Admit it Packers fans--and Brett Favre haters. With less than 30-seconds left in yesterday's NFC Championship game you had that sick feeling in the pit of your stomach. The kind of feeling parents get when there is a knock on the door at 3:00 in the morning and their teenager isn't home with the car yet--or any of us would get when we open the mailbox to find a letter from the IRS stamped "Audit Information Enclosed". You really thought your worst nightmare was about to come true--Brett Favre leading the Minnesota Vikings to the Super Bowl.
It was right there for the Purple and Gold. Yes, they were probably on the outskirts of Ryan Longwell's range for a game winning field goal. But you had seen the classy, former Packer nail long, pressure-packed kicks before--and in the perfect kicking environment of the SuperDome you knew he would probably make it.
Not that Longwell would have been given any of the credit for winning the game. NOOOOOO, Fox, ESPN, CBS--anyone else running highlights of this game would have instead focused on Number Four--the Ol' Gunslinger--who had taken a mighty beating that day--but survived to lead his new team down the field to set up the kick. To make it even more dramatic, The Great One even had to be carried off the field a couple of times--and was shown writhing in agony on the training table (would he be able to continue? Is that Tavaris Jackson warming up on the sidelines?). Deanna couldn't even look.
So there were the Vikes poised to punch their ticket to Miami--but Brad Childress wanted to get just a little bit closer. "The Wizard" got a bit too greedy though--sending 12-men into the huddle and pushing the ball back five more yards. That forced him to actually try to get a bit more yardage than originally thought--and that meant putting the ball into the hands of The Savior--"The Man We Got For This Very Moment".
The play developed just the way "Chilly" probably wanted, his quarterback rolled out--with plenty of blockers in front of him--and an open field that could have allowed for a five to ten yard run. A quick time out and out would trot Longwell to win the game............
But "The Legend" had other ideas. His ticket to Canton wasn't written by running five yards downfield and sliding--his claim to fame is jamming the risky pass into coverage that somehow pays off. So Brett decided to "be Brett" throwing back against his body and his momemtum--firing a perfect strike.........................to a New Orleans defensive back.
The Vi-Queens would never even see the ball in overtime. (Didn't you wish that it had been Brett that had made the "heads" call that lost the coin toss as well?) Losing on a field goal (set up quite honestly by the latest in a never-ending series of questionable pass interference call from officials who seem to have taken over the NFL this season) that sends the ultimate sad-sack franchise to the Super Bowl for the first time ever.
So Old Number Four gives us another storybook ending--an interception costing his team the Super Bowl. Maybe I would like to see him come back to write yet another chapter.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
This is Football?
Whatever happened to real football? You know, the football played outside in the cold and the elements with two teams grinding it out on the ground with bruising running backs and hard-hitting defenses?
You won't see much of that on Sunday during the Conference Championship games. Like most of the playoff games this year, both contests will be played in domes--meaning no weather. No iconic videos from NFL films showing the steam created by the breaths of the offensive and defensive linemen in the trenches like you had at the Ice Bowl. No mud-covered running backs turning the corner on the sweep and carefully stepping into the endzone like Paul Hornung against the Browns in the '65 NFL Championship Game. No dramatic 45-yard field goals in the blinding snow like Adam Vinatieri against the Raiders in the "tuck rule" game. Not even players being helped off the field due to exhaustion in the draining heat like Kellen Winslow against the Dolphins in the '82 AFC Divisional Playoffs. Instead, we'll have players running around in the antiseptic atmosphere of the domes--leaving little clouds of black rubber pellets in their wake--on the sportsturf fields.
And don't expect a lot of bruising running in either game. Yes, the Jets try to win with ball control and defense--but they are alone in that strategy this weekend. The Colts had the worst average gain per rush in the league. The Vikings could be a great running team with Adrian Peterson and a good offensive line--but Brett Favre keeps audibling out of running plays to pad his own stats. And the Saints--do they even have a running back? So get ready for plenty of empty-backfield, five-wides, quarterback-out-of-the-shotgun, dinke-and-dunk passing with the ocassional bomb to draw the almost-automatic 40-yard pass interference penalty. Not even John Facenda could make that garbage sound dramatic.
