Today's Lineup: Rich-Rod, Favre, McNabb, Rubio

  • Wednesday, September 2, 2009 8:47 AM
  • Written By: John Celestand

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NO SNITCHING I don't know whether to hate on the dude or not. So Coach Rich Rodriguez denies cheating, which we know is probably a flat-out lie. Of course he's gone over the allotted time of 20 hours per week of practice. And of course I believe that his players were indeed there for 10-12 hours on a Sunday. I was a college athlete and one thing I know is that most coaches, if they can get away with it, will stretch the rules. Am I mad at Rodriguez? Hell no!!! He coaches at MICHIGAN!!! He was 3-9 last year at MICHIGAN!! He's in the same conference with Ohio State. There is no way 20 hours per week is enough. I know this. What I also know is that he's not the only coach that is doing it. Who I am mad at are the "punk" players who spoke on the conditions of "anonymity." Then you have former players who aren't there anymore snitching. Again, I was a college athlete, I know what it entails, and sometimes you may not like it, but snitching and putting your program in a position like this is unacceptable. Especially when the only reason your really telling is because you had to do a few more squats or possibly run a few extra wind sprints. It's like marriage, you better know what you're signing up for before you commit!!!

GANGSTA How “gangsta” is Brett Favre? You don’t have to like him but you have got to respect him. On Monday night the 40-year-old Favre threw a crack block on the Texans’ Eugene Wilson and almost took him out. Yes, it was a dirty play. I don’t think Favre was trying to hurt anybody. It is just Brett Favre being Brett Favre, throwing his body around out there like a rag doll as if he's still 21 years old. It was a psycho move, no doubt, but he wouldn’t be who he is today if he had always played it safe. Favre is so “gangsta” and when we say that we mean he just does things that the average man wouldn’t think about doing. He just shows up in Minnesota and takes starting spots without even attending a minute of camp. Then last night after only about a week of practice he goes out and plays three quarters completing 13 out of 18 passes. You may not like him, but you have to sit back and say wow at what the man has accomplished. Doctors do what they do, lawyers do their thing, and so do gangstas! Brett Favre is out there moving to his own beat, while playing his own damn drum.

THE HEAT IS ON I think Donovan McNabb is one of the most underappreciated players, not just in the NFL, but in sports in general. McNabb is an outstanding passer and has been getting it done for years. In my eyes he can cement his legacy this year by having an outstanding season because the pressure is on. I don’t care what McNabb says about it being no pressure with Michael Vick there. This is manure from a bull. Michael Vick, before going to prison, was the most exciting player in the NFL. He was a human highlight reel. There are some in the city of Philadelphia that don’t like Dononvan McNabb. I’ve heard it all, from him being an “Uncle Tom” to him being a kiss up to management. I have to admit that McNabb is a twisted ankle or pulled groin away from losing his spot. We all know that Vick will be rusty but his playmaking ability has to make McNabb think. Injuries happen all the time in football, especially at the quarterback position. We have already seen Coach Andy Reid pull McNabb before. You have to think if McNabb struggles even a little this year, the fans, the management, the city will be antsy. They’ll be wanting to see the backup quarterback take the field and we're not talking about Kevin Kolb.

PATIENTLY WAITING So if you’re the Minnesota Timberwolves you can’t be too happy. Ricky Rubio has decided that he is going to spend the next two years in Spain before joining the NBA in 2011. Can you blame the guy? The amount of money he was going to lose by coming to the NBA would cause anyone to defer their dreams a little. But if you're a Timberwolves fan, that’s a long time to wait for a guy who could change your franchise immediately. The Wolves do have Jonny Flynn who also should be ready to play instantly, but how great would it have been to have a guy like Rubio who would really sell tickets? If you’re Wolves GM David Kahn, how mad are you right now? All the frequent flyer miles that have been tallied going back and forth to Spain for nothing!! But I really feel like this kid may be a star. For everything he lacks physically he make up for in the mental understanding of the game. He understands tempo, he understands the point guard position and how to run a team, which is lacking in this day and age from the point guard position. I guess we all just have to just be patient. They say the best things come to those who wait.. But this ain't no Heinz commercial from back in the day. I, for one, am extremely disappointed.

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