Michigan to launch investigation

UPDATE: An emotional Rich Rodriguez addressed the media today in Ann Arbor in the wake of allegations that he and his staff have repeatedly broken NCAA regulations. On several occassions, Rodriguez had to pause to collect himself. It's no secret that Rodriguez wears his heart on his sleeve and today's press conference confirms that. Also of note, the Big Ten Conference has had investigators in Ann Arbor since yesterday.

I don't think Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez wanted the season to start like this. After coming off a dreadful 3-9 season in 2008, the University of Michigan will be investigating allegations that Rodriguez is not complying with NCAA rules regarding off-season mandatory workouts during 2008 and 2009. Hardly a way for Rodriguez to attempt to get back into the good graces of the Ann Arbor faithful.

The Detroit Free Press published a story on Sunday in which current and former Wolverine players accuse Rodriguez of going too far regarding off-season workouts and the amount of time spent on "football activities". As is always the case, it depends on who you talk to as to which story you get.

The NCAA has a rule that only 8 hours a week are required for the off-season workouts. Players state that they would spend two to three times that allowable 8 hours. The players can exceed the 8 hour limit, but it must be voluntarily and not mandated. One anonymous player paints a different picture.

“It was mandatory,” the one player said. “They’d tell you it wasn’t, but it really was. If you didn’t show up, there was punishment. I just felt for the guys that did miss a workout and had to go through the personal hell they would go through.”

If it was truly a voluntary workout, attendance shouldn't be taken, right? According to NCAA rules, there should be no coaches and/or staff (except for a trainer in case of injury) present during voluntary workouts. The above statement provides a totally different view. The coaching staff knew if a player did not attend the workout due to the "personal hell" statement. How could the coaches know? Two ways. Players ratted on their teammates or there was actually staff present. I know which option sounds more logical.

But the alleged violations do not stop there.

The NCAA mandates a 4 hour daily limit on football activities. On Sundays after games, the players were spending about 9 hours on the same activities. The NCAA also mandates a weekly limit of 20 hours. Reports from players say that amount of time was regularly exceeded as well.

It is also alleged that Rodriguez's quality-control staff were seen watching 7-on-7 drills. Again, a trainer can be present, but no other coaches and/or staff are permitted to be in attendance of these drills. These drills are to be strictly voluntary and run by the players themselves. The QC staff are to provide administrative and other support functions for coaches; however, they are not permitted to interact with the players during games, practices or workouts. The mere fact they were present at these drills could be deemed as a violation.

Rodriguez and the University of Michigan issued a statement on Saturday to the Free Press concerning the allegations. The coach offered this:

“We know the practice and off-season rules, and we stay within the guidelines. We follow the rules and have always been completely committed to being compliant with all NCAA rules.”

So it looks like Michigan is preparing for two opponents: its own coaching staff (and possible NCAA investigation on top of its own) and the Western Michigan Broncos. The Broncos are not to be taken lightly. They were 9-4 in 2008 and averaged almost 30 points a game. The passing game is extremely potent with QB Tim Hiller and WRs Jamarko Simmons and Schneider Julien. The Wolverine defense will be severly tested.

This situation/investigation could get ugly. Michigan has long been considered a "clean program". These allegations shed a new light on the U of M football program. The reputation is going to be tested. In one corner, you have the players. They are saying that the rules are regularly being broken. Then you have the "administration" in the other corner. They state just the opposite. The rules are being followed and there are no worries.

Someone's lying.

Zito key to Giants postseason hopes

The San Francisco Giants are taking a run at the NL Wild Card again. I say again because of the torrid run the Colorado Rockies have been on until recently that saw thew Rockies overtake the Giants. The Rockies have now dropped four straight after losing a 5-3 decision to the Giants at AT&T Park last night. The Giants victory pulls them to within one game of the Rockies in the Wild Card standings. And the Giants are once again relevant in the NL West standings sitting only six games behind the hated rival, the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Pitching wins games and everyone knows of the 1-2 punch the Giants pitching staff offers in Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain. But the key to the Giants run might be identified as Barry Zito. Barry Zito? That's right, Barry Zito. How can that be? Last night Zito's line: 8.1 IP, 8 hits, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K.

