Al Davis is at it again.  He is looking to bring in yet another new coach to the Raiders.  After only one season in Oakland, Raiders owner Al Davis wants Lane Kiffin to resign.  Davis would like to bring in former Cardinals and Vikings head coach Dennis Green.

  In a story from ESPN reporter Chris Mortensen:

"Davis has gone so far as to draft a letter of resignation for Kiffin to sign, a source said. Kiffin has refused to do so but has dared Davis to fire him instead. The letter, the source said, was sent to Kiffin two weeks ago.

Kiffin, who was 4-12 in his first season as coach, has two years remaining on his contract at an estimated $2 million per year.

In the letter sent to Kiffin's legal representatives, Davis stated that only he would have control over his staff and full personnel decisions, sources said. According to a source close to Kiffin, Davis had promised Kiffin when he hired him that he would have more control over staff and personnel matters than recent Raiders coaches. Kiffin was allowed five offensive assistants and to name his own staff when he took the job after the 2006 season."


This would be the fourth head coach in four years for the Raiders and fifth coach in six years.  The secret to success is not instability.  Maybe Al's last face lift was a little to tight and it has since impaired his judgement. 

Kiffin had more than just being a rookie head coach against him last season.  He had no stability in many important positions.  He started three different QBs in McCown, Culpepper, and #1 pick JaMarcus Russell.  He also had three different starting RBs as well in Fargas, Jordan, and Rhodes.  Lets not forget that there was a reason why Oakland had the number one overall pick in the first place.  Kiffeen took over the worst team in the NFL.

Lane Kiffin like many coaches should be given at least one more year.  That way Oakland could bring in Bill Cower, a proven winner and hard nosed coach.  Just what the Raiders need.  Besides with Dennis Green, HE IS WHAT WE THOUGHT HE WAS!  Is this really the task that Dennis Green wants or needs to take on at this point of his life?

  Remember Al Davis is the same man who said John Gruden couldn't win the big game.  After trading Gruden to Tampa Bay Gruden then proiceeded to spank the Raiders in the BIG GAME the very first year.  That should have been his first clue that he has lost his touch.

Lets talk about irony in sports. I am not talking about irony like Sheryl Crow did either. Her type is rain on your wedding day. That isn’t ironic, that is a sign! That means run! Besides, a wise man once said " a man doesn’t realize what true happiness is until he gets married, unfortunately by then it is too late!

Sports irony happens all the time. Sometimes it can be more of poetic justice than irony.

The Motor City/State- It’s ironic in Michigan, the auto capitol of the world, the head football coach of the football team had a last name of Carr, then tried to replace him with a coach named Les Miles! 

 The Cashman- It’s ironic that the New York Yankees, the "Evil Empire", MLB’s richest franchise, has a GM with the last name of Cashman. Brian Cashman is the GM with the highest payroll in all of sports! Cashman has signed players to their highest contracts to come to New York. Although, if the Yankees are such a great organization, why do they have to pay so much more for players than other teams do? In 2007 the Yankees had 5 of the top 10 paid player salaries and had the top three in Giambi, Rodriguez, and Jeter.

The Magic Johnson- It’s ironic that a handsome, successful, charismatic, basketball player with a great rack of chicklets for a smile named "Magic Johnson" would get HIV? It would be like a guy named #### Hertz or a woman named Sharon Cox getting it. Too bad he didn’t cover his "Magic Johnson" before he contracted HIV. He helped raise awareness for the disease, unfortunately he had to have it to do it. I guess the cure for AIDS is money because he has had HIV for 16 years now. OK, so maybe it would be more ironic if this happened to a guy named Jimmy Hatt instead, but someone had to point it out.

New York, New York, Buffalo- It’s ironic that there are three teams in the NFL that represent the state of New York but only one of them actually plays in the state of New York. The two teams bearing the state and or city name of New York play in New Jersey at the Meadowlands and the Buffalo Bills actually play in Buffalo, New York.

Saturday’s Balls- Isn’t it ironic that Peyton Manning is constantly licking his hands to get a better grip on balls but does it before and after each snap. Maybe Jeff Saturday just has something special going on down there.....or those are the balls he is trying to get a better grip on. Maybe that isn’t ironic, just nasty, sorry for that.

College Lighting- In October of 2006 a college football game featuring the Kent State University "Golden Flashes" was temporarily delayed by lightning.

