I’ve long been aware of the fact that professional athletes get to play by a different set of rules than the rest of us. Whether it’s their high powered attorneys, ridiculous sponsorship deals or simply their deep pockets, athletes can usually get away with shit that we wouldn’t dare dream of. This latest rant concerns Pac Man Jones (who else) and the gutless wonder that is Roger Goodell.

We’ve written a number of things about Goodell running the NFL with an iron fest, whether it’s barring alchohol from the locker rooms or simply making any form of contact a 15 yard penalty. He’s quick and willing to fine anybody that plays the game hard, but doesn’t have the guts to really take a stand with the bad eggs of the NFL. 

Of course, I’m talking about Pac-Man Jones, who, after being suspended for the entire 2007 season, was reinstated a few months back…only to get suspended again…and reinstated again. I’ve heard of the three strike rule, but Pac Man is pushing the Silver Sombrero for all the bullshit he’s been involved with at West Virginia and since getting drafted in the NFL.

Stop giving these idiots 3rd, 4th and 5th chances. Does anybody have any faith in Pac Man Jones to suddenly pull his head out of his ass? Would the average joe still be showing up to work after picking up three DUI’s like Jared Allen? Or how about if killing people with their car like Leonard Little did (albeit under the Tagliabue era)? Stop being a wrist slapper, Goodell. Start punishing the habitual line-steppers of the NFL.

Standings
Ryan: 70-66-5
Sonny: 67-69-5
Kevin: 66-70-5
Rich: 66-70-5

Ryan: Chiefs +5 over Saints. Sure, the Chiefs have one measly win in 2008. But they’ve played some pretty good football the last three weeks. Tyler Thigpen has strung together some nice performances in KC’s spread offense, and I look for that to continue against the awful Saints defense. Oh, and they get LJ back too.
Kevin: Saints -5 over Chiefs.
Sonny: Chiefs +5 over Saints.
Rich: Chiefs +5 over Aints.

Ry: Dolphins -10 over Raiders. Double digit underdogs have been money all season in the NFL. Not Oakland though, they’re awful.
K: Dolphins -10 over Raiders.
S: Dolphins -10 over Raiders.
Ri: Dolphins -10 over Failures.

Ry: Ravens +7 over Giants. This one pits two of the best defenses in the NFL. In a game like that, I’m inclined to take the points when they’re given to me. The Giants could be due for a letdown after games against Pittsburgh, Dallas and Philadelphia. I’m not endorsing a Ravens win here, but it could definitely happen if Joe Flacco keeps playing well.
K: Giants -7 over Ravens.
S: Ravens +7 over Giants.
Ri: Giants -7 over Ravens

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As each day passes, I feel like we’re closer and closer to seeing Terrell Owens again laying on his front yard, doing crunches saying no comment.  It’s a day I certainly am looking forward to, and if the Cowboys continue to struggle (and with Brad Johnson or Brooks Bollinger at the helm, they most certainly will) then this T.O. meltdown could happen sooner than expected.

The signs of this implosion have been long in coming.  Even though the Cowboys started the year off hot, Owens wasn’t getting as many passes as he would like (all of them) and judging from his past, it would seem we’re nearing the end of his tenure with the Cowboys.

Then there was the Tony Romo injury, and things went from bad to worse.  With an incompetent, should be retired has been throwing him the ball, the outlook was bleak.  And when the Cowboys got Roy Williams from the Detroit Lions, the question wasn’t necessarily was it a fair trade, the question was how is T.O. going to react.  That isn’t normally a good thing.  And we know Williams is going to take catches away from Owens, that’s what happens when you have two good receivers on the field at the same time.

Now Owens is telling the coaches how to do their job, that is, to look back at 2007 and see how they got him the ball, and replicate that in 2008.  Owens appears to be re-realizing that the world does in fact revolve around him.  I would suggest getting your office pools going about when this train wreck happens.  In the meantime, I’ll be getting my popcorn ready.

