AEG Lobbyists Begging for Special Treatment
09/02/11 14:25
As AEG has passed the local hurdles, local politicians in their over-stuffed pockets, it is on to Sacramento, to cajole, pander and extort state legislators to provide special treatment in easing vital environmental protection laws and in exempting them from litigation designed to offer a dose of reality.
As described in my Aug 10, 2011 post, "Football in LA, the CONS", billionaire Philip Anshultz and his AEG thugs can buy what they want, and put up a pretty good smokescreen, so that voters, especially football fans among them, don't see, and in reality, don't care.
Funny, the LA haters are now the allies of those of us who think that AEG should at the very least, follow the rules designed to protect the future of California, and to some extent, insure future generations of breathable air and majestic lands.
A pending bill by LA's own Sen. Alex Padilla would make a mockery of the judicial process in an effort to steamroll the AEG stadium, totally removing the TRIAL COURT from the litigation process, and handing all such matters regarding the stadium over to an appellate court with unrealistic expedited procedures, apparently eliminating such useless elements of litigation as FACT FINDING.
Just like the teabaggers at the Federal level, the special interests begging for freedom from the laws of the state of California so they can pocket more and more billions, couch their begging in terms of jobs: "Let us break the law when ever and where ever we want, and we will create jobs; don't let us break the law, or delay our breaking the law, and those jobs will be lost."
Screw them. They need us, not the other way around.
As described in my Aug 10, 2011 post, "Football in LA, the CONS", billionaire Philip Anshultz and his AEG thugs can buy what they want, and put up a pretty good smokescreen, so that voters, especially football fans among them, don't see, and in reality, don't care.
Funny, the LA haters are now the allies of those of us who think that AEG should at the very least, follow the rules designed to protect the future of California, and to some extent, insure future generations of breathable air and majestic lands.
A pending bill by LA's own Sen. Alex Padilla would make a mockery of the judicial process in an effort to steamroll the AEG stadium, totally removing the TRIAL COURT from the litigation process, and handing all such matters regarding the stadium over to an appellate court with unrealistic expedited procedures, apparently eliminating such useless elements of litigation as FACT FINDING.
Just like the teabaggers at the Federal level, the special interests begging for freedom from the laws of the state of California so they can pocket more and more billions, couch their begging in terms of jobs: "Let us break the law when ever and where ever we want, and we will create jobs; don't let us break the law, or delay our breaking the law, and those jobs will be lost."
Screw them. They need us, not the other way around.
theHoundDawg |
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Least We Forget, Michael Vick is SCUM!
08/13/11 12:51
= 
All the current adulation over michael vick is disgusting.
He did not just raise dogs for fighting and promote dog fighting, as so many people seem to say. He TORTURED AND KILLED dozens of dogs, in painful and brutal fashion, over a period of years. Until he was caught. Were it not for a series of events that led police to his home on a totally unrelated matter, and not involving him, vick would still be doing this TODAY.
Also keep in mind the fact that his was not a hobby to vick, but rather a money-making criminal enterprise that helped further line his pockets for years.
Players, reporters, and fans heaping praise on this piece of scum, and hoping for his continued success, are soul-less, compassion-less, heart-less, thought-less lumps of organic matter.
Sic the NFL dogs on him: 
| theHoundDawg |  |
Football in LA, the Cons
08/10/11 20:06
As the LA City Council climbs on board with the AEG/Philip Anshutz give away in order to build a football stadium in downtown LA, two things seem clear: 1) The reality of a Los Angels NFL team is now more likely than it has been since the 1994 exodus of the Rams and Raiders, and 2) The powers that be in LA are uncaring, black-hearted, opportunists, who would steal from their grandmothers and crawl under the covers with the devil to curry favor with their most vocal constituents.
I wrote a more politically-themed post concerning Anshultz on theHoundDawg blog back in April ("Where Politics and Sports Meet: A Tale of the Two SoCal Hockey Team Owners, How They Use Their Billions, and What it Gets Them"), but suffice it to say here that Anshultz, while partially motivated by the bottom line, is now and forever dedicated to advancing his ultra-right wing Christian conservative agenda, and in controlling so much of the Los Angeles entertainment scene, with his Kings, his Staples Center, his LA Live, his hotels, and now his football stadium and likely (at least in some part) his football team, he will be exerting his political and economic influence as he has around the US for two decades now, spending hundreds of millions of dollars to fight against gay rights, to remove the study of evolution from schools, to require the teaching of creationism, and to elect his pet politicians, such as george w bush, to office.
We do not need him in LA, and we certainly we do not need our over-powering lust for a football team to obliterate all rationale thought and give him the keys to the candy store.
And just how ridiculous is it to approve a plan to tear down the Convention Center and rebuild it a block away, so he can build his stadium a block closer to his Staples Center and LA Live?
And what of that football team? How did Ram and Raider fans feel in 1994? For that, matter, how did Charger fans feel in 1960? I was a trermendous Charger fan in 1960, and was devastated when they moved two hours to the south. Well, what about the dedicated fans in Minnesota? Or the Jaguar fans in northern Florida? Or the St. Louis fans who saw a former owner, Bill Bidwell, rip the Cardinals from their guts and move them to Arizona; the same Cardinals that had earlier said adios to their legion of fans in Chicago? And yes, what of the loyal Charger fans in San Diego? Does anyone in Los Angels give a fuck about any of these other fans? Hell NO! Give us a TEAM! Who cares about anyone else!
Bull. We've waited since 1994. We can wait until the next expansion.
One more important point we need to keep in mind. In 1996, Peter O'Malley was ready, willing and able to build his own privately funded football stadium next to Dodger stadium, where an EXPANSION team would make its home. At that time, the LA City power structure, led in this effort by Mayor Dick Riordan and Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas, had declared that no NFL team would EVER play ANYWHERE else but in the moribund 70-year-old LA Memorial Coliseum. They told O'Malley where he could stick his millions of available non-taxpayer dollars.
The effects of this have had a disastrous effect on the Los Angeles sports scene ever since. First, and least important, LA was never on an NFL expansion list because the NFL knew no professional team would ever consider playing in the Coliseum. So, while teams were awarded to the likes of Jacksonville, Carolina, and Houston, LA stood cut off and out in the cold. Second, was the effect this had on LA baseball.
O'Malley was so disgusted with LA politicians, that he decided to get out of LA sports, and made the decision to sell the Dodgers. The ultimate outcome was the McCourt ownership, but just remember how horrendous the six years of Fox ownership were. The Dodger never made the playoffs during the Fox years, but did so in four of McCourts' first six years.
Had the Mayor and LA city council embraced O'Malley's plan, today LA would be in its second decade of having its own football team, not one stolen from another city, and we would have never know the vile Fox ownership nor the corrupt McCourt years.
And Peter O'Malley would be the owner and would be running the show, for both teams.
And we wouldn't be handing the keys to the city to Anshultz.
I wrote a more politically-themed post concerning Anshultz on theHoundDawg blog back in April ("Where Politics and Sports Meet: A Tale of the Two SoCal Hockey Team Owners, How They Use Their Billions, and What it Gets Them"), but suffice it to say here that Anshultz, while partially motivated by the bottom line, is now and forever dedicated to advancing his ultra-right wing Christian conservative agenda, and in controlling so much of the Los Angeles entertainment scene, with his Kings, his Staples Center, his LA Live, his hotels, and now his football stadium and likely (at least in some part) his football team, he will be exerting his political and economic influence as he has around the US for two decades now, spending hundreds of millions of dollars to fight against gay rights, to remove the study of evolution from schools, to require the teaching of creationism, and to elect his pet politicians, such as george w bush, to office.
We do not need him in LA, and we certainly we do not need our over-powering lust for a football team to obliterate all rationale thought and give him the keys to the candy store.
And just how ridiculous is it to approve a plan to tear down the Convention Center and rebuild it a block away, so he can build his stadium a block closer to his Staples Center and LA Live?
And what of that football team? How did Ram and Raider fans feel in 1994? For that, matter, how did Charger fans feel in 1960? I was a trermendous Charger fan in 1960, and was devastated when they moved two hours to the south. Well, what about the dedicated fans in Minnesota? Or the Jaguar fans in northern Florida? Or the St. Louis fans who saw a former owner, Bill Bidwell, rip the Cardinals from their guts and move them to Arizona; the same Cardinals that had earlier said adios to their legion of fans in Chicago? And yes, what of the loyal Charger fans in San Diego? Does anyone in Los Angels give a fuck about any of these other fans? Hell NO! Give us a TEAM! Who cares about anyone else!
Bull. We've waited since 1994. We can wait until the next expansion.
One more important point we need to keep in mind. In 1996, Peter O'Malley was ready, willing and able to build his own privately funded football stadium next to Dodger stadium, where an EXPANSION team would make its home. At that time, the LA City power structure, led in this effort by Mayor Dick Riordan and Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas, had declared that no NFL team would EVER play ANYWHERE else but in the moribund 70-year-old LA Memorial Coliseum. They told O'Malley where he could stick his millions of available non-taxpayer dollars.
The effects of this have had a disastrous effect on the Los Angeles sports scene ever since. First, and least important, LA was never on an NFL expansion list because the NFL knew no professional team would ever consider playing in the Coliseum. So, while teams were awarded to the likes of Jacksonville, Carolina, and Houston, LA stood cut off and out in the cold. Second, was the effect this had on LA baseball.
O'Malley was so disgusted with LA politicians, that he decided to get out of LA sports, and made the decision to sell the Dodgers. The ultimate outcome was the McCourt ownership, but just remember how horrendous the six years of Fox ownership were. The Dodger never made the playoffs during the Fox years, but did so in four of McCourts' first six years.
Had the Mayor and LA city council embraced O'Malley's plan, today LA would be in its second decade of having its own football team, not one stolen from another city, and we would have never know the vile Fox ownership nor the corrupt McCourt years.
And Peter O'Malley would be the owner and would be running the show, for both teams.
And we wouldn't be handing the keys to the city to Anshultz.
| theHoundDawg |  |
Cam Newton: Roger Staubach or Art Schlichter?
04/28/11 14:02
On the eve of the NFL draft, fans and GMs alike are still debating the talent and character of Cam Newton. I do not believe there is anything to debate: Only a fool would waste a top draft choice on the guy.
Roger Staubach or Art Schlichter? Easy question to answer - Art Schlichter. Or Ryan Leaf. Or Todd Marinovich.
Yea, he’s got tons of talent, demonstrated through that ONE single great college season. Sound familiar Ryan Leaf? But his young lifetime of lying, cheating and stealing should be more than enough for any sane personnel guy to STAY AWAY. You can forget about the recruiting violation investigation as the criminal there was Newton’s father. Hmm - nature or nurture? But that aside, he was caught three times cheating during his short tenure at the U of Florida, where he left either because he was too chicken to compete against another QB or because he knew the long arm of the law could only be evaded for so long after his first theft arrest and the likelihood that he could not continue to rely on the power of Urban Meyer who saw to it that charges were dropped the first time.
