A-Rod in love with A-Rod

By now you have seen the A-Rod photos of him embracing himself in front of a mirror in Details magazine. When I saw the picture, I laughed to myself and wondered why. I mean was it the right time for him to be making love to himself in front of a mirror after the PED’s allegations? I know the photo shoot had taken place a couple months ago (I hope), but he could’ve done other poses. This kind of shows you how A-Rod is self absorbed and how he is in love with himself.

How much can a guy pile on to himself? First it was his divorce, the new relationship with Madonna, getting hurt, his PED use, and now the photos. The PR in the Yankees club house must have been thinking “what the hell has he gotten himself into now”? When you’re as big as A-Rod (in the fame sense) you’re every move will be captured and you will be criticized. That’s what the general public does. By doing the photo shoot, this has added more baggage on top of what he has already. The Yankees should feel like a joke with the recent photos. They should be ashamed of the pictures and of the decisions A-Rod has made so far.

Cutler & McDaniels: Heartbreak in Denver

On Sunday night, Denver Broncos QB Jay Cutler has asked the Broncos organization to trade him after a meeting with Head Coach Josh McDaniels ended badly. “I went in there with every intention of solving the issue, being a Bronco, moving forward as a Bronco,” Cutler said. “We weren't in there but about 20 minutes, [McDaniels] did most of the talking and as far as I'm concerned, he made it clear he wants his own guy. He admitted he wanted Matt Cassel because he said he has raised him up from the ground as a quarterback. He said he wasn't sorry about it. He made it clear that he could still entertain trading me because, as he put it, he'll do whatever he feels is in the best interest of the organization.”

"At the end of the meeting, he wasn't like, 'Jay, I want you as our quarterback, you're our guy.' It felt like the opposite. He basically said that I needed to tell him if we can't work this out, to let him know," Cutler added. "I thought he was antagonizing me and that was disappointing because I was ready to move on, committed as a Bronco. Really, I figured we'd hash things out, shake hands, laugh a little and move forward. What happened [Saturday] was the last thing I expected. If I didn't think it could be fixed, I never would have come back to Denver. It was painfully obvious to me and Bus [Cook, his agent] it's not something they want to fix."
Well, at least the coach was honest right? I mean McDaniels could’ve lied his butt off to Cutler just to keep him, but no he was downright honest to Cutler right in front of his face. I don’t blame McDaniels for wanting Matt Cassel. McDaniels was accustomed to Cassel and his play style with the Patriots. Coaches like familiarity and McDaniels was very close with his New England QB, which he brought up to become last year’s diamond in the ruff.

I think now with how things have progressed, the Broncos should trade Cutler because there isn’t a sense that things will get better in the future. Each week it seems like this situation is getting worse and worse. I feel bad for Pat Bowlen who is in the middle of this with his franchise looking bad to the general public. The Broncos organization is getting a bad rep for what’s going on and I think the people who are to blame should be McDaniels and Cutler. We should blame McDaniels for evening thinking about replacing Cutler with Matt Cassel. You already have a decent QB who had one of his best seasons last year in Cutler. Why would you even want to replace him, just build his skills to your liking with your new offense. Adjust some things. Before things broke out, Cutler and McDaniels were talking about the new offense and Cutler was engaged into making the new McDaniels Offense work next season. Then news broke out about McDaniels wanting to trade Cutler for Cassel and all hell broke loose. We then should blame Cutler for even for prolonging this dispute. He should’ve by now in my opinion put this behind him, but he can’t because his ego is damaged and it should be. The QB is the face of the franchise in football and when a team wants to trade him, the QB should have every right to be mad.

I think the Broncos should trade Cutler and there are teams looking for his service. To name a few, the teams that are interested are the Lions, Bears, Vikings, Jets, and a few more (can’t remember from the top of my head). The best situation for Cutler would be to end up with the Vikings with Peterson because of the running game already established and a decent defense as well. Cutler will help out the Viking’s offense become more consistent unlike with Jackson in past seasons. The most realistic team that can make a trade and land Cutler would be the Lions who have two first round draft picks. They could trade either the 1st or 20th overall pick to the Broncos for Cutler. If I were the Lions, I would trade the 20th for Cutler and get an offensive lineman with the first pick or the other way around. Whatever does happen the situation over in Denver has reached its peak point with Cutler demanding a trade from the organization.

I Am Selfish

As many of you already know, TO has found a new home in Buffalo with the Bills. What were they thinking? Do you really think he wants to really stay there for more than a year? I’m guessing after next season he won’t even return to the Bills. The Bills are a short term plan for Owens. Owens will become a free agent again after the 2010 season and he sure will certainly test the free agency market for a better opportunity. I’ll tell you this, if he has a great productive season, other teams will be wanting his service in 2011 football season. The reason why he landed with the Bills was because there weren’t any other teams that wanted his service this season. It showed you how limited the market was for TO and his reputation. Many teams were reluctant on signing him.

