Joe Lieberman speaks on Iraq
My favorite Democrat doesn't budge.

Monday
Bruce Willis is going to make a pro-war film. Willis is one of the four conservatives in Hollywood, and still has yet to be blacklisted. I'm not sure how he pulls it off. Actually, Robert Duvall hasn't struggled to find work either. But where has Dennis Miller been lately? And the last time I saw James Woods, he was doing a Monday Night Football commercial.

Sullivan
Based on this post, I can assume Andrew Sullivan is battling an illness at the moment. I first started reading Andrew a little over a year ago and have been hooked since then. He is a frantic blogger, and is always interesting to read.
Anyway, get well soon Mr. Sullivan.

Picks
Did them, thought I posted them, then arrived at work. Two hours later I checked the site and saw that not only had the picks not posted, but they weren't saved either. I guess I'll need to budget a half hour into the schedule tomorrow.
UPDATE: Found them.

Browns
This was not quite Pittsburgh in terms of disappointing losses, but it was frustrating nonetheless. I think today might have told me what I already knew. I have not seen enough of Charlie Frye to know if he's the future, but I get the sense Crennel has seen enough of him to know he's not.
It's just a guess, but I doubt Crennel would have put Frye in for one play and only one play if he had developed confidence in him.

The Panel
Aaron Rund: Vitamin Z timekeeper
Andy Barch: Vitamin Z ring announcer (don't walk over the top rope AB!)
Joel Hammond: Vitamin Z ring designer
Nihar Vasavada: Ringside doctor
Phil Prusa: Top Manager
Vivek Vasavada: heavyweight champion
Curtis A.: Won't participate
Zach: Head booker

Baltimore at Cincinnati
1:00 p.m.
Taking Baltimore: (C)
Taking Cincinnati: Curtis, Vivek, Nihar, Aaron, Phil, Joel, Andy, Zach, (C)

Carolina at Buffalo
1:00 p.m.
Taking Carolina: Curtis, Nihar, Vivek, Joel, Andy, Zach, (C)
Taking Buffalo: Aaron, Phil

Chicago at Tampa Bay
1:00 p.m.
Taking Chicago: Curtis, Vivek, Aaron, Phil, Zach (C)
Taking Tampa Bay: Nihar, Joel, Andy

Cleveland at Minnesota
1:00 p.m.
Taking Cleveland: Curtis, Vivek, Joel
Taking Minnesota: Nihar, Aaron, Phil, Andy, Zach (C)

New England at Kansas City
1:00 p.m.
Taking New England: Vivek, Aaron, Zach (C)
Taking Kansas City: Curtis, Nihar, Phil, Joel, Andy

San Diego at Washington
1:00 p.m.
Taking San Diego: Nihar, Aaron, Phil, Joel, Andy, Zach, (C)
Taking Washington: Curtis, Vivek

San Francisco at Tennessee
1:00 p.m.
Taking San Francisco: Phil
Taking Tennessee: Curtis, Vivek, Nihar, Aaron, Joel, Zach (C)

St. Louis at Houston
1:00 p.m.
Taking St. Louis: Curtis, Nihar, Vivek, Aaron, Joel, Zach, (C)
Taking Houston: Phil, Andy

Jacksonville at Arizona
4:05 p.m.
Taking Jacksonville: Curtis, Nihar, Vivek, Aaron, Phil, Joel, Andy, Zach (C)

Miami at Oakland
4:05 p.m.
Taking Miami: Joel
Taking Oakland: Curtis, Nihar, Vivek, Aaron, Phil, Andy, Zach (C)

Green Bay at Philadelphia
4:15 p.m.
Taking Philadelphia: Curtis, Nihar, Vivek, Phil, Joel, Andy, Zach, (C)
Taking Green Bay: Aaron

N.Y. Giants at Seattle
4:15 p.m.
Taking New York: Curtis, Nihar, Andy, (C)
Taking Seattle: Vivek, Aaron, Phil, Joel, Zach

