- 12:24 AM
- 11/22/09
Attended UGA, and my Facebook wall is littered with "rip, uga VII!!!" messages.
While not UGA VII, my favorite UGA the bulldawg memory's when he took a bite at an Auburn player. Kinda resonates the student's feelings
He was only four-years-old and had just completed his second season as the team's mascot.
Technically, he's still be finishing the season- he still had a home and away game to attend.
posted by jmd82 at 10:29 AM on November 20
With Cleveland, in the games I've watched, they at least play some D- and as much as they're on the field and dealing with turnovers on their own side of the field, damn good D. If they had at least a halfway-decent Offense (thinking back to when the Ravens won the superbowl with Trent Dilfer), they'd be a major force to be reckoned with.
posted by jmd82 at 10:37 PM on November 19
Interesting move for a team which for so many years were the Bungels and iffy players, and now that they seem to have finally got it together, signs a known malcontent.
posted by jmd82 at 02:14 PM on November 16
I'm happy that Jon Gruden, for the time being, will be staying with MNF for the time being. He's one of my favorite announcers in the game.
posted by jmd82 at 01:38 PM on November 16
Right - Ever seen coWard confront anyone face to face? Guy makes his living gooning players when they aren't looking ..
C'mon now, be fair. Those DBs can get in blind-side hits too.
posted by jmd82 at 12:08 PM on November 12
You gain respect from your players that if they do something wrong,
You don't think his players already respect Meyer? Who won a nat'l championship last year? Who are #1 in the polls? And they have Football Jesus playing?
That hit's going to last a lot longer than the appropriate punishment would last.
I can see the recruiting trail now: "Ya now, that guy was only suspended for half a game. I'm going to another school with less national exposure and not as good a chance of winning the championship now!"
I can't believe I'm supporting anything UF, but from a purely coaching and tactical standpoint, I think he made the right decision. Worst that would happen is the SEC comes down with a stiffer penalty, which they did not.
posted by jmd82 at 08:51 AM on November 03
On local radio in Jacksonville they're saying that Ealey took some cheap shots at Gators during the game.
I'm assuming that with all the cameras surrounding the Gators, there would be video of that too no?
Talked to some people at the game, and word was that Ealey spat in Spikes' face the play before or at some point in the game. The theory is the eye gouge was "payback."
That said, I don't disagree at all that the punishment should be harsher, and SEC should have stepped in at this point to stiffen the penalty. However, from Meyer's perspective: What do you gain, as a coach, by punishing Spikes more? He and the AD know at UF, it's all about winning national championships, all the time. Regardless of it being the right or wrong decision, Meyer looked at what is best for his team to win a championship this year and proceeded accordingly.
posted by jmd82 at 12:06 AM on November 03
Reminds me of watching the World Series of Poker. There was a guy in the final 40 who was a top guy at Goldman Sachs and one of the announcers ripped on that fact every single time. Lines along the lines, "He just stole that pot like he stole from investors!!"
posted by jmd82 at 06:10 PM on November 01
I find it crazy that Oregon State beat AP-ranked #4 USC, who both had one loss at the time, and yet is now ranked #8 in the polls. Even though Oregon's one loss was "better" than USC's in loosing to undefeated Boise State.
posted by jmd82 at 02:03 PM on November 01
This reminds me: When I was watching the LSU game last weekend, their helmets all had one of those "Caution! Brain damage possible!!!" And at first I was like, "no shit, Sherlock, it's football." And then I realized it's exactly because of lawsuits like that that unless potential harm is explicitly stated, you leave yourself open to liability.
posted by jmd82 at 03:33 PM on October 30
What's the difference in 8 mph? If a ball hits your temple or strikes you chest, the damage will be the same whether it hits at X speed or X+8 speed. The danger would be the same whether it's a medal/composite bat or wood.
