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Zibby Challenges Ochocinco To A Fight
Even if league owners and the NFL Players Association don’t come to an agreement on the labor situation by this Friday’s deadline, we could still see a Ravens vs. Bengals showdown … in the boxing ring.
In one corner, wearing Cincy black and orange stripped jungle shorts, would be Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco. In the other corner, wearing Ravens’ black and purple, would be Ravens safety “Tommy Z” Zbikowski.
Zbikowski, who is scheduled to return to professional boxing with a match on March 12 in Las Vegas, was asked on the “Dan Patrick Show” which NFL player he would most like to fight in the ring and he didn’t hesitate in naming Ochocinco.
“I’d let it go for about 45 seconds,” Zibby said. “I’d let him know what a real jab feels like.”
Ochocinco, who has said in the past he would like to box, took to his Twitter account to respond to Zbikowski’s challenge and the hours of trash-talking ensued from there:
Ochocinco @tommyzbikowski: you wana go nite nite, you want to box me, for 1 your feet are to slow and you’ve no hand speed to even be competitive #smh [shaking my head].
tommyzbikowski: Dear Ocho Cinco (I won’t call you Johnson cause you only get one name change in my book), thanks for following my career…You and me at M&T Bank Stadium, charity four-round boxing match. You wear Orange and Black and I will wear Purple and black. If we do it in May, that should give you enough time to get ready…You game?
To show Ochocinco he wasn’t joking about his invitation, Zbikowski tweeted twice:
tommyzbikowski: In all seriousness, Top Rank and I would like to extend an invitation to Chad Ocho Cinco and his agent to make this fight happen…
It didn’t take long after agent Drew Rosenhaus’s comments hit the Web for speculation to begin about where running back Willis McGahee will play in 2011.
Many analysts have theorized the Ravens’ backup running back would need to take a pay cut from his reported $6 million salary next season in order for his relationship to continue with the Ravens. It’s a condition the team has not requested, but in case there was any room for doubt, Rosenhaus made clear that he doesn’t expect his client to return to Baltimore unless he is paid his contract.
Assuming McGahee would get released by the team, ESPN Rumor Mill guru Tim Kavanagh wondered where McGahee could land if it wasn’t in Baltimore. He believes it may be appealing for the University of Miami alum to return to his home state.
“Should McGahee hit free agency, one logical destination is the Miami Dolphins,” wrote Kavanagh. “McGahee has history in the region after growing up in Miami and starring at ‘The U,’ and the team may be looking to bolster its RB corps this offseason with the departures of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams.”
Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel said he would like to see McGahee in Miami, but only under certain conditions.
“Put me down as someone who would personally like to see Willis McGahee in the Dolphins backfield,” tweeted Kelly. “But only if he’s cut. No trades.”
Smith vs. Goodell: Who Has The Tougher Job?
If you are having a hard time keeping up on the collective bargaining agreement negotiations like most outsiders to the process, this video offers a unique perspective on the pressure both sides are feeling in trying to work out an agreement.
Negotiating a deal between the NFL and NFL Player Association and deciding how to split $9 billion isn’t an easy task for anyone – regardless of which side of the table they sit.
But Comcast SportsNet debates who is in the tougher spot to get a deal done for their side: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell or NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith?
Quick Hits
Artj97: Great workout at Greg Jacksons MMA gym. One workout done two more to go today. #Hungry for a championship [Twitter]
Browns cornerback Eric Wright recently said Browns fans threatened his life after a mediocre season. Appearing on the “The Norris and Davis Show,” Ravens receiver Derrick Mason said if you’re going to threaten somebody, you better do it to his face.” [105.7 The Fan/The Baltimore Sun]