NFL Holdouts

We are in the middle of off season OTA's in the NFL and that means rookies that were drafted are trying to prove their worth, undrafted rookie free agents are trying to make the team, and other players are simply holding out. Players are mad because they had a monster year, they packed the stats sheet, they got some Sportscenter face time, and they want to get paid...NOW!

The most newsworthy of the holdouts is Chris Johnson after he rushed for over 2,000 yards this past season with the Titans. Johnson, two years into his NFL career, has proven to be the best running back in the league when it comes to his athleticism, ability, and speed. Now, with all the praise he wants a new contract worth more money and is determined to holdout of OTA's and Training Camp this summer if need be.

As a sports fan I am always saddened to see that players resort to wanting to hold a team hostage because of a contract and salary they have already agreed to and signed off on. Do I think Chris Johnson deserves more money than he will be getting from his current contract? Yes, I do. There is a more respectful way to get the money you think you deserve and that is by honoring your current contract. Show up, attend team activities, bust your ass in practice, and you will get a new contract...that is honorable!

Super Cold Bowl

The NFL has voted to allow the Super Bowl to be played at the new Meadowlands Stadium in New Jersey in 2014 and break from the normal warm weather location stadiums and domes. I realize the move is to help generate revenue and payoff this new stadium that cost 1.6 billion to build but I like the move to have the big game in a northern city.

Now the gates have opened for people to drop creative lines like, "get your parkas ready!!!" I hear listeners call in to local sports radio stations and complain about the cold weather and snow taking away from team's playmakers and their abilities. To these comments and to those that are against a game being played in the cold weather I've got a few questions:

- What is the difference between a snow storm and heavy rainfall when it comes to eliminating a team's playmakers and their abilities?

- Don't coaches get paid to create and adjust game plans according to their opponents strengths and weaknesses and in some instances...the weather?

- Don't they play all other rounds of the playoffs, including the conference finals, in cold weather cities based on home field advantage?

- Are you sure it is going to snow or be tremendously cold the day of the Super Bowl? Could be sunny and 50 degrees!

My feeling about football is it should be played outside and on natural grass, although I can tolerate the new field turf surfaces. I hope that this decision leads to other Super Bowls being played in northern cities like Green Bay, Buffalo, or Chicago.

USC gets Hammered

According to reports I've heard from the area sports radio shows the NCAA will be punishing USC for Reggie Bush's association with two sports marketing agents that provided him with gifts. The NCAA should have done something about this, lets see....5-6 years ago! Can they drag their feet a little more? Now that Pete Carroll has left USC for the NFL its ironic that punishment will be delivered now, is the NCAA playing favorites?? Carroll at USC equaled interest, ratings, and money. Something to think about. There is talk of the Trojans getting stripped of wins during their Championship season of 2004, you know when they smoked Oklahoma 55-19 and Auburn went undefeated and settled for BCS leftovers.

Bush has already settled with these sports agents and that meant he did not have to get up and testify under oath in a court case. I am no math major but it sounds like some wrong doings occurred and Bush has the finances now to pay off the whistleblowers and avoid disgracing himself in court. Congrats Reggie for costing your team a title and your probably going to lose your Heisman as well.

Fights Over The Weekend

Amir Khan made his United States debut by dismantling the overly cocky Paul Malignaggi and taking the victory by 11th round TKO. I was impressed with Khan's style and his hand speed, he used Malignaggi's face as his own personal punching bag, hitting it with ease. Malignaggi (taking time off from Jersey Shore 2) does have great speed and boxing ability that I thought would give Khan problems but Khan was patient with Malignaggi's faints and fakes and his gloves were in his face the whole night. Khan could make some significant noise in the 140 pound division, he just recently signed with Golden Boy Promotions and is trained by the best in the business, Freddie Roach. Golden Boy equals big fights and big pay days, Freddie Roach equals great skill and boxing ability.