New York Jets vs. Ines Sainz vs. Clinton Portis: Who's to Blame?

            In the film “The Replacements,” wide receiver Clifford Franklin scores a game-winning touchdown. Afterwards, a reporter chases him down in the locker room for a post-game interview, which turned into an opportunity for Franklin to hit on her.

Source: dipity.com

            Sound familiar?

            According to reports, Ines Sainz, a reporter for TV Azteca, was treated improperly by New York Jets players and coaches while attending their practice, waiting to interview quarterback Mark Sanchez. Sainz described the experience as “uncomfortable.”

            But as the days go by, more and more details emerge from the situation, and we are left only to question how valid Sainz’s account of the story is, and if perhaps we are to take her words with a grain of salt.

            Sainz said that the Jets’ secondary coach, according to reports, was tossing passes in her direction so players could get closer to her – something completely out of line. The behavior worsened when she entered the locker room, where some players began to make sexual inferences.

            But don’t be too quick to judge the Jets players just yet. Jane McManus, an ESPN New York reporter, has been covering the Jets for years. So why doesn’t this immature, perverted group of athletes attack McManus like this?

source: espn.com

            For one, McManus chooses to take a more professional approach at work each day. After all, I haven’t seen McManus as the top story for Men’s Health recently? And no – I tried, but I couldn’t find too many Google images of her. But Sainz, on the other hand – that’s a different story.

Source: menshealth.com

            In the first amendment – you know, that piece of paper that tells us what freedoms we’re granted as citizens of the United States – if you didn’t know, it gives us the right to freedom of expression. So, if Sainz wants to wear her belly shirt to an NFL game or practice – be my guest. She has the right to. Just don’t expect much of a change for the after party.

            Regardless of attire, Sainz presents herself as a professional reporter. She’s a journalist simply gunning for a great lead. She’s a cutthroat writer looking to make a name for her work.

            Not so fast.

            Last year, during the Super Bowl, you would have found Sainz riding high during media day – on the shoulders of the Indianapolis Colts players. And if you were quick enough, you’d catch her measuring the biceps of NFL stars in her personal “strongest arm” contest – typical for a reporter, right?

            With that in mind, maybe it’s not the Jets who are to blame here. Sainz, with a strong reputation to uphold, could easily have given the wrong idea to the players, who may have thought it was their lucky day – maybe even their own chance at entering the strongest arm contest.

            But despite what the players thought, or the message Sainz was sending, Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis was surely out of bounds. On a weekly radio session, Portis said, in my own interpretation, that a woman in an NFL locker room with 53 athletes is definitely going to get turned on.

            Apparently Portis isn’t too familiar with Christine Brennan, current USA Today columnist and former Redskins reporter.

            Brennan, who really paved the way for women in sports journalism, never “got her interest sparked” by 53 male football athletes – I guess she was the exception when Portis claimed: “I don’t know what kind of woman won’t.”

            Portis was completely out of line when he made those comments, and he immediately apologized after the NFL responded to the news. It’s always good to make light of a situation like this, but talking about male genitalia and female reporters trying to get jiggy with it – maybe think twice, Clinton.

Amare Stoudemire-witz

If it is on Twitter, you know it's official. And according to Amare Stoudemire's recent Tweets, he is a Knick. Oh, and a Jew.

It's not everyday that you hear a player is all of a sudden practicing a new religion, but for the newest basketball star in the Big Apple, well, he's rocking a new look. And no, it's not his new blue and orange uniform or Yankees fitted...it's more like a yamaka. 

Stoudemire, or STAT, recently learned his mom is part Jewish, according to a Tel Aviv newspaper. And in the Jewish religion, it is only proper to take on the mother's religion.

You can only imagine the despair Amare felt, realizing at 27 years of age that he missed out on all the perks of Judaism -- the Bar Mitzvah, Yom Kippur and Hannukah.