New Orleans at N.Y. Jets
8:30 p.m.
Taking New Orleans: Curtis, Nihar, Phil, Joel, Andy
Taking New York: Vivek, Aaron, Zach, (C)

Pittsburgh at Indianapolis
9 p.m.
Taking Pittsburgh: Andy, (C)
Taking Indianapolis: Curtis, Vivek, Nihar, Aaron, Phil, Joel, Zach

Bee Gees
You always remember the first time you come to a realization that you had been avoiding.
I'm a music guy. I have been since I was old enough to sing. I loved The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Led Zepplin. Old-time country, hard rock. Van Morrison ripping through Caravan like a man possessed. The Band, David Bowie, Tom Petty, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen always are in my CD case.
But somewhere, hidden underneath all that is a voice.
"Stayin' Alive, Stayin alive"
For years I avoided it, pretended it didn't exist.
"More than a woman"
I finally caved in and bought a Bee Gees Greatest Hits, Vol. 1.
"I like the Bee Gees pre-disco," I'd assure my friends. "Disco is not my thing."
It was a lie.
Well, not really. I am not a big disco fan. But Bee Gees disco is different.
It's the best, the top of an entire era of music. And unlike many disco artists, the boys from down under wrote their own songs and played their own instruments.
Finally, as a senior in college, I caved in. The cashier had seen me in the store before, picking up some Peter Gabriel and some Van Morrison. We started talking about Bruce's latest album.
Then he saw what I was about to pay 19.95 for.
"Best of the Bee Gees, Vol. 1 and 2."
"I almost came here in an overcoat so I could cover my face," I told him.
"It's cool," the cashier responded. "They're great."

The Panel: Thanksgiving Edition
Special Panel Survivor Series Match
"The Z Man " Zach Baker, Andy "Goldberg" Barch, Aaron "King Kong" Rund(y), Phil "Red" Prusa vs. Curtis "B. Badd" Baker, "Vicious" Vivek Vasavada, "Hacksaw" Joel Hammond, "The Natural" Nihar Vasavada

Atlanta at Detroit
12:30 p.m.
Taking Atlanta: Curtis A., Zach, Nihar, Aaron, Vivek, Joel, Phil
Taking Detroit: (C) Andy

Denver at Dallas
4 p.m.
Taking Denver: Aaron, Nihar, Zach, Curtis, Vivek, Joel, Phil
Taking Dallas: (C) Andy

BG-Toledo
Sadly, I will not be able to make the trip up the road tonight for the game. The rivalry goes beyond one sport. I remember when, while working as a student-sports writer for the BG News, I interviewed a women's soccer player about the Falcons' upcoming contest with the Rockets.
"We want to kill them," she said.
Yep.
I'll have my Falcons cap on tonight. I will apoligize in advance to my buddy Joel Hammond for having to stay in Tiffin this evening. We'll have to party again, maybe at the Panel Christmas Party.
And the Panel breakdown is like this:
Well, five of the eight are BGSU graduates, so take a guess where we're leaning.
Bring it home guys.
Go Falcons.

Murtha
The public is way ahead of Congress and is thirsting for a new direction. Over 70% of the responses I have received are in favor of my re-deployment plan. The public knows this war cannot be won with words. Most agree the insurgency cannot be won militarily. The Iraqis themselves must be the driving force. Yet we have lost the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people. America wants and DESERVES real answers: What is the clear definition of success? Is there a plan? How much longer and how many more lives? In short, what is the end game?-- Congressman John Murtha.

The congressman is a patriot and a war hero. He is by no means a coward. But on this topic, I think he's quite wrong.
Can American troops just pull out of Iraq? Is that an answer, or more importantly, a solution?
If Americans did leave Iraq now, can the country survive without falling into hands that could be as troubling as Saddam?
I don't know. But all one can think is that if things are as bad as the congressman believes, than how can we pull out? Wouldn't that make the situation worse?
Murtha said 70 percent of his responses have been positive, and that public is "way ahead" of congress, who likely are privy to more information than the public.
Four-hundred-and-three members of congress must be way behind. They all voted against Murtha's plan.
Still, the plan has gained support overseas, like, say, in Iran.
Again, I don't question Murtha's patriotism or bravery. I think he's a great American who is fed up with the constantly frustrating accounts in Iraq, and the daily tragedies we all read about.
I don't blame him, but I do disagree with him.