And there is a real nightmare situation brewing this weekend. Imagine what the coverage of the Super Bowl will be like if the New York Jets advance to take on the Minnesota Vikings. The combination of a New York team--with its jingoistic media--and ESPN's love affair with Brett Favre would make the two-week hype of the game absolutely unbearable. I might not even turn on my TV for those two weeks. Of course, Indy-Nawlins wouldn't be a football purist's dream either. All I can say is the folks at Landshark Stadium (Landshark Stadium????) in Miami had better make sure all the lights on the scoreboards work--because they will be using them.
You won't see much of that on Sunday during the Conference Championship games. Like most of the playoff games this year, both contests will be played in domes--meaning no weather. No iconic videos from NFL films showing the steam created by the breaths of the offensive and defensive linemen in the trenches like you had at the Ice Bowl. No mud-covered running backs turning the corner on the sweep and carefully stepping into the endzone like Paul Hornung against the Browns in the '65 NFL Championship Game. No dramatic 45-yard field goals in the blinding snow like Adam Vinatieri against the Raiders in the "tuck rule" game. Not even players being helped off the field due to exhaustion in the draining heat like Kellen Winslow against the Dolphins in the '82 AFC Divisional Playoffs. Instead, we'll have players running around in the antiseptic atmosphere of the domes--leaving little clouds of black rubber pellets in their wake--on the sportsturf fields.
And don't expect a lot of bruising running in either game. Yes, the Jets try to win with ball control and defense--but they are alone in that strategy this weekend. The Colts had the worst average gain per rush in the league. The Vikings could be a great running team with Adrian Peterson and a good offensive line--but Brett Favre keeps audibling out of running plays to pad his own stats. And the Saints--do they even have a running back? So get ready for plenty of empty-backfield, five-wides, quarterback-out-of-the-shotgun, dinke-and-dunk passing with the ocassional bomb to draw the almost-automatic 40-yard pass interference penalty. Not even John Facenda could make that garbage sound dramatic.
And there is a real nightmare situation brewing this weekend. Imagine what the coverage of the Super Bowl will be like if the New York Jets advance to take on the Minnesota Vikings. The combination of a New York team--with its jingoistic media--and ESPN's love affair with Brett Favre would make the two-week hype of the game absolutely unbearable. I might not even turn on my TV for those two weeks. Of course, Indy-Nawlins wouldn't be a football purist's dream either. All I can say is the folks at Landshark Stadium (Landshark Stadium????) in Miami had better make sure all the lights on the scoreboards work--because they will be using them.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
The Hall of Infamy
Mark McGwire's admission this week that he took steroids during his historic home run binge in the 1990's and early 2000's has rekindled talk of whether any of the guys who admit to cheating deserve to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Some talking heads actually believe that McGwire coming "clean" will help his case. I think it just seals the casket on any faint hope he may have had.
Since McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Barry Bonds and A-Rod really did hit all those homers and did drive in all those runs, we can't pretend that it never happened--like some have suggested by "not counting" records set in the Steroid Era. So why not give these tainted stars their seperate-but-equal due? That's why I am proposing the Baseball Hall of Infamy--a place where fans can pay their respects to those who brought attention to the game for all the wrong reasons.
We can build our new Hall in Cooperstown, New York--maybe across the street across town from the current Hall. It should not be on the grounds of the current Hall--so as not to taint the accomplishments of those who played by the rules. Instead of plaques, the Hall of Infamy will feature video and film clips of the inductees denying their cheating--followed by documentation of their cheating--and their eventual admissions that they broke the rules.
