NFL FanHouse

Amobi Okoye Celebrates His 21st Birthday Responsibly; This Blogger Cool With That

Stephanie Stradley — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Texans, AFC South, Houston, ESPN, Blogs

According to Seth Wickersham of ESPN, Texans DT Amobi Okoye celebrated his 21st birthday on June 10th in big style but responsibly:

Okoye, who last year was the youngest NFL player in 30 years, was sober and happy and wasn't photographed doing anything stupid. Bloggers might be bummed, but kids who look up to him aren't.

I can't speak for all bloggers because we aren't a collective who thinks in lockstep (duh). Personally I would be ecstatic if Amobi Okoye and other talented athletes didn't risk everything getting stupid drunk. It would also make me happier if Wickersham hadn't promoted a wildly dangerous drinking practice in the structure of his article.

Wickersham organized his article by saying "let's do 21 shots" to discuss Okoye's birthday plans, and how he no longer wants to be defined by his age. It's an allusion to how some 21 year olds celebrate their birthday by trying to drink 21 shots.

I'm not your mom, but I think it is worth mentioning that this newish binge drinking fad kills people. Being deaded or put into a alcohol-poisoned coma isn't the best way to spend a birthday. You would think people would know that drinking 21 shots in short succession is dangerous, but apparently not. Education is the only way found to reduce the number of people doing this, and it's not a good idea to normalize this behavior in a sports article.

Oh, and belated birthday greetings to Okoye. Sorry, I didn't get you anything but I'm guessing with 400 people at your birthday party, you are doing okay in the gift department. Check out this link if you have interest in seeing Okoye photographed doing non-stupid things on his birthday. He is wearing a sweet suit. A bit heavy for June in Houston, but it can get cold in those overly air conditioned ballrooms.

Previously at FanHouse:
You Won't Want to Read This: NFL Players Doing Good in the World
Texans Defensive Line Coach Talks About Mario and More

Amobi Okoye Celebrates His 21st Birthday Responsibly; This Blogger Cool With That originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Just in Case You'd Like Visual Proof That Joey Chestnut Really Loves Hot Dogs

Ryan Wilson — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 16:04:00 EST

Filed under: New York, Action Sports, Outdoor Sports, ESPN, NFL Fans

It's the Fourth of July, which for many Americans, is a wonderful excuse to get drunk and stuff your face, all under the guise of celebrating freedom.

And if you're a competitive eater, you can actually make a few bucks in the process. It's not exactly glamorous, but, hey, everybody's good at something, and for Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi, it's all about chugging hot dogs (video proof here).

Ah, yes, the ol' "cannonball technique." (Actually, what I know about competitive eating consists of the few seconds each year I tune into the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, before puking and changing the channel. Maybe the cannonball technique is banned in many states.)

By the way, I love how ESPN has an on-scene reporter quizzing the contestants after the Chestnut pulls out the overtime victory (this seems like an event tailor-made for Heidi Watney; I'm guessing Jerry Remy agrees), and even better, Kobayashi has his own interpreter.

In case you're wondering, Kobayashi says he wasn't quick enough in the five-dog overtime eat-off, but he plans on being back in '09. Oh, and with the victory, Chestnut is still the No. 1 ranked eater. Don King would be proud.

Previously on FanHouse
Joey Chestnut Beats Takeru Kobayashi at Coney Island Hot Dog Eating Contest
Kobayashi vs. Chestnut Hot Dog Live Blog

Just in Case You'd Like Visual Proof That Joey Chestnut Really Loves Hot Dogs originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 04 Jul 2008 16:04:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If You Haven't Heard the Favre-to-Carolina Rumors, Don't Worry, It Ain't Happening

Ryan Wilson — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:56:00 EST

Filed under: Packers, Panthers, NFL Fans, NFL Rumors, ESPN

The fourth of July is all about freedom, democracy, almost blowing your hand off while illegally setting off fireworks, Nathan's, and, this year, whether Brett Favre will un-retire after three months. Good times. Yesterday, ESPN's Chris Mortensen "reported" that Favre is mulling a return. Favre later responded by saying, "it's all rumor," and now the conversation has turned to what happens should he come back for one more season.

One scenario, courtesy of PFT, has Favre wanting to play for the Panthers. As Mike Florio writes, there isn't any clear ties between Carolina and the Hall of Fame quarterback, other than the relative proximity of Charlotte to Mississippi.

