallas linebacker, Greg Ellis, was released Tuesday. I told you last week the veteran was coveted by the Patriots, but now, both Denver & Kansas City want to meet with Ellis & his agent.
Chiefs' center Eric Ghiacuic, an ex-Bengal, talked yesterday of the constant distraction Bengal players had to deal with, sometimes unsuccessfully. Without naming Chad Ochocinco, Ghiacuic said "the distraction became so tiresome, I had to get out of that locker room. It was tough on everybody, it was a very selfish distraction." Ochocinco has his detractors in the Cincinnati locker room & some want him gone. Ghiacuic, who signed with the Chiefs as an unrestricted free agent, also said "the distraction was every where, the practice field, the meeting room, the locker room, it made it consistently difficult to focus".
The word is the Chiefs want to talk to former Bear All-Pro safety Mike Brown. Brown has been hampered by injuries the last four seasons. Because of those injury issues, I'm rather surprised to hear of their interest in Brown. A very fine player when he's healthy, the 10-year veteran has sustained a severe knee injury, a ruptured achilles tendon & multiple hand & shoulder injuries. Brown's presence was on a par with the Colt's Bob Sanders, similar in stature & playing style, but like Sanders, Brown found it difficult to stay on the field & out of the trainer's room. The former Nebraska star was both a first team All-American & Academic All-American & probably the best strong safety to ever play with the Cornhuskers.
Another Chiefs rumor floating about concerns former Saint & Cleveland Brown, LeCharles Bentley. Bentley retired after a series of injury-related setbacks last June. During the opening game of the 2007 season, Bentley tore a patellar tendon. After surgery he developed a staph infection that became so serious, doctors considered amputating his leg. He required four operations & in March of 2008, he was cleared medically to return to the Browns. But in June, a statement from his agent announced his retirement & he didn't play in '08. Bentley may now be talking about a return to the NFL. Bentley can play both center & guard & is a 2-time Pro Bowl starter. Whether there is any truth to Bentley or Mike Brown talking to the Chiefs, I'd say the rumors are founded in Scott Pioli's desire to find smart, committed, veteran players who can help Kansas City for a year or two & not break the bank.
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