Already TO is making demands. TO wanted to wear the number 81 and he will get what he wished for by taking that number away from second year receiver James Hardy. Hardy now will wear number 84. There you go right there. It shows you how selfish Owens really is. If he was a better man he would’ve let Hardy keep the number and he would’ve switched to a different number. Owens could’ve switched to his old college number (80), but no his ego took over and he got what he wanted which was his number he’s been wearing in the NFL since his rookie season. This just shows you how Owens is all about “me, me, me”, he has a “me” mentality and doesn’t regard the people around him. He doesn’t care about others. I bet you he didn’t care that Hardy wore that number. Owens was like “I’m gonna get my number, if I don’t, I’m gonna go apes**t around this place” and you know the Bills had to give in and give Owens what he wanted. They didn’t want this story to be blown out of proportion.

First 10 Draft Picks

Draft experts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay have come out with their first round picks. I’ll be discussing the first ten picks of this year’s draft and who i think the teams should draft.

1. Detroit Lions
Kiper: Matt Stafford
McShay: Matt Stafford
Azeem: Matt Stafford
I think the Lions need a lot of help and it should start with a QB. Stafford will most likely start right away, but the Lions do need a QB to lead the team. I don’t think Culpeper is the long term plan, but he can aid Stafford grow into a better QB with his help. If the Lions still have their second first round draft pick (20th overall), they should draft an offensive lineman to help Stafford out in the front line.

2. St. Louis Rams
Kiper: OT Jason Smith
McShay: OT Jason Smith
Azeem: OT Jason Smith
With the recent release of Orlando Pace, it’s a no brainer for the Rams to pick a offensive linemen to protect Bulger and give Jackson good blocks for good long runs and open holes.

3. Kansas City Chiefs
Kiper: LB Aaron Curry
McShay: LB Aaron Curry
Azeem: LB Aaron Curry
With Mike Vrabel on the defense and a QB already set, there is no need in drafting Mark Sanchez from USC. Chiefs need to beef up their D and Curry will help them out and he will learn a lot from veteran LB Mike Vrabel. Curry is also the best defensive player in this year’s draft and the Chiefs need to build a good D, so picking him would help them do that.

4. Seattle Seahawks
Kiper: OT Eugene Monroe
McShay: DT BJ Naji
Azeem: WR Micheal Crabtree
I think Crabtree will be a good option for Matt Hasselbeck to throw to when TJ Houshmandzadeh is covered up. They have Deion Branch, but he hasn’t lived up to his Superbowl MVP performance yet.

5. Cleveland Browns
Kiper: DT BJ Raji
McShay: Brian Orakpo
Azeem: DT BJ Raji
That Defense needs help up front and Raji is the best defensive lineman.

6. Cincinnati Bengals
Kiper: WR Micheal Crabtree
McShay: OT Eugene Monroe
Azeem: OT Eugene Monroe
The Bengals still have Ocho Cinco and added Laveranues Coles and Chris Henry is still with the team. I don’t think they should take a WR with this pick. Bengals need to build a solid line for Palmer and they should take Monroe with this pick.

7. Oakland Raiders
Kiper: WR Jeremy Maclin
McShay: WR Jermey Maclin
Azeem: Jeremy Maclin
I think Maclin should be taken here because besides for Javon Walker and Zach Miller, they have no other weapons for JaMarcus Russell to throw to. Maclin is quick and he will be explosive when the ball is snapped.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars
Kiper: QB Mark Sanchez
McShay: WR Michael Crabtree
Azeem: OT Andre Smith
They need help up front and need to protect Garrard in the pocket.

9. Green Bay Packers
Kiper: DE Brian Orakpo
McShay: DE Aaron Maybin
Azeem DE Brain Orakpo
They need to draft a DE with former DE Aaron Kampman moving to LB next season for the new 3-4 defense. Packers had a chance to get Canty, but that didn’t work out and a DE is an obvious choice here. I like both Maybin and Orakpo, either will do for the Packers.

10. San Francisco 49ers
Kiper: DE Aaron Maybin
McShay: OT Andre Smith
Azeem: DE Aaron Maybin
Can’t draft a QB here with restructuring Alex Smith’s contract and keeping him as their QB, but they could draft Sanchez. Sanchez could be drafted but they should not draft him, wait next year with Tebow, McCoy, and Bradford coming out for next year’s draft. They should draft a DE and beef up their front line. They have decent LB and Nate Clements in the back field build that defense up baby.

Haynesworth in Trouble?

Albert Haynesworth signed with the Washington Redskins after he tested the free agency market “for only like a quick minute”. Well, it’s been about maybe two or three weeks since then and he’s has gotten himself in trouble already. Haynesworth has been indicted on two misdemeanor traffic charges in Tennessee after an accident that seriously injured another driver. The District Attorney Kim Helper said that Haynesworth faces charges of reckless driving and having expired registration…not good. The maximum punishment for his offense is six months in jail and a $500 fine on the reckless driving charge and 30 days and a $50 fine for the other charge… could’ve been worse. Also to note, these charges came from a Dec. 13 incident where police said that Haynesworth was trying to pass another driver, who crashed into a concrete median.

