- 08:04 AM
- 11/22/09
And they wonder why he is being "asked" to step down? I find this very disturbing. And, it isn't something that is just started. I have students (yes I teach) fill out mock applications. About 6 years ago when the All-State football player put down an answer on a questionnaire for why he would wants to work here... (a fairly standard question in today's workforce). His written response was, "I wood love this werk"... It only goes to show that this problem begins at a very early age. Student-athletes are not held accountable and for those that end up blowing out knees or loosing their careers to an injury, what will they do then. Most won't be qualified to work for the sanitation dept.... yeah, the garbage men. I hate to say it but they aren't doing any favors for these kids in the long run.
As for Bowden.... take his wins and maybe he will stop chasing Joe Pa and give it up.
posted by Mickster at 12:16 PM on October 16
When you see it again... if you do, you will notice that he is on his knee for a good couple of seconds AFTER the blocked field goal rolls back to him. It was my opinion that the ref on the side couldn't see the ball until he stood up. And THX-1138 makes a strong point about the holder being able to pick up the ball and run... prior to the kick. In this case, the kicker actually did kick the ball, which was blocked and subsequently recovered by the holder while in the kneel-down position.... Result.... TD.
The ruling on the field does stand, but it was still a botched call. Should be overturned and the team is not charged a timeout....
posted by Mickster at 09:35 PM on October 14
If you watch closely, the holder (Wilton?) never gets up from being on his knee. Therefore when the ball rolls back to him and he picks it up, he should be down by the rules of high school and college football. With all the craziness that ensued, nobody noticed and when he stood up, the coaches seeing he was holding the ball started to shout for him to run, which he did. All the way for a TD.
Lesson though.... never stop until the whistle blows the play dead.
posted by Mickster at 03:30 PM on October 14
Last year both were very highly ranked schools. Cincinnati and Tulsa both won 9 or 10 games.... They may have both won their conferences as well. I know Cincy did. Same for TCU with the number 1 ranked defense in all the land. So, every team has a cupcake at least once. I am just saying that some teams play soft schedules every year. I give credit where it is due. It was posted and I can find the reference where College Football News stated that they had played the very toughest schedule in all the land last year. This is based on the end of the year rankings and win/loss records.
And, not all schools do it. There are some schools who will play very tough scedules because to be the best you have to play the best. I even admire BYU's coach.... 3 straight 10 win seasons and few game them a chance. But, he said the same thing. If you want to be a top program, you have to play the top programs.
posted by Mickster at 12:54 AM on September 07
I commend the OU players that wanted to stick together and come back for their love of their team, city and their fans. They loose Germaine Gresham with the knee and now Bradford. I believe they will be back in a couple of weeks...
I remember when Rhett Bomar and Quinn were caught cheating and they cut him... IMMEDIATELY from the team. That is Stoops the man doing the honorable thing. And, Rhett Bomar isn't a bad person, just a kid that thought he could get by with it... NFL potential... But, they replaced him and kept going. I believe they will be fine and after a couple weeks with either Landry or the new kid (Bell?) will be playing better.
You have to remember that OU played the very toughest schedule in all of college football last year... That was according to the experts in college football. And they are always scheduling tough games unlike UL Monroe, or S. Maine. I believe they should put the strength of schedule back into the equation so the teams would put some meat on their schedules. Last year OU played TCU, Cincinnati, Tulsa, and then had to play their conference shedule. Look at the out of conference teams the other big boys play.
That is why I give a shout out to Alabama, VT, OSU, Georgia, and a few others.
posted by Mickster at 10:03 PM on September 06
What happened should not happen in sports at any level. But, when you play with lots of emotion, and somebody comes up to you and pokes you, slaps you on the shoulder, or whatever it was he did... and then follow it up with some type of comments that are likely to be offensive, something will happen the majority of the time. Getting clocked for being a smart ass is his reward. The Oregon player (I believe I heard this morning) will serve a 1-game suspension. One game is it... Way too lenient...
posted by Mickster at 11:30 AM on September 04
Though I never liked the Eagles, I admired this guy for his blue-collar mentality and toughness. He brought pressure every play and you never knew when it would come from... safety blitz, corner blitz, lb blitz,,,,,,
I have always been a Cowboy's Homer, and I believe it it weren't for him that Troy would've had at least two - three more years in the NFL....
He will be SORELY missed..... God Bless
posted by Mickster at 12:22 AM on July 30
I think they should reinstate Vick and suspend TO...
posted by Mickster at 09:12 AM on July 27
Oh, and a dropped pass is one that hits the player in the hands or is a catchable ball, not one that is overthrown or some nonesense... thus the term "dropped pass".
posted by Mickster at 06:38 PM on July 18
Well, I wouldn't get too happy about the Ravens just yet as they lost Mr. Ryan to the J E T S, Jets, Jets, Jets, Jets...... I doubt that the Ravens make the playoffs this year either. It is only because of their D that they have won in the past year or so and the mastermind behind it is gone. I would take a real good look at the coming year and throw pressure on the kid and he might not do so well. The part about saying Dallas has a great defense.... what were you watching. Did he or did he not rally said Cowboys team to a lead twice and have the defense blow it by not 1, but 2 longest runs from scrimmage all year... How is that great D. Great D shuts down the other teams when you offense gets you the lead late in games...
As for the guys you list above him, what do you have to back it up? If you are going to play the game, put it in context like sgtcookzane did.... he at least gave you that stats to prove it.
posted by Mickster at 06:36 PM on July 18
Yeah, for a guy that has only been around for about a full 3 years, I would take him over just about anyone.... no, make that absolutely nobody..... Keep you other guys and I think I will root for mine. And if he doesn't win the big one or get past a NFC championship, then he will be remembered with guys like Donovan McNabb...
posted by Mickster at 02:31 AM on July 18
After seeing the video, it is hillarious... from the perspective of tongue in cheek... I like the dude and think he is a decent guy. You won't see him doing situps in his driveway when he gets media attention or posing naked on magazine covers, but everyone NOW says the pressure is on him. It always was. He is just more of an ordinary guy that because of who he plays for and who he was dating is subject to headlines every time he opens his mouth.
posted by Mickster at 03:52 PM on July 17
I can't believe that this is news.... Like rcade said, everyday I see some commercial with Peyton or Eli Manning kicking each other, I see nothing but these stars doing commercials. So, why is it a big deal when he does a spoof of a commercial. As it said in the post, he only endorses one product and that is STARTER. People need to give the dude a break. He hasn't done anything to warrant this other than dating / ditching Jessica.