Uh, no. That whole conservation of momentum thing says that as velocity increases, so to does momentum. Thus, when something strikes a human head, as momentum goes up, so to do does the potential damage. I'm not a physicist and am not sure how much 8 mph will make a difference, but to say it does not matter is flat out wrong.
posted by jmd82 at 12:13 PM on October 30
The moral of the story I learned? Lie better. If the truth never comes out, Bryant never gets in trouble. Problem solved. In the future is a kid lies and latter learned it was a mistake, he has no incentive whatsoever to clear the air since he'll be ruled ineligible anyways.
posted by jmd82 at 09:13 AM on October 30
What is this supposed to teach Bryant?
To never lie to NCAA officials.
Not hard to do since he'll never deal with the NCAA again.
posted by jmd82 at 03:42 PM on October 29
The dude wrote bad checks for more money than I'll make in years to support his gambling addict. Sounds like a guy who's had the world handed to him on a silver platter and was never told no since he first showed mad b-ball skills, and doesn't know how to act otherwise. Not that he's the only one.
posted by jmd82 at 10:35 PM on October 28
Maybe this is just because I'm a Minnesotan, but given the hotbed of political correctness that most college campuses are these days, you'd think the student body would demand correcting that already. (This is one of the rare cases where I actually agree with the PC crowd.)
After graduating from UGA, I've lived in Minnesota the last couple years, and yea, it's different up here. In Georgia, everything seemed to center around race. At UGA, there were some students who wanted chang, but by and large, most people liked it just the way it is, Confederate flags and all. It's also worth noting that a lot of alumni money comes from the "good ole' boy network," who don't always tend to be the progressive types. If anything, most the pressure to change come from the administration to make the school look forward thinking and not backwards, kinda like what Ole Miss's doing.
posted by jmd82 at 06:41 PM on October 28
I guess they can stop the cheer, but I don't think it really makes much difference.
I dunno about recruiting, but I think the presence of "old south" definitely makes a difference for incoming minority students. I attended UGA 2001-2005, and one of the major issues was the lack of minorities (specifically, African-Americans). The main argument's the majority of our campus are Atlanta natives with a huge black population, yet at the time I attended UGA, they made up only a few percent of the population. One can argue about the Atlanta school systems all they want and how inter-city schools offer an inferior education, but my theory was that if I were a minority, all I'd have to do is walk down fraternity row to see the frat houses (I think there were 15-20 on one street) proudly waving the confederate flag. I could choose to go to a school where people obviously still don't exactly hold minorities in the highest light, or choose to go to great predominantly black colleges in Atlanta. Not a hard choice, imho.
posted by jmd82 at 03:14 PM on October 28
Reminds me of The Leg from The Replacements.
posted by jmd82 at 01:05 PM on October 19
Gruden with TB
He did win that whole Super Bowl thing.
posted by jmd82 at 01:20 PM on October 15
Right now, Gruden is a definite upgrade in the MNF booth from what they had before. Based on what ESPN thinks is airworthy broadcast talent, they are very fortunate to have Gruden on board.
I almost wish he'd stay out of coaching for his announcing. I actually don't mind listening to MNF with him in the announcer's booth. But ya, I also expect him to be coaching next year. Wait till season's end, and he can have a fairly decent choice of gigs.
posted by jmd82 at 10:58 AM on October 15
Youtube copyright notices for games like this confuse me. Is the school planning on making money off them somehow?
posted by jmd82 at 06:39 PM on October 14
If the players speak loud enough (i.e., get organized and act in solidarity on the issue), change should surely come, no?
Good question. I think one advantage other sports might have in circumstances like this is their organized teams. If the NFL strikes, well, everyone does. In Tennis, if the top 10 were to strike, then the rest can still get paid by playing in the same tournaments. It's not like you need to go "find" replacement players. They're right there, already playing tennis for a living.
posted by jmd82 at 02:54 PM on October 13
I hear ya. I can't bend it like Beckham, either.
posted by jmd82 at 08:06 PM on October 12
Most tennis injuries are repetitive stress ones; ligaments, knees and elbows that are constantly stopping and starting and performing unnatural functions 11 months a year.
