Charger OTA's Underway, Ellison Busted

The draft, to many, signals the beginning of a new NFL season...for me, it's when the summer organized team activities begin. Now is when you get to see how some players are prioritizing their offseason. If a player is not at the OTA's I don't instantly hold that against them...players like Antonio Gates that have missed so far, was due to getting his foot checked out and is expected to be back with the team shortly, I have no problem with that. On the other side of that coin is Kevin Ellison, who has been told to stay away from team activities after getting busted with 100 Vicodin pills, that doesn't sit as well with me, nor does it appear to sit well with the Charger brass. Ellison may soon be out of a job.

Favre: Right On Schedule For Return

I officially fired up Favre Watch: 2010 in February and had already determined Favre was returning to play football and it looks as if all indications are that my (not so) bold prediction is likely. First Favre makes a wager with his old college, Southern Miss, if they make the college World Series he'll come back and play football this year. And then we hear he had surgery on his ankle, which would be needed if he was to play this year. And of course the timing of the ankle surgery is the most convenient for Favre as it will prevent him from participating in any sort of 'mini-camp' activity.

I think it may be tougher for Favre to deny that he hasn't made up his mind this year to play or not while training camp fires up, but I am willing to bet that Favre will not show up to training camp for the first few weeks...in fact, he will probably arrive about 2 weeks prior to their first preseason game...which is when he showed up last year and a little earlier than what I had guessed, but I did have him pegged as not being retired...no duh!

I am going to have to find a new annual off season activity once Favre actually does hang it up...but I figure I have at least 5 more years before I really need to worry about that...

Landis Admits Doping

Well, well, well... Floyd Landis came out and admitted to using steroids now...

I had followed the whole Landis steroid case (You can type Landis in the search box or just click the 'Steroids in Sports' tag to the left to follow my reaction at the time) and when his case was tried, twice, and Landis lost in both cases I had already been swayed to know he was juicing.

So why is Landis coming out now and admitting he was cheating? Well, I'm guessing Landis is looking for some dough...a book deal or interview fees...why do I think this? Well of course Landis isn't going to go down alone...he is taking everyone down with him and of course America's biggest name in cycling, Lance Armstrong. Landis details his team's, which included Armstrong, blood doping routine for the 2003 Tour de France...he also details his extensive use of many steroids including HGH.

I have given Armstrong the benefit of the doubt...and continue to do so, for the most part, but when every other member on his US Postal team has been busted for cheating at some point in their career...I have begun to let doubt creep in and would not be surprised if Armstrong, at some point, eventually does admit or some actual tangible evidence is produced to prove his usage. But as I have said in the past, cycling was probably as bad, if not worse, for cheating than MLB during a period of time...we find out now that most of baseball's biggest stars were all cheating during the period of juicing in baseball, including the best pitcher (Clemens) and the best homerun hitters (Bonds, McGwire, Sosa). Anyone juicing during the roid era in baseball was untouchable...Lance Armstrong won every Tour de France during the roid era of cycling...I don't know how anyone could legitimately win against a field of cheaters...unless, of course, you were cheating as well...

You Know Who's Lame? Uber-Gamers In RL

Video games in America have successfully integrated themselves as a component to the American society. Now, more than ever, do kids have access to video games...in almost every form...consoles, handheld, pc, plug-and-play type, etc. and as a result a person can begin to get a glimpse at the video game culture that it is breeding.

Let me begin my analysis with what I like to do when I begin to cast judgment upon something and that is display my credentials because the first thing I think whenever reading something, especially a blog post, is how can this guy be saying this? I am first, a video gamer myself. I present exhibit A (Click the Entire game History for fun). This only details some of the activity that was on my one computer for the past 5 years, does not include the same time on the Playstation or Wii machines. In addition to that small sample, I have been a 'gamer' since I was young....I had about 20 of the handheld single player games, original Pong, an Atari 2600, a Commodore 64, SNES and more ... I have been a 'gamer' for over 30 years now and I still play games to this day... I love them. Ok, enough with that now back to the story...

