The NFL debate that dominated the airwaves a few weeks ago is over . . . Ndamukong Suh is a dirty player.

After being voted the Defensive Rookie of the Year last season and seeing his team miss the playoffs Suh came into camp this season with a chip on his shoulder, an attribute most teams, coaches and players love to see in their locker room. Unfortunately, that chip grew in size and is affecting his behavior.

Suh has been chasing Steelers LB James Harrison in the fine category and at the pace he’s going, he’s not only going to pass Harrison, he can also look forward to missing some time without pay after the classless act that led to an ejection during yesterday’s nationally-televised Thanksgiving Day game against the Packers.

Photo/Jeffrey Beall Wikimedia

While the nation huddled around their plasma screens, surrounded by the aroma of turkey, the Lions were on their way to their eighth loss in a row on Thanksgiving Day. In the second half, Suh’s frustration got the best of him and after a whistle, the defensive tackle pushed the head of Packers guard Evan Dietrich-Smith into the ground three times. After getting on his feet, he stomped on Dietrich-Smith’s arm with his spikes, and that’s where the line was not only crossed, but jumped over.

Out came the flag for another senseless 15-yard penalty and the ejection followed. After seeing the video replay of the incident and listening to Suh’s explanation following the game, the combination is sure to draw more criticism from players and media around the league than any of his past incidents.

Maybe Suh’s frustration is being caused by his stats sheets dwindling from last season. After 11 games Suh has 30 tackles and three sacks while last year in 16 games he finished with 66 tackles, 10 sacks, one interception and a fumble recovery that he returned to the house while shooing away a pesky Redskins WR on his way the end zone; a play that made several highlight reels.

Highlights like those seem like a distant memory with Suh changing his image of being a dominating force in the trenches to being dirty. Recent highlight reels have included pulling the helmet off an opposing quarterback after a play, and body-slamming another adding additional 15 yard infractions and fines.

People love smash-mouth football but Suh’s action against the Packers was far from that.

Last time I saw an intentional spike was when Titans’ controversial problem child Albert Haynesworth stepped on the face of Cowboys’ center Andre Gurode; an act that led to an unprecedented five-game suspension by Roger Goodell who had been in his commissioner position for only about a month.  Goodell went on to say, there is “absolutely no place in the game, or anywhere else” for actions like Haynesworth’s. That said, how will the Commish respond to Suh.

Although Haynesworth’s spiking caused 30 stitches to the face of Gurode and Suh targeted an arm and the victim Smith stayed in the game, whenever you take a play out of Albert Haynesworth’s book of nasty, it’s sure to lead to time on the sidelines in street clothes. If Suh receives any less than a one-game suspension without pay, players and fans may lose faith in Goodell. Personally, I think he deserves a two-gamer but being one of the most marketable players in the NFL, I expect a one-gamer.

Earlier this season, Suh spent his bye week in New York meeting with NFL officials and Goodell wanting an explanation of the rules to better understand what side of the line certain hits were on.  Many including myself gave the young player the benefit of the doubt. He’s a charitable guy who strives on helping the less fortunate. In fact, recently he heard about a school on budget cuts in desperate need so he wrote a check to provide football equipment for the players.

While Rex Ryan has a lock on staying in the controversial headlines on the AFC side of the fence, the Lions have taken that position in the NFC. Whether it’s Jim Schwartz chasing down Jim Harbaugh after an offensive handshake or Suh raising eyebrows with his antics on the field, it really needs to stop. The Lions are becoming a national favorite after sitting in the cellar of the league for several years but their style really needs to change; there’s a fine line between smash-mouth and dirty and fans and the media agree they have been crossing it.

Originally from Detroit, Tom is an Atlanta-based sportswriter whose work has been published in the New York Daily News, Washington Times, Detroit Free Press and national hockey mags including The Hockey News (Canada) and USA Hockey Magazine. Follow Tom on Twitter @TomFerda

Copyright ©2011 Sports Climax, LLC

The Cardiac Cats are at it again.