Gruden’s Grudge Match- In 2002 the head coach of the Oakland Raiders John Gruden was traded to Tampa Bay for a ton of draft picks. Owner Al Davis felt the move was great because he felt that Gruden could not win the "Big One". Ironically in his first year as the Bucs head coach he won the Super Bowl against who?....................the Raiders

  Al Davis the owner of the Oakland Raiders has not gone wild but he has definatly gone crazy.  According to the Oakland Tribune he is willing to trade malcontent WR Jerry Porter.  That isn't the crazy part though.  He is reportedly looking for two first round picks in return.  That is right, he wanted two first round picks.  I dont think most teams would give two first round picks for Randy Moss, let alone an outspoken, underacheiving, disinterested Porter.  The other vice on any deal for Porter is Davis wants Porter to repay $4 million of his $13 million bonus so he could be traded.  Davis also says maybe now he just wants one number one pick, maybe less.  Porter is barely a season into his current deal, which would leave the Raiders with a tremendous cap hit of $6.45 million in 2007 if he's traded or cut this year.  Al it is time to get a GM that tells YOU what is going to happen and you write the check.  That is what an owner does, write the checks and stay out of player personnell decisions.  Also Al, great move on bringing in Aaron Brooks and drafting Michael Huff instead of drafting Leinhart or Cutler.

  Charles Rogers worked out for former Michigan State head coach and current Miami Dolphins coach Nick Saban.  The underachieving, one failed drug test away from a year suspension, cut by Detroit Rogers apparently "laid an egg".  The Dolphins were actually going to make him a contract offer if he looked good in the workout.  According to MiamiHerald.com........."right there in front of Nick Saban, who recruited Rogers out of high school, Bobby Williams, who coached Rogers at Michigan State, and Charlie Baggett, who was the receivers coach at Michigan State early in Rogers career, there was nothing but disappointment among the onlookers.  All were hoping to see a spark of the talent Rogers showed for the Spartans. But it simply wasn't there."  So as it looks right now, the Detroit Lions have made the right decision on shipping him out, and it wasn't a popular one at the time when they did.  But how does Charles react to all of this?  He fired his agent this week.

  Billy Volek has made quite a few headlines for being traded recently.  The BIG question is, WHY?  He has been a back up forever and has never done anything with his chances throughout his career.  But somehow his being traded is making headlines and I have to hear about him being traded on every football show I watch.  Hey if he can't beat out Kerry Collins as the starter in Tennesee, why would you want to trade for him?  On the Volek story all I want to say is NEXT!

 

Detroit - According to several outlets in Detroit including detroitlions.com, Mike Williams and Charles Rogers will apparently make the roster for the Detroit Lions this season. They have been down the depth chart all through training camp. This gave Shaun Bodiford and Glen Martinez a chance to make the team and show what they can do. However they really haven't showed anything. The other factor is the signing bonuses of Charles Rogers and mike Williams combined with "potential" they will make the team instead. The Lions would take a significant cap hit for cutting one of the star WRs and could not cut both. They may not play a lot in the season though unless they can show why they should be on the field.

Philadelphia - Todd Stinkston is allowed to seek a trade after the Eagles acquired Dante Stallworth from the Saints. According to the Delaware County Times: "Pinkston’s agent Joel Segal immediately began shopping him around to other teams in the NFL, and according to a report on ESPN.com, at least three teams are interested in Pinkston as a possible starting wideout." However this morning they just flat out released him.


Oakland - Jeff George has signed with the Oakland Raiders. In case you missed it earlier this week you may need to reread that first sentence again. It has been five years since he last played in the NFL. The former #1 overall pick with Indianapolis was said to have looked sharp and still possesses the big arm he once had in an open to the media practice earlier this week.

Chicago - If the Bears decide to stick with Rex Grossman it may be the biggest mistake the team makes all season. With current back up Brian Griese on the team, who is a proven NFL quarterback fans will be calling his name by week 3. Grossman has a great arm but just does not put up many points or yards. Chicago has proven they can win with Kyle Orton at QB throwing for less than 150 yards week after week. But why try to win with you defense alone, again. If the Bears stick with Grossman they may not repeat as NFC North champs.

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NFL


Tennessee Titans- Former San Francisco 49er first round pick Ahmed Plummer has played only nine games in the past two years after a succession of injuries. Twelve-year veteran Ty Law picked off 10 passes for the New York Jets in 2005, but also comes with a high price tag and, even more troubling, a warning label. They have had both in this month to see what interest each player has in Tennessee and a decision will come soon.

Detroit Lions- Warren Sapp a Lion?  The Lions released Dan Wilkinson yesterday in a move that suprised some.  He has talked about retirement all off-season.  He also has pending law suits in Maryland from a restaurant deal he had going from his Redskins days that didn't work out.  Ironically his lack of working out is what got him cut from Detroit. New head coach Rod Marinelli wants players who want to play and put in the extra effort needed to turn the franchise around.  Since Wilkinson was paid pretty well, that money can be used to pursue other free agents, if any players become available who might interest the Lions. There has been speculation in Oakland that the Raiders might part company with Warren Sapp, who had a strong relationship with Marinelli with the Buccaneers.