Yea, those are my thoughts. Soccer ain't easy, but neither are all those sudden stops on the hardcourt surfaces. To be a top-flight player, you need need the ability to run full speed and stop on a dime to reverse direction. That is going to take a toll on anybody's body, particularly leg joints. Also, in tennis, if you have the slightest arm injury, it can easily throw your entire game off. Unlike soccer where you have 10 compadres to help cover up an injury, singles players have no such luxury. I'm not saying soccer isn't physically taxing or anything, but rather that it's a completely different sport with a different set of physical attributes. I would be all for reducing the tennis season to 9-10 months so we can see the players at their peak come Major time instead of being injured from over exertion.
Be like the Williams sisters - don't play so much. They have obvious scorn for the rankings system. That may only work for the top tier players. Lower ranked or unranked players may feel the need to play as much as possible to break into the ranks or move up the ranks.
IMHO, that illustrates one of the problems with the current setup. Once you get outside the top 5, it becomes very much an issue who plays in the most tournaments. Back when I followed tennis more closely, top-20 players who never made it past the 3rd round weren't uncommon- they simply entered every tourney imaginable to gain points in the rankings, even if they weren't a top-20 player by skill.
posted by jmd82 at 05:29 PM on October 12
To ban someone for a whole year for violating a technicality is complete bullshit in my books.
I'm sure Pete Rose agrees with you.
With the minor detail that Rose was lying about something strictly forbidden in the sport.
posted by jmd82 at 12:47 PM on October 08
Ouch...being suspended for the entire season for lying? I know lying's wrong and could understand a few games, but rest of the season seems a little harsh.
posted by jmd82 at 10:58 PM on October 07
The Pack turned the ball over a couple of times and failed to score in the red zone on a couple of occasions.
One of those plays was a forced fumble by Jared Allen when it looked like the Pack was going to score early on. Coming up with great key plays at key times is the sign of a good team, imho.
posted by jmd82 at 04:12 PM on October 06
Am i the only one that saw Champ Bailey grab the Cowboy's receiver around the waist and pull with his right while his left was in front tipping the ball away? Obvious interference if you ask me. I know the Boy's should have already had it in the bag and did not deserve to win, but cheating by Champ? to win the game for Denver. I must say Denver is my least favorite team ever.
Kind of like holding by the O-Line, that's very common. DBs & WRs grapple, push off, and hold often enough that pass interference on either team could be called every other down. It's a matter of whether the refs call it. So no, it's no cheating.
posted by jmd82 at 04:09 PM on October 06
Ben Roethlisberger was on WWE Monday Night Raw last night and looked like they had a blast.
posted by jmd82 at 02:47 PM on October 06
Go Twins...can't beat a season that goes down to the final game.
It almost has me excited it Twins baseball. Almost. I even watched 2 innings yesterday!
posted by jmd82 at 12:52 PM on October 04
Do high school players provide their own equipment, especially helmets? Or is it standard issue stuff? If the schools provide it I would be worried about them cheaping out.
Schools I've worked at, the school typically provides the equipment, though students also pay an athletics fee to help cover the costs (this is from private schools).
posted by jmd82 at 02:21 PM on September 30
MMA, boxing, racing all have deadly risks associated with their sports at almost every level of competition.
I can't speak to boxing and racing, but I'm somewhat versed in martial arts, and I never saw many teenagers involved in MMA like we see it. It's usually Tae Kwon Do or some form of non INSANE CONTACT martial art class, where form is taught first, followed by sparring with pads and strikes to the head strictly forbidden.
posted by jmd82 at 11:04 PM on September 29
A school district in Maryland now screens its athletes before athletic events, so they can easily diagnose a concussion and know when it has fully healed.
Around my district, programs like that aren't really all that uncommon. We use the same program at our school. Not a bad idea to put it on our website.
posted by jmd82 at 08:59 PM on September 29
I was watching a post-NFL game coach's speech in the locker room, and at the end, the coach told everyone to get on their knee and pray. I wonder what would happen if a player openly objected. Or another coach openly wore a sign of Islam (in regards to Singletary's giant cross on display while coaching). I dunno what, but there's something about sports that brings religion into the picture.
posted by jmd82 at 03:32 PM on September 28
Or they can trade Vick.