I’m not saying he’ll be another Rae Carruth or Darryl Henley, but easily another Art Schlichter or maybe Lawrence Phillips.
Let him go find a niece prison league.
Roger Staubach or Art Schlichter? Easy question to answer - Art Schlichter. Or Ryan Leaf. Or Todd Marinovich.
Yea, he’s got tons of talent, demonstrated through that ONE single great college season. Sound familiar Ryan Leaf? But his young lifetime of lying, cheating and stealing should be more than enough for any sane personnel guy to STAY AWAY. You can forget about the recruiting violation investigation as the criminal there was Newton’s father. Hmm - nature or nurture? But that aside, he was caught three times cheating during his short tenure at the U of Florida, where he left either because he was too chicken to compete against another QB or because he knew the long arm of the law could only be evaded for so long after his first theft arrest and the likelihood that he could not continue to rely on the power of Urban Meyer who saw to it that charges were dropped the first time.
I’m not saying he’ll be another Rae Carruth or Darryl Henley, but easily another Art Schlichter or maybe Lawrence Phillips.
Let him go find a niece prison league.
| theHoundDawg |
Today's Mason-Ireland Love Fest for Scumbag Pete Carroll Made Me SICK!
02/22/11 17:20
Don’t get me wrong - I like Steve Mason and John Ireland and love their sports talk show. But, I was thoroughly nauseated by the little bit of their interview with uncle petey that I caught, and then their follow-up commentary about his legacy.
It is absurd to compare unk to President Bill Clinton, and for them to say his legacy will be similar to Clinton’s in that his transgressions will be a speck on an otherwise exceptional career, as the Lewinsky matter will be to the Clinton presidency.
Bull Crap.
Carroll ran what amounted to a criminal enterprise at usc, and ran screaming from SoCal as the courts, not to mention the NCAA, were closing in. It has been well documented how he made crooks, scoundrels, go-betweens, and agents themselves part of the family, welcome in the clubhouse, on the sidelines, and in his heart. He looked away as reggie bush and his family received over $300,000 in illegal benefits, despite driving at least one such benefit around campus. The same for Joe McKnight, as he drove his benefit around the practice field.
But his biggest transgression that has received virtually no publicity and for which he has NEVER be called on to account for, is the Dave Watson matter, documented by SI.com (“Carroll knew about coach’s drug addiction before crash”) and discussed here (under the Pete Carroll tag) on Jan. 11, 2010. In summary, former petey assistant coach Dave Watson was addicted to painkillers, and under petey’s watchful eye, apparently for a period of years, was routinely dispensed prescription drugs by the team’s medical staff. Then, one day while driving his usc-assigned company car, Watson caused a crash, critically injuring an innocent passenger. Watson admitted it all, and plead guilty to felony DUI, and his injured victim sued everyone involved. Uncle petey was supposed to appear at a deposition in the case, but did not appear. He was then ordered to appear by a judge, and within days of that order, petey high tailed it out of SoCal for the Pacific Northwest and the bounty of the NFL.
Yea, great legacy. Steve and John - you should be ashamed.
It is absurd to compare unk to President Bill Clinton, and for them to say his legacy will be similar to Clinton’s in that his transgressions will be a speck on an otherwise exceptional career, as the Lewinsky matter will be to the Clinton presidency.
Bull Crap.
Carroll ran what amounted to a criminal enterprise at usc, and ran screaming from SoCal as the courts, not to mention the NCAA, were closing in. It has been well documented how he made crooks, scoundrels, go-betweens, and agents themselves part of the family, welcome in the clubhouse, on the sidelines, and in his heart. He looked away as reggie bush and his family received over $300,000 in illegal benefits, despite driving at least one such benefit around campus. The same for Joe McKnight, as he drove his benefit around the practice field.
But his biggest transgression that has received virtually no publicity and for which he has NEVER be called on to account for, is the Dave Watson matter, documented by SI.com (“Carroll knew about coach’s drug addiction before crash”) and discussed here (under the Pete Carroll tag) on Jan. 11, 2010. In summary, former petey assistant coach Dave Watson was addicted to painkillers, and under petey’s watchful eye, apparently for a period of years, was routinely dispensed prescription drugs by the team’s medical staff. Then, one day while driving his usc-assigned company car, Watson caused a crash, critically injuring an innocent passenger. Watson admitted it all, and plead guilty to felony DUI, and his injured victim sued everyone involved. Uncle petey was supposed to appear at a deposition in the case, but did not appear. He was then ordered to appear by a judge, and within days of that order, petey high tailed it out of SoCal for the Pacific Northwest and the bounty of the NFL.
Yea, great legacy. Steve and John - you should be ashamed.
| theHoundDawg |  |
Jerry Jones Super Bowl Embarrassments Continue to Mount
02/06/11 14:17
Guess this is a day for lists.
Poor Jerry Jones:
1. For months prior to the season, he hyped his Cowboys, assuring friend and foe alike that they would be playing in HIS stadium’s Super Bowl. Didn’t quite work out that way, huh, Jerry? His Cowboys limped home at 6-10, enduring such sub-par play that he even went so far as to change head coaches mid-season.
2. A headline-making accident at HIS stadium injured several people, due to poor maintenance and oversight, allowing snow and ice to pile up on the stadium roof and cascade down on top of unsuspecting bystanders. Was it just lack of maintenance ($$$$), was it poor building design, or was it just out-and-out negligence? In time, that will all be decided in the courts.
3. And as a capper, today, a couple of hours before game-time, the local Fire Department told stadium officials and fans that make-shift extra seating was unsafe, and that they would not permit fans to sit in those seats. Oh, Jerry - need to set those records for attendance; who cares if a few fans GET KILLED. Just cram them in where ever you can.
Poor Jerry Jones:
1. For months prior to the season, he hyped his Cowboys, assuring friend and foe alike that they would be playing in HIS stadium’s Super Bowl. Didn’t quite work out that way, huh, Jerry? His Cowboys limped home at 6-10, enduring such sub-par play that he even went so far as to change head coaches mid-season.
2. A headline-making accident at HIS stadium injured several people, due to poor maintenance and oversight, allowing snow and ice to pile up on the stadium roof and cascade down on top of unsuspecting bystanders. Was it just lack of maintenance ($$$$), was it poor building design, or was it just out-and-out negligence? In time, that will all be decided in the courts.
3. And as a capper, today, a couple of hours before game-time, the local Fire Department told stadium officials and fans that make-shift extra seating was unsafe, and that they would not permit fans to sit in those seats. Oh, Jerry - need to set those records for attendance; who cares if a few fans GET KILLED. Just cram them in where ever you can.
| theHoundDawg |  |
Guaranteed to Happen at Today's Super Bowl
02/06/11 11:33
Guaranteed to happen today:
1. Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, and other members of the broadcasting crew will again bring up the sexual assault allegations made against Ben Roethlisberger, and totally ignore the FACT that the only quarterback in this year’s playoffs, and most likely the only quarterback in the entire NFL to have EVER actually been arrested for sexual assault is the media golden boy, the Jets’ Mark Sanchez.
2. Aaron Rodgers will exploit the Pittsburgh defensive backfield, and so long as he can evade the Steeler rush and stay on his feet for an average of five seconds per play, he will pick them apart. Play action and a screen pass here and there will open the door for Greg Jennings to get the best of Ike Taylor.
3. Packer D will stop Rashard Mendenhall, and Big Ben will have a tougher time doing it on his own than in earlier rounds.
4. “Easy” 27-21 Green Bay victory. This conclusion is extremely hard for me to accept, as I was an American Football League fan who hated the old NFL, and especially the Green Bay Packers, who routed the original AFL Chiefs and Raiders in the first two Super Bowls. I am convinced to this day, that the Packers were the only NFL team that could have beaten those great KC and Oakland teams.
1. Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, and other members of the broadcasting crew will again bring up the sexual assault allegations made against Ben Roethlisberger, and totally ignore the FACT that the only quarterback in this year’s playoffs, and most likely the only quarterback in the entire NFL to have EVER actually been arrested for sexual assault is the media golden boy, the Jets’ Mark Sanchez.
2. Aaron Rodgers will exploit the Pittsburgh defensive backfield, and so long as he can evade the Steeler rush and stay on his feet for an average of five seconds per play, he will pick them apart. Play action and a screen pass here and there will open the door for Greg Jennings to get the best of Ike Taylor.
3. Packer D will stop Rashard Mendenhall, and Big Ben will have a tougher time doing it on his own than in earlier rounds.
4. “Easy” 27-21 Green Bay victory. This conclusion is extremely hard for me to accept, as I was an American Football League fan who hated the old NFL, and especially the Green Bay Packers, who routed the original AFL Chiefs and Raiders in the first two Super Bowls. I am convinced to this day, that the Packers were the only NFL team that could have beaten those great KC and Oakland teams.
| theHoundDawg |  |
Bag of Wind Silenced; Media Silence re Sanchez
01/25/11 13:01
Thank you, Pittsburgh Steelers!
You have nobly silenced that bag of wind that has polluted the football world for far too long. You have shut up that effete snob (Spiro Agnew, c. 1970), windbag, and self-proclaimed Hall of Fame-caliber coach, one R. Ryan of the New York Pets.
Ryan's obnoxious season-long pronouncements were as painful to watch as the lancing of a boil. And just as relevant to the world of football.
A particularly excruciating portion of Ryan's exhortations involved his little trojan quarterback, the over-hyped, over-rated, and thoroughly disgusting Mark Sanchez.
It was clear to anyone watching Sunday's game that Sanchez' decent second half did not come close to making up for his horrendous first half, which thoroughly sunk the Pets into a sinkhole from which Sanchez' meager talents could not extricate them.
More important in the grand scheme of things, however, is the one-sided media, that cannot leave alone the transgressions of the Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger, while totally ignoring those of Sanchez.
Excuse me if I am wrong, but while Roethlisberger has been accused on a couple of occasions of sexual misconduct, thoroughly investigated, and the subject of civil proceedings wherein his alleged victims have sought monetary damages, he has never actually been arrested for a crime. Sanchez, on the other hand HAS been arrested for a sexual crime. Arrested for rape in 2006 while a freshman at the university of southern california, the trojan athletic department quickly dispatched the power and might, and unbelievable political clout, of the usc legal army, and viola' the case was quickly quashed, and nary a peep has since been heard from Sanchez' victim. (Query - how much did the payoff cost and was that yet ANOTHER uninvestigated violation of NCAA rules?)
Want to read more about Sanchez? This article, "Why No One Remembers the Mark Sanchez Rape Case" is a good starting place.
One final word on ex-trojan quarterbacks. The equally overrated Matt Cassel showed his true ability under fire (after a season of beating up on the lower echelons of the NFL) when, in a wild-card playoff game, he lead his Chiefs to a 30-7 drubbing at the hands of Baltimore, while compiling a 20.4 passer rating on 9 of 18 for 70 yards and three Favre-like interceptions.
