Inner Workings

It's hot outside, damn hot. I've run, hit, and covered many individuals in this heat. That's part of training camp. It's not so much the physical aspect of  it that makes it hard, the mental phase of it is what is key. For me being in shape was never a problem, I stayed in shape year round. Learning from veterans like Aaron Glenn and Shannon Sharpe, that is what it took to last in the NFL. This Albert Haynesworth debacle is very confusing to me. So instead of looking at the surface of it, I tried to look a little deeper. Going back to Albert's Titan days , you have a young man with tons of ability and athleticism. When motivated he is unstoppable. Yet he has been injury prone, mentally unstable, and seems to at times live in his own world. He hasn't played 16 games since 2002. What is his deal ? Is he himself a  puzzle or just a puzzled human being ?

I'm sure if you ask any coach in the NFL there would be no question that Haynesworth is the most gifted D-Lineman in the game today. They would also say he is thus far the most disappointing one too. Throughout his career he only showed flashes of what he could do. but come contract time we all saw what he is capable of doing and the dominance associated with it. No one had a chance containing Haynesworth throughout this run. Even when he had to play a second season and attain many incentives requested by the Titans, he did that easily as well. Motivation ? Money of course. Did he help the Titans overall by actually showing up and doing his job ? Yes. Was he truly interested in the team ? No. That has come to light shiny and bright now. It's selfish, it's arrogant, and it's disgusting to watch.

Ok, has Coach Shanahan gone a bit too far with this conditioning test thing ? Probably. And that is only because he has blasted Albert in the media everyday. But to Mike's defense, did Albert not do the same thing to the Redskin organization ? He pretty much spit in the coaches face, Snyder's face, and his teammates face. Almost seems like he doesn't care. What he isn't understanding is that everyone is moving on without him. Although the team would like to have him, it's clear by some of his teammates responses they are working and preparing as if he is not going to be there. Seriously,  Albert can pass the test if he wants to. I've seen guys with less ability do it year after year. No excuse. This isn't about the test, it's about Albert and yet another example of entitlement, and him thinking the world owes him something.

Think about it, he plays his way to a huge contract. He is being sued, he had an affair, the woman is pregnant or whatever, he complains about the defense changing and that the Redskins lied to him. Word ? Clearly he has not taken notice that the NFL is full of lies. Of course they will tell you what you want  to hear in order to sign you. Catch is, once you're under contract that organization owns you. Especially for that amount of money. The other side of that is the black ball effect. He has been defiant of the change the organization is making. What happen to showing everyone you have changed Albert ? That it's not about the money ? That was all a lie, and part of your politically correct  scandal to get paid. You're not interested in winning a championship, if that were true he'd still be in Tennessee.

Coming off of the 2003 year, I had 7 INT's which was the best year of my career. Dom Capers wanted to move me to safety to have more athleticism on the field. Now, I could have thrown a fit and made a spectacle out of it, but I didn't. Because it's not about me. It was about the team, and doing my part to help us get better. Nothing more.So I made the move. Does it mean I liked it or felt indifferent about the situation ?  No, it doesn't. I was only one small part of the over all goal. Individual pride has a small place in team sports. Very small. Doesn't matter how much money you make, or how talented you are, when it comes down to it, the team comes first.

This is a much deeper issue that only Albert can figure out. Something inside of him that gives him the idea or justifies that he can act this way. All players want to achieve  individual success, that is what makes some greater than others. Not to the point where it comes before  teammates. He has to take an introspective point of view. He really needs to decide if this is what he wants to do. Right now he seems a little confused at life. So me personally I'm not gonna pass judgment on him, It's not my place. He does need to nip this in the bud quickly and save face for himself. The team will move on, the organization will move on and he will be forgotten. He will only be brought up in conversations of those that got paid and quit. So Albert, is that what you want your legacy to be ? A failure, a quitter.

