After botching several critical calls during this year’s playoff series and World Series, Major League Baseball decided to ignore the serious issue surrounding their sport and did not present any proposals to expand on their current video replay system – Sports Climax Editor

Below is a story contributed by National Sportswriter Paula Duffy.

CHICAGO – In Chicago this week, the MLB general managers never even made a proposal related to expansion of replay, never mind  vote on anything.Mlb.com reported on Tuesday afternoon that the prevailing opinion was in sync with public statements made by MLB Commissioner Bud Selig. 

MLB executive vice president, Jimmy Lee Solomon said:

“We only have now a season and a couple of months’ experience with it. Now there are those who clamor for more and more instant replay. I think we have to digest what we’ve got. We’ve got to look at this technology and look at where we are as a sport.”

In other words, what’s your hurry buddy, we don’t like to be pushed. As previously noted, a younger more tech-savvy base of executives wouldn’t blink at discussing what was the hottest topic to come out of the post-season, besides A-Rod’s awakening and use of pitchers on “short rest”.

Yankees GM, Brian Cashman spoke for those of us who don’t see this as heresy or acting hastily. MLB.com carries this quote: I’m big on technology,” Cashman said. “I’m open to any way we can help the umpires. We want what the umpires want — to get the calls right.”

Unfortunately he added that he would leave the matter up to the Commissioner’s Office and the umpire’s union. If they believe all is fine, Cashman will be good with that.

Too bad.

I don’t expect revolutionary changes to be made only a week after the conclusion of the World Series but the absence of an agenda item with a proposal that could be studied and debated is disheartening. We’re left with the usual blather that can be summed up by a statement made by Mets’ GM, Omar Minaya: “Look, umpires are going to make bad calls.”

Well at least that doesn’t need to be an agenda item and debated. We all know that already.

National sports columnist Paula Duffy gives her take on Sunday’s games running the gamut from two shutouts to two  shoot-outs and goes around the nation for a wrap up and commentary.

Falcons beat the Bears 21-14: Not a pretty game but one in which red zone mistakes cost the Bears a win. Here’s a hint of what it was like: Jay Cutler ran for more yards than any RB on either team.

Patriots dominated the Titans 59-0: What’s Jeff Fisher to do, conduct a human sacrifice to scare his team into performing? Brady throws for six TDs in snow and slush and an undrafted rookie plays the bulk of the second half at QB to blunt the shots that Belichick was piling on.

Buffalo Bills squeaked one out against the Jets in OT 16-13: Ryan’s defense wasn’t bullied like last week but then again, the offense disappeared and special teams failed him. Sanchez threw five INTs, a botched snap in OT dooms a FG but Thomas Jones romped for over 200 yds.

Raiders over the Eagles 13-9: Yes you read that right. McNabb was shut out while JaMarcus Russell hit Zach Miller for an 86 yd. score. Camera shots of Al Davis with blanket on his lap in his special chair are just plain sad, or mean depending on your view. With nothing working why didn’t they use the Wildcat?

Arizona Cardinals beat the Seahawks 24-3: Seattle got punched in the mouth early in the first quarter and never recovered. It couldn’t get on the field until 11 minutes had ticked off the clock. Hasselbeck got manhandled with five sacks and Kurt Warner became fastest to throw for career 30,000 yards.

Carolina Panthers topped the Buccaneers 28-21: The Bucs keep getting closer to a win and they’re now losing to other bad teams. Jake Delhomme remained upright by handing off the ball to Williams and Stewart for 257 yards. Even two INTs that gave the Bucs two scores couldn’t spoil the Panthers’ day.

Kansas City beats the Redskins 14-6: Todd Haley got his first win as head coach compliments of the Washington Redskins. After the game, Peter King reported that the Redskins stripped coach Jim Zorn of his play-calling duties. Will that correct their offensive issues? Despite benching Jason Campbell, Washington couldn’t score a TD.