I was out a while ago with some buddies that happen to be bartenders so throughout the evening people would stop by our group to say hi to one of my friends because they are recognized...some of those people would linger around and have a drink with us, others would just move along. So this young married couple happens to swing by and knows one of my buddies, they say hi and are going to hang around for a bit...so they introduce themselves to me... the guy's name is unimportant but the girl says "Hi, I'm Crispy. That's my gamer-tag so all my friends just call me that." Right there I wanted to put the entire conversation to a screeching halt and just unload on the idiocy that this young, dumb girl just said to me. You see, by being a gamer, myself, I had quickly dissected that sentence and understood the idiocy of it. So, you're a gamer...obviously because you have a gamer-tag. Ok, fair enough so far and then you say all your friends call you by your gamer-tag ... um are all your friends gamers and you call them their gamer-tag too because you are gaming all the time? Of course... and then finally, who gave you your gamer-tag in the first place? Ah...that's right, you had to enter it...so in reality, you just want everyone to call you by your gamer-tag because that's what all your gamer friends do...call you by the name you chose for yourself.

Well, as much as I profess to be a gamer, I can't think of how LAME it is to go around and ask people to call you by your gamer-tag....Hey what's up pwner666? Have you seen HarryDick23 lately? I best change my gamer-tag or else people will refer to me as SayOw in public...which, incidentally many people think is a sexual reference and are almost upset when I tell them it is in reference to one of my favorite football players.

For the Uber-Gamer, which I am fairly certain this chick is, me seeing her actually outside of the house and not online gaming is probably something her family only dreams of. If I was a betting man, I would have guessed they were just killing time until the midnight sale for the new C.O.D. (Call Of Duty for you non-gamers) so they could rush home and play non-stop for 5 days...then they would only leave to get some more Mountain Dew.

Merriman Switches Agent .... Hastens Trade?

Shawne Merriman switched agents which has people speculating that it is a move that will better facilitate a trade out of San Diego.

AJ Smith, the GM for the Chargers, is often blasted for being a hard-ass and a stickler when it comes to negotiations ... and in some cases I can see how he gets that reputation and in other cases, such as this one, I think he has played his hand with Merriman fairly well...

This is Merriman's last year under contract with the Chargers, next year, as most 'experts' are predicting an uncapped season and then probably a lockout if no CBA agreement is reached. So you can see where Merriman would love to sign a big contract right now that would have him locked in until at least the 2013 season so he would have a job after a potential lockout. His problem, though, is that he hasn't really been an effective player for the Chargers since his steroid bust. His value with the Chargers, and other teams, is quickly dropping and what Merriman would, I think, ideally like is to be traded before this season starts (or shortly there after) and get a new contract with a new team...otherwise his future could be in some doubt...

If he ends up on the Charger roster for the entire season and under performs as he has the past 2 1/2 seasons, his value will surely be nominal...so it only behooves Merriman to go all out this season with the Chargers...then, after the season, the Chargers could re-evaluate their position with Merriman. But to be brutally honest, I think Merriman's salad days are over. He has a lifestyle that is bigger than his game. If Merriman could back his on field play with his off field drama, he may be worth the baggage but all Shawne has done, since his steroid suspension is party with Tila Tequilla, be hurt and ineffective.

It would be great for the Chargers if someone was willing to pony up and take Merriman because I don't think he is worth the money or the hassle anymore...

Some Man Advice

I've mentioned it many times ... I'm getting old. Most of the time half-jokingly but yet, aware that it is slowly becoming more of a reality than a joke. I don't get carded at bars anymore...unless I go to one of those places that literally card everyone because it is filled with mostly 21-25 year old people and every minor in the county tries to get in. Not getting carded is really the first step towards officially being old.

Now, I'm not bitter about getting old because I also have discovered that I have become fairly wise, relatively speaking. I can not tell you how many times I have been hanging out with some guys and their would be someone who is pre-30 that would tell a tale of some sort and after hearing this tale us old men would chuckle and point out to the youngin' where he went wrong...it is all common sense we say.