In the offseason, the Giants brought in future Hall of Famer Randy Johnson. The original thought was that Johnson would be the #3 in the Giants rotation. But Johnson has been on the disabled list since July 7 with a bum shoulder (torn rotator cuff). There's a chance the Big Unit could be back this season, but that's still up in the air. Johnson is 8-6, but his ERA is 4.81.

Next choice: Jonathan Sanchez? Sanchez did throw a no-hitter against the San Diego Padres on July 10th and he was actually headed to the bullpen, maybe even Triple-A when he tossed his no-no. Since that game, Sanchez is 3-2 and has knocked 0.41 off of his ERA. That's pretty good. But look at Zito.

The Giants drove a Brink's truck to snare Zito from their across the bay American League rivals, the Oakland A's. Zito took the money and has suffered ever since. Not because his back pockets were weighing him down, although A's fans would try to convince you otherwise. Zito suffered due largely to being ineffective and having a shattering of his confidence. That confidence could have taken an even bigger hit with the fact that both Johnson and Sanchez were seen as better options in the rotation.

But Zito has turned his season, and maybe his career, 180 degrees. Since the All-Star Game, Zito has started to show slight glimpses of what made him the 2002 AL Cy Young winner. Since the All-Star Game, Zito has a 4-2 record with a 1.92 ERA. Before the break, Zito was 5-9 with a 5.01 ERA. For the season: 9-11, 3.94 ERA. The All-Star break helped Zito as much as any player in baseball. The break appears to have given Zito a new lease in San Francisco and if the Giants were to make the postseason, he may have even pitched himself into the #3 slot. That could see him get a start, maybe even two, depending how big of a run the Giants would make.

The Giants can make a run deep into the playoffs and they will need Zito to keep up his personal run if the Giants have a chance to win the NL Wild Card, maybe even the NL West.

Zito is important to the Giants. He's back, not all the way, but he's getting there.

Cubs Bradley remaining in spotlight

We have heard a couple of things out of Chicago Cubs right fielder Milton Bradley this past week.

Earlier this week, Bradley stated that he was feeling hatred from Cubs fans. Considering the season Bradley is having after signing a 3 year/$30 million contract, that's somewhat understandable. But Bradley thrust himself into a bigger spotlight when it was reported by the Chicago Tribune that Bradley brought race into the discussion.

The only reference Bradley makes is by his statement that "America doesn't believe in racism". That comment was taken as having a sarcastic tone. I wouldn't blame Bradley for that tone, nor will I condemn him for his statement. In fact, even with that tone, Bradley is correct. I said it...Bradley is correct.

The comment from Bradley that I find totally incomprehensible (especially in the wake of the above comment) is one Bradley made after a loss to the Washington Nationals. There were reporters around Bradley's locker and the questions were begininng to come from the reporters. ESPN Chicago's Nick Friedell was in attendance and had to be totally shocked by what he heard. Here's the very beginning:

Q: Obviously not the type of beginning you felt you were gonna have here on the homestand:

MB: "No, we got a Rodney King beatdown tonight."...

Way to make yourself a bigger distraction, Milton. Did your comment have a sarcastic tone? In this case, no. You can read Friedell's whole article here.

I've been reading on Cubs message boards that Bradley's an idiot. If you're one of those, get a load of this. Bruce Levine of ESPN Chicago posted early Friday evening that Bradley says he got off to such a slow start this season because of the many day games the Cubs play. Read this for yourself.

"Strange as it seems, [on other] teams you play mostly night games," Bradley said. "Here, you have to get up at 8 a.m. It's an adjustment for your body. You may say you're ready to do that, but your body tells you something else. It's an adjustment to get ready and revved up. This is the Major Leagues, it's not spring training. It counts. That's the only thing I can attribute it to, because I do everything else the same."

There is a history of players struggling in their first season in Wrigley. What I find extremely difficult to understand is why the outspoken Bradley is just now offering this info to everyone. Considering Bradley's past, we should have heard his explanation about two months ago.

I cannot write this and not shake my head at Bradley's outrageousness. Bradley is not really a pro baseball player, is he? At this point, the Cubs may view him as a sideshow that they want run out of town.

Broncos suspend Marshall

In a move that I find not at all surprising, the Denver Broncos have suspended wide receiver Brandon Marshall until Sept. 7. Marshall and head coach Josh McDaniels met this morning and it was at that meeting that Marshall was informed of the move. The reason? Conduct detrimental to the team. That's not surprising either.

