The San Diego Chargers fined cornerback Antonio Cromartie $2,500 for tweeting a complaint about the quality of the food at Bolts training camp last week. While the National Football League readies an official game day Twitter policy, players are being warned of the repercussions of their online existence—like in Green Bay, where the team has promised a $1,701 (huh?) fine for tweeting during team functions. But in San Diego, the Chargers took it to a whole other level by nailing Antonio (aka “crimetime31“) for merely expressing his opinion.
Here’s what Antonio had to say in the offending tweet (if you can …read more

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL
It was like icing on the cake for Minnesota Vikings RB Adrian Peterson’s incredible rookie season. AD walked away with Pro Bowl MVP honors today after ripping through the AFC defense for 129 yards and two TDs in the NFC’s 42-30 win. It was the first 100-yard rushing effort since Marshall Faulk (180 yards) and Chris Warren (127 yards) reached the mark in 1995. This award was on the heels of AD’s being named the NFL’s Rookie of the Year last month. And I learned that he brought every Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman …read more

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL
The New England Patriots took yet another step toward a perfect season. But their 21-12 win over the San Diego Chargers in the AFC Championship game was anything but perfect. It certainly wasn’t Tom Brady’s best game. And it certainly wasn’t the way he imagined this AFC Championship game would play out. But that’s really not what matters. There are no style points in the NFL. What matters are wins and losses and the Patriots, of course, have 18 straight victories against no defeats — a simply mind-boggling accomplishment.
It’s not like Tom choked …read more

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL
The NFL playoffs begin today and tomorrow with Wild Card Weekend. This afternoon, the Washington Redskins play at the Seattle Seahawks (NBC, 4:30 PM ET) and this evening, the Jacksonville Jaguars visit the Pittsburgh Steelers (NBC, 8:00 PM ET). Wild Card Weekend continues tomorrow with the New York Giants at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (FOX, 1:00 PM ET) and the Tennessee Titans traveling to face the San Diego Chargers (CBS, 4:30 PM ET).
Today’s game between the Washington Redskins and Seattle Seahawks will feature two of the most successful coaches in NFL history in …read more

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL
The New England Patriots and San Diego Chargers lead the AFC’s 2008 Pro Bowl squad with a conference-high eight players each. New England’s eight All-Stars equals a franchise high set by the 1985 Pats. The AFC roster includes 18 first-time All-Stars, including Cincinnati WR T.J. Houshmanzadeh, who leads the NFL with 101 receptions.

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL
While Minnesota Vikings RB Adrian Peterson was busy breaking two NFL records, San Diego Chargers DB Antonio Cromartie set one of his own in the same game. After Vikings kicker Ryan Longwell missed a 57-yard field goal, Antonio made an incredible catch in the back of the end zone, kept his feet in-bounds, then ran 109+ yards for a touchdown and the longest play in NFL history. It was meaningless in terms of the outcome of the game, but it was one of the most athletic plays I’ve ever seen — really an …read more