Ray Rice got a standing O at practice

At a practice a few days Ray Rice got a standing ovation. I get the fans "rooting for their guy" and all that but holy shit is it a bad look. Think about it, what are they really applauding for? Is it simply just that their guy is there and he can play? That's only because the NFL came down on him like feather. It reminds me so much of when Joe Paterno was being taken down. I was just as disgusted at the students almost rioting because JoePa let someone rape children.

It's just sort of upsetting I guess.

593 words about how little I care about Johnny Manziel

All the camo hats and lewd bumper stickers you could ask for.

If you've never actually seen or been inside a Flying J, I'll try and describe it for you. It's basically like as if every FW: FW: FW: FW: FW: email your grandma has ever sent somehow came to life and opened a gas station. They're not just gas stations though they're also trucking hubs with showers, food, and all that shit. They feature the finest garments and entertainment a roadside gas station can have. Growing up in central Ohio there was one on the way to basically anywhere so naturally I might have stopped at it once or twice. It wasn't until many years later I realized the error in my ways, that I might now be paying Johnny Manziel's paycheck. I could go for one of those showers now. This has nothing to do with anything really except that I didn't learn until shamefully late in my life that the Browns owner Jimmy Haslam owns these things.

This NFL off-season has been a race to see who can not care about Manziel the most as well as who can be the most tired of all the coverage. Literally every time the guy does anything you can bet the next day will feature podcast after podcast of first, everyone saying how sick they are of him followed by two hours of explaining every detail of what he did wrong and what he should have done differently. We are reaching truly meta-levels of tiredness now, as I'm writing about how I'm sick of hearing everyone else write about how they're tired of Johhny Manziel. Cool.

The latest thing that happened that no one cares about and yet everyone cares about was when owner Jimmy Haslam spoke that the Browns expect more out of Manizel. Paraphrasing it he said he(Manziel) admitted he made mistakes and that the Browns are excited to see what he can do on the field. Pardon, my scoff but isn't Haslam that last person who should be criticizing someone for their actions off the field. Is he not the person whose very company has been under investigation for fraud with several guilty please already entered? I mean I get the two aren't really that comparable but it just doesn't sit well with me.

At any rate Manziel has been consistent in his right to party saying, again I'm paraphrasing: I'm 21 if I want to have a night life I can, if I want to have my picture taken with rolled dolla billz I can, and if I want to party with the Biebs, I can. Sidenote: I still think it's hilarious that the partying with Justin Bieber is the worst thing Manziel has done this off-season. Not even the suspected drug abuse got people this riled up. Do whatever the fuck you want but for God-sakes don't hang out with Bieber.

What every single person in the world is waiting for is for football season to start though I can't help but wonder why people think this will take away the focus on Manziel. If anything it's going to heat up. If Hoyer does bad there will be unbelievable pressure to start Manziel. Then, if Manziel does bad everyone will blame Bieber and his late-night shenanigans. The Browns should have known the circus they were inviting to town when they drafted him which makes their perceived surprise about all of this even more unbelievable. Not even the return of Lebron can take all the focus off of Manziel. I think his return covered him up for about two weeks.

After a rough weekend, I feel 100% better about Ray Rice

NFL senior vice president of labor policy Adolpho Birch alleviated many peoples' thoughts (including my own!) that the NFL had dropped the ball on Ray Rice and the bigger picture of sending a strong message that the NFL will not tolerate domestic violence. 

"But if it is a question about what the principle of the league is and what standards we stand by, that cannot be questioned. I think it is absolutely clear to all involved that the NFL does not condone domestic violence in any way and will not tolerate it in our league. I don't know how you can reach a conclusion other than that although I certainly respect the opinion."

There you have it, folks. The NFL doesn't support or condone domestic violence.  I can't tell you how nice it is knowing this after years of thinking they were pro-beating your wife. 

