Johnny Manziel has been suspended...FOR ONLY A HALF!!!

Ok ok ok. The suspense is finally over. Texas A&M quarterback has finally received his punishment for his actions of receiving payment for signing autographs. The NCAA investigators met with him for several hours on Sunday and they finally have reached an decision on his suspension. Surely the NCAA will put the hammer down and make an example out of Manziel...right?

Ummmmmm...NOOOOOOO!!!! It was announced today that the reigning Heisman trophy winner from Texas A&M Johnny Manziel will be suspended for a whopping two quarters against Rice. Really??? The kid breaks major NCAA rules by receiving money for his signature and you only suspend him for two quarters? I really need an explanation as to how the NCAA feels this is right? How can they say this is ok when other programs have done a lot less and received a whole lot more?

Explain how Johnny Manziel gets away with breaking major rules when Dez Bryant (who didn't violate any NCAA sanction or rule) and is suspended for 10 games? Explain how that is right? If I'm Dez Bryant, I'm suing the NCAA. I would sue them in a heart beat. Johnny Manziel doesn't deserve to play at all. Not only against Rice this weekend, but all season long. He should be dropped from the Aggie program and lose any kind of scholarship he has.

The Aggie creed says "An Aggie does not lie, cheat or steal, or tolerate those who do." I guess when it comes to an idiot who can play football, Texas A&M is willing to through their creed out the window. He cheated and he lied and yet Texas A&M will play Johnny Manziel in the 2nd half of Saturday's game. I guess Texas A&M can be classified as a sell out program, Coach Ken Sumlin is a sell out, and any Aggie fan who cheers on Johnny Manziel this season is a sell out.

I will tune into a lot of Aggie football games this year for one reason...to root for their opponent. I hope they lose every single game of the season. I hope they are tasting the bottom of the barrel in the SEC. Instead of "Gig 'Em Aggies" it will be "Gig Off Aggies."

Happy Anniversary to Nolan Ryan

Today is a great day in Rangers history. No I'm not talking about when the Rangers scored 30 runs against the Baltimore Orioles (although that was one of the greatest days in team history). I'm talking about the day the Ryan Express, Nolan Ryan became the first pitcher in baseball history to record 5,000 strikeouts.

On August 30, 1989 Ryan took on the Oakland A's from old Arlington Stadium. It was a packed crowd as it always was when Ryan pitched. In the 5th inning, Rickey Henderson came up to bat. Pretty good match-up you think being two hall of famers going against each other. Well on this day, it was Nolan Ryan who got the better of Rickey Henderson as he blew a 96 MPH fastball past Henderson for his 5,000th strike out. The A's got the better of the Rangers that night, beating Ryan and the Rangers 2-0. But the A's getting the win isn't what people remember about that night. They remember Nolan Ryan making history.

Growing up in the Dallas/Ft. Worth as a huge Ranger fan since I was old enough to pick up a baseball, I've known that Nolan Ryan was THE man in Rangers history. He started his career with the New York Mets and won a World Series Championship in 1969. His career led him to stints with the California Angels, Houston Astros, and Texas Rangers. He finished his career with a record of 324-292, a 3.19 ERA, 5,714 strikeouts in 5,386 innings pitched, 7 no hitters and 12 one hitters over 27 years. He is still to this day a Texas legend.

His legendary status continued when he became part of the group that bought the Texas Rangers in 2010. He has helped to lead the club from an upper management standpoint to 2 World Series births and 3 playoff appearances. Since Ryan has taken the reigns of the team, the Rangers have been major contenders for the World Series. His legendary status has only continued to grow.

I am a big time Nolan Ryan fan. I don't have many heros outside of my dad that physically live on this Earth, but if I had a sports hero Nolan Ryan would be it. Congrats to Mr. Ryan on his anniversary today and thank you to him for all he has done for the Rangers.

Check out my blog on www.sports1460espn.com.

Why do we have to have NCAA Football preseason polls?

NCAA Football season is fixing to get going and I'm very excited. I love watching college football. You never know from week to week what's going to happen. I'm a big Texas Longhorns fan so...HOOK 'EM HORNS!!! But one thing I've never understood is the preseason polls. That has to be one of the most stupid things I've ever seen.

Here's why I don't like preseason polls. I know you can go by who is coming back to the team, what kind of prospects these schools have, etc. But no honestly knows what these teams will look like until a few weeks into the season. To say that Alabama is number 1 going into the season or Texas A&M is number 6 is just asinine to me. How do we know that the new guys in the Alabama offensive line will block as well as last year's team? How do we know that Johnny Manziel (should he not be suspended) be as good as he was last year? We don't. At least not until a few weeks into the year.

