I Did It My Way ……………….
I Did It My Way ……………
I’ve always felt a great admiration for an athlete who walks away from the game on their own terms , rather than in the end for them having to be shown the door unceremoniously . It happens far too often with regard to the latter. And I know there’ll be those out there who will say that it’s their right to go on as long it’s humanly possible. But consider this , in the real world there’s a mandatory retirement age. And granted, we see people in all walks of working late into their years in a variety of fields. We’re not going to see someone in their late forties still playing in the NFL . Well , not unless your name happens to be Brett Favre. I can only surmise, that he wants to play ‘til he’s as old as Methuselah ? And for those of you who aren’t religious or perhaps have never read the Bible. Methuselah happened to be the oldest recorded person from that venerable book.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner announces his retirement from football with his family Friday, Jan. 29, 2010 at the Cardinals' training facility in Tempe, Ariz. photo appears courtesy of Associated Press / Matt York ........
Well after 12 years in the NFL, Arizona Cardinals’ quarterback, Kurt Warner , has to decided to call it a day. He goes out on his own terms having had a story book career . A two time league MVP, Superbowl (SB XXXIV) winner and Supebowl winning MVP. Amongst other accolades , Warner has three of the top five performances ever as a quart back in the Superbowl. If that’s enough to book him a place in Canton , Ohio, then they might as well shut the frigging place down once and for all ! Never mind the regular season stats that’ve littered his career. Kurt Warner has been an exemplary player, teammate and an outstanding human being. And there are not too many sport’s individuals that one can say that about in this day and age. I don’t care in what sporting endeavor you might care to name. There has never been any controversy surrounding Warner on or off the field. And his peers past and present consider him to be amongst the very best not only as competitor , teammate or opponent. But also in terms of his character and his compassion for other less well of than him. That will be the measure of Warner’s legacy upon the NFL.
Now having said this, I must admit that his retirement hasn’t taken me by complete surprise. I understand why he now feels it’s time to bow out from a stage he graced so successfully. He’s a family man but also someone who has devoted a great time in the pursuance of helping others. And his beliefs , as he’s a devout Christian , wills Warner now to a higher calling . In this case it’s not solely about spreading the world of Christ but also to as I’d previously stated is to help those in need. It’s the same approach that was taken by former Indianapolis Colts’ head coach Tony Dungy. And it is now the same path that Warner will now follow . Both men , their accomplishments and their calling are commendable traits !
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner holds his daughter Sierra Warner, 4, as he stands with his family from left, Kade Warner, 11, Jada Warner, 8, Elijah Warner, 6, Sienna Warner, 4, wife Brenda Warner, Zack Warner, 20, and Jesse Warner, 18. after he announced his retirement from football Friday, Jan. 29, 2010 at the Cardinals' training facility in Tempe, Ariz. photo appears courtesy of Associated Press/ Matt York .....
Now looking at the Cardinals going forward, I think that they have a solid foundation, from which to build upon. That being said , I’m not quite sure as of yet that Matt Leinart possesses the temperament to lead this team. It’s all well and good that he had things essentially handed to him on a silver platter with USC. But since his arrival in the NFL , he’s yet to show that he has the capacity for learning the game , much less show signs of maturity. How else can one explain the petulance shown by him when he was replaced as the starter on the Cardinals’ team by coach, Ken Whisenhunt ? If that doesn’t indicate that Leinart, when at USC was all about self entitlement, rather than doing what is best for the team. Then it’s easy to understand the reason why he’s struggled to make his presence felt in the NFL. With Warner , having been given the starter’s role on the team they haven’t looked back since.
It will definitely be strange, next season to see this Cardinals’ team take the field and no longer see Warner there , with his name emblazoned on the back of his jersey. But as I alluded to earlier , he walks away from this game under his own steam , in good health , knowing that he’s accomplished a great many feats that perhaps none of us could ever have dreamed him doing . Warner did things his way and for that I for am grateful to say that it has been indeed a privilege to see him play. Anything beyond that is now just an after thought.
I don’t think anyone could’ve said it better than ol’ “Blue Eyes”… Frank Sinatra. ‘I Did It My Way’
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The delectable Vida Guerra
tophatal …… 
NB This article can be previously found in http://tophatal.wordpress.com/
No Good Can From It All …. When You Get Congress To Intervene In Sports With Regard To Labor Unrest …………..
No Good Can From It All …. When You Get Congress To Intervene In Sports With Regard To Labor Unrest …………..
Am I completely mistaken but isn’t the US Congress meant to intervene in labor disputes that are of national security or when it comes sensitive areas within the US economy ? Then why oh why is that we’re now seeing both sides of the NFL hierarchy under its Commissioner Roger Goodell, as well as the NFLPA (Union) convening with Congress up on Capitol Hill, in order to get them to mediate or at least in part be an arbitrator in their ongoing unrest with regard to the present ‘collective bargaining agreement ? Having Congress intervene in this is akin to witnessing the idiocy of the legislation passed with regard to the ’stimulus bil’l. Which has so far cost the taxpayers $787 billion at last count. Never mind the fact that both GM and Chrysler had a piece of the ‘proverbial pie’. And the public in general has yet to see anything tangible from this all.
DeMaurice Smith, Executive Director of the NFLPA is itching for a confrontation with his counterpart, Roger Goodell. And with the owners having opted out of the present collective bargaining agreement. It will now create a chasm whereby the 2010-11 season will become one , that is an uncapped season. Now what this does around the NFL, may well give the suggestion that both sides do indeed know exactly what they’re doing. But it is becoming increasingly clear that this has nothing to do with the agreement itself but more to do with who maintains the balance of power within the NFL. It is more to do with who controls the purse strings as to the $ 8.7 billion a year industry that the NFL is said to to represent globally in terms of the NFL’s business interests. A tidy sum to say the very least and with the greed of both sides said to be unabated . I’m guessing that this could very well lead to one of those confrontations up there on Capitol Hill that will have more to do with posturing by not only the NFL hierarchy and the unions. But also from the legislators who are empaneled on the House Judiciary Committee and who are hearing from both sides on the issue. With the meetings likely to be carried by C-Span , it should make for some very interesting viewing.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. The commissioner this week went to Capitol Hill to address members of the House Judiciary Committee who were empaneled to look into the increasing unrest between the NFL and the NFLPA (union). The two sides are looking to stave off an envisaged lockout. Moreover , the 2010-11 season will be an uncapped one because the NFL and their owners opted out of the 'collective bargaining agreement' that was in place. photo appears courtesy of ap/ Marc Gilbert ...................
Courtesy of The New York Times
Mara cites lack of progress in talks
By Judy Battista , The New York Times
The Giants co-owner John Mara said Tuesday he was resigned to an uncapped season in 2010 and thought the union and owners might be moving further apart in talks toward a new labor agreement.
Mara was one of the owners who took part in the 11th negotiating session with union leaders in Washington on Tuesday. He is the first owner to speak extensively since negotiations began.
An uncapped year would have no salary limits or floors for teams and would begin in March. It would also start the clock ticking toward a lockout starting in March 2011.
Mara said he still had hope that a lockout could be averted.
“I don’t think we’re making any progress,” Mara said in a telephone interview. “We made a proposal in early November. I don’t think we’ve received a meaningful counterproposal. The point that we try to make to them is that the costs and risks are much greater than they ever have been. Especially in this economy. I don’t think there has been enough of a recognition on their part of that concept.”
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To read Judy Battista’s article in its entirety just click on
the link provided
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NFL Players Association Executive Director, DeMaurice Smith, right and Baltimore Ravens Domonique Foxworth, left, walk into a meeting with House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, Jr., D-Mich., on Capitol Hill, Washington D.C. photo appears courtesy of ap/ Alex Brandon ........
There’s no doubt in my mind that the NFL as well as the union are looking to usurp each others’ powers as much as they can. It’s not as if either side has the fan’s best interests at heart to begin with. Goodell for his part wants to prove to the fans and public in general that he’s a strong and very determined commissioner. His sometime autocratic rule has chafed the rationale of Smith and it has to be said that DeMaurice Smith does have some reason to feel aggrieved with many of Goodell’s findings and edicts , as of late. How this all will play out also, may well have to do with who wields the ‘biggest stick’ at the end of the day. Both sides no doubt have their lobbyists up there on Capitol Hill, who are hard at work trying to lay out the case for their client. As to why ‘both’ the NFL and NFLPA should see fit to have lobbyists working on their behalf in Washington , merely suggests that this has more to do with being seen to have the power to get legislation passed that is of benefit to each of the respective parties in question. And for the NFL this amounts to their anti-trust exemption status.
All of the posturing in the world won’t help change anything if neither side is willing to acquiesce to the others’ wishes . As to what Congress, in this case can do to ramp down the rhetoric between the two sides and force an agreement that is equitable for both parties remains to be seen. I’d certainly like to think that there are far more important domestic issues that need to be addressed , rather than seeing the House Judiciary Committee meet with two sides who are more self absorbed about their own PR images than they are about getting things done. And at the same I’d certainly like to think that DeMaurice Smith can be proactive in addressing the issue as to the conduct of his members. Especially in the case of their off the field behavior. For the NFL and in particular the owners , theirs now is a thankless task as they seemingly don’t viewed as being greedy . But yet with this lone move in the rescinding of an agreement that they’ve failed to honor. How must it look to the fans and general public to begin with ? Surely the owners and the Goodell’s office had to have foreseen that there would be an economic downturn of sorts ? Never mind how acute it has now become. It’s all about planning and getting your ducks all lined up in a row. Instead they’ve feasted on the largess of the fans and the public over the years while growing extremely wealthy from all of their business dealings and maneuvers. The average value of an NFL franchise has increased exponentially over the last decade. In fact it has increased in excess of 25 % over that period. Pardon me for saying this but if they’re now claiming poverty then there’s something indeed wrong with the business template under which the NFL now works .
In November of last year, I wrote an article entitled ‘Trust Me I’m A Doctor …………It’s Money For Nothing And The Chicks Are Free’ ! The piece in question, went on to suggest how I felt that many of the US owners who had made the foray into owning an English soccer club within the Premiership (EPL), were in fact no better than that of disgraced financiers Bernie Madoff and Allen Stanford. In each case it has led to the demise of their respective financial empires and the loss of untold billions of dollars for their prospective clients. Madoff was sentenced to 150 years in prison, while Stanford awaits trial through the US Federal Court System.
Malcolm Glazer far right seen here with sons Joel (left) and Bryan. The family's sporting business interests includes the ownership of the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the English Premiership League's Manchester United. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Mike Nugent .......
It has been well chronicled that the Glazer family having bought Premiership side Manchester United had hoped to carry on the same undoubted success the team has come to be known for over the past quarter of a century. Their unparalleled success with manager, Sir Alex Ferguson at the helm has made the team ‘the most glamorous and most valuable sports franchise in the world’ .
Initially the purchase was met with a great deal of skepticism and the fact that the family used very little money of their own in the purchase, should’ve been enough of an indication that they were being capricious and overwhelmingly disingenuous as to their overall intentions concerning the team. They leveraged the team buy borrowing against its assets in order to facilitate the purchase . The price at the time was in excess of $1.255 billion including fees. Four years on into the ownership by the family , ticket prices have risen in excess of 45% and the team is laden with a debt in excess of $1.11 billion . As to what that would suggest as to the business acumen of the family , is that they’re nowhere competent enough to be running a sports franchise. With Malcolm Glazer, as the patriarch now handing over the reins of running the club to his sons, Byran , Joel and Avram Glazer. It was felt their custodianship of the club would be in safe hands. At this juncture that doesn’t appear to be the case at all.
United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson seen here in a CNN interview discussing his famed managerial career. Ferguson is the most successful soccer coach in Premiership history. Prior to his ascending to the position as manager on Manchester United , he also assembled a successful resume’ as coach of Scottish Premier League team Aberdeen FC.
Courtesy of The Guardian UK
Manchester United’s sales pitch is far from a premium bond
The Glazer family’s attempt to raise money to pay off massive debts paints a bleak picture of Manchester United’s future
By David Conn , The Guardian
When navigating the thunderously depressing proposal by the Glazer family to load Manchester United with £500m of debt for the third time since their takeover in May 2005, it helps to imagine where United might be had the Glazers never turned up in the first place, to buy the glory, glory club with all their borrowed millions.
Before engaging with Sir Alex Ferguson’s remarkable contention that United’s finances, laden with borrowings over £700m and £67m interest payable last year, are “of no concern at all”, recall what the United board itself said at the time. When Malcolm Glazer and his six children – who, we now know, have borrowed £10m from United – launched their takeover bid, the board, which included the current chief executive David Gill, expressed vehement opposition to it.