And what a wonderful inaugural class we will have: McGwire--who broke Roger Maris's record for homers in a season. Sosa--who gets in not only for steroid abuse to hit many of his 500-plus homers--but also a convicted corked bat user. Bonds--baseball's current all-time and single season home run record holder--who admitted to a grand jury that he may have "unknowingly" taken steroids. There's Pete Rose--baseball's all-time hits leader--who disgraced the game by betting on games he managed for the Reds. We'll also have room for Roger Clemens--whose bloody, post-steriod-shot bandages will be on display--and Raphael Palmeiro--whose finger-shaking denials of steroid use before Congress was followed less than a year later by a positive steroid test.
The old-timers get some love in our Hall of Infamy as well. Shoeless Joe Jackson for helping to throw the 1919 World Series with the Black Sox, Ty Cobb for his race baiting and dirty style of play, Gaylord Perry for admitting to loading up the ball for most of his pitching career and Kennesaw Mountain Landis--baseball's first Commissioner--for establishing the "gentlemen's agreement" that kept blacks out of baseball for decades.
We should also make room for Marvin Miller--who helped form the Major League Baseball Players Association, leading to decades of labor strife in the game--and his protege, Donald Fehr--whose refusal to allow for steroids testing led to the tainted records of the day--and whose refusal to discuss a salary cap led to the game's current inequitable financial situation, which dooms small-market teams to having a chance to win a championship once every other decade. And let's include George Steinbrenner--whose out of control spending led to the haves and have nots.
The Hall of Infamy admission will be included in your ticket to enter the original Baseball Hall of Fame. However, you will be required to tour the new Hall first--then go to honor the "real heroes" of the game. I'm pretty sure that would leave you with a much better taste in your mouth--and some hope for the future of the game.
Since McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Barry Bonds and A-Rod really did hit all those homers and did drive in all those runs, we can't pretend that it never happened--like some have suggested by "not counting" records set in the Steroid Era. So why not give these tainted stars their seperate-but-equal due? That's why I am proposing the Baseball Hall of Infamy--a place where fans can pay their respects to those who brought attention to the game for all the wrong reasons.
We can build our new Hall in Cooperstown, New York--maybe across the street across town from the current Hall. It should not be on the grounds of the current Hall--so as not to taint the accomplishments of those who played by the rules. Instead of plaques, the Hall of Infamy will feature video and film clips of the inductees denying their cheating--followed by documentation of their cheating--and their eventual admissions that they broke the rules.
And what a wonderful inaugural class we will have: McGwire--who broke Roger Maris's record for homers in a season. Sosa--who gets in not only for steroid abuse to hit many of his 500-plus homers--but also a convicted corked bat user. Bonds--baseball's current all-time and single season home run record holder--who admitted to a grand jury that he may have "unknowingly" taken steroids. There's Pete Rose--baseball's all-time hits leader--who disgraced the game by betting on games he managed for the Reds. We'll also have room for Roger Clemens--whose bloody, post-steriod-shot bandages will be on display--and Raphael Palmeiro--whose finger-shaking denials of steroid use before Congress was followed less than a year later by a positive steroid test.
The old-timers get some love in our Hall of Infamy as well. Shoeless Joe Jackson for helping to throw the 1919 World Series with the Black Sox, Ty Cobb for his race baiting and dirty style of play, Gaylord Perry for admitting to loading up the ball for most of his pitching career and Kennesaw Mountain Landis--baseball's first Commissioner--for establishing the "gentlemen's agreement" that kept blacks out of baseball for decades.
We should also make room for Marvin Miller--who helped form the Major League Baseball Players Association, leading to decades of labor strife in the game--and his protege, Donald Fehr--whose refusal to allow for steroids testing led to the tainted records of the day--and whose refusal to discuss a salary cap led to the game's current inequitable financial situation, which dooms small-market teams to having a chance to win a championship once every other decade. And let's include George Steinbrenner--whose out of control spending led to the haves and have nots.
The Hall of Infamy admission will be included in your ticket to enter the original Baseball Hall of Fame. However, you will be required to tour the new Hall first--then go to honor the "real heroes" of the game. I'm pretty sure that would leave you with a much better taste in your mouth--and some hope for the future of the game.
