OFFICIAL 2010-2011 NFL season & predictions thread:

[YoungJRNY]

Looks like the Steelers huge mammoth of an left offensive tackle, Max Starks will be lost for the season due to a neck injury he suffered against the Bengals. Starks was the anchor and leader of the line, winning 2 Super Bowl rings as a starter and paved way for many Steelers 1,000 yard rushers in his time for Jerome Bettis, Willie Parker, and Rashard Mendenhall.

The Steelers have the worst luck on the offensive front I've ever seen. I can't remember a single year, maybe since 2004, to where they all stood together as one unit. Since then, it's all been about injuries, IR moves, and season ending nonsense before the season even started.

Since the season started, the Steelers have now lost two starters and both starting tackles; Right tackle Willie Colon, and Left Tackle Max Starks. Starting left offensive Guard Chris Kemoeatu could be out with an ankle sprain as well.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Steelers lost their 3-4 defensive end, Aaron Smith to a torn tricep, and our other defensive end Brett Keisel hasn't been in the lineup for weeks nursing a pulled hamstring.

The Steelers are a severely beat up team at the moment. It's always been this way. The last time we were this hurt, we went 15-1 when our backups stepped up every position in 2004, so we'll see what we're made of, but it doesn't look pretty in Steel town for our offensive and defensive fronts.

Stop whining It's football. Every team has injuries. The Patriots best defensive back (on a team that is VERY challenged in that position) hasn't played in weeks and Deion Branch has been banged up since they got him. Oh, and they just had to sign Shayne Graham today because their kicker got a pimple on his ass and is now out for several weeks. There is no such thing as a healthy team in the NFL.

Every team has their fair share of injuries, that's why depth moves are so important and training camp personal is needed, whether it be on waiver, practice squad, or an extra draft pick of any sort. Every team mixes and matches, but something as important as the offensive line, where everything is built from as well as communication, is a problem when more than 2 starters go down. Ben gets sacked 50 times a season for a reason and that's because high prolific offensive lineman in bunches are lost for a significant amount of time.

I don't worry about a replacement WR, or a replacement d-lineman as much as I worry about a replacement offensive lineman(s).

[Enigma869]

Every team mixes and matches, but something as important as the offensive line, where everything is built from as well as communication, is a problem when more than 2 starters go down. Ben gets sacked 50 times a season for a reason and that's because high prolific offensive lineman in bunches are lost for a significant amount of time.

I don't worry about a replacement WR, or a replacement d-lineman as much as I worry about a replacement offensive lineman(s).

While I don't disagree with you about the importance of an offensive lineman, Pittsburgh's offensive line isn't even that good, so who cares if they lose a guy or two. It's all about defense, dude. If you lose Polamalu, then you have something to whine and worry about! Hell, the Patriots managed to get to 6-1 without their only All-Pro offensive lineman, because Logan Mankins decided to hold out the entire season, until he decided to show up to play Cleveland. I think the offensive line is actually the most important position on the field, after QB, but it's a bit less critical if your line is very average.

[RedWingFan]

Anything to get Gruden off of Monday NIght Football. Jesus christ that guy is a sycophant for every team that plays on Monday night. So annoying. I'm also not sold on his coaching pedigree - seems to me he inherited a Dungy-built TB team and then summarily blew it there.

You have to love how Chucky just lives and breathes football 24 hours a day. He is engrossed in football it seems. I think his act on the four letter Matt, is to appease the network bosses. Like him or not, he did beat the living shit out of Oakland in the Super Bowl, and that is always a good thing.

Yeah, your boys in Seattle could only manage to take a 33-3 asswhipping by Oakland while they're rebuilding!!!
The Raiders would have beat any other team that year. In the weeks leading up to the SB..Gruden was Gannon during practices, showing all the DB's his pump fake. Tim Brown said later that as he lined up to the line of scrimmage, the defenders were calling out the play. Gruden was the only one who could stop that offense.

[YoungJRNY]

Every team mixes and matches, but something as important as the offensive line, where everything is built from as well as communication, is a problem when more than 2 starters go down. Ben gets sacked 50 times a season for a reason and that's because high prolific offensive lineman in bunches are lost for a significant amount of time.

I don't worry about a replacement WR, or a replacement d-lineman as much as I worry about a replacement offensive lineman(s).