Well, apparently, there's a better chance Mittens wins the NFL MVP award than Favre taking one snap for the Panthers, at least according to Darin Gantt of the Rock Hill Herald:

That's not happening, and it's not because Favre doesn't want to come here. For starters, the Panthers have a starter they like just fine in Jake Delhomme. And while the world seems to think his arm's going to fly off like a scene from Monty Python, he's actually ahead of schedule coming back from last year's elbow surgery.

Also, the Panthers think far more highly of Matt Moore than most, which should have been obvious when they didn't sign a veteran free agent or draft one.

Gantt adds that the Panthers aren't going to comment on the rumor because there's absolutely nothing to it. Plus, if Delhomme's arm does fly off, Vinny Testaverde has been promised first dibs on the job.

If You Haven't Heard the Favre-to-Carolina Rumors, Don't Worry, It Ain't Happening originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:56:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Stuart Scott Thinks People Who Say Tiger Doesn't Do Enough Need to Shut Up

Ryan Wilson — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:24:00 EST

Filed under: NFL Fans, Golf, ESPN

Earlier MDS noted that the Sports Bog's Dan Steinberg caught up with Stuart Scott at the Earl Woods Memorial Pro-Am yesterday, and like most people at pro-am events, they talked about sports blogs.

Near the end of Steinberg's post on the festivities, he notes that Scott's answer of the day came in an interview with Sports Groove's Mark Gray, "who asked about the criticism Tiger receives for not being outspoken enough." Scott's response:

"All the people who say Tiger doesn't do enough, stop," Scott said. "Shut up. Shut up....He's got about as much money as Oprah, but it's important for him to do something tangible for kids. Tangible."

As much as it pains me, I agree with Scott on this one. For some reason, certain segments of the population think high-profile athletes should have an opinion on every social issue under the sun.

During the "hey, I got an idea: let's lynch Tiger!" fiasco, Jim Brown said Woods "waited until it was politically correct to come out and he should have come out right away." Maybe. Or perhaps Tiger just wanted the whole thing to blow over. Frankly, I have no idea why he didn't hold a press conference denouncing Kelly Tilghman as the next coming of Hitler (or worse, the Celtics), but I can't begrudge the guy for how he ultimately chose to deal with it the matter.

More generally, though, seldom anything good comes from athletes voicing their opinions on non-sports-related topics. Take, for example, Clinton Portis' take on dogfighting: he was for it before he was against it. I'm guessing the Earth would've continued to orbit the Sun if he hadn't been asked about Ron Mexico's private life, and we would've all probably been better off.

Plus, as Scott mentioned, professional athletes can accomplish a lot more through their charities than the through their thoughts on how to fix the mortgage crisis, or create more jobs.

Stuart Scott Thinks People Who Say Tiger Doesn't Do Enough Need to Shut Up originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:24:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Houston Texans, Travis Johnson in Particular Not Dirty Players

Stephanie Stradley — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Patriots, Raiders, Texans, Houston, ESPN

Mike Sando of ESPN recently wrote about a survey of the league's dirtiest players and analyzed which teams received the most personal fouls. The Patriots' Rodney Harrison got the most votes for dirty play, and the Raiders received the most personal fouls.

The Houston Texans received the least personal fouls, but Sando got it completely wrong as it related to Texans defensive tackle Travis Johnson:

Former Patriots receiver Deion Branch drew a line between Harrison's hard-nosed play and the approach Houston Texans defensive lineman Travis Johnson took after knocking out then-Miami Dolphins quarterback Trent Green with a legal hit last season. Johnson stood over the fallen Green and taunted him.

"[Harrison] is not that type of dude, I promise you," Branch said. "He's not going to go into a game and try to hurt someone.

Uh, I'm guessing that Sando didn't actually see that play or maybe he just got his actives and passive mixed up writing about it. It was Trent Green who knocked himself out after Green intentionally blocked Johnson with a low but legal hit. If anyone was dirty in that play, it was Green who admitted he dove low, smashing Johnson's knee with his helmet, causing Johnson to somersault into the air and land on his head.

I'd put up some real speed video of this, but it no longer exists because the NFL pulled it. This slo-mo YouTube version above is all that exists.

