Dom's Dish - Special Return: NFL lost its way

As life moves on, sometimes we don't get to do the things we once loved.  Whether it's sleeping in past 8:00 am, staying up until 5:00 am drinking, playing hours of video games, going to the gym or eating whatever you feel like, growing old has it's perks and realities.  And ever increasing responsibility.  From the days when I had 2 or 6 hour flights to kill by writing Dom's Dish to "moving up the corporate ladder" and extra daily commute time, sometimes things change.  I've come to realize this, and I've come to terms with adapting to the changes as the days, weeks, months and years go by.  I wish I could say that for my favorite sport.  Football.

From my early days, I can remember sitting back to watch games on Sundays.  Saturdays, not so much - we didn't have any "big" teams to follow up in North Jersey.  I remember rooting for the Jets - Freeman McNeil, Kenny O'Brien and Al Toooooon.   I also remember the amazing run the Giants had for Super Bowl XXI and that Zeke Mowatt - the TE - came to my school.  I was in 2nd grade (that was also the year we hatched butterflies).  Looking back, Zeke had 1 catch for 6 yards that game, but he was in my grammar school, 6 foot something, and I got a picture with him (actually it was a Polaroid).  Also looking back at a quick wikipedia article, a 30-second spot cost a mere $600,000.

From that point forward, I jumped teams - Jets (pics will show me and my younger brother geared up in uniforms and helmets in the backyard), KC Chiefs (got a nice windbreaker that mom gave me, times were tough, but I liked the colors), Redskins (probably a bandwagon fan around the time of Doug Williams, I did ask for and receive a Starter jacket around 7th grade), Giants (who can forget Super Bowl XXV - Desert Storm, Whitney Houston, that 9+ minute drive with Otis Anderson and of course, Wide Right!)  Heck, I even played football in 7th and 8th grade - I recall the "camp" style practices hitting the sleds, playing in games, making tackles, missing blocks.  Then, throughout much of high school though, I had lost interest.  My concentration was on high school and all the activities I could pull off - marching band, Boilermaker football, HS plays, Student Government, girlfriends, Track, more drama club, Math Club.....bottom line, anything to get out of the house. More on that later.  Bottom line, aside from a few Knicks or Rangers games on the 10 inch TV in my room and maybe passing by the TV in the living room or at a grandparents' house, Football was "meh" for me at the time.

Even into college, I hadn't watched much pro football the first few years.  However, I started to get into the college games on Saturday more - there were a lot more options. I remember catching a few games when Syracuse would play and that Donovan McNabb was something to watch.  I remember watching the draft when he got boo'ed.  I didn't really care, but hoped he would prove the fans wrong.  By this time I was pretty much out of my house. Had spent summers at school and Central Jersey was my new home.  I found myself getting more into football and had settled on the Eagles as a team to follow for two main reasons: convenience (broadcast option) and McNabb.  Never having hated or been against any team (except one), there was no reason I couldn't like the Eagles.  Over the next 4-5 years, I would follow them closer.  When I got big - I mean BIG into Madden Football, the Eagles were always my franchise. I would build around McNabb, Westbook, anyone else who came along. Cherry pick from other teams and take the Eagles to the Super Bowl - being a bartender much of this time, left me plenty of time to play video games, and the schedule allowed me to stay up til 3, 4, 5am playing. I remember playing so long my eyes hurt - but we won that Lombardi trophy together McNabb!

Staying in the greater Philadelphia area over the past 13 years, I've risen and fallen with the Eagles fans and the roller coaster of emotion.  From the many NFC Championship games, to the acquisition of T.O. and the Super Bowl appearance....to seeing the choppers over T.O.'s house on my commute home while he did situps in his driveway, to many Andy Reid press conferences, draft picks, and more disappointments.  All the while, learning more and more about the game and paying attention to more of the league via Fantasy Football.  Oh yeah, and that little "blog" I was doing along the way, talking mainly about Pro Football, "covering" scandals like the Michael Vick (dogs, Ron Mexico), also MLB, NCAA, golf and more.  But mainly, the NFL became the focus of my sports interests.