Pasing The Buck

It's always amazing to me how people with little or no "real" experience comment or write on certain subjects. Which is why I think some of the comments being written or said about college players taking money or going to parties is completely ridiculous. Of the people saying anything about it, how many have been in the same position as these kids ? Do they know what it's like to be in there position ? Sure, they may have an idea, but do they really know ? Do they know anything about these kids backgrounds or family situations ? Financial situation ? I think not.

I'm from Monroe, Louisiana. Monroe and West Monroe combined has a population of 13,250. Where I lived was still pretty segregated. Not even 5-10 minutes or so away was a house or town hall where Klan rallies were held. I know for a fact there were drug transactions going on at the house next door to me and on the other side of the street about 10 houses down. My parents worked very hard to take care of me. They sacrificed a lot to make sure I was staying out of trouble. In my neighborhood it wasn't, "when I grow up I wanna be a pro sports player, or doctor", or anything like that. It was be the Scarface of the neighborhood, and then the city. Thats not me saying it for someone, these are people I hung around everyday, they were my friends. Fortunately for me, my mom and dad decided to move to Dallas because they could see what was going on. And it saved me, it gave me opportunity, to be something.

I read an article that was in the sporting news that said, the kids are the real culprits. They are cheaters not victims. It also made reference to the comment Nick Saban made that "using runners to entice kids to take money, gifts and other benefits while still in school is ridiculous and it's entrapment for young people at a difficult time in their life." This person's response to that was, they are college level athletes, "the big men on campus", are brought into a multi-million environment where they are treated like kings, so if being a college football player is the difficult time in their lives someone on campus isn't doing their job right. There are parts of this I agree with and other parts not so much.

Yes these kids, just as I was once, are brought into situations where they have the opportunity to create a life for themselves. Whether it be sports or something else, a free ride is a free ride, and college educations don't come free. Agreed. Now being the "big man on campus", that doesn't happen to everyone. Sure you're known just because of the media and the schools itself putting it out there, but unless you are a stud star player, you're just another kid on scholarship. And as mentioned in the article, these kids being plucked from terrible domestic situations, how do you think they are going to respond to fame, money, and catering of all sorts. Do these people think all of a sudden the kids understand how to manage these issues when arriving on campus ? All of a sudden, straight laced "student athletes." Most kids that come from these situations see only one thing, a way out and a way to take care of their families. Period. A small portion may realize that life is more than sports, however, that comes to light when they go from high school star to a back up.

Student athletes bring in infinite amounts of money for universities. I know the response is, "we provide a place for you to grow and we present opportunity." I agree. Problem with that, is these athletes see the huge amounts of money steadily being piped into these schools. Many times over than the $40,000 used to pay for a scholarships. And for the record, between 3% and 6% of high school seniors who play on their schools major sports teams can expect to make it on an NCAA roster as freshmen. 85 scholarships a year are allotted for football, lets just multiply that times $40,000 and you get $3,400,000. University of Texas, on their own, cleared a $65 million profit in 2008-2009. Thats 20% up from the previous year. The athletes see this, I definitely saw it. Just like me and other athletes that played in college, we ask ourselves do we deserve more.

I can speak from these kids position. Seeing the chance to make it to the NFL. And thats all it is, is a chance. 1% of college football players make it to the NFL. A chance to get some extra trips or cash just in case doesn't sound so bad considering the odds. If you're projected to be a high round draft pick, the money is just fronted. College players are governed by a different set of rules. I agree with that too. But to think that any player in college wouldn't at least be enticed at the opportunity, by a runner or agent flashing some cash and them taking it is crazy. Colleges do the same thing in some form to get recruits. Even if a kid does take the money, why does the NCAA care ? They surely aren't missing out if a kid takes a $300 dollar airline ticket, or even if a kid did take $100 grand. The NCAA just signed a 14 year $11 billion dollar deal. Word ?

