Beantown Sports Guys

The only question that truly matters about Deflategate

Sure, it matters how the balls lost air pressure.

Sure, it matters when they lost air pressure.

Sure, it matters why they lost air pressure.

But what matters most, out of all of this, that has not been talked about at all by the league, is how all this truly came to be.

At first, a source reported D'Qwell Jackson said the ball felt funny after his INT of Brady. He came out later to say that was false.

Then, Jay Glazer reported the Ravens tipped off the Colts about the pressure in the balls. That's been debunked.

Yahoo Sports and SI have reported about Mike Kensil, NFL VP of Game Operations and former Jet, behind all of this. That he is the one to have sparked all this. And as Ed Werder for ESPN tweeted, what if the NFL did know about something up with the footballs and instead of try to prevent it they actually opted to try to 'catch' the Patriots in the act? How completely conspiracy theorist that would be, but that question is the only one that matters I think. If you find the answer to that question I think that will quickly answer many of the others that remain.

2014 NFL Mock Draft

Coming down to the wire so I figured I'd get in my final Mock Draft!

The great debate was will Cleveland go with a QB yet again? Their history with drafting QBs with their 1st draft pick is terrible but their front office has changed greatly over the last few years. Bortles is the safest QB pick here, followed by Bridgewater. Manziel just doesn't have the measureables, whereas Bortles is a great game manager and has protoypical size.

Overall this is one of the cloudier drafts, lots of teams have multiple needs so many teams will want to trade down but will they find the value they need since so many others have the same problem?

I see the Patriots grabbing Louis Nix with their pick. They'll be able to get a solid Tight End in the 2nd round, and with Wilfork coming off an Achilles inury that so many reinjure it will be important for them to have a solid backup plan. They solved so many defensive issues by signing Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner, followed by a depth signing of Patrick Chung, someone who is a playmaker and will likely see a lot of time when they are in the Nickel. The singing of Will Smith helps them keep Jamie Collins at OLB to develop. I would not be surprised if a top 5 OT is still available if they snag one of them either.

Los Angeles Clippers stage silent protest against Donald Sterling, hide team logo - ESPN Los Angeles

If the allegations are true, Donald Sterling is a racist. I'll learn toward believing they are true for the simple fact that he did not categorically deny that he said what was on the audio tape. He didn't even release his own statement, his lawyers did. Racist, coward, moron. All three describe this old white billionaire quite vividly.

Sterling should be run out of the NBA. Period. However they need to do it, make it happen. This is just the beginning of allegations as well. Get ready for the windfall of interviews and accusations, most of which I am sure will be true. People like this don't just fall out of the racist closet for a minute, there is a pattern, a distinct pattern over the course of their lives. They deem themselves untouchable.

In this case the NBA needs to reach out and touch Donald Sterling.

NFL Free Agency Live: Vince Wilfork Reportedly Asks Patriots To Be Released | NFL | NESN.com

Here's my thinking on the Patriots/Wilfork potential divorce:

Wilfork feels he has done enough in the past be paid for the future while the Patriots feel his Achilles injury could mean a major drop in production going forward.

Neither will budge. I guarantee it. Wilfork wants one more payday and the Patriots need concessions if they have any hope in resigning Julian Edelman because of their cap right now.

I don't necessarily see the Patriots cutting him, but I see a more likely scenario of trading him and at least getting a mid to upper round pick. He is the best NT and top 5 DT. The Pats can hang on to him and then franchise him next year if they want but I don't see them letting him go without compensation from someone.

I'm thinking Steve Smith being released actually helps the Patriots' chances of retaining Edelman. The same teams that were looking at him are looking at Smith which means there will be one less suitor for him.

Aaron Hernandez, Odin Lloyd connected in life and death - ESPN

This is very tough to read. Being a player and member of the New England Football League for over 10 years I've come to know a number of the Boston Bandits and their coaching staff. They've seen more of their fair share of tragedy, having lost a number of players over the years to tragic events, but this one is the darkest of all.

Innocent until proven guilty in the courts, but in the court of public perception Hernandez is guilty as hell. At the very least he is guilty of covering up a senseless murder and is an accessory.

Senseless.

NFL Mock Draft 2013

Let me start off by saying I think this is going to be another year filled with trades in the first couple rounds. I'd be shocked if the Patriots stay in the 1st round, as they have an almost historically low number of picks for the franchise this year.