You have nobly silenced that bag of wind that has polluted the football world for far too long. You have shut up that effete snob (Spiro Agnew, c. 1970), windbag, and self-proclaimed Hall of Fame-caliber coach, one R. Ryan of the New York Pets.
Ryan's obnoxious season-long pronouncements were as painful to watch as the lancing of a boil. And just as relevant to the world of football.
A particularly excruciating portion of Ryan's exhortations involved his little trojan quarterback, the over-hyped, over-rated, and thoroughly disgusting Mark Sanchez.
It was clear to anyone watching Sunday's game that Sanchez' decent second half did not come close to making up for his horrendous first half, which thoroughly sunk the Pets into a sinkhole from which Sanchez' meager talents could not extricate them.
More important in the grand scheme of things, however, is the one-sided media, that cannot leave alone the transgressions of the Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger, while totally ignoring those of Sanchez.
Excuse me if I am wrong, but while Roethlisberger has been accused on a couple of occasions of sexual misconduct, thoroughly investigated, and the subject of civil proceedings wherein his alleged victims have sought monetary damages, he has never actually been arrested for a crime. Sanchez, on the other hand HAS been arrested for a sexual crime. Arrested for rape in 2006 while a freshman at the university of southern california, the trojan athletic department quickly dispatched the power and might, and unbelievable political clout, of the usc legal army, and viola' the case was quickly quashed, and nary a peep has since been heard from Sanchez' victim. (Query - how much did the payoff cost and was that yet ANOTHER uninvestigated violation of NCAA rules?)
Want to read more about Sanchez? This article, "Why No One Remembers the Mark Sanchez Rape Case" is a good starting place.
One final word on ex-trojan quarterbacks. The equally overrated Matt Cassel showed his true ability under fire (after a season of beating up on the lower echelons of the NFL) when, in a wild-card playoff game, he lead his Chiefs to a 30-7 drubbing at the hands of Baltimore, while compiling a 20.4 passer rating on 9 of 18 for 70 yards and three Favre-like interceptions.
| theHoundDawg | |
Why Can't Sports Use Technology to GET IT RIGHT?
06/08/10 20:55
In this electronic age, where most human activity is monitored, recorded, and evaluated, where technology is able to observe and record minute actions millions of miles away, where the NFL can show an instant replay of every movement on their field, from 20 separate angles, within seconds of the plays’ completion, how can it be that:
1) An experienced MLB umpire’s blown call - shown to be incorrect seconds afterward, can deprive a pitcher of the immortality of a perfect game, and
2) In what could have been a decisive play in the closing minuted of an NBA Finals game, NBA refs, unsure of a call, can use that same replay to determine which player last touched a ball knocked out of bounds, but when that replay shows an obvious but previously missed foul, that would change possession, they must ignore the obvious foul, but award possession based on the content of the replay.
This is absurd.
We all know the extremely limited use of replay in major league baseball, and how that ridiculous position deprived, barely a week ago, Armando Galarraga from registering a perfect game. There is no justification for archaic rules that prohibit using everyday equipment to overturn what is wrong, to produce the correct outcome.
In the final couple of minutes of tonight’s Laker-Celtic game, with the score close and the outcome not yet determined, under the Celtic basket, a ball was knocked out of bounds. The referees gathered and agreed it was a play to view on replay in order to determine ONLY who last touched the ball. As millions of TV viewers watched, the referees saw two things - that the ball last went off the arm of Laker Lamar Odom, and that he lost the ball out of bounds because he was fouled.
What did the rules of the NBA require? That the ball be awarded to Boston, because the refs had to use the reply to see who last touched the ball and that the refs had to ignore the obvious foul that caused the ball to leave Odom’s grasp and tumble across the out-of-bounds line.
Why can’t the concept of GETTING IT RIGHT be the most important factor in refereeing and umpiring sporting events where millionaire players are performing at the behest of billionaire owners, for the entertainment of hundreds of millions of fans.
1) An experienced MLB umpire’s blown call - shown to be incorrect seconds afterward, can deprive a pitcher of the immortality of a perfect game, and
2) In what could have been a decisive play in the closing minuted of an NBA Finals game, NBA refs, unsure of a call, can use that same replay to determine which player last touched a ball knocked out of bounds, but when that replay shows an obvious but previously missed foul, that would change possession, they must ignore the obvious foul, but award possession based on the content of the replay.
This is absurd.
We all know the extremely limited use of replay in major league baseball, and how that ridiculous position deprived, barely a week ago, Armando Galarraga from registering a perfect game. There is no justification for archaic rules that prohibit using everyday equipment to overturn what is wrong, to produce the correct outcome.
In the final couple of minutes of tonight’s Laker-Celtic game, with the score close and the outcome not yet determined, under the Celtic basket, a ball was knocked out of bounds. The referees gathered and agreed it was a play to view on replay in order to determine ONLY who last touched the ball. As millions of TV viewers watched, the referees saw two things - that the ball last went off the arm of Laker Lamar Odom, and that he lost the ball out of bounds because he was fouled.
What did the rules of the NBA require? That the ball be awarded to Boston, because the refs had to use the reply to see who last touched the ball and that the refs had to ignore the obvious foul that caused the ball to leave Odom’s grasp and tumble across the out-of-bounds line.
Why can’t the concept of GETTING IT RIGHT be the most important factor in refereeing and umpiring sporting events where millionaire players are performing at the behest of billionaire owners, for the entertainment of hundreds of millions of fans.
| theHoundDawg |
Ex-Trojan Cushing Has Illegal Steroid Use Validated by Sportswriter Panel Re-Vote
05/13/10 15:00
Ex-Trojan brain surgeon Brian Cushing, found to have tested positive for an NFL-banned performance-enhancing drug, was rightly suspended without pay for four games. In an interesting move, a re-vote was then taken among the panel of Associated Press sportswriters that had previously voted Cushing NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. The re-vote results were, to say the least, astounding.
In an incredulous validation of illegal steroid use, the erstwhile panel again voted Cushing the recipient of the award, which until then, carried a modicum of prestige.
Granted, 22 of the 39 sportswriter who originally voted for Cushing changed their vote, but 18 still endorsed him, including one writer who actually had the audacity to CHANGE his vote TO Cushing! That outstanding citizen is Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writer Ed Bouchette, When asked about his vote change, Bouchette has given only flippant responses, basically indicating he was upset about having to take valuable time away from his other activities to cast a second vote.
At a time where it would seem that the use of steroids, HGH, and other performance-enhancing drugs is down in professional sports, and with the apparently widespread realization of the serious damage that such drugs do to the physical well-being of those who choose to ingest, inject, rub in, or shove up such drugs, it is a slap in the face to every other college and professional athlete, in particular last season’s crop of NFL rookies, to give this award to Cushing. A second time. AFTER the announcement of his positive drug test.
In an incredulous validation of illegal steroid use, the erstwhile panel again voted Cushing the recipient of the award, which until then, carried a modicum of prestige.
Granted, 22 of the 39 sportswriter who originally voted for Cushing changed their vote, but 18 still endorsed him, including one writer who actually had the audacity to CHANGE his vote TO Cushing! That outstanding citizen is Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writer Ed Bouchette, When asked about his vote change, Bouchette has given only flippant responses, basically indicating he was upset about having to take valuable time away from his other activities to cast a second vote.
At a time where it would seem that the use of steroids, HGH, and other performance-enhancing drugs is down in professional sports, and with the apparently widespread realization of the serious damage that such drugs do to the physical well-being of those who choose to ingest, inject, rub in, or shove up such drugs, it is a slap in the face to every other college and professional athlete, in particular last season’s crop of NFL rookies, to give this award to Cushing. A second time. AFTER the announcement of his positive drug test.
| theHoundDawg |  |
Merlin Olsen - Second LA Sports Icon To Die This Week
03/11/10 17:41
Following the death this week of Willie Davis was the news this morning of the death of former LA Ram star and Hall-of-Famer Merlin Olsen.
Olsen was not only a great football star, an insightful broadcast analyst, and a successful actor, but a class guy, who worked hard to achieve his success. In fact, he was summa cum laude at Utah State where he earned a Bachelor's degree in economics, and continuing with his education during his NFL years, he later earned a Master's Degree, also in economics.
It is sad that he suffered from and ultimately succumbed to the terrible asbestosis disease of mesothelioma. It has been reported that he was in the midst of litigation over his having contracted the disease from the inhalation of asbestos fibers while working on construction sites many years ago.
A charter member of the original Ram's "Fearsome Foresome", Olsen is perhaps best known to most people as one of the stars of the long-running TV series Little House on the Prarie and later stared in his his own series, Father Murphy.
Just like The Three Dawg, Olsen was 69 at the time of his death.
Olsen was not only a great football star, an insightful broadcast analyst, and a successful actor, but a class guy, who worked hard to achieve his success. In fact, he was summa cum laude at Utah State where he earned a Bachelor's degree in economics, and continuing with his education during his NFL years, he later earned a Master's Degree, also in economics.
It is sad that he suffered from and ultimately succumbed to the terrible asbestosis disease of mesothelioma. It has been reported that he was in the midst of litigation over his having contracted the disease from the inhalation of asbestos fibers while working on construction sites many years ago.
A charter member of the original Ram's "Fearsome Foresome", Olsen is perhaps best known to most people as one of the stars of the long-running TV series Little House on the Prarie and later stared in his his own series, Father Murphy.
Just like The Three Dawg, Olsen was 69 at the time of his death.
| theHoundDawg |
Losing More Than Its Own Reward in NFL Coaching Ranks
01/19/10 11:16
Ten days ago, likely suffering from some terminal brain malady that is about to bring about my demise, I gave credit and kudos to two sorry excuses for NFL coaches, Wade Phillips and Norv Turner.
Silly me. I thought the Dallas and SD hot streaks had something to do with their head coaches, when in reality, the streaks were despite their head coaches.
The only person so far to be more embarrassed about this turn of events should be Charger president Dean Spanos, who, in light of his team's horrendous performance against a clearly inferior Jets' team, rewarded Turner with a three-year contract extension through 2013. You've got to be kidding.
On top of this, ESPN has reported that Jerry Jones has told Phillips that he will exercise the team's 2010 option on Phillips' services and that he will be back running the Cowboys next year.
Spanos has demonstrated for years his total lack of football knowledge and minute business acumen, but you would think that Jones would have had enough, especially with his track record of coach musical chairs.
Also, yet another abject failure in the NFL coaching fraternity, Chan Gailey, has been given another shot, now employed to bring the Buffalo Bills back to respectability.
Silly me. I thought the Dallas and SD hot streaks had something to do with their head coaches, when in reality, the streaks were despite their head coaches.
