Some players say goodbye in a teary press conference (or two or three, right, Brett?) but Walter Jones set a new standard by announcing his retirement via Twitter. While this isn’t an official transaction, it’s news enough for us to discuss. We’ll compare Jones’ retirement against others this offseason in a post we’re compiling. And at the bottom of this post, we’ve included thoughts on Donte Stallworth’s recent release by the Browns.

Jones, who played his entire 12-game career with the Seahawks, didn’t play at all in 2009, which is an unfortunate end for a great career. This mountain of a man was an elite cornerstone left tackle for almost all of his career, making nine Pro Bowls and earning first-team All-Pro honors four times. He had the incredible size that made him a quality run blocker for backs like Ricky Watters and Shaun Alexander and the athleticism to protect the quarterback’s blind side as well. That made Jones an all-decade pick for the 2000s along with Orlando Pace, Jonathan Ogden, and Willie Roaf. Jones and Pace were incredibly similar players, while Ogden had a little more height and athleticism. But those three are the Hall of Fame level offensive tackles from the last 10-12 years. When Jones played next to Steve Hutchinson, the Seahawks had by far the best left side of the offensive line in the league, and had Hutchinson stayed in Seattle, that duo would have made a dent in the all-time side-by-side protector pairs. Jones was the sixth overall pick in the 1997 draft, and he got the franchise tag on multiple occasions, and all that goes to show that Jones truly was a franchise-making player for the Seahawks.

Stallworth was a big-money acquisition by Cleveland before the 2008 season, but he had just 17 catches on the season. And then Stallworth sat out the 2009 season under league suspension. Those two combined to make cutting Stallworth after he was reinstated a quick decision for the Browns. Stallworth played four four teams between 2005 and 2008, which tells you that his talent tantalizes but doesn’t deliver. Now he’ll have to hook on with a team desperate for receiver help – perhaps Baltimore? – as a fourth receiver with upside. Stallworth has shown maturity in making up for his mistake over the past year, and perhaps that will help him resurrect a career that is disappointing at this point.

To little surprise, the Cleveland Browns have officially terminated Donte Stallworth’s contract. Stallworth, who was convicted of DUI manslaughter almost a year ago, was recently reinstated by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

In one season with the Browns, Stallworth only caught 17 passes and only had one touchdown. Stallworth battled injuries and rarely played.

Releasing Stallworth from his contract is consistent with the direction the Browns want to go in. Head Coach Eric Mangini has weeded out other troubled players in the past and has made it clear he does not want those types of distractions in the locker room. The team proved they could win without Stallworth in the lineup and is sending a statement that they are moving on from the troubled wide receiver.

Browns release WR Stallworth – NFL – Yahoo! Sports

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This is my first mock draft of the season, now while as the season goes on changes will be made but first there are two things that stand out, which is that the first round is dominated by underclassmen and second this is a deep class of defensive lineman. Although many NFL teams are switching to 3-4 defense, there are a lot of tackles in this draft that can play 3-4 or 4-3.

1. St. Louis Rams: Ndamukong Suh/Nebraska

While everyone knows that the Rams could use a QB, Suh is the most dominate defensive player in this draft and probably the best DT to enter the league since Warren Sapp. He’s extremely powerful and very quick and has good instincts. If the Rams decide to go for a QB, they could possibly trade down which is pretty hard to do, but their best bet is to try and trade for one.

2. Detroit Lions: Gerald McCoy/ Oklahoma

The Lions have yet to find a franchise defensvei tackle, and since Suh is off the board already, McCoy is the 2nd best DT in this draft. McCoy makes his living in opponents’ backfields and is such a talent he could have landed in this position last year had he declared as a redshirt sophomore.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Eric Berry/ Tennessee

Although I would love for them to draft my dude Joe Haden out of Florida since Ronde Barber is 35 and on a major decline, Eric Berry is just to much talent to pass up. Berry is an exact replica of Ed Reed with his playmaking abilities and a magnet towards the football. There has been such a high demand for safeties like this in the NFL, especially since last seasons draft was a poor one for safety positions.

4. Cleveland Browns: Derrick Morgan/ Georgia Tech

The Browns are another team that could make a run for at a Quarterback, but their defensive front 7 has been suspect and doesn’t provide any kind of pass rush that is needed. Morgan can anchor at the point of attack, make plays in pursuit, get to the quarterback coming off the edge and drop into coverage. The Browns need a versatile player like that to build around, not to mention this draft is deep full of offensive and defensive players.

5. Kansas City Chiefs: Russell Okung/ Oklahoma St.

The Chiefs need a lot of help upfront protecting Matt Cassell, especially since he’s the type to scramble all over the place. They drafted Brendan Albert last season, but he hasn’t faired out well at the left tackle spot and was hurt a lot this year. He would be better suited at a guard position or right tackle. Okung is the most complete offensive tackle prospect in this class and could provide that piece of the puzzle for Kansas City.

6. Oakland Raiders: Carlos Dunlap/ Florida

Lord knows who Al Davis has his eyes set on, and it’s probably someone that wouldn’t help them at all. Dunlap is very much a buyer-beware prospect. On one hand, an arrest on DUI charges the week of the SEC championship game and questions about his work ethic raise red flags. On the other hand, 290-pound defensive linemen who runs a 4.4  and lives to sack the quarterback are few and far between.

