Michael Crabtree - Dumb or Dumber?

What is going on with this guy? Who is advising him? Man this guy is a Diva with a capital D. (The D, coincidentally, also stands for dumb) He makes TO look like the model of humility.

I don't want to make this sound like a personal attack, which is why I call into question the people that are advising him. I understand he got drafted later than he wanted to, which by the way, according to reports I've read, can also be traced to his actions and speech based on the people that are advising him. But, how can you demand the money you would've made IF you were selected earlier...when you WEREN'T selected earlier? He's going to turn down 16 million dollars because he thinks he's going to have the career of a top 3 pick? Let's clarify something. Most top picks turn out not to be worthy of the money and get lower deals later once the first contract runs out. If he is so confident that he's going to be a star, why not wait and then demand top tier money later, which is the opposite of what most athletes are fortunate enough to do.

Perhaps the dumbest thing about this, and its hard to get dumber than leaving 16 million dollars on the table, is that he is supposedly willing to sit out the entire year and re-enter next year's draft. Are you kidding me? The reason you slipped so far this year is because of your arrogance and poor attitude. There's no way you go any earlier next year, which also means you won't make more money. This is so stupid on so many levels. Man up and play football!

I am becoming increasingly disenfranchised with professional athletes because of cases like this. I was rooting for Crabtree until now. Now...I don't know. I never would want any athlete to see his dream fail or to suffer a career ending setback. However, I wouldn't feel very sorry for Crabtree if he didn't get drafted at all next year or if he played but was a bust.

If there is even the remotest chance that Crabtree checks the blogs for articles about himself (which given everything I've seen and heard, he probably does but probably doesn't care what people say) I have a message: Whoever is advising you and encouraging you to think of yourself as the best, being larger than the game and deserving of this extra money you are trying to extort, even if it's a family member or close friend, they are not doing you any favors. They are ruining your career and may be ending it. Which do you love more; the game, the fame or the money? If you love the game, then get out there and play, the rest will follow.

LeGarrette Blount - Fair or Foul?

By now everyone has probably seen the sucker punch Oregon's Blount laid on Boise State's Byron Hout. Oregon laid the hammer down on this NFL prospect. He is suspended for the rest of the year (this is his senior season by the way) including any postseason games. Meanwhile, Hout, who actually was the instigator of the incident itself, was not disciplined at all. Now, the University says that he is being disciplined internally. However, he's not missing any games and the only thing I've heard is that they plan to talk to him to make sure he understands the ramifications of this event. In layman's terms that pretty much means there is no discipline.

My take on the discipline to Blount is that it is definitely foul...although I do think that it is good for him as a person to experience this. Let me explain. Blount was not out to cause trouble that night. He was on his way to the locker room when Hout came across the field, seeking him out so that he could yell in his face. Which he did. He also made contact with Blount, tapping him on his shoulder pad. Blount then responded poorly, he went after him and as Hout's coach was trying address him, Blount cocked him in the jaw sending the big man to his knees. Unfortunately, that wasn't the end of it. Some of Boise's fans began heckling Blount and he had to be restrained to prevent a possible melee in the stands.

The NCAA itself cannot really enforce any rules on this kind of matter so it is up to each University to determine appropriate punishments. In my mind, 3 or 4 games would've been fair. Maybe even 6 games. But the whole season including bowl games? This is a young man with legitimate NFL aspirations. I don't think that many other Universities would've responded so harshly. We know that Boise wouldn't have. After all, their guy instigated this fight and there are no repercussions to discuss in his case.

But I will say this. As a person, this might end up being one of the best things to happen to him. Unfortunately, elite athletes today are given the silver spoon treatment from the moment their pop warner coach figures out how much the kid's talent will advance their own careers. These athletes naturally begin to feel invincible and untouchable which only promotes undesirable behavior. Even before this incident there have been situations that called his character into question. More and more the NFL, under the direction of Roger Goodell, is concerned about character as well as talent. This suspension will cost him draft position and therefore money, but it may help him build character as a person which is priceless.

To Oregon's credit, they are not kicking him off the team. He is still invited to practice with the team and participate in other team activities. If he's smart he'll take the high road here and continue to be a part of this team. He'll go to anger management counseling and other things that will help allay any fears that potential NFL suitors may have. He'll go into the combine next year and when interviewed by teams he'll say how much this experience humbled him and made him a better person and maybe even a better football player. He'll convince them that nothing like this would ever happen again with him. If he does that, he doesn't have to worry about being a victim of circumstance. The ball has been served...its in his court now.