The only person so far to be more embarrassed about this turn of events should be Charger president Dean Spanos, who, in light of his team's horrendous performance against a clearly inferior Jets' team, rewarded Turner with a three-year contract extension through 2013. You've got to be kidding.
On top of this, ESPN has reported that Jerry Jones has told Phillips that he will exercise the team's 2010 option on Phillips' services and that he will be back running the Cowboys next year.
Spanos has demonstrated for years his total lack of football knowledge and minute business acumen, but you would think that Jones would have had enough, especially with his track record of coach musical chairs.
Also, yet another abject failure in the NFL coaching fraternity, Chan Gailey, has been given another shot, now employed to bring the Buffalo Bills back to respectability.
| theHoundDawg |  |
SC Scum and NCAA, and, Oh, Yea, Bruin Disgrace
01/17/10 13:26
Well, according to the late Mike Garrett (about two monhts to go, at most), OJ Mayo has joined the NFL's second-biggest scumwad r bush in their failure to cooperate with investigations into their illegal activities while enjoying the cardinal and gold glamour and classroom experience (thought I'd throw in a good laugh).
It is well known that bush took his Heisman and ran to the NFL where he had to take a pay cut, and refused to talk to NCAA investigators and others looking into his $1/2 million in ill-gotten riches while in the employ of petey and MG. Mayo followed in those footsteps to the NBA and as ESPN and the Daily News reported, refused to discuss the matter, as sc self-imposed all those darling little penalties.
While sc fully deserves what it is getting for employing criminal elements like petey, timmy, bush and mayo, the likes of bush and mayo should have had the decency to try to help out the school that paved the way for their future careers.
On another, equally sickening note, I really misspoke back on Dec. 24 when I though I saw a glimmer of hope in the Bruin basketball team. We all knew the team would not be very good this season, but never in my wildest dreams did I ever expect the team to be as bad as the brain surgeons figured to be. Alas, the brain surgeons, who had been playing reasonabley well most of the season, yesterday wiped the Wooden name off the hardwood with the horrible Bruin team. This was the most embarrassing exposition of Bruin bb in my memory, and I've been atttending Bruin games for five decades (Six, if I ever suck it up and go to a game this season - can't even watch them on TV right now).
It is well known that bush took his Heisman and ran to the NFL where he had to take a pay cut, and refused to talk to NCAA investigators and others looking into his $1/2 million in ill-gotten riches while in the employ of petey and MG. Mayo followed in those footsteps to the NBA and as ESPN and the Daily News reported, refused to discuss the matter, as sc self-imposed all those darling little penalties.
While sc fully deserves what it is getting for employing criminal elements like petey, timmy, bush and mayo, the likes of bush and mayo should have had the decency to try to help out the school that paved the way for their future careers.
On another, equally sickening note, I really misspoke back on Dec. 24 when I though I saw a glimmer of hope in the Bruin basketball team. We all knew the team would not be very good this season, but never in my wildest dreams did I ever expect the team to be as bad as the brain surgeons figured to be. Alas, the brain surgeons, who had been playing reasonabley well most of the season, yesterday wiped the Wooden name off the hardwood with the horrible Bruin team. This was the most embarrassing exposition of Bruin bb in my memory, and I've been atttending Bruin games for five decades (Six, if I ever suck it up and go to a game this season - can't even watch them on TV right now).
| theHoundDawg | |
Petey's Tear Jerker Ignores NCAA and Dave Watson Lawsuit
01/11/10 23:12
We won't have petey to kick around anymore.
The white-haired phantom of the truth delivered his well-rehersed goodbye to his brain-washed brain surgeon minions today, pulling more wool over their eyes. Funny how he never mentioned throwing his undees into a suitcase and running to the airport, a few steps ahead of the NCAA and all those lawyers aching to take his deposition.
Turns out that he is about to be deposed not only in the r bush civil case, but also in a million dollar damage case brought by the victim in former assistant Dave Watson's felony-DUI auto accident, a case in which Petey may well have some personal liability. As finally reported today by local TV news following the article on SI.com, Watson, addicted to painkillers and other meds, was provided thousands of pills by sc football team physicians and an sc auto whch he used to maim an innocent bystander, all under the watchful eye, and apparent knowledge, of petey. Petey's knowledge and acquiesence may well mean that some of the $35 Mil in Seahawk money he'll be pocketing will end up paying for this guy's ongoing surgeries and pain & suffering.
Anoather unanswered question as petey waives bye-bye is what part Tim Leiweke, maybe the most influential sports figure in LA, as CEO of Anschutz Entertainment Group, that built and operates Staples Center, Home Depot Center, and owns the LA Kings, as well as numerous sports venues and teams around the world, and who has a hand in the new LA Football Stadium about to be built by AEG Co-Owner Ed Roski in the City of Industry, had in his younger brother and Seahawk CEO Tod hiring petey?
The white-haired phantom of the truth delivered his well-rehersed goodbye to his brain-washed brain surgeon minions today, pulling more wool over their eyes. Funny how he never mentioned throwing his undees into a suitcase and running to the airport, a few steps ahead of the NCAA and all those lawyers aching to take his deposition.
Turns out that he is about to be deposed not only in the r bush civil case, but also in a million dollar damage case brought by the victim in former assistant Dave Watson's felony-DUI auto accident, a case in which Petey may well have some personal liability. As finally reported today by local TV news following the article on SI.com, Watson, addicted to painkillers and other meds, was provided thousands of pills by sc football team physicians and an sc auto whch he used to maim an innocent bystander, all under the watchful eye, and apparent knowledge, of petey. Petey's knowledge and acquiesence may well mean that some of the $35 Mil in Seahawk money he'll be pocketing will end up paying for this guy's ongoing surgeries and pain & suffering.
Anoather unanswered question as petey waives bye-bye is what part Tim Leiweke, maybe the most influential sports figure in LA, as CEO of Anschutz Entertainment Group, that built and operates Staples Center, Home Depot Center, and owns the LA Kings, as well as numerous sports venues and teams around the world, and who has a hand in the new LA Football Stadium about to be built by AEG Co-Owner Ed Roski in the City of Industry, had in his younger brother and Seahawk CEO Tod hiring petey?
| theHoundDawg |  |
NFL Playoffs Reveal Power Shifts
01/09/10 22:10
As the first weekend of NFL Playoffs is half-over, a few things seem clear.
Dallas and San Diego are the hot teams in the NFL. Dallas currently features almost every individual player reaching a peak performance level when it counts. I couldn't conceive of thinking this earlier this year but (similar to what I thought of the Yankees before the season and with what they did) I can see them getting to the SB, finishing the season just like Arizona did last year, but with more of a chance than Arizona had to win it all. San Diego is the AFC's hot team, and may well continue that streak to the season's final game.
It will be very interesting if these two teams do meet. Both have head coaches that were fabulous coordinators, absolute disasters in their prior head coaching jobs, and had poor starts with their current teams, but have learned to concentrate their own coaching in their areas of expertise, Wade on defense, Turner with Rivers and parts of the offense, and left other areas to other experts, and the results may be history. Kudos to two coaches I thought were in over their respective heads, both of whom I would have fired years ago, if I had been stupid enough to hire them in the first place.
Three teams that had long streaks of invincibility during the regular season, New Orleans, Indianapolis, and the King's Vikings, are all dead in the water. None of these teams has a chance to get to the Super Bowl. The King will end the Viking's season with an interception, and Indy and NO have turned the knob to "I Don't Care Cruise Control" and will never be able to regain their prior momentum.
It will be Green Bay or Dallas in the NFC, and San Diego is likely to face a real challenge from ... from .... well, if New England can field enough healthy players, only from them.
A word about the Eagles who embarrassed themselves so badly the past two weeks. I thinks there is a three-fold reason for their awful showing, and all should be obvious. First is the fact of so many injuries on defense, but the second was just as important to their collapse: The distraction and almost total lack of contribution of m vick. If McNabb is their QB, and his contract extension says he is, then they cannot bring vick back. If they keep him (read what I written about him in the past, and you'll know my feelings about that) it should only be as the starter. And in his best day he is not the QB a healthy McNabb is. Finally, if you look back to every important game the Eagles have played over the past six seasons, the difference maker in those games that they won as against the games they lost, was a healthy Brian Westbrook. Generally, if he plays, they win the tough games, but if he is hurt, they lose. (They should have handed him the ball more in the 2004 SB).
Dallas and San Diego are the hot teams in the NFL. Dallas currently features almost every individual player reaching a peak performance level when it counts. I couldn't conceive of thinking this earlier this year but (similar to what I thought of the Yankees before the season and with what they did) I can see them getting to the SB, finishing the season just like Arizona did last year, but with more of a chance than Arizona had to win it all. San Diego is the AFC's hot team, and may well continue that streak to the season's final game.
It will be very interesting if these two teams do meet. Both have head coaches that were fabulous coordinators, absolute disasters in their prior head coaching jobs, and had poor starts with their current teams, but have learned to concentrate their own coaching in their areas of expertise, Wade on defense, Turner with Rivers and parts of the offense, and left other areas to other experts, and the results may be history. Kudos to two coaches I thought were in over their respective heads, both of whom I would have fired years ago, if I had been stupid enough to hire them in the first place.
Three teams that had long streaks of invincibility during the regular season, New Orleans, Indianapolis, and the King's Vikings, are all dead in the water. None of these teams has a chance to get to the Super Bowl. The King will end the Viking's season with an interception, and Indy and NO have turned the knob to "I Don't Care Cruise Control" and will never be able to regain their prior momentum.
It will be Green Bay or Dallas in the NFC, and San Diego is likely to face a real challenge from ... from .... well, if New England can field enough healthy players, only from them.
A word about the Eagles who embarrassed themselves so badly the past two weeks. I thinks there is a three-fold reason for their awful showing, and all should be obvious. First is the fact of so many injuries on defense, but the second was just as important to their collapse: The distraction and almost total lack of contribution of m vick. If McNabb is their QB, and his contract extension says he is, then they cannot bring vick back. If they keep him (read what I written about him in the past, and you'll know my feelings about that) it should only be as the starter. And in his best day he is not the QB a healthy McNabb is. Finally, if you look back to every important game the Eagles have played over the past six seasons, the difference maker in those games that they won as against the games they lost, was a healthy Brian Westbrook. Generally, if he plays, they win the tough games, but if he is hurt, they lose. (They should have handed him the ball more in the 2004 SB).
| theHoundDawg | |
NCAA Closing In,... Petey Takes the Money and Runs
01/09/10 19:07
On vacation for a week, upon my return I was overjoyed to see that the top rat was deserting the brain surgeon ship, scooping up a reported cool $35 Mil for his get-a-way.
