I Hate Larry Johnson

Well, not literally. But I'll explain myself in a second...

First, I want to say what's up to Anthony Mendez, aka Big Ant, aka Ant "I Get Money" Mendez, aka Luv Bug Ant-Ski, aka the first student to respond to my blog. Yes! I was beginning to think you guys didn't like me.

Actually "I Get Money (I-I-I I Get it!)", you brought to light a very important problem that I must confront, and I can't thank you enough. This problem must be addressed. Right now. I can't move forward with this blog in good faith until we talk about this. Simply put...

My blog needs a name.

I refuse to have anyone calling me "Duane Munn," or "Mr. Munn," or anything similar. It makes me feel old. I'm not old. That gray hair I pulled from my chin this morning was stress-related, not age-associated. And so what if my niece is only a couple years younger than some of you.

You guys want to lend a hand? This blog needs a catchy, sports-related name. And since you are younger than me, it means you're also cooler. Which means you should be able to help me avoid assigning this little haven a really lame title. So send suggestions, and whoever comes up with the best one can tell all their friends they've been supplying creative input to one of the writers at SI Kids.

Now, on to Big Ant's comments. Yes, Mike Vick is a gifted athlete, and yes, he is facing some very harsh consequences as a result of his problems with dog-fighting. But any consequences he's currently facing are because of his own stupid decisions. The major difference between dog-fighting and hunting is that one activity is illegal, and one is not. No matter how you feel about dog-fighting, whether you consider it a sport (I don't), whether you consider it disgusting (I do), it's against the law. Mike Vick knew this, so he knew he was putting himself in a potentially unfavorable position with the law as a result. Now he must deal with the fallout from the decisions he made.

I don't believe athletes are required to act as role models all the time, but I do expect them to keep their noses clean of major trouble. They are paid millions of dollars to play a game you and I could get together and play right now if we wanted to. If they can't appreciate that, and act accordingly, they don't deserve it.

As for CameraGate, yes, I would say Bill Belichick has learned his lesson. I doubt GreyHood will even allow disposable cameras on the Patriots' sidelines from now on.

This was extremely embarrassing for the coach, and for his team. Especially when you consider that some people have gone so far as to suggesst the Pats' Super Bowl titles came as a result of cheating. I don't think that's the case, but being forced to answer such questions is punishment enough for a franchise that prides itself on the near-unparalleled success enjoyed over the past seven years.

Unfortunately (for all our favorite teams), it's also given them a healthy dose of motivational mojo. Have you SEEN the Pats this year!?! Sigh. At least I have Wes Welker on my fantasy team (yes!!!). For the record, I'm picking the Pats to make it to the Super Bowl (you have no idea how much it pains me to type that out... but that's a story for another day).

And I haven't met Plax yet, but if I do I'll let him know he has a super-fan in Brooklyn. I'll admit, Burress hasn't always been my favorite player; he doesn't get into many arguments, but he did spend a lot of time showing up Eli Manning last season (by waving his arms in the air and stomping off the field) whenever the ball wasn't thrown his way. That type of action can really undermine a young QB's confidence. He also refused to show up early for training camp and work out with Eli, which made him seem like an even larger hypocrite every time he complained on-field about not getting the ball. Hmm... maybe if he spent more time practicing with his QB, his QB would have an easier time finding him in passing situations. Just a thought.

But Plax is stepping up this year, playing much more poised, and acting a lot more mature. Now if he could just teach Jeremy Shockey how to hold onto the ball...

OK, before I forget, I hate Larry Johnson. But I don't have time to explain why right now. I'm picking out gadgets that will be included in our Holiday Gift Guide, and calling companies in order to have samples sent to my office so that we can photograph them. Unfortunately, some of these yahoos aren't emailing me back. Or they are, but the game/sneaker/jacket i want to use isn't available, and I have to negotiate with them to make it available. Never accept no as an answer in this business, I tell ya. If you ask someone a question and the answer is no, find a way to ask the same question in a different manner. Change the wording up, change your vocal tone, whatever. And if they say no again, find another different way. Ask them so many times they don't even realize you're asking them the same question. You can't be afraid of multiple rejections if you want to be successful.

For the record, I'm about to ask this jacket company for their winter lineup for the third time. It's making for a very stressful afternoon, I'll be honest. You guys will have to bear with me a bit for the LJ story. Just know I don't mean he sucks on the field. Oh no. This is... well... you'll see.