Wow…  Tuesday Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth plead guilty to Stallworth pleaded guilty Tuesday to manslaughter while driving under the influence of alcohol in exchange for a lighter sentence. Stallworth faced up to 15 years in jail for the death of 59-year-old construction worker Mario Reyes, who supposedly was running across the street when he was struck by Stallworth, who apparently had been out on drinking prior to the incident. That must have been one hell of a plea deal because Stallworth was only sentenced 30 days in the clank, 2 years of house arrest and 8 years probation. Are you serious ?

I mean look at it this way…. Micheal Vick killed some dogs… some dogs!!! Know in no way am I condoning the actions of Vick, but come on where are we as a society today in our flawed justice system. Stallworth took a human life a man with a family, correct me if I’m wrong but last time I checked once you die there’s no coming back from that. Stallworth will more then likely see a suspension from the league maybe 4 games, Yet, Micheal Vick  gets involved with dog fighting, spends almost a year in jail, loses all his endorsements, goes bankrupt, booted from the NFL which he  undoubtedly will have to fight to get back into. I’ll let you do the math there.

As an act of good faith Leon Washington RB for the New York Jest has ended his short hold out and returned to the team for off-season workouts this morning. It looked like Leon who’s rookie contract expires at the end of next season would hold out till a deal was done. He is due to receive $535.000 this year which in my opinion is well under market value for a back of his caliber.

His agent Alvin Keels says  “Leon is excited about finishing the off-season program off strong, and is very much “hopeful”that we can come to terms on a fair market deal.” Washington and Keels are looking for numbers like Maurice Jones-Drew’s four-year, $32.4 million  $17.5 million guaranteed.

Contrary to what has been been said about agent Alvin Keels after the Andre Smith saga, looking at the numbers for Keels and past deals done, you’ve got to believe Washington is in good hands. Keels may be a young fresh face in the game gut he’s done some huge deals, Larry Johnson for one, $43.2 million $19 million guaranteed. Another notable DeAngelo Hall’s $70 million dollar contract with the Raiders, which was short lived thanks to Al Just win baby Davis. After the Raiders cut Hall Keels went to work for his client and got a another marquee deal with the Redskins worth $54 million dollars 22 million guaranteed, making him one of the highest paid corner backs in the league.

So Leon is in good hands with a good negotiator on his team. It really looks like with Leon showing his maturity and faith in his employer, the ball is now in the court of the Jets to hold up their end of the bargain. Leon is probably the best offensive weapon in the Jets offensive scheme along with Thomas Jones who is also making a strong argument in terms of his contract restructuring. They both deserve their payday however you’ve got to believe that Leon has a pretty strong argument over Jones.  Only time will tell.

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported today that the NFL WILL NOT suspend Free agent Matt Jones as the result of his violation of a court-mandated drug program. WTF!!! Matt Jones was arrested last July for cocaine possession and only saw a three game suspension. That only after he appealed the league suspension. After his suspension, Jones entered an Arkansas drug diversion program, but was sent to jail for five days after violating the terms of his probation. Granted all he did to screw that up was drink two beers on the golf course, (so he claims).

Now its been reported that the league is only gonna slap him on the wrist with a $50,000 fine? Are you serious? I mean I think we are missing the big picture here. THIS IDIOT WAS CAUGHT CUTTING UP COCAINE WITH A CREDIT CARD IN HIS CAR. Now correct me if I’m wrong,  and nobody actually reported seeing him sniff the stuff,  but if Jones was dicing up coke, I don’t think he’s just doing it as an old Arkansas science project.  How is this not a big deal? I mean the Jags did end up releasing the over paid first rounder but only after he violated his probation. To make matters worse the NFLPA has encouraged him to appeal the $50,000.  Where is the innocence in this case? He should at least be banned from the league for a few seasons. It was appalling to me when Jones was first arrested with no early league penalty, and was able to play all but 3 games, and now this!! What does this say for the NFL and Goodall who seemed to have a no tolerance attitude when it came to off the field issues? Not a good look in my opinion.

ESPN announced Former Tampa Bay Bucs coach Jon Gruden will be joining the Monday Night Football crew, with  Mike Tirico and analyst Ron Jaworski this fall, replacing Tony ‘the cornball’  Kornheiser. Excellent move in my opinion. Don’t get me wrong, Tony was a breath of fresh air compared to Dennis Miller in the booth and does at least have some knowledge of the game,  however Tony did have a tendency to go overboard with some of his slapstick humor at times. Tony, stick with PTI is suites you better.

Moving from the sidelines to the booth is not an easy adjustment I imagine for Gruden having to hold back the F-bombs other expletives. However, after watching this past NFL draft coverage with Gruden, I loved his commentary, and  I feel he’s done an awesome job so far. Great addition to the elite Monday Night Football crew.  On the other end of the spectrum …. Coaching? Gruden has plenty of years in him left to pace the sidelines of one of these franchises in the league, and I expect his name to be among one of the  front runners along with Bill Cower for the next available vacancy, but not without a hefty price tag. I mean look at his resume and not to mention being one the youngest to achieve the acclamades he’s already reached. Till then he’ll be doing play-by-play and ESPN couldn’t have picked a better person for the job.

Where would the NFL be without the Oakland Raiders? This franchise over last couple of years has been good for a few things other than some guaranteed losses and few off season foul moves. Not to mention a few laughs provided by the critically acclaimed Al Davis.  From paying their first over all draft pick in 2007 30 mill plus, after missing mini camp and the first week of the season,   to cutting their star defensive back DeAngelo Hall mid-season after agreeing to a 70 mill deal. To the controversial firing of Lane Kiffin.

During the whole “resignation” or in my words force out of Kiffin debauchery, it was revealed that Kiffin never really wanted Jamarcus in the system, however we all know Davis always has the trump card and plays it often. Not sure if its to early to call but, so far, for the money spent, it looks like Jamarcus is not far from the infamous “B” word. Yeah BUST. To me Russell is years away from the guy they though they drafted.  He seems all about the fame and not about the work, skipping workouts with teammates, and not mention the slender 270 plus frame he carries.  The first smart thing I’ve seen Davis and the Raiders pull off is the signing of quarterback Jeff Garcia. This is the 6th franchise Garcia has played for in 10 years. The young 39 year old 4 time Pro bowler is also one of seven NFL quarterbacks to have two consecutive thirty-touchdown passing seasons (2000 and 2001) in their career. Not to mention he did also win a Grey Cup Championship with the Calgary Stampeders. 

What’s behind the signing of Garcia who is undoubtedly 100 times better the Russel? Is to spark a fire under Russel? Who knows, I mean its Al Davis we’re talking about, but nevertheless it looks like with the “Just Win Baby” attitude of Davis they defiantly have a controversy worth following. I cant see Jeff who is one of the toughest QB’s in the league having any more than 2 MAYBE 3 seasons left in him, who knows maybe just enough time for Russell to mature and step in upon the deparcher of Garcia. Only time will tell.