The NCAA cops are apparently closing in, and even if not, the civil court proceedings in the Crime-of-the-Century just received a major boost, with an appellate court ruling ordering both Petey and r bush to submit to depositions. If they lie under oath, then they should be prosecuted for purjury. If they tell the truth about bush and his family receiving more than $.5 Mil in illegal benefits during his last two years at sc, then the NCAA will have no choice but to strip the school of their 1-1/2 championships, and bush will have his Heisman revoked. On top of that, there will be serious TV and scholarship restrictions. Add on the Joe McKnight violations, and the major violations pending against Timmie and the basketball program, and the sc brain surgeons could be facing the DEATH PENALTY!
Perfect time for the cappo to take his leave, and his millions.
Question: Will Mike Garrett be honest with coaching prospects and tell them what will likely happen to the football program. If so, how likely will it be for a Mike Riley, Jeff Fisher or Jack del Rio to leave any of their current jobs to return to sc?
Oh, well, Mike, there is always Charlie Weis or Karl Dorrall.
The NCAA cops are apparently closing in, and even if not, the civil court proceedings in the Crime-of-the-Century just received a major boost, with an appellate court ruling ordering both Petey and r bush to submit to depositions. If they lie under oath, then they should be prosecuted for purjury. If they tell the truth about bush and his family receiving more than $.5 Mil in illegal benefits during his last two years at sc, then the NCAA will have no choice but to strip the school of their 1-1/2 championships, and bush will have his Heisman revoked. On top of that, there will be serious TV and scholarship restrictions. Add on the Joe McKnight violations, and the major violations pending against Timmie and the basketball program, and the sc brain surgeons could be facing the DEATH PENALTY!
Perfect time for the cappo to take his leave, and his millions.
Question: Will Mike Garrett be honest with coaching prospects and tell them what will likely happen to the football program. If so, how likely will it be for a Mike Riley, Jeff Fisher or Jack del Rio to leave any of their current jobs to return to sc?
Oh, well, Mike, there is always Charlie Weis or Karl Dorrall.
| theHoundDawg |
More Disgrace in the NFL - Eagles Vote Vick "Courage" Award
12/24/09 08:46
Compounding the further disgrace of awarding this scum of the earth animal torturer/murderer millions of dollars to sit on the bench, Philadelphia Eagles players have unanimously voted michael vick to be this year's Eagles recipient of the Ed Block "Courage" Award. The award is given annually to a member of each NFL team, who is considered to best exemplify commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage.
"Sportsmanship and courage"? "Sportsmanship and courage"? Sportsmanship and courage in getting CAUGHT running a for-profit criminal enterprise, causing pain, suffering and DEATH to untold numbers of helpless dogs, over a period of years, being sent to PRISON, and then being rewarded with a new contract for MILLIONS OF DOLLARS? Since when does being caught committing numerous felonies and then stepping back into a world of privilege and adulation constitute courage, let alone sportsmanship?
Remember, this award was voted on by the players, who gave it to vick unanimously. What kind of idiots do the Eagles have running around in those uniforms?
As aptly stated in the PETA Blog post, if there were an award for Cruelty, give that to vick, unanimously.
"Sportsmanship and courage"? "Sportsmanship and courage"? Sportsmanship and courage in getting CAUGHT running a for-profit criminal enterprise, causing pain, suffering and DEATH to untold numbers of helpless dogs, over a period of years, being sent to PRISON, and then being rewarded with a new contract for MILLIONS OF DOLLARS? Since when does being caught committing numerous felonies and then stepping back into a world of privilege and adulation constitute courage, let alone sportsmanship?
Remember, this award was voted on by the players, who gave it to vick unanimously. What kind of idiots do the Eagles have running around in those uniforms?
As aptly stated in the PETA Blog post, if there were an award for Cruelty, give that to vick, unanimously.
| theHoundDawg |
With Two Weeks to Go .....
12/21/09 10:34
-The King of Interceptions is rounding into form, and taking his Vikings down with him. Over the last three games, Favre has thrown four key interceptions, and compiled QB ratings consistently in the 70s. The Vikes will split their last two regular season games, limp into the playoffs, and be blown out. Then we'll have another summer of Favre retirement updates, culminating with the King coming into camp the week before the first game.
-The Overrated brain surgeon quarterback contingency had a great 0-3 week, with the overrated carson palmer losing to San Diego, the empty uniform in KC losing to Cleveland, and the overrated m sanchez accounting for all of seven points in a loss to Atlanta, and getting knocked out of the playoffs by virtue thereof. On the same day, and against the stellar defense of the King's Vikes, ex-Bruin backup and one-year starter at Oregon State Matt Moore was dominant, passing for 299 yards. Moore has thusly elevated himself into contention for next season's starting job at Carolina.
-With Cleveland playing their best football in a couple of years, it appears that the end of the Eric Mangini era is imminent. The Cleveland truck is backing up in Mike Holmgren's driveway, ready to dump a shitload of cash. It's not the time to start over again. Mangini deserves another year, and a decent quarterback, to bring the Browns the rest of the way back.
-The Overrated brain surgeon quarterback contingency had a great 0-3 week, with the overrated carson palmer losing to San Diego, the empty uniform in KC losing to Cleveland, and the overrated m sanchez accounting for all of seven points in a loss to Atlanta, and getting knocked out of the playoffs by virtue thereof. On the same day, and against the stellar defense of the King's Vikes, ex-Bruin backup and one-year starter at Oregon State Matt Moore was dominant, passing for 299 yards. Moore has thusly elevated himself into contention for next season's starting job at Carolina.
-With Cleveland playing their best football in a couple of years, it appears that the end of the Eric Mangini era is imminent. The Cleveland truck is backing up in Mike Holmgren's driveway, ready to dump a shitload of cash. It's not the time to start over again. Mangini deserves another year, and a decent quarterback, to bring the Browns the rest of the way back.
| theHoundDawg |
Follow-Up to NFL Notes
09/15/09 20:07
Regarding those three "notes" at the end of my list of NFL picks the other day: The Bears will not be the surprise team of the season, without Brian Urlacher, Julian Edelman won't be rookie of the year if he doesn't get to play, and leading up to my reaction to number three and last night's SD-Oakland game, the most impressive rookie I saw over the first weekend was Raider's receiver Louis Murphy.
As to that game and my prediction that the Raiders would win - THEY DID. The clown-suited referes stole the game from the Raiders: Louis Murphy's catch in the end zone was a touchdown - he came down with the ball and both feet on the ground and that was the end of the play before he fell to the ground, and even then, he still had a grip on the ball as it hit the ground (the same thing in the NE-Buffalo games was ruled a catch). Even with the Raiders hitting rock-bottom, and staying at rock-bottom of the league for years now, the fact established years ago is still just as true as when Pete Rozelle's bitter enemy Al Davis had his Raiders in contention for the Super Bowl every year - every close call in every game that can be called against the Raiders, is.
As to that game and my prediction that the Raiders would win - THEY DID. The clown-suited referes stole the game from the Raiders: Louis Murphy's catch in the end zone was a touchdown - he came down with the ball and both feet on the ground and that was the end of the play before he fell to the ground, and even then, he still had a grip on the ball as it hit the ground (the same thing in the NE-Buffalo games was ruled a catch). Even with the Raiders hitting rock-bottom, and staying at rock-bottom of the league for years now, the fact established years ago is still just as true as when Pete Rozelle's bitter enemy Al Davis had his Raiders in contention for the Super Bowl every year - every close call in every game that can be called against the Raiders, is.
| theHoundDawg |
Pro Picks - Can the Season Be as Weird as the Off Season?
09/08/09 22:38
It's that time of year, so here goes:
AFC
East
New England Patriots - Healthy Brady and still the class of the league
Miami Dolphins - They won't sneak up on people like last season
Buffalo Bills - Healthy Trent Edwards more important than TO; expect melt-down about week 11
New York Jets - New coach, new qb, worse year
North
Pittsburgh Steelers - Second best team in conf, but won't beat Pats
Baltimore Ravens - improved offense, stellar D, #3 in Conference
Cleveland Browns - Improved qb play and team moves up in tough division
Cincinnati Bengals - Bad defense, overrated offense, last in tough division
South
Indianapolis Colts - Best among even group, biggest obstacle is no Tony Dungy
Jacksonville Jaguars - Team as good as David Garrard, both should rebound; breakout season for Jones-Drew
Tennessee Titans - Vet QB has little magic left, poor receiver corp, .500 year
Houston Texans - improved, but not as much as some think
West
San Diego Chargers - Typical Norv Turner team - wins weakest div, can't win a playoff game
Denver Broncos - 7-9 good enough for second
Oakland Raiders - Not as bad as experts think, improved defense, running game keep out of cellar
Kansas City Chiefs - No chance with terrible qb and coaching choices
NFC
East
New York Giants - Least problems in pretty even division
Philadelphia Eagles - Would pick #1 if not for scumbag vick
Dallas Cowboys - Will never be a legitimate threat so long as Wade Phillips is head coach
Washington Redskins - Clearly cellar team; off-season criticism of qb not easy to heal
North
Chicago Bears - Cutler can play, and team should rally around first solid qb in decades
Green Bay Packers - Close second, they need Rodgers to stay healthy all year to have a shot
Minnesota Vikings - King of the Interceptions will deprive solid team of its chance to win
Detroit Lions - Major improvement, maybe to two wins.
South
Atlanta Falcons - Can they show that last year was no fluke? Probably, should easily win bad division
Carolina Panthers - Not nearly as good as last year's record
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Work in progress, limited improvement likely
New Orleans Saints - Team would have a chance if they were to dump Mr. FumbleBush
West
Seattle Seahawks - Improved receiving, healthy Hasselbeck, addition of E. James, and easy division win
San Francisco 49ers - Improved team could challenge Seahawks
Arizona Cardinals - Can they show that last year was no fluke? No Way. Fight with Rams to stay out of cellar
St. Louis Rams - Even if Bulger stays healthy, no one to throw to. Only Steven Jackson makes them better than Lions
New England to win AFC, NY Giants win NFC, and the Patriots win Super Bowl.
A couple of more notes: Surprise team of the year - Chicago Bears, they could muscle their way into SB. Rookie of the year - Patriots Julian Edelman - a bigger, stronger, speedier Wes Welker. Monday night, Sep 14, Raiders will upset San Diego.