7. Washington Redskins: Sam Bradford/ Oklahoma

The Redskins need a lot of help, but it starts with a new Quarterback. Surgery on his throwing shoulder and concerns about the scheme he played in at Oklahoma almost caused me to put Bradford behind Jimmy Clausen. On the other hand, Bradford has the physical tools and football IQ to quickly develop into an effective starting NFL quarterback.

8. Denver Broncos ( from Chicago ) : Rolando McClain/Alabama

He did work on my Gators run game during the SEC Championship game and he can very well fill that missing spot on the Broncos defense. McClain is a tough, relentless run stopper with great instincts and his has the ability to take good angles. He’s not a two down linebacker either, and can more than hold his own in underneath coverage.

9. Seattle Seahawks: Anthony Davis/ Rutgers

Walter Jones is contemplating retirement, which is probably a good thing. He’s a future Hall of Famer in the end but he has had 2 major surgeries that just aren’t getting better for him. Davis comes with a bit of baggage, but there isn’t an offensive lineman in the 2010 class with a better combination of size and agility.

10. Buffalo Bills: Trent Williams/ Oklahoma

The Bills have to protect Trent Edwards, or whoever the future QB is going to be for the Bills. Edwards suffered 2 concussions which isn’t a good thing. Williams moved from the right to the left side this year, and while he didn’t fare as well this season as he had in previous seasons, he is capable of quickly developing into an effective NFL starting right tackle.

11. San Francisco 49ers: Joe Haden/ Florida

San Francisco’s pass defense has been a liability this season, and the 49ers need to inject some youth and talent into their cornerback unit. Haden is the best cover corner in his class, has the burst to stalk receivers underneath and shows the speed to run with them downfield. He’s has a very strong upper body and his athletic ability provides him with some acrobatic interceptions.

12. Pittsburgh Steelers: Bruce Campbell/ Maryland

The Steelers offensive line got Big Ben hurt a lot this season, and they need to upgrade. Campbell is a work in progress and could benefit from another year in college, but he is shooting up draft boards after a strong 2009 season and might be too talented for the Steelers to pass up.

13. San Francisco 49ers ( from Carolina ) : Sergio Kindle/ Texas

The 49ers just drafted the best cornerback in the draft, and now they need a linebacker to compliment Patrick Willis on the outside. Kindle is too good a value to pass up. Although he has to improve his ability to anchor against the run, he has the burst and agility base 3-4 defenses covet at outside linebacker.

14. Houston Texans: Earl Thomas/ Texas

Taylor Mays would’ve been at this spot, but his poor play and too many missed tackles during the Senior Bowl have Earl Thomas ahead of him. Like Berry, there isn’t much Thomas can’t do on a football field. He can match up with slot receivers and blitz off the edge, has great range in coverage and steps up in run support.

15. Tennessee Titans: Jason-Pierre Paul/ South Florida

The Titans defensive ends got exposded this season and their age is starting to show. I watched Paul play a few times this year on ESPN and he just wreaks havoc off the edge and would be a nice addition to the Titans.

16. Atlanta Falcons: Navarro Bowman/ Penn State

Curtis Lofton is the franchise MLB of the Falcons now, and Mike Peterson is 33 and not a outside linebacker and he’s a free agent. Bowman has some off-the-field baggage, but he might be the best all-around athlete at linebacker in this class. The Falcons could also use a cornerback, but there are none that are worth taking this high just yet.

17. Baltimore Ravens: Dez Bryant/ Oklahoma St.

Derrick Mason is thinking about retiring, AGAIN. Joe Flacco would have a lot of fun utilizing his big arm by throwing deep to Dez Bryant. He was suspended by the NCAA for breaking rules, but everyone knows what this kid is capable of and how he can stretch the field at any moment.

18. Jacksonville Jaguars: Bruce Carter/ North Carolina

North Carolina produces some of the best defensive players. Carter has been a beast all season and had a big game against Miami. He would benefit from adding some bulk to his frame, but he’s a rangy run-stopper and he shows above-average ball skills in coverage.

19. New York Giants: Brandon Spikes/ Florida

This is my boy right here, I’m about to become the biggest Giants fan if they draft Spikes. I loved him since his freshman year at Florida. Antonio Pierce sustained a season-ending neck injury and has just one year left on his contract, so Spikes would be a good fit as a future replacement. While injuries slowed Spikes this year, he is an instinctive run-stopper who can make plays all over the field when he’s healthy. He also has flashed big-play ability in coverage. He’s going to be one of the biggest steals, you’ll see.

20. New York Jets: Brian Bulaga/ Iowa

The Jets could really use an upgrade on there offensive line. I’ve seen Mark Sanchez get chased and sacked to many times this season, which can really mess with a rookie. Bulaga plays a bit high and his footwork could be better, but the Jets need help at tackle and he’s the best available.

21. Miami Dolphins: Golden Tate/ Notre Dame

I’ve said it for 2 years that the Dolphins need a playmaking wide reciever, and not these tiny little slot recievers either. Tate is a bit of a reach this high, but the Dolphins are in desperate need of a playmaker at wide receiver and he’s the next-best one this class has to offer behind Bryant.

