Kevin and Pat Williams of the Minnesota Vikings are getting suspended 4 games for violating the league's substance abuse policy. Specifically, they took a supplement that included Bumetanide, a banned diuretic which could be used to mask steroids. Unfortunately for them, the substance wasn't listed on the bottle. The NFL doesn't want to budge on this issue, which is ridiculous. These guys weren't taking something to mask their steroid use, they didn't know the banned substance was even one of the ingredients. If they weren't aware they were taking something illegal, it's not rocket science to figure out they probably weren't taking it to mask steroid use.
FYI, they also tested negative for steroids.
Hmm. Sounds like the NFL realizes their policy has some major holes in it, and instead of fixing the problem, they would rather go down with the ship and take some innocent players with them. Not to mention the first place Vikings, vying for a playoff spot and needing their best DT and DL.
Not only is the steroid policy in need of an overhaul, NFL suspension policy in general could use a major makeover. Take, for instance, the following excerpt from the ESPN article on the Williamses' suspensions:
"On a personal level, it [stinks] for them. I know what they're going through," said defensive end Jared Allen, who served a two-game suspension last season in Kansas City after multiple DUI arrests. "That's why we're with them. We've got their back 100 percent."
Wait, what? This guy got a 2 game suspension after multiple DUI arrests? In the words of Amy Poehler: Seriously NFL, are you serious? So let me get this straight; you can drive drunk multiple times and get a suspension reduced to 2 games, but if you take a banned diuretic that you didn't even know existed to "mask" something you aren't even doing, you qualify for a 4 game suspension? You can read a little more about Mr. Allen and his DUI issues here.
Oh yeah, makes perfect sense.
And excuse me, but I can't think Jared Allen knows what they're going through. Allen is an alcoholic who hasn't been able to stop himself from driving drunk. Pat and Kevin Williams are guys who take weight loss supplements. Somehow, one seems worse than the other. According to the NFL, that would be the weight loss supplements.
Way to set an example.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Who's got next?
Who replaces the 'Ham at UW? My personal belief is that we should be recruiting SEC coaches Tuberville and Fulmer, especially as Fulmer doesn't have a job at Tennessee anymore. They both have proven track records winning and recruiting, a couple of things sorely lacking up here in the PaciNoW.
I've never been sold on this Mora business, because I don't feel that one successful year with the Falcons makes a wunderkind, and it seems that everyone's riding his hype trike since he's from the area. Yeah? I'm from the area too. Though I didn't play for the Huskies I attended school there, and could certainly do no worse than 0-12. Get on board, people, I announce my candidacy. Perhaps I could be a coordinator under what would be his underwhelming reign. Yeehaw.
Here's an interesting article on someone I've never heard of, Cal Poly’s Rich Ellerson. Worth a thought, but I don't see it happening.
I'm much more excited about the reports of Mike Leach touring the facilities over the past weekend. Good God, an actual successful coach, who's been competing against the likes of Texas, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, OK state, Mizzou and Nebraska? Not just on the field, but in the recruiting game as well? If it were possible to salivate over coaching prospects, I would be. I hope this is the case, and Em-Ward can throw some decent money at him, because I've already bought my ticket on the Leach train, and I'd hate to be left standing on the platform if the Mora express takes off.
I've never been sold on this Mora business, because I don't feel that one successful year with the Falcons makes a wunderkind, and it seems that everyone's riding his hype trike since he's from the area. Yeah? I'm from the area too. Though I didn't play for the Huskies I attended school there, and could certainly do no worse than 0-12. Get on board, people, I announce my candidacy. Perhaps I could be a coordinator under what would be his underwhelming reign. Yeehaw.
Here's an interesting article on someone I've never heard of, Cal Poly’s Rich Ellerson. Worth a thought, but I don't see it happening.
I'm much more excited about the reports of Mike Leach touring the facilities over the past weekend. Good God, an actual successful coach, who's been competing against the likes of Texas, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, OK state, Mizzou and Nebraska? Not just on the field, but in the recruiting game as well? If it were possible to salivate over coaching prospects, I would be. I hope this is the case, and Em-Ward can throw some decent money at him, because I've already bought my ticket on the Leach train, and I'd hate to be left standing on the platform if the Mora express takes off.