Reading as much as I did about the NFL over the years, and listening to sports talk radio as much as I have (Mike & Mike, Mike Missanelli, NFL Sirius radio) and especially my interest in the "scandals" and legal system, I've come to learn a few things. From the Big Ben issue in Colorado to Michael Vick to Plaxico Burress's misfire, to many DUI's along the way, it was always stated how powerful NFL Security has been.   And more increasingly over the past few years, hiring former federal investigators and retired law enforcement.From the appointment of Roger Goodell and the "hard-ass" he was early on, and the millions and millions and billions and billions of dollars thrown at players via free agency, TV contracts, etc.  "Protect the shield" was a term thrown around by many.

In terms of all corporations out there - even Apple, Google, Pharmaceuticals, News agencies, Political parties, Disney, and any Wall Street firm.....up against any other sports league - the NFL is pretty much the most powerful corporation in USA - maybe even the Western Hemisphere....quite possibly the world.  The numbers in revenue alone speak for themselves, and the fact that there isn't really any competition to keep them honest....think about it.  Aside from actual Governments and Terrorist organizations that bring actual force.....

When Roger Goodell came into office, he was the no-joke commissioner.  I wrote about it here, and referenced his reputation as a Fantasy Commissioner.  Harsh suspensions, fines - protect that shield or pay the price.  Then over time he softened.  Then, a lock-out - a multi-billion dollar organization lose money?  Soften the stance and give some "bro-hugs" on draft night to ease the pain.

Then one the players kills his girlfriend, then turns the gun on himself at the stadium before gameday?  It was more about gun control and him suffering too many concussions. (Jevon Belcher, 12/1/2012)  Everyone missed the boat that domestic violence was the point to be taken from that tragic situation.

By now you know what I'm getting at.  Ray Rice - caught on camera outside an elevator dragging his girlfriend out treating her like a rag doll or corpse.  No jail time.  He's a good guy, it was a one time thing. He's good for the Baltimore Ravens.  He accepts his 2 games.  We all know the criticism - 4 games for PED's or pot, 2 games for hitting a woman; a season for smoking pot a few times, 2 games for Ray.  Public outcry? We made a mistake - 6 games next time, but Ray is good with 2. The lack of consistency during Roger's term is just ludicrous.  A few weeks back, a kicker gets 4 games for having a beer while on vacation from work at his house. Now someone is convicted of Domestic Violence and gun charges, but no action from the NFL.

Listen, I was not present in the meetings on Park Avenue between Roger, Ray and his now wife Janay, Ravens leadership and everyone else in the room.  I wasn't there to know that they did or didn't review the video.  But having the police report being out there citing what happened (later corroborated by the inside elevator video) 2 games was not enough.  Bull crap that there wasn't a policy for domestic violence and nothing to go by.  Roger nearly ruled with an iron fist those first few years. There is no doubt in my mind that someone paid by the NFL (someone in security force of former FBI agents, etc) could have "found a way" to watch the now famous elevator footage in the five months before the ruling was handed down.  I don't know that Roger viewed it, but when you're the head honcho of a multi-billion dollar organization that needs public trust to do business, you've got to find a way.

As stated pertaining to me, I know things are changing.  Back on 9/11/2001 there was no Social Media. Youtube, cell phone video?  Our phones could barely take pictures. Back during Super Bowl XXI a 30-second spot was about 1/7th off what it was earlier this year.  As time goes by, we must adapt.  From iReports to instant Twitter feedback, 2014 is much different than 2001, let alone 1987.  We must progress as a society.  The NFL has fallen behind on domestic violence, and other issues.


Three things come to my mind right now: Terminator X, Willy Santiago and Staind.

Staind (rock/metal band) released "Break the Cycle" back in 2001.  Even though no song really fits what I'm trying to say - we as a society need to break the cycle when it comes to domestic violence.  It's one thing if it's two people locked away somewhere and a dysfunctional dependent relationship, but in this case, as with many, children and families are involved.  What Ray Rice did in that elevator is inexcusable.  His reaction to her unconscious body is what makes it worse.  What tops it off is his request for "no cops" and his ability to escape from any legal consequences.  Another privileged athlete/celebrity getting away with something they shouldn't.

