Friday, September 01, 2006

Friday A.M. Wrap

"Live Sloppy?" The "Lance and Paris" rumors are among the most disturbing I've heard this year. The guy is the pre-eminent sports hero of our generation. She is the pre-eminent "famous for being famous" celebrity of our generation. I guess it makes sense in a completely wacked-out sort of way.

But if you thought it was kind of nasty for Lance to be having Matt Leinart's sloppy seconds, what about Lance having Brian Urlacher's sloppy thirds? (Are there any other athletes rumored to have been with Paris that I'm missing?)

T.O. making his Cowboys debut is so much less important than the fact that Mike Vanderjagt missed two would-be game-winning FGs in OT.

OK, so Rex Grossman doesn't suck nearly as bad as everyone thinks he does. (Doesn't help the grief I took for taking the Bears – behind Griese – to win the NFC title.)

Are NFL preseason records meaningless? I think the Raiders' 4-0 was exposed as a fraud after they were shellacked by the Seahawks. But I think the Redskins' 0-4 is cause for massive concern, simply because the WAY they got to this point is so brutal.

Wow: Marcus Vick is going to make it in the NFL. Take that, haters. (I'm no fan, but the guy went undrafted. Credit Nick Saban for taking a chance on him. I remain convinced that every NFL team will have a dedicated "QB-turned-WR" on its roster within 2 seasons.)

My Bad: I was so so so wrong predicting Agassi would lose to Baghdatis. If that's Andre's final winning match, it was a great one.

If it was "Florida State" instead of "Iowa State" and "Miami" instead of "Toledo," we'd be calling last night's 45-43 3OT thriller the game of the year.

(Less thrilling: Northwestern's 21-3 win over Miami/Ohio. The defense looked OK -- surprisingly OK, actually. The offense looked so-so, but I guess a redshirt frosh QB in his first start deserves a break.)

Papi back Saturday? At this point, he's playing for the AL MVP, 'cause he ain't leading the Red Sox to the playoffs. But, as I've said before, I'm happy to permanently put him at No. 2 on my MVP ballot, but if the Sox don't make the playoffs, there's no way he gets my vote.

(I've already argued that I kind of like Frank Thomas for AL MVP, but there's something to be said for giving it to Morneau or Dye, depending on whether the Twins or White Sox win the AL Wild Card.)

Is there a new "Face of Baseball?" Regular Quickie readers will remember that I totally rejected Derek Jeter as the "Face of Baseball" last season, in favor of Dontrelle Willis. I think the "Face" should be flexible, and I'm ready to change my pick: The NEW "Face of Baseball" is Ryan Howard.

Last thing: Bear with me as I work out what I'm going to write about, how I'm going to say it, etc. Do you like the idea of one topic per post (like USA Hoops or Leinart)? Or do you like the "all-in-one" of this "Wrap-Up"-ish post? Let me know in the Comments area. This morning remains pretty surreal...

-- D.S.

114 comments:

Jake C said...

I enjoy the all-in-one to a degree. Maybe, try a group of topics similar to the DQ. One for each is too many, but one GIANT post may be too much to comment on. In any case, it looks like I still have something to do at work from 9-10am

Anonymous said...

too many posts, keep it condensed and centralized...

Kevin said...

I think you should cover the big stories in separate posts, then the little stuff all in one post.

Dye is a good MVP candidate, but my MVP is Johan Santana. The guy's unbeatable at home, and without him the Twins are probably barely over .500 right now. He is easily the best pitcher in the game today.

But I'm with you on the Ryan Howard = Face of Baseball thing. (did you know that he's as old as Pujols, though?)

Anonymous said...

I like the quickie-style as well where its lots of things in one post.

I know I have already sent you some rather stern messages in the quickie feedback but I am still wondering if you are ever going to fill your loyal readers in why there is no more quickie? If it's personal can't about it, that's cool but at least let us all know that is the case.

Keep it up, glad to see there is still a place to enjoy your entertaining writing.

Anonymous said...