AFC
East
New England Patriots - Healthy Brady and still the class of the league
Miami Dolphins - They won't sneak up on people like last season
Buffalo Bills - Healthy Trent Edwards more important than TO; expect melt-down about week 11
New York Jets - New coach, new qb, worse year
North
Pittsburgh Steelers - Second best team in conf, but won't beat Pats
Baltimore Ravens - improved offense, stellar D, #3 in Conference
Cleveland Browns - Improved qb play and team moves up in tough division
Cincinnati Bengals - Bad defense, overrated offense, last in tough division
South
Indianapolis Colts - Best among even group, biggest obstacle is no Tony Dungy
Jacksonville Jaguars - Team as good as David Garrard, both should rebound; breakout season for Jones-Drew
Tennessee Titans - Vet QB has little magic left, poor receiver corp, .500 year
Houston Texans - improved, but not as much as some think
West
San Diego Chargers - Typical Norv Turner team - wins weakest div, can't win a playoff game
Denver Broncos - 7-9 good enough for second
Oakland Raiders - Not as bad as experts think, improved defense, running game keep out of cellar
Kansas City Chiefs - No chance with terrible qb and coaching choices
NFC
East
New York Giants - Least problems in pretty even division
Philadelphia Eagles - Would pick #1 if not for scumbag vick
Dallas Cowboys - Will never be a legitimate threat so long as Wade Phillips is head coach
Washington Redskins - Clearly cellar team; off-season criticism of qb not easy to heal
North
Chicago Bears - Cutler can play, and team should rally around first solid qb in decades
Green Bay Packers - Close second, they need Rodgers to stay healthy all year to have a shot
Minnesota Vikings - King of the Interceptions will deprive solid team of its chance to win
Detroit Lions - Major improvement, maybe to two wins.
South
Atlanta Falcons - Can they show that last year was no fluke? Probably, should easily win bad division
Carolina Panthers - Not nearly as good as last year's record
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Work in progress, limited improvement likely
New Orleans Saints - Team would have a chance if they were to dump Mr. FumbleBush
West
Seattle Seahawks - Improved receiving, healthy Hasselbeck, addition of E. James, and easy division win
San Francisco 49ers - Improved team could challenge Seahawks
Arizona Cardinals - Can they show that last year was no fluke? No Way. Fight with Rams to stay out of cellar
St. Louis Rams - Even if Bulger stays healthy, no one to throw to. Only Steven Jackson makes them better than Lions
New England to win AFC, NY Giants win NFC, and the Patriots win Super Bowl.
A couple of more notes: Surprise team of the year - Chicago Bears, they could muscle their way into SB. Rookie of the year - Patriots Julian Edelman - a bigger, stronger, speedier Wes Welker. Monday night, Sep 14, Raiders will upset San Diego.
| theHoundDawg |
The King Plays - Vikings Get Money's Worth
08/21/09 23:31
In an amazing turn of events, there was a Brett Favre sighting on a football field, rather than behind a microphone.
In tonight's game in which the non-existent Kansas City "Chiefs" (maybe they meant to say "Chefs"?) defense made Tarvaris Jackson (12 of 15, 202 yds., 80%, 158.3 QB rating) and John David Booty (6 of 8, 61 yds., 75%, 96.4 QB rating) look like Hall-of-Famers, the King of Interceptions barely escaped with his life, having completed a single pass and a 39.6 QB rating to go along with a 25% completion percentage.
I know exhibition stats don't count, but as of now, the King is getting more money per pass completion then Jason Schmidt got from the Dodgers per start ($12 mil per completion, $4.7 mil per start).
After a thorough perusal of the team's schedule, it would appear that the King chose Minnesota because is seems every rancid defense in the NFL is on the Vikings schedule. In fact, their first five games feature those defensive stalwarts Cleveland, Detroit, and St. Louis. Granted, they do play Green Bay in game four, so the King may not be around for number five in St. Louis.
In tonight's game in which the non-existent Kansas City "Chiefs" (maybe they meant to say "Chefs"?) defense made Tarvaris Jackson (12 of 15, 202 yds., 80%, 158.3 QB rating) and John David Booty (6 of 8, 61 yds., 75%, 96.4 QB rating) look like Hall-of-Famers, the King of Interceptions barely escaped with his life, having completed a single pass and a 39.6 QB rating to go along with a 25% completion percentage.
I know exhibition stats don't count, but as of now, the King is getting more money per pass completion then Jason Schmidt got from the Dodgers per start ($12 mil per completion, $4.7 mil per start).
After a thorough perusal of the team's schedule, it would appear that the King chose Minnesota because is seems every rancid defense in the NFL is on the Vikings schedule. In fact, their first five games feature those defensive stalwarts Cleveland, Detroit, and St. Louis. Granted, they do play Green Bay in game four, so the King may not be around for number five in St. Louis.
| theHoundDawg |  |
Our Last Word on Favre,.... Until He Does Something on the Field
08/20/09 09:45
The King of Interceptions Signs with Vikings, Hopes Arm Doesn't Fall Off
08/18/09 17:35
The Circus in Minnesota hit new highs today, with the King of Interceptions' arrival, televised "motorcade", coronation, and press conference.
I was tempted to title this post "Daring daylight theft of $12 Million from unsuspecting billionaire team owner", but I'm reasonably sure that Zygi Wilf was a willing participant in this particular million dollar mugging.
The King is in perfect physical shape for the new season, as reported in Yahoo Sports by Jason Cole. In today's article Specialist assured Favre that shoulder is ‘OK’, Cole discusses the fact that the surgery B.F. had a few months ago included the repair of a rotator cuff tear, a surgery that has seen limited success over several decades now, when performed on people who throw a sphere for a living. Cole quotes agent Bus Cole with these overly reassuring words from surgeon James Andrews: “He can’t promise that it won’t get worse, but Dr. Andrews basically said it should be OK to get through the season."
Get through the season? Ok to Get Through the Season? For $12 Million dollars!
My only solace: Should the Vikings be Ed Roski's team of choice and be playing the 2012 season in the City of Industry Stadium, the King really should have heaved his final interception into the arms of a sleepwalking defender a couple of seasons earlier.
I was tempted to title this post "Daring daylight theft of $12 Million from unsuspecting billionaire team owner", but I'm reasonably sure that Zygi Wilf was a willing participant in this particular million dollar mugging.
The King is in perfect physical shape for the new season, as reported in Yahoo Sports by Jason Cole. In today's article Specialist assured Favre that shoulder is ‘OK’, Cole discusses the fact that the surgery B.F. had a few months ago included the repair of a rotator cuff tear, a surgery that has seen limited success over several decades now, when performed on people who throw a sphere for a living. Cole quotes agent Bus Cole with these overly reassuring words from surgeon James Andrews: “He can’t promise that it won’t get worse, but Dr. Andrews basically said it should be OK to get through the season."
Get through the season? Ok to Get Through the Season? For $12 Million dollars!
My only solace: Should the Vikings be Ed Roski's team of choice and be playing the 2012 season in the City of Industry Stadium, the King really should have heaved his final interception into the arms of a sleepwalking defender a couple of seasons earlier.
| theHoundDawg | |
Enough of Favre, Already!
08/17/09 20:57
Yes. No. Yes. No.
Shaddup, already!
The Minnesota Vikings have a great defense, and one of the top running games in the league. Their single big question mark is where it has been for several years now, at quarterack. They had an offseasonto to address the void, and their one actual move was picking up vereran back-up Sage Rosenfels, who, at times during his career, has shown the ability to be a number one guy. Their romance with the King of Interceptions, one B. Favre, has been a painful romance novel for Viking fans, and a major distraction for the majority of basically sane football fans around the country.
Favre's love affair with himself, wherein he has tried to keep the Vikings and the press at his beck-and-call for months, with his "Yes. No. Yes. No." diatribe, and "I'll decide tomorrow" mantra, appeared to finally be over a couple of weeks ago, when he said he would not play again. Now, the deceitful jerk, as reported by Fox and ESPN, has again "changed" his mind, and according to reports, will shortly be in Viking garb.
The play-out of the Vikings' childish crush is as sickening to watch as are Favre's self-centered, immature antics, and they probably deserve each other.
Get this over with already. Give the ball to Sage.
Shaddup, already!
The Minnesota Vikings have a great defense, and one of the top running games in the league. Their single big question mark is where it has been for several years now, at quarterack. They had an offseasonto to address the void, and their one actual move was picking up vereran back-up Sage Rosenfels, who, at times during his career, has shown the ability to be a number one guy. Their romance with the King of Interceptions, one B. Favre, has been a painful romance novel for Viking fans, and a major distraction for the majority of basically sane football fans around the country.
Favre's love affair with himself, wherein he has tried to keep the Vikings and the press at his beck-and-call for months, with his "Yes. No. Yes. No." diatribe, and "I'll decide tomorrow" mantra, appeared to finally be over a couple of weeks ago, when he said he would not play again. Now, the deceitful jerk, as reported by Fox and ESPN, has again "changed" his mind, and according to reports, will shortly be in Viking garb.
The play-out of the Vikings' childish crush is as sickening to watch as are Favre's self-centered, immature antics, and they probably deserve each other.
Get this over with already. Give the ball to Sage.
| theHoundDawg |  |
Sporting News' 50 Greatest Coaches List - Some Hits, Some Misses
07/31/09 17:46
The Sporting News pretty much stays out of the news these days, but they did raise some controversy this week when they released their poll of the 50 greatest coaches of all time. I absolutely agree with their choice of John Wooden as the greatest coach in any sport. As should be the case, the vote was not even close, with the Wizard receiving 57 first place votes, from the TSN panel of 118 "experts". Unfortunately, many of their last 49 choices miss the mark.
The list includes only six additional college basketball coaches and five NBA coaches, and none of them, incredibly, is Larry Brown. His omission is the most glaring misstep on the list. The list contains ten NFL coaches, and eighth among them, and number 20 overall, is Bill Belichick, who should be the second-ranked pro football coach, following the list's number two, Vince Lombardi. Also as to NFL coaches, the bottom two, Bill Walsh and Bill Parcells, at numbers 26 and 33 overall respectively, should be above the higher-ranked Paul Brown, George Halas, Joe Gibbs, and Tom Landry.
Their ranking of college football coaches is not too badly composed, but I would elevate Bud Wilkinson, number 29 overall, from the seventh spot among college football coaches, to the third spot, behind only Bear Bryant and Knute Rockne, and I'd make Rockne number one, not Bryant.
As to the five NHL coaches that made the list, perhaps Scotty Bowman deserves to be higher overall than number seven, and there are dozens of coaches from other sports who deserve the last spot, over Herb Brooks. He's listed as an NHL coach, and that does not merit him a spot on the list. Call him an Olympic Hockey coach, and there is at least a sentimental and patriotic basis for his selection.
The list includes ten MLB managers, with the over-hyped, over-indluged, and over-rated Casey Stengel on top, at number nine overall. Give him Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, Yogi Berra, and the like, and he can win pennants. He managed three other teams, before and after the scumstripes, and to call his performances mediocre would be overly generous. He still owns, at least until the Washington National's current season comes to a close, the worst single-season record in major league history, with the 1962 Mets. For my money, in following MLB as close as I have for more than 50 years, and in reading and studying much of early baseball history, the four best managers I have seen, are Walter Alston, Tony La Russa, Sparky Anderson, and Joe Torre. Their listings at numbers 35, 41, 38, and 32, respectively, are absurd. The four should all be in the list's top 20 overall.
Finally, how could the panel waste valuable, limited positions on the list with the inclusion of not one, but two, woman's basketball coaches?
