Wrath Among Titans

When I first heard about Miami Dolphins’ Jonathan Martin walking off in response to being bullied by teammates, I was dumbfounded.  I initially responded, “How can a 315 pound professional football player be such a punk?”  However as more and more of the circumstances were revealed and Richie Incognito was suspended indefinitely, I found myself in a state of disbelief.  After all, Incognito was a play-maker on a team that for the first time in recent memory was showing the promise of days gone by.  I wondered why a severe fine would not suffice and the team could be kept intact. 

Jonathan Martin walked away from Miami Dolphins practices
after being bullied by teammates last week.                           AP

Then while watching the Monday Night game, halftime rolled around and ESPN's Chris Berman did a story regarding the incident.  In the story the below excerpt from an Incognito voicemail to Martin was released.  I was stunned.

"Hey, wassup, you half n----- piece of s---. I saw you on Twitter, you been training 10 weeks. [I want to] s--- in your f---ing mouth. [I'm going to] slap your f---ing mouth. [I'm going to] slap your real mother across the face [laughter]. F--- you, you're still a rookie. I'll kill you."

After seeing Chris’ story, Jonathan Martin no longer looked quite like a punk.  As I picked my jaw up off the floor, I realized all had been made clear.  From my days managing employees I realized Richie Incognito was in some very serious trouble. 

Richie Incognito identified as the ring leader
among Miami Dolphins team bullies.           AP

He has violated federal Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) laws which stipulate all individuals have a right to work in an environment free of harassment. 

In Richie Incognito’s case, he has done far worse than simply harassed Martin.  He has racially slurred and slandered Martin and has additionally communicated threats to Martin’s person as well as Martin’s mother.  

Given the number of NFL players who have committed murder or have been implicated in violent crimes it’s no wonder why the Dolphins organization and the NFL have released Incognito.

Richie Incognito, who states he considers Martin a teammate and a friend is not alone in this “rookie hazing behavior” but, has been clearly identified as the ring leader.  He has been suspended indefinitely for behavior detrimental to team operations. While some are alleging Martin is somewhat oversensitive to his teammates' "pranks," I don't know that I would consider racial slurs and threat against my mother to be very friendly. 

In NFL circles he is reported to be one of the dirtiest players in the league. But in the trenches, there are those that would rather have no one else.  As the Dolphins and the NFL continue their investigation into this incident it is almost certain other players and members of the organization may be implicated and possibly subject to litigation. But with a spotted history and trouble maker reputation both in college and in the pros, it is fairly certain Richie Incognito’s professional football playing days may be behind him.  Only time will tell

I'm not hatin, I jus sayin...

Who Remains Winless

Week four of the 2013 NFL season continues to present one surprise after another.  Who would have thought several of the historically stronger teams in the league would be performing so poorly? 

While one might be able to contemplate a Tampa Bay Buccaneers or a Jacksonville Jaguars remaining in the loser column at this point in the season.  The Buccaneers fell to the Cardinals 13-10, while The Jacksonville Jaguars succumbed to the Indianapolis Colts 37-3. 

Coach Mike Tomlin only knows, "This is
not Steeler football."      USA TODAY Sports

More difficult to have envisioned is the Pittsburg Steelers or New York Giants winless after four weeks of play.  And it’s even worse in the case of the Steelers, they lost all of their pre-season games too.  Things continued to look less than favorable as the Steelers endured a spanking in the annual London NFL demonstration falling to the Minnesota Vikings 27-34. The New York Giants were devastated by the Chiefs 7-31 in yet another waxing.

The Washington Redskins, who have struggle thus far, were successful in gaining their first “W” this season as they defeated the Oakland Raiders 24-14.

Other surprises might include the unprecedented play of Peyton Manning.  The Bronco’s signal

Peyton Manning playing at a record setting pace. USA TODAY Sports

caller has for years been compared to Tom Brady and Drew Brees when trying to determine the league’s best quarterback. 

At this point in this season, Peyton Manning clearly has this title. He has thrown 16 Touchdowns with 0 interceptions while leading the Broncos to a 4-0 season.

