LIGHTEN UP FRANCIS by ST

If you got a chuckle out of the title of this blog, you're on board with the "Stripes" reference. It's intro time with Sgt Hulka after the bus has landed at boot camp and they're going around talking up whey they joined the Army. A guy who refers to himself as "Psycho" pretty much threatens anyone in the company with death if they touch him, his stuff or call him by his given first name, "Francis". The Seargent tells him to "lighten up Francis". This is good advice for the powers that be in the NFL. I heard a great interview with former Beav & current Bengal stud wide out Chad Johnson(I don't do Ochocinco). This year he's received a 20-thousand dollar fine for flashing a dollar at an official during a challenge then most recently for donning a sombrero on the sidelines AFTER scoring a touchdown, 30-grand. Seriously? Did the NFL front office actually think this guy was going to bribe a ref, on camera, with a buck? How about the sombrero? Why is that a serious offense? I'm all about acting like a professional, but CJ isn't a doctor or leader of the military. He's paid a bundle to play a game for crying all night and actually has the audacity to enjoy himself! Oh the horror. Look, if the guy is showing up opponents, or rubbing it in their face or causing the game to be delayed, throw a flag. This whole hitting him in the wallet for absolutely nothing is embarassing. Johnson is approaching 32 years old, has played at a pro-bowl level since coming out of Oregon State, has never run afoul of the law and is a model citizen. He's a consummate pro who happens to add a great flair to the NFL, but the fuddy duddy's want to keep him under their thumb. With all the embarassing, illegal and sometimes tragic circumstances that have recently surrounded their players, you'd think they'd embrace Chad for providing the constant smile. It's 2009, the world is seen in high def color, not the stoic black and white of yesteryear. The NFL needs to get over itself.
Alright, time to give a way another of those $50 gift certificates to Divinity Salon in Springfield, the perfect gift for your wife, daughter, girlfriend, co-worker, or self. E-mail the correct response to stevetannen@live.com
Chad Johnson has had a heck of a career. Nearly 700 catches over his 9 years, ton of TD's and he's closing in on 10-thousand yards in receptions. How many catches did he have his one season at Oregon State?