INTERCEPTED: NFL News & Updates

Jason Campbell is on the cover of Sports Illustrated, for their August 10th issue. Ok am I the only one confused about this? No disrespect to Jason, but he's done as a player, and not because he isn't a good player. But the Redskins organization is the WORST!

BREAKING NEWS Donte Stallworth is SORRY! The end! I really can't say anything about this situation because I hate it, and how it has turned out, and I'm not changing my mind. He sucks and I feel sorry for the fans, players and Browns organization. Just disgusting!

The Tennessee Titans will honor former QB Steve McNair this season with No. 9 (his number) decal. I just want to cry for him again. Still so so sad!

If you haven't heard yesterday, Eli Manning was awarded a 97 million dollar contract (guaranteed money 97.5 million, however the total amount of the contract is for $106 million. POW! What's 15% of that Tom Condon? My agent senses are tingling...) with the New York Giants making him the current highest paid player in the NFL.

Have something to say about it please do so, I love a good verbal smackdown. So bring it!

Speaking of QB's being rewarded for their success in the league. Philip Rivers now wants a new deal...and I guess that's cool, but he shouldn't be looking for the same money as either Big Ben or Manning because...oops he has no SB rings and only 2 playoff wins. I'm not a Steelers fan nor a fan of Ben but the man is a great QB who deserved his deal as did Eli Manning. Rivers however, not so much...so good luck with that...

Don't you just love BS Power Rankings...based off of ZERO information by so-called "expert" opinions.

BREAKING: New England Patriots Acquire Derrick Burgess

INTERCEPTED: Michael Crabtree Threatens to Sit Out Entire 2009 Season

How can this face contain such a ridiculous mind?

Rookie WR Michael Crabtree has taken his hold out to a whole other level today. The USA Todat, ESPN and other news organization are reporting that Micheal Crabtree is prepared to sit out the entire 2009 season and re-enter the 2010 draft if the San Francisco 49er's are unable to fulfill is contractual requests.

Crabtree fell to #10 in the NFL draft when the Oakland Raiders surprised everyone by drafting University of Maryland WR Darrius Heyward-Bey at #7 over Crabtree.

As a result Crabtree is not commanding the money that he was expected to, and has up the ante in his demands.

From the USA Today:

A representative for 49ers draft pick Michael Crabtree told ESPN that the wide receiver is prepared to sit out the entire NFL season and re-enter the draft if he can't reach a contract with the team

"We are prepared to do it," David Wells, a cousin to Crabtree, told ESPN. "Michael just wants fair market value."

PFT reported earlier that a Crabtree insider said his agent, Eugene Parker, told the 49ers the 10th overall draft pick wanted more than the team is prepared to offer right now.

Wells told ESPN the 49ers' current position on signing Crabtree is "unacceptable."

"Michael is one of the best players in the draft," Wells told the network, "and he just wants to be paid like one of the best players."

Crabtree's slide to the 10th overall pick was a bit of a surprise. The Raiders have already signed the first receiver chosen, Darrius Heyward-Bey, to a five-year deal with $23.5 million guaranteed.

However in an update on the situation, Crabtree's agent is now distancing himself and his client from those statements in an effort to clear things up amist this bizarre and ridiculous situation.

Michael Crabtree's agent is distancing himself and his client from comments made by a Crabtree advisor to ESPN today.

Eugene Parker told AOL FanHouse that he has not told the 49ers that the 10th overall pick is prepared to sit out the season if he doesn't get a satisfactory contract.

"No comments have been made to ESPN or anyone else," Parker told FanHouse in a text message.

This young man needs to clean house and surround himself with people who have better self control than this. His reputation is on the line and will surely suffer if in faact he decides not to play after having been drafted in 2009.

Ask Jamarcus Russell what holding out does to a player...that dude still isn't right!

Macchiato's and Afternoon Papers

I AM XI's late afternoon edition...Let's get to it!

It's official! Justice Sotomayor was confirmed by the Senate this afternoon shortly after the scheduled 3pm ET vote. She is the 1st Hispanic and only the 3rd woman to sit on the Supreme Court. What an honor...Congratulations, Justice Sotomayor!

Straight out of a Lifetime movie…Newlywed’s successful hit on husband is a hoax.

Bank teller foils heist, catches the robber, and then gets fired? But, this guy is in the wrong profession anyway, because banking is clearly not his forte.

TWITTER ATTACK! Oh no! This morning users were surprised to learn while logging onto the micro-blogging website that the site had been hit by hackers in a ‘denial-of-service attack’ and wasn’t working properly.

I heart Jon Stewart too, XIKhai! How could anyone not?! Well, maybe CNN and FOX News don't...

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
William Jefferson Airplane
http://www.thedailyshow.com/
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Spinal Tap Performance

Macchiato's and Afternoon Papers

I AM XI edition...Let's go!