In an attempt to make up for all that he's missed out on, Stoudemire showed up in Las Vegas for Knicks summer league with a "star of David" tattooed on his arm. According to the New York Post, Stoudemire replied that "yes" -- it meant he was a Jew.

In his mission, Stoudemire has taken on the daunting task to learn all about the religion, including the Hebrew language, all during a short trip in Israel.

"You know, a lot of people don't quite get what it's like to be a Jew. There were definitely none in Phoenix [Ariz.]. I'm thankful there's more here in New York," Stoudemire said. "I've realized that Judaism isn't all eight days of presents, bagels and lox or that weird 'chhh' sound after every word. Nah, man. It's deep. You wouldn't know unless you spent a mini-vacation in the Holy Land."

When STAT landed back in his new home, New York City, he began preparing for more obstacles in his quest for Judaism.  

Newly signed Nets point guard, Jordan Farmar, formerly of the world champions Los Angeles Lakers, is helping STAT learn his Torah portion for his upcoming Bar Mitzvah. The date and venue for the celebration of Amare's manhood have yet to be released, but it's been speculated that it will not interfere with the New York Knicks' probable playoff run, and there will most definitely be matza ball soup (a favorite of STAT's). 

According to Stormfront.org, 20,000 Israelis leave their country to immigrate to the United States, and they actually have dollar signs appear in their eyes.

When a reporter approached Stoudemire with these thoughts, he put back on his protective glasses and walked away.

The same reporter questioned his signing with the Knicks, too, stating that he took top dollar and a max deal for those same Israeli motives. He replied, "Nah. It was just that the [Miami] Heat were all out of cap space."

Satire

Breaking News: Terrell Owens Signs One-Year Deal With Cincinnati Bengals

Sources have confirmed that Terrell Owens has signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Owens, the wide receiver who has made a splash everywhere he has went (including Buffalo...BUFFALO!), will join forces with Chad Ochocinco.

After playing for the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys and Bills wide receiver was rumored to be joining to the Bengals earlier in the offseason, but the likelihood of it was shot down soon after the team decided to sign Antonio Bryant, formerly of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Bryant, who is coming off an injury plagued season in Tampa, is likely to end up beginning the season of the PUP list for the Bengals.

Enter, Terrell Owens.

What will Owens bring to the Bengals?

Maybe he can revive his career with Carson Palmer at the quarterback position? Maybe his production will skyrocket now that Ochocinco is lining up opposite him? Or maybe he'll simply be just another wide receiver that goes by a nickname instead of his actual name?

All wrong. Well, minus the last thing. That's actually true.

With T.O. and Ochocinco headling the receiving corps for the Bengals, Cincinnati is now the dynamic monopoly of the national television.

Say what?



Come on, man. Don't you guys watch the T.O. Show? Chad Ochocinco: The Ultimate Catch?

VH1, the network that brilliantly paired the two wideouts on Sunday evenings for families around the world to watch together, now can begin its next project: The Cincinnati Bengals: Where Do We Go From  Here?


The show will feature what only Ochocinco's show has provided on a limited basis - both divas. Owens and Ochocinco. The hot spot that is Cincinnati. A team that can only make good decisions.

With both wideouts in the mix, the new program will combine the drama of the T.O. show - Owens going on dates, yelling at his agents, sitting in a hyperbaric chamber, eating popcorn and doing sit-ups.

As for Ochocinco's element, the show will not be cheap when it comes to forcing women to doing random exercises, getting drunk and going to sleep and trashy white females. Did I mention a tournament-style bracket will somehow be mixed in?

Cincinnati Bengals fans and VH1 viewers alike can only hope for one more thing: B-Twice.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver and deep threat, Bernard Berrian, has made a weekly appearance on The Ultimate Catch, providing Ochocinco with terrific insight and shedding knowledge on all situations.

Breaking News: Ochocinco on ESPN's SportsCenter: "The games will be on Pay-Per-View."

