quote:

POSTED 10:26 a.m. EST, January 5, 2008

"BUMP" MORE EXPENSIVE THAN "POKE"

Pats defensive tackle Vince Wilfork was fined $15,000 for trying to perform an eyeballectomy on Giants running back Brandon Jacobs.  And, on the same day, Saints offensive tackle Jammal Brown was fined $25,000 for "bumping" a game official.

We don't disagree with the punishment levied against Brown.  The officials should be off limits from any contact, and should be treated at all times with respect.

But how can it be $10,000 cheaper to jam a bony sausage into a co-worker's eye socket?

We don't understand it.  We never will.  And we think Wilfork should announce that he believes that the punishment wasn't stiff enough, and that he's going to donate the game check from his first playoff game to charity to fully atone for his actions.

quote:


David Aldridge | Eagles' only missing ingredient is Moss
By David Aldridge
Inquirer Columnist
If the Eagles are as close to a return to their NFC East-leading perch as they claim their finish made them, if things are looking up because they beat the Cowboys and Saints and Bills after the playoffs shimmered and evaporated from view, then there is only one off-season move needed.
Go get Randy Moss.

No hemming about chemistry, no hawing about the price tag.
Sign Moss, a free agent when he's done carrying around the Lombardi Trophy in a month or so, and you're back in the Super Bowl.

If Andy Reid and Company project Donovan McNabb to be almost back to normal at the start of camp in July and close again to elite status after an off-season devoted to rest instead of rehab, then Moss can do for McNabb what he did for Tom Brady and the Patriots' offense this season - make an already-productive unit into a historic one.

Or, at the least, do what The Player did around here in 2004.
Let's not get revisionist, because it ultimately ended badly; that year, Terrell Owens was everything he said he would be, and the Eagles' offense was everything it wants to be today.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lynn G.

To bring back a discussion earlier (I think it was on this thread) about how the NFL is inconsistent in punishment for touching a ref, here is an excerpt from Profootballtalk.com:

quote:

POSTED 10:26 a.m. EST, January 5, 2008

"BUMP" MORE EXPENSIVE THAN "POKE"

Pats defensive tackle Vince Wilfork was fined $15,000 for trying to perform an eyeballectomy on Giants running back Brandon Jacobs.  And, on the same day, Saints offensive tackle Jammal Brown was fined $25,000 for "bumping" a game official.

We don't disagree with the punishment levied against Brown.  The officials should be off limits from any contact, and should be treated at all times with respect.

But how can it be $10,000 cheaper to jam a bony sausage into a co-worker's eye socket?

We don't understand it.  We never will.  And we think Wilfork should announce that he believes that the punishment wasn't stiff enough, and that he's going to donate the game check from his first playoff game to charity to fully atone for his actions.

Off limits from ANY contact.  How much was Brett Favre fined again?

quote:

ORIGINAL: Toby Stumbo

NFL Cracks Down On Theaters

---

The long arm of the National Football League has reached out and warned at least three area theaters they can't show NFL football games on the big screen.

Packers fans fill the Northern Lights Theater at Potawatomi Bingo and Casino to watch Brett Favre and the Packers play the Dallas Cowboys on Nov. 29.

The use of big-screen theaters has become increasingly popular because fans not only get to watch the big game on a larger screen but get the sensation of sharing the experience with a larger group. It may not be Lambeau Field, but for many fans it's a step above sitting on your Barcalounger in the den.

NFL officials confirmed Saturday that cease-and-desist letters were sent out to three business owners telling them they were violating copyright law by showing Packers games on the big screen. The NFL said letters were sent to the Potawatomi Bingo and Casino, operators of the Northern Lights Theater; the Marcus Corp., owners and operators of the AT&T Palladium in Brookfield; and the Rosebud Cinema Drafthouse in Wauwatosa.

Brian McCarthy, an NFL spokesman, said in an e-mail that the league recently became aware that the businesses were showing Packers games. "We let them know they are violating copyright law and longstanding NFL policies that prohibit mass out-of-town viewing of NFL games.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=703965

quote:

ORIGINAL: Trekgeekscott

quote:

ORIGINAL: Toby Stumbo

NFL Cracks Down On Theaters

---

The long arm of the National Football League has reached out and warned at least three area theaters they can't show NFL football games on the big screen.

