The Real Patriot Act

Is anyone actually surprised by cheating anymore? I feel pretty confident saying that about 99.998% of all people everywhere have cheated. Whether it's on taxes, during an exam, on a spouse or a drug test; everyone wants to win, no one wants to lose. It sounds simple but there is STILL uproar when people get caught. We would love to believe that everyone is pure and good, but to hell with that thought! People are vile and evil (oooh, an anagram!) and they will do anything to advance themselves. No, I'm not comparing Patriots head coach Bill Belichick to the devil, but he, just like every other coach in the NFL, wants his team to be #1. All the time. And yes, sometimes the best way to do that is via cheatation. Sometimes it's even easier than just putting in the work. Spying on the other team, deciphering calls, stealing signs are all things that are inherent to the game. Hell, why do you think baseball coaches look like they're doin the cracked-up version of the macarena every play? While it looks like fun, it's really just to have the other team so confused by the body gyration they give up on trying to cheat and focus on the plays at hand.

The opening game of the 2007 NFL season was an eye opener not only for the entire New England Patriots organization, but the NFL as well. The New York Jets played the Pats for their season home opener and caught NE cheating. Staff on the Patriots sidelines literally had a camera FOCUSED on the Jets defensive bench and coordinators, recording their every move and the plays they called. After the game, Jets head coach Eric Mangini told the league that NE was taping them and swift action was taken. The NFL found the tapes corroborating these allegations, and as a result, penalized the Patriots. Head coach Bill Belichick has been fined $500,000, the New England Patriots organization fined $250,000, and the team will also lose early round draft picks to be decided at a later date. If the Pats make it to the playoffs, they'll lose a 1st round pick. If they don't make it to the playoffs (and that's a huge IF), they'll lose 2nd and 3rd rounders.

I've heard both sides of the argument; the punishment was too harsh, it wasn't harsh enough. I'm not torn on this one, Bill Belichick got off easy. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has prided himself on cracking down on bad behavior in the league, and that effort has been respected. When Pacman Jones kept getting in trouble, he put his foot down and suspended him for the 2007-2008 season. When Tank Williams faced gun possession charges, he suspended him as well. We all know Mike Vick had been indicted on federal dog fighting charges and he's been suspended indefinitely from the league. More recently, Rodney Harrison, a New England Patriot, was suspended for the first four games of this season when it was discovered that he used Human Growth Hormones, a substance banned by the league. So here we sit, with a head coach and his entire staff aware of the rules (just like the players) and breaking them (just like the players) and they get off with a fine? As far as leadership goes, the quarterback is a force, and the most explosive player is also important, but the head of a team is the coach. These are the true leaders, and they should be held to higher standards.

Now don't misunderstand me, killing dogs, possessing illegal guns, and taking drugs are all wrong, but most of those crimes have no direct correlation to the game of football. Does it speak to the integrity of the players involved? Yes. Does it mean they shouldn't be able to do their jobs? Maybe. But what do you do when the HEAD coach of a team is engaged in a practice so egregious and overt, all in an attempt to give himself a huge competitive advantage? Do you fine him half a mil? Or do you suspend him, the same way you have several players in the recent past? If Harrison took drugs to make him, and inherently his team as well, better and is forced to miss a quarter of the season, how can Belichick consciously and purposefully record defenses, compile an illegal library of information, and only be punished monetarily? Goodell made a decision; how can we hurt these offenders the most? The answer is to take away the game they all love, the game they live for and off of. Vick stands to lose more than $20 million over animals! Belichick blatantly broke the rules with cameras on the sidelines and he should have to pay the same way. Coach, and members of his staff, should have been fined AND suspended. Goodell needs to be consistent. 'Gimme the cash, gimme the games.' There has to be a standard.
People are now calling Jets head coach Eric Mangini a rat. Huh? Yes, Mangini DID coach under Belichick. And yes, he does know his many illegal tricks. But Belichick should have been smart enough to know that ManGENIUS would not have any of that. Especially on his home field. Not only that, this is not the first time the Pats have been accused of cheating. Teams have been complaining to the league about the Patriots sketchy practices for years. If you ask me, it's about damn time somebody stepped in with some concrete proof. Leave to NEW YORK to show the league how to git er done!

Sports are exciting and wonderful but they are still just that, sports. Made for fun and enjoyment, they have somehow morphed into holier-than-thou gods that are exempt from all the rules that apply to man. There are things that are acceptable for the average Joe to do, but let an athlete engage in the same actions and it's a travesty. But let's be clear, a bad person is a bad person, regardless of wealth, fame and social standing. Having money does not make you great; it just makes you rich. Just ask Brittany Spears! She's a millionaire and we're all watching her life crumble before our eyes. She markets her music to the younger generations but that does not make her a role model. She's a bald wacko who can't take care of her own children, let alone keep her wig on straight! Hell, priests are still child molesters, politicians are still corrupt, and the police are still crooked. To somehow believe that participating in organized sports somehow absolves any ill feelings or intent is ridiculous.

