DETROIT – As the Detroit Lions are staring 0-16 right in the face, we must not forget who is responsible for leading them down that road of collapse.

As former team president and CEO Matt Millen sits comfortably in his home, states away in Pennsylvania, fans and the media must remember to honor him as the orchestrator of this disaster called the Lions.

Owner William Clay Ford, with the coaxing of his son, Junior, made a long overdue move after week three when he fired Millen, earning Millen the Bitch-Slap-of-the-Week award. 

Millen has long packed up and gone but like three-month-old fish, his stench remains.

That stench comes in the form of the coaching staff, blown draft picks and free agent signings Millen had pieced together over his historic record run of failure.

Millen’s Lions team is 0-14 with a game at home Sunday against the Drew Brees led New Orleans Saints and a final road game in frigid Green Bay where the Cheeseheads always play to win.

Many expect Millen to make NFL history next Sunday, surpassing the Tampa Bay Bucs 0-14 record of futility, a record that held for decades.

Things will not change in Detroit overnight. A bumper-to-bumper refurbish job needs to be done. Marinelli, who is on the verge of emotionally imploding, and the rest of the staff Millen hired needs to go, there is no doubt about that.

Joe Barry, defensive coordinator and benefiter of Detroit’s nepotism program, has managed and created the worst defense in the NFL over the past two seasons. And how sorry is it to actually hear him in yesterday’s press conference in Detroit talking about how the defense will definitely improve if returns next year.

Besides Millen, Barry may be the biggest cause of this year’s implosion. If he had half of a conscience, he would refuse his paycheck and would have resigned the week Millen got his pink slip.

Only in Detroit can a coach speak like there is any possibility of returning to the team even after a 0-16 season. Look at Millen. He was actually signed to an extension after taking a 7-9 team to 3-13 and wasting high first-round draft picks.

It looks like the Lions will be getting another No. 1 overall pick in a draft and the good news is, Matt Millen will not be the one making the selection.

In the meantime, Lions fans should plug their noses from the stench Millen has left; a stench that may linger for years to come.

Copyright © 2008 – Sports Climax

Selections were announced for the NFL Pro Bowl game on Tuesday and here’s a quick run-down.

The N.Y. Jets had the most selections with seven and QB Brett Favre who leads the league in interceptions is on that list.

There are 17 first time appearances for the AFC and 14 for the NFC.

Titans RB Chris Johnson is the only rookie selected.

Both Mannings will participate. QB Peyton is starting for the AFC while QB Eli is on the NFC squad.

The combined age of the NFC kickers is 86 years (see below).

Teams not represented are Detroit, Jacksonville, Cincinnati and St. Louis.

Players not selected included Cowboys QB Tony Romo and pot-stirrer WR T.O.

A few comeback players are also joining the NFC team.

Topping that list is 44-year-old John Carney who actually put on the pads early in the season to play “fill-in” for a few games while the Giants’ starting placekicker Lawrence Tynes was nursing an injury.

Carney responded by kicking 27 of 29 field goals and his only two misses were blocked. The kicker has remained in the position on a full-time basis and was rewarded by being selected to represent the NFC this year. Carney, the oldest player ever selected for the game, will be joined by teammate 42-year-old punter Jeff Feagles.

Arizona Cardinals QB Kurt Warner who joined the Cardinals to mentor young Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart finds himself in the limelight again after rebooting his career in the desert.

Warner, who has passed for 4,290 this season and led his team to a guaranteed home playoff game, will start for the NFC. He will have familiar targets as teammates, WR Anquan Boldin and WR Larry Fitzgerald both were voted in.

Copyright © 2008 – Sports Climax

DETROIT – The stress of staring 0-16 in the face is more than beginning to take a toll on the Detroit Lions coaching staff and players.This past week, center Dominic Raiola flipped the bird to some heckling fans after the Minnesota Vikings spanked them on Dominic’s home field 20-16.

