I'd like to get on my soapbox for a bit about the Ryan Braun situation. What you are about to read will probably go against the common public opinion - which is already labeling Braun as a cheat and a fraud and ready to jettison Braun with an endless and unrelenting supply of taunts this coming season.

But I, for one, have been impressed with the professionalism and maturity that Braun has shown during this process. Let's give this man credit. Given the gravity of the allegations...

I've been seeing this headline bandied about and I've been thinking. I remember when the Lions signed Joique Bell off New Orleans practice squad. Detroit had just clinched a WildCard and I had begun hanging around the Black&Gold. Emotions were high, everyone in the "D" had been hoping for New York, but not me ... I wanted the Saints ... and yeah, in retrospect, be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.

But I remember what you guys said about Joique Bell...

..... now that I have your attention, hehehe ..... this isn't an attempt to flame the board or dis Drew Brees, I just felt like blogging about the NFL Alumni Awards in general and needed an eye-catching, flashy title to get my creative juices flowing and a shameless attempt to drive traffic to my blog ...

The NFL Alumni Awards, why haven't I really noticed them before? Maybe because they're held during SuperBowl week and there's too much else going on? Maybe because you don't often...

The tuesday before Ash Wednesday, Fat Tuesday ... Mardi Gras ... a Christian holiday and popular cultural phenomenon dating back thousands of years to pagan spring and fertility rites ... being from the north, a holiday I probably would never have paid much attention to if it wasn't for a simple, fruit-filled donut. The tuesday before Ash Wednesday ... Paczki Day.

It occurrs to me while standing in line at zero-dark-thirty, waiting to get a dozen (or so) of the sugary treats that...

Ok, it's the Friday before the big game ... snack list filled out? check ... beverage list? check ... sides? check ... main entree? not checked, probably gonna' be a last minute, game day decision. Always have a hard time with this one, do you go with ribs, pizza, wings, subs or just all of 'em? Gotta' get the squares board up and see what oddball wagers are out there this year ...

So, I've talked around, did some research, got a feel from the people and the overwhelming, underlying...