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      Where’s the accountability?

      April 8, 2009 /

      Last Thursday, a site called NFLDraftBible.com posted this “breaking news” story:

      Written by NFL Draft Bible Thursday, 02 April 2009 22:36
      Boston College DT BJ Raji, Illinois CB Vontae Davis & Florida WR Percy Harvin tested positive for marijuana at the combine, according to various sources, including one NFL team.

      And this one:

      Written by NFL Draft Bible Thursday, 02 April 2009 22:38
      USC LB’s Brian Cushing & Clay Matthews tested positive for steroids at the NFL Scouting Combine, according to various sources, including one NFL team.

      On Sunday, NFL drug policy administer Dr. John Lombardo informed Cushing and Matthews that they had nothing to worry about in terms of any failed steroid tests and on Tuesday, Raji was informed that he didn’t fail any drug tests either.

      This morning I went onto NFLDraftBible.com and surfed the site a bit. Nice site – really nice site, actually. But what I want to know is: Where’s their accountability? As far as I can tell, they had no reports updating the players’ situations and nothing that stated they spread false rumors. As one of our readers pointed out, the site put these players’ careers on the line with these reports and now they’re not even responsible enough to come out and say that they made false claims. It looks like they made the reports up by claiming they got the information from “various sources” and then went on with their business once the players were cleared.

      What’s great about this is that NFLDraftBible.com got what they wanted. They’re probably flooded with hits now and what do they care if they potentially could have ruined the careers of Cushing, Matthews and Raji? The whole thing is ridiculous and I feel bad for the players who presumably did nothing wrong.

      NFL, NFL Draft

      Are the Browns interested in Mark Sanchez?

      April 8, 2009 /

      According to Cleveland Plain Dealer writer Tony Grossi, the Browns are “smitten” with USC quarterback Mark Sanchez.

      Mark SanchezI’ve been hearing for weeks that the new Browns’ brass is divided on Quinn, that, in fact, Quinn had more supporters in the old regime, which nailed him to the bench for two years.
      I’ve been hearing that the new regime isn’t head-over-heels with Derek Anderson, either, but Anderson’s arm always will impress coaches at this time of year.

      I’ve also been hearing that the new regime is smitten with Mark Sanchez of USC and it wouldn’t surprise some — though it would floor everybody in Cleveland — if the Browns took Sanchez with the fifth pick of the draft.

      Quinn, of course, has not had much of an opportunity to disprove critics that question his accuracy and arm strength. He deserves that much before the Browns give up on him.

      Here’s yet another report that states how the new brass in Cleveland isn’t thrilled with Quinn.

      Let’s assume for a second that Grossi is right and the Browns love Sanchez and want to draft him at No. 5. Then Cleveland better trade Quinn (we have to assume that if Cleveland drafts Sanchez, then Quinn would be the one traded because why keep two young quarterbacks with limited to no experience?) before the draft or else they’ll get no value for him if they try and deal him with three quarterbacks on the roster. No team is going to give up a decent draft pick or two for Quinn knowing that the Browns have Anderson and Sanchez on the roster.

      It seems like Eric Mangini and George Kokinis either have some master game plan that they’re about to reveal over the next month or they’re completely clueless. Regardless, it’ll be interesting to see how everything plays out for the Browns around draft weekend.

      NFL, NFL Draft

      MLB Daily Six Pack 4/8

      April 8, 2009 /

      1. Nice start for Josh Beckett
      This season hasn’t gone the way of the ace so far, with CC Sabathia, Cliff Lee, Justin Verlander and Tim Lincecum all struggling for their respective teams. But one No. 1 that didn’t struggle in his ’09 debut was Boston’s Josh Beckett, who fanned 10 in the BoSox’s 5-3 victory over the Rays on Tuesday. You hate to make claims that a pitcher is already in midseason form after only one outing, but Beckett’s two-hit, one-run effort against Tampa was impressive.