I like a lot of what Sando writes, and I am not surprised he got it completely wrong relating to this because the sensationalized reports at the time were written in very misleading ways. Jerome Solomon of the Houston Chronicle wrote a more accurate and nuanced account of what really happened with Green-Johnson.

If you watched the play in real time, Johnson never stopped and stood over Green taunting him. The still picture of Travis Johnson being angry at an immobile Green make it look like he was standing over him, but if you watch the video, he was really walking back to the bench.

And clearly, Johnson's angry, inaccurate Wizard of Oz blast at Green after the game wasn't particularly advisable and he apologized for it. Ironically, it was a rant about how dirty and cowardly Green's block was. Not smart to trash a guy who you know suffered a concussion, but it doesn't mean Johnson is a dirty player.

In sum, I think Sando repeatedly using Johnson as an example of dirty play is a bit misplaced, and Harrison's comment in the dirty players piece pretty much sums things up:

"Sometimes reputation precedes people, and unfairly at times."

I don't expect anyone at ESPN to correct the misleading impression in that article that Johnson knocked Green out, wanted to hurt him, and then stood over him while taunting him. Once something wrong about your reputation is on the internet, it is hard to correct it.

Previously at FanHouse:
On Demons and Saints: A Story About Travis Johnson and Media Hype
Did Trent Green Injure Travis Johnson?

Houston Texans, Travis Johnson in Particular Not Dirty Players originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apparently, Brett Favre's Not Coming Back; Shockingly, Chris Mortensen Was Wrong

Ryan Wilson — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:42:00 EST

Filed under: Packers, NFC North, NFL Fans, NFL Rumors, ESPN

So it looks like Brett Favre isn't planning a 2008 comeback despite ESPN's Chris Mortensen declaring otherwise. According to the Sun Herald's Larry Holder, Favre responded to the ESPN report by saying, "it's all rumor," and suggesting there was "no reason for" the media firestorm that followed.

Now we can all get on with our lives, Aaron Rodgers can prepare for the NFL season by acting crazy, and Mortensen can get to work on his next unsubstantiated rumor.

Not sure where "Favre's coming back!" ranks, but it only seems fitting for the same guy who told us:

And then there's this hilarious paragraph from Gregg Easterbrook's February 15, 2008 column (yes, evidently, Easterbrook can still be funny):

I Knew All Along -- I Just Forgot to Say So: "While Norv Turner remains the leading candidate to be the next head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported Wednesday that another candidate has emerged: Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera." So read ESPN.com on Feb. 1, 2007. A few days later, after Wade Phillips got the Boys post, Mort said on the air that he had always known the job would go to Phillips.

Knowing ESPN, I fully expect Mortensen to make an on-air apology for being wrong (again) and then he'll be promptly suspended for his incompetence. Or, the World Wide Leader will just pretend like nothing happened, Mortensen will get a raise, and everybody will have a good laugh about it at the company 4th of July bash.

Apparently, Brett Favre's Not Coming Back; Shockingly, Chris Mortensen Was Wrong originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:42:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NFL, ESPN Offer to Test Prototype Wireless Internet Devices

David J. Warner — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 15:23:00 EST

Filed under: NFL Media Watch, ESPN, NFL Network

And now for the geekiest thing you'll read on FanHouse all day.

The NFL and ESPN have told FCC that they would like to test "white space" devices during live NFL games. The goal is to see if and how the wireless internet devices might interfere with wireless microphones and local TV signals in a real-world environment.

If you're not familiar with white space devices, here's some background for you. When the FCC handed broadcasters free analog TV spectrum back in the day, they required that there be "buffers," or white spaces, in between spectrum allocations, so as to avoid interference between channels. Now that analog TV signals are set to be switched off and replaced with all-digital TV signals next February, a few tech companies see an opportunity to use those white spaces to deliver wireless internet on the cheap -- the theory being that digital signal is much less susceptible to interference.

The hitch is that broadcasters are terrified that white space internet signals will interfere with TV signals. The National Association of Broadcasters wants to ban the devices, while White Spaces Coalition members are accusing the NAB of engaging in empty rhetoric. Unfortunately, NAB has the upper hand right now, as several white space devices tested by the FCC haven't worked very well.