In last Monday Night’s game Manning lead his Broncos to an uneventful spanking of the Oakland Raiders 37-21.  But in the Sunday afternoon match-up against the visiting Philadelphia Eagles Peyton threw for 28 completions in 34 attempts and 4 touchdowns.  The Eagles were thoroughly pummeled 52-20.  Needless to say, the Denver Broncos remain undefeated in regular season play thus far.

In other play this weekend:

49ers 35              Ravens 20                           Bengal 6                             Bears 32             Rams 11             Buffalo Bills 23                   Browns 17                           Lions 40

                                                                                                                                       
Colts 37              Seahawks 23                        Cowboys 21                       Jets 13
Jaguars 3            Texans 20                             Chargers 30                       Titans 38

                                                                               

Tom Brady verifies yet another first down.      Keith Nordstrom

In the Sunday Night late game in what had to be the match-up of the day, the Atlanta Falcons faced off with the visiting New England Patriots. 

This game seemed fairly one sided until the 4^th quarter when Matt Ryan and the Dirty Birdz started to show some signs of life.  The Falcons were able to close within 7 points. Unfortunately, with less than 5 minutes remaining in the game, after a successful onside kick and a Brady sack or two, the Falcons weren’t able to capitalize. 

Final score in this edge of your seat match-up was Patriots 30 to the Falcons 23.  New England climbs to 4-0 while Atlanta slips to 1-3.

The Monday Night match-up has the Undefeated Miami Dolphins (I have such a hard time saying that) and the undefeated New Orleans Saints.  The “Stand Your Ground” Phins as “Her Swaa Mee-Ness Bev” refers to the only good thing coming out of Florida these days, will travel to the Big Easy to challenge Drew Brees and the boys in the Super Dome. 

This will be my first chance to get a good luck at Miami since the regular season began.  Can't wait to see that one!

Week Three: Full of Surprises

Let’s start with the Monday Night match up, the Battle of the Ohio River. The Pittsburg Steelers traveled to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals who were not having any nonsense in their house. 

The Bengals thoroughly thwarted the Steelers 20-10 in what would prove the first of many upsets for the week.

Thursday Night saw Andy Reid and his charged up Kansas City Chiefs travel to Franklin Field to challenge Chip Kelly’s Philadelphia Eagles.  In his first return after being released by the Eagles, Andy Reid walked away with a sweet 26-16 victory.

In the Sunday afternoon line-up, the surprises just kept the fans startled and sitting on the edge of their seats.  What do I mean by surprises?  How about the Carolina Panther running up 38 points and shutting out the New York Giants?  Ouch!  

Week Two Highlights

Week Two began with a Monday Night double header. That’s right, not 1 but 2 Monday night clashes.

First in the line-up was the return of Robert Griffin III following what many feared was a career ending injury mid-year last season.  Although RGIII played in 1 game following the horrific injury, but it was obvious his season was over.  

Patriots Release Tebow

Tim Tebow, the former University of Florida football standout and unprecedented sophomore year Heisman Trophy winner, has been released by the New England Patriots.  This should come as no surprise to anyone, including Tebow.  He stated after his last pre-season game that he “did not think he had done enough to stick.”

Tebow in action at the height of his career as a Denver Bronco in post sean play.    

NFL Dreams or Nightmares?

Photo: Wikipedia

By now, all you sports fans have heard about Aaron Hernandez and his June 17^th alleged execution style murder of his friend, Odin Lloyd.  

Hernandez allegedly orchestrated the killing of Lloyd because, among other things, Lloyd had information concerning Hernandez’s involvement in two murders in 2012.  Lloyd’s body was found less than 2 miles from the Hernandez residence in North Attleboro, Massachusetts.  

Somebody please tell me, what was this guy thinking?

The Legacies of a Coach

Major Props and Shout Outs to my coach and fraternity brother Coach George "Pup" Williams. There are many accolades not mentioned in this article that Pup also has under his belt.