LaVar Arrington & Clinton Portis Feud Continues, Now Over Sean Taylors Funeral
Where's The Love Gone?
Those that aren’t Washington Redskins fans or haven’t been following them as closely as I have over the years then your might not be aware of that former Redskins linebacker LaVar Arrington and current running back Clinton Portis have an on-going feud.
Back in February Portis spoke about the difference between his career in Denver and his current stay in Washington on the NFL Network. It was there he referred to Arrrington’s threat of Portis taking over the locker room when he arrived because the lead money man was the captain at that time.
Arrington found the quickest Twitter account open and asked his followers on how he should “respond to this FOOL.” Then he posted “ITS HARD FOR ME TO GET MAD AT A CLUELESS PERSON I WILL PRAY FOR HIM.”
Arrington decided to use his radio show and used his whole Monday show to address Portis, the money, the money, the money oh and the leadership. Portis had remained quite and let Arrington do all the talking until this this week when he spoke on 106.7 The Fan in Washington DC.
Portis had this to say about former Redskins teammate and now 106.7 The Fan radio host on the subject of Sean Taylor’s funeral:
“I lost a lot of respect for LaVar at that moment, speaking at Sean’s funeral,” Portis said. “To get up, I really thought that was, um, I don’t know what you call that. LaVar ain’t know Sean like that. For the people who did, seeing how LaVar was going to portray — I remember me and Sean was going to jump LaVar, you know, for throwing pie at Sean’s face his rookie year and trying to haze Sean and be the tough guy. He felt like it was a joke. We didn’t like that shit.
For all the attention LaVar claim and that him and Sean was cool — they wasn’t cool. Sean ain’t fucking with LaVar. Sometime, people should stop… I don’t think you should do that. If you cool with somebody or you know somebody, you knew ‘em. Don’t go and portray. Set out an image like this is your buddy, this is your pal — like you all hung, when you all really didn’t. I don’t think that’s fair, man.”
Arrington as expected to his radio show to address the situation once again saying he “didn’t know Sean as well as Clinton or any of those guys that went to school with him” and was affected by Taylor then later his death.
He said that he still has love for Portis, still wishes him the best “from the bottom of my heart.” But dropped in one final jab with he guessed the reason Portis has had so much to say about him in the last few months is because of his on-air critiques.
Who says athletes don’t pay attention to the radio?
Joe Buck & Chris Berman To Remain With Their Networks
Sticking Around
Two of the biggest and most divisive names in sports broadcasting are staying with their respective networks.
FOX broadcaster Joe Buck told USA Today that he has signed a four-year extension to remain as the network’s lead NFL and MLB play-by-play voice through 2014. Buck’s previous deal with FOX expired in February.
In addition to his continued NFL and MLB duties, Buck says that he has talked to FOX Sports CEO David Hill about creating a talk show “similar to” the now-canceled Joe Buck Live, which would air on FOX or a sister cable network.
Elsewhere, ESPN anchor Chris Berman reached an agreement on a contract extension with the network within the week. Berman, whose contract was set to expire in May, had been rumored to be considering roles with NFL Network or DirecTV.
The deal will reportedly be completed within the next ten days.
HBO Set To Feature New York Jets On Hard Knocks
#1 Reason Why I Will Watch
This year the NFL nation and HBO subscribes will take an inside look into how Rex Ryan runs the New York Jets with Hard Knocks.
A boisterous head coach, Hollywood posterboy quarterback, a big name free agent addition, and a player with his own island all makes for a great fit. Aside from Mark Sanchez, LaDainian Tomlinson and Darrelle Revis the Jets also have players like Bart Scott who never been shy in his NFL career on opening his mouth.
The reality though is the television excitement rest with head coach Ryan who is a perfect match for HBO. Plus it’s about time the nation we see an NFL team from New York and what its like playing under the so-called New York media scrutiny.
Previous teams that debuted on the series included the 2001 Baltimore Ravens, 2002 Dallas Cowboys, 2004 Jacksonville Jaguars on the NFL Network, 2007 Kansas City Chiefs, 2008 Cowboys again, and this past season the 2009 Cincinnati Bengals. None of the formenated teams won the Super Bowl the year they were on the series.
