Merriman to Play this Season Despite Injury

San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman decided he'll play this season despite two torn ligaments in his left knee and he will wait until the off season to have surgery. He had surgery to repair cartilage damage five months ago, but has still had pain in his knee all throughout this season's training camp.

I know Merriman is trying to be a team player and set an example for the team by being the "tough guy" who will play through the pain for the good of the team. However, I think this is a horrible decision on his part. Do you think the team is going to take this into consideration during contract negotiations? The answer is no. The team will say, "oh your numbers are down and we aren't confident you can stay healthy." Thus a pay cut will ensue, or worse yet he tries to play on his already jacked up knee and makes it far worse.

This is a lose-lose situation for Shawne if you ask me. The fans in San Diego would be disappointed if he couldn't play this season due to injury / surgery, but the NFL is a dog eat dog world and he should be looking out for the Top Dog, himself.

Minnesota Vikings Hire New Coach

Breaking News....

The Minnesota Vikings' brass have taken a giant step forward in helping the team win a weak NFC Central Division by hiring Legendary in-state coach Hayden Fox this week.

Angry Jim Leyland looses 'stache while yelling at team

The Onion reports that Jim Leyland's mustache fell off his face recently while yelling at his hapless Tigers.

OU Grizzlies Men Ballers have tough schedule

The OU Grizzlies are accustomed to having a tough non-conference schedule in years passed.... and this upcoming season's schedule is no different. The Grizz square off against Oregon (Nov. 17), Syracuse (Nov. 21), Iowa (Nov. 23), Kansas State (Nov. 25), make an appearance in a Las Vegas Tournament (Nov. 28-29) and then have contests versus in-state foes Michigan (Dec. 20) and Michigan State (Dec. 27)

Team USA Goes for Gold and Change of Perception

In 2004, not only was the American basketball team a huge disappointment in not winning gold, but also were widely criticized for acting like jerks on and off the court while in Greece. Well the Redeem Team is not only likely to win gold easily sunday, but also leave having changed the perceptions of American athletes from aloof superstars to patriotic approachable men.

Lebron, Kobe and Dwayne Wade have signed endless autographs and were seen cheering on Michael Phelps at the water cube as he competed for one of his many medals, something that the 2004 ballers never did.

Also a few great stories have taken place this week in China. Saturday night as the Americans prepared to face Spain in the gold-medal game. It was a game of P.I.G. played between Bryant and Adam Wright of the U.S. water polo team.

Shot 1: Dunk. "P" for Wright.

Shot 2: 3-pointer. "I" for Wright.

Shot 3: A shot from behind the backboard, over the glass and swish! "G" for Wright

In a second story ....

Michael Redd described a mob of Chinese fans following him through a mall as he was shopping. He got requests for quick pictures and autographs, he couldn't believe he was being recognized in a country so far from the U.S.!

"They know all our stats, they know where we come from, they know everything about us," he said. "It's amazing -- it really is -- just how popular basketball has gotten. It really has gone global."

Michigan Preview

Many college football analysts, magazines and fans alike are very interested in the situation going on in Ann Arbor this season. Michigan, the university with the most wins in college football history is not making news on how high they may finish, but how low.

Many predict Michigan to finish in the middle of the pack in the Big Ten this year, maybe 5th or 6th. Sports Illustrated even went as far as to predict that the Wolverines would finish 8th with a 5-7 overall record. Im not buying it. I too am thinking that Michigan will be down a bit this season...but to not even make a bowl? I say Michigan will drop, but can still come through with 7 or 8 wins, and here is my reasoning behind it.

All the focus has been put on the fact Michigan doesn't have a running quarterback. This is true but Rich Rodriguez has also ran successful offenses with throwing quarterbacks. The biggest example of this is when he coached Shaun King at Tulane and allowed him to be drafted into the NFL as a passer, not a runner.

Michigan also has too much talent to not make a Bowl game. The talent surrounding the Michigan quarterback, most likely Steven Threet consists of dozens of blue chip prospects such as top recievers Greg Matthews, Daryl Stonum and Toney Clemons. A very talented backfield with Carlos Brown, Brandon Minor and true freshman Sam McGuffie and Michael Shaw. Look for McGuffie and Shaw to play plenty right away, being used in Reggie Bush type situations getting out in the open field and allowing their athletic ability to take over.