While I don't disagree with you about the importance of an offensive lineman, Pittsburgh's offensive line isn't even that good, so who cares if they lose a guy or two. It's all about defense, dude. If you lose Polamalu, then you have something to whine and worry about! Hell, the Patriots managed to get to 6-1 without their only All-Pro offensive lineman, because Logan Mankins decided to hold out the entire season, until he decided to show up to play Cleveland. I think the offensive line is actually the most important position on the field, after QB, but it's a bit less critical if your line is very average.

While I agree that Pittsburgh's line isn't the 1990's Dallas Cowboys line, judging by the past 2 years, they had been performing better and gave up much less sacks and have been drive blocking teams to death, which was an improvement so it's almost like 2 steps forward, 5 steps back for our line this season. Art Rooney JR made it publicly known in the off-season and enforced on Tomlin that we MUST run the ball better in crucial situations, so losing these guys who have been gelling recently is not only going to hurt us in the sack totals, but also our run per average, and running the ball is important in Pittsburgh so I'm concerned.

Even last season, the reason why the Steelers defense fell apart in the 4th QRT was because they were gassed because we couldn't run the ball and chew up time of possession, so if that could become a problem, then I won't be surprised to see another meltdown. I've noticed teams have been all-out blitzing the SHIT out of the Steelers the past several weeks, so I expect to see more of that, but with all backup lineman. Could get ugly.

[mikemarrs]

PITTSBURGH -- Hines Ward rarely looks forward to late December and early January, when his shoulders sometimes ache so badly they hurt on every pass reception and his legs start rebelling after multiple games on unfriendly artificial turf surfaces.

He can't imagine what it might feel like if those games, now the 15th and 16th of an already long NFL season, start arriving sooner as the 13th and 14th games of an 18-game season.

The very thought of playing two more games that count each season led Ward to predict the days of players spending a dozen seasons in the league would quickly end.

"I'll probably be the last double-digit guy," said Ward, the Steelers' career receptions leader who is in his 13th season. "The 10-year guys you won't see any more, except for your quarterbacks. The running backs, you're really going to see a short lifetime span. The season's just too long [already]."

Any player who lasts eight seasons -- and Ward doubts there will be many -- could play as many games as a current nine-season veteran. That player also will have played far more games than the NFL players who experienced 12-game schedules in the 1950s and 14-game schedules in the 1960s.

Another prediction from Steelers players: Many records may stop being broken because players can't last long enough to set them. And a team's roster in August may not resemble the one in January.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and many league owners want to add two regular season games and cut two from the four-game preseason, when many starters play extensively in only one game. Goodell believes an expanded season would give fans more games worth watching and eliminate some that are next to meaningless.

However, numerous NFL players, including many in Pittsburgh, believe it would result in a poorer product because more games would be played without injured stars.

Steelers safety Ryan Clark can't believe that, at the same time in NFL is making a stronger push to protect players from concussions and other head injuries, it appears intent on expanding its season, thus increasing the risk of such injuries.

"Sometimes you need to have foresight," Clark said. "In one sense, we're saying we want to protect players from head injuries, but then you want us to go out there and do it two more times in the regular season."

Despite Goodell's argument that an 18-game season would improve the product, Clark said money is the driving force behind the push. More games mean additional ticket revenue and more TV money.

"I might get in trouble, I might get a call, but it's all about money," Clark said. "If you want guys to play 18 games, there is some ways guys are going to have to be compensated for that."

Colts president Bill Polian said he believes an 18-game season is a "fait accompli." He backtracked days later and said such a schedule would require lengthy discussion with the players union.

Steelers player representative Charlie Batch is adamantly opposed to such an expansion because of the increased chance for injury, but concedes it might happen if the owners offer players considerably more compensation during current labor talks. Steelers safety Troy Polamalu's suggestion: Guarantee all contracts, as baseball owners do.

"Obviously, our contract situation now and how we're not guaranteed is probably the worst in professional sports," said Polamalu, one of the league's top defensive players. "So it wouldn't be a problem if they started guaranteeing contracts."

Currently, numerous players sign multiyear contracts at inflated salaries they will never earn so owners can spread signing bonuses, for salary cap purposes, over more seasons. In most cases, only the signing bonuses are guaranteed.

"If the owners aren't worried about players' health or anything like that, then of course they would guarantee our contracts," said Polamalu, who missed 11 full games and parts of two others with injuries last season. "Adding more games, there's more risk, so I doubt they would do anything like that."