22. Arizona Cardinals: Jermaine Gresham/ Oklahoma

Although he missed an entire season, he’s still probably the best tight end in this draft. He has a slight edge over Aaron Hernandez seeing how he has played for 4 years and has been dominate in every one. He has what it to takes to develop into one of the most productive and dangerous receiving tight ends in the league.

23. Seattle Seahawks ( from Denver ) : Jimmy Clausen/ Notre Dame

Matt Hasselbeck is 34 and can’t stay healthy anymore, and I can tell you right now that Seneca Wallace is not the answer at Quarterback. There are concerns about Clausen’s release and he doesn’t have ideal arm strength, but his mobility and accuracy underneath would make him a good fit for a West Coast offense.

24. Dallas Cowboys: Taylor Mays/ USC

Like I stated up above, Mays slipped from a top 10 pick all the way down to 24 due to his poor performances at USC this year and the Senior Bowl. However, it’s rare to find defensive backs with Mays’ size and speed combination, and when he hits you, you’re either getting knocked out or fumbling. I can only imagine him alongside hard hitting Ken Hamlen for a full season. It’s gonna be a fun year in 2010.

25. New England Patriots: Ricky Sapp/ Clemson

They lost Richard Seymour and Derrick Burgess didn’t provide the help that they thought he would and he also hits free agency this season. New England desperately needs to improve its pass rush, and Sapp has the burst to provide that much needed spark. He has lined up primarily at end in college but has shown he can be effective working out of a two-point stance and would be a good fit for the Patriots’ base 3-4 defense.

26. Green Bay Packers: CJ Spiller/ Clemson

I’m sure all you Packer fans out there that are reading this and wondering, ” Why the hell do we need a running back, we have Ryan Grant!? ” Well Packer fans, little do you know that in order to succeed in this NFL now a days with a run game, you need 2 running backs and the 2nd has to be somewhat good. Deshawn Wynn is not the answer, Spiller would add a big-play element to the running game, and his ability to motion out into the slot makes him an excellent fit for the Packers’ pass-heavy scheme. Did I mention he always returns kicks?

27. Cincinnati Bengals: Marvin Austin/ North Carolina

Cincinnati leads the league in rushing defense but having quality depth and talent at defensive tackle is essential to staying on top of the AFC North, so adding Austin makes sense. He’s a stout interior run defender and powerful bull rusher.

28. Philadelphia Eagles: Vladimir Ducasse/ Massachusetts

Up until a few weeks ago, I never heard of this guy. Until I watched film of him and seen his size is when I decided this guy is going to be the next Ogden. Ducasse is 330 pounds and his feet might not be quick enough to hold up at left tackle, where he played at UMass, but he still moves well for his size and we think he could develop into a starting right tackle. If he doesn’t pan out at tackle, he has the makings of an excellent guard.

29. San Diego Chargers: Jonathan Dwyer/ Georgia Tech

Darren Sproles is an excellent change-of-pace back, but he’s too small to be the primary ball carrier, and 30-year-old LaDainian Tomlinson hasn’t looked the same the past two years. Taking Dwyer here would give the Chargers a physical between-the-tackles runner capable of carrying the ball 20-plus times and setting up the play-action package.

30. Minnesota Vikings: Patrick Robinson/ Florida St.

Antoine Winfield isn’t getting any younger, and he was hurt the majority of the season this year. Robinson is the second-best corner in the draft, and Minnesota should be happy to grab him this late. He has the chance to step in and contribute, and maybe even take over a starting spot.

31. Indianapolis Colts: Brandon Graham/ Michigan

I watched him during the IU/Michigan game earlier this year, and while his athletic ability didn’t jump out at me while I watched, but he’s quick, flashes the ability to shed blocks quickly and plays with a nonstop motor. He lead the nation in tackles for loss as a senior. Always in the backfield, he’s a guy who can learn under master pass-rushers in Indy and build on the tradition.

32. New Orleans Saints: Morgan Burnett/ Georgia Tech

Darren Sharper is still a playmaker as you could probably tell by watching him play this season, but there isn’t much depth behind him and Harper. Burnett led the Yellow Jackets with 93 tackles, seven interceptions, eight pass breakups and 15 passes defended in 2008, not bad at all for a sophomore. Burnett played the rover position at Georgia Tech, but he has the versatility to play either safety spot in the NFL. In most systems he would be a strong safety.

Detroit Lions :
*Signed (RB)DeDe Dorsey/Bengals to F.C.

Atlanta Falcons :
*Released (S)Eric Brock
*Released (DE)Maurice Lucas

Seattle Seahawks :
*Announced retirement of (OL)Walter Jones

Cleveland Browns :
*Signed (CB)John Bowie/Raiders to F.C.

Pittsburgh Steelers :
*Signed (WR)Brandon London/Dolphins to F.C.
*Signed (P)Adam Graessle/Packers to F.C.

NFL player Donte Stallworth seems to be getting absolutely no breaks as his return to the league found the wide receiver being cut from the Cleveland Browns.