Echoing the concerns of the well-informed United fans’ campaign, the board warned that the Glazers’ business plan was “aggressive”, and that the proposed structure for the club “still contains more leverage [debt] than the board would consider prudent and that as a consequence there is likely to be significant financial strain on the business.”
Despite that, the Glazers bought the club for £810m, a fortune pocketed greedily by enough shareholders in what was then Manchester United plc. The Glazers paid £270m themselves, borrowing the other £540m from banks and hedge funds. In the four years up to the latest accounts to 30 June 2009, United became liable to pay more than £325m in interest alone, yet the interest they have not paid, plus fees, has increased the debt the Glazers loaded on to United to £700m.
United, and Ferguson, now argue it is all fine, the club are not constrained by that debt mountain and the board was therefore wrong in its warning back then. Ferguson said last week that the windfall from the £81m sale of Cristiano Ronaldo is there for him to spend, but he does not want to because the market is overpriced. That assertion has been rather undone by the prospectus, which sets out the plan to transfer £70m cash from United to one of the Glazers’ holding companies, partly to pay off the hedge funds which charge swingeing 14.25% interest.
Now imagine how United might look without the Glazer debt. True, as a plc – the Stock Market listing which football executives now agree was a failed experiment, despite defending it zealously at the time – United paid dividends to shareholders. Yet even allowing for the increase in turnover, from £171m to the most recent £278m, the 2004 dividend was £7m, nothing like the mountain of interest, £42m to banks, £25m to hedge funds, with which the Glazers have burdened United.
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In order to read David Conn’s article in its entirety
just click on the link provided
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With the team now ‘hemorrhaging red ink’ all over its balance sheet , it has to be said that the Glazers have been completely inept in their running of the team. On the field they still continue to have success but there mere thought that they’re now being brought to brink of bankruptcy is enough to send shivers down the spine of entire Premiership (EPL). Never mind the fact that the family’s other sporting interest, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is now undergoing a change in its persona as well as in terms of its executive and coaching structure. First time GM, Mark Dominik and coach Raheem Morris have been thrust into the deep end . With the firing of their predecessors Bruce Allen and Jon Gruden. The team underwent a less than stellar season in the NFL, posting a 3-13 record in the NFC South. And with the front office being reluctant to spend money in attracting talent to the team . It is understandable why the franchise is now in such a dire predicament. They aren’t in the slightest bit interested in being a serious contender within the NFL and both Morris and Dominik are merely paying lip service with their inane comments to begin with. They’re fully aware as to the financial dilemma and maelstrom that the organization is now in. The Glazers will do whatever they can to ‘pay the piper’ in order to try and stave off financial bankruptcy. They have been far too secretive as to their financial dealings and their present situation.
Raheem Morris (second from the right) is seen here alongside Edward and Brian Glazer (center) with Joel Glazer far right. Left is Buccaneers' GM, Mark Dominik . photo appears courtesy of Getty Images / Paul Mason .....................
The latest ploy by the Glazers initiated by Malcolm’s sons, is have a bond issue, in order to pay off some of the mounting debt and accruing interest that’s owed to their creditors. But herein lies the rub, the family is asking that United players participate in the exercise in order to show good faith, to try to elicit fans, as well as members of the public and public institutions into entering the endeavor. If they can’t be trusted to keep the club in a healthy financial state then why should it be incumbent on the players to participate in this maneuver ? If anything Bryan, Joel and Avram are looking to save their own asses as they to try not to embarrass the family any further with the sheer ineptitude shown by them when it comes to their financial dealings and business acumen, as it not only relates to the soccer club but also to their NFL franchise.
It is hoped that the NFL hierarchy as well its board of governors are keeping a watchful eye on the Glazer family and their dealing with both sport’s franchises within their custodianship . If one should fail then there’s no reason to believe why the other can’t be placed in a similar predicament.
In order to read ‘Trust Me I’m A Doctor ……It’s Money For Nothing And The Chicks Are Free’ ….click here.
The always delectable Vida Guerra . More than willing to aspire to meeting a man's many needs and then some !
Hickory , Dickory, Dock , The Mouse Ran Up The Clock , Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock ……….Time Is Now Ticking In The NBA ….
The NBA season has started off at its usual pace and a number of the teams are either beginning to separate themselves from amongst the pack or those with aspirations of making a name for themselves are surprising their fans , plaudits and pundits alike. That being said ‘controversy’ rears it ugly head with the actions of Washington Wizards’ players Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton . All that you need to know is that the Wizards’ front office as well as that of commissioner’s office have failed to act appropriately with regard to the actions of both players. Little needs to be said other than the fact that David Stern ‘no longer’ has any credibility whatsoever as the commissioner of the NBA. The same can be said of his ‘main enforcer’, Stu Jackson. As to the Wizards’ front office, their inaction only speaks to the ineptitude shown by the organization over the years.
Early season MVP candidates ? The Cavaliers' LeBron James, the Grizzlies' Zach Randolph and the perennial fan favorite , Kobe Bryant of the Lakers . picture appears courtesy of NBAE/ Getty Images ................
Courtesy of NBA.com
Reeling Wizards brace for fallout from Arenas incident
By David Aldridge
So, you want to hear about how Tim Duncan’s back on track this season?
Didn’t think so.
The Big Fundamental’s renaissance, like a lot of other interesting developments in the league this week (from the latest on Tracy McGrady, to Kobe’s latest incredible game-winner, to KG’s knee) has taken a back seat to a ridiculous problem for the Wizards, all Gilbert Arenas’ doing — and one that will surely cost him money and games when either the Washington, D.C. and/or federal authorities, and/or David J. Stern are done with him.On Saturday, in front of assembled reporters following the Wizards’ loss to San Antonio, Arenas said he used “bad judgment” in the Dec. 21 incident with Javaris Crittenton in which, according to sources, both players had their hands on guns in Washington’s locker room — though it is not clear that they pointed them at one another, as the New York Post has reported.
Former Wizards beat writer Mike Jones, on his blog, and the Washington Post’s Michael Lee both reported that a frustrated Crittenton threw one of Arenas’ guns across the locker room after Arenas had laid out three guns near Crittenton’s locker and taunted him to pick one up. It was an extension of an argument that began between the two on the team’s plane from Phoenix Dec. 19, when a source told me that Arenas failed to pay a $25,000 debt to Crittenton. (Jones says the amount wasn’t $25,000, and was owed not to Crittenton, but to another teammate: Javale McGee.)
No one disputes that Arenas brought three guns, which were unloaded, to the locker room from his Virginia home. He said he brought them to work because he no longer wanted them in his home with three children around. But it nonetheless was a violation of the NBA’s constitution, which specifically prohibits bringing weapons to team facilities. In addition, Arenas had not registered the guns in the District of Columbia, where Verizon Center is located.
“I take responsibility,” Arenas said. “If I have to deal with the police, the investigation, the DAs, that’s what I have to deal with. I have to deal with that on Monday. I’ve got to put it in their hands, tell the story, and then see what they say.”============================================
In order to read the remainder of David Alridge’s article just
click on the link provided
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Boston Celtics' Rasheed Wallace (30) yells as he celebrates with teammates Kendrick Perkins (43) and Ray Allen after dunking the ball as Toronto Raptors' Jarrett Jack (1) looks on during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 2, 2010, in Boston. The Celtics beat the Raptors, 103-96. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Mary Schwalm ......
While no real light needs to be shed on the action of both players, other than to suggest that the image that the game strives to exude isn’t helped by the stupidity shown by Arenas and Crittenton by this incident. The ramifications of which could’ve been far more serious had either of them discharged their weapons. But then again we should be thankful that they didn’t self a wound upon their person, or should we ? Think Plaxico Burress and his ‘idiotic antics’. A lesson well served as to the reason why guns shouldn’t be placed in the hands of individuals who have no use for them , other than in the case of Arenas, Burress and Crittenton to make themselves look like complete morons.
Cleveland January 3rd , J.J. Hickson (#21) of the Cleveland Cavaliers dunks the ball as teammate Shaquille O'Neal (#33) and Nazr Mohammed (#13) of the Charlotte Bobcats look on on January 3, 2010 at The Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. picture appears courtesy of NBAE/ Getty Images/ David Liam Kayle .....
In the Eastern Conference the usual suspects are striving for supremacy. And there isn’t a great deal to choose from the triumvirate of the Boston Celtics (24-8), Cleveland Cavaliers (27-9) , Orlando Magic (24-9) and certainly new to the bunch, the rather surprising Atlanta Hawks (21-12). And if you think that the Hawks’ fans aren’t surprised just think as to what this must be doing to the mindset of TNT tv on air analyst, Charles Barkley ? What sound bytes will he be looking to use, to describe the play of the Atlanta Hawks ? Cause as we know ‘Sir Charles’ has never been one to hold things back.
Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls and the Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard look to contest a loose ball during the game played at the United Center , Chicago, Illinois. picture appears courtesy of NBAE/ Getty Images/ Randy Belice ….
The triumvirate mentioned all lead their divisions with some room to spare. But once again it looks like the Celtics may well be without their most pivotal player in, Kevin Garnett. Age and recurring injuries seem to be catching up fast, with the seasoned veteran. And without him at the helm it appears that they’re not the threat many would believe them to be. Albeit that point guard, Rajon Rondo seems to have raised the level of his play and all-round game. So much so , that this is no longer about the ‘Big Three’ of Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. But you could perhaps now add Rondo into the mix. Never mind the fact that Rasheed Wallace has now been added to this deeply talented Celtics’ roster. And for Celtics’ coach Doc River he must feel like he’s been blessed with an abundance of talent. But I guess it can’t be done without their veteran leader to guide them and guide as they embark on returning to the NBA Finals. But that’d be predicated upon them overcoming the likes of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic.
The Cleveland Cavaliers for their part, in addition to LeBron James have added 15 time NBA All Star center, Shaquille O’Neal to their roster. And this is being done in the hopes that the combination of James and O’Neil can clear the obstacle of making to another NBA Finals and raising the Larry O’Brien trophy to signify them as world champions. Last season’s bittersweet loss to the Magic in the Eastern Conference semi finals was a sour note for the franchise. And for their coach Mike Brown it was a tremendous disappointment. Nevertheless , the team is expected to contend for postseason honors come what may. And if anything O’Neal has something to prove , while LeBron finally wants to show NBA world that he can land the ‘Big One’.
Kryptonite they say is the only thing that makes Superman susceptible and not impervious to defeat. In the case of the Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard, it is his arrogance and lack of maturity, despite his years in the league. This time around there’s nowhere for Howard to hide should the Magic fail in their quest to return to the Finals and redeem themselves from their lopsided series’ loss to the Los Angeles Lakers (4-1). The team performed nowhere near as expected and that was despite their thrilling series’ wins against the Cavaliers and Celtics on their way to last season’s NBA Finals. Stan Van Gundy as their coach , squealed ,squawked , cajoled and with the all of the usual animation you’d come to expect of a cartoon character could not get this Magic team to raise the level of their play as and when needed to stem the tide or play of the Lakers, or for that matter, Kobe Bryant, the Finals’ MVP.
The Western Conference it seems is replete with talent as well teams on a mission. The defending champions , the Los Angeles Lakers are off to a fast start and they possess the best record in the NBA ,with a 27-6 mark. And it’s safe to say that Kobe Bryant alongside his teammates are eager to successfully defend their NBA title. At the same time it gives Lakers’ coach, Phil Jackson a further chance to distance himself record’s wise, from the achievements of Red Auerbach. And one seriously doubts that we’ll ever see another coach replicate Jackson’s feats as an NBA coach.
Los Angeles 3rd 2010. Kobe Bryant (#24) of the Los Angeles Lakers makes a pass around Dirk Nowitzki (#41) of the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center on January 3, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers would go on to defeat the Mavericks 131-96. picture appears courtesy of NBAE/ Getty Images / Andrew D Bernstein ............