One other thing to note: my #10 pick should be stud CB Dee Milliner out of Bama, but ESPN's Draft Machine simply didn't have him listed anywhere. I picked a random very late projected CB to fill that spot.

There is talk now that KC is aiming for Eric Fisher but I'm standing by my pick. Joeckel is a franchise tackle, like a Michael Oher or even Jonathan Ogden or Tony Boselli. He'll be there for 10 years and will anchor that line. Fisher will be good but I think Joeckel is the surest thing in the entire draft.

A couple things about the Patriots pick at #29 - if Rhodes makes it to them they take him. He's big, physical and the kid can tackle. He is very long in the arms and can go up and get the ball at the highest point and he is a physical specimen. The Patriots would love nothing more than to draft him and play him at CB along with Talib, while McCourty goes to Free Safety and Adrian Wilson lays the wood at Strong Safety. That is a NASTY NASTY secondary. Will it happen? Who knows, some are talking Rhodes going to the Colts, or even New Orleans because of his size and physicality but this draft is deepest in the secondary.

Which brings me to Tyrann Mathieu. Yes he's had his fair share of problems, but he is a playmaker and at the time of his dismissal from LSU from Les Miles, he was one of the highest regarded defensive players in the country. If teams believe he has turned his life around, he could drop a bit and land on a team that would use his skillset to the max. I could easily see him landing on the Patriots, Jets, or Baltimore. He's a difference maker. The question is who wants to take a chance on him? It should be noted the Patriots had him in for a predraft visit and walked away happy with what they heard and saw from the Honeybadger.

Talking about predraft visits, the Pats used about 25% of their allotted pre-draft visits with wide receivers, which makes sense with the losses of Wes Welker and Brandon Lloyd. Will they take a WR in the first one or two rounds? Historically speaking that's never worked out for them (see Bethel Johnson and Chad Jackson) so maybe in the 3rd round? They value quality over positional needs unless the two meet, so that remains to be seen.

The Pats also had Eddie Lacy in for a predraft visit, someone who could be the only RB to go in the first round. They also had in injured RB Marcus Lattimore and could be eyeing the 2nd round for him. 

One thing I do know about the Patriots is they always do the unexpected. Did anyone expect them to trade up to get Hightower last year? Or to take Chandler Jones? No one has a better system in place for draft day, and no matter what they do it will be very interesting. 

Roger Goodell floats idea to end kickoffs, report says - ESPN

I've said it a million times: if the NFL cares about making it safer, they need to mandate that all players have the latest and greatest technology available. Because we're talking about head injuries, let's start with the helmet:

Riddell has a HITS helmet that is incredible and the NFL should make EVERY SINGLE PLAYER WEAR ONE. Because Riddell can say it way better than I, I will post an excerpt here about that helmet now:

"For the first time in history, Riddell’s patented Head Impact Telemetry System (HITS™) records every frequency and severity of impacts to a player received during games and practices.

Riddell’s exclusive Head Impact Telemetry System (HITS) and Sideline Response System (SRS) technologies allow for easy and accurate sideline monitoring of on-field head impacts via wireless communication. The MX Encoder, part of the patented technology, provides on-board electronics in the helmet that monitor and record impacts while in use. The systems measure the location, magnitude, duration and direction of head impacts and impact accumulations and transmit that information wirelessly to the sideline. This provides coaches and medical staff with valuable information – in real-time if they choose – that can be used to identify potentially dangerous head impacts. The data is synchronized and stored in a secure database and is available to the user via simple to read reports designed to provide a deeper understanding of the impact exposure profile of the athlete."

It makes no sense whatsoever as to why the NFL doesn't have one of these helmets on every single player in the league and working with a company that can number crunch and extrapolate data such as Google so they can translate it into something meaningful. If you take this data and combine it with injury reports and film they'll have a greater understanding of how injuries happen, how to prevent them, and how to prevent the occurance and frequency of them.

If they only started there it would be more than enough I think.