Monday, January 4, 2010
So Many Questions
Let's start 2010 by answering some of the most common questions I get about "My Two Cents".
Why don't you respond to the comments left on the My Two Cents blogsite? Quite honestly, I don't have the time. Between 60-hours a week here at the station, officiating high school sports, doing high school sports play-by-play, covering the Badgers and the Packers, playing my own sports, spending time with my wife, and doing work around the house I really don't have a lot of time to spend on the internet (just ask anyone who checks out my Facebook page).
"My Two Cents" became a blog after getting so many requests to "send me a copy of that" or "is there some way I can forward that to someone else" after the on-air presentation every day, that it just became more convenient for me to just write it to the Web every morning. Plus, it has become a great draw for the WOSH website--which means our advertisers are getting their names in front of more eyes each day.
I do try to read the comments every few days--deleting those that are profane or unfairly attack others--while those that include well-thought out arguments--or that are clever and make me laugh--get read on the air.
Don't some of the things people write and say about you upset you? They probably upset my mother more than me. Anytime you do anything in the public realm you are going to get criticism--fair or unfair. Most of the time, I just chuckle at what is written--especially by "anonymous" posters. It's amazing how "perfect" (and bold) people are in the anonymity afforded by the internet. Keep that in mind whenever reading "information" posted by people who won't provide their name and contact information on-line.
If you have all the answers, why don't you run for public office? Unlike most people, I would have to quit my job to run for public office. The Federal Communications Commission requires "equal access" of the public airwaves to all political candidates. So unless you would want four hours of any of my political opponents on the air every day--I'm forced to sit on the sidelines. Besides, I doubt Dave Ramsey would approve of quitting a full-time job to seek a part-time School Board or City Council position. If you are going to run on a "fiscal responsibility" platform--that should probably start at home.
Why don't you respond to the comments left on the My Two Cents blogsite? Quite honestly, I don't have the time. Between 60-hours a week here at the station, officiating high school sports, doing high school sports play-by-play, covering the Badgers and the Packers, playing my own sports, spending time with my wife, and doing work around the house I really don't have a lot of time to spend on the internet (just ask anyone who checks out my Facebook page).
"My Two Cents" became a blog after getting so many requests to "send me a copy of that" or "is there some way I can forward that to someone else" after the on-air presentation every day, that it just became more convenient for me to just write it to the Web every morning. Plus, it has become a great draw for the WOSH website--which means our advertisers are getting their names in front of more eyes each day.
I do try to read the comments every few days--deleting those that are profane or unfairly attack others--while those that include well-thought out arguments--or that are clever and make me laugh--get read on the air.
Don't some of the things people write and say about you upset you? They probably upset my mother more than me. Anytime you do anything in the public realm you are going to get criticism--fair or unfair. Most of the time, I just chuckle at what is written--especially by "anonymous" posters. It's amazing how "perfect" (and bold) people are in the anonymity afforded by the internet. Keep that in mind whenever reading "information" posted by people who won't provide their name and contact information on-line.
If you have all the answers, why don't you run for public office? Unlike most people, I would have to quit my job to run for public office. The Federal Communications Commission requires "equal access" of the public airwaves to all political candidates. So unless you would want four hours of any of my political opponents on the air every day--I'm forced to sit on the sidelines. Besides, I doubt Dave Ramsey would approve of quitting a full-time job to seek a part-time School Board or City Council position. If you are going to run on a "fiscal responsibility" platform--that should probably start at home.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Bold Predictions for 2010
Time for the annual "Bold Predictions" for 2010.
--The Senate and the House will approve a Health Care Reform Bill that will not include a Public Option Plan. Everyone will complain its a terrible bill--but Democrats will pass it anyway--blaming Republicans for "obstructing real progress on reform".