The NFL and ESPN, meanwhile, want to see if white space devices can co-exist with equipment used on the field -- especially wireless microphones and transmitters, which are plentiful on the sidelines and in quarterbacks' helmets. It's an interesting move by the NFL, because if these devices work, it might open up opportunities for teams to engage fans at the game -- even if it's just cheesy stuff like instant stats delivered to your iPhone or ways to get your face on the jumbotron.

Personally, I'd like to see white space devices work, because you can never have enough cheap wireless internet access. Besides, the more opportunities people have to read what we're writing here on FanHouse, the better. Let's hope the FCC takes the NFL and ESPN up on this offer, because this technology needs all the help it can get.

NFL, ESPN Offer to Test Prototype Wireless Internet Devices originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 27 Jun 2008 15:23:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ESPN, NFL Network Could Join Forces

Michael David Smith — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 19:40:00 EST

Filed under: NFL Media Watch, ESPN, NFL Network

ESPN and NFL Network may be heading for a merger.

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the Worldwide Leader and the National Football League's house network are engaging in high-level talks about developing a partnership. The discussions go all the way up to Disney CEO Robert Iger and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

At first glance, it looks like a win-win: For the NFL, the deal would help get NFL Network into tens of millions of cable TV households that currently don't carry it. For ESPN, it would strengthen ties with America's most popular sports league, and it would ensure that the NFL won't develop a similar partnership with a cable TV competitor.

But the deal could be a loser for NFL fans. Competition between ESPN and NFL Network -- especially at NFL Draft time -- has made both networks improve their coverage. If they start working together, what little competition currently exists in cable TV coverage of the NFL disappears.

ESPN, NFL Network Could Join Forces originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 20 Jun 2008 19:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ESPN Plans All Brett Favre, All the Time for Monday Night Football Opener

Michael David Smith — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:04:00 EST

Filed under: Packers, NFL Media Watch, ESPN

Brett Favre is done playing for the Green Bay Packers, but he will make one last appearance at Lambeau Field, during the Packers' regular-season opener, to have his number retired.

And since that opener is on Monday Night Football, you can bet that ESPN is going to be a wall-to-wall Favre fest that day. Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports:

ESPN plans to send the entire crew of "Monday Night Countdown" to Lambeau for the game. ...

So in addition to the crew there covering the Packers-Vikings game, with Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski and TonyKornheiser in the booth, the "Countdown" collection of Chris Berman, Stuart Scott, Tom Jackson, Keyshawn Johnson, Steve Young, Emmitt Smith and Chris Mortensen is scheduled to be on site as well.

Favre's wife, Deanna, was described by ESPN's ombudsman as the first Monday Night Football booth guest whom the viewers approved of. I have a feeling Brett will be the second.

ESPN Plans All Brett Favre, All the Time for Monday Night Football Opener originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:04:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ESPN Ombudsman Rips Spygate Coverage

Michael David Smith — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:34:00 EST

Filed under: Patriots, NFL Media Watch, Boston, ESPN

After ESPN's day-long coverage of Matt Walsh's Spygate revelations last month, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady criticized the Worldwide Leader for spending an inordinate amount of time on the issue -- an opinion that Brady arrived at without having watched ESPN's coverage.

But now someone who did watch that coverage is weighing in with a similar opinion to Brady's. Le Anne Schreiber, ESPN's ombudsman, writes today that the network went overboard in covering the Spygate story, and she especially singles out NFL analysts Cris Carter and Mark Schlereth:

Schlereth imagined how such tapes might affect the outcome if film was shot, edited and utilized "during the course of a game" ...

"To think that a Super Bowl might be slanted in a team's favor!" Carter fumed.

Schreiber is right that Carter and Schlereth wrongly suggested that Walsh's tapes were used during games. In reality, the tapes were used between games. But for the most part, what I've found from fans is that those who like the Patriots think ESPN and the rest of the media have been too hard on them, while those who dislike the Patriots think ESPN and the rest of the media have been too easy on them.

ESPN Ombudsman Rips Spygate Coverage originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:34:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Big Daddy Drew Sympathizes With Berman, Production Assistants Are Stupid

Enrico Campitelli — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 13:05:00 EST

Filed under: NFL Media Watch, Washington, DC, ESPN, Blogs

**warning: an F-bomb is dropped in the above video**

Big Daddy Drew, a man full of gratuitous pot shots and mean-spirited abuse, recently lost his cool on a taping of Comcast's Blog Show. This incident is simply more fodder for real journalists to use to prove their case against the evils of blogs and the despicable people who write them. No member of the main stream media would ever act in such a crass manner.