The league and the players union are negotiating a labor agreement that would replace the current deal that ends in March. If no agreement is reached by then, the players association believes owners will lock out the players, putting the 2011 season in jeopardy. Major League Baseball lost parts of its 1994 and 1995 seasons to a labor impasse, and the NHL shut down for the 2004-05 season because owners and players could not reach an agreement.

[mikemarrs]

Downtown L.A. has proven capable of supporting teams, and the next step may be add a stadium complex. L.A. lost two teams 16 years ago, and might begin anew with two teams again, including the Rams. Stan Kroenke owns the Rams, as well as Denver's basketball and hockey teams. He will have to sell his Denver interests unless he becomes owner of the Broncos. Broncos owner Pat Bowlen is having health issues. Someone has suggested it makes sense for Kroenke to exchange franchises with Bowlen, taking ownership of the Broncos and allowing Bowlen to move the Rams to L.A.

[Rick]

Downtown L.A. has proven capable of supporting teams, and the next step may be add a stadium complex. L.A. lost two teams 16 years ago, and might begin anew with two teams again, including the Rams. Stan Kroenke owns the Rams, as well as Denver's basketball and hockey teams. He will have to sell his Denver interests unless he becomes owner of the Broncos. Broncos owner Pat Bowlen is having health issues. Someone has suggested it makes sense for Kroenke to exchange franchises with Bowlen, taking ownership of the Broncos and allowing Bowlen to move the Rams to L.A.

Hmmm Los Angels Rams has a nice ring to it. They were originally from Cleveland I think.

[squirt1]

Young JRNY- My sister & I just talked about this today ( depth). Mike Brown is clueless & probably sees it as an a waste of $$$ as long as people keep attending. Marvin is a puppet and his coaches YES men to Mikey Boy Brown !

[YoungJRNY]

Young JRNY- My sister & I just talked about this today ( depth). Mike Brown is clueless & probably sees it as an a waste of $$$ as long as people keep attending. Marvin is a puppet and his coaches YES men to Mikey Boy Brown !

Everyone has figured out the Bengals, but the Bengals themselves. Obviously, the Marvin Lewis era is NOT working and the way he does business just does NOT work. He has a history of recruiting and bringing in drafted players with a criminal background and has put up with some of the most inane characters a team would ever (or not) ask for. The dude even brings in troubled players off waivers in hopes of a spark of the team and that's the problem in Cincy, always have been. Not only do they share the same owner that quit on the Browns, but it's the same owner that has no idea what to do with a team when playing GM or owner so with Cincinnati, I think it starts with ownership, and that trickle's its way down to personal and how the team is ran by the head coach. They don't have a clue on how to build and keep a team at such a competing level year in and year out.

[Rockindeano]

Young JRNY- My sister & I just talked about this today ( depth). Mike Brown is clueless & probably sees it as an a waste of $$$ as long as people keep attending. Marvin is a puppet and his coaches YES men to Mikey Boy Brown !

Mike Brown is a good GM. he has built a pretty solid team in Cincinnati. Hell, you won the freaking division last year! As for your coaches, Mike Zimmer is a helluva defensive coordinator, as is amonst those considered for the Dallas gig. Oh and yeah, Marvin Lewis is such a bad coach, that he won coach of the year last year. You folks in Cincinnati qwhine way too much.

[Ehwmatt]

Young JRNY- My sister & I just talked about this today ( depth). Mike Brown is clueless & probably sees it as an a waste of $$$ as long as people keep attending. Marvin is a puppet and his coaches YES men to Mikey Boy Brown !

Mike Brown is a good GM. he has built a pretty solid team in Cincinnati. Hell, you won the freaking division last year! As for your coaches, Mike Zimmer is a helluva defensive coordinator, as is amonst those considered for the Dallas gig. Oh and yeah, Marvin Lewis is such a bad coach, that he won coach of the year last year. You folks in Cincinnati qwhine way too much.

I see where Cinci is coming from with Marvin Lewis. It's a lot like Mike Brown was for the Cavs: Good coach, good guy, some definite strengths, but a very apparent ceiling that he has hit more than once despite having a lot of talent.

[YoungJRNY]

Young JRNY- My sister & I just talked about this today ( depth). Mike Brown is clueless & probably sees it as an a waste of $$$ as long as people keep attending. Marvin is a puppet and his coaches YES men to Mikey Boy Brown !

Mike Brown is a good GM. he has built a pretty solid team in Cincinnati. Hell, you won the freaking division last year! As for your coaches, Mike Zimmer is a helluva defensive coordinator, as is amonst those considered for the Dallas gig. Oh and yeah, Marvin Lewis is such a bad coach, that he won coach of the year last year. You folks in Cincinnati qwhine way too much.