I see it this way... He gets the snap down and they kick the extra point... Seattle had way too much time and would have only needed an extra point. No guarantees they would have won.
Against the Giants, the O-line got their asses whopped by the D-line of the Giants.... just as the Packers and Patriots found out. But, it is his fault.... then why not Favre's or even Tom Brady's.... It's such a double standard when it comes to him and other QB's in the league. I would rather have him and his winning percentage than any (maybe except one or two) other QB's in the entire league. He is a good player that had to play with TO.... "Throw me the ball and we win" TO.... threw his QB under the bus and thank goodness he is gone. I think they stand a much better chance now as he can throw to the open guy instead of trying to have to get player X a certain number of throws.... A guy that was second in the league in dropped passes.
posted by Mickster at 12:28 PM on July 17
I will say first and foremost that I truly like Lebron. I think he has freakish talent and for a guy his size to be able to handle the ball, shoot three's and drive to the bucket from one end of the court to the other reminds me of Magic Johnson. I have even seen him with a couple of the no-look passes. He is an incredible talent and at the time of my post - now has been fined.
Stern issued a $25,000 fine and that is nothing to someone that makes the coin they do, but it was the right thing to do. The only point of the entire conversation is that he acted "inappropriately" in the grandest of stages. Could you imagine last year when the Celtics beat LA (never gets old saying that either) if Kobe would have just walked off and not given hand shakes to the opposing team? It would have been a media nightmare for Kobe and a long-term display of how not to act when you loose.
My point is that if Lebron wants to make a point to the Cleveland Cavaliers, his team, his management, the coach.... whatever the point was he could have done so without doing what he did. There are many ways to make a point. The issue of SuperBowl and said "Hoodie" are no more dispicable.
Lebron will someday (in my opinion) probably make it to the finals and probably win one or two. But, hopefully that type of behavior will never happen again.
posted by Mickster at 03:20 PM on June 05
I think it is a total show of poor class. Just think about all the teams they beat. What would have been made of the Pistons not shaking his hand after they lost. What if Kobe hadn't shaken hands with Paul Pierce, KG, and Ray after the finals last year. They would still be talking about it and it would be a highlight reel of how not to be after loosing.
But, for some strange reason they seem to treat "King James" as if he really were some sort of royalty. Forget that they had all these little commercials with the puppet Lebron and Kobe figures... forget that he was supposed to be the MVP of the league... The new "fresh" face of the league... well, maybe a bit of a stretch on new...
But, you get the point. Any other human being that displayed such a classless act would have been crucified on all the sports talk shows, Sportscenter, and any paper, magazine, etc.... The days of the crybaby, treated by different standards players is now showing up on the grandest of stages. What a total embarrasment.
posted by Mickster at 12:28 PM on June 03
Funny thing about Aikman... I am a Cowboys fan (demographics started it) and I have rooted for them through thick and thin. I would find anything Troy says as almost anti-Cowboys. I don't know if he had a bad exit that went under the radar or what, but every game I've watched him broadcast, he has thrown players, coaches, and especially the QB at the time under the bus.
posted by Mickster at 04:22 PM on May 18
All I can say is YAHOOOOO!!!!! Kornholio is gone. He is gone... now if we could only get him off sportscenter. He should be somewhere like the old Siskel and Ebert. I realize that they are not still with us (one of them) but as far as Kornheiser goes... I agree that he is not really a fan of football.
I couldn't begin to tell you how many times I would be listening to him telling what he was going to be watching on tv that night and he would go off into some story of "Idol" and how so-and-so was being pushed out the door, or how Simon was especially nasty to one of the candidates... That's not sports. I would rather watch Womens badmitten than American Idol. And he is a goon. He reminds me of the guy that was in Drama in school and somehow got into sports as he couldn't do anything else with his degree....
posted by Mickster at 01:57 PM on May 18
Well, they might get one good season, but remember that Parcells and the Hoodie can devise ways to keep him in check. A simple cover two at Buffalo with the whirling winds, a youthful QB, and I don't think he will even last a year this time.
It is never his fault. They don't get "him" the ball, they don't include "him" in the gameplan, etc... Well, I don't see a wealth of offensive talent to throw to and unless he decides to become a blocking receiver now (not a bad blocker) he might implode before the 9th week.
I get the one season - "This season" deal with the Bills, but how can any GM, owner or coach not cringe at the mere thought. I was bettinig that he would be blackballed and not find a team this year. Too bad I lost that bet.
posted by Mickster at 12:18 AM on March 09
Though he is a cancer and the Dallas Cowboys are ridiculed not only for picking him up, but for all of the simplest of outbursts, yelling matches, "Throw me the ball". to the point where he split the locker room in half by saying how Romo and Witten had designed plays secretly to keep him from gettin' his to now being some sort of bargain... What is it with people?
This dude is pure toxic and he has wrecked each of the franchises that he has been to. But, somehow that it is Buffalo and not Dallas or the Raiders - how pathetic. The guy might take a year of being a good player and maybe that is the thinking, just sign him for one year. Then, next year let another team that needs an explosive receiver do the same.
I feel as though I am in some type of time-warp continuum where he keeps doing the same thing in different laundry and we all keep watching to see not if, but rather "When" he will blow up.
Why are these pages not filled wit outrage by Bills fans or other fans. Nobody can control TO, he thinks he is better than everyone else. Mariucci couldn't control him, Andy Reid, and not Parcells or the Staypuff Marshmallow man (Sorry Wade Phillips - just joking). This guy is all about himself. If it had been some other team such as the Redskins or Raiders, the venom would not have stopped until he quit playing football period.
posted by Mickster at 07:53 PM on March 08
I can't fathom how great of a receiver he could have been if he only would have learned to shut the #%$@ up!!!! His talents were as good as any receiver I have ever seen, effort running down the field on a play for Felix Jones, and others to mention. But, when you have someone that believes they are allowed to say whatever they want, about whomever they want, there is a price to be paid.