I know many of you guys might be thinking “he’s already gotten into trouble, come on”. Let’s not forget when the incident happened. This incident took place on Dec. 13 of last year (I believe). This happened last year when he was with the Titans. So before the Redskin fans begin to talk bad about their organization (which they should), remember that this happened last season. The Redskin could’ve done their research on the guy and saw that he could get in trouble. The Skins didn’t d their homework. That’s what it comes down to. You’re investing so much money on one guy, the least you can do is check his background. Didn’t the Skins ever wonder asking Haynesworth if he gotten into any recent problems or troubles? People get ask the same question when they apply for a college or a job. That’s because the employer wants to know that the person they’re hiring can hold the job and can’t harm the organization too. The Skins are giving Haynesworth $100 plus millions of dollars and they in return should get their monies worth. I just don’t want to be the one to say that the Redskins made a bad investment decision in signing the guy. I hope that this will work out because I hate seeing players with great ability not succeed and waste their talents. Hopefully this will be cleared up before training camp and pre-season starts.

Harsh times in Denver: Part 2

A source have said that the meeting between Broncos head coach josh McDaniels and Jay Cutler have gone from bad to worse. The Broncos told him that every player on the team and even including him would be considered to be traded. That’s not what the face of your franchise wants to hear. Come on, how would John Elway feel if he heard those words coming out from the Broncos management. You’re giving your QB a false hope of confidence in him. You’re adding more pressure on him that needs to be added before next season with a new first time head coach leading the team. Also to add Cutler needs to deal with the uncertainties of Brandon Marshall and his troubles with the law. He could miss some games next season if he drops the ball again by getting into trouble. McDaniels is creating a rift in the organization now. Even Pat Bowen isn’t sure what the direction of the team is. He said that he wouldn’t want to trade Cutler and than at other times he does. The Broncos organization is flip flopping. Trust is key in any relationship. For next season to be great season, Cutler and McDaniels will need to build their trust again. If they can’t, than trade Cutler like he wishes they do. Right now that trust is broken.

Clearly, the Broncos are spitting at Cutler’s face, who is the face of franchise. Cutler is I think 17-20 overall in wins and losses which in most part is due to his poor defenses play. He has a rocket arm as which he has admitted to, and he had a great season last year. Cutler has said that he would miss next Monday’s first workout session with the team. If you’re rookie head coach that doesn’t have the starting QB present, how are you going to install the new offense than for next season? They need to fix this problem ASAP. Cutler can play and he should play where he is wanted. I think the best situation would be if the Lions traded there 20th overall pick to the Broncos and then draft an OT with their first round pick. That would be one best case scenario.

Smith to stay a 49er

The 49ers met with Alex Smith to restructure his contract, where now Smith will be making $4 million for the next two years in 2009 & 2010 season. In his original contract, Alex Smith was supposed to make around $24 million for the next two seasons. “We have reached an agreement with Alex and his agent to keep him as a member of the San Francisco 49ers,” general manager Scot McCloughan said in a statement. “Alex expressed a deep interest to remain with the team and that feeling was mutual.”

It was Smith’s loyalty that kept him with the 49ers. Last year, many people would’ve predicted that Smith would’ve been released by the 49ers for his lackluster performance so far as a NFL QB and injuries. There were other teams interested in him. The guy could’ve left the 49ers, but he wanted to stay. I believe with a new head coach in Mike Singletary, maybe Smith can produce.

I’m happy that the 49ers organization are keeping Smith on the roster, rather than trading him or releasing him. Let’s remember that Smith was drafted number one in the same draft as when the Packers drafted Aaron Rodgers in the late rounds of the first round. Right now, Rodgers is looking like the best QB from that draft class. When the 49ers drafted Smith, they needed a QB badly. They had no QB to take charge of the team. So it was a simple choice to draft a QB in the first round and to quickly start him right away. Well, that’s where the 49ers kind of made a mistake. I think the 49ers should’ve gotten a veteran QB to help aid Smith and develop his skills. On the current 2004 roster, the 49ers had Ken Dorsey and Tim Rattay as their QB’s. Those guys couldn’t help Smith and mold him into a decent QB in the NFL. If you look at Aaron Rodgers or even Carson Palmer, they didn’t start a NFL game until their third season in the NFL. Palmer was sat behind Kinta and Rodgers sat behind Favre, who help mold them into the players that they are today. They sat and learned and watch their counter parts take the lead of their teams in the locker room, on the practice field, and in game situations. Those players were Palmer’s and Rodger’s blueprint. You can’t throw a small shark into an ocean of larger sharks. They’ll eat all the food right away because that little shark has no experience, no one to mentor him and aid him on how to do the things he needs to do. That is what the 49ers did with Smith. You need to groom your young QB for the future. I think with Damon Huard on the 49ers roster now, he could help Smith out and progress into a decent QB. The 49ers haven’t lost everything yet with drafting Smith firs overall. He is not a bust yet, he still has time to develop into a good QB. I hope he does for the 49ers sake.

I think now with the draft coming up, it seems very unlikely that the 49ers will draft a QB in the first round. I think they should draft a WR to give some throwing options for Smith or Hill. They could still draft a QB, but it won’t make any sense. Or get some help for their defense like somewhere in the front line or even offensive front line to protect the QB from getting sacked every single time. The 49ers have many options.