Another overpaid thug bites the dust

Un-freakin-believable!

Another millionaire athlete goes to the house!  Only I am not talking about the endzone, I'm talking about the big house!

Everyone knows by now that Cleveland Browns wideout Donte Stallworth killed a pedestrian last week.  Ran over a guy who was trying to catch a bus home after work, like the victim did everyday.

Although the man he killed WORKED FOR A LIVING, he probably worked in a job that couldn't afford him the luxury of owning a car for transportation to and from that job, and therefore had to utilize public transportation.  And here's this citizen walking across the street, trying to catch the bus, and he's hit and killed by a speeding motorist who just happened to be a professional athlete, who just happens to PLAY A GAME FOR A LIVING.  An athlete who makes hordes of stacks of cash to catch passes in the NFL, who on this day was probably driving from South Beach to his million-dollar condo in Miami Beach, rolling down the causeway in his Bentley (a car that carries such a heavy price tag that makes it's monthly payments more than most middle-class mortgages).

Oh, and the professional athlete in this case just happened to be driving under the influence of alcohol.  The legal limit is 0.08.  Stallworth's reported blood-alcohol level was 0.12.

Absolutely disgusting.

The incident occurred just three days after the Browns released hometown fan-favorite wideout Joe Jurevicius and 15 days after they traded tight end Kellen Winslow for picks.

The Browns receiving corps right now looks like this:

WRs:

 - Braylon Edwards

 - Joshua Cribbs

 - Syndric Steptoe

 - Paul Hubbard

TEs:

 - Steve Heiden

 - Robert Royal

 - Darnell Dinkins

 - Martin Rucker

No words needed to describe how bad that group is.

Prior to last season, Stallworth signed a seven-year, $35-million contract with Cleveland as a free agent but hardly played because of nagging injuries.  He was due a $4.75 million signing bonus the day before the accident.  Last year his base salary was $5,155,000.

His combined salary and the bonus totaled $9,905,000.  That's how much money the Browns have paid out since acquiring him.

He finished last season with just 17 catches for 170 yards and 1 TD.  Due to the nagging hamstring injury, Stallworth made just seven starts for the Browns but overall had little impact on the field.

If you consider the amount of money he's made as a Cleveland Brown and divide that by his on-field contributions (170 total yards netted for the offense), Stallworth earned $58,264 for every individual yard he gained.

Compare that gaudy number to $2,651 - which is the amount of cash paid out per yard gained in 2008 by the Steelers to former OSU Buckeye and Super Bowl hero Santonio Holmes.

Allow me to reiterate.

Donte Stallworth made $58,264 for each receiving yard he produced for the Browns in 2008.

Santonio Homes made $2,651 for each receiving yard he produced for the Steelers in 2008.  And all he did was pretty much single-handedly win the Steel City a Super Bowl.  No biggie.

I don't know what else to say right now other than the fact that I am thoroughly disgusted - as a Browns fan, as a fan of the NFL, and as a working American citizen.

WHISKEY TANGO FOXTROT!

The NFL is regularly touted as being one of the most well-run big businesses.  But really, Mr. Goodell needs to seriously re-evaluate some things, starting first and foremost with the judging of character of those who fill the uniforms, and secondly by determining their monetary value.

Lynch gets probation for guilty plea (WHAT!?!?!?!)

This article is from ESPN news.  Here is it, with my thoughts in CAPS:

Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch pled guilty Thursday to a misdemeanor charge of carrying a firearm in his vehicle.

FUNNY HOW HE PLED GUILTY AND HE WASN'T EVEN THERE.  HIS ATTORNEY PROBABLY TOLD HIM NOT TO BE THERE, BECAUSE USUALLY WHEN THESE CRAP-BAGS OF SOCIETY SHOW UP IN COURT THEY WEAR XXXXL WHITE T-SHIRTS, BLUE JEANS, AND THE TIMBERLAND BOOTS (WHICH IS CONSIDERED COURT ATTIRE FOR GANGBANGERS).  GOOD MOVE BY THE DEFENSE.

