After losing in Chicago Monday night, Packers safety Nick Collins attempted to throw his gloves into the stands to a Packers fan. A white Bears fan (full of liquid courage I'm sure) spit at Collins and called him the N-word from above the tunnel where he was out of Collins reach. Collins, naturally disrespected by such a cowardly act, responded by throwing his mouthpiece at the guy and tried desperately to get a piece of him before he was separated by security. The spit, the slur, and for what? A football game?
Nigger. There it is. The word that has been given so much power in our society. The word that carries the burden of oppression, the weight of hate, suppresses intellect, and undermines the concept of equality between blacks and whites in this country.
Why is it some fans believe that when they go to a sporting event their humanity can be tossed aside because they root for the team in the other uniform? Where on a ticket does it give you permission to be some sort of vial, disgusting idiot? Something has to change.
No one born and raised in this nation is ignorant of the pain that the n-word has caused. The mere mention of this singular word in mixed company causes a hodgepodge of reactions. Some shutter, some smile, some become infuriated. So, to think this word can be callously yelled from the stands of a football game without repercussion requires a mental incapacity of which I am not familiar.
The defense that it is okay to yell it at a game because people have paid their money is a weak one at best. I pay money at the grocery store. Is it okay to curse the cashier? I pay money at the movie theater. Is it okay to yell at the screen and spit at the guy in front of me? Use common sense people. And to use a radioactive word to get under the opposing team's skin (after the game I might add) because you paid your money is equally asinine as the above examples.
Did Nick Collins do anything wrong? The NFL is deciding whether to punish him. Funny how that works. The guy called Nigger and spat at is the one who's facing punishment.
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9/27/10
How Obama Could Change the Face of Sports
President Barack Obama has made all types of legislation since taking over the oval office. The latest initiative he's contemplating, a longer school year, could change the face of sports forever if passed.
Now you're asking yourself, how can a school year effect sports? Here's a taste of how America's three major sports football, basketball and baseball could be altered.
For Major League Baseball the school year ending is paramount to each team's summer gate, but the end of the school year is imperative to the teams that are bad. The Pittsburgh Pirates, a team that has been out of contention for two solid decades, banks on drawing kids (and the accompanying parents) to the ballpark. Young children don't really care who's on the field, or who won or lost, they just want to go to the game. If the home team wins great, if not they enjoyed their nachos and cotton candy anyway.
Adults in major league cities absorb the cost of taking their kids to the games, regardless of where the team is in the standings, just so they have the memory. Teams that are effectively out of the pennant race in June don't have much of a competitive product, so the bump in sales at the end of the school year provides is necessary to the bottom line. If school is in session longer and the start of the school year earlier, MLB owners will have a severe problem on their hands. Especially the bottom feeders.
In basketball, practically all of the NBA Playoffs are broadcast in the latter part of primetime. Young kids generally can't make it to halftime before bedtime in the early rounds, much less the conclusion of a game. However the NBA Finals takes place in early to mid-June. That's late enough on the calendar for the youngsters to catch an entire game in most states. Watching Kobe, or LeBron, or whomever celebrate a title may not be feasible in the future for the fifth-grader who has a test in the morning.
The NFL really doesn't have a dog in this fight because it's games are primarily played on the weekends in the middle of the school year now. But football may be effected in a different fashion.
A shortened summer means high school football games will start earlier in the season, meaning more practices in the heat. With class in session earlier in the summer, and this country's love for football, you know there will be a push to get the kids to start playing earlier. The status quo is high school football season starts when school starts.
A school of thought like that would lead to exposing kids to even more of summer's unforgiving heat. Imagine kids practicing in June and July in the Texas heat. That means more possibilities of heatstroke and severe dehydration. Sound like a good idea? I know what you're saying to yourself. That would never happen. My response, of course it would.
Whether the school year is elongated for today's kids does not effect me directly. I'm out of school, degree in hand. How a longer school year would effect sports on a larger level is something that needs to be thought about now, waaaaayyyyyy before something like this goes into effect. Food for thought from the sports grill.
Follow me at http://twitter.com/Sports_Grill Or drop an email to sportsgrillmaster@yahoo.com
Now you're asking yourself, how can a school year effect sports? Here's a taste of how America's three major sports football, basketball and baseball could be altered.
For Major League Baseball the school year ending is paramount to each team's summer gate, but the end of the school year is imperative to the teams that are bad. The Pittsburgh Pirates, a team that has been out of contention for two solid decades, banks on drawing kids (and the accompanying parents) to the ballpark. Young children don't really care who's on the field, or who won or lost, they just want to go to the game. If the home team wins great, if not they enjoyed their nachos and cotton candy anyway.
Adults in major league cities absorb the cost of taking their kids to the games, regardless of where the team is in the standings, just so they have the memory. Teams that are effectively out of the pennant race in June don't have much of a competitive product, so the bump in sales at the end of the school year provides is necessary to the bottom line. If school is in session longer and the start of the school year earlier, MLB owners will have a severe problem on their hands. Especially the bottom feeders.
In basketball, practically all of the NBA Playoffs are broadcast in the latter part of primetime. Young kids generally can't make it to halftime before bedtime in the early rounds, much less the conclusion of a game. However the NBA Finals takes place in early to mid-June. That's late enough on the calendar for the youngsters to catch an entire game in most states. Watching Kobe, or LeBron, or whomever celebrate a title may not be feasible in the future for the fifth-grader who has a test in the morning.
The NFL really doesn't have a dog in this fight because it's games are primarily played on the weekends in the middle of the school year now. But football may be effected in a different fashion.
