We're only on the second day of freedom in the Michael Vick melodrama and it's clear that figurative lines are being drawn on the turf. Following his release from federal custody, many fans and journalists have expressed their strong feelings in opposition of Vick's potential return to the NFL.
But there is another side, one which includes some prominent former and current NFL stars, that believes Vick is worthy of a second chance.
LOS ANGELES -- Carson Palmer is certain about two things: Electing not to have invasive "Tommy John" reconstructive surgery on his damaged throwing elbow was a wise decision.
And the Bengals quarterback will not allow Twitter-loving, attention-grabbing wide receiver and teammate Chad Ochocinco to move into his Southern California home so that the two can do some male-bonding and work out in the backyard before Cincinnati's rookies and veterans report to training camp on July 30.
Ochocinco certainly isn't afraid of fines as some of his fined behavior is the reason that even non-NFL fans know who he is. So how can he get his tweet on during games at OGOchoCinco without getting fined?
In the interview, Ochocinco discusses many things: how he will have a new checklist in his locker; how he truly is going to live with Carson Palmer's family; and how he wants to be more of team guy than a "me" guy this year. At the 2:34 mark in the interview, he discusses his love of Twitter and the way he will be using it next year:
Even Carson Palmer, the unassuming Opie Taylor-looking Bengals quarterback, has his limits. After spending most of the 2008 season on the sidelines with a bum elbow, the 2003 first-overall pick is healthy and participating in voluntary workouts. Which, like previous offseasons, isn't the case with Chad Javon Ochocinco.
He's reportedly working out in Los Angeles, and I don't doubt that -- Chad always seems prepared, at least physically, for the start of the NFL season -- but that's not really the point. Cincinnati won just four times last year, and hasn't had a winning record since 2005, also the last time they advanced to the playoffs. (Coincidentally, that was the other time Palmer suffered a significant injury. Thanks Kim von Oelhoeffen!)
Last September, Chad Johnson, who sports No. 85 for his day job, legally changed his name to "Ochocinco." Never mind that "Ocho Cinco" translated from Spanish means "Eight Five," or that Johnson wrote it as one word -- "Ochocinco" -- which translates to, well, "Ochocinco." What's important is that, according to the final judgment awarding him the name change, Johnson had no "ulterior purpose" for going with "Ochocinco."
Everyone makes mistakes. But when those mistakes are magnified by intense scrutiny of the NFL draft, well, they become much more embarrassing than, say, my typical Friday morning, mustard-stain-on-khakis incident.
Which is why the NFL FanHouse braintrust got together to determine who is the biggest bust for each NFL team. They're not listed in terms of stupidity -- they're all stupid relative to a team's total draft performance. Meaning, of course, some teams "bust" is much different than another organization's; we did it this way to avoid just linking you to DetroitLions.com.
Instead, we're putting it in current draft order, sans trades, and allowing this list to serve as a reminder of each's team's ability to properly execute a fail. The "bust factor" was based primarily on three things: statistical production (or lack thereof), position in the draft and other available options during that year's draft.
With the draft approaching, we ignore projections and identify the dream scenario for each team in a series we call The Perfect Draft.
Any potential turnaround in Cincinnati is going to be keyed by a healthy Carson Palmer. The quarterback missed most of last season with a bad elbow, and both he and replacement Ryan Fitzpatrick took too many hits to be truly effective. In order for the Bengals to improve, they have to find a way to shore up the leaky offensive line, while also continuing to build the groundwork for an effective, consistent defense.
Donald Driver has carved out a pretty good career for himself. The former seventh-round draft pick developed into a top wide receiver for the Packers, with whom he's spent his whole NFL career.
While you hear stories of certainreceivers acting like spoiled little children when they don't get the ball, Driver hasn't; when Greg Jennings became a more prolific receiver in 2008, Driver didn't say anything negative.
With the way Driver has always carried himself off the field, it wasn't surprising to hear him have some not-so-kind things to say about Terrell Owens.
Each Friday throughout the season, I'll provide you with my predictions on whose stock is on the rise and whose is failing miserably like the American job market pretty much everything these days. It's a neat little segment entitled Buys and Sells. There are a few teams/players/issues to buy and a few to sell.
Alex Ovechkin is arguably the biggest star in the NHL today and, like anyone on top, he takes his fair share of criticism along with his fair share of praise. Last night, Ovechkin scored his 50th goal of the season. There's the distinct possibility that Ovechkin may be the only NHLer to reach that mark this year, as New Jersey's Zach Parise is the next closest at 41 goals with 12 games to go. So, for someone who scores so much more than his competition, is it right that Alex Ovechkin celebrates every goal like it is his last?