Ex-major leaguer and seven-time Cy Young winner Roger Clemens plead not guilty today to charges that he lied to Congress about whether or not he took steroids.
The 11 time All-Star and two-time World Series Champion nicknamed “Rocket” was indicted on three counts of making false statements, two counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of Congress.
“Not guilty, your honor,” Clemens said powerfully with his right hand on the lectern. Those words could be the most important words ever uttered from his mouth.
The hearing lasted less than 14 minutes but could end up costing Clemens a shot at the Hall of Fame and quit possibly some time in a federal prison.
If Clemens is found guilty on all charges, he could face up to 30 years in prison and have to pay the hefty fine of $1.5 million. Although due to federal guidelines, Clemens would more likely spend 15 to 21 months.
Clemens stands by his statements that he has never taken steroids or HGH and said he plans on fighting the case.
“I look forward to challenging the Governments accusations, and hope people will keep an open mind until trial,” Clemens wrote on Twitter after the indictment. “I appreciate all the support I have been getting. I am happy to finally have my day in court.”
The case seems to be a battle of his word versus theirs. Former trainer Brian McNamee said that Clemens used both steroids and HGH and that he personally injected Clemens himself. Former teammate Andy Pettitte also told Congress that Clemens told him that he used HGH. The “Rocket” says that Pettitte “misremembers” the conversation.
U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton, who presided over the arraignment hearing, was given access to the grand jury testimony and FBI interviews that were used to indict Clemens. He was also able to view a 34-page master index and 12 computer discs of evidence.
“There’s a good deal of scientific evidence that needs to be tested,” Clemens lawyer Rusty Hardin told the judge. “We’re at the mercy of the experts.”
Walton decided the jury selection will begin April 5th, the first week of the 2011 MLB season and around the same time all-time home run leader Barry Bonds perjury case could be coming to a close.
Clemens recorded 354 wins, 4,672 strikeouts and an ERA of 3.12 during a dominant 23 seasons in the MLB.
Innocent Until Proven Guilty
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Fantasy Football Draft: My Plan of Attack
We’re about a week away from the start of the NFL season, which for us football freaks mean fantasy football. If you’re like me, you’ve been counting down the days until your draft. For over a month now I’ve been spending all my free time scouring the web looking for fantasy football advice. I’ve done the mock drafts; I’ve done the research, and now its time to do my first draft of the 2010 season.
I have a plan of attack for this years drafts and I think everyone should as well. I strongly feel that this is the year of the wide receiver. It seems like each season the wide outs are becoming more valuable compared to the years in the past where it was all about the running back. You will need two stud receivers to make it far this season. I suggest you grab two within your first three picks. The other pick should be a running back followed by quarterback in the fourth round.
Most teams now have time shares installed in the back field. This means very few backs are full time players. If you have a top four pick in the draft, your set. You’re getting Chris Johnson, Adrian Peterson, Maurice Jones-Drew or Ray Rice, no doubt about it. After that is where it gets tricky. I have the seventh pick in a ten man league snake draft. I’m stuck on the fence between picking a freak of nature in WR Andre Johnson or starting stud RB’s Frank Gore and Michael Turner. More than likely this decision will be made before me by the fifth and sixth picks.
After the thousands (not really but close) of mock drafts I did, I feel my best route is to pass on my boy AJ and take a running back with my first pick. Like I said earlier, the running backs have shifted to running backs of committee. Which is why I think grabbing a clear cut starter early is important.
My second and third round pick I’ll be grabbing receivers. By the looks of it, ill be deciding between super stars like Larry Fitzgerald, Reggie Wayne, Brandon Marshall, Calvin Johnson, Roddy White and Miles Austin. Again, I think my second round pick will be decided for me as not all these guys will be available for the 14th overall selection. Either way, with these studs still on the board, you’re getting someone good, really good.
Now for my third round pick. I decided earlier I was going wide-out again so I’m keeping with that. This time around the star receivers are starting to dwindle which is why I’ll need to grab one with my selection. My choices seem to be DeSean Jackson, Steve Smith (CAR), Greg Jennings, Marcus Colston, Steve Smith (NY) and Anquan Boldin. I don’t really want either of the Smith’s, so I’m hoping one of the others are still available. If I’m really lucky, maybe one of the WR’s I passed on in the second round will still be there, but I’m not counting on it.
By now I’ve made it through the first three rounds. I have a solid running back and two wide receivers, its time to pull the trigger on a quarterback. I’m going to assume by the fourth round QB’s like Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady will be gone. This leaves three elite signal callers for you to grab. For the 34th overall pick I’m going with Matt Schaub, Phillip Rivers or Tony Romo. I don’t want to wait any later to grab a quarterback because if I pass on these top seven guys I’m really rolling the dice on someone like Brett Favre, Jay Cutler, Joe Flacco or Eli Manning. I prefer to have a trusted QB which is why I’m pulling the trigger in round four.
Breathe easy now; we’ve made it to the fifth round. Most of the hard decisions are already made. If you listened to me you should have some star players in key positions already locked up. Now I’m going to try and load up on backup receivers and running backs, as well as grab a tight end and defense.
Having a solid fantasy football draft doesn’t just happen by chance. It takes practice and research. Take the knowledge you have gained with your research, block out all the idiots at your draft, and follow your plan. These are the keys to taking home the cash and bragging rights at the end of the season. Good luck.
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