NFL Trading Block

Two days into the official start of the NFL season, teams are frantically signing and trading players. Free agency won't open until Friday, July 29 at 5 p.m. EST, but many teams have already gotten major pieces via trades.

Big Names On Move

McNabb moves on after a tumultuous year in D.C.

Donovan McNabb to Minnesota Vikings -
The Vikings had to do it. Facing the reality of a rookie quarterback starting, Minnesota had to make a move on McNabb. It's a good fit for both teams. Washington desperately wanted him gone, and Minnesota's situation allowed to gamble on a clearly fading McNabb career. While this is a wise move for the Vikings, it doesn't ensure anything but a couple more wins. Minnesota will have a hard time making the playoffs regardless of QB.


Albert Haynesworth and Chad Ochocinco to New England Patriots - 
Bill Belichick is known as the guy who can take any player with talent, regardless of personal baggage, and put them to good use. He's proved it with Corey Dillon and Randy Moss. Now he's made a move to sure up the D-line and get a reliable receiver for Tom Brady by bringing in Albert Haynesworth and Chad Ochocinco, two guys that have been a pain in the asses of their previous coaches. The difference between Belichick and most of the league, why he can take on "problem" players and immediately get production, is communication. It's the oldest thing in the book. He knows how to deal with all players. That's why he's so good year-in and year-out. He schemes very well and he knows how to deal with an NFL locker room. Haynesworth and Ochocinco will help New England greatly this year.


Kevin Kolb to Arizona Cardinals for Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and 2nd rd. pick -
Arizona desperate for a QB + Eagles with one to spare = Andy Reid worked over Arizona into sending a very good CB over for a guy he wasn't even going to use. And a 2nd-round pick on top of it. Kolb's career consists of 19 games in four years. He's thrown 11 TDs and 14 INTs. He was concussed in the first game last year. There's doubt there. However, Kolb has potential. Arizona gave him the shot he wanted. Now he must really deliver a midst pressure he's never seen before.

Tarvaris Jackson and Sidney Rice to Seattle Seahawks - 
Digging through Minnesota's castaways probably isn't the best choice for a young team with a new coach. But Pete Carroll and Seattle are going to try it. Jackson proved too many times in Minnesota that he can't be a starting QB in this league for an entire season. Rice proved nothing more than he could catch passes from a vintage Brett Favre. Rice caught 19 passes in six games last year. He was plagued by injuries, due to rushing back from a training camp surgery. As Rice should already know, there's a big difference between Favre throwing the ball and TJack. Rice went to highest bidder.

Reggie Bush to Miami Dolphins -
The writing hit the wall draft night when New Orleans drafted RB Mark Ingram. Bush sent an ill-advised tweet about how it's "been nice knowing" the Saints organization. He knew his time was up. The injuries and inconsistent play, coupled with an upcoming contract situation, suggested it was time to move on. Miami picking him up makes sense and should help both involved. Bush will have opportunities to carry the ball outside the tackles and add to Tony Sparano's rushing game, which needs to get back to where it was in 2008.

(Photo: Yardback.com, David Johnson)

Blyleven: Finally gets his Hall of Fame wish

Bert Blyleven is proof that if you harp on yourself for 15 years about how you deserve to be in the Hall of Fame, eventually the writers will put you in - as long as you have at least one notable career statistical achievement. Blyleven is 5th in career strikeouts with 3,701.

Blyleven has spent previous years on national media outlets expressing his displeasure with not being elected into the Hall. On and on he would go about not being recognized, making sure people really gave his career some thought. This year he finally got his wish. He will be inducted into the Hall of Fame, along with Roberto Alomar, on Sunday in Cooperstown.

Blyleven has waited 14 years for Sunday.

Is Blyleven a Hall of Famer? It's not just Blyleven, but others in the same category as him. For instance, Andre Dawson. "The Hawk", like Blyleven, waited an extended period before getting the number of votes for induction last year. Dawson got in on his ninth ballot, Blyleven on his 14th, second-to-last year of eligibility.

My question is: do the voters feel like 'who are we to say this guy shouldn't be in the Hall of Fame?'  I looks like that's the case for Blyleven. He would have bitched and moaned beyond belief if they would have stiffed him completely. This year the ballot was weak and the voters had heard enough from Bert, who would have taken to the Twins broadcasts with his somber if denied again.

