By now I'm sure you've heard the news about Titans QB Vince Young's brush with the law. On Saturday night, Young got into a fight at the Onyx Club in Dallas. Young was since given a citation for the incident.

Apparently the story goes like this , according to Dallas News:

"There was a conversation going on between Mr. Young and several people inside the office," said Dallas police Lt. Craig Miller, acting commander of the Crimes Against Persons Division. "One of the [club employees] makes a gesture contradictory to the University of Texas, the 'Hook 'em' sign upside down. This obviously made Mr. Young upset."




If you've missed the recorded fight, here's a look:


SMH...............................


When will these athletes learn???

I have a colleague who is a UT alum, and I talked to him briefly about this. He says that anyone that's an Aggies or Sooner fan can do that, and it will REALLY ruffle a Texas alum's feathers. Could get down right violent, even. Being that the person attacked was allegedly from Oklahoma, let's assume he was a Sooner fan/alum. My colleague says that's grounds for an ass whupping.... (Thanks Bill!)

BUT!

My colleague also says the following, "When you're a guy like me.. you'd probably get into a fight. When you're a guy like Vince Young... you have to learn how to let it go."

Couldn't have said it any better.

Vince Young is an idiot. Maybe he should find a hobby to get into... and I don't mean "making it rain" in strip clubs (which Onyx is). Players are constantly targeted by Joe Schmos, for whatever reason. To see if they can beat you physically, to get some money from you, or simply to brag amongst friends. But whatever the reason, players have bulls eyes on their back wherever they go. Does that mean that players shouldn't be able to live their life and do the things they enjoy? Of course not. But it also means that you have to think about everything you SAY and DO. Someone is always listening and watching your every move. And when you slip up, it becomes news. If Vince Young the barber gets into a fight. It's not newsworthy. If Vince Young the player does it, he's facing a possible suspension from commissioner Goodell. Get it?? Got it?? GOOD!

Due to the incident, Young faces a $500 fine on a Class C misdemeanor charge. So you mean to tell me, you are about to get in trouble from your employer... and all you did was give someone a cut lip????



I'm sorry for laughing... Look, I'm glad that no one was seriously injured and walked away from this. But this just tells me someone hasn't been hitting the weight room like they should. Vince Young needs to worry about being an NFL QB instead of worrying about defending an upside down hook-em sign. And from the looks of it, he's having a time with both duties at hand.

Memo to Young: Remember who you are..... the QB for the Tennessee Titans. Any and everything you do will be reported as news. Learn to fight your battles..... Don't throw your career away with a simple hand gesture.

Good day ladies and gents. It is finally here. I can't contain myself... I'm so full of glee... the 2009 NFL season has arrived... and it all starts with the Titans vs Steelers. Who ya wit?!

Tonight is the season opener, and it has a LOT on the line already. Last year, Tennessee routed the SB Champs in Tenn, 31-14. And to make matters worse. Titans RB LenDale White, Keith Bulluck and Co stomped on a terrible towel, which created pandemonium amongst Steeler Nation.


Well the rematch of the season starts today. Tennessee travels to Pittsburgh as the Steelers look to show the Titans why they are reigning champs. Will Collins and Co. repeat what happened last year, or do the Steelers finally get revenge in their house? Here are some things to look for:

Titans

Offensive Line- Last year, the Titans had one of the best offensive lines in the league, allowing a league low 8 sacks. Chris Johnson is a great RB, but that's in large part to the O-line being in sync and allowing him to run through the A gaps to do what he does. I tell everyone, the way you beat Pittsburgh is to contain their blitz, and the Titans did just that last year, a huge part to their win. Will they be as dominant as last year? We shall see

Running Backs- Smash and Dash are ready to run, run and run some more. This isn't a passing team, and the Steelers know it. But Chris Johnson is an elusive back that can make defenders come out of their cleats trying to tackle him. While White is a better up/downhill runner, his size allows him to plow through guys to get 6 points. He better watch out, though . Mr. White made some direct comments last week and I'm sure the Steelers have something in store for Mr. Smash

