Sorry to say, but Fantasy Sports Optimizer is going to take a break from the fantasy football wars. Times are tough and the site just couldn’t stay afloat. So for all of us, we wish you the best of everything and look forward to serving you in the future.
Sweetness, Braincase and the FSO gang!!!!
Yep, Sweetness has had it with the talking heads of the sports broadcasting world. We are still mucho weeks from the start of the season and several weeks from the start of training camp.
So we now have daily updates on who maybe holding out and how the teams are struggling to get their act together for the upcoming season. One of the more interesting stories concerns Maurice Jones-Drew. Now, he is a REAL good player, both in fantasy and real life. However, the Jags are not a great team and have many possibilities of dropping out of contention within the first six weeks. The other day, one of the talking heads said, and I will paraphase….without MJD, the Jags will have a poorer than expected season. What a revelation!!!! And to think they actually pay this guy to say these obvious and quite dumb things. Even with MJD, the Jags are going to have a lousy season.
Next brilliant observation, concerned the recent flap over Bountygate and the players walking out of the morning session. Now, the league wasn’t the brightest, due to a 72 hour rule that would put the meeting into the afternoon, and Vilma said that he didn’t see any proof from the judge, jury and executioner, so what did the talking heads surmise? They stated that the players didn’t agree with the league…..what a shock! Of course the players didn’t agree or why would they have been appealing the initial ruling? Wowie, dodo birds still exist and they are on TV and radio.
Finally, and this is about basketball, but the message is the same. James played a fine series and due to his presence, along with the rest of the team, he won a championship ring. All of a sudden, the talking heads are saying what an unselfish player he is and that his overall game is what made him the MVP. That is all true, but a two weeks ago, the same yappers were saying that James doesn’t take the tough shots and he is a great player, but not a winner. So Miller hits seven 3 pointers and James is now a great leader. It reminds me of the kicker either making or missing a game ending FG and the next day these dopeos are talking about the QB.
This year, I am going to tune out the talking heads and just enjoy the sport for what it brings to me, namely, exciting entertainment. Go Bears!!!!!
The biggest news right now from the NFL is that the Refs are being locked out and we might see replacement refs. After listening to more than one source, it sounds like the refs want to hit the part time worker jackpot. If true, these Sunday warriors could make as much as $200,000/ year with a generous benefit package.
Now that seems better than working a McDonalds, though you don’t get a free McFlurry. Ever wonder why there can never be an agreement in the NFL that someone who is making a bundle doesn’t yell foul. The players’ union does it, the owners do it, the refs do it and only the fans don’t get a piece of the pie. In fact, they can get the shaft if they are season ticket holder, by paying full price for two exhibition games. That really frost me as a season ticket holder of the Chargers.
What else is going on now? Well, we have the usual assortment of former and present players going to jail for one thing or another. Webster, the latest one, for sex with a 15 year old, then threatening her if she told anyone. The girl is the daughter of an assistant coach. What a pig!!!!
Additionally, we hear about injuries to top name players. Some of them related to camps and some of them not. They say that a few key injuries are due to playing basketball. Well, it seems to me that players have a right to play basketball and to try to stay in shape. The problem is that when these things happen, everyone wants to play the blame game. Can’t accidents just happen without the blame game starting up? It seems to me, that many sports writers are just people who want to show that they are better in some way than the athletes that they cover. I think that they should stay away from the blame game and enjoy the sport as most of us do.
Have a great weekend, it is only three months to the start of the season…..fantasy and otherwise.
I have heard on more than one occasion that the NFL does not use the latest helmet technology because if they admit that their helmets are not the most modern, they will lose the suits being brought against them. Now, if this is true, what tragic logic this is and should be eliminated immediately
The problem with the American tort system is that you can almost sue with impunity. The chances that you will have to pay the defendant’s legal cost if you lose are very tiny. Therefore, people sue willy nilly hoping to hit the legal jackpot. The problem is that sometime juries say if the defendant knew that something might have been amiss, they are liable. Not if they knew with reasonable certainty, but if there was any inkling at all. That means rumors etc., count as much as facts. So if you say “nope, no inkling”, then you can win the suit easier.
So, the NFL says no better helmets, no liability. Nonsense to both sides. What about the players who could be injured? Why not do what is right and then say in court that you did the best you could have under the circumstances and most juries would find in your favor. Or, at least, I hope so.
Let us hope, that these statements about the NFL are rumors, not fact. If they are fact, then morality has lost and legality has won. I find that revolting and I hope you do too!!!
Have a wonderful holiday weekend, and remember the Vets who made it possible!
Yep, now it is the players turn to pay for Bountygate. I know lots of fans think that the punishments were too harsh. I disagree, because the game of professional football is getting dangerously close to having massive lawsuits, and not just by the former players.
Let’s take a look at what could happen. The first scenario is that former players are going to be suing like crazy. It seems that those that willing participated in the game would not have a chance, but history tells a different story. If you don’t believe me, ask the tobacco companies. Now, the (smokers) plaintiff’s lawyers argured successfully, that the tobacco industry misled smokers and, therefore, they are liable for damages. That logic carried the day, along with some inside info on the tobacco companies themselves.