One week after setting a franchise record by erasing a 20-point deficit on the road to win 26-23 in Minnesota, the Detroit Lions staged the largest road comeback in the history of the NFL to defeat the Dallas Cowboys 34-30.

This win rewrote the NFL history books in more ways than one. In addition to overcoming the largest road deficit ever, the 4-0 Lions became the first team in NFL history to erase 20-point deficits in back-to-back weeks.

With the Lions trailing 27-3 with about 25 minutes left to play, it was looking like a mercy killing with Romo ignoring the pain of his broken ribs while slicing and dicing through the defense like a “Ginsu Knife”.

The scene at Jerry’s House was celebratory with the Cowboys cheerleaders posing on the sidelines for the cameras; Jerry pacing with his patented shit-eating grin and Romo adding to his “injured hero” portfolio.

But then the NFL stars realigned in the third quarter.

Former Cowboys linebacker, Bobby Carpenter, who now dons Honolulu Blue, snatched a Romo pass and scampered 34 yards to the end zone to narrow the gap to 27-10. Carpenter was a groomsman in Romo’s wedding so maybe the quarterback was delivering the customary gift that goes along with that. Not wanting to be upstaged by Carpenter, Lions defensive back Chris Houston copied the feat and took another  Romo pass to the house to close the gap even more.

The offense who may have been feeling a bit guilty and embarrassed for not contributing suddenly came to life in the final quarter with quarterback Matthew Stafford connecting with the Calvin Johnson for two additional second-half scores; one into triple coverage. The man known as Megatron is now in the record books with four consecutive two-touchdown games and after watching game tape, opposing defenses may want to consider quadruple coverage in the future; the man is a beast.

On a 31-3 run and with a three-point lead, the Lions positioned themselves to shock the football world for the second week in a row.

During the post game interviews, Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford said:

“Any time you come back from 20-something, you’re doing some kind of stealing.”

Not always, not when you are given presents like Romo was gift-wrapping.

With an opportunity to put the game away, Romo dropped back to pass and floated a jump ball over the middle that landed in Lions linebacker, Stephen Tulloch’s hands. It was a lame duck that Pop Warner coaches would have been justified to scream at a 13-year-old about.

Romo’s stats were as up and down as a roller coaster on this Sunday afternoon. He finished 34-of-47 for 331 yards and three first-half TDs but the bigger story was his three second-half interceptions. A text I received from a loyal Cowboys supporter during the Cowboys historic implosion summed it up. It read:

“Romo is the Lions best player right now”

And not to take anything away from a hard-fighting Lions team that plays with a lot of heart and never quits, that was hard to argue with.

After last week’s comeback win in Minny, Lions charismatic center Dominic Raiola, who has been through years of agony including the record-setting 0-16 season, said the win was the biggest since he has been with the team. So how does that match up to this win in Dallas? “”I said the biggest win of my career was last week, and now this is even bigger.”

“We haven’t done anything yet,” Lions second receiver Nate Burleson added.

Sure you have.

You’ve erased your team’s reputation of being losers while winning the hearts of football fans across the country and BTW, your Lions are the only team besides Green Bay to remain unbeaten this season.

This win also set a Lions’ franchise-best mark. It was the team’s fifth straight road win and that follows an NFL-record 0-26 road loss streak.

See what I mean about the stars realigning?

Originally from Detroit, Tom is an Atlanta-based sportswriter whose work has been published in the New York Daily News, Washington Times, Detroit Free Press and national hockey mags including The Hockey News (Canada) and USA Hockey Magazine. Follow Tom on Twitter @TomFerda

Copyright ©2011 Sports Climax, LLC

Cam Newton silenced any doubters, at least for a week, after having a record-setting NFL debut and becoming the first rookie to ever throw for over 400 yards in an inaugural game.

