​A 28-year-old Michigan man named Yonjo Quiroa has been arrested and charged with criminal copyright infringement for running nine websites that streamed, among other things, licensed content from the NFL. Quiroa is the lastest in a string of highly public copyright-related arrests, following the extradition of Megaupload founder Kim Schmitz and six of his coworkers from New Zealand earlier this month.

More >>

​According to ESPN last night, Tom Coughlin's first word to his team after the Giants' baffling and humiliating 17-10 loss to the Eagles on Sunday Night Football was, "Why?" I translate that as "Man, you'd think somebody could do something about this, don't you?"

The reasons why can be seen in the NFL's game highlights, though each big play begs another question. For instance, it's been a whole year since the incredible fourth quarter collapse against the Eagles last year, capped by DeSean Jackson's incredible game-winning punt return, and the Giants have had all this time to think about how they intended to deal with Jackson. And what did Coughlin and his staff come up with? Jackson's 51-yard punt return with 2:26 left to play in the half set up a touchdown pass from backup quarterback Vince Young to former Giant Steve Smith. NBC's Chris Collingworth, the best at his job on national TV, asked the rhetorical question that Coughlin should have asked himself in earnest while preparing for the game: "Why kick it to Jackson?!" Indeed. Was this some kind of macho thing where the Giants simply intended to challenge the Eagles at just about the only thing they do well and still show them that they can win? What other explanation makes sense?

More >>

Coach Ryan's last indescretion.

​ESPN is reporting the NFL plans to fine Jets head coach Rex Ryan between $75,000 and $100,000 for swearing at a fan last week at MetLife Stadium. Ryan was walking off the field at halftime during Sunday night's game against the New England Patriots when someone in the stands yelled, "Hey, Rex, Belichick is better than you." Ryan, being the shrinking violet he is, responded by yelling, "Shut the fuck up." Naturally, this was caught on a camera phone, and you can watch it here, on the Internet, after the jump.

More >>

Al Davis, circa 1970.

The best and most balanced obit for the Oakland Raiders' Al Davis, who died Saturday, was by Bruce Weber in the New York Times. There is, however, a curious and unexplained line in the story: "Wherever the team called home, Oakland or Los Angeles, Mr. Davis was a fan favorite — until he wasn't."

Part of the explanation has to do with the word "extort."

We don't feel it's necessary to recount Davis's many accomplishments, and we grant that he was a "maverick," for whatever that may be worth. High on the list of those accomplishments is bringing a Hispanic coach, Tom Flores, and a black coach, Art Shell, into the NFL. He was also the first owner to put a woman, Amy Trask, into an executive position.

But it also should be remembered that he was one nasty son of a bitch when a player crossed him. We'll probably never know why he feuded with his great running back, Marcus Allen, unless Allen chooses to spill the beans. And Davis was an asshole to the end regarding the players' union.

More >>

"Stupidity." That's how former NFL head of officiating Mike Pereira, now an analyst for Fox, cut through the crap surrounding the Victor Cruz play in yesterday's Cardinals-Giants game. The Giants sealed a 31-27 victory over the Cards when Cruz took a pass from Eli Manning for a 19-yard gain and then went down at the 29-yard line. Cruz went down, but he didn't come up with the ball.

The Cardinals claimed that it was a fumble — and they were right. As is so often the case on a controversial NFL play, a literal reading of the rulebook only serves to confuse matters.

More >>

​Nothing like going to a football game, grilling up some brats, drinking a couple brews, and having your loins thoroughly inspected for weapons and contraband. Reuters reports that starting tomorrow, all 32 NFL teams have been asked to perform enhanced pat-downs on fans at home games. For years, security officers at stadiums have issued pat-downs from the waist up, leaving everything below the belt to the imagination. The new measures will enforce the search to be performed from the ankles up.

More >>

Do you want to know if this is really going to be the Jets' year? Here's your clue. It's not whether they beat the Jacksonville Jags this Sunday. It's not even whether or not they beat the point spread — 9½ as we go to press, which strikes us as a lot for any NFL team.

What is the real test as to whether the Jets are on the fast track to the Super Bowl or simply to sit glumly in front of their lockers after the AFC championship game for a third consecutive year wondering why they didn't get started a little sooner?

The real test is whether or not the Jets can get started sooner. By sooner, we mean the first quarter.

More >>

Is Tony Romo the dumbest mo-fo in the National Football League?

"It was a dumb decision," he said of the throw that lost the game to the Jets last night. "I should have made sure, and that was my fault. We win that football game if I don't do what I did . . . "

Well, Tony, that's not exactly correct. The score was tied with 59 seconds to play, and the Cowboys had the ball at their own 41-yard line. Given the fact that Romo had already fumbled away a likely touchdown earlier in the quarter, there's the distinct possibility that he would have found other ways to lose the game.

More >>

​If you are reading this, you are not watching football. You may have it on, but you aren't watching it, letting the pigskinny goodness seep into your every pore. From today until the Super Bowl, your Sundays are reserved for America's favorite bloodsport. No more late brunches, no more flea markets, and certainly no more Sunday afternoon strolls through the aisles of Whole Foods looking for gluten-free couscous. Park your ass in front of that plasma and don't get up until your soul atrophies: This is a guide to watching football on Sundays.

More >>

GQ

"Broadway Mark"

Lost in all the fuss over Mark Sanchez's photo spread in the September GQ is that it was a charity gig for Tuesday's Children, which benefits children of people who died on 9/11 and in other global terrorist attacks.

You'd expect that his QB counterpart Aaron Rodgers, who does a great deal of charity work himself, might have cut some slack, but no dice.

Sanchez thinks that Rodgers is "... obviously, making a joke out of it, and that's fine, giving me a good ribbing like the guys on our team." But Rodgers doesn't sound as if he's joking. The Green Bay Packers' Super Bowl MVP QB went after the Jets' passer in an interview with ESPN Milwaukee: "I mean. Look at this here. That's embarrassing. Page 94 of the GQ thing here. That's terrible." Judge for yourself.

More >>