| We are in an age of multi-millionaire thugs, | | | | least damaging. Henry at best is the 3rd WR |
| profiting off the fandom of a blue collar | | | | option on the Bengals, and though his talent |
| society. Pundits wax and wane about how | | | | cannot be ignored, his suspension just seems |
| salaries are spiraling out of control, and | | | | like par for the course. Now, if Goodell |
| most every fan has dreams of hitting the turf | | | | grandfathered the new conduct policy back to |
| with a large check in their pocket. For most | | | | include all transgressions in the past year, |
| of us, that will never happen. However, all | | | | nearly 15% of the Bengal's roster would be |
| is not lost. The aforementioned millionaires | | | | suspended. How is that for changing a team's |
| are not the only ones who can profit off of | | | | chances on game day? |
| sports. | | | | |
| | | | But as damaging as they all are, none come |
| The NFL season is fast approaching, with | | | | close to the biggest decision yet to be made |
| training camps starting next month. For a | | | | (at time of writing).. .Michael Vick. Though |
| sport that only profits an investor 1/3 of | | | | not convicted (but then again, neither was |
| the year, the new NFL sure is making it a | | | | Pac), Vick has soiled the eye's of the NFL by |
| year round job to keep track of. | | | | 'interacting' with fans, mystery water |
| Specifically, I am referring to the new NFL | | | | bottles and of course, the 'I can believe you |
| conduct policy and how it affects you. | | | | think their my dogs' incidents. If Vick is |
| | | | charged, or worse, found guilty, how will |
| Sure, at a glance it may seem as if the only | | | | that affect investors? To be honest, it |
| ones directly connected are the players being | | | | would be a good thing. |
| punished and the teams they play for. But | | | | |
| with careful consideration, this new policy | | | | If Vick is suspended for any amount of time, |
| affects not only the average fan in obvious | | | | the Falcons will be guaranteed underdogs, no |
| ways, but the sports investor more | | | | matter who they play. This will be |
| specifically. | | | | especially true at the front end of the |
| | | | suspension. In addition, all your 'weekend' |
| The teams still will make their revenue, and | | | | warrior bettors will lay heavily on the |
| the fans will still get their games, but as | | | | Falcon's opponents each week, further |
| investors, Goodell's stringent, yet | | | | plummeting the odds down. After all, no |
| undefined, policies can run rampart on your | | | | Vick… no Schaub… who will play |
| bankroll. | | | | QB? The truth is though, the further the |
| | | | odds fall, the better it is for you, the |
| Let's take a look at some of the more popular | | | | sports investor. Football is a team sport, |
| suspensions: | | | | do not forget that. And as 'dynamic' as Vick |
| | | | is, the Falcons still have a decent line, |
| • Pacman Jones, the poster boy for the | | | | strong run game and an improved defense. |
| new policy. Last year, the Titans were an | | | | They will be dynamic in the oft-forgotten |
| investor's best friend, covering an underdog | | | | step-child phase of the game, special teams, |
| spread straight up more than any other team. | | | | and with a new coaching staff, won't be |
| Pacman is not only the team's most dynamic | | | | lackadaisical in the 'little things'. |
| defensive player, he is also the teams | | | | |
| primary special teams weapon. How many times | | | | So, while the world argues whether or not the |
| did we hear Chris Berman 'gobble gobble' up | | | | new NFL conduct policy is too strict, lawyers |
| the screen while describing yet another | | | | argue Pacman is treated unfairly, fans cry |
| Titan's victory. However, according to | | | | because their beloved Vick is just another |
| Goodell, Pacman won't be playing (pre | | | | multi-millionaire thug, you can quietly revel |
| appeal). | | | | in the fact that Goodell will fatten your |
| | | | wallet this fall. Because if he tows the |
| • Tank Johnson, the newest thug to hit | | | | line, and suspends Vick for any amount of |
| the list. Last year, Tank helped the Bears | | | | time (which is extremely likely), the odds |
| post more Under victories than nearly every | | | | just went in your favor. |
| other team. The Bears defense was stifling, | | | | |
| and became even moreso once some of the other | | | | So go ahead, tell the world the Falcon's |
| major NFC defenses were ravaged by injuries | | | | can't win without Vick. They likely won't, |
| (see NYG). The benefit to Tank's suspension | | | | but as investor's, we don't care. The spread |
| over Pac's, Tank was only a force in 1 facet | | | | is all that matters, And like last year's |
| of the game, and received ½ the | | | | Titans that profited tens of thousands of |
| suspension. | | | | dollars per investor, the Falcons will enable |
| | | | us to do the same this year. Shhhh… |
| • Chris Henry, the invisible man. Of | | | | it's our dirty little secret. |
| the three major suspension's, Henry's is the | | | | |