The NFL Knows that Sex Sells

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Blogs With Balls Radio, Episode 19

This week’s Blogs With Balls Show on the JoeSportsFan Radio Network is now available.

Download Episode 19 here, or subscribe via iTunes.

Today marks the triumphant return of the Ballsy Blog of the Week, which fittingly goes to the quartet of Chad Ochocinco, Chris Cooley, Ray Rice and Darnell Docket for their unprecedented news team coverage along with Jake & Amir during Super Bowl week. we highlight it for the fact that not only is the group (collectively known as the OCNN News Team) downright hilarious, but the project's sponsor - Motoblur - does an amazing job integrating their product into the viral videos in a manner that compliments, rather than takes away, from the videos' entertainment value.

I have seen the future. Take note, advertisers.

Staying in Miami, we bring on on-location guest Joe Fortenbaugh of National Football Post to talk Super Bowl, Pro Bowl, trade rumors, McNabb/Favre speculation and how the site and its unique staff have quickly become an inside source for pro football news, analysis and insight.

Prior to joining on with NFP full-time and focusing on fantasy football posts, Joe worked as an NFL agent at JB Sports for three years while earning his degree from Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego.

This week's links of interest:

• National Football Post
• Joe's NFP Column
• @FootballPost
• @JoeFortenbaugh
• OCNN YouTube Channel
• The Cooley Zone
• @OCNNfeed
• #OCNN Hashtag
• @thecooleyzone
• @ogochocinco
• @RayRice27
• @ddockett
• @jakeandamir

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Curse of Lincoln Financial Field

In Sunday's Trenton Times, Eagles beat writer Mark Eckel referred to Lincoln Financial Field as "The place where Pro Bowl players go to die" when referencing the departure of Javon Kearse and Takeo Spikes, and the likely future departure of Darren Howard. Each of those three were deemed major acquisitions and were expected to reap huge benefits. While an argument can be made for or against their play in Philadelphia, it is safe to say they never lived up to their difference-making expectations.

Since it opened its doors in 2003, LFF has wreaked havoc on the Birds' Pro Bowl caliber players.

2003

Jon Ritchie - Just the type of player Eagle fans craved, a hard-nosed FB coming from Oakland's Black Hole, "after starting for the Eagles for only two seasons, he was cut by the Eagles after a devastating knee injury during the off-season that could not be fully repaired." While not a Pro Bowler per se, he certainly was among the best blocking fullbacks in the game before coming to Philly.


Corey Simon - A Pro Bowl selection in 2003, the Birds tried to franchise him following the 2004 season. After being unable to reach an agreement, he signed with the Colts only to gain 125 pounds and waddle his way off the Super Bowl roster.

Troy Vincent - A 5x Pro Bowl selection (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003) and 3x All-Pro selection (2000, 2001, 2002), he left Philadelphia following the 2003 season, switched positions and was never heard from again outside of NFLPA labor negotiations.

Bobby Taylor - 2002 Pro Bowler and All-Pro, spent one season in 2004 with Seattle and then retired.

2004

Hugh Douglas - A 3 time Pro Bowler with the Eagles, spent the 2004 season in Jacksonville returned to the Eagles in 2004 to be put to pasture.

Michael Lewis - Named Pro Bowl starter in 2004 and led the Eagles in tackles in 2005. Left Eagles to sign a grossly inflated contract with San Fran. Likely to never live up to paycheck.

Jeremiah Trotter - Returned to the Eagles at LFF in 2004 for two productive Pro Bowl-caliber seasons (having to fight his way to a starting job off of special teams), only to be marred by injuries and let go.

2005

Shawn Barber - Like Ritchie, not a Pro Bowler, per se, but a damned good player...when he was with the Chiefs in between Eagle stints.

Today

McNabb and Westbrook continue to fight the curse despite being mauled by injuries.

It remains to be seen what happened with two current Eagles - one new, one likely soon-to-be-former. Time will tell how the Field of Broken Dreams treats Asante Samuel and Lito Sheppard.

Mort does NOT know how to spell

I knew we'd never get a chance to break a story.

Laid= to have sexual intercourse

Lei= (in the Hawaiian Islands) a wreath of flowers, leaves, etc., for the neck or head.

This was probably going to be the most exciting story to come out of the Pro Bowl. We mean Tony Romo actually getting a flower necklace.

Mortensen reporting Romo gets laid in Honolulu

Huge football and celebrity gossip out of Hawaii.

Chris Mortensen is in Honolulu covering the Pro Bowl for ESPN. His assistant is a huge fan of ours (who isn't). We got to be friends through...not important. Anyway, he just got word via a text message that Mort is reporting that Tony Romo has cheated on Jessica Simpson while in Hawaii for the Pro Bowl. Word from Mort is that it was a pretty public event.

All we have now is the exact text from Mort to his assistant saying "Romo just got laid. Sources confirmed. Two attractive young women. Attacked Romo as he got off jet at Honolulu Int. He didn't put up a fight. More when I learn more."

Mort is trying to get more details as the story develops. HHR will cover this as it happens. Hopefully this guy doesn't screw us over.

EDITED 4:25 PM- There has been an update.