Defense minus Haynesworth- I don't think this changes much. Haynesworth didn't play the last time these two teams played to begin with. If Kyle Vanden Bosch can come back to his old form before injury, then the D line can pick up where they left off. The secondary is one of the best in the league, with Cortland Finnegan, as fiery as his hair is red, and the rest of the secondary cast. While they did lose DC Jim Schwartz to Detroit, they still have enough talent on D. And did I forget to mention Keith Bulluck?! They will continue to be a Top 10 defense


Steelers

Offensive Line- Same group to watch like Tennessee, but for the opposite reason. In 2008 this group was awful, allowing Big Ben to get sacked 46 times, second worst in the league. The Steelers didn't address the O line much this offseason, which is a big concern. Ben needs to stay healthy and he needs to do that with an offensive line that will allow him more time to throw and less time on the ground . While no one can take away the fact that Ben is one of the most improvised QBs in the league, his health is more important. How will Ben survive behind that line in 2009? We start finding out tonight.

Running Game- This starts with the offensive line. The Steelers are usually known as a run first, pass later team, but Pittsburgh ranked 23rd in rushing in 2008. Can Parker and Mendenhall allow the Steelers to go back to their days as a smashmouth team on offense?! I say no, due to so many holes on the offensive line and lack of power at the position (i.e., not Jerome Bettis type back). The good thing is, the Steelers have a good receiving core in Ward, Holmes and Miller to make up for it.

Defense- The Steelers made no real changes to their personnel this season, and with the addition of Ziggy Hood, they've pretty much upgraded their defense based on all of the good things I've heard about Hood. I expect the same thing we see every year.... pressure, pressure, pressure and 4th downs. Did you expect anything else?! You'd be a fool if you did.

So What Does The NFL Chick Thinks Will Happen-

This game will be close. Both teams are built for a brutal battle. But the intangible is this... the Steelers are at home. I'm sure they'll have some type of ceremony because they are the champs, so the momentum will go their way. I don't expect much rushing from the Steelers. In fact, I don't expect a pretty outing from this game at all. But I do expect a couple of good plays to keep a drive going. It'll be close, and maybe decided in the final minutes in the 4th qtr. But in the end, the Steelers will have the energy from the crowd and the city behind them.

Steelers 17 Titans 13

Excuse me... I must go puke now.

Thank God for football!

At 4:30pm on Saturday, July 4th... I heard some awful news in the NFL world. Former Titans and Ravens QB Steve McNair was found dead in his home in Nashville. I thought it was a lie. I had read it via twitter and I couldn't find anything on CNN, ESPN or the NFL Network confirming this information. At around 4:53pm, I finally saw a Breaking News scroll at the bottom of ESPNews. It was true. McNair, along with a female, was murdered. My heart immediately sank.


As a Ravens fan and a fan of football overall, this loss is a HUGE one to me. As a player, I loved him so much. He meant a lot to the NFL in so many ways.

Coming out of Alcorn State, McNair (drafted 3rd overall in the 1995 draft) proved that a QB from a small college can make a big splash in the league.


McNair became known as one of the toughest players in the game by his peers. His versatile style of play kept defenders guessing, with being able to throw for TDs or rush for TDs. His QB play has been used by the likes of Michael Vick and Donovan McNabb, both who were drafted after McNair.



McNair retired before the start of the 2008 season, saying that his body and his mind were no longer on the same page. Fans understood..... With all of the hits he had taken for so many years, his body has been through enough.

McNair's resume is extremely impressive. He's a 3 time Pro Bowler, he was the co-MVP of the league in 2003, he played in one of the most exciting Super Bowls in SB XXXIV (in which the Titans lost to the Rams in the final seconds), and he's one of three QBs to pass for over 30,000 yards and rush for over 3,500 yards (Steve Young and Fran Tarkenton are the other two, both are Hall-Of-Famers). But perhaps his biggest accomplishments was off-the-field, when he was a nominee for the Walter Payton Award after his work for Hurricane Katrina victims in 2005.