Lynch was sentenced to 80 hours of community service and three years of probation.

AWESOME.  THE 80 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE HE WILL PROBABLY BE ABLE TO COMPLETE THIS YEAR, BUT THE THREE YEARS OF PROBATION ... NOT A CHANCE.

Attorney Gerald Schwartzbach entered the plea for Lynch in a Los Angeles court Thursday.  Two other gun charges were dismissed as part of a pre-arranged plea agreement.  The 22-year-old Lynch was not present.

Lynch was arrested Feb. 11 after surburban Culver City Police smelled marijuana coming from a parked car and found a loaded gun and four marijuana cigarettes inside.  No drug charges were filed.

FUNNY HOW THE SCUMBAG DEFENSE ATTORNEY STRIKES A DEAL WITH STATE PROSECUTORS TO DROP TWO GUN CHARGES AND POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA CHARGES IN EXCHANGE FOR A GUILTY PLEA FOR ONE GUN CHANGE.  MAKES ME SICK.  THE GUY BEATS TWO GUN CHARGES AND A DRUG CHARGE IN EXCHANGE FOR PLEADING GUILTY TO ONE GUN CHARGE AND GETS COMMUNITY SERVICE AND PROBATION AS A RESULT.  SERIOUSLY!  IF THAT WERE YOU, ME OR THE NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR, WE'D FACE ALL FOUR CHARGES - NO QUESTION.

"Today I pled guilty to a misdemeanor violation of having a firearm in a vehicle," Lynch said in a statement.  "I am embarrassed by my recent arrest and conviction.  I deeply regret that I placed myself in this situation."

SURE YOU ARE.  THIS STATEMENT WAS PREPARED BY HIS ATTORNEY AND ALL LYNCH DID WAS SIGN OFF ON IT.  I AM SO SICK AND TIRED OF THIS TACTIC.  WHY NOT HOLD A LIVE PRESS CONFERENCE AND DELIVER THE STATEMENT FROM YOUR HEART?  LOOK AT HOW HE IS SURE TO STATE THAT IT IS A MISDEMEANOR VIOLATION AND NOT A FELONY ... AND FOR "HAVING A FIREARM IN A VEHICLE." REALLY IT WAS FOR CARRYING A CONCEALED WEAPON.  THIS CRIMINAL PROBABLY HAD THE GUN IN THE FIRST PLACE BECAUSE HE WENT OUT WITH HIS "HOMIES" TO PURCHASE THE DRUGS FROM A DEALER.  SO THE GUN WAS FOR PROTECTION BECAUSE HE WAS GOING TO MEET UP WITH PEOPLE WHO SLANG DOPE AND ROB PEOPLE FOR A LIVING.

AND IS HE REALLY "EMBARRASSED," OR IS HE HAVING HIS ATTORNEY PACKAGE TOGETHER ALL THESE WORDS ("REGRET") IN AN EFFORT TO LESSEN THE PENALTY HANDED DOWN BY THE NFL?

"I have made mistakes in the past.  Although I have learned many lessons over recent years, I obviously had not learned enough.  I apologize to my family, the Buffalo Bills organization, my teammates, the Buffalo community, and Commissioner [Roger] Goodell.  I have already learned from this recent mistake and am sincerely committed to being a more responsible citizen and better representative of the NFL."

I'M SORRY, BUT WORDS LIKE "LEARNED," "APOLOGIZE," "COMMUNITY," "MISTAKE," "SINCERELY," "RESPONSIBLE," "CITIZEN," AND "REPRESENTATIVE," ARE NOT IN MARSHAWN LYNCH'S VOCABULARY.

Schwartzbach said Lynch could have pleased no contest but chose to plead guilty.

WOW, REALLY?!  HE ALSO COULD HAVE ELECTED TO PLEAD INNOCENT.  BUT IF HE HAD PLED INNOCENT OR NO CONTEST, HE WOULD HAVE FACED FOUR CHARGES INSTEAD OF ONE.  

