Every Swingin’ Dick

You have got to be certifiably nuts to run on this guy. Exhibit A.

Joe Theismann goes on ESPN radio to weigh in on Ricky Williams and his upcoming year in the CFL:

I don’t ever want to be mentioned in the same breath as Ricky Williams as a football player. He’s a disgrace to the game. The man doesn’t deserve to play football. He should go on with his life and treat his drug addictions or go do whatever he wants to do. He’s been suspended from the NFL on multiple occasions. Doesn’t anybody have any class anywhere?

You are right Joey. Let’s completely run a guy with diagnosed social anxieties out of football. Because he likes to smoke weed. What a crime. Theismann also said that he was “embarrassed now to be a Toronto Argonaut.” What? Theismann played with Dexter Manley? I guess that was OK because what are four failed drug tests and a jail sentence for cocaine possession between friends when that friend is helping you win and play in Super Bowls? But what about now? Current Redskin Sean Taylor is going to trial for for aggravated assault with a firearm. Former Redskin Timmy Smith just got sentenced to 2 1/2 years for conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Yet during all this, I don’t see Theismann coming out and saying that he is embarrassed to be a Washington Redskin. Why not? What is the difference. In for a pound and all that…

To Theismann I say this: Shut up. Shut your damn mouth. They hypocritical BS you are spewing makes me want to vomit. Just shut the hell up.

Is Ricky guilty of some of the things that Theismann says? Most certainly he is. But unlike Joey, Ricky Williams is a likeable guy. He always seems so earnest, like he wants to do the right thing all the time, yet somehow keeps getting himself into trouble. I have gotten the sense from watching Ricky over the years that he still has some mental problems that haven’t been completely addressed. But even with all that, he still broke the rules and deserves the consequences of doing so. Consequences he is now facing with very little bitching and whining I might add.

I am aware that marijuana is an illegal substance and banned by the NFL, I can’t help but have sympathy for a guy with social anxiety using it. At least he has some semblance of a legitimate excuse for his behavior. I don’t know what Theismann’s excuse for being an ass is.

Barrett drills Pierzynski in the jaw for no reason almost a week ago, and MLB still hasn’t done anything about it. Hey Bud, how about a suspension over here? Seriously, I know AJ has a reputation for getting under the skin of the opposition–and occasionally that of his teammates as well–but that was a clean play and Barrett threw that punch for absolutely no reason. He has got to go.

30 game suspension. At least. Hey, if Bud isn’t going to rule, I’ll do it.

*update*

Right on cue, MLB weighs in with a 10-game suspension. Gutless. It is exactly what I was expecting though, as Bud set a precedent earlier this season with a 10-gamer for Julian Tavarez after he sucker punched Joey Gathright.

Before anyone out there corrects me, I know that it is technically Bob Watson that hands down the discipline for MLB. But the buck stops with Bud, and he could step in if he had the stones.

Seeing how I’m in Canada right now, it seems appropriate for me to comment on the following story:

Dolphins to clear path for Ricky to play in the CFL

I’m a little surprised that the Dolphins allowed Ricky to play elsewhere this season, as there is a risk of injury. I think it is probably a smart idea though. Let the guy stay in shape and play, no matter what level it is. He will certainly be better prepared to help them next season if he plays this year than if he sits at home (or in India or wherever it is he spends his time) for the year.

I wonder if the NFL will have to hire somebody to live in Toronto for a year to administer his hourly drug tests…

Harrington sent to Dolphins for draft pick

What kind of a laughingstock does Detroit end up being if Harrington turns into a decent QB at some point? I’m saying that this will happen, but stranger career resurrections have taken place in the NFL…

Video of a obviously drunk Rick Sutcliffe giving a rambling interview during a Padres broadcast. Hi-Larious.

Mark Cuban fined $200,000 by NBA

Holy crap! I know Cuban is like a multi-gazillionaire or something, but $200,000 is serious coin for anyone. To say that David Stern is sick of listening to him criticize his officials seems to be a bit of an understatement at this point.

Click to enlarge.

Click to enlarge.

How much do I love those hateful people in Philly? Let me count the ways…uh, three I guess. Great pics and I hope to see some other cities step up their game with some creative signage.

I’m a couple of days late on this one, but here it is anyway. On Sportscenter Thursday night, there was an excellent example of just why it is such a shell of its former self. During one of their many, many sponsored segments they had a poll. The question:

Do you think Barry Bonds will be booed this weekend in Philadelphia?

That is the dumbest question ever. The fans in Philly will boo anything that moves. They booed All-Star Scott Rolen out of town. They booed Donovan McNabb when he was drafted. This is the city that booed Santa Claus for cryin’ out loud. The pandering to the lowest common denominator by ESPN continues. I’m sure there was some slack-jawed yokel somewhere that actually wondered what the outcome might be. And that, sadly, seems to be the target audience these days.

Here is a list of Undrafted Free Agents of interest (to me anyway) and where they landed:

Giants
OL, Matt Lentz, Michigan
TE, Jai Lewis, George Mason

Bears
PK, Josh Huston, Ohio State
TE, Tim Day, Oregon

Lions
FB, Matt Bernstein, Wisconsin

Buccaneers
S, Jahmile Addae, West Virginia
RB, Andre Hall, South Florida

Panthers
QB, Brett Basanez, Nortwestern
OL, Adam Stenavich, Michigan

Cardinals
WR, Greg Lee, Pitt
QB, Micheal Spurlock, Mississippi

Patriots
LB, Freddie Roach, Alabama

Dolphins
RB, Gerald Riggs Jr., Tennessee
QB, Justin Holland, Colorado State
QB, Hank Bosnia, Virginia Tech (tryout)

Bengals
QB, Erik Meyer, Eastern Washington

Steelers
OLB, Mike Kudla, Ohio State

Ravens
QB, Drew Olson, UCLA
RB, Cory Ross, Nebraska
WR, Ed Hinkel, Iowa

Chiefs
LB, Nick Reid, Kansas

Jaguars
LB, Brian Iwuh, Colorado
QB, Paul Pinegar, Fresno State

Texans
QB, Quinton Porter, Boston College
FB, Quadtrine Hill, Miami (Florida)
RB, Damien Rhodes, Syracuse

Full list can be found for the AFC and NFC at DraftDaddy.com.