Roger Goodell, the NFL Commissioner, stated at a news conference that he would be reinstating the player after the Super Bowl, now believing that he had truly turned his life around after having so much time off.

After coming off the suspension for a season, the Browns announced that they were voiding the contract of Stallworth.

In 2009, the player was temporarily ejected from football, without pay, by the league after driving drunk resulted in him killing a pedestrian in Miami.

Reports show that the player was drinking at a bar and decided to drive and ended up striking 59-year-old construction worker Mario Reyes with his car, causing his death.

Further investigation from authorities found that Stallworth had a blood-alcohol level of .126 with the legal limit for Florida being .08.

In June, the player pleaded guilty to manslaughter while driving under the influence and was given 30 days behind bars for the crime.  He has also been given eight years of probation, two years of house arrest and 1,000 hours of community service.

The family of Reyes was able to reach a settlement with Stallworth.

It appears that the road to redemption is quite a tumultuous one to travel

You could do worse than putting few bucks on the Browns to lift this thing in 2011. Like putting it on the Bills

I guess there are two broad schools of sports thought on this day after the Super Bowl. You can either be ready to get away from football or miss it so much that thoughts of the long seven months between now and the 2010 season haunt your dreams.

If you’re like me, you’re prepared carry on without football. I’ll long for it again in August, but I want to concentrate on the games at hand. I am salivating over the upcoming week of college basketball games and we are just four weeks away from the conference championships. Pitchers and catchers are about a week away from reporting to spring training, with plenty of intrigue surrounding many teams and plenty of usable players still available. To help bridge that gap between football and baseball season, we have the Winter Olympics this year.

And yeah, I guess we have the NBA to watch as well. I guess. I’ll be more interested once the two-month playoffs come along.

But if you can’t let go of the NFL, there is always next year. And there are already odds on which teams we will be talking about at this time, 2011.

All of the usual names have the best odds. The Colts are favored. The Chargers are second, which basically just means that they are slated to be a disappointment yet again. The Saints and Patriots are at 10/1 and the Steelers have 11/1 odds.

But who cares about betting on the Colts? Way to go out on a limb there, rebel.

I’m interested in those teams at the bottom of the barrel. The Bills, Browns, Buccaneers, Chiefs, Lions, Raiders and Rams are up on the board with 100/1 odds. So which of these teams has the best chance to win next year’s Super Bowl, even if that chance is somewhere between impossible and ridiculous.

Of all those teams, the first that I can eliminate is actually the Bills. That might surprise some, but of those seven teams, I see the dimmest reason to be positive about the Bills. They don’t have a quarterback. Both starting receivers are unrestricted free agents, and Terrell Owens certainly wont be back. They don’t have a productive tight end or an offensive line. I could say some positive things about their defense, but it’s hard to do so when those players keep getting hurt. It doesn’t help that they are in the tough AFC East. The only bright spot about that team is undrafted, third-year player from Coe College, running back Fred Jackson.

Next off the list is Tampa Bay. Josh Freeman may never be an NFL star, but if you watched the Bucs this year, he certainly has the tools to be an NFL starter. The offense definitely needs help on the line and at least one more receiver. But the big problem for the Pewter Pirates is defense. It’s simply deplorable. And most of those players are under contract through next season! Oy vey.

If only the Lions had just 21 other players as good as Calvin Johnson. That would be a halfway-decent squad

I give credit to Greg White for the official name change, but Tampa Bay has absolutely nothing in the front seven. Ronde Barber is the only good player … and that was about five years ago! No matter how many points the offense produces, that defense will find a way to allow 7-10 more. Eric Berry will be just the start of a long re-building process for this once-respected aspect of the Bucs.

The next two teams, the Rams and the Lions, have a couple things in common: One, they will continue to be horrible next season. But two, they each have a reason why you should watch them. The Rams don’t have much on either side of the ball, but they still have Steven Jackson. Even if the Rams are 1-and-400 or even if his spine looks like an open-road race course, you will still see him absolutely punishing defenders. The likely addition of Ndamukong Suh — and maybe Michael Vick — gives Ram fans a little more reason to be upbeat while their team is getting beat up.

With the Lions, it’s simple: Stafford to Calvin. Both were brought down by injuries last season, but if they stay healthy, that’s going to be a tremendous duo. The Lions currently don’t have a running game or a defense — outside of safety Louis Delmas. But at least the Lions give us an explanation for why Manny Ramirez didn’t do squat on the Dodgers last season.

There is always Stafford to Calvin.

I like what the Raiders have to offer — a shutdown cornerback, more than one useful running back, some quality, young receivers and a couple of bright spots at linebacker in Kirk Morrison and Thomas Howard.

The problem with the Raiders is not the names on the back of the jersey. It’s the name on the front. IT’S THE RAIDERS! They always find a way to screw things up! Obviously, the Raiders need a quarterback and an offensive lineman like Peyton Manning needs an endorsement. But with the brains of a moth, I’m sure the Raiders will end up wasting their No. 8 overall pick on something flashy, like Dez Bryant, at a position they don’t need to address.