Hearing tales from survivors that were able to escape abusive relationships, while in the relationship, the victims convince themselves that they are at fault.  They make excuses for their abusers, When asked to press charges they decline more often than not.  This caused changes in laws in many places - if the "state" has evidence, they choose to charge the abuser regardless of what the victim says.  I don't know if that was the first time Ray Rice got into it with his girlfriend/wife.  I hope for their sake it hasn't happened since. While I don't know if it was the first time - I have a guess based on the footage: it wasn't anything new.  Janay's statements on Tuesday supporting her husband still and slamming the media for "causing this" to me is more proof that the relationship is dysfunctional.  On to Willy Santiago - [spoiler alert] the character from "A Few Good Men" who received the Code Red and dies, sparking a trial.  Near the end of the movie, after the verdict is handed down, the two Marines are dishonorably discharged from the Marine Corps.  When debating whether or not they did anything wrong, a quote is delivered by Dawson that totally summarizes my point: "We were supposed to fight for people who couldn't fight for themselves. We were supposed to fight for Willy."  In this case, the NJ Justice System and the NFL were supposed to fight for Janay, and thereby act as a voice for all victims of domestic violence. Whether her stories of support for Ray lead to the elimination/reduction of the punishment, apparently more education on the dynamics of abusive relationships and domestic violence victims needs to be our there for the "leaders" in law enforcement and the NFL to follow.

A product of a variety of music growing up, one song I had taped from the radio from the early 90's by Terminator X definitely summarizes my feelings on the NFL and this situation.  For Roger Goodell, the Baltimore Ravens and Ray Rice: "It all comes down to the money" ..."whether it's rainy or snowy or sunny, funny, I'm in it for the cash, I'm in it for the cash...the more you get, the more you want..."


The remarks of some of the NFL owners supporting Roger Goodell are appalling. I'll give you, for argument's sake, that he didn't see the tape (I don't believe it, but I'll concede that).   But for as powerful a private corporation that they are; they could and should have seen the video. Two games? You support Roger still? Oh, so appoint an "independent investigation" with someone who has done business with the NFL before and two owners to oversee it? This conspiracy and cover-up is Nixonian at best.  Probably more along the lines of JFK.  Problem is, the truth will catch up to everyone involved.  I hope for his daughter's sake Ray Rice breaks the cycle.  I hope this raises more awareness for those who can't fight for themselves.  And remember folks - it all comes down to the money.  The arrogant owner, Roger, agents and a greedy player and his wife tried to sweep it under a rug.  Too bad the rug wasn't big enough: some casino closed, people lost their jobs, and some smart man or woman cashed in with TMZ exposing the hypocrisy of it all.

Bottom line, there are us among the viewing public who saw that video inside the elevator and didn't just see two people, we saw our loved ones and recalled the violent acts committed against our family and friends that may have gone hidden for some time.  I
applaud the strong women who have called into sports talk radio or written to key bloggers/writers to share their emotional stories about what it's like to be in a dysfunctional and abusive relationship.  It's not always just the physical violence, it's also verbal and emotional abuse that leads some to become a shell of themselves after months or years of abuse.  I was shocked when it was two games, but figured the NFL did it's homework.

Obviously, having lived through this myself, this story has piqued my interest and I have listened closely along the way.  I referenced a few teams I've been a fan of and why I was able to become an Eagles fan so easily: it wasn't the Cowboys.  He was a Cowboys fan. I'm breaking the cycle.

I didn't watch tonight's Baltimore game.  For the first time in many years, I'm questioning when I'll watch again. Shame on those who commit domestic violence. Shame on the NJ court system. Shame on the NFL.


Links:
http://deadspin.com/ray-rice-arrested-in-atlantic-city-after-altercation-wi-1524046109
http://www.tmz.com/videos/0_c5nk3w3n/
http://www.tmz.com/2014/09/08/ray-rice-elevator-knockout-fiancee-takes-crushing-punch-video/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104257/quotes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6MLLSArEz4
http://grantland.com/the-triangle/roger-goodell-need-to-step-down/

Dom's Dish - Back again, NFL Draft 2012 Edition

      As if being gone for a few months last time was a big deal, it was just after my son's 1st birthday, my daughter was still in the womb, I still traveled for work, Tiger Woods was still the #1 golfer in the world, Donovan McNabb was still the Eagles Quarterback, Shaq was still ballin - having just been traded to the Cavaliers - LeBron was still there too, Halladay was in Toronto, Cliff Lee was a first time Phillie and more importantly, the Phillies could hit the ball.  Shoot - I can't even remember if Daniel Tosh had a show that long ago or if I was even on Twitter!