See, this is the lesson. Everything in life has a pricetag. Certainly he could be a first ballot HOF, and rich and famous for the rest of his life. But, who in their right mind would put him in their clubhouse if Jerry "The Warden" Jones throws him out? I cannot see one team picking him up (though it will happen probably for a much smaller price). Yeah, got his 12 mil guarantee, but who will pay him again. He is 35, and he has more drops than TD's each year now.
What a waste of talent....
posted by Mickster at 11:41 PM on March 05
I am not surprised and I believe this will make them a better team. That's right, a BETTER team. Though he has the stats and the game to be as good as any receiver in the game, he is never going to live in harmony with the other teamates. Yeah, we all saw the tears and "That's my QB" speech, but truth be known, he had the receivers split, the OC constantly on the defensive, and he demanded the ball be thrown to him.
When Dallas and specifically Romo were at their best, they were that way because of Romo's ability to move around, escape the rush, and see the whole field. He was able to distribute the ball to a variety of playmakers. At that time, TO just happened to be having a great season. But, when the passes stopped going to Crayton, Witten, Miles Austin, and especially Marion out of the backfield, they became too predictable. I figure this will open up the offense again, allow them to control the running game with the massive line, and then get away from forcing the ball to a guy that is double covered. The cover-two schemes they used were in many points just to keep hiim from having the type of big game he thrived on, knowing he would eventually blow. ANd he did.
TO is about TO. He wants to have x amount of yards, x amount of touches, and x amount of TD's. If he truly cared about the team first, he would have stopped his whinning about not being involved in the offense. And, it worked because I saw many (too many to count) times when they forced it into a covered TO.
And by the way, didn't he drop an awful lot of passes?
posted by Mickster at 04:41 PM on March 05
I am not a Tebow hater. I believe he is loosing some talented receivers to the draft / senior.... but I might be mistaken. I heard something to that affect on the game the other day.
I realize he was instrumental in helping FL to win their first BCS game, but he wasn't the starting QB. Kornholieo (Tony Kornheiser-sp) claims he is already one of the 5 best of all time.... phooey.
I don't dismiss Alabama, Georgia, and even Tenessee (maybe Ol Miss again). They will have Monty Kiffen running their defense and like all "new" wrinkles that come around, defensive coaches will eventually figure a way to stop them. OU did decent for three quarters except for Percy and his two long runs.
Now for Colt, he is going to probably win the Heisman if not for anything else, the sympathy vote for getting jobbed this year. He finished 2nd and I really thought he would win it. I don't even know if Tebow is coming back, but would assume he does.
posted by Mickster at 03:24 PM on January 10
I just don't see a 240 lb Tebow taking on a Brandon Jacobs (260+) in the open field and making the tackle. Plus, who is going to spend a high draft choice on a player that will have to change positions. I know "SLASH" did it for awhile, but that was a novelty and eventually, they figure it out.
I do believe he will stay in college one more year. I also know that McCoy came in second this year due to an unbelievable completion percentage, plus him leading his team in rushing. Jordon Shipley, his roomate and best friend has applied for a hardship year and was granted it. He will be back as well. The core of the TX team is not laden with seniors and I think they will be more likely to unseat Tebow / FL if not another SEC team such as Alabama.
posted by Mickster at 01:11 PM on January 10
I bet Colt McCoy will outplay him next year and take the Heisman from him. Probably the BCS crown as well. He's a 240 lb fullback or H-back that has the ability to throw with decent accuracy. He will not last long in the NFL.
I did hear some chuckles today when the comparrisons of Greatest College Player ever get bunked by names like Herschel Walker, Roger Staubach, Reggie Bush, Matt Leinert, Barry Sanders, Jim Brown, and I could list at least another ten.....
I think Corso has the biggest crush on him though.
posted by Mickster at 01:40 AM on January 10
First of all, I see Tebow as a good college QB, period. He isn't the GREATEST college player ever. He isn't in the top 10. He will be a decent H-Back in the NFL for maybe a few seasons if that. He has so far won 1 BCS Trophy (the other belonged to Chris Leak), he won an SEC championship, and a Heisman. I fail to see this love affair with him. And, when he gets up and starts flexing after a simple first down on their own 40 yard line, a bit pathetic if you ask me.
Here is what I see is wrong with the whole BCS crap. These were the best two teams (forget about the TX, USC, etc...) at the end of the season. They won their League Championship games and they should have met on a field a week or two later - NOT SIX WEEKS. They might have well gone though spring ball by now. That is the first part that really sucks.
Secondly, OU gets the ball and is moving it down the field and picks up a first down, and they blow Phil Loadholt for following through his block. What the hell was that. Give a verbal warning or something, but that was not unsportsmanlike. They were both locked up on each other. Then, a long pass is thrown down the sidelinie to a receiver - who just before he reaches for the ball - is hammered out of bounds. PASS INTERFERENCE. Don't you have to at least allow him to try to get his hands to touch the ball before he is beheaded? What a ruse??? The great catch by Gresham at the five.
Now I do agree that the play calling sucked on the goal-line and that is nobodys fault but the OC. But, call a roll-out to the opposite side- TD. Same on throwing to the goal liine when Iglesias was open on the other side. But, that was on OU.
Sam Bradford should stay another year (better than being a Detroit Lion), but he did his usual pinpoint passing for the majority of the game. It was Manual Johnson that dropped a beautiful pass that should have been caught. It was Iglesias that bobbled the ball and had it stripped at FL 25 with OU only down by 3 in the fourth. That had them at least in FG range.