The alleviation train didn't stop there however:

"On balance, we reviewed all the materials, listened to the persons we listened to, took the input of the Players Association. When we looked on balance at all of that, we believe that discipline we issued is appropriate. It is multiple games and hundreds of thousands of dollars. I think that's fair to say that doesn't reflect that you condone the behavior. I think we can put that to rest."

I cannot stop laughing at that multiple. Just say it with me: "Multiple games"... How this person said that with a straight face is beyond me. They must truly believe that it's a fitting punishment.

When pressed for whether or not the league had seen some tape that no one else has seen yet, Mr. Birch wouldn't say.

I don't really want to write out how ridiculous this whole thing is because I believe that anyone with an ounce of a brain or humanity can see for themselves.

Bob Bowlsby: "I'd rather die than not be able to pad our schedules with FCS fodder".

Yesterday Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby made headlines during the annual Big 12 state-of-the-conference speech when he said cheating pays in NCAA sports. This came as a surprise to literally no one since everyone already knows this. What's unusual is this is coming from a major conference commissioner. Bowlsby went on to say enforcement is broken and anyone wants to cheat can do so easily.

I just can't get over how ridiculous it is. Bowlsby also said that all of these little things like college athletes trying to be treated faitly (get some kind of compensation for the billions of dollars they make for the schools - i.e. the O'Bannon case) are, well, just really putting schools in a tough spot. He said that, you know, they might just not be able to pay for collegiate sports like swimming and others. I don't like to type things in all caps but pretend I typed the following in all caps: This is coming from the guy who one of his own schools just offered to pay Nick Saban 100 million dollars. (I know it's not the same, I just wanted to link that). Bowlsby is a good guy, though. Really, that's what it's about: You can't do anything for any college athelete because you'd have to do it for everyone, female athletes and the less popular sports. I guess that's a good enough reason to do nothing and end the discussion.

Bolwby wasn't done saying stupd things yesterday, however. Today on Mike and Mike Bowlsby clarified his remarks, emphasizing that he really things most schools play by the books. There's just a few bad apples out there (mostly to the south and east of the Big 12). The dumbest part of the interview was how Bowlsby repeatedly asserted the importance of the "most visible 5 conferences", something I don't disagree with... They are driving the bus as far as NCAA athletics goes. However, in the same interview he advocated for the autonomy of the visible 5, he said when asked about whether or not the FCS conferences should be able to play their season in the Spring so as to not compete with the FBS for viewers, he said, and I'm paraphrasing, "I think it'd be best for the conferences to stick together" and "The FBS schools want to be part of us (the big 5). Lots of commas there, btw. I mean obviously not if they're thinking about going to the Spring to get away from you. I wonder why the commisioner of a major conference would think it's best for FCS schools to stay where they are? I'm sure it's because they are thinking of the best interests for the student athletes. I mean what kid wouldn't want to be shown on national television on the losing side of a 70-3 beat down?

It's hypocrisy is what it is.

Wiggins for Love: It's Complicated

If it doesn't work in Cleveland there is a lucrative position as backup Justin Timberlake available.

Since Lebron declared he was returning home to Cleveland there has been a ton of outward and behind the scenes talks between the Cavs and Timberwolves about a trade for all-star forward Kevin Love. However, talks were stalled as the Cavs were refusing to include #1 overall pick Andrew Wiggins in any trade talks. Today, though the Cavs announced they would be willing to part with Wiggins in exchange for Love.

There has been a bunch of talks about whether this would be worth it not. Since this is for the most part shit I don't I know anything about I can only offer essentially an idiot's take on the whole thing.

To me it really comes down to a proven commodity vs. the prospect of future greatness and winning now vs. most likely winning later. With Kevin Love you get a proven all-star talent albeit there are some questions about whether or not he is all that. Some people make the argument that since the Timberwolves have never been to a playoff game with him that he must not be that good. This seems pretty ridiculous to me, since they are well the Timberwolves. Lebron and Love's playstyles would surely meld together quite well. And with the recent addition of Lebron favorite Mike Miller the Cavs would have a potent offense.

