Bob McNair, gentleman, philanthropist, businessman, family man. All the qualities every man acquires to possess during our short time here on this little planet. But what measures or decisions helped Mr. McNair become the man he is ? Where does his guidance come from ? In his business ventures what persuades him one way or the other to stay in a deal or cash out ? We don't know the answers to these questions, but his track record has shown a high success rate at doing it.
It leads me to wonder though if Mr. McNair is getting a case of the Lou Pai's. For those of you that don't know or have forgotten, Lou Pai was CEO of Enron Energy Services and Enron Xcelerator. Before the poo hit the fan with the whole Enron thing, Lou or "Louie", went all in and left Enron with over $250 million dollars. We know Mr. McNair is not leaving as owner of the Texans franchise, but with this latest move to fly to New York and hold a "meeting" with Roger Goodell puts him out there a bit.
We all know what's going on with Brian Cushing. We know the history and the excuses being made by him assuring us he did not cheat. Honestly, I hope he didn't. It seems like the facts, real facts, are against him. First, tumors caused the positive test for HCG. But according to Long Island doctor Gary Wadler, who by the way works for the World Anti Doping Agency, said "If he had tumors that produced HCG, he wouldn't be playing football. He would be under treatment for a malignant tumor. Malignant testicular tumors producing HCG are rather lethal. It is a fairly aggressive tumor and you're not playing in the NFL with one." Guess that kills that excuse. Next, we have "overtrained athlete syndrome". This according to Cushing and his "people", caused a hormonal spike which caused him to test positive for HCG. According to Mark Jenkins, MD, overtrained athlete syndrome consists of the following. Moodiness, easily irritated, depression, loss of desire to be competitive and enthusiastic, decreased appetite, weight loss, muscular soreness, and increased frequency of viral illnesses. Wonder if he means STDs ? Sorry got a little sidetracked. Also increased incidence of injuries, and decrease in testosterone. Now out of the 14 articles I read, they all were pretty much the same as this article. No where was a hormonal spike listed, in fact it was the opposite.
Which brings me back to Mr. McNair. Why would Mr. McNair, who I'm sure does his research, fly to New York to defend Cushing considering the facts that are stated by many other specialists and doctors ? I would like to know who these one or two doctors are that provided this information. And yes, before I go on, I do believe there are rare occurrences of things that happen with the human body. The human body is still not fully tapped in the field of science and medicine. So why is Mr. McNair willing to take the chance of looking foolish ? I think he realizes this is the year the Texans have a real chance of getting to the playoffs. And this is possibly a make or break year for Kubiak and Rick Smith.
After several 8-8 seasons and a 9-7 season last year, Mr. McNair can no longer stand mediocrity. He voiced his opinions about it last year, and has made it very clear this year. Him coming out from behind the shadows and doing something as public as this let's me know that he is tired of waiting. This is an example of him exhausting all of his efforts in order to help the organization. Even if he looks bad. He has always been involved, but he's never done anything like this.
I wish I was a fly on the wall in the meeting that took place yesterday. I'm almost wondering if some good ole boy whiskey drinking deal making went down. Kinda like the tv show Dallas. McNair is Jock, and Goodell is Cliff Barnes. The episode I'm referring to involves Jock wanting a plot of land for ewing oil, (playoffs for Texans) but barnes used funds (suspension), to stop ewing oil from getting the leases in order to drill. Jock was not happy and allowed Bobby to talk to Cliff, (Cushings people). But if he failed then they would do whatever they had to do, ( McNair flying to NY). Amazing how tv shows are so relatable to real life.
I see the suspension getting reduced to probably two games. Who knows what was said or agreed to during that meeting. What slanderous words were thrown around or blackmailing tactics were used. Or, maybe it was just a meeting of great minds trying to come to a common solution. As an important player for the Texans, is Cushing worth it ? Yes, he is. Only if he returns as the player he was last year. If not, then Cushing will be looked at as a cheater and a fool for sure, but Mr. McNair will look like the ultimate fool for believing him.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
HOF In or Out
The Hall Of Fame is a special honor. Every NFL player relishes the chance to be considered one of the greats to play the game, and the Hall Of Fame puts you at the pinnacle of the sport. There has been much debate on whether to consider "off the field" actions as a criteria for getting into the hall. There are specific rules put in place by the committee that gives them a gauge on how to vote. So why the debate ? Why do off the field actions matter ? They don't, and never should.
The rules specifically state, "The only criteria for election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame are a nominee's achievements and contributions as a player, coach, or contributor in professional football in the United States of America." Although the statement "contributions as a player" is open and subjective, it does not pertain to moral standards. It is clear it's in regards to the game itself. That's why I think there is no debate. It's like trying to turn crystal light into Kool Aid. Not gonna happen. Plus Kool Aid is better anyway.