      2. Speaking of Tim Lincecum…
      Boy did he struggle yesterday for the Giants. But the good news for San Fran and the reining NL Cy Young winner is that his velocity wasn’t down, it just looked like he had a major case of the yips in his Opening Day debut. He looked too pumped up from the start and just never settled down. Fortunately, Aaron Rowand, Bengie Molina, Travis Ishikawa and the rest of the G-Men offense helped Lincecum out as SF romped the Brewers 10-6. Huh, what a concept – the Giants offense bailing out the pitching for once…who would have thought?

      3. Dombrowski better be taking heat today in Detroit
      In the offseason, Tigers’ GM Dave Dombrowski’s answer to solving the bullpen issues in Detroit was signing former Arizona closer Brandon Lyon instead of pursuing other avenues like J.J. Putz (who is now a setup man for the Mets). At least for one day, the decision backfired as Lyon blew Edwin Jackson’s (7.1, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 K) gem in Toronto by giving up three runs on three hits as the Jays knocked off the Tigers 5-4. Granted, Lyon has plenty of time to bounce back but if he doesn’t, the Tigers will be left with mental midget Fernando Rodney to close games, who didn’t necessarily earn the role this spring with a 7.00 ERA. Considering Joel Zumaya may never pitch again due to freak injuries and Nate Robertson (who Dombrowski just gave a 3-year, $21 million deal in January of ’08) is pissed about being taken out of the starting rotation, Dombrowski has quite a mess brewing in Detroit.

      Continue reading »

      MLB

      Blake Griffin is turning pro

      April 7, 2009 /

      Oklahoma’s Blake Griffin, who collected a bunch of Player of the Year awards for his fantastic 2008-09 season, has announced that he will enter the NBA Draft.

      “It’s tough to walk away from something like this but at the same time, it’s a big opportunity and I felt like I was ready for it this year,” Griffin said.

      After declaring last year that he would stay at Oklahoma for at least one more season, Griffin said he wanted to be able to contribute immediately in the NBA before he would turn pro.

      “This is the right decision. In my mind, it’s a no-brainer,” [Oklahoma head coach Jeff] Capel said. “It wasn’t a decision to really debate because it’s the right one, and it’s the best thing for Blake.”

      This isn’t a surprise. Generally, when a player is in line to be the #1 overall pick, he goes pro. There is just too much at stake for him to play another year at the college level. Plus, he needs to get while the getting’s good. There’s no telling when this tough economy is going to force the league and the Player’s Association back to the bargaining table — reduced rookie salaries might be a part of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement.

      From what I’ve seen of Griffin, I think he’ll make an excellent pro. He has ideal height and length for a power forward and can jump out of the gym. His face up game needs some work, but he’s strong in the post and is already a terrific rebounder.

      College Basketball, NBA, NBA Draft, News

      Titans sign Ramsey – are they pushing Vince Young out?

      April 7, 2009 /

      The Titans recently signed journeyman quarterback Patrick Ramsey and one has to wonder what that means for Vince Young.

      Dave Logan, play-by-play voice for the Broncos and a former receiver with the Browns and Broncos, said Ramsey’s arm strength is still there.

      “I don’t know what the mind-set of the organization is, but I will tell you this: Patrick has enough talent to be better than a backup quarterback,” Logan said. “And that is what you look for in a backup quarterback, a guy who is going to handle the situation the right way, is going to be a team guy, is going to pull for the No. 1 guy, but is going to prepare himself and be ready every week just in case something happens. And he is going to push that No. 1 guy.

      “In training camp they’ll see Ramsey has some ability. He certainly has the ability to be the No. 2 guy, there’s no question about that.”

      Ramsey must be viewed as a contingency plan in case Young once again shows signs that he cannot be the Titans’ long-term answer at quarterback. Then again, we are talking about Patrick Ramsey here, and not a rookie. Kerry Collins can’t play forever and maybe the Titans are just trying to bread a little competition into the No. 2 spot. Either way, the move is interesting and again, one has to wonder what this means for Young’s future in Tennessee.

      NFL

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