As an intern once at a local sports station, I've met McNair on a few occasions. For me, this really hurts. He was always a nice guy and willing to answer any questions asked to him. He was loved by his teammates and never gave the media problems. I know that he spent most of his years with the Oilers/Titans, but for the Ravens community, he brought so much hope during the 2006 season, when the Ravens were 13-3 and a top seed in the AFC Playoffs. He gave this city hope that we would get another championship, and I will always remember him for that.

At only 36 years of age, McNair leaves behind his wife, Mechelle and four children: Junior, Steven, Tyler and Trenton. McNair exuded greatness on and off the field. This is truly a tragedy. The NFL has lost a great player far too soon.

McNair, you will be missed.....

The 2009 NFL season slowly approaching its debut. There are a ton of things to get excited about. Will Tom Brady go back to his old form after a huge injury? Will Miami repeat last year's miracle season?? Will Detroit win ONE game this season??

With all the things we have to look forward to, one of the most important things is the run game. Defenses are bulking up their D-lines to make sure a running back won't get more than 2 yards per carry. But there are a few RB combos that can test defenses and can ultimately succeed. I've listed my 2009 RB tandems to be on the look out for.


Minnesota Vikings- Adrian Peterson/Chester Taylor


We all know that Adrian Peterson is a great talent at the RB position. That being said, knowing the life span of a RB in pro football, I wonder how many years he can be so great without breaking down too soon.

Which brings in Chester Taylor. Before there was AD (short for All Day), there was Taylor. And he was a pretty good back as the Vikings starter,before Peterson was drafted (Taylor rushed for 1,216 yards in 2006). This can be a good year for both players. While I'm sure Peterson would love to take the rushing title for a 2nd consecutive year, the best thing AD can do to stay fresh is let Taylor take a few carries while he catches a breather.

Taylor could very well be a starter on another team. Combined, they could be a huge headache for defenses.



New York Jets- Thomas Jones/ Leon Washington


This tandem is one of my favorites. Jones' rushing yards was ranked 5th overall, with a 4.5 avg in 2008. Quite impressive. Washington didn't run for a lot of yards, but had a 5.9 avg per run.

The problem is, right now both are looking for new contracts. How long both will be able to co exist together is a big question mark. But if they are able to work out their issues with the organization, this is definitely a great tandem to have.

Add draft pick Shonn Greene (Iowa), into the mix, and this could be a pain for coordinators to game plan against.



Miami Dolphins- Ronnie Brown/Ricky Williams


The Jets have a great running game but their division rivals down I-95 says they also have a great duo. While Brown's and Williams' numbers from 2008 aren't mind blowing (Brown rushed for 916 yards, Williams for 659 yards). We all know why this is a dangerous group.

The wildcat made it's comeback with these two. When the Dolphins debuted the Ronnie and Ricky show to the New England Patriots, they failed to contain the two in the formation, made popular to many by the Arkansas Razorbacks. Overall they were successful in their formations. I can only imagine what the Pats were thinking when they couldn't do anything to stop them.


I expect more surprises from this group. But I also expect them to run the ball as efficiently as they run the wildcat. Ricky Williams finally looks comfortable and Ronnie Brown has the potential to rush over 1,000+ this season.



Baltimore Ravens- Willis McGahee/Ray Rice


This is a tandem that no one really noticed last year, but I think will be a one to reckon with in 2009. McGahee's 2008 numbers weren't much to write home about (671 yds), but he had an injury plagued year last season. Ray Rice was a rookie RB out of Rutgers and usually came in for 3rd down conversions.

Last season FB LeRon McClain was the Ravens' leading rusher, with 902 yards. But with FB Lorenzo Neal signing with the Oakland Raiders this off season, McClan is expected to go back to his natural position.

