Any of you know who Todd Marinovich is?

 Times long gone by for Todd....

I'm pretty sure hardly any of you know who Todd Marinovich is.  Let me give you the rundown.  When I was in high school, I heard of a quarterback in high school who was out of this world.  He could run, he could pass, he could do everything.  We've heard of a lot of those quarterback's over the years (Jimmy Clausen, Ron Powlus, Tim Tebow, etc).  Marinovich was different.  Why you ask?  Well, his dad was completely crazy.  His dad didn't let his son do ANYTHING.  He couldn't go out past dark, he couldn't drink soda and didn't let his son eat out.  Ever!  Todd actually didn't have a cheeseburger at McDonald's until he was in COLLEGE.  Are you serious?  I know this because it was big news when he actually had gone to McDonald's. 

Yo Pops, I completely agree that McDonald's is not healthy food, but you need to let you son live a little.  The elder Marinovich figured he was doing what was best for his son and up until college, he was.  Todd was the best high school football player in the country.  He was a decent quarterback in college at USC, but bombed, and I mean BOMBED, at the pro level and was out of the NFL by the time he sneezed.  Marinovich played Arena league for a while before turning to music as his way of life.

Why is this news now you ask?  Well, Tuesday night Marinovich was arrested for the *ahem* TENTH time for drug possession while skateboarding in Newport Beach, Cali and resisting arrest.  While skateboarding in an illegal area, police officers wanted to talk to him (that's no big deal), he bolted.  The police caught up with him a mile or so away and in his guitar case was his green.  (This is one reason he's been known as Todd Marijuanavich).

In 2005, Marinovich was arrested for drug possession and child pornography.  On the police report, also in Newport News, Marinovich listed his occupation as 'unemployed artist' and 'anarchist.'  It's hard to believe that at one time he was listed as the top high school football player in the land.  ESPN listed Marinovich as the No. 4 sports flop EVER.  Yeah, so he was good at one pointed..then well...he stunk.

In conclusion, you parents out there, let your children live a little bit.  If you don't, this is what you will have to deal with for the rest of your lives as parents.  Well, maybe.

R.I.P. Antonio Puerta

 You will be sorely missed Antonio.

One of Spain's bright young football stars, Antonio Puerta, has passed away at the age of 22.  Puerta collapsed from a heart attack *sigh* during a match over the weekend and died of 'multiple organ failure stemming from prolonged cardiac arrest' and subsequent coronary problems. 

'Today is one of the saddest days in the history of Sevilla Football Club,' A tearful Sevilla president Jose Maria del Nido told reporters.  'That diamond left foot of Antonio Puerta's has left us, that left foot that changed our lives has left us.'

 Puerta would have helped Sevilla win La Liga this year.

Making this story even more sad, if that can really happen, Puerta is survived by his wife...who is six weeks away from making Puerta a father.  Incredibly, incredibly sad story.

Michael Vick Should NEVER Play In The NFL Again!

 'I look good in dis suit dough....'

I have followed Michael Vick since his high school career in Virginia, through his years at Virginia Tech and to the Atlanta Falcons.  It's been hard not to be amazed by all that is Michael Vick.  On the field, it seemed he could do anything.  As a quarterback, he's been the most athletic player in the history of the game.  Off the field, as we have found out in recent weeks, it seems he can also do anything...amazingly in poor, sad taste.

I am completely and utterly disgusted with Michael Vick.  Hey, he flipped off his fans last season.  So be it, the competitive nature gets ahold of people at times and they lose it.  I understand.  A secret compartment in his water bottle that smelled like marijuana?  No biggie, charges were not pressed so you can't really hold it against him, can you?  Or can you? 

In July of this year, Vick and three other men were charged by federal authorities with felony charges of operating an unlawful six-year long interstate dogfighting venture known as 'Bad News Kennels' at Vick's 15-acre property in Surry County, Virginia.  Vick was accused of financing the operation, directly participating in dog fights and executions, and personally handling thousands of dollars in related gambling activities. 

