Milton Bradley is Classic

I don't often feel good when a player gets injured. When Nomar pulled his groin about 15 seconds into the Cubs 2005 season, I felt bad for the guy even though I loved that it happened to the Cubs. Even though I'm a huge Kevin Durant fan and I told everyone I know he'll be better than Greg Oden, I didn't want to see Oden miss his entire rookie campaign.

But this Milton Bradley thing is too much. How perfect is it that a guy who can't control his temper or stay healthy tears his ACL during a tantrum? That was scripted, right? He called time out so he could yell at the ump?!?

Bradley should retire now and the Hall of Fame should immediately induct him. I don't care that he's only a .273 career hitter with 81 home runs. NEVER has one player had one play sum up his entire career. This is like Albert Belle hitting a double, running over a kid and screaming down the press in one play. It just doesn't happen.

It doesn't even matter that the umpire may have instigated the whole thing. Bradley has to know that this will define the rest of his life. Congratulations Milton, see you in Cooperstown.

Lovie and Ron the ones to blame

Rex Grossman, Cedric Benson, and the entire offense clearly were a part of the problem in yesterday's loss to the San Diego Chargers. But the thing that should most bother Bears fans from this first regular season game – just as in the Super Bowl – is the game plan. In the Super Bowl, when Benson went down, the Bears appeared to give up on the running game too quickly despite Thomas Jones running pretty well on the Colts' defense.

In the middle of Sunday's fourth quarter, the Bears were in a key situation on second and short – they ran the ball. On third down, they ran the ball. Then on fourth down, when everyone in the stadium not named Ron Turner or Lovie Smith knew the Bears would run, Benson was sent into the welcoming arms of white jerseys.

Three consecutive running plays that didn't work. The Bears were also down 11 points at the time. This should have been when the Bears opened the play book and threw into the end zone, or even run a reverse with Devin Hester. Anything to try and get this offense going.

The players are, of course, responsible for the fumbles and the turnovers, but Smith and Turner have done a poor job of putting the players in the best position to win. There was never a sense of urgency from this offense. There hasn't been a sense of urgency in Chicago's offense in a very long time – certainly not since the 80s.

Bears fans deserve to see a Super Bowl winner, especially with how good this defense looked against a very potent San Diego offense. Sadly, unless there are some changes made, it appears the Bears are only setting themselves up to fail once again.

Grossman isn't the problem, just part of the problem

It really wasn't Rex Grossman's fault. Well, it wasn't entirely Rex Grossman's fault. Even though it was just one game against a team that won 14 games last season, Sunday's game was enough to show that this year is going to be a tough one for the Bears offense.

Last year the Bears built a very good offense around Rex, with two quality running backs, a good receiving core and one of the leagues top offensive lines. This year, the team did upgrade their receivers by adding Greg Olsen and moving Devin Hester to offense (though we don't know what either of them is truly capable of yet), but none of it will matter because of their inability to run the ball or get consistent quarterback play.

The Bears are still going to win their division and they still have a good chance of returning to the Super Bowl because of their fantastic defense. But what was made clear on Sunday is that as long as Rex and Cedric Benson are leading this team, an NFC championship is their ceiling.

All Vick, All the Time

BY ADAM WILSON
Thanks to Digressions in Abundance

Last night I was watching Michael Vick coverage because I am very interested in what 7,000 different & random people think about it. So it was nice to hear some newspaper writer from Atlanta, who by her own admission doesn't like football and doesn't follow the Falcons or Vick, tell me her deepest feelings about the whole situation. It was good to hear her opinion of the impact Vick's (who, I repeat, she doesn't pay attention to) legal troubles are having on her city.

It was nice to hear Chris Mortensen report 55 times about what is happening with the case RIGHT NOW. It was nice to see Suze Kolber. (no seriously, I like her. Like Joe Namath said.) It was nice to see the game crew interview the "ESPN legal analyst" for 3 segments...asking him the same questions over and over again. By the way...do you think Roger Cossack was mad he didn't get the face time? I bet he was. Isn't he supposed to be ESPN's resident legal expert? I can only assume his head exploded after being on every single ESPN show for the previous 10 hours. Otherwise, they would have flown him in, right?

It was nice to see video of Vick apologizing to everyone in the world for what he did. It was especially nice to see it multiple times. Although it seemed to me that he was more sorry that he got caught. He wasn't so apologetic when he lied to the NFL, the Falcons, and the Police and plead not guilty. But NOW he is sorry. Of course he is. He is trying to avoid jail time. Now is the exactly perfect time to "be sorry".