The best of the worst comes down to the Browns and the Chiefs. Cleveland ended its season on a four-game winning streak and they finally have somebody smart (Mike Holmgren) making the decisions. There are reasons to be optimistic (Jerome Harrison, Josh Cribbs, most of the offensive line), but it still boils down to the greatest road block to NFL success: not having a capable quarterback. Maybe the Browns will pick/trade up for Sam Bradford or Jimmy Clausen. Holmgren is already hinting that the team’s quarterback of the future isn’t on the current roster. I’m pretty sure all of America came to that conclusion a few months ago.

The 2010 Chiefs won't exactly recall the memories of Hank Stram's teams. But the franchise is "matriculating" in the right direction

So that just leaves the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Chiefs have the most talent among the 100/1 dogs. Tyson Jackson and Glenn Dorsey obviously have potential. They just seem out of place in a 3-4 scheme. The secondary runs in quicksand, but maybe new defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel can fix that. He may not be a good head coach, but we know he’s had success running a defense. Speaking of a good coordinator being poor head coach — hey, it’s Charlie Weis! The last time those two were coordinators on a team, it ended up pretty well.

Weis and head coach Todd Haley will run an offense with one above-average receiver (Dwayne Bowe) and a decent complement (Chris Chambers). The offensive line needs help so that Matt Cassel isn’t decapitated, but Cassel is one of the better QBs among these bottom-feeders. Plus, he can always just give the ball to Jamaal Charles. He is a true game-breaker.

Congrats, Chiefs! Have a blast finishing at 7-9 in the AFC West next season and therefore surpassing your fan base’s already lowered expectations!!

I think the most interesting part of these 2011 odds is this: Two teams that faced each other in the Super Bowl just seven years ago are unquestionably two of the worst — and maybe THE two worst — teams in the NFL.

Cleveland Browns :
*NFL Re-Instated (WR)Donte Stallworth from Reserve/Suspended List
*Released (WR)Donte Stallworth

Denver Broncos :
*Signed (RB)Bruce Hall/Bills to F.C.

Kansas City Chiefs :
*Released (LB)Justin Rogers
*Released (LB)Weston Dacus

Stallworth, back in the driver's seat

Feel free to read the following as part 1 in an argument for why the Super Bowl should be permanently moved to Lincoln, Neb.  Part 2 tomorrow.

About 7,950 hours have passed since the sun rose over Miami Beach on March 14 – which should give you some context for the 1,000 hours of community service and 576 hours of jail time Donte Stallworth received as penalty for his actions on that fateful morning.

On March 14 – March 14, 2009 – the Browns receiver mowed down a crane operator trying to catch a bus on the way home from work.

That was ambiguous. Let me clarify: the crane operator was trying to catch a bus on his way home from work. Stallworth was trying to catch a hot breakfast on the beach after a night of drinking.

At 7:15 a.m. on March 14 – March 14, 2009 – Stallworth dented his sweet, 100-K Bentley with a husband of 20 years, a father of 15.

If you asked Catalina Reyes, or if you asked Daniela Reyes, when exactly each lost a soul mate and parent, respectively, I’m betting they’d rattle off a specific day without pause – because you can do these things when time stops.

They might say to you, again, without pause: March 14, March 14, 2009.

In Stallworth’s defense, he beeped.

He flashed his lights. And Mario Reyes wasn’t in a crosswalk. He was negotiating one of the six lanes of Miami’s MacArthur Causeway.

 Stallworth was only 10 over the speed limit, .04 over the legal limit.

Nevertheless, the NFL star – the NFL star that presumably had a posse, or at least a guy that could hold his keys – slaughtered a man on the morning of March 14 (March 14, 2009).

“Slaughter” sounds gruesome, but this is what the law calls it. Man “slaughter,” which carries a sentence of 4 to 15 years, or 30 days if you’re an NFL star – an NFL star with no one to hold the keys.

If you’re lucky enough to be this type of NFL star, you serve 24 of the 30 days. And if you happen to be in Dade County at the time, you loose your state license for life, which means this kind of thing can never happen again.

Not in Florida, anyway.

Justice prevails

Does this quite avoidable accident make Donte Stallworth a bad guy? Yes, or no. Maybe?

Does this quite avoidable accident mean Donte Stallworth did a bad thing? Yes. Absolutely.

It’s hard to tell if NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell thinks Donte Stallworth is a bad guy – you know, because he let him back in the league on Friday.

Goodell apparently feels that Donte has paid his dues. He’s gone a year without pay, spent $200,000 on bail. He also got eight years of probation, which means he’s REALLY going to be in trouble if he ever kills again.

Kills in the next eight years, anyway.

And, you know, it’s hard to tell if Catalina and Daniela Reyes think that Donte Stallworth is a bad guy – because the Reyes family settled out of court for a large, undisclosed sum.

Daniela will not have a father at her wedding, but she will probably go to a very good college. Fair tradeoff?

Rams DE Leonard Little is probably the only man that can relate to Donte Stallworth. He got loaded after a birthday party. Killed a man, too, back in 1998.

Little got the same 1,000 hours of community service and the guilt of taking another life. And, of course, the lesser guilt of taking – and failing – another breathalyzer test seven years later.

