ESPN

Something is rotten in Denver.

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Note: On NNR yesterday Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports & I reviewed the Divisional NFL Playoff games including the issues of calls and the Bills naming a coach. The podcasts are on https://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/.

The loss by the Broncos was a wake up call for the team, team ownership and their Hall of Fame QB Peyton Manning. Some difficult decisions will have to be made over this off season by both Peyton and team management. The biggest problem for the Broncos is that those decisions will be made by John Elway.

Elway’s first order of business was to get rid of a coaching staff that took the defensively challenged Broncos to the Super Bowl last year and won four straight division titles. But why was the team defensively challenged? Elway felt that bringing in Manning would solve all the issues of the team. But the neglected D allowed the Seahawks to blow out the Broncos. This year Elway did add some better players on D but the O line was thin. When injuries occurred the O line became the problem. An already fragile 38 year old QB suffered an injury that ended the Broncos season.

On Peyton’s side the issues … Read more at FryingPanSports

If the playoff committee has 2 SEC teams in there will be trouble.

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SEC

Note: On NNR yesterday Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports & I previewed the Browns/Falcons and other games this week. The podcast is on https://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/.

I have no problem with 2 SEC West teams being in the top 4 with a couple of weeks to go in the college football season. However, if the committee keeps 2 SEC teams in the final 4, I have a BIG issue with it.

No team that does not even play in their league’s championship game should ever be considered for a spot in the playoffs. Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer had a great point last week after his team’s win over 25th ranked Minnesota. He suggested that if the teams in the south are so good, let them come up north in late November and play a Big 10 team in the cold and snow. That would be a true test of their ability.

While ESPN seems to think the SEC is nearly equal to the NFL, many around the country see things differently. While Auburn prepares for their big game at Alabama, they will play the Sisters of the Perpetually Miserable this week. That is not unusual.

There are 5 … Read more at FryingPanSports

News, Notes & Rumors for 08/19/14

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The radio version of NNR is a podcast while we look for a new broadcast host. Check out last night’s show reviewing week 2 and previewing the Browns/Redskins game.

News:

Thank heavens that the stupid extra point from the 15 yard line is over. The only thing that would be similar to this dumb move would be to move the free throw line to the 3 point distance. Somebody in the NFL office has WAY too much time on his hands.

It was Flag Day weekend again this week. Someone in the NFL office has to get the zebras under control. Every time a pass hits the ground both the QB and WR involved campaign for a flag. The refs are getting more camera time than a senatorial candidate.

There were a number of serious injuries this week. The Falcons lost their starting LT Sam Baker (PCL) for the year. The Jags have lost WRs Cecil Shorts (hamstring), Allen Robinson (hamstring), Tandon Doss (ankle) and RB Toby Gerhart (hip) for several weeks. The Rams lost OL Barrett Jones to back surgery. He is out indefinitely. They also lost RB Isaiah Pead to a ACL injury. He is expected to miss … Read more at FryingPanSports

ESPN Should Suspend Stephen A. Smith

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S Smith

Monday more on the Rice suspension plus Top questions in AFC North & South going into training camp 6 PM EDT onNNR or https://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/. Please join us.

Friday ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith said that sometimes women “provoke” spousal abuse. He then double-downed his comment on Twitter. Today he read a statement clearly written by the top brass that apologized for his comments. The problem is that his comments Friday echoed his position a couple of years ago about women provoking abuse.

This is clearly a guy that doesn’t get it. ESPN should at least suspend Smith for a month without pay for his comments on air and on twitter. Athletes have a particularly bad record with abuse of women. While it is in my opinion never justified, it must be punished. We will see exactly how ESPN feels about the issue based on what they do. My guess is they will do nothing.

That is what I think. Tell us what you think by commenting here or tweeting me @NNRonDSN.

NOTE: Check out the live News, Notes and Rumors show on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at 6 PM Eastern on or https://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/. On Samantha Bunten of … Read more at FryingPanSports

Danny Kanell agreed with NFL on Rice suspension.

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Rice

Monday Top questions in AFC North & South going into training camp 6 PM EDT onNNR or https://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/. Please join us.

The 4 letter network strikes again!  Danny Kanell appeared on Dari & Mel Saturday and agreed with Roger Goodell’s two game suspension of Ray Rice. Kanell commented that Goodell knows more than the rest of us about what exactly went on between Rice and his lady. I have no idea what Rice or his wife said to Goodell and frankly I do not care. No matter what she did, there is no action short of shooting him with a gun that justifies a male hitting a female period.

The other aspect of the Rice suspension that Kanell mentioned was that this was the first violation of any kind that Rice has committed. SO WHAT! In my opinion it is the severity of the violation and not the past record of the individual that should determine the length of the suspension.

Kanell said he has 3 daughters. That surprised me more than anything else. My wife and I have 3 daughters as well. I would never say that anything could ever justify a guy striking a woman.

The … Read more at FryingPanSports

LeBron James Opted Out.

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LeBron

Thursday on NNR Evan Weiner. Friday David Kay reviews the NBA Draft. Join us 6PM EDT on or https://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/. Thanks

According to ESPN Sports Center, Lebron James’ agent informed the Heat that he will opt out of his contract. This is the biggest case of buyers remorse since somebody at Ford came up with the idea of the Edsel. There are two people that Heat fans can blame for LeBron’s decision—Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade.

As I have said before during the NBA finals against the Spurs both guys played like manikins in a dress shop. Wade is a has been and Bosh is a never was. If Wade was anything close to healthy he would have helped turn the tide against the Spurs. Bosh was over rated in the draft, over rated when he came to the Heat and is only a star in his own eyes. He disappears during critical parts of the game. When a star needs to step up, he steps back.

The question is where will LeBron choose to go? There is a lot of talk in Cleveland that he might come back to the Cavs. As a former part owner of … Read more at FryingPanSports