Although the Carolina Panthers went on to lose the contest to the Arizona Cardinals 28-21, the Panthers can certainly breathe a sigh of relief and know they may have their franchise guy behind center.

Newton, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, showed flashes of dominance and finished 24-of-37 for 422 yards, two touchdowns and one INT.

Visiting the same field where he led his Auburn Tigers to the BCS national championship while locking up the Heisman Trophy, Newton silenced critics who said he wasn’t worthy of being the No. 1 overall pick and would have too difficult a time learning to stand in and throw from the pocket.

Panthers’ wide receiver Steve Smith looked like the S.S. of old, hooking up with Newton for eight catches for 178 yards and two TDs; one a 77-yard sprint and another for 26 yards.

Ironically, the 422 yards in this game far surpassed any game Newton had all last season at Auburn where his top two performances that season included finishing with 335 and 317 passing yards.

Originally from Detroit, Tom is an Atlanta-based sportswriter whose work has been published in the New York Daily News, Washington Times, Detroit Free Press and national hockey mags including The Hockey News (Canada) and USA Hockey Magazine. Follow Tom on Twitter @TomFerda

Copyright ©2011 Sports Climax, LLC

Brad Childress didn’t pull any punches when asked about Randy Moss in an interview with NFL.com on Wednesday. The former Minnesota Vikings coach ripped Moss blaming him for disrupting the locker room when he joined the team after a 1-2 start in the 2010 season.

“We had good guys…but [Moss] walked in the locker room and vomited on it.”

Harsh words from a coach who had his team one Brett Favre interception away from a Super Bowl the year prior to Moss coming back “home” to join his former team. With Moss thrown into the mix, the wheels fell off the wagon and the Vikes lost three of the next four (1-3) to start the season 2-5, basically out of contention in the competitive NFC Central.

“[Moss] called me and said, ‘I can’t wait, I can’t wait. I feel like I’m coming home again,’ ” Childress also told NFL.com.

With Moss’ reputation of contaminating locker rooms in the past, what else would a coach expect. Childress explained he thought Moss was older and had “matured”.

Moss’ addition led to Childress being given his walking papers before the season ended after his team took a bitch-slapping on their home field from rival Green Bay 31-3 and dropped to 3-7.

So with Moss’ visit cut way short and the team a sudden train wreck, the rest is history.

The Vikings finished tied in the cellar of the NFC North with the Detroit Lions, Brett was accused of sexting with Jenn Sterger and the roof caved in…well…literally from tons of snow accumulating on the Metrodome.

Once Favre joined the team at the start of the 2009 season, Childress came across as a puppet, with Favre being the puppet master. Favre had one of the best seasons of his career and the coach seemed to spend his time on the sidelines “watching” his offense as opposed to coaching it.

One incident between he and Favre was caught on video with the two exchanging what looked like a bitter debate; Favre appeared to walk away the winner. The pair later tried to blow it off but it was suspected Favre took it upon himself to run a series of downs unlike the way he was instructed.

So here we are, months after his bitter release, and Chilly is jumping on the opportunity to speak his mind about Moss.

It’s great to see at least some of those stings may have been cut.

Originally from Detroit, Tom is an Atlanta-based sportswriter whose work has been published in the New York Daily News, Washington Times, Detroit Free Press and national hockey mags including The Hockey News (Canada) and USA Hockey Magazine. Follow Tom on Twitter @TomFerda

Copyright ©2011 Sports Climax, LLC

Now that the New York Jets have signed former Ravens’ wide receiver Derrick Mason and let Jerricho Cotchery go, quarterback Mark Sanchez can start trying to gel with his completely remodeled receiver group.

After the lockout ended the Jets started revamping last year’s entourage of wideouts by handing off-the-field migraine Braylon Edwards his walking papers and inking Santonio Holmes to a five-year, $50 million contact that included $25 million in guarantees.  Joining Holmes was Plaxico Burress fresh out of prison garb after a two-year absence from the league.

