Free Pacman!

Tank Johnson got 8 games, with a chance to knock it to 6 if he meets conditions. I still don’t understand how he could get less than Pacman Jones. I don’t buy the “he’s done jail time” argument, which basically means he’s already paid a hefty price legally, so he should pay less of a price from the league. The reason he did jail time and Pacman hasn’t is because Johnson got convicted, sentenced to probation, broke the conditions of his probation, got his probation revoked and went to jail. Pacman, on the other hand, has never been convicted of anything. So how is it that getting caught gets Johnson some kind of credit with the league? Don’t you think if they could convict Pacman of something and send him to jail they would have already?

It comes down to this: One guy convicted, one guy not. The guy who went to jail should get at least as long a suspension than the guy who hasn’t. And I’m not saying that means Johnson should get the year. Rather, Pacman’s suspension should be reduced to 8, same as Johnson and same as Chris Henry. He’s done nothing so bad it deserves double the other two.

So I called Billy Donovan returning to college and the SEC within five years and all it took was a weekend. I’m going to chalk that one up in the win column if it’s OK with you.

Seriously, though, it’s the right move. Better to take the hits now and make everybody forget within a few months than to flail in the pros for a few years and have that failure permanently tattooed on your resume for the rest of your life.

You know what word we don’t use enough? Pecker.

Speaking of which, no surprise the Kansas City Chiefs have agreed to be the subject of HBO’s excellent series Hard Knocks this season. This is a total ego move for Herm Edwards, just as it was for the two big heads who previously allowed the show in their camps: Brian Billick with the Ravens in 2001 and Jerry Jones with the Cowboys in 2002 (Dave Campo was the HC, but let’s be real – JJ’s ego is the one that counts in Big D).

With that said, I couldn’t be more excited. With a QB battle looming between Brodie Croyle and Damon Huard (and maybe Trent Green – who knows?), the Chiefs camp should be riveting. To know that NFL Films and HBO are partnering to produce the series just makes it that much better.

For all the talk about what’s gone on in New England and Indianapolis, the Broncos are very quietly having a stellar offseason. After signing DT Sam Adams to a one-year deal, their additions-departures:

Additions: CB Dre' Bly, TE Daniel Graham, RB Travis Henry, LB Warrick Holdman, G Montrae Holland, LB D.D. Lewis, DT Alvin McKinley, WR Quincy Morgan, QB Patrick Ramsey, FB Paul Smith, WR Brandon Stokley, DT Sam Adams

Departures: RB Tatum Bell, DE Courtney Brown, G Cooper Carlisle, LB Patrick Chukwurah, OT George Foster, DT Michael Myers, RB Damien Nash, QB Jake Plummer, CB Darrent Williams, LB Al Wilson

The deaths of Nash and Williams were tragic. There’s nothing good to be said about them. But when you compare the overall talent of the 2007 Broncos to the 2006 Broncos, the 2007 version is much, much better. They’re going to give San Diego a run for their money in the AFC West.

In case you didn’t see it, and I can understand if you didn’t, Albert Pujols got the most distance I’ve ever seen out of his collective five at-bats on Sunday. His first was tracked down by Hunter Pence (a hell of a player, by the way) on the center-field hill. Then he hit into a double play. Then he hit the warning track in center. Then a home run. Then another home run. I’m not going to get all excited yet, but these past two series against the Rockies and Astros (I know, I know) have engendered at least some hope. Second place and 6.5 games back of Milwaukee on June 4 is 100 percent doable.

Rick Ankiel Update of the Day: On Friday, Ankiel went 0-for-3 with a walk and 2 strikeouts in a 7-1 loss to Tucson. (The loss went to Anthony Reyes, who continues to get no help from anybody. In seven innings, he gave up 3 hits, 1 run, struck out 4 and walked none. And still he took the loss. You’ve got to feel for the guy.) Ankiel didn’t play on Saturday (a 5-4 loss to Las Vegas) then dropped another oh-fer (0-4) with a walk and 2 strikeouts on Sunday.

Two other notes:

To vote Ankiel into the AAA All-Star game (and you must), go here http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/index.jsp?sid=t235

John Rodriguez, who spent considerable time the past few years with the Cards and took his demotion back to AAA this year with class, has four home runs in his past three games. He’s going to be back on the big stage before too long.