Post by John on Jun 30, 2006 18:25:55 GMT -4
In the NFL, charity begins ... with them
By Clark Judge
CBS SportsLine.com Senior Writer
It's the season of giving, as Warren Buffett so graciously demonstrated earlier this week. When Buffett announced he will donate $1.5 billion annually to the Gates Foundation, he drew a standing ovation from the national media -- as he should have. But that got me to thinking: How come we don't celebrate the people and teams in this business that make others happy through their charity?
Well, we will. Starting now.
Daniel Snyder: There were Senate confirmation hearings this week for the new Treasury Department secretary, and I half expected the Redskins boss to show up. It's not that The Daniel prints money, but he sure knows how to spend it. He keeps defensive coordinator Gregg Williams off the free-agent market by bumping his salary to $2.5 million a year, then hires offensive coordinator Al Saunders away from Kansas City for another $2 million per. I know these guys are good, but at those prices, he could finance the GNP of Trinidad and Tobago. No wonder people are calling for a salary cap on coaches. Snyder paid Steve Spurrier a fortune to leave college football. He paid Joe Gibbs a fortune to come out of retirement. He spent a $13 million to sign receiver Laveranues Coles three years ago, then this offseason threw in another $11 million in bonuses for former Pittsburgh receiver Antwaan Randle El. Don't get me wrong: Randle El is versatile and valuable. But $11 mill for a special teams standout who serves as your third receiver? What a great country ... especially with Dan Snyder paying the bills.
The Houston Texans: First, they leave their offensive line unlocked for the season, practically inviting opponents to devour their quarterback. So they do, with David Carr sacked 68 times and fumbling 17. Then the Texans go out and win the league's Humanitarian Award by passing on Reggie Bush -- the best player in this year's draft -- so they can choose Mario Williams. Some people compare Williams to Julius Peppers, which is great, except those same people compare Bush to Gale Sayers ... and, yeah, I'll take Sayers over Peppers. So will New Orleans, which saw a spike in season-ticket sales after drafting Bush. OK, I'll admit it: Running back wasn't exactly Houston's No. 1 priority. But if you have the top pick you take the best player on the board, regardless of position ... unless, of course, you're committed to helping others. Congratulations, Houston. You're the toast of Bourbon Street.
The New York Jets: When Herman Edwards started pining away for Kansas City, the Jets were all too willing to accommodate him. In fact, they practically pushed the heartsick guy out the door. Edwards looked at what he had in New York, and, frankly, didn't like his chances for the future. Smart man. In the words of Larry Brown, he was a dead man walking. So why not pull out of the next wave? Edwards did, but he wouldn't have made it without the Jets throwing a life preserver. Even though he was under contract, they not only let him talk to the Chiefs; they allowed him to leave for next to nothing. A fourth-round pick? Are you kidding me? The Jets could've named their ransom, but that's why they're here. They simply refused to stand in anyone's way, and good for them. They made Edwards happy. They made the Chiefs happy. Hey, that's what charity is all about.
The San Francisco 49ers: Once, no one spent more than San Francisco. Then the club changed owners, and the 49ers started acting like Cincinnati West. But those days are over, and they ended with last year's signing of free-agent tackle Jonas Jennings, whom the 49ers paid $12 million in cash to move west. That was kind, especially with other clubs lukewarm about the guy. One assistant who coached him told me he'd be surprised if Jennings lasted his first season. He was right. He suited up for three games. But think about it: The 49ers gave when and where others would not, and that's what philanthropy is all about. Remember, this is also the club that paid rookie quarterback Alex Smith a whopping $24 million in bonuses. Smith responded by throwing one touchdown pass, 11 interceptions and fumbling 11 times. The next time the 49ers stage an audition, I want in.
Nick Saban: OK, so he's not exactly a warm and fuzzy head coach, but you'd never know it watching him deal with Ricky Williams. First, Saban welcomed Williams back to a Miami club the running back left high and dry in 2004. That was gracious. Then, after the league sacked Williams for another season for failing drug tests, Saban said he'll welcome back Williams if and when he's cleared to play again. In fact, the only way Saban said the Dolphins would endorse Williams' involvement in the CFL was if they were assured that "Ricky will return to the Dolphins in 2007." Question: Why would Miami want this guy? No, why would anyone want him? He demonstrated he can't be trusted. He demonstrated he cares only about himself. He demonstrated he won't abide by league rules. Still, Nick stands by his man. No wonder Joey Harrington wouldn't go anywhere but Miami.
Brett Favre: If there's one reason to watch the Packers, it's Favre. He brings energy, passion and charisma to the game. Plus, he's damned good. I love watching the guy play, but now so do his opponents -- especially after Favre turned his attention to philanthropy last year. He threw a career-worst 29 interceptions -- 12 more than the rest of the field -- and was so bad he considered packing it in. Fortunately, he decided to stay, and that's good for Cheeseheads. The question is: Will it be as good for Green Bay's opponents?