Marvin Lewis took a Bengals team from worse, to just bad/mediocre at best. Other than maybe 2 seasons since his arrival, what has Lewis ever done in coaching the Bengals other than have an 0-2 playoff record and winning the division only twice in 8 years?

Here's his Bengals record:

CIN 2003 8-8
CIN 2004 8-8
CIN 2005 11- 5
CIN 2006 8 -8
CIN 2007 7 -9
CIN 2008 4 -11 -1
CIN 2009 10 -6
CIN 2010 2 -6

Overall: 56-58-1 (including playoffs)
Playoff record: 0-2 (both at home)

Other than a few good years, Cincy has been nothing but a middle/near the bottom team for years and was never a force or a threat even when they were on top of the AFC North in '05 or '09. Lewis is a good coach, but his handling of his players and how much leeway he's allowed with players who shouldn't of been on an NFL team in the first place is disappointing. The Bengals were supposed to contend for atleast a home playoff game this season, and many thought they were Super Bowl contenders with the talent they've got (Cedric Benson, Carson Palmer, T.O, Chad Ochostinko, and a much improved Zimmer defense) but they've done nothing but fall flat on their face when facing a 1st place schedule and now sit 2-6. Who's to blame in Cincy? The head coach? Or management?

[Saint John]

Man, Terrell Owens is having a fucking monster year. The dude's 36 years old and is playing like he's 26.

[YoungJRNY]

Man, Terrell Owens is having a fucking monster year. The dude's 36 years old and is playing like he's 26.

I was shocked by his performances these past few weeks, and ESP against the Steelers secondary. Obviously, we worried more about getting beat deep with Ochostinko because we're more familiar with his tendencies, but damn did T.O really shove it back in my face, and many, many more critics of his. I always questioned his toughness, and would always see him shy away from contact and alligator arm this league to death, but he was the ONLY one who came to play Monday Night and that hit he took from Troy ALONE got some respects from me in my book.

[Michigan Girl]

I am loving this!! As T.O.'s biggest fan and supporter ...his problems in Dallas were
Romo, Witten and Phillips ...prior to that, he may have had some inflated head issues!!
I even have a special cheer for Toothy, T.O.!!

[Saint John]

Man, Terrell Owens is having a fucking monster year. The dude's 36 years old and is playing like he's 26.

I was shocked by his performances these past few weeks, and ESP against the Steelers secondary. Obviously, we worried more about getting beat deep with Ochostinko because we're more familiar with his tendencies, but damn did T.O really shove it back in my face, and many, many more critics of his. I always questioned his toughness, and would always see him shy away from contact and alligator arm this league to death, but he was the ONLY one who came to play Monday Night and that hit he took from Troy ALONE got some respects from me in my book.

T.O., when he wants to be, is as good and as tough as they come. I would venture to say that the guy keeps himself in better shape than 99% of the rest of the league. He just has lapses between the ears. He's been the only one that's ever been able to stop him.

[YoungJRNY]

Man, Terrell Owens is having a fucking monster year. The dude's 36 years old and is playing like he's 26.

I was shocked by his performances these past few weeks, and ESP against the Steelers secondary. Obviously, we worried more about getting beat deep with Ochostinko because we're more familiar with his tendencies, but damn did T.O really shove it back in my face, and many, many more critics of his. I always questioned his toughness, and would always see him shy away from contact and alligator arm this league to death, but he was the ONLY one who came to play Monday Night and that hit he took from Troy ALONE got some respects from me in my book.

T.O., when he wants to be, is as good and as tough as they come. I would venture to say that the guy keeps himself in better shape than 99% of the rest of the league. He just has lapses between the ears. He's been the only one that's ever been able to stop him.

Before the 4th QRT 'comeback', I saw T.O yappin' his trap to Palmer and Palmer just ignored him. T.O could be huge to a football team if he was just a team player. Palmer and that offense is obligated to force the ball into tight windows to a player like Owens rather than spread the ball around or give it to a stud back in Cedric Benson. T.O is tearing it up, but the Bengals lack identity on offense because of guys like T.O and C.J mouthin off on the sidelines when things don't go their way. Result: 2-6.