The Panel: Week 11
Same as always

Arizona at St. Louis
1:00 p.m.
Taking Arizona: (C)
Taking St. Louis: Zach, Vivek,Curtis, Aaron, Andy, Joel, Phil, Nihar

Carolina at Chicago
1:00 p.m.
Taking Carolina: Zach, Vivek, Curtis, Aaron, Andy, Joel, Phil, Nihar, (C)

Detroit at Dallas
1:00 p.m.
Taking Detroit: (C)
Taking Dallas: Zach, Vivek, Curtis, Aaron, Andy, Joel, Phil, Nihar

Jacksonville at Tennessee
1:00 p.m.
Taking Jacksonville: Zach, Vivek, Curtis, Aaron, Joel, Phil, Nihar, (C)
Taking Tennessee: Andy

Miami at Cleveland
1:00 p.m.
Taking Miami: Zach, Aaron, Joel (C)
Taking Cleveland: Vivek, Curtis, Andy, Phil, Nihar

New Orleans at New England
1:00 p.m.
Taking New Orleans: Andy,(C)
Taking New England: Zach, Vivek, Curtis, Aaron, Joel, Phil, Nihar

Oakland at Washington
1:00 p.m.
Taking Washington: Zach, Vivek, Curtis, Aaron, Andy, Joel, Phil, Nihar, (C)

Philadelphia at N.Y. Giants
1:00 p.m.
Taking New York: Zach, Vivek, Curtis, Aaron, Andy, Joel, Phil, Nihar, (C)

Pittsburgh at Baltimore
1:00 p.m.
Taking Pittsburgh: Zach, Vivek,Curtis, Aaron, Andy, Joel, Phil
Taking Baltimore: Nihar, (C)

Tampa Bay at Atlanta
1:00 p.m.
Taking Atlanta: Zach, Vivek, Curtis, Aaron, Andy, Phil, Nihar, (C)
Taking Tampa Bay: Joel

Seattle at San Francisco
4:05 p.m.
Taking Seattle: Zach, Vivek,Curtis, Aaron, Andy, Joel, Phil, Nihar, (C)

Buffalo at San Diego
4:15 p.m.
Taking San Diego: Zach, Vivek, Curtis, Aaron, Joel, Phil, Nihar, (C)

Indianapolis at Cincinnati
4:15 p.m.
Taking Cincinnati: Zach, Vivek, Aaron, Andy, Joel, Nihar
Indy: Curtis, Phil, (C)

N.Y. Jets at Denver
4:15 p.m.
Taking Denver: Zach, Vivek, Curtis, Aaron, Andy, Joel, Phil, Nihar, (C)

Kansas City at Houston
8:30
Taking Houston: Joel, (C)
Taking Kansas City: Zach, Vivek,Curtis, Aaron, Andy, Phil, Nihar

Minnesota at Green Bay
9:00
Taking Green Bay: Zach, Vivek, Aaron, Andy, Joel, Nihar, (C)
Taking Minnesota: Curtis, Phil

Week 10 Panel Results
Aaron Rund: 8-6 (86-58)
Andy Barch: 9-5 (88-56)
Joel Hammond: 8-6 (87-57)
Nihar Vasavada: 10-4 (85-59)
Phil Prusa: 9-5 (86-58)
Vivek Vasavada: 10-4 (79-65)
Curtis A.: 10-4 (95-49)
Zach: 11-3 (95-49)
Coin: 6-8 (68-76)