Dreaming about men doing things
A quick note on my fantasy football views, for all those interested. This year being my first in a fantasy league (Yahoo, which sucks balls), and while I've enjoyed my time, I've learned a few things.
Firstly, I care way too much about individual stats, opposing defenses, and whether or not a star player is getting along with his teammates in the locker room. All of this adds up to either wins or losses in the fantasy column, and highs or lows in the attitude column. Whereas I used to only be sad/depressed/disgusted when the Seahawks lost, I can now feel all of these things towards each and every individual player on my team when they don't perform, and compound the feeling if I lose my matchup because of this.
Secondly, I've discovered that I care a whole lot more about other football games. Before, they were just entertaining and another team only mattered if they were in the Seahawks' division. Now, I'm invested in every team I have a player on, making Sundays exponentially more exciting. Yes, I said exponentially.
Thirdly, I've tapped into the camaraderie shared by fantasy football (herein referred to as FF) players everywhere. Two out of three ain't bad.
An ESPN columnist wrote not long ago that he's certain FF has an infinitely more negative downside than positive, due to the fact that instead of rooting for just one team to win, you're focused on multiple players, increasing the variables and, for the glass half empty crowd, chances to lose. Add to the fact these variables increase one's difficulty in winning the league (you have a 1 in 8, 12, 0r 16 chance, whereas in the NFL your team has a 1 in 4 chance of winning the division, unless you're the Lions), and the frustration factor starts to climb onto the roof.
From this perspective, FF really isn't that sensible. I've been way too angry towards Favre, Moss, and Gore when they haven't performed this year, and conversely, pretty darn happy about Favre, Moss and Gore when they have. This brings up another point: Streaky, hit or miss kinds of players can wreak havoc on your sanity. Their upside is unlimited, but when they continually under perform, especially against statistically inferior teams, it's no-end-in-sight frustrating.
It also makes every week, every possession, way more meaningful than it's ever been. When you need someone's stats to pull ahead of your opponent, it's all about getting one specific player the ball, which is ridiculous for the overall strategy of a team game. You're basically rooting for something that is directly contradictory to winning, and therefore destined to be inherently maddening. It doesn't make sense, unless of course you like to gamble.
Conversely, if you're a positive thinker, there are just as many opportunities for things to go well. However, because life and football have conditioned us to expect to lose, most people will lean towards the negative in regards to FF. As I've had a few amazing last minute victories and am 1 win away from getting into the playoffs, I'm trying to stay positive. If, however, I were in last place I'm not so sure I would feel this way.
FF also has an ability to make someone certifiably crazy. People always harp on athletes for praising God for a win, or praying to beat someone. After 13 weeks in FF, I now know what this is like, and will never, EVER, make fun of an athlete with infinitely more on the line for praying in the closing minutes of a game. Last night I basically prayed for Steve Slaton to pull down 30 fantasy points, which I needed for a come from behind win. I didn't literally mouth the words to the great I Am, but I wished for it just as much as if I had actually written God a letter. And what happened? Slaton rolled to 30.2 points and I won to keep my playoff hopes alive. This isn't the first time this has happened, either.
And finally, now that I've come off as someone who lives in a padded room, I'll try to temper that by saying the best part of FF isn't the winning, it's the camaraderie. Or at least, it should be. In my league, I only know a couple of the guys, and no one trash talks, no one offers trades, no one rants about things, it's kind of lame. I was hoping for a lot more emailing back and forth, a bonding over numbers, if you will. Instead, it's allowed me to share the highs and lows with the guys I actually watch football with. What a concept. We might not be in the same league, but we're all going through the same emotions, sometimes with the same players. It adds to the fun, the suspense, the overall satisfaction I get from watching a game knowing we're all in the same metaphorical boat together. When Favre threw 6 touchdowns a few weeks back, I was sharing some overly joyous high fives with a buddy who also started him. And I really, REALLY don't care that much about Favre. In fact, he kind of annoys me.