A shortened summer means high school football games will start earlier in the season, meaning more practices in the heat. With class in session earlier in the summer, and this country's love for football, you know there will be a push to get the kids to start playing earlier. The status quo is high school football season starts when school starts.
A school of thought like that would lead to exposing kids to even more of summer's unforgiving heat. Imagine kids practicing in June and July in the Texas heat. That means more possibilities of heatstroke and severe dehydration. Sound like a good idea? I know what you're saying to yourself. That would never happen. My response, of course it would.
Whether the school year is elongated for today's kids does not effect me directly. I'm out of school, degree in hand. How a longer school year would effect sports on a larger level is something that needs to be thought about now, waaaaayyyyyy before something like this goes into effect. Food for thought from the sports grill.
Follow me at http://twitter.com/Sports_Grill Or drop an email to sportsgrillmaster@yahoo.com
9/22/10
Braylon's Next Move: Shave the Beard
After being pulled over for a DWI in New York at 5am what's Braylon Edwards going to do to get back in the public's good graces? Shave. Yeah, that's it. Braylon Edwards has to shave.
Braylon's beard looks like he's been lost in the woods. He looks like the 'Family Guy' episode when Peter Griffin had birds living in his beard. Basically, he looks like an ass. So with the whole world chiming in on how the Jets need to discipline him, Braylon needs to take the first step and break out the Barbosol and let the beard go.
Shaving the beard will be the equivalent of cutting the cornrows. Remember, other black athletes who have "kept it real" kept cornrows until they got in trouble. Micheal Vick was being investigated for the dog fighting ring. Cut the braids. Allen Iverson was the voice of the contrary hip hop generation. Got in trouble, cut the braids. Kobe Bryant did not have braids, but after the Colorado incident what did he decide to do? Change his number.
The public HAS to see some sort of outward remorse before they can forgive you Braylon. I've been in the media for years and have seen lots of athletes get themselves in and out of trouble time and time again. Look at your buddy Don'te Stallworth. After KILLING a man while driving drunk he served his 30 days in prison and paid a hefty sum to the family of the departed. (You were with him that night right?) Stallworth sat out the following season and changed teams. You have to change something for the public to embrace you, that's just the way this works.
Braylon you can bounce back from a simple DWI. The public is a forgiving public, this simply has to run it's course. You have to give the people something that they can see that let's them know you've changed.
You don't have cornrows so you can't make that move. You can't change your number because the NFL won't allow it and the Jets are not going to trade you so you can get a fresh start. The only answer, SHAVE THE BEARD! People will forget this in no time. Think I'm wrong? Ask Don'te. You can come back from this. Now where are those damn clippers?
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Braylon's beard looks like he's been lost in the woods. He looks like the 'Family Guy' episode when Peter Griffin had birds living in his beard. Basically, he looks like an ass. So with the whole world chiming in on how the Jets need to discipline him, Braylon needs to take the first step and break out the Barbosol and let the beard go.
Shaving the beard will be the equivalent of cutting the cornrows. Remember, other black athletes who have "kept it real" kept cornrows until they got in trouble. Micheal Vick was being investigated for the dog fighting ring. Cut the braids. Allen Iverson was the voice of the contrary hip hop generation. Got in trouble, cut the braids. Kobe Bryant did not have braids, but after the Colorado incident what did he decide to do? Change his number.
The public HAS to see some sort of outward remorse before they can forgive you Braylon. I've been in the media for years and have seen lots of athletes get themselves in and out of trouble time and time again. Look at your buddy Don'te Stallworth. After KILLING a man while driving drunk he served his 30 days in prison and paid a hefty sum to the family of the departed. (You were with him that night right?) Stallworth sat out the following season and changed teams. You have to change something for the public to embrace you, that's just the way this works.
Braylon you can bounce back from a simple DWI. The public is a forgiving public, this simply has to run it's course. You have to give the people something that they can see that let's them know you've changed.
You don't have cornrows so you can't make that move. You can't change your number because the NFL won't allow it and the Jets are not going to trade you so you can get a fresh start. The only answer, SHAVE THE BEARD! People will forget this in no time. Think I'm wrong? Ask Don'te. You can come back from this. Now where are those damn clippers?
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9/17/10
Think Before You Speak, Or Pay the Price
Clinton Portis got himself placed on the grill this week for speaking his mind. We live in a politically correct society and can't have people saying what they really feel. Or so we've been taught.
When you're at work, all your statements have to fit in a nice box which does not offend anyone. Race, sex, and religion are topics that are off limits when you're at your place of business. Expecting athletes to "get" this notion is hilarious.
Reporters go to athletes all the time and ask questions that will, if answered without forethought, get the players in trouble. Portis, speaking on the topic of female reporters in the locker room, went off the cuff and predictably got himself in hot water.
Portis said, "I think you put women reporters in the locker room in position to see guys walking around naked......You know, somebody got to spark her interest, or she's going to want somebody. I don't know what kind of woman won't, if you get to go and look at 53 men's packages."
Portis has apologized for the comments, but here's the thing. That's what he really thought. Is that wrong? Most people would say yes, but I'm here to defend Portis for speaking his mind. Football players say stuff far worse than this all the time. Does that make it right? No. Is answering a question honestly a problem? In this society, you betcha.
The incident that Portis was commenting on involved female reporter Ines Sainz in the NY Jets locker room. Reporters in D.C. wanted to try to get a local reaction from the Redskins and went to the guy who's most likely to say something inflammatory.
So is Portis at fault for saying what he really felt in an attempted comical manner? Yes. Did the media play a role? Yes. Is all of this blown way out of proportion? Absolutely. The only positive thing about this pseudo-drama? We've had a something to talk about in the days between week 1 and week 2 of the NFL season, which is what the media in D.C. wanted all along. Portis took the bait and got himself caught up in a made up controversy.
