That Whole Ray Rice Thing

Hmm. Where do I even start with this? Maybe with some serious thoughts:

• Ray Rice is clearly not going to play again in the NFL in a hurry. If he takes the field again before the 2016 season I’ll be shocked. To be honest, I don’t expect he’ll ever play again, though people do love a redemption story.
• The fact that Janay Rice has been so vocal in her defence suggests that this was a one off occurrence. I hope for everyone’s sake that it was.
• I don’t like the idea of judging people by singular acts or professions or traits. We’re all multi-faceted beings with many flaws and strengths. However Ray Rice is going to have to live with this event for a long time, regardless of whether or not he is remorseful or changed.
• Why did it take the video being leaked by TMZ for the NFL to really take this seriously? (Because the initial punishment was not in any way serious). Is the image of a woman being knocked unconscious so much worse than the idea that it had happened?
• Or (cynically) was it more that once we had all seen it, the incident could no longer just be brushed under the carpet?
• For an organisation so single-mindedly built upon profits, you’d think the NFL would care a little more about a potential audience demographic that makes up 50% of the world’s population.
• Do we believe that nobody in any power saw the video before TMZ released it? There’s certainly a plausible argument that TMZ bought exclusive rights or something.
• Isn’t TMZ just the worst thing to ever happen to the fourth estate?
• I like that Coach Harbaugh is sticking by the Rice’s as people, while condemning the act. Clearly he can no longer represent that team but he’s still a human being. It was a disgusting act yet we’re all entitled to second chances.
• Still, I struggle to even comprehend the notion that someone could physically strike another person like that, let alone a woman. I guess I’m just a pacifist…
• Let’s not pretend that the NFL doesn’t glorify violence either. Nor does it ever really present women as equals.

• Would Ray Rice still have been cut if he were coming off of an MVP season? 

NFL Week 1       

Ah but what a week we had on the field! The Seahawks look every bit as flash as they did last season, keeping Aaron Rodgers is not something to be taken lightly. The Broncos showed us that they haven’t taken any steps backward either, while Peyton Manning showed Andrew Luck the level that he needs to get to. There were shock losses for the Patriots and the Bears, while AJ Green and Andy Dalton pulled one out of the bag for the Bengals, as did Christian Ponder for the Cardinals. The Eagles started flat against Jacksonville, though they soon found their wings… unlike the rest of their division, who all went down in a flaming heap of turnovers. The Texans snapped their losing streak, while Minnesota may be better than we expected. And Atlanta showed that they’re back in business with an overtime win over the Saints. 

What The Hell Antonio Brown!?

To his credit, the punter on the end of that boot had a pretty funny twitter response.

Graham Gano’s Practice Gets Interrupted

Chauncey Billups Retires

Best of luck for the future to Chauncey Billups: Detroit Pistons’ legend and 2004 NBA Finals MVP. He’s hung up the kicks after 17 years. The first few were a bit of a mess, as he drifted between teams, getting traded and injured and labelled a draft bust. But in Detroit he found a home and he found success. Billups was a 5-time all-star and an NBA Champion in 2004. He returned to Detroit last season after stints with Denver, New York and the LA Clippers, though by then time was clearly catching up to the man known as “Mr Big Shot”. Here’s a little compo from the NBA.

On The Subject of Retiring

Floyd Mayweather said today that he expects to fight twice more after the upcoming Maidana rematch, and then retire. Which would presumably see him end at 49-0. I’m not exactly about to take his word on that, as I’m pretty certain that he’ll want to hit the half-century mark (and pass Rocky Marciano in the process). Then again, maybe he loses one of his last 3? Not likely but you never know. Perhaps he’s throwing down some bargaining power to the Pacquiao camp.

For one thing, Floyd certainly shouldn’t be looking too far past Marcos Maidana this Sunday, as Maidana gave him possibly the biggest challenge of the later stages of his career in May. That fight went the distance and Floyd took the majority decision though Maidana landed more punches than most have ever come close to against the undefeated Mayweather.

If he sticks to his current schedule, he’ll fight again next May, and once more in September. He’s definitely not one to rush his fights either, taking basically a full year off between his Cotto and Guerrero fights… though admittedly that period included a little prison stint.

A Technology Sassing

Jeremy Lin Playing Tricks Again

Quote of the Week:

Good Week:       

Calvin Johnson (Detroit Lions) – Megatron was on song early against the Giants in Week 1. His 164 receiving yards see him start the season atop those standings and he helped himself to a pair of TDs from his 7 receptions too. Clearly he remains the greatest WR in the NFL… which makes you wonder how he ends up with coverage like this:

Marshawn Lynch (Seattle Seahawks) – Just a casual 110 rush yards with 2 TDs. Keeping them fantasy owners all giggling with delight.

Giancarlo Stanton (Miami Marlins) – Not sure I’ve dedicated enough space to this guy this season. He’s been enormous. Even with his Marlins floundering, he’s managed to tie the franchise record for homers in a season (Dan Uggla - 154) and he’s definitely breaking that in the next few days. He has 37 this season (2nd in MLB, 1st in NL), along with an MLB-leading 105 RBI. We’re talking MVP candidate. Oh, and he’s dues a *massive* contract extension in the off season…

Bad Week:

Jadeveon Clowney (Houston Texans) – A torn meniscus in his NFL debut means that the number 1 pick in 2014 will miss the next 4-6 weeks. Which is better than initially feared. He underwent surgery almost as soon as they got him off the park (slight exaggeration) and hopefully his development won’t be too hampered. This certainly puts a delay on the whole Watt/Clowney duo thing.

Tony Romo (Dallas Cowboys) – A shocking game, really. He threw 3 first half picks and his team were out of it by the end of the first quarter. When your defence is THIS bad, the offence cannot miss a step. Yet Romo was clearly off the pace after being wrapped in cotton wool almost all preseason. Nice one, Garrett.

Milwaukee Brewers – Remember when they started so well and Ryan Braun was back to hitting homers and we’d all forgotten what a filthy cheat he is? Well, the Brewers have dropped 13 of their last 14 games and the playoffs are starting to slip away…

Player of the Week:

Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) – A career day for Matty Ice! He topped the league with 448 yards off of 31/43 passing, with 3 TDs and 0 INTs. Shows what a difference a pair of elite WRs can make. Ryan was excellent, taking Drew Brees head on and beating him. The Falcons are BACK!

Upcoming Dates (NZ Time):

September 30 - MLB Postseason Begins

October 22 - MLB World Series Begins

October 29 - NBA Regular Season Begins