Commissioner Stern Gives A Stern Ruling On Arenas and Crittenton Gun Dispute

NBA Commissioner David Stern suspended Washington Wizards players Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton for the remainder of the season.

The NBA known for its notorious brawls, recreational drug use and now firearms in the locker room- says enough, is enough!

This aggressive move will teach Mr. Arenas and Mr. Crittenton a lesson; especially, Mr. Arenas that firearms aren't a joke and mocking the situation doesn't help.

Or maybe it teach Mr. Arenas that he's not a basketball god and if you play with fire you're going to get burnt!

Burnt like the crisp core of your pay check, immaturity and relentlessness to understand the illegality and stupidity of his Wild West locker room gun draw with teammate Crittenton that now serves as a defining moment in NBA suspension history.

Arenas could possibly be traded next season or not picked up by another team because of his foolishness.

Ethically, this was the right move by the Commissioner and hopefully other athletes will get the message to not bring your guns to work!

Saints Win First Bowl Berth; Colts Edge Jets

The AFC Championship game featuring the Colts vs. the Jets was as exciting as watching the last episode of Jersey Shore.

Okay, maybe not so exciting since viewers already know what is bound to happen on the MTV reality show- but you get the point!

Coming into this game you can point out a few factors: two first-year head coaches, Rex Ryan and Jim Caldwell, the Jets have a rookie quarterback, Mark Sanchez and the colts have a veteran and three-time (now four) MVP, Payton Manning.

Jets came out leading the game first-half, 17-13, and shutting down Payton Manning’s go to guys, Reggie Wayne and cornerback Darrelle Revis.

Manning took command of the game in the third quarter to the put the Colts ahead.
The 4-yard touchdown pass to Pierre Garcon put the Colts up, 20-17. From there Indianapolis was back in the game as the Jets struggled with key player injuries and just awesome play routs by Manning.
On the NFC side, it was like a soap opera that could have ended early but didn’t as the Saints and Vikings battled into overtime.

Suddenly, the ever so popular phrase ‘Who Dat?’ doesn’t belong to Minnesota but to New Orleans for defeating the Vikings, 31-28, in OT.

This phrase could have easily belonged to the Vikings just like their infamous singing of the “Pants on the ground” song a week ago; if the coaches in the fourth quarter with 19 seconds left in regulation had went for the field goal; instead of, trying to make play for a TD that was never bound to happen!

What did happen? Vikings QB Brett Favre throws an interception in Saints territory that ends the game regulation. Saints get the first play in overtime after winning the coin toss and the victory play of Garrett Harley, who kicked a 40-yard field goal to lift the Saints to its first Super bowl berth over the Vikings, 31-28.

At least one thing is for certain, New Orleans has officially removed its name from the no bowl list as the Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans, and Cleveland Brown awaits their turn to play in Miami.

And Minnesota might need to look for a new head coach and offensive coordinator.

Tejada Returns to Baltimore Orioles: It's Deja Vu All Over Again

In the recent wake of the MLB season underway, Miguel Tejada is once again a free agent and he's heading back to Baltimore.

The six-time All Star shortshop signed a one-year deal for $6 million with the Baltimore Orioles.

Of course, that's chump change compared to Tejada's first signing with the team as a free agent back in 2003, for a six-year $72 million deal.

The shortshop only managed to play for Baltimore four years before being traded to the Houston Astros in 2007.

While playing for the Astros Tejada put-up some decent numbers, but will the 35-year old shortshop have what the Orioles need to get the job done in Birdland?

Well, that question remains for half of the Orioles roster. Hopefully, by mid-season Mr. Tejada won't cry and plead for a trade again- since he already knows the situation of the team.

Ravens' Offense Needs To Step Up

If the Baltimore Ravens want to excell past the New England Patriots and be a force in the playoffs, their offense is going to have to change its style of play.

Considerably, Raven's head coach John Harbaugh has had a pretty good strategy all season of playing quarterback Joe Flacco in the shot gun, but what about the loop holes?

Incomplete passes, fumbles, face-mask penalties and interceptions have led the Ravens to an underdog status heading into the play-offs.

Baltimore has a chance to redeem itself once again by winning Sunday's game against the Patriots.

The Ravens need to focus on a running game and play Flacco in the pocket. Flacco needs to read the opposing team's defense better, complete passes to his receivers and most of all, release the ball at a faster rate and not hold on to it like he normally does!

No doubt about it, Raven's second-string QB Troy Smith was more efficient at reading his offense; however, the contingency is to stay with Joe Flacco in the playoffs.

Maybe the Ravens' defense will have to step up again to lead a blitz New England's way; in order, for Baltimore to get a fair shot of a second division champship or Super Bowl.