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When you're at work, all your statements have to fit in a nice box which does not offend anyone. Race, sex, and religion are topics that are off limits when you're at your place of business. Expecting athletes to "get" this notion is hilarious.
Reporters go to athletes all the time and ask questions that will, if answered without forethought, get the players in trouble. Portis, speaking on the topic of female reporters in the locker room, went off the cuff and predictably got himself in hot water.
Portis said, "I think you put women reporters in the locker room in position to see guys walking around naked......You know, somebody got to spark her interest, or she's going to want somebody. I don't know what kind of woman won't, if you get to go and look at 53 men's packages."
Portis has apologized for the comments, but here's the thing. That's what he really thought. Is that wrong? Most people would say yes, but I'm here to defend Portis for speaking his mind. Football players say stuff far worse than this all the time. Does that make it right? No. Is answering a question honestly a problem? In this society, you betcha.
The incident that Portis was commenting on involved female reporter Ines Sainz in the NY Jets locker room. Reporters in D.C. wanted to try to get a local reaction from the Redskins and went to the guy who's most likely to say something inflammatory.
So is Portis at fault for saying what he really felt in an attempted comical manner? Yes. Did the media play a role? Yes. Is all of this blown way out of proportion? Absolutely. The only positive thing about this pseudo-drama? We've had a something to talk about in the days between week 1 and week 2 of the NFL season, which is what the media in D.C. wanted all along. Portis took the bait and got himself caught up in a made up controversy.
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9/15/10
Reggie Bush Gives Trophy Back, Keeps Money
Reggie Bush gave back his Heisman for the sake of appearances. Better to return it than to have it stripped. Or as in the real world, better to resign than to get fired.
Here's what Reggie was really thinking when he returned the Heisman. "Do I get to keep all the money I've made? Well take the damn thing. I don't give a damn about that trophy! I'm Reggie Bush! I don't need this from you old people on the Heisman committee!! I'm young and I'm rich!!!! To hell with all ya'll. Asking me questions about what I did 5 years ago! What did you do five years ago, huh? What? I got rid of Kim Kardashian because she was working my nerves, and have you seen her ass? You think I'm about to put up with ya'll old men in my business? I just won the Super Bowl in New Orleans!!! Who Dat!!!! Just take the damn thang!!!!"
Now Reggie's press release was far more classy, but for a young rich guy who blew up college football in 2005, he should have just said what he was thinking.
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Here's what Reggie was really thinking when he returned the Heisman. "Do I get to keep all the money I've made? Well take the damn thing. I don't give a damn about that trophy! I'm Reggie Bush! I don't need this from you old people on the Heisman committee!! I'm young and I'm rich!!!! To hell with all ya'll. Asking me questions about what I did 5 years ago! What did you do five years ago, huh? What? I got rid of Kim Kardashian because she was working my nerves, and have you seen her ass? You think I'm about to put up with ya'll old men in my business? I just won the Super Bowl in New Orleans!!! Who Dat!!!! Just take the damn thang!!!!"
Now Reggie's press release was far more classy, but for a young rich guy who blew up college football in 2005, he should have just said what he was thinking.
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9/13/10
Best and Least Productive Monday of the Year
Was your food served slow in the drive-thru? Did you not get a report at the office that was due today? Was there constant talk of college football, the NFL, and fantasy? Oh, it must be the first real Monday of the fall.
When the NFL kicked off it's season Thursday with the Vikings and Saints some work production slowed last Friday. The chatter ranging from is Favre done, what was up with the one finger salutes from both sidelines, or can you believe the Saints actually unveiled a Super Bowl banner? Some people's routines were thrown off with the extra conversation, but all in all it was a regular Friday with everyone eyeing the weekend. Except it wasn't just a regular weekend. It was the first real weekend of football for the next five months.
Today is the first official Monday of fall and things have reached a crawl on every job locale across the country. It's not only coming back from the weekend and getting back to the grind, showing up to bust your hump, nope there's more. You had to do your job today with football at the front of your mind. You found yourself able to make small talk with even the biggest jerk at the gig because it's the first Monday of football season. You talked about how college football had some real matchups in week two. And there's nothing like the knee-jerk response after week 1 in the NFL. People writing off teams after an opening game loss. People claiming this really is the year after an opening game win. Not to mention the chick in the cubicle next to you who kicked your butt in fantasy this week.
Yes, it was a Monday. Yes, not as much got done around the office. But thank God FOOTBALL'S BACK!!!! (And there's a game tonight too. Guess it will be a slow day tomorrow too!)
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When the NFL kicked off it's season Thursday with the Vikings and Saints some work production slowed last Friday. The chatter ranging from is Favre done, what was up with the one finger salutes from both sidelines, or can you believe the Saints actually unveiled a Super Bowl banner? Some people's routines were thrown off with the extra conversation, but all in all it was a regular Friday with everyone eyeing the weekend. Except it wasn't just a regular weekend. It was the first real weekend of football for the next five months.
Today is the first official Monday of fall and things have reached a crawl on every job locale across the country. It's not only coming back from the weekend and getting back to the grind, showing up to bust your hump, nope there's more. You had to do your job today with football at the front of your mind. You found yourself able to make small talk with even the biggest jerk at the gig because it's the first Monday of football season. You talked about how college football had some real matchups in week two. And there's nothing like the knee-jerk response after week 1 in the NFL. People writing off teams after an opening game loss. People claiming this really is the year after an opening game win. Not to mention the chick in the cubicle next to you who kicked your butt in fantasy this week.