Ok, so let me get this straight: (*counting on my fingers*) There have been shooting sprees in schools, at a church, an Amish Village, a mall, a Holocaust museum, and NOW a shooting spree at a fitness club! I mean, really, we can’t go anywhere these days without fear we’ll lose our lives because of the actions of some crazy person! (Be thankful that you live to see each day…)

And the gunman documented and plotted the attack in an online diary, stating he was lonely and lacked love in his life. *Blank blinking stare* I’m not even going there…On second thought, I think I will! Just because dude is whack and couldn’t get the bizness from any of the ladies in the club, he decides to rage against them and take these women out?! He took the lives of someone’s daughter/wife/mother/relative & friend just because of some inadequacies and failures he had in his own life! Wow, OK… (SMDH)


Mother, who killed 7 and herself in a car crash last week in NY, had "high levels" of marijuana and alcohol equally about 10 drinks in her system when it was initially believed that she was just disoriented and didn’t “feel good.” Lady, for real?! You're blitzed with 4 children in the car?! (still SMDH)


X-factors, we have to be careful on these roads driving out here and buckle up, it's the law!
A distant cousin of mine was also involved in a terrible accident where two of her young children were killed. It is suspected that she may have fallen asleep at the wheel… People, please just pull over, rest and/or call for help.


Freed journalists, Laura Ling and Euna Lee, arrived home this morning and reunited with their families.

44 TURNS 48! HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRESIDENT OBAMA!

Today is President Obama's 48th birthday. Of course he spent his day running the country in part, but Robert Gibbs told the press:

...that Obama celebrated his birthday (it's Tuesday) at Camp David over the weekend in part by playing a little basketball and, yes, bowling. He threw three strikes and a 9 on his last four tries, Gibbs said.

He then went on to say:

"I'm just saying," Gibbs joked. "I told the President, look, if you had done this in Pennsylvania, my life would have been a little easier last spring."

We're waiting for the movement demanding to see the President's long-form scoring sheet.

And over at the White House Press Room Obama sang Happy Birthday to his birthday mate and long time White House journalist Helen Thomas.



How cute is this man! Loves him!

Macchiato's & Afternoon Papers

Bill Clinton Meets Kim Amid Talks on 2 Journalist

Breaking: Kim Jong II Pardons both journalist

Oh say it ain't so Richard Wolfe...

Jon Stewart's "Master Rebaters" piece from last night's Daily Show.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Master Rebators
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Spinal Tap Performance

Please make it stop! Jon & Kate returns...With a Separation. I'm officially disgusted and want them removed from the air. WTF?! *Remember my reference to train wrecks earlier...well this is another one*

Pioneering Cover Girl Naomi Sims Dies at 61.

Macchiato's & Afternoon Papers

CNN.com: Auto sales get life from cash for clunkers program. Hmmmm

NY Times: A Bronx Woman has been arrested in the killing of a Holocaust Survivor. Her a$$ is grass if this is true.

CNN.com: 6 Tips on Being Happier at Work *rolls eyes* Forced servitude never felt so FAKE!

CNN.com Katherine Jackson awarded full custody of MJ's kids.

If you watch WETV's hit reality 'Bridezillas' you know that there's something not quite right about the women featured on the show. I mean a little wedding jitters and lunacy is one thing, but some of them are just down right rude, violent and disgusting in their behavior towards their family and friends. Call it real or not but Racine from Bridezillas could be facing charges for parole violation based on her role on the show. And I can't help but laugh because I saw the episodes where she was featured and she was extremely mean and nasty to her fiance's mother.

Story here and check out the video below:

Super special thanks as always to JProbe, our Content Contributor, for providing such wonderful and useful content for XI.

INTERCEPTED: Vernon Forrester's Killer Caught on Tape?

It's still hard to believe that boxer Vernon Forrester was murdered just two short weeks ago. But in what may be critical evidence for the Atlanta Police Department & those interested in knowing the identity of his murderer, it seems that there is video surveillance footage of the actual killer set to be fully released this Thursday.




From the New York Daily News:

Atlanta police will release video footage possibly as early as Thursday morning showing the attacker who eventually shot and killed former boxing champion Vernon Forrest in a robbery at a gas station in Southeast Atlanta on Saturday night, according to Lt. Keith Meadows of the Atlanta police. The footage was spliced together from "three or four different cameras" positioned at local businesses and an apartment complex in close proximity to the gas station where Forrest was eventually shot in a hail of bullets.

"We're still tracking down leads and we plan on releasing video in the next couple of days and possibly as early as (today) that shows a potential suspect," Lt. Meadows said. "We want to get the video out to different Web sites because it's possible that some of the attackers are not from the metro area here."

Truly crazy and unfortunate for him.

ESPN Pisses in Starbury Marbury's Cornflakes!

Stephon Marbury has been a walking talking lump of crazy for the past few weeks. Recently, HipHollywood.com caught up with the disgruntled NBA player for an exclusive & interesting interview, that quickly turned into a full on rant by Marbury, who took direct shots at ESPN.

All I know is...ESPN had better keep his name outta their mouth or he might have to check that chin. Just sayin...

From HipHollywood.com:

HipHollywood.com managed to track down on the most popular athletes in the world right now: Stephon Marbury. The former NBA star has made quite the name for himself in the past week by broadcasting his somewhat crazy life 24-hours a day, 7-days a week on UStream.TV Here's what he said:

“The next time you say my name out of your mouth at ESPN, you better be careful what you ask for. I already let my skeletons out. Yeah, I had sex with another woman, and I was wrong. I asked God for forgiveness and now I’m moving on with my life. They said I couldn’t play no more. They don’t know where I’m going to play – China, Italy, Greece…they (ESPN) said that they didn’t want me because someone from an organization said that I have a bad attitude.

