Source outing Michael Vick as Heavyweight in dog fighting compares dog fighting to UFC

In an interview with ESPN's Outside the Line's on the on-going investigation in to Atlanta Falcons Quarterback Michael Vick's connection to dog fighting, an unidentified source connected Vick to the world of dog fighting in a big way.

More behind the cut...



The source when explaining why he did what he did said the following:

The source said he consented to our interview to change people's perceptions about dog fighting because they have "the wrong idea" about it and should see "just one" match for themselves before judging it. "They'll let this other thing go -- what is it called? UFC [Ultimate Fighting Championship]?" he asked.
"That is every bit as bad -- you know, that's terrible. But then you have thousands of people that cheer, rah, rah, and they really love that. You see
guys get their heads busted, you know, and they get their arms messed up, their legs twisted almost off. But then they fuss over this here, is wrong."

You can read the entire article by clicking Here

You can get caught up on the entire Vick investigation here

Comparing Dog Fighting to the UFC is one of the stupidest things I think I've ever heard. Where's the referee to make sure the Pitbulls follow the Unified Rules of Dog Fighting? UFC is a sport with rules, Dog fighting is a barbaric treatment of animals that often leads to death. Compare the death rate among MMA fighters to that of fighting dogs and see which is higher.

Also, I don't know what purpose or need there would be for the use of a rape stand to breed Mixed Martial Artists. This dog fighting source is just looking for a way to validate his activity in the eyes of the public. Its just too bad his comparison doesn't hold any water when examined for beyond, oh say, a second or so.

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Dying Murderer's Last Words: Go Raiders!

I realize it has been awhile here at the times since we've covered something other than wrestling and MMA. However, when you see something like this story and you're fortunate enough to be me then you can't just let something like this go.

Your humble, but not humbled (big difference) editor has a few comments which you can click to read.



First, you can't be all too surprised that a man convicted of murder would pick the Raiders, I mean there's really no other option at that time.

Second, this man may be bringing new definition to the term "die hard".

Third, even though the man was sentenced to death, the real punishment would've been if they made him watch every snap of last season.

Obviously the crime of which he was convicted is a pretty serious one and not something to joke about. However, the man's dying words now that's something we can make fun of and hell...the Raiders are my team but if you think that I couldn't pass that one up you don't know me very well. Other appropriate remarks are allowed in the comments.

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Super Bowl Prediction

A bonus prediction for the weekend.



Indianapolis Colts - 34
over Chicago Bears - 17

Take it to the bank tomorrow and see how much it's worth.

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Bret Favre returning to Green Bay in 2007

He will play again

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Raiders News Roundup 02/02

It is mostly former Raiders in the news today.


The Oakland Tribune says that Guy may get Hall Due this time
I'll believe it when I see it.

The Atlanta Journal Constitution has its own article: Punter Guy waits for Hall Call
and this one includes quotes from the man himself.

Turning from a hopeful Hall-of-Famer to an actual Hall-of-Famer, Gary Peterson of the Contra Costa Times writes that: Biletnikoff was a Unique Player

Moving on to a current Raider and future hall-of-famer: Sapp overjoyed by Dungy's success the 2 were close from their time in Tampa.

Now on to more relevant talk...
Raiders jobs still up for grabs
mainly on the offensive coaching staff.

That's the roundup for today.

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Raiders News Roundup 02/01

Lets run them down.

First an Oakland Tribune column suggesting that:
a Shared Stadium Makes Sense...in Oakland
He makes a good case.

Now a couple of articles on Fred Biletnikoff. The San Francisco Chronicle titles their article: Biletnikoff puts away whistle
while the Contra Costa Times says...Biletnikoff says he's retiring
The article also has an update on Lane Kiffin's desired offensive line coach Tom Cable. It appears things could get done soon in that regard.

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Fred Biletnikoff retires from football

Read the release here
This means the Raiders will have a new Receivers coach which is not something I predicted accurately.

