ESPN The Magazine has come up with a nice photo montage of, "Faces Of The Game", a collection of people that make the NFL the great sport that it is today. From agents, to owners and even to flag football leagues in China, the magazine gives us a pictorial view of all the different people that are a part of the NFL structure.

If you haven't seen/heard about it yet, here are a few pics from the magazine:


Dubbed, "The Legend" in the mag, my man Ray Ray has his own street name, and hasn't even retired yet! Kudos to him, who will go down as a legend when it's all said and done.



From administrative intern to commissioner of the NFL, Goodell's pic should be called, "The Disciplinarian". Instead, they make it simple and call him, "The Commish".



"The Reps", of the league, sports agents Tom Condon and Ben Dogra are featured in the article. What.... No Drew Rosenhaus?? Maybe he was busy. "No Comment...."



ESPN has Walt Coleman dubbed as, "The Law" and that's about right. Coleman calls any and every damn penalty on the field! I would have preferred to see Ed Hochuli, because I heart him. They should have changed his name to, "The Hard Ass".


Gay Culverhouse was the Bucs former president, but was diagnosed to be terminally ill with myelofibrosis. Named, "The Crusader", Culverhouse is on a crusade to help retired NFL players with health care. Good for her!

To see the entire collection of photos, check it out here. Very nice, ESPN The Mag!

What a huge difference 24 hours makes.

Yesterday around this time, I was ready to join the T.O. Renegade to support the reinstatement of former Falcons QB Michael Vick. I was down for the cause, let Vick play. He's paid his debt to society and should be able to start anew!!

Fast forward to today. Commissioner Goodell announced that Vick will be partially reinstated, allowing him to practice and play preseason games with a team and could be fully reinstated as soon as Week 6. Great news, right?! Apparently not according to twitter.

Once word got out, the tweets rolled in and Vick became the #2 trending topic within minutes. Folks were saying a lot of different things. Some good, some bad. But the comments that stuck out to me the most were the ones that folks thought that was still too harsh of a punishment for a player who paid his debt to society.

Really now?!



Now that may or may not be true, but crying and complaining about his partial reinstatement should be the last thing on your mind. I hope some of you lobby for a raise the same way you lobbied over Vick's reinstatement.

For those that are upset at Goodell, let me give you the logical reasons why some of you need to sitchoazz down (I'm sorry, but some of y'all need it LOL). and be okay with Goodell's decision:

1. He Needs To Find A Team First

As of right now, Vick won't be playing at all... because he's not signed on to any one's roster right now. If Vick had a team by now, then maybe I can understand the big issue of getting him back on the field. But no one has beaten down Vick's door to have him as the QB of their team right now. First things first, he needs to find a home and ASAP. Without it, the rants are pointless. Right now he's unemployed. You must crawl before you walk, young grasshoppers.


2. He Wasn't Gonna Start Right Away Anyway

I don't know if you've heard, but Michael Vick was in jail for almost 2 years [/sarcasm]. While I'm sure that gave Vick plenty of time and opportunity to stay in shape, it's not the same workout as being on an NFL roster. No matter if he was signed today or when he was finally released, the reality is he may not even be ready to play until at least Week 6. NFL conditioning is not what he was receiving behind bars. Let him learn a playbook and get healthy enough to play and be effective against defenses. Throwing him back out on the field with just his natural instinct is almost unfair.


3. Once He Signs To A Team, He'll Be Paid To Sit

This is my main reason why I'm not crying for Vick. I'm all about people getting their money, so yesterday I was all for Vick getting back in. In my mind, once Vick played, he would get a paycheck and be able to live his life. But once word got out that, even though he wouldn't play until Week 6 he can still get paid during that span, I wiped my tears away for Vick. He's living it up right now. Think about it: He will have six extra weeks to learn the offense, get in good football shape and still earn a paycheck. Sounds like short term disability to me. Hell, who doesn't like to get paid and do nothing in the process? If you said you don't, seek help now!


4. I Gain Nothing From Him Coming Back

Okay this is extremely selfish of me. But hell, let's be real... Other than watching him play on the field, what do I get out of voicing my opinion?? I don't know Vick, never met him, never seen him person, nothing. So what do I get out of the deal, other than being an unimportant voice?? Do I get a thank you card, a tax credit or a reparation check for speaking out?

Welp, doesn't really matter to me either way, then. Besides, Vick will go back to being rich and I'll continue being regular.

Now, I have my own opinions on Vick's punishment on his federal charges. but that's another story for another day. I will say that Vick is extremely lucky to be able to play football in the NFL again. I'm sure we all know or know of a former convict and the reality is, regular Joe's don't get anywhere near the opportunity that Vick was given. He's been given a second chance and if that's not a blessing, I don't know what is.

As for folks spewing venom towards Goodell for his ruling, I think he has a big bullseye on his back and no matter what decision he makes, he would have to deal with scrutiny ( there are fans threatening to boycott the NFL because of Vick's upcoming return). But some folks are taking it too far. Goodell's a hard ass, sure. But I've even seen the word "racist" get thrown out there which, to me, is kind of comical. Ask Brandon Marshall, an alleged woman beater who had his suspension reduced, if Goodell is a racist.

Folks, don't cry for Vick.... trust me, he'll be just fine.