…with toenail problems?!!? I have to say that I have never heard of that before. Apparently, Williams was struggling with infections on or under his toenail on both big toes, so instead of dealing with it, he had them removed. WHAT?!?! Maybe it’s just me, but doesn’t that HURT!??! I guess Williams will have to wait a week before he continues his steps, probably painful steps, towards proving he was worthy of the first pick.

Steve McNair should be able to put his recent nightmares with the Titans behind him pending a final physical. McNair was traded from the Tennessee Titans to the Baltimore Ravens today. As we have discussed here at the Underground before, I can only hope McNair passes this physical and gets the hell out of Nashville. The Titans have shown this true warrior no respect recently and McNair deserves to go out on his own terms. This could also bode really well for the Ravens who need someone to replace the dreadful Kyle Boller.

Big time! Please tell me how someone could face up to 46 years in prison due to three aggravated assault charges along with a misdemeanor and walk away basically a free man? Sean Taylor of the Washington Redskins can tell you and he better thank his lucky stars. Taylor and his legal team reached an agreement with prosecutors to drop the felony charges and plead no contest to two misdemeanor charges in his assault case. This allows Taylor to not serve one day of time so instead he is on probation for 18 months, community time performing talks with kids at school, and donating $1,000 to each school he attends. Give me a BREAK!!!!!!!!! I am willing to bet right now that Sean Taylor will be in trouble again and I only hope then justice is served.

Craig “Ironhead” Heyward passed away yesterday at the age of 39. The former NFL running back had been battling a recurring brain tumor for 7 1/2 years. Heyward enjoyed eleven seasons in the NFL with New Orleans, Chicago, Atlanta, St. Louis and Indianapolis. The former University of Pittsburgh All-American rushed for a career-high 1,083 yards for the Falcons in 1995. Heyward was one of the biggest running backs in NCAA Division I-A history, with a weight estimated at 260 to 285 pounds and who knows his exact weight at certain points in the pros. Heyward ran for 3,086 while at Pittsburgh and trailed only Tony Dorsett with 6,526 yards and Curvin Richards who ran for 3,192 yards.

God Bless Craig Heyward and his entire family.

Jake the Snake had a little run-in with another driver the other day. Apparently, Jake was talking on his phone and cut the guy off. He didn’t mean to, but that’s what you get talking on the phone and not paying attention. Plummer said he waved and said he was sorry, but the other driver was sufficiently ticked off and at the red light, he tapped him on the bumper. At least that’s what Plummer said. The other driver claimed Plummer backed into his car. Anyway, Jake got out, checked the damage, and drove off, while making another call, this time to the authorities. Now, while all this is very interesting, the most interesting aspect of the story came in this little excerpt:

He said he got out of his 2005 Honda Element to check for damage

Are you kidding me? A Honda Element? Now, there isn’t anything wrong with these vehicles, but seriously, a MAJOR pro quarterback has no business driving one of these things. Geez Jake!

The final word came down from the NFL that Reggie Bush will not be allowed to wear No. 5 his college number this season. The NFL restricts running backs to wear numbers between 20-49 and no exception will be made for Reggie who was drafted second in the NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. Bush even offered to donate 25% of the jersey sales to Hurricane Katrina Relief efforts, but that didn’t make any headway with the NFL officials. After two separate conference calls the NFL stood firm and went on to clarify they do not see this rule changing anytime in the near future. I can provide you my opinion on this decision in three words – All out ridiculous!

With the NFL season still 4 months away, the New Orleans Saints have broken all their season ticket sales records for the 2006-07 season. But is there a reason for the city to be so optimistic? We think so. First of all, they have a new head coach, Sean Payton, who is coming to them from Dallas where he learned all the head coaching tricks and techniques from Bill Parcells. Let’s not forget, Payton was the offensive coordinator for the NY Giants and helped lead them to a Super Bowl.

Second, they went out and got a GOOD QB. Now, how soon Drew Brees recovers from his shoulder injury could impact the season, especially if its weeks and weeks that he misses. Brees has had a stellar couple of years recently, and fully intends to continue that trend in the Big Easy.

Finally, Reggie Bush. Need I say more? Arguably the most “electrifying” player in the 2006 draft (I’m still betting on Super Mario making a big splash) is coming to town to try and help rebuild a franchise and perhaps a city. He has skills, S-K-I-L-L-S, and personality. Bush brings excitement and a winning attitude, something he probably picked up during his days with the Trojans.

With more than a few dark days in recent history, both on the field and off, the Saints actually have a reason to think tomorrow may be better than yesterday. Same goes for the city itself.

Well, Joey Harrington finally gets to get out of Detroit. That’s great for him. Unfortunately for him, and for Steve Mariucci, it was a year or two too late. Harrington is headed to Miami, where he probably will start the season should Duante Culpepper not be fully rehabbed from his knee mutilation from last year.

The thing is, I have a funny feeling that he is going to start off really well in a Dolphins uniform, and if it weren’t for Culpepper, I would fully expect Harrington to show us what made him a top draft pick several years ago. And who knows, Saban is not your typical coach, and may not let financial costs be the sole reason a QB gets the starting position.

Harrington has the tools, but he put himself in a situation from which there was no recovery in Detroit. Kinda like the movie “The Replacements” and the discussion on quick sand. You start off and you’re ok, but you make a mistake, and you try a little harder to do better, but that goes wrong, and the harder you try, the further you’re sinking in the quick sand. Joey Harrington was about as deep in the quick sand as you can get and still be surviving. This is a good day for Harrington, and for the Lions, and I’ll bet, ultimately, the Dolphins. But what do you think?

So Ricky Williams wants to play for the Toronto Argonauts. We’ve talked about that already. But if Ricky ever wants to get back in the NFL, he is going to have to participate in the league’s substance abuse program, meaning he could be tested up to 10 times a month. Great. However, Ricky wasn’t planning on having to take drug tests for the CFL too. That is apparently being considered if the Miami Dolphins agree to letting Williams play in the CFL this season. You know what, no matter how many times you test him, the results will always be the same. Ricky will always be a wasted talent, who can’t control himself, and will ultimately, sadly, self-destruct.