This could be McGahee's final year in Baltimore. He's participated in OTAs, something he didn't do last year, and has been seen more around the Ravens facility this off season. He knows what's at stake. I fully expect him to get back into 2007 form. And with a year under Rice's belt, his sophomore season should be very successful.



Carolina Panthers- DeAngelo Williams/Jonathon Stewart


The Panthers had one of the most successful running games in 2008, and I expect to see the same in 2009. Williams was the #3 rusher in 2008, with 1,515 yds. Stewart didn't do so bad himself, rushing over 800 yds and 10 TDs.

With the struggles of QB Jake Delhomme during the 2008 playoffs, I expect to see more off the Williams-Stewart duo. This will allow Delhomme to use play action more and get the ball to one of their best offensive weapons- Steve Smith




Tennessee Titans- Chris Johnson/LenDale White


Team Smash and Dash is back for the 2009 season and with a chip on their shoulder. Chris Johnson felt slighted for not getting '08 Rookie Of The Year honors. Now he has his sights set on MVP status. The rook was 8th on 2008's top rushers list and looks to be even higher in '09.

White's bruiser style of running reminds me of Jerome Bettis in Pittsburgh. He's a TD machine. Put him inside the 20 and you're pretty much going to get 6 points. White had 15 TDs, which tied for 3rd best in 2008. They are a great compliment to one another. One is the speedy, elusive back that can make players miss tackles. The other is the bulldozer, that runs defenders over and forces his way to the end zone.

With QB Kerry Collins being one year older than last year (he will be 37 by the end of the '09 season), he'll allow his RB's to help him with his throwing game.

So I've come to a conclusion, there are too many athletes doing/saying stupid things in the world. It's my job to point it out to you and tell them, "Go sitchoazz down!".


So every week, or when needed, I'll award an NFL'er (old and new) the award.

Usually, one person is eligible for this award, but I think 2 people need to receive it, this time around.

The first award goes to Vince Young.

This past weekend VY was in B-More for Titans teammate Jason Murphy's charity event. Young told local reporters the following:

"I definitely want to get back out there playing ball and picking up where I left off, winning games and having a good time with my teammates and with the fans. At the same time, if them guys don't want me to be in there, it's time for me to make a career change for myself. Because the fact is I'm ready to play ball. If they're not ready for me to play ball, then somebody is."

To read the entire story, click here.



Ummmm.....okay I'm going to totally ignore the "them guys" line. His Ebonics-laden sentence is another topic for another day. But Young, you haven't played well since your rookie season. And last year you struggled and your team won 10 straight games without you behind center. Are we supposed to forget your mental breakdown when you went missing for hours because you were booed at home????

Forget proving that you can start for the Titans, what you need to do is go out and prove that you can play in the NFL on a consistent basis.

I've always said that I didn't think Young would be a great QB for this league, and certainly not worth the #3 overall pick, when he was selected. He was always overrated to me and his Championship game against USC took him from an early 2nd round pick, straight to the top. But hey, I'm just a blogger and not a GM, what do I know??!!

VY, go sitcho azz down!!!



My second award goes to Falcons OL Quinn Ojinnaka.


Ojinnaka was arrested and released, stemming from a fight with his wife. Ojinnaka's wife confronted him regarding a female friend on Facebook. Ojinnaka allegedly tossed her down the steps and threw her out of the house.

*BIG SIGH*



There are two lessons to be learned here. Lesson one... domestic abuse is NEVER okay. Throwing your wife down the steps and out of the house is very un-cool. If this really did happen, he should get counseling and a fine and/or suspension. Putting your hands on a woman should never happen, no matter how much we get on your nerves and nag you. Cause I know we do, but hey, it's a part of our DNA.

Lesson two... Facebook is the devil. Not sure who the "female friend" was, but if it's your jump off, groupie, homieloverfriend or whoever, then maybe it's not a good idea to have her as your FB friend.. you know... just in case your wife sees it.