Saints beat the NY Giants 48-27: Giants exposed or just one of those week? Hard to tell since the Saints never seemed to be doing anything other than scoring one way or another. Brandon Jacobs must be more cranky than ever as he gained only 33 yards. Brees back on track as he throws for four TDs.

Pittsburgh strolled past the Browns 27-14: Steelers continue dominance over the Brown but Big Ben thinks team offense wasn’t as good as he thought it would be. Browns highlights: QB completed 9 passes! Well actually it was Joshua Cribbs 98 yard kickoff return for a TD.

Jacksonville beats the Rams in OT 23-20: Jones-Drew goes off for three TDs but Rams made it more than interesting. St. Louis remains unbeaten and Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo looked liked a beaten dog in post-game interview. His former employer, the Giants could have used his defensive schemes in New Orleans.

Bret Favre and the Vikings beats the Ravens 33-31: But for a last second missed FG the Ravens would have stolen the magic out from under Brett Favre and the Vikings. Adrian Peterson finally cracks the 100 yd. mark. Flacco held his own nicely but Favre is on a mission. Neither team’s vaunted defense could hold the other. Pretty surprising.

Houston beat the Bengals 28-17: Matt Schaub made his fantasy owners happy with four TDs and there was no winning final drive this week for Cincinnati. Ochocinco had a great day but Andre Johnson, held without a TD had 135 yards receiving.

Green Bay shut out the Lions 26-0: Two shutouts in one day for the NFL. Not good. Aaron Rodgers still got clobbered with five sacks (does his O-line dislike him?) but threw for 2 TDs and 350+ yards. Detroit looked awful and lost another QB as Culpepper pulled a hamstring.

OAKLAND – The accusations are now public about Oakland Raiders head coach Tom Cable. His defensive assistant, Randy Hanson spoke with media about what he told police investigators concerning Tom Cable’s part in breaking Hanson’s jaw.

Although the NFL isn’t ready to make an announcement of its own findings, unless there is something to contradict the very stark facts from Hanson’s account of the incident the league is expected to punish Cable.

The question is how. Will it be a fine, suspension or both?

Since the coaches don’t have a union, there won’t be formatted procedures available to Cable such as a hearing or an appeals process.

Here is what Randy Hanson told Yahoo! Sports that was reported this weekend: “From my blindside, Tom Cable threw me from my chair and into a piece of furniture that a lamp sat upon. He was screaming, ‘I’ll f— kill you! I’ll f— kill you!’ And I have no reason to believe he wouldn’t have killed me if they hadn’t pulled him away. If my head would’ve hit a different way, I might be dead right now.”

Yahoo! reported that three of Hanson’s colleagues corroborated his story.

It is unclear if the Raiders’ owner Al Davis will have the ability to protect his coach from the wrath of Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Hanson has been quoted previously as admitting his close relationship with his owner. Thus it’s hard to believe that Davis will go to bat for Cable.

Goodell’s stance will be buttressed by the decision of the Napa Valley authorities to charge Cable with a crime.

Once that happens, which sounds likely, the coach will be exposed to how the league treats players who collide with the criminal process.

Players will look to the commissioner to be even handed about the league’s personal conduct policy. Cable, who hasn’t spoken on the subject since August has presided over a 1-4 start to the season. The team will hard pressed to argue that it will suffer on the field if their coach disappears for a while.

LOS ANGELES – In his post-game interview St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright explained his team’s 3-2 loss in Game Two of the National League Division Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday’s error on a mishandled fly ball with two outs in the bottom of the ninth led to the Dodgers win and a commanding 2-0 lead over the Cardinals in the series.

And the reason he committed the error according to Wainwright was 50,000+ white towels being waved madly by LA Dodgers fans. The baseball is white and so were the towels. ‘Shouldn’t they be Dodger Blue towels?’ asked Wainwright.

What happened to the mantra about LA fans?

You know, the one that says they arrive late, leave early and want to be seen on camera more than watch the game.

During game one, the TBS announcer remarked that it was the first time he had seen Dodger Stadium full when a game was about to begin. In game two they were all there in the bottom of the ninth and were waving towels.