For those that live in a cave, that is Drew of Kissing Suzy Kolber fame who reached mass stardom when called out by Buzz Bissinger on HBO's Costas Now. Drew, who recently outted himself as Drew Magary, has a new book coming out titled Men with Balls: the Professional Athletes Handbook.

Who needs a book tour when you have YouTube?

The current odds on the man you just watched above becoming the next editor of Deadspin.com stand at 15-1.

Big Daddy Drew Sympathizes With Berman, Production Assistants Are Stupid originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 11 Jun 2008 13:05:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ocho Cinco is Bukked Nekked in the Upcoming 'ESPN The Mag'

Sportz Assassin — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 13:09:00 EST

Filed under: Bengals, AFC North, NFL Media Watch, Cincinnati, ESPN

Just what I needed to see: Chad Johnson in all his glory. And that's what you get when you open up your mailbox (or hit the newsstand) this week and see the newest ESPN the Magazine.

Yep, Ocho Cinco will be naked. Naked with no clothes on (see the pic for yourself here). In his birthday suit ... give or take a ton of tatts since then.

The only thing separating us from his junk is the book The Chad Way. At least coach Marvin Lewis can tell if Chad is in good shape.

ESPN is letting Chad be the guest editor-in-chief for the newest Mag ... which is the second annual "Revenge of the Jocks" issue. And he has no problem going Janet Jackson on us:

Anything that's against what's right and normal and traditional but not over the top? Do it. Always. They won't admit it, but that's what everybody wants. Me editing a magazine? Why not? Taking over the NFL? Posing nude for the cover? Pushing the envelope? Why not? It's a whole new me. I'm free. Free as a bird. So why not? ...

People want to call me controversial. Okay, yeah, I celebrate. I've voiced a strong opinion about my team and wanting out of Cincinnati. Whoop-de-do. No DUIs. No arrests. No domestic violence. No nothing. Except a goddamn Hall of Fame jacket and a couple of dances.

Ocho Cinco is Bukked Nekked in the Upcoming 'ESPN The Mag' originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 06 Jun 2008 13:09:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mike Greenberg, Mike Golic, Mike Ditka to Call Broncos-Raiders MNF Game on ESPN

Michael David Smith — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 08:04:00 EST

Filed under: Broncos, Raiders, NFL Media Watch, Denver, Oakland, ESPN

ESPN has announced this year's second-string Monday Night Football team, and it's the same as last year's second-string Monday Night Football team: Mike Greenberg, Mike Golic and Mike Ditka.

The NFL season's kickoff weekend features two Monday night games. The first, Vikings-Packers at 7 p.m. Eastern, will be called by the usual ESPN crew of Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski and Tony Kornheiser. The second game, Broncos-Raiders at 10:15 p.m. Eastern, gets the Greenberg-Golic-Ditka trio.

I thought the three Mikes were fine last year (aside from the one unfortunate moment caught on camera), although I wish Greenberg and Golic wouldn't be quite so reverential toward Ditka: They act like he's a god, not a colleague. If the three of them can just talk football without reminding us every five minutes that Ditka is a Hall of Famer, they'll be fine.

Mike Greenberg, Mike Golic, Mike Ditka to Call Broncos-Raiders MNF Game on ESPN originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 02 Jun 2008 08:04:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mark Madden Suddenly Has Nothing to Say; Pittsburgh Radio Career May Not Be Over

Ryan Wilson — Thu, 29 May 2008 17:19:00 EST

Filed under: Steelers, Pittsburgh, ESPN

It's been a week since Mark Madden last hosted his radio show on Pittsburgh's ESPN 1250. After making some idiotic comments about Sen. Ted Kennedy, orders came from on high (ESPN headquarters in Bristol, in this case), to take Madden off the air.

And while most of Pittsburgh still celebrates the news, Madden's absence from the airwaves could be short-lived. That's currently the speculation, anyway.

Reached by phone yesterday, Madden would not discuss his removal. "No comment. None. Bye-bye," he said before hanging up.

