Moss at a loss

Randy Moss and three other players on the New England Patriots were sent home by head coach Bill Belichick today after they showed up late for practice. Such disciplinary action makes sense if you consider the poor turn of events the Patriots have had this year. They've lost two games in a row for the first time since 2006 and two of the NFL's most competitive teams right now, the Miami Dolphins and the New York Jets, are going to make New England's chances of clinching a playoff birth interesting. But, on second thought, sending the players home seems a little unnecessary, especially if one of those players is your top receiver. The teammates weren't late because they were out drinking the night before or because they have personal vandettas against the coach or franchise, rather, they were late because the weather conditions (if you hadn't noticed) were horrible this morning. They, like me, were probably not anticipating the minor blizzard and so they couldn't help but be late to practice. But anyone who knows Belichick knows not to expect any sympathy from him, and therefore the teammates had no choice but to exit the building. No one can be sure how this will affect the team during their next game against Carolina, if at all, but its needless to say letting them practice today couldn't have hurt. On the flip side of the coin, Tom Brady's wife gave birth to their first child yesterday, and although the all star quarterback said he didn't get much sleep, he still managed to make it to practice on time. He apparently came to practice today to prove to his teammates just how seriously he takes his role as quarterback and how important being a competitive is to him. I wouldn't be surprised if it turns out this display of determination may have influenced Belichick's decision to send the tardy players home.

Sexy Tennesee

The New York Times recently reported that the NCAA is conducting a “wide-ranging investigation” into the football recruiting practices of the University of Tennessee. Apparently, the university has (the fact of whether they were hired by the university or are working on their own accord is one of the major issues up for dispute) female “hostesses” who have quickly become very popular on the universities website and have been used to recruit players through online profile websites like Myspace and Facebook. One hostess has apparently traveled over 200 miles to attend a high school game in South Carolina, where at least 2 prospective athletes were playing. Whats wrong with all this, you say? Sex does not sell in the world of college recruiting. Using sexual appeal (favors would be taking it to a whole other level) is apparently a violation of NCAA rules. The women are not allowed to attempt to recruit outside of the university, yet the college (and most notably the head coach under fire Lane Kiffin) has very likely sent these women out of state to “persuade” the young athletes into enrolling in Tennessee. Personally I dont know what to think about any of this. I might actually go as far as to say the university didn't really violate any law or do anything inexcusable. If they want to use a sexy woman then so be it, I dont know why other colleges didnt think of it sooner. Youd figure this would be a well established rectruiting method by now, but apparently the NCAA wont stand for it. And if Lane Kiffin and his crew knew the NCAA wouldnt stand for it then they clearly shouldnt have done it. Fighting to change the rules of recruitment is one thing, but just trying to go under the radar and recruit in ways you know is illegal is just plain stupid. They should have known they would get caught, and they did. SO I suppose they deserve any kind of punishment they get for their actions.

Serena Update

A quick update on tennis superstar Serena Williams and the harsh threats she gave a line judge during the U.S. Open: She has been fined a US record (for, im assuming, woman's tennis) $82,500 and has been threatened herself to be suspended from any play in the US Open if she commits any more “major offenses” at any Grand Slam over the next two years. It's a pretty harsh punishment, and it's clear that the US Open is handling this in a very serious matter (they must have heard our cries for justice when we blogged just after the incident had happened). I've always been fond of Venus and Serena, and so I was disappointed by her immature little outburst, but since then she has appeared on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. I had a chance to watch the interview first-hand, and was impressed by how well she had handled the issue when Stewart playfully brought it up (this was before the fines were made public). Serena was able to laugh at herself with Jon and the audience while also making a point of mentioning how it was a mistake and not something to be proud of. Based on what I've seen and claim to know about Serena (whatever little amount that is) I've always been under the impression that she's a genuine and good-hearted person, and she is fully aware that she crossed the line at the Open. I doubt she will make the same mistake again, and I also doubt that she will appeal or make any kind of negative statement about the punishment that's been issued to her. My guess is she will get past all this and continue her career as a competitive professional tennis player without repeat offenses. I just feel bad she has to live in the shadow of this mistake for the next two years, a punishment that may seem a little excessive based on the crime, but it sends a message to tennis players that the game is, and always has been, about sportsmanship and “classy” players. The last thing the US Open wants is another McEnroe on their hands.

All eyes on the ball...

Despite what my last blog ends with, I, unfortunately, find it imperative to keep talking about everyone's favorite topic: Tiger Woods. Yesterday morning, at around 8am, I turned on Sportscenter to be informed by the Disney owned station that a “blonde woman has been taken from Woods' home at around 2:30 in the morning to the same hospital where Tiger was treated the week before.” The story was still fresh and very little was known about what exactly had happened, but my interpretation of it, and from the way the news reporters made it sound, was that it was Tiger's wife who had been sent to the ER at, ironically, nearly the same time of the now infamous one-car accident. The combination of the way in which the story was discussed by the reporters and the mysterious circumstances surrounding it, I couldn't help but assume the worst. I quickly found myself weighing the options to what had happened: was there a chance he killed her? Never. Maybe, he does get a little enraged with that golf ball from time to time. No, no, no. Was there a chance she'd checked herself in as a publicity stunt? No, the Woods' aren't ones to wish to be in the spotlight any more than they already are. Was there a chance she'd attempted suicide? All signs lead to yes, and I immediately began to consider what kind of prescription drug she had OD'ed on. Sounds terrible, I know, but the news lives for these stories, ive seen them a hundred times and, when its circumstances like this one, the story almost plays out like a formula or pattern for another celebrity tragedy. Turns out, the woman was his mother-in-law and, after being treated for “stomach pains and fainting” was released and is now resting comfortably at an unnamed Florida home. I'm glad she's alright, but I cant help feeling something is a little fishy about what had happened. Official news that Tiger's wife, Elin Nordegren, had moved out of his mansion came moments after the news came back positive about the mother. Does what happened with the mother have anything to do with her moving out or is this all a coincidence? Why was the mother in law even there in the first place? Whenever my mind begins to wander about these topics I can't help but remind myself that this really is NONE of my business, nor is it the reporters who are determined to “get the story straight” for its anxious viewers. It's just high school gossip on the next level. And it blows.