--Capping off an amazing year end turnaround, the Dallas Cowboys will defeat the San Diego Chargers in the Super Bowl. The game will be marred by a continuous stream of semi-talented female country singers and starletts trying to carry away Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.
--Brett Favre will not announce a retirement this year. Instead, he will demand the Vikings make him Player/Coach to avoid further "heated discussions"on the sideline. Adrian Peterson will immediately demand a trade to a team where the quarterback won't keep audibling out of all his running plays.
--"Cobblestoners" will continue to enjoy success in local elections. Oshkosh voters will again send the message that basic, core services are what they want from City Hall. The School Board will see more members that support "rightsizing" the number of schools and teachers needed to serve our kids.
--Tiger Woods will win the British Open. He will be hailed as a "hero" for "overcoming all the challenges that beseiged him last year."
--The Oshkosh Corporation will be re-awarded the three-billion dollar FMTV contract--but production will be further delayed by federal lawsuits filed by the other "sore loser" bidders.
--Harley-Davidson--crippled by the continued recession--will exercise the same power play used by Mercury Marine in 2009--demanding huge incentives packages and employee concessions to keep production in Milwaukee. Workers and lawmakers will capitulate.
--Speaking of the recession, it will remain strong--fueled in 2010 by an increase in commercial real estate foreclosures and the continued lack of credit-worthiness of most Americans.
--President Obama will continue to blame George Bush for all problems--financial, social and international.
--Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke will all resign under pressure or will be fired.
--The Milwaukee Brewers will return to the playoffs. They will be the only team in the National League Central to finish above .500.
--The November elections will be a total disaster for Democrats at all levels. This will lead to an accelerated Kamikaze effort to pass as many new entitlement programs and as much social legislation as they can get through before sanity returns to government.
--Glenn Beck will come on the air naked and screaming about implants in his brain put there by operatives from the Obama Administration. He will immediately become the leading candidate for the Republican presidential nomination.
Happy New Year everybody. 2010 couldn't be any worse than 2009.
--The Senate and the House will approve a Health Care Reform Bill that will not include a Public Option Plan. Everyone will complain its a terrible bill--but Democrats will pass it anyway--blaming Republicans for "obstructing real progress on reform".
--Capping off an amazing year end turnaround, the Dallas Cowboys will defeat the San Diego Chargers in the Super Bowl. The game will be marred by a continuous stream of semi-talented female country singers and starletts trying to carry away Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.
--Brett Favre will not announce a retirement this year. Instead, he will demand the Vikings make him Player/Coach to avoid further "heated discussions"on the sideline. Adrian Peterson will immediately demand a trade to a team where the quarterback won't keep audibling out of all his running plays.
--"Cobblestoners" will continue to enjoy success in local elections. Oshkosh voters will again send the message that basic, core services are what they want from City Hall. The School Board will see more members that support "rightsizing" the number of schools and teachers needed to serve our kids.
--Tiger Woods will win the British Open. He will be hailed as a "hero" for "overcoming all the challenges that beseiged him last year."
--The Oshkosh Corporation will be re-awarded the three-billion dollar FMTV contract--but production will be further delayed by federal lawsuits filed by the other "sore loser" bidders.
--Harley-Davidson--crippled by the continued recession--will exercise the same power play used by Mercury Marine in 2009--demanding huge incentives packages and employee concessions to keep production in Milwaukee. Workers and lawmakers will capitulate.
--Speaking of the recession, it will remain strong--fueled in 2010 by an increase in commercial real estate foreclosures and the continued lack of credit-worthiness of most Americans.
--President Obama will continue to blame George Bush for all problems--financial, social and international.
--Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke will all resign under pressure or will be fired.
--The Milwaukee Brewers will return to the playoffs. They will be the only team in the National League Central to finish above .500.
--The November elections will be a total disaster for Democrats at all levels. This will lead to an accelerated Kamikaze effort to pass as many new entitlement programs and as much social legislation as they can get through before sanity returns to government.