Yes, it was a Monday. Yes, not as much got done around the office. But thank God FOOTBALL'S BACK!!!! (And there's a game tonight too. Guess it will be a slow day tomorrow too!)
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9/11/10
ACC, Just Waiting for Basketball Season
Boise State pointed to Virginia Tech. Ohio State circled the Miami game on the schedule. Oklahoma put it's home winning streak on the line against a real test in Florida State. What have we learned after two weeks of college football? The ACC is not a power conference. At all. Stop building it up. It's as counterfeit as Taco Bell selling shrimp.
Let's start with Virginia Tech. Boise State, from the WAC, needed a signature win outside of conference and scheduled a 'neutral' site game with Virginia Tech in Washington D.C. Which is less than 300 miles from the Hokies campus. So yeah, it was pretty much a home game for Va-Tech. With no real threats to give them a sexy win in their conference, Boise State fans were talking up Virginia Tech like the Hokies were the second coming. "Virginia Tech's ranked number 10 in the country. This will show everyone we belong on the big stage." Or so the argument began.
Problem with that logic, preseason rankings in college football are just educated guesses. Nothing for the voters to go by as far as on the field results. Sometimes teams pan out and other times they prove to be Virginia Tech. The Hokies played an impressive game in losing to Boise State and followed that up by losing to always the dangerous James Madison (yes that's sarcasm for the non-sports lover). Sorry Boise, your big win just got marked down from "they can beat any team anywhere", to you struggled with this team? Virginia Tech was the highest ranked ACC team before the season began, and they still may be by the end of the season. There lies the problem. We'll get back to that.
Ohio State and Miami. A rematch of the national title game from 2002. Yeah I'm sure that game meant something to this version of the Buckeyes and Hurricanes. The kids that were on the field today were in middle school 8 years ago, so the rematch talk was just a tad overblown. As was the hype insisting that "The U" is back, Public Enemy told you 'don't believe the hype' a long time ago. Outside of a punt return for a touchdown and a kickoff return for a touchdown this game would not have been close. Ohio State's defense forced Miami quarterback Jacory Harris into 4 interceptions. That should eliminate any Heisman whispers from 'Cane country. Buckeye quarterback Terrelle Pryor had his way with the Miami's defense. 346 total yards and 2 touchdowns. (So much for that big quarterback showdown) Ohio State thoroughly outclassed Miami. Which is what a good team from a good conference should do against a team from an inferior conference. Promise we're going to hammer home this point in a moment.
But first Florida State and Oklahoma. 47-14. Look at that again. 47-14!!!! The people in Tallahassee pushed Bobby Bowden out for this? The Seminoles, like Miami, are in the midst of putting their program back on the map. At least that what ACC supporters would have you believe. Florida State was down 27-7 before all the kids had arrived from tailgating. And this is supposed to be one of the top 3 teams in the ACC?
Florida State, Miami, and Virginia Tech will make their cases about how elite their conference is when they start playing each other in ACC games. They deserve to be on the same field, not being litmus tests for teams looking to make statements. For all the talk about how tough the ACC can be, two weeks of inter- conference games should shine some light on everyone's thinking. Football's national title does not go through a basketball conference.
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Let's start with Virginia Tech. Boise State, from the WAC, needed a signature win outside of conference and scheduled a 'neutral' site game with Virginia Tech in Washington D.C. Which is less than 300 miles from the Hokies campus. So yeah, it was pretty much a home game for Va-Tech. With no real threats to give them a sexy win in their conference, Boise State fans were talking up Virginia Tech like the Hokies were the second coming. "Virginia Tech's ranked number 10 in the country. This will show everyone we belong on the big stage." Or so the argument began.
Problem with that logic, preseason rankings in college football are just educated guesses. Nothing for the voters to go by as far as on the field results. Sometimes teams pan out and other times they prove to be Virginia Tech. The Hokies played an impressive game in losing to Boise State and followed that up by losing to always the dangerous James Madison (yes that's sarcasm for the non-sports lover). Sorry Boise, your big win just got marked down from "they can beat any team anywhere", to you struggled with this team? Virginia Tech was the highest ranked ACC team before the season began, and they still may be by the end of the season. There lies the problem. We'll get back to that.
Ohio State and Miami. A rematch of the national title game from 2002. Yeah I'm sure that game meant something to this version of the Buckeyes and Hurricanes. The kids that were on the field today were in middle school 8 years ago, so the rematch talk was just a tad overblown. As was the hype insisting that "The U" is back, Public Enemy told you 'don't believe the hype' a long time ago. Outside of a punt return for a touchdown and a kickoff return for a touchdown this game would not have been close. Ohio State's defense forced Miami quarterback Jacory Harris into 4 interceptions. That should eliminate any Heisman whispers from 'Cane country. Buckeye quarterback Terrelle Pryor had his way with the Miami's defense. 346 total yards and 2 touchdowns. (So much for that big quarterback showdown) Ohio State thoroughly outclassed Miami. Which is what a good team from a good conference should do against a team from an inferior conference. Promise we're going to hammer home this point in a moment.
But first Florida State and Oklahoma. 47-14. Look at that again. 47-14!!!! The people in Tallahassee pushed Bobby Bowden out for this? The Seminoles, like Miami, are in the midst of putting their program back on the map. At least that what ACC supporters would have you believe. Florida State was down 27-7 before all the kids had arrived from tailgating. And this is supposed to be one of the top 3 teams in the ACC?
Florida State, Miami, and Virginia Tech will make their cases about how elite their conference is when they start playing each other in ACC games. They deserve to be on the same field, not being litmus tests for teams looking to make statements. For all the talk about how tough the ACC can be, two weeks of inter- conference games should shine some light on everyone's thinking. Football's national title does not go through a basketball conference.