So no matter what happens to me in my make-or-break head-to-head next week, I'll be signing up for FF next year. Perhaps even multiple leagues, if I have the time. But definitely not Yahoo.
Firstly, I care way too much about individual stats, opposing defenses, and whether or not a star player is getting along with his teammates in the locker room. All of this adds up to either wins or losses in the fantasy column, and highs or lows in the attitude column. Whereas I used to only be sad/depressed/disgusted when the Seahawks lost, I can now feel all of these things towards each and every individual player on my team when they don't perform, and compound the feeling if I lose my matchup because of this.
Secondly, I've discovered that I care a whole lot more about other football games. Before, they were just entertaining and another team only mattered if they were in the Seahawks' division. Now, I'm invested in every team I have a player on, making Sundays exponentially more exciting. Yes, I said exponentially.
Thirdly, I've tapped into the camaraderie shared by fantasy football (herein referred to as FF) players everywhere. Two out of three ain't bad.
An ESPN columnist wrote not long ago that he's certain FF has an infinitely more negative downside than positive, due to the fact that instead of rooting for just one team to win, you're focused on multiple players, increasing the variables and, for the glass half empty crowd, chances to lose. Add to the fact these variables increase one's difficulty in winning the league (you have a 1 in 8, 12, 0r 16 chance, whereas in the NFL your team has a 1 in 4 chance of winning the division, unless you're the Lions), and the frustration factor starts to climb onto the roof.
From this perspective, FF really isn't that sensible. I've been way too angry towards Favre, Moss, and Gore when they haven't performed this year, and conversely, pretty darn happy about Favre, Moss and Gore when they have. This brings up another point: Streaky, hit or miss kinds of players can wreak havoc on your sanity. Their upside is unlimited, but when they continually under perform, especially against statistically inferior teams, it's no-end-in-sight frustrating.
It also makes every week, every possession, way more meaningful than it's ever been. When you need someone's stats to pull ahead of your opponent, it's all about getting one specific player the ball, which is ridiculous for the overall strategy of a team game. You're basically rooting for something that is directly contradictory to winning, and therefore destined to be inherently maddening. It doesn't make sense, unless of course you like to gamble.
Conversely, if you're a positive thinker, there are just as many opportunities for things to go well. However, because life and football have conditioned us to expect to lose, most people will lean towards the negative in regards to FF. As I've had a few amazing last minute victories and am 1 win away from getting into the playoffs, I'm trying to stay positive. If, however, I were in last place I'm not so sure I would feel this way.
FF also has an ability to make someone certifiably crazy. People always harp on athletes for praising God for a win, or praying to beat someone. After 13 weeks in FF, I now know what this is like, and will never, EVER, make fun of an athlete with infinitely more on the line for praying in the closing minutes of a game. Last night I basically prayed for Steve Slaton to pull down 30 fantasy points, which I needed for a come from behind win. I didn't literally mouth the words to the great I Am, but I wished for it just as much as if I had actually written God a letter. And what happened? Slaton rolled to 30.2 points and I won to keep my playoff hopes alive. This isn't the first time this has happened, either.
And finally, now that I've come off as someone who lives in a padded room, I'll try to temper that by saying the best part of FF isn't the winning, it's the camaraderie. Or at least, it should be. In my league, I only know a couple of the guys, and no one trash talks, no one offers trades, no one rants about things, it's kind of lame. I was hoping for a lot more emailing back and forth, a bonding over numbers, if you will. Instead, it's allowed me to share the highs and lows with the guys I actually watch football with. What a concept. We might not be in the same league, but we're all going through the same emotions, sometimes with the same players. It adds to the fun, the suspense, the overall satisfaction I get from watching a game knowing we're all in the same metaphorical boat together. When Favre threw 6 touchdowns a few weeks back, I was sharing some overly joyous high fives with a buddy who also started him. And I really, REALLY don't care that much about Favre. In fact, he kind of annoys me.
So no matter what happens to me in my make-or-break head-to-head next week, I'll be signing up for FF next year. Perhaps even multiple leagues, if I have the time. But definitely not Yahoo.
