JETS' SIGNING COULD COST CHARGERS, MORE USC WOES, 55 DAYS & COUNTING PLUS SOME OF YOUR MAIL
Yesterday the new York Jets locked up their left tackle, D'Brickashaw Ferguson, with a 6-year contract extension worth a total of $60 million, with $35 million guaranteed. Two other major contributors with New York, center Nick Mangold & cornerback Darrelle Revis, are awaiting new deals. Considering Mangold & Revis are, at worst, in the top-3 at their position league-wide, both should be in for huge pay increases. In my opinion, Ferguson isn't in the top five at his position, let alone the top-3 & he hit the lottery yesterday. A couple of other guys had big smiles after Ferguson's contract was announced, Charger holdout Marcus McNeill & his agent Alvin Keels. I don't see McNeill being as accomplished a player as Ferguson, but he's in the ballpark & that vicinity is where Keels has been trolling, hoping to hook a new deal out of San Diego GM A.J. Smith.
The lengthy undercover investigation into a codeine-laced cocktail resulted in a raid on the Mobile Alabama home of JaMarcus Russell on Monday. He was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, codeine syrup. I watched an ESPN Outside the Lines piece on "Purple Drank" or Sizzurp" & it was a disturbing story. This concoction is a mix of codeine syrup, promethazine, Jolly Rancher candy & either Dr. Pepper or Sprite. The promethazine is prescribed in the U.S. as an antihistamine, but it has a strong sedative effect & is sold over-the-counter in other countries for treatment of insomnia. The candy is used for flavoring & this potent cocktail is served in a "Big Gulp" - size tumbler. This drink is very popular in the Hip Hop community, in fact the genius credited with creating this powerfully addictive mixture is a Houston rap producer, who died from an overdose of the drink. Numerous rappers like Lil Wayne & the 3 Six Mafia have glorified the drink in their lyrics. Respiratory arrest caused by this mixture has resulted in over 100 deaths in the South.
The Oakland Raiders continue to cover their tracks regarding JaMarcus Russell. They mention "suspecting Russell was doing something illegal" & "his constant tardiness suggested to us there could be a problem." Think we'll hear the Raiders admitting the selection of this guy as the number one overall pick in the 2007 draft was a mistake of immeasurable proportions? The worst of all-time? I don't see Al Davis admitting to anything, he'll just continue to trash Russell, not that he doesn't deserve part of the blame.
The hits just keep on comin' for the USC Trojans. Athletic Director Mike Garrett had to send out letters of apology to Florida, Alabama, Oregon, Washington & Fresno State. Someone in his office had informed ESPN the five schools had essentially tampered with redshirt freshman Dillon Baxter by contacting him after the NCAA sanctions against the Trojans had been announced. The ESPN report claimed the schools were trying to entice Baxter into transferring from the troubled school. Apparently Baxter came clean to Garrett, telling him no one had contacted him, he "misspoke", which is the new politically correct phrase for "I lied." Additionally, the number one recruit in the land, offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson was released from his national letter of intent shackling him to USC. Henderson had requested the release after the sanctions were announced. The two leaders for his talents are Miami & Ohio State. Another redshirt freshman, Byron Moore, was also granted a release, tho he hasn't decided where to go. Since I've been "throwing dirt on USC" for over a year(so says one of my readers) I want to give Lane Kiffin some props because he tried to schedule a team that has a hatred that burns white hot for him. That team? University of Tennessee of course. But the Vols didn't want the matchup, why? How do you pass up this shot at one of your biggest antagonists. I guess the Vols just want to play it safe, but that's not SEC football. Or is it? Nobody in the SEC would accept a game with Boise State either.
The three speakers who will eulogize Don Coryell at his memorial service will be the three I spoke of a few days ago. Hall of Famers John Madden, Joe Gibbs & Dan Fouts will speak at the service for Coryell.
