Fantasy Football

There really isn’t jack shit going on that has any bearing with fantasy football…but there are a bunch of inconsequential headlines worth relaying that everyone will forget about by next week. In other words: It’s like every other day in the NFL off-season, but with a surplus of off-the-field news. Without further ado, here’s the day’s big ticket items that none of you cared about.

J-Dog doesn't go to the white house, the white house comes to J-Dog.

Tony Kornheiser is “stepping down” from his role as third man in the booth on Monday Night Football. I’m pretty unphased by this because I’m not sure if an NFL booth really needs a third man (or why MNF is so persistent on insisting it does), but the masses seem almost relieved. Not that it’s unexpected, one thing that everyone can agree to hate is whoever is broadcasting these games unless it’s John Madden. Of course, I’m the same guy who thinks Dennis Miller was unfairly critiqued since I prefer a few deterrants to whatever (usually) dull fucking NFL game I happen to be watching, so I’m not exactly the voice of the people here. But I’m willing to be that Kornheiser is going to be missed once Jon Gruden makes his presence known in that booth. Honestly, wasn’t it just four or five years ago when Gruden was considered among the best up and coming coaches in the game? Now he’s hosting Monday Night Football. Who says coaching an NFL team isn’t a losing proposition?

If you’re having a difficult time getting a grasp on just how popular the NFL is in this country, maybe this will help you out: Terrell Owens entering Buffalo’s city limits is now considered a headline. Actually, this is kind of groundbreaking. I think Terrell Owens flying into upstate New York with the intention of spending the remainder of his career there is a good indication of how far he’s fallen from the glory days in San Fran/one season in Philly. Something that I’m sure everyone can agree on, even Bills fans should you get one of them drunk and alone. This is like Livia Soprano going from Green Grove to a state ran facility.

James Harrison is turning down his invitation to the white house. It’s the second time he’s done so (the first time was in 2005, after the Steelers won their last title), so calm down ardent administration defenders and whoever else. In fact, I would be surprised if Harrison even knows who the current president is. No, Harrison’s reason for turning down multiple invitations to the white house — and I think I’m reading this right — is he feels like it’s a sham since they only get invited if they win the title. Like, he feels his team should be appreciated enough to get invited to the white house just because it’s a Wednesday, not because they win the title. I’m not really sure what to make of this other than it’s the oddest boulilbase I can recall of contrarian logic and entitlement. This is all the more astounding when you consider that the Rooney’s (who I’m certain have traditionally voted republican), not only donated to the Obama campaign, but used their platform to actively campaign for him. I guess Obama just doesn’t respect who butters his bread.

And finally, if a prominent NFL player not understanding the significance of being invited to the white house by the president wasn’t depressing enough for you: Jim Johnson is going on sabbatical for chemo treatments. For those who don’t know and are too indifferent to click on the link, Johnson is the defensive coordinator for the Eagles, and regardless of how undermanned that team has been (they’ve been perennially weak on the D-line, especially since losing Kearse) or whatever adversity the team may have been going through on the other side of the ball, the defense was always a beacon of reliability. Throughout the years he’s made Andy Reid and the many offensive coordinators who’ve come through there only to move onto new jobs look much better than they’ve had any business looking. Given the seeming dearth of decent men populating the NFL and the fact we’re Eagles fans, even more so than we typically would we’re wishing him a full and speedy recovery.

Back tomorrow with something a little more lively, I hope.