     Now just 32 months after the fact, Dom's Dish rejoins the interwebs with this special NFL Draft issue.  Why, you ask?  Because I finally have about 90 minutes to put some stuff together, with some humor (that's a new ingredient to this blog), and I need to force myself to gain some knowledge on this draft thing again.  We'll recap and relive some of the things we missed these last 32 months and of course, go around the balls.  Oh yeah, August 19, 2009 was shortly after the Michael Vick signing, we'll recap that too fo sho in the posts to follow!

    Ah, the NFL draft.  In the last 12 months, we've suffered 2 pro sports lock-outs, blockbuster trades, epic National Championship games, Hurricanes, Earthquakes, Tornadoes, Droughts and wild fires across this great nation of ours.  After all the uncertainty, I finally feel at peace to know that the NFL is having a "regular" off-season complete with a Draft, mini-camps, hold-outs, and training camps to start on time.  There will be no more excuses for Mr. Ham Sandwich heading up the Eagles, no more punishments to hand down from the NFL Commish, and more importantly, no more talk of that guy Tim Tebow....suddenly I think I've lost my touch, its getting worse as I type this.  But alas, I digress.  So much has happened in the sports world the last few months, that I seriously, I mean seriously, had to think for a minute who won the last Super Bowl.  Hashtag-Not-Brady - ah yes, Eli and the Giants.  More and more over the past 10-15 years, we are seeing the teams that get hot at the right time, sneak into a playoff system (in all sports) and win the ultimate prize.  Most go up against the Goliath teams that have been there all year - the true underdog stories win most times, epitomizing TEAM sports.  This year we learned of all the trouble a possible 1998 #1 overall pick has been having in his life since football - the Ryan Leaf story - but still the best story of all is a "made for TV movie" - "The Brady Six".  As I prepare to watch NFL Combine highlights, and read the countless stories on "character" and "pure talent", the more it makes one realize two things: The Combine is a Meat Market and The Draft is a Crap Shoot.  How else can you explain Tom Brady falling to #199, Ryan Leaf, Tim Couch, Akili Smith, JaMarcus Russell or even Eli Manning?

     When drafting, teams feel pressure.  More so, the General Manager, Owner and Head Coach feel pressure.  From fans, local media, national media, agents, draft experts, their own players and many other sources.  Draft experts like Todd McShay and Mel Kiper, Jr. often get the top picks right (at least the order).  Teams sometimes listen too much, other times, tune out the noise.  The main thing is there is no right answer in that exact moment.....but there sure is a WRONG answer in the weeks, months and years that follow.  It's much like us Fantasy owners who look back at the draft at the end of the season and remember how stupid we were for drinking so much at the draft, or the HOW DID I NOT SEE THAT moments that we all have.  The only difference, we think, is that the coaches, GM's and owners aren't a 6-pack deep on some week night/weekend in April...we think.  (How else can you explain Christian Ponder as a Top 12 pick in 2011?)  Regardless, it's a lot of fun for us football fans out there to play GM and dream big when OUR team grabs that missing piece who will wind up an All Pro or Rookie of the Year and lead "us" to the Lombardi Trophy.  From the Adam Schefters' of the world, breaking the news on potential picks and trades, to Boomer, Kiper and McShay analyzing the draft, this week is one of the best of the year, a week that allows our dreams to grow and hopes be high.  Here we go....

     First, everyone knows by now about Peyton in Denver.  But do you remember Michael Bush to the Bears?  The ESPN Free Agent Tracker has all your reminders and answers.  While the QB's and RB's make the headlines, don't forget those Offensive Linemen and Linebackers that moved around.  Teams surely draft on need at those top positions, but where will they find a 3rd or 4th round gem in a position they might be a little thin at?  This goes hand in hand with who is still on the roster: NFL.com current team rosters

     Although I'm clearly partial to the Worldwide Leader in Sports, ESPN for their 2012 Draft Coverage featuring Scouts, Inc (as an Insider), there's always the NFL.com folk, and the SI peeps including Peter King.

