THE ONION: (written by The Hammer Speaks, as there was some confusion)

IF TIM TEBOW WERE WHITE WE WOULD NOT BE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION
--William C. Rhoden, New York Times

With his usual candor and insight Wiliam Rhoden lashed out again today against the establishment that is the NFL and it's unwillingness to give equal opportunities to African-American quarterbacks.  "Tim Tebow has proven to be the best college football player in the country.  He has won two National Championships, played for a third and won the Heisman Trophy.  Now the NFL and various scouts are going out of their way to discredit him after being selected late in the first round by the Denver Broncos.  It is a complete affront to African-Americans everywhere."

Rhoden, an accomplished writer for the New York Times, finds the inequality in sports today ample fodder for articles.  "There is no other topic in today's society more worthy of discussion, than how disadvantaged today's African-American athlete is."  Rhoden has found particular fodder in the way the NFL handles the quarterback position.  When asked about his 2007 quote in which he said "having a quarterback who moves, and moves with speed and purpose, is not a luxury, and that is the essence of the revolution at quarterback," Rhoden stood by it.  "It is quarterbacks like Michael Vick, JaMarcus Russell Vince Young and Tim Tebow who are going to transform the position if they are ever given the opportunity."

When it was noted that the QBs in this year's Super Bowl, Peyton Manning and Drew Brees, last year's game, Ben Roethlisberger and Kurt Warner, and the 2008 game, Tom Brady and Eli Manning, were all pocket quarterbacks who lacked great mobility, Rhoden suggested it was just a "phase."

"When they let the Tim Tebow's of the world have a legitimate chance at playing the position, you will see how quickly things change."  Rhoden continued, "When African-American athletes like Tebow go out and speak their mind about causes they believe in, it's not 'Wow, isn't it great he stands up for his beliefs,' no, instead it's that uppity black guy can't be allowed to run a football team or be the face of our organization.  The African-American athlete still has a long way to go."

When informed that Tebow was white, Rhoden looked confused.

Steelers Restructure and Extend McFadden

In what seems to be a good deal for the Steelers, they have restructured Bryant McFadden's contract.  McFadden was due to make $4.75 million as the second year of a deal he signed as a free agent with the Arizona Cardinals last off-season.  Instead McFadden signed a new three year deal for $7.5 million.  It appears there is no signing bonus involved so the salary and cap hit will be $2.5 million/year.  If he doesn't pan out the Steelers cut him and the ramifications are minimal.


I expect McFadden to battle with Joe Burnett and Keenan Lewis for a starting corner spot.  As I've said before I think William Gay is going to be the odd man out in the battle for roster spots.

Greatest Mascot Highlight Ever

The Smorgasbord

• The Oklahoma City Thunder have looked great in their two games at home and have now evened their series with the Los Angeles Lakers at 2.  I thought this series would go seven and it still might, but tonight is do or die.........for the Lakers.  Yep.  They aren't going to win game six on the road so they better win tonight if they want to continue their title defense.

• In early April RJ Umberger ripped the Washington Capitals, saying among other things that a good defensive team would beat them in the playoffs.  The Columbus Blue Jackets winger sounded a little silly calling out a team on it's way to winning the President's Cup for having the most points during the regular season, particularly when his Jackets were not even going to make the post-season.  Well RJ was spot on and if the Caps lose Wednesday night to the Canadiens the season will go down as an epic failure.  

• The Caps have only won one playoff series since they lost 4-0 in the 1998 Cup finals to the Red Wings.  As a result,  Wednesday's game is an early referendum on Alex Ovechkin's career.  There is no arguing the energy and excitement #8 brings to the game, but it has not translated to playoff success.  This is only the fourth playoff series of his career and they have all gone to seven games, with the Caps losing two of three.  A loss tomorrow will absolutely crush the Rock the Red crew and will make for an interminable twelve months for Ovie and the boys.  It isn't just on Ovechkin though as Alexander Semin and Tomas Fleischmann have been invisible with one point each through six games.