I think that's their real plan. Put him in a few plays a game and if it turns out he can go the season without getting injured or doing anything stupid, they'll be able to get something out of trading him.
posted by jmd82 at 10:38 AM on September 28
If I leave an item out on my front lawn with a sign that says, "FREE"*, could I have you charged with robbery for taking it?
That sounds like a scam I can get behind.
posted by jmd82 at 03:34 PM on September 23
Interesting take from a local , jags!
posted by jmd82 at 11:52 PM on September 22
Being in Seattle doesn't help, either. This would be getting major headlines if he were in NYC or Boston, I reckon.
posted by jmd82 at 09:21 PM on September 14
Players in all sports yell at refs, umps, judges all the time. A typical response is to ignore it, or dismiss it.
Uh, have you watched other pro sports before? In MLB, you get thrown when you abuse the ref. In NHL, the players skate over to the ref and talk calmly (with the exception of the occasional Royesque moment of ballistic anger). In NFL, it's a mass of players pointing it's the other team's fault, not yelling they're going to shove a football down the ref's throat.
There's a world of difference between arguing against a call and berating & threatening the ref. I think if Serena had gone all John Mcenroe, "That was not a foot foul!!! You need a new pair of glasses!!!" This would be an entirely different argument.
posted by jmd82 at 12:40 PM on September 14
If she stands up for herself, and literally sits out a significant match if the officials refuse to remove this cowardly lines judge, then I am certain the message will come down from the league and it's sponsors
And she looses any goodwill with the fans and probably her Nike contract as she falls out of favor with the public.
posted by jmd82 at 11:55 PM on September 13
I'm pretty sure shoving a fucking tennis ball down your throat would kill you.
posted by jmd82 at 04:45 PM on September 13
Based on the drugs found and his prior history, not surprising. Echoing on Lance's blog, I'd tend to think the quantity found is evident of his drug use- chiefly of the pain killer realm with the crazy stunts he's done over the years- and not so much selling.
posted by jmd82 at 03:02 PM on September 12
According to this SI article, he's "happy to go there, and I told them that. But me and my family have never been separated. This was a difficult transition."
posted by jmd82 at 01:07 PM on September 12
On the other, Jordan enters the Hall of Fame as the greatest basketball player ever, and his speech demonstrates exactly why he achieved that goal. He coupled an immense talent with an exaggerated response to criticism that never let him rest on his accomplishments.
Initially watching the speech, that is how I saw it. He want back in history to show how people telling him "no" made him try that much harder. If it weren't for the Van Gundys, Leroy Smiths, and the old pistons & magic stars, he wouldn't have been given reason to drive as hard as he did.
But yea, I can see where people would see his speech as being petty.
posted by jmd82 at 01:05 PM on September 12
I agree that you would too, because when you hired on you knew that the way your business works is that there is the possibility of being sent to Siberia
Actually, no, I would not willingly go. If my job transferred me to an abysmal location, I would fight as hard as I could to avoid that fate.
And as somebody else brought up, at least in another job, I can quit and find another job. Football players have no such ability to make an NFL living elsewhere.
Ever been to northern California? Sure the Raiders suck
Oh please, I was exaggerating the effect of the move, not the location itself- The Raiders such as an organization, and Siberia sucks regardless.
posted by jmd82 at 07:52 PM on September 11
he's provided more evidence that Richard Seymour is all about himself and will likely face a lot of hostility for that attitude.
Yea...cause if I had a family and my job tried sending me to Siberia, I'd willingly go.
posted by jmd82 at 12:37 PM on September 11
God bless her, but I think Oudin's run says more about the state of women's tennis than it does about her ability (for now).