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South Carolina, Tough Chickens on Grill
It's not hype. South Carolina will win the SEC East for the first time ever this season thanks to an Ol' Ball Coach embracing new offensive philosophies and a true freshman running back. Steve Spurrier has found a work horse in Marcus Lattimore and with the SEC East is the weakest it's been this millennium, that opens the door for the Gamecocks to make history.
I watched Lattimore live up to billing as being a big time back coming out of high school as he lit up Georgia. He punished the Bulldogs, no defensive slouch, with powerful inside the tackle runs. 182 yards and 2 touchdowns in your SEC debut? I don't care if you're playing traditional doormat Vanderbilt, that's impressive. Spurrier rode the kid out with more than 20 carries in the first half and 37 for the game. His longest run of the game (24 yards) came in the fourth quarter when he and the 'Cocks offensive line had worn out the Georgia defense. Evidently the kid gets stronger as the game goes on because he had a burst on his long run of the day. He won't last if he's carrying the ball that often every week, but as introductions go, Lattimore let everyone know that SEC's best freshman resides in Columbia, S.C.
You know Spurrier would much rather beat teams with the passing game that made him famous at Florida. Instead he's adapting to his talent. Running a spread offense that's built around Lattimore will keep the Gamecocks in a lot of games. It's not the fun and gun from his Gators days, but it's good enough to keep up with a Tebow-less Gators squad and rebuilding Tennessee team. South Carolina SEC East champs. It's feels strange writing it, it look strange on the screen, but it's exactly what's in the works. The chickens are tough.
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I watched Lattimore live up to billing as being a big time back coming out of high school as he lit up Georgia. He punished the Bulldogs, no defensive slouch, with powerful inside the tackle runs. 182 yards and 2 touchdowns in your SEC debut? I don't care if you're playing traditional doormat Vanderbilt, that's impressive. Spurrier rode the kid out with more than 20 carries in the first half and 37 for the game. His longest run of the game (24 yards) came in the fourth quarter when he and the 'Cocks offensive line had worn out the Georgia defense. Evidently the kid gets stronger as the game goes on because he had a burst on his long run of the day. He won't last if he's carrying the ball that often every week, but as introductions go, Lattimore let everyone know that SEC's best freshman resides in Columbia, S.C.
You know Spurrier would much rather beat teams with the passing game that made him famous at Florida. Instead he's adapting to his talent. Running a spread offense that's built around Lattimore will keep the Gamecocks in a lot of games. It's not the fun and gun from his Gators days, but it's good enough to keep up with a Tebow-less Gators squad and rebuilding Tennessee team. South Carolina SEC East champs. It's feels strange writing it, it look strange on the screen, but it's exactly what's in the works. The chickens are tough.
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9/10/10
Buckeyes Will Boo LeBron
He could just buy a ticket or he could just hang out in a private suite at the stadium, but you know what he's going to do. He's going to be on the sidelines so he can be seen and because he loves the attention, he's going to get to find out what 100 thousand plus pissed off Buckeye fans sound like. Welcome back to Ohio LeBron James! Booooooooooooooooooo!!!!!
So LeBron and his new best bud Buckeye quarterback Terrelle Pryor have been texting each other over the last couple of weeks. LeBron let Pryor know he's thinking about attending the Ohio State - Miami game. You know it's a chance for LeBron to show his Buckeye allegiance when they take on the city where he'll be playing his basketball the next few years. Does LeBron know anything about positive p.r.? There is no sports team bigger in Miami than "The U". Why would the self crowned King decide to come to this game to support his supposed favorite college program? Because his highness loves the attention.
Attention, it's what drove "The Decision", and sent fans outside to the streets of Cleveland to burn his jersey on national televison. It's why he'll be on the Buckeye sidelines, so he can be seen, instead of being upstairs behind the glass with the hoity-toity crowd in the luxury boxes at the Horseshoe. It's good to know that LeBron's ego is still at 100% following his playoff loss and departure from Cleveland. Some things just can't be shaken.
That's why Pryor needs to let "the guy he looks up to" fight his own battles. Don't plead for LeBron not be booed Terrelle. Just don't expect him to return your calls if things don't go well in the future. Remember he used to be real tight with Maurice Clarett too. Ask him when was the last time he got a call from 'Bron-'Bron. Nope Terrelle, you just need to worry about the Hurricane defense. LeBron knows all about how to deal with eye of a storm. He'll just bask in it.
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So LeBron and his new best bud Buckeye quarterback Terrelle Pryor have been texting each other over the last couple of weeks. LeBron let Pryor know he's thinking about attending the Ohio State - Miami game. You know it's a chance for LeBron to show his Buckeye allegiance when they take on the city where he'll be playing his basketball the next few years. Does LeBron know anything about positive p.r.? There is no sports team bigger in Miami than "The U". Why would the self crowned King decide to come to this game to support his supposed favorite college program? Because his highness loves the attention.
Attention, it's what drove "The Decision", and sent fans outside to the streets of Cleveland to burn his jersey on national televison. It's why he'll be on the Buckeye sidelines, so he can be seen, instead of being upstairs behind the glass with the hoity-toity crowd in the luxury boxes at the Horseshoe. It's good to know that LeBron's ego is still at 100% following his playoff loss and departure from Cleveland. Some things just can't be shaken.
That's why Pryor needs to let "the guy he looks up to" fight his own battles. Don't plead for LeBron not be booed Terrelle. Just don't expect him to return your calls if things don't go well in the future. Remember he used to be real tight with Maurice Clarett too. Ask him when was the last time he got a call from 'Bron-'Bron. Nope Terrelle, you just need to worry about the Hurricane defense. LeBron knows all about how to deal with eye of a storm. He'll just bask in it.