Rarely at a loss for words on the air, Madden might have cause to stay quiet. ESPN officials would not say Madden had been fired and would not discuss the financial terms, if any, of Madden's removal. Being taken off the air does not necessarily mean his contract was terminated, meaning Madden might still be collecting his salary.

Good to see Madden hangs up on callers at home too. Word on the street is that his contract will be honored (he just signed a new deal last year), although his archnemesis Bob Smizik doesn't think Madden will work in Pittsburgh again because "Clear Channel, which operates the only other sports-talk station in town, would not tolerate his act."

Apparently, that's debatable.

Ultimately, it'll come down to ratings. I don't think Madden's shtick would work outside of Pittsburgh, and given the numbers he was pulling, it's not unreasonable to think Clear Channel would take a chance on him. He's way too big a nuisance to go away quietly, and I fully expect him to resurface somewhere in short order.

In the meantime, enjoy the silence.

Mark Madden Suddenly Has Nothing to Say; Pittsburgh Radio Career May Not Be Over originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 29 May 2008 17:19:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ESPN Cans Pittsburgh Radio Host Mark Madden for Dumber-Than-Usual Comments

Ryan Wilson — Tue, 27 May 2008 22:30:00 EST

Filed under: Steelers, Pittsburgh, ESPN

City residents flock to the streets to celebrate the news.

Earlier this year, I spent a few hundred words bellyaching about the sorry state of Pittsburgh sports radio. Specifically, the fact that village idiot/local ESPN radio "personality" Mark Madden earned a paycheck to spew invective while making everybody who listened to him dumber in the process.

For me, it was more a therapeutic rant than anything -- Madden generates ratings, and ratings, as we know, trump all. Or so the thinking went. Today, ESPN corporate made an exception:

"We've taken Mark off the air pursuant to our contractual rights," said Josh Krulewitz, the network's vice president for public relations. On his radio show Wednesday, Madden said the following about Sen. Kennedy, who days earlier had been diagnosed with brain cancer:

"I'm very disappointed to hear Sen. Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts is near death because of a brain tumor. I always hoped Senator Kennedy would live long enough to be assassinated."

Madden was last heard on his show Thursday, the day before his comments appeared in the Post-Gazette.

For Madden, it couldn't have happened to a nicer jerk.

Late last year, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Bob Smizik wrote that Madden was dangerously close to losing his job once the higher-ups in Bristol caught wind of his shtick. (Apparently, nobody at headquarters cares about the backwaters of Western Pennsylvania radio ... until it comes to their attention that some jackass is singlehandedly ruining the wholesome Disney image Bayless, Paige and Smith worked so hard to cultivate.)

Madden agreed to temper his assault on common sense when his job was threatened. That he managed to last another six months is an accomplishment worthy of recognition. So congrats, Madden, for keepin' it real. An entire city (and especially Hines Ward!) thanks you for going away.

Random YouTube Fun: I vote for Tank Abbott to replace Madden who, after watching this video, would do well to get Larry the Cable Guy on the horn.

ESPN Cans Pittsburgh Radio Host Mark Madden for Dumber-Than-Usual Comments originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 27 May 2008 22:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Patriots President Jonathan Kraft: ESPN.com Journalistic Standards Not Up to Snuff

Michael David Smith — Fri, 16 May 2008 10:49:00 EST

Filed under: Patriots, NFL Media Watch, Boston, ESPN

New England Patriots President Jonathan Kraft appeared on the Boston radio station WEEI on Thursday and criticized the journalistic practices of several media outlets that have covered the Spygate controversy surrounding his team, including the Boston Herald, New York Times and ESPN.

His comments on ESPN were particularly interesting because they mark the second time this week that a high-profile person associated with the Patriots has ripped the Worldwide Leader. Tom Brady also criticized ESPN's coverage of Spygate, even as he acknowledged that he didn't watch that coverage.

On WEEI Thursday, Kraft was asked, "The New York Times and certain people at ESPN have kind of been out to get you. Do you know why? Do you understand why?" He answered:

"I don't. If you guys can get any of them on the air -- I would argue that there are certain people at ESPN.com who have shown journalistic standards that really are not up to snuff. And the Times, give the Times credit for one thing, they gave us a chance to comment the day before and they actually took some of our comments and realized that certain parts of what they were about to write that were wrong, but there were other things that they still decided to print."