--Glenn Beck will come on the air naked and screaming about implants in his brain put there by operatives from the Obama Administration. He will immediately become the leading candidate for the Republican presidential nomination.
Happy New Year everybody. 2010 couldn't be any worse than 2009.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
The Festivus Airing of Grievances
Happy Festivus everyone. As is the time honored tradition established by Frank Costanza many years ago, it is time for the Airing of Grievances!! And as usual, I HAVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH YOU PEOPLE!!!!!!!
To President Obama: STOP SPENDING ALL OF MY MONEY!! AND MY CHILDREN'S MONEY!! AND MY GRANDCHILDREN'S MONEY!!
To Democrats in Congress: I CAN TAKE CARE OF MYSELF!! STOP CREATING BUREAUCRACIES MEANT TO GOVERN EVERY PART OF OUR LIVES FROM THE CRADLE TO THE GRAVE!!
To Governor Doyle: JUST BE A GOOD LAME DUCK AND STOP MAKING PROMISES TO PEOPLE WITH SOCIAL PROGRAMS THAT WE CANNOT AFFORD ANYMORE!!
To Glenn Beck: SPARE US THE THEATRICS AND THE CRYING!! YOU ARE A CLOWN AND YOU ARE MAKING REAL CONSERVATIVES LOOK BAD!!
To CBS: JUST DUMP KATIE COURIC ALREADY AND GIVE US WHAT WE REALLY WANT--JOHN STEWART AND THE DAILY SHOW ON AT 5:30 SO WE DON'T HAVE TO STAY UP SO LATE TO WATCH IT!! YOUR RATINGS WOULD SKYROCKET!!
To ESPN: STOP WITH THE ENDLESS PARADE OF TALKING HEADS, "INSIDERS" AND SELF-PROMOTION AND GO BACK TO HIGHLIGHTS ON SPORTSCENTER!! THERE'S NOTHING I HATE MORE THAN WANTING TO SEE BREWERS' HIGHLIGHTS AND HAVING TO SIT THROUGH FIVE MINUTES OF MEL KIPER'S "DRAFT BOARD" IN THE MIDDLE OF AUGUST!!
To the NFL Network and Time-Warner Cable: STOP ACTING LIKE CHILDREN AND GET THE NFL NETWORK ON OUR CABLE SYSTEM!! IF YOU DON'T DO IT SOON, OUR OVERACTIVE LEGISLATORS ARE GOING TO TRY AND PASS SOME KIND OF LAW REQUIRING YOU TO DO IT SO THE POOR PEOPLE OF WAUSAU DON'T MISS THE PACKERS AGAIN WHEN THEY PLAY IN ONE OF THOSE STUPID THURSDAY NIGHT GAMES!!
To the NCAA and University Presidents: STOP STUFFING YOUR WALLETS AND DUMP THE BCS!! IF YOU DON'T DO IT SOON, OUR OVERACTIVE CONGRESSMEN ARE GOING TO TRY AND PASS SOME KIND OF LAW REQUIRING YOU TO DO IT SO THE UCONN HUSKIES IN SENATOR CHRIS DODD'S DISTRICT WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN A REAL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!!
To anyone who bought a "Snuggie": YOU LOOK LIKE IDIOTS!!
To all of the 24-hour News Networks: TELL ME YOU LEARNED YOUR LESSON FROM "BALLOON BOY" AND YOU ARE GOING TO STOP TREATING MINOR, LOCAL EVENTS SUCH AS CAR CHASES AND APARTMENT FIRES LIKE SOMETHING THAT REQUIRES WALL-TO-WALL NATIONAL COVERAGE!!
To Balloon Boys parents: I HOPE THAT YOU GET THE MAXIMUM JAIL OR PRISON SENTENCE ALLOWED BY COLORADO LAW IN ORDER TO SERVE AS AN EXAMPLE TO EVERY OTHER MEDIA WHORE WHO BELIEVES THAT LIFE BEGINS AND ENDS BY BEING ON TELEVISION!!
