Clemens' ego interferes with integrity and common sense

Roger Clemens is selling oceanfront property in Atlanta. Are you buying it? On the mound, The Rocket's arrogance and inflated ego served him well. He was afraid of no hitter, and for most of his career, he was dominant on the way to winning 354 games and earning seven Cy Young Awards. Apparently, he figured that his reputation would be good enough to help him breeze through the congressional hearing earlier this month.

If that is what Clemens thought, he was wrong.

Prompted by Congress, the Federal Bureau of Investigation said on Thursday that they would investigate to determine if star baseball pitcher Roger Clemens lied under oath when he denied using performance enhancing drugs.

In front of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Clemens testified on February 13 that he never took steroids or human growth hormone. His former trainer, Brian McNamee, told the committee that he personally injected Clemens with steroids and HGH on many occasions between 1998 and 2001.

Clemens' testimony was highlighted by many contradictory statements, leading to the investigation.

According to the evidence, there is no doubt, in my mind, that Clemens used steroids and HGH. Though using these substances is a grievous error in judgment, Clemens' repeated denials are more damning. America is a forgiving country. If Clemens is indeed guilty of taking steroids and/or HGH, and he admitted this wrongdoing, chances are he would have still been elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Now, not only is his inclusion in the Hall of Fame unlikely, he faces possible jail time for committing perjury.

If an athlete is willing to take an illegal performance-enhancing drug, he or she should take the responsibility of admitting the violation if caught. Evidently, Clemens' sense of entitlement interfered with integrity and common sense, leading him to take his stance of innocence. If Clemens is telling the truth - and McNamee injected Andy Pettitte and Chuck Knoblauch (who both have admitted this) - then we all owe him an apology. However, it appears that Clemens is lying, and his giant ego will be his downfall.

Here is the Newsday link that describes Clemens' contradictions: http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/ny-splott295595820feb29,0,6818107.story

"The Call" remains one of the most controversial decisions in modern sports history

In Ohio State and University of Miami circles, it is simply known as "The Call."

Ryan McNeil, OverTime's founder and publisher - and a standout cornerback for the Hurricanes before a long NFL career - needs no definition of "The Call." Neither do I. While Ryan is a University of Miami alumnus, I am a native of Ohio, where I lived for my first 33 years before relocating southward six years ago. In college football season, I bleed scarlet and gray.

During a recent meeting, Ryan and I were talking about "The Call," and there is no surprise that we have differing views about whether it was accurate or bogus.

For those of you who do not remember "The Call" or are not loyal fans of Ohio State or Miami, let me paint the picture. Ohio State and Miami met in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl, which served as the national championship game. The Buckeyes led 17-14 until Miami's place kicker booted a 40-yard field goal, tying the score with no time left on the clock.

The Hurricanes scored first in overtime when Ken Dorsey hit Kellen Winslow with a touchdown pass. The extra point gave Miami a 24-17 lead, forcing the Buckeyes to deliver a touchdown or lose the game.

The Ohio State drive was marked by clutch plays and, of course, the controversial call. Craig Krenzel completed a 17-yard pass to Michael Jenkins on 4th-and-14 for a first down on the Miami 12-yard line. Minutes later, Ohio State faced 4th-and-3 from the Miami 5. Krenzel's fourth down pass to Chris Gamble was originally ruled incomplete, knocked down by Miami defender Glen Sharpe.

Fans and players started to rush the field, believing that the Hurricanes were national champions. They were unaware that a flag was thrown in the end zone, and Sharpe was called for defensive interference. Ohio State was awarded a first down on Miami's 2, and moments later Krenzel scored. Mike Nugent's extra point tied the game at 24-24. In the second overtime, Maurice Clarett rushed for a touchdown on Ohio State's possession while the Hurricanes could not convert on theirs, giving the Buckeyes a 31-24 win and their first national title since 1968.

Today, "The Call" remains a point of contention for Miami fans and alumni members, and it is one of the most controversial calls in modern sports history. There have been many. What calls would you add to the list?

Contract offer signals Browns quarterback plans

Who would you rather have to lead your offense - an unheralded, late round draft pick who seemingly emerged out of nowhere to have an impressive season or a "Golden Boy" first rounder who was expected to be the quarterback of the future when selected?