Perhaps, the Ravens need to review their second-string quarterback and see if he can bring a refreshing start to the offense.

King James Says If He’s Not Going To Wear No.23, He’ll Wear No.6

Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James wants NBA players; including, himself to stop wearing No 23.

James insists that Michael Jordan is one of the greatest players of all time and deserves a tribute for his phenomenal talent and acknowledges that he or other players would be non-existent; if it hadn’t been for Jordan’s contribution to the game.

The comment about players hanging up their No. 23’s and sporting another number other than Jordan’s, first reported by The Plain Dealer, was made after Thursday night’s game against the Miami Heat. James scored 34 points and seven assists to help the Cavs defeat the Heat, 111-104.

Mr. James who has worn the No.23 since a sophomore in high school had an epiphany realizing he should out of respect for MJ stop wearing the No.23.

Another jersey number Mr. James might consider wearing- the No.6. It’s the number of basketball great Julius “Dr. J” Erving, who just happens to be his second-favorite player.

Although, this sounds like a melodic tribute with honoring athletes who have come before them that paved a way for others success, what about the current NBA rules?

According to the NBA, a player must wear a number five years before applying for a switch. The petition would cause for the NBA to change its current policy and perhaps consider other jersey numbers to stop wearing.

With that said; unless, Commissioner David Stern is going to give it a go; Mr. James could see this tribute not likely happening full circle in the league.

I guess it’s similar to other sports; especially, in track and field when the late Florence Griffith-Joyner ruled the track with her glamorous one-legged outfits and phenomenal speed or sprinter Carl Lewis showed up to a meet in a limousine.

No runner would be caught dead wearing one of Flo Jo’s outfits or arriving at a track meet near the back stretch in a limo. Why? Because it’s symbolic of what these athletes represented and contributed to the sport.

A level of respect or a sport creed that exists in most sports, but now players are openly discussing keeping tributes alive and not just retiring a jersey- but giving numbers meaning that embodies a legacy.

Yankees Win World Series: A Cloudy Forecast

It was a redemptive night for the New York Yankees as they beat the Philadelphia Phillies 7-3 in Game 6.

A sluggish season for the team, including teammates Andy Pettite and Alex Rodriguez, who were in the midst of baseball’s steroid controversy.

Remember Mr. Rodriguez admitted to steroid use during 2001- 2003 in February, while his teammate Mr. Pettite admitted use before the 2008 season.

Yanks Hideki Matsui tied a record of six RBIs and Andy Pettitte won the clincher on Wednesday night to pitch New York to its first victory since 2000 and to an elusive 27th championship. Matsui was named most valuable player.

But it was a sweet reward for third baseman Alex Rodriguez who admitted to using steroids, had hip surgery and didn’t join the team until May- finally was able to silence his critics with his team clinching the series title.

However, there is much peculation over this victory for teammates Rodriguez and Pettite surrounding the field as fans and media wonder if these players are receiving a pass on their illegal use of steroids.

In the wake of the steroid controversy, both players openly admitted to using the illegal substances after testing positive and suffered no repercussions for their actions.

Unlike sluggers Barry Bonds and Mark McGuire who denied use and never tested positive for steroids, but were slammed in the public eye and deemed as cheaters.

Call it a perception of the bad boy image or Mr. nice guy that gets some athletes the stamp of approval of illegal use.

You have to question whether or not this victorious win brings a cloudy forecast over if an athlete admits to using a steroid they are no longer seen as a cheater, than one that does not admit to use.

Clearly, fans have made up their minds and decided to give certain athletes a pass for their skullduggery use of steroids or performance-enhancing drugs, but America’s past-time plagued with racial discrimination, cheating scandals, and steroid controversy that can only cleanse itself for one night after winning a series.

Keeping the hopes and dreams alive of athletes that openly admit to usage are indulged in the clouds while their counterparts receive precipitation and thunderstorms.

Will Derrick Mason Follow Through With Retirement?

With only 16 days left before veterans have to report to training camp. Wide Reciever Derrick Mason announced his retirement from the NFL on Monday.

The abrupt decision leaves the Baltimore Ravens with a wide reciever void as QB Joe Flacco will inherit top recievers Marcus Clayton and Demetrius Williams. Not to mention third-string Marcus Smith to join the offensive bunch.

Mason was entering his final year of his five-year, $20 million contract and was seeking an extension. A new contract extension was set to take place soon but never happened.

Now the Ravens are trying to settle a contract with franshise tagged Linebacker Terrell Suggs. Baltimore has already lost a huge ordeal with Defensive Coordinator Rex Ryan and Linebacker Bart Scott that are now with the New York Jets.

Will the Ravens have a prosperous season without their top wide reciever? Or will Ravenstown not see a light on the AFC North Championship or Superbowl?