One can only hope that at least the program can remain on cable television for us all to watch and enjoy, and wait to erupt.

The Big Three: Catching On Everywhere

By now, the whole world is well aware of the NBA free agency signees, LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade, all landing in Miami to play for the Heat. Everyone knows that my putting a starting five consisting of three of the top 10 players in the entire league is the first step in creating a dynasty.

What everyone doesn't know is that this philosophy does not only apply to the NBA; it's catching on everywhere.



In the NFL, Tom Brady, who is amid a contract dispute in New England, has expressed a desire to play alongside superstar Peyton Manning.

"If you have to decide between staying in New England your entire career, where basically you have to carry your entire team every week, and the whole region solely relies you, it gets old. You know what I'm saying?" Brady said. "Basically, by going to Indy with Peyton [Manning], I get a chance to play with the best in the league. Finally, let someone else take some of this pressure off my shoulders. I mean, really, who decided to let Matt [Cassell] leave? I never gave that the okay!"



In other developing news, Brett Favre began to hype up the retirement/return press conference, also known as, "The Other Decision," scheduled on ESPN for Thursday, July 29, the night before Vikings training camp commences. Sources close to Favre have stated he is choosing between Minnesota, the Chicago Bears, the Detroit Lions and of course, the Indianapolis Colts.

ESPN's Adam Schefter had shed the following insight on the Favre situation:

"[Brett] Favre has decided to hold a one-hour special on his ranch in Hattiesburg, Miss. to announce his decision to the football world. While Favre has texted with me stating his possible destinations, it is most likely that he will choose to join Peyton Manning and possibly Tom Brady in Indianapolis to form what is potentially the "Big Three" of the NFL."



Speculation has it that by combining the three former MVPs, the Colts will be an unstoppable force in the upcoming season. If you want to take Manning out of the game, all you need to do is put the ball in Brady's or Brett's hands, and you're set. Any one of them can definitely beat you with their arms.

Manning had this to say on the potential threesome: "If Tom [Brady] and Brett [Favre] can bring their talents to Indy, then we already have not one, not two, not three, not four, not five, not six, not seven but eight MVP awards. I woke up this morning and realized this was the best possible way to win. If we need to get rid of some linemen or receivers to make room for them, do it."

Although the Big Three seem to enjoy their new super-team in the making, others have frowned on the subject. New England Patriots owner, Robert Kraft, released a letter on the Patriots' website after hearing about the new Colts roster.

"I hate that team. I hate [Tom] Brady. I hate his girlfriend who has kept him out in Cali all summer. I hate the old guy from the [Wrangler] jeans commercial. And boy do I hate that Peyton fellow. Tommy will see how this will end up. We have Brian Hoyer if he chooses to go, and he's been our secret weapon for months. The guy knows how to play the quarterback position - Tom can learn a thing or two from him if you ask me. And yeah, Patriots fans, don't worry - just because 'someone' is a coward doesn't mean we won't win the Super Bowl this year. In fact, I would guarantee a Lombardi before the Colts any day. 'Someone' chose to be a jack ass this summer and fool around with Gisele [Bundchen]. I haven't even 'witnessed' 'someone' win anything, really."

Kraft later held a press conference following this letter, and apologized to Brady and did beg him to return to the team. His attempt was unsuccessful.

Like Anybody Needs Instant Replay Anyways

Game Seven of the NBA Playoffs. The United States' do-or-die elimination match against Algeria. The not-so-perfect game for Armando Galarraga.

These three games exemplify the dire need for instant replay in the today's sports. While the NFL all ready has implemented a thorough instant replay policy, the other sports leagues are still behind.

The main worry for soccer and baseball is that they would slow down the game. Interesting argument. Baseball is widely criticized for taking as long as it does, and in the process boring the minds of fans everywhere. But for Galarraga, the Detroit Tigers starting pitcher who was an out away from claiming the 21st perfect game in MLB history, I'm sure if he had to wait an extra five minutes he would have been okay.



