Bart Scott To Live Out His Pro Wrestling Dream

After Bart Scott's epic post-game interview with ESPN's Sal Paolantonio after the New York Jets' playoff win over the New England Patriots, you had to know that an announcement like this was only a matter of time.

Alex Marvez of FoxSports.com reported on Thursday that Scott has signed with TNA Wrestling to make a March 3 appearance on "TNA Impact". His appearance will reportedly coincide with the return of one of Scott's wrestling idols - Hulk Hogan.

Hogan was glowing in his praise of Scott's post-season interview performance, telling ESPNNewYork.com that he "knew when Bart looked down the barrel of the camera he believed in himself and in what he was saying. And that makes him a real dangerous man."

Scott won't be the first NFL player to show up in TNA Wrestling. Adam "Pacman" Jones and Frank Wycheck have checked in. And if the lockout happens as expected, there's a good chance you can see more of your favorite football players showing up in the ring.

As for Scott and Hogan, I'm not even all that interested in watching them wrestle. But as for the post-fight interview...Can't Wait!

Does Antonio Cromartie Want To Fight Kevin Mawae, Too?

A couple of weeks ago, we wrote about a brief but heated feud between New York Jets' cornerback Antonio Cromartie and Seattle Seahawks' quarterback Matt Hasselbeck.

The spat began when Hasselbeck suggested that Cromartie (who had recently criticized NFLPA leadership) didn't know "what CBA stands for". Cromartie not so kindly offered to give Hasselbeck a facial re-do before the quarterback sheepishly withdrew his comments.

So it's with baited breath that we wait to hear what Cromartie has to say about NFLPA president (and former Jet) Keven Mawae's comments in Sunday's New York Post. In an interview with Steve Serby, Mawae commented on player unity while taking an unsolicited shot at the Jets' DB. Via NY Post:

I think our players understand the issues. If you have guys like (Antonio) Cromartie who want to pop off because they don't know what's going on, they haven't taken the initiative to understand the issues. I truly believe we're more united than ever before.

Earlier in the interview, Mawae says the union has spent the past two years preparing players for the possibility of a lockout and that if a player isn't educated on the issues, then that is the player's fault. But to come back minutes later and imply that there ARE uneducated players by calling one out by name suggests a failure on the part of the union.

The point has been made repeatedly that the owners with their deeper pockets and alternate sources of income have the resources to withstand a work stoppage better than the players. For those that have heeded the union's warnings and saved in preparation of not receiving that weekly game check, they will likely be okay. But labor solidarity needs everyone pulling the same direction and if ownership senses they can pick off a disgruntled player here or there, it could poison the well for everyone.

There are still about three weeks until the March 4 deadline, but already outside observers like former MLB union chief Marvin Miller doubt the resolve of the union. When the NFL's union leadership is taking public swipes at its own membership, it does nothing to restore faith.

(H/T Pro Football Talk)

Episode #16: Jerry Sloan v. Deron Williams - The Brouha In Utah!

The NERDs (New Era Radio Dudes) argue Jerry Sloan v. D-Will, Ray Allen v. Paul Pierce and Nicki Minaj v. Fergie...and Marcas takes on the Turtle Diet (the animal, not the Entourage'r)

NER Playlist: LT's Electric Glide

With the latest edition of the Playlist, it's a double dose of LT: first it was Lawrence Taylor, now it's LaDainian Tomlinson and his "Electric Glide". This gem was unleashed on the world last January, allegedly as a Nike promotion - although there's very little swooshing recognizable in the video.

Otherwise, where to begin with this? Maybe with LT's Philip Michael Thomas-esque outfit? The Electric Company style graphics? Or perhaps the "Cha-Cha Slide" lyrics?

PICK UP THE BLITZ!!!!!!

Antonio Cromartie Threatens to Smash Matt Hasselbeck's Face In

UPDATE: Hasselbeck says his (now deleted) original tweet was merely a joke. He apologized to Cromartie and added "DB's and QB's have a hard time getting along I guess, sometimes. lol"

Certainly a diplomatic way to keep the peace during this time of much-needed player unity, but it's hard to believe that Hasselbeck didn't mean at least a portion of what he initially said. It would be nice to see him stand by it. Cromartie threatening violence only gave credence to Hasselbeck's original statement. Now he's just been bullied into silence. All the while, the owners are sitting back like Montgomery Burns watching as their employees fight over scraps.

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Earlier today, Michael David Smith at Pro Football Talk reported on a deleted Tweet sent by Matt Hasselbeck in which the Seattle Seahawks' quarterback took a shot a Jets' cornerback Antonio Cromartie, asking if the latter "knows what CBA stands for".