Lastly, the mess about OU talking trash was nothing more than the media's love affair with Tebow. He started the jawing with the "I can't wait to face a Big 12 Defense". Florida showed no class at all - including the Tebow chomp. Tebow didn't will anyone to victory. There were eleven men on the field blocking, pushing, fighting, etc... HE might have tried to psych them up, but we all know that is showmanship. He ws playing to the audience. I bet he does go back to FL for another year. HE wouldn't make it in the NFL as more than a 2-3 round pick. And, if he does come back, I still don't think they win the SEC again, much less the BCS.
posted by Mickster at 01:31 AM on January 10
I've long been a Cowboys fan, but yesterday was the worst. I became so angry that I threw the jersey (Romo # 9) in the trash - where it belongs.
I don't fault a team for loosing, happens every week. But, they showed no heart and I am through rooting for a so-so QB that shrugs off these things as "oh well". The whole team is awful. The quality of individuals is great, but they don't play as a team, certainly not as if there was any sense of urgency.
I have watched weekly to see if the coaching staff could correct some of these "ills", but they are contributing to the fall of the franchise. You have an "aw shucks" head coach that has lost the team, an OC that can't seem to devise a decent game plan, and the O-line can't protect the QB or open holes for the RB (yeah the tough guy that sits out for numerous games with a hurt toe???).
Go Colts....
posted by Mickster at 11:30 AM on December 29
I grew up a Cowboys fan when Staubach was QB and battling Morton for the starting job. Things were so much simpler then. I do begrudge the guy that put the tab of "America's Team" on them.
With that said, it has become a circus with Jerry Jones. At first, I began to dislike him for running off Jimmy Johnson, who at the time was the best thing that ever happened to the "New Age Cowboys". Then he continues to have the light shine on him.
My problem is this. He claimed that he enjoys the headlines, to include the nonsense that went on with the drama after the Pitt. game. He seems to thrive on that and he even admitted that he has an office there at Valley Ranch for media. I guess he is more about the money aspect of it than winning and loosing. I used to believe he really cared buy buying up as much talent as he could. But, he undervalues the team chemistry aspect and that is why they haven't won a playoff game in so long. It is a collection of star players and not a great team.
Sad, sad times. I look for them to win one of the last two games, but not sure if that will be enough to get them in.
posted by Mickster at 11:31 AM on December 20
He will probably pay that to EMS staff for his treatment on-site and enroute to the hospital. Dude he is fighting is HUGE.
posted by Mickster at 02:01 PM on December 18
Though I have always loved the "Warrior" heart that he possess, he no longer throws enough punches to make a ripple in the giants he now faces.
He was once the toughest fighter I ever saw. When he fought Quawi (sp), that was a fight for the ages. He would take devastating blows, then fire back his own. It went on through the entire fight. I became a true fan that day.
But, he lost his desire or his stamina somewhere along the road. He no longer throws enough punches to do much damage and it seems as if he is simply trying to prove he can withstand the barrage he will certainly face. I don't want to watch a fighter survive, but rather to see one create havoc.
Time to hang up the gloves....
posted by Mickster at 11:18 PM on December 17
I liked the "Golden Boy" early on in his career, but he long ago became more enamored with the money aspect of boxing than the fights themselves. By starting his own promotions, involvement with The Contender (series on ESPN), he always seemed more interested in being on the outside looking in.
Only problem with that is that he could have been really good if he would have trained harder and had more heart. I felt that he tanked it in a couple of his last fights.
To get beat is one thing, but to not put up a good fight is completely something else. I thought he never threw enough punches in fights with better oponents. He would routinely get hit too often, and never let loose with his punches.
Definately time to call it quits in the ring and just become another Don King outside of it.
posted by Mickster at 10:06 AM on December 11
Hey ksb122, what planet are you from? Bob Stoops isn't the only coach to play his players into the fourth quarter. Colt McCoy was playing in the fourth quarter of the Texas A & M game when there was absolutely no chance for the other team to win. They were up by over 30 and if my memory hasn't failed me, they were still running offensive plays.
So, what do you suggest that they do? Kneel on the ball with 12 minutes to go in the game? I think if you go back you will find two things wrong with your post.... Bob Stoops pulled his starters in the fourth quarter many times throughout the season. Also, OU led TX by at least 11 points throughout the game. They are neither scared of / or fearful of TX. What happened in Oct. is done. What is the excuse for TX loosing to Tech?
You need to understand that the rules are what they are. All coaches play by the same rules. If there is anything wrong with this, it is the system and not the coaches.
Finally, with the chance to break a record easily within grasp, do you sit on the ball, or try to break a record? If the roles had been reversed, bet Mack Brown would do the same. If he needed to win big in every game to overcome OU he would do it without hesitation.
And it you wish to talk about classless coaches I give you Mack Brown. To go on TV and beg for votes - how can you defend that. He knew the rules and the only way he could overcome OU was by the human votes - those which he was begging for. That my friend is classless. He knew the computers would not reward him because he plays too soft of non-conference schedules. His only hope in hell was to try to swing voters.
The ironic thing is that all the coaches that played against both teams rated OU in front of TX.
posted by Mickster at 10:14 AM on December 10
To say that Bob Stoops would have complained / whined or any of that stuff that Mack Brown was doing is nothing more than conjecture.
Here is the plain truth. Mack Brown and the TX alumni did its very best to print up flyers, fly planes (not once, but twice), go on the air live at halftime of the OU / OSU game to try and persuade voters his team was MORE deserving. He even called (along with staff) people at the halftime of OU's game against Texas Tech to remind them that they had beaten OU in Dallas (the neutral field). To me, that is nothing more than politicing for your team. Hey, it worked in 2004 right? They jumped another team and won the title. But, isn't that a bit demeaning? Bob Stoops was asked to come on the air at the half-time game of TX - Texas A & M and he declined. He has been asked point blank to say why he felt his team was "as deserving" and he replied by saying 7 straight wins and dominating some really strong programs.
I guess I was like so many others in that I would vote for a playoff system anyday. I don't see this as ever happening thought. The only problem with this is that you would have basically the same 8-10 teams would be in the playoff year after year. With some it is a populararity contest.