Follow me at http://twitter.com/Sports_Grill Or drop an email to sportsgrillmaster
9/7/10
Jets Real 'Hard Knocks' Starts With The Season
You've witnessed the behind the scenes meetings. Got a glimpse of the all the stars. Heard from the coach, boy have you heard from the coach. 'Hard Knocks', featuring the Jets, has the country caught up in this might be the first year since Broadway Joe that the J-E-T-S, jets, jets, JETS will bring home the Lombardi Trophy.
Ok, now I want everyone to take a breather and relax, slow down, pump your brakes, and just ease up. What I'm about to say is going to be tough to hear. Everybody calm? You sure? Here we go.
This team is not going to win the Super Bowl. This team is not going to win it's division. This team, the Jets, will be lucky to make the playoffs. (Covering my laptop cover before the New York media rips my computer from my hands and breaks it into a thousand pieces. How dare I say something bad about The Big Apple's new media darling.)
The Jets are set to begin one of the most hyped seasons in recent memory for a team that finished 1 game above 500 last season. 'Hard Knocks' has done the job that media all over the country does for it's local team. Overexpose it. Just some of the storylines that are already overdone.
Darrelle Revis and his holdout:
I know he just signed a new deal. The producers from 'Hard Knocks' will make the season finale dramatic with both head coach Rex Ryan and Revis present in the negotiating room. For people who don't have any idea how negotiations work between teams and players, let me tell you something. The player is never there before signing his name on the deal. The coach is never present because the guy doing the negotiating, the GM, is his boss. You ever show up someplace and tell your boss how to run his business? Thought not. Just another contrived piece brought to you by the producers of 'Hard Knocks'.
Mark Sanchez becoming an elite quarterback.
Not happening. Mark Sanchez may get to the elite level one day. I may also decide that I hate my car and set it on fire. Neither is a likely option. Sanchez is a good USC quarterback. Just as Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart, and Rodney Peete were good USC quarterbacks. (Anybody see greatness on that list?) Sanchez has the benefit of being in a good system where the philosophy is to pound the ball on the ground and dig in on defense to win games. Ryan did a good job last year of getting his rookie quarterback to become a game manager last season, but I don't think he makes the leap to even good NFL quarterback this season.
LaDainian Tomlinson having something left in the tank.
Frankly I've always hated that phrase, but I digress. Tomlinson is 31 and even at his absolute peak he was never good enough to shine in the playoffs. He would rack up gaudy regular season numbers and then become irrelevant in the postseason. I remember him isolating himself on the sidelines in the cold in visor clad helmet not speaking to any of teammates during a playoff loss with the Chargers. (Not the only time he's come lame in the postseason I might add.) Does he have something left in the tank? Better question is this the type of guy that can get it done when it counts. Answers to both questions. No!
Rex Ryan's coaching ability.
'Hard Knocks' has not really delved into this topic too much. In fact I feel as if they've somewhat danced around this topic of conversation. Ryan is a great defensive mind. He knows defense. If there was a defensive coordinator position open I would say he's the best guy for the job. As a head coach his bravado makes for a good sound bite, but much like his father Buddy, Ryan will never get it done as a head coach. In his first season as a head coach Ryan was 9-7. Now he comes into the season writing a whole lot of checks with his mouth. He says he has the best starting offensive and defensive units in football. We'll see if his team can cash those checks.
'Hard Knocks' has been good entertainment. Reality television with a sports spin, right up my alley. However, if you think reality television is real and that the Jets are going to the Super Bowl, perhaps you believe the show 'Jersey Shore' is really in New Jersey this season. In reality it's in Florida. And the Jets season is headed south too.
Follow me at http://twitter.com/Sports_Grill Or drop an email to sportsgrillmaster@yahoo.com
Ok, now I want everyone to take a breather and relax, slow down, pump your brakes, and just ease up. What I'm about to say is going to be tough to hear. Everybody calm? You sure? Here we go.
This team is not going to win the Super Bowl. This team is not going to win it's division. This team, the Jets, will be lucky to make the playoffs. (Covering my laptop cover before the New York media rips my computer from my hands and breaks it into a thousand pieces. How dare I say something bad about The Big Apple's new media darling.)
The Jets are set to begin one of the most hyped seasons in recent memory for a team that finished 1 game above 500 last season. 'Hard Knocks' has done the job that media all over the country does for it's local team. Overexpose it. Just some of the storylines that are already overdone.
Darrelle Revis and his holdout:
I know he just signed a new deal. The producers from 'Hard Knocks' will make the season finale dramatic with both head coach Rex Ryan and Revis present in the negotiating room. For people who don't have any idea how negotiations work between teams and players, let me tell you something. The player is never there before signing his name on the deal. The coach is never present because the guy doing the negotiating, the GM, is his boss. You ever show up someplace and tell your boss how to run his business? Thought not. Just another contrived piece brought to you by the producers of 'Hard Knocks'.
Mark Sanchez becoming an elite quarterback.
Not happening. Mark Sanchez may get to the elite level one day. I may also decide that I hate my car and set it on fire. Neither is a likely option. Sanchez is a good USC quarterback. Just as Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart, and Rodney Peete were good USC quarterbacks. (Anybody see greatness on that list?) Sanchez has the benefit of being in a good system where the philosophy is to pound the ball on the ground and dig in on defense to win games. Ryan did a good job last year of getting his rookie quarterback to become a game manager last season, but I don't think he makes the leap to even good NFL quarterback this season.
