NFL Lock Out, Sports Round Up

Good morning!

Amazing how income tax time can knock me off my game! All those papers, all the faxing, etc.

Well, the BBQ is back on with a plateful of topics, starting with the NFL lock-out. Here's what you can chat about:

> Will there be a NFL football season in 2011? The players have been officially locked out.

> Why? The players and the team owners are at an impasse. Some of the many issues involved: an 18-game season instead of 16 and how to divide (allegedly) $9B a year.

> The NFL players union has voted to decertify and has filed an anti-trust suit in federal court.

> Who's right? Who's wrong? Discuss.

Ohio State Football

> Head coach Jim Tressel has been suspended for 2 games because he was warned that some of his football players were selling their memorabilia. Tressel reportedly received an email from a former OSU player who is now an attorney. Tressel responded that he'd look into it ASAP but apparently didn't.

> When the players were found out, including star QB Terrelle Pryor they were suspended for

the first 5 games of the upcoming season.

> Now Tressel is suspended for the first two.

> Should he have been punished? If so, should it have been more severe?

> In a news conference, Tressel said he thought the email was supposed to be kept confidential. Is that a defense?

> Did you ever see this coming? Tressel's known as a class-act.

Enough for now. Discuss and enjoy!

More Coaching News

Well, you can't say you weren't warned. There's been more turnover in the coaching ranks.

First, you can chat up what's happening in the college ranks.

+ Rich Rodriguez at the University of Michigan has been fired. The former WV University head coach just couldn't right the ship in Ann Arbor and big time programs like Michigan aren't patient.

+ What were the things that heavily weighed against him? He was there three years and never beat U of M's nemesis Ohio State.

+ He also never beat interstate rival, Michigan State.

+ Getting blown out in the Gator Bowl also didn't help.

Second, in the pro's, 1 coach who seemed to be on the bubble is coming back.

+ Marvin Lewis, the head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals, is getting an extension after a horrible season.

+ The Bengals won just 4 games and lost 12.

+ Here's the kicker to the story: Lewis negotiated with the Bengals front office and owner Mike Brown to make changes in how the front office runs (source: ESPN).

+ So Lewis may get more input on football operations and facilities. I say, "Go Marvin!" Growing up in Ohio, the Bengals became known as the "Bungles" over the years. This once proud franchise started by Paul Brown, a football legend, deserves some breaks.

Chat it up and enjoy!