It was nice to hear that now it is just time to move and and the rehabilitation of Michael Vick can begin. Ummm...why? Hasn't the bad stuff just started for him? He still has to go through sentencing. oh yeah...AND PRISON. HE HAS TO GO TO PRISON FOR AT LEAST 1 YEAR!!!! How can it be time for everyone to move on...it literally JUST HAPPENED. LESS THAN 24 HOURS AGO!!!!

But here's the thing that bothered me about last night. I'm sitting there trying to enjoy some Michael Vick analysis, minding my own business. And every once in a while they would start talking about the football game that was being played on the field in front of them! Ridiculous! I didn't turn on Monday Night Football to watch and hear about football!! I turned on Monday Night Football to watch and hear about Michael Vick.

All I have to say is that if I turn on football again this week and they are talking about the game instead of Michael Vick...I might kick my dog.

(just kidding...I'm not going to kick my dog. Put down the phone...leave PETA out of this)

Will Rexy still be Sexy?

The trials and tribulations of Rex Grossman continue. The much-maligned quarterback still draws the ire of fans and media across the country. Whether it is the quarterback-center exchange or the ability to read a defense, Rex Grossman is still lacking the natural growth that a player at his position is supposed to exhibit by year five. The excuses continue, and the lack of responsibility for the constant miscues are getting old. Sweat, crowd noise or rain - the elite quarterbacks are supposed to lead and not make excuses.

What draws people to Rex Grossman is his gunslinger mentality. Many compare him to Brett Favre in that respect; but that is where the comparisons end between the two quarterbacks. Rex's inability to read coverage or take care of the ball will keep the Chicago Bears from repeating as NFC champions. With the defense and special teams the Bears possess, all Grossman has to do is manage the game and not take any unnecessary risks. He has shown he is not capable of doing that because. He looks completely lost on the field, and the mental aspect isn't there after five training camps and four seasons with the Bears.

The Chicago Bears need a caretaker at the quarterback position, not someone who will constantly stick the defense deep in their own territory. The leash on this bear will have to tighten, and eventually Lovie Smith will need to pull the trigger and go with veteran Brian Griese. The former Michigan product's ceiling is not as high as Grossman's, but he understands how to manage a game. The Chicago Bears have no more than a three-year window to win a Super Bowl, and they cannot allow Rex Grossman to learn on the job anymore. The time to pull the plug on Rexy is arriving quickly.

Holy Holdouts

Larry Johnson, the soon-to-be 28-year-old (November 19th) Kansas City Chiefs running back, is a preseason holdout.

JaMarcus Russell – the first overall NFL draft pick and once-presumed starting Oakland Raider quarterback – is another preseason holdout.

Every NFL preseason begins and ends with at least one notable holdout threatening to sit out as many games of the regular season as necessary to obtain what they consider to be fair market value for their services, and every NFL season, they’re chastised by the media, the general public and key figures around the league.

Why is that?

Johnson reportedly wants $28 million in guaranteed cash, which is irrefutably a king’s ransom.

Then again, Johnson was on the sideline of the Chiefs–San Diego Chargers game when his predecessor, the 34-year-old Priest Holmes, sustained a career-threatening neck and head injury on a hit from Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman.

As Johnson continues to hold out, the question for the Chiefs is whether or not they’re going to keep Holmes around, and shell out the several million dollars necessary to retain his “damaged” services. That decision will more than likely be made before Johnson decides to report to camp, but it has to be a factor in Johnson’s rationale for doing so.

Russell is reportedly waiting for a deal that would give him a sizable guaranteed purse; in his opinion, what the first overall pick is worth. Raider chief Al Davis has never been known for his flexibility when negotiating contracts, but more importantly he’s failed to orchestrate a sufficient offensive line to protect the value which is Russell.

As such, Russell’s perspective is that if he’s going to be in danger of repeatedly getting sacked and ultimately injured, he needs to have some financial security to justify putting his John Hancock on the dotted line.

At the end of the day, professional athletes have to make the same decision that any other gainfully employed person must make –are they being paid fairly for the service that they are offering? Most employees are evaluated annually, and subject to a compensation change that reflects performance (good or bad).

In the case of Johnson, he’s definitely earned the right to request such a lofty increase. For Russell, he’s simply saying that five years from now he'll have added more value to the storied Silver and Black franchise than the current offer reflects.

Now the question becomes whether or not their respective franchises are willing to place their bets at those prices.

