Another NFL Scandal Developing...

The Goddell Era is now officially the NFL's Cheating Era. From a prominent Viking's blog:

"a source said Favre had continued to use a Packers-issued cell phone and that when the team checked the phone records it found “repeated calls to coach Brad Childress and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell.”"

Furthermore:

"The Vikings, if found guilty, could face penalties that include loss of draft picks and/or fines."

This saga is getting more and more interesting. Did Favre call these guys intentionally, knowing that he would be caught and the Vikings punished for "tampering" with him? Was this a way to preclude him from getting traded to Minnesota so that the Packers could save face? Or, was Favre a complete and total idiot, ruining his chances to play for the Vikings? My sense is that option b is much more likely. Favre is a total idiot.

What makes this wrinkle interesting is a few things:

1. The Vikings have repeatedly said Tavaris Jackson "is their guy no matter what." In fact, Childress has gone out of way numerous times to say this, if only to reassure his QB that he has the starting job, confidence of the coach, blah blah blah.

2. Hot on the heels of SpyGate, this allegation gives Goddell an opportunity to crack down on cheating. Tampering with players, and this is a perfect example of it if the allegations are true, is cheating and cheating is what Goddell needs to fight right now. At least from the standpoint of public relations, if you ask me. So will he go the extra mile to punish the Vikings if these allegations are true? Goddell's credibility is frankly on the line right now. After handling Spygate so poorly and basically covering up the entire goddamn thing, the NFL needs draconian measures to clean up their perception of being able to effectively police the NFL and enforce it's rules. If Godddell tries to cover this one up, what will the fans think?

Foil in the Oven: Ready for Game 6

Before we get to the important stuff, I want to make one final point about the media coverage of Spygate. Again, remember that I'm a Giants fan, and I don't say this stuff to defend the Patriots. I say it simply as an NFL fan that is trying to look at things objectively. Objectivity has been the main thing missing from ESPN's coverage this week, and it has become apparent that the network has a clear agenda with this issue. Mark Schlereth has been one of the crusaders leading the charge for ESPN. However, this profootballtalk article links us to this Washington Post article that pretty clearly outlines the penalties assessed to the Denver Broncos because of cheating ("circumventing the salary cap") that went on between the 1996 and 1998 seasons, when Schlereth was a member of the team. Remember, the Broncos won two Super Bowls during that time (97 and 98 seasons).


The organization was punished harshly by the league. Like the Patriots, they were forced to pay heavy fines and surrender draft picks. Schlereth would have you believe that this situation was totally different than Spygate, and it was. The Washington Post article names two specific players that the deferred payments went to, Terrell Davis and John Elway. So, instead of cheating by having a third camera on the field, the Broncos cheated by having a guy that rushed for over 2000 yards in a season and a Hall of Fame quarterback, both of whom won Super Bowl MVPs. Please, think about this the next time you see Mark Schlereth waxing poetic about keeping the integrity of the game intact and questioning the legacies of dynasties and whatever else he needs to say to push ESPN's agenda to completely sensationalize this issue. It makes it nearly impossible to take him seriously.



I'm not trying to put the microscope on those Broncos teams (not that I feel bad, Schlereth brought that upon himself) or suggest that their legacy is tarnished. Like the Patriots, they have already been punished. What I am trying to do is to show you that teams have been caught and punished for cheating throughout the existence of the NFL. That's why we have a commissioner and a league office. They handle these matters. The Patriots cheated. It is no different than when the Broncos cheated. It's no different than, as Casten said yesterday, the 49ers cheating by not following proper procedures in acquiring Lance Briggs. No law was broken here, just a league rule. A congressional investigation of this matter would completely undermine the NFL's administrative system. When NFL teams cheat, they are punished by the league. They are not investigated by Congress.


Finally, a propaganda tid-bit from NFL Live last night:

Trey Wingo offers up this quote from Ted Kennedy:

"With the war in Iraq raging on, gasoline prices closing in on $4 a gallon, and Americans losing their homes at record rates to foreclosure, the United States Senate should be focusing on the real problems that Americans are struggling with. I’m looking forward to another great Patriots season where they can let their play on the field speak for itself."

Wingo then says "of course.....Ted Kennedy, the senator from....." and they (including Schlereth) say out loud in unison "Massachusetts" and laugh as if they can't take these comments seriously because they are obviously biased and absurd. Now, believe me when I say that I don't share this story to endorse Ted Kennedy in any way. But, can anyone really take issue with that quote? Can anyone really say that they think Congress should be worried about Spygate given everything that's happening? The fact that even those who completely loathe Ted Kennedy can't disagree with that quote tells you something about what Spector is trying to do here.
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I'm going to go along with Babcock, and predict a big win in Cleveland tonight for the Celtics. There was a different swagger to this team on Wednesday night, and they reminded me of the Celtics from the regular season that I knew had what it takes to win a championship. Everything about the game they played in the second half tells me that Cleveland can't beat them. It wasn't just on the court either. The bench guys were up yelling, hanging out, and messing around like they always used to do. There was life to this team. There was energy. There was absolutely no remnants of the confused and lifeless team that played games 3 and 4 in Cleveland. If the Celtics carry that energy from game 5 into tonight, and play the way they did in that second half for the entire game, I don't see how the Cavs can beat them.


And, I'll just say it, I can't stand the way that LeBron was talking after Game 5. I know that we shouldn't hang on everything these guys say, and I really try not to. But, seriously. Think about all the greats: Jordan, Bird, Magic, Duncan, etc. Can you ever imagine one of them coming out after a big playoff loss and complimenting themselves for their individual performance? Can you ever imagine that? After they had come out strong in the first half and disappeared for an entire quarter in the second half (LeBron had 2 points in the third quarter). I can't help but think that there's something going on with the chemistry of that team. They will also be without Daniel Gibson the rest of the way, which rules out any chance of him repeating his heroics from last year's postseason.

It's just been too easy to predict so far. The home team winning in virtually every game. At some point, some team other than Detroit has to assert themselves and win a tough game on the road. I think that these Celtics do it tonight. I don't know why. I just have a feeling.

And, the best part is that if I'm wrong, they can just play again on Sunday.
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Speaking of home court advantage, which still looms large after the Spurs waxed the Hornets in San Antonio last night, I came across this video of Shaq calling out Vlade Divac for comments he made about the Lakers not being able to win in Sacramento. It's hilarious.:


Also, here is Shaq on Jackass:


Shaq giving a great comeback to a reporter (why would the guy ask this question):


And, finally:


I think I speak for all of us when I say congratulations on being famous Nicole Richie. You've certainly earned it.