Sports' fans it's just 55 days to college football kickoff. On September 2nd there are a bunch of mismatches but get comfortable around 7PM CDT on this Thursday evening,as the Pitt Panthers travel out west to take on the Utah Utes. Fine matchup.
Time to answer some of your emails & comments.
To DanPink: Thanks for reading, your question regarding NFLPA head, DeMaurice Smith, is a good one. I am not thrilled with a non-player holding the highest office in the union. There's little to go on in Smith's very limited history, I certainly don't want a Marvin Miller-Donald Fehr-type. But I don't want to see another ex-player like Gene Upshaw either. Much of what has happened to retired players is on Upshaw, he simply didn't look out for them enough. By the same token, if he is like Miller or Fehr, the ownership council & Roger Goodell are in for a rough negotiation that could lead to a work stoppage.
To Lawrence Roberts: Thanks for reading & Happy Birthday! your wife emailed a request for a birthday salutation on July 8th, so here it is. Hope today is a great celebration in your family.
To KCKrissy: Thanks for reading, but I'm not "constantly ripping on the Chiefs" as you put it. As to your question regarding tickets to see the Chiefs in the newly renovated Arrowhead Stadium, I honestly don't know what their season-ticket base is. But they have tickets in every price range according to what I heard on WHB 810 yesterday when I was in the Kansas City area yesterday. They're even offering a season ticket package at the low, low price of $250. That's 10 games @ $25 per game. That's a bargain regardless of where the seats are located.
To Garrett: Thanks for reading, I want to apologize for not mentioning the selfless act of your young son. This 9-year old boy, Carson, spent 2 days clearing, cleaning the gravesites of Missouri veterans. He had sent this story to me after my piece on Memorial Day. God Bless you Carson!
To Rich is an idiot: Thanks for reading, let's discuss your comments regarding my June 15th story on USC not going to Hawaii. I did read all 67-pages of the NCAA report, did you? Nowhere in that report does it say USC will be allowed to travel to play at Hawaii on September 2nd. This rule was instituted back in 2002 because Alabama was attempting to schedule additional games in Hawaii while they were on probation. The NCAA announced three days after their initial report on USC violations, because the game was less than 90-days away, arrangements for a suitable replacement in the season-opener would be difficult, so they allowed the game to go on as originally scheduled. I posted that announcement on June 18th. Your complaint was written on June 25th. Please read everything before you accuse me of writing a "bogus article." I knew my "Haven't been called an Idiot in ___ Days" calender was way, way overdue for a reset.
The lengthy undercover investigation into a codeine-laced cocktail resulted in a raid on the Mobile Alabama home of JaMarcus Russell on Monday. He was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, codeine syrup. I watched an ESPN Outside the Lines piece on "Purple Drank" or Sizzurp" & it was a disturbing story. This concoction is a mix of codeine syrup, promethazine, Jolly Rancher candy & either Dr. Pepper or Sprite. The promethazine is prescribed in the U.S. as an antihistamine, but it has a strong sedative effect & is sold over-the-counter in other countries for treatment of insomnia. The candy is used for flavoring & this potent cocktail is served in a "Big Gulp" - size tumbler. This drink is very popular in the Hip Hop community, in fact the genius credited with creating this powerfully addictive mixture is a Houston rap producer, who died from an overdose of the drink. Numerous rappers like Lil Wayne & the 3 Six Mafia have glorified the drink in their lyrics. Respiratory arrest caused by this mixture has resulted in over 100 deaths in the South.
The Oakland Raiders continue to cover their tracks regarding JaMarcus Russell. They mention "suspecting Russell was doing something illegal" & "his constant tardiness suggested to us there could be a problem." Think we'll hear the Raiders admitting the selection of this guy as the number one overall pick in the 2007 draft was a mistake of immeasurable proportions? The worst of all-time? I don't see Al Davis admitting to anything, he'll just continue to trash Russell, not that he doesn't deserve part of the blame.