Jerry Jones: Two years ago he took pity on unemployed Eddie George and hired him for a year. Now he has stepped forward to offer a helping hand to Terrell Owens, that misunderstood wide receiver who hasn't played football since the middle of last season. If Jones had been in business 70 years ago, there would've been no WPA. This is a guy who would hire the Venus de Milo as his closer if he thought it would do some good. He has a heart, and he has the money to make things happen. Look what he did for T.O. He gave him love, a job and millions of dollars ... and he never once brought up Owens' history of dynamiting locker rooms. That's what I call compassion. It's also blind faith in a self-absorbed athlete who can help you in the short run and ruin you in the long.
San Diego Chargers: FEMA forgot about New Orleans, but San Diego and Houston didn't. The Texans passed Reggie Bush along to the Saints; then San Diego threw in Drew Brees ... with a little help from Miami, of course. The Dolphins were so concerned with a shoulder injury Brees suffered in the season-ending loss to Denver they wouldn't sign him to a big contract. That's when the Saints stepped in, and you know the rest. What's so remarkable is that San Diego would allow Brees to walk after he led the Chargers to their first division title in a decade. The head coach wanted him. The star running back wanted him. The Chargers had the cap room to accommodate him. Yet he's gone, and he's gone to a club ... no, a city ... a state ... a region ... that really, really needs him. On behalf of Saints' season-ticket holders, thank you.
Cincinnati Bengals: There has to be a halfway house for troubled youth somewhere in this league, and I think this might be it. The Bengals aren't just one of the best clubs in the AFC; they're also one of the most forgiving, drafting players others ignore because of -- how should we put this -- questionable backgrounds. The Bengals don't care. Give them your tired, your poor, your lawless. Take wide receiver Chris Henry. First, the guy pleads guilty to marijuana possession, then he has to face charges of carrying a concealed firearm and providing alcohol to three underage women. Now we have rookie linebacker A.J. Nicholson. He's charged with burglary and vandalism. And let's not forget third-round pick Frostee Rucker, up on two counts of vandalism and two counts of spousal battery. Stop right there. We have an entry for our next Over-The-Line team. Coach Marvin Lewis referred to some "very poor choices by a couple of our players," but how about some very poor choices by the organization?
NFL office: Thank goodness someone in this league loves L.A.
By Clark Judge
CBS SportsLine.com Senior Writer
It's the season of giving, as Warren Buffett so graciously demonstrated earlier this week. When Buffett announced he will donate $1.5 billion annually to the Gates Foundation, he drew a standing ovation from the national media -- as he should have. But that got me to thinking: How come we don't celebrate the people and teams in this business that make others happy through their charity?
Well, we will. Starting now.
Daniel Snyder: There were Senate confirmation hearings this week for the new Treasury Department secretary, and I half expected the Redskins boss to show up. It's not that The Daniel prints money, but he sure knows how to spend it. He keeps defensive coordinator Gregg Williams off the free-agent market by bumping his salary to $2.5 million a year, then hires offensive coordinator Al Saunders away from Kansas City for another $2 million per. I know these guys are good, but at those prices, he could finance the GNP of Trinidad and Tobago. No wonder people are calling for a salary cap on coaches. Snyder paid Steve Spurrier a fortune to leave college football. He paid Joe Gibbs a fortune to come out of retirement. He spent a $13 million to sign receiver Laveranues Coles three years ago, then this offseason threw in another $11 million in bonuses for former Pittsburgh receiver Antwaan Randle El. Don't get me wrong: Randle El is versatile and valuable. But $11 mill for a special teams standout who serves as your third receiver? What a great country ... especially with Dan Snyder paying the bills.
The Houston Texans: First, they leave their offensive line unlocked for the season, practically inviting opponents to devour their quarterback. So they do, with David Carr sacked 68 times and fumbling 17. Then the Texans go out and win the league's Humanitarian Award by passing on Reggie Bush -- the best player in this year's draft -- so they can choose Mario Williams. Some people compare Williams to Julius Peppers, which is great, except those same people compare Bush to Gale Sayers ... and, yeah, I'll take Sayers over Peppers. So will New Orleans, which saw a spike in season-ticket sales after drafting Bush. OK, I'll admit it: Running back wasn't exactly Houston's No. 1 priority. But if you have the top pick you take the best player on the board, regardless of position ... unless, of course, you're committed to helping others. Congratulations, Houston. You're the toast of Bourbon Street.
