Mike’s Blog

This was one of my Christmas gifts from the wife this year. I just (finally) hung it on the wall the other day. The picture isn’t the greatest due to the way my living room is lit, but I think it looks really slick.

If this is true, then I have to question Falcons GM Rich McKay’s sanity and intelligence for not being willing to trade Michael Vick. He may be an exceptional athlete, but at some point the Falcons are going to have to accept that Michael Vick will never be a great quarterback. In fact, he might be the most overrated player the NFL has ever seen.

The first pick in the draft alone is worth trading Vick for, let alone including Moss and Porter in the deal.

The Oakland Raiders are preparing to make a run at Falcons QB Michael Vick, according to NFL sources. The Raiders package would include receivers Randy Moss and Jerry Porter plus the No.1 overall pick in the 2007 draft for Vick and the Falcons first round pick (10th overall).

Update: Charles Robinson does a good job of explaining why I’m completely wrong. Most profound is the following:

Financially, the trade would be ruinous. Atlanta would be forced to take Vick’s adjusted cap hit of over $16.25 million, plus an additional pair of players who account for $10.75 million in base salary next season. So in one trade, Atlanta would be tying up $27 million in 2007 cap space – nearly 25-percent of what is expected to be a $109 million cap ceiling. As one prominent agent pointed out, the Falcons would have to cut several players just to make it work. And even if Atlanta dealt Vick after June 1 and split the cap hit over two years, bringing Moss and Porter aboard would still amount to over $18 million in cap space in 2007, and another $14 million-plus in dead money in 2008.

First the usually mild-mannered LaDainian Tomlinson goes ballistic after Patriots players classlessly celebrated last on the Chargers’ midfield logo, and now the Patriots are blaming yesterday’s loss to the Colts on officiating and illness, as well as being uncourteous with the media. My respect for the Patriots is diminishing by the minute.

Cornerback Ellis Hobbs was incensed at a pass interference penalty in the end zone that preceded the Colts’ tying touchdown in the third quarter, while Tully Banta-Cain [stats] didn’t even realize he’d been flagged for roughing the passer on the winning drive in the fourth quarter. Start with Hobbs, who was called for face-guarding Reggie Wayne. “I’ll say it publicly – that wasn’t pass interference,” Hobbs said. “I didn’t touch the guy. The ball hit me in the back of the arm. He put his hands up and I’m just trying to play through his hands. I didn’t look back, but I didn’t touch him. You make the call. Watch that replay, and tell me if it’s pass interference.” As for Banta-Cain, the linebacker hit Peyton Manning around the head after a 14-yard completion to Wayne. The 12-yard penalty put the Colts in business at the Patriots 11. “They called that? Really? I didn’t even know that,” Banta-Cain said. “I didn’t even notice that. It’s so loud, I didn’t hear it or see the flag. It’s one of those things where they try to protect the quarterback, especially one like Peyton Manning.”

…

Asked what coach Bill Belichick said to the team following the loss, Tom Brady wasn’t forthcoming.
“I don’t remember,” he said. “I was just trying to take my crap off.”

…

Bruschi and linebacker Rosevelt Colvin suggested the flu that ran through the team took its toll. A number of players cramped up during the game, the result of dehydration associated with the illness.
“A lot of us had some type of thing going on this week,” Bruschi said. “I skipped a couple of press conferences, but you get over it and come out here today.”

I’m sure we all feel a great deal of sympathy for Mr. Owens, who needs another surgery on his damaged ring finger.  Let’s hope for his sake that the surgeon doesn’t drop the scalpel or stop the surgery halfway through to complain about his contract.

One of the best “WTF” moments in recent memory.

Martinez told police he first came upon Lakers forward Ronny Turiaf, who he said agreed to pose for a photograph with him and the chocolate cake.

But outside of Blue 32, the 6-foot-11, 270-pound Brown came along, grabbed the cake and threw it at Martinez, according to the report. Brown got into a white limousine and left, Martinez claimed in the report, although he didn’t suggest any reason for the cake toss.

This is so cool!  Now where can I buy me one?  Heh.

About 45 seconds into the video, they play the audio – Georges Laraque, a real heavyweight, is miked up. Listen to how he challenges the other guy to a fight. Friggin’ hilarious.

Oh really?

Nick Saban, I’d have a lot more respect for you if you had just said “No comment” for the last five weeks. Now, in addition to being yet another college coach who couldn’t hack it in the NFL, you’re also a liar and you have no
class.

I’m not the only one who thinks so, either.

I hate the Dolphins, but I certainly sympathize with their fans who are most certainly fuming right now.

UPDATE: Even Don Shula, a man who deserves much respect, has spoken out. Favorite Saban quote from this piece: “The best way to disrespect somebody is to just walk away from them.” Yep, you hit the nail right on the head there, buddy.

UPDATE 2: Here’s another one, even more scathing.