…This is the last thing I’m going to say. ESPN, show an hour highlight. Show all of the good things that I’ve done, because there is more good in me than there is bad. And then it’s over with. But, if not…365 days, 24/7 you will see me.”

Now we're not going to give you the entire interview today, but here's a sample. Check back tomorrow for the entire thing!

Right on...right on!

INTERCEPTED: Lamar Odom Will Remain a Los Angeles Laker

*Wondering if there's anyone else out there who is secretly in love with Lamar Odom like I am hmmmm....* Did I just say that out loud? Ooops...LOL!

YES! "Mr. Brown" dressing Lamar Odom...mmm hmmm...that guy!

And YUP this one too! I like my men slightly wacky...LOL!


Well he and the LA Lakers have agreed to contract terms and he will be with the team for what looks like the rest of his career.

From ESPN.com:

Free agent forward Lamar Odom will return to the Los Angeles Lakers, an NBA source said Thursday.

One source close to the process told ESPN.com that Odom will come away with a guaranteed $27 million from the new contract, matching the original value of the three-year, $27 million deal Lakers owner Jerry Buss pulled off the table earlier this month.

It's believed that the structure of the new deal calls for Odom to earn $25 million over the first three seasons, with the Lakers owing him $2 million in the fourth year if they elect not to pick up their team option.

Odom's signing was the most significant free agent move left to play out this summer, as it restores a pivotal piece to the Lakers' championship team. The versatile, 6-foot-9 Odom averaged 11.3 points and 8.2 rebounds during the regular season and 12.3 points and 9.1 rebounds during the playoffs, despite injuring his back in a fall during the Western Conference semifinals against Houston.

And with that...MY dream team is complete! Let's see...Kobe, Gasol, Odom, ummm... Ron Artest & Andrew Bynum coming into his own. Championship!

MEET THE NFL’S NEWEST “DIVA” BRANDON MARSHALL

Today as I read Pat Kirwan’s article on NFL.com entitled: “Teams interested in Marshall should proceed with caution”, I couldn’t help but think…here we go.

Brandon Marshall is making his way into the media spotlight and it’s not because of his success on the field. To summarize Mr. Kirwan’s article, he attempts to draw parallels between many of the famous “diva-esque” wide receivers of the past. You know the names, Terrell Owens, Randy Moss, Chad Ochocinco, Keyshawn Johnson etc. He describes Chad as “always looking for attention”, T.O.’s “bouncing around the league” and despite Moss’ success in New England, it’s noted that he is on his “third team.” While it doesn’t appear that the article is geared at making any of the referenced players look bad nor am I implying this. The article does seem to highlight to less appealing aspects of their careers while attempting to make the case that Marshall could potentially be headed down the same path, thus advising future teams interested in Marshall the “buyer beware” caution.

It should be noted that Pat Kirwan isn’t the only journalist with Marshall on his radar, as I’ve read several articles in the past few weeks aimed at him which is more than I can remember reading in his entire career. Writers across the sports industry have been gearing up to slap the “diva” label on Marshall, and with teams like the Baltimore Ravens in desperate need of a #1 wide receiver, this comes at an inconvenient time for him but seemingly less for the media.

So with all of the rumors swirling, the question on everyone’s mind is exactly what Marshall has been up to that would cause so much attention from sports journalist. After doing a little research I found out that Brandon Marshall is entering the 2009 season fresh off of a hip operation he believed was initially misdiagnosed by the Denver Broncos’ team medical staff. Apparently, he’s also unhappy with his contract in Denver and is not happy with things as they stand with his career there. Despite all of this, he has however decided to forgo the $15,888 a day fine for holding out of training camp and reported on Monday for team activities. To be fair he has yet to participate in any of the required practice sessions with the team because he’s listed as injured according to the report, which could be true considering his past injury, but if you know anything about disgruntled players with contract issues, injuries seem to disappear when they get paid. So other than the “injury” issue, this all seems pretty normal to most people.

Unfortunately for Marshall now, unless he accepts an inferior amount of money from the Broncos, sucks it up and doesn’t speak one word of indifference towards the Broncos organization all season, all eyes will be on him. Everything he does from here on out will be picked apart and parsed for additional meaning. Using Pat Kirwan’s own words: “Sooner or later…he is going to be the topic of trade talks in Denver. The new head coach is already in the process of getting Marshall to understand who the boss is and how things are going to work. Marshall had to report to camp with the rookies, four days earlier than the rest of the veterans. That should not sit well with the young man.”

As with his statement above, the same can be said about some of the articles on Marshall that have been written. They don’t sit well with observers who see him as a regular WR being labeled for unnecessary reasons. Yes wide receivers are high maintenance and some do act out but it seems a bit presumptuous of the sporting world to have already dubbed him something that he has yet to become because of the track record of others before him. Only time will tell but I don’t like the direction any of this is going.

Khai

INTERCEPTED: NFL TRAINING CAMP UPDATES

From NFL.com/Training Camp Blog:

Minnesota Vikings:

The Minnesota Vikings wanted Brett Favre to be their quarterback, but the future Hall of Famer decided to stay retired.

Now, Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels will compete for the starting job. Coach Brad Childress is focused on moving on from the Favre talk and said the team is “more than content” with Jackson and Rosenfels competing for the right to lead the offense.