This isn’t the first time a player got agitated with the fans and responded with a quick flick of the middle one but what happened afterward is a first as far as I can remember. The following day, instead of apologizing, the frustrated player found a few cameras and further challenged whatever few Lions die-hards may be around to fisticuffs.

“I don’t take one thing back,” Raiola said. “I’ll say the same thing to a fan that I see in the street. I wish I could give my address out to some fans. But, you know, I can’t. Nobody plays with fists. Everybody wants to play with metal. So I can’t. I’m so frustrated. I’m tired of being a doormat for people to just talk to us how they want to talk to us. I’m just not going to put up with it anymore.”

I feel Dominic’s pain. I have watched the Lions for years and this is a man that shows up most every Sunday. This is an example how stress is becoming a dominating factor in that locker room. To direct comments like that to fans who dig hundreds of dollars out of their pockets to buy tickets to witness a product as sorry as the Lions is unacceptable.

The in-your-face ensemble of sportswriters on Around the Horn took up the topic. J.A. Adande started out dissing Raiola, “Not only should he apologize, he should be buying tickets for these fans”.

That would have been a little bit cheaper than the $7,500 Raiola was fined by the team late Tuesday afternoon.

This week Rod Marinelli continued to add to his collection of weirdest comments in a press conference when he said, “I believe in the invisible”. Jay Mariotti responded, “His team has been invisible all year, he’s about one step away from a straight-jacket.”

I share your sentiments, Mariotti. I wrote an article two weeks ago called ‘Marinelli losing it . . . literally’.

In that article I shared some press conference remarks the struggling coach had made with the media and how the stress was taking a serious toll.

The latest word in Detroit is, there are so many empty seats in the stands, the players can hear the fans yelling insults while they are in the huddle.

I called my brother during the second quarter of the Thanksgiving Day Massacre against the Titans and the stadium was so quiet, we were able to hold a regular conversation. In fact, it was noisier in the airport pub I was sitting in and I had to shield my ears from the wall-to-wall laughter as the Titans trotted down the field, untouched for yet another score.

Raiola and Marinelli are best off to play through the rest of another wasted season and become a part of history . . . 0-16 history.

Copyright © 2008 – Sports Climax

NEW YORK – Coach Tom Coughlin and his New York Giants have lived up to the challenges they have faced and continue to find a way to win.The Giants (11-1) own the best record in the NFC and have a chance to clinch the NFC East with a victory today at home against the Philadelphia Eagles.

While WR Plaxico Burress’ shooting incident dominated the news, the team maintained their composure and responded well last week by going into Washington and defeating the Redskins 23-7. QB Eli Manning completed 21 of 34 passes for 305 yards and he did it without Plaxico in the line-up.

That seems to be the Giants pattern over the past few seasons. Adversity hits . . . shrug it off and win.

After the 2006-07 season, the Giants star running back Tiki Barber hung up his spikes as the team’s all-time rushing and reception leader.

The team turned to Brandon Jacobs to fill Barber’s spot. Jacobs responded by rushing for 1,009 yards for the season and helped his Giants pick up playoff road wins in Green Bay and Dallas then defeat the heavily-favored New England Patriots in the Super Bowl 17-14.

This year, the Giants started their season without a huge part of their defense, Michael Strahan, who decided to retire with a franchise leading 141.5 sacks and again, the team is shrugging it off. After 12 weeks into the season, the Giants defense, led by Justin Tuck (11.5 sacks) is third in the NFC in sacks with 36.

There is talk that LB Antonio Pierce’s involvement in the Plaxico incident could be a distraction to the team this week but it’s hard to imagine Coughlin not having his team focused and ready for this game.

Copyright © 2008 – Sports Climax

NEW YORK – After suspending Dallas Stars forward Sean Avery for six games, without pay, as a result of inappropriate public comments that he made Tuesday in Calgary, it’s obvious that NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman is out of touch with his players and should consider stepping down from the league.

To play Bettman’s game, Avery has agreed to seek a professional anger management evaluation and, if necessary, structured counseling in response to a pattern of unacceptable and antisocial behavior.