Now, how do you not put Texas Tech in a BCS game instead of TX when they beat the Longhorns head to head? I have heard all the "with 1 second remaining..." But, Tech led most of the game and had only to kick a field goal with the time left. Had Crabtree stepped out of bounds with just a few seconds left and had a chip shot field goal, it would be no different than the finish between TX and OSU. A loss is a loss. If they wish to redo the rules, great. I am for it, but don't change them after it goes to a fifth tie breaker.
Last bit to get off... I am sure that many people believe that TX got robbed. I would feel the same if it was reversed, but I would have said "that was the rules, so be it" rather than to drag this on.
Texas had their chance and nobody to blame but themselves. They did manage to sway many of the pollsters to change their votes for them. But, they couldn't fool the computers. OU beat at least 5 ranked teams... including TCU and Cincinnati. Who did the Longhorns beat outside of the Big XII? Nobody. These schools that put cupcakes on the schedule year after year to avoid having to risk their perfect season must realize that there is a price to be paid. Auburn 2004 or so was also proof of that. Yeah, I have heard about the TN - Chatt. game, but that was due to a cancellation and nobody else would play them then. It hurt them more than it could have ever helped them.
Lesson learned????
posted by Mickster at 01:05 PM on December 08
I must admit that I really got tired of hearing Mack Brown campaigning for his Horns... I realize it worked in 2004, but OU isn't CAL.
But, way I see it... Cost for flying plane at OU's game in Stillwater - $10,000. Flyers with 45-35 printed in large letters - $5,000. Having to sit and watch the Sooners dismantle the Tigers - PRICELESS.
I realize that TX gained in the human polls. But, if you want to take the computers out of it, or better yet get them to push you to the front.... then play someone tough - out of conference. That, or if you are going to loose, do it early. How it's always been. It's what is fresh on the voter's minds.
posted by Mickster at 01:39 AM on December 07
I believe that the O-Line should be the center of all the media hype. They should be docked money for the beating that Romo and Barber took against the Cardinals. Anyway, I believe that they should try to establish the run game again, using Barber and Tashard Choice.
As for TO, he is what he is. He will always want the ball and never be happy with his "role" in the offense. Pacman was a distraction and he didn't really make the impact that Jones thought he would. He only averaged a measley 5.0 return yards and the pass defense was in the lower half of the league averages. Not really a big loss in my opinon.
I also see where so many people say that "on paper...." That's the great thing about the NFL, on any given Sunday...
Just think how all of this would have played out if they held on to win the game against Arizona. Instead of all of this, they would again be talking about how great they were and what a comeback. Irony at its best.
posted by Mickster at 01:43 PM on October 16
Hey BornIcon, I get it that you care. I do too. The message was aimed at "who cares" what all the so called experts say. Half to three quarters praise them as they beat the Eagles and Packers. Then when they loose a game or two, everyone jumps in to say that TO is gonna implode, or that Jerry Jones is criticized for the Pacman deal. He took a chance and I am ok with it. Heck, I couldn't care if he sends Pacman packing...
I believe they will be fine, but so much interest with everything they do. When Washington lost to the winless Rams, at home mind you, it was like nobody noticed. IT is such a winless situation. If they win, it is never by enough points, or an ugly win. It is bad because TO is pouting. If they loose, then the sky is falling.
posted by Mickster at 03:54 PM on October 15
I grow tired of the media's fascination with every little thing they do. I don't think that the sky has fallen as they are portraying.
First of all, I can't say how many times I saw Pacman getting burned in coverage or missing tackles. This was a gamble at best. They have some young corners that should be able to step up at least somewhat.
Secondly, the way that teams consistently double TO makes this a good move (trading for Roy Williams). If they start throwing to him initially, then it might loosen up the other side. If not, they can throw to Witten and the backs out of the backfield. They have Choice to fill in for Felix and with Crayton at the slot, he should find the middle of the field to his liking. I just think it does more to help them than to hurt them. So what if they give up a first and third for someone that has already been to the pro-bowl. If they get the choice from the Titans (via Pacman violating his conduct policy) that would more than wash the additional 7th or 6th rounder they lost.
Third, Brad Johnson should (the key here) be able to step in and at least run the offense. With so much talent on offense, they should be able to spread the field the way they thought they were going to be able to when they had Terry Glenn originally on the other side. It should be fine for now. And, I don't think Romo will take the full 4 weeks unless they win a couple of those games.
Lastly, if they don't do really great this year, so what. The league is meant to be balanced. If St. Louis can go to WA and beat them at home (and Cleveland over the G-Men), it goes to show how little the margin is from the have's and the have not's. I thought it was crazy to heap so much "Super Bowl" hype at them anyway. The defense needs to step up and be more accountable. They are giving up way too much yards on the ground, and their pass defense is only average at best (and that was with Pacman in there).
So, let the media disect and tell how they are doomed. What they say (as well as us on the blogs) should have no bearing whatsoever on how they perform. Who cares
posted by Mickster at 12:00 PM on October 15
A truly classic fight. I was for Cotto at first, but I give all props to Margarito. He obviously has a good chin to take the shots he did early on. I could feel the fight turning as he began to take control. This was worth every penny and I would love to see them fight again.
posted by Mickster at 10:19 AM on July 30
I guess I have known for sometime that "Spygate" would again rear it's head through the Sportsfilter. I do find it very unfortunate that the Herald gave a false account and damaged the image of the hometown team. But, I am still certain that the revelations that I have seen only serve to convince me further that the "Hoodie" knew he violated the rules and got caught. Walsh stated that he had to conceal the practices for fear of being caught. He was instructed to tape the games by the head of the video department, and he turned the tapes over to Ernie Adams. The tapes were intercepted by the league officials as they were being sent at halftime to the Pats, and even Godell said he never believed the Coach's take that he thought what he was doing was legal and a simple misinterpretation of the rules. I guess if you believed they were corrupt that this will only serve to strengthen your views, as well as if you believed they were wrongly accused that you will still feel they were wrongly blamed. But, back on topic - shame on the Herald. They really blew this one....