Introducing the star of "The Natural II", Rick Ankiel

Last night Rick Ankiel saved the 2007 baseball season for me. No matter what team you are a fan of, this is exactly the kind of story that anyone can get behind and Ankiel is the kind of guy anyone can root for.

For Cardinals fans, it's especially gratifying. After last year's miracle, the team's biggest off-season aquisition Kip Wells (5-13) and the team made no significant upgrades on offense. Manager Tony LaRussa was arrested in March and charged with DUI and reliever Josh Hancock died in a car accident in which his blood-alcohol level was twice the legal limit. The reason Ankiel was called up from was because Scott Spiezio has left the team to address alcohol and drug abuse. Consider the Cardinals 53-59 record, and this isn't exactly the kind of team that's easy to root for.

But Ankiel has once again made it okay to be a fan of the Redbirds. Even if he doesn't hit another major league home run and never makes it as a major league outfielder, Ankiel and the Cardinals fans will always have memories of last nights three-run home run. Unless you're a fan of the Red Sox or Yankees, you're not going to be in contention every year. That's what makes this story important -- sure, the Cardinals next team meeting may be an AA meeting, but at least now there is something we can root for.

A-Rod Goes Deep... finally

Big congratulations should go out to Alex Rodriguez, who finally hit his 500^th home run after a week of frustration. This is a guy who constantly seems to be on the wrong side of fan and media ridicule. It’s just bizarre to me how someone plays the game so well, never complains, has never been arrested or been credibly accused of steroid use, yet it while Derek Jeter can do no wrong, A-Rod is under constant scrutiny.

Baseball, more than any other sport, needs a group of players to perform well and have chemistry in order to win championships. The Yankees primary problem the last few seasons has been their inability to have stable pitching, both in the rotation and in the bullpen. Admittedly, A-Rod didn't have very good postseasons in 2005 and 2006, but one man’s slump shouldn’t bring down an entire team – especially a team with that kind of payroll.

The next question that needs to be asked is “How many superstars would willingly give up their position to play another one?” Alex Rodriguez willingly moved to third base, even though he won Gold Gloves in 2002 and 2003 at shortstop, Jeter's position. Jeter didn't win his first Gold Glove until Rodriguez was a teammate.

To be fair, A-Rod has made a couple of glaring mistakes. There was his bush-league slap of Bronson Arroyo in the 2004 ALCS, and talking about how hard he works during one spring training – bringing howls of laughter from members of the Red Sox. He also made some tabloid headlines this season, appearing in a picture with a woman (not his wife) exiting a strip club in Toronto.

There is no way to justify his first mistake. The second was a stupid quote, which may have been taken in the wrong context. In the third case, the New York tabloids are notorious for rumor-mongering and not always being the most reliable of sources. Overall, none of these mistakes should be career-killers, or permanently scar his PR image.

A-Rod still has a good five to seven years of high-level baseball left in him. He could be the first man to hit 800 runs, and also has a chance to get to 3,000 hits. Why would the media and fans be so quick to dump on a guy like this?

The Yankees appear to be smart enough to know what their future is – they broke a long tradition by negotiating with a player in the middle of the season. Unfortunately, in the process the franchise may have burned two guys who’ve won championships with the Yankees: Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera. These two were never afforded the same opportunity.

Losing two championship level players, even if they are on the older side, could cripple this team's psyche. Yet if the Yankees don’t sign A-Rod, they may not have a future.

NBA Schedule A Mixed Bag

Where have you gone, Utah Jazz? Of course you could be accused of having an easy road to the Western Conference finals, but the counter argument is that the Cleveland Cavaliers didn't exactly play dominant competition on their way to the NBA Finals. Yet the Jazz will make zero appearances on ABC this season. And they get a whopping four appearances on ESPN, all on the road. They make two other appearances on TNT at home. This for a team that looks to be on the rise, with a solid core and a budding superstar in point guard Deron Williams. Even the Seattle Sonics, who weren't close to sniffing the playoffs, are making more appearances.

I guess the positive is that Miami and Los Angeles won't be the Christmas day game, and instead we get a tripleheader; but of course the Lakers and Heat still have to be involved. I can't say I'm not a huge Spurs fan, but it's an insult that they aren't playing in a marquee Christmas Day game once again. Like it or not, they are the NBA champs and deserve some respect. It's bad enough the fans don't give Tim Duncan and crew their due, but for the league to give teams like Boston, Seattle, Los Angeles, Miami and Cleveland a similar amount of nationally televised games is pretty bad.

Still, giving Seattle and Portland a few nationally televised games is good for the league so people can see these guys. I think they'll get a great chance to show their talents on Christmas night on ESPN when they play each other. This is one of the positive parts of the schedule, in that Portland and Seattle won't always be buried with start times that will only be seen by west coast viewers.