During a conference call with the NHL Media, Bettman added that if the counselors decide Avery “needs more time”, his time away from the game could be longer.

“Mr. Avery has expressed remorse for his recent comments and has sought a professional anger management evaluation,” Bettman said. “I will require that he follow through with that process as a condition of his returning to the ice and that he complies with any and all recommendations.

“Playing in the National Hockey League is a privilege, requiring a high standard of personal behavior. Mr. Avery forfeits that privilege for six games.”

A reporter asked Bettman what “anti-social remarks have to do with anger management” and “why other players who have in the past been suspended for violent acts on the ice were not required to attend anger management classes”.

Bettman, whos league was beaten out in the ratings by Sponge Bob during last year’s playoffs,  could muster up no logical response to those questions.

Chris Pronger has been suspended several times for high sticking or other violent injury-causing attacks on the ice and when Todd Bertuzzi jumped off the bench, sucker-punched opposing player Steve Moore, breaking his neck and ending his career, he was not required to get any anger management counseling whatsoever. (see the pic of Moore leaving the ice on a stretcher with his broken neck)

Bettman tried to skate around these and other questions simply stating Avery’s situation was “Completely out of the norm”.

Sounds more like there exists a commissioner in one of the major sports who is the one that is “out of the norm”, are you listening Mr. Bettman?

Copyright © 2008 – Sports Climax

NEW YORK – Sean Avery met with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman today to discuss his indefinite suspension from the league but no decision was made by the league.

This league allows players to stand toe-to-toe and beat the living shit out of each other, breaking noses, gashing cheeks then ‘disciplines them’ by letting them take a five minute break and sip water in an air-conditioned box.

Then they have the audacity to hit a guy in the pocketbook by suspending him for suggesting his ex-girlfriends are a little bit on the slutty side.

Avery, known for his peskiness on the ice and his trail of controversy off it, was suspended after making a crude remark regarding two ex-girlfriends of his who are dating other hockey players and how those players were visiting places he had already been.

Avery first confirmed the camera was on then said, “I’m just going to say one thing. I’m really happy to be back in Calgary, I love Canada. I just wanted to comment on how it’s become like a common thing in the NHL for guys to fall in love with my sloppy seconds. I don’t know what that’s about, but enjoy the game tonight.”

Avery can be a crude mutha’ for sure but the bottom line is, he did not break any rules.

Any other league would have just shook their heads and let the media roll with it then reap the rewards of the publicity. The chicken-shit Bettman did the opposite and was quick to apologize and discipline.

The NHL needs a few guys like Avery, but the problem is, their idiot commissioner and marketing department doesn’t realize it.

The only time we see the league in the news is when a player is hit with assault charges for attacking someone on the ice or when Avery decides to make headlines. Like he did during last year’s playoffs with his altercation with Martin Brodeur, or when he finds the right time to flip off a camera or verbally battle hockey fans surrounding the penalty boxes around the league.

Look at the NFL and its “bad guys”. I am not condoning guns in clubs and brawls in stalls but if and when these incidents happen, it’s a headache, they deal with it then capitalize on the frenzy of attention and publicity–the NHL does not.

The onslaught of media attention following Plaxico Burress’ gun incident and the six drug test suspensions are great examples of how the old saying “Any publicity is good publicity” holds true.

The NFL Super Bowl has a price tag of $3 million dollars per 30 second commercial spot in 2009.

The dismally-rated NHL was beat out in the ratings by Sponge Bob during the playoffs last spring so you have to wonder how hard Bettman really should come down on Avery.

Truth is, Bettman should kiss Avery’s ass and thank him for reminding ESPN that hockey exists.

Copyright © 2008 – Sports Climax

The Detroit Lions fans only hope for a future may be Congress voting through a bailout plan for the poorly-managed faltering Ford Motor Company.

Last I noticed, Ford Motor Company was asking for $9 billion of fans/taxpayers dollars while making no indications they intend to sell the Lions which are valued by Forbes to be worth $917 million.