I’m afraid the reputation of LA fans will never be the same. 2009 will go down in baseball lore as the year that Los Angeles was accepted into the fan-club as a worthy member.

Even Mary Hart of “Entertainment Tonight” fame, with seats directly behind home plate, was standing at the end of the game. Her companion for the game, towel in hand was moving it from side to side.

Is it possible that the rap on LA fans has been wrong or just a gross exaggeration that Mid-Westerners and East Coast folks like to repeat, despite what the truth may be?

Truly a sign of the impending apocalypse.

Paula Duffy, Examiner.com sports writer does this week’s NFL preview. Below is her take on this weekend’s games and  potential upsets for NFL Week 3.

Detroit Lions over the Washington Redskins: Like many others I look at this as a way to get Detroit over the 2 year slide and begin the Jim Zorn death watch. While the Redskins’ defense is solid, their offense is putrid. Detroit can score points as we’ve seen, even against Minnesota’s excellent defense.One caveat: if it’s close late in the 4th, momentum shifts to the Redskins. Detroit has no idea how to hold a lead.

Tennessee Titans over the New York Jets: The Titans lost in overtime to the Steelers and in a shoot-out to the Texans, both of which were close. Those games showed they’re vulnerable to the pass but can deal with the run. Sanchez is good but not that good. Don’t discount possible letdown by New York after the big win vs. Patriots.

San Francisco 49’ers over the Minnesota Vikings: Favre is due for an uncontrollable day and Adrian Peterson says he’s good to go but you think he’d admit he wasn’t? The 49’ers are tough, physical and can score in the red zone. When Vernon Davis says he’s a converted “me first” kind of guy you know they want this one for Samurai Mike.
The rest of the schedule:

Green Bay over St. Louis: No reason to think the Rams will turn the page this week.

New Orleans beat the Bills: What have you seen in Buffalo that can equal the league’s best offense? Nothing.

Texans over the Jaguars: I feel for Maurice Jones-Drew but they need an A-list QB or wide receiver to balance that attack

New York Giants over the Tampa Bay Bucs: The Bucs can’t stop good offenses and the Giants have one. But if too many Giants are banged up and can’t play, look for this to be close.

Eagles over the Chiefs: Two back-up QB’s for Philly can’t blow this opportunity can they? If Vick is misused or coughs up the ball, maybe.

Arizona bests Indianapolis: While I think this could be a close shoot-out, Indy’s defense makes this pick a reality.

Baltimore over Cleveland: The Ravens have one of the most balanced teams in the league. Awesome D and an offense that can run and throw. Cleveland’s got…?

Steelers beats the Bengals: I’m not all that sure about this. I’ve got to see more of a running game from the Steelers before I make them a lock each week. Until then, those Bengals should scare them.

Bears over the Seahawks: Seneca Wallace is a good back-up but their running game is iffy. The Bears can run against them if last week’s defensive failure vs. Gore is a measure.

Chargers best the Dolphins: But for bad play calling, the Bolts would have beaten Baltimore last weekend. I think they can take the Dolphins after that.

Denver over Oakland: JaMarcus Russell might be as big a bust as Ryan Leaf. Need I say more?

Dallas bests Carolina: Third week in a row for the Panthers to face a potent offense and the Cowboys are cranky after loss to the Giants.

Tired of the same old sports page? Then check out Paula Duffy’s insightful (and often humorous) take on the sports day at her Examiner.com page! The popular co-host for Sports Journey Radio is also a contributor to the Huffington Post and founder of the sports learning site Incidental Contact. In her spare time, Duffy practices law in Los Angeles. But don’t hold that against her.

DETROIT – Well maybe that sounds a little bit crazy but my colleague Andy Kossak covered that issue and asked the question of whether or not the Detroit Lions may just let their time expire and not take a player.

Mike Florio of profootballtalk.com is also leading a discussion on that topic but he goes a bit further in exploring the fall-out for the rest of the draft order.

Would the St. Louis Rams who hold the #2 pick effectively have to sign their athlete as if he were the top pick?