USADA said Friday it officially banned Lance Armstrong for life, stripping him of seven Tour de France titles after charges that he used performance-enhancing drugs during his cycling career - ESPN

Say what you want about Lance Armstrong but deciding to not keep fighting against the USADA doesn't mean he is guilty. No physical evidence has been ever presented to show he doped. Superhuman? Maybe. Doped? Maybe. Witch hunting? Absolutely. Even the judge said it was BS that the USADA were coming hard after him well into his retirement. Even if he did, it was a completely even playing field. He will always be the greatest cyclist of all-time, he will always be a 7 time Tour de France winner, and even more so he will always be an amazing inspiration to millions of cancer survivors, as well as philanthropist. He's singlehandedly done more for cancer research than any other human being. Just look at your wrist.

2012 Mock Draft

The NFL Draft is right around the corner. I fully expect this to blow up because there are mumblings and grumblings that prety much every single team from 10 to 24 wants to drop back. The top 8 teams likely won't drop back, if anyone does I see it being Jacksonville since they have a ton of needs if they're going to go forward with Blaine Gabbert as their starting QB.

A lot has been said about Janoris Jenkins, who I could see move up bigtime, it really depends on team needs. I could easily see Harrison Smith from Notre Dame going to the Ravens to replace an aging Ed Reed. The kid has everything - size, speeds, hands, he can stuff the run and can cover. I wouldn't be shocked at all to see the Patriots grab him at 27 either but their pass rushing is severely lacking after losing Mark Anderson to free agency.

More Mock Draft notes to come.

Sources: New Orleans Saints' Mickey Loomis could eavesdrop on opposing coaches during home games - ESPN

If this is accurate to any length, we're looking at a lifetime ban for Loomis. Guaranteed. I wouldn't put it past Roger Goodell to do the same to anyone else involved either.

This is getting uglier and uglier by the day. The victims here are the fans of the New Orleans Saints. Spygate is nothing compared to this and the Bountygate. Everyone did what the Patriots did, and as far as bounties I'm sure every locker room has something similar, but this?

Derek Fisher signs with Oklahoma City Thunder, in uniform Wednesday night - ESPN

"Look, we don't get five championships by being sympathetic towards each other and kissing each other's [a--] during the game," Bryant said Wednesday when asked about the Lakers' game against the Thunder next week. "I'm going to demolish him. He understands that. If he switches off on me in the post, there's going to be problems. I'm sure he'll put an elbow right in my back, and that's why we love each other."

via espn.go.com

I'm a diehard Celtics fan, but Kobe's sentiments are what sports are all about. I've had my fair share of battles against former teammates in my football days and it always brings out the best in both guys. I'm absolutely going to tune in just to see them battle, I think it's great for the sport and any competitive junkies out there like myself will be in for a treat.

Clark relieved Tomlin kept him out vs. Broncos - NFL - Yahoo! Sports

PITTSBURGH (AP)—Ryan Clark sat down in Mike Tomlin’s office and did something a little out of character for the normally verbose Pittsburgh Steelers safety. He listened.

via sports.yahoo.com

I'm a diehard Pats fan, but I'm impressed that Mike Tomlin is doing the right thing here with sitting Ryan Clark. He is right - football players have a switch that is flipped off when we play - we have a blatant disregard for our bodies and our own safety. A player that is afraid of getting hurt will get hurt, guaranteed. I'm glad Tomlin took it out of his hands. He values his own player's health and safety over winning a game. Would Rex Ryan do that? I'm thinking not.

It's not often I praise the Steelers. Don't get used to it, Pittsburgh.

Brady shouldn't point fingers - The Tony Massarotti Sports Blog, featuring Red Sox, Bruins, Patriots and Celtics analysis

By Tony Massarotti, Globe Columnist

via www.boston.com

Once again, I highly doubt Mazz has ever played a sport in his entire life, especially football. Way off base. Brady blew up, O'Brien blew up, they made up and were shown sitting down and talking it out and laughing on the bench shortly after and then Brady said he was the one at fault. What's wrong about that? Oh, nothing.

Mazz is your typical Boston sports writer - always focuses on the negative and loses sight of the big picture. Blaming Brady outright for this when O'Brien exploded on him? If Brady is at fault then he is 51% and O'Brien was 49%. They both overreacted, and it's done with.

Only it's not done with. Because the media is making it out to be a huge deal when it isn't. Lame. Very lame.

Tom Brady, New England Patriots offensive coordinator separated after fiery exchange - ESPN Boston

LANDOVER, Md. -- New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady had to be separated from offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien on the sidelines during the fourth quarter of the team's 34-27 victory over the Washington Redskins. The two had a heated argument after a Brady miscue.

via espn.go.com

If people knew how often this happens during games, at all levels of football, there wouldn't be an article even written about it. The 8% that voted that it is a serious rift have never played sports at all at any point in their life. They don't even need to play football to understand, any sports from high school up would suffice.