     Got some time on your hands to go next level?  Forget the numbers themselves, whose contract is up next season and your team will take a flyer on a future position of need?  NFL 2012 Team Salaries


     So, let's break down my favorite team. The scenario seems the same for the past few years, or cycles of years.  Big Free Agent signings one year, re-sign your own the next and have a good draft, then start getting cute for a few years in the draft and sign mediocre free agents.  Fortunately, this is the second year in that cycle for the Birds.  They filled 2 positions of need with trades/free agency: MLB (no, not Major League Baseball) and former rookie of the year out of the SEC, DeMeco Ryans (might have been my favorite player in the 2006 draft); and a replacement LT in Demetress Bell (another position, for about 20 minutes last week I couldn't for the life of me remember who the Left Tackle was that tore his achilles just a few weeks ago.....do you remember without google-ing it?)  Oh and clearing some cap room with Asante Samuel was nice just today, while resigning some key cogs: DeSean, Todd Heremans, Trent Cole, and Evan Mathis.  Dropping Jamaal Jackson and trading away Winston Justice were necessary moves.  A backup QB in Trent Edwards was signed, but I'm not sold on the three QB's being the three on the roster throughout the season.  Needs?  First off, for the love of everything holy, can they sign LeSean McCoy to like a 3 or 4 year deal?  In order of need and importance: DT, SS, MLB, OL depth, RB, QB, CB, TE.  Sure the Eagles could use an outside backer, but why not draft a MLB that can get on the field right now and learn alongside DeMeco?

    With another 10 picks to spare, the Eagles will be guaranteed to make at least one trade, and I'm not sure what the Asante trade means for overall philosophy, but I say they stay at 15 with one of those top 4 need positions.  Sure, all the talk was of them talking to Cleveland, but I think it's a smoke screen....unless it is for.....RB Trent Richardson from Alabama - minds would be blown!!  After the first, perhaps make a move back into the late 1st or stock pile some picks from the late 2nd to 4th rounds where the clear value usually is. Barring injury, the only starter positions that may not be on the roster right now would be DT #2 and a SS. (I don't trust the health or age of Mike Patterson, and don't think anyone on the roster can win the SS position - how about that, replacing McNabb was easier than B-Dawk).

  My suggestion on picks for the Eagles....stay away from DT.  While they faired ok with Mike Patterson, Broderick Bunkley didn't live up to the potential.  Aside from Ndamukong Suh in 2010, and Haloti Ngata in 2006, not many 1st Rd DT's have made an immediate impact in a 3-4 or 4-3.  Since this is really the all-in year for Andy Reid, he can't afford to miss on another 1st Round pick.  McNabb, Corey Simon, Fred-Ex, Lito Sheppard, Jerome McDougle, Shawn Andrews, Patterson, Bunkley, Jeremy Maclin, Brandon Graham and Danny Watkins.  First round picks - I can't even call that average, 4 lived up or exceeded expectations: McNabb, Maclin, Andrews (before he went AWOL) and Lito.  Simon and Bunkley fell short and filled a hole in the middle, 2 fell WAY short - Fred-Ex and McDougle, and jury is still out, though not looking promising on Graham and Watkins.  It's not time to gamble this year, take the safe pick.  I am always a fan of taking a big time player from a big time program - SEC preferred and Alabama has a few.  If Mark Barron, the Safety is available at 15 or anywhere in that area, you go get him. Don't stretch and take some kid from a small school or Boise because he's a project and has huge upside.  Notre Dame alum have not worked out all that well for the Eagles, take a football player this time.  Others I like: David DeCastro, G, Stanford; Hightower (ILB), Upshaw (OLB) and Kirkpatrick (CB) all out of Alabama.  All positions of need that can step in right now having had big program/ big game experience.

  In the later rounds....well, it just depends.  In the late second and third round, the Eagles can afford a few stretches before getting back to solid, best-available type players in the 4th and 5th rounds where they've had a more success in the past.   6th and 7th are where the true luck comes in.  (Jason Kelce, 6th 2011; Kurt Coleman, 7th 2010).  You may find an occasional starter but Tom Brady and Maques Colston are the rarities that get overlooked.

     Regardless of past performance, the NFL draft tomorrow will give us hope - hope of finding the next Peyton Manning or Ray Rice or Larry Fitzgerald.  There's no such thing as a lock - a lot can go wrong - but the dawning of a new day and hours of analysis and waiting will give us something to talk about for the next 2 weeks or more.  Whoever your team is, remember, not every pick will pan out.  Even the geniuses only get it right some of the time.  Follow me on Twitter tomorrow night during the draft for commentary on the picks and other analysis: @DomsDish


As I look back on the time away I realize that putting these together takes more time than I have.  I may not pump one out a week, but I will make the time for you my readers to get some of the information you need to keep abreast in sports over the next few months.  With 2 sports in playoff mode, one just getting started, and another always having something to talk about, plus those other sports, they'll be plenty for me to comment on.  I promise to add more humor and pump these out faster.