With the loss of Trevor Ariza to free agency, the Lakers would acquire Ron Artest. Curiously enough, as Artest would join the Lakers , Ariza did likewise by joining the Houston Rockets</a, Artest's former team. And it’d appear that the Lakers have yet to miss a beat. With Artest in tow to provided some stout defense as well as being the third or fourth scoring option for the team. One would find it hard not to resist placing a wager on the Los Angeles Lakers. With Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum all having that confidence about them. The Lakers are deemed the team to beat in the Western Conference. That’s not to say this is a one man show within the conference. The Denver Nuggets (21-13), Portland Trailblazers (22-14), Oklahoma City Thunder (19-15), aPhoenix Suns (21-13), Dallas Mavericks (23-11) and the San Antonio Spurs (20-12). Each of these teams are looking to take down the Lakers a notch or two. As to whether or not they are capable of it remains to be seen. But so contentious is the Western Conference that it has become a conference wherein the bloodletting once it starts just doesn’t seem to stop. Russell Crowe’s character, Maximus from the movie ‘Gladiator’ would feel at home with the barbarity that ensues within the conference. The bloodletting itself seems to have the fans of the teams in awe. As to the bragging rights. Well, let’s just say ’til you knock the champion of his pedestal, the bragging rights still belong to him.
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant, right, drives on Chicago Bulls guard James Johnson during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 4, 2010, in Chicago. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Charles Rex Arbogast .......
To my mind the most surprising team in the Western Conference at present may well be the Oklahoma City Thunder. And night in, night out , Kevin Durant never ceases to amaze us all with his play , nor his phenomenal offensive prowess. Here’s a guy who looks less than 120 lbs ringing wet but plays with the heart of a lion and has the ‘killer instinct’ of a cold hearted assassin. Need one say, that he’s now beginning to make people think less and less about how god-damn awful the Seattle Supersonics use to be- the Thunder’s previous guise as an NBA franchise. Needless to say that when you’ve a team of complementary parts then things that come to fruition tend to be really good. And in Scott Brooks, the Thunder may well have one of the most unassuming coaches in the entire NBA. If there’s a more unassuming coach in the NBA that you know then let me know about him.
The usual cacophony of teams who all want to be a part of the postseason drama within the conference are as always many of the better managed teams. And with ‘Mr Fundamental’ back to his usual best , the thought is that Tim Duncan and his Spurs’ teammates are ready to assume the mantel as the Lakers most dangerous opponents. Now that’s not to say that the likes of the Nuggets, Suns , Mavericks, Thunder and Trailblazers won’t be a reliable source of drama throughout the regular and postseason. Suffice to say that with all of the bloods and guts that’ll be spilled. Whatever’s left from the carnage more likely than not will have to be viewed as the prohibitive favorites to win the NBA title. I know that there’ll be some derision those who are fans of the Eastern Conference of the NBA. But if the lack of real effort shown by last season’s conference representative is anything to go by. Then whomever comes out of the conference to face the Western representative is liable to get more of the same. How much more is dependent upon the resistance that team is able to put up.
So as of now, the clock is ticking on the NBA season and how things will pan out as the season unfolds. We all know smart a mouse can be as he’s being chased by the cat. But we also know how the guile of a cat can be and the dangers that lie within when the cat has his prey trapped. So which is it to be for the Los Angeles Lakers this season ? Are they going to be the mouse who evades capture from the chasing cat , as in the rest of the NBA ? Or will they be the mouse who gets caught by its erstwhile predator the cat, who’ll no doubt devour its prey ? What are your thoughts on it all ?
A classic ‘Tom & Jerry’ cartoon and the usual staple of classic mayhem ensues that the characters were always known for. Much like what we’ll no doubt see throughout much of the NBA regular season and also in the playoffs.
NB This original piece was posted within tophatal1’s blog. To read more of work within that site just click here to view and peruse the site in question.
Alan Parkins aka tophatal
No Stone Will Be Left Unturned , No Idea Will Go Unheard , No Thought Process No Matter How Stupid It Appears To Be Will Be Listened To…………..Blah , Blah , Blah This Is Change That We Can Believe In
No Stone Will Be Left Unturned , No Idea Will Go Unheard , No Thought Process No Matter How Stupid It Appears To Be Will Be Listened To…………..Blah , Blah , Blah This Is Change That We Can Believe In
Well the winter season MLB meetings are over , baseball is doing its level best to remain in the mainstream. The ‘NFL is still King , baby’ and don’t you forget it ! And at this point of the season it is essentially all that they (MLB) can do. MLB itself , becomes about as interesting at this time of the year as a speech being given by a member of Congress on the country’s trade deficit. We all know its there and it hasn’t really improved at all on a month, to month basis. What little improvement that comes about incrementally, economists are gleaning over like ‘Cheshire cats’, trying to tell us that the economy is changing course and we’re gradually moving out of a recession. Any statistic can be read differently , to garner whatever information what you want put forth. Much like the asinine statements you tend to hear coming from Bud Selig on the financial health and state of the game.
Trades asides and the signing of free agents , all the fans can do at this stage, is to speculate what those maneuvers will mean for their teams.
Omar Minaya speaks here about the ‘Tony Bernazard firing’ and the fallout from it all. Clearly a person who when he’s stressed, doesn’t like the spotlight of the media upon him .
And speaking of health , how is that the New York Mets GM , Omar Minaya still remains in a position of power after all that he’s done to all but ruin the organization? Essentially as the General Manager and de-facto ear of the owner , he’s entrusted in making sure that the best talent available is placed on the field, at the behest of the manager, Jerry Manuel and the manager’s coaching staff. Never mind the fact that Fred Wilpon, the team’s owner , might not live to the current team win another World Series at this stage of life. The septuagenarian has seen a great deal over the course of famed career as a businessman and entrepreneur. But for the lone World Series’ triumph in 1986 over the Boston Red Sox, with that improbable ending. Fred Wilpon still yearns for another championship for his organization.
Mets' GM Omar Minaya (left) seen here alongside team President Jeff Wilpon , son of team owner , Fred Wilpon. Minaya recently acquired free agent slugger Jason Bay , formerly of the Boston Red Sox. The player was signed to a four year $65 million contract. There are those who are questioning the deal as the rotation of the Mets' pitching is deeply lacking a reliable starter besides Johan Santana. picture appears courtesy of nydn/ David Pokress (freelance) ......................
The Mets have been an abysmal organization over the past five years and much like a race horse with a great deal of speed and not much stamina, or shall we call it saying power ? Each year over the past five seasons they’ve fallen out of contention in the NL East divisional race. Much of the time through their own sheer ineptitude. Many also place this upon the injuries suffered by star players at inappropriate times during the regular season. But I consider this as a poor excuse for an organization with its vast financial resources and its so called ’stocked farm system’. Obviously the so called farm system isn’t as burgeoned with talent as first thought.
Courtesy of New York Daily News
Omar Minaya, New York Mets get Jason Bay for four years, but strike out on pitchers
By John Harper , New York Daily News
The way the winter was going, it seemed inevitable that some other team would jump in and steal Jason Bay at the last minute. Only it didn’t happen, and so while Bay is hardly a cure-all for the Mets, landing him is at least reason for them to believe that the curse of 2009 won’t carry over into 2010.
GM Omar Minaya and Mets ownership still have plenty of work to do, but you have to give them credit for playing the Bay negotiations exactly right, as it turned out.
Considering the mounting pressure on them to make a big splash, the Mets had to seriously weigh the PR value of offering the fifth year that Bay’s agent was demanding, just to get the deal done. Still they were determined not to get suckered, not to bid against themselves when they were convinced no other team was seriously pursuing Bay.
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In order to read John Harper’s article just click unto the link
provided herein
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Los Angeles Angels pitcher Kelvim Escobar throws to the plate during the first inning of baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in Anaheim, Calif. The New York Mets have signed Escobar to a one-year contract. The team announced the deal on Monday, Dec. 28. He was expected to get $1.25 million. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Mark J. Terrill .................
The unfortunate thing for the New York Mets in all of this , is that their crosstown neighbor and rival, the New York Yankees are now once again back atop of the ‘baseball world pecking order’, as World Series champions. And they too, like the Yankees have essentially spent their way to their present situations. In the case of the Yankees however, they’ve been able get the right stars at the premium prices and simply plug them into an organization that has been built for continued success over the years. Whereas, the Mets just continue to plug away with assorted pieces , that in some respects are like that of a jig saw puzzle . But what Minaya and the team’s manager Jerry Manuel and Manuel’s predecessor, Willie Randolph, had failed to realize, is that when the pieces are ill suited for the puzzle, there’s no way in hell that you can attain success. But yet they continue to repeat the process over and over again.
Stars have come and gone within the Mets’ organization and some have remained. And it has been the same also in terms of the managers of the organization. On average they’ve lasted no more than three years over the last three decades. The longest tenured manager over that period was and still is ,Davey Johnson (1984-90). Whose six year tenure with the team brought them their only World Series win.
Yakult Swallows' Ryota Igarashi pitches against Orix BlueWave in Osaka, western Japan. Hoping they've found their setup man on the other side of the globe, the New York Mets agreed to a $3 million, two-year contract with Japanese reliever Ryota Igarashi on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/Kyoto News Agency ...........
Fans of the Mets have seemingly remained patient and loyal, though some have also been very vocal in what they see as the lax attitude taken by the organization in showing a real determination to become competitive. They’ve gone out and spent money either on aging veterans who’ve passed their prime or in some cases on players who’ve struck lightning in a bottle in terms of their form over a short period of time and then hit ‘pay dirt’ when pursued and then signed to a monumentally exorbitant contract. See Carlos Beltran ! Prodigious and prolific for the Houston Astros , not so for the Mets and on it goes . And much of that is down to Minaya and his haste to always try and outdo the Yankees. It’s like giving the keys to a drunk driver and then asking him if he’s able to drive you home . You know no good is going to come of it and it is the same with the personnel moves of Omar Minaya.
Another situation that the fans will also find exacerbating about this Mets’ team , is that it doesn’t posses anyone who’s prepared to be a team leader on or off the field. It certainly hasn’t come from Carlos Delgado, for all of his heroics. And it most certainly hasn’t come from David Wright their so called ‘glamor boy’ and best player. And when they did rise to the occasion with the determination shown by their ace pitcher, Johan Santana, his teammates reciprocated by either performing poor defensively , or gave him no run support whatsoever. Minaya’s insight into sound judgement when it comes to personnel decisions for the Mets border on being asinine and is akin to the sort of ineptitude that was shown in later stages of George W Bush’s second term in office by his administration. The danger signs were there but there was never any sound decisions being made. Something of which, it appears his successor , President, Barack Obama seems to want to painstakingly follow on with, in some of his decision making. You can have, print or borrow all of the money in the world. But you’d better know how the hell to spend it judiciously and you’d better be able to explain yourself succinctly when you screw things up. And it appears to be something in common that this triumvirate has . As to either of them offering up a comprehensive and succinct answer. I’ll leave that up to you , to decide ! Make of it what you will.
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If the New York Met are to compete for the NL East division as well as the NL Pennant, then they’d better be ready to deal with the ever present Philadelphia Phillies, present division champion and NL Pennant holder. Also too, there are the Atlanta Braves, Florida Marlins and the lackluster Washington Nationals bringing up the rear. The bone of contention will be which teams amongst the triumvirate of the Braves , Marlins and Mets will step up to challenge the supremacy of the Phillies within the division ? This question and whole lot more will need to be answered most certainly by the Mets and the the duo of the Braves and Marlins.
And in what will be Braves’ manager , Bobby Cox’s final season. This Atlanta Braves’ team will be looking to send him off with one last big stab at winning a divisional title and perhaps another World Series. And as remote as those chances might appear to be. Look for the Braves to pursue this with a great deal of gusto. And as to the chances of the Florida Marlins ? Well that will be down to the progress that has been made by this young team under the direction of their manager, Fredi Gonzalez. And if they’re to fulfill the promise shown last year , then the likes of Dan Uggla, Cameron Maybin and their All Star short-stop, Hanley Ramirez , will have to be extremely productive – the same can be said of their pitching.
The Phillies for their part coming off last season’s loss in the World Series to the Yankees will look to regroup and replenish their roster. And that’s something which they appear to have done with such urgency, that the swiftness in its execution was staggering. They traded Cliff Lee to the Seattle Mariners and in his place they acquired former Blue Jays’ ace, Roy Halladay. Talk about addition by subtraction ? Wow, this is just stupendous. They are the ‘clear favorites’ in the entire National League (NL) to make a third consecutive trip to the World Series. Perhaps the only thing that could deter them from that might just be ‘divine intervention’ from up above ? And if the baseball gods are listening and they love the New York Mets , then perhaps they could provide some assistance ? I’m no Mets’ fan but Omar Minaya certainly hasn’t been helping the organization’s cause with many of his personnel moves in recent years. Can I get an amen here ? Amen, amen , hallelujah !