LaDainian Tomlinson having something left in the tank.
Frankly I've always hated that phrase, but I digress. Tomlinson is 31 and even at his absolute peak he was never good enough to shine in the playoffs. He would rack up gaudy regular season numbers and then become irrelevant in the postseason. I remember him isolating himself on the sidelines in the cold in visor clad helmet not speaking to any of teammates during a playoff loss with the Chargers. (Not the only time he's come lame in the postseason I might add.) Does he have something left in the tank? Better question is this the type of guy that can get it done when it counts. Answers to both questions. No!
Rex Ryan's coaching ability.
'Hard Knocks' has not really delved into this topic too much. In fact I feel as if they've somewhat danced around this topic of conversation. Ryan is a great defensive mind. He knows defense. If there was a defensive coordinator position open I would say he's the best guy for the job. As a head coach his bravado makes for a good sound bite, but much like his father Buddy, Ryan will never get it done as a head coach. In his first season as a head coach Ryan was 9-7. Now he comes into the season writing a whole lot of checks with his mouth. He says he has the best starting offensive and defensive units in football. We'll see if his team can cash those checks.
'Hard Knocks' has been good entertainment. Reality television with a sports spin, right up my alley. However, if you think reality television is real and that the Jets are going to the Super Bowl, perhaps you believe the show 'Jersey Shore' is really in New Jersey this season. In reality it's in Florida. And the Jets season is headed south too.
Follow me at http://twitter.com/Sports_Grill Or drop an email to sportsgrillmaster@yahoo.com
9/4/10
Football Is For Wimps
There is a stereotype out there as to what is masculine. When you think of a real tough guy, you automatically assume he plays football. That’s right (input mannish grunt here) when you want to play a man’s sport football is what you play. It’s American and we’re tough. Now being that I did not play or watch football growing up I have not developed a true unconditional love of the game. I am looking at it strictly as an outsider. First of all a real tough-guy man doesn’t show emotion. He does the guy hug (not too close, not too long). Any other aspect of touching another man leads to an all-out brawl. So here is where there is a contradiction. The quarterback and star of the team has to hold is hands in between another mans legs to grab a ball! Every player is squatting on a line with someone up under their butt. The only other time that someone may enjoy being up under another man’s butt? Prison. And where else might you grab a ball? Well I can think of many places, but none of them are too masculine per say. And what’s with all the names? End zone, halfback, fullback, running back. Everything relates to the backside….hmmm. And what about a tackle? So you have a pile of guys all on top of each other, and this is supposed to be the most masculine American sport? Men who watch football probably don’t greet their male friends with a kiss on the cheek, but they would delight in making a tackle. Just because you get dirty doesn’t make it more masculine. And what’s with those tights. Yes, they are shiny tights! I believe Olivia Newton-John wore some in her Let’s Get Physical music video. I am not questioning your gender orientation if you play or watch football. Just pointing out how homophobia can sometimes be contradictory. So what would I consider a masculine game? Soccer! I do not like this sport either, but if you simply look at the concept of the game you are trying to kick a ball away from you. There is no grabbing this ball and they don’t wear tights. Nobody is putting their face in your rear and if you do you will be kicked in the head! And yet some macho man is out there with a beer in his hand with full body paint cheering as his team gets a tackle all while saying “Soccer is for wimps!”
B.B.
B.B.
Hey Grill Master You Need Some Side Dishes Too!
Greetings! I am the wife of the grill master. Call me Betty Baker. I am the “typical” housewife. I cook, I clean and if you ask me who is playing tonight, I will tell you the kids are. My dear husband has been so gracious as to give me a page to rant about things in sports (Keep in mind that I have little understanding the game). But as any “typical”, Desperate Housewives-watching, sewing-superstar, baking-cookies-on-a-Friday housewife will tell you, we find an interest in the players themselves and the pretty colors! I have been dragged to live games and honestly, I much more enjoy the stuff that goes on during commercial breaks! So I hope to keep you entertained with my rants and cookie-baking perspective of “the game."
- Betty Baker
- Betty Baker
Punk moves in College Football
Today was the opening weekend in college football and a couple of punk moves stood out. One old and one new.
The old punk move was watching Florida State coached by someone not named Bobby Bowden for the first time in my life. The man made college football in Tallahassee and though the last few years did not measure up against some of his best years, the program was dormant before he came along. Bobby Bowden is old, I mean old. Had the game passed him by? Debatable. Was forcing out a man who had given the FSU it's best football years wrong? No question. PUNK MOVE Florida State!
The new punk move was watching Michigan quarterback Tate Forcier pout like a child headed to timeout. Forcier and Denard Robinson split time last year under center for the Wolverines. Forcier seemed to think that would be the same scenario for this season. Early in the game he was on the bench barking out calls to Robinson and seemed to really be in the game. That was until he realized that he wasn't going to get any playing time. Robinson was busy setting the Sports Grill on fire with a Michigan quarterback rushing record 197 yards with 186 passing yards to boot. Robinson gave UConn all types of headaches and gave Forcier the runs, as in run and hide. With the game in hand in the fourth quarter Michigan's sideline was upbeat and celebrating the fact that they were up by 20. Everyone smiling and enjoying the win except for Forcier. He had taken helmet off and isolated himself from the team with a towel draped around his next like he was pretending to be invisible. Quarterback is not a position for petulance. You can't be looked at as the leader of the team when your squad is actually putting a 'W' in the books. Meanwhile you have an expression on your face like Robinson just slept with your girlfriend. PUNK MOVE Tate Forcier. (By the way with a name like Tate, can we really be surprised that he's got some punk in him?)