The defense is going to be tough this year with guys like Brandon Graham and Terrance Taylor applying the pressure up front. Linbackers Obi Ezeh and Jonus Mouton being able to cover sideline to sideline. And maybe one of the best defensive backfields in a while at Michigan with Donovan Warren, Morgan Trent, Boubacar Cissoko and Stevie Brown.

On top of all the talent, Michigan also has a different, more aggresive philosophy on how to use this top talent. I believe gone are the days of laying back hoping the talent will come through. Here are the days of aggressive play, making sure the top talent not only comes through, but dominates.

FavreCenter

Wow, SportsCenter has been a joy to watch in the last couple weeks. They have brought us such insights as Brett Favre ran a penalty lap at practice for dropping a snap .... and Brett Favre's arm is tired.

I think I speak for everyone outside of New York when I say, who the Hell cares??? I could care less if a 38 year old quarterback runs a lap at practice or is tuckered out from a day of throwing.

Dear ESPN Brass,

Can your crack squad of elite reporters dig a little deeper into the sports world for information rather then giving us a minute by minute analysis of Favre's every training camp move?

Sincerely,

The General Public

Redeem Team Shooting Needs to Improve

Team USA has gotten past China and Angola easily in the first two games of the Olympics, but they now are heading into a much more difficult stretch of games. Upcoming on the schedule are Spain and Greece.

In games 1 & 2, its looked more like an NBA All-Star game with tons of dunking and big blocked shots. What's been lacking from Team USA is 3 point shooting. The Americans shot 5-of-21 from behind the arc against Angola and just 7-of-24 against the Chinese.

Now some of that I'm sure has to do with the American players trying to adjust to a shorter 3 point line, a different feel to the ball and not being used to being so wide open for shots. However, to beat the Spanish and Greek teams, the guards need to start knocking down the long ball.

Rich Rodriguez vs Mike Martz

The word out of U of M training camp is of course the noticeable differences in the offensive sets from Lloyd Carr to Rich Rodriguez. Rodriguez has empty backfields, two tailbacks in the backfield, running backs lining up as receivers and receivers lining up as running backs. It all sounds very fun and exciting given Michigan's past monotonous ground and pound offense. However, I just can't help but worry that this will all end much like the fate of Mike Martz's tenure in Detroit.

As a life long Michigan fan, I hope this of course turns out better then the Mike Martz era in Detroit. And I know Rodriguez has proven himself at multiple schools and has more of a commitment to the run then that of Martz....but it just all sounds too similar to the excitement that Martz generated when he rode into town his first year as a Lion and I am keeping my hopes low for the moment.

The one thing I do know is that U of M's new offense will be tested in Week 1 against a team that is no joke in the Utah Utes.

Takeo Spikes to Lions or Niners?

Detroit Lions sources are saying the team has offered free agent linebacker Takeo Spikes a contract and are just waiting to hear back if he accepts the offer or not. Coach Marinelli has said should the Lions sign Spikes he'd love to put him at strong side linebacker. Ernie Sims and Takeo Spikes together? That sounds like a great tandem!

Although other NFL sources are reporting that Spikes is on his way to San Francisco to take a physical. The 49ers offered Spikes a one-year, $1.5 million contract a month ago, but he turned it down.

Favre to Start Preseason Game 2

NY Jets Head Coach Eric Mangini announced today that Brett Favre would be the starting Quarterback for game 2 of the preseason despite Favre having just reported to training camp a couple days ago and still has to learn a totally new offense. Mangini then broke the news to Favre that the Jets were 4-12 last year and are not expected to be any better this year..... Favre is expected to tearfully retire again by wednesday.

Placido Chokes Up

The Onion Sports caught Placido Polanco choking up on the bat at a recent game.

Pre Season Game 1 vs NY Giants

A few thoughts on the Detroit Lions first pre-season game vs. the New York Giants.