Packers fans fill the Northern Lights Theater at Potawatomi Bingo and Casino to watch Brett Favre and the Packers play the Dallas Cowboys on Nov. 29.

The use of big-screen theaters has become increasingly popular because fans not only get to watch the big game on a larger screen but get the sensation of sharing the experience with a larger group. It may not be Lambeau Field, but for many fans it's a step above sitting on your Barcalounger in the den.

NFL officials confirmed Saturday that cease-and-desist letters were sent out to three business owners telling them they were violating copyright law by showing Packers games on the big screen. The NFL said letters were sent to the Potawatomi Bingo and Casino, operators of the Northern Lights Theater; the Marcus Corp., owners and operators of the AT&T Palladium in Brookfield; and the Rosebud Cinema Drafthouse in Wauwatosa.

Brian McCarthy, an NFL spokesman, said in an e-mail that the league recently became aware that the businesses were showing Packers games. "We let them know they are violating copyright law and longstanding NFL policies that prohibit mass out-of-town viewing of NFL games.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=703965

What??????!!!???!???!!!???!

What's next?  They gonna send out letters to all the sports bars telling them they can't broadcast games on big screens either? 

good Lord!!!  This makes not sense to me.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mr. Ed

SI.com has new alert, that Joe Gibbs has resigned.

Resigned coach and team president positions.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lane Meyer

Agreed Craig. Rather arrogant to pick and choose in this fashion.


Are you guys really that ticked off about Favre and the ref???

I realize that the rule is supposed to have no exceptions and I (as a former official though not NFL) didn't think it was appropriate, but geez, it had zero effect upon the competitive balance of the game. The opponents did not complain, the refs did not complain, the league office did not complain, that leaves .... well, not too many folks complaining about this inconsequential incident.

It's funny to see how much of an effect something so meaningless can have on some fans. Again, while I thought it inappropriate, it hardly seems important. Just my opinion.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Cheesehead Craig

The NFL is slowly alienating their fan base. 
 
Say what you want about MLB, but they do a great job of making their games available however you want.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Tim Cady

quote:

ORIGINAL: Cheesehead Craig

The NFL is slowly alienating their fan base. 
 
Say what you want about MLB, but they do a great job of making their games available however you want.

I agree.

What is everyone who finds a way to enjoy the game more supposed to cut an extra check to the NFL. This is why I try to act like I don't enjoy the games just in case someone from the league office is paying attention.

Brett Farve touching-

I could care less if Brett performed a hummer on the official as long as he doesn't do it in anger and it doesn't detract from the game(he could perform the task during commercial break) and Most importantly that it is Brett being Brett.

[8|]

Seriously it is a non issue to me. It was spontaneous and all in fun. I remember when Moss got tossed for questioning a poor call(offensive PI) in the endzone. To me touching the shirt, when the ref was purposely ignoring him. Was questionable but enforcement of rule. I had a bigger problem with Aikman grabbing a ref in the middle of the field because of a mistaken spot, that was fixed, and he wasn't tossed. That I had a bigger problem with because it was like the same week.

I saw Brett hit a ref in the face with the football once. It didn't look like an accident, but considering his accuracy that year, the ref and him just had a good chuckle and there was no need for a penalty of ejection.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Pete C

I agree with ya Jesser.  Intent is subjective, it isn't supposed to matter why the official was touched, only that he was. 

Also, it doesn't matter whether the play impacted the outcome of the game.  Routinely there are dozens of calls each Sunday that do very little to impact the outcome. 

The official who was fined for pulling a Packer off the pile didn't impact the game either, but a fine was still handed down.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lane Meyer

Are you guys really that ticked off about Favre and the ref???

I realize that the rule is supposed to have no exceptions and I (as a former official though not NFL) didn't think it was appropriate, but geez, it had zero effect upon the competitive balance of the game. The opponents did not complain, the refs did not complain, the league office did not complain, that leaves .... well, not too many folks complaining about this inconsequential incident.

It's funny to see how much of an effect something so meaningless can have on some fans. Again, while I thought it inappropriate, it hardly seems important. Just my opinion.