[squirt1]

Young JRNY- You get what is going on in this town. I wrote Mike Brown 10-12 yrs ago that he did not have his fathers stuff. So ,there were a couple fluke yrs . Just luck !! How many draft choices have been busts. Deano, your post caused me to have to take another BP pill. The people of Cincinnati & Northern Ky are sick of paying for the same circus every year. I believe the definition of insanity fits the Mike Brown saga.

[lights1961]

did anyone notice earlier this week that Al Harris was released by the packers...

[Everett]

did anyone notice earlier this week that Al Harris was released by the packers...

I did. Still would like to know why.

[Saint John]

did anyone notice earlier this week that Al Harris was released by the packers...

I did. Still would like to know why.

Because he likes Gowan.

[Don]

did anyone notice earlier this week that Al Harris was released by the packers...

I did. Still would like to know why.

Because he's fragile and the Pack have a couple of young guys who need to play.

[mikemarrs]

did anyone notice earlier this week that Al Harris was released by the packers...

he has joined the miami dolphins just in time to play the tennessee titans this sunday.oh and the dolphins have put chad henne on the bench so pennington will be quarterback for them sunday.

below are photos from randy moss first practice with the tennessee titans.....


http://www.sportsnashville.net/article/ ... tans/22837

[mikemarrs]

IRVING, Texas -- The first day on the job is always the hardest and Jason Garrett, the new interim coach of the Dallas Cowboys, had to get through it.

Calling it a day of transition, Garrett set the tone early by asking his players to attend a Wednesday morning meeting at 8:15 a.m., an hour earlier than what former coach Wade Phillips asked.

Garrett also had his team practice in full pads for the first time since training camp and expected an increased tempo. Garrett, who was named the interim coach on Monday after Phillips was fired, was direct and clear in his message to the players. Garrett wouldn't reveal what that message was but several players liked what they heard.

"It was better," cornerback Mike Jenkins said of the overall day. "A different tempo [to practice], something we got to get used to. There was a lot of energy out there today. I think our main thing right now is we got to believe in Jason and his theory in what he's bringing to the table. Anything he asks of us we have to do 100 percent."

During his meeting with the players, Garrett spoke about how he wanted the defensive players to perform and create turnovers. Jenkins said the defense did that during Wednesday's practice.

Garrett also spoke about accountability and making sure players do the little things to become better. Just because the team is having struggles there is no excuses when it comes to losing football games.

The message is new to some players, especially on the defense, who had little interaction with Garrett because as the offensive coordinator, he spoke mainly to the offensive players.

"Beating a drum," wide receiver Roy Williams said of Garrett's message. "It was concise, specific and to the point. Everybody is tired of the losing."

Garrett had casual talks with the defensive players during his times as the offensive coordinator/assistant head coach.

But several players noted Garrett was involved in all aspects of the team on Wednesday.

The Cowboys are 1-7 and mired in a five-game losing streak, the longest since 1997 and team owner/general manager Jerry Jones is asking Garrett to fix things. There are no promises Garrett will become the full-time head coach in 2011. How the Cowboys finish the next eight weeks and whether or not some other coach can wow Jones during the interview process will determine the future status of the head coach.

During his nearly 15 minute briefing with reporters, Garrett, standing behind the same lectern he used when promoted, was guarded when asked about specific lineup changes and any other things he might do.

He spoke quickly and loudly.

When asked about his emotions of getting the interim job, Garrett would only say, "excited about the opportunity."

Garrett also told the players to forget about the first eight weeks of the 2010 season, however difficult that may be.

"I think we have to," tight end Jason Witten said. "We're accountable for what's happened in the past. We've got to learn from those mistakes and what we didn't do well, but we need to build on the good too. I've always said I think he does a great job of living in the now and moving forward and how we're going to handle whether it's from the last play to the next play from the last series to the next game."

[Don]

Jim McMahon supports brain studies

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/n ... id=5788514

CHICAGO -- It was during Super Bowl Media Day in February when Jim McMahon was first approached and asked to get involved with the Sports Legacy Institute, which was formed three years ago to "solve the concussion crisis" in sports.

More than that, Boston University researchers want to study McMahon's brain as part of its ongoing mission to treat and prevent the effects of brain trauma in athletes and other at-risk groups. McMahon comments have made him a good candidate.

"My memory's pretty much gone," McMahon recently told the Chicago Tribune. "There are a lot of times when I walk into a room and forget why I walked in there. I'm going through some studies right now, and I am going to do a brain scan. It's unfortunate what the game does to you.

"I've worked with some neurosurgeons and it's a very serious thing, man."