New England Patriots:

The Patriots open training camp Thursday, and that means one thing: Tom Brady is officially back.

Nearly one year after he had surgery to repair his damaged left knee, the quarterback will receive a dose of full-speed practices as he and the Patriots prepare for their Sept. 14 season opener against the Bills.

Oakland Raiders:

Defensive end Derrick Burgess and rookie wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey were absent as the Raiders opened training camp in Napa, Calif. Wednesday.

Burgess, a two-time Pro Bowler, has not taken part in any offseason activities and he reportedly continues to lobby for a trade. Heyward-Bey, the seventh-overall pick in April’s NFL Draft, has yet to sign a contract, though, head coach Tom Cable expressed optimism that a deal would be reached soon.

There's nothing more annoying than rookies who have NEVER played one NFL game and chose not to report to work when scheduled. I mean seriously...Darrius!

San Francisco 49er's:

Rookie WR Michael Crabtree (pictured above) did not report to 49ers training camp along with the rest of the team’s rookies Tuesday.

Crabtree’s agent, Eugene Parker, and the 49ers are said to be far from a deal. Despite the fact that Crabtree slid to the 10th pick of the 2009 NFL Draft, Parker reportedly is seeking a contract that would pay the receiver more than the usual salary for that slot.

Same thing goes for you too Mr. Crabtree.

Cleveland Browns:

The Browns have placed WR Braylon Edwards on the non-football injury list. Edwards missed most of the team’s three-day minicamp in June — spending most of his time on a stationary bike — with an undisclosed injury that coach Eric Mangini described as non-serious.

Denver Broncos':

Broncos WR Brandon Marshall missed Tuesday’s morning practice with “soreness,” which was a precautionary measure, according to coach Josh McDaniels. Marshall missed the club’s organized team activities following hip surgery, though it wasn’t confirmed if it was his hip that was giving him problems this week.

Marshall is still upset about his contract situation in Denver, but he made good on his promise to report to the team’s training camp in time.

It should be noted that the Baltimore Ravens have expressed interest in taking disgruntled WR Brandon Marshall off of Denver's hands. Good luck with that!

Philadelphia Eagles:

The Eagles will have a lot of new faces surrounding QB Donovan McNabb this season.

With RB Brian Westbrook on the mend following ankle surgery, RB LeSean McCoy will receive a bulk of the carries. The team also drafted WR Jeremy Maclin, but he has yet to sign a contract.

McNabb is excited about the new talent, but he realizes that the young guns have a lot to prove.

Baltimore Ravens:

The Ravens started training camp Monday without their star wide receiver and their first-round draft pick.

Two-time Pro Bowl WR Derrick Mason is still contemplating whether to follow through on his plans to retire, and rookie OT Michael Oher has yet to agree to terms on his first NFL contract. WR Drew Bennett also abruptly retired Sunday because of recurring knee trouble. (MORE)

San Diego Chargers:

Chargers LB Shawne Merriman reported to training camp Monday, along with quarterbacks, rookies and other players coming off injuries. The Chargers officially open camp Thursday, with a full-team workout Friday. The team’s medical staff kept Merriman out of team drills.

Merriman sat out nearly the entire 2008 season, except for the opener against the Oakland Raiders, after injuring his left knee.

Chargers QB Philip Rivers and coach Norv Turner had glowing reports about Merriman’s return. (MORE)

The Washington Redskins & New England Patriots report today...so for fans of those teams. I will have updates for you. Especially you Skins fans! :)

If you want more information about your favorite team or they're not being featured in my updates. Send me an email at khai@balleralert.com or message me on balleralert.com username XIKhai.

INTERCEPTED: Braylon Edwards Placed on Injury List?

This is certainly curious...

CLEVELAND -- The Cleveland Browns have placed wide receiver Braylon Edwards on the non-football injury list with an unspecified injury.

The team didn't give any details in making the announcement about its top offensive playmaker Tuesday. A message seeking comment was left with Browns spokesman Neal Gulkis.

Edwards is the only established receiver on Cleveland's roster, and he was mostly a spectator during the team's three-day camp in June because of an undisclosed injury. At the time, Edwards and first-year Browns coach Eric Mangini said the injury wasn't serious, and Mangini added that the receiver was expected to fully participate in the team's training camp, which begins Saturday.

Edwards had 55 receptions and three touchdowns last season, a dramatic drop from the 80 catches and 16 TDs he had as a Pro Bowler in 2007. The former No. 3 overall draft pick was plagued by dropped passes in 2008, and his season got off to a rocky start when he suffered a serious injury to his heel during training camp when he was stepped on while running post-practice sprints in his socks.

The Browns announced Edwards' status in a press release on the signing of second-round pick Mohamed Massaquoi. With Massaquoi, the 50th overall selection in the NFL draft in camp, Cleveland's only unsigned draft choice is wide receiver Brian Robiskie.

The team was hoping that Edwards could serve as a mentor to Robiskie, who played at Ohio State and once served as a Browns ballboy. Robiskie and Massaquoi will compete for the No. 2 receiver job behind Edwards.

Cleveland's depth at wide receiver has been thinned with the retirement of Joe Jurevicius because of injury and Donte Stallworth's indefinite suspension for DUI manslaughter.

Hope all is well with him...might have to...(lemme shut up!)