Ford’s recent reported losses have been huge. According to their media.ford.com website they had a net loss of $8.7 billion in the second quarter of 2008 and according to CNN Money.com burned through another $6.3 billion in the third quarter of 2008. At that rate, it is possible they could eat up a loan of $9 billion in a short time.

With support from some of the local politicians and pressure from taxpayers around the country, Michiganders can present a scenario to Congress that includes the Fords being required to sell the Lions if they are included in any bailout.

I have had a few emails from people explaining how technically William Clay is not the owner of Ford Motor Company. Corporations are legally laid out however companies decide to lay them out. Ford’s website has William Clay listed at the highest position, Executive Chairman and you have to assume William Clay owns a decent portion of that stock recently valued at less than a Starbucks small coffee.

It is absurd to allow the Ford family to maintain an entity like the Lions in their portfolio while agreeing to hand over billions of tax dollars to save their auto company’s sinking ship.

If Joe Citizen is in desperate financial shape and asks a bank to bail them out of a foreclosure on their home, shouldn’t that bank make them sell his Bentley and second home on the ocean first? Even though the Bentley is not related to the house going into foreclosure, it is part of that family’s portfolio. Don’t get me wrong, the Lions are more like a rusted-out Yugo but you get my point.

If the Ford Motor Company is asking for $9 billion, Congress should minus the $917 million they are forced to acquire from the sale of the Lions then give them $8.08 billion instead.

First of all, handing these auto companies $34 billion is like flushing the money down the toilet but if Congress did approve a ridiculous bad investment of tax dollars like that, the people of Detroit could seize the opportunity and possibly get the Ford family off their field.

The Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons are great examples of how an NFL franchise can turn it around in one year if they are under the proper ownership and management.

Matt Millen, the creator of the Lions current dismal coaching staff and player personnel was sent packing the day after Mike Martz’ San Fran 49ers whipped the Lions earlier this season, earning Millen the Bitch-Slap-of-the-Week award on Sports Climax. 

Removing another cancer like owner William Clay Sr. would open the door to new ownership and a possible turnaround. Imagine, new ownership would lead to new management which leads to a new coaching staff (Google Bill Cowher) and smart draft selections, something this NFL team hasn’t experienced in a decade.

Congress, if you do bail out Ford Motor Company, remember to bail out the Detroit Lions fans as well, these poor loyalists have been through enough.

Copyright © 2008 – Sports Climax

NEW YORK – It’s amazing how a small bottle of over-the-counter pills can stir so much controversy.

Roger Goodell and the NFL suspended six players for taking Bumetanide, a diuretic used for weight-loss.

Bumetanide can be used to mask steroid use and there lies the reason it is on the banned substance list for the league and why these players were sent packing for the remainder of the regular season.

Normally failing drug tests are a cut and dry situation. A player tries to cheat, gets the random call, fails a test and has no argument.

This case is different.

The suspended players who failed their test because of consuming StarCaps pills may be victims of illegal manufacturing by the company making the pills. Starcaps list of ingredients were natural and included garlic, papaya and corn spices but did not include Bumetanide.

Bumetanide is an FDA regulated drug so it is illegal to dispense it without a prescription. If that is the case and the company added it without the player’s knowledge, spiked their product in other words, these players may be classified more as victims than cheaters.

Regardless, the NFL has good justification for the suspensions backed by a letter they sent out to the players last year.

That letter contained the following warning, “There is a list of stimulants and diuretics banned by the NFL in the Policy for Anabolic Steroids and Related Substances.

However, remember that the contents of supplements may not match what is listed on the label of the bottle. If you test positive for a banned stimulant or diuretic or water pill, this constitutes a positive test. I urge you not to take products to that claim to “burn fat”, “lower weight” or other similar claims”.

The letter went on to say, “Remember that as NFL players you are responsible for whatever is in your body”.

In December 2007, the National Center for Biotechnology Information released test results taken after one Starcaps pill was taken and those results confirmed that Starcaps contained Bumetanide. See the full report here.

