The Screaming Viking

Shaun Rogers was fined a game check, about 400k, for carrying a gun into an airport in his luggage.  I got curious about the NFL’s dangerous weapons policy, so I looked it up.  Most of the wording is in line with the company I work for, which isn’t terribly surprising…what was surprising to me though is how strongly it urges it’s employees to not own a dangerous weapon even legally for recreational purposes.

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Guns and Weapons Policy
This policy applies to all employees of the NFL and its member clubs, including players.

Prohibitions. Whether possessed legally or illegally, guns and other weapons of any kind are dangerous. You and your family can easily be the losers if you carry or keep these items in your home. You must not possess these weapons while traveling on League-related business or whenever you are on the premises of the following:

• A facility owned, operated or being used by an NFL club (for example, training camp, dormitory, locker room, workout site, parking area, team bus, team plane, team hotel/motel);

• A stadium or any other venue being used for an NFL event (for example, a game, practice or promotion);

• A facility owned or operated by the NFL or any League company.

Put simply, the League, the Players Association and law enforcement authorities urge you to recognize that you must not possess a gun or other weapon at any time you are performing any service for your team or the NFL.

Legal Possession. In some circumstances, such as for sport or protection, you may legally possess a firearm or other weapon. However, we strongly recommend that you not do so. Any weapon, particularly a firearm, is dangerous — especially so when it is in a vehicle or within reach of children and others not properly trained in its use.

Understanding the Law. If you legally possess a weapon, you must understand the local, state and federal laws that apply. The NFL Security Representative in your area will help you get information about these laws. You should be aware that if you take a weapon from one place to another — for example, across state lines — a different set of laws may apply in the new place.

Discipline. If you violate this policy on guns and other weapons, you are subject to discipline, including suspension from playing. And if you violate a public law covering weapons — for example, possession of an unlicensed firearm — you are not only subject to discipline, including suspension from playing, but also subject to criminal prosecution.

Remember, be careful and understand the risks.

SI is reporting that Strasburg is going to need Tommy John surgery for a tear in his right elbow.  I’m not a big baseball fan, but I am a fan of the way the Nationals seem to be trying to build their team lately.  They are trying to work the draft, they picked up this ace pitcher and got themselves what might possibly be a slugger in this last draft.  It’s unfortunate for this kid he is looking at something that could really hurt his career and it sucks for the team.

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Stephen Strasburg has a torn elbow ligament and most likely needs Tommy John surgery, bringing the pitcher’s promising rookie season to an abrupt end.

Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said Friday an MRI on the right elbow revealed a “significant tear.” Strasburg will travel to the West Coast for a second opinion, but Rizzo anticipates the 22-year-old right-hander will need the operation that requires 12 to 18 months of rehabilitation.

“I look at the bright side,” Rizzo said. “Tommy John surgery is a surgery that we’ve had great success at. The success rate for guys coming back from Tommy John and retaining their stuff is very good.”

Strasburg was pulled from Saturday’s game at Philadelphia when he grimaced and shook his wrist after throwing a changeup. The Nationals initially called the injury a strained flexor tendon in the forearm, but an MRI taken Sunday raised enough questions for the Nationals to order a more extensive MRI in which dye is injected into the arm.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 draft, Strasburg struck out 14 batters in a sensational major league debut in June. He is 5-3 with a 2.91 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 68 innings.

But he has had medical setbacks along the way, despite the team’s best efforts to be as cautious as possible with their prized youngster. He was placed on the disabled list a month ago with inflammation in the back of his right shoulder. He was making his third start since returning from the DL when he had to leave the game against Philadelphia.

“The player was developed and cared for in the correct way, and things like this happen,” Rizzo said. “Pitchers break down, pitchers get hurt and we certainly are not second-guessing ourselves. … Frustrated? Yes. But second-guessing ourselves? No.”

Apparently Roger Clemens is going to be Indicted on charges that he lied to a federal grand jury.  I guess I can see how this is news, what I don’t understand though is what this actually matters to him personally.  It was pretty big news when the same/similar thing happened to bonds…but what really came out of that?  As far as I know he hasn’t been convicted of anything.  Beyond all that…what I don’t understand is how elected officials have the time to stick their noses into baseball and football.  We elect these people and pay them to take care of important matters in this country…and as tired as the phrase is, they are “wasting tax payer dollars”.

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NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Times reported on its website Thursday that federal authorities have decided to indict Roger Clemens on charges of making false statements to Congress about his use of performance-enhancing drugs.

The Times said it based its report on information from two people briefed on the matter and said an announcement is expected in the near future.

Clemens and his former trainer, Brian McNamee, testified under oath at a hearing before a House committee and contradicted each other about whether Clemens had used the banned substances.

The committee held the hearing in February 2008.

McNamee has told federal agents, baseball investigator George Mitchell and the committee that he injected Clemens more than a dozen times with steroids and human growth hormone from 1998-01.

Clemens has maintained that McNamee was lying.

Rusty Hardin, Clemens’ lead attorney said he was unaware of a pending indictment.

“We’ve heard nothing,” Hardin said by telephone from Houston, “so I can’t knowledgeably respond at all.”

Earl Ward, one of McNamee’s lawyers, said he, too, “had no indication something was coming.”

Just as we thought he would be…he missed enough to skip training camp and then rejoins the team.  13mil is quite a chunk of change to turn down…