INTERCEPTED: NYC'S Going to Make an Example of Plaxico Burress

It was reported yesterday the former NY Giants WR Plaxico Burress

Now there are rumblings of possibly having Antonio Pierce face a few charges for his "role" in the "incident"

(Yes I'm STILL raw about this entire situation!)

And it seems Giants team President John Mara thinks that the DA is a worthless piece of sh^t as well for trying to DRAG not only this case on but to attempt and bring Antonio Pierce down with it. (I could so say more...but my mother reads this site...)

Meanwhile on twitter Mike Garafolo of the New Jersey dot come is reporting that:

"Plaxico Burress' lawyer confirmed via email mins ago his client will testify before the grand jury tomorrow morning in Manhattan."

Article here

Really wish this dude would just stop prolonging this ish and take whatever punishment they have for him and get it over with! I LOVE Plax but this is making me nuts!

INTERCEPTED: Why Players are Pissed about Vick & the Media Doesn't Get It!

Today as news broke about Roger Goodell’s decision to “conditionally” reinstate Michael Vick reactions from the media and NFL players couldn’t be anymore different.

Adam Schefter tweeted to Terrell Owens:

“Me thinks commissioner did right thing. He always can reinstate Vick earlier if
conditions warrant. This was safe and smart.”

Then while writing what we can only assume he felt was quote worthy Schefter said:

@Adam_Schefter Goodell to Vick: "Playing in the NFL is a privilege. It is not an
entitlement."

Interesting…because I’m sure all of the hard work and effort he gave while he was in the league was a testament to his lack of “entitlement syndrome”. The media cracks me up thinking that these athletes treat this like it’s a walk in the park. And for a guy whom I’m sure has been to many practices and training camps I’m surprised either one would make such a statement.

Rich Eisen had this to say to both fans and players on the situation:

@terrellowens81 There isn't a
4-game suspension. Vick will be paid once he signs. Commish can reinstate him to
play before Week 6, too.

@spoon1993 Not true. Suspended
players can not work out w/team, be at team facility and don't get paid.

And when he finally rendered an opinion of his own this is garbage spewed out:

@RichEisen Interesting how many folks think 6-game wait is punishment, rather
than people perhaps assessing what's necessary for success in this case.

Necessary for success you say Mr. Eisen. Interesting maybe you should buddy up with Roger Goodell on that field trip to jail as Terrell Owens suggested a few days ago. There is no more case…except for the one the NFL is insisting on inflicting on Vick no matter what the cost. On the flip side initial player reactions were something totally different.

Chris Johnson was not too happy at all with the Commissioners decision:

@ChrisJohnson28 THE NFL TRIPPIN THEY NEED TO LET MIKE VICK PLAY HE ALREADY BEEN IN JAIL 2 YEARS DAMN WTF IM UPSET.

Never one to shy away from the microphone Terrell Owens questioned whether a suspension was imposed and had this to say to Adam Schefter when he found out:

@terrellowens81: There shouldn't be any gray area w/this situation. i'm still not satisfied. my problem is w/the 4-gm suspension!!

Takeo Spikes had this to say:

@TakeoSpikes51: Vick has served a severe punishment from the judicial system.Im
disappointed in the decison for a conditional reinstatement.I feel like this decision was made to appease PETA.

Needless to say the line in the sand has been drawn and it seems that the Michael Vick situation is shedding light on the interesting divide facing players and the league with the media backing them up. I’m not knocking anyone’s hustle BUT it should be noted from my article earlier…that on this issue there were two clear sides. Either you’re for further punishment or you feel enough has been done to Vick and he should be allowed back into the league with time served.

Something tells me Roger Goodell and the league made this choice to try and appease BOTH sides. There are only 16 games in a season and while he didn’t suspend Vick for 8 of them he came close to half…but he didn’t go for the full season either.

Right now it seems to be an US (players) against THEM (NFL & the media) situation and I’m TEAM “US” all the way!

MICHAEL VICK: They Can't Take it Away from You...Can They?

Everyone has weighed in on the Michael Vick situation it seems. I’ve read almost every article since Vick’s release from Federal custody. Many have taken one of the following two sides. Some feel that Vick has already been punished enough after spending 23 months in jail and two on house arrest and believe that the NFL and Roger Goodell should reinstate him immediately allowing him to finish out what’s left of what used to be a promising career. However, it seems that many more would like to see him further punished; and while he has in fact satisfied his criminal punishment, he should now have to face the second phase of his punishment by fulfilling whatever suspension the NFL & Roger Goodell sets in place for him.

As for me, my opinion varies day to day, but honestly I think the entire Michael Vick story has gone far beyond what a reasonable punishment for the crime he committed into what the actual punishment for a person in his position should be which is reflective of the crime but of the person. Now let me be clear I don’t condone his behavior in any way, as a dog owner myself, I think his crimes were horrendous and he deserved to be punished for his role in what happened. However, somewhere along the way the conversation changed from what he actually did into who he is and why people like him in his position have to be made an example of. What’s lost on this argument however on both sides is an idea that is an age old.