To those who hate on Festivus: ADMIT YOU ARE JEALOUS THAT SOME OF US CAN LET GO OF THE CRASS COMMERCIALISM OF THIS TIME OF YEAR AND ENJOY A HOLIDAY THAT REQUIRES NO DECORATIONS, NO GIFTS, NO COOKIES, NO CARDS, NO SPECIAL SONGS AND NO GOING TO THE MALL. AND WE GET TO RELIEVE THE STRESS OF THE YEAR BY YELLING AT EACH OTHER!!
Now it is time for the FEATS OF STRENGTH. Remember, Festivus isn't over until you pin me to the ground.
To President Obama: STOP SPENDING ALL OF MY MONEY!! AND MY CHILDREN'S MONEY!! AND MY GRANDCHILDREN'S MONEY!!
To Democrats in Congress: I CAN TAKE CARE OF MYSELF!! STOP CREATING BUREAUCRACIES MEANT TO GOVERN EVERY PART OF OUR LIVES FROM THE CRADLE TO THE GRAVE!!
To Governor Doyle: JUST BE A GOOD LAME DUCK AND STOP MAKING PROMISES TO PEOPLE WITH SOCIAL PROGRAMS THAT WE CANNOT AFFORD ANYMORE!!
To Glenn Beck: SPARE US THE THEATRICS AND THE CRYING!! YOU ARE A CLOWN AND YOU ARE MAKING REAL CONSERVATIVES LOOK BAD!!
To CBS: JUST DUMP KATIE COURIC ALREADY AND GIVE US WHAT WE REALLY WANT--JOHN STEWART AND THE DAILY SHOW ON AT 5:30 SO WE DON'T HAVE TO STAY UP SO LATE TO WATCH IT!! YOUR RATINGS WOULD SKYROCKET!!
To ESPN: STOP WITH THE ENDLESS PARADE OF TALKING HEADS, "INSIDERS" AND SELF-PROMOTION AND GO BACK TO HIGHLIGHTS ON SPORTSCENTER!! THERE'S NOTHING I HATE MORE THAN WANTING TO SEE BREWERS' HIGHLIGHTS AND HAVING TO SIT THROUGH FIVE MINUTES OF MEL KIPER'S "DRAFT BOARD" IN THE MIDDLE OF AUGUST!!
To the NFL Network and Time-Warner Cable: STOP ACTING LIKE CHILDREN AND GET THE NFL NETWORK ON OUR CABLE SYSTEM!! IF YOU DON'T DO IT SOON, OUR OVERACTIVE LEGISLATORS ARE GOING TO TRY AND PASS SOME KIND OF LAW REQUIRING YOU TO DO IT SO THE POOR PEOPLE OF WAUSAU DON'T MISS THE PACKERS AGAIN WHEN THEY PLAY IN ONE OF THOSE STUPID THURSDAY NIGHT GAMES!!
To the NCAA and University Presidents: STOP STUFFING YOUR WALLETS AND DUMP THE BCS!! IF YOU DON'T DO IT SOON, OUR OVERACTIVE CONGRESSMEN ARE GOING TO TRY AND PASS SOME KIND OF LAW REQUIRING YOU TO DO IT SO THE UCONN HUSKIES IN SENATOR CHRIS DODD'S DISTRICT WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN A REAL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!!
To anyone who bought a "Snuggie": YOU LOOK LIKE IDIOTS!!
To all of the 24-hour News Networks: TELL ME YOU LEARNED YOUR LESSON FROM "BALLOON BOY" AND YOU ARE GOING TO STOP TREATING MINOR, LOCAL EVENTS SUCH AS CAR CHASES AND APARTMENT FIRES LIKE SOMETHING THAT REQUIRES WALL-TO-WALL NATIONAL COVERAGE!!
To Balloon Boys parents: I HOPE THAT YOU GET THE MAXIMUM JAIL OR PRISON SENTENCE ALLOWED BY COLORADO LAW IN ORDER TO SERVE AS AN EXAMPLE TO EVERY OTHER MEDIA WHORE WHO BELIEVES THAT LIFE BEGINS AND ENDS BY BEING ON TELEVISION!!