Edwards scurried off to the West Coast with his tail between his legs and settled for a one year, $3.5 million deal with only $1 million guaranteed from the 49ers. Although last season’s DUI arrest that included a breathalyzer test that was said to read .16 may not have directly affected his pocketbook in the court system, it certainly may have played a role in getting such a non-committal offer from the ‘9ers.

Photo/Ed Yourdon

Replacing a player like Edwards who has a questionable off-the-field history with another who has shown poor judgment like Burress….well…it’s the Jets so what else should we expect.

Back to the Mason replacing Cotchery debate, I have to imagine New Yorkers are bantering in cafes and coffeehouses about whether 29-year-old Cotchery should have been let loose to sign 37-year-old Mason but when you look at any numbers not related to birthdates, they don’t lie.

Mason dominated in most every category compared to Cotchery finishing with 61 receptions (out of 100 attempts) for 802 yards to Cotchery’s 41 catches (of 87 attempts) for 433 yards. More important may be Mason’s nine catches of 20-plus yards as opposed to Cotchery’s three as well as Mason’s 44 catches for first downs to 26 edge.

Spreading the defense can only help Sanchez and the Jets get over the hump after losing two AFC Championship games in a row.

Regardless what the fans want to debate, according to Coach Rex Ryan, the popular Cotchery wanted to be let loose.

“J-Co…asked for a trade or to be released…that’s what happened.” – Rex Ryan

Just weeks away from the kickoff of the 2011 season, the answer to the most important question remains to be seen. Will this new entourage of hands help Sanchez waltz his Jets into their first Super Bowl appearance since Super Bowl III in 1969?

Originally from Detroit, Tom is an Atlanta-based sportswriter whose work has been published in the New York Daily News, Washington Times, Detroit Free Press and national hockey mags including The Hockey News (Canada) and USA Hockey Magazine. Follow Tom on Twitter @TomFerda

Copyright ©2011 Sports Climax, LLC

After coming under fire for lying about ever using steroids then when finally fessing up, handling it in what many considered an aloof, cocky way, New York Yankees All-Star Alex Rodriguez is in the news again, this time for his alleged involvement in ultra-high stakes illegal poker games.

According to a report by Star Magazine, A-Rod was present at these games with several star Hollywood actors at a mansion in California and cocaine was used by some of the participants.

While MLB crime sniffers are said to be trying to set up a meeting with Rodriguez to get to the bottom of this accusation, the player’s publicist went on record saying the original story “contains numerous factual inaccuracies.”

That may be true since Star is a tabloid publication but “numerous factual inaccuracies” doesn’t mean that the entire report is not true. The publicist never stated A-Rod did not participate in the games….and that interview would have been a perfect opportunity for the publicist to clear the Yankees player’s name.

It will be interesting to see how MLB responds to one of their poster children who was barely slapped on the wrist after lying about steroid use that included the use of illegal substances brought over the border into the U.S.

Back then A-Rod said: “Like everyone else, I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life. The only way I can learn to handle them is to learn from them and move forward.”

If these accusations hold true, A-Rod’s definition of “learn and move forward” differs from mine and most other people’s. ESPN referred to Rodriguez as the “Yankees $305 million migraine”…I couldn’t have said it better myself.

As Kenny Rogers used to sing, “You gotta know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em, know when to walk away…” and apparently A-Rod didn’t.

We may see the hammer come down hard on Rodriguez since he’s already used his Get Out Of Jail Free Card. I smell a long suspension coming….one even a guy like Bud Selig can’t avoid dishing out.

Originally from Detroit, Tom is an Atlanta-based sportswriter whose work has been published in the New York Daily News, Washington Times, Detroit Free Press and national hockey mags including The Hockey News (Canada) and USA Hockey Magazine. Follow Tom on Twitter @TomFerda

Copyright ©2011 Sports Climax, LLC

The Tim Tebow debate has made its way onto Twitter with ESPN analyst Merril Hoge and LeBron James jumping into the mosh pit.