I think it all depends on how much time you have. If youre bored, feel free to write a little more in depth about anything or everything. It would be interesting to hear you espouse your views without being restricted to a bullet point or witty comment. By the way, what are you doing now that youre no longer employed by the dot-com?

-Mike

Anonymous said...

Feed the Quickie addiction...feed the addiction...

Jake C said...

Gotta love the Vander-jerk misses. Looks like Parcells actually has two headaches to deal with this season.

As for the NFL preseason, I have mixed emotions about the records. The Giants went 4-0 (but, is that good since they looked so strong, or bad and will look like the '05 Raiders).

Dye should definitely receive some serious consideration for MVP...but, the new face of MLB should be David Wright!

Anonymous said...

ah, thank god for this

Anonymous said...

All in one. It makes the reading so much more interesting. Also, maybe linking to stories across the country about the topic you are discussing. This will allow the readers to find out more information for each topic.

Matt Berg said...

Big headlines get their own post. Small stories in a condensed wrap-up.

Anonymous said...

Dan, I like the idea of the wrap and then highlughting some bigger stories. Welcome Back

Anonymous said...

I like the all in one because if I had a busy day/night before, I can read your column and get caught up on the things that matter within minutes.

Anonymous said...

All in one. I love the writing, but the reason the "Quckie" was so good in some ways was it was, well, quick. Maybe for huge semi-controversial stories one entry would be better.

Anonymous said...

I like the "wrap-up" format. The sports/entertainment world is too big for just one topic. Look forward to your continued writing.

Anonymous said...

surreal is right... it's weird to do work from 9-10...

anyway... is vanderjerk (only cause I can't remember how to spell his name) DONE. Could it be a Mith - Wild Thing - kind of collapse, may he never get over the miss last year... crazy...

and about the MQ curse already hitting vinateiri... sure he may not miss much time yet - but it could linger...

Anonymous said...

I like the Wrap up style for all the smaller stories. Then maybe a couple of bigger posts for the important stories (Team USA loss, stuff like that). You can keep the format that we are all familiar with while also getting to add stuff to important stories that you weren't give room to do at ESPN.com

Anonymous said...

I like the bullet-points. Just don't try to make it exactly like the Quickie, because we just spent a week saying goodbye to that format.

Oh, and even though I spent a couple misspent years hating on andre agassi, he definitely made me a believer last night. Mostly for his grace off the court.

Carry on.

Anonymous said...

Am I being to greedy in asking for both styles? i.e. a big story or two and a wrap up for the rest of the news. BTW, missed you from 9-10 this morning, not sure if I can get used to this whole working thing.

LoganAvatar said...

One Post, Quickie style!

Anonymous said...

I like how you just did it. The big post gives the Quickie feel, but putting 1-3 bigger topics separate gives a good chance for feedback.
Any way we can get a chat going somewhere?

BTW, Miami/NW wasn't too bad. Both defenses played well, Miami offense never clicked though.
Toledo and Central Michigan both gave BCS schools heart-scares. I'm thinking the MAC might rebound a bit this year.

Anonymous said...

I love the 3 or 4 bigger stories you wrote and then Quickie hits on others. Keep up the good work and keep writing.

Anonymous said...

Like what you did this morning: a couple of posts about individual topics along with a quickie-style wrap up.

Anonymous said...

Keep the quickie style.

Anonymous said...

Dan, you're doing fine, I'm happy just to get my fix of Quickie-like material! Go Steelers!

Anonymous said...

Dan, I can't believe that you went thru possible MVP candidates without mentioning Hafner, who, if the Indians were anywhere close to making the playoffs, would be the runaway winner.
Anyway, as of now, Jeter is the frontrunner......

Anonymous said...

The more the better; what else do I have to do, work? :) I like the wrap-up style, and then the longer posts for the bigger stories (USA hoops, for example). Bascially, keep writing it, and I will keep reading it.

Anonymous said...

Thank God Blogger isn't blocked by the company network services.

Truthfully Dan? You should do this however you see fit on each day you choose to do it. This isn't the DQ and you don't have an audience that you must keep or be cancelled. This is your blog and the rest of us are just blessed to see it.