Around the Balls:

White-stitched- The Yankees made a pretty big trade this off-season for a rising pitcher. Michael Pineda was big and strong in Seattle, then he arrived in NY as fragile cargo.  He's now done for the season with a shoulder injury - a labrum tear (same injury Drew Brees had many years ago) - and will have surgery in the near future.  I am being told by medical experts and baseball guru's that the throwing shoulder is an important part of a pitcher's mechanics.  Who knew?  $200 M plus for the team's payroll yet again - the starting rotation may be suspect, but at least the Yanks can hit...well except Yu Darvish.  Cheer up Yanks fans, Andy Pettite is on his way to save the day.  The year is 2002, right?  No? Could be worse, could be the BoSox.

Big-brown-oblong- With all the draft talk in place and up above, "News" broke that Andrew Luck would be the 1st pick of the Colts in this year's draft.  Anyone remember "Suck for Luck"?  One thing is for certain - under the "New Deal" Luck will not be receiving Matt Stafford money - 6 for $72M.  The Colts, who have been handcuffed in recent years by their big name players: Manning, Wayne, Freeney or Harrison, now just have Freeney and some cap numbers.  Can lightning strike twice and will Andrew Luck be the full time rookie starter that Manning once was?  Let's just hope Winston 6-sack Justice is not the one protecting his left side.  With all the turnover in that franchise, they've got to be better than last year's 2-14 record, right?  Right??

Be sure to follow me on Twitter @domsdish for breaking news from the Insiders I follow, and anecdotal information on subject ranging from sports and national news to NJ, comedy, music,  life with kids, and of course, #asparaguspee.

Dom's Dish - New Old QB's Edition

Well Ladies and Germs, here we are again. Lots of months have passed since my last entry. Lots of news to report, with the most pressing being the two "new" "old" Quarterbacks. First I'll start with the more recent addition back to the NFL - Brett "Retirement is only Temporary" Favre.

Well, here he is again. I think of Roger Clemens when I hear the name Favre now - not the steroids and beer cans from a basement Roger, the "I'm gonna come in after training camp and play for an obscene amount"Roger. I, for one, did not fall for it that Brett was retired. Just think, he's only 39 years old now. We have at least another 4 seasons of this crap- after all there are other teams out there that would love to have him as a QB next year - Washington (Campbell is on his last leg), Seattle (Hasselbeck is on his last back vertebrate), San Francisco (Alex Smith or Shaun Hill, are you kidding me?) or Oakland (Jamarcus Russell or Brett Favre...?) just to name 4 off the top of my head. I guess you can only sit on a big farm in Mississippi throwing footballs to high school kids for January through August before it's time to come back. How much do you want to bet now that John Madden will un-retire, become an ESPN "Insider" like Adam Schefter, and sit on the set of Sunday NFL CountDown and just talk about how Brett Favre looks from last week? I'll be more surprised if it DOESN'T happen than if it does! I can't conceivably think of any reason for him to go back and play? I mean Adrian Peterson, Percy Harvin, Bernard Berrian, Vinsanthe Schiancoe and Chester Taylor - is that the group that will take Favre to the Super Bowl? I don't know. All Favre will be remembered for in 10 years is being a Packer, had he stayed retired now. With this move and more to come the next 3-4 years as I'm predicting, he will be remembered for the old guy who couldn't let go - think Dennis Quaid in Any Given Sunday. I only wish I had the balls to find a job like that where I can go in and just play the game without the grueling Training Camp experience. I guess it would be like walking into a busy restaurant as a bartender at 5:30pm on a Friday and just bartending and taking the money, then leaving at 9pm without splitting the tips with the guy who set up the bar, cut the fruit, chilled the beer and will be cleaning up after I'm gone. Talk about a team player.