Hoge started a Twitter brawl by slamming Tebow’s questionable ability to start for the Denver Broncos with this Tweet.

“Sitting watching tape off [sic] bronco offense from last year! Orton or Tebow? It’s embarrassing to think the broncos could win with tebow!!”

Photo: Jeffrey Beall

Embarrassing, probably not since every year there are Cinderella teams and players in the NFL. With Tebow’s successful run for the Florida Gators some like LeBron believe the guy knows how to win and that will transition to the NFL.

James came to Tebow’s defense with this Tweet to his 2 million-plus followers:

“Tim Tebow will succeed in the NFL. He’s a hard worker, a student of the game, a natural born leader and most of all a WINNER! It takes time and he’ll be nice.”

Hoge is a former player for the Steelers and an NFL analyst on Sportscenter and didn’t pull any punches in critiquing Tebow.

During a recent broadcast Hoge said: “He is awful as far as accuracy goes and what’s kind of even more disturbing, he’s probably worse moving and running around with the football and throwing than he is from the pocket.”

LeBron responded to Hoge’s scathing remarks with this Tweet:

“Listened to Merril Hoge today…Guys get on that TV and act like they was all WORLD when they played. How bout encouraging him and wishing him the best instead of hating!!”

Hoge held firm on his opinion writing on his Twitter account that:

“Orton is a good guy as well. It’s about who can play!! I just watched Tebow throw 5 out routes to a wide open WR! He was 1 for 5! 2 went in the dirt, two in the stands…”

That’s harsh Merril but if those tapes exist and you show the world that Tebow possesses that inaccurate an arm, you have a strong argument.

Tebow, shown with his rookie hazing haircut above, is a gentleman at heart and responded with a Tweet that was loaded with sarcasm:

“Hey Merril…… ‘ppreciate that.”

Kyle Orton who has been taking a majority of the Broncos snaps over the past few seasons has been doing the same this entire preseason. Regardless of the fact Orton is running the No. 1 offense at practices, it’s no secret the Miami Dolphins were in serious talks trying to obtain the veteran.

With new head coach John Fox at the helm, it’s anyone’s guess where this debate will end and who will get called to start opening weekend in September…and don’t forget, a guy who was once highly-touted named Brady Quinn is also sitting in the wings.

Used with permission of the author.

Jay Donetelli is a Tampa-based freelance sportswriter and contributor to Sports Climax. With an opinion sharper than an Ovechkin skate blade with the sting of an Ali jab, Donetelli has a loyal cult of readers who have found a way to love him.

Copyright ©2011 Sports Climax, LLC

Red Wings great, yes I said “great” Chris Osgood announced he is retiring after 17 seasons in the NHL.

The 38-year-old goaltender is hanging up the pads after 401 career victories and three Stanley Cup championships. While playing 14 of his 17 seasons with the Red Wings, Osgood has been stuck in the middle of a heated debate in Detroit throughout his great career. The chatter; whether talent got him to 400 wins or if that landmark is simply due to the fact he played with an elite line-up in front of him.

That could only happen in Detroit, a place where playing goalie can be the roughest gig in the NHL, anywhere else they would already be talking hanging his jersey in the rafters.

This goes back to the days of Rogie Vachon who came to Detroit from the L.A. Kings in the late 70’s. Expected to be the savior for the struggling franchise, Vachon buckled to the high pressure brought on by the fans and media in Motown. I remember the day of that acquisition and attended most of the games the first season Rogie took the ice at Olympia Stadium. It was a brutal spot to be in since hockey is a team sport and it normally takes more than one man to get the job done.

Surrounded by high expectations and his first season wearing the Wing, Vachon finished with a total of just 10 wins and saw his goals against average increase more than one goal a game from 2.86 to 3.90.