Or what about the Boston Celtics? During the 2010 NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the C's, many controversial calls caught the eyes of fans, players and coaches. I can recall Game Three when Kobe Bryant was called for an offensive foul after Ray Allen performed an Oscar-winning flop. Or what about the decisive Game Seven? The fourth quarter featured so many fouls that it challenged King Kong's movie ending; the entire audience just wondering, "When will it be over?"



And in the World Cup, where scoring and simply winning games is at a premium, the chance for the United States to have a goal be discounted out of a bogus call is simply too much. Clint Dempsey's disallowed goal should only highlight the need for instant replay in soccer (as well as other sports) as it was on a worldwide stage where everyone could clearly see the mishap.

So while us fans think instant replay, it's the commissioners of all these leagues who still oppose it.

Bud Selig said it was against the unspoken baseball code to overturn a miscalled call in Galarraga's imperfect game even after the umpire Jim Joyce admitted his mistake. Yeah? Well, Bud has done it again. Galarraga said he was fine with it, but he cannot be happy that his spot in history was disrupted by a blown call.

Should there have been an MLB instant replay policy regarding anything other than just home runs, this may not be the case. But Selig does not want to interfere with the game. Classic Selig.



Granted if there was a discussion for replay for balls and strikes, he may have a point. No one wants every other pitch challenged and then reviewed. But in terms of fair-fail or safe-out, in addition to home runs, there is really no downside.

So what could soccer really be risking if it decided to implement a replay review process element to the game? For one, accuracy. And two, legitimacy A World Cup game is  on broadcast for two hours and 30 minutes, the same as the an regular season NBA game. In fact, the match up this morning between the U.S. and Algeria did not even start until 10 a.m., so the game was about two hours. This is still less than the average NFL game, MLB game, NHL game and NBA game (especially a three-hour playoff game, got to love the half-hour halftime shows).

It all comes down to those extra few minutes it takes to run over to the camera and quickly check a call on the field. If you're telling me that a maximum of five minutes added to the game is too much time to risk in order to make sure the game is fair and precisely called, then you win.

Besides, I can DVR it.

NFL Draft: Bust Watch

To qualify as a bust on this list, you have to be picked within the first two rounds (Sorry Mr. McCoy). 


There is nothing more frustrating to an NFL franchise than missing with your top draft picks. In recent years, the likes of JaMarcus Russell went from the second coming of Daunte Culpepper to an adequate fill-in for Santa at your local mall. And Vernon Gholston looked put a Ivan Drago-like workout for the scouts at the NFL Combine, and now is lucky to be on the New York Jets special teams squad.





There's also many who successfully fill in for their new teams immediately after being drafted. For many, notably skill positions like quarterbacks, it takes time to develop so there's no immediate way to label them a "bust" yet -- or maybe a change of scenery (see Brady Quinn). 


So here's the Top Six 2010 NFL Draft Bust Watch:


48. Jimmy Clausen (Notre Dame) to Panthers



In watching Clausen last season at Notre Dame, you saw that he was a dynamic quarterback for a pro-style offense under Charlie Weis. Clausen was a highly regarded recruit since coming out of high school, and in his final season as a Golden Domer he broke out. 


What makes me nervous about Clausen is his mechanics, college experience and his attitude. 


Clausen has a tendency to make a lot of plays while on the move. The Carolina offense is run-heavy, and when a passing play is called it is typically a three or five step drop. Jake Delhomme did not have the same set of skills as Clausen, so it will be interesting to see if the team adapts to him.


Also, Clausen makes a low of throws through a sidearm delivery. While many question that delivery when he's facing NFC South pass rushers like John Abraham or Will Smith, there have been other gunslingers who have been successful.





In college, Clausen without a doubt put up outstanding numbers passing in a pass-first offense. Question marks include the fact that he had superior physical receivers in Golden Tate and Michael Floyd. In addition, he showed steady improvement in his three years, reducing his 17 picks in 2008 to just three in 2009. But this is only one year in which he put up those stats.