Wiggins on the other hand has the most upside of anyone. Some speculated he could be the greatest player, since well Lebron and again Lebron's playstyle would meld perfectly with him. Then again Lebron's playstyle would fit well with anyone.

It's really an interesting discussion. While Lebron is still "young" he is getting up there at least as far as NBA players go. He probably has 5 or so years in his prime. When Lebron went to Cleveland he made sure not to make any promises like he did with Miami and indeed cautioned that the Cavs are and will be a work in progress for some time. Nonetheless we see with the probable trade for Love as well as Miller that the Cavs are serious about winning now. The East is still by far the weakest of the conferences so simply adding these players should guarantee at least a spot in the conference finals. With Lebron essentially acting as a GM he should get ultimate say. Lebron's going to Cleveland was much about him wanting control over the team as it was about going home.

The Cavs should trade for Love. Although Lebron may or may not be chasing Jordan anymore, winning is still important, obviously. Wiggins could very well be the greatest thing since sliced bread but that doesn't change the fact that there are still unknowns regarding him while Love is a proven winner now. Some things may be uncertain like injuries or big trades, that's why it's important to capitalize on known commodities now.

Lebron goes back to Cleveland

Like a lot of people I'm a big softie for sentimentalism and the idea that some day Lebron would go back to Cleveland to right the wrong and bring a city that's been dying for winning in any sport a title or two was an idea I've been in love with for a long time.

From the moment the Spurs destroyed the Heat last month there has been non-stop speculation that Lebron was going to explore his options. Once he opted out of his contract that speculation was turned up to 11 on the dial. Was he opting out to get a better contract that would be more friendly to the Heat so they could get some help like Carmelo? Or was it because he was getting ready to return his talents to Cleveland. 

From a pure basketball angle Cleveland is actually a better choice than Miami right now. The Heat roster is aging and saddled with bad contracts specifically Wades'. Pat Riley is nothing if not loyal to his players, in this case to a fault. Cleveland on the other hand is young and improving. Kyrie Irving is a star set to become a superstar and with the now likely trade of Wiggins for Love that team could be very good. Oh and now they have Lebron. 

For his return to Cleveland, Lebron has decided to post a low key essay on his reasons rather than the brash press conference from 2010. In it he describes how Cleveland will always be his home, how he is at heart simply a guy from Northeast Ohio, and how ultimately he wants to help the kids there; To show them that there is no better place to be from. He wants to raise his kids in his hometown. I think Lebron is a genuinely good guy. The Decision was a mistake but he has owned that. Is he a bit arrogant, sure, but you can be when you're the best in the world at something.  It was never in doubt that Lebron would someday return but so soon I think has caught some people off guard. 

He briefly mentions Dan Gilbert saying that the two have worked out their problems, meeting as men. I'm interested in knowing more about that. What exactly was said between them? How did Gilbert apologize for his infamous letter? I hope these details come out over time. 

Lebron's return will set forth a domino effect and by the end of today we could see Bosh as a Rocket, Pau Gasol as a Spur and Carmelo... Likely still as a Knick. Speaking of which I'm sick of hearing people complain that Lebron waiting so long to do this was because he's selfish, that he owes other basketball players the right to know what he's going to do so they can make their own decisions. I don't know why he waited so long, maybe like Broussard said it's so Gilbert could properly make amends because of the letter. But the notion that Lebron owes others to make this decision quickly is garbage. Lebron is in business for himself and the only factor in what he does should be if it's best for him. The other players should make their decisions based on what's best for them. Bosh should have taken that deal from the Rockets the second they offered it instead of waiting around to see what Lebron will do. He will make way more money than he could with the Heat and plus his skills will be much better utilized there.

 Remember when Summer was the dead time for sports?

I'm happy for Lebron and Cleveland. Cleveland fans have suffered for decades between the Cavs and Browns. But now with Lebron back home and Manziel as quarterback Cleveland may still lose some but it will definitely not be boring.