VIDEO: Tucker Carlson calls for Mike Vick to be Executed

Enjoy.

"I'm all for forgiveness, I think some things are unforgivable." - Tucker Carlson

"He's some creepy, rich, overpaid football player." - Tucker Carlson

"It's like the Donner Party becoming the spokesman for vegetarianism." - Tucker Carlson

"Why can't the president (Obama) acknowledge the value of an unexpressed thought?" - Tucker Carlson

"He went to jail for two years... I mean... whatever..." - Tucker Carlson

Springsteen Band Member Disturbed By Praise Of Mike Vick

Nils Lofgren, solo artist and former member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, recently sent this open letter to "to the men and women of the sports reporting community" via ESPN. It was a pretty passionate letter explaining how he is disturbed by the attention Philadelphia Eagles QB Micheal Vick is getting for his spectacular performance this season. Here is one glaring quote from the letter than struck a nerve with me:

“When you do what Vick did, a second chance should never include the rare gift of an NFL career and the potential bounty it offers.”

First off, everyone is entitled to their opinion. I can't dispute that. And at the same time it is my right to disagree with said opinion. Which in this case, I disagree.

True be told, what Vick was convicted for was cruel and insensitive. He committed his crime with little regard for the consequence or without considering how it may be viewed. But the fact of the matter is that Vick has served his court appointed debt to society. He did his time. And to say that Vick shouldn't be in the NFL because his crime was against animals is preposterous.

Saying that he should not be allow "the rare gift of an NFL career" is a little off based to me. I think because of the high profile of the National Football League, most of the general public forget that an NFL position is, an essence, a job. They get paid a salary just like any other working class individual. If you want to point the finger at anyone for Vick's NFL career, than it should be pointed at the owners who are profiting hand over fist from anything he produces on the field.

Michael Vick is a professional football player. He makes his living between those sidelines. Saying that he shouldn't be allowed to play in the NFL is basically saying his should not be allowed to make a living in the career of his choice. Proclaiming that Vick should not be considered for the MVP award for his on the field performance is basically in line with saying an ex-con should never be considered for an Employee Of The Year merit, which is technically what the MVP is.

Many may disagree with my point of view on this, and I can accept that. But correct me if I am wrong, but isn't our correctional facility and judicial system in place to rehabilitate an individual to become a better member of our society? And in Vick's case, does that not appear to be what has transpired?

But as I said, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

-ALR

Michael Vick's Game Jersey Heading To Hall Of Fame

Per sources and this story from the Washington Post, Michael Vick's jersey from the Philadelphia Eagles 59-28 victory over the Redskins is being sent to be displayed in Canton.

In the Monday Night Football match up, Vick was 20-28 for 333 yards and 4 touchdowns while also running for an additional 80 yards and 2 scores. Vick was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for the second straight week, and is the first QB to receive the honor since Randall Cunningham back in 1998.

This has been quite a comeback story for Vick who was once the highest paid player in the NFL. Vick has looked better than ever and is currently leading the NFL with a 115.3 passer rating. Amazing story considering Vick wasn't the Eagles starting quarterback entering the season. If he can continue on this torrid pace Vick will definitely be a candidate for MVP.

Good job Mike; keep up the good play!

-ALR

To Catch a Kolb?

Well, that didn't take long.

Teams are already lining up to inquire about the services of the Philadelphia Eagles now backup QB, Kevin Kolb. ESPN's Sal Paolantonio reports that a number of teams have contacted the Eagles about the availability of the QB who just a month ago was considered the team's QB of the future, and a day ago, was still the teams starter.

Now, there's the perception that nothing is for sure, nothing is for certain, nothing last forever. Michael Vick has been named the starter for the team for this week's matchup at Jacksonville, and beyond. Teams with poor quarterback situations won't wait for the Eagles to make a rational decision about their own future, but rather try and pressure them to jettison a potential franchise player.

