Madden ‘09 and Matt Jones
Life In The DPC is eagerly waiting for the release of Madden NFL ‘09 on August 12th, 2008. It’s sad but true that Madden NFL 2008 is still on heavy rotation at the palatial estate of your scribe considering that there are minimal changes from each annual edition. Like the main difference from the ‘07 edition to the ‘08 edition is the exclusion of Pacman Jones but in an act of hypocrisy Tank Johnson and Chris Henry were both included.
Maybe I was irked by the exclusion of Pacman Jones because he is a member of the DPC Madden All Stars (i.e. players that I always have on my Madden Franchise Teams). With Pacman booted out of the ‘08 version I had to go to my back up defensive back Antrel Rolle. (Keep in mind Rolle is on the DPC All Stars because he was involved in the greatest “tackle” I witnessed in person. The aforementioned tackle, and YouTube link, are not given justice by the Zapruder-esque video but I thought Larry Johnson had broken his neck during the play.)
The DPC Madden All Stars recently took a bad hit when their wide receiver Matt Jones got busted for alleged possession of a controlled substance after he may have been found cutting up cocaine with a credit card while sitting in a car in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Jones made the DPC All Stars for the same reason that the Jaguars made him a first round draft pick;a 4.40 40-yard dash to go along with his 6′6″ and 232 lbs. measurements.
With a little over a month to go before Madden ‘08 is released the DPC All Stars will likely include:
QB: JaMarcus Russel (The heir apparent to Jeff George)
HB: Reggie Bush, Michael Bennett
FB:LenDale White (I know he’s a halfback but I line him up as fullback because of his girth and speed)
WR: Matt Jones, Drew Carter, Mike Williams, Nate Burleson
TE: Greg Olson
DB: Pacman Jones, Antrel Rolle
Even More Misc. Notions About The 2008 NFL Season
1) The Raiders should avoid trading their 2nd round pick to Atlanta for DeAngelo Hall. There is little doubt that Hall is supremely talented and would be an asset to a less than stellar Oakland defense but did he ever live up to his potential? It is the opinion of this scribe that the Raiders would be better suited to go after Pacman Jones. Also Pacman wouldn’t cost $70,000,000 over 7 years like Hall.
2) The 49ers are reaching with their recent free agent signing of Bryant Johnson. If you can’t become a tip/top receiver under Dennis Green in all likelihood you never will. But he is an upgrade over most of the wideout talent in San Francisco. On a related note I think the signing of Isaac Bruce was a good idea. He’s a Martz guy and will ideally bring some maturity and poise to a young 49er squad.
3) Ezra Butler, of University of Nevada fame, will be a solid pro.
Pacman (Fever) Update 17.0
The Tennessee Titans and Pacman Jones have come to an amicable decision regarding the possibility of the suspended cornerback becoming a pro wrestler.
Adam “Pacman” Jones can appear at a wrestling show Sunday, with a couple of provisions: The suspended Tennessee Titans cornerback won’t be allowed to touch or be touched, use or be hit by any object or anything else that could injure him. - Teresa Walker of The Associated Press
Pacman (Fever) Update 16.0
The Tennessee Titans filed a motion requesting a court order prohibiting Pacman Jones from wrestling. Jones was expected to wrestle in TNA’s pay per view event “Hard Justice” on Sunday.
All NFL players have language in their contracts that prohibit them from engaging in activities ‘which may involve a significant risk of personal injury.’ We certainly believe wrestling to be hazardous and it is obvious from the player’s conduct that he is ignoring this aspect of his agreements with the club. As an organization, we feel it is our obligation to protect our rights in this instance.
Statement from the Tennessee Titans on Friday August 10, 2007.
Pacman (Fever) Update 15.0
Though brief, Pacman Jones made his professional wrestling debut last night on Spike TV’s TNA Wrestling via a series of previously taped segments.
“You don’t know me … Nobody knows me … misunderstood. Nobody knows who I am. A player, a gamebreaker, a risk taker, a man,” Jones said during last nights broadcast.
Pacman (Fever) Update 14.0
On Thursday, August 9, 2007, Pacman Jones will make his debut for TNA Wrestling on Spike TV. Pacman was suspended for the entire 2007 season for various run in with the law.