Rich Eisen Is Back Running The 40 Yard Dash
It is that time of year again when NFL Network host Rich Eisen rocks a Prada suit and takes his turn at the 40 yard dash.
Just like last year the NFL Network does the simul-camera of actual pro prospects against Eisen. This year they used Tim Tebow, Jacoby Ford, and Terrence Cody.
Watch last years run here.
New Arena League To Air On NFL Network
Might As Well
The NFL season may be over, but live football will return to NFL Network as soon as April.
NFL Network is set to sign a one-year deal to televise games from the new Arena Football 1 league beginning this April and the deal will have an option for a second season. NFL Network will air live, Friday night telecasts throughout the season, as well as the league’s championship game.
The AF1 replaces the old AFL, which folded after the 2008 season. In recent years, the AFL had television deals with ESPN/ABC (2007-08), NBC (2003-06) and OLN/Versus (2006).
The AF1 is expected to be rebranded as the AFL by the start of its inaugural season.
Your 2010 All Day Super Bowl Schedule
New Orleans Saints By 14+
Super Bowl XLIV is here and here is the full broadcasting schedule for CBS, ESPN and NFL Network.
CBS
- The Road To The Super Bowl (11am-Noon) CST
- Phil Simms All-Iron Team (Noon-1pm)
- Studio Show: Super Bowl Today (1-5pm) – James Brown, Dan Marino, Boomer Esiason, Shannon Sharpe and Bill Cowher, Charley Casserly; Reporters: Lesley Visser, Sam Ryan, Steve Tasker, Solomon Wilcots, Dick Enberg and contributor Katie Couric
SEGMENTS:
- THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS: James Brown takes a look at New Orleans four-and-a-half years after one of the nation’s worst natural catastrophes, Hurricane Katrina
- PLAXICO BURRESS: Plaxico Burress sits down with Bill Cowher for his first interview since being sent to jail in September of 2009.
- DREW BREES: Katie Couric sits down with the Saints quarterback.
- REGGIE BUSH: Bush is interviewed by NFL Today analyst Shannon Sharpe.
- NEW ORLEANS DEFENSE: Lesley Visser sits down with Darren Sharper, Jonathan Vilma and Will Smith as they prepare to face the Colts high octane offense.
- PEYTON MANNING: Dan Marino visits with him and talks about Manning’s first Super Bowl win three years ago in Miami, the Colts’ decision not to go for a perfect season, and facing the team that his father Archie played for, the New Orleans Saints.
- DWIGHT FREENEY AND ROBERT MATHIS: Boomer Esiason sits down with Freeney and Mathis as they get ready to take on Drew Brees and the Saints.
- INDIANAPOLIS RECEIVING CORPS: Sam Ryan visits with the Colts’ receiving corps and discusses the role Peyton Manning has played in the quartet’s success.
- WYNTON MARSALIS: Jazz impresario Wynton Marsalis pays a special tribute with music and words to his beloved city of New Orleans.
- BARACK OBAMA: Katie Couric interviews the President before the game.
- GUY FIERI: Will prepare the “perfect tailgate food.”
- MUSICAL PERFORMANCES: Steve Winwood & Daughtry
SUPER BOWL XLIV (5:28pm Kickoff CST)- Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Steve Tasker, Solomon Wilcots
ESPN
- SportsCenter live from Sun Life Stadium (ESPN, 10am)- Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden and Ron Jaworski
- Sunday NFL Countdown (ESPN, 11am-1pm)- Chris Berman, Tom Jackson, Mike Ditka, Keyshawn Johnson, Cris Carter, Steve Young, Trent Dilfer, Tedi Bruschi, Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, Jon Gruden, Chris Mortensen, Adam Schefter, Suzy Kolber and Ed Werder
Special Guests:
– Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Kevin James, David Spade and Rob Schneider, stars of the upcoming movie Grown Ups (10:30am)
- Celebrity chef and television personality Emeril Lagasse, who lives in New Orleans, will discuss Cajun Super Bowl cuisine (11:30pm)
– Grammy Award-winning musician Kenny Chesney, a close friend to Saints head coach Sean Payton, will appear on the show (Noon)
NFL Network
- NFL GAMEDAY MORNING SUPER BOWL SUNDAY PREGAME FROM SOUTH FLORIDA (8am-4:30pm)- Marshall Faulk, Steve Mariucci, Warren Sapp, Michael Irvin, Deion Sanders, Stacey Dales, Rich Eisen
- From the Sun Life Stadium booth: Fran Charles, Rod Woodson
- From NFC and AFC hotels- Scott Hanson, Kara Henderson
- From South Beach set- Alex Flanagan, Jamie Dukes, Tom Waddle
SEGMENTS:
- A look inside the Indianapolis Colts defense with Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathis and Gary Brackett.