The list includes only six additional college basketball coaches and five NBA coaches, and none of them, incredibly, is Larry Brown. His omission is the most glaring misstep on the list. The list contains ten NFL coaches, and eighth among them, and number 20 overall, is Bill Belichick, who should be the second-ranked pro football coach, following the list's number two, Vince Lombardi. Also as to NFL coaches, the bottom two, Bill Walsh and Bill Parcells, at numbers 26 and 33 overall respectively, should be above the higher-ranked Paul Brown, George Halas, Joe Gibbs, and Tom Landry.
Their ranking of college football coaches is not too badly composed, but I would elevate Bud Wilkinson, number 29 overall, from the seventh spot among college football coaches, to the third spot, behind only Bear Bryant and Knute Rockne, and I'd make Rockne number one, not Bryant.
As to the five NHL coaches that made the list, perhaps Scotty Bowman deserves to be higher overall than number seven, and there are dozens of coaches from other sports who deserve the last spot, over Herb Brooks. He's listed as an NHL coach, and that does not merit him a spot on the list. Call him an Olympic Hockey coach, and there is at least a sentimental and patriotic basis for his selection.
The list includes ten MLB managers, with the over-hyped, over-indluged, and over-rated Casey Stengel on top, at number nine overall. Give him Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, Yogi Berra, and the like, and he can win pennants. He managed three other teams, before and after the scumstripes, and to call his performances mediocre would be overly generous. He still owns, at least until the Washington National's current season comes to a close, the worst single-season record in major league history, with the 1962 Mets. For my money, in following MLB as close as I have for more than 50 years, and in reading and studying much of early baseball history, the four best managers I have seen, are Walter Alston, Tony La Russa, Sparky Anderson, and Joe Torre. Their listings at numbers 35, 41, 38, and 32, respectively, are absurd. The four should all be in the list's top 20 overall.
Finally, how could the panel waste valuable, limited positions on the list with the inclusion of not one, but two, woman's basketball coaches?
| theHoundDawg |
Vick Should Rot in Hell, NOT Get Millions to Play Football
07/27/09 19:39
| Michael Vick did not "make a mistake" as his apologists argue. He ran a for-profit criminal enterprise for several years, He partially designed, and financed, and ran on his own property, a dog-fighting ring, participating in breeding, training, fighting, and murdering, untold numbers of dogs, for profit. He continually lied to his employers and NFL administrators, and the public, and ultimately pled guilty to doing the disgusting acts alleged in the criminal indictment filed against him in federal court. The image to the right is a photo of a dog injured in a staged dogfight, and is from the Save Vick's Dogs blog. In exchange for his guilty plea, he received a ridiculously lenient sentence of just less than two years in custody. Now, as he has regained his freedom, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has handed back his career to him, on a silver platter. Thanks to Goodell, Vick will be earning millions |  |
I have lost all respect for VIck's new mentor and number one apologist, former coach Tony Dungy, and will have nothing but disgust for any NFL owner who signs Vick to a contract, putting his despicable image in front of fans and media, and feeding him millions of dollars to finance his next criminal enterprise.
| theHoundDawg |
Sports Meets Real Life Head-On
05/20/09 20:25
Its been a tough few days for sports fans to remain in their fantasy bubble, keeping the realities of "real" life out of the toy department. In the past three days, 44 year old former NBA star Wayman Tisdale died, ex-Charger QB, first round pick, Div. II assistant coach, and all-time bust Ryan Leaf was arrested on drug and burglary charges, golfer Phil Mickelson left the PGA tour upon learning that his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer, the 39-year-old wife of Arizona Diamondback lefty and former Angel Scott Schoeneweis was found dead by her 14-year-old daughter, and today the airwaves were full of discussions about a second chance for the scum-of-the-earth Michael Vick, who is scheduled to be released from prison tomorrow.
Words cannot described the tragedy of the deaths of people like Tisdale and Gabriella Schoeneweis, nor the ordeal that Phil and Amy Mickelson and their family will now have to endure. But as to the other two events, the track record of Leaf was pretty strong evidence that his so-called rehabilitation and re-entry into civilized society would be short-lived, and his return to his prior lifestyle could be readily anticipated, and as far as VIck is concerned, well.....
That miserable scum should never play another down in the NFL and should never collect another red cent from any pro football owner. On the field, he was the most over-rated performer in the modern history of sports, and off the field one of the true evil, vile, disgusting excuses for a human being to ever enjoy the fruits of an over-paid, over-rated athletic career. It is disgusting to hear commentators, such as former coach Herman Edwards, fawning over Vick, and anticipating which team will win a sweepstakes for the right to pay him to return to football.
Well, hopefully the next few days, with the NBA playoffs and MLB interleague play, will see a return to on-flied excitement and no more off-the-field stories at the top of the sports news.
theHoundDawg
Words cannot described the tragedy of the deaths of people like Tisdale and Gabriella Schoeneweis, nor the ordeal that Phil and Amy Mickelson and their family will now have to endure. But as to the other two events, the track record of Leaf was pretty strong evidence that his so-called rehabilitation and re-entry into civilized society would be short-lived, and his return to his prior lifestyle could be readily anticipated, and as far as VIck is concerned, well.....
That miserable scum should never play another down in the NFL and should never collect another red cent from any pro football owner. On the field, he was the most over-rated performer in the modern history of sports, and off the field one of the true evil, vile, disgusting excuses for a human being to ever enjoy the fruits of an over-paid, over-rated athletic career. It is disgusting to hear commentators, such as former coach Herman Edwards, fawning over Vick, and anticipating which team will win a sweepstakes for the right to pay him to return to football.
Well, hopefully the next few days, with the NBA playoffs and MLB interleague play, will see a return to on-flied excitement and no more off-the-field stories at the top of the sports news.
theHoundDawg
Broncos and Bears Really Help Each Other
04/02/09 23:22
Today's trade between Denver and Chicago is one that, though one sided when considering value for value, does figure to really help each team.
Chicago gave up way to much for a young, unproven, QB - their own established NFL starting QB, and four draft choices, two number ones, a three and a five - but they got the quarterback they've been looking for for twenty years, a young, talented star-in-the-making, who could lead them back to the Super Bowl, perhaps even winning one.
Denver made out like a bandit, getting a competent starter to replace Cutler, and all those high draft choices they can use to build a great young defense, and maybe find another talented young QB for the future.
theHoundDawg
Chicago gave up way to much for a young, unproven, QB - their own established NFL starting QB, and four draft choices, two number ones, a three and a five - but they got the quarterback they've been looking for for twenty years, a young, talented star-in-the-making, who could lead them back to the Super Bowl, perhaps even winning one.
Denver made out like a bandit, getting a competent starter to replace Cutler, and all those high draft choices they can use to build a great young defense, and maybe find another talented young QB for the future.
theHoundDawg
Best Joke of the NFL Off-Season: Kurt Warner in the Hall of Fame
03/06/09 17:52
During the oh-so-painfull to observe Kurt Warner contract negotiations of the past few weeks, I have been dumbfounded by hearing more than one commentator say that "Kurt Warner is a future Hall-of-Famer".
Huh?
Here's a guy that has spent more than a decade in the NFL, and who has had four really good seasons. Four out of Ten. As a starting QB in the NFL, more than half the time his performance can barely be labeled mediocre. More like pathetic. In the four good seasons, his teams' total won-lost record has been 44-15. But, for the rest of his career, his teams' record with Warner as the starting QB stand at 13-29. THIRTEEN WINS AND TWENTY-NINE LOSSES. Over Six seasons.
He lost his job with St. Louis, he couldn't compete in New York, and he was handed back the starting job in Arizona when the Cardinals realized they drafted an oozing pile of brain surgeon goo in matt leinart. Granted, he played extraordinarily well for them, but, that was good season number four, out of TEN.
In some of those other years, Warmer compiled QB ratings in the 60s, 70s, and into the 80s, and had TD/Interception ratios the likes of 3-to-11, 6-to-5, and 11-to-9.
Maybe four fabulous seasons could possibly put a player into Hall of Fame consideration, if those composed pretty much his career, and if something monumental prevented the player from staying around, like a career-ending injury or death. But when what there is is an up-and-down career with high highs and even more frequent and lower lows, that guy shouldn't be allowed to polish the brass handles on the Hall-of-Fame door.
theHoundDawg
Huh?
Here's a guy that has spent more than a decade in the NFL, and who has had four really good seasons. Four out of Ten. As a starting QB in the NFL, more than half the time his performance can barely be labeled mediocre. More like pathetic. In the four good seasons, his teams' total won-lost record has been 44-15. But, for the rest of his career, his teams' record with Warner as the starting QB stand at 13-29. THIRTEEN WINS AND TWENTY-NINE LOSSES. Over Six seasons.
He lost his job with St. Louis, he couldn't compete in New York, and he was handed back the starting job in Arizona when the Cardinals realized they drafted an oozing pile of brain surgeon goo in matt leinart. Granted, he played extraordinarily well for them, but, that was good season number four, out of TEN.
In some of those other years, Warmer compiled QB ratings in the 60s, 70s, and into the 80s, and had TD/Interception ratios the likes of 3-to-11, 6-to-5, and 11-to-9.
Maybe four fabulous seasons could possibly put a player into Hall of Fame consideration, if those composed pretty much his career, and if something monumental prevented the player from staying around, like a career-ending injury or death. But when what there is is an up-and-down career with high highs and even more frequent and lower lows, that guy shouldn't be allowed to polish the brass handles on the Hall-of-Fame door.
theHoundDawg
Keep Michael Vick OUT of the NFL!
02/16/09 15:17
There is no more vile, disgusting person on the sports scene than Michael Vick. He received little more than a slap on the wrist for his despicable actions, and I am extremely angry that there is so much talk about all of the NFL teams that may be bidding to sign him.
This miserable excuse for a human being should not be rewarded with a new contract for millions of dollars. He has forfeited his right to compete as a professional athlete, and should spend the rest of his life in pain, suffering as did the poor animals for whom he had so little regard.
Express your disgust with the prospect of Vick resuming his NFL career by signing the Petition at Care2.com to Ban Michael Vick from the NFL-Permanently, to be sent to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
theHoundDawg
This miserable excuse for a human being should not be rewarded with a new contract for millions of dollars. He has forfeited his right to compete as a professional athlete, and should spend the rest of his life in pain, suffering as did the poor animals for whom he had so little regard.
Express your disgust with the prospect of Vick resuming his NFL career by signing the Petition at Care2.com to Ban Michael Vick from the NFL-Permanently, to be sent to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
theHoundDawg
Pittsburgh Wins Record 6th Super Bowl
Steelers 27 Cardinals 23
02/01/09 19:15
In what may have been the classic Super Bowl in the game's 43 year history, Pittsburgh overcame several stupid fouls, including a disgusting, unwarranted act by the early star of the game, James Harrison, to score in the last minute on a fabulous pass play from Big Ben to Santonio Holmes, and then hold on to defeat the upstart Cardinals, and their jerk qb, k warner.