The couple different schools of thought on Hall of Fame voting must be applied here, and for all cases. There isn't a right or wrong answer, necessarily, and both are very compelling arguments.

HOF criteria #1: You don't even have to think about it. Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams, Nolan Ryan, Barry Bonds. Those type of players. This has been made nationally known by Skip Bayless, who teaches this school of thought. "It's not the Hall-of-Very-Good."

In order to determine if someone like Blyleven or Dawson gets into the Hall of Fame, you have to go and look at the numbers. At least I do. I know about them, but they don't shout "Hall of Fame" to me. Because of that, these guys wouldn't be in the Hall of Fame.

However, this same school of thought can be applied to Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa. Both reached the levels of "Fame" that jumps out at you. They did things never done before. I don't have to even think about what Big Mac and Sosa did.

If you did back and look you'd see Sosa hit over 30 home runs 11 times (10 consecutive), while Dawson hit over 30 homers three times in a 21-year career. Sosa hit over 40 home runs seven times. He hit 66, 63, and 64 home runs in '98, '99 and '01 and DIDN'T LEAD THE LEAGUE. (I'm simply looking at the record book, this is not commentary on steroids.)

HOF criteria #1.1: A sub-division of the first school - You can't tell the story and history of baseball without this player. Examples: Joe Jackson, Pete Rose, McGwire and Sosa, Roger Clemens, Bonds. Those are a few omissions that make it in with this argument. I think we could get all the major details of Major League Baseball history without hearing Bert Blyleven's name.

HOF criteria #2: You get in based on career numbers and overall contributions to the game. With this, you pour over stats. You compare to others in the Hall of Fame. You use common sense. This is where having the fifth most strikeouts of all time, to go along with 287 wins, nearly 5,000 innings and 22 years of service pays off. Rafael Palmeiro, Sosa and Rose come to mind with this school of thought.

Dawson and Blyleven have career numbers that, if you look at them long enough, wear you down. Blyleven more so than Dawson, based on sheer volume of numbers. Dawson was a very good player but one season with 49 home runs and 137 RBIs shouldn't put you in.

I look at all schools of thought when determining my vote. I believe I would have done what the voters did in this case with Blyleven - looked at numbers for 10+ years, waited until time was running out, and voted him in. Dawson, I'm not sure I could have gotten there, unless in the 15th year, you simply say 'Why not?'

The Hall of Fame is the ultimate career accomplishment, so I know why Blyleven was so vocal about wanting in. I understand his motives. The strikeouts got him in, which means that big breaking curveball had a big role in Sunday's induction. I hope the 14-year wait was worth it.

Casey Anthony: What's Next

The million-dollar question in the Casey Anthony saga right now is: what's next?

A million dollars is used figuritivily and literally in this sense. I heard one "expert" of sort saying she certainly could extract $1 million from this case, in various ways. Interviews, the story, a number of media-based appearances and such.

Casey Anthony defense lawyer Cheney Mason 

There's no doubt people will be lining up at every opportunity to hear what she has to say. The demand is there, without question. But it's too hot out there for Casey Anthony right now. She can't be parading out front and center because, as her defense attorney Cheney Mason said, "There are idiots everywhere."

Mason spoke candidly about Anthony's future and some trials and tribulations his client has and will encounter.

"You ask her about coming back to the state of Florida. Would you? I wouldn't. The State of Florida tried to kill her," Mason said in the USA Today video.

Mason said Anthony mentioned wanting to work in his law office after release, but Mason says that's "not realistic." He said over 350 people have offered Anthony a place to stay and hundreds have offered jobs.

Mason said he would advise against media appearances and that Anthony isn't looking for money right now, just wants to be left alone.

Mason on Anthony reconciling with family: "I think she has a better reality of some relationship with Lee (her brother)."

On whether she did it: "My soul knew she did not kill that child. I believed it when I talked to her, I looked at the evidence and knew it. She did not kill that child.

For Anthony, staying out of the public eye will be most important for the near future. The first appearance would have to be a trusted news outlet, who came to her, for a televised interview. I wouldn't recommend anything for the first year.

From reports, Anthony has received not only jobs and lodging, but also financial contributions from many people and places. Her defense team will have something set up where she is isn't desperate for money but eventually Anthony will have to earn some income to support herself.