posted by Mickster at 08:33 AM on May 14
I have waited and finally decided to chime in. I have two sons, one is a wrestler and the other is into Kung Fu. Both love to watch the MMA and UCF matches on TV. I somewhat enjoy watching the shows with them. BUT, I do not in any way condone the children in this sport as acceptible. First of all, my oldest son has been wrestling since he was 46 lbs. He was in set weight divisions and against kids his weight and age. This part I do condone. But, we are expecting the parents of these kids to be responsible and to do the right things by their kids. I am here to tell you that it doesn't happen. In fact, my oldest is now on the high school wrestling team (9th grade) and went to state. I have heard throughout the years overzealous parents prodding their child to "suck it up", "stop being such a sissy", and of course my favorite one "the next time you get his arm in that hold, fucking break it off". Now, I am sure that most of the readers will say that this is just an overblown example of poor parenting, to which I would mostly agree. But, this is not an isolated thing. I have watched in horror at the parents of kids especially in wrestling. Kids come off the mats crying and are met by the father that is trying to relive their childhood through the kid. They will say the most horrifying comments. I get sick to my stomache at the behavior some parents display. My other son in Kung Fu has been in this sport since he was about 8. He is now 12 and has progressed to the level of Sr. Gold Sash. He is now able to spar for the first time. It is monitored very closely and they wear protective head gear, foot and hand covers, and the black sash instructors are the only ones that can monitor the sessions. But, they are too young to engage in full-contact matches at this time. I do agree with that. In mixed martial arts, though parents should do the right things - they often don't. I watch as the parents get more excited than the kids and they will tell their kid to strike an oponent in the groin or to knock the smile off his face. This is common for the contact sports. Anyone that has seen contact sports at this young age will be able to spot these adults easily and often. To say that it doesn't exist is naive. To say that it should be the parents responsibility is a cop-out. It is a nice idea, but not reality. It will take a child being hurt badly before this is stopped, but it will happen. In MME for this group, I see that they can't strike another kid in the face when they are on the ground, but they do and with force. I also see them strike each other pretty good in the face while standing. What do you tell a 6 yr. old that has been hit in the nose and bleeding? Tell him to act like a man?
posted by Mickster at 10:42 AM on March 30
So again an exec makes an ass of himself. He sounds like the kid that got left out of the picture and says, "hey, what about me?". I just don't get it with him. Why would you go and make such remarks just because they have finally put all the nonsense of curses and bad memories behind them. I am glad that the Sox finally broke out with a couple of World Series championships. It's great for their fans that have suffered through years and years of failed seasons and empty finishes. I personally don't see any NY Yankee hats or shirts where I live, but I see an awful lot of the Red Sox merchandise.
posted by Mickster at 06:34 PM on March 02
A truly great accomplishment.... one of three women to reach this platform. I applaud her coaching and wish her the best.
posted by Mickster at 04:45 PM on February 29
Put the vast majority of these poseurs in an deadline environment, forced to write a Game Seven story or interview an unwilling subject, and they'd fold up like your grandmother's Murphy bed. Those guys with the "cushy jobs" writing columns generally slogged their way through the backwaters and the weeklies to get where they were, learning the business and getting better. In other words, they became professionals. Tony, is that you???
posted by Mickster at 11:03 PM on February 25
The new phone books are in, the new phone books are in. Now I'm somebody. By the way, isn't Kornhole on with what's his name????
posted by Mickster at 10:37 PM on February 25
"from the start to the finish of any game in which such club is a participant" This means that you cannot tape the game that you are playing in. I figured this out and it wasn't all that hard. That is why his statement stinks!!! He was caught taping a game from the sidelines (with a video camera). He knew the rule and was caught taping the other teams signals "during the game". That is why they confiscated the tape. What part of this is confusing? I mean really, are we supposed to believe that it was only so they could use it after they played the team. That way they could study their formations to know what they did wrong???
posted by Mickster at 08:48 AM on February 18
The rule states: "Any use by any club at any time, from the start to the finish of any game in which such club is a participant, of any communications or information-gathering equipment, other than Polaroid-type cameras or field telephones, shall be prohibited, including without limitation videotape machines, telephone tapping, or bugging devices, or any other form of electronic devices that might aid a team during the playing of a game." Sounds pretty simple to me. The rule is hard to misunderstand. But, I am not going to sit and spend a few days dealing with this article again. He can profess his innocence, but he taped the other teams signals during a game and got caught. The part with "including without liimitation videotape machines" makes it a real slap in the face. How do you not know that it is illegal? Did I expect anything else from a man that says "I didn't know that was impermissible." So, I am supposed to believe him now. Hardly.
posted by Mickster at 07:49 AM on February 18
He came down pretty hard on The Hood, but some think not hard enough. He knows that you could probably infer everything from unfair competitive advantage to child porn from the tapes and notes. All I can say is what have you got in your pipe? Child porn? You must be kidding....
posted by Mickster at 02:37 PM on February 15
Let's face the fact that we DO know, which is that one coach (not the entire NFL) admitted that he was doing this illegal taping since he became coach in 2000. I believe this is all about him, not the Patriots. The team is full of talent and team players. I like the players and the way they band together. But, this isn't about them, it is about their coach. Now, in the SB victories over the Rams, Panthers, and Eagles, they were all very close games. In fact, one might argue that any of those could have gone to either team. But, any advantage no matter how small we might consider it, it still an advantage in an otherwise equal playing field. Any advantage could give you the necessary 3 pts. you would need to sneak out a victory. If anyone could give me a really good and rational explanation of "WHY" the tapes were destroyed, I might be a bit more able to let this go. There is no valid explanation I could have thought of. I know they say they reserve the right to go back and revisit this issue, but why would they destroy the evidence that Belichick admitted to? He confessed he did it. You would keep the proof and lock it up - not throw it away. Goodell cannot really explain other than to say "yep, he cheated so let's burn those tapes so they can't be used to help another team"?