Kraft didn't say which people at ESPN.com he thinks have journalistic standards that aren't up to snuff, but it's clear that between Brady and Kraft, there are some important people in one of America's most successful sports franchises who don't think highly ofAmerica's most successful sports media outlet.

Patriots President Jonathan Kraft: ESPN.com Journalistic Standards Not Up to Snuff originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 16 May 2008 10:49:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Catholic Newspaper Rips ESPN, Mike Golic for Displaying Gluttony With Eating Contest

Michael David Smith — Thu, 15 May 2008 17:55:00 EST

Filed under: NFL Media Watch, ESPN

On the May 1 edition of ESPN's Mike and Mike in the Morning, co-host Mike Golic participated in a competitive eating contest in which he scarfed down 15 chicken wings, while professional competitive eaters around him ate significantly more.

It was intended to be a lighthearted moment on the show. But some people took it seriously. Really, really seriously. Peter Finney Jr., a writer for the official newspaper of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, has this to say:

The hedonistic display was bad enough - Golic finished last to "professional" eaters Tim "Eater X" Janus, Pete "Pretty Boy" Davekos and "Crazy Legs" Conti - but the gluttony-as-sport, far from laughable, should sting any correctly formed conscience.

I guess my conscience isn't correctly formed, then, because I don't feel the least bit stung by watching competitive eating.

Why should I feel stung? Here's the explanation:

"I think it is a little obscene, especially right now given the fact that people are increasingly concerned about getting enough good food to eat," said Natalie Jayroe, director of Second Harvest Food Bank of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, which since Hurricane Katrina has provided more than 151 million pounds of food to families and seniors.

"Encouraging people to engage in gluttony is not good for their lives."

Sorry, but that's absurd. There is a Peter Singer school of thought that says almost everything Americans spend money on is wasteful and would better be used treating the sick and feeding the starving, and I'm not unsympathetic to that school of thought. But to single Golic out as the one example of wasteful consumption is utterly ridiculous.

Catholic Newspaper Rips ESPN, Mike Golic for Displaying Gluttony With Eating Contest originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 15 May 2008 17:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tony Kornheiser: Newspapers Are Dead

Michael David Smith — Thu, 15 May 2008 15:47:00 EST

Filed under: NFL Media Watch, ESPN, Blogs

A day after accepting a buyout and leaving his longtime position at the Washington Post, Tony Kornheiser appeared on Dan LeBatard's radio show and shared some thoughts about the future of the media.

Kornheiser admitted to "a certain amount of anger and resentment" about quitting the newspaper business, but he seemed to think the move was necessary. When LeBatard described newspapers as dying, Kornheiser interrupted him and said, "not dying, dead. They're dead. It's the same feeling that the buggy whip manufacturers must have had when the first car left the assembly line."

Kornheiser, who is 59, also said to LeBatard, "at my age I'm not as upset about it as somebody your age would be." That was an interesting comment because yesterday LeBatard wrote a great post at The Big Lead in which he described himself as part of the old generation of newspaper people who are upset about the way the media is changing.

But the truth is, guys like LeBatard and Kornheiser, who have chosen to quit newspapers and work on TV and in radio, have more to do with the death of newspapers than bloggers do. And give Kornheiser credit for admitting the simple fact that the reason he left print media for broadcast media is for the money. When LeBatard asked him how he felt, Kornheiser answered, "Rich."

Tony Kornheiser: Newspapers Are Dead originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 15 May 2008 15:47:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tom Brady Skipped ESPN Spygate Coverage, Mark Schlereth Doesn't Care What He Thinks

Michael David Smith — Wed, 14 May 2008 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: Patriots, NFL Media Watch, Boston, ESPN

Yesterday Patriots quarterback Tom Brady appeared on the Boston radio station WEEI and criticized ESPN for its coverage of the Spygate story. According to Brady, ESPN creates controversies because "they've got to fill the air," and "They just say the craziest things."

Those comments, which have received a good deal of attention, came about 11 minutes into Brady's interview. But today on ESPN's NFL Live, anchor Trey Wingo and analyst Mark Schlereth pointed out another comment that got significantly less attention: At the start of the WEEI interview, one of the hosts of the show asked Brady, "Did you watch any of this today on television?"