Thus ends the 2008 NFL season (What Pro Bowl - ugh). Another year with no LA team, but renewed, meaningless hype.
theHoundDawg
Thus ends the 2008 NFL season (What Pro Bowl - ugh). Another year with no LA team, but renewed, meaningless hype.
theHoundDawg
A Quarterback By Any Other Name
12/07/08 17:16
Amongst the singular Cleo, Tarvaris, JaMarcus, and Sage, all of a sudden there seems to more NFL quarterbacks named Matt than any other name.
There are currently eight, yes 8, NFL quarterbacks named Matt, including current starters Matt Schaub, now back in good health at Houston, Matt Cassel, Sir Tom's fill-in at New England, Matt Hasselbeck occasionally actually healthy enough to play at Seattle, and the best rookie qb in years, Matt Ryan at Atlanta. In addition, there are four more backup Matts, Flynn at Green Bay, Gutierrez at New England, Moore at Carolina, and former first round over-rated brain surgeon Leinart, who spends his time on the Phoenix bench writing child support checks.
So, personnel guys, keep your eyes open for Matts around the college scene, and dads-to-be/formerqb-wanna-bes, name your kid Matt.Dress like a Matt:
theHoundDawg
There are currently eight, yes 8, NFL quarterbacks named Matt, including current starters Matt Schaub, now back in good health at Houston, Matt Cassel, Sir Tom's fill-in at New England, Matt Hasselbeck occasionally actually healthy enough to play at Seattle, and the best rookie qb in years, Matt Ryan at Atlanta. In addition, there are four more backup Matts, Flynn at Green Bay, Gutierrez at New England, Moore at Carolina, and former first round over-rated brain surgeon Leinart, who spends his time on the Phoenix bench writing child support checks.
So, personnel guys, keep your eyes open for Matts around the college scene, and dads-to-be/formerqb-wanna-bes, name your kid Matt.
 Atlanta Falcons #2 Matt Ryan Jersey |  Houston Texans #8 Matt Schaub Jersey |  Seattle Seahawks #8 Matt Hasselbeck Jersey |
theHoundDawg
More to Add to Chris Erskine's All-Ego Sports Team
11/23/08 16:09
In this morning's LA Times, Chris Erskine wrote an interesting piece on the egos of sports personalities, All-Ego Sports Team starts here.
Most of Erskine's selections are right on: Al Davis, Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Tom Lasorda, Shaquille O'Neal, the Williams sisters, Isiah Thomas, to name a few. But, there are some that I do not think really belong in this group, and most notable is Mark Cuban, who Erskine includes because of his referee-baiting and due to his recent problems with the SEC. The SEC allegations are only that, and yet to be proven, and even if true, do not amount to an ego-driven event, but rather a profit-driven event. As to his referee baiting, I respect and applaud his refusal to kneel down to the powers-that-be who refuse with their power of the checkbook to allow any rightful criticism of incompetent officiating.
In reading this commentary, I was struck by the vast group of ego-driven sports personalities who Erskine failed to include. The likes of the late George Steinbrenner (I know, I know), Peter Ueberroth, who ran baseball, and the LA Olympics, as his own little dictatorships, Pete Rozelle, who did the same with the NFL, Michael Vick, Stephon Marbury, that 85 receiver guy with the Bengals, not to mention a couple of other current wide-outs, TO and R Moss, all need to be included in ANY such list, as does every single person ever associated with NASCAR (I know, I said in my first ever post here that I'd NEVER mention that group, but, common, ego, dictionary, picture, NASCAR ....).
But, the trophy has to be named after the University of Spoiled Children conglomerate of wide receivers that they passed on to the NFL, or at least tried to. Keyshawn Johnson and Curtis Conway broke records for egotism that no professional athlete could ever even dream to equal. However, proving that there is some justice in the world, or at least in the world of sports, they were actually exceed in their egotism by two brain surgeon wide-outs who did not make it in the NFL, R.J. Soward and Michael Williams.
But, the trophy goes, unanimously, to another trojan brain surgeon, the most egotistical, conceited, megalomaniacal jerk who ever transgressed the LA sports landscape - John McKay, the king of the put down, who never let pass an opportunity to ridicule another coach or a player from another team.
theHoundDawg
Note: I know its been too long since my last post, but the work and pressures of surviving in today' society have kept me away from here. I'll try my best to not let it happen again.
Most of Erskine's selections are right on: Al Davis, Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Tom Lasorda, Shaquille O'Neal, the Williams sisters, Isiah Thomas, to name a few. But, there are some that I do not think really belong in this group, and most notable is Mark Cuban, who Erskine includes because of his referee-baiting and due to his recent problems with the SEC. The SEC allegations are only that, and yet to be proven, and even if true, do not amount to an ego-driven event, but rather a profit-driven event. As to his referee baiting, I respect and applaud his refusal to kneel down to the powers-that-be who refuse with their power of the checkbook to allow any rightful criticism of incompetent officiating.
In reading this commentary, I was struck by the vast group of ego-driven sports personalities who Erskine failed to include. The likes of the late George Steinbrenner (I know, I know), Peter Ueberroth, who ran baseball, and the LA Olympics, as his own little dictatorships, Pete Rozelle, who did the same with the NFL, Michael Vick, Stephon Marbury, that 85 receiver guy with the Bengals, not to mention a couple of other current wide-outs, TO and R Moss, all need to be included in ANY such list, as does every single person ever associated with NASCAR (I know, I said in my first ever post here that I'd NEVER mention that group, but, common, ego, dictionary, picture, NASCAR ....).
But, the trophy has to be named after the University of Spoiled Children conglomerate of wide receivers that they passed on to the NFL, or at least tried to. Keyshawn Johnson and Curtis Conway broke records for egotism that no professional athlete could ever even dream to equal. However, proving that there is some justice in the world, or at least in the world of sports, they were actually exceed in their egotism by two brain surgeon wide-outs who did not make it in the NFL, R.J. Soward and Michael Williams.
But, the trophy goes, unanimously, to another trojan brain surgeon, the most egotistical, conceited, megalomaniacal jerk who ever transgressed the LA sports landscape - John McKay, the king of the put down, who never let pass an opportunity to ridicule another coach or a player from another team.
theHoundDawg
Note: I know its been too long since my last post, but the work and pressures of surviving in today' society have kept me away from here. I'll try my best to not let it happen again.
Bad Day for LA Football
10/19/08 23:23
It hasn't happened too many times lately, given their overall ineptitude and generally miserable on-field performances in recent years, but it is painful to see the Raiders and Rams both win on the same day, as happened today.
A good way to relieve the anger is to buy one of these throwback jerseys and set it on fire:
theHoundDawg
A good way to relieve the anger is to buy one of these throwback jerseys and set it on fire:
 Raiders Bo Jackson Jersey |  Rams Jack Youngblood Jersey |
theHoundDawg
Is It a League of Pansies?
10/19/08 17:41
The Steelers' Troy Polamalu used the term this past week to describe the modern NFL, after Hines Ward's fine total reached $15,000 for separate incidents of "excessive roughness".
Polamalu is further quoted as having stated that "... the Ronnie Lotts, Jack Tatums. These guys really went after people. They were that way because the game was physical. Now, they couldn't survive in this type of game. They wouldn't have enough money. They'd be paying fines all the time, and then they'd be suspended for the year after they do it two games in a row. It's kind of ridiculous." (heraldstandard.com, 10/18/08).
I heard a discussion on this topic this afternoon on ESPN radio between host Freddie Coleman, and commentator and former player Eric Allen, who wholeheartedly agreed that league attempts to protect player safety were misplaced, and indeed were turning the NFL into a "pansy" league.
A few years ago, the league wised up, and began implementing a measure of protection for players all too frequently injured seriously due in great part to the mentality of NFL players, and to the fact of today's bigger, faster, stronger athletes, and modern equipment providing players the aura and misplaced belief of invincibility. Does that measure of protection - fines and other discipline for "excessive roughness" - actually work?
Well, in today's Cincinnati-Pittsburgh game, during the opening drive, Mr. Ward put a legal block on Bengal rookie Keith Rivers, and broke Rivers' jaw, ending his season. Will Ward be fined again? Who knows, but what difference does it make? The league can impose fines and suspend players, but it will change neither the attitude of players, nor their actions. Maybe that's not a bad situation. NFL players go into professional football realizing full well the risk of injury, and gladly exchange that risk for large sums of money.
The American public actually owes a debt of gratitude to the NFL. If the league did not exist, and the core of NFL players who currently exercise their innate propensity for violence and mayhem would no longer have a legal outlet for such aggression, the incidence of violent crime throughout the US would increase immeasurably. Players like Pacman Jones, Rae Carruth, O.J. Simpson, Michael Vick, and untold others have engaged in violent activities, dangerous to innocent, law-abiding citizens who may get in the way, for decades. How many more Simpsons and Carruths would be in the news headlines instead of the sports headlines, were it not for the violent outlet of NFL football?
A league of pansies? I think not.
theHoundDawg
Polamalu is further quoted as having stated that "... the Ronnie Lotts, Jack Tatums. These guys really went after people. They were that way because the game was physical. Now, they couldn't survive in this type of game. They wouldn't have enough money. They'd be paying fines all the time, and then they'd be suspended for the year after they do it two games in a row. It's kind of ridiculous." (heraldstandard.com, 10/18/08).
I heard a discussion on this topic this afternoon on ESPN radio between host Freddie Coleman, and commentator and former player Eric Allen, who wholeheartedly agreed that league attempts to protect player safety were misplaced, and indeed were turning the NFL into a "pansy" league.
A few years ago, the league wised up, and began implementing a measure of protection for players all too frequently injured seriously due in great part to the mentality of NFL players, and to the fact of today's bigger, faster, stronger athletes, and modern equipment providing players the aura and misplaced belief of invincibility. Does that measure of protection - fines and other discipline for "excessive roughness" - actually work?
Well, in today's Cincinnati-Pittsburgh game, during the opening drive, Mr. Ward put a legal block on Bengal rookie Keith Rivers, and broke Rivers' jaw, ending his season. Will Ward be fined again? Who knows, but what difference does it make? The league can impose fines and suspend players, but it will change neither the attitude of players, nor their actions. Maybe that's not a bad situation. NFL players go into professional football realizing full well the risk of injury, and gladly exchange that risk for large sums of money.
The American public actually owes a debt of gratitude to the NFL. If the league did not exist, and the core of NFL players who currently exercise their innate propensity for violence and mayhem would no longer have a legal outlet for such aggression, the incidence of violent crime throughout the US would increase immeasurably. Players like Pacman Jones, Rae Carruth, O.J. Simpson, Michael Vick, and untold others have engaged in violent activities, dangerous to innocent, law-abiding citizens who may get in the way, for decades. How many more Simpsons and Carruths would be in the news headlines instead of the sports headlines, were it not for the violent outlet of NFL football?
A league of pansies? I think not.
theHoundDawg