As much as I enjoyed watching as an Atlanta native, I have to agree. Her game is...meh. IIRC, she didn't even have an ace last game. Her serve is a liability, and her groundstokes though accurate aren't exactly overpowering. If she goes up against a Williams sister on her game, Oudin doesn't stand a chance.
posted by jmd82 at 08:57 AM on September 08
This is precisely the situation I would have to consider when advising my son to enter the draft, or stay in college. He's already won the Heisman
Aye. When I see an injury like this, I'm reminded why I shouldn't feel any angst against a kid coming out soon. Faced with the proposition of making millions of guaranteed dollars or staying in college for another year and possibly loosing money due to an injury, I'm entering the draft. Money ain't everything, but as my dad put it, it sure makes life a lot easier.
posted by jmd82 at 04:01 PM on September 06
My daughter was at her high school's football game last night, and one of the opposing team's fans peed into a bottle and then threw it into the visiting team's stands. What the hell is the matter with some people?
They've been playing Team Fortress 2.
posted by jmd82 at 11:33 AM on September 06
If you walked up to someone and they punched you for insulting them for whatever reason, that's one thing. If you turn your back and then the person decided to punch you, that my friend is called a sucker punch no matter how you try to spin it.
And you'd land in jail for assault. "Uh, yea, I knocked him out for insulting my wife."
posted by jmd82 at 10:44 AM on September 04
The clip also mentioned that the same player was kicked out of practice earlier in the season for "behavioral issues." Sounds like the kid needs some help, but sadly, all he'll be remembered for is sucker punching somebody.
posted by jmd82 at 08:57 AM on September 04
Doesn't the fact that Favre is brought up in the 1st place on the SI cover as being "100% Favre-Free", defeating the purpose? Why not go the route of not mentioning him at all?
You took the words right out my mouth. Sounds like a publicity stunt.
posted by jmd82 at 02:12 PM on August 26
Now you're just trolling. If male or white athletes want to start their own leagues and enjoy less money and stature than they do today, no one is stopping them.
While I agree gray's just trolling at this point, I'd love to see someone try to create an all white league. Not to watch it, but because while it maybe, technically could happen, any known name joining such a league would create an outrage factor up there with dog fighting.
posted by jmd82 at 12:05 AM on August 20
Aren't human characteristics always on a spectrum anyway? We set rules that you are either female or male, but the reality is not always so clear.
Except for that whole hormonal thing. Biological genotype plays an important roll to make thing usually quite clear from a physical standpoint. Ya know, testes descending or not part which directly influences physical characteristics and hormones among other things.
posted by jmd82 at 06:12 PM on August 19
How was the Jets running game? I honestly don't know and ask because remember that if he stays healthy, AP is one of the best running backs in the biz and won't require Favre to win those last 5 games on his own.
posted by jmd82 at 03:34 PM on August 18
Students are paying for the tickets through their activity fees, so they get into games for free.
Though it might differ at different schools, UGA did not work this way. Though student tickets were cheap compared to non-student tickets, they were not free.
And I think SEC's just trying to placate ESPN and the powers at be. Some of my favorite facebook pictures are from games. Look through current student picture galleries and you'll see a ton of similar pictures. Unless the SEC starts issuing crazy DMCA notices for something about copyright or trying to bully students, my guess is they'll only target those who try to make money off such endeavors.
posted by jmd82 at 03:29 PM on August 18
This will not wendell.
posted by jmd82 at 02:17 PM on August 18
I like the last link...Good to see an athlete with former issues find his way.
posted by jmd82 at 08:12 PM on August 17
Those who know me think I'm nuts, but I gladly trade my lawn mower for a snow blower each year.
Having moved from Atlanta to Minnesota, I strongly disagree. I love the snow, but screw that month long sub-0F weather. I'll gladly move back to somewhere warmer someday.
posted by jmd82 at 05:22 PM on August 17
including a masterful approach at 18. Good for him.
That was sick. You could tell the announcers were ready for him to par and Woods to birdie for a playoff, and that shot blew it all to hell. Great shot to wrap it up.
posted by jmd82 at 12:40 AM on August 17
AP Columnist: 'Soccer Players Can't Be Trusted'
I agree with mike. It's the ref's job to call the rules on the field.
When people start calling for O-lineman to tell the ref they held on every play, or for a point guard to admit when he travels and isn't called for it, or an NBA center to tell the ref there was contact under the rim and it wasn't called, then they can bitch that Henry should have gone straight the the refs.
If what Henry did was cheating, then pretty much every player in team sports cheats.