ALL THE STATE ATTORNEYS WANT IS A CONVICTION.  AND IF THEY CAN GET ANYONE TO PLEAD GUILTY TO A CHARGE, THEY WILL DO ALL THEY CAN TO STRIKE SOME KIND OF DEAL.  SO SCHWARTZBACH'S STATEMENT OF HOW LYNCH COULD HAVE PLEADED NO CONTEST IS JUST ANOTHER LOW-BALL ATTEMPT TO MAKE HIS CLIENT LOOK BETTER THAN HE ACTUALLY IS IN THE FACE OF THE PUBLIC.

THE FIRST THING LYNCH NEEDS TO DO IS UPDATE HIS NFL PROFILE PIC.  BECAUSE THAT THING MAKES HIM LOOK LIKE THE DYSFUNCTIONAL MEMBER OF SOCIETY THAT HE IS.

RIGHT NOW, IN MY EYES AND PROBABLY IN MANY OTHERS', LYNCH IS NO DIFFERNET THAN ALL THE POOR THUGS WHO SPEND THEIR MONEY ON MATERIAL THINGS LIKE (AS I SAID IN THE EARLIER POST ON THIS MATTER) CARS SITTING ON A SET OF $20,000 RIMS, DRUGS AND GUNS, AND IF THEY ARE LUCKY, MAYBE A MANSION OR TWO ... OH YEAH, AND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN CHILD SUPPORT.

TO QUOTE MY PREVIOUS POST:

"SO MAYBE IF THEIR PRIORITIES WERE STRAIGHT THEY WOULDN'T BE CAUGHT IN THE SITUATIONS THEY ARE SO FREQUENTLY BEING CAUGHT IN.  I MEAN, IS IT REALLY NECESSARY FOR A MILLIONAIRE TO HANG OUT AT A DINGY STRIP CLUB AT 3 O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING?"

OR DRIVE AROUND THE TOWN WITH GUNS AND DRUGS IN YOUR CAR, TOKING IT UP?

"WHY NOT THROW A POLE OR TWO IN YOUR MANSION AND HAVE THE GUYS OVER, HIRE SOME DANCERS, THEN DRINK YOUR LIQUOR," SMOKE YOUR POT, "AND HAVE YOUR LAP DANCES IN-HOUSE?

"THAT'D BE MUCH SMARTER THAN BEE-BOPPIN' UP AND DOWN THE STREETS LIKE THE 'BANGERS WEARING BLACK HOODIES WITH THEIR PANTS SAGGIN HALFWAY DOWN THEIR ASSES SLANGING ROCKS AND BREAKING INTO CARS."

I'M DISGUSTED.

Heisman Race...according to Gino

Gino Torretta in the news! Talk about a blast from the past. Read on, read on.

Torretta thinks Bradford is big-time NFL prospect

Former Heisman Trophy winner Gino Torretta joined the show to break down all the big stories in college football. Here are some highlights from the interview ...

-- Torretta thinks the Heisman race is between Texas Tech's Graham Harrell and Oklahoma's Sam Bradford. He's seen a lot of Bradford and thinks that he's a big-time NFL prospect. Torretta compared Bradford to Joe Montana -- except Bradford is 6-foot-5.

-- Torretta thinks Bradford is more likely than Florida's Tim Tebow to leave early. He says Tebow isn't in the same class throwing the ball with Bradford or Georgia's Matthew Stafford.

-- Torretta thinks that Oklahoma should be ahead of Florida, because the Sooners lost on a neutral field to Texas, compared to the Gators losing to Ole Miss.

-- Torretta thinks USC is trying to placate too many stars on offense and isn't running the plays that work. He did the USC game this weekend and said the Trojans tried not to run the same play twice.

-- On a neutral field, Torretta thinks Texas Tech could very well be the best team.

Link.

Salty's Thoughts: Been a big fan of Harrell for a few years now. I hope he wins it.

Broken Law in Cleveland?

With the Cleveland Browns defensive backs getting torched on a weekly basis, I still kind of wonder why they didn't sign Ty Law?

Injuries? Attitude? Age? Money?

