Praise and Potshots

Praise to the Chiefs, for finally having enough of the nonsense that was Larry "No not Granmama" Johnson. Johnson's 75 yards away from tying Priest Holmes' record for most yards by a K.C. running back. Good timing on the part of the Chefs (yeah, I did that on purpose. Shout out to the Snickers commercial), to make sure Holmes' record isn't eclipsed by some homophobic, woman spitting-on jerk. I don't think anybody should be surprised by this. Since Johnson entered the league, he whined about not getting enough touches, despite being a fresh-out-of-the-draft rookie. The Chiefs are trying to win by establishing a winning culture, which is exactly what you'd expect out of former Patriots GM Scott Pioli. Here's hoping that they're off to a good start. (Except when they play the Raiders later this year.)

Potshot to the Oregon Ducks. In their first game of the year, running back LeGarrette Blount decided to try his hand at MMA, when he punched out Byron Hout of Boise State. (Love the choice in music, to whoever created that clip). Blount's original suspension would have kept him out for the season, but Oregon has reinstated the boxer-turned running back, after gaining approval from the Pac-10. Hmm, could it be that Oregon's in the top 25, and on the outside looking in at a BCS bowl game, which would mean thousands, if not millions of dollars for the school? Since Blount was suspended, the Ducks have won all but one game: their last one, a 51-42 loss to Stanford (who, by the way, is a half-game behind the Ducks for the conference lead).

I think it's safe to say that Oregon decided trade the school's integrity for a potential payoff in January. Now, personally, I'm not all that bothered by what Blount did. I think sports would be a lot calmer, if you just let guys throw down every once in a while. Just burns off the aggression, if you ask me. Like in hockey, if things get too one-sided, the refs just break it up. I can guarantee you that you'd see a lot less taunting if there was fear floating around of a reprisal coming in the form of smack down. Nothing puts a faster stop to trash talking than a punch in the mouth.

So, no, I'm not really bothered by what Blount did. However, I do think it's ridiculous to see how much of a 180 Oregon has now done, in light of their supposed indignation when Blount was originally suspended. Kinda funny how a school's athletic program can go from demonizing an individual, to suddenly pleading for that same person's return to the field.

And, while on the subject of college athletes with a bit of an anger management issue, big ol' shout out to Elizabeth Lambert of New Mexico University. Ms. Lambert decided to channel Bill Laimbeer,

when she became a one-woman wrecking crew, basically assaulting every opponent on BYU's soccer team last week. As of now, Lambert is suspended indefinitely by the school, but, as in the case with Blount, we'll see how long that holds up. I'm willing to bet that we'll see Ms. Lambert again, if NMU runs into a tough part of their remaining schedule this year.

Who'd have thought? More integrity in professional sports, then in "student" athletics.