I will say that twice this week Agassi has made me stay up well later than I intended, because he doesn't seem to want to win easy.

Aside from that I watched the ugliest shutout I've ever seen, the 15-0 S. Car win over MSU.

I'd say Pujols is the face of baseball. He's an incredible athlete, nice guy, hits for power, average, setting records, and a lot of women think he's attractive.

Goldberg said...

I vote for Quickie style...

Anonymous said...

I like the the quick-hitting wrap-up posts. It's your style man.

Anonymous said...

Glad to see the same format, touching on a bunch of subjects. Was surprised it's a little more adult themed.

By the way, I've always heard it called "trickly thirds" instead of sloppy thirds.

Jeremy said...

Make this thing how you want it. You won't have a deadline with this other than 25 commenters who will come on and start making fun of you/your mom/wife. If you want to take a topic and put some substance in it, go for it. If not, spout the random thoughts (I think "Random thoughts/musings" are words included in 90% of these blogs).

Anonymous said...

hende is a fags name.

Anonymous said...

Do a combination of both...

Anonymous said...

I like the quickie style to continue.

Just a matter of preference, just like I'd prefer Sheryl Crow over Paris Hilton any day of the week...

Anonymous said...

So is Anonymous

Anonymous said...

I am a fan of the all-in-one style post

Anonymous said...

You want surreal? Come on over to Mama's house and I'll give you a quickie that'll make your head spin! Meow!

HadesGigas said...

When the Phillies miss the playoffs, is Ryan Howard still the "face of baseball." I bet you'd still like him as MVP. I also bet you liked A-Rod for MVP when he was won it on the Rangers and his team was NOWHERE NEAR the playoffs. So don't raise hell when Ortiz wins MVP. And someone please explain to me what makes Frank Thomas MVP? Sure, the power is there, I guess. I didn't know MVPs were awarded to guys on revenge tours. Kenny Williams was spot on about him, he is surly and selfish, so yeah, M-V-P. Oh wait, I thought DHs couldn't win? No, that's just for David Ortiz? Okay, sure. At any rate, the MVP is Jermaine Dye. That team has had shaky pitching for two months plus, all the while he has consistently won games for them. The Papelbon homer, the nathan homer, he's been as clutch as anyone. Yes, go white sox.

Long live Shanoff, king of revisionist, instant history, as well as sports articles for ADHD sufferers. Have a good day

SBG said...

Schilling: 3K K's. Combine that (14th pitcher ever) with his 200-plus W's and, of course, his two huge World Series titles, and he's a Hall of Famer.

Sounds like you could plug the name Bert Blyleven right into that sentence. Except for the Hall of Fame part. So far. Bert Belongs!

Anonymous said...

Dan, you're a fine writer, which is why I emphatically vote against continuing the Quickie style. I know you were supposed to do Insta-history, I know the constraints of a, uh, constrained column. But frankly, that bullet-point stuff in Quickie irritated me more than it entertained me.

As others have said, this is a blog, and there's no limitations on space. Write as much as a subject demands it -- every angle, every piece of evidence, every joke that can be extracted from it. I enjoyed this morning's posts because they weren't short and circumscribed. And there was real personality to them, too, which I never quite saw in the DQ.

So: Long as you wanna be.

Anonymous said...

Hey DS,
I like the wrap-up style, not sure if quickie is now a dirty word for you...lol.
It great to know that I have something to replace my quickie favorites link with!
-Rob in Franconia Notch State park

Wayman Fam said...

I like a couple of big topics seperated and then the quickie style for the rest.

Sorry for the demise of the quickie, but I love being able to post comments on some of the topics.

Anonymous said...

All over the place in short bursts is how I like my Daily Quickie.

Anonymous said...

When (not if) Ryan passes through 61 homers in late September, he should be recognized as the first true Home Run Champion to pass Maris. It digusts me to think that no one will ever really geta legitimate shot at the home run title again, because it was put so far out of reach by a cheater. 61 is still the true record and will fall this year to "the Man", Ryan Howard.