Hasselbeck's comment was likely in response to a profanity-laced tirade Cromartie made in regards to the pace of labor negotiations. From ESPN:

"To me, you need to stop bitching about it," the New York Jets cornerback said. "And if you wanna say you're gonna get into a room and meet and greet, and say you're gonna do what you need to do, then do it. Don't just talk about it."

Despite the tweet being deleted not long after it was spent, word of Hasselbeck's comment apparently made its way to Cromartie who took to Twitter to elevate the rhetoric a tad. Via Twitter:

@Hasselbeck hey Matt if u have something to then say it be a man about it. Don't erase it. I will smash ur face in.

The angry response only seems to reinforce what Hasselbeck's deleted tweet was implying. After Cromartie's interview made its way around, a large number of NFL players used nearly any media platform they could find - social or otherwise - to profess their faith in NFLPA leader DeMaurice Smith, knowing that any signs of a splintering union could give the owners even more leverage in the intensifying battle.

That was probably the biggest reason Hasselbeck immediately withdrew the comment. It's also the reason that Cromartie should be smart enough to know that he can't start a flame war on the Internet over something as meaningful to his professional future. Both Cromartie and Hasselbeck are free agents but can't begin discussing new contracts as long as the labor situation is unsettled, something that is undoubtedly frustrating for someone with a long list of financial obligations.

New Era Radio Episode #14: It's Not Easy Being Green

On this week's exciting episode of New Era Radio...Marcas goes on a diet! The boys decide which classic hip-hop albums deserve a re-release. Oh, and they break down the NFC and AFC championship games (if you're into that sort of thing).

Strip Club Owner Banking On Bears-Jets Super Bowl

With the NFL set to host its AFC and NFC Championship games on Sunday, football fans are deciding which of the four possible Super Bowl matchups would be the most entertaining. While this is one of those years in which the NFL wins either way (four great football markets with large, rabid fanbases and great storylines), it appears that a Dallas-area strip club operator has his wallet heart set on seeing two particular teams get there.

Eric Langan, CEO of Rick's Cabaret says a Chicago Bears-New York Jets Super Bowl could mean a boost of up to $2 million for his clubs in the DFW area. From Reuters:

"We estimate, worst case, it will be about an additional $1 million in revenue for us," he said in a telephone interview, adding the company did about that much extra during the Super Bowl in Miami last year.

"But if we get a New York-Chicago Bears Super Bowl, then it could be really big," Langan added, citing the size of the cities. "We could be as high as $2 million."

It's no secret that hosting a Super Bowl is a huge financial boost to the local market. Hotels, restaurants, bars, taxi cabs all see a major boost in revenue for the week that the entire American sporting public focuses its beer-goggled gaze at the lucky city. You can add strip clubs to that list as well. But only $1 million last year? In Miami? C'mon, sports fans. You can do better than that. It's even more disappointing when you consider the women of Rick's picked the Saints to win it all.

Then again, Langan knows what he's talking about. According to a 2008 profile in Forbes Magazine, Rick's was (literally) a heartbeat away from setting up shop inside Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas which would have been the first gentlemen's club ever inside of a casino along The Strip. Which, come to think of it, would have been the perfect name for the place.

Forget Bart Scott's "Can't wait!", it appears that Rick's Cabaret has thrown down the gauntlet to you, Packer and Steeler fans. Are you really willing to be outdone by the depravity of New Yorkers and Chicagoans? Are you ready to prove that you can spend thousands of dollars one at a time? We know you can handle snow, but are you willing to make it rain? We await your answer.

Bart Scott Invites Patriot Pat To Have A Beer

The legend of New York Jets' linebacker Bart Scott continues to grow. It began after his epic postgame interview with ESPN's Sal Paolantonio after New York's win over New England last Sunday. The rant has now expanded to include a tongue lashing of square-jawed mascot Patriot Pat.

According to ESPN's Johnette Howard:

“I was actually over there cussing out the [New England Patriots] mascot, the one with the big chin,” Scott explained Wednesday. He recalled “YEAH! Go home and drink some Sam Adams”

It makes me wonder if Scott had a series of regional beer-related blasts for all of the Jets' potential postseason opponents. If New York wins on Sunday, perhaps he'll invite Steelers fans to cool off with a refreshing Iron City Beer. Maybe offer Bears fans a frosty Old Style or suggest Packers fans crack open a High Life.

In Bart Scott's words..."Can't wait!" for Sunday.

If (somehow) you haven't seen Scott's WWE-worthy postgame rant in its entirety.