The Panel: Week 9 results
Aaron Rund: 12-2 (78-52)
Andy Barch: 12-2 (79-51)
Joel Hammond: 11-3 (79-51)
Nihar Vasavada: 11-3 (75-55)
Phil Prusa: 9-5 (77-53)
Vivek Vasavada: 10-4 (69-61)
Curtis A.: 11-3 (85-45)
Zach: 9-5 (84-46)
Coin: 7-7 (62-68)

Post Week eight Panel records
Aaron Rund: 10-4 (66-50)
Andy Barch: 7-7 (67-49)
Joel Hammond: 9-5 (68-48)
Nihar Vasavada: 8-6 (64-52)
Phil Prusa: 11-3 (68-48)
Vivek Vasavada: 6-8 (59-57)
Curtis A.: 11-3 (74-42)
Zach: 11-3 (75-41)
Coin: 6-8 (55-61)

Words
Some things, and some people, are just sick. (Note, this relates to the 11-18 post). I don't understand how this professor's philosophy can in any way be termed "liberal." It's intolerance for a perspective different than his. And that perspective is totally wrong.

Eddie's Funeral
Dave Meltzer has his remarks from it. I don't think one can argue, based on everything we have heard over recent days, that Eddie Guerrero was a great man. He obviously touched a lot of people. Watching RAW Monday night, it was amazing to see so many performers in tears or close to it.
As a fan, I will miss Eddie. But it appears that his friends and family will miss something much more.
Rest in peace.

Another wrestler dies: Will Eddie Guerrero's death change things?
It’s a list that keeps on growing every year.
Being a fan of professional wrestling is not the easiest thing to admit. But for many of us, it’s not hard to admit because it’s choreographed or because it can be silly.
Lots of sports with unplanned finishes fit that bill.
It’s hard to admit because we know we watch and in some cases support an industry that has seen far too many premature deaths.
On Sunday afternoon my phone rang. It was a friend of mine who is also a wrestling fan.
“Did you hear about Eddie Guerrero?”
When I heard that a 38-year old man, trim and muscular, in the prime of his career and perhaps his life had died, I wasn’t surprised.
After all, he was a wrestler. Wrestlers die young.
Or at least that’s how it seems.
If you watch wrestling from 15 years ago, you’ll notice that there’s almost no match that doesn’t involve a performer that died young.
Everyone automatically thinks about steroids at first. But does it really matter? Football and baseball players have used steroids, but we have yet to see the type of mortality rate that exists in what the promoters skillfully call “sports entertainment.”
Whether these deaths are the result of steroid use or not, there’s no question that the life of a wrestler is not an easy one. The performers travel a lot (there is no offseason, like in football) and despite its “fake” stigma, professional wrestling does cause serious injuries.
This is not an indictment on World Wrestling Entertainment owner Vince McMahon or promoters like him. McMahon has been in the wrestling business his whole life. He has done business his way, and no amount of words written by me will get him to change his way of dealing with these deaths.
But then again, this death was different. Yes, it’s true a number of former WWE wrestlers have died young in recent years. The list includes names like “Ravishing” Rick Rude, “Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig, Ray “Big Bossman” Traylor and David “British Bulldog” Smith.
But none of those men were under McMahon’s employment at the time of their death. Of the number of wrestlers that have died in recent years, only Owen Hart and Brian Pillman were wrestling for the WWF (now WWE) at the time.
But even those deaths were different than Guerrero’s. Owen Hart’s death was a freak accident – a fall from the top of a building while preparing for a stunt. Pillman, while still a star, had been in difficult shape prior to his death and no longer a headliner.
Eddie was different. He was still at the top of his game in the ring and was a headliner. He was in the main event at a pay-per-view show Oct. 9.
His death was reported as heart failure, something most have blamed on the drug and alcohol problems that Guerrero had in the past
Will the death cause McMahon and other promoters to look at the lifestyles their employees are living? Probably not.
But maybe the death will cause the wrestlers themselves to look in the mirror and wonder if being a star in the industry is worth it.
One can only hope.
This column, along with a host of others, can be read at www.blogcritics.org

Thursday's news
You have seen him in the panel and he's even written some column for this site. Now Andy Barch is blogging. The announcer for the West Virginia Power is a good friend of mine, yes. But he's also one of the most knowledgable minds in the world of sports. His site should be a great read.