Then there's Ron Mexico - yes, you remember him, AKA Michael Vick. ESPN showed a nice highlight timeline for him last week - remember flipping the fans off in Atlanta, his "home town"? Then there was the Water Bottle incident in the airport - the "hidden" compartment that reaked of weed. Not to mention the Ron Mexico genital herpes incident. Oh yeah and this whole dog-fighting ring thing. A lot of talent, a lot of promise, a lot of money, and then everything went away - including Vick for 23 months in Leavenworth - not sure if that was country club prison or federal "pound me in the a$$" prison, but prison regardless. Reputation, gone. Money, gone. Promises of making the Hall of Fame? Then in the latest revelations, after lobbying from the "star" "franchise" Quarterback in Philadelphia, he gets a second chance. It sure will not be an easy task. McNabb reached out to Vick and then vouched for him to the Eagles brass for the second chance. 1 week in and talk has died down. Cross-sports tension as Jenn Utley tried to protest the signing at the news conference. Support from the Humane Society president. Backlash from thousands and thousands of fans across the Pennsylvania and Southern Jersey area on talk radio, in newspaper columns, blogs, etc. How did Tony Dungy fit in? No word further word from Commissioner Goodell. Andy Reid said no initially, a backup QB gets hurt, and then they move to sign him?

From how I look at it now, nearly 1 week later, here's how I see it playing out. There will be protests at a few games in Philly, then it will die down. Every away game a group of people will show to protest. It will be a small distraction. Vick will be seen around town in the next month with the ASPCA in Philadelphia - pictures will be taken, front page news at first until his reinstatement, then 10th page news. The local news in Philly will show the pics as well, dogs rescued from dog-fighting houses in Southwest Philly. The debate will be whether Vick gets to hold the dogs for the pictures and videos or is just seen afterward. It'll play out like lawyers locked in a room deciding strategy in a Grisham book. Then the reinstatement, probably after the Eagles Bye Week - October 11th home against his old nemesis, the Buccaneers. He'll be on the field for just a few snaps, lined up behind the Center flanking McNabb or out as receiver behind Hank Baskett or Jeremy Maclin for blocking purposes. As the season progresses he'll get some more snaps, Reid not showing all his cards as long as they're winning games and progressing toward the ultimate goal. They'll have McNabb, Vick, Brian Westbrook, Kevin Curtis, DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin on the field for a few plays. Quite the nightmare for D-coordinators across the NFL. By November the talk of Vick the inhumane dog-fighter will be long surpassed by the amazing story of a turnaround of the Ron Mexico era. Trade bait for the future or a potential replacement for McNabb is he decides to move on. The risk/benefit analysis turns more benefit than risk. I mean he can't be stupid enough to start breeding dogs for fighting again, can he?

Second chance for Vick, 4th unretirement for Farve.

Dom's Dish - NFL Draft - talk about value

Sure, I've been accused of being a homer.  I've been accused of worse growing up - "throwing"my brother down the steps (he told me to push him), "covering" a wall with boogers (they came with the house), "cursing" all the time on the playground (I was smart enough not to get caught and never spoke filth at home as early as 1st grade).  I also used to wear bright orange and deep purple jeans.  So I'm a homer...

So regarding the Philadelphia Eagles Draft class of 2009.  To be honest, aside from the fact that this is my first year without the NFL network to guide me through the draft (trying to save money to pay the $15/month for the greatest invention ever: DVR), and I haven't really heard the draftniks bragging about this year's draft class, I'm going to chalk this year's draft up to an overall grade of "D".  Sure there are some players up top in the first round or two, but not a year with a Eli Manning/Philip Rivers/Ben Roethlisberger, or Reggie Bush/Matt Leinart.  I just didn't feel the names were there early on, nor were there many names down the board.  So back to the Eagles.  They've made some trades before this draft and certainly "a few" during it.  They traded back so many times in the 3rd and 4th rounds...at one point they had SIX 5th round draft choices.  They turned 2 of those into a potential starting CB/KR in Ellis Hobbs (Patriots) - though I'm weary about a recycled secondary from great Defensive back coach Bill Belichick - BY THE WAY - did you see him during the draft on ESPN?  He was actually wearing a TIE and JACKET!  He looked serial killer-esque I thought.  Put the hoodie back on Bill....but I digress.  

