Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Tuesday 11/21 A.M. Quickie:
Do the Clothes Make the Coach?

Jack Del Rio looked out of place on the Jaguars sideline last night on national TV. He was nattily dressed in a suit – I'm not sure what really inspired him to do it. (Mike Nolan did the same thing yesterday for the 49ers; his dad used to wear suits and he's wanted to do it since he got the job.)

Del Rio should keep going with the look if it will inspire results like last night's 26-10 thumping of the suddenly reeling Giants, who got all of 26 yards on 10 carries from Tiki Barber. (Maybe he should retire.)

It begs the question what looks more out of place on the sidelines: Suits or sweats (as favored by a guy like Bill Belichick)? Beli's hoody took on mythical properties during the Pats' run – he was the monk who didn't care about his looks, only winning. When they lose, of course, he looks like a schlub.

Ohio State's Jim Tressel looks like a dorky dandy in his sweater-vest and tie, but as his team streaks to the national title, it's easy to imagine other coaches adopting the look. (Does a QB with the skills of Troy Smith come tailor-made with the fashion package?)

I guess the lesson is that when a coach is winning, whatever he is wearing looks good.

More big storylines for today:

AL MVP: Jeter's to lose? Jeter-haters may be rooting for Justin Morneau, but it's pointless. Derek Jeter is going to win his first MVP award; it's an individual honor he was glaringly missing.

The winning difference appears to be his RISP, which was 3rd – and significantly higher than his MVP competitors like Morneau or Ortiz. (Remember when people thought Papi was a lock? Ha.)

NL MVP: Howard tops Pujols. Confirms that Ryan is the new "Face of Baseball." (And only a sophomore!)

MLB Hot Stove: Or should that be "silly season?" Today's latest: Juan Pierre is going to get a 5Y/$45M deal from the Dodgers. There is some funny money being thrown around.

College Hoops: I still can't figure out whether youthful Duke is for real, so I'm really looking forward to seeing them versus Marquette tonight; I think 'Quette is one of the most underrated teams in the Top 25.

NBA: Jazz off to best start ever (10-1) AND they just sold the naming rights to their arena to a nuclear waste services company. (Does that mean we can start calling the arena "The Nuke?")

The NBA highlight of the night? Everyone will be talking about 5-9 Nate Robinson blocking the shot of 7-6 Yao Ming. Hopefully, the video footage will get to YouTube.

Hello: Mavericks (won 6th straight).
See ya: Aaron Rodgers (out for season).

-- D.S.

36 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, I've been reading you for years and I think that might be the nicest thing I've ever heard you say about Duke...thanks man. ;)

Big D said...

Looks like it might be a tie between Jeter & Morneau.

Don't say I didn't warn you...

Mega said...

Co-MVP's in the AL?

Pujols is still the face of baseball.

And I like the suits worn by NFL headcoaches. NBA coaches have to do it and I think NHL coaches to do. Most NFL coaches (outside of "the slob") probably wouldn't mind having to do it.

Jon said...

Yeah, read today that it is a tie between Jeter and Morneau. The reliable NY Post has the story.

As for Duke, they did look decent last night. Air Force did help a little by not being able to make a 3 and missing a few key lay ups. They're still not a championship team, but they ACC should definitely be interesting with them, UNC, G Tech, Maryland and maybe Virginia. (BC sucks)

Del Rio looked like he should have been coaching a basketball game.

Anonymous said...

Ok all, incase you hadn't found it yet...here is the link of Yao getting STUFFED

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAmKppkDVBA

Gary said...

Is that the same NY Post that said Joe Torre was fired?

I know you were being sarcastic in the first place, I was just piling on

Christian Thoma said...

Dan, how could you miss the "Tom Izzo for Football Coach" story?!? That's totally up your alley for out-of-the-box thinking!

Big D said...

Didn't know the Post had it too. Actually makes me believe it less now.

The Yao video is on the Worldwide Leader as well, buried in the Motion box on the NBA page.

Jon said...

I'd hold my head and pretend I got hit too if I was Yao.

TBender said...

So RISP stats are important in the AL, but not in the NL? Gah.

And FWIW, Howard is two months older than Pujols. So touting Howard as only being a sophomore isn't saying much.

Unknown said...

I think suits are fine, or a school (team) color combo like Bobby Knight wears.

Wearing the uniform is silly...going with sweats is ridiculous. Especially when its Belichick wearing the workout sweats. Not especially believable. heh

Jon said...

