A letter from Goodell to Stallworth read:

“As you recognized both at and following the hearing, guilt or innocence as a matter of criminal law is not the same as a violation of NFL policies. Here, longstanding league policies make clear that discipline is warranted “if a player is convicted of or admits to a violation of the law … relating to the use of alcohol.” The degree of discipline may take into account “aggravating circumstances, including but not limited to felonious conduct or felonious injury or death of third parties…” All of those factors are present here. There is no question that your actions had tragic consequences to an innocent man and his family, and that you have violated both the Substances of Abuse and Personal Conduct Policies. In that respect, you are clearly guilty of conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in the NFL.” Read More – [NFL]

I generally don’t agree with professional sports leagues punishing already convicted athletes further, under the leagues own constitution, but this ruling seems fair. Stallworth, had recently signed a 35 million dollar contract in 2008, and was expected to be the #2 receiver in Cleveland before that failed. My question is with 35 million dollars, why make the stupid choice of drinking and driving? A taxi, or a driver, or a limo would have all sufficed fine. Instead Stallworth is now suspended without a years pay, and on top of that will be subject to two years of house arrest, and eight years of probation.

A bit startling is the fact that Michael Vick spent 18 months in jail as oppoesed to 1, he’s been suspended for 4 games, which is considerably less then 1 year but where does the NFL differentiate between murder and dogfights? Surely there should be a set way to evaluate suspensions, and personally i think it is absurd that Vick will have to be suspended after serving hard time and paying his debt to society. All while the murderer will be sitting at home in the mansion.

Stallworth suspended without pay for 2009 season – [NFL]

Total Pro Sports -  What do you do after you win your second Superbowl?  Party in Las Vegas, obviously.

That is what Big Ben Roethlisberger did this week, as he was spotted in Sin City celebrating his birthday.  Ben was dancing the night away with fellow Pittsburgh Steelers, Willie Colon, Darnell Stapleton and Trai Essex.

Is it just me or does it look like be has been spending a couple nights calling audibles at the buffet lines in Vegas?

I think thats Darnell Stapleton behind Ben in this pic, who appears to be checking his drink for performance enhancing drugs.

What exactly is this this girl doing to Big Ben?

Maybe, if one of Arizona Cardinals had used this move last night while James Harrison was taking an interception back for a touchdown, they would be the Superbowl Champions today.  Instead, the Pittsburgh Steelers were able to score on the play and the rest is history.

One of my favorite bets on Superbowl Sunday is for the MVP. I usually like to bet on the MVP because you can get some really good odds.  This years game has some interesting odds for MVP. Lets take at look at the best bets:

The Favorites:

Kurt Warner, QB, Arizona Cardinals, (Odds 5-2)

Ben Rothlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers, (Odds 7-4)

Quarterbacks are always the favorites to win this award, as it remains the glamor position of the NFL.  The last two Superbowl MVPs, were both QBs. (Peyton and Eli Manning).

The Best Offensive Bets

Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals, (Odds 5-1)

He has been tearing up every defense that he has faced thus far in the playoffs.  The Steelers are a great defense, but can they stop Larry?

Hines Ward, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers, (Odds 15-1)

The last non-quarterback to win the award.  The only question around him this year is his stranded MCL.

Anquan Boldin, WR, Arizona Cardinals, (Odds 15-1)

Has had a quiet playoffs thus far.  However, this guy has proved in the past that he can step up and take over games.

Willie Parker,RB, Pittsburgh Steelers, (Odds 7-1)

The man who holds the record for the longest run in Superbowl history could have another big game.  However, the Cards have been shutting down opposing backs in playoffs.

The Best Defensive Bets:

Troy Polamalu, S, Pittsburgh Steelers, (Odds 10-1)

I think Troy is my favorite to win this award.  He is a leader on the defense and has the uncanny ability to change games.  At 10-1 odds if you like the Steelers to win the game, you have to put the cash on this guy. If the Steelers win, he will have a big part in it.