There are plenty of jobs you can do from home and out of the public. Certainly some profit will be made on the story and media appearances, however should be shelved for the first couple of years. For everyone's sake.

(All information courtesy of USA Today Video. Image: truTV)

Jeter, Mr. 3000, skipping All-Star Game

Derek Jeter is skipping the All-Star Game due to "emotional and physical exhaustion."  Jeter's chase of 3,000 hits, which culminated Saturday with a home run off David Price, was cited as part of the exhaustion. He returned from the 15-day DL at the end of June with a calf injury as well.

Jeter doesn't want to fly to Phoenix for the All-Star Game. It's that simple. He'd rather rest and stay out of the spotlight. Many, including an anonymous Major League Baseball official, don't like it. They want him there so everyone can celebrate his 3,000th hit. It's not about "honoring Jeter". It's so more people will watch the game, so others can make a big deal out of his accomplishment. Jeter doesn't need anymore honors or celebrations of his career. He'll take brief three days rest. And with the way the system is set up, it's his right to do it.

Bud Selig came out with an statement saying it's fine for Jeter to skip the game. Selig said there isn't anyone he's more proud of than Jeter, and how he might do the same thing Jeter is doing. Okay, Bud. But the point is players can back out if they want to, if they're injured or wanting rest.

At this point, for some of the All-Stars, they don't care about going to another All-Star Game. Whether it's the right thing to do or not, whether it screws the fans or not, maybe Derek Jeter doesn't care about going to his 13th All-Star Game. Maybe, for once, Jeter is looking out for Numero Uno.

I don't begrudge Jeter one bit for not attending. If the league wants every player selected to attend, make it mandatory. But they won't because of the backlash from the players. Sure, fans would like to see Jeter play in the All-Star Game but, I'm sorry, fans don't (and shouldn't) influence stars' decisions.

And of all people, there's going to be backlash against Derek Jeter?! Stop. He's played in 12 All-Star Games. He made the choice that staying put and resting was more beneficial to him than hopping a plane, flying cross country, playing three innings, and flying back. It may not endear him to the selfish fans but that's the way it goes.

The All-Star Game will be fine without Derek Jeter. I'm sure they'll be able to adequately honor him and his accomplishment without him actually being there. I have no doubt FOX will let everyone know about it.

All the All-Stars skipping the game this year, 16 in all, proves yet again that no one cares about the winner of the ASG determining home-field advantage in the World Series. It's time for that to go. And hopefully it will be retired when Selig goes.

Strikeouts are good for the game

I stumbled upon an article how strikeouts are taking over baseball. Good, I thought. The game always can use an uptick in strikeouts. Pitchers dominating the game, which generally results in a good number of strikeouts, is a good thing.

As I started reading, I found this wasn't a pro-strikeout article at all. I could have figured when it started with a stale, tired movie reference from Bull Durham, a movie usually reserved as a "favorite" for people who have never played baseball with any type of success.

This article talks about how boring strikeouts are for the game. How they result in fewer balls in play, more pitches, less diving catches, more replays of guys walking back to the dugout, etc.

Now, if you think because I'm a former pitcher, who liked strikeouts as much as any stat, I'm biased here - you're half right. But here's the point: A pitcher dominating the game with 10+ strikeouts is just as exciting as a home run or diving catch.

The games I want to see on ESPN Classic are Roger Clemens and Kerry Wood striking out 20 batters in a game. That's boring? How about a closer coming in with the bases loaded and no outs and striking out the side? That's not exciting?

To use an analogy: Basketball players are shooting too high of a percentage. If there were more missed shots, there would be more rebounds, more fastbreak opportunities, not as many replays of a guy running down the court after a make. Doesn't make sense, does it?

Are hitters striking out too often these days? Perhaps. There's some pretty alarming stats presented in the article I'm referring to. But it's not making the game "boring." It's a compliment to the pitchers. Pitcher dominance and more strikeouts also make a game go faster, something Major League Baseball desperately needs. This article is just another example of pro-hitter propaganda by people who wouldn't know good baseball if it bit them in the backside.

Not Guilty!

The conclusion to Casey Anthony's murder trial featured the high emotion and drama the millions watching came to expect throughout the six-week trial.