Brady answered, "Honestly, I didn't see a second of it, to tell you the truth, and I haven't heard much about it. "

So whatever Brady's objections to ESPN are, they're not based on any knowledge of what ESPN reported on Tuesday because Brady doesn't know what ESPN reported on Tuesday. That makes it hard to take his critique of ESPN's coverage seriously.

Said Schlereth of Brady's criticism, "I don't really care about that." Wingo added that ESPN made an issue of the story yesterday only after NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell deemed the story worthy of a lengthy press conference.

"This isn't something we brought up," Wingo said.

Also, let's be honest: It's not like Brady actually wants fair, evenhanded reporting. What he wants is members of the media to gush over him. Many members of the sports media do just that, and most fans I know find such gushing infuriating. So if Brady is angry about the way ESPN is covering this story, maybe that's a good thing.

Tom Brady Skipped ESPN Spygate Coverage, Mark Schlereth Doesn't Care What He Thinks originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 14 May 2008 16:31:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tom Brady Rips ESPN

Michael David Smith — Tue, 13 May 2008 20:16:00 EST

Filed under: Patriots, NFL Media Watch, Boston, The Word, ESPN

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady ripped ESPN today for its coverage of the Patriots' Spygate scandal.

Appearing on the Boston radio station WEEI, Brady suggested that the reason Patriotgate has stayed in the news is that the media in general and ESPN specifically are looking to fabricate a controversy.

"I think it's a way to really sell newspapers, and all the ESPN stations, they've got to fill the air, too," Brady said.

When it was pointed out to Brady that many of the ex-NFL players who work at ESPN were harshly critical of the Patriots and suggested that they gained a huge advantage from stealing signals, Brady said, "It's just kind of the environment right now, though. I think that's the way that guys make it. They just say the craziest things. That's what ESPN has become. ESPN, to me, is like MTV without the videos, ESPN is without the highlights."

ESPN is the 800-pound gorilla in American sports, and a lot of athletes wouldn't want to take the boys in Bristol on. But Brady is one of the few athletes popular enough to take on the Worldwide Leader and not have to worry about repercussions. It will be interesting to see whether ESPN reports Brady's comments.

Latest NFL Photos

Seattle Seahawks' Matt Hasselbeck throws a pass as the Seahawks opened mini-camp at the team's practice facility in Kirkland, Wash. on Friday, May 2, 2008. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)

Seattle Seahawks' Matt Hasselbeck throws a pass as the Seahawks opened football mini-camp at their facility in Kirkland, Wash. on Friday, May 2, 2008. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)

Seattle Seahawks' quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, left, calls signals during football mini-camp at the team's practice facility in Kirkland, Wash. on Tuesday, May 6, 2008. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)

Seattle Seahawks' quarterback Matt Hasselbeck stretches as the team opened mini-camp at their football practice facility in Kirkland, Wash. on Friday, May 2, 2008. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)

Seattle Seahawks' quarterback Matt Hasselbeck watches as the team opened mini-camp at their football practice facility in Kirkland, Wash. on Friday, May 2, 2008. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)

Seattle Seahawks' linebacker Julian Peterson, left, and quarterback Matt Hasselbeck run through drills as the NFL football team held minicamp at the team practice facility in Kirkland, Wash., on Tuesday, May 6, 2008. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)

Seattle Seahawks' quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, center, prepares to throw as the NFL football team held minicamp at the team practice facility in Kirkland, Wash., on Tuesday, May 6, 2008. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)

** FILE ** In this July 27, 2006 file photo, Cleveland Browns linebacker Willie McGinest stretches during morning practice at the Browns football training camp in Berea, Ohio. Browns linebacker Willie McGinest says the 2008 season will be his last. McGinest told SI.com for a story Thursday, May 8, 2008, that he wants to finish his career on one last playoff run. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan, File)

Seattle Seahawks' quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, left, puts his helmet as they opened mini-camp at the team's football practice facility in Kirkland, Wash. on Friday, May 2, 2008. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)

** FILE ** This July 26, 2007 file photo shows Michael Vick leaving the federal courthouse in Richmond, Va. A federal judge ordered imprisoned quarterback Michael Vick to repay more than $2.4 million to a Canadian bank for defaulting on a loan, Wednesday May 7, 2008. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari, Pool, File)

Via PFT.

Tom Brady Rips ESPN originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 13 May 2008 20:16:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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