Has anyone ever told you that as long as you work hard and attain certain things in life, no one could ever take it away from you as long as they were achieved honorably? It’s something that I’ve heard my entire life and something and I’ve never forgotten. Not many can argue that Michael Vick worked for every aspect of success he that he came to achieve. While playing for Virginia Tech, he broke many records as an all-star quarterback, going on to become the first round number one draft pick in 2001 in the NFL. During his short NFL career Vick secured endorsement contracts from companies that included Nike, EA Sports Coca-Cola, PowerAde, Kraft & Air Tran to name a few. That along with his contract with the Falcons placed him at 33 on the Forbes Top 100 Celebrities in 2005. Arthur Bell and the Atlanta Falcons organization struck gold when they signed Vick making him one of the most popular and recognizable players in the NFL. In return Vick was named an MVP candidate in 2002 after only his second year in the league and was voted to his first Pro Bowl in that same season, in 2003 he led the Falcons to the NFC Championship game, where they would lose to the Philadelphia Eagles, but it was their first appearance since the 1998-1999 seasons. Vick’s work was far from over however, in 2004 & 2005 he was named to both his second and third Pro Bowls for the Falcons and in 2006 Vick became the first quarterback in NFL history to rush for over 1,000 yards during the regular season. In six years Michael Vick had created a lucrative financial payoff to the Falcons organization for their investment in him and was on his way into football allure.
However, in 2007 not much of that meant anything to the Falcons organization once Vick was charged and later convicted in conjunction with an ongoing federal dog fighting investigation. In an instant all of it was gone because he had allowed “them” to take it away from him; and with it all of the God-given ability and hard work was now a thing of the past.

Here’s the conclusion I’ve come to, successful black athletes, often male, (see Marion Jones for the exception) seems to forget that no matter how far you go, how high you reach in status or how great you become, you will NEVER win over everyone. After one mistake as quickly as you attained success someone will be there waiting to take away what you’ve acquired and worked so hard for. Success is a lot of things but one thing it isn’t is accidental, it’s one of the most deliberate and intentional acts a person seeks out. Take for example an individual who possess formal education; if someone were to take away their physical degree, while the idea may upset them, it’s not the piece of paper that gives them the education. The education is what’s absorbed during the process, the effort given to retain the information and the knowledge gained along the way. The same idea holds true for athletes…today or tomorrow you can take away the training facilities, the stadiums, the endorsement deals and the team affiliation but what’s given by the creator can ONLY be taken by the creator. The training techniques, the natural ability and extraordinary talent will remain intact as long as their will to play exists. Which is exactly where Vick finds himself…and where the dilemma of his situation begins. His skills I’m sure have not diminished over the past 25 months and I’m sure he’s still able to play the position of quarterback today, but he’s no longer in control of when he’ll be able to do so ever again. Now he’s faced with the reality of wondering just how much more they’re going to take from him in continuing to punish him. From my observation I think the NFL is prolonging his comeback by making him wait. Time right now is not on Vick’s side and by increasing the length of time he waits to be reinstated doesn’t help his future in football. The justice system has already taken 25 months from his career, and now the NFL & Roger Goodell have to be aware that with training camp opening for many teams who NEED QB’s time is the ONLY punishment for someone with Vick’s talent and ability. If the NFL is so cruel as to add a yearlong suspension to Vick’s situation that puts him two full years out of the NFL system, and with him knocking on 30 which in football years equals 60 he’ll be at an even greater disadvantage than any other player looking to make a comeback. With the loss of time goes his potential of making millions with other teams, along with the celebrity status and fame he once enjoyed.

This is what happens when we forget just how valuable our talents are and become so naïve as to think that others don’t want to see us fail. Last week we witnessed first-hand both sides of a very familiar coin. On one side we watched as ESPN and the media nearly blanketed the Ben Roethlisberger story which involved sexual misconduct and civil misbehavior; but in that very same week the nation was baffled as one of the best known African American intellectual scholars Henry Louis Gates, Jr, was escorted from his home in handcuffs after being accused of breaking into his own home and charged with disorderly conduct for good measure. Don’t think for one minute that Mr. Gates arrest had anything to do with him being a threat in any way to anyone. The Cambridge Police Department tried taking something away from this highly successful Harvard professor by embarrassing his name and somehow tainting his image with this ridiculous arrest. The double standard couldn’t be any clearer between the two, but the facts are what they are and so we move forward. But moving forward has to be done with a clear direction for the successful men and women we are and stand to become.

No matter what you do big or small never allow someone the power of taking away from you what you’ve worked so hard to achieve. Holding ourselves to that higher standard that says I’m going to be accountable for my actions because I know that not everyone is happy about the success I’ve achieved is key. You will be tested…no matter who you are, if success is in your future there is almost a 100% chance that something will come your way that will threaten to interfere with the path that you’re on, but if you don’t give anyone anything to go off of no one will ever be able to walk away with what you’ve earned. Michael Vick earned every dollar he was given, every endorsement deal, the franchise tag because of the athleticism he possessed & star power he brought to the NFL. All of this was given to him because of his performance well before he entered into the NFL. And after one mistake that he has paid for many times over already, his future is no longer in his hands because they figured out a way to take it away from him.

Thoughts, comments & questions are welcomed!

MICHAEL JACKSON UPDATES: Omer Bhatti, Dr. Conrad & More...

So according to MSN, Huffington Post and other news organization. Here's Huff Po's story on it:

UPDATE BELOW: Jermaine Jackson speaks out about welcoming Omer into the family.