Anyway, the Eagles then took ONE fifth round pick and turned it into a 7th in 2009: #222 and a 5th rounder in 2010 from New Orleans.  Then, they turned around and took #222 and made it a 6th rounder in 2010 from Indianapolis. One pick turned into 2 next year - which might not sound too cool until you realize that due to trades this offseason, the Eagles were uncharacteristically out of the mix with something like 5 choices in 2010 coming into the weekend!

So Monday was the day all those not drafted were eligible to sign with teams in an open market.  The Eagles went out and got them Rashard Mendenhall's younger brother, Walter.  6 foot 225lbs from Illinois State.  Let's hope he has some talent like his brother, a first round choice of Pittsburgh last year.  Andy Reid also fulfilled his BYU quota signing big Guard Dallas Reynolds (6-4, 311) from Brigham Young.  Perhaps Andy is beyond donating to his alma mater, he just employs a few right out of the college football program each year.  Hmmm.

Dom's Dish - A third round of runs

The round started with the Jets trading up for RB Shonn Greene - who sat out a few years ago academically ineligible and moved furniture to make ends meet.  After that the bulk of the first few picks were defense - Linebackers, D-Linemen, a few corners, then RB Glenn Coffee (Alabama) went to San Fran, then a few offensive linemen before a huge run on WR's with some Corners thrown in.  Derrick Williams of Penn State went to Detroit - both as a slot receiver to pair with Calvin Johnson and Matthew Stafford and also as a return man playmaker.  

The Eagles pull another in-division trade with their rivals, the NY Giants.  The Giants use this pick on 6'6" WR Ramses Barden - a possible replacement big body for Plaxico Burress.  The Eagles then trade back into the fifth round.  Now with 6 picks in the 5th round!  Talk about depth and special teams!  Signing off for now, not much to keep on.

Dom's Dish - Impressions of Day 1 NFL Draft 09

Well, with two rounds in the books on Day 1, the tri-state teams (Eagles, Jets and Giants) addressed some needs - WR/RB, (potential) franchise QB, and WR/OLB/ O-Line depth.  Other teams of note include New England addressing need in the trenches and some secondary help; Cleveland's trading back 3 times to acquire picks - Center, 2 WR and a 3-4 DE; The Super Bowl champ Steelers drafting a 3-4 DE to counter and trading their 2nd and 4th for two more mid-third-round picks.  Lots of draft day trades just on day 1 - lots of moving up and down, and none more surprising than the Jets trading up with their former coach, the "Mangenious", to get their QB of the future, while trading some depth along the D-Line and 2nd year QB Brett Ratliff - 0 NFL passes.  

Cleveland looks pretty good with all those picks, especially since they didn't have many coming into the draft due to trades made during the Romeo Crenel regime - namely their one pick of Ohio State's Brian Robiskie - son of NFL player Terry and current Falcons receiver coach.  Some peculiar picks: the Jacksonville Jaguars stockpiling Offensive Tackles in Eugene Monroe (UVA, #8 overall) and Eben Britton (Arizona, #39 overall).  Some other commentary, the Buffalo Bills did NOT take an Ohio State defensive back...yet.  No Fullbacks, punters or kickers taken Day 1.  Only 3 QB's were taken, all in the first round.  

Some big names will come off the board in the next round or two, including Texas Tech QB Graham Harrell, RB Shonn Green of Iowa, WR Derrick Williams of Penn State, Javon Ringer RB of Michigan State, and Safety Rashad Johnson of Alabama.  Hurry up and go - draft is on.

Dom's Dish - Lots of picks

So end of the first round and most of the 2nd have gone. The Giants
addressed a WR need with Hakeen Nicks out of North Carolina. After
that soke big picks include the big DTackle out of Missouri to the
Super Bowl champs and lots of safeties, corners, defensive ends and
linemen. Then the big pick: the Eagles address a major need in LeSean
McCoy, RB out of Pitt. Sure Moreno was high on their board but they
stayed true drafting for need and best available getting a playmaker
WR and an everydown back in the 5-11 210 pounder. Not a bad day for
Philly.

Some other notes: I'm surprised that Rey Maluga, the LB out of USC
fell into the early second round to Cincinatti, who I think would have
taken him in the middle of round 1. Good for them. Also, Pat White,
the "receiver" goes to Miami, just a few years after the Marcus Vick
experiment and fresh in mind a year after they crafted the Wildcat
formation. Looking forward to some good recap tomorrow, unless
something earth shattering happens tonight. Go Phillies and go
Eagles!!