This is the question confronting Cleveland Browns officials. They could retain Derek Anderson, the sixth round pick of the Baltimore Ravens in the 2005 draft who served as Charlie Frye's backup in 2006 and then earned the starting job last season, guiding the Browns to a 10-6 record and earning a Pro Bowl invitation. Or, the Browns could let the potential restricted free agent walk and give the ball to Brady Quinn, Cleveland's second first round draft pick last year (offensive tackle Joe Thomas was the team's first selection, third overall).

Evidently, the Browns are content with Anderson as their starting quarterback, and keeping Quinn as the understudy. According to the Columbus Dispatch, Cleveland has offered Anderson a three-year deal worth $20 million, including $10 million of guaranteed money. The 24-year-old Anderson, who starred at Oregon State University, is set to become a restricted free agent on Friday. He has choices of his own - sign the aforementioned contract or accept a one-year tender worth $2.52 million. With the latter option, Cleveland would be able to match any team's offer to Anderson, or get first and third-round picks if he signs with another franchise.

The San Diego Chargers faced a similar quarterback dilemma two years ago. They decided to let starter Drew Brees sign elsewhere and throw Philip Rivers into the fire. Rivers, if you recall, was drafted fourth overall in 2005 by the New York Giants and traded to the Chargers for Eli Manning, who was the first pick in the draft.

Opting for the quarterback of the future instead of the incumbent Pro Bowler has not hurt the Chargers. Brees signed with New Orleans, and has performed respectably with QB ratings of 96.2 in 2006 and 89.4 last season. Rivers posted a 92.0 rating in 2006 and had an up and down 2007 season, recording an 82.4 number but finishing with a 100-plus ratings in the last three regular season games, and then picking apart the Colts with three touchdown passes in the playoffs before struggling with an ACL injury in the AFC championship game against the Patriots.

The Browns are apparently taking the opposite approach, attempting to sign Anderson to a three-year deal. For Cleveland, this is a wise choice. Romeo Crennel has reshaped the Browns into a winning franchise again, and the players have undoubtedly responded to Anderson. Of course, in the NFL, situations change in a matter of games, not seasons. Anderson could falter in 2008 and Quinn could take the starting job. However, if Anderson continues to thrive, the Browns will have a decision to make about Quinn. Regardless, for the first time in years, Browns fans have reason for optimism heading into a season.

What do you think is the best decision for the Browns - sticking with Anderson, or giving Quinn a chance?

Let the blogging begin!

OverTime Magazine is known as the business and lifestyle guide for active and retired professional athletes, providing content that helps athletes on and off the field during their careers, and after their playing days are over. Especially since the diverse fraternity of professional athletes is composed of men and women who represent from all ethnic backgrounds and walks of life, there are a multitude of opinions and viewpoints. So it is only natural that this OT blog would debut.

In the weeks and months that follow, you will see a bigger and better OT web site with more features and original material that we hope will lead you to become a regular visitor. The OT blog, which will feature ongoing posts by publisher Ryan McNeil and me, along with posts from guest bloggers who are active and retired professional athletes, will focus on current events in the world of sports, subjects that impact and interest professional athletes and intriguing sports topics. We welcome your comments and opinions in response to these posts, and if you have an idea for a guest column on the blog, please let us know.

For those of you who are new to reading and responding to blogs, the objective of each post is to stimulate discussion about the subject at hand. If you agree or disagree, or if you have your own take, feel free to comment. The only rule is this: respect everyone's right to his or her own opinion, and express your own opinion in a civilized manner. In other words, don't resort to the personal attacks that are common on media site message boards like the ones that are found on Boston and New York newspaper sites, or even Yahoo Sports, for that matter.

About myself, I am the editor of OverTime. I have been a reporter, editor and freelance journalist for 17 years at newspapers and magazines, and I have extensive experience writing about athletes, and covering collegiate and professional sports. I am also a recreational athlete who, at 39, still plays in YMCA basketball leagues and 30-and-over wooden bat baseball leagues, even though balky hamstrings and strained muscles sometimes derail my plans. I write about and follow sports closely.

The OT blog will be interesting because of the different perspectives. I am a media member who offers a point of view that combines the elements of a sports writer and author, and a knowledgeable fan while Ryan has the first-hand knowledge of an accomplished collegiate and professional athlete who is now a successful entrepreneur.

That said, let the blogging begin!