Brady and O'Brien are both passionate fiery guys, both know how good Brady is and how he can even be better. This only helps the Patriots going forward.

2011-12 bowl schedule - ESPN

The 2011-12 bowl season starts in Albuquerque, N.M., and ends in New Orleans. Here's a look at the schedule from the New Mexico Bowl on Dec. 18 to the Allstate BCS National Championship Game on Jan. 9 in the Louisiana Superdome.

via sports.espn.go.com

This is a must have. I'm always scrambling to find this once the games start. As much as I would love a playoff system, I actually do love the 12,000 bowl games they have. I just cannot wait for the Beef 'O' Brady's St. Petersburg Bowl. Just because that is the most ridiculous bowl name of all time.

OF ALL TIME.

Ryan Clark of Pittsburgh Steelers fined $40K, takes jab at Roger Goodell - ESPN

A week after saying he has to be smarter about personal fouls, Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark was fined $40,000 for a helmet-to-helmet hit Sunday night and he's not happy about it.

via espn.go.com

This is beyond ridiculous. The hit on Gronk was illegal, even Clark admitted it, but the hit on Dickson was totally clean. He didn't lead with his helmet. Helmets WILL collide, it's a contact sport.

I have said it before, I will say it again - the NFL does not care at all about player safety, they care about the viability of having their top playmakers (ie: OFFENSIVE PLAYERS) stay on the field. What about the Tight End that crackbacks a defender? No flag. Even if it's helmet to helmet which it ALWAYS is. Why? Because they are inflicting it.

If the NFL truly cared, they would outfit every single player with the Riddell HITS technology helmets that record every hit a player takes or gives. They would take this insane amount of data, hand it over to some big company like Google to crunch and derive real information out of based on injury reports and whatnot, and player safety would be all the better for it. Not this ticky tack bullshit.

Roger Goodell is watering the game down and is actually making it more dangerous for defenders because they hesitate. When you do that your odds of injury go up tenfold.

Ridiculous.

John Fox of Denver Broncos not ready to make call on Tim Tebow or Kyle Orton - ESPN

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The football world will have to wait another day to find out if Tim Tebow was only keeping Kyle Orton's seat warm or whether he's pushed the veteran to the end of the bench.

via espn.go.com

Normally I would say I thought John Fox was a good coach. But seriously - if you can't see that you need to start Tim Tebow, someone the guys responded to in the 2nd half of the game this week, someone who will give you his all, someone who never stops working, someone who just is a positive force in the world and on the football field, if you can't see that you should not be coaching. Don't not start him because you realize you are an idiot and you should have traded Kyle Orton when the iron was hot. Don't make another mistake. Start him. Elway wants him. Bronco Nation wants him. NFL fans want him. Don't follow a bad mistake with yet another.

Chad Ochocinco, "Being A Part of The Patriots is Heaven"

When Chad Ochocinco arrived in New England to play for the Patriots he had one word to describe it “Heaven” he said from the stadium, to the locker room and all the way to the food, it was heaven. Chad had previously spent his entire career playing wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals. Chad had always stated that he had always wanted to play for coach Bill Belichick and finally in the 2011 season, Paul Brown granted his wish and traded him to the Patriots for a 6th round pick. Chad was brought here a week into training camp with much to learn. Tom Brady said once in an interview that there is close to 3600 plays in the Patriots offensive playbook so there is much to understand in four weeks of preseason football. Chad started week one in Miami and his production was small with just one catch. People started criticizing him publically. Former Patriot Tedy Bruschi called Chad out telling him to get off of Twitter and into your playbook. Chad handled it the right way not talking to the media and when the media outlets would stand by his locker he would say he’s not talking and just point to his playbook stating that he would not talk until he knew the playbook completely. Tom Brady was being interviewed on WEEI this past Monday and stated that whoever has a problem with Chad has no idea what they are talking about what is going on inside that locker room. Chad has been a big part of this team and he is a great teammate Tom Brady stated. This past Sunday Ochocinco has more of an impact with two big catches, one pass from Brady that got the team out of its own end zone and the other catch was caught even though the defender struck him early which caused a pass interference penalty. I personally love the fact that Chad is on this team. Chad has always been one of my favorite all time players in the league and I feel that he can bring some valued experience to this team once he is completely involved in the offense.

via www.passionbreedsgreatness.org

I totally agree, Chad has been so shortchanged with the lockout and not having mini-camp, and OTAs, and all that other stuff that normally you would have in a season. I'm willing to bet within 4-6 weeks he will be a much different contributor than he is now. Psyched he is on the Pats.

