Main page | January 26, 2007 »

Well said: Carson Palmer

Hey all --

In case you hadn't heard, rookie corner Jonathan Joseph on Monday became the ninth (yes, ninth!!!) different Cincinnati Bengal arrest since the beginning of 2006. Joseph was stopped in Northern Kentucky and charged with marijuana possession.

The high number of arrests -- receiver Chris Henry was arrested four times in the past year -- drew the notice of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and had Bengals coach Marvin Lewis finally saying he was going to crack down on player behavior this offseason.

In light of Joseph's arrest, Bengals veterans Willie Anderson and Carson Palmer spoke about the problem. Anderson said younger players were warned at the end of the season not to become "No. 9 or No. 10" and that it had become a joke to wonder which Cincy player would be next.

But Palmer had the harshest words:

"“If it doesn’t stop, we’re not going to have any fans left and I don’t blame them. It’s ridiculous,'' he said on the team web site, bengals.com. "We can’t get through a month without getting a guy arrested. It happens on another team and they’re shocked and surprised to hear about it. With us, you hear about it and it doesn’t surprise you and you just shake your head and say, ‘Another one.’ ”

We say, good for him. The Bengals have become a joke. Let's just hope Palmer's teammates listen and team management starts taking a hard stand on players for these incidents, which have included resisting arrest, burglary and grand theft, driving while intoxicated, boating under the influence and spousal abuse.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 6:58 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Pats-Colts most-watched AFC Championship in 20 years

Hey all --

CBS Sports announced today that Sunday's AFC Championship game between New England and Indianapolis was the most-watched non-Super Bowl program since the "Friends" finale on May 6, 2004.

An average of 46.7 million viewers tuned in to the game, which saw the Colts move on to the Super Bowl with a 38-34 come-from-behind win. That makes it the most-watched AFC title game since the 1985 championship game between the Patriots and Dolphins, which had 47.5 million viewers.

This year's number is a 20 percent increase over viewership of last year's AFC championship between Pittsburgh and Denver.

The ratings in Boston were 50.9 with a 68 share.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 6:17 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Patriots sign seven players

New England has announced that it has signed seven players off its 2006 practice squad:

C Brian Barthelmes
P Danny Baugher
T Sean Bubin
RB/FB Quadtrine Hill
TE Matt Kranchick
P Tom Malone
DL Santonio Thomas

James Patrick, the eighth member of the squad at the end of the season, was not signed.

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 6:13 PM | Permalink | Comments 0