Do I think Billy is a cheater? Yes. Will he do anything to ensure a victory for his team? Clearly. Do I think he's a horrible person? Please people, no. But an issue like this does put an mark on his record and legacy as one of the best coaches in football history. And yes, that mark should be an ASTERISK. That's right, I said it. ASTERISK. Yall can't only use that for Barry Bonds! He never tested positive for ANYTHING and people are so adamantly against him and convinced of his guilt. Head coach of the New England Patriots, a team that has won 3 of the last 6 Super Bowls, has been caught red-damned-handed. How can we not blame some of that success on his extensive library of cheatation materials? All I'm saying is, people need to check themselves and their reasoning. To me, this issue is clear cut. But yall ain't makin no sense.

Unsigned Hype

The 2007 NFL Draft came and it went, but up until today there were 2 first-rounders that were yet to be signed. The #1 pick, outstanding LSU QB Jamarcus Russell, and #14 Darrelle Revis, a corner out of the University of Pittsburgh. Russell was drafted by the Oakland Raiders and Revis by the New York Jets.

The Jets and Revis had differing views of how the contract should be structured. The Jets, who traded up in the draft in order to snag Revis, want as much out of this investment as possible. They'll pay him the money, but they want him for 6 years. Revis, not wanting to be locked into a long contract, was looking for 5 years. Most of the first rounders signed 5-year contracts and the Jets are pretty much tryna buck the system. Revis hadn't reported to training since it started on July 27th. Well, after weeks of negotiating the two parties finally reached an agreement, in principle. The deal is believed to be worth $36 million over 6 years. I'm assuming there's some sort of opt-out clause somewhere in this 50+ page contract, but things are still pretty vague. After missing more than 20 days of practice, and the Jets preseason opener, Revis is expected to report to camp within in the next few days. With the solid offense the Jets have, this deal was going to get done either way because Revis is expected to be a starter. Hey, defense wins championships.

And then there was 1...
The issue with Russell and the Raiders is simple. Oakland wants the talent but refuses to pay. With a bass ackwards offense, and the number 1 pick in the draft, the Raiders chose Russell. If you watched the kid in college like I did, then you know Jamarcus is the troof. And yes, I said troof. At 6-6, 263 lbs, he's a beast with a monster arm. Not only can he throw deep, he's great on his feet and hard to bring down. The Raiders really don't wanna come outta pocket and pay Russell what the 1st overall pick is usually paid. Every year the price gets higher and higher, and yes, it's getting pretty ridiculous. Remember last year's first pick Mario Williams?! He signed his $54 million contract with $26.5 guaranteed the night BEFORE the draft!! And he's a defensive end! The Houston Texans ain't no joke!! And clearly, the Raiders are and enjoy it. They're the laughing stock of the NFL, and with this punk ass, cheap ass face-off they've got goin on with Russell, that stands to be the case for at least one more season. With all the information I've heard, a deal is no where near being reached, so we shouldn't expect to see Jamarcus in preseason. Scratch that, the ENTIRE 2007-2008 season. What a damn shame!! Have you even seen the depth chart at QB for the Raiders? Josh McCown and Dante Culpepper are fighting for the starting spot. Oh yeah, Andrew Walter is somewhere back there too. If Culpepper is healthy, I’m a smidgen less worried about the Raiders. Not only would it be impressive, but it would also give the Dolphins a real kick in the fins for dropping him after one objectionable season. If he gets hurt, which seems to be his thing the past few seasons, then we’re left with McCown and Walter. I. Am. Not. Impressed.

Let's Make It Official

On Tuesday, July 24, 2007, The New York Post reported that New York Jets running back, 34 year old Curtis Martin, will finally reveal the news that pretty much everyone has already known. Martin will officially announce his retirement from the National Football League on Thursday, a day before the start of Jets training camp.

Martin spent his first three seasons with the New England Patriots, then signed with the Jets as a free agent before the start of the 1998 season. Martin missed the entire 2006 season and hasn’t played a lick in the past 19 months. He initially tore cartilage in his right knee against the Miami Dolphins in Week 2 of the 2005 season. Martin continued to play and the injury flared up two weeks later against the Baltimore Ravens. He then re-injured the same knee Week 12 against the Patriots. He ended that game, and his season, with 29 yards on 15 carries. The seriousness of his injury stems from the fact that he was so badly injured that the cartilage was surgically removed and his knee was literally bone-on-bone. (OUCH!!) Martin had rushed for over 1,000 yards in his previous 10 seasons, but finished 2005-2006 with 735 yards. After that he was placed on the physically-unable-to-perform list, and pretty much stayed there the rest of his career.