What needs to happen is...NO POLLS AT ALL until at least week 3 or 4. By then, we will have a better understanding of what these teams are all about. If at that point, Alabama has beaten everyone like they are expected to do, then ok. Rank them number 1. But we shouldn't just assume they are the best before we see them play.

Check out my blog also at www.sports1460espn.com.

Two Minute Warning for the week of August 12-16th

Once again, this week's "Two Minute Warning" has to be on Thursday instead of Friday because work, which I'm loving every minute of, is going to be crazy busy. But it's now time for this week's "Two Minute Warning."

So what all have we learned this week in sports? Hmmm...let's see:

*The Texas Rangers have regained the AL West division lead over the Oakland A's and the A's just continue to go on a downward spiral. The Rangers swept the Houston Astros in a 4-game series and then split a 2-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers. The A's won 2 of 3 games against the Toronto Blue Jays last weekend and as of today (8-15-13) have lost 2 straight to the Astros. The Rangers keep doing it with timely hitting and excellent pitching. The Rangers have not hit a home run in 5 of their last 8 games...they've won all 5 of those games. The pitching staff has gone at least 5 innings and the bullpen seems to be rested as they have shut down anyone they face. Joe Nathan got his 36th save of the season last night. The team seems to keep rolling along despite not having Neftali Feliz, Colby Lewis, and Matt Harrison. Ohh yeah...they also haven't had the big bats of Josh Hamilton, Mike Napoli, and Michael Young all season. Hamilton is enjoying a horrible season with the Angels (who are 53-66 and are 16 games behind the Rangers in the AL West). Michael Young is also experiencing some baseball lows with the Philadelphia Phillies (who are 53-67 and 20.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves in the NL East). Mike Napoli is the only former Ranger who is playing well on a good team. His Boston Red Sox are 72-50 and 3 games up on the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East.

*Dez Bryant says that if the NCAA doesn't suspend Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel for his being paid to sign autographs, he will be very upset. I agree he has a right to be upset. Bryant was suspended for the 2009 season from Oklahoma State for lying about having dinner with Deion Sanders. Manziel is currently being investigated for potentially being paid for signing autographs.



*The Dallas Stars have been accused of trying to negotiate with Evgeni Malkin, one of the superstar players of the Pittsburgh Penguins, while Malkin is under contract with another team. Malkin's father, Vladimir, told a Russia Sports Outlet that the Stars offered a larger contract to his son than the contract extension he signed with Pittsburgh in June (which was an 8-year, $76 million contract extension). The NHL has extreme rules concerning this, but the NHL isn't investigating this case due to the Pittsburgh Penguins saying they don't believe the Stars actually talked to Malkin at all. Here's my opinion: Vladimir Malkin needs to shut up. Your son got a big time contract and the Stars haven't done anything wrong. So just shut up.

Not much else going on in sports this week. Check out my blog on www.sports1460espn.com.

Does Dez Bryant have a point?

The Dallas Cowboys have a beast at wide receiver in Dez Bryant. As a fan, I've been impressed with and proud of how Dez has grown up in front of us. He was a raw, rough rookie off the field when he first came into the league and he has grown up and matured into a leader of the Cowboys.

So when Dez talks nowadays, people tend to listen. Today (8-14-13) Dez was quoted as saying he would be very upset and mad if the NCAA doesn't suspend Texas A&M Quarterback Johnny Manziel for being paid to sign autographs. Does Dez have a right to be upset. Let's take a look back at Dez's issues with the NCAA.

Bryant was suspended for the entire 2009 season, what would have been his final year at Oklahoma State. During the off-season that year, Bryant and former Cowboy defensive back Deion Sanders had developed a close friendship. Bryant went to Deion's house for dinner before the season started. When asked about that dinner, Bryant thought it was a violation and lied to the NCAA saying he never had dinner with Deion. It wasn't a violation, but the NCAA didn't appreciate being lied to so they suspended Bryant for the entire 2009 season for lying about something that wasn't a violation to begin with.

Now let's take a look at Johnny Manziel. Johnny Football has been signing autographs for money since he won the Heisman Trophy. Sources are telling ESPN's "Outside The Lines" that he has been paid for signing engagements FOUR TIMES since January. The NCAA is currently investigating Manziel but no ruling has been announced.

So does Dez Bryant have a point and an argument? Absolutely he does. Bryant didn't do anything wrong except lie. I don't agree about Bryant lying to the NCAA, but other than that he didn't do anything wrong. Manziel is taking money for autographs which is a clear violation of NCAA by-laws. So yes, Dez Bryant has a right to what he said. If the NCAA do not suspend Manziel, Bryant has every right to be upset and mad. For what it's worth (and it ain't worth much) I highly support Dez Bryant. 