Although the league has dealt with the issue of a team failing to make its pick in time (Minnesota, 2003) it didn’t involve the big kahuna #1 slot. Because that designation holds so much cache as well as the potential for guaranteed bonus money the fallout would be substantial.

Let’s say Detroit puts in its card for a selection after the Rams make their pick at #2. Who is the #1 pick in that instance? Is it the first athlete up on the stage with a team’s jersey and hat smiling for cameras with the commissioner?

Or is it the second athlete chosen, by the team that was designated as picking first?

This more than likely would lead to legal action by agents and lawyers for the athlete who was taken second but by a team which held the #1 pick. They would argue that you can’t relieve yourself of the burden to pay the big money by deliberately picking second.

For good measure the representatives for the first athlete chosen (by the team that held the second pick) would claim he deserves the big bonus money as the actual first choice.

I love these mind games and the league being thrown into a tizzy. The reason for all of these hypothetical questions is the slotting scale that exists for first round picks.

Commissioner Goodell has already announced his strong intention to create a new rookie payscale. He’s hoping that DeMaurice Smith, the new Executive VP of the NFLPA is on board with that.

Last year Goodell had the public support of Kevin Mawae, a vocal NFL player’s union member when Mawae questioned the $34.5 million contract given to Matt Ryan by the Atlanta Falcons.

If the players want to be certain their slice of the revenue pie isn’t diminished in the negotiations for a new contract with the league, changing the level of the huge rookie bonuses and salaries might be a way to do that.

Tired of the same old sports page? Then check out Paula Duffy’s insightful (and often humorous) take on the sports day at her Examiner.com page! The popular co-host for Sports Journey Radio is also a contributor to the Huffington Post and founder of the sports learning site Incidental Contact. In her spare time, Duffy practices law in Los Angeles. But don’t hold that against her.

Back in November, the attorneys for Roger Clemens and his former trainer, Brian McNamee stood in front of Judge Keith Ellison in a federal court in Houston to state their cases regarding the viability of Clemens’ defamation suit.McNamee’s legal team had filed a motion to dismiss the case and if any of it survived they wanted it moved to New York.

His lawyers argued that the majority of the statements alleged by Clemens to be defamatory were made by McNamee in New York. But it wasn’t surprising that the case had been filed in Texas. Clemens and his legal team reside there.

The venue of a case helps the local party by keeping costs down for appearing in court. No airline trips are necessary. Local knowledge of the courts and the judges also plays a big part in where a case is filed. McNamee was the one who might be hurt both in the pocket book and on the familiarity scale.

He won a big victory today when Judge Ellison issued his opinion on the dismissal and removal motions.

Ellison agreed with McNamee that with respect to the statements made in New York, the case should be heard there. As for the merits of the defamation claims, the judge ruled in favor of McNamee again.

He said that McNamee’s statements to George Mitchell came within an exception to the defamation case law which protects words spoken by a person who is required to speak in the course of an investigation or in court.

The judge ruled that because McNamee was under investigation and working with federal prosecutors on a potential plea deal for his part in trafficking illegal steroids, his statements to Mitchell should be protected.

He was required to cooperate and speak truthfully to Mitchell if he was to avoid prosecution.

What does that leave for Clemens’ side? Well they can appeal Judge Ellison’s decision or just move on to New York, re-file the case and see if the New York court’s precedents provide for the same ruling on the protection of McNamee’s statements. Of course this might all get dwarfed if a grand jury comes back with an indictment against Clemens.

They are also left with a clear path to continue the claims in Houston against McNamee regarding the former trainer’s statements made to pitcher and former client, Andy Pettite. Those are still actionable but might be refuted once Pettite is deposed and says on the record what he said in front of microphones more than one year ago.

LOS ANGELES – It didn’t take long for David Beckham to get lawyers working on releasing him from the five year agreement he made with the MLS and its team, the LA Galaxy.Barely 18 months ago on a hot July day in 2007, he was introduced to more than 600 media members and 2,500 screaming fans in Carson, California as the guy who would help revive the health of the U.S. soccer league and make everyone some serious money.

