The NBA seeks to extinguish ‘emotional reactions’ following calls. or no-calls. Getting players to subdue their emotions has already proven difficult during the preseason.  Kevin Garnett was ejected in the 2nd quarter in a game against the Knicks.  Lamar Odom was T’d up for throwing his arms in the air following a questionable call, and Grant Hill and Reggie Evans were both ejected after they slapped each others assets (no homo)

Lucky for the NBA, Kendrick Perkins hasn’t played since injuring his knee in Game 6 of the NBA Finals in June.  Perkins couldn’t make it down the court and back without getting ejected under the new rules.  As ridiculous as the new “behavior” rule is, the NBA is known for backtracking on new ideas once enough superstars complain.

Remember the new ball? Once Kobe is ejected for throwing a fit (which he is known to do) and is ejected the NBA will pull an about face and abolish the new rules and return to normalcy.  I wish Rasheed Wallace was still around.

The NFL is also looking to curb behavior, but more importantly save lives. The NFL is implementing a new rule which will suspend players that head hunt.

The news brought about outrage from many of the NFl’s elite players…on the defensive side.  Linebacker James Harrison of the Pittsburgh Steelers was fined $75,000 for two hits he made in last weeks game against the Cleveland Browns.  During both hits Harrison acted like a spear, running smack into the head of the offensive player.  Both Josh Cribbs and Mohamed Massaquoi  of the Cleveland Browns  were concussed on the plays.  They didn’t practice on Thursday or all week for the Cleveland Browns, but coach Eric Mangini said both could be medically cleared to return to the field Friday.

The new rule is common sense.  It is nearly impossible for an NFL player to fully avoid concussions, but making the act of striking a person in the head illegal, is beyond necessary.  The scary part is that it took this long for it to happen.  If a NFL player can’t tackle an opponent without given him or himself a concussion then the future of the NFL is questionable.  How many brain dead, paralyzed, mentally demented ex-players does it take for NFL fans and players to recognize that.

Getty Images / Mario Tama

The New Orleans Saints look on during a preseason game against the Houston Texans at the Superdome August 21, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Bottom Photo) Stranded victims of Hurricane Katrina rest inside the Superdome, which has become a makeshift shelter for hurricane vitcims, September 2, 2005 in New Orleans.

Peyton Manning attempted to mount a comeback in the waning moments of the fourth quarter, but it was too late and the former laughing stock of the NFL, the New Orleans Saints, claimed a 31-17 victory in Super Bowl XLIV.

For all of the bandwagon fans rooting for the Black and Gold, especially with all that the Big Easy has been through since Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc back in 2005, most believed, including me, that the NFL MVP-led Colts would be victorious. I mean, how could you doubt Peyton Manning, especially with how he dissected the NFL’s top defense in the AFC Championship game?  So when the Saints took a 24-17 lead with over five minutes remaining in regulation, I was 100% positive that the Colts would tie the game and probably set up the first overtime game in Super Bowl history (I guarantee the NFL did not want that to happen). And, like clockwork, they began to march down the field.

A pass to wide receiver Pierre Garcon for 17 yards.  A few plays later, a 12-yard pass to wide receiver Reggie Wayne.  In a matter of a few minutes, the Colts had made it to the Saints’ 31-yard line. I’m sure that New Orleanians around the French Quarter were probably nervously sipping their Hurricanes at this point. But, a few plays later, it happened.

On 3^rd and 5, defensive back Tracy Porter broke on a pass intended for Reggie Wayne and intercepted it, taking it to the house for a championship-sealing touchdown. Replays demonstrate that Porter knew exactly where Peyton Manning wanted to throw the ball and quite simply beat Wayne to the spot. The rest was history. A dejected Manning walked off the field, a look of anguish in his eyes. I think even he knew at that point that it was over. Defeated by his hometown team; the team his father quarterbacked for over 10 years.

As I write this article, I’m sure the streets of New Orleans are still buzzing with joy and excitement. And, I’m pretty sure that many residents called-in to work today. The Colts were outplayed and outcoached by the Saints. Coach Sean Payton made gutsy calls, such as the on-side kick to start the second half, and Super Bowl MVP and future key-to-the-city holder Drew Brees methodically beat the Colts’ defense time and time again.  As for Peyton Manning and the Colts, a long offseason ensues.

Although #18 is a lock for Canton and will arguably go down as one of the top two QBs ever, he will relive that fateful attempted pass to Wayne in his nightmares all summer long. The supreme architect and perfectionist, Manning was not able to muster up the 4^th-quarter comeback that has become his trademark. But, he’ll be back and more prepared than ever.

St. Louis Rams linebacker Leonard Little for instance. After leaving a birthday party drunk in 1998, Little crashed into and killed Susan Gutweiler in St. Louis, MO. When tested, his blood alcohol level measured 0.19 percent, a level that exceeds the statutory level of intoxication of 0.08 in the state of Missouri. Little received 90 days in jail, four years probation and 1000 hours of community service.

Six years later, in 2004, Little was again arrested for drunk driving and speeding. The probable cause statement filed by police said Little had bloodshot and watery eyes, smelled of alcohol and failed three sobriety tests. Because of Little’s 1999 guilty plea to involuntary manslaughter in his drunken-driving crash case, prosecutors charged him as a persistent offender. This made it a felony case. Little was acquitted of driving while intoxicated, but was convicted only of the misdemeanor speeding charge.

This example isnt to compare the killing of a human to a killing of a dog, but the scrutiny that falls on Vick far outweighs what Little dealt with. Of course Michael Vick was a much more popular figure and the fact he played a posistion(quarterback) that was always surrounded by a racial cloud, could be the reason for so much negativity. But he served his time, he has kids, and a huge debt to the Atlanta Falcons. Let Vick play, and when he does get the chance lets all focus on the present and not what he has already paid dearly for.