Now look at the former players’ position. They are saying that the league knew of violence being used on purpose and did nothing to stop it until recently. Additionally, the equipment used was not up-to-date and, therefore, more injuries occurred than was necessary. I will bet you that there are memos in the NFL’s files that say something that could bring the league down several pegs.
Now, let’s go further. A mom sues becasue her high school son was severally injured by another team’s “hit” squad. She argues that they were just impersonating the NFL. Roll in the wheelchair bound boy and see what the juries do. Mucho trouble ahead for the NFL.
Additionally, we are starting to see that the overwhelming positive NFL public and private opinion starting to move negatively against the NFL. To start with, there are some great NFL players from the past that are saying that they would encourage their sons, if they have any, not to play football. This includes Troy Aikman and Curt Warner.
Another not so good news is the story of another QB, Steve Young, formerly of the 49er’s who quit football over a decade ago because his Doctors told him that another concussion could be very harmful to him. That was over 10 years ago. How can anyone argue that concussions were not a problem back then? No one did anything about them officially in the NFL until recently.
So from this blogger’s perspective, I think the Commissioner must do everything he can to protect the game and the league itself. The mystic of the NFL has not been challenged like this, since instant TV replay was invented and made the game a nearly perfect one for the home viewer.
Go Bears!!!!
Who won in the draft? Who lost? Who knows? No one knows until after next season is over and then for some players two or three seasons. But ignoring this truth, let’s have a review by the great one….. Sweetness.
The Redskins got the most press time as they drafted a QB in both round 1 and 4. Now you could say that is strange, but these are the Redskins. RG III was, of course, number two in the overall draft and the guy that they drafted in the 4th round was considered by the Skins to be right below RGIII. Does that mean he (Cousins) was that good or that RGIII was not as good as projected? The most important thing is now the Skins have two rookie QBs and Grossman who they don’t think can do the job. 5-11 last year, over and under at 6-10 this year?????
The next big “controversy was what the Browns did. They traded a bunch of picks to the Vikings to move up one place in the draft. Now there is a rumor that the Vikes started a rumor that they were going to trade the third choice and the tradee was going to take Richardson. So the Browns took no chances and the made the Vikes look like geniuses. I think that Richardson is a very good runner and will do well, but they gave up a lot for one pick higher. Then they announced to the world that Colt McCoy was not going to make it and drafted a 28 year old rookie (Weedon) to take his place later in the first round. Now if they don’t start Weedon they will look foolish, and if they do start him, the results maybe the same. I would start who can ever hand off the best to Richardson. It is going to be a long season in Cleveland.
My favorite team needs an offensive line very badly or Cutler will be hurt again this year. So far, no offensive linemen have been taken by the Bears. (They are still sitting in New York waiting for round 8 to start.) Strange, but not unusual for a team that over the recent past has consistently ignored their needs and went with a wing and a prayer. 7-3 with Cutler last year and 1-5 without him. It looks like the Packers and Lions are safe. What a shame, though I still love my Bears.
Go Bears!!!!!!
Yep, them Saints maybe in trouble again. Not for what they did last year, but 6 years ago or so. The Feds have been given information that says their suspended GM was listening into the other team’s communication using nefarious means. For those of you who played in the line, nefarious means not on the up and up. Would Mickey Loomis do that? Who knows, maybe the Shadow and whoever made the claim, but he is innocent until proven guilty.
The Saints are threatening legal action against ESPN, claiming that it never happened!!!! Let’s hope that they follow through and have a public trial. The hypothetical questions from the ESPN lawyers might be as shown, and hypothetical answers might be as follows:
Mr. Loomis. “Did you listen in to conversation of your opponents coaches?”
Loomis replies. “I don’t remember, but if I did I think that I might remember it.”
Mr. Loomis. ” What does that mean?”
Loomis replies. “It”, interrupted by Loomis’ attorney who says ” I object, question asked, question answered!!!!”
Judge: “Sustained, I think…” “Where my law clerk when you need her?”
ESPN lawyer. “Did you ever violate the NFL’s policy on electronic eves-drooping?”
Loomis. “I don’t understand the question”
ESPN lawyer. “What don’t you understand?”
Loomis. “If I knew what I didn’t understand, then I would understand it.”
ESPN lawyer to Judge. “Witness is being evasive your honor.” “Please instruct him to answer my questions.”
Judge, seeing that his law clerk has just entered the room. “Gosh Molly, that dress sure makes you look sexy.” “I pick my clerks for their knowledge and potential; Molly has lots and lots of potential!!!”
Judge speaks, “It is already 2:00 and the day is almost over, so I adjourn this court until a week from Tuesday when my wife returns.” “Molly please bring the transcript of today’s proceedings into my very private chamber.” Judge bangs his gavel “Court adjourned!!!!”
That night on Sports Center the lead story is about anything, but the court proceedings, as that would violate “legal ethics.” Isn’t that term an oxymoron?