By the time of the introduction, the Galaxy had sold 250,000 Beckham #23 jerseys. The Galaxy was guaranteeing the international star at least $32 million with the promise of profit sharing that could net him $250 million for the duration of his five year contract.

He became a fixture in Los Angeles, attending all kinds of athletic events, bonded with Kobe Bryant and became a courtside fixture at Lakers games with his wife, Victoria.

The relationship with MLS was never more than a way to increase his already huge celebrity as well as a stab at claiming he could single-handedly make home grown soccer teams important to ticket buying Americans.

His career had hit a valley in Madrid where he had gone after his stellar career with Manchester United. The American public knew that but initially jumped at the chance to see him. He was everything that MLS had hoped for.

But his reputation in the real world of soccer was taking a hit. He went on loan to AC Milan during the first off-season, returned to the Galaxy for 2008 and immediately fled back to Italy.

He is getting good press for his performance on the team and now, he wants to stay. Of course he does. He has all the money he and his children will ever need and as a world class athlete, there’s only so long you can be a mascot for a league that will never vie for the world’s greatest players in their prime. He’s a competitor and craves that again.

How much will the MLS want for his release? God only knows but it will not get over this easily. It sold season seats and generated buzz for two years. The public knows it’s a gimmick but was willing to pay for it as long as they could be part of a spectacle.

I don’t think any amount of money compensates them for the loss Beckham. But they’ll name their price and Becks will pay it.

I doubt Kobe will miss him.

 Tired of the same old sports page? Then check out Paula Duffy’s insightful (and often humorous) take on the sports day at her Examiner.com page! The popular co-host for Sports Journey Radio is also a contributor to the Huffington Post and founder of the sports learning site Incidental Contact. In her spare time, Duffy practices law in Los Angeles. But don’t hold that against her.

LOS ANGELES – Most relationships, whether business or professional have similarities that can be obvious. Rejection hurts no less if the behavior manifests itself in a business context rather than a personal one.For reference please see the recent Los Angeles Times article about discussions between Scott Boras, agent for Manny Ramirez and Los Angeles Dodgers GM, Ned Colletti.

See if you recognize the signs of two people who went their separate ways and who while afraid to be hurt again are testing the waters to see if there is a way to resume their relationship.

In November, the Dodgers made a contract offer to Manny for two years in the amount of $45 million. At the time, Boras said thanks but no thanks since he had been looking for a 5-6 year deal. The Dodgers left the offer on the table for a week or so and then pulled it back.

According to Boras, Colletti was to get back to him after informing the Dodgers that it would take a longer deal to get Manny back into Dodger blue.

Boras went about tending to his other big client, Mark Teixeira, who is now happily ensconced within the New York Yankees organization.

The losing bidders for Teixeira have either been silent on the Manny front or have come right out and expressed their disinterest. That is until this past Monday when Ned Colletti spoke to the Los Angeles Times and admitted that Ramirez was still the team’s first choice. And then Monday’s newspaper announced the team’s continued interest. Boras didn’t take that as a personal affront. Rather, he saw it as a sign that the Dodgers were ready to talk about renewing an offer for Ramirez and were putting their toe in the water to see how cold it was.

Mission accomplished: Boras told the newspaper that talks had begun.

Since then, the Dodgers are said to be reworking Andruw Jones’ contract to make room for Manny.

It matters not whether Manny returns to LA for the purposes of this discussion. It is obvious that like a couple that broke up after a brief relationship, neither was ready for direct contact and decided to use an intermediary to determine the extent of the other party’s interest.

Even though tens of millions of dollars are at stake and players as well as team execs acknowledge that it is a business first and foremost, the pride at stake is the same as if a romance were hanging in the balance.

I find that fascinating and somewhat helpful for someone like me who is asked for opinions about how situations like this play out. If the Dodgers are too tentative and don’t show the proper excitement they might lose out to a third party who will be willing to give Manny what he wants.

There’s always another fish in the sea. Just check out the personals.