Vick agreed to a plea bargain for the federal charges on August 20 and will plead guilty to a single felony conspiracy charge on August 27.  He and the three other men are expected to each receive federal prison sentences between 12 months and a maximum of five years.  His sentencing date has not yet been set.  Possible state charges in Virginia in the matter have not yet been determined, but a grand jury will meet on September 25.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell directed Vick not to report to training camp and has stated that he wants the legal processs to run its course before he rules on Vick's future in the league.  Today, August 24, 2007, Goodell indefinitely suspended Vick without pay.  In a letter from the Commissioner to Vick informing him of the suspension, Goodell states 'Even if you personally did not place bets, as you contend, your actions in funding the betting and your association with illegal gambling both violate the terms of your NFL Player Contract and expose you to corrupting influences in derogation of one of the most fundamental responsibilities of an NFL player.'  In addition to making Vick's playing future in the NFL doubtful, the suspension also allows for the Atlanta Falcons to 'assert any claims or remedies' to recover the $22 million signing bonus from Vick's 2004 contract.'

If I were to play Devil's advocate, I would have to say that Michael Vick was not brought up in the best situation.  His mother and father were 16 and 17 respectively when he was born.  His parents had three other children, lived in a public housing project named 'Ridley Circle Homes' that was financially depressed and a crime-riddled area.  They lived in one of the worst areas of Newport News where drive-by shootings, drug dealers and other killing's were 'common occurences.' 

It's hard to throw the book at Vick, but what else are you supposed to do?  Give him some time off to think about the problems he has caused himself, the Atlanta Falcons players, fans and the city of Atlanta?  Bring him back in a couple of years?  He will be nearly 30 in a couple years and his skills will soon start to diminish.  Would another team in the NFL want to give Vick a shot? 

I'm sorry, but with what I have learned recently, my contention is Michael Vick should never play in the NFL again.  I left out the nice details of how Vick actually killed these dogs because they are unnecessary, but are a vital reason in my decision.  It's incomprehensible how a human being can do what he has done to these dogs.  Vick also lied to Arthur Blank, owner of the Falcons, by saying he had 'nothing' to do with the dog fighting ring.  Enough said.  I never want to see Vick again in the National Football League. 

** Read more about the plea bargain at ESPN.com here.

This is Colbie Caillat

 Fall in love with this song.  I have.

Bubbly by Colbie Caillat

(will you count me in)

I've been awake for a while now
You've got me feeling like a child now
Cause everytime I see you're bubbly face
I get the tinglies in a silly place

(chorus)
It starts in my toes and I crinkle my nose
Wherever it goes, I always know
You make me smile please stay for a while now
Just take your time, wherever you go

The rain is falling on my window pain
But we are hiding in a safer place
Undercover staying safe and warm
You give me feelings that I adore

Its starts in my toes, make me crinkle my nose
Wherever it goes, I always know
You make me smile please stay for a while now
Just take your time, wherever you go

What am I gonna say
When you make me feel this way
I just...hmmmm......

And it starts in my toes makes me crinkle my nose
Wherever it goes, I always know
You make me smile please stay for a while now
Just take your time, wherever you go

I've been asleep for a while now
You tuck me in just like a child now
Cause everytime you hold me in your arms
I'm comfortable enough to feel your warmth

It starts in my soul and I lose all control
When you kiss my nose, the feeling shows
Cause you make me smile
Baby just take your time now
Holding my tight....

Wherever, wherever, wherever you go
Wherever, wherever, wherever you go
Oh wherever you go, I always know
Cause you make me smile even just for a while

Thank You Adam Levine!

 Wake up girl....you need something more, you can't just lay there....

Lead singer for the rock band Maroon 5, Adam Levine, has completely ruined any visions I might have of Maria Sharapova in the future.  The two had a romance a couple years back but the musician had to call it off.  Why you ask?  Maria sucked in the sack.  I knew she had to be bad at something. 