Then I read today the Jets signed him. I'm not saying Ty Law would've saved the day, or been a savior of any sort, but I don't think his experience could've hurt our team. Isn't that why we are overpaying Willie McGinest? McGinest has running back bounce off of him week in and week out, yet he gets plenty of playing time. Too much time in my eyes.

Anyways, here's the link to the Jets signing. Law is in order...in New York.

Link.

This Is What We're Paying For?

Teammates echo Lewis' belief that Browns quit in loss to Denver
By James Walker ESPN.com

BEREA, Ohio -- With an extended weekend off to think about the state of the team, there are players within the Cleveland Browns' locker room who believe teammates quit during last week's 34-30 loss to the Denver Broncos.

In the aftermath of the Denver game, which Cleveland last after giving up 21 fourth-quarter points, Browns running back Jamal Lewis was the first to bring up the subject of quitting. On Monday, as Cleveland began its week of preparation for next Monday's game against Buffalo, several players agreed with his sentiments. "When you have a team like that that comes into our house and we're capable of beating them, that's the first thing that comes to mind,'' wide receiver Josh Cribbs said Monday. "We can't figure out what, man, but that's what it looked like -- some guys quit. ... We know if everybody didn't quit, we would have won that ballgame.''

More...

Salty's Thoughts: Players quitting? That's what we sacrifice our Sunday, our money, and our hearts to on a weekly basis? This seems like an abusive relationship. Thumbs way down.

Let me rant for a minute...

At what point do professional athletes forget what it's like to "work" for their money? At what point do they forget that $100,000+ is a TON OF MONEY, and more than most people make in a year? I'd like to see a poll of every fan in the stands at a Cleveland Browns game and see how many make $100,000+ a year. I bet it's the minority.

That being said, why run your mouth and incorporate a $100,000 fine? And by "your mouth" I mean the mouth(s) of professional athletes. Stop bashing the referees. They are human. Human Error is part of sports, and it has been since you were little. Remember growing up thinking, "I want to be a Pro _______ one day!"? Did you ever dream, wish, think you'd actually get there, and then F it up by spitting drinks in someones face, or smoking weed, or just being a prick? Instead of showboating after you scored a touchdown, which is what you are PAID to do, take that $50,000 and buy a family a home to get them off the street. You don't see me spike my weekly reports that I have to turn into my boss. If I did, I'd probably be fired. I can honestly tell you I don't pound my chest every time I send an email. It's what I get paid to do. I've been there before.

In case you've forgotten what it's like to work for your money, and have it count, come down to Muni Lot one brisk Sunday in Cleveland. You can meet thousands of people that bust their ass 5+ days a week to buy a ticket to see YOU FOOLS compete on a weekly basis.

If we are paying the money, you better be on the field. If you're hurt, we understand. If you did something ignorant to get benched/suspended, where's our refund? Take the $250,000 you just lost and split it among the season ticket holders that paid to be there to see the best players play.

Actually, now that I think about it, give that money to that guys back up. Give it to a Midget Football team that needs helmets. Basically, give it to a player that gives a damn. Obviously half of these "super athletes" have lost their vision.

That's my rant for the day.

Holmes apologizes

PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes apologized Monday for being involved in a marijuana-related case that caused coach Mike Tomlin to bench him for Sunday's loss to the New York Giants.

Holmes, a 2006 first-round draft pick, was charged with possession of a small amount of marijuana after a traffic stop Thursday in which city police smelled burning marijuana and found marijuana-filled cigars in his car.

More...

Salty's Thoughts: Smoking weed during the NFL season? You must be half Gump. That's some expensive cheeba, fool. At least he didn't blow the smoke in some ladies face, right Larry?

Johnson Charged With Assault

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kansas City running back Larry Johnson, already facing possible suspension by the NFL, was charged Monday with simple assault for spitting his drink in a woman's face. It's the second such charge the former Pro Bowler is facing.

Kansas City police spokesman Darin Snapp said Johnson turned himself in and was released after posting a $500 bond.

More...

Salty's Thoughts: Idiot.