Considering the schedule was originally supposed to come out on Tuesday, it's obvious the trade involving Boston radically changed which games would be on what stations. I think it's an amazing coincidence that Phoenix and San Antonio's first nationally televised game against each other is March 9. Of course, this provides more than enough time to forget last year's playoffs and the Tim Donaghy game, which might still be fresh on everyone's mind in the middle of November. Their other games are November 17th and April 9th. The April 9th game will also be nationally televised, on ESPN.

So we're only about three months away from the NBA season getting back under way. The question is whether people can put aside the Donaghy scandal and believe what they're seeing is on the level.

Celtics to be interesting at the very least

Even though I'm not quite ready to jump on the Boston Celtics bandwagon after the Kevin Garnett trade, I would like to make sure there's a spot for me there next March. While I'm not yet sure this team is championship material, they have become the most interesting storyline going into next season.

The threesome of Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen is as good as any in the NBA, but the Celtics will need an unproven group of players to quickly become role players if they are going to contend for a title.

After Tuesday's trade the Celtics only have 11 players under contract for 2007, three of which are rookies (Glen Davis, Gabe Pruitt and the undrafted Brandon Wallace). If the season started tomorrow their All-Star trio would be joined by Rajon Rondo (6.4 points, 3.8 assists per game in 2006-07) and Kendrick Perkins (4.5 points, 5.2 rebounds per game in 06-07) in the starting lineup. Their most experienced backup would be Brian Scalabrine, who averaged 4.0 points per game last year.

Maybe Danny Ainge did his job already, maybe this team is just suppossed to be more interesting than they have been for past 15 years. But for the Celtics to join echelon of elite NBA teams, they may need to do better than Rondo and Perkins.

Top 5 Ways the AFL can Improve Themselves

Earlier this week, I wrote about the Arena Bowl, and my disappointment in it. You may have gathered that I think there is a lot the league can do to improve itself. Some of these thigns are game-related. Some have to do with presentation. Here are five of the biggest ways the AFL can make themselves better.

1. More games nationally televised - This is an easy one. The NFL Network lost NFL Europa and in my opinion should be desperate to get some more original programming on the air, particularly in the NFL off-season. At least NBATV shows some NBDL, FIBA, and WNBA games. With the good will built between the two leagues anyway, I don’t see why the NFL Network can’t begin airing a Friday and/or weekend game. I think this would help both leagues out, and give more fans a chance to see what the Arena league is all about.

2. Better officiating - I can’t tell you how many times I watched an AFL game and saw a bad call made. These guys might actually be worse than NBA referees, although I’m not sure if it’s incompetence or lack of attention to detail. Whatever the reason, the AFL must do something so that the teams win the games, not the officials.

3. Acknowledge the past - If you watched any of ESPN’s broadcast, you would have had a hard time figuring out that this league has been around for just over two decades. And while ESPN Classic has shown a few classic games, I think the AFL should talk about the great legacy left by some of its best, be it on their website or during game broadcasts. By acknowledging the impact of former AFL alumni like Kurt Warner and Rashied Davis on the NFL, they will only make the AFL look better.

4. Focus on the other players more - This is also an easy one. A lot of time is paid to talking about how important the quarterbacks are to this league. And most of the time, those are the guys being interviewed on ESPN after touchdowns – Damien Harrell and Bobby Sippio are probably the lone exceptions. I’d like to see interviews with the defensive backs talking about having short memories after touchdowns. I want to hear linemen discuss how protections change and how a faster pace affects them. How ‘bout the fullback and what his role is with the offense? I would even talk to the kickers, because their role is a lot tougher. The crossbar coming off the ground is higher and the width of the goalposts is significantly smaller as well. Finally, this leads to…

5. More coverage of the AFL by the broadcast partners - I understand that the AFL is nowhere near the popularity of the NFL and is way short of MLB, the NBA, NASCAR, and probably the PGA, too. The least I ask for is pre- and post-game shows. A lot of these interviews with current players can take place here. People can also find out what’s going on around the league and see some highlights instead of having to flip over to ESPNews, who might not even show a lot of what went on. I need pre-game, halftime, and post-game shows completely devoted to the AFL; not a Sportscenter halftime show which spends most of the time discussing other sporting events that we could find out about elsewhere.

I’m not quite sure what the impact of these changes would be on the AFL; I don't know if it would increase the fanbase or not. But I certainly think it could give the league a more professional look and a fighting chance to gain some credibility in a crowded sporting world.

