There was a story that came out of Denver this week that caught my eye. Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said Wednesday that he cut punter Todd Sauerbrun not because of anything related to on-field performance, and not even because he was charged with hitting a cab driver, but because he was rude to the police officers who arrested him.

"The bottom line was, the way he treated the police officers, not to get into the situation that happened with the taxi cab driver, but the way he talked to the officers and the way he handled that situation was very un-professional," Shanahan said, per Bill Williamson of the Denver Post. "The police officers here in Denver have done an unbelievable job for us, working with the Darrent Williams case, they've just been very good. For him to handle himself that way, in that situation, was uncalled for. That's why he's not with us."

On December 8, Sauerbrun was cited for simple assault after a cab driver accused Sauerbrun of slapping him in the back of the head. Sauerbrun denies that he hit the cab driver. Sauerbrun has said he thinks Broncos owner Pat Bowlen made the decision to cut him, but Shanahan indicated that it was his decision.

The reason I found this story so interesting was that back in November of 2004, one of the major sports web sites posted a poll asking which NFL player would be the first to "go Artest" refering to the NBA fiasco in which Ron Artest went into the stands to beat on some fans "Walking Tall" style.

One of the selections to the question was Todd Sauerbrun. Before one asks what in the name of Bud Grant would a punter be doing on such a list let me bring you back to the 1996 Vikings season.

The Vikes were hosting a game against the Chicago Bears, Sauerbrun's team at that time. Sauerbrun had been arrested the previous week on a drunk driving charge. To make matters worse, he had been driving off-road.....through a children's playground. I'm not making this up.

During pre-game warmups, I first attracted Sauerbrun's attention from my first row seat by making fun of his "guns". You see, Sauerbrun thought he had huge biceps....ala Keith Millard. You remember former Vikings defensive end Keith Millard? He was arrested once and told his arresting officer that his "biceps were lethal weapons".

Anyway, back then Sauerbrun was telling everyone that his biceps were so huge that he needed a specially designed jersey to accomodate the bad boys. Sauerbrun did not appreciate that I compared his biceps to the arms of my grandmother.

I further continued asking Sauerbrun if he needed a ride home after the game. I even offered up that I had a case of cold beer in the trunk and that I knew a special short-cut.....through a children's playground. Would he care to drive? Good stuff, right?

Well, Sauerbrun had to be literally restrained by two teammates as he tried to climb the wall separating the two of us. It was very funny to me at the time. But after seeing what happened in Detroit with Artest, it could have ended ugly. I guess steroids and punters just don't mix.

And I certainly hope that Sauerbrun's NFL career is over and he gets the counseling he needs.

I love this YouTube video which bills itself as a "A mugshot tribute to the NFL's best and brightest." Sauerbrun is second from the end, right before Mr. O.J. Simpson.

Oh, Barf

I can't believe how the pieces have been falling into place for the Vikings on their recent winning streak and run to the playoffs. One cannot deny that Lady Luck has donned purple and is not only on the Vikings bandwagon but is driving it!

Latest to come is this news: Redskins running back Clinton Portis and wide receiver Santana Moss did not practice on Wednesday due to the stomach flu, the Washington Post. Um, that's like 95% of the Redskins offense. Now, you know both players will suit up. But how would you like to be bending over the porcelein pony all week and then run into the likes of Pat Williams and Kevin Williams for sixty minutes?

Free Michael Polk!!!

Yes, not Michael Vick but Michael Polk. This story caught my eye and we, as Nordic brothers, have to work to free Polk.

An inmate is suing the Utah Department of Corrections for denying him his right to practice an ancient Nordic religion while behind bars.

Michael Polk is serving time for aggravated assault and robbery. He filed a lawsuit against corrections officials in federal court, accusing them of denying him religious items that he says are necessary to practice the Asatru religion.

The religion worships ancient Nordic gods like Odin, Thor, Tyr and Heimdal.

In the lawsuit, Polk says he has been a member of the Asatru faith since 2005, and in order to properly practice it he needs items including: a Thor's Hammer, a prayer cloth, a Mead Horn used for drinking Wassail, a drum made of wood and boar skin, a rune staff and a sword.

Posted by maasx003 at December 21, 2007 1:03 AM