With the Mets acquiring Jason Bay as a free agent and then signing him to a four year $65 million contract , this may or may not be the last singular personnel move made by Minaya. God knows the moves that he’s made haven’t exactly panned out. They’d be deemed a disaster in certain cases and in others, well the jury is still out. And as I much as I like to see teams strive in their drive for excellence. I can’t but now wonder how much more the Wilpon family can withstand in the depletion of their overall wealth. Especially as it has been rumored that the family may well have lost in excess of $ 500 million in the Bernie Madoff ‘Ponzi Scheme’.
Not the sort of money that any affluent billionaire can afford to lose in these uncertain economic times. A million here or a million here. But a half a billion dollars ? Holy shit ! I’m surprised that no one has put ‘a hit’ out on Madoff , as of yet ! But I’ve no doubt that he’s been well taken care of in the Federal Prison system. Well at least I’d like to think so , but in a certain type of way. Can I suggest that he’ll become a ‘pillow biter’ while a prison inmate has his way with Madoff in certain way,sexually ? Here’s hoping anyway !
Well alas, this piece must end though not on a somber note. The travails of the New York Mets have been well documented in recent years and I expect that to be continued for the foreseeable future. I mean, life in general when it comes to sports in the ‘Big Apple’ is tied primarily to the Yankees, Mets, Knicks, Islanders, Rangers and the Buffalo Bills. And each of them in their own way will run the wrath and adulation in the print media as the case maybe. And things being what they are, it appears the Mets and Knicks are on the receiving end of it all in terms of their wrath at the moment. No need for me then to pile on them anymore . I think that the New York print media, sports talk show hosts and tv broadcasters are just doing fine all by themselves with regard to this matter.
Perhaps Drake’s ‘Money To Blow’ feat’g Birdman & Lil’ Wayne personifies the mentality of the New York Mets. But in this case the guys of ‘Cash Money’ know what exactly what they’re doing and they ultimately have an objective in how they wish to achieve their goals. Unlike the hierarchy of the Mets !
NB This article was originally posted within my own site tophatal’s1 blog . Click here to read more articles within that site. http://tophatal1.wordpress.com
Hall of Famer Or Flamer ? Let’s Play The Game ………….
Hall of Famer Or Flamer ? Let’s Play The Game ……
In light of what we believe we know, and the sports’ writers believe that they know about the world of sports and the athletes who compete in their chosen endeavors. I propose the following in this regard, the ‘Hall of Fame’ is deemed the highest honor for any professional or amateur athlete once their career is over. And with their enshrinement and acknowledgement not only from amongst the fans but also from their peers and predecessors who were enshrined before them. They are rightly accorded a great deal of acclaim, as is their due.
As an avid sports fan I’ve watched a great deal of sports across the panacea , since I first emigrated here to the United States from England, some sixteen years ago. I’m an avid follower of the Spurs , Marlins and Patriots. When it comes to the NHL, well I’ve about as much interest for the sport as I would for swapping saliva with Rosie O’Donnell , in a moment of unadulterated and heated passion. That scenario my friends, will never happen, not even you were going to pay me a $ 1million. Six million and you might just peek my interest, for $10-$15 million I’d ‘knock the socks’ of the bi_ch ! But that’s a story for another day.
We can all agree can we not , that the three most popular professional teams sports are baseball , football and basketball ? All three sports are governed respectively by Major League Baseball (MLB), National Football League (NFL) and the National Basketball Association (NBA). Wherein, the commissioners there are Bud Selig, Roger Goodell and David Stern. And though their sphere of influence in the decision making process that takes places with regard to the players that meet the criteria for enshrinement isn’t influential. You can be damn sure that they’re closely monitoring who gets that call for induction. For all three , image is everything and then it’s nothing. Five years after the formal announcement of a player’s retirement , they’re deemed to have met the criteria for enshrinement based upon their career. That being said who are the adjudicators for each of these esteemed sanctums ?
It’s an esteemed body of journalists within the field covering those various sports who make the nominations based upon a body of work we’re led to believe. Baseball has the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA). And before I go on , why is it that when using the words esteemed and journalists in the same sentence I begin to feel somewhat nauseous ? Surely there has to be something wrong with the use of this adjective ? Esteemed journalists ? My God the planet earth must be is close to falling off its axis or we’re now closer the apocalypse of 2012 ? For sure enshrinement into the Baseball Hall of Fame , a player’s career has to be one that has been at least a decade in tenure in terms of his playing time. And furtheremore, they have to attain a minimum of 75 % of the ballots cast to be ensured in enshrinement into the Hall. A steep task indeed for the borderline candidate.
For the NBA it is in the cities where franchises are constituted and the NBA journalists covering the sport , cast their ballots for the nominees in question. Over the years the candidates enshrined have been noteworthy and deserving of the accolade. But yet there is the feeling that the NBA enshrinement in some respects is the least noteworthy of them all. What are your thoughts on that ?
Joe wanted to get his ’swerve on’ , if only Suzy had been more trusting and obliged him later ? Ah well it’s left to the likes of Steve Phillips and Harold Reynolds formerly of ESPN to show what real jack asses can be like , alongside Namath.
The candidates for the NFL have a similar format as that of the NBA and to the adjudication of the candidates. But in terms of longevity of a career. Well there , there have been exceptions , merely because of a player’s performances in specfic games or in part because of one or two memorably ouststanding moments in their careers. See Joe Namath and Lynn Swann, for that . Granted, for Namath , other than guaranteeing the Jets’s victory in Super Bowl III over Don Shula’s Baltimore Colts. Namath’s career beyond that one big moment of glory can be best described as being somewhat lackluster. But he sure knew how ‘to party hard’ and parlay that success to further that ‘Broadway Joe image’. And it served him well over the years , until insobriety caught up with him.
Here, Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon discuss the infamous Namath incident involving ESPN on air reporter, Suzy Kolber . This took place on the ESPN television show ‘PTI (Pardon The Interruption) , of which Kornheiser and Wilbon are the show’s co-hosts.
Over the next few years , no doubt a number of prominent athletes within MLB, the NBA and NFL will end their careers and formally announce their retirements. Though rumor has it that is Brett Favre’s intention to play well into his late sixties . Albeit, that he’ll retired , un-retire several times over before coming to a decision that neither his teammates or the assistant coaches are prepared to continue assisting him in changing his Depends diapers. Not when there’s said to be running stool and urine deposited in the attire. Oh, to be the much beloved, Brett Favre. And it has to be said that potential candidates such as Nomar Garciaparra, Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera , Johnny Damon, Randy Johnson, Vladimir Guerrero, Carlos Delgado, Omar Vizquel, Jason Kidd, Dirk Nowitzki, Tim Duncan, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Steve Nash , LaDainian Tomlinson, Marvin Harrison, Randy Moss, Michael Westbrook, Terrell Owens, Clinton Portis , Ricky Williams, Kurt Warner, Junior Seau and Fred Taylor will either be looked upon favorably or they will not. I think more often than not, the adjudicators make this a matter of objectivity , rather than it being subjectivity. And far be it for me to suggest, many of them will no doubt have their own personal favorites amongst the nominees prior to the votes being cast. And in doing so will treat them far more favorably than others. It goes without saying , although we’ve never observed ‘the behind the scenes’ modus operandi as to how each body goes about assigning their votes and how the deliberations take place. Such is the secrecy, that when it’s all said and done you’d have thought this was a meeting of the ‘Conclave of Cardinals’ to decide upon who the next Pope will be.
Things haven't quite yet resorted to this when it comes to the Hall of Fame voting in either MLB, NBA or NFL Halls' of Fame . But who knows in the future it might. Vatican City , Vatican,. April 19th, 2005. White smoke is seen from the roof of the Sistine Chapel indicating that the College of Cardinals have elected a new Pope on April 19, 2005 in Vatican City. The 265th Pope will lead the world's 1 billion Catholics. picture appears courtesy of Getty Images/ Giuseppe Cacace .........................
With all of the controversy that has surrounded the game of baseball and the ’steroid abuse issue’ , I can’t think in all honesty that any baseball candidate nominated for their voting can escape not being tarnished. And yes, that’ll include the likes of Jeter, Tom Glavine, ;Greg Maddux, John Smoltz, Pedro Martinez and should I even dare to say it , Albert Pujols ? As remarkable as their careers have and seemingly untarnished by any major controversy stemming from the steroid abuse scandal. Even though they’ve been exemplary and outstanding performers. The dye was cast by the actions of such noted individuals as Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro, Sammy Sosa , Andy Pettitte, Roger Clemens and Alex Rodriguez. All of whom found a way of bringing the game into disrepute with their admitted use of steroids or hiding behind the veiled cloak of privacy and privilege. And it certainly wasn’t helped by the sheer ignorance shown by MLB’s hierarchy,the commissioner, Bud Selig,the owners, the MLBPA (Players’ Union) and their utter contempt in addressing the issue head on to begin with. But what more ought the fans to have expect to begin with ? It’s not as if they’ve ever been upfront with the truth surrounding the scandal at all. !
Barry Bonds is he really the 'poster child' for the steroids' abuse scandal in baseball ? Or is he merely being used as a scape goat ? picture appears courtesy of the onion.com/article/ photo/ Spires @ copyrighted material ..... All rights reserved
Courtesy of theonion.com
Barry Bonds Took Steroids, Reports Everyone Who Has Ever Watched Baseball
Onion Sports
San Francisco – With the publication of a book detailing steroid use by San Francisco Giants superstar Barry Bonds, two San Francisco Chronicle reporters have corroborated the claims of Bonds’ steroid abuse made by every single person who has watched or even loosely followed the game of baseball over the past five years
In Game Of Shadows, an excerpt of which appeared in Sports Illustrated Wednesday, authors Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams claim that more than a dozen people close to Bonds had either been directly informed that Bonds was using banned substances or had in fact seen him taking the drugs with their own eyes. In addition to those witnesses, nearly 250 million other individuals nationwide had instantly realized that Bonds was using banned substances after observing his transformation from lanky speedster to hulking behemoth with their own eyes.
According to hundreds of thousands of reports coming out of every city in the U.S., Bonds’ steroid use has been widely reported and well-documented for years, with sports columnists, bloggers, people attending baseball games, memorabilia collectors, major ballpark popcorn and peanut vendors, groundskeepers, roommates, significant others, fathers-in-law, next-door neighbors, fellow fitness club members, bartenders, mailmen, coworkers, teachers, doormen, parking-lot attendants, fellow elevator passengers, Home Depot clerks, servicemen and women serving in Iraq, former baseball players, Congressmen, second-tier stand-up comics, Sports Illustrated’s Rick Reilly, and random passersby all having stated at some point in the last five years that Bonds was obviously taking some sort of performance-enhancing drugs.
Many of those eyewitnesses came forward following Wednesday’s revelation with their own accounts of Bonds’ seven-year history of steroid use.
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The mindset of the BBWAA and how they cast their votes might not only have to do with the performances of the players themselves and their statistics. But in large part, it may well come down to whether or not they’re viable as a nominee, solely based upon their character and whether or not in any way they were personally tarnished by allegations or their association with a known abuser. Would that immediately count out Derek Jeter ?
And while we’re still on the subject of baseball ,it’s now been the long held opinion that former disgraced star, Pete Rose, should now be enshrined in baseball’s Hall of Fame , in Cooperstown, New York. Now while I’m not a fan of Rose , I do now believe that he’s paid his debt for a poor error in judgement. Albeit, that when confronted he still continued to lie about his actions. The way I look at it, some of baseball’s biggest names that’ve been inducted aren’t without their flaws. Hell you’ve got inductees who are racial bigots, you’ve got philanderers, known alcoholics and quite possibly several more who’ve committed far worse deeds than Rose has been found guilty of. So why the continued hypocrisy of Bud Selig and the Baseball Writers’ Association (BBWAA)? Ah well they feel aggrieved that if Rose gets in, then they’ll look like bunch of fools ? They already are ! Many of the writers who are empaneled as adjudicators had their suspicions about rampant ’steroid use’ within the game but failed to report it , and in some cases many simply chose not to. But what might be even more egregious, is their now sanctimonious act of piety .
Rose seen here giving an exclusive interview to ESPN Radio’s Graham Bensinger. Acts of contrition have to be sincere and not scripted and condescending.