The Evolution of the Patriots D-line

Bill Belichick's team is doing its final practices before preseason game No. 2, Thursday in Tampa Bay. He called the Buccaneers an "impressive" team in their game against the Chiefs - "fast, aggressive, they have a lot of talented players, play at a high tempo."

via www.boston.com

Belichick knows defense. We all know this. But I have a sneaking suspicion the change he is making and has made on the defensive line have everything to do with his mantra of taking away the best player on a team and let the other guys beat you.

Most of the teams in the AFC East have solid RBs but have so-so QBs. They have QBs they want to manage the game but don't have guys that can go out and actually WIN a game for you. Sanchez is no exception.

Last season Sanchez's highest QB rating in a loss was 84. Conversely, Peyton Manning's highest rating in a loss was 109.

That goes to show you that the Colts lost despite Manning putting up solid numbers. Sanchez isn't there, I personally don't think he will be a QB that wins games, he is more like Trent Dilfer in 2000: just don't lose us the game.

And so Belichick sought to create a disruptive defensive line that is solid at stopping the run but also is versatile enough to pressure the QB. He changed up the defense to a 4-3 but maintains flexibility to drop a DE to a LB on any given play. He did this to stop the likes of CJ Spiller, Reggie Bush, and Shonn Greene. If they get to Sanchez, Henne, and Fitzpatrick even better. But none of those QBs are guys you can count on to win a game for you.

Jim Thome reaches 600 HRs with humility, grace and country power - Tom Verducci - SI.com

Every year before he leaves Peoria, Ill., for spring training, Jim Thome drives out of his way to cruise Jim Thome Drive, near Limestone High, his alma mater. Years ago he explained that the little side trip was his way of "keeping me humble, reminding me where I came from."

via sportsillustrated.cnn.com

I always had the utmost respect for Jim Thome. When he was on the Indians he was just as feared if not more than Manny Ramirez and was the heart and soul of that team. He's quietly played the game right and has produced.

21 seasons. 600 Homeruns and counting. This guy needs to be in Cooperstown.

Lockout -- NFL owners approve proposed labor agreement, players expected to vote Friday - ESPN

NFL owners approved a proposed 10-year labor agreement with the NFL Players Association on Thursday, leaving the potential end to the league's lockout in the hands of the players' vote Friday.

via espn.go.com

While it is incredibly nice that the owners voted unanimously for the new CBA (31-0 with the Raiders abstaining), it's insulting to the players in the NFL.

The fans don't care if the owners approve of their proposed deal. That insults our intelligence. It insults us because they think they can pressure the NFLPA to cave and the public will direct their anger toward the NFLPA and not the NFL owners.

WRONG.

I want football. A lot is at stake. Not just for current players but former. Health benefits. Retirement. Other benefits. I'm not shortsighted to think it's all about getting on the field as soon as possible, the NFL wants you to think that.

I want it done and done right - the NFLPA is not asking for anything the owners can't give them. That they didn't earn. That they don't continue to earn with their bodies. And minds. And future health. I'm not screaming off the rooftops because the players are wronged, but it's all relative - billionaires vs. millionaires right?

Right. So they should do what's right.

Get it together NFL owners. Give a little, get a lot. Don't be so greedy. 18 regular season games is insane. Want the solution for doing right by the fans that hate paying regular season prices during preseason games?

Don't charge as much.

Yes, it is that simple. I'm beginning to think I should be helping in this process...

2011 NBA Playoffs: Doc Rivers of Boston Celtics expects injured players to be ready for Saturday - ESPN Boston

via sports.espn.go.com

If the Celtics aren't physical and limit turnovers and easy layups in Game 3 it's over. It really is that simple. You can't let a team out muscle and out hustle you up and down the court. You might as well book those tee times if you are going to let them handle you like that.