posted by Mickster at 01:26 PM on February 15
Let's not stray from the issue here. This is about Bill Belichick "confessing" that he has been doing this since he took over in 2000. The rule is very simple, do not videotape opposing teams signals. He claims he didn't understand the ruling, that's poo-poo. It's an insult to our intelligence. I am sure that I can read the rule and make a good interpretation from it. As for the Senator getting involved. I say good for him. I could care less if he were an Eagles fan or not. If this did occur, and I was an Eagles fan, a Ram's fan or whatever, I would be very pissed. I can only imagine the questions as I watched them shut down the "greatest show on turf". The seemed to be especially good at the beginning of game as well as in the red zone. I am really disturbed by this. I am glad that it is being looked at. I don't think the NFL has given a sufficient answer as to why they would destroy such evidence without having experts or other coaches look at the tapes to see how they could have benefited. I think to destroy them after he already dished out the punishment of nearly 1 million dollars between the coach and owner, plus a first rounder was indicative of the seriousness. Now you see Goodell laughing and looking like a real arrogant ass when discussing it - uh, I was afraid that other teams might be able to use this or I was afraid it would help other teams..... Bullshit. That is a copout. I believe that after he gave the fines, he then recieved the tapes and notes two weeks later. He then destroyed them in 2 days time after getting the tapes. It shows of cover-up. And to say he wanted to talk to Matt Walsh, to "if he has anything that belongs to the league that he took, all he has to do is to turn the tapes over to the league"..... yeah right. They will take less than two days to destroy this time. I think that Goodell is trying to protect the league and that is all. I am all for Spector getting involved. I believe that someone needs to in this case. All Goodell can say is "I am sure it had no affect on the outcome of the game with Philadelphia" as if he were poking fun at the Senator. If I were the Senator, I would be talking to the "video assistant" really fast.
posted by Mickster at 08:06 AM on February 15
Am I loosing my mind or why isn't this a much bigger deal??? The "Hoodie" admits to doing this improper filming since he took over for the Pats in 2000. He turns an average franchise into a dynasty and nobody thinks there is anything wrong with this? The other thing I am really confused with is the fact that they wanted to talk to the video assistant and then it went to giving him immunity "if he turns over any materials he has to the NFL for protection". I would rather it be turned over to the Judiciary Committee. I believe there is a lot more to the whole thing than Goodell wishes us to think and he knows it could blow the lid off of Spygate. I believe that New England is a proud franchise and I like the owner and fans. But, this is about much bigger issues. It is about the game and the desire of one man to circumvent the rules. If Bill Belichick has been doing this since 2000, he would have "Knowingly" cheated the entire time he was there. The rule is laid out quite simply and he is a very intelligent man. HE knows that what he did was wrong. The audacity of mortals to question him.
posted by Mickster at 07:43 PM on February 14
I am a big OU fan and he embarrased the school by doing the same thing to OU. The problem is that he got us in trouble with the NCAA, left town and the program was punished because of him. Prior to leaving, he had apparently signed what was supposed to be the top class in the land, only to see the recruits pull their committments to OU. One (I believe) even changed his to IU. So, when he goes to Indiana he does the same thing. AMAZING... You would have thought he would have learned by this as he was put on supervision of some sort and restricted by IU from contacting recruits the first year. I was really shocked to see this again - especially as quickly as it happened. I was sad and angry both at him in the beginning when he bolted. But, we now have Jeff Capel that has us playing good ball (15-8), and with a MacDonald's All-American this year and another one (recruit) coming next year. I am proud that Capel got the job done. Now, we have lost a few lately and we might be a year or two away, but I believe that we got the better coach now and I feel sorry for Indiana. But, they should have seen the writing on the wall.
posted by Mickster at 04:36 PM on February 13
Talk about a sad story for recruits everywhere. At first I was feeling somewhat sorry for this kid, that is until I read that he made the whole thing up. Besides, who in their right mind would "facilitate" this type of arrangement. If you don't meet the coaches, don't visit the campus, and don't talk to them in person, then it's obviously a fake.
posted by Mickster at 09:01 PM on February 06
Well, so much as for the best dynasty, best team in the history of the league, etc.... It is all for naught. The G-men showed how they outperformed the playoff teams in the NFC, by DEFENSE. The did it to Garcia, Romo, Farve, and now Brady. No QB likes to get hit that much. I wonder now if they will qustion Tom Brady for the boot and flowers. Or for having a hot girlfriend as being too big of a distraction? Rule # 11 - we don't need no celbrity QB's. Congrats to the Giants.
posted by Mickster at 09:46 PM on February 03
You seem to misunderstand the comments I wrote. I DID take action with my kids, and I have kept my sons informed and off steroids. But, being into sports puts them in discussions with other athletes that are cheating. Then they bring home questions like, "Do they really cause your testicles to look like raisins?", or "I was told you can do them for 6 months and quit and you won't have any problems". I have to refute those ideas and explain that it isn't the truth. So, I take full responsibility for my actions with my kids. But, to say this problem doesn't exist in society is pure denial. It would be nice if parents did a better job of policing their children and the use of drugs, but it isn't reality. My point is this. It has been a problem for years and MLB trainers (according to the Mitchell Report) would even warn players that were about to be tested. I am saying that if you leave it to the owners to police themselves, they want homeruns and no-hitters. It sells tickets. It would be nice if parents did control this, but like anything (alcohol or cigarettes as an example), you tell them not to and they do it behind your back. Peer pressure is much more powerful than adult pressures at the age of experimentation. I'm not into the subliminal messages or blaming violence on TV for childhood aggression. But, for the sake of the topic at hand - MLB proves they didn't do anything about it. You have a novel idea, but it doesn't work. I have been at schools and had to call a parent because their kid had drugs on them. When the parents come to the school and smell of pot - what do you do? You have given too much credit for the parents of today to think they are doing the right things.
