ROGER CLEMENS: HALL OF SHAME

It should have been one of the most celebrated, storied careers of this baseball era. Baseball fans should be reminiscing about his dynamic stuff, his killer competitive instinct, and his desire to prepare and win that was virtually unmatched by all other pitchers. But merely all we have to reflect on now is a tale of faded glory and a sobering look ahead to the serious consequences that Roger Clemens now faces.

The Rocket, as he was famously known to fans, players and baseball media, backed up his hard nosed image with a dominating pitching style that was famous for moving hitters off the plate and demoralizing the most potent of lineups. Clemens finished his career with 354 wins, a record high 7 Cy Young awards, 2 World Series Titles, and 4,672 strikeouts. All statistics that cemented a near automatic vote into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame and paved the way to his insertion into the debate in naming the greatest pitchers in baseball history.

Clemens was always a fierce competitor, an arrogant warrior, and a person that refused to give in to the competition, even when facing insurmountable odds. He demanded excellence both of himself and of those that dared to wear the same uniform. Roger expected to be courted and pampered both in his contracts and in special privileges that were not afforded to the average ballplayer. He loved the spotlight, the fanfare, and the near unanimous distinction of being the absolute best at his craft. But it was these qualities that made him so successful on the field ,that now threaten to destroy his entire legacy and quite possibly strip him of his freedom.

It certainly is not odd that a man of Clemens stature would initially deny taking steroids or any other illegal performance enhancing substance. As important as winning was to the 11 time all-star, so was his image and the way with which he was perceived by fans and media outlets. Roger longed to be appreciated and would aggressively lash out at any and all who questioned his aura of greatness. What is beyond perplexing, is his initiation of a Congressional Committee, a subsequent relaying of flawed testimony, and a complete refusal to come clean to the American public or the proper authorities.

The Rocket's defiance came with the knowledge that also testifying under oath would be his trainer and conditioning coach, Brian McNamee and former teammate and friend, Andy Pettitte. It had to be clear to Clemens that full disclosure would be given as to all administered "medication" during his training and that logical links would be uncovered as to parallels between his treatment program and that of Pettitte. All the while he had to reconcile with the fact that the blatant discrepancies in his story were told at the risk of committing perjury before a Congressional Committee.

A full swing of emotion can be felt as you listen to accounts of the hearings as told by Congressmen Henry Waxman and Tom Davis. Each saying that they attempted to give Clemens ample opportunity to recant and give an honest depiction of his true, behind the scenes relationship with Brian McNamee. You get the honest feeling that both of these gentlemen were attempting to throw a life vest to this icon and national hero. But Clemens saw this as no different than a stubborn hitter crowding the plate and attempting to take away what was rightfully his. He bore down with defiant wrath and clung to his story with verbal demonstration of resilience and rage. Nobody pulled the plug on Roger Clemens and certainly not a living soul had ever backed him into a corner without having to fight for their very lives.

Perhaps the blow could have been lessened for Clemens if he would have just been a better student of history. We, as a sport loving society, have typically been extremely forgiving of our beloved athletes when they just provide us with a small glimpse of candor and truth. In the worst way, we wish to move past the flaws and indiscretions of our heroes, to propel them back to their rightful pedestal. We gained a new level of admiration for Andy Pettitte, as he chronicled his steroid use as an answer to an injury plagued body. The court of public opinion still regards Alex Rodriguez as a future Hall of Famer and joyously celebrated his 600th career homer, even after his admission to knowingly taking performance enhancing drugs. If only Clemens could have place his ego in check and followed the example of the humble, confessing athletes who had written the road map for healing an ailing reputation.

For now, we wait for the seemingly tragic conclusion to the Roger Clemens saga. We have seen him defeat the most worthy of opponents on the field in awesome, decisive fashion. But now he assumes the role of the heavy underdog, in a battle against the federal government and their 95% conviction rate. The awards, accolades, and even Hall of Fame speculation have now all taken a backseat to wondering if Clemens will even have the right to choose which halls he walks in the near future. For his sake and that of our cherished memories, here's to hoping that the Rocket steps off the mound and seriously thinks before he throws that next pitch.