After two seasons that produced a total of 30 wins Vachon packed his bags and headed to Boston to make way for the next victim, Bob Suave who after one season with 11 wins and a 4.19 GAA couldn’t get back to Buffalo quick enough.

That’s the life of being a goaltender in Detroit.

Pressure, finger-pointing and lack of appreciation like in Osgood’s case and it’s absurd.

Anyone who thinks a guy like Osgood isn’t worthy of the NHL Hall of Fame must either be a member of the lynch mob in Detroit or just hasn’t seen the man play enough.

Ozzie put up astounding numbers finishing with career totals of 744 games, a  2.49 GAA, .905 save percentage and 50 shutouts. He excelled in several of the postseason appearances as well, ending with a 74-49 record, .909 save percentage, 2.49 GAA and 15 shutouts.

After standing on his head throughout the NHL Playoffs in 2009, Osgood shut out the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 5 of the finals and set his team up for the kill. With Osgood on the way to being named MVP of the playoffs, the Red Wings offense sputtered out scoring just one goal per game in the final two contests and losing to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

As expected by those close to the situation, little credit went to Osgood as the team was steamrolling through the playoffs then after the finals were over the finger-pointing by the lynch mob came back to life.

The Red Wings are a class organization and are known to keep their loyal players on staff after retirement. After superstar Steve Yzerman retired he was handed a front office job and groomed for a future GM job in the NHL. That opportunity happened last season when Stevie Y. was named Tampa Bay Lightning GM and had one of the most impressive rookie years ever for an exec in the NHL.

Also joining the Red Wings staff after retirement were former enforcer, Joey Kocur, who was pegged the video guy and Kirk Maltby who was placed in a scouting position with the team.

Like these former teammates, Osgood will be staying on the Detroit staff as a goalie consultant and one thing for sure, the man will try to implement his call, cool collective attitude he brought to every game during his career, a trait many people may have confused with apathy.

Red Wings GM Ken Holland said Osgood should be voted into the Hall of Fame once he’s eligible in 2014 and coach Mike Babcock has voiced the same; how can you argue with that.

It may be time for the lynch mobbers in Motown to realize that three of the Stanley Cup banners hanging from the rafters at The Joe are in part due to Osgood and maybe a spot next to Terry Sawchuk’s retired No. 1 may be needing some company.

Originally from Detroit, Tom is an Atlanta-based sportswriter whose work has been published in the New York Daily News, Washington Times, Detroit Free Press and national hockey mags including The Hockey News (Canada) and USA Hockey Magazine. Follow Tom on Twitter @TomFerda

Copyright ©2011 Sports Climax, LLC

Shaq seems to be warming up for his new gig as an analyst at TNT with some trash-talking aimed towards Miami Heat player Chris Bosh and this isn’t the first time he’s slammed Bosh.

In his debut for TNT this week, Shaq said, “The Miami Heat, they’ve got a lot of great players, the ‘Big Two.’ They will be back.”

Photo/Airman Alex Gouchnou

Big Two?

Looks like Big Daddy is placing Bosh outside the talent circle after the Heat lost the NBA Championship to the Dallas Mavericks and this isn’t the first in-your-face slam dunk Shaq has taken against Bosh off the court.

Back in 2009, Bosh commented to the media how the refs were ignoring calling Shaq for three-second violations which was giving an unfair advantage to O’Neal.

Shaq replied by saying:

“I heard what Chris Bosh said, and that’s strong words coming from the RuPaul of big men. I’m going to do the same thing [in our next game] I did before – make him quit.”

Double bitch slap with a backhander thrown in for good measure!

One for saying he could make Bosh quit back in ’09, two for calling the Heat the Big Two and the killer comparing him to a cross-dressing entertainer.

So how do some of the others measure up with Shaq’s most recent comments?