Pittsburgh Steelers- Joey Porter missed the first week of the Steelers' voluntary workouts, and now the question is whether he will participate in any of them.  Porter, a Pro Bowl linebacker, attended the team's mandatory three-day minicamp May 13-15 but was the only veteran absent from all four of their follow-up voluntary sessions last week at their UPMC training facility on the South Side.  He has two years left on a contract he signed in February 2004. He is scheduled to earn a salary of $3.85 million this year, and earn $5 million in 2007, which includes a $1 million roster bonus.


MLB


New York- take your pick which New York team picks up Dontrell Willis.  Both have had scouts following him the last two weeks.  He has had a slightly down season on a team that sold everyone else off before the season even started.  He was kept because he is still very young and has not had his first big pay day yet.

Kansas City- The Royals are now 19 games back of Detroit in the AL Central.  It is only May 23rd.  Yes their season is done and they will be unloading some players.  They made several off-season free agent signings and nothing has worked for them this year.  The biggest reason is they didn't sign pitching.  They have several veteran players they can trade off that may bring them plenty of young prospects for a team that has traded off every prospect that has every come to fruition for them.

Washington Nationals- Alfonso Soriano may also be headed out of town very soon.  He has been rumored to be traded since the time he was traded to Washington.  He may be headed toi the Mets, White Sox, Philadelphia, or St. Louis.

Los Angeles- If Morales struggles, the Angels will turn to the trade market, with Arizona first baseman Tony Clark considered a possible target. Clark is an attractive short-term option because he is signed only through this season and, because he's stuck behind young first baseman Conor Jackson, wouldn't cost as much as some of the front-line players the Angels are pursuing, such as Alfonso Soriano and Shea Hillenbrand.  The Angels are 11 games below .500 and in last place, a perfect fit for Tony Clark.  Ask any Detroit Tigers fan.

 

  Tuesday, The Governator said that he had a meeting with several NFL owners Tuesday and told them he was there to make sure "we're getting not only one NFL team to the Los Angeles area, Southern California, but to actually get two teams. That's why I came. Why limit it?"  I do have to say that I wasn't and do not support him as a governor, but it is hard to not root for a guy that would try to get me two NFL teams.  Besides it is a traveshamockery that there in no NFL football in L.A.

  Yes Arnold why not?  why limit it?  You are so business and pro sport savy anyway.  Actually I am guessing you don't know a very much about that fancy math that is put together when you are wanting to accomplish something that has never been done in pro sports.  Just expand the NFL by two or move two teams to L.A.  That makes a lot of sense considering how well the city handled two NFL teams in the past. (terrible)

    It is however rediculous that L.A. does not have a NFL team.    Two teams is not and should not happen ever again there.  But they do however deserve one team. Lets look at a couple options they may actually have eventually as ways to get a new NFL team(s) there.

1. Expansion - may be the best option, at least to get two teams in southern California.  They could put a team in Aneheim and one in Los Angeles.  That is the best chance to get two teams.  This is actually one of the proposals they are going to put together.

2. Move an existing franchise - (a) How about the Saints?  They still have the Superdome under renovation and is a possible reopening by next season.  This franchise has a lot of new talent and upside and just drafted Reggie Bush.  I think he would sell a lot of jerseys back in southern California.  (b) There are two teams that I would not have any personal issues with them moving.  One is the Baltimore Ravens, they lost a team to Indianapolis and stole the Browns from Cleveland, then won a Superbowl them and just digs the knife a little deeper.  The other team would be the Jacksonville Jaguars.  Florida does not need three NFL teams.  So by order of inception, they gotta go.

3. Move Oakland or St. Louis back.  Oakland is the better choice because that is best place for them anyway.  Renovate the L.A. Colesium into a brand new looking place and use the same field and outer layer to keep the original theme.  St. Louis (won a superbowl shotly after leaving as well) needs to stay put as they lost the Cardinals they took from Chicago to Arizona.

 


     According to Jay Glazier at Foxsports.com, Charles Woodson have agreed to terms on a seven-year deal in the $45 million range for Pro Bowl and Heisman Trophy-winning defensive back Charles Woodson.  The Packers have been very quiet in the off-season as far as big name free-agent signings.  Charles Woodson was a Franchise player for the Raiders last year and earned over $10 million.  Woodson was the type of corner that took away almost half the field.  He was known for that at Michigan when he won the Heisman trophy.  This contract is also not yet signed.  It is an incentive laiden contract which in my opinion is not how he should be paid.  He does take away almost half the field (when he does actually play).  Which means, he doesn't get the ball thrown his way as much.  With the contract paying him  $10.5 Million the first year that leave $34.5 million left for the last 6 years.  That averages out to 5.75 per.  Quite a bargain if he works out.  If he doesn't, they can cut him.  There are no guaranteed contracts, only guaranteed bonus money.  But at 5.75 million per year he will work out. The Packers have more room this year and spread out works great for the teams well. If it works it works, at least they tried.  Besides, how will you ever get the fruit if you are afraid to go out on a limb.