Ojinnaka, go sitcho azz down!!!!!

Okay, so Brown and Carr were #5 and #4 on my list. But they could go either way with some, because of injuries and a poor offensive line. Let's see who else is mentioned. Back to the list, shall we????


#3 Adam "Pacman" Jones- CB, West Virginia
#6 Overall Pick by Tennessee Titans, 2005



Wow... so many reasons why Pacman makes this list. Had Public Enemy made "Don't Believe The Hype" in the late after 2005 I would be convinced that it was made especially for Jones. To be quite frank if I may, Jones is a word that I don't like to use.. but let's just say it rhymes with mouchebag. Anyone remember the Real Sports interview with Bryant Gumbel????

From the very beginning trouble brewed with this guy. Not long after the 2005 draft, Jones was linked to a few incidents, including a fight which led to probation. Then there was the taunting of fellow teammate Keith Bullock. Bullock spoke out about Jones skipping camp because of a contract dispute and Pacman responded by reminding Bullock that he wasn't even a 1st round pick himself. So he had no right to respond to his situation. Oh...okay

Before I get into his long off-the-field record, let's look at his football career. He's had 4 INTs TOTAL, in his NFL career. Four..... Cuatro... He also has one sack in his pro career as well. Impressive, right?! WRONG! He did excel as a punt and kick returner, averaging 12.9 yds in 2006 (he led the league that year). He also had 3 punt returns for TDs, which tied an NFL record at the time. His sophomore season was pretty good for him.

But it all went downhill from there. Jones was suspended for the entire 2007 for numerous off-the-field issues. The most memorable was the Las Vegas strip club shooting, in which a man became paralyzed from the incident. When he vowed to stay away from strip clubs and trouble, he was spotted at an NYC strip club the night before he was to meet with Commissioner Goodell the following morning, regarding reinstatement. The strip club was a few block down from the NFL's headquarters, go figure.

When he was finally reinstated, he was traded to the Cowboys, where he basically did nothing and earned a paycheck in the process. He was released following the 2008 season. As of right now he's jobless. With all of the potential Jones had, he couldn't stay out of trouble. Not everyone can adapt to the responsibilities of being in the NFL... Jones was one of them.



#2 Kyle Boller- QB, California
#19 Overall Pick by Baltimore Ravens


Everyone knows that Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome is one of the best GMs in the business. He's drafted Ray Lewis, Jonathon Ogden, and Ed Reed. He's a great evaluator at talent. But drafting Kyle Boller was one pick I'm sure he'd like to have back.

The big hype about Boller coming out of college was, he could throw a football 60 yards while kneelingon one knee. Former HC Brian Billick was enamored by this info and wanted Boller to be the QB of the Ravens' future. Never mind the fact that he only had one good year at Cal during his tenure. Noo... Billick wanted this guy... and had Newsome trade back in the 1st round to get him.

Boller never really got comfortable in the Ravens offense. He always looked like a deer in headlights when he stepped out of the huddle. His number aren't very impressive either, with a 56.9% career completion pct, 45 TDs and 44 INTs. The most memorable game I have of him is against the Colts on a Sunday Night game. Boller went down with a toe injury and some of the fans in the stadium start cheering. The most classless thing I had ever seen, but it just showed the frustrations fans had with waiting for Boller to become a real QB.

Boller was the great enigma. He would have a week where he would show up and do great. Folks would start thinking, he's turning the corner, he's getting it now. This is it, finally, what we've waited for. And then the following week would come and he would bomb... HARD!. It was almost like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and you wondered which one was going to come out and play.

No matter what happened, Boller was always a class act. He never took the blame off of him, he never pointed fingers and always knew what to say. He was known for being a stand up guy when it came to criticism from the media and fans. Too bad it didn't continue on the football field.



#1 will be revealed tomorrow! See ya then......