Finally, the last knock on Clausen is his attitude - a tendency to get fired up and point the blame. While right now this can be detrimental to his success, he can easily turn this into a positive. He can use his passion for the game to motivate his team, not blame them.


37. Nate Allen (South Florida) to  Eagles


This is definitely a different type of a bust. Nate Allen may have all the talent in the world, but he certainly will face all the scrutiny in the world if he does not live up to it.


Allen will be filling a hole that the Eagles have yet to fill since the departure of Brian Dawkins. Not only is he expected to fill that gap, but he was selected with the pick the Redskins traded to the team in exchange for former franchise quarterback Donovan McNabb. Don't you wish you were in Allen's shoes?





25. Tim Tebow (Florida) to Broncos


After becoming the most scrutinized and anticipated draft pick for the past two years, Tim Tebow finally arrived on the professional scene after the Broncos selected him 25th overall.


Even Mel Kiper Jr. was speechless.



Tebow is an excellent football player. He is more passionate about the game, his team and being a winner than any player I can recall in recent memory. But in order to become an NFL quarterback, there are certain measures that need to be taken.


Aside from basic throwing mechanics, Josh McDaniels, head coach of the Broncos, will have to transform his offense to suit Tebow's talents. Tebow will not be the Tom Brady, Peyton Manning-eque quarterback that we have grown used to. Tebow has to utilize his tremendous athletic ability -- his speech, strength and versatility as a runner and passer. 


There is hope.


McDaniels is the same coordinator who put together the dynamic Patriots offense in 2007. He created a spread offense that is primarily used in college (See Urban Meyer). Tebow thrived in the spread, and with the talent around him -- Eddie Royal, Knowshon Moreno and newly drafted Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker -- there is definitely potential.

16. Derrick Morgan (Georgia Tech) to Titans


The first sign of a bust is when a projected top-five draft choice slips to the second half of the round. In this year's draft, the big surprise was the demise of Derrick Morgan, the defensive end out of Georgia Tech.


In the first round, two other defensive ends were picked ahead of Morgan, including Jason Pierre-Paul and Brandon Graham. What makes this more imminent is that the teams that opted to draft other defensive ends were two NFC East teams, the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants.


Both the Eagles and Giants have histories of drafting or signing top pass rushers (Osi Umenyiora, Michael Strahan, Justin Tuck, Trent Cole, Javon Kearse). The Eagles even traded up to take Graham, a real slap in the face to Morgan.





Fortunately, Morgan will have a chance to develop in a Jeff Fisher-run defense. But for now, the pre-draft defense end that was rated so high fell in the minds of NFL scouts and owners, a real warning sign for bust-ness.


9. C.J.  Spiller (Clemson) to Bills


While C.J. Spiller has been an electric back in his time at Clemson, there is reason to fear he will be an ultimate bust. And no, it is not because he was drafted by the Buffalo Bills.


Well, maybe.


The Bills have had a history of drafting dynamic running backs -- Marshawn Lynch and Willis McGahee -- and when the running backs are doing well, the team shows glimpses of potential. But with McGahee fleeing town because of a lack of excitement, and Marshawn becoming more into running from the cops than from inside linebackers, the Bills might have too high of expectations for their newly drafted back.





Spiller was outstanding at school, but he played in a not-so-tough ACC conference. 


Aside from Clemson, the ACC had just three defenses ranked in the top 30 in total defense in 2009. Spiller did not play against their top-ranked Virginia Tech defense, but he did face No. 26 Boston College and No. 29 Miami.


The Eagles, who ranked 14th in the country in rushing defense, one of only two ACC schools with a rush defense ranked in the top 40, held Spiller scoreless. On 17 attempts, Spiller rushed for only 77 yards.


The U, whose rush defense was not ranked in the top 40, and overall defense just made the top 30, held Spiller to 81 rushing yards.