Jerry McDonald has More

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Raiders News Roundup for 01/31

Kiffin continues shake-up of staff
San Francisco Chronicle
It doesn't really contain anything you wouldn't already know if you just read this blog yesterday.

This 1 from the Contra Costa Times titled Kiffin Makes Changes
Contains a little more information, and also has bits on the Cowboys, Cheifs, Chargers, and the Pro Bowl.

That's it for the day.

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Raiders News Roundup

Daisher to Browns
He was not a popular coach among Raiders players and it will be interesting to see who is next to take on the challenge of Special Teams.

Slater, Walsh removed
Niether is really a surprise. It is unknown if they were bought out or if they were reassigned in the organization. Other coaching changes are mentioned in the article.

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Raiders News Roundup for 01/30

Lets take a gander at what the papers say today.



Raiders tap Napp as offensive coordinator
San Francisco Chronicle

You can read about this hire in the Contra Costa Times and the Sacramento Bee

The Bee also reports: 49ers Deny having talks with Raiders about Joint Stadium venture

This while San Francisco Examiner Columnist Glenn Dickey writes that its Finally, a plan that benefits everyone including the 2 NFL franchises and the Oakland Athletics as well. While Jerry McDonald of the Oakland Tribune Weighs in with his own thoughts

As for my own feelings, I'm not sure about the Napp hire. I believe that as Lane Kiffin will be the play caller that a return to the west coast offense is not in the offing and that may not be a bad thing we'll wait and see. I'm not so sold on the joint Stadium idea but do think it likely that such a venture would ensure a Bay-Area Super Bowl down the line.

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Raiders hire Coordinator

The Raiders have Hired Greg Napp to serve as offensive coordinator under new head coach Lane Kiffin.

More will come of this story. Napp previously served as the offensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers and more recently the Atlanta Falcons.

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Kiffin's Always been Light Years ahead of others his age

Don't believe the title? Then read The Article
Its a good primer on the new coach of the Raiders

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49ers approach Raiders about joint stadium?

Saw this Article in the San Francisco Chronicle ia a link from Pro Football Talk

I'm not sure what to think of this news. I'm definitely not against the idea, though I can't say I'm 100% in favor of it.

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Kiffin's first test

Jerry McDonald
addresses talk around the Senior Bowl that Randy Moss and Lane Kiffin did not get off to a good start.

Shell Vs. Porter round 2?

We shall see.

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Weekend Raiders Roundup

Its been a quiet weekend but a few things have come across my way.



The first article is a Contra Costa Times Column (Reg required):
Grumbling Moss isn’t Super
Its a look at the top 10 players that have yet to win a Super Bowl and their prospects. Topping the list? Randy Moss.

The next item is from the Oakland Tribune:
Kiffin Hires 2 for Raiders
I don't know anything about either of these men but the USC connection.

The San Francisco Chronicle had this note:
Napp on top of Kiffin’s Wishlist
Nothing we didn't already know from earlier.

Finally, from the Sacramento Bee (Reg Required):
Agent Denies Raiders Offer
The agent represents Art Shell who was promised a front office job. I don't see it happening for the fact that Shell was tossed under the bus during Tuesday's press conference and for the fact Mike Lombardi is still employed by the team and feuded with Shell during the season.


That is your Jan 27-28 Raiders Roundup

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Raiders News Roundup for 01/26/2007

This is sort of a new OCC feature as well, where I look around the net for what's being written about the Raiders, and give my take on it. I'm not sure how often I'll do this feature it will depend on the volume of stories.


First we have this Contra Costa Times article
reporting that Greg Napp was offered the position of offensive coordinator.
As the article states this hire might not happen as Napp may not like the idea of coming to a team where Lane Kiffin will be the play caller. Also the article notes that Tom Cable the Atlanta Offensive Line coach the past few seasons has been offered that position with the Raiders.
Judging by the fact they gave up 72 sacks last season a lot of things on the offensive line need to change.
I think though that even if Napp does not take this job that the fact it was offered to him suggests that the West Coast offense might make its return to the Raiders next season. I think the days of the 7 step drop are over, at least I hope so.

