THE SPORTS DIVA MAGAZINE

Odell Thurman In Trouble Again

You think you're safe to read things regarding the Cincinnati Bengals and then things like this happens:

"The Erie County Sheriff's office has issued a felonious assault warrant for former Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Odell Thurman in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred May 27 at Kalahari Waterpark Resort, according to the Sandusky Register. The newspaper said Thurman was indicted by an Erie County Grand Jury, and authorities are looking for him." (Dayton Daily News)

Well then. The former Georgia Bulldog is being accused of punching a man in the face. That seems to be happening a lot lately. Thurman was reinstated to the NFL and back on the Bengals for a short time before getting cut by them back in May. And then in June he he had failed another drug test. It may be safe to say that his NFL playing time just might be over.

We Gonna Stay Healthy Chris Perry?

                        

Chris Perry of the Cincinnati Bungals* has not had the NFL career he most likely hoped for. The 1st round pick was last seen on the field in 2006 against the Cleveland Browns. Now he's fighting for a roster spot.

We at TSD remember Chris Perry well. He was a Michigan Wolverine, so the TSD Buckeye fan scouted him well. In 2003 he finished 4th in the Heisman voting and won the Doak Walker Award given to the nation's top running back. That same year he had 154 yards in the Michigan win over Ohio State. Sorry to bring that up Buckeye fans but it happened. We have to deal with reality sometimes. Which is exactly what Chris is doing.

He's missed the last couple seasons with ankle issues (broken and dislocation) and right now is said to be only 85 percent healed. We'll see in the rest of this off-season if he will be able to increase his healing percentage or end up in the booth. I'm betting on the Big Ten Network if that happens.

 

*The Cincinnati NFL team will be known as the Cincinnati Bungals on this site until they get their act together.

You're All Over The Bookshelf Brett Favre

I was looking at Amazon to see what new books are out. I do need to find a new book for the TSD Book Club. Any suggestions? Email me at tsdmagazine@gmail.com. Thanks. Anyway, there are some books that I would like to NOT be included into the book club.

and let's not forget the DVDs.

SERIOUSLY! And that's not all of them.

We get it. You love him. But what if he isn't actually retired? What are you gonna do next time?

AFC East Power Rankings

We're going through each conference and giving our take on the ESPN NFL Power Rankings released on 5.12.08. Here we will discuss the AFC East.

New England Patriots (1). Of course, right? They did win 18 games last year. So what if the stunk it up in the Super Bowl. Okay, they didn't stink it up, they got BEAT. But they still have Tom Brady and Randy Moss. How did this team end up with the easiest schedule? Go ahead and punch their playoff ticket.

Buffalo Bills (19). Is this team looking to find a new QB? They have 5 on their roster right now. Should Trent Edwards be worried? Well James Hardy should be. He's being accused of pulling a gun on his daddy. Hmm. I don't think a Bengal would even do that.

New York Jets (21). J-E-T-S. jets! Jets! JETS! They got Vernon Gholston in the first round of the NFL draft to help them with sacks this year. I just wonder what will Mangini do this year? Will he be labeled Mangenius again? Will he rat out another team? Will he be fired at the end of the season? Time will tell.

Miami Dolphins (31). They seriously can't do any worse than last year, or could they? Who's going to start a QB? Will Jake Long show his worthiness of being the No. 1 pick? Will Jason Taylor and Bill Parcells ever get along? It's like a soap opera. Questions to be answered this fall.

AFC North Power Rankings

Power Rankings. Do they mean anything? Well ESPN must think so since they actually took some time to figure them out. So since they decided to do a little research to pass the time, we thought we would help break down what they came up with by each conference. And since we are located in AFC North country, we will start with the AFC North.

Pittsburgh Steelers (7). Of course. The highest rated in this conference. Who can argue with this. The best team in the conference who actually knows what to do on draft day. They get Mendenhall to help out Willie Parker. I think I screamed when I saw that pick. Can see them winning the AFC North. Don't even think they'll be challenged. Yes it's May but can we just lock down their 4 seed (they could flip with San Diego for the 3) in the playoffs?

Cleveland Browns (9). 9? A bit high? If you're a Cleveland fan then hell no. But let's just make sure last year wasn't a fluke. 5 prime-time games this year will put them in the spotlight. And even though Carson Palmer had issues with them getting these games, he should remember that the Bengals got love after they went to the playoffs in 2005. Let's just hope for Cleveland fans that they don't go on a downward spiral like your Bengals are doing Carson. And let's hear it for Derek Anderson. Even though some Browns fans will be chanting "Brady" in the opener.

Baltimore Ravens (22). Well that seems to be a big drop off. The Ravens are 11 spots behind the team they used to be. A new coach and a recently retired veteran quarterback here. They picked Joe Flacco in the first round of the draft and they have 2nd year qb Troy Smith (YAY!) and "when no one else seems to be good enough they put him in" Kyle Boller. New system and new QB = vacation in January. But hey, it could be worse...........