So to the NCAA...do the right thing. Suspend Johnny Manziel. Make a point to all student athletes that says they are not above the law. Do the right thing and suspend Johnny Manziel or you will have completely wronged Dez Bryant and cost that young man a year of college.

Check out my blog on www.sports1460espn.com as well.

Johnny Manziel Is A Moron!!!

Yes you read my title right. Johnny Manziel is a moron. A big, freakin' moron!!! And no I don't think this because he is the quarterback at Texas A&M and I'm a Texas Longhorns fan. It's because he is a big moron.

ESPN's "Outside The Lines" is reporting that a source has informed them that Manziel signed autographs for money at two additional sessions other than what the NCAA is investigating him for. How can you be that stupid? It is widely known that one of the big "no-no's" in NCAA sports is being paid for...well...anything. Manziel has been making a good chunk of change for signing his name on things.

I know he is the Heisman Trophy winner and led the Aggies to one of the best seasons they've ever had. But come on dude. Grow up and learn what it means to play by the rules. He is becoming the poster child for what it means to spiral out of control. I keep hearing people say "well he is just a college kid." No that excuse won't fly with me. He is a grown man. He needs to understand and realize that he isn't above the law or the NCAA by-laws.


What Manziel is doing is not only hurting himself, but hurting his Aggie teammates. Everyone knows that without Manziel, the Aggies will be cellar dwellers in the SEC. Manziel isn't thinking about his team or his future. He is thinking about the here and now. And by thinking of the here and now, he is going to screw himself over in the future. Any punishment on Manziel, I won't have any pity on him. I will feel sorry for his Aggie teammates who will suffer the most.

My advice to Johnny Manziel...grow up, be a real man, and get your act together. You are on a slippery slope with jagged rocks at the base waiting to rip you to shreds. Grow up Johnny Football!!!

Check out my blog and other sports news at www.sports1460espn.com.

Two Minute Warning for August 4th-9th

Ok y'all. I know I haven't written much this week and I'm pretty sure by the way my schedule is shaping up for tomorrow, I won't be able to write again tomorrow. So today it's time for this week's "Two Minute Warning."

*It's been a fun, interesting week so far. Not too much going on in the world of sports...ohhh wait. Yes there is. Major League Baseball handed down their Biogenesis suspensions on Monday. Nelson Cruz, Jhonny Peralta, and Everth Cabrara were among 12 players who received 50 game suspension...none decided to appeal. Alex Rodriguez got lucky in my eyes and only received a 211 game suspension instead of a lifetime ban (which I believe was warranted). Despite not having Cruz, the Rangers have continued to win, sweeping the Los Angeles Angels for the 2nd time in a week. They have won 8 of their last 9 games and have erased a 6 game deficit in the AL West. As of today (8-8-13) they are tied with Oakland for first in the division.



*The Dallas Cowboys had their first preseason game of the year against the Miami Dolphins. Not a bad way to start training camp as the Cowboys won 24-20 in the Hall Of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. Now I know it's just a preseason game, but if you look at this game compared to the last few seasons' first preseason game, you can take a lot of positives from it. The last few seasons, in the preseason the defense was horrible at takeaways. That would end up transferring into the regular season. In last Sunday's game, the defense caused two turnovers that both led to touchdowns. That's a good sign for the Cowboys if history repeats itself. The offensive line looked a lot better and the running game was excellent. In years past during preseason games, that wasn't the case. So I know it's just one preseason win, but I'm already a little bit encouraged by what I saw out of the Cowboys against Miami.



*So what else is going on in the world of sports? Ohhhhh yesss. Johnny Manziel...aka Johnny Football...maybe in a tad bit of hot water. Allegedly he was paid very nicely for signing autographs during his trip to the BCS National Championship game in Miami back in January. There are now other stories surfacing that he has been getting paid for signing autographs. Ohhhhh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive. Johnny...Johnny...Johnny...take my advice. Shut your mouth, lock yourself in your dorm room when you are not on the field practicing or at games (if the NCAA allows you to play that is), and become a monk until you are done with college. I know Manziel has had problems in the past but I am afraid that Johnny Football may have crossed a line with this one that he can't fix. We may have seen the last of Johnny Football at Texas A&M.


*Last but not least, Sports Talk 1460 ESPN is in full swing. Check us out. We have an awesome lineup during the day: 6-9am The Starting Line, 11a-12p The Herd with Colin Cowherd, 12-2p SVP & Russilo, 2-3p The John Morris Show, 3-6p The Sports Sandbox. Give us a chance. You might actually like us. We are also online at www.sports1460espn.com.

Was Nelson Cruz's decision to not appeal his suspension the right thing to do or selfish?