A video of Marshall displaying what some would call insubordinate antics was broadcast by KMGH. The video showed Marshall punting a ball instead of handing the ball to a ballboy, walking while his teammates were running and during one drill, punching at a thrown ball instead of catching it. Marshall stated that the display was out of frustration and an error in judgement. He added that this was not an effort to get traded, although we all know he wants out of Denver unless he can get a new contract.

I applaud the Broncos organization on this move. Marshall has been a headache almost since the whole "incident" with Jay Cutler finally reached its end with Cutler being dealt to the Chicago Bears. Marshall must think that if Cutler can whine his way out of Denver, he can, too. One thing to keep in mind is that if Broncos owner Pat Bowlen decides to trade Marshall (or if he can find a team willing to take on Marshall and his extensive baggage), the city of Denver just may revolt. The Broncos would have traded their two best offensive players.

Message to Marshall: Do you honestly think the Broncos can get near the value for you as they did for Cutler? It has been rumored that it would take both a first and a third round pick to snag you. Denver would be lucky to get a third round pick due to your actions. Sure there's some interest from other teams but the Broncos also have to keep their interests (and fans) in mind.

So if you can't get traded, then you want a new contract. Why would the Broncos offer you a penny more than what you are already making knowing that you exhibit this type of behavior on the field and knowing how you conduct yourself off it? You have no leverage and that's been said over and over. Get over yourself and play. Plain and simple.

By the way, Cutler's in Denver this weekend.

Vick's busy day begins with good news

Michael Vick's Thursday started out in a good way, but let's see how it ends.

The U.S. Bankruptcy Court approved Vick's plan to pay back creditors $20 million and arise from bankruptcy. Vick and his fiancee left the courthouse to catch a flight to Philadelphia for his preseason and Eagles debut that takes place later this evening.

Regarding his hearing, Vick said, "I'm happy it's over. I can move on with my life."

The fact that the plan was approved is a major stepping stone for Vick. One lawyer cited that Vick gaining a contract to play in the NFL as "a huge development in the case". Vick will also have to liquidate about $9 million in assets (houses, boats and some expensive SUVs), but not pay the remaining balance while in his first year with Philadelphia.

Upon Vick's return to Philly, he will be preparing for his reintroduction to the NFL against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Earlier in the week, it was stated the first team offense playing about three quarters and backup quarterback Kevin Kolb would be playing the fourth quarter. How much of Vick will we see? I think we'll see a lot of Vick if he shows something to Eagles head coach Andy Reid.

So how is Vick feeling about the game tonight? "I'm excited about the game," he said.

I'll be excited for two reasons. First, I'm anxious to see if he's lost any football skills. Second, I'm wondering what kind of a reception he will receive from the Philly fans. They booed Santa.

Favre causing split in Vikes locker room?

According to a story on ESPN.com, Adam Schefter has a source stating there is a split developing within the locker room of the Minnesota Vikings. The cause? Brett Favre. Some players feel Tarvaris Jackson gives the Vikes a better chance while others feel that person is Sage Rosenfels. That leaves Favre with some support...but very little.

Before the Favre signing, a split had somewhat already formed around those that supported Rosenfels and those that supported Jackson. Jackson started a few games in '08 so some players liked what he was bringing to this season. The Vikings weren't comfortable with Jackson so they traded to bring Rosenfels to Minnesota.

No one should really be surprised that this is happening. Favre did hold the Vikings organization hostage while he contemplated another return to the NFL. But Favre is not the sole cause. That other cause: Vikings head coach Brad Childress. It was Childress' obsession with Favre that directly led to this.

A few weeks ago the future Hall of Famer told Childress and the rest of the Vikings brass that he would not be coming out of retirement to play in the Twin Cities. All indications pointed to the fact that Favre was done in the NFL and he could spend his days down Mississippi.

But Childress persisted. After Jackson suffered a knee injury during training camp, Childress contacted Favre and most likely asked him to reconsider. The timing couldn't have been better for Brett. After all, training camp was over and that was the main sticking point upon returning...no camp. We all know what transpired. Brett's a Viking.

So,  if you want to just point one finger for the blame, you better point it towards the Vikings head coach