I do agree that some agents and runners go to great lengths to get athletes signed. The kids are not out there chasing them down, the agents and runners are chasing them. So to just flat out punish a kid, and the school for being around is ridiculous. If this was a new issue at hand, I'd understand. This is not a new problem, and it will continue. Question is how big is it going to get and who is gonna regulate what. Student athletes are responsible for abiding by NCAA rules. However instead of solely blaming the athlete, the NCAA and NFL need to step in and do something about it. When it comes down to it, these organizations are the ones who let them in anyway. So what are they responsible for ? Where is their accountability ? They are definitely passing the buck in more ways than one on this one.

Is It Worth It ?

In light of the NFL season getting underway, the huss and buss of negotiations, rumors, and money transactions are taking place. Some of these dealings aren't worth the breathe used to talk about them. On the other hand there are some issues going on that need to and needed to be addressed. Question is, are they worth it ? For some teams and players yes, for some no. Here are a couple that I'm keeping close watch on now and during the season.

I'm gonna get it out the way. Brad Childress made his annual high school recruiting trip down to the crooked letter to check on Baby Brett. Attending a 7 on 7 camp, I'm sure Brett was throwing in, Childress is no doubt wanting an answer or even already knows the answer. Wait, how old is Brett again ? How long has he played ? Why does daddy need to make a trip down to do a check up ? I find this whole Farve issue continuing to get more disgusting the longer it goes on. Can't wait till the TV series comes out. If there are any directors out there here are some good names. Befuddled Brett, Banking on Brett, or The Puzzle. If I were a Vikings player, let alone one of the other quarterbacks, I'd be pissed. The entire organization is waiting on him. Selfish. Does he not understand he is toying with people's livelihood ? Uh hello ! Dude, just make a decision get into to camp at some point and play football. That's what you said you "love" to do isn't it ? Well do it. The longer he waits the more turmoil the team is in. And what if he says no. Sure, there is a back up plan but the entire dynamics of the offense changes. Especially with Tarvaris Jackson and Sage "Helicopter" Rosenfels. TheVikings need and deserve a decision now.

I read an article stating the Rams need to take a stand against Tom Condon and the negotiating tactics he's using to get a deal for QB Sam Bradford. Basically saying instead of paying him a large sum of money that most number 1 picks have gotten, be firm because they are only obligated to offer him the minimum $ 320,000. Word ? The NFL is trying to break the cycle of how players are paid. The formula is extremely backwards. Money is being fronted on potential as opposed to how well they play. This has been a topic that has gone nowhere but in circles for years. But can the Rams really make a stand ? I understand the business side of it, and organizations want to spend as little as possible and still make the player feel he has been taken care of. However, I think even with an uncapped year, a possible lock out, there is no way they can shun Bradford or the fans of St. Louis. It will definitely looks as though they are not serious about winning. It's almost a slap in the face to the fans and the team. They need a franchise QB in St. Louis so they better suck it up and pay him. If not, people will turn their backs on them, and not take them seriously. Unfortunately thats the situation they are in.

Bob Sanders is a very good player. Nope I'm not saying it, he's not a great player. Great players are around. Not missing 13-14 games a year because of injuries. Now there are reports he may not be able to play again. Indy of course just says his rehab is slow. How slow could it be ? He hasn't played since week 16 ! It's time to cut ties with Sanders. And even though he took a pay cut, he has not played up to what his contract was worth. As far as the reports, I've done years of research on injuries and how different ailments heal. His injuries happen to often and they do not seem to heal in the correct manner. Based off of what I know the report could have some validity to it. The Colts still went to the Super Bowl without him, I just wonder what they are holding on to.

The Tennessee Titans and Chris Johnson have worked out a deal for the upcoming year until one is done long term. NFL Player of the year, the teams most productive offensive player, the main scoring presence, I say he is do. It's said they are talking through some issues and it will get done. Sounds good, but considering the economic status, don't be shocked if the team pulls something fishy. Just look at how the Texans are doing Owen Daniels ! Talk about no loyalty, wow ! The Titans will not find another guy like Johnson, they know that. Right now the negotiations seem to be going in a positive manner. let's see if they stay that way.