Baseball they say, may well have the ethereal legacy when it comes to its history and that of its Hall of Fame. But I also believe that the NFL and NBA also has theirs ! And with both sports having a rich cultural history and legacy, I’d have to imagine that they’re in a far better position than that of Major League Baseball (MLB). Well , most certainly their images haven’t taken as many hits as that of baseball over the last decade. And their respective commissioners in
Roger Goodell , and his predecessor, Paul Tagliabue, of the NFL. They made sure that under their tenure that the NFL was a well governed and smoothly oiled machine. And from a business standpoint, that has been very much the case. The same can be said of David Stern and his custodianship of the NBA, as its commissioner. Though neither commissioner and their respective sports have been without their own litany of problems as it concerns the image of their game and of their players.
But it has been their willingness to act swiftly at times that has in some cases curtailed what might have been a monumental disaster image wise for both the NBA and the NFL , why their commissioners and their sport in general is so well respected. Of which the same cannot be said of Bud Selig and his handling of the labor dispute , the lockout and then the whole ’steroids issue’ debacle. An adolescent child could well have handled the entire situation a whole lot better.
Now the question I’ll pose to you is which of the following athletes would you consider to be a viable candidate for their respective Hall of Fames ? I’ll place a list below of the names of these current and former athletes. And by all means take some time in assessing what you believe are their valid merits for gaining acceptance into the ‘Hall of Fame’. Also note you can choose to name some of the players that I’ve mentioned within this piece , controversy besides them or not . Just as long as you can articulate a valid argument behind your case for naming them .
1) Chris Webber Bio in part.
BACKGROUND
2005-06:
Thirteenth NBA season (Philadelphia) … In 75 games/starts, averaged 20.2 points, 9.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.37 steals in 38.6 minutes per game … Shot 43.4 percent (617-1422 FG) from the field and 75.6 percent (263-348 FT) from the free-throw line … Had 38 double-doubles on the season to rank 7th in the NBA … Ranked eighth in the league in rebounds per game … Had 40 games (20-20) with 20 or more points and seven 30-point games (5-2) … Had 38 games (18-20) with 10-plus rebounds this season … Had 18 games with 12-plus, rebounds, eight games with 15-plus and two games with 20-plus … Had nine games with six-plus assists (7-2) … Recorded his ninth-career 20-point, 20-rebound game with 27 points and 21 rebounds, versus Minnesota (12/12)… Also had a career-high 18 defensive rebounds versus Minnesota (12/12) … Had 20 boards versus Denver (3/9)… Had a season-high nine assists at Memphis (3/12) … Set his Sixers career-high with 34 points at New York (3/31)… Tied a season-high with five steals at Atlanta (12/23)… Blocked a season-high four shots versus Washington (3/3) … Scored his 15,000th career-point versus Charlotte (11/4) … Scored his 16,000th point at Houston on Mar. 1 … Had his 400th career double-double versus New Orleans/Oklahoma City (11/21)… Missed seven games (5-2) this season, four (3-1) due to a low back strain (1/4, 1/9, 4/8 and 4/10), two (1-1) due to DND – Coach’s Decisions (4/18 – 4/19) and one (1-0) due to the and flu (2/25).
Pro Career:
Thirteen NBA seasons … In 761 games (759 starts) averaging 21.6 points, 10.1 rebounds 4.4 assists, 1.50 blocks and 1.49 steals in 38.0 minutes per game … Shooting 48.0 percent (6888-14354 FG) from the field and 65.0 percent (2427-3734 FT) from the free-throw line for his career … Philadelphia is his fourth NBA team, after time with Golden State (1993-94), Washington (1994-98), and Sacramento (1999-2005)… Five-time NBA All-Star (1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003)… Posted 51 points and 26 rebounds against Indiana (1/5/01)… Earned All-NBA first team honors in 2001; All-NBA second team honors in 1999, 2002, 2003; All-NBA third team honors in 2000… Named the 1994 NBA Rookie of the Year after averaging 17.5 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game with the Warriors… In four NBA All-Star Games, averaged 7.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 3.3 apg, 1.00 spg and 19.0 mpg (DNP – sprained ankle in 2003)… Leading scorer (18 points) and rebounder (10 boards) for the ‘Phenoms’ team which won the first-ever Schick Rookie Game during the 1994 NBA All-Star Weekend (Minneapolis)… Voted to the NBA’s All-Interview Team in 2002-03, 2001-02 and 1999-00… Named Conference Player of the Month in December 2002 and January 2002… Named NBA Player of the Week eight times, including seven times with Sacramento (12/15/02, 1/16/00, 1/2/00, 4/25/99, 12/11/00, 1/22/01, 1/6/02) and once with Washington (4/20/97).
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2) Terrell Davies former Broncos’ standout running back. Bio in part
Denver Broncos
In 1995, newly-appointed Denver Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan drafted Davis in the 6th Round of the 1995 NFL Draft. Davis entered training camp as the sixth string tailback and was a long shot to make the team. He managed to impress the Broncos coaching staff after his second pre-season game, most notably with a crushing hit as a member of special teams. Davis kept improving with each pre-season game and was promoted to starting running back for the season’s opening game.[1] With Davis at running back, the Broncos possessed the potent running attack that they had previously lacked. Davis started 14 games during the 1995 season, carrying the ball 237 times, averaging 4.7 yards per run, and scoring eight touchdowns. Davis finished his season with a total of 1,117 rushing yards, becoming the lowest drafted player to ever gain over 1,000 yards rushing in his rookie season.
In 1996, Davis signed a lucrative new five-year contract with the Broncos that was worth $6.8 million. That season, he rushed for a total of 1,538 yards and set a Denver Broncos record for rushing touchdowns with 13. The Broncos ended that season with a 13–3 record, tied with the Green Bay Packers for the best in the NFL that year.
In the Super Bowl, Davis rushed for 157 yards, caught 2 passes for 8 yards, and became the first player in Super Bowl history ever to score 3 rushing touchdowns. This performance earned him MVP honors despite having to sit out the second quarter due to a migraine, an affliction he has suffered with most of his life.
Davis’ 8 touchdowns in his three playoff games and the Super Bowl gave him a total of 48 points, the most ever scored in a single postseason. This record would stand until surpassed by kicker Adam Vinatieri’s 49 points in the 2006–07 postseason.
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3) Roberto Alomar. Bio in part below.
Biography
Single…Is active in the community in his home country of Puerto Rico…Conducts free baseball clinics and provides equipment for his former little league and high school…Donated $252,000 toward research on the disease Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) and as a result of his relationship with Umpire John Hirschbeck. ALD is a rare genetic disorder that attacks nerve cells in the brain… While in San Diego, he participated in the “Stay in School Campaign” volunteering as a guest speaker at many area schools, both English and Spanish-speaking…In Toronto, Roberto was a charter member of the Hugh MacMillan Foundation and hosted a celebrity golf tournament for four years to benefit the foundation…Raised $285,000 for the foundation which funds a hospital and school…In Toronto, he was also involved in the DARE program and filmed a PSA on the perils of drunk driving…With the Orioles, he donated over 2,000 tickets as part of the “Alomar All-Stars” program for children from non-profit, youth oriented organizations…With Cleveland teamed up with his brother, Sandy, and purchased 27 tickets (27 was the combination of their uniform numbers, #12 and #15) for every home date in 1999 for local charities.
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. Bio in part.
Background
Dennis Rodman had developed from a janitor who had never played organized basketball into arguably the best rebounding forward in NBA history and one of the most recognized athletes in the world. Enigmatic and individualistic, Rodman has caught the public eye for his ever-changing hair color, tattoos and unorthodox lifestyle. Rodman’s achievements on the court are indisputable. A two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and a member of two championship Pistons teams in Detroit and three title-winning Bulls teams in Chicago, he has led the league in rebounding for seven consecutive years despite standing only 6-8–Wilt Chamberlain is the only player to win more rebounding titles, 11. Rodman is one of the few players in basketball who can change the course of a game without taking a shot. Rodman, whose two sisters were All-American basketball players, didn’t play high school basketball and stood only 5-11 when he graduated. At age 20 he was working the graveyard shift at the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport when he decided, after having grown eight inches since high school, that he would pursue basketball. He enrolled in Cooke County Junior College in Texas and later transferred to Southeastern Oklahoma State. In three seasons there, 1983-84 through 1985-86, he averaged 25.7 points and 15.7 rebounds, led the NAIA in rebounding twice and registered a .637 field goal percentage. Still relatively obscure, Rodman lasted into the second round of the 1986 NBA Draft before being selected by the Detroit Pistons with the 27th overall pick
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5) Kurt Warner. Though he’s still playing, there’s been a great deal said as to whether or not he’s a noteworthy candidate for the NFL Hall of Fame. What are your thoughts , if any on the matter ?
6) Steve Nash. Hall of Fame worthy or not ? OK, so he’s a two time NBA league MVP recipient . But does that in essence ‘make him’ a Hall of Famer ? Granted, he just might be the best player the Phoenix Suns have ever had. But they’ve struggled as a team to get the job done. And that in no large is not down to Nash but primarily down to the Suns’ hierarchy of their GM Steve Kerr and Suns’ owner Robert Sarver. Their insight into basketball personnel decision making is in line with Sarah Palin’s knowledge on US foreign policy, domestic issues, global and economic affairs. On appearance each might seem to be bright but in reality they just are not ! Need one say anymore on the matter ?
These are but six names that come to mind and I could well have added great many others to the six mentioned here , in my own personal list. But as we exchange comments on the subject , I may well add them as part of any response that I will be making. So for now, read the article , peruse the list of names, gather your thoughts and then respond with a comment , as to a case that can be made for your own personal choice and perhaps some of the names listed within this piece. Thanks in advance for your cooperation. And as always thank you for your continued support as it’s greatly appreciated !
Alan Parkins
NB: Originally formatted and printed within my own site tophatal’s blog Click here to read that and any other topics there that might be of interest to you.
The Rooney Rule
The Rooney Rule
Commendable as it appears to be, I now have to wonder whether or not the intentions behind this all, is well worth it. Named after famed Pittsburgh Steelers’ owner Dan Rooney. The so called ‘Rooney Rule’s‘ intent was set to see that minorities are given the chance to interview for vacant head coach’s positions within the NFL. And considering that the very first minority to be a coach in the NFL was Frederick Douglas ‘Fritz’ Pollard in the 1920’s. One has to wonder why it was necessary to have this rule installed as mandate for all teams within the NFL. But it was apparent that with the racial tone of the league, minorities weren’t being afforded the chance of advancement from beyond the playing field and unto the sidelines as coaches, much less the chance of becoming an owner at the league’s inception.
Frederick Douglas 'Fritz' Pollard , the first minority coach of an NFL team. Pollard is an inductee in the NFL Football Hall of Fame.
Minorities now make up 72% of the player personnel within the NFL and it appears to be generally acceptable within the league and to the fans. But how is it that the NFL while mandating for such a role, has essentially done little if anything to try and bring in a minority owner within its ranks ? By all accounts the lone occasion this attempted maneuver was made , due diligence was not taken by the league’s panel in their investigations. An an attempt was made by what we were informed was a prominent African American businessman , Reggie Fowler who was financially solvent. His attempt to purchase the Minnesota Vikings was met with a great deal of derision and skepticism. And it certainly didn’t help that this individual had the financial means but it was said could not provide the league with enough financial details for them to ensure that his ownership bid could be granted to become the league’s first and only prominent minority owner of an NFL franchise. In the end Fowler would become part of a consortium led by German businessman, Zygi Wilf, as the owner of the franchise. Wilf would become the principal partner in the ownership group of the Minnesota Vikings with a 60% stake in the organization. Fowler has a 20 % stake in the franchise, with the remaining 20 % split amongst the remaining partners of this limited partnership group. An owner in part but not a majority stake owner that would clarify the term “prominent ethnic owner” of an NFL franchise. While some facts are disputed as to Fowler’s supposed wealth , it appears from the outset that certain maneuvers were in place to deny him the success in an attempt to purchase the team, originally. As to who was behind this all , we will in fact never know. Suffice to say , that the image of the NFL was somewhat tarnished by the episode.
Washington Redskins’ General Manager Bruce Allen leaves after holding a press conference on the dismissal of Jim Zorn as Head Coach of the team. The press conference was held at Redskins’ Park the team’s headquarters and practice facility in Ashburn , Va, on 4th January 2010. picture appears courtesy of Getty Images/ Win McNamee ….
It wasn’t as if this investor was Robert L. ‘Bob’ Johnson, founder of BET and the prominent African American billionaire media mogul or famed NBA legend Magic Johnson. The latter of whom has branched out to become a commercial real estate mogul and business entrepreneur, with a believed estimated net worth approaching $750million. It appears that the NFL despite its image of being a charismatic and an all welcoming league.But as of yet the one vestige in showing the fans that minorities have finally arrived in terms of a majority ownership of a franchise, has yet to materialize or be realized.