Chris said...

Lance would be getting sloppy 57ths.

Spaceman Spiff said...

WRAP UP style, wouldnt have it any other way

Spaceman Spiff said...

sonsofkc.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Where's the Larry Johnson cartoon?

CorrND said...

I vote for separate posts for big stories and one wrap-up of smaller stories. I also like the idea of linked sources for stories if we want a really in-depth read on a topic. I often wondered where you learned about stories that I had heard NOTHING about before reading the Quickie.

Anonymous said...

Wrap it up...wrap it up...wait, wasn't that a Subway commercial a while back? You should call it what it is: SHOW...Sports Headlines Over Work. This blog post and the previous quickie probably account for millions in lost productivity at the work place each day.

Anonymous said...

I like one post for the "wrap" type material, and additional posts for larger stories.

Anonymous said...

I like the way you pull a theme together, however, hitting all the sports world is the way to go.

Anonymous said...

Definetely th multiple topic, "Quickie-like" posts.

Please let us know why no more ESPN - it's still a mystery!

Anonymous said...

Dan, Thanks for continuing to write. Quickie style is best.

Anonymous said...

Sorry to say, Maris may not be the "true" HR champion, considering that he played more games than did Ruth when he hit 60... if ruth had the longer schedule he'd have hit closer to 65...

Anonymous said...

I tried reading yesterday's Quickie again, just to keep my usual lunch routine going....not so good when it's a repeat. BUT, i'll keep reading the Quickie until you decide to comwe back...

Miss the quickie... :-(

Anonymous said...

Can i make a design suggestion? I think you should make the font a little smaller, so more material is presented on screen at one time. Constantly having to scroll (alot) kind of sucks.

Also, is there anyway to make the blog a little wider? I think that might help a little as well.

Back to sports....that Agassi match was amazing last night! Damn, this guy knows how to go out with style, even if he doesn't win it all. First 2 matches...unbelievable. Here's hoping his back holds up for more of this...

Anonymous said...

I too enjoy the one in all quickie style posts, feeding the manner in which our hyperlinked brains are wired these days. Miss the DQ, but will be a regular here. Keep it up, sans editors!

Gerard L. Callan said...

i say if you want to do a post about one topic go right ahead... if you want to do a post with multiple topics then go ahead... spice it up!

Anonymous said...

Please Keep the quickie style. It's been my 11:00 AM break for several years now. I was nearly crushed when I heard the news about no more DQ column. I thought I'd have to find an alternative read in the AM or give up my break altogether. I really appreciate the style and the content.
Good luck.

D. Ling said...

I agree with the majority, I'd like the quick hitters on the small stories and now with this new format and freedom I'd like to see you expand your thoughts on bigger stories and issues.

You have a format to be creative and expand your commentary on big items, so please use it.

Anonymous said...

I like the all in one, quickie, feel. Keep it up.

Anonymous said...

Dan, I like the set-up from this morning. It works.

Anonymous said...

I like the quickie style, but just glad you are still around.

Anonymous said...

Ryan Howard and David Wright play in the NL, which is the AAA version of the AL. No "Face of Baseball" should EVER come from the NL right now.

It should go to someone like Jermaine Dye, Joe Mauer, Roy Halladay, or someone who doesn't fall once they get their huge contract or someone that doesn't care to be a diva like Wright or Howard.

Anonymous said...

all in one style works well

'Das Enuf said...

Dan: Quick word of thanks for the Quickie every morning. Got my day started just right, with perspective and humor. There is definitely a void now. Great work!

'Das Enuf of the 4 Mopes
(4mopes.blogspot.com)

Anonymous said...

Keep the quickie style. So happy you got away from the Eastcoast Sports Propaganda Network.

Anonymous said...

i like the quickie style of writing better, it gives me chance to catch up on everything at lunch and actually laugh out loud once in a whiele

Anonymous said...

Love the wrap-up ish quicky style posting. It's my morning fix to get caught up on all the sports happenings - especially since the NFL season actually starts one week from today. Woohoo!