Kolb reportedly has the stuff that NFL scouts love to see in a quarterback. He's big (6'3", 220), strong-armed, and adept to running a west coast "cerebral" offense. He's the first NFL quarterback to throw for over 300 yards in each of his first two starts, filling in for an injured Donovan McNabb last season. He's also young (26) and while he wouldn't be cheap, in an NFL financial world where quarterbacks Sam Bradford ($50 million guaranteed) and Matt Cassel ($28 million guaranteed) can get paid long term without much of a resume', I'm sure some team can find a few nickles for a QB like Kolb.

Los Put Up Or Los STFU

Last week, via Twitter, Anthony Ramsey (@A_Ramsey) and I (@marcusjnorris) got into a debate over the Philadelphia Eagle starting QB situation. My position was Michael Vick should be the starter because he gives them the best chance to win. His argument was that Kevin Kolb is the future of the franchise, and shouldn't lose his job to injury after only one half of one game.

We both were right. Just ask us.

It was announced yesterday by head coach Andy Reid that Vick would remain the starter, but that was only hours after Reid said Kolb was the man. Amid the confusion, I was inspired to create a list of this weeks four "Los That Put Up, or STFU" sports storylines. These are the three stories where there is a lot of scuttlebutt about a particular situation, but there needs to be no more talking, just action.

(It could become a running theme, or my ADHD could kick in, and it will pass like bad gas. Either way...yeah...)

1.) Mike Vick is an NFL Starter Again, Now What?

We know (hope) he isn't fighting dogs anymore. We know (hope) he is studying and preparing better than he ever has in his career. But we also know (know) that he's still stuck behind a shaky line, and he leads the league in being sacked. Reid says that he's "Playing out of his mind" right now, but really, he's playing the same way he did when he was at an all-pro level with the Atlanta Falcons. Back then, he had great running games, good passing games, and the occasional 40 percent completion game. He's still a running QB, but he's shown that he's thinking at least a split second longer before deciding to run, and Reid is probably having visions of some Steve Young-in-his-prime type of performances.

Vick has always been a rallying source for every team he's ever played on, and the guys in the locker room seem to be his biggest fans (save Kolb). Ultimately, this is Vick's time to show and prove. He must win games, and he must win them now.

2.) Shed Not One Single Tear for Singletary

The San Francisco 49ers came into this season expecting to make the playoffs. They also apparently thought that once their opponents found out what they expected of themselves, that they'd just lie down, and let them reach their destiny. That's the only rationale I can use to explain their first 5 quarters of the 2010 season.

Now I admit, I'm a fan, so my views are skewed. I also know that head coach Mike Singletary is given the credit for his leadership ability, his motivation tactics, and his requirement that everyone hold himself accountable. Well, Mike, after watching the 49ers begin the season on such a flat note (against a division opponent, no less), and then the in-fighting about the play-calling, its best you carry the weight.

You lost to Pete Carroll, and his college-like enthusiasm. You decided to hire Old Man River (Jimmy Raye) to run your offense. You decided that Alex Smith was your best option at quarterback, when you could've pursued Donovan McNabb, Vick, or even kept Nate Davis. Your team almost completed an epic comeback against the New Orleans Saints on Monday night, but bonehead/untimely turnovers ultimately did you in, and now your team is 0-2, and a statistical longshot to make the playoffs. Bible quotes won't get you out of this one. Put up, or STFU.

3.) Carmelo Will Definitely, Maybe be Traded to Somebody or Nobody

I haven't heard the man himself, Carmelo Anthony, come out publicly and demand to be traded. But every two weeks or so, an un-named source speaks to reporters about a possible trade either being in the works, or totally out of the question. This is really infringing on my ability to focus entirely on the NFL start/MLB playoffs during the month of September, when the NBA should be in the further back recesses of my mind.

But Anthony is a top ten-to-fifteen NBA talent, and him switching addresses will have a definite impact on the landscape of the league. If he goes to New Jersey, as is rumored, then four- fifths of the NBA Futures (Lebron, D-Wade, Melo, Dwight Howard, and Kevin Durant) stock will reside in the Eastern Conference. If he moves to Los Angeles (Clippers), as is rumored, then he will be the first legit superstar NBA player to play for the Clippers while still in his prime. No, Elton Brand doesn't count.