Great Soccer: Not Playing in a Stadium Near You

David Beckham is officially a member of the Los Angeles Galaxy. He’s also the newest and most respected spokesman for Major League Soccer, the American equivalent of the world’s game. There’s just one problem — he’s no longer relevant enough for anyone outside of the already endangered-species-like community of futbol enthusiasts to care, making the potential $250 million deal perhaps the worst investment ever.

It’s not uncommon for a fledgling league to pursue a national or international star to bolster its appeal or notoriety among avid sports enthusiasts. The American Football League sought the highly touted Herschel Walker to affirm its presence, while sports like NASCAR and Major League Baseball have turned to established international prospects to substantiate their position as the most dominant leagues within their respective sports. However, the MLS has not only failed to pluck the most notable and respected international futbol player, they’ve chosen the one who has been criticized as “Americanizing” the game too much already, and having corrupted the fundamental integrity and traditional fiber of the sport Pele made famous.

The 32-year-old Beckham struggled to make his native country’s (England) World Cup team during the most recent tournament in 2006, fails to rank in the top five of most experts’ rankings of his position, and was even rumored to be a tough sell to make a top ten list by most analysts.

International players such as Brazil’s attacker Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima, or Madrid’s striker, Raul Gonzalez Blanco possess the talent level and skill set to create a buzz among futbol’s fanatics, but the MLS and the L.A. Galaxy declined to pursue substance and quality, instead going for glitz and glamor in Beckham – an individual that has yet to score 20 career goals.

Why’d they do it?

Perhaps the answer resides in the national media craze Beckham created with his announcement and arrival on American shores as the “savior” of soccer.

Perhaps it’s the A-list celebrities like Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith or Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes that graced the red carpet at Beckham’s welcoming party; making it resemble a typical silver-screen blockbuster premiere.

Perhaps the MLS realized that the star power of Beckham – as well as his wife Victoria, the former international pop-star member of the Spice Girls – offers an appeal and enticement to a demographic that isn’t necessarily concerned with the on-field abilities of the English midfielder, but the exact opposite. Whatever the reason for the contract that dwarfs those given to both Alex Rodriguez and Kevin Garnett for their record-breaking deals, the MLS, L.A. Galaxy and especially Beckham have a responsibility to their waiting and dwindling fan base. That responsibility is a quality product; and unfortunately that movie isn’t coming to a theater or stadium near them anytime soon, thanks to Beckham being the leading man rather than a more qualified talent.

Juiced - The Sad Story of a Bruised Ego

They say Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. I suppose it's possible that before a creepy-big regimen of steroids, Jose Canseco was a woman. I think it's more likely he's just scorned, in which case perhaps we should rewrite the old adage - Hell hath no fury like a steroid-abusing megalomaniac scorned.

Imagine the consternation - you were the self-perceived pioneer of steroids in baseball. You helped the man who saved baseball juice up to his full potential; you saw he and others who followed in your wake celebrated and honored as you are vilified and (ultimately) laughed/unceremoniously shoved out of the game. So you publish a book and call them all out.

Great - the focus is back on you, with your giant ego and your nasty, sewer-rat stink. But then Congress (yeah, the US Congress - who would believe it?!) gets involved. They investigate - hey! some of that crap you spewed was true - they interrogate and are lied to, ignored and disrespected ("I have never used steroids. Period!" said Rafael Palmeiro as he hastily pocketed the needle sticking out of his ass; "No hablo inglés," said Sammy Sosa). Barry Bonds is suddenly on the doorstep of 755 and - surprise, surprise - everyone ignores you again.

Why be shocked? If they can ignore the first man to go 40-40, an MVP, why not a pumped-up, whistle-blowing, self-serving steroid advocate? But you were shocked; are shocked. And you needed a way to get some attention back. Don't they know you told the truth in your book? (in some parts, anyway) Don't they respect the fact that you were the only one to come "clean" about baseball's dirt?

No - because we know you did it for yourself. Not to clean up the game, not to tell the youth of America about the dangers of drug abuse - if that was the goal, why tell us steroids are good for you if used appropriately? It was a money-making ploy, and attention-getting play, and even if you told the truth we saw you for what you are.

And now, you want us to believe you have "stuff" on A-Rod - but you want us to wait for your new book to come out to find out precisely what this "stuff" is. Is it steroids? "Wait and see." And you want us to like you; you want us to believe you...