I like that Shaq is coming back. I have no delusions of him being the savior but you are damn right he will bring a certain fire and physicality to the series that has been missing and hopefully that inspires and sparks the other guys. The key to the series is Shaq, Jermaine, and KG. Their level of physicality will determine how far they go.

2011 Mock Draft

ESPN made my life easy once again by putting the Mock Draft Machine up. This is the 3rd and final iteration I came up with. As always I can't predict teams (read: New England) trading picks to move around. 

A few other notes:

• If Ingram slips to the Patriots I don't expect them to take him. They have plenty of RBs right now and Green-Ellis has been a beast. Woodhead is such a great weapon. Faulk is coming back. Morris and Taylor are great when they are healthy, but right now they are technically free agents. We have more pressing needs than RB at that point in the draft although I would love to have Ingram, as would any team. Oklahoma DeMarco Murray would be a great 2nd round pick if he is still on the board. Bilal Powell out of Louisville could also be that guy they grab later.
  
  
  
•  People need to stop saying DE/OLB Dontay Moch is a sleeper. He isn't. He can't be when everyone is saying he is. His body of work is decent, his combine performance was stellar. He isn't slipping under anyone's radar.
  
   
• Ahmad Black out of Florida will be a Patriot. Bank on it. Once again, another Gator will be suiting up if Belichick has his way - the kid can play safety and CB and has good speed. His size is in question but the Patriots have so many picks I won't be shocked to see him land on the roster later in Day 3.
  
   
• The Patriots need the most help on both sides of the trenches. We were hurt late in the season when we couldn't keep Brady on his feet and when we couldn't even get to Mark Sanchez. We need pass rushers and Belichick will do whatever he can to make sure the Pats draft wisely. I will not be shocked at all if he goes for sheer numbers and trades his 17th overall pick for a couple later picks and takes back to back lineman. Or even 3 in a row. Nothing would surprise me.
  
   
• The NFL Lockout is a bitch for teams that want to make trades. McNabb and Kolb both could be traded, but not before the draft, which means teams have to draft based on what they have on their roster now. Minnesota would love either McNabb or Kolb, but it's going to be a lot harder after the draft to work a trade.
  
   
• The Jets always fall in love with someone that blows it up at the Combine. Stephen Paea is that guy, at least on the bench. 49 reps is insane. They need a DT, but he may not be the best fit for them, but it wouldn't be the first time Rex Ryan drafted a guy that isn't suited for his team (hello Vernon Gholston).
  
  
  
•  Jake Locker will go to Seattle IF they can trade out of that 25 spot and move down a couple spots and still get Carimi.
  
   
• Torrey Smith is a 1st rounder, just not sure where. Atlanta could be a good spot as could Chicago.

Baltimore Ravens' Tom Zbikowski improves to 4-0 with 1st-round knockout of Blake Warner - ESPN

Baltimore Ravens' Tom Zbikowski improves to 4-0 with 1st-round knockout of Blake Warner - ESPN

With the NFL Lockout in full swing, I can't help but think it's actually a good thing for the players on some level. Wes Welker said last week he enjoyed the time off from football so he could do other things (ie: a lot of charity work lately), Chad Johnson enjoyed an attempt to play some MLS soccer, and Zbikowski is returning to his boxing roots.

We're talking about a $9 billion pie here - 60% goes to the players, 40% to the owners. And the owners want more. Make no mistake, they are the greedy ones. They aren't letting the players come to work. They want more games at zero risk. They want more money. They want a cap on rookie wages. All this points to money and if the NFL really was having issues (as the NBA claims they are) they would produce all of their financials and even put them in the New York Times to get all the attention from the fans. The NBA is a lot more transparent, and I do believe they are losing money. But the NFL is not.

But this may be a win-win for the players: they won't cave, all the fans will see the majority of the owners for the greedy bastards they are, and the players can enjoy other endeavors while they continue to be locked out.

But let's hope it gets resolved soon so the fans aren't getting screwed by the owners as well.

Chad Ochocinco begins MLS tryout with Sporting KC - ESPN

Chad Ochocinco begins MLS tryout with Sporting KC - ESPN

Pretty low blow for Marvin to say that about Chad. That's his player. That's his star wide receiver. What purpose does alienating him serve? Is it sour grapes? Or misguided annoyance because Carson Palmer would rather retire than come back and play for him and the Bengals? Peculiar.