“He wants to prove he’s the best team sport athlete. You can take that for what it’s worth. He’s looking forward to coming in and wrestling,” Total Nonstop Action Wrestling co-founder Jeff Jarrett said Monday. “He wants to concentrate on the tag-team aspect of wrestling.”
NFL contracts stipulate a code of conduct away from the field which includes but is not limited to participating in activities that could lead to injury and effect their ability to play on Sundays. Pacman is still under contract with the Tennessee Titans and can appeal his suspension after the 10th game of the season. Brian Urlacher participated in one wrestling match and his wrestling career was stalled when the Chicago Bears got wind of his hobby.
Pacman (Fever) Update 13.0
The dream is over. Pacman has rescinded his appeal for leniency from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and will take his punishment like a man and sit out the entire 2007 season.
“Last week, I asked for an opportunity to meet privately with commissioner Goodell,” Pacman said. “I met with him earlier today to tell him about the steps I have taken to change my life since being suspended by the NFL. I accept the discipline that’s been imposed on me and I am withdrawing my appeal.”
It is the opinion of this scribe that Pacman got the shaft from the NFL and was made as the scapegoat for a turbulent 2006 season that saw many of his peers facing due process. Pacman should not have gotten away without repercussions but he should have received a fair punishment for detrimental conduct. The severity of his punishment is not equal to his misgivings, which at this point he has never been found guilty of.
Long may you run Pacman and DPC.com will remain a vigil until you are reinstated.
Pacman (Fever) Update 12.0
To impose discipline for pending charges also violates clearly established principles of employment and labor law - NFLPA’s letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on behalf of Pacman
The NFLPA has finally stepped up to the plate and is supporting Pacman Jones as he appeals his one year suspension. Since Pacman has been in the searchlight’s of NFL Czar Roger Goodell the player’s union has been surprisingly mute on the issue and for the most part have not been involved.
In a letter authored by the NFLPA on behalf of Pacman’s appeal for leniency the union sites many comparisons and also show the somewhat illegal nature of the initial ruling.
For all of the foregoing reasons, the NFLPA hereby requests that you reconsider the one-year suspension you imposed … as it is excessive and inconsistent with the treatment of other similarly situated players,'’ the letter reads.
Pacman had been kicked to the curb by Gene Upshaw and the bunch. Absolute silence has been the NFLPA’s stance and they are finally doing their assigned duty. They are realistic, like DPC.com, in that they realize any rulings by the NFL are being made without a conviction. Ultimately they’re breaking labor laws and fair employment acts by denying Pacman’s right to play. No one said Pacman was a saint but he deserves a right to a fair trial like everyone else.
Pacman (Fever) Update 11.0
To my amazement there are others out there that believe Pacman Jones is getting the shaft from the NFL. BringPacmanBack.com shares this sentiment and they are using their site to get the word out that Pacman and his one year are too much. With regards to diplomacy the site also shows the both sides of the issue.
There is one sentiment throughout the forum; NFL Czar has cast Pacman as guilty until proven otherwise and the media has nailed Pacman before the justice can run its course. No one ever said Pacman was a saint but he has the right to a trial and the NFL the public at large needs to remember this. Once again there is no justice on stolen land.
100?
Devin Hester is now the fastest man in the history of the NFL. At least he is according to Madden ‘08 where his speed is listed at 100 (1-99 scale). No player in Madden history has hit the century mark in any category. At this point Hester is now faster than his mentor Deion Sanders, who has one of the fastest electronically timed 40 at 4.29. Fabian Washington has the current record at 4.25.
“Deion has told me a bunch of times that I was as fast as he was,” Hester said after the announcement.
It is well documented that I am a Hester fan. He is the rare player that you always watch when he gets the ball because you have no idea what could happen but he is not the fastest player I’ve seen.
I believe that his mentor, amongst others, are fastest than the Windy City Flyer but in his defense Hester’s football speed is near the top. With that said here are the men faster than Hester, in no particular order.
1. Deion Sanders
2. Randy Moss
3. Bo Jackson
4. Tim Dwight
5. Gale Sayers
6. Bullett Bob Hayes
7. Willie Gault
8. Darrell Green
9. Reggie Bush
10. Michael Vick