Said Levine:  “She wouldn’t make any noise during sex. I can’t tell you how disappointed I was. I really thought, like a lot of guys, that she’d be the loud screaming type. But instead, she just lay there like a dead frog. She even got angry if I started to moan, said it ‘ruined her concentration.’ It was so disillusioning that I went on Paxil for a month afterwards. Really, it was much more of a shock than when I found out there’s no such thing as the Easter Bunny.”

Andy Roddick dated her a year back too.  Let's get his thoughts.  Anybody have his e-mail addy?  I lost it.

Obviously I Like Sports....

 Dish Network gets the Big Ten Network.  How about every other television company get BTN and Charter can be the only one without? 

I like Michael Moore documentaries.  His 'Sicko' on Health Insurance here in America was outstanding and so was 'Bowling for Columbine.'  He's one Oscar's and deservedly so.  I have a topic for his next documentary.  Here is what it's going to be called:  'Rounding the Channels.'  It has to do with Charter Communications.  Lord knows it probably happens to your cable company wherever you live in the country.  It's the sports channels that are not being picked up by Charter. 

Listen, I'm not expecting Fox Soccer Channel, Gol TV or ESPN Deportes to be on my basic cable package.  I pay the extra $30 per month to get those already.  What I am upset with is the NFL Network, the Tennis Channel and the upcoming Big Ten Nework not being on basic cable. 

 I click on this banner, but I still don't get the channel...

My argument?  Let's start with the Tennis Channel.  This one is easy.  The Golf Channel is on basic cable, and that'ss not even a sport.  Nobody watches the garbage on the Golf Channel and if they do they are complete losers.  Also, the Tennis Channel is getting all four majors (Wimbledon, French, US Open, Australian) for the first week and a half of each tournament.  This means ESPN, ESPN2 or the USA Network will NOT be showing the first ten days of the tournament, the Tennis Channel, which most of us do not get, will.  Next up, the NFL Network.  I can not for the life of me figure out why Charter can't put this on basic cable.  I am not alone in this one.  If you don't have a dish (either Directv or the Dish Network), then we are starting to miss regular season NFL games.  This is ridiculous.  Nobody in this country that has cable should be missing games.  The opening game of this upcoming season?  Colts vs Saints.  Yep, you got it.  NFL Network.  If I want to see this game (and other regular season games this year), I have to go to some stupid watering hole and watch people all liquored up and yelling at the tv's.  Oh yeah, that sounds like fun.  Not only that, I'll have to spend $20 on food and drinks.  Give me a break. 

Last, but certainly not least, is the Big Ten Network.  Why should we get this channel?  Let me think.  That's right, WE LIVE IN WISCONSIN.  THE BADGER STATE!!!!  Again, I really can't get over this one.  Charter has said they will put this channel on a 'sports tier' where cable subscribers will have to pay extra to get the channel (yes, I already get it), but it's completely ridiculous.  The Big Ten Network higher ups say they will only allow the channel to be on basic cable.  So guess what?  If this problem doesn't get resolved in the next few weeks, a couple Badger football games, basketball games, volleyball matches, we will not be able to see.  Fantastic!  It's frustrating.  I understand Charter can't have 3,000 channels on it's basic cable package, but these three channels should most definitely be on regular tv. 

So like Bowling for Columbine, I'd like Michael Moore to walk into the Big Ten Network building (wherever that is....) with three Badger football players, like he did with the wounded of Columbine to K-mart executives in Detroit and have the football players crying saying that the Big Ten Network should be on tv.  Or just take me along.  I can cry with the best of them.  "*Wah* I was *snif, snif* waiting to see my Badgers *WAH* play and *snif snif* I can't get the channel. *WAH*  Please help us Wisconsinites *snif* Big Ten Network!!!

You think that would change their mind?  Me neither.  Worth a shot though.

 

Manchester United signs 9 year old Rhain Davis!

 The next Man U wonderkid.

Nine year old Rhain Davis was signed by Manchester United today after his grandfather sent the team this homemade video.  How young is too young?  Won't matter when this kid is helping the Three Lions win the World Cup in 2018.