Not so dynamic when the defenses got tougher, even for the ACC.


3. Gerald McCoy (Oklahoma) to Bucs


McCoy unfortunately entered the NFL Draft at the same time my Rookie of the Year pick Ndamukong Suh entered, especially after he thrilled the nation in the Big 12 Championship Game where he made Colt McCoy look like Gumby.





G. McCoy is supposed to be an NFL defensive tackle. However, i feel he is too undersized to do so.


At the NFL Combine, McCoy measured in at 6'4 and under 300 pounds. He was only able to put up 23 bench press reps, which was 11 less than the average for the top 10 at his position.


He also failed to rank in the top 10 in the 40-yard dash, vertical jump or three-cone drill.


What this shows to me is that McCoy lacks the strength, jumping ability, speed and agility to play defensive tackle in the NFL. As a defensive tackle, you need to battle and stuff rough and tough offensive lineman, spring up and try to swat down passes and hold your own while you try to tackle quick running backs. In his combine workout, McCoy showed he had none of these physical skills.


I also question the weight of McCoy, in that he may be too light to hold his own and prove to be a durable player. Some of the defensive tackles on top 12 defenses looked at following:

• Kris Jenkings (NYJ) - 360 pounds
• Haloti Ngata (BAL) - 345 pounds
• Casey Hampton (PIT) - 325 pounds
• Pat Williams (MIN) - 317 pounds
• Albert Haynesworth (WAS) - 350 pounds
• Vince Wilfork (NE) - 325 pounds

McCoy is still below the 300 pound-mark, so he better invest deeply in the Costco snacking isle if he wants to be a baller in the professional ranks.

Buyer Beware

On the day of the NFL Draft, multiple reports have surfaced stating that the Pittsburgh Steelers are shopping their Super Bowl winning, franchise quarterback in exchange for a top 10 draft pick.


Doesn't this storyline sound oddly familiar?







When the Chicago Bears acquired Jay Cutler from the Denver Broncos, they traded two first-round drafts and Kyle Orton. And in return, they received 26 interceptions. And no, they will have no chance to pick in the first round this evening.


While Cutler and Big Ben have reached different points in their career, their playing style is remotely similar. They have a propensity to run around and try to sling the ball to their receivers. They can make plays with their arms or legs. But Ben, has won two Super Bowls in the past five seasons -- Cutler has yet to lead his team to the playoffs.


So why trade Ben? The quarterback now faces a six-game suspension, and is at risk for a harsher punishment if he becomes a third-time offender, poses a risk to the integrity of the Steelers organization.But is he worth risking victories?


To the Rams or Bills or Browns, there is no reason why they should not be willing to trade their first-round pick to attain Ben. While he'll be sitting out the first six games, it is not as if either one of those times is a playoff-bound team that will need those wins.


And is Ben worth the pick? Let's look at the playoff teams last year: Colts, Jets, Chargers, Bengals, Patriots, Ravens / Saints, Cowboys, Eagles, Vikings, Cardinals and Packers. Common denominator: franchise quarterbacks. In the top ten pick, most are linemen. I don't see any left tackles leading the Saints to their Super Bowl title.


And while questions surround Ben's behavior off-the-field, there are just as many questions about the potential draft picks. Sam Bradford -- will his college success translate? Jimmy Clausen -- will his mechanics hurt him? Colt McCoy -- is he an NFL talent? Tim Tebow -- will he even be a quarterback next year?





Other quarterback options: Marc Bulger -- because he has a lot left in the tank. Michael Vick -- keep your doggies away. Trade for Jason Campbell -- has proved nothing in the NFL.


Well, there's also Daunte Culpepper, Patrick Ramsey, Mark Brunell, JP Losman, Josh McCown. Oh, and Brian St. Pierre?


For the Steelers, they could be geniuses or morons. For their trade partners -- the same fate. Either way, buyer / seller beware.