• Speaking of epic failure, the Pittsburgh Pirates lost their seventh consecutive game and their 22nd straight at Miller Park last night 17-3 to the Milwaukee Brewers.  Over the seven games they have been outscored 72-12 (53-4 courtesy of the Brew Crew) and have not held a lead at the end of any inning.  They have been beaten by more runs than they have scored 82-65.  After winning seven of their first twelve and generating some cautious optimism, the Pirates have gone from bad, to embarrassing to comical with frightening speed.  Hope, located on the horizon, still appears to be at least two years away.

• It's a big weekend for some finge sports as the Kentucky Derby will be run at Churchill Downs and Floyd Mayweather will fight Shane Mosley in Vegas, both on Saturday.  In the Derby the bloom is off Lookin at Lucky but I expect him, Dublin and Devil May Care to battle it out at the wire.  I'll be a conflicted fan in Vegas as I would love to see a Mayweather-Pacquiao fight, but a Mosley win would strip it of its luster.  It's hard to root for Money, but I guess I have to.  Hopefully Shane can win a few rounds early and make Floyd work.  I think he'll win a decision.

Second Inductee into the "Best Lines" Hall of Fame

Bills cornerback Drayton Florence asked his followers on Twitter what undrafted players have the best shot at making the Buffalo roster.

Jaguars wide receiver Mike Sims-Walker's answer: "Whoeva u guard in practice!"


And for all the world to see thanks to Twitter.

Now Presenting: Those Not Wearing Black and Gold, Fall 2010 Edition

Everyone knows you can't judge the success of a draft until the players, you know, actually play.  But, that doesn't stop hundreds of people from slapping a letter grade on the past weekend's activities.  Fans want answers, so the media gives it to them.  What the talking heads should be doing is looking at the 2007 draft and seeing how that turned out.  (Yea, I'll do if for you later and I'll get my buddy at Back to Foulke to do the same for the Pats.)

So what does the draft tell us other than who is going where?  It tells us what a coaching staff and front office think of their team's personnel.  When the Steelers take a linebacker in rounds 2, 4 and 5 they are sending a message, actually more like screaming it, that they aren't happy with their depth at the position.  With that in mind lets take a look at which veterans on the current roster aren't likely to be back because of what took place this past week.

Offensive Line: With the selection of Maurkice Pouncey in round 1 the Steelers have started remaking the line.  With the addition of an undrafted free agent today the team has 14 lineman on the roster, including two long snappers.*  Obviously one of those guys goes.  If the team carries nine it means Doug Legursky and either Tony Hills or newly-signed Jonathan Scott is gone.  Fifth round pick Chris Scott is probably headed for the practice squad.  Trai Essex and Willie Colon may be in their last season with the club.

*I don't understand why every fringe NFL lineman doesn't spend all his free time practicing long snaps.  While it certainly is an important role for every team, it is not a difficult skill.  There is NO reason teams should allocate a roster spot solely to this.  If I ever have a kid who projects to be over six feet tall, I'll have him long snapping in the backyard every afternoon.  Is there an easier way to half a million bucks?

Wide Receiver: Third round draft pick Emmanuel Sanders and free agent signees Antwaan Randle-El and Arnaz Battle mean the Limas Sweed era in Pittsburgh was a brief one.  Battle's special teams versatility gives him the edge unless Sweed has a big training camp.

Secondary: William Gay was horrible last year.  It's telling that he will be best-known for this.  Thanks for coming.  Anthony Madison's Steelers days are over as well. Deshea Townshend wasn't resigned and Bryant McFadden was re-acquired from AZ.  It's time for Ryan Mundy, Keenan Lewis and Joe Burnett to step up.  Fifth round pick Crezdon Butler is probably headed to the practice squad.

Linebacker: Clearly the organization is worried about it's depth at this position.  Drafting three linebackers and resigning Larry Foote means Patrick Bailey and Andre Frazier are done.  Keyaron Fox is in his last season.

Oher guys that might surprise you but aren't likey to be back include Nick Eason, Chris Hoke, Mewelde Moore and Stefan Logan.  Only 53 spots.  Unfortunately for most of these guys they have cashed their last NFL paycheck.

Feel free to add your thoughts in the comments.

First Inductee into the "Best Lines" Hall of Fame

Said Cowboys owner Jerry Jones of WR Dez Bryant's issues with punctuality, "We had a president that couldn't get there on time a lot, Bill Clinton. Seriously. But boy, when he got there, he brought the wood."