Anonymous said...

And the Quickie lives on...

Anonymous said...

No No No do not make him Ryan Howard the Face of Baseball" We finally have a good player in Philly and you want to blow his head up sp he goes to NYY. J/k....man i miss the DQ...Bad.

I went to the DQ this mornng praying that it was a huge joke.....damn

Jeteupthemiddle said...

You can't be considered the "face of baseball" if the most casual fan can't recognize you.

The measure for the "face of baseball" should be "My mom knows who you are."

Now my family is filled with Yankee fans, so it isn't really fair to use that test with Derek Jeter, but I will guarantee she doesn't know who Ryan Howard or Dontrell Willis are.

Anonymous said...

Dan, its Frankie from work in the Evil Empire (kind of a MQ original)...I just wanted to say that even though I missed your final MQ, I always read your DQ and just wanted to say you've done a great job for the last 3 years and the SN chat rooms are not the same without you...

On that note, how come no love for the Giants? 4-0 preseason, and with most of their starters out after one series last night totally smacked golden boy Tom and the genius...can we call that the Pats will not make the playoffs right now???? Please????

Anonymous said...

My vote is the all in one. Any chance to get LJ to still do cartoons for you?

Anonymous said...

Hey Dan,

I'm used to the Quickie Style, but seperate posts on "big" topics is good too (I'm getting used to this "Deadspin" style) So I think it's a good format so far.

Any chance we can get some artwork?

Anonymous said...

"Feed the Quickie addiction...feed the addiction..."
Well said.

Anonymous said...

All-in-one.....Quickie format!! Also, do we get to find out why you left ESPN?

Anonymous said...

DS, you should know better than to put any weight on the last preseason game for any team, especially a team that's already played 4 of them.

Anonymous said...

Story of the Day Post followed by the Quickie Recap of everything else.

Anonymous said...

I like the quickie style wrap... also you totally dropped the ball on the BEST TENNIS MATCH EVER. I am not a fan of tennis but watching the Agassi match last night was EPIC.

The Rev said...

I like the wrap up style.

Ryan Howard is the Big Papi of the NL.

The Rev said...

And yes, Agassi last night had a great match.

But it was not best ever. Nothing tops Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe at Wimbledon in 80.

Anonymous said...

Dan,
Keep the short quick hits. They are witty and hit on all the topics. It's like a SportsCenter reset only funny.

Anonymous said...

great stuff. keep it all together in one post for an easier and quicker read

The Rover said...

Keep it Quickie-style. Expand on a topic, if need be...like the USA hoops loss.

Mornings just aren't the same...

Marcus T said...

I prefer the short all in one post, but I think if a story warrants it (needs pictures or more writing) then I definitely would like it.

I must say, since you left ESPN I am more willing to read you now. Hopefully you will become a "gangsta Shanoff" and not stay as the "constrained by ESPN Shanoff" Be a little more badass!

Anonymous said...

I think the way you have it up to right now is perfect. Nice one topic posts, and then a catch all for the various subplots that don't really deserve a full post. Glad to see you still at it DS!

Anonymous said...

You forgot that Jose Theodore (Avalanche goalie) had a fling with Paris a couple of months back in Toronto. It caused a big problem with his pregnant girlfriend!

Anonymous said...

i liked the quickie for its quick, shallow analysis, its knee jerk reactions and its shot-gun spread approach to covering everything

keep it like the quickie. if i want longer articles on topics, there's plenty of other writers i can read.

Anonymous said...

i thought i was going to have to turn to hard drugs or coffee to get me through my morning. Your blog will help me get through the day. all-in-one format is great and maybe if a story come along that is big enough, like monday USA HOOPS, then a one story perday would work great.

Anonymous said...

all-in one!!!

the quickie was PERFECT!

all-in-one with some daily "topics" (top 5, dq'd, mo and no mo, etc.) was a great format...no need to fix something that ain't broke!!!

Anonymous said...

I would just go with the flow, man. If you want to do a quickie style, with multiple strands, then do it; if you want to go longer about one topic--flesh it out a bit more--do it. You know we'll all read it either way...you're the man.