Also, Dickie V should be banned from doing Duke games. He is like a Little League dad coaching his son. Nothing's ever wrong with them and there's always an excuse. This Duke team will be fun to watch with McRoberts, Henderson and Thomas and I hate watching games with mute on.

Kurt said...

Dan you continue to show how much of an idiot you truly are.

Frank Gore gains 1043 yards through 11 games (half of which are receiving) and you want to proclaim him "NFC MVP".

Tiki Barber gains 998 yards through 11 games (most of which are rushing) and you think it's time for him to retire.

I know you say things just for the effect, but please, I know you have a brain in there somewhere, try using it.

Mega said...

Kurt just needs to check his facts for once: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7241

So for all of his comments regarding a "brain" and "idiot" probably apply to him.

Christian Thoma said...

Guys, I'm pretty sure he was joking since
1) He always says that about Favre
and
2) Tiki is already retiring

Y'all are acting like #2 isn't true.

marcomarco said...

In case you missed my other post, how sad is this:

Ryan Howard - 181 k's
Brandon Webb - 178 k's

Brian in Oxford said...

Nobody figured out the tongue-in-cheek comment on Tiki?

I think it would look weird to see a manager in a suit and tie come to the mound to remove a pitcher. So there is something to the uniform on a manager. (Unless we want managers wearing that weird hoodie like Terry Francona.....inspired by Belichick, no doubt.)

Yao got hit in the eye, no call. Takes some of the coolness factor away from the block. Still impressive, though.

It's always cool to have the Big Monday team back, working in Hawaii. You just *know* that it's Bilas's job to chaperone and keep Raftery and McDonough out of trouble after games!

Liam said...

Count me a fan of the suit. I do not think coaches should be required to wear them every week. Certainly there are some really hot game and some really freezing games.

Guys in suits are 2-0. I think more coaches would wear them if it helped them win.

Sheldiz said...

as far as suits are concerned... i think its an indoor/outdoor decision. The suit works for indoor sports. The suit looks silly for outdoor sports. Especially b/c the two major outdoor sports take place in extreme weather conditions. What baseball manager wants to be in a suit in the middle of an 100 degree, 99% humidity august day in Atlanta? And, for that matter, what NFL coach wants to be in a suit and parka in Green Bay in december?

Basketball coaches, in my mind, should always be in suits. Remember last year when the NCAA basketball coaches wore sweats for a week? Jay Wright looked RIDICULOUS in sweats.

Matt T said...

maybe the Giants should quit working on their jumpshots and focus on football.

Christian Thoma said...


what NFL coach wants to be in a suit and parka in Green Bay in december?


This one.

Christian Thoma said...


Remember last year when the NCAA basketball coaches wore sweats for a week?


How about the Maui Invitational? Lute Olson in a Hawaiian Shirt was BIZARRE.

Brave Sir Robin said...

Ken,
The Giants are the Marquee team in the NFL? Since when? Teams that are definitely bigger nationally than the Giants (off the top of my head): Green Bay, San Fran, Dallas, Washington, and Pittsburgh.

Teams that are a notch above the giants: Philly, Chicago, Colts, and Oakland.

Teams that I would put in the same zip code as the Giants in terms of "marquee": Jets, Browns (if only for the way their fans still care after the years of total suckage), and Atlanta (Vick factor).

I would think of all of those teams (not necessarily in the order) before I thought of the Giants.

Just because the Giants play in the biggest market doesn't mean they're marquee.

Also, that wasn't like a complete rankings, it was just off the top of my head. My point is that Tiki is nowhere near the face of anything other than annoying commercials and the dangers of platooning running backs on the health of fantasy owners everywhere.

Sheldiz said...

AHH, Chrth... i wasn't even thinking! :) I was just picking a really cold place i wouldn't want to wear a suit.

Thanks for the link. I guess I could have played that off like i MEANT to say Green Bay and was being sarcastic... but no, I dropped the ball on that one.

Unknown said...

Some assorted Derek Jeter stats:

Only had 3 more runs scored than Damon eventhough he played 5 more games and was outright beat by Grady Sizemore.

Led his team in Hits, but tied Miguel Tejada and was beat by Michael Young and Ichiro.

Was 16th in the AL in doubles including 2nd ON HIS OWN TEAM, beat by Robinson Cano who played 32 LESS GAMES.