Follow me at http://twitter.com/Sports_Grill
Or drop an email to sportsgrillmaster@yahoo.com
The old punk move was watching Florida State coached by someone not named Bobby Bowden for the first time in my life. The man made college football in Tallahassee and though the last few years did not measure up against some of his best years, the program was dormant before he came along. Bobby Bowden is old, I mean old. Had the game passed him by? Debatable. Was forcing out a man who had given the FSU it's best football years wrong? No question. PUNK MOVE Florida State!
The new punk move was watching Michigan quarterback Tate Forcier pout like a child headed to timeout. Forcier and Denard Robinson split time last year under center for the Wolverines. Forcier seemed to think that would be the same scenario for this season. Early in the game he was on the bench barking out calls to Robinson and seemed to really be in the game. That was until he realized that he wasn't going to get any playing time. Robinson was busy setting the Sports Grill on fire with a Michigan quarterback rushing record 197 yards with 186 passing yards to boot. Robinson gave UConn all types of headaches and gave Forcier the runs, as in run and hide. With the game in hand in the fourth quarter Michigan's sideline was upbeat and celebrating the fact that they were up by 20. Everyone smiling and enjoying the win except for Forcier. He had taken helmet off and isolated himself from the team with a towel draped around his next like he was pretending to be invisible. Quarterback is not a position for petulance. You can't be looked at as the leader of the team when your squad is actually putting a 'W' in the books. Meanwhile you have an expression on your face like Robinson just slept with your girlfriend. PUNK MOVE Tate Forcier. (By the way with a name like Tate, can we really be surprised that he's got some punk in him?)
Follow me at http://twitter.com/Sports_Grill
Or drop an email to sportsgrillmaster@yahoo.com
9/1/10
"The Game" or Just Another?
Ohio State and Michigan have been playing at the end of the Big Ten season every year since 1943. The 3rd Saturday in November has been earmarked for "The Game" like Christmas always falls on the 25th of December. It's a seasonal event that people in the Midwest hold dear like their good old-fashion values. Ahhhh. Ok enough of that, it's time to move into the 21st century.
The Big Ten latest incarnation of itself will feature12 teams (don't get me started on the math) with two divisions, starting in 2011. Michigan and Ohio State will play in opposite divisions. "The Game" will likely be moved from it's annual date to earlier in the season in order for both teams to face divisional opponents the last few games of the year, and possibly lay the groundwork for the Buckeyes and Wolverines to play in the Big 12 err Big Ten title game.
Traditionalist think this move is kin to blasphemy. If you listen close enough you can hear the whining already. "My grandparents watched the game every year at the same time. If it was good enough for them, it's good enough for us." Look, this is not about tradition, it's all about money. The Big Ten found the goose that laid the golden egg when it started it's television network. The shared revenue alone from this venture is more than most countries gross national product.
That being said, it's not enough for the greedy administrators. A group, who by the way, has proven to be short-sighted in the past. Why is the pie from the television contract not enough to keep the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry in tact? Because the Big Ten is just now at a point where it has enough members to have a championship game. Follow me for a second.
No championship game meant the conference has lacked exposure the final two weekends of the college regular season. Nothing to keep the conference on tips of every one's lips when the precious BCS bids go out. When The Big Ten expanded in 1993 to eleven teams (adding Penn State), there should have been another team joining them. Nebraska, Notre Dame, Colorado, somebody. A championship game could have been initiated, like the SEC did in 1992. Quite frankly, the lack of a championship game cost the conference millions and millions of dollars over the last 17 years. True, they're recouping it now with the television deal, but why leave that money on the table again? Exactly. A championship game is a necessity, but at what price?
Big Greed and a lack of Big Thinking has gotten the Big Ten in trouble in the past. Now, will moving it's biggest asset cost the conference in the long run? "The Game"......not so much anymore.
Or drop an email to sportsgrillmaster@yahoo.com
The Big Ten latest incarnation of itself will feature12 teams (don't get me started on the math) with two divisions, starting in 2011. Michigan and Ohio State will play in opposite divisions. "The Game" will likely be moved from it's annual date to earlier in the season in order for both teams to face divisional opponents the last few games of the year, and possibly lay the groundwork for the Buckeyes and Wolverines to play in the Big 12 err Big Ten title game.
Traditionalist think this move is kin to blasphemy. If you listen close enough you can hear the whining already. "My grandparents watched the game every year at the same time. If it was good enough for them, it's good enough for us." Look, this is not about tradition, it's all about money. The Big Ten found the goose that laid the golden egg when it started it's television network. The shared revenue alone from this venture is more than most countries gross national product.
That being said, it's not enough for the greedy administrators. A group, who by the way, has proven to be short-sighted in the past. Why is the pie from the television contract not enough to keep the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry in tact? Because the Big Ten is just now at a point where it has enough members to have a championship game. Follow me for a second.
No championship game meant the conference has lacked exposure the final two weekends of the college regular season. Nothing to keep the conference on tips of every one's lips when the precious BCS bids go out. When The Big Ten expanded in 1993 to eleven teams (adding Penn State), there should have been another team joining them. Nebraska, Notre Dame, Colorado, somebody. A championship game could have been initiated, like the SEC did in 1992. Quite frankly, the lack of a championship game cost the conference millions and millions of dollars over the last 17 years. True, they're recouping it now with the television deal, but why leave that money on the table again? Exactly. A championship game is a necessity, but at what price?
Big Greed and a lack of Big Thinking has gotten the Big Ten in trouble in the past. Now, will moving it's biggest asset cost the conference in the long run? "The Game"......not so much anymore.
Or drop an email to sportsgrillmaster@yahoo.com
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