There is a lot of speculation surrounding the young man in dark shades sitting with the Jackson family at Michael Jackson's memorial service. Omer Bhattiv sat between Rebbie Jackson, the eldest Jackson sibling, and Prince Michael II. He's 25, a Norwegian rapper and rumored to be Michael Jackson's secret son.

Michael reportedly told close friends several years ago that Omer was the result of a one-night stand he had with a Norwegian fan, Pia Bhatti, in 1984.

"He was the King of Pop," Pia told The Sun after the singer's death. "But for us he was so much more."

Her Pakistani husband Riz said, "Make what you like. I don't want to discuss anything."

Omer met Michael in 1996 during the HIStory tour, when he impressed the King of Pop with his dance moves. He later spent some time at Neverland, performed with Michael and took his MJ tribute act around the world.

UPDATE: Jermaine Jackson tells the Daily Mail that if a DNA test proves Omer is Michael's son, the Jackson family will welcome him in.

'If Omer's his son, he's his son,' Jermaine declared yesterday. 'We won't deny it. We are going to give him the same love and care that we give Prince and Paris and Blanket. I can't clearly say if he is Michael's but I saw this kid around him

UPDATE BELOW: Jermaine Jackson speaks out about welcoming Omer into the family.

There is a lot of speculation surrounding the young man in dark shades sitting with the Jackson family at Michael Jackson's memorial service. Omer Bhattiv sat between Rebbie Jackson, the eldest Jackson sibling, and Prince Michael II. He's 25, a Norwegian rapper and rumored to be Michael Jackson's secret son.

Michael reportedly told close friends several years ago that Omer was the result of a one-night stand he had with a Norwegian fan, Pia Bhatti, in 1984.

"He was the King of Pop," Pia told The Sun after the singer's death. "But for us he was so much more."

Her Pakistani husband Riz said, "Make what you like. I don't want to discuss anything."

Omer met Michael in 1996 during the HIStory tour, when he impressed the King of Pop with his dance moves. He later spent some time at Neverland, performed with Michael and took his MJ tribute act around the world.

UPDATE: Jermaine Jackson tells the Daily Mail that if a DNA test proves Omer is Michael's son, the Jackson family will welcome him in.

'If Omer's his son, he's his son,' Jermaine declared yesterday. 'We won't deny it. We are going to give him the same love and care that we give Prince and Paris and Blanket. I can't clearly say if he is Michael's but I saw this kid around him

More pictures below:

Side eying the tangalicousness of Mr. Bhatti...I mean he DOES kinda look like Michael but that's not the real Michael that's the plastic surgery one so I can't really tell. What do you think?


The Houston office of Dr. Conrad Murray was raided last night by DEA agents. I fear for this mans life if he's charged with manslaughter. Seriously dude run and hide!

Katherine Jackson apparently wants a say in guiding Jackson's estate. Which should really get interesting for her.

And to set the record straight on all of the RUMORS about autopsy reports on MJ. As of right now only the "preliminary report" is out...the official autopsy result could take another two more weeks before they're released.

Macchiato's & Afternoon Papers

We heart First Granny Marian Robinson...we truly do. She's so cute! Marian discusses like in the White House on the Today Show!

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Jon Stewart is America's Most Trusted News Man according to a new Time Magazine poll.

Katie Couric: 7%

Charlie Gibson: 19%

Jon Stewart: 44%

Brian Williams: 29%

If you don't watch the Daily Show...kill yourself. Seriously, LOL! (Twitter reference for anyone who thinks I'm advocating suicide)

Alice in Wonderland! Alice in Wonderland! ALICE IN WONDERLAND! Ok so if you haven't noticed I LOVE Alice in Wonderland. I've ben trying to celebrate my "unbirthday" for years now...lol. So for those of you who may not know...from Huffington Post:

PREVIOUSLY: A few weeks after the first official stills came out comes the teaser trailer for the Tim Burton version of "Alice in Wonderland."

Out in March 2010, the movie stars Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter and Anne Hathaway, as well as 19-year-old unknown Mia Wasikowska as Alice and it's in 3-D.

Characters are a little creepy but HOTNESS and EXCITEMENT none-the-less if you like Alice in Wonderland!

UPDATE:
Well there was a trailer but the studio has since taken it down. Booo!!!

INTERCEPTED: The Ben Roethlisberger Sexual Assault Situation

So it's now been two days since news broke that Ben Roethlisberger was named in a sexual assault civil lawsuit. For some reason, I'm wondering where's the 24 hour scandal cycle that commences anytime any "other" athlete is accused of anything big or small?

According to the suit Roethlisberger was named along with 9 other defendant's for sexually assaulting an employee at Harrah's hotel in Lake Tahoe back in July of 2008.

According to the New York Times:

Roethlisberger was in Lake Tahoe last July for a celebrity golf tournament. The woman said she was working on the penthouse floor at Harrah’s where Roethlisberger was staying when he assaulted her in his hotel room. She also asserts that she was hospitalized and suffered from depression.

Now I'm not saying that this woman isn't capable of lying or that her story isn't completely true, because I have no idea. My beef is what has happened in the interim while the facts play out and the proverbial "HUSH" that has fallen over networks who in the past have made their careers on stories like this one. In 2003 Kobe Bryant was arrested and charged with raping a woman who worked at a hotel in Eagle, Colorado where Bryant was staying. At the time the charges were in fact criminal and Bryant was facing jail time based on those charges. However, from the very beginning it was clear that this woman's story barely passed the smell test and her case along with her credibility quickly went down the drain. On the way down though her lawyers advised her on filing a CIVIL suit, which eventually settled for an undisclosed amount of money and went away. Not surprisingly, throughout the entire ordeal ESPN and other networks took what facts they deemed credible and worked to tarnish the reputation of a man guilty of infidelity NOT rape.