Maybe what Leonard can best relate to is the pay cut Stallworth will have to take when the Browns don’t shell out his $1,000,000 roster bonus.

Leonard made a meager $845,000 last season.

Then again, if Stallworth can fetch $845,000 during the 2010 season, he will make approximately $845,000 more than Mario Reyes will make for the rest of time.

This is a pretty good deal for Stallworth, no?

Look, don’t mean to bring you down with all this talk of death.

Just figuring that in all the Super Bowl hoopla – all the triumphant stories about Bourbon Street crazies and Deco Drive night life – you might have missed this little story about a guy who’s all too familiar with both.

And now all too familiar with March 14. March 14, 2009.

- Robbie

Congratulations to the Saints on a tremendous season and a well-deserved championship to bring back to the city of New Orleans.

The Saints’ victory tonight in Super Bowl XLIV leaves just four teams (out of 32) who have not participated in any of the NFL’s first 44 Super Bowls.

The Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars at least have an excuse as expansion franchises, but long-suffering fans of the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions have to look at the celebration tonight in Miami (and on Bourbon Street) and wonder when – if ever – they will experience the opportunity to erase years of ignominy.

Drew Brees, Super Bowl XLIV MVP

But that’s for another day.  The Saints are the “Aints” no more.  And Mardi Gras might just be only the second-biggest party in Louisiana this February.

It’s because the Cleveland Browns have never made it.  And it seems like every year the field of futility — that is, the teams that have never made it — gets smaller and smaller.  This year, the New Orleans Saints get off the schneid, and the Browns are left behind again.

I remember the first Super Bowl.  I lived in Akron and was 10 years old, for God’s sake!  The Beacon Journal had special story about the game and Len Dawson and Mike Garrett, the Kansas City Chiefs star players.  At that time, people wondered whether the Super Bowl would even be played again — much less that it would become an enormous media event that would draw huge TV audiences and generate massive ad revenue.

Every year, when the Super Bowl rolls around and the Browns aren’t in it, the sharp-edged Roman numerals are like a knife to the ribs.  I think of how the Browns lost to the Vikings and the Colts in back-to-back NFL championship games in the late ’60s, of how Brian Sipe threw the Red Right 88 interception on a cold day at Municipal Stadium, and particularly of how John Elway and the Broncos gouged the heart out of the Cleveland faithful in the back-to-back championship games that will forever be recalled simply as The Drive and The Fumble.

I hope the Colts win today, because I have good friends who are Colts fans.  Mostly, though, I hope that next year the Browns will somehow, some way, make it to the Super Bowl, and the shame and ignominy of the franchise’s (virtually) singular failure will end.

Well it’s the Saturday before the Super Bowl, and I couldn’t give a toss about it. My prediction for the game? Colts 54 – Saints shouldn’t even be there… Oh yes, it’s still raw, I’m still bitter! Now due to the fact that there is little or no news to report on today, I’m going to bash out a quick FAVRE WATCH, and then give you something a little different from my usual news roundup.

And that’s it for Favre watch… yeah it’s THAT slow this morning!

Now I don’t know many Vikings’ fans in London, probably because there aren’t that many. But the ones I have spoken to, like me are not over the Saints game, and I don’t think we will get over it for some time. Over the coming months (perhaps even years) the pain should fade away and simply be replaced by a bitter taste in the mouth. But short term, I think we all need reminders that we support the greatest team in the NFL.

This is why, over the next 10 weeks, I’m going to run down my top 10 moments from this season past. You can feel free to disagree with my choices and the order they go in, but hopefully they will all bring back some great memories, and fill your hearts with Purple Pride.

So here it is, number 10:

Adrian Peterson in Week 1 @ Cleveland

The start of the 2009 season was  filled with optimism. We’d signed the former talisman of our greatest foe, and he was said to be the missing piece in our puzzle. The team who could dominate on D, and run any team ragged could now pass too, and so in week one as we made our way over to Cleveland to take on the somewhat useless Cleveland Browns, the eyes of the world were fixed on one man. And whislt they were wondering whether the old man still had it, another man on the field that day showed everyone why you should never ignore him, ever, period!

The game certainly didn’t start how we’d intended it to. Tied 3-3 at the quarter, a one yard TD from Peterson didn’t prevent us going in 10-13 behind at the half. But All Day added another score in the 3rd, another 1 yard run, and was closing in on another 100 yard game. But all this came as no surprise for Vikings’ fans, and when Favre connected with Percy Harvin on a 6 yarder it seemed like the headline writers had their story in the bag… then this happened:

A 64 yard touchdown, the likes of which you’d be luck to see once in a lifetime. Peterson took a handoff from Favre, and ran to his left, and suddenly was past the 1st down marker to the 50 yard line, where he juked left, and left a defender for dead, and then ran on, but suddenly cornerback Brandon McDonald grabbed hold of Adrian’s ankle, and another cornerback, Eric Wright was closing in. Peterson was going out of bounds, no way he was getting out of this one… But if AP has one thing going for him, it’s his Purple Jesus Super Mega Powers, and before anyone knew what had happened, his legs were free and he’d shrugged off Wright like he wasn’t there. Finally back up to speed, and with a timely shove on McDonald by Sidney Rice, Peterson was in the end zone, and I was speechless!