Standings
Ryan: 65-58-5
Rich: 62-61-5
Kevin: 62-61-5
Sonny: 59-64-5

Ryan: Jags -7 over Lions: I know the Jags have been one of the league’s biggest letdowns, but Detroit is just horrific. And with the Jags giving up only a touchdown, I’m inclined to take them. It’s a game Jacksonville has to win to keep their season alive, so I don’t see them slipping up.
Rich: Jags -7 over Lions.
Kevin: Lions +7 over Jaguars.
Sonny: Jags -7 over Lions.

Ry: Bears +3 over Titans. So Tennessee knocks off their division rival, stays undefeated and are only favored by a field goal? This seems to have trap game written on it. Kyle Orton is doubtful, but I’m confident the Sex Cannon, Rex Grossman, can get the job done. Bears win on a Robbie Gould walkoff.
Ri: Bears +3 over Jeff Fisher’s mullet.
K: Titans -3 over Bears.
S: Bears +3 over Kerry Collins turning it over.

Ry: Pats -4 over Bills. Even without Tom Brady, I still think the Pats are the class of the AFC East. Buffalo has recently found out how hard it is to win when people expect you to win. The Patriots know all about this. The Bills lost at home to a more experienced Jets team last week, and I think they lose to a more experienced Pats team here.
Ri: Bills +4 over Patriots.
K: Bills +4 over Patriots.
S: Pats -4 over Da Bills.

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At long last, the Brady Quinn era finally began in Cleveland last night. And while it ended in typical Cleveland heartbreak, the Browns must be excited about what they saw out of franchise quarterback Brady Quinn, making his first start after rotting on the sidelines for the last 24 regular season games. The former Notre Dame quarterback went 23-35 for 239 yards and 2 touchdowns, and even inaccurately blamed the loss on himself.

“I told everyone, this one is flat on me,” Quinn said. “I know I am good enough that I can make a play at the end and win. I felt comfortable out there, it’s my home away from home.”

Trotting out in a jersey two sizes too small and showing off his trademark cannons, Quinn looked very mobile and confident for the Browns. I’ve never seen a quarterback’s midriff on every play in a game, but it’s hard to criticize Quinn for much last night. Were it not for Kellen Winslow’s act of sabotage (or, in soldier-speak, treason), Quinn would be 1-0 and the Browns’ season wouldn’t be flushed down the tubes at 3-6.

For the Donks, the win ensures that Denver will sit alone in first place after this weekend, no matter what happens in the Chargers-Chiefs game. But it confirmed a few things. Jay Cutler is playing like the most reckless quarterback in football. Sure, he threw for almost 450 yards, but had at least four Favre-esque throws that were begging to get picked off and taken to the house. Also, much-hyped running back Ryan Torain tore his ACL, finishing his season. But thanks for the 12 fantasy points, Ryan!

Another story to take out of last night’s surprisingly great game? Brandon Marshall’s touchdown celebration, where he was planning on taking out a black and white glove in order to honor racial harmony and President-elect Barack Obama. Of course, wily veteran and honkey Brandon Stokley put an end to that fun, saving the Broncos a sure 15 yard penalty.

In response to Joey Porters recent questioning about why Matt Jones has not been suspended by the NFL yet (seriously, this is a legitimate question) Jones decided to take the high road…and question Porter’s sexuality.

“I don’t even know why he’s even thinking about me,” Jones said. “I mean, maybe he likes other men and sits up and thinks about stuff, so I don’t know.”

Really Matt, you went there?  What image of you is he thinking of?  The one pictured above, that one right after you got caught cutting up cocaine in your car with a credit card?  Or maybe its this one, with the flowing locks of hair.  Or is it this ruggedly handsome photo of your pasty body in a tank top?

Are you sure he lays awake and thinks about you?  Or does he think about you when he’s “in nightclubs, dancing with his shirt off like a girl.”  Maybe you and Brandon can team up and do some lines of coke and then commit some act of domestic violence.  Then, while still hyped up on cocaine, you two can run your mouths a little bit more about Joey Porter.  That seems to be what the two of you are best at.

Take my advice, lay off the nose candy and serve your suspension, like we all know you need to.  Hey maybe you can use those three weeks to brush up on your smack-talking skills, “he likes men” just doesn’t cut it after you graduate from elementary school.