This scenario is far from over with all the legal paperwork that has been filed concerning the case.

Copyright © 2008 – Sports Climax

NEW YORK – While visiting the Big Apple all week, it’s hard not to concentrate on covering the sports news coming out of America’s biggest sports town-there’s a lot of it.

The New York Giants’ Plaxico Buress’ weapon charges and legal woes has saturated the news here and nationally all weekend but there’s another New Yorker demanding some of the attention.

The New York Knicks’ Stephon Marbury who was suspended after refusing to go into a game, walked out of a meeting with Knicks President Donnie Walsh and NBPA lawyer Hal Biagas after only 15 minutes yesterday. The meeting was called to discuss the anticipated buyout of Marbury’s contract.

Fifteen minutes sounds like a really short time to spend trying to agree on a buyout plan for a $20.84 million a year contract. By bolting out of that meeting minutes after the parties barely pulled their chairs up to the table, Marbury is making the impression he is not truly committed to resolving the matter.

You would think even an athlete with an attitude like Marbury would realize when you are talking about not having to make another dribble or attempt even one layup again with the team, it takes more than a half of a Bugs Bunny cartoon to come to terms on how much of that $20.84 million dollars his team should have to wire to his bank account.

Biagas remained with Walsh attempting to resolve the issue but the parties seem to have hit a brick wall. Biagas responded to questions afterward, “We feel the discipline imposed by the Knicks is baseless. We plan to file a grievance.”

Marbury slammed Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni in an interview with the New York Post last week, “We need to separate from the relationship. The marriage is over, it’s a done deal. I wouldn’t trust him to walk my dog across the street.”

Knicks teammate Quentin Richardson hasn’t had many kind words for Marbury lately, “He hasn’t played with us all year. Regardless of what you have going on with the organization or what you have going on with your coach or whatever — you’re not going to allow your teammates to be left out there the way we were basically being left out there. I don’t pay attention to Marbury because I don’t look at him as a teammate anyway.”

The trash-talking in this organization has gone from being directed at opponents on the court to being directed at each other in the media.

The Knicks (8-8) have dumped a few of their high-salaried players and with this attempt to buyout Marbury’s contract, it’s obvious they are positioning themselves for the upcoming Lebron sweepstakes.

Copyright © 2008 – Sports Climax

NEW YORK – Police are expected to file criminal charges against Plaxico Burress this morning for the incident over the weekend when Burress shot himself in the leg with a gun while out clubbing in New York.

The incident occurred at a nightclub called The Latin Quarter located on Lexington and 48th, just a few blocks from NFL headquarters.

According to the New York Times, police were searching for Burress on Saturday and went to his home at 4:35 pm to question him about the shooting. They were greeted by Burress’ wife Tiffany who told them, “You can’t come in. You can’t talk to my husband”.

After 37 minutes, they left and returned about 7:30 pm and again left after no one answered the door.

Since then, Burress has hired an attorney to represent him.

Felony charges are likely. In the state of New York, if a person possesses a loaded, unlicensed handgun in a place other than his residence or business, it is a felony.

The bad news for Burress is, the days of brushing celebrity and athlete criminal incidents under the rug, is long over (Google Paris Hilton and Michael Vick).

Burress does have an expired Florida concealed permit but even if it were not expired, it would not be recognized in New York.

During the NFL Network pregame shows on Sunday, ex-players explained how the league offers security contacts and information for players to hire legally-armed security guards in their home town or any time they travel on the road. This is in place in an attempt to discourage players from carrying weapons or having members of their entourage packing heat.

If the loaded weapon is proven to be Burress’ and he discharged it, even accidentally, while out for an evening of alcohol and clubbing, he deserves repercussion from this.

Burress is a professional with the monetary means and league resources to hire qualified armed security to accompany him at any time.

To set his own rules while ignoring the laws and policies while placing himself and every patron in that club in jeopardy, he has asked for a day in court, and chances are, he will get it.

Copyright © 2008 – Sports Climax