This moment was special for so many reasons. First of all, AP’s fantasy score was off the charts and got me a win in week one. Secondly it showed Brett Favre that he wasn’t going to have to take on the whole weight of expectation from the Vikings’ faithful, which made him all the more lethal as the season went on. And last of all, it was a thing of pure footballing beauty; athleticism, speed, and strength, it was just stunning.

Peterson may have fumbled the team out of the Super Bowl, but this was a moment of brilliance, and should give us hope because if he can fix his carrying, then he should be able to then concentrate on ripping defences apart like he did against Cleveland in Week 1.

Enjoy your Saturday everyone! Fingers crossed for John Randle and Cris Carter who are still in the mix for the NFL Hall of Fame. Back at full news strength tomorrow.

Several months after being suspended by the NFL and less then a year after killing a man while driving drunk, wide receiver Donte Stallworth will be reinstated by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Stallworth was suspended by the league in August after being convicted in DUI manslaughter case.

Stallworth is still property of the Cleveland Browns and newly hired General Manager Tom Heckert has stated the team has not decided what they will do with the troubled wide receiver. Team owner Randy Lerner is expected to play a role in the decision.

Many will not agree with Goodell’s reinstatement but bringing Stallworth back to the Browns might cause more distractions then needed. Stallworth will constantly be monitored by the media and law officials and could be a distraction for head coach Eric Mangini. When dealing with other troubled players, Mangini has not tolerated players or behaviors that have been disruptive to the team. Having Stallworth in the locker room will contradict Mangini’s reasons for getting rid of troubled players in the past and could be an odd feeling for other players who have lost loved ones to drunk driving accidents.

Before being convicted, Stallworth was considered a disappointment to the Browns. Stallworth rarely played due to injuries and was not effective when he did play. The team’s passing game needs improvement but the team won games this season without Stallworth in the lineup. Stallworth was not a key factor for the Browns when playing for them almost two seasons ago and there is no telling whether or not the Browns will take that chance with him.

Stallworth might be a talented athlete but bringing him to the Browns could be a move not worth taking.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte’ Stallworth will be reinstated to play at some point after Sunday’s Super Bowl, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Friday at his annual state-of-the-league address. Stallworth was suspended without pay for the 2009 season last August after reaching a plea agreement on a DUI manslaughter charge in Miami.

Stallworth, who was under the influence while driving, struck and killed a pedestrian while driving on a causeway connecting Miami and Miami Beach on March 14, 2009. He served 24 days in jail and was placed on house arrest. Goodell did not say exactly when reinstatement into the NFL was forthcoming but it seems sooner, rather than later.

Goodell said he met with Stallworth for 45 minutes to an hour before the Dolphins’ final regular-season game in Miami, where Stallworth lives. Goodell added that Stallworth seemed to be remorseful and worthy of reinstatement. Their conversation helped seal the reinstatement, Goodell said. Once Stallworth is re-instated, it will be up to the Browns and new team president Mike Holmgren as to whether the team wants to retain the receiver.

Cleveland drafted wideouts Mohamed Massaquoi and Brian Robiskie last season and has on its roster Pro Bowl return man/receiver Josh Cribbs, who could have his contract re-worked upwards. If Stallworth is released by Cleveland, he would be a free agent that could prove valuable to several receiver-needy teams like St. Louis, Chicago and Miami.

Whether those teams want to deal with the potential PR backlash is something that could impact Stallworth’s employability.

via: Stallworth

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said that Cleveland Browns receiver Donte Stallworth will be reinstated for the 2010 season.  Stallworth was suspened by the league after killing a pedestrian in a drunk driving incident last March.

Sorry Nationals' fans, not even Drew Brees' magic touch can get you to the World Series in 2010 (or '11, '12, ad infinitum).

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, watching Jersey Shore 24/7 or hanging out with Tiger Woods in a “Sex Rehab” center in Mississippi, you probably know by now that the New Orleans Saints will be playing the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV on February 7th. Moreover, with all the hype and news coverage that comes with a game of such magnitude, you probably also know that this will be the first Super Bowl appearance ever for the New Orleans franchise (who no longer can be called the “Aint’s”). That leaves only four teams in the NFL that have never been to the big game; the Detroit Lions (shocker), Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars. So, does the Saints magical run to the big game give hope to fans of long-suffering baseball teams as it does to the above football teams, or is it simply another painful reminder of how little they’ve accomplished in their pitiful existences?       

Entering their 39th season, the Rangers still have not made a World Series appearance.

Heading into the 2010 Major League Baseball season there are only three teams that have never reached a World Series; the Washington Nationals (including their time in Montreal), the Texas Rangers and, of course, my beloved Seattle Mariners. That’s right, even the four expansion teams created in the last 17 years (Colorado Rockies, Florida Marlins, Arizona Diamondbacks and Tampa Bay Rays) have all made World Series appearances, with the Marlins winning twice and the Diamondbacks once. How frustrating is that if you’re a Nationals, Rangers or Mariners fan? Heck, I’d assume those teams are even more embarrassed than that guy in Viagra commercials who tries to work up the courage to talk to his doctor about ED (though his real problem might not be ED, but the fact that his reflection talks to him).  The Montreal/Washington franchise has been in existence since 1969, the Texas Rangers since 1972 and the Seattle Mariners havecompeted in Major League Baseball since 1977 (these dates do not include the two separate Washington Senator franchises that spawned the Montreal and Texas teams). Even a blind squirrel finds a nut occasionally, but these teams somehow have not been able to reach a World Series in over 30 years of existence. Will that change in 2010?      