The New York Jets: When Herman Edwards started pining away for Kansas City, the Jets were all too willing to accommodate him. In fact, they practically pushed the heartsick guy out the door. Edwards looked at what he had in New York, and, frankly, didn't like his chances for the future. Smart man. In the words of Larry Brown, he was a dead man walking. So why not pull out of the next wave? Edwards did, but he wouldn't have made it without the Jets throwing a life preserver. Even though he was under contract, they not only let him talk to the Chiefs; they allowed him to leave for next to nothing. A fourth-round pick? Are you kidding me? The Jets could've named their ransom, but that's why they're here. They simply refused to stand in anyone's way, and good for them. They made Edwards happy. They made the Chiefs happy. Hey, that's what charity is all about.
The San Francisco 49ers: Once, no one spent more than San Francisco. Then the club changed owners, and the 49ers started acting like Cincinnati West. But those days are over, and they ended with last year's signing of free-agent tackle Jonas Jennings, whom the 49ers paid $12 million in cash to move west. That was kind, especially with other clubs lukewarm about the guy. One assistant who coached him told me he'd be surprised if Jennings lasted his first season. He was right. He suited up for three games. But think about it: The 49ers gave when and where others would not, and that's what philanthropy is all about. Remember, this is also the club that paid rookie quarterback Alex Smith a whopping $24 million in bonuses. Smith responded by throwing one touchdown pass, 11 interceptions and fumbling 11 times. The next time the 49ers stage an audition, I want in.
Nick Saban: OK, so he's not exactly a warm and fuzzy head coach, but you'd never know it watching him deal with Ricky Williams. First, Saban welcomed Williams back to a Miami club the running back left high and dry in 2004. That was gracious. Then, after the league sacked Williams for another season for failing drug tests, Saban said he'll welcome back Williams if and when he's cleared to play again. In fact, the only way Saban said the Dolphins would endorse Williams' involvement in the CFL was if they were assured that "Ricky will return to the Dolphins in 2007." Question: Why would Miami want this guy? No, why would anyone want him? He demonstrated he can't be trusted. He demonstrated he cares only about himself. He demonstrated he won't abide by league rules. Still, Nick stands by his man. No wonder Joey Harrington wouldn't go anywhere but Miami.
Brett Favre: If there's one reason to watch the Packers, it's Favre. He brings energy, passion and charisma to the game. Plus, he's damned good. I love watching the guy play, but now so do his opponents -- especially after Favre turned his attention to philanthropy last year. He threw a career-worst 29 interceptions -- 12 more than the rest of the field -- and was so bad he considered packing it in. Fortunately, he decided to stay, and that's good for Cheeseheads. The question is: Will it be as good for Green Bay's opponents?
Jerry Jones: Two years ago he took pity on unemployed Eddie George and hired him for a year. Now he has stepped forward to offer a helping hand to Terrell Owens, that misunderstood wide receiver who hasn't played football since the middle of last season. If Jones had been in business 70 years ago, there would've been no WPA. This is a guy who would hire the Venus de Milo as his closer if he thought it would do some good. He has a heart, and he has the money to make things happen. Look what he did for T.O. He gave him love, a job and millions of dollars ... and he never once brought up Owens' history of dynamiting locker rooms. That's what I call compassion. It's also blind faith in a self-absorbed athlete who can help you in the short run and ruin you in the long.
San Diego Chargers: FEMA forgot about New Orleans, but San Diego and Houston didn't. The Texans passed Reggie Bush along to the Saints; then San Diego threw in Drew Brees ... with a little help from Miami, of course. The Dolphins were so concerned with a shoulder injury Brees suffered in the season-ending loss to Denver they wouldn't sign him to a big contract. That's when the Saints stepped in, and you know the rest. What's so remarkable is that San Diego would allow Brees to walk after he led the Chargers to their first division title in a decade. The head coach wanted him. The star running back wanted him. The Chargers had the cap room to accommodate him. Yet he's gone, and he's gone to a club ... no, a city ... a state ... a region ... that really, really needs him. On behalf of Saints' season-ticket holders, thank you.
Cincinnati Bengals: There has to be a halfway house for troubled youth somewhere in this league, and I think this might be it. The Bengals aren't just one of the best clubs in the AFC; they're also one of the most forgiving, drafting players others ignore because of -- how should we put this -- questionable backgrounds. The Bengals don't care. Give them your tired, your poor, your lawless. Take wide receiver Chris Henry. First, the guy pleads guilty to marijuana possession, then he has to face charges of carrying a concealed firearm and providing alcohol to three underage women. Now we have rookie linebacker A.J. Nicholson. He's charged with burglary and vandalism. And let's not forget third-round pick Frostee Rucker, up on two counts of vandalism and two counts of spousal battery. Stop right there. We have an entry for our next Over-The-Line team. Coach Marvin Lewis referred to some "very poor choices by a couple of our players," but how about some very poor choices by the organization?
NFL office: Thank goodness someone in this league loves L.A.