If you didn't pick up on this yet, Reader X, I'm not convinced on this one. If it is steroids, why not hint that? Hell, why not say that - it's bound to increase book sales. So I wouldn't really believe it, but here's the problem... Everyone's so scared of crossing themselves up by defending a cheater that even A-Rod's teammates and manager won't really say anything to defend him directly:

"I just hope he thinks about not ruining someone's life, marriage, or whatever he plans on doing," Damon said. "If that's what Jose Canseco wants to be remembered for, so be it.

"To me, Alex is a great teammate who will always respect the game, play the game right and work hard. He loves the game, so hopefully nothing that can ruin a family or something comes out. ... Hopefully (Canseco will) think twice about it."

Sure don't sound like denials or defenses. Sounds like a couple of guys hedging their bets. A-Rod himself had nothing to say, which is probably the best approach - don't dignify it with a response; if it's true you're a liar, if it's not there's no reason to engage.

But that's what Jose has really done - destroyed everyone's faith in baseball. From fans to owners to coaches to players, nobody wants to assume that anyone is clean. And that - not Bonds, not Canseco, not Selig - is where baseball's true problem lies. It's going to take an awful lot of work to earn that trust back - not just the trust of an outside group of fans, but trust within the great big locker room that is Major League Baseball.

How's that investigation going, George Mitchell?

Arena Bowl Doesn't Measure Up

As an AFL fan, I was looking forward to the game even if the Chicago Rush weren't involved. I expected an exciting game between the San Jose SaberCats and Columbus Destroyers that would make up for the poor coverage ABC would clearly deliver.

Unfortunately, the only thing I got right was how bad ABC's coverage was. We'll get into that shortly. But first, Columbus clearly was not in San Jose's league today. It was clear from the first quarter that San Jose would win this game. Mark Grieb, the quarterback of the SaberCats who would go on to win M.V.P, picked apart the Destroyers' defense all game long. The defense may have collectively deserved the M.V.P even more. If you want to see good defensive back play, look no farther than the Cats. They hounded the Destroyers' wideouts all game long.

And quarterback Matt Nagy losing his composure in the second quarter – when the game was still close – did not help Columbus either.

The big story here is that San Jose has established a mini-dynasty in the AFL: three Arena Bowls in six years. While they aren't the sexiest city or the media haven of a New York, they are a quality franchise; and with Coach Darren Arbet leading the team to the future, there's no reason to think they won't win another one.

The coverage of the game itself was quite atrocious. There were a great deal of technical problems with the microphones. Also, if you're going to have the players mic'd up, then either let everything go or dump the mics. Moments of silence because a player or coach swears is extremely distracting. There were also replays that were cut short by the start of the action. Skycam was not used near enough on replays. The "player tracker" lines were essentially useless, because we can all see where the players are going and didn't need to see lines showing that.

Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic do a pretty good radio show, but they call a horrible game. They seemed way too concerned about explaining the rules of the AFL, something that I don't need to know because I watch games every week. This is a league that's been around for 21 years and has had national coverage for most of that time. I'm sure people have at least a decent understanding of how the game is played, and instead of hearing about the rules, I want to know what is going on in the game itself. If people are sampling the game, then let them figure the rules out for themselves. Also, they can go to wikipedia, arenafootball.com, or arenafan.com to get the rules if they're that curious. No other network spends that much time explaining the rules of a sport. ESPN should stop treating fans like morons and just show the games.

Overall, this season has been a frustrating one. ESPN did a terrible job covering the league this season as games were buried in poor time slots. Not to mention only having one national game per week. They had no decent pre or post-game coverage to give fans a taste of what's going on in the league on a consistent basis. The four letter network can spend hours and hours debating "Who's Now?" or "Who's being arrested?" but they can't spend more than five minutes on a decently run league with a fans' bill of rights and games that are usually very exciting.

It's too bad Arena Bowl XXI couldn't show what this league can be all about.

Briggs saga shows a unique side of sports

I'm glad Lance Briggs is going to play for the Bears this season. Looking back now, I feel silly for ever doubting he would accept the Bears franchise offer of $7.2 million. Maybe it was when he said, "I'll do everything that's within my power to not be with this organization." Or maybe it was when he said, "I am now prepared to sit out the year if the Bears don't trade me or release me, I've played my last snap for them. I'll never play another down for Chicago again." Really, how could I think he wouldn't play in Chicago this season?

I usually try to avoid comparing an athletes job with a more conventional job, but I can't help it on this one. At almost any job if you said these things, you would be told where the door is and given a map showing the quickest route to said door. Of course, Lance Briggs doesn't have just any job.

