Livin' the Sports Life: July 19th, 2007

As always, the sports world is busy, busy, busy. Baseball season continues, heading into the most important part of the year. NFL training camp is coming up quick. Shows like "Around the Horn" and segments like "First and 10" continue to be programs that I would enjoy listening to only if I had already ripped my own ears off my head. And, as usual, there seems to be one major legal case hanging over the sports world. Every year, it's something different: Kobe Bryant, Duke lacrosse, and now Michael Vick. It never ends, does it?

Here's what's on my mind in the sports world today:

- Roger Goodell certainly had his chance to make good on his promise to clean up the NFL. Apparently, he will not punishment Vick unless he is found guilty of running a dogfighting ring. Forget about the "innocent until proven guilty" mantra; the evidence that is against Vick is staggering. Never mind that Adam "Pacman" Jones had prior run-ins with the police - wait - didn't Vick recently get caught with a suspicious bottle at the airport? Did it not contain drugs? Suspend the guy now and get rid of him. He's no longer a role model to kids and the league definitely doesn't need his presence.

- It doesn't look like any of the Cleveland Browns' top three draft picks (Joe Thomas, Brady Quinn, and Eric Wright) are going to sign any time soon. You know, as an avid Browns fan, I want to see the team succeed, but this is just too ridiculous. If you want to be a starter on the team, like these three claim they want to be, then go to camp! Sign the contract and start practicing with your team. Am I the only one who feels like I am living in the Twilight Zone? I mean, who says "I just can't wait to play" and then holds out for more money? I wish it was possible to just make them sit all season. In other words, don't bother ever getting off the bench Brady, Joe, or Eric (heck, every other draft pick who hasn't signed): you're not playing anytime soon. It's a shame that I think too rationally in these situations; it just ends up giving me headaches.