posted by Mickster at 09:51 AM on February 02
So, bring me up to speed on this, because I'm not an antitrust lawyer: in what way does destroying videotapes establish a trust, or violate the provisions of the NFL anti-trust exemption? So, when I give the 5-cent version of a subparagraph to explain the part you asked about, you become an Anti-Trust Attorney??? You obviously know more than you let on, so read the subparts for yourself. It will explain how this applies and yes, sports does matter. When the Sherman Anti-Trust Act was passed, granted it was for monopolies like telephone and cable corporations. But, the NFL (a multi-billion dollar industry) asked for and was granted this status. Therefore, they are subject to all parts of the law, not just the ones we wish to play with. I know you are a smart person as I have read your previous threads. But, this is about the legal system and destroying the evidence is a violation of that law - period. And as for the comment by Venicemenace, you did the same thing, pull a tiny excerpt out of a four-six page story. And you say mine was an exaggeration. The guy is obviously worried about many issues: family in New England, 401K, Legalities of being sued just to name a few. He gave a good analogy about nothing to gain, but everything to loose. Would you want immunity and legal expenses to cover you and an 8-month old baby and your wife? Read or post the entire article, not the parts that can make you sound as though you are certain this is a money motive. It's obvious this thread is going nowhere fast. You can say politics has no place in sports, but I don't want my kids taking steroids. MLB didn't clean it up, so Congress had no choice. Too many kids die each year. Should we leave it to the billionaires to do the right thing? Wait until you have kids playing sports and they start to ask you the questions. As for Matt Walsh, I really couldn't give a rat's about him. I am certain he will get a subpoena now. Only time will tell how this whole thing ends. But, I doubt you will hear the end of it soon. I am out of here...... good luck
posted by Mickster at 11:41 PM on February 01
From what I read, these laws are aimed at keeping one organization from gaining an advantage over another. In this case it would be one team over the others. It further states that you are not allowed to destroy evidence that would prove that a competitive advantage existed, or that improper conduct took place. Godell himself said by news conference as well as the maximum and unprecedented fines that the Patriots had gained a competitive advantage. In breaking news - as if you probably hadn't heard.... a former video assistant by the name of Matt Walsh has come forward and told an ESPN reporter that he has evidence from when he was with the team. He worked in that capacity from 1996-2003. He indicated that the evidence (films he has) would embarrass the NFL as well as the Patriots. One last thing. When Godell levied the fines and punishment, he said that if further evidence was revealed, he could add punishment. So, he claims he only had received 6 tapes. He also claimed he destroyed them all. But, if what this new source is claiming is true, he says it goes back much further than the 2006 season. This is information I just watched on ESPN, and you can go to their website and in the upper right hand corner is the article. You can listen to part of it on there.
posted by Mickster at 06:40 PM on February 01
I would suggest that you do an internet search and look it up. I did so because I felt the same way at first. But, after I read it I see what the fuss is about. If you reap the benefits of this law, you must play by their rules. It is really quite simple. And yes, if they did receive an advantage - as admitted by Godell, then it falls into their jurisdiction.
posted by Mickster at 05:11 PM on February 01
As long as the NFL profits from the anti-trust laws, they are required to abide by them - all of them. Not just the parts they like. It has made the NFL more profitable than other sports. As I have read, Sen. Specter made this request two months ago - in November. The commissioner just simply ignored him and I believe that is why he is throwing it out now - prior to the NFL State of the Union, Superbowl, etc... And, yes I think he is granstanding by doing so. But, if you are protecting the other teams from an unfair advantage - which is what this was, you have to follow the rules and turn over all of the records to the Congressional Committee. I believe that destroying the tapes just hurt the NFL more than if they would have turned them over. Roger Godell stood in front of cameras and told the nation that New England got caught cheating and they paid the maximum fine and lost a first round draft choice - unprecedented in the history of the league. Godell said that he had them destroyed so that the Patriots wouldn't have any advantage. How so? And, I agree with Hannibal that they are still on a flash drive somewhere in the Hoodie's office. If they truly confiscated all the tapes and files, how exactly could this help the Pats, or for that reason harm any other team. I just think that the Senator is correct in asking for the hearing. If you are going to benefit from the Anti-Trust exemption, you have to play by the rules. You can't have it both way. I believe the bias of the senator is certainly questionable, but why else would they destroy them before anyone else could see the evidence. If they had an advantage by the tapes (read article on ESPN about Ernie Adams?) then they violated the act regardless. The only thing I have a question with is the timing. I hate it that he is an Eagles fan and this comes up two days before what could be history (19-0), but laws are black and white. You either did or didn't violate it. My pick is the Pats by at least 14 pts by the way.
posted by Mickster at 04:14 PM on February 01
I doubt if I was a coaching candidate that I would want that type of job to begin with. First and foremost, if you are a winning club, you keep your coach. If you keep loosing and getting good picks in the draft, you will be searching for a coach. I do question his reasoning for hiring Zorn before a head coach, but it worked for Jason Garett??? But you also have to remember that the team went in the tank the last four games - OFFENSIVELY. The defense played better as the year went on, and the offense began to fall apart. As for taking Williams to Miami, they have the defensive coaches Parcells took with him from Dallas. I believe they promoted one of them to D-Coordinator. As for the Raiders. Run baby, just run.
posted by Mickster at 02:49 PM on January 28
I am relieved as a Cowboys fan that Williams is gone. And who knows, maybe Dallas will even offer him a job. They do have openings thanks to Parcells. If he is cared for THAT much by his players, isn't that is what you are supposed to want in your coaches??? I just don't get Snyder. He does one stupid thing after another. As long as he is an owner, he will ruin the 'Skins. I bet that Gibbs is thankful he left when the getting was good. As for Davis, they might as well start finding a nice home for him. He never gives a coach a chance. Plus, wasn't the #1 overall draft a holdout to well into the season. I think Kiffin was excellent as a coach and I began to believe that they had finally righted the ship. Then he decides to ask him to resign and want another coach. Once a year, that should tell everyone out there to stay away.
posted by Mickster at 07:04 AM on January 28
Florida Linebacker Tried to Eye-Gouge Opponent
I believe that Oregon did the right and just thing / immediate suspension - for the year for Blount for the suckerpunch. The fact that he has earned his way back after missing 7 straight games in his senior season and hurting his draft status as well as his teams hopes and look at the good that has come from that.
Urban Meyer did what is best for his season and Florida's hopes of a national champion and let that dirty SOB get away with what is the most disguising act of cowardice I have ever seen on a football field. To have your fingers jabbing an opposing members eyes when he can't even get his hand free to protect himself is about as chickenshit as I have seen ever. And, isn't he the one that talks about how dirty other players / teams are?