I think more than anything this shows that when it comes down to it, sports is nothing more than a business. With the contracts the Bears have given Charles Tillman and Nathan Vasher as well as Tommie Harris due for a raise sometime soon, there's no way this team is going to keep Briggs beyond 2007. Hopefully $7.2 million is enough compensation for Briggs not to feel too awkward about this mess. Excuse me while I go tell my job I'll do everything in my power not to be with them.

The three little commissioners and the big bad controversy

The month of July is usually reserved for meaningless trade deadline talk in baseball and the arrival of training camp in football. This year, that is not the case – there is enough action in each of the three major sports to keep us busy well into each sport's respective season. There is a wide of array of controversies that range from dog fighting, gambling and a commissioner that until recently has not been able to simply make up his mind. It seems that daily there is another black eye besmirching sports that makes us wonder why we are even sports fans to begin with. The three commissioners in question are Roger Goodell, David Stern and Bud Selig, and they all have unique situations to deal with. The three respective "leaders" in each sport also have their own ways of dealing with and doling out the proper judgment.

The Barry Bonds home run train is currently back home in San Francisco, and so is Bud Selig. The major question surrounding the chase for the all-time home run record has been whether the commissioner would even be in attendance when Barry Bonds broke Henry Aaron's record of 755 homers. The indecisive Selig may still get a reprieve from having to photo-op with Bonds if the latter is able to finish the chase while the commissioner is in Cooperstown for the Hall of Fame festivities this weekend. If that does not happen and the always nervous looking Selig is forced to face his maker and congratulate the new home run king, then that will make for interesting television at the very least. This saga is far from over; but, it is just another black eye on a commissioner that has let baseball down again and again.

While Bud Selig merely faces a P.R. nightmare, David Stern, the commissioner of the NBA, has to take on a problem that had bedeviled sports for as long as I can remember. Gambling, and its inevitable trappings. When the news came out that referee Tim Donaghy had allegedly helped fix games in an attempt to clear gambling debts with the mafia. The news did not surprise many - there has always been a cloud of suspicion over the NBA because of television ratings, star treatment and highly questionable calls by past referees that have raised an eyebrow or two. Is there anything that David Stern can do? The answer will satisfy few. There is really very little he can do; Stern cannot go back in time and correct the situation before, say, Game Three of the Western Conference semi-finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the Phoenix Suns. It is unlikely we will ever know the extent to which Tim Donaghy fixed or manipulated games. The NBA will have to earn their already shaky trust back one game at a time.

The problem that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has is to determine whether he has the power to suspend a player that has no criminal record, and have it stick without a fight. Although it may the easiest of the three controversies, because dog fighting and the cruel acts of torture that Vick and co-defendants are accused of is completely indefensible. It will be easier to force a season-long suspension on Vick with little public outcry. Of course, it doesn't hurt that the players union will not stand in the commissioner's way, and will likely go hand in hand with the league down the road to justice.

Sports used to be a way out of our daily grind. A chance to forget our problems and take two or three hours with our friends and family to just not worry about anything other than making sure our team won. It is obvious that the current major-sport commissioners have very different problems and very different ways of dealing them. I think Roger Goodell's brick house will stand the test of time – he has shown the fortitude to do what is right; to make sure that his game is as clean as he can keep it. David Stern's stick house might be about to get blown over by a controversy that few can survive. The issue of gambling is the most deadly in sports, and can damage a fan's trust in that sport forever. Not to be forgotten, Bud Selig's house of straw is already lying in a heap on the ground. This players union patsy has never shown the courage to do what is best for the game of baseball. There is a reason that the NFL is king in the sports world.

I'll bet $20 on a new NBA gambling policy

Maybe I'm wrong, but I just don't buy this Tim Donaghy scandal as that big of a deal. Of course I don't think officials should be betting on NBA games that they participate in, but at the same time I've come to accept that gambling is part of professional sports. Just like I've come to accept that many of my favorite athletes probably used steroids and that Covell Crisp changed his name to Coco to get ladies.

It's not that the whole thing doesn't bother me, but I was much more outraged by having to watch the Spurs and Cavs in the NBA finals. Stern will announce some new policy in the next couple of weeks and we won't hear about gambling in the NBA for a while, but it will still be there. It will ALWAYS be there. Hopefully the NBA will spend just as much time on things that can be fixed, like competitive balance and playoff reseeding.

Changing Jobs

By Andrea Beaver

Let me ask you all a question. If you were unhappy with your job what would you do? We've all been there at least once in our lives. The last time I was unhappy in a job I started looking for a new one, interviewed and ultimately found something new that made me happier. It happens every day all over the world.