Of course he could also just sign his max extension, stay in Denver, and the entire conversation is moot.

Either way, put up, or STFU so I can get my focus back to its proper place. Ya'll already got me for 82 games, plus playoffs, and an occaisional "Decision". I promise to DVR LaLa's new show if you wrap this situation up within the week.

NFL Week 2 "Good Idea, Bad Idea"

My apologies for slacking on the posts in the last week; your favorite blogger's favorite blog was on vacation in beautiful South Beach, Miami. I even made a trip by the home of the "NWO" (the 2010/2011 Miami Heat) and had to fight the urge to pin a "Runner Up" banner across the front of it (LAKERS!)... If you recall last month, fellow "Los That Sports Blog" contributor Rod mentioned an old segment of the classic 90's cartoon series Anamaiacs titled "Good Idea; Bad Idea". I figured, why not make this a weekly addition to the blog? So without further ado here are my picks for good moves and bad moves from a very good Week 2 in the NFL...

"Good Idea"
NY Jets opening up the passing game.

Now I'm not saying the Jets should allow Mark Sanchez to attempt 30 passes every game. But letting Sanchez throw the football against a weak New England Patriots defense was a brilliant game plan. The result; 21-30, 220 yards, 3 TDs. Not bad for a quarterback who was heavily criticized for his shaky & timid performance in week 1.

"Bad Idea"
Washington Redskins not triple teaming Andre Johnson.

Fact: Andre Johnson is arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL. With your team up 17 points over the Texans, who would you not force Matt Schaub to throw to someone else in the clutch? Granted, Washington did a solid job of bottling up RB Arian Foster (who racked up 231 yards against Indy) but giving up 497 passing yards at home is borderline embarrassing. Losing in overtime wasn't much better, either.

"Good Idea"
Eagles decision to let Vick start.

If you follow us on twitter (@a_ramsey, @marcusjnorris & @lostherod) then you may have noticed an ongoing debate we had last week regarding who should be the Philadelphia Eagles starting quarterback, Michael Vick or Kevin Kolb. My argument was that despite Vick's spectacular play early in the season, the Eagles should stick to their original plan and let Kolb start when/if healthy. My point of view was based on a few different factors; Kolb is clearly the future of the franchise (just turned 26) and needs reps to continue to grow with a young offense (DeSean jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Brent Celek & LeSean McCoy are all 25 or younger). But after watching the atrocity that currently is the Eagles offensive line, it's clear that Vick's athleticism gives them a better chance to stay competitive. Kolb would get killed behind blocking that bad. It has been enjoyable to see Vick making the plays that once made him the most exciting and highest paid player in the NFL. But nonetheless, Kolb has to be scratching his head at this point...

"Bad Idea"
Brett Favre missing virtually all of training camp.

Unless you were under a rock during the summer, you heard about Brett Favre returning to play quarterback for the Vikings (for the record, he was not retired and was under contract for 2010, meaning he was a holdout). Only problem was, star receiver Sidney Rice was to miss 10 weeks due to a hip injury, leaving Favre with very little to work with besides TE Visanthe Shiancoe & Percy Harvin (who has battled injuries himself). So far this season Favre has looked every bit his 40 years and has channeled his inner Cutler having turned the ball over 5 times in 2 games. Who knows, maybe if Favre would have attended camp he may be better in sync with the receivers Minnesota does have healthy. The Vikings have a chance to rebound this week against the Lions, so we'll see if they can get it together and save their season.

"The Ugly" *bonus*
Someone must have switched the DNA of Joe Flacco & Jay Cutler. Cutler has yet to throw a pick this season after leading the league in 2009, while Flacco has thrown a league leading 5 so far and is completing less than 50% of his passes...