Now, before I go any further into depth about the three teams, let’s eliminate the Nationals from the conversation all together, because let’s face it—it’s going to take a lot more than a miracle for Washington to make the World Series next year (or ever for that case). They’re just like the little engine that could, except they can’t (also see: Royals, Kansas City and Pirates, Pittsburgh).      

The addition of Cliff Lee makes the Mariners a serious threat to capture the AL West this year.

The Mariners and Rangers, on the other hand, both had strong offseasons that could put them in contention to make a deep run in the playoffs in 2010. Texas had a solid 2009 season with the emergence of young pitchers like Scott Feldman and Matt Harrison and added a talented hurler in Rich Harden to their roster to complement an offense led by Josh Hamilton, Ian Kinsler and Michael Young. The Mariners were one of the biggest surprises in all of baseball last year, finishing 85-77, and reloaded their roster this offseason with Chone Figgins, Milton Bradley and 2008 AL Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee. The two teams will have their work cut out for them in an increasingly difficult AL West, but it’s not hard to believe that either Texas or Seattle could capture the division. Of course, having never reached a World Series, neither Texas or Seattle has a particularly strong postseason track record. Which one has the best chance to break through this year?     

The Rangers have been one of the sorriest organizations in baseball over the past 40 years (but no one’s blaming George Bush). Not only have they never reached a World Series, but the franchise has also never even won a single playoff series. Texas didn’t reach the postseason for the first time until 1996 and have a lifetime 1-9 record (all against the Yankees) in the playoffs. Quite simply, they stink.     

Expect plenty more dog-piles from the M's in 2010. The magic is back in Seattle.

Seattle had a similarly putrid start as a franchise, failing to post a winning record until 1991 and not making their first postseason appearance until 1995 (but what an appearance it was). However, whereas the Rangers have never won a playoff series, the Mariners have made three trips to the ALCS, falling to the Indians in 1995 and the Yankees in 2000 and 2001. Seattle’s overall record in the postseason is a respectable 15-19 (.440 winning percentage) which compares favorably to the New Orleans Saints 4-6 postseason record (.400 winning percentage). Like the Saints, the Mariners have enjoyed a modicum of postseason success, yet have been unable to get over the hump and reach their sport’s biggest stage. That is, until 2010 rolled around.  

The stars have aligned for Sodo Mojo in 2010. Bet it all on the Mariners to reach the World Series for the first time this season…my logic is infallible.

The Cleveland Browns have obviously been associated with low-quality football for quite some time now (Sorry, even when you close out the season on a roll). The last time this team had a winning record was in 2007, when they finished the season with a record of 10-6 (missed the playoffs, of course). Surprisingly, the players that stood out from that team on offense no longer have a role with the team. Braylon Edwards (on the Jets now), Kellen Winslow Jr. (on the Bucs now), and Derek Anderson (on the bench now), all had wonderful 2007 seasons, yet none of them are part of the Browns’ plans going into next season.

In fact, the only remaining player on the Browns of that group of 3, Derek Anderson, is so disrespected in Cleveland that nobody was even willing to bid on an autographed football of his from the United Way of Greater Cleveland on Ebay. Not one bid! For an autographed football from an NFL QB! (If you’re interested, click here).

Because this puzzled me so much, I figured I would ask a friend of mine, who is a Cleveland Browns fan, if he would be willing to place a bid on the Derek Anderson autographed football. This is what he had to say:

“Are you kidding me? It’s Derek Anderson! The guy has one good season, and then he decides to mail it in. He has no loyalty to the Cleveland Browns, and he has made that clear by his lack of performance since the 2007 season. You couldn’t pay me enough to GIVE me that football. If I got my hands on that football, I would burn it instantly!”

Wow! I guess I didn’t realize how much Cleveland fans hated Derek Anderson. I just figured they weren’t interested in his autograph. Hmmm… I wonder if Cleveland fans would bid on a Brady Quinn autographed football?

Since being drafted by the Browns, Joe Thomas has become one of the most dominant left tackles in the NFL and has provided the solid protection on the left side of the offensive line. Thomas has proven to be one of the best draft picks the Browns have had in recent years and many consider him a future Hall of Famer.

In addition to being a great left tackle, Thomas has been active and accessible to Browns fans by appearing with outdoorsman D’Arcy Egan on a weekly hunting and fishing show and doing commercials for Danny Vegh’s. Thomas has proven he enjoys being here in Cleveland and has been a great asset to the Browns and Cleveland in that aspect.

Below is a link to a great article written on Joe Thomas from Mary Kay Cabot of the Plain Dealer.

Pro Bowl praise has a Hall of Fame flavor for Cleveland Browns’ Joe Thomas | Cleveland Browns – cleveland.com

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