Woods hiding in the Bush.

Anyone who hasn't been hiding under a rock has already heard about Tiger's mysterious incident by now. He crashed his car in the middle of the night just outside his home and his wife “rescued” him under questioning circumstances. The media and the paparazzi had a field day with the all star golfers misfortune, and would not let the topic rest until some kind of explanation was given. What he did give out was a brief apology for his actions and since then Tiger has remained silent and out of the spotlight. Reporters and TV show hosts tore apart Tiger's blogged statement enough to come to a general agreement that he has been cheating on his wife with another woman. Suddenly, as if waiting for her cue, Tiger's mistress came out of hiding and photos, rumors and allegations about her and her relationship with Tiger spread like wildfire. To top it all off, some six other woman, from cocktail waitresses to nightclub dancers, came out and made claims to have carried out affairs with the international celebrity, thus effectively sabotaging his once squeaky clean image. Personally, I can't help but have a fair degree of sympathy for the man. While regular people like you and I can go through traumatic situations and have to deal with the poor decisions we've made just as much as he has, our problems are significantly more private. Meanwhile every channel on TV has a close eye on what will happen next. While it's certainly easy to say what he did was wrong and obsess over the man's personal life, the predominantly Christian men and women of America should consider one of their most praised philosophies: “let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” And that's all I should have to say about that.

The Loco Lobo

A woman soccer player at the University of New Mexico, Elizabeth Lambert, has been suspended indefinitely by the league on November 6th due to her actions in a 1-0 loss against BYU in a semifinals match. Now, if you haven't seen the clips of what this girl did during the game, I strongly suggest you do so immediately. It's one of the most violent sports montages I have ever seen. Lambert is caught kicking, punching, jabbing, tripping, and even hair-pulling several different players on six or seven different occasions throughout the game. There was only one penalty on her behalf, and it was one yellow card (which was given for kicking a soccer ball purposely into an opposing players face at point-blank range, an incident that happened before the most blatant and disturbing of attacks—the hair yank). I'm glad someone was able to take a second look at all she'd been doing throughout the game, and that she didn't get away with it. But don't you think the coaching staff would have caught on to all this? What about the coach and players of the other team? The referees? Why did no one seem to notice this while it was going on in a televised matchup? It's stunning to think she was able to get away with all that and I'm pleased to know her unnecessary roughness did nothing to prevent a 1-0 loss. In an apology made by Lambert she states her actions on the field were, “completely inappropriate,” and that she got caught up in the, “excitement of the game,” and that these actions in no way reflect on, “who I am as an athlete and as a person”. But I beg to differ, Liz. I don't care how excited you are about a game, you don't get exceedingly violent and that should be a given. Apparently once someone is caught up in the excitement of the game they think it makes it excusable to be a complete asshole. It shows a lack of discipline and respect on her character in my opinion, and when she should return to the soccer team IF AT ALL should be based on any previous incidents on the court or as a person. The media made a huge deal about this situation, mostly because they were so shocked a woman could do this kind of damage. And although I must admit it is a little surprising, such statements only feed the sexist believe that mens sports is more intense and dangerous than womens. Perhaps this will go to show that they are as just as crazy—if not more so—than we are.

F-You, Buddy!

Owner of the Tennessee Titans Bud Adams celebrated his teams 41-17 victory over the Buffalo Bills at home this past Sunday in a professional and mature matter: by giving the entire Buffalo Bills fan base the middle finger. Adams issued a statement of apology on Monday, claiming he, “got caught up in the excitement of a great day, but I do realize that those types of things shouldn't happen,” he also stated his expectations for the league to “discipline” him for his actions and his cooperation with that decision. Commissioner Roger Goodell, who was at the game and spent most of it with Adams in the suite (apparently leaving before the incident occurred) fined Adams $250,000 dollars for his actions on Sunday. Now, this certainly sounds like a hefty fine for the man to pay for doing something most fans to do one another on a daily basis. I don't think giving the figure is necessarily as obscene or offensive a gesture as its made out to be, and I don't think Adams meant any real deliberate harm when he did it. But this is once again something that makes members of the NFL look bad. You'd think a man with that much wealth, status and power would act more mature than he did, and I think it's further evidence that shows just how unqualified some franchise owners really are. Adams admitted in his statement that he was excited about the “great day” of the game, but I just cant see excitement as being an excuse to do something ridiculous like that. All im asking for is a little composure amongst men and women of power. In a world where everyone is watching your every move you need to keep a head on your shoulders. 250,000 is a hell of a lot of money, but how much is that going to effect Bud Adams in the long term? He owns several Lincoln-Mercury dealerships, made his fortune in the petroleum business and is CEO of Adams Resources & Energy Inc., a wholesale supplier of oil and natural gas. Oh, and he also owns the Tennessee Titans. His team went over 10-0 last year, and the Bills are one of the worst teams in the NFL, it should have been a given that he would win this game-and he did by a blowout. He's a lifetime multi-millionaire and the fine is change in his pocket. I highly doubt this “discipline” did anything to change Bud's actions except maybe now he will be more aware of the eye in the sky.