So what's the big deal about Dale Earnhardt Jr. finding a new team to race for in 2008? All kinds of people kept saying that he didn't have the "tools" to win a championship. Even Dale Jr. said he didn't have the equipment to win races and championships. So what did he do?

He went looking for a new team to race for, interviewed and found a new place to race where he felt he would not only have the tools to win races and championships but where he would be happy.

So why are so many people so divided about Dale Jr. doing something that millions of us do every couple of years on an average?

There are the obvious reasons. He's the four-time most popular driver in NASCAR. He is driving (at least until the end of the '07 season) for the team his father founded and that ultimately bares his name as well.

Let's face it; some hard core die hard fans feel it's a betrayal for Jr. to leave his father's team. If your name is on it you should race for the team for your entire life. It's sacrilege to race for any other team. And to go to the "enemy" and race for Hendrick Motorsports is beyond comprehension.

Change. There are many of us who hate to make or see change. All is right with the world for many with Dale Jr. in the Number 8 DEI red Budweiser car. Anything else is just not acceptable.

But let me ask you a question. Would you stay at a job where you saw no chance for advancement or success? I know some people are happy where they are. But many of us would go on to find something that at very least would make us happy. That is exactly what Dale Earnhardt Jr. has done.

Junior didn't feel like he had the equipment or opportunity to win more races and that elusive first championship at DEI. He wasn't completely happy. So he talked to teams, essentially interviewed, and found a new team to race for in 2008. A team that he apparently felt that he could not only win races with but championships with. A job that would make him happy. How could anyone deny anyone, even Dale Earnhardt Jr., the chance to be happy with his job?

Only $599,900,000 to go

Weird things happen when your team hasn't won a World Series in almost a century. Things like letsbuythecubbies.com, a new website that is giving Cubs fans a chance to purchase the team at the end of the season. You can go to the site and make a non-obligated pledge of as much as 100 shares at $200 a share for a chance to own a piece of your favorite team.

As of this writing the website has accumulated $100,000 of pledges, well short of the $600 million or so the team is likely to sell for. That means that at this point the website has about as good a chance of owning the team as a third party candidate does in the presidential election, or about the same chance of the Cubs actually winning a World Series.

And while the idea is not without charm, there are problems. If the fans own the team, then who will they blame when the team inevitably underachieves? Oh yeah, and will Pabst be sponsoring all ownership meetings?

Are you a believer?

Are you one of those Cub fans that are wearing the wristbands that say "It's gonna happen"? I didn't even know those type of things were around, this early at least, until I saw a Cub fan decked out in a local bar with this around his arm.

I am hesitant to jump on the Cub playoff – dare I say World Series? – bandwagon, too. Being a life long Cub fan I have learned to be weary, and to question whether my team actually has a shot to do the unthinkable. The unthinkable, you ask... yes, bring a World Series title to the Northside. Yeah, it was nice when our rivals to the south won theirs in 2005; but, c'mon... the celebration that would take place in this city for a Cubs championship would rival that of the 1985 Bears.

The Chicago Cubs continue to amaze with the different ways they find to win a game. The daily line-up changes that manager Lou Piniella has had to endure due to suspension and injury; the bullpen, which has gone from a major weakness in April to a strength thanks to the emergence of Carlos Marmol. If someone would have have told me during the beginning of the season that the Chicago Cubs would be in this position – only two and a half games out of first place, and seriously contending – I would not have believed them; but now, you can call me a believer and the next three months will be electric on the Northside.

Should Mike Vick be suspended?

Absolutely... Positively... NO!!!! Have we all forgotten that an individual is innocent until proven guilty? Despite the water bottle incident, Mike Vick has had no real transgressions off the field that would rival anything near the likes of a Pacman Jones, a Chris Henry or a Tank Johnson. If Roger Goodell wants to suspend the quarterback, then the players union must step up and show a backbone that has been previously missing.

Bloggin' with the Chicago Sports Review

What is a blog of a review? Well, that's an interesting question, my curious friend.

Since our main page is already a home for opinionated pieces on virtually anything in sports, clearly this blog is not here to be that. Instead, the hope is to let our writers or contributors address minutia - respond to games, nitpick about things, and generally engage the blogosphere in an ongoing discussion about sports (Chicago-based or otherwise.) We hope you enjoy it, and we hope you comment on it.

And that's it... no more rules. At least, I'll hold off on establishing any further rules until somebody breaks one.

Thanks for popping by, and keep your ear to the grindstone... or something...