San Diego, Ca,. January 3rd 2010. Kris Dielman (#68), Dennis Norman (#64), and Nick Hardwick (#61) of the San Diego Chargers enter the field against the Washington Redskins during the Washington Redskins v San Diego Chargers NFL Game on January 3, 2010 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Chargers won 23-20. picture appears courtesy of Getty Images/ Doug Miraelle .......
Courtesy of Associated Press and Yahoo Sports
Redskins talking to coaches to replace fired Zorn
By Joseph White , AP Sports Writer
Ashburn, Va. (AP)—Jim Zorn was fired by the Washington Redskins early Monday, the first step in yet another team overhaul under owner Dan Snyder.
Zorn was informed of his dismissal shortly after the team returned to Redskins Park following Sunday’s season-ending 23-20 loss at San Diego.
“I just know that last place is not Redskins football,” general manager Bruce Allen said. “Last place two years in a row is not Redskins football.”
Zorn went 12-20 over two seasons, but he lost 18 of his past 24 games after a 6-2 start in 2008. The Redskins struggled early despite a weak schedule this season and finished 4-12, their worst record since 1994.
“No one in the organization is satisfied with our record over the last two years,” Snyder said in a statement released by the team, “and I am sure that Jim would concur with that statement. It has been painful for him, too. I certainly accept responsibility for mistakes that I have made. I am hopeful that our fans will accept my commitment and pledge to deliver a franchise that can compete in the NFC East every season.”
Zorn’s replacement will be Washington’s seventh coach since Snyder bought the team in 1999. Playing a role in the decision will be Allen, who was hired as the GM last month. Allen would not comment on former Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan, who is considered the favorite to get the job.
“We’re in the process of talking to people,” Allen said. “We have a good game plan of what we’re going to do.”
Neither Snyder nor Zorn were made available for comment.
Zorn’s dismissal had been expected for months. The front office stripped him of his play-calling duties in late October, and Snyder has interviewed assistant coach Jerry Gray for the job weeks ago, according to the Fritz Pollard Alliance, which monitors minority hiring in the NFL.
The new coach, Snyder and Allen will have a monumental task to rebuild a team with many roster deficiencies and major questions at offensive line, quarterback and running back.
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Washington Redskins head coach Jim Zorn looks on from the sideline against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on January 3, 2010 in San Diego, California. The Chargers defeated the Redskins 23-20. picture appears courtesy of Getty Images/ Jeff Gross ............
The NBA and MLB seems to have done quite nicely for themselves, with minorities coveting and obtaining a ‘seat up at the big house’ at the dining table. Where the owners can feast upon the billions of dollars that annually finds its way into the NFL coffers. This might on the face of it appear to be racially insensitive and motivated. But I assure you, nothing could be further from the truth as I feel it only proper at this juncture to let you know that for in spite of its facade. The hierarchy of the NFL may well be the best organized , financially sound and ran of the four major sports in North America. And that at the end of the day is in essence what the NFL is all about. Any bye product from it all in terms of entertainment and plaudits from the fans, media and populace in general, is merely further proof of the game’s popularity.
Washington Redskins head coach Jim Zorn, left, greeting team owner Dan Snyder before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, in Landover, Md. Zorn was fired by the Washington Redskins early Monday, Jan. 4, 2009, the first step in yet another team overhaul / Nick Wass .....
And while we’ve seen the success of Tony Dungy as the coach of the Indianapolis Colts, being the first African American NFL coach to win the Superbowl. And the ongoing success of his of successor, Jim Caldwell augurs well for the current situation. But other than Caldwell and Raheem Morris of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, there are no other African American coaches in the NFL. Furthermore, that situation is even hindered by the fact that assistant head coaches and coordinators aren’t always afforded the luxury of the required cursory interview as demanded by the league’s mandated policy. A team has to only say that they have a minority as a prospective candidate and essentially create the scenario that the process is being adhered to. An initial cursory interview may well be granted.
The Washington Redskins with a new general manager in place, with Bruce Allen now assuming the position formerly held by Vinny Cerrato. The Daniel Snyder owned team might just be the worst ran NFL franchise in the league at present. Their turnovers in coaches is line with consistency of the Oakland Raiders and their ‘revolving door policy’ when it comes to coaches. Success or lack of it thereof, seems to be the norm for both of these franchises. Jim Zorn is the current coach of the Redskins and the impending upheaval appears apparent that Zorn’s two year tenure as the coach seems about to come to an abrupt end.
Reggie Fowler, left, has agreed to buy the Minnesota Vikings from current owner Red McCombs, right. The deal, worth a reported $625 million. However, the deal fell through when the NFL panel entrusted to review the bid stated that Fowler's financial backing and finances wasn't all in place and met with their tacit test. The deal was torpedoed and Fowler would then become part of the consortium headed by Zygi Wilf that would be successful in their purchase of the team from then owner Red McCombs . picture appears courtesy of afp/reuters/ Paul Marshall .............. ,
Courtesy of NFL.com Wire reports
Zorn out after two seasons as Redskins’ coach; is Shanahan in ?
The Washington Redskins fired coach Jim Zorn early Monday, the first step in yet another team overhaul that appears likely to involve Mike Shanahan.
An unidentified official within the NFL informed The Associated Press that new Redskins general manager Bruce Allen talked to Shanahan by phone Monday, and league sources told NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora to expect an organizational overhaul by Thursday but maybe sooner. Shanahan, who won two Super Bowls in 14 seasons as the Denver Broncos’ coach, would take over as coach/team president and quickly bring in assistant coaches and front-office personnel.
Zorn was dismissed shortly after the team returned to Redskins Park following Sunday’s season-ending 23-20 loss at San Diego.
Zorn went 12-20 over two seasons, but he lost 18 of his last 24 games after a 6-2 start in 2008. The Redskins struggled early despite a weak schedule this season and finished 4-12, their worst record since 1994.
It was the second consecutive season that the Redskins finished in last place in the NFC East under Zorn.
Allen said in a news conference Monday that “last place is not Redskin football.” He also refused to speculate on who the next coach would be, but he repeatedly said that a “passion for football” would be a primary requirement. He added that “head coach in the NFL is the most demanding executive position in sports.”
Zorn’s replacement will be Washington’s seventh coach since Dan Snyder bought the team in 1999.
“This has been an extremely difficult season for our organization and for the fans,” Snyder said in a statement released by the team. “Bruce Allen spent many hours examining the football operations, and we are both determined to do whatever it takes to build a championship team. That process begins today
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They’ve eagerly pursued Mike Shanahan for the position. And after two initial interviews, it appears that Shanahan is the successor in waiting for the presumed vacancy. What might the most egregious maneuver in all of this has been the apparent move by the Redskins to interview one of their low tiered assistant coaches,Jerry Gray, assistant defensive coordinator, who happens to be an African American. Now if this is being done merely to adhere to the Rooney policy, instead of it being a valid interview for a viable candidate for the position. But it appears that this is nothing more than a ploy on the part of the Redskins. It remains to be seen whether or not the NFL hierarchy under Roger Goodell as the league’s commissioner will have anything at all to say about the situation. It will be very interesting to see whether or not they will watch with a great deal of close scrutiny as to whether or not the Washington Redskins will follow the league mandated policy. On the face of it, it looks as if the Redskins are following the policy. But if anything they are actually circumventing the policy by merely creating the appearance that the interviewee is a candidate for the position. And that if anything smacks of the insidious behavior expected of a franchise wherein the norm of segregation was said to be still in being from a coaching standpoint, albeit that the roster of the franchise is very much a diverse one in nature.
Jerry Gray, secondary's and assistant defensive coordinat of the Washington Redskins. Gray has been the lone minority candiate interviewed for the now vacant head coach's position. Former Broncos' head coach has twice been interviewed for the position , prior to the dismissal of Jim Zorn as head coach of the team. picture appears courtesy of TWP/ John McDonnell .....
Segregation in sports at the player personnel level is a thing of the past within the NFL. But from a coaching standpoint it looks likes it’s either at a standstill or about to indeed take a turn for the worse. But this situation just isn’t happening at the NFL level but also at the collegiate level. Of the 120 collegiate football positions at the Division 1 A level, there are less than a dozen coaches that are of African American origin or of any other minority for that matter. But at the collegiate level where the NCAA governs college athletics. There’s nothing that mandates the hiring policy when it comes to the hiring of a football coach. It’s not really so much of a dilemma that can’t be resolved. But for the NCAA it’s not something that is of an urgent priority for the organization or the various conferences. They’re not openly willing to discuss the situation and it appears neither are the NCAA. The Black Coaches Administrators (BCA) are the only ones who are pressing the colleges, the NCAA and NFL , on the issue of their hiring practices, as it concerns minorities at the college coaching level and amongst the professional ranks. And what success if any is almost mute on the part of the NCAA and how they view the situation.
Denver , October '06. Head coach Mike Shanahan of the Denver Broncos looks to call a play against the Baltimore Ravens during a cold rainy first quarter on October 9, 2006 at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. picture appears courtesy of Getty Images/ Brian Bahr .......
The aspirants for these positions more often than not, are qualified for those positions but even if they are not. How are they are going to know what qualities will be needed by them in order to make them better suited candidates ? Especially in the case where they’re being denied the opportunity to even interview for a vacant position. At the collegiate level there is no ‘Rooney Rule’ in place for the candidates seeking a vacant coach’s position. But this is something where questions are needed to be asked and answered concerning this very issue. As to whether or not we’ll never know what will be forthcoming in the terms of an answer remains to be seen. But somehow these question have to be posed and answered unequivocally. If only to allude to the fact that there is clear transparency when it comes to the hiring of minority coaches at the collegiate as well as at the NFL level of football.
The Rooney Rule was put in place for a reason but it appears that now the NFL may well be calling time on this particular mandate.. As to the NCAA, well they’ll just continue to march to the beat of their very own drum completely oblivious of the realities of the real world and how it exists ! With its immense power in terms of its governing of the collegiate athletics’ landscape, it goes unchallenged by the major conferences as well as the Federal Government. And the Federal Government at times, would rather chide the NCCA , rather than demand that the NCAA do what is right and morally acceptable.
NB This piece was originally produced within another forum within my own site. http://tophatal.wordpress.com/ . Click here to read that and any other article that might be of interest to you.
tophatal
Let’s Get Real My Sporting Observations ………..
Well the Indianapolis Colts squeaked out another win to remain unbeaten within the NFL. In defeating their AFC South divisional rivals the Jacksonville Jaguars, they’ve essentially sewn up their division and garnered home-field advantage throughout the playoffs in the AFC. What better way for Colts’ coach, Jim Caldwell to have such success in his first season as the team’s coach.
Jacksonville, Fl, 17th December 2009. Reggie Wayne (#87) of the Indianapolis Colts runs for yards after the catch against Reggie Nelson (#25) of the Jacksonville Jaguars at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on December 17, 2009 in Jacksonville, Florida. picture appears courtesy of getty images/ Sam Greenwood .......
In defeating the Jaguars 35-31 , the Colts now are still on the cusp of making history in the NFL. They alongside the New Orleans Saints remain as the only unbeaten teams in the league. The Saints have the daunting task of taking on a Dallas Cowboys’ team that as of late are beginning to live up the hype of the team who just somehow loves to ’swoon’ in December. Eeking out a victory in the month of December for the Cowboys is like a drunk trying to find resolve from only taking sip from a whiskey bottle when they’re actually enrolled in AA. You know that no good can actually come of it. And for Wade Phillips and his team of under achieving prima-donnas. Well, let’s just say that they’re deserving of their fate at present !
Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder, right, adjusts his microphone at a news conference to introduce the new Redskins General Manager Bruce Allen, left, Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009, in Ashburn, Va. The Washington Redskins overhauled their front office Thursday morning, hiring Bruce Allen as general manager after the resignation of Vinny Cerrato. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Manuel Balce Ceneta .......
So now I’m suppose to believe that with the resignation of Vinny Cerrato as the GM of the Washington Redskins that Daniel Snyder’s hiring of Bruce Allen as Cerratto’s replacement , things will all of a sudden will become immeasurably better for the Redskins ? Never mind the fact that Snyder has already started the interview process for the replacement of the embattled coach, Jim Zorn. And there we have Sherm Lewis basically treading on eggshells while he’s been given the job of overseeing the team in the absence of anything creative coming from the mind of Jim Zorn. It looks as if a well deserving person such as Lewis will never be given the chance to show that he’s got what it takes to be a coach in the NFL. Well at least, not on a full-time basis, that is. He can’t do any worse than the likes of Steve Spagnuolo, Raheem Morris or Tom Cable for that matter. Now comes word that former Broncos’ coach Mike Shanahan has visited twice privately, to discuss the impending vacant coach’s position with Daniel Snyder.