Just recently ESPN again placed on it's front page the story of Shannon Brown's sexual assault charge filed against him which was again criminal but they were quick to make headlines from it.

ProFootball.com has dug deep into the policies and positions that ESPN has regarding lawsuits that not accompanied by criminal charges. Apparently, unless there is a "crime" behind the suit they more or less steer clear of the reporting on it, which I'm sure is true but it's also very interesting. While speaking with the Wall Street Journal ESPN vice president and director of news Vince Doria, said:

Those are the things (civil lawsuits) that I think are damaging to reputations, and I think you need to know more about them before you report them," Doria said. "As it stands right now, today, we don't think it meets our standard of reporting."

Fascinating! ESPN believes that reporting on civil lawsuits causes damage to athletes reputations and require further analysis before they report on them. Who can argue with that level of journalistic integrity? Yet, I can't seem to pick my mouth up off the floor...because while I fully understand that protecting players should be a number priority, when facts aren't clear, ESPN doesn't always adhere to their own policies regarding reports on "civil suits."

ProFootball.com notes:

Did ESPN feel the same way when Mike Fish recently reported the dismissal of a civil lawsuit alleging that Roberto Alomar gave his girlfriend AIDS? Speaking of Fish, did ESPN consider whether it was "damaging . . . reputations" when Bristol went bonkos for the unsubstantiated (and ultimately retracted) allegation that the Patriots had cheated the Rams out of a Super Bowl win?

I mean for people who follow sports this claim of following "policy" doesn't pass the laugh test. Sadly, this is NO laughing matter. And while, I'm not in the business of trashing any ones character or reputation for ESPN to skirt a serious issue and hide behind some BS policy rarely exercised is both embarrassing and wreaks of "special treatment."

Thoughts?

Macchaito's & Morning Papers: LATE LATE Edition

So today's my birthday....and it also happened to be one of THE most hectic days at work for me!

However, the show MUST go on...and because I am the self-proclaimed "QUEEN OF MULTI-TASKING" I know the news is late BUT I can't neglect my readers! So let's get to it folks!

When life gives you lemons make: Michael Steele. LOL! This guy is SUCH a colossal JOKE! *Pause Police*

Charges have now been dropped on Henry Louis Gates, Jr. I'm STILL in shock. This is the man who host African American Lives on PBS. The series overview for anyone who isn't familiar:

From PBS.com

Building on the widespread acclaim of African American Lives (2006) and Oprah's Roots (2007), AFRICAN AMERICAN LIVES 2 again journeys deep into ancestry of an all-new group of remarkable individuals, offering an in-depth look at the African-American experience and race relations throughout U.S. history. Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. returns as series host, guiding genealogical investigations down through the 20th century, Reconstruction, slavery and early U.S. history, and presenting cutting-edge genetic analysis that locates participants' ancestors in Africa, Europe and America. Joining Professor Gates in the new broadcast are poet Maya Angelou, author Bliss Broyard, actor Don Cheadle, actor Morgan Freeman, theologian Peter Gomes, publisher Linda Johnson Rice, athlete Jackie Joyner-Kersee, radio personality Tom Joyner, comedian Chris Rock, music legend Tina Turner, and college administrator Kathleen Henderson, who was selected from more than 2,000 applicants to have her family history researched and DNA tested alongside the series' well-known guests.

If you haven't seen it you're missing out on a treat. At any event it appears that Mr. Gates will be back his normal life after this unfortunate and confusing situation.

Cathy Hughes is PISSED! Good and pissed...and she's upset for good reason. On her "Reality Radio" series she addresses the H.R. 848 Bill.

For anyone not familiar with HR 848 www.govtrack.us wrote this summary:

2/4/2009--Introduced.

Performance Rights Act - Amends federal copyright law to: (1) grant performers of sound recordings equal rights to compensation from terrestrial broadcasters; (2) establish a flat annual fee in lieu of payment of royalties for individual terrestrial broadcast stations with gross revenues of less than $1.25 million and for noncommercial, public broadcast stations; (3) grant an exemption from royalty payments for broadcasts of religious services and for incidental uses of musical sound recordings; and (4) grant terrestrial broadcast stations that make limited feature uses of sound recordings a per program license option.

Prohibits taking into account license fees payable for public performance via digital audio transmission of sound recordings in any proceeding to set or adjust the license fees for the purpose of reducing or adversely affecting such license fees. (Current law prohibits taking those fees into account in such a proceeding without referencing the purpose.)

Prohibits anything in this Act from adversely affecting the public performance rights or royalties payable to songwriters or copyright owners of musical works.

Prohibits taking into account the rates established by the Copyright Royalty Judges in any proceeding to reduce or adversely affect the license fees payable for public performances by terrestrial broadcast stations. Requires that such license fees for the public performance of musical works be independent of license fees paid for the public performance of sound recordings.

Revises provisions relating to proceeds from the licensing of transmissions.

The FULL Bill can be read here