After deliberating for 10 hours and 40 minutes over three days, the jury of five men and seven women returned with a not guilty verdict on first-degree murder charges at 1:15 central time Tuesday afternoon. They also rendered a not guilty verdict on aggravated child abuse and aggravated manslaughter. Anthony cried as she hugged her lawyer, Jose Baez, and the rest of her legal team after the verdicts were read.

Anthony was convicted on four counts of lying to law enforcement investigators, charges the defense all but conceded during the trial. Sentencing by Judge Belvin Perry will be Thursday morning.

Baez told media members after leaving the courtroom, "While I'm happy for Casey, there are no winners in this case."

The outrage throughout the nation started as soon as the not guilty verdict was broadcast. This trial has been dubbed "the first social media trial" because everyone who has an opinion has shared it on Twitter and Facebook. While millions have discussed it through these platforms, the discussions and media coverage created a strong public opinion of guilty.

The circumstantial evidence against Anthony was damning, but it didn't explain how her daughter, Caylee, died. The lack of evidence in this area is the reason Anthony was acquitted. The cause of death was never proven.

The prosecution claimed Anthony used chloroform on her child, then put duct tape over her mouth and nose to kill her. She then hid the body in her trunk before she dumped the body less than a mile from the family's home in a wooded, swamp area. While this theory could be true, there wasn't proper evidence to determine this beyond a reasonable doubt.

This theory, presented by lead prosecutor Jeff Ashton, wasn't proven anymore than Baez's theory of an accidental drowning. This is why the jurors took less than 11 hours to decide on not guilty.

The prosecution claimed chloroform and duct tape were the two culprits in the death. The expert Ashton called was Arpad Vass, an anthropologist, who said levels of chloroform were "shockingly high" in the air samples taken from the trunk of Anthony's car. Vass used a machine he invented and is trying to patent and sell to law enforcement across the world. Baez poked holes in this by calling his own FBI witnesses that countered the levels of chloroform and he pointed out how Vass would gain financially if his "sniffer machine" was patented.

Prosecution claimed duct tape as the murder weapon, based on its theory and how duct tape was found on the mandible bone of the remains. However, Roy Kronk, the meter reader who found the remains, admitted to moving the skull and picking up the bag of bones. That makes it hard to believe the duct tape couldn't have moved. There was also no DNA on the duct tape.

This trial's notoriety rivaled that of the OJ Simpson trial. Millions watched and many believed Anthony was guilty based on the circumstantial evidence. However, in our great justice system, everyone gets their day in court. Crimes and charges have to be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

There was too much doubt in this case, too many questions still left unanswered. Casey Anthony was judged by a jury of her peers and was found not guilty. Whether you believe she did it or not, the justice system worked in this trial.

Here we go again

As the NFL seems to be heading to getting its lockout resolved (currently on Day 109), the NBA just began its own lockout, again.

The NBA announced it locked out its players at midnight Friday, and the gap between the two sides seems wide enough to cause ample concern about the length of next season, if there's a season at all.

While I never really worried about the NFL missing games because of the lockout due to the mass appeal of the league, and the revenue its generating, the NBA's lockout does concern me. We know David Stern will shut down part of the season in order to get a better deal for its teams and owners, which the league claims lost over $300 million last year, and 22 of the 30 teams were in the red. We saw him do it in 1998, which resulted in a shortened, 50-game schedule for the 1999 season.

Both lockouts don't interest me. There's too much legality I a) don't understand and b) am not interested in following that close. 

The reason this NBA lockout scares me is because I don't know how far Stern is going to go to get a better collective bargaining agreement. Yahoo's lead NBA writer Adrian Wojnarowski writes it could cost the entire season. If an entire season is lost, all-time great players, like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James miss out on 82 games to add to each's career. Those two especially will be on many all-time lists. They will be short-changed in their career accomplishments due to the lockout. And, of course, the fans, who made the NBA a very popular attraction over the past few years.

The NFL needs to wrap up its lockout and get back to work so there isn't two of these things hanging over the fans' heads. After the NFL gets going, and gets back to being the No. 1 sports attraction in the country, the NBA needs to figure this thing out. I don't want to see a longer lockout than in 1999. That's as far as I'll go. 

If the entire season is seriously threatened, start contracting teams. They can't lose money if they're not there. Drastic, but it might be necessary.