Quick Shots

First let's start with the Erin Andrews peephole video that's the hot topic right now. Let me say that I haven't tried to watch it because I don't want to get some kind of virus on my computer and the whole thing seems kind of shady to me anyway. Why? Well, have you ever tried to look through the other side of a peephole? You can't see anything, all you can see is light or darkness. Someone would have had to take out the peephole and put in a camera. From what I've heard about the video, she is sitting on the edge of her bed getting dressed away from a mirror. That's all very possible and probable, but most people (men and women) get dressed in front of a mirror. Now there are allegations that there is more that just this one video, so that would indicate that someone who is close to her is doing this for their own perverted pleasures. And it was leaked at a time where all sports news is really boring and has no spice. Coincidence? You decide.

Mike Vick should only play quarterback once he's reinstated. Yes, I do believe strongly that he'll be back this season. Nobody is going to be happy to see him attempt to play receiver or running back or whatever else. Even those who oppose him being re-instated wouldn't want to see him do anything else. His appeal was the anticipation of what he'd do with the ball once it was snapped to him. My main problem with a lot of reports is that they all say he has to show genuine remorse, rehabilitation, etc, etc. How does one determine that? He can just be acting and putting up a great front. I feel that when he meets with Roger Godell, he should just be truthful. Just be genuine and tell the truth when he asks any question.

Ben Roethlisberger's accuser is now finding out what happens when you go after someone famous. You instantly become a target. Does she deserver the scrutiny? Maybe. Maybe not. But she did file only a civil suit. No criminal complaints, just a civil suit seeking money. If I were in her shoes, I'd want someone who tricked me, attacked me, and cause mental anguish to me to be behind bars before I go after their money. Right now in the court of public opinion, she's guilty of being a crazy gold digger. I know that a lot of athletes feel they can do a lot of things and get away with it, but most wouldn't want to sexually assault someone because they have way too much to lose. And also, most have way too much access to groupies and real gold diggers who would throw themselves at them. Besides, I saw her picture and if Ben did do anything to even lead her to file this suit then her needs to really up his pimp game. Big time. To borrow a term from Robert Littal, his pimp focus is weak if he went after her. Unless of course he figures nobody would believe a superstar like him would go after a strobe light honey like her.

I think Edgerrin James would look good in midnight green this season. Yeah, here's my Eagles bias showing again. But seriously, think about it. He's experienced enough to do all the things the Eagles offense likes to have their RB's do. He can pick up the blitz, has a high football IQ, can catch the ball out of the backfield with the best of them. Right now I don't think he's looking to be a featured back, just someone who gets a lot of reps. And frankly, he should. He'll be a valuable asset to have late in the season and in the post season. Westbrook would stay fresher, and McCoy could learn under 2 very, very good RB's. Imagine a backfield with Westbrook, James, and McCoy. Now if only the coach will actually employ a running game for that monster offensive line he has. James will help all the key offensive weapons, even Donovan McNabb. With confidence that an experienced back can read and pick up blitzing linebackers, he will be more comfortable in the pocket. All the running backs will be receiving threats too. And if this 2 year window most Eagles fans are giving 5 and the team, James surely can see winning a championship in Philly.

Speaking of Philly, I'm not a baseball fan but the Phillies have me paying attention. I still can't watch really because I think it just moves too slow but there is excitement in the air and I can feel it when I do catch an inning or two. Can they do something that hasn't been done in the National League in decades and win back to back championships? If they do, the Philly fan base won't be starving as much, we may actually become soft. On second thought, never that. It's always fun to watch a team do something that either hasn't been done, or hasn't been done in a long time and the Phils are on their way to trying to repeat as World Series Champs.

I think all the "real" sports reporters who look down on bloggers and blogging sites are either afraid or jealous. Lies, you say? Well, think about it this way. Bloggers have the freedom to do one thing that reporters SHOULD do, but don't do. Bloggers can offer their opinion, no matter how crazy, on any topic. We can reflect what most of the fans think, from a fan perspective. "Real" reporters have to maintain such a front to keep their sources happy, their bosses happy, and the teams they report on happy that they lose that freedom to express themselves. That is until they become sports talk show hosts. I wouldn't say they are really threatened by bloggers, there's enough room for all kinds of reporting. My main problem is when "real" reporters get their knickers in a twist because a site like Deadspin gets a story before they do, or have the audacity to post controversial content on their sites. "Real" reporters say that a lot of things bloggers report is just to attract more traffic to their sites. Well, from what I know, they want traffic too. ESPN has tons and tons of traffic, but they still need new and constant traffic. Their advertisers won't pay them just because they are ESPN if they weren't attracting new customers. So any "real" reporter who thinks that bloggers just want attention is right. But in saying so, they are forgetting that they NEED attention to keep collecting their paychecks. Most blogs are free to express themselves in any way, hopefully with some tact, and "real" reporters miss that freedom.

My non-sports beef:

Have you heard those commercials from Nationwide insurance saying that they "forgive" you if you have an accident? Isn't the whole point of having insurance so that they can be there for you when such a thing happens? I don't know many people who want to have an accident. It's downright inconvenient, and painful. Nobody feels like just giving their money to a company for the hell of it. So why should they raise your rates if you need them to actually do what you pay them for? It's the dumbest commercial I've ever heard. They don't give you anything back if you don't ever have to file a claim. They need to change that commercial. I find it insulting and condescending.