James Harrison, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers, (Odds 30-1)

The reining defensive MVP has had a quiet playoffs thus far, he could be ready for a breakout game.  Be careful because defensive players rarely win the award.  The last defensive player to win the award was Dexter Jackson, who won the award in 2003 playing in Superbowl XXXVII, when he was a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Long Shots:

James Farrior, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers, (Odds 30-1)

Another defensive stud for Pittsburgh who has shown game breaking ability in the past.  At 30 to 1, why not sprinkle a few dollars on this guy.

Adrian Wilson, S, Arizona Cardinals (Odds 50-1)

The leader of the Cardinals defense and the best value bet.  If you smell an upset in Tampa bay, this could be your guy.  Wilson is simply one of best players in the NFL today and the fact that he is a 50 to 1 shot could mean big money for you come Sunday night.  Wilson is my dark horse to win the award if the Cardinals beat the Steelers, he will have a big impact on the game.

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It seems that the global economic crisis has finally hit the junk food sector and now the precious chicken wing is in high demand.  Apparently, a major supplier of wings has recently filed for bankruptcy, causing a shortage of tasty tailgate fare.  This means that you will still be able to eat wings, but it might cost you a little bit more.

Although, the bankruptcy of the large chicken wing manufacturer has caused a majority of the shortage, we here at Total Pro Sports have found the real culprit, Andy Reid.  Yes, Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid is the main reason why there is a shortage of wings.  Seriously, have you seen this guy lately, he looks like he must order wings by the truck load.

Remember, when you are at you local bar and a plate of wings is costing you substantially more, don’t blame the economy, blame Andy.

Perhaps he said “We might make the Superbowl and I had nothing to do with it”, or maybe “Coach, why is Larry Fitzgerald better than me?”.  Whatever he said it must have been dumb because at a time when he should have been supporting his teammates, he was selfishly berating a coach.  At least he proved to the Cardinals that they don’t need him to win big games.

It was also reported that while his teammates were celebrating on the field, he left the stadium.  What a team player. I give Boldin credit for his on field toughness, but off of it he is nothing but a big baby.

This year Boldin has played the role of Diva receiver, a role which was invented and perfected by Terrell Owens.  He was unhappy with his contract and did a lot of complaining about it to the media.  It looks like this will be his last year in the desert and for the Cardinals that’s probably a good thing.  The Dallas Cowboys will most likely sign him in the off-season because they love players who act like children, especially wide receivers.

The scariest hit of the night was by Steeler Ryan Clark, who laid out Willis McGahee, who then left the field on a stretcher.  All reports indicate that he has only suffered a concussion and will be fine.

The Steelers played with the lead for the entire game and were not in any real jeopardy of losing until late in the game.  In the 4th quarter Baltimore managed get within two points of the Ravens, thanks to a pair of McGahee touchdowns.  However, late in the 4th quarter Joe Flacco threw an interception to Troy Polamalu, which was returned for a touchdown and sealed the fate of the Ravens.

Although the Ravens playoff run came to an end, they should not be disappointed.  Rookie QB Joe Flacco had a great season and should only get better.  The defense also played well down the stretch and was a big reason for their playoff run.  The future for this team looks bright and they should be among the best in the AFC again next season.

The Steelers will be playing in the Superbowl against the Arizona Cardinals and should be heavy favorites.

The game got away from the Philadelphia Eagles early, thanks to the play of Fitzgerald, who had three first half touchdown receptions. He finished the game with 9 receptions for 152 yards.  The Eagles managed to battle back and even had a slight lead late in the second half, but they couldn’t hold on and the game winning touchdown was scored by Cardinals rookie Tim Hightower.

The Arizona Cardinals will be representing the NFC in the Superbowl, for the first time in their franchises history.  The Cardinals are the Cinderella of this playoffs and the big ball is on February 1st.  I think that Cardinals making the Superbowl is great for the NFL, because it means there is hope for any team to make it to the Superbowl (except the Detroit Lions).

The team that lost the game, the Philadelphia Eagles, are left to wonder about the future of their team.  This season there has been more talk than ever about the possible departure of QB Donovan McNabb, who’s contract is about to expire.  Coach Andy Reid was on the hot seat prior to the teams playoff run, but thanks to his teams playoff run he may have saved his job.  However, Reid should focus this off season on his own personal conditioning because he looks like he is on a 10 Philly cheese steak-a-day diet.

The NFC Championship was a great game and the Cardinals deserved to win it.