Monday, December 1, 2008
My thoughts exactly
Let me begin by saying, I hate the cougars. Hate them. I can not understand Husky "fans" who say they root for the cougs as long as they're not playing UW. WSU fans would never say this. Coug fans seem to be more rabid because A: There is NOTHING in Pullman but cow turds and cougar football, for a long time these being synonomous, this year especially, and B: They have always been the underdog, and the underdog's fans, while usually destitute of hope, are fanatics in regards to their team. There is at least one bar in Pullman I've read about where Husky fans are not allowed in. You will never experience this in Seattle.
I won't go into the ways Husky fans seemed to be out-rooted often times by cougs. It's enough to say we've always looked down on them, and for good reason. I detest them because they exist. I, who recently have been trying to mature, emotionally and otherwise, and grow out of such childish reactions caused by wins and losses, still can't hardly type or utter the "c" word because I hate them so much. I'm serious.
I have an immediate negative gut reaction for every bumper sticker, hitch ornament, window logo, car flag, license plate holder, jacket, or hat I see with the red university lettering. I can't stand it. I'm trying to be a better person, more thankful and aware, wishing blessings on people instead of curses, but I am a neanderthal when it comes to wsu. I don't even want to type the letters in upper-case. I'm sure this will sully my reputation with both of the people who read this blog, but it is what it is.
So understanding this, I am presenting the following video, which was put together by a coug, as one of the best things I've ever seen regarding my feelings on Husky football over the recent past. The irony is not lost on me, people. This reinterpretation of 2004 German film "Der Untergang" is downright brilliant, because IT'S EXACTLY HOW I FELT AFTER THIS YEAR'S APPLE CUP. The fact that it stars Hitler as a Husky fan is a testament to just how far we've, and I as a fan , have fallen. This entire scene played out in my mind as I sat there in the Ram bar alone, after my demonstrative reactions caused everyone around me (both Huskies & cougs) to bolt following the final outcome.
As for my attitude towards the cougs, I at this junction in my life, am not sorry. At some point you have to stand for something, and by god, if it's only for your team, then so be it. Whatever I become in life, I will die a Husky, and I will hate the cougs. Perhaps that's what it should read on my epitaph:
He lived and died a Husky, in spirit bold and brave, and will forever hate the cougers, even from the grave.
I won't go into the ways Husky fans seemed to be out-rooted often times by cougs. It's enough to say we've always looked down on them, and for good reason. I detest them because they exist. I, who recently have been trying to mature, emotionally and otherwise, and grow out of such childish reactions caused by wins and losses, still can't hardly type or utter the "c" word because I hate them so much. I'm serious.
I have an immediate negative gut reaction for every bumper sticker, hitch ornament, window logo, car flag, license plate holder, jacket, or hat I see with the red university lettering. I can't stand it. I'm trying to be a better person, more thankful and aware, wishing blessings on people instead of curses, but I am a neanderthal when it comes to wsu. I don't even want to type the letters in upper-case. I'm sure this will sully my reputation with both of the people who read this blog, but it is what it is.
So understanding this, I am presenting the following video, which was put together by a coug, as one of the best things I've ever seen regarding my feelings on Husky football over the recent past. The irony is not lost on me, people. This reinterpretation of 2004 German film "Der Untergang" is downright brilliant, because IT'S EXACTLY HOW I FELT AFTER THIS YEAR'S APPLE CUP. The fact that it stars Hitler as a Husky fan is a testament to just how far we've, and I as a fan , have fallen. This entire scene played out in my mind as I sat there in the Ram bar alone, after my demonstrative reactions caused everyone around me (both Huskies & cougs) to bolt following the final outcome.
As for my attitude towards the cougs, I at this junction in my life, am not sorry. At some point you have to stand for something, and by god, if it's only for your team, then so be it. Whatever I become in life, I will die a Husky, and I will hate the cougs. Perhaps that's what it should read on my epitaph:
He lived and died a Husky, in spirit bold and brave, and will forever hate the cougers, even from the grave.
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