Cincinnati Bengals (25). How do you have a QB like Carson Palmer and end up 25th in the power rankings and 1 behind Chicago who's QB is Rex Grossman (maybe?)? This off-season has been a busy one for the Bengals. The whole Chad Johnson issue. The release of Chris Henry. The arrest of Ahmad Brooks. Will they turn things around by the season kickoff? All I can say is, Hey Bungals: WELCOME BACK!

Seriously, I Can't Escape Him

I went to the bookstore yesterday. Needed a break from NBA playoffs. That Boston game versus the J.V. team they were playing just felt like a waste of my time. I could of washed the dishes. Who am I kidding. I would of not washed the dishes. Anyway, at the bookstore as I was walking out the door I came across this:

FAVRE: THE MAN, THE LEGEND; WITH CD. I missed it as I walked in the door but I definitely did not miss it walking out. And no I will not be adding the book to the TSD Book Club.

He's on Letterman, He's on ESPN every other day, and now he's invading the FRONT of the bookstore. HE HAD HIS OWN DISPLAY! Please Brett, give me a week without any mention of you. I'm on Brett overload.

Why Ahmad Brooks, Why?

Usually when a team kicks a certain player off of that said team, the players on said team would not do anything to maybe get themselves kicked of said team. Well Ahmad Brooks must have never received that memo.

Smart boy is being charged with punching a woman in the face. His court date is set for June 6.

I would just like to know if this is going to continue. If the Cincinnati Bengals' players are going to continue to get arrested and do nothing but stupidity, I can no longer root for them. I started rooting for them in the first place because of my dad. And then they started to hold a special place in my heart on their own. But seriously, how can I be fans of a team with players who just don't seem to care? I understand that they all aren't like that but it seems like every other week something else negative is going on with them. Just let me know Bengals. I tucked my Jets jersey (yes, a Jets fan since I was little) away for you. I can always take it back out.

Beginning To Appreciate Cincinnati Bengals 2nd Round Pick Jerome Simpson

                                

I've been watching the NFL draft all day. And if you've been following me on Twitter, you'll know how I did not want the Bengals to select offense just defense. I was happy when Keith Rivers was selected at the 9th pick. DEFENSE! Then the second pick came around and the Cincinnati Bengals selected Jerome Simpson, WR from Coastal Carolina. Who? That is exactly what I said to myself after the pick. Wait a wide receiver? That's the second thing I said to myself. So at first, I was not appreciative. Thought the Bengals could have gotten another good player on defense. So then I had to Google him and find out who this new wide receiver is. And an article popped up by Jim Young from News-Record.com: Simpson's Route From Obscurity Nearly Complete.

".....Simpson dominate high school defensive backs, using his huge hands and springy legs to roll up 1,493 yards receiving in 2002 and catch 96 passes in 2003. Both years the Rams won state titles." ...."My mom always said, 'If you're good enough, they'll find you,' " he said. "Most definitely, they found me."(News-Record)

From the article, we find out that he comes from Reidsville, North Carolina. He almost went to play for East Carolina but felt that they pressured him too much to commit. So he went to a school hardly anyone has heard of, Coastal Carolina in Conway, S.C. Where he played for 4 years and became the Big South Conference's career record-holder in TD's and receiving yards. He also has a 41 inch vertical and ran the 40 under 4.5 twice. He also played in the East-West Shrine game and shocked the analysts including Todd McShay. He got put on the scouts radars after that. And now he will be in Cincinnati.

As much as I wanted the Bengals to select defense, with the release of Chris Henry and the drama with Chad Johnson, there is nothing wrong with picking THIS wide receiver here. Oh, and I here he has good character. Something the Bengals definitely need.

Follow Me on Twitter for NFL Draft!

HAPPY NFL DRAFT DAY!

I'm sitting here excited and ready for the draft to begin. I won't be live blogging BUT I will be Twittering. I believe I might be obsessed with Twitter. I don't believe there is anything wrong with that though. That could just be the talk of an addict though.

If you would like to follow me during the draft, you know you do, just click on my Twitter page. http://www.twitter.com/thesportsdiva.

See ya there!

With The First Pick In The 2008 NFL Draft..........

I don't know which makes me cringe more. The fact that a Wolverine is being picked 1st in the NFL draft this year or the fact that the Miami Dolphins just couldn't wait until Saturday and had to let everyone know on a Tuesday what their first pick was.

The Miami Dolphins will be selecting Jake Long, the offensive tackle from Michigan. You know, the guy that got burnt constantly by Vernon Gholston on November 17, 2007. Ok, that's the last Rivalry mention I promise.

But seriously, why couldn't they just wait? I was all ready to sit in front of my TV on Saturday and wonder like everyone else who would be this years first pick. Would it be McFadden, Dorsey, Matt Ryan? None of the above. It was a Wolverine. The drama is gone. And did I mention it will be a Wolverine?

I'll still watch of course. Have to make sure Marvin Lewis and Co. don't do anything stupid. Alright St. Louis wake up. Your on the clock.