So, as a public service to every man in America, I am going to dispense some invaluable advice exclusively for men. I am by no means a professional consultant or am certified to help anyone in any way shape or form. I am merely a man that likes sports, women, rock music and beer (in no particular order). And some of the things I am about to point out you will exclaim, well of course, that's just common sense...of course it is, but you would be surprised at how many times these instances happen. That really is my goal here...is to inform those that don't know yet. And finally, this isn't like any magazine "10 Ways To Get The Girl You Want" type of advice...this, again, should just be common sense type of advice that not all men seem to know. I am not claiming to break any new ground here.

So let's get's this thing rolling:

Never ask a woman if they are pregnant. Right off the bat, seems like common sense, yet I have seen more then one man make this gaffe. Now of course if your intent is to offend and/or ridicule the woman you inquired, you probably can't get much meaner. I do not care if you see a girl that you knew was 125 lbs just last month and now looks like she is trying to hide a blanket under her shirt, wearing sweat pants and almost 200 lbs ... you should never utter that phrase to any woman. EVER.

Always compliment a woman's hair, especially if she changed it. Now this one seems pretty straight forward but it is one a man forgets and I also say it is something that a man should do to any female acquaintance and will instantly gain favor amongst all the women you interact with. For some reason women, throughout their life, feel the need to change things up and will either cut their hair really short or let it grow really long or hilight it or tint it or whatever...no matter who this woman is in your life, your mom, your sister, neighbor, whoever...by simply noticing it and merely say "I like what you've done to your hair," you are set. Even if the woman, herself, does not like what she did to her hair, most women will then proceed to thank you and explain either why or why not they will keep that hairstyle...either way, you don't lose and most likely don't have to say another word. What also makes the woman more endearing towards you is that most men won't say anything to a woman about her hair ... maybe their spouse or girlfriend, but men, in general, don't usually comment on a woman's hairstyle directly to the woman. That's why by doing so, you will seem so more 'in tune' than the other men that the woman deals with. This tip alone is worth it's price in ... uh.... something....trust me. Start complimenting a woman's hairstyle ...only when she changes it mind you...and you will not be disappointed. Treats will be left on your doorstep, help with your house cleaning...all kinds of favors are magically offered for no apparent reason.

Never buy clothes for a woman. Again, should be a no-brainer here, but you wouldn't believe how many men fail at this. First, they think well I won't buy anything like a shirt or a dress or anything like that...I'll get her some gloves...NO! Don't do it. Not a scarf, no gloves, hat or anything apparel related...the only exception might be diamond or gold jewelry, but even then you are taking a gamble. Unless the woman has given you the precise specifications of the item she wants, which would include no less then the following information: the brand, style, color, country manufactured in and the exact spot within the only store it can be found ... you might be able to get away with this...but it is still extremely risky.

Women are always hungry. I theorized about this quite some time ago and have been able to almost confirm this assertion as fact. Ok, you say, we know women are hungry, how does that help a man? Well easy...anytime anything with a woman is awry, food is a very good pacifier...especially if you know what the woman loves to eat...if you don't know for sure, always start out with a cake, usually can't go wrong there. And let's say that if you are with a woman and you ask if she is hungry and she replies no, she is not hungry, continue to try to obtain food anyways...I'm willing to bet that 8 out of 10 times the woman eats after initially declining...they just decline to not appear like a pig. Here's the scenario... "Hey Julie, want something to eat?" you ask. "No thanks, I'm not hungry" Julie replies. "Ok," you say, "I'm kind of hungry so I'm just going to grab something to eat if you don't mind." Julie will pause and then say, "Well, if you wanted to share something, I might have a little something." Bam...it's that easy.

Never be a stalker. Pretty straightforward here...don't be the guy who has stalker like qualities...calling and texting a girl about her where-abouts, what she is doing, who she is with, etc. You want to start creeping a girl out and probably drive her towards the paranoia you have, this is the way to do that. I know men often feel desperate and that the one girl they are actually getting something off of is the only girl in the world what would do so become very protective and possessive, but women will eventually want to break free from your overbearing personality.

Five quick tips that if men adhered too would, at the very least, not give them too many negative points when trying to deal with women and not necessarily in just an intimate relationship, but with all the women you deal with on a daily basis. Friends, co-workers, family and whatever female acquaintances may have you have, many of the above tips will help you out.