FLAGRANT FLURRIES: NEW SPECTATOR SPORT- BULLFIGHTING

A dangerous, new extreme sport is in its trial stage in northern Spain. Evidently, in Madrid, spectators are now expected to participate in the theatrics and danger of the bullfighting experience. Multiple barriers will be no obstacle to the fans receiving the full rush of the bullring experience, as they scramble and scamper for cover.

Luckily there were no fatalities in this first test run and just 40 people injured during the bull's angry stampede. Footage reveals the fact that fans were untrained for the involuntary participation and many front row guests appeared to freeze in terror at the dreadful, unimaginable events that were unfolding.

Future contests will be reserved for fans who are 18 years of age or older and next weeks special promotion will be bright red T shirts to the first 500 ticket holders to enter the gate. Plenty of seats still available at your local ticket outlets.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF FANTASY FOOTBALL DRAFTING

Don't look now but the annual sickness is about to creep its way back into our daily, stagnant lives. The time consuming, almighty habit that borders on obsessive, compulsive, hides just right around the corner. The occurrence that I speak of is, of course, our annual fantasy football draft and consequential lineup decisions.

Our Sunday mornings will go from peaceful and quiet, to a process of scrambling for information and checking media outlets for the very latest in player news. We will weave our way through fabricated injury reports, rehash game match ups 1000 times in our heads and even listen to countless so called experts who may just be flipping a coin to give us their educated, genius lineup selections. We will drop and drag, change our minds, and even ponder last minute desperation pick ups, right until the moment that our screen locks up to signal kickoff.

Fantasy football, in my life, has come to be known as a sort of warped family affair. Each August we swarm together at my in law's house to firmly prove that my football knowledge reigns supreme. The anticipation is bubbling as I gather around the table with some of the finest folks I know including my sister in laws (OOPS! I think I meant my brother in laws.) My mind races as I remind myself that there is rarely a pleasure in life so sweet as to whip the pants off of your father in law, while verbally assaulting him in the mix.

With this being said, I don't want to give anyone the impression that we are barbaric in nature. And since there is no web cam available to view the painful carnage of my brother in laws after a Saturday night on the town, we will pretend that business is always conducted in an orderly fashion. However, it never fails to arise at any of our annual gatherings, that a major group of fantasy football violations are committed by my competitors. So without delay, I proudly present to you this years etiquette lesson known as the ten commandments of fantasy football drafting.

X THOU SHALT TAKE YOUR ASPIRIN EARLY SUNDAY MORNING AS TO AVOID HANGOVER TARDINESS TO THE DRAFT

IX THOU SHALT HAVE THE COOLER FILLED WITH THE FINEST BEVERAGES OF CHOICE FOR ALL DRAFT PARTICIPANTS

VIII HONOR THY MOTHER IN LAW BY GRACIOUSLY DINING ON THE FEAST THAT SHE HAS SPENT ENDLESS HOURS COOKING.

VII THOU SHALT NOT DOUBLE DIP THE SALSA NOR VIOLATE THE 45 SECOND RULE OF EATING SCRAPS THAT HAVE FALLEN TO THE FLOOR

VI THOU SHALT PREPARE RESEARCH NOTES ON SOME FORM OF MATERIAL BESIDES TOILET PAPER.

V THOU SHALT NOT STEAL THY NEIGHBORS PLAYER LISTS AT RISK OF A FIRM BITCH SLAP

IV HONOR THY COMMISSIONER AND IF APPLICABLE, RUB HIS BALD, AGING HEAD AND POT BELLY FOR LUCK

III THY SHALL RESPECT THE DRAFTING CLOCK AND UNDERSTAND THAT TEMPORARY BRAIN CELL LOSS LENDS NO SYMPATHY FROM THE LEAGUE

II THOU SHALT NOT DRAFT A KICKER NOR TEAM DEFENSE IN THE FIFTH ROUND OR SOONER ( DON'T DENY IT, WE KNOW THAT YOU EXIST)

I THOU SHALT NOT EXCESSIVELY DRAFT NON PRODUCTIVE PLAYERS FROM YOUR FAVORITE TEAM. ESPECIALLY AVOIDING ANY PLAYER WHO YOU "CLAIM' ACTUALLY REMEMBERS YOUR NAME FROM HIGH SCHOOL.