- How Colts WR Pierre Garcon and Saints LB Jonathan Vilma are bound together by the disaster relief effort in Haiti.
- A closer look at what the Saints organization and players mean to the city of New Orleans, straight from the fans.
- Steve Sabol gives his take on how the legacy of Colts icon Peyton Manning now includes taking on his father’s team in Super Bowl XLIV.
- Super Bowl Journey – Saints DT Anthony Hargrove visits the Miami rehabilitation facility that he was in a year ago.
- In Memoriam – A reflection on the NFL icons that were lost in 2009
- Sabol chronicles the best decade of Super Bowl matchups
Warren Sapp Arrested For Domestic Battery
Doesn't Look Good
Warren Sapp was arrested after attacking his girlfriend shortly after 5 a.m. EST at the Shore Club Hotel on Collins Avenue in Miami, Florida. His girlfriend was was treated by emergency workers for a swollen knee and bruises on the back of her neck and taken to Mount Sinai Medical Center.
Detective Juan Sanchez, spokesman for the Miami Beach Police Department, said that the woman called police around noon Saturday to report that she had been attacked. She said she and Sapp had dated for two years.
The woman told officers that she had been partying with Sapp and friends when she grew tired and went to his hotel room. According to the arrest affidavit, she told officers that Sapp later came to the room, pulled her from bed and attempted to remove her from the room.
She alleged that he began arguing with her about some men she had been hanging out with earlier and men listed in her phone. She told officers that during the argument, he choked her and pushed her down on a couch. She alleged he then picked her up by her shirt and neck and threw her down again. Sapp, she said, ordered her to leave the room.
Sapp’s employer the NFL Network has removed him from it’s Super Bowl coverage. Sapp played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Oakland Raiders during his 13 year professional career, and went to the University of Miami Hurricanes. He was then drafted by the Buccaneers in the 1995 NFL Draft as the 12th overall pick. His 96.5 career sacks are the second-highest career total sacks for a defensive tackle and the 28th highest overall for a defensive lineman.
ESPN Lies About Reporting On Civil Rape Allegations
So Quickly Too
Former Dallas Cowboy and current NFL Network analyst Michael Irvin has been accused of rape by women who has filed a civil suit against the Hall of Fame receiver for an alleged July 2007 sexual assault.
But back in July (when I first posted on the 22) during Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was alleged to have raped a Nevada women, the “Leader” completely ignored the fact. ESPN went as far as issuing a ‘DO NOT REPORT’ memo to all of its outlets and reporters. ESPN went as far as saying it had previously established a company policy to not report on civil cases involving athletes.
But that policy did not stop ESPN from covering Randy Moss alleged battery against a woman in January ‘08. There were no criminal charges; Moss was slapped with a restraining order against the woman.
ESPN even reported on the intention of a woman to sue Los Angeles Lakers guard Shannon Brown over an alleged sex-related incident earlier this year. When Brown was notified that he would be sued for an alleged sex-related incident in June of ’09, ESPN.com was there with the story. And this was not a mere recycling of an Associated Press piece. This was a detailed piece on a story that was “confirmed to ESPN’s Shelley Smith on June 3, 2009.”
Eventually ESPN reported on the Roethlisberger story once the news broke that there would be no criminal investigation into the allegations.
Fast forward to February 2010 and ESPN is back on reporting on an African American athlete who is wrapped up in a civil case over in which the district attorney has made said that an announcement whether to pursue legal charges will come about sometime next week.
Ironically, Irvin has been fired effective immediately from ESPN Radio 103.3 in Dallas. According to the Dallas Morning News, ESPN planned to drop Irvin following the Super Bowl, but the sexual assault suit “expedited” the process.