And the Redskins’ owner seems somewhat reticent to ‘play his cards’ as of yet and let the fans and general public know what his final decision may well. More money to be thrown at a problem that was originally his in the making, to begin with. But guys we’re simply discussing the Washington Redskins here. Their revolving door policy with the regard to the hiring of NFL coaches has certainly got to be admired and laughed at , all in the same gesture.
Bernard Hopkins seen here taking on middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik in a catch-weight contest that originally took place in October ,2008. Hopkins would win the bout decisively inflicting Pavlik with his one and only professional loss in the ring.
They call him ‘The Ghost’ but middleweight boxing champion, Kelly Pavlik (35-1-0, 31 KO’s) has been about as much of champion, as Paris Hilton could be considered to be a possible candidate as a Rhodes’ scholar. Pavlik for his part having defeated Jermain Taylor to win the title and then having successfully defended it against the former champion. He then thought it appropriate to take on another former champion of the division, in , Bernard Hopkins. Let’s just say that was a mismatch of gigantic proportions from the very moment that the fight was announced. The ’schooling’ that Pavlik took at the hands of Hopkins should have been enough to suggest to the champion that it’s best to stick with what you know, rather than thinking that you know more than you actually do.
Courtesy of Associated Press and Yahoo Sports
Middleweight champ Pavlik ready for the ring
By Dave Skretta , AP Sports Writer
New York (AP)—Everything seemed to be lining up perfectly for the blue-collar kid from Youngstown. He had battered Jermain Taylor, beaten him again in an immediate rematch, and had turned his attention to cleaning out the middleweight division.
The only thing Kelly Pavlik’s cleaned out this year has been his left hand. Twice.
His year has been about as bumpy as the worn-out roads around Jack Loew’s South Side Boxing Club, where the scrawny 160-pound titleholder has been preparing for his return to the ring on Saturday night against unheralded contender Miguel Espino.
Pavlik began 2009 with an uninspiring defense against a mandatory challenger, then had two fights canceled, before rumors began circulating about why he hadn’t been fighting.
The answer, it turned out, was a staph infection on the knuckle of his hand.
“It’s been crazy, the hand, we have worked through that and it’s in the past. The problem with the hand was just time-consuming,” Pavlik said earlier this week. “At the end of the day, we had two major surgeries within two months of each other.”
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The most desired fight out there that all of the fans would want to see and they ought to demand that it take place. It would be for Pavlik to face off against whom many believe to be the number one contender and perhaps the best middleweight in the division, in, Paul Williams (38-1,27 KO’s). Williams for his part hasn’t ducked a challenge and has given the best of himself whenever he’s had to face an opponent. This’d be the one match-up that I for one, would be willing to pay to see. But instead we’ll be forced to see Pavlik defend his title in a meaningless PPV event against a nondescript challenger, Miguel Angel Espino (20-2-1,9 KO’s) , in Pavlik’s hometown of Youngstown, Ohio at the Chevrolet Center, this upcoming Saturday. Don’t hold unto your hats, as this fight might be about as eventful as having your prostate checked. And as we guys know, about the only person who seems to be enjoying themselves at the time, is the medical professional who happens to be conducting the exam. How was it for you ? LOL, LOL,LOL !!! Need I say anymore on the matter ?
Paul Williams (right) seen here taking on Sergio Martinez in a middleweight bout held at the Atlantic City Boardwalk Complex, Atlantic City , New Jersey. Williams would defeat his opponent with a unanimous points decision. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Will Hart ..................
Courtesy of HBO.com
Williams wins hard fought decision against Martinez
By Chuck Johnson
The result was an action-packed, nonstop-punching thriller at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall as Williams survived a valiant upset bid by Sergio Martinez to win a 12-round majority decision.
Showing why they’re considered two of the world’s best junior middleweights, Williams and Martinez moved up a few pounds to meet in the middleweight non-title bout, and it didn’t take long before they started connecting.
Both fighters scored knockdowns in the first round to set the tone for an ebb-and-flow donnybrook that ended with judge Julie Lederman calling the fight even 114-114 while judges Lynne Carter 115-113 and Pierre Benoist 119-110 both gave the nod to Williams.
“It was a good fight, a war,” said Williams, who spent most of the bout nursing a profusely-bleeding cut over his left eye that was opened by a combination of punches and an apparent head butt.
“This fight wasn’t easy, but I wasn’t trying to box him,” Williams said. “I wanted to make it a war.”
Williams (38-1, 28 KOs) landed a left to the temple that dropped Martinez in the first round, but the 6-foot-1 slugger from Aiken, S.C. found himself on the seat of his pants moments later when Martinez unloaded a hard right to the jaw.
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Williams seen here boxing as a welterweight taking on Carlos Quintana in the second of their two much heralded fights. In this selection you’ll see the devastating punching power of Williams. The fight took place at the Mohegan Sun Casino , Uncasville, Connecticut on the 7th June 2008. With the win Williams recaptured the WBO welterweight title.
Williams knows ultimately that sooner or later Pavlik has to fight him as the champion can’t carry on avoiding the number one contender for his belt. The problem is that with Pavlik’s propensity to either hurt himself in a bout or more often than not an foreseen medical comes to light during his training regimen . In all likelihood , all the fans might ever get to see, is Pavlik in a nondescript bout , while Williams is laying waste to the rest of the middleweight division.
They say things tend to come in three’s and what with the untimely deaths of NFL’s players Chris Henry and Steve McNair to apparent acts of violence . I think it’s time to keep a watchful eye on the police blotters up and down the country where there NFL franchises situated. You think I’m kidding ? Who could’ve foreseen the untimely deaths of both Henry and McNair ? Well , off course the ‘man upstairs’ would know but other than that , who else ?
OK, so there’s no real need to heap praise on the US national soccer squad. We know they’ve made it to next year’s World Cup in South Africa. But in all honesty it’d take a monumental disaster of catastrophic proportions for the team to even make it to the quarter or semi-finals of the competition. As good as the team has been , they’ve also had that tendency to slip back into the depths of mediocrity.
Well now comes word that perhaps the team’s best player ,Landon Donovan, is looking to breach out once again and make his way into Europe and acclimatize himself with the rigors of soccer. What the MLS simply just wasn’t good enough for his overrated but yet underachieving talent ?
Courtesy of Yahoo Sports
Donovan join Everton on loan from L A Galaxy
LIVERPOOL, England (AP)—United States forward Landon Donovan will join Everton on a short-term loan from the Los Angeles Galaxy.
The Premier League club, which announced the deal Friday, is hoping the American’s pace, experience and scoring record will help the team climb away from relegation trouble.
Donovan has to get a work permit to complete the loan, which will run from January until mid-March. It will finish in time for the 27-year-old player to return to the MLS for the Galaxy’s opening match on March 27.
“It’s all done now,” Everton manager David Moyes said. “Landon will join us at the start of January. He will come in and add pace. He’s a good finisher.”
The deal was announced two days after Donovan signed a new four-year contract with the Galaxy. He will team up with Tim Howard, the first choice goalkeeper for the United States who is in his fourth season with Everton since moving from Manchester United.
“Hopefully he is the first of two or three we want to bring in January,” said Moyes, whose team is 15th in the standings, one point above the relegation zone. “We need to strengthen our squad to make sure we are not in a situation like we have at the moment with so many injuries.
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L A Galaxy coach, Bruce Arena and Landon Donovan talks about his ambitions and aspirations with the Galaxy and his impending loan to the English Premiership club , Everton.
Landon Donovan may well be a considerable talent but in no way is he this country’s best player ! That undoubted privilege would have to go to the team’s goalkeeper, Tim Howard. Who if anything , he’s been the only bona-fide world class star that this country has or produced in the sport over the past two decades. Howard who now plays in the English Premier League (EPL) with Everton, has been an outstanding player throughout much of professional career. And he’s won at the highest levels in terms of domestic soccer. And his form for both his club side and country has been nothing short of exemplary .
A montage of Howard’s early years from a youth, on and upwards.
Howard has been a model of consistency at every level of the sport that he’s played. And it is understandable why he’s such a desired talent across the globe. There are but a handful of goalkeepers on the planet with his unique and innate talent. But yet year in and year out all the pundits here seem to talk about is the modest talent of the L A Galaxy’s, Landon Donovan. I suppose now having to share center stage with teammate, David Beckham , does have its privileges after all ?
With a loan deal now in the works , Donovan will be joining his national teammate as a member of Everton’s premiership roster. And with Howard viewed as the backbone of Everton’s defense, it’ll be very interesting to see what Landon Donovan will be able to contribute to the aspirations of the team. He’s been a noted striker within the MLS. Where he has been very prodigious and productive. But playing in the MLS and playing in the EPL are two entirely different things. It’s like making a comparison between varsity football and the NFL.
Though this isn’t first foray into playing soccer on the European continent at the domestic level. It will however provide Donovan with the experience he seeks and ramp up his competitive edge as a player. If he’s to prove himself the player that many believe he can be at the international level. Then he’ll have to prove once and for all that he can play in one the most competitive domestic soccer leagues in the world and acquit himself amiably . If not then US’s hopes at the 2010 World Cup mightn’t be as bright as many are hoping it will be.
So once and for all , let’s get real here ! These are the topics, what are your thoughts on each ?
NB: This piece was first posted by me within the following site http://theoraclesays.wordpress.com under the original title of ‘Let’s Get Real …..My Sporting Observations ….
Just Like Rodney Dangerfield Over The Course of His Career The Indianapolis Colts Still Can’t Get No Love Or Respect …………
Just Like Rodney Dangerfield Over The Course of His Career The Indianapolis Colts Still Can’t Get No Love Or Respect …………
Did I miss something here ? A 14-0 team in the Indianapolis Colts, isn’t viewed as the best team in the AFC ? But the pundits view the San Diego Chargers at 11-3, are viewed as the better team ? But now that’s the pundits, as we all know they’re always enamored with style over substance. Pardon me for saying this but shouldn’t one’s body of work over the course of the season matter ? Granted, should these two teams meet in the AFC championship game, then the Chargers might just have the slight edge in the match-up.
The late great Rodney Dangerfield, seen here giving a performance on ‘The Tonight Show’ hosted by Johnny Carson. The performance was from the show on 3rd February 1981.
The Chargers are riding high at present with the team sitting atop of the AFC West and there’s nothing else for them at all to fear within their own division and over the remainder of their schedule. This Norv Turner team has hit their stride and they’re playing with a great deal of confidence. Phillip Rivers, LaDainian Tomlinson, Darren Sproles and Shawne Merriman are all playing with a great deal of zeal. And the defense of the Chargers has literally come into their own. And the offense is as potent as ever, both on the ground and through the air. It may well be, that finally the players are buying into and believing what it is that their coach is selling them. Mind you, at the start of the season , I’m sure that their the fans may well have felt somewhat differently. But that’s how fickle the fans can be, when it comes to the inconsistent play of their team.
San Diego Chargers NFL football coach Norv Turner gestures while talking about calling a timeout during a news conference Monday, Dec. 21, 2009 in San Diego. The San Diego Chargers clinched a playoff spot while still playing the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, then secured the AFC West title with a 27-24 victory. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/Lenny Ignelzi.....
For the Colts, only the second time in their career have they reached the pinnacle of being 14-0. And now having surpassed the feat of the New England Patriots in having won 21 consecutive regular season games. They now seek to add ‘perfection’ and the raising of the Lombardi trophy, as the culmination to their prolific season under their quarterback, Peyton Manning. But what might be even more surprising is that this being done with first year coach, Jim Caldwell. The footsteps that Caldwell stepped into, are those of Tony Dungy, the former beloved coach of the team and well respected throughout the NFL. Now the Colts’ fans and fans around the NFL wait to see if the team’s march towards perfection will be a historic one, or will they end up falling short at that last obstacle placed in their way. These are things that await the fans of the Colts and the fans of the NFL in general.
Jacksonville , Fl - December 17th 2009. Maurice Jones-Drew (#32) of the Jacksonville Jaguars is stopped by the Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. picture appears courtesy of Getty Images/ Sam Greenwood .........
