Roger Goodell is lying again.

Goodell

First of all, the Commissioner of the NFL Roger Goodell doesn’t have the guts to answer questions in a real press conference. He had to hide behind the noise of the wind and others talking around him to answer questions about the Ray Rice suspension. What was he trying to hide? The answer is that the NFL does not care about women as fans or give a rats hind end for their safety.

Here is what he said and my comments on those responses.

Our policy is clear.

The NFL policy on abuse of women is anything but clear. In 2010 Ben Roethlisberger was accused of sexual battery in Georgia. Although it was the second accusation of sexual abuse against him no charges were filed in either case. Goodell suspended Roethlisberger for 6 games. Under appeal it was ultimately reduced to 4 games. Until now that was the standard. Now that standard has been reduced to a gentle tap on the back of the hand.

In this case not only did Rice admit guilt (it is hard to deny when there is video evidence of the crime) but he was sentenced. Admittedly the penalty of a diversionary program is not Read more at FryingPanSports

Super Bowl 2011: A Commentary

Another NFL season has passed, and another Super Bowl is in the books as the Green Bay Packers were crowned the leagues best by defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers. Aaron Rodgers had another great game, and in doing so, cemented himself as perhaps the league’s premiere quarterback. However, we already knew he was a great quarterback, and there was one more important thing we learned from this game.

Respect

The Packer defense has been near the top of the league in many categories over the last few seasons, yet they have never been considered among the league’s elite. That moniker has been bestowed on teams like Baltimore, San Diego, and of course the Steelers. It happened throughout the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl. We heard more than we ever wanted to about “Blitzburgh,” and Dick Lebeau, Troy Polamalu, James Harrison, etc.

The only Packer on the defensive side of the ball you ever heard about was Clay Matthews. He may as well have been on the field alone, as you never heard a word about anyone else. It may have been Aaron Rodgers who climbed out from under Brett Favre’s ghost and led the Pack to a 31-25 victory … Read more at FryingPanSports

The Steelers are having off field problems with their players.

s s1

 

Star QB Ben Roethlisberger is in his third scrape since joining the team as a rookie. First there was the motorcycle accident that cost him a chunk of the preseason and slowed him early in 06. At the time he was not wearing a helmet. Most teams have included in their contracts a prohibition of “dangerous” activities for key players. Those conditions usually include riding motorcycles.

Then last year he was accused of sexual battery by a woman in Las Vegas. The woman was a worker at a casino and reportedly was asked by Roethlisberger to come to his room and fix a TV. She claims that Roethlisberger prevented her from leaving the room and forced her to have sex. The woman in that case did not go to a hospital or immediately inform police of the incident. According to reports, the woman decided against filing a criminal complaint but did file a civil suit against the QB. While Roethlisberger insisted he had done nothing wrong, there was a confidential settlement, presumably including a payment of some sort, with his accuser.

Again this off season, a 20 year old college student has accused Roethlisberger of sexual assault that reportedly … Read more at FryingPanSports

Tuesday Morning QB: What we learned from the NFL Preseason.

The 4th preseason game was a preview of the 09 Lions and the UFL.

There were a lot of players in the last preseason game that will end up cut by their current teams. Several of those were picked up by the Lions on waivers. Some of the most notable included Yamon Figurs (WR), Kevin Hobbs (CB), Copeland Bryan (DE), Marcus McCauley (CB), and Cletis Gordon (CB). McCauley (Mn) has started in the league and may start for the Lions.

The UFL has been scouring the cut lists to get players. Expect them to sign as many “name brand” NFL players as possible. Teams have also been stocking their practice squads with young players (2 full years playing credit or less). Any team can sign a player to its 53 man roster from another teams practice squad.

Quarterback starters are named except in Cleveland.

The Jets named rookie Mark Sanchez the starter. Sanchez is not ready to start. He has the same problems that all rookie QBs. See the detail of these issues below.

Tampa Bay has picked vet Byron Leftwitch as their starter. Leftwitch won the job as a seat warmer for QB of the future rookie Josh … Read more at FryingPanSports

Roethlisberger hoping for a little more protection in 09.

t

Big Ben Roethlisberger has gotten his bell rung a lot more often than he would like. He was sacked 139 times over the last 3 years and that has to stop. A lesser man like backup Charlie Batch who is coming back after a broken collarbone last year wouldn’t have lasted as long as Ben. The only obvious weakness in the Steelers this season looks to be the O line.

Roethlisberger has 2 Super Bowl rings but has yet to play well in the big game. He has been the beneficiary of the run first Pittsburgh offense. To get to the Super Bowl, he is going to have to play better this season. The Steelers have an easier schedule on paper but some of the key competitors are better. Every team will be pointing to knock off the Steel men.

The Steelers shuffled their O line a lot in 08. Four starters were new to their positions. The only sure thing on the O line is C Justin Hartwig. LT Matt Starks lost the RT position to Willie Colon but is expected to try to hold down the left side this year. The guards are nothing special.

The running game … Read more at FryingPanSports