Qwagmire said...

Centralized quick hits for general topics, then detailed for big stories like the USA basketball team gagging one to Greece

Anonymous said...

Uh, I think he gets the point guys. ADD style it is! Dan, PLEASE bring back those lame cartoons from LJ, those were the best!

-Theny

Anonymous said...

Dan,

At the risk of sounding cheesy, I think you should put a voluntary Tip Jar up on your blog.

I'd happily donate $.25 per article to keep the ball rolling. If 1,000 ppl agree, do the math...

Anonymous said...

glad you're soliciting input on how this place should look. here's an idea for how to make this place really good: every morning, smear your excrement (hey, i don't know about the rest of you fellas, but i know i take a morning constitutional every day, i mean, who doesn't, am i right?) on a piece of paper; scan it; post it; and blam-o! couldn't be any worse than what you've been running on espn.com all this while, and on here today. glad i could be of help.

- R. Farva

Anonymous said...

I would prefer the all-in-one "quickie" style, easier to read what I want and don't need to check-in several times during the day...I do need to get some work done!!!

Anonymous said...

I prefer one larger post with several topics than several posts of one topic. Makes it easier on us as well as we can have one larger comment rather than lots of smaller ones. Should also make it easier on you to read them all as well.

Anonymous said...

Ok, after reading through all the comments, I'd have to agree with the people above who said a mixture of both. A wrap is nice, then maybe a separate post for the bigger stories. In this format there's no need to limit yourself in terms of size on things you really want to throw out there and talk about.

Anonymous said...

Its easier to follow with one and done. That said, its upt ot you how much you want to deidicate to any one subject and that decision will dictate the format. Good luck and thanks for keeping some semblance of the Quckie alive!

Anonymous said...

One topic per post is better, so you can follow the comments better

Anonymous said...

I like the all-in-one.

Anonymous said...

i finally know now why you left espn. so you could use terms like 'sloppy seconds' in your writing. well played, Mr. Shanoff.

Anonymous said...

Quickie is why we log onto your column. Lots of topics means I can read the ones that I have intrest in and skip the ones I don't have intrest in (T.O Practices!!!).

Anonymous said...

All-in-one is more fun.
BTW, why did you end your run at ESPN? Contract up?

Lee S. Kowarski said...

to add to all the noise - I'd vote for a quickie-style all-in-one post every morning (so that I can continue to read it over lunch at noon as I've become used to) and additional posts (rarely) for breaking/major news.

Weekend posts would be nice too, but I know that you need to have a life too :-)

Anonymous said...

I like the Wrap Up with some separate, in-depth blogs on bigger or more interesting stories. I like the DQ Style as well.

Your call, Dan...it's all you!


Pronk for MVP!

GO BUCKEYES!!!

iamunstoppable said...

it took me til late afternoon to scroll this far down the page.

damn man. all in one posts.. shoot for the stars, hit the ground.

Anonymous said...

I like the all-in-one, that was what I really enjoyed about the Quickie. Gets me informed by visiting only one place.

Anonymous said...

keep the quickie style goin' man...read it faithful for all the years....just don't wanna let go yet....

Anonymous said...

Paris and Lance....now *that* is some doping.

Keep the DQ style, with more pertinent topics being split out.

As for MVPs....Howard is fine and all, but I think Beltran deserves it more.

-tim
(Sunny, FL)

Anonymous said...

Dearest Moron:

Apparantly word hasn't gotten to you that Vick got cut by the Dolphins. Good prediction, idiot.

Can't wait to see your reaction after the Skins win their opening game, and the Raiders lose theirs.

I guess you are the only person in the entire world that thinks Superbowls are won in the Pre-season.

I'll be back to grill you on September 11th, 2006. :)

Sincerely,

Sephiroth

Anonymous said...

Keep the Quickie Style!!! Yes!! it's like Jordan retired from the NBA and ACTUALLY made it as a baseball player... never mind, I'm just excited the funny jewish kid from espn.com is back baby!!!