- My Eddie Guerrero post from a few days ago was a bit short. A full column on the trend in wrestling should be up soon.

Eddy Guerrero dies
I have not written much about wrestling on this site and in fact have intentionally ignored it. But I can't let this one go.
Eddy Guerrero was one of the best wrestlers I have ever seen. But he was also a terrific interview and was a great character. He was such a good heel (bad guy) that the fans had to cheer him.
Now he's another name on a list that just keeps growing.
It's too bad, but sadly, it's no longer a surprise.

The Panel: Week 10
A few quick notes:
I have last week's panel and will post it later today. I went to the Browns game last Sunday (my first in a decade) and so I couldn't post in time. Then my job got a bit hectic.
Anyway, same group as always.

Arizona at Detroit
1:00 p.m.
Taking Arizona: Joel, Aaron
Taking Detroit: Phil, Vivek, Nihar, Andy, Curtis, Zach(C)

Baltimore at Jacksonville
1:00 p.m.
Taking Baltimore: Andy
Taking Jacksonville: Joel, Phil, Vivek, Nihar, Aaron, Curtis, Zach (C)

Houston at Indianapolis
1:00 p.m.
Taking Indianapolis: Joel, Phil, Vivek, Nihar, Aaron, Andy, Curtis, Zach, (C)

Kansas City at Buffalo
1:00 p.m.
Taking Kansas City: Joel, Phil, Vivek, Nihar, Aaron
Taking Buffalo: Andy, Curtis, Zach, (C)

Minnesota at N.Y. Giants
1:00 p.m.
Taking New York: Joel, Phil, Vivek, Nihar, Aaron, Andy, Curtis, Zach, (C)

New England at Miami
1:00 p.m.
Taking New England: Joel, Vivek, Nihar, Aaron, Andy, Curtis, Zach
Taking Miami: Phil (C)

San Francisco at Chicago
1:00 p.m.
Taking Chicago: Joel, Phil, Vivek, Nihar, Aaron, Andy, Curtis, Zach, (C)

Denver at Oakland
4:05 p.m.
Taking Denver: Phil, Vivek, Nihar, Aaron, Andy, Curtis, Zach
Taking Oakland: Joel, (C)

N.Y. Jets at Carolina
4:05 p.m.
Taking Carolina:Joel, Phil, Vivek, Nihar, Aaron, Andy, Curtis, Zach (C)

Green Bay at Atlanta
4:15 p.m.
Taking Atlanta: Joel, Phil, Vivek, Nihar, Aaron, Andy, Curtis, Zach (C)

St. Louis at Seattle
4:15 p.m.
Taking St. Louis: Aaron, Andy, Zach, (C)
Taking Seattle: Joel, Phil, Vivek, Nihar, Curtis

Washington at Tampa Bay
4:15 p.m.
Taking Washington: Joel, Phil, Nihar, Aaron (C)
Taking Tampa Bay: Vivek, Andy, Curtis, Zach

Cleveland at Pittsburgh
8:30 p.m.
Taking Cleveland: Curtis
Taking Pittsburgh: Joel, Phil, Vivek, Nihar, Aaron, Andy, Zach (C)

Monday
Dallas at Philadelphia
9:00 p.m.
Taking Philadelphia: Joel, Andy, Curtis, Zach (C)
Taking Dallas: Phil, Vivek, Nihar, Aaron

The Panel: Week 9
Aaron Rund: BGRSO buddy
Andy Barch: Also a BGRSO man
Joel Hammond: Very good man, very good writer
Nihar Vasavada: Cavs season ticket holder
Phil Prusa: My co-host every Sunday night
Vivek Vasavada: My cousin Vivek
Curtis A. Newspaper commentator, hated by Bob Taft
Atlanta at Miami
1:00 p.m.
Taking Atlanta: Curtis, Zach Vivek, (C), Aaron, Andy, Joel, Nihar
Taking Miami: Phil

