Multiple "big name" NFL players released

This past week has been very busy in the NFL. Reggie Bush, Steven Jackson, Brian Hartline, and A.J. Hawk have been released from their respective teams this week. After nine seasons with the Green Bay Packers, they decided to let their star middle linebacker go and test the market. They thanked A.J. for everything that he has done for them the past nine years and wishes him the best. Steven Jackson, who has only been with Atlanta the past 2 years, defined these past 2 years as a huge "disappointment". I believe that Jackson still has what it takes to make it in the NFL, but he just needs to be placed on the right team. Reggie Bush was let go from the Lions, but he will most definitely be picked up once free agency starts, as I see the same happening for Brian Hartline. Expect more jaw dropping releases to happen before the second week of March.

ESPN Suspends Keith Olbermann

Keith Olbermann will not host his show for the next week after he was suspended indefinitely by ESPN after his comments he made focused towards Penn State University and their THON fundraiser program. THON is a fundraising program that Penn State has done for many years as they raise money for patients of pediatric cancer. THON is a 2 day dance marathon hosted by students where they invite everyone and anyone to come out, where they do not sleep, and dance all night to raise money. Olbermann tweeted "pitiful" when asked about the Penn State fundraiser. This is ridiculous. This man has no right to call this program "pitiful" when it is doing so much to help children with pediatric cancer. I am glad that he was suspended and I think that he should have been suspended longer than a week, but hey, what can we do? Along with his comments, he had also argued back and forth with many PSU students regarding the school and the program, even though he denies the focus was on THON. This man is supposed to be working for ESPN, not bashing fundraising programs. 

Lovie Smith Comfortable with making Jameis Winston the "face" of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Lovie Smith spoke with reporters on Wednesday at the NFL scouting combine and indicated that himself along with everyone else in the organization is comfortable with drafting Jameis Winston and making him the franchise quarterback for the years to come. Lovie said "We have the info. He has not been taken off the board." Many people are wondering if Winston will be successful in the NFL due to his off the field issues, but Lovie is confident that if drafted, he will succeed. His exact words were "I believe that if a player has been accused of something and is exonerated, you have to go with that." At a personal standpoint, I am not going to make any assumptions based off of what has happened in the past. If the Buccaneers decide to draft Jameis Winston over Oregon QB Marcus Mariota, they will be taking a risk, but I believe that it will be one that everyone would be willing to take based off of Winston's performance.

T-Mobile and MLB Partner Up

T-Mobile will provide MLB with a new On-Field Communication System. The first use of this technology will be in a wireless voice system connecting managers in Major League dugouts to coaches in bullpens. Along with the wireless voice system, T-Mobile is also enhancing the power of 4G network in select MLB stadiums, which will enhance and broaden network coverage and connectivity for fans in MLB ballparks. Personally, I don't believe that this move will be very affective from a fan's standpoint because I do not know many people that have T-Mobile. I am not saying that this will not be effective, but I do think that many people have cell phone carriers such as Verizon, AT&T, or Sprint. Still, good move by MLB.

Microsoft Surface Tablet in the NFL

The Microsoft Surface Tablet is now going to be a part of the National Football League on a daily basis. The NFL and Microsoft have agreed on a $400 million dollar partnership. Throughout the year, the plan is that the NFL will be removing the "Review Booths" from the field and the referees will now be using the tablets to watch the replays when a challenge flag is thrown. There will be a guy that will be holding all of the required cords along with the tablet for the referee to communicate with the booth upstairs. Also, the players and coaches will be able to use these tablets during the game to draw their play calls up on it or to discuss other topics related to the game. When determining a device that would be suitable for the differentiating temperatures all throughout the United States, they came to the conclusion that the surface pro would be able to withstand 100 degree temperatures, as it gets quite hot on the field. The device is also waterproof so that if it is raining or snowing, and water gets on the device, the players, coaches, and referees will still be able to use it. I believe that this will be very beneficial throughout the upcoming year. There has not been a final decision on if the device will be used for the upcoming year, but it was tested out during the Pro Bowl in January of 2015.