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Blackbird Singing - BLACKBIRD SINGING: DUMB, GULLIBLE OR ABOVE THE LAW?

A quick tour through the NFL and a brown spot (Photos by Sabina Moran)

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Posted On: 10/24/06

Written By:  

Tony Lombardi

DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN, WE USED TO SING…SHA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA ~ The brown spot…the skid mark…the pine tar…the baseball rub…whatever it is, how can it really alter what Kenny Rogers has accomplished?  Look, I don’t like the guy nor does that cameraman that he once rolled.  But you can’t really question what he’s done in the post season and how many GM’s and fans across the country are openly pondering why their team didn’t take a chance on this once very available southpaw who didn’t have the intestinal fortitude to handle the heat in the Bronx kitchen.  Maybe it’s a good luck spot.  Hey, you think Rogers could spare some for Steve McNair?

 

But then maybe this controversy is a sneaky way of busting up Rogers’ mojo.  Tony LaRussa is that way you know.  Apparently it didn’t make a difference.  With or without his brown spot, Rogers blacked out the Cardinals. 

 

Maybe Rogers thought no one would care.  Maybe he thought no one was watching.  Actually not many were.  The Series opener had a record low in the TV ratings receiving an 8.0 national rating and a 15 share.  That equates to about 9 million homes watching.  Take out those who fell asleep during the game, Tigers fans and Cardinals fans and that number falls considerably. 

 

Bored yet?  Ok, on to football…

 

WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT IN THE CITY ~ Shawne “Lights Out” Merriman just had a dimmer switch installed and it appears as though the NFL will crank his wattage down for four games for violating the league’s steroid policy.  Merriman claims that he’s tested clean frequently and he has no idea how the most recent test turned out positive.  Gee that sounds familiar.

 

Look in this day and age with all the supplements and all of the screening, to test positive you either need to be dumb, gullible or sneaky.  If you aren’t sure about a supplement, then ask.

 

I’M TAKING WHAT THEY’RE GIVIN’ CAUSE I’M WORKING FOR A LIVIN’ ~ When asked if Brian Billick’s new role as offensive coordinator would make a difference Derrick Mason replied, "I don't know.  We're not changing anything dramatically on offense. What does that tell you? That tells you players have to go out there -- and whatever the game plan is -- we got to make it work. I have confidence that regardless of who's calling the plays that, with the week off, we can come back and make this offense go."  If it doesn’t work out this week, expect more microphones in Mason’s face and expect more biting commentary from the Ravens’ outspoken receiver.

 

AND WHEN I AWOKE, I WAS ALONE…THIS BIRD HAD FLOWN ~ Two former Ravens are in the news these days.  Gary Baxter tore up both of his knees trying to defend a pass intended for Javon Walker this past Sunday.  Baxter has struggled mightily to stay healthy as a member of the Cleveland Browns.  Our best to the former bird who is likely out for a full year.  One might question if he’ll ever reclaim his average corner speed.  He may end up a safety after all.

 

Another former Raven in the news who traded his Baltimore shade of purple for that of Minnesota is Chester Taylor.  Taylor is the second leading rusher in the league with 590 yards through 6 games, behind league leader Tiki Barber who has 647 through 6. 

 

Take a look at the Vikings skill position players and then take a look at the Ravens’.  Might the Ravens failure to establish a running game with the likes of Messrs. Smith, Anderson and Lewis be an indictment on the play calling, offensive line, offensive line coaching or all of the above?

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Enlarge Text Decrease Text Print this Article send this article to a friend Add This bookmark facebook twitter rss

Posted On: 10/24/06

Written By:  

Tony Lombardi