Have a great weekend and enjoy the draft, its only on TV for 3 days!!!!!!
With the draft less than a fortnight away, let’s look at some other news from the world of professional football. The emphasis here is on the word professional.
First item is that the Colts say they are going to draft Andrew Luck. Wow!!!! What a surprise. Yep, those Colts sure can fool a laid back San Diegoan like me. Now I wonder when the Redskins are going to announce that they are drafting RG III?
Next item is that the players union is suing the coaches union for $650,000. Now to most of us that is a tidy sum, but to these guys it just pocket change. Wonder why this is happening? It must be a matter of principle, not the money as the pros always say.
The first lawsuits by former players over injuries as a result of management putting a bounty on players has been instituted. Once again, no money grab, just principle. Do you wonder if any of these lawyers have an ounce of truth and justice in them?
The commissioner has told Minnesota that if they (the state of ) don’t ante up, the Vikings will become the Los Angeles Vikings. Remember, you Minnesota dummies, the Lakers used to play in your fair state long ago. So the Commish has spoken and the Vikes have called the moving company, just in case the intimidation doesn’t work. For only a hair less than $500,000,000.00, they can keep their team that they have supported for many decades. Screw the fans NFL, you hot and they are not!!!! Minnesota has about 5.5 million people so it works out to a little less than $100 per person, a small sum to have the mighty NFL grace your state. What can those people be thinking??????
One thing the owners are thinking is that LA is a BIG market and Minnesota is not. Additionally, all law suits are entered into the courts in St. Paul by the union as they think that at least one judge there is very pro union. That alone is a good enough reason for the owners to back a move from the land of 10,000 lakes. Bye, bye Lakers….whoops wrong team!!!
Have a great weekend and remember to pray for the Chargers!!!!
Well draft time is approaching very quickly. Let’s look at the latest craziness that is hype to the nth degreeeeeeeee!
The latest hype is for the QB from Texas A & M, Ryan Tannehill. This guy has come out of no where due to films and pro day workouts. Now he is the third rated quarterback and is a potential top six pick. I hope that Ryan is as good as they say, but man I cannot believe that all of a sudden he is so hot. Why does this happen every year?
My theory is that the good teams let the word out on a Trojan horse, like Tannehill and the early drafters, usually the poorer teams grab the guy or guys and the good teams then get the players that they want later in the round. How else do you explain this craziness? For crip sake, take the very good offensive lineman who can anchor you line for the next decade and protect your own QB and give you runners a chance to make more than three yards.
The Browns draft fourth this year and there is talk that they might just take Tannehill. Give McCoy a good line ,a receiver or two who can catch the ball, a runner who doesn’t quit on the team and you have a playoff team. Colt is good, maybe he could become very good. Give him a chance and a tackle (like Kalil) or the running back Richardson. He could be the next A. Petersen. I hope that Mike has not gone over to the stupid side.
Another thing that happens is that teams give away the 3rd, 4th or 5th picks and these guys are very important. You could get real good prospects like LaMichael James the RB from Oregon, or Ron Brooks the CB from LSU or A.Ta’amu the jolly purple giant from Washington. Every one of those guys has a chance to make a big difference on a team. Did you ever notice that after the draft is over, and graded, the middle picks are the key to a great draft?
So here’s hoping that my Bears do well and the Packers goof up. Go Bears!!!!!
Once again, the annual we won the Super Bowl before its played will take place with the upcoming NFL draft nearing us . One thing for sure, this years draft caused a lot of excitement before it happened as the Redskins decided that R. Griffin III is the answer to all their problems. The silver bullet franchise never seems to get it right.
I have nothing against RG3, but would point out that the Skins problems are a lot deeper than just the QB. Somehow, this young man is going to solve them all in one or two years. It is a shame to put RG3 into such a losing position. The Skins could have drafted a lot lower and used their high pick to get a lower 1 and another 2. This would have given them two improvements.
Now I know that they need a QB and that QBs are very important, but without the necessary other tools the kid has little chance. This past year, Fig Newton’s brother had one of the best rookie season possible and his team ended up 6-10. Cam is expected to get better this year, but the Panthers need so many fixes on defense that he has no chance of winning big now or in the immediate future.
However, the Panthers seem to be patience enough to build around him. I say the Redskins won’t have the necessary patience to build around RG3, and another silver bullet will be looked for. Sorry RG3, you will be a very rich young man, with little hope of being a winner in the NFL and it will be through no fault of your own.
Other stories this week center around what is New Orleans going to do? There are many rumors, assuming the penalties remain, on who will coach the Saints? Maybe, they can get a Parcells for a year, but I think it would be better to look within the organization say the offensive co-ordinator to try and keep some continuity. On defense, when they get a new top rated co-ordinator, since they have parted ways with Hit Man Williams, they will be better off. The guy is toxic. The Saints are going to have to be exactly that, Saints, and if there is one thing that I know, New Orleans is not a saintly city.
Go Bears!!!!