On to the second article and final for today:
Coaching Receivers will age Kiffin
San Francisco Examiner columnist Glenn Dickey says that dealing with Randy Moss and Jerry Porter will be Kiffin's toughest challenge. I don't necessarily think that is going to be true long-term but it most definitely is in the short run. He's got to convince both men that changes are coming and that it is a new day. Jerry Porter basically had a lost season due to his feud with Art Shell. I don't know which one of the 2 will be a tougher sell for Kiffin but from what I've read he's a master recruiter and with Moss and Porter he'll have to be.
Dickey also suggests as others have that 1 or both of those players need to leave. I'm not against this either but don't see it happening. The fact is that Al Davis personally loves both men and he's a players owner. This is not something that will change any time soon.

So there you have it. Kind of a light day but that's a good day to start something like this. As I said I can't promise that this will be a daily or weekly feature, it will be periodic that is all.

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Raiders Notes

What would Jon Gruden say?
to the man who will...

be the next Raiders head coach...
Lane Kiffin.

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Conference Championship Predictions

If I'm as good at these as I was with TNA last week, go the other way.



New Orleans
at
Chicago
Is there anyone outside of Bears fans that are rooting against the Saints? I'm personally cheering for the Saints not because of all New Orleans has been through but because I hate the Bears. I don't really think Chicago is that good of a team. I think they benefited from playing a weak schedule and that any remotely tough opponent is going to beat them.
The Bears do have the home feild advantage which is also connected to the weather advantage. The Saints play in a dome and are thus not as experienced in the elements. You know what though? I bet it doesn't matter. I think outside of New England the Saints may be the toughest Bears opponent this year. I don't trust Rex Grossman to have 2 good games in a row.
The Pick: Saints 31, Bears 20.

New England
at
Indianapolis
Speaking of teams I hate we have this game. I am no fan of either team so that makes me more qualified to pick this game. This is what I know, whether I like him or not Tom Brady is clutch when it counts. Sure, often he gets help from referees to ensure that New England wins games they have no business winning (see: tuck rule) but he keeps New England in position to benefit from referees calls and when the officials aren't helping them to wins, they usually win anyway.
Then you have the Colts. The first thing to note about the Colts is that eventually Peyton Manning chokes. He choked every year in college, and he has choked every year in the playoffs. Sometimes he chokes in round 1 and sometimes he waits until the conference championship.
This year is different. The Colts owned New England earlier this season and Indianapolis has the home field advantage. I am not cheering for either team as really between Stalin and Hitler who really deserves cheers? Ok, so its not quite that bad but I do feel dirty cheering for either of these 2. However, a game needs a winner.
Tom Brady is always clutch and Peyton Manning always chokes. Until now, I think New England has pulled of an amazing season considering their wide receivers suck. I think they've benefited from great coaching, being written off to some extent and from playing the game as a team. However, I think the Colts will expose them as being a team that has worked due in part to smoke and mirrors and lets just say that all the secrets in the magic show will be revealed.
The Pick: Colts 21, Patriots 17

So having said that and remembering that I did horribly with TNA picks last week, happy Super Bowl XX rematch New England and Chicago.

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Saturday Evening Post

4 more released from WWE
So are the lucky ones the guys that get fired or the guys that have to stay?

Updated Royal Rumble None of these guys have gotten the pinkslip yet.

Last again
Last to hire a coach, first to pick in the draft. There may or may not be a connection here.

Edit: top 2 links fixed.

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Late Friday and Early Saturday Notes

Lets bang this one out quickly.

Ric's Smackdown recap
Sounds fun.

More comings and goings in WWE
Tatanka was also given his release.

Speaking of people coming and going:

Sarkisian removes name from Raiders search
Official Statements from both the Raiders and Sarkisian
Another one Bites the Dust
Looking at what's left.

Finally:
The Josh McDaniels Factor
Could this New England Coordinator be the next to turn the job down?

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