   Ladies and gentlemen, thank you once again for your attention in this serious matter of sport manners and etiquette. I wish all of you the best of luck and fortune in this years draft. And I promise to post an abundant amount of celebratory photos as I take home the highly coveted trophy.

The Missing Link At The Linc

Just recently, I did a grand tour of Lincoln Financial Field. The journey was fully equipped with in depth views of the press box, broadcast booth, and even a breathtaking view of the player's locker room. But something big was missing. I couldn't quite put my finger on it but something was alarmingly astray.

And by alarming, I don't just mean that the crew at the Linc were beginning to set up for and upcoming soccer game that Wednesday. I frantically ran through a mental check as I walked on my guided path through the stadium. From the nostalgic team picture of Dick Vermeil's 1980 Eagles, to the not so subtle reminder that the great Reggie White once captured the hearts of this great city, everything seemed to be sitting in peaceful harmony.

That was until the candid answer of a young child in response to the tour guide's question. As we stopped in a hallway that elaborately had its walls decorated with pictures of current Eagle players, the guide locked eyes with the child and asked the question that completely changed this experience for me. She proudly blurted, "Do you know who that player is that wears number 4?". His uncomfortable period of silence was only broken by a hesitant mumble of, "I don't really know who that guy is".

I attempted to break the unbearable tension by exclaiming that the player was Donovan McNabb. But my effort failed in a cold, miserable fashion. Not a person laughed, no follow up comments, and only a gasp of disgust from an older lady who had little appreciation for my humor.

It was the first slap of realization that the  Donovan McNabb era in Philadelphia was over. We have officially moved on from the firm identity that we have known for the last decade. And who could fault the little boy for his sobering, direct answer. The truth of the matter is that those who call themselves the Philadelphia Eagles fans faithful, have no idea who number 4 truly is either.

Michael Vick: Quick Feet to ?

MICHAEL VICK

Anyone else see an extra burst of speed in the step of Michael Vick? He looked similar to the Vick of old with his elusive ability to avoid the rush and more importantly his effectiveness in turning the corner to move the ball up the field. You just don't get the sense that an agile DE will be able to drag him down from behind, in a disappointing display of what used to be a dynamic, game changing athlete.

While we should not get the feeling that he is an every down answer at QB, it provides a calming sense of security in knowing that we do have a backup that can, in certain situations, play a a very high level. This is a valuable asset as we all remind ourselves that Kevin Kolb has started all but two NFL football games.

This could be especially vital as mounting questions arise as to the makeup and stability of the offensive line. Kevin Kolb, though he does possess a quick release and has proven in situations to be very accurate in this offense, does not have significant escape ability. Vick has always been able to scramble in avoidance of trouble and is well known to have a knack for producing positive yardage when things break down up front. And with the QB hunting mentality in the NFC East from the likes of DE Demarcus Ware and company, it may be the Birds best opportunity to avoid a summons of the injury cart to the turf.

Vick obviously has starting QB experience and more to the point of interest has seen some form of playoff action. What coaches and fans would most like to see now is a firm grasp of the offensive system, a demonstrated commitment to take care of the football, as to avoid inopportune turnovers and a manifestation of leadership qualities that would stabilize this young squad. But whatever the role, it is essential that Vick prepares himself, as a professional, for an increased workload in offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg's game plan.

In reality, our concerns have now moved from questioning what Vick has left in the tank as a football player. Now we wonder if he has the maturity, common sense, and good judgement, to avoid setting his career back further. He must continue to surround himself with positive influences while proceeding, in good faith, with his penance for the deplorable dog fighting incident. Any development of future legal trouble would spell disaster and I think it goes without saying that we are aware of the difficulty of improving a 40 yard dash time in a dark 8 X 10.

I am both a football lover and a dog lover at the same time. I have found it in my heart to move on from the past horror and sickness of Vick. I am rooting for him to succeed, both as a super charged burst to the Eagle's offense and as a person in the community. I just wish that Tony Dungy, in addition to mentoring Vick, would co-sign a lease with him. Now that is what I define as real security for the Eagle's investment.