Only hit 14 Home Runs (6th on his own team and that's without Matsui and Sheff) which was good for a 5-way tie for 65th in the AL (tied with Milton Bradley, Jorge Cantu, Ian Kinsler, and Michael Young)

Did not get 100 RBI. In fact was 3rd on his own team behind A-Rod and Giambi and only 4 in front of Jorge frickin Posada eventhough Jeter played in 11 more games. His 97 RBI was 22nd in the AL.

Ranked 1st on his team (by 2 over A-rod who had 51 fewer ABs because people walk him cause he's good) but 14th in the league in Total Bases.

3rd on his team (Giambi, Arod) in walks, 17th in the AL.

Led his team in Stolen Bases but was only 7th in the AL.

Led his team (if you don't count Abreu) in OBP by .004 over Giambi but was 4th in the AL.

Was 7th on his team (if you count Matsui and Abreu) in Slugging% and was 29th in the AL.

Led his team in Batting AVG by .001 over Cano and was 2nd in the AL.

So lets recap.....

OF THE "BIG 12" POSITIVE STATISTICS

Jeter led his team in 6 of them. But was 3 runs, 2 total bases, .004 in OBP (if you don't count Abreu who beat him), .001 in AVG from leading his team IN JUST 2 CATEGORIES, STOLEN BASES AND HITS!!!! Ichiro always leads in hits, how many mvps does he have?! and we all know you don't get an MVP for stolen bases.

Oh yeah, LED THE AMERICAN LEAGUE IN ABSOLUTLY NOTHING!!! NOT EVEN ONE STAT

but he's a team leader of a team with no chemistry, left his third basemen out to dry with the media, and HES A WINNER, you know, on the team that can't seem to win with a 200 Million Dollar Payroll.

TBender said...

Connie Mack always wore a suit in the dugout.

I would love to see the MLB allow the A's manager to do that again during a turn-back-the-clock game.

Unknown said...

if it was a true turn back the clock or retro game they should make the managers play

Unknown said...

Yeah, Jack McKeon or LaRussa on the basepaths...nice. lol

Coaches are figures of authority. Suits help that image, imo. I think the suits on the sideline look great in football.

Shums said...

I'm in favor of calling the former Delta Center "The Nuke." Great idea. And thanks for your one-sentence reference to my Jazz. I know nobody cares, but for crap's sake, when you start 10-1, you should care.

CMFost said...

So Much for Jeter being the MVP


BREAKING SPORTS NEWS: Twins first baseman Justin Morneau won the American League Most Valuable Player Award today, beating out Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter and Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz, who finished second and third, respectively.


Good for the voters getting right sort of.

DR said...

Looks like it was Jeter's to lose, and he did. Sounds like his last six season, his World Series to lose and he did.

Trey (formerly TF) said...

Suits are awesome, I mean think of all the great football coaches that wore shirts and ties/suits on the sidelines!
Lombardi, Shula, Halas, Bear Bryant, Landry, Ditka, Joe Pa the list can go on…those are legends whose demeanor was made by the suit. Of course you could always have the Bum Phillips cowboy hat look.

Joe (dayton)

ToddTheJackass said...

Dan Shanoff wrote:

AL MVP: Jeter's to lose? Jeter-haters may be rooting for Justin Morneau, but it's pointless. Derek Jeter is going to win his first MVP award; it's an individual honor he was glaringly missing. The winning difference appears to be his RISP, which was 3rd – and significantly higher than his MVP competitors like Morneau or Ortiz. (Remember when people thought Papi was a lock? Ha.)

Remember when Dan thought Jeter was a lock? Ha.

The haters like me say thanks Dan for giving Jeter's MVP race the Shanoff curse. You're a fine, fine human being sometimes.

-Todd (Boston)

Kevin said...

Breaking news from ESPN: The MVP award has officially been re-named the "Most RBI for a Player on a Team that made the playoffs or had a good September run award".

And by the way - Mauer finished sixth? What the hell are the writers on?

Mega said...

Jeter lost the award? What happened, did ESPN get less votes this time around?

Anonymous said...

Suits are good - classy. What's wrong with classy? i don't know if I'd want to see a baseball manager in one, but for football, it's just fine. Sweats are for inactive players.

And, if you're going to list marquee NFL franchises, the Giants HAVE to be on the list, along with the Bears, Packers, Steelers, Redskins, and Cowboys. The key is being an "old-money" team that hasn't moved. The Cowboys are a bit of an exception, since the came into existance in the '60s, but there's no question they have that aura about them.