Happy New Year everyone

As we let the news settle in that Brett Favre, QB of the New York Jets, has made the Pro Bowl for the umpteenth time in his career and take side bets if he’ll schlep to Hawaii with Deana and the family, let’s remember what it took to get him to this place.

Winter

Favre, still a member of the Green Bay Packers, slinks home to Mississippi after a cruel loss in the NFC Championship game on the home field of Lambeau. He threw an interception in overtime that paved the way for the New York Giants to go to the Super Bowl.

Speculation begins about his future in Green Bay.
The Packers press him for a decision to avoid the previous year’s strung-out process. Aaron Rodgers keeps mum on it all and waits to learn his fate as the new starter on the Packers or the perpetual backup.

Favre calls a press conference and mesmerizes the public with a tearful and seemingly clear statement: I am retiring of my own volition.

Speculation begins anew that he is not clear on that statement. He has conversations almost immediately including with the Packersa bout returning. The team’s concern is that he isn’t 100% certain, just as he wasn’t prior to the announcement.

The Packers are relieved, name Rodgers their starter and set about planning for their first draft without having to keep Favre in mind, except they do. Brett is having retirement remorse.

Spring

Favre, the Packers and sports media begin a months’-long soap opera about whether the Packers gave Favre the signal that they wanted him gone and if he jumped too soon.

The contractual side of the story gets ugly as the Packers refuse to consider Favre’s return. If he doesn’t file retirement papers the team owns his rights and refuses to consider releasing him which would net them nothing in return, especially if he goes to a rival.

Favre takes the bait and starts taunting the team with going to a division rival but…he can”t say for certain if he wants to play at all. He still might retire but he doesn’t understand why he wouldn’t be welcomed back to Green Bay.

The war of wills continues as Packers fans are split down the middle on the loyalty front. Half believe he should come back, half don’t.

Summer

Favre shows up in Green Bay via private jet, as training camp is in progress, won’t take questions about his future and realizes there isn’t much sentiment left for him in Wisconsin. The impasse over him wanting a release and not being accommodated with one gets deeper.

He goes on Fox News with Greta Van Susteren to tell his sad tale of woe. Still can’t understand why the Packers won’t release him from his contract if they don’t want him to start for them any longer.

The commissioner gets involved and asks both sides to enter counseling. The Packers show their good faith by saying he’ll be benched and hold a clipboard for Rodgers if he wants to stay in Green Bay. Favre threatens to go to Minnesota and beat the Packers brains in. This is why they needed counseling.

Favre signs reinstatement papers but doesn’t file them.

The Packers get down and dirty and claim he is a malcontent who just wants it all his way. Immediately, the team hires a PR specialist who used to work at the White House but some say it’s too late.

Reinstatement papers are filed and commissioner expresses sadness as he accepts the inevitable.

Packers and Favre’s agent get down to business to try to break the impasse of where his rights get traded.

Minnesota Vikings look like jerks for having had conversations with Favre supposedly about fishing and hunting, not about coming to their team.

The sweepstakes begin in the NFL. Jon Gruden pisses off his QB by considering Favre joining him. The Packers have offered Brett an alternative to playing for them or anyone: a ten year marketing agreement with unspecified responsibilities but a pay check of $25 million in total.

And that is a first offer.

Favre who a month prior wasn’t interested in New York signs with the Jets, gets welcomed by the Mayor of New York and Jets fans dance in the streets. EA is forced to provide download image of Favre in Jets’ uni after their game went to press with him in Packers’ colors.

Fall

Favre starts slow, gets on a roll, settles back down to earth and proceeds to take the moribund team to the brink of the playoffs and gets voted into the Pro Bowl.

Future?

What’s in store for this offseason? Why wait for that? Favre is already starting the cycle of drama again as he told the media in New York that these last few games might be his last. Don’t act surprised. It’s got to be this way for him and unfortunately for fans of the team he plays for.

Happy New Year, everyone.

See the slideshow pertaining to this article at Paula’s Examiner column.