In November of 2006, while attempting to rehab his ravaged knee, Martin had this to say at a news conference, “I think this is as good as my knee gets, where it is right now.” Though he realized the severity of his devastating knee injury, but it took him some time to accept the ramifications of it until recently. “It doesn’t look like it’s too bright as far as me having a further career.” Martin signed an eight year contract extension in August of 2002. He has since re-worked his contract and voided to final two years, the 2008 and 2009 seasons. Martin has also taken deep pay cuts 2 years in a row; from $2.5 million to $810,000 in 2006 and from $3.25 million to $820,000 in 2007. All of these moves allow the Jets more than $2 million in salary cap space. Through all of this the Jets have been very gracious, appreciative and supportive of him in his wish to come back. They much admired his talent, recognized the value of his sacrifice, and knew that since they had ridden his ass so hard the previous seasons they might as well give him the courtesy of payin his ass a little extra.

Now before I get into everything I really want to say, let me state, for the record, that Curtis Martin is one of the most efficient running backs in NFL history. He spent 13 years in the league and was a playmaker, a great teammate, and one of the finest running backs of all time. Martin is atop the list for Jets all-time leading rushers with 10,302 yards. He ranks fourth in NFL history, amassing 14,101 yards, behind guys like Emmitt Smith, Walter Payton and Barry Sanders. Sanders is the only other man in NFL history to have 10 consecutive 1,000 yard seasons. In 2004, Martin won the NFL rushing title with an astounding 1,697 yards. I mean, we’re talkin elite here. Curtis Martin is IN the Pro Football Hall of Fame. So please, don’t take anything said below to mean I don’t appreciate him and understand how special he was to the teams he played for, the National Football League, and his fans.

NOW - Someone please show me the clause in his contract that states that an NFL player must run himself ragged and, literally, into the ground. Exactly! There’s no law that says you have to play football until you’re washed up and worn down! There’s a simple philosophy that means more and more to me as I get older. The idea behind it is that you work hard, but you never give anyone or anything your all, your everything. There has to be something left for you; save room for yourself. And that’s not to say get on the field and half-ass it. Or be an absentee parent. Or a part-time lover, for that matter. Whatever it is you’re doing, let that be your main focus. You benefit the most when you give it 100%. Make every day count so you know that when it’s all said and done you have no regrets, and you have your health. But always remember, that if or when that thing or person you’re doing runs out, you’ll be okay. In a violent and physically taxing sport such as football, isn’t that the main goal? Whether you’re raising your kids or lovin somebody down, keep your damn eyes on the prize! Don’t be so blinded by your ambition and determination that by the time you take those blinders off, your head, shoulders, knees and toes are all beaten up and useless. Don’t run yourself ragged chasing after those kids. You know why? Cuz by the time they’re off to college and married you’re exhausted, overweight and underappreciated. And not to mention divorced cuz you spent more time on those rug rats than your own damn spouse! Don’t get so caught up in the goodness of the cootie that you can’t see the herpes for the trees!! Don’t become so mesmerized by the tight swang, the dope dick as some would call it, that you don’t care to see that he’s not strappin and wrappin it up!! Cuz you know where that leaves you? On Maury screamin at him that you are 100% positive he IS the father!! SAVE SOME FOR YOURSELF PEOPLE!! TAKE CARE OF YOU!! Cuz in the end, that’s really all you got…

When you look at a guy like Curtis Martin, what do you see? Because what I see is a slightly older, less wise version of Tiki Barber. Everybody was pissed that Tiki took the “easy” way out and retired “early.” If you ask me, Tiki has some damn common sense!! The beatings these players take are unbelievable!! Seldom does an RB go down without the “help” of the defense. In October of 2006, on his Sirius Satellite Radio Show, “The Barber Shop,” Tiki talked about the goals he had for his life. “I’m a diverse person. I have a lot of interests and I’ve never wanted to be solely defined as a football player. I wasn’t that way in high school, I wasn’t that way in college and I won’t compromise my ideals to be that way in the National Football League.” Tiki spent 10 years in the NFL, yet people were outraged when he decided to retire. ‘What?! You’re actually trying to bow out gracefully?! You don’t dream of getting carted off the field? Or suffering a catastrophic injury that’ll render you helpless for the rest of your life?! Ugh, you’re so selfish!’ Thank the lawd Tiki got out when he did! People were mad that his absence affected them, rather than being happy for someone who decided he didn't want to spend the next 5 years getting knocked around some more. I hate to put it like this, but we used and abused him for years! Then people have the nerve to get angry that the work horse is still viable but opts out of the exploitation! And I’m not saying it like Tiki, or any player for that matter, is a victim because for the most part, they’re willing participants and get paid damn good money to do so. And let’s face it, you can’t be an NFL running back forever. There’s a limit to the pounding and beating a body can take. Most of these guys have played football all their lives; Pop Warner, high school, college and then the pros!! That’s a lifetime of hard hits and if you’re fortunate, healable injuries. And walking off before you get carted off doesn’t sound like a sucka move to me!

I said all that to say, Curtis Martin is a future hall of famer who, if he had stopped playing when he injured his knee initially, could possibly be getting ready for training camp at Hofstra University on Friday. I understand wanting to be there for your team and organization, and the “Coach, I’m fine, put me in” mentality, but there are times when that sentiment can get you knee-deep (oooh, bad timing) in trouble.