The hits just keep on comin' for the USC Trojans. Athletic Director Mike Garrett had to send out letters of apology to Florida, Alabama, Oregon, Washington & Fresno State. Someone in his office had informed ESPN the five schools had essentially tampered with redshirt freshman Dillon Baxter by contacting him after the NCAA sanctions against the Trojans had been announced. The ESPN report claimed the schools were trying to entice Baxter into transferring from the troubled school. Apparently Baxter came clean to Garrett, telling him no one had contacted him, he "misspoke", which is the new politically correct phrase for "I lied." Additionally, the number one recruit in the land, offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson was released from his national letter of intent shackling him to USC. Henderson had requested the release after the sanctions were announced. The two leaders for his talents are Miami & Ohio State. Another redshirt freshman, Byron Moore, was also granted a release, tho he hasn't decided where to go. Since I've been "throwing dirt on USC" for over a year(so says one of my readers) I want to give Lane Kiffin some props because he tried to schedule a team that has a hatred that burns white hot for him. That team? University of Tennessee of course. But the Vols didn't want the matchup, why? How do you pass up this shot at one of your biggest antagonists. I guess the Vols just want to play it safe, but that's not SEC football. Or is it? Nobody in the SEC would accept a game with Boise State either.
The three speakers who will eulogize Don Coryell at his memorial service will be the three I spoke of a few days ago. Hall of Famers John Madden, Joe Gibbs & Dan Fouts will speak at the service for Coryell.
Sports' fans it's just 55 days to college football kickoff. On September 2nd there are a bunch of mismatches but get comfortable around 7PM CDT on this Thursday evening,as the Pitt Panthers travel out west to take on the Utah Utes. Fine matchup.
Time to answer some of your emails & comments.
To DanPink: Thanks for reading, your question regarding NFLPA head, DeMaurice Smith, is a good one. I am not thrilled with a non-player holding the highest office in the union. There's little to go on in Smith's very limited history, I certainly don't want a Marvin Miller-Donald Fehr-type. But I don't want to see another ex-player like Gene Upshaw either. Much of what has happened to retired players is on Upshaw, he simply didn't look out for them enough. By the same token, if he is like Miller or Fehr, the ownership council & Roger Goodell are in for a rough negotiation that could lead to a work stoppage.
To Lawrence Roberts: Thanks for reading & Happy Birthday! your wife emailed a request for a birthday salutation on July 8th, so here it is. Hope today is a great celebration in your family.
To KCKrissy: Thanks for reading, but I'm not "constantly ripping on the Chiefs" as you put it. As to your question regarding tickets to see the Chiefs in the newly renovated Arrowhead Stadium, I honestly don't know what their season-ticket base is. But they have tickets in every price range according to what I heard on WHB 810 yesterday when I was in the Kansas City area yesterday. They're even offering a season ticket package at the low, low price of $250. That's 10 games @ $25 per game. That's a bargain regardless of where the seats are located.
To Garrett: Thanks for reading, I want to apologize for not mentioning the selfless act of your young son. This 9-year old boy, Carson, spent 2 days clearing, cleaning the gravesites of Missouri veterans. He had sent this story to me after my piece on Memorial Day. God Bless you Carson!
To Rich is an idiot: Thanks for reading, let's discuss your comments regarding my June 15th story on USC not going to Hawaii. I did read all 67-pages of the NCAA report, did you? Nowhere in that report does it say USC will be allowed to travel to play at Hawaii on September 2nd. This rule was instituted back in 2002 because Alabama was attempting to schedule additional games in Hawaii while they were on probation. The NCAA announced three days after their initial report on USC violations, because the game was less than 90-days away, arrangements for a suitable replacement in the season-opener would be difficult, so they allowed the game to go on as originally scheduled. I posted that announcement on June 18th. Your complaint was written on June 25th. Please read everything before you accuse me of writing a "bogus article." I knew my "Haven't been called an Idiot in ___ Days" calender was way, way overdue for a reset.
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