Skip Bayless on ESPN’s 1^st and 10 nicknamed Bosh “Bosh Spice” after the player went 1-of-18 in a game against the Bulls but on Wednesday on his show said Shaq’s comment: “Was out of bounds”

But that’s the same Skip Clueless who also said the Heat were “clearly the Big Two” in an earlier playoff series so he seems to be flip-flopping like he’s ready to make a bid for a local Congressional seat.

With all the media attention on the Heat throughout the season after LeBron and company predicted “Not one, not two, not three….” NBA Championships, we have to expect some trash talking thrown in their direction but to come from Shaq who has barely clipped on his mic came as a surprise.

But as always…like E. F. Hutton…when Shaq talks, people listen.

Originally from Detroit, Tom is an Atlanta-based sportswriter whose work has been published in the New York Daily News, Washington Times, Detroit Free Press and national hockey mags including The Hockey News (Canada) and USA Hockey Magazine. Follow Tom on Twitter @TomFerda

Copyright ©2011 Sports Climax, LLC

James Harrison Men’s Journal interview seems to be raising hell throughout social networks, the media and certainly within the confines of the NFL offices.

In the interview, the controversial Pittsburgh Steelers’ linebacker and 2008 Defensive Player of the Year said Texans linebacker Brian Cushing is “Juiced out of his mind.”  He also referred to teammate QB Ben Roethlisberger and the Super Bowl loss against Green Bay, saying Ben should “hand the ball off and stop trying to act like Peyton Manning. You ain’t that and you know it, man; you just get paid like he does.”

Photo: Men's Journal Magazine

Now he may have a point about Cushing, the 2009 defensive rookie of the year who was suspended for several games at the start the 2010 season for violating NFL policies regarding PEDs but to hit a Pro Bowl QB teammate below the belt after that same guy led the Steelers to two Super Bowl wins early in his career, well that may need to be addressed…and it might.

After hearing bits about the interview, Steelers’ president Art Rooney II released a statement to the media saying: “I have not yet seen the article in Men’s Journal nor have I spoken to James Harrison about his comments. We will discuss the situation at the appropriate time, when permitted once the labor situation is resolved.”

Harrison is a guy who pulls no punches on or off the field and after setting a record of over $100,000 in fines levied for violent hits on the field, he seems to have gone on a campaign to smear NFL Commish Roger Goodell and the league for singling him out.

“Up until last year, there was no word of me being dirty until Roger Goodell, who’s a crook and a puppet, said I was the dirtiest player in the league. I hate him and will never respect him.”

Harrison also referred to Goodell as a dictator and a devil and is sure to hear from the league once the lockout is over. If Harrison really wanted to play football on time in September, you would think he would know to avoid getting into the media at this level.

Yeah Harrison may have threatened to retire over the fines and change of attitude by the NLF regarding hard hits, especially to the head, but he should realize that every season, a few new guys come in and can fill his spot imposing fear in running backs and quarterbacks around the league if he does retire. (Google Suh and Cushing).

Harrison also commented on the 2004 AFC Championship loss to the New England Patriots, the same year the Pats were later proven to have cheated in “VideoGate”.

“I should have another ring. We were the best team in football in 2004, but the Patriots…stole our signals and picked up 90% of our blitzes. They got busted for it later, but, hey, they’re Goodell’s boys, so he slapped ‘em $500,000 and burned the tapes. Was he going to rescind their Super Bowls? Man, hell no!”

So how badass is James Harrison?

When asked about the incident when he grabbed a rattle snake by the tail and heaved him over a fence, Harrison replied:

“Had to. My son was here visiting, so that bitch had to bounce out. ASAP.”

To see the rest of the interview on line at Men’s Journal Magazine here.

Originally from Detroit, Tom is an Atlanta-based sportswriter whose work has been published in the New York Daily News, Washington Times, Detroit Free Press and national hockey mags including The Hockey News (Canada) and USA Hockey Magazine. Follow Tom on Twitter @TomFerda

Copyright ©2011 Sports Climax, LLC