An ESPN spokesman told the Dallas Morning News that Irvin’s show “was not performing and we had previously determined to end the show.”
So does the Alleged Worldwide Leader cater to white athletes?
Michael Irvin Accused Of Rape
Sounds Like A Mike Move
Former Dallas Cowboy and current NFL Network analyst Michael Irvin has been accused of rape. A woman has sued the Hall of Fame receiver for an alleged July 2007 sexual assault.
According to the lawsuit, Irvin got the woman drunk before he and an accomplice demanded that she perform sexual acts. That’s when the unidentified man held her down and covered her mouth, according to the suit, then Irvin raped her, she said. When Irvin was done, the other man forced her to perform oral sex.
No criminal charges have been filed. In late 1996 and early 1997, a woman accused Irvin and a teammate of raping her during a cocaine-fueled assault. The allegation was later determined to be fabricated. In 2005 Irvin was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia.
Cowboys/Saints Game Sets NFL Network Record
Est. 1920
The Dallas Cowboys ending the New Orleans Saints pursuit of perfection set a viewership record on NFL Network.
The Cowboys win over the Saints drew 10.5 million viewers on NFL Network Saturday night. Cowboys/Saints stands as the most-viewed NFL telecast ever on NFL Network, topping the previous high of 10.1 million set by a Green Bay Packers/Dallas Cowboys game in 2007.
Through seven telecasts, NFL Network is averaging 5.4 million viewers for NFL coverage, up 57% from 3.4 million through the same point last year but this game skews the numbers a bit.
Pretty Much How Cowboy Fan Felt During & After The Saints Game
Everyone saw that guy last night, you know the drunk guy to drunk to enjoy the Dallas Cowboys beating the New Orleans Saints who was either enjoying some nachos or stumbling through their speech of how all sudden they love Tony Romo now. Did see him, that’s probably cause it was you.
Is Michael Irvin Crazy?
Dallas Cowboys Ring Of Honor
Michael Irvin, three-time Super Bowl champion, Hall of Famer and current NFL Network analyst recently said that he would gladly trade his Super Bowl rings and Hall of Fame for an undefeated season.
“I would turn in all three Super Bowl rings and my Hall of Fame bust for one undefeated season.”
That leads me to ask is Irvin crazy or is running through the streets of Oakcliff again?
He was asked which of his three Super Bowl rings he would return, the reporter figuring that an undefeated season meant the playoffs and a Super Bowl championship as well. But no. Irvin apparently would take 16-0 and a first-round playoff elimination.
“I’d give them all back for perfection,” Irvin said. “Being the best for a season (Super Bowl champ) is great but being one of the greatest of all-time is something else.”
What? The man that broke down in tears at his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction? Is he serious?
Texas-Texas A&M Score In Thanksgiving Ratings
49-39
The Thursday night (Thanksgiving) game between the University of Texas Longhorns and the Texas A & M University Aggies drew a 27.5 in Austin, a 13.3 in Houston, a 12.8 in San Antonio and and 11.5 in Dallas — making the game the highest rated college football telecast ever on ESPN in each of those markets.
On a national scale it drew a 3.8 rating which is not bad but considering the NFL Network saw it’s second highest rated game ever and that came in at a 3.6 between the New York Giants and the Denver Broncos on same night.
The state of Texas is football and football is Texas.
FOX, CBS & NFL Network Give Thanks For The NFL
Est. 1920
I don’t know why the ratings for Thanksgiving to forever to get in but they finally are here and once again the Dallas Cowboys draw in the large numbers.
Overnight ratings were up double-digits for both Thanksgiving Day NFL games.
Thursday’s Green Bay Packers/Detroit Lions game on FOX drew a 12.1 overnight rating, up 11% from Tennessee Titans/Detroit Lions on CBS last year (10.9). They are however down 13% from the Green Bay Packers/Detroit Lions in 2007 (13.9).
The 12.1 overnight is tied as the second-lowest for the early Thanksgiving Day game since ’01.
Later in the day, Oakland Raiders/Dallas Cowboys drew a 12.6 overnight on CBS, up 11% from Seattle Seahawks/Dallas Cowboys on FOX last year (11.4), and up 2% from New York Jets/Dallas Cowboys in 2007 (12.4).