As if Braylon Edward's beard and his version of "the Dougie" after he scored Sunday against NE wasn't bad enough, he compounded it by getting arrested for a DWI earlier this week. And you wonder why he didn't get much camera time on HBO's Hard Knocks...

A whopping four starting quarterbacks were benched last Sunday, Carolina's Matt Moore, Tennessee's Vince Young (surprise, surprise), Oakland's Jason Campbell and Jacksonville's David Garrard were all pulled for backups due to ineffectiveness. Where's the trust?

Just another week in the world's best reality series. Long Live the NFL!

-ALR

Quick Hitters

I just wanted to give my thoughts on a couple of things from the sports weekend...

- Michael Vick had his chance to prove what he can do against a not so great defense when the Eagles played the Lions. He threw for almost 300yds, 2 scores and made things happen when some other QBs would have been sacked. I think the intangible here is that Vick is probably the most athletic person on the field and he has escapability. He has the ability to turn a 5yd loss into a 35yd gain or even a TD run. Vick also showed he can put great touch on the ball while back pedalling, it was a great play even though it ended up incomplete after review. Kevin Kolb is going to be the starter next week and he has his chance to prove what he can do against a slightly better Jaguar defense. Good luck to Sir Kolb cause Vick has proven so far, based on the eye test, he should be the starter this season.

- In college football, Houston Cougars lost two of their QB's over the weekend. Senior Case Keenum went down with a torn ACL trying to make a tackle. This sparks the "When to Make The Jump..." debate. Keenum, a Heisman hopeful, could have and should have, made the jump to the NFL after his JR season. He put up video game numbers in Houston's offense last season and probably would have re-written some of the record books this season. Now he is out for the season and has the road to recovery to embark on.

Personally, I am torn on this debate because there are some hopefuls who have no business leaving early. They get gassed up by their respective circle of advisers, get a payday and end up failing. At the same time there are others, like Keenum and Sam Bradford before him, who should make the leap to the NFL early but end up getting injured in their last college season. Looks like in the end the good payday outweighs the potential of being successful. Dah Well, hope recovery goes well for Mr Keenum and he is able to do some productive things in the NFL.

Weekend Quick Hitters

The dubbed "Monster Saturday" for college football should have been the theme for the whole weekend in the sports world. I honestly think every sport had something going this past weekend, and I tells ya, it was great!!! Here are a few things that struck me from the eventful sports weekend...

- OSU's QB Terrelle Pryor is a superb athlete and coming into his own as a quarterback. He needs to work on the short game and some of the decision making to really set himself apart and get OSU to where they need to be, and that's national champs.

- Michigan QB Denard Robinson is what Rich Rodriquez has been waiting for. This kid knows what to do as far as reading blocks, hitting the right space to dart out TD runs and his passing isn't too shabby.

- Boise St was potentially robbed of a BCS National Championship berth due to the laugher Va Tech put up losing to James Madison. I am on record saying Boise St has a cupcake schedule and shouldn't get to go anyway, but I will say they do exactly what they are supposed to do, which is rip apart that cupcake schedule.

- I hope Carson Palmer doesn't keep a mental tab on how much he targets TO and Ocho. They both had 13, but Ocho put up monster numbers. Keeping them both happy and not winning will be an issue down in Cincy.

- Michael Vick should be Philly's starter. Kevin Kolb is not a bad QB by any stretch, I just think Vick will get the most out of that offense.

- Congrats to Kevin Durant and Team USA for winning the FIBA's. That was a very strong statement preparing for the 2012 Olympics.

- Oklahoma City Thunder will benefit the most from the Team USA experience. Kevin Durant took a huge step into becoming more than just a scoring champ and Russel Westbrook learned HOW to play gambling defense, rather than just doing it based on his athleticism.

- In local news your 3 contributors to this blog, @lostherod, @A_Ramsey, and @marcusjnorris, began the hoop season this past week. Best believe I, and hope they do to, will provide our own stats, successes and failures throughout the season. I know it's shameless, but dammit I wanna shine too!!!

- @lostherod