First off I want to apologize for not writing a blog in the last few days. We have launched our afternoon show, The Sports Sandbox, on Sports Talk 1460 ESPN and I'm the producer as well as the station's production manager. So as you can imagine, I stay very busy (which I love by the way. I wouldn't trade this job for anything else...other than a shot to play professional baseball. But that's a whole different issue.). Hope y'all will tune into The Sports Sandbox with Ron Moore, Mike Ogulnick, and Chad Dixon every weekday afternoon 3p-6p. I'll definitely put my two cents in on occasion.

Now for today's topic...Nelson Cruz has officially  been suspended for 50 games for his connection to the Biogenesis case. We all knew it was coming. We just didn't exactly know when. He has chosen not to appeal and began serving his suspension last night as we watched the Cruz-less Rangers defeat the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 5-2 behind awesome pitching by Martin Perez and the bat of the AL Player Of The Month for July 2013...Adrian Beltre. At first, I thought it was good that Cruz had decided to not appeal. My thought process was "he is owning up to his mistakes, going to serve his time, then move on with his career and life." But the more I thought about the entire situation, the more I kept wondering...is Cruz being selfish by sitting out the rest of the season instead of appealing the decision?

Here is why I've struggled with this thought. If Nelson Cruz appeals his suspension, he will be able to play the rest of the season and, potentially, the playoffs because his case won't be over until after the season has ended (due to the extremely slow judicial system we have in this country. Ok...that's my political rant for the day). He is leading the team with 27 home runs and 76 RBI and that's a bat we no longer have in the line up. But

instead, Cruz decided to not appeal and began serving his 50-game suspension last night...with exactly 50 games left. Now if the Rangers make the playoffs, he will allowed to play. But the Rangers have to get to the playoffs first in order for Cruz  to suit up in a Texas uniform again this season. Nelson Cruz is a free agent at the end of this season. I understand that appealing his case and serving his suspension at the beginning of next season would hurt him personally in free agency. But I can't help but think that some team, maybe even the Rangers, would sign Cruz despite having to serve the suspension next year because they see him as a team player. I'm beginning to think that him serving his suspension now...at a time when the Rangers need him the most...will ultimately hurt him more in free agency because he won't be viewed by other teams as a team player and the Rangers won't be able to trust him enough to want to re-sign him. Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems to me that while Cruz definately deserves to be suspended he should have appealed in order to prove to the Rangers he is a team player and to prove to other clubs he can be a team player. The more I think about this situation, the more I believe that Nelson Cruz made a selfish decision instead of making a decision as to what was best for his team. With that being said...as a fan I would welcome him back for the playoffs should the Rangers make it that far.

Russia may prosecute gay athletes at the 2014 Winter Olympics

Yesterday, I started my show producing career by producing my first 3 hour sports talk show "The Sports Sandbox" on Sports Talk 1460 ESPN. It was a lot of fun. Little nervous as we got started, but definitely calmed down as the show went on. Part of my job is to watch for breaking news and for things I can pass along to the hosts that might add to the show. I came across this story and, although we won't discuss it on the air for a little while, I found it very interesting. Apparently there is a Russian lawmaker out of St. Peterburg, Russia that has stated that gay fans and athletes from other countries won't be immune from prosecution if they attend the 2014 Winter Olympics. The law states that it is illegal for homosexuals to publicly display affection toward each other. That is the Russian law. It doesn't say it's against the law to be gay. It says you can't show any kind of public display of affection.

As I've stated before this blog is not for Political debate. I honestly don't care what you think about gay rights as I'm sure you don't care about my opinion on the topic either. This is not the place for that debate. My question to you folks is this...what do you think about what this lawmaker said? I can see both sides of the argument so I'll make an argument for  both sides. So here we go.

IT'S NOT RIGHT: This doesn't seem very right to me because the fans and athletes coming to these  games are not citizens of Russia. How can you charge someone with a crime like this when it isn't a crime in other countries? Russia is saying that if you come to their country and hold hands with your partner, you will go to jail and be prosecuted. It seems like they are trying to keep other countries from coming to the games. Who knows.

IT'S THEIR RIGHT: Russia has the right to make whatever laws they want just like we do here in the United States. I've been on trips abroad before and the first thing you learn when you go abroad is that when in another country, you better know that country's law. If you are gay and are offended by the law in Russia, don't go to the Winter Olympics. If you are gay and still want to go to the Winter Olympics, then don't publicly show affection. It's that simple. So for those of you who are screaming at your computers right now saying "How dare Russia say that?" Remember this...if a Russian comes to the United States and breaks one of our laws that isn't a law in Russia, what would we do? Exaclty!!! We'd arrest them and prosecute them too.

So whether you agree or not with Russia, I'm sure they don't care what you think. As long as the gay fans and athletes going to the Winter Games will be careful and abide by Russian law, I'm sure they will return home safely and without a international police record.