The 12.6 is the third-highest overnight for the late Thanksgiving Day game since ’01.
The NFL Network saw it’s second-most viewed game in it’s history with the New York Giants/Denver Broncos.
The New York Giants/Denver Broncos drew 6.1 million viewers on NFL Network Thursday night, up 61% from 3.8 million for Arizona Cardinals/Philadelphia Eagles last year.
Thursday’s game ranks as the second-most viewed NFL telecast ever on NFL Network, behind only Green Bay Packers/Dallas Cowboys in 2007 (10.1 mil).
In related ratings news the SportsBusiness Journal shows the Cowboys have been the NFL’s biggest draw in primetime over the past four seasons.
Since 2006, primetime regular season Cowboys games have averaged 19.2 million viewers putting the team comfortably ahead of the second-place Colts (16.7 mil) and the Giants (16.6 mil). The Bears (16.3 mil), Patriots (16.0 mil) and Eagles (16.0 mil) round out the top 6.
The 49ers averaged the fewest viewers of any NFL team with more than 1 primetime appearance, with just 9.9 million.
NFL Network’s Dolphins/Panthers Game Loses To Project Runway
Est. 1920
NFL Network’s second game of the season saw a steep decline in viewership.
Thursday’s Miami Dolphins versus the Carolina Panthers game drew a 1.9 U.S. rating and 2.9 million viewers on NFL Network, down 30% in ratings and 32% in viewership from last year’s comparable New York Jets/New England Patriots matchup 2.7, 4.4 mil.
Additionally, the game was off 21% and 24%, respectively, from last week’s Chicago Bears/San Francisco 49ers game 2.4, 3.9 mil.
The game outdrew both NBA games on TNT and college football on ESPN Thursday night, but was no match for Project Runway on Lifetime 2.9, 4.3 mil.
Mike Singletary Returns To The Windy City Tonight
NFL football is on tonight and it’s on the NFL Network. So, yeah the majority of you won’t be able to watch it but truth be told you’re not missing much so I have hooked you up with a video to celebrate San Francisco 49ers coach Mike Singletary’s return to the Windy City.
Primetime The Reason We Know Of Tampering
Guilty
NFL Network’s Deion Sanders is the culprit behind the Crabtree tampering allegations after recent comments he made on the network.
Sanders who was represented during his playing career by Crabtree’s agent Eugene Parker, who has a long history of keeping his clients out, and still has close ties to him. New York Jets tight end Dustin Keller is the only one of Parker’s last 18 first-round picks to report on time for training camp.
“You can’t miss what you don’t have,” Sanders said regarding the money that Crabtree currently is leaving on the table.
Sanders, who technically is a league employee, also said that two teams contacted the 49ers regarding a trade for Crabtree, that the teams were willing to pay Crabtree $40 million dollars when the 49ers offer is that of only $20 million, and that Crabtree knows it.
I not a lawyer I just played one in a high school theater production but if a player becomes aware of intended offers via communications with the interested teams, isn’t that your basis for tampering charges to be filed?
We know the Roger “Godfather” Goodell wasn’t watching the NFL Network to hear Primetime make such statements cause nobody watches the NFL Network.
Michael Irvin Joins NFL Network
Big Big Diamonds
Those who have missed Michael Irvin give his insight into the NFL on television, you won’t be deprived any longer as the NFL Network announced that it has added Hall of Fame receiver Michael Irvin to their broadcasting talent roster. Though the majority of the country does not have the NFL Network, like most of the city of San Antonio,but if you are one of the lucky viewers, your NFL Gameday just became a lot more exciting. Irvin, a five-time Pro Bowler, joins Marshall Faulk, Deion Sanders, Warren Sapp and Steve Mariucci on the Gameday coverage beginning Sunday, September 13. Following the afternoon games, he will recap and analyze the action on NFL GameDay Highlights with Sanders and host Rich Eisen.
It still amazes me that the largest money maker continues to rank third in viewership of their own network behind the MLB, NBA own channels, mainly because of fallout negotiations between the NFL and some of the countries largest cable company’s.
