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