Courtesy of Associated Press and Yahoo Sports
By Barry Wilner , AP Football Writer
As the NFL’s lone unbeaten team, the Indianapolis Colts will have even more of a spotlight on how they approach their final two games of the regular season. They recognize that, but their mantra won’t change: winning the Super Bowl is the goal.
The Colts returned to practice Monday after a long weekend of rest and relaxation. Their 35-31 victory over Jacksonville on Thursday night earned them that reward, and when New Orleans lost to Dallas on Saturday night, the Colts became the NFL’s only spotless team.
How much does that mean to them?
“Obviously, it’s an honor for our team to have an opportunity to stand alone at this point,” coach Jim Caldwell said Monday, “but the fact of the matter is that it is a real task to maintain this position, as well. I think our guys are certainly up to that challenge.”
And they want to meet that challenge.
“Obviously, we’ve been here before. It helps in dealing with the media and helps us in how we should feel,” linebacker Gary Brackett(notes) said. “Everything is measured by the end of the season. But we welcome (the spotlight). We’re not under the radar anymore.
“I think we’ve got a pretty good team. What we’ve done is nothing to take lightly. We’re definitely proud of where we’re at right now. And it’s a good problem to have, deciding whether you’re going to play or whether you’re going to sit.”
So, will they get the chance to prove it? Or will the Colts back off in their final two games, against the Jets at home on Sunday, and then at Buffalo?
Judging by how they performed at Jacksonville, and how Peyton Manning(notes) and Reggie Wayne(notes) have been vocal about wanting to be on the field, it would seem matching the Patriots’ 16-0 mark of 2007 is a priority. Just not the main priority.
“Right now I could not tell you exactly what it’s going to be, whether or not a guy plays one series or the entire game,” Caldwell said. “The other thing is the health also includes, obviously, looking at them from a standpoint at what they’re going to be able to do in the future as well. That’s also included.”
Only two other franchises have reached 14-0 in the regular season: the 1972 Miami Dolphins, who went on to 17-0 and won the Super Bowl, and the ’07 Patriots, who were 16-0, won two playoff games, then fell in the Super Bowl to the Giants.
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Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts throws a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on December 17, 2009 in Jacksonville, Florida. picture appears courtesy of Getty Images/ Sam Greenwood .........
In 2007,we witnessed the New England Patriots’ march to perfection in the NFL, during the regular season, only for the team to fail in their bid to win the Superbowl. Unfortunately the team would fail in their quest for perfection and equal the feat of the 1972 Miami Dolphins.
The Patriots were upended by the New York Giants in a memorable game that was highlighted by David Tyree’s phenomenal catch and then we saw the Eli Manning to Plaxico Burress reception that would eventually win the Superbowl for the Giants.
Joseph Addai (#29) of the Indianapolis Colts runs the ball against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on December 17, 2009 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Colts would go on to defeat the Jaguars 35-31 to keep their unbeaten record in tact. picture appears courtesy of Getty Images/ Sam Greenwood .......
Well, much like the famed comedian, Rodney Dangerfield, the Indianapolis Colts can’t seem to get the respect they so richly deserve. And that’s even with the team having won a Superbowl with Manning and Dungy in tow. Will a second win, give validation and respectability to this team ? Or will they be continually disrespected by others, who simply value style over substance ? They were comedians during Dangerfield’s era who many felt were far funnier but none could elicit a laugh the way that Rodney Dangerfield could from an audience. And in many ways this is the same problem that the Indianapolis Colts now face with the purists at heart. What many of them seem to forget, is that apart from Peyton Manning, Dallas Clark, Reggie Wayne, Jeff Saturday, Joseph Addai and Dwight Freeney. This is a roster that has been revamped with a plethora of young players. And perhaps this may well be the reason why many aren’t so enamored with the Colts and so vapidly in awe of the San Diego Chargers.
Head coach Jim Caldwell of the Indianapolis Colts coaches against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on December 17, 2009 in Jacksonville, Florida. picture appears courtesy of Getty Images/ Sam Greenwood ..........
It is quite possible that these two titans could very well meet in the AFC championship game. And that’s where it’ll be for all the marbles for what’s at stake. The winner of that matchup may well be viewed as the presumptive favorites to raise the Lombardi trophy. But that’d be predicated upon these two teams being able to steer their way through the obstacles that will be placed in their path throughout the postseason. So as of now, just watch the displays of the Colts and their quest towards perfection. One way or another, the journey could be just as exhilarating a joy ride as you could ever wish for. Along the way there might a smile placed on your face as you watch this great team’s chase at glory and history.
NB: Click here to view the Indianapolis Colts’ 2009-10 NFL roster.
Coach: Jim Caldwell
Jim Caldwell became the Colts coach following the retirement of Tony Dungy on January 12, 2009. Caldwell has served with Indianapolis since 2002. He spent the first three seasons as quarterbacks coach before earning the expanded title of assistant head coach prior to the 2005 season.
Caldwell’s leadership has helped the Colts continue to have one of the league’s most prolific offenses. In 2007, Indianapolis ranked fifth in NFL offense, the club’s fifth straight top five league finish. The club amassed 450 points to rank third in points per game, the fifth straight year the club was among the league’s top three scoring units. The Colts set an NFL record with a fifth consecutive season with at least 12 victories. The club’s victory totals of 50 from 2003-06 and 75 from 2003-08 rank among the best in NFL history over any four- and five-year spans. The club earned an NFL-best ninth playoff appearance in the last ten seasons, and Indianapolis extended its franchise record with a fifth consecutive AFC South championship. Additionally, Indianapolis became the first team in 76 years (Green Bay 1929-31) to open three consecutive seasons with 7-0 starts. cont’d…………
Clyde Christensen
Offensive coordinator; born January 28, 1956, Covina, Calif. Quarterback Fresno (Calif.) J.C. 1975, North Carolina 1976-78. No pro playing experience. College coach: Mississippi 1979, East Tennessee State 1980-82, Temple 1983-85, East Carolina 1986-88, Holy Cross 1989-1990, South Carolina 1991, Maryland 1992-93, Clemson 1994-95. Pro coach: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1996-2001, joined Colts in 2002.
Larry Coyer
Defensive coordinator; born April 19, 1943, Huntington, W. Va. Linebacker Marshall 1962-64. No pro playing experience. College coach: Marshall 1965-67, Iowa 1974-77, Oklahoma State 1978, Iowa State 1979-1983, 1995-96, UCLA 1987-89, Houston 1990, Ohio State 1991-92, East Carolina 1993, Pittsburgh 1997-99. Pro coach: Michigan Panthers (USFL) 1984-85, New York Jets 1994, Denver Broncos 2000-06, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2007-08, joined Colts in 2009.
Richard Howell
Asst. Strength And Conditioning; born February 19, 1972, Bladenboro, N.C. Quarterback Davidson 1990-93. No pro playing experience. College coach: Davidson 1994-98, North Carolina 1998-99. Pro coach: Barcelona Dragons (NFLE) 1999, joined Colts in 2000.
Gene Huey
Running Backs; born July 20, 1947, Uniontown, Pa. Defensive backwide receiver Wyoming 1965-68. Pro running back San Diego Chargers 1969. College coach: Wyoming 1970-73, New Mexico 1974-76, Nebraska 1977-1986, Arizona State 1987, Ohio State 1988-1991. Pro coach: Joined Colts in 1992.
Pete Metzelaars
Offensive quality control/Asst. offensive line; born May 24, 1960, Three Rivers, Mich. Tight end Wabash College 1978-1981. Pro tight end Seattle Seahawks 1982-84, Buffalo Bills 1985-1994, Carolina Panthers 1995, Detroit Lions 1996-97. College coach: Wingate 2003. Pro coach: Barcelona Dragons (NFLE) 2003, joined Colts in 2004.
Tom Moore
Sr. Offensive Coordinator; born November 7, 1938, Owatanna, Minn. Quarterback Iowa 1957-1960. No pro playing experience. College coach: Iowa 1961-62, Dayton 1965-68, Wake Forest 1969, Georgia Tech 1970-71, Minnesota 1972-73, 1975-76. Pro coach: New York Stars (WFL) 1974, Pittsburgh Steelers 1977-1989, Minnesota Vikings 1990-93, Detroit Lions 1994-96, New Orleans Saints 1997, joined Colts in 1998.
Howard Mudd
Sr. Offensive Line; born February 10, 1942, Midland, Mich. Guard Hillsdale (Mich.) College 1960-63. Pro offensive lineman San Francisco 49ers 1964-69, Chicago Bears 1969-1971. College coach: California 1972-73. Pro coach: San Diego Chargers 1974-76, San Francisco 49ers 1977, Seattle Seahawks 1978-1982, 1993-97, Cleveland Browns 1983-88, Kansas City Chiefs 1989-1992, joined Colts in 1998.
Mike Murphy
Linebackers; born September 25, 1944, New York, N.Y. Guard-linebacker Huron (S.D.) 1963-66. No pro playing experience. College coach: Vermont 1970-73, Idaho State 1974-76, Western Illinois 1977-78. Pro coach: Saskatchewan Rough Riders (CFL) 1979-1983, Chicago Blitz (USFL) 1984, Detroit Lions 1985-89, Arizona Cardinals 1990-93, Seattle Seahawks 1995-97, joined Colts in 1998.
Rod Perry
Special assistant to the defense; born September 11, 1953, Fresno, Calif. Defensive back Colorado 1972-74. Pro cornerback Los Angeles Rams 1975-82, Cleveland Browns 1983-84. College coach: Columbia 1985, Fresno City College 1986, Fresno State 1987-88. Pro coach: Seattle Seahawks 1989-1991, Los Angeles Rams 1992-94, Houston Oilers 1995-96, San Diego Chargers 1997-2001, Carolina Panthers 2002-06, joined Colts in 2007.
Frank Reich
Quarterbacks; born December 4, 1961, Freeport, N.Y. Quarterback Maryland 1981-84. Pro quarterback Buffalo Bills 1985-1994, Carolina Panthers 1995, New York Jets 1996, Detroit Lions 1997-98. Pro coach: Joined Colts in 2008.
Ray Rychleski
Special Teams; born September 27, 1957, Old Forge, Pa. Attended Millersville (Pa.) State College. No college or pro playing experience. College coach: Temple 1981-88, Northeastern 1989-1990, Penn State 1991, East Stroudsburg 1992, Wake Forest 1993- 2000, Maryland 2001-07, South Carolina 2008. Pro coach: Joined Colts in 2009.
Bill Teerlinck
Defensive assistant; born July 23, 1978, Champaign, Ill. Defensive end Chadron State 2000-02. No pro playing experience. College coach: Indiana 2003-04, Illinois State 2005-06. Pro coach: Joined Colts in 2007.
John Teerlinck
Defensive Line; born April 9, 1951, Rochester, N.Y. Defensive lineman Western Illinois 1970-73. Pro defensive tackle San Diego Chargers 1974-77. College coach: Iowa Lakes J.C. 1977, Eastern Illinois 1978-79, Illinois 1980-82. Pro coach: Chicago Blitz (USFL) 1983-84, Arizona Wranglers/Outlaws (USFL) 1985-86, Cleveland Browns 1989-1990, Los Angeles Rams 1991, Minnesota Vikings 1992-94, Detroit Lions 1995-96, Denver Broncos 1997-2001, joined Colts in 2002.
Ricky Thomas
Tight Ends; born March 29, 1965, London, England. Safety Alabama 1983-86. College coach: Kentucky 1996, Gardner-Webb 1997. Pro coach: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1997-2001, joined Colts in 2002.
Jon Torine
Strength And Conditioning; born November 16, 1973, Livingston, N.J. Linebacker Springfield (Mass.) College 1991. No pro playing experience. Pro coach: Buffalo Bills 1995-97, joined Colts in 1998.
Alan Williams
Defensive Backs; born November 4, 1969, Norfolk, Va. Running back William & Mary 1988-1991. No pro playing experience. College coach: William & Mary 1996-2000. Pro coach: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2001, joined Colts in 2002.
Colts’ Front Office: Jim Irsay , Owner & CEO
Bill Polian , President & General Manager
Carlie Irsay-Gordon , Vice President
Casey Irsay-Foyt, Vice President
Peter Ward, Senior Executive President
Tom Zupancic, Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing
NB: This article was first posted by me within http://tophatal.wordpress.com under this original title ‘ Just Like Rodney Dangerfield Over The Course of His Career The Indianapolis Colts Still Can’t Get No Love Or Respect …………’
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