• The Lions are standing by their vow to run the ball more this year, however it didn't look very effective. The run block looks pretty bad at this point.
• Kevin Smith seems to be the best running back the Lions have on the roster. In game 1 he looked agile and looks like he could be productive should the run blocking improve.
• Gosder Cherilus isn't ready to start, he made quite a few rookie mistakes in game 1.
• The Lions linebacking core is shaky, but Buster Davis had a fairly impressive outing. He is undersized, but I think he could rise up the depth chart if he keeps playing well.
• Drew Stanton looked impressive and aggressive running around the field last night, but he'll need to show he can stay in the pocket and throw for first downs if he plans to be the starting QB someday.

Another Lions Signing

The Detroit Lions have signed yet another former Tampa Bay Buccaneer. The Lions have agreed to terms with this 8 year old, used blocking sled. Terms of the deal were not announced.

This particular sled was used by Rod Marinelli's defensive line in Tampa Bay from 2000-2005. When asked about the signing, coach Marinelli said, "This is a big move by our club. I know what to expect out of this sled, and this sled knows what to expect from me. This is going to make this team better."

Survey Time:

Which ex-Bucs signing will make the biggest impact on the Lions?

a. The Sled
b. Brian Kelly
c. Kalvin Pearson
d. Teddy Lehman (Yes, I said Teddy Lehman)
e. None of the Above

Wow! What a surpise... or not

The second stint of often-injured linebacker Teddy Lehman in Detroit looks to be over.

The Lions placed Lehman on the IR after he suffered a hamstring injury. Detroit is expected to cut Lehman and sign free-agent linebacker Darnell Bing.

Who is to Blame?

Here is the first interactive poll for all you Game Face viewers......

Who is to blame for the Detroit Tigers meltdown of 2008?

1. Dontrelle Willis and his inability to crack the rotation.
2. The three headed monster of Rodney, Zumaya, and Jones in the bullpen.
3. Jim Leyland complacent managing style (no steals, hit and runs or bunts)
4. Justin Verlander not pitching like a slump stopping ace.
5. Trade of Jair Jurjenns and Gorkys Hernandez for Edgar Renteria.

Another Buc Available

John Lynch is now a former Denver Bronco. And more importantly for the Lions, a former Tampa Bay Buccaneer. Could Lynch be the next Buccalion?

Breathe a Sigh of Relief!

FHEW! Relax everyone.... the Pistons have FINALLY resigned Walter Hermann to another 1 year contract. You can celebrate tonight knowing that the "One Man Full Court Press" will be in Detroit another year.

Are You Playing or Not?

I usually like to think, because it's mostly true, that the NHL is the most gentleman-like sport of the major sports. There are rarely issues with superstars having over-inflated egos. You almost never hear of contract holdouts. Even the fights end on good terms with the combatants giving each other a pat on the head or a nod of respect.

However, there is an ugly element to the NHL that has popped up in the past couple of years. It's the "Am I going to retire or not" decision by some of the aging superstars in the league. These players are literally holding their respective teams hostage. Last season the Anaheim Ducks had to wait until the midway point of the season before Scott Neidermayer and Teemu Selanne decided to play the rest of the season for the defending Stanley Cup Champions. At that point, the Ducks welcomed back the two stars, but had to discard two regulars who played those positions for the majority of the season up to that point.

The Vancouver Canucks are kind of going through the same issue right now. They offered free agent, Mats Sundin, a two year - $20 million contract. And Mats doesn't know if he wants to continue playing or not. He's not going to decide until mid to late August, which by the way is about two weeks before training camp opens. Meanwhile, that's $10 million the Canucks haven't been able to target other players with for the upcoming season. They've made a few minor signings which haven't really improved their team. If Sundin decides he wants to retire, the Canucks have missed out on the free agent bonanza that has already taken place.

The same thing is taking place in Colorado. Long time captain Joe Sakic is taking the summer to decide on his future. The Avalanche haven't been able to participate in free agent spending until they know how much money they need or don't need for Sakic.

Of course, part of the blame does have to go the teams for allowing this to take place. If you're a GM, you can't allow your team to be put on hold by one player.

C'mon NHL and team GM's. Let's not create prima donnas in hockey. If a guy needs take half a year or more to decide whether he wants to play, then he's probably not worth waiting for.