McMahon has yet to pledge his brain to the study, but he intends to help raise money for research, beginning with co-hosting a fundraiser in Chicago at John Allan's Men's Club on Jan. 13. Proceeds will help bring educational programs and clinics about brain trauma to Chicago area youth coaches. McMahon's former teammates Richard Dent and Gary Fencik will also be among other athletes taking part in the event.

For McMahon, 51, whose heroics on the field -- and antics off -- in leading the 1985 Bears to the Super Bowl title made him one of football's most colorful characters, it was an opportunity he couldn't refuse. McMahon and his girlfriend, Laurie Navon, had seen a television feature on brain injuries in former athletes caused by repeated blows in football.

"He had been worried about it for a while," said Navon, speaking from McMahon's Scottsdale, Ariz., home on Wednesday. "He does forget things. He'll ask you a question, and 20 minutes later, will ask you the same question. Initially, I thought he was joking, but he wasn't.

"He'll walk in a room and forget why he walked in, which we all do, but he does it on a daily basis."

In a recent interview with ESPNChicago.com, McMahon talked about the after-effects of his 15-year football career and said he was in pain every day, hasn't worked out in 15 years and can't run. At the same time, he said he did not second-guess the way he played.

"You could only play the game one way," he said. "It was the only way I knew how to play. I wouldn't change anything. I'd do it again, even though I know it's going to hurt."

McMahon was asked about the Bears' dramatic Thursday night victory in Minnesota in 1985, during which he came off the bench after being in the hospital that week with back spasms and a serious leg infection. He tossed three touchdown passes -- a performance that vaulted him to celebrity status nationally, but McMahon said he could not cite any specifics.

"I've been hit in the head so many times, it's hard to remember that far back," he said. "I don't remember specific games ..."

Navon said McMahon's confusion affects his quality of life.

"He definitely gets depressed, because he can't do what he used to do and wants to do," she said. "We'll be driving someplace and we'll be halfway there and he says 'Where are we going?' He has a Kindle and he'll pick a book he thinks is interesting and get a quarter of the way through and realize he read it.

"He's going to become very active [with the Sports Legacy Institute] and try to get as many former players involved as he can. ... He feels it's important to get more information out there. He and others took the blows for the young kids today, and now the rules are changing after they took all the hits."

[Ehwmatt]

Wouldn't have anything to do with all the drinking now would it Mr McMahon?

[Saint John]

Wouldn't have anything to do with all the drinking now would it Mr McMahon?

Big pothead, too. Always stoned and playing golf barefoot. Dude is weird.

[Everett]

did anyone notice earlier this week that Al Harris was released by the packers...

I did. Still would like to know why.

Because he likes Gowan.

Sounds better then arnel

[Rockindeano]

did anyone notice earlier this week that Al Harris was released by the packers...

I did. Still would like to know why.

Because he likes Gowan.

Sounds better then arnel

As annoying as Pineda is, and trust me he sucks as a frontman, he can sing circles around your little bitch Gowan. I have seen Twigs and Gowan stands up there playing his ridiculous twirly keyboard. Looks like a fag. He sounds OK at best, but I have to give it to Pineda for pipes alone.

[mikemarrs]

former NFL running back Dave Meggett, who spent six years with the Giants, three with the Patriots, and one with the Jets, will be spending three times the duration of his NFL career behind bars.

A jury convicted Meggett Wednesday of burglary and criminal sexual conduct. He was sentenced to 30 years in jail.

Meggett allegedly raped a college student at her North Charleston, South Carolina home in January 2009. Though he didn't testify, Meggett's lawyer told the jury during closing arguments that Meggett admitted to having sex with the woman, "but the two were friends and had a sexual agreement as repayment for debt." (It sounds like a rejected Seinfeld story idea.)

The victim testified that the pair previously had a drunken sexual encounter, that she indeed owed Meggett (she knew him as "Mike") $200, and that she awoke one night to find him at the foot of her bed.

He asked for the money, she said she didn't have it, and "he told me he was going to take a down payment now."

She said that Meggett "grabbed her throat, pinned her arm behind her back and had forcible intercourse with her."

With many rape cases involving a he said/she said conflict of facts, Meggett's decision not to rebut her testimony was disastrous. If he claims that the victim offered to have sex as a partial down payment on the debt, Meggett needed to take the witness stand and say so. The fact that they'd previously had consensual sex would have helped create reasonable doubt.

Though Meggett's lawyer says an appeal will be filed, this one looks to be open and shut.