Carolina at Tampa Bay
1:00 p.m.
Taking Carolina: Zach, (C), Vivek, Aaron, Andy, Joel, Phil, Nihar
Taking Tampa Bay: Curtis,

Cincinnati at Baltimore
1:00 p.m.
Taking Cincinnati: Curtis (C), Vivek, Aaron, Andy, Joel, Nihar
Taking Baltimore: Zach, Phil

Detroit at Minnesota
1:00 p.m.
Taking Detroit: Curtis, (C), Vivek , Phil, Nihar
Taking Minnesota: Zach, Aaron, Andy, Joel

Houston at Jacksonville
1:00 p.m.
Taking Houston: (C)
Taking Jacksonville: Curtis, Zach, Vivek, Aaron, Andy, Joel, Phil, Nihar

Oakland at Kansas City
1:00 p.m.
Taking Oakland: (C), Vivek
Taking Kansas City: Curtis, Zach, Aaron, Andy, Joel, Phil, Nihar

San Diego at N.Y. Jets
1:00 p.m.
Taking San Diego: Curtis, Zach, Vivek , Aaron, Andy, Joel, Phil, Nihar

Tennessee at Cleveland
1:00 p.m.
Taking Cleveland: Curtis, Andy
Taking Tennessee: Zach, Vivek, Aaron , Joel, Phil, Nihar

Chicago at New Orleans(Baton Rouge, LA)
4:05 p.m.
Taking Chicago: Curtis, Zach, Vivek , Aaron, Phil, Nihar
Taking New Orleans: (C), Andy, Joel

N.Y. Giants at San Francisco
4:05 p.m.
Taking New York: Curtis, Zach, Vivek, Aaron, Andy, Joel, Phil, Nihar
Taking San Francisco: (C)

Seattle at Arizona
4:05 p.m.
Taking Seattle: Curtis, Zach (C), Vivek, Aaron, Andy, Joel, Phil, Nihar

Pittsburgh at Green Bay
4:15 p.m.
Taking Pittsburgh: Vivek, Aaron, Andy, Phil
Taking Green Bay: Curtis, (C), Zach, Joel, Nihar

Philadelphia at Washington
8:30 p.m.
Taking Washington: Curtis, (C), Vivek, Aaron, Andy, Joel, Nihar
Taking Philadelphia: Zach, Phil

Monday, Nov. 7
Indianapols at New England
Taking Indianapolis: Curtis, Vivek, Andy, Joel , Phil, Nihar
Taking New England: (C), Zach, Aaron

Manny-tag
Those Manny to Cleveland whispers are growing louder and louder. Is there any truth to it? I would have said no a week ago. But you just don't know at this point.
Manny to Cleveland makes a lot of sense, until you figure in the money. Despite my desire to see Manny in a Tribe uniform again, I don't see how the team can reconcile the financial situation.
Manny will probably be traded, but I expect him to go to Anaheim.

Blog checking
I haven't had much to write about here lately. But I will encourage everyone to check out my friends' sites. Let's do that now, shall we?

-Matt Sussman is dedicating time and effort to recapping baseball teams and their 2005 performance. His latest is a recap of the Padres. Matt does some outstanding research for his pieces, and this is no exception. He is also the reason you can now read me on blogcritics.

-Mike checks in with a scene from voting day. Being a young Republican does go against the grain, I suppose. Then again, I am a young Republican journalist, so I know where he's coming from. Suddenly I need to hear David Bowie's Rebel Rebel.

-Over at PapaCass, Erik examines the Cavs and their promising win over the Sonics last night. The Cavs season is likely to have ups and downs, but right now, the Cavs look like a playoff team. They did until late last season. Hopefully, this year will be different.