To those who hate on Festivus: ADMIT YOU ARE JEALOUS THAT SOME OF US CAN LET GO OF THE CRASS COMMERCIALISM OF THIS TIME OF YEAR AND ENJOY A HOLIDAY THAT REQUIRES NO DECORATIONS, NO GIFTS, NO COOKIES, NO CARDS, NO SPECIAL SONGS AND NO GOING TO THE MALL. AND WE GET TO RELIEVE THE STRESS OF THE YEAR BY YELLING AT EACH OTHER!!
Now it is time for the FEATS OF STRENGTH. Remember, Festivus isn't over until you pin me to the ground.
Friday, December 18, 2009
What's Wrong With Going Undefeated?
Do you know of any sport beside the NFL where teams are encouraged to lose a game? I'm not talking about throwing a game--but rather just not trying as hard as possible to win?
I ask this following another week of debate on the sports networks and talk radio about what the undefeated Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints should do over the last three weeks of the season--play their starters and try to win--or rest everyone and increase the possibility of losing. The majority of "experts" and talking heads support sitting the stars--going undefeated isn't worth the risk of injury they say. A few think both teams should go all out to go undefeated.
As someone who has played organized sports my entire life, I cannot fathom the idea of not trying to win everytime you step on the field, the court or the course. And I would hope that inside each of the high-paid players on the Colts and the Saints they feel the same way. You're just as likely to get hurt at 8-5 as you are at 13-0.
The "don't try to go undefeated" attitude is really present only in the NFL--which is ironic since it is the only league that charges regular season prices for its pre-season games--in effect telling fans that contests played by a bunch of guys who will be driving forklifts a few days after the games are just as important as the must-win showdown in week 17. I think that if the Colts or Saints decide they aren't going to try to win a game this season they should be required to let the fans know--so they can ask for their money back.
Obviously, the Colts didn't go for that "rest your starters" junk last night--beating the Jaguars 35-31 in a game where Peyton Manning could have spent the entire second half on the bench. I'm guessing Drew Brees will be playing the entire game Saturday night--lighting up my Dallas Cowboys.
So don't be afraid to go undefeated, teams. Remember, it's the only way you can guarantee a championship. Unless of course you are a college football team dealing with the BCS--look at how going undefeated is working out for TCU, Boise State and Cincinnati.
I ask this following another week of debate on the sports networks and talk radio about what the undefeated Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints should do over the last three weeks of the season--play their starters and try to win--or rest everyone and increase the possibility of losing. The majority of "experts" and talking heads support sitting the stars--going undefeated isn't worth the risk of injury they say. A few think both teams should go all out to go undefeated.
As someone who has played organized sports my entire life, I cannot fathom the idea of not trying to win everytime you step on the field, the court or the course. And I would hope that inside each of the high-paid players on the Colts and the Saints they feel the same way. You're just as likely to get hurt at 8-5 as you are at 13-0.
The "don't try to go undefeated" attitude is really present only in the NFL--which is ironic since it is the only league that charges regular season prices for its pre-season games--in effect telling fans that contests played by a bunch of guys who will be driving forklifts a few days after the games are just as important as the must-win showdown in week 17. I think that if the Colts or Saints decide they aren't going to try to win a game this season they should be required to let the fans know--so they can ask for their money back.
Obviously, the Colts didn't go for that "rest your starters" junk last night--beating the Jaguars 35-31 in a game where Peyton Manning could have spent the entire second half on the bench. I'm guessing Drew Brees will be playing the entire game Saturday night--lighting up my Dallas Cowboys.
So don't be afraid to go undefeated, teams. Remember, it's the only way you can guarantee a championship. Unless of course you are a college football team dealing with the BCS--look at how going undefeated is working out for TCU, Boise State and Cincinnati.
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