If the law changes and moral standards are considered as part of the process, then it allows players who were average or mediocre to be elected. Does the character of a player represent the NFL in some way ? Absolutely ! I agree with that. That shouldn't make him a Hall of Fame candidate. This is another example of how the governing bodies of our country are trying to turn all sports into the ultimate YMCA league. Celebrating mediocrity. Everyone plays, so no matter how good or how bad, everyone achieves greatness and are the same. Horsepucky !! There is a huge difference between greatness and just being good. What's done on the field has nothing to do with how someone chooses to live his life. Given my inside presence of the game and first hand experience, most of the players elected to the hall might not be in right now.
Commissioner Goodell handles the character side of the NFL. That's where it should stay. Professional football is a game of imperfect human beings with individuality. That is in part what makes the game so great. That is what allows some players to be great and some average. There will always be a player with some kind of an issue. Some are more public than others. If those players perform at a high level for a sustained number of years, does his character matter ? No. From the owner all the way down to the water boy, the only thing is expected is to perform on the field and win. Period. That is what fans want as well. Even though owners want "high character" guys on their respective teams, that's not the main focus. So when owners come out and use that as a PR tool to fans to have them come out, it's a semi smoke screen.
Another issue that factors in is that instead of being judged on concrete numbers and play, everything will be subjective. I love peanut butter Twix. The other person may love snickers. The snickers may be put together better, hold it's shape and not melt as easily, but my melted Twix is really damn good. That's my personal opinion. So I prefer the messy sloppy Twix. And that's how the debate begins. The selection process is hard enough as it is already. Throwing personal opinions into the mix makes it that much harder. Which is why the way they select players should stay how it is. This isn't a popularity contest, who cares if the player is a nice upstanding guy all the time. If the player clearly performs at a higher level than others, that is all that matters. It's not fair if a guy gets elected in on borderline numbers and charity work.
Hopefully the committee will stand firm on the way they judge the hall. The format is one of a few things that has some validity to it because there are actual numbers and stats to back up the elected players. We as a people need and want to see greatness. Those that are lucky enough to have the opportunity, can have something to strive for individually as well as collectively winning a Super Bowl. The nature of sports is to be competitive and achieve greatness. Not striving for mediocrity. What kind of message does it send if the Hall Of Fame, associated with one of the greatest professional sports in the world is filled with average players with so so stats ? It makes it just that, so so.
The rules specifically state, "The only criteria for election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame are a nominee's achievements and contributions as a player, coach, or contributor in professional football in the United States of America." Although the statement "contributions as a player" is open and subjective, it does not pertain to moral standards. It is clear it's in regards to the game itself. That's why I think there is no debate. It's like trying to turn crystal light into Kool Aid. Not gonna happen. Plus Kool Aid is better anyway.
If the law changes and moral standards are considered as part of the process, then it allows players who were average or mediocre to be elected. Does the character of a player represent the NFL in some way ? Absolutely ! I agree with that. That shouldn't make him a Hall of Fame candidate. This is another example of how the governing bodies of our country are trying to turn all sports into the ultimate YMCA league. Celebrating mediocrity. Everyone plays, so no matter how good or how bad, everyone achieves greatness and are the same. Horsepucky !! There is a huge difference between greatness and just being good. What's done on the field has nothing to do with how someone chooses to live his life. Given my inside presence of the game and first hand experience, most of the players elected to the hall might not be in right now.
Commissioner Goodell handles the character side of the NFL. That's where it should stay. Professional football is a game of imperfect human beings with individuality. That is in part what makes the game so great. That is what allows some players to be great and some average. There will always be a player with some kind of an issue. Some are more public than others. If those players perform at a high level for a sustained number of years, does his character matter ? No. From the owner all the way down to the water boy, the only thing is expected is to perform on the field and win. Period. That is what fans want as well. Even though owners want "high character" guys on their respective teams, that's not the main focus. So when owners come out and use that as a PR tool to fans to have them come out, it's a semi smoke screen.
Another issue that factors in is that instead of being judged on concrete numbers and play, everything will be subjective. I love peanut butter Twix. The other person may love snickers. The snickers may be put together better, hold it's shape and not melt as easily, but my melted Twix is really damn good. That's my personal opinion. So I prefer the messy sloppy Twix. And that's how the debate begins. The selection process is hard enough as it is already. Throwing personal opinions into the mix makes it that much harder. Which is why the way they select players should stay how it is. This isn't a popularity contest, who cares if the player is a nice upstanding guy all the time. If the player clearly performs at a higher level than others, that is all that matters. It's not fair if a guy gets elected in on borderline numbers and charity work.
Hopefully the committee will stand firm on the way they judge the hall. The format is one of a few things that has some validity to it because there are actual numbers and stats to back up the elected players. We as a people need and want to see greatness. Those that are lucky enough to have the opportunity, can have something to strive for individually as well as collectively winning a Super Bowl. The nature of sports is to be competitive and achieve greatness. Not striving for mediocrity. What kind of message does it send if the Hall Of Fame, associated with one of the greatest professional sports in the world is filled with average players with so so stats ? It makes it just that, so so.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
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.
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.
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