Song Quote of the Day
And my mind goes back
to a girl I knew
some years ago who told me
hold on loosely
don't let go
if you grip to tightly
you might lose control--38 Special

Owens Undone by Two Failing Report Cards
In elementary school, there was a line on the report card. It had to do with getting along well with others. It was hard to get a minus there. In fact, since I always got a plus, my friends always got a plus, and even the mean kids got a check, I remember doubting anyone could get a negative grade. But there’s this guy on the Philadelphia Eagles who has changed my perspective.
Here’s the deal with Terrell Owens. He’s not a thug. He hasn’t been busted for drugs, and hasn’t been in domestic dispute. He doesn’t seem like a real bad guy. And he is an excellent wide receiver, probably the best in the National Football League. The NFL is, of course, full of reclamation projects, most with far less ability then Owens.
How many chances was Lawrence Phillips given? NFL teams have accepted drug addicts, accused murderers, and con artists under its tent.
And yet, Owens, despite being none of those things, is public enemy No. 1 in the league. Two teams have said that no matter how great he is on the field, the cost of his off-field distractions is too much.
The 49ers tired of his act and dealt him to Philadelphia. Now Eagles’ coach Andy Reid says Owens won’t play for him this season
Some have even doubted whether Owens will find work in the NFL again. OK, lets not go that far. Someone will give him a job. His 716 career catches won’t go unnoticed.
But there is a lesson here. Owens is not the worst of what the NFL has to offer, but he is the loudest and the most annoying. He’s petty. He’s self-absorbed. He attacks teammates for no reason.
In 2004 he went after then-Browns quarterback Jeff Garcia, making comments about his sexual preference. It was wrong and offensive, but it was even more puzzling. Why would Owens say it? What did he gain from it?
He got his name on television. That was more than enough for T.O.
This season, Owens made Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb his target. McNabb, by most accounts, was minding his own business when Terrell took him to task for … something. After a while it gets hard to remember.
Then Owens insinuated the Eagles would be better if Brett Favre was the quarterback. Well yeah, a lot of people may think that, but a teammate shouldn’t say it.
So why did he do it? Because Owens has made it blatantly obvious that win or lose, he has to be the center of attention. He will compromise his team’s confidence to get it.
In the past, it was said that a player could get away with anything if he showed up and did his job. As it turns out, a player could do almost anything. If Owens had a drug problem, he’d be in rehab. If he had a legal problem, the Eagles would probably stand by him and send him to a good lawyer.
But Owens set new standards for egotism. In truth, Terrell Owens is nothing more than a talented 11-year-old kid.
And just like in recess, there’s a kid who is far too annoying to invite into your pickup game.
Maybe that’s the guy that got a minus on his report card.

This column, along with a host of others, can also be read over at www.blogcritics.org

Back for now
Some of you may have noticed a major drop off in the number of posts, and I apoligize. I am going to try to get back in the swing of things slowly. There were a number of things I have wanted to write about, but was unable to. So I'll write about a few of them now.

Is this some kind of bust?
"It's a veterinary steroid. I think it's primarily used in horses," Dr. Gary Wadler, a professor of sports medicine at New York University and an expert on performance-enhancing drugs. "It's used like any other anabolic steroid. It's basically injectable."
This was, of course, what free agent Matt Lawton tested positive for. In the past few months, we have learned a lot about the steroid issue. Twelve players have tested positive. One can only assume far more have gotten away with it.
Matt Lawton, to his credit, owned up to the mistake. But I am beginning to believe it doesn't matter that his career is now disgraced. He knew the risks, and he still did it.
That's why I think John McCain and several others in congress are right to push accross the board penalties in sports.
Some commentators have suggested that being outed as a steroid-user is enough to deter athletes from engaging in the illigal activity. The risk of that shame didn't stop Rafael Palmeiro from injecting and ruining his Hall of Fame chances.
Many players are stupid enough to believe they won't get caught, yes. But I think more are aware of the risk and still doing it. Why stop when you only lose 10 games, right?