First of all, it's a relief to get these past 72 hours over. Beyond launching a new blog, this past Wednesday and Thursday (leading into Friday morning) were the slowest 48 hours of the sports year.
So it's a great time to take yesterday's Manny LA homecoming and put it in perspective in the lead of today's SN column: Let's end this "Fans don't care about PEDs" once and for all. They don't. MSM, please stop bringing it up.
(Although it gave me an excuse to trot out my favorite poll response of all time -- back on ESPN.com about 7 or 8 years ago, fans were asked what the worst offense in baseball is. "Cheating with steroids" finished behind the No. 1 answer: Lollygagging. Best. Response. Ever.)
But it's a testament to sports that even during this ridiculously slow stretch, there's still a lot to talk about:
*How can you NOT love Tom Watson? It's like your grandpa at the top of the leaderboard.
*Jazz keep Millsap: OK, they HAVE to trade Boozer now, right? Get him to Miami, with Odom -- Wade re-signs, and Miami is suddenly an elite contender for a half-decade.
*Ricky Rubio wearing down? Sounds like he's resigned to the idea that Minnesota won't let him go. That still doesn't explain how/why the T'wolves will play Jonny Flynn, too. (Flynn has been very good in Summer League.)
*Speaking of summer league, two words: Anthony. Morrow.
*Congratulations to Pat Fitzgerald on being enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame. I don't know where to rank him precisely, but he is one of the best defensive players in college football history, and his run between 95 and 96 -- two-time National Defensive Player of the Year -- remains elite.
*Go to the column, scroll down and click on the link for the new Patton Oswalt sports movie. It looks really good -- particularly for a sports movie.
*David Beckham's MLS return? Zzz. But Grant Wahl's new book ABOUT Beckham -- "The Beckham Experiment" -- is a must-read by one of the best sportswriters in the country (how many others are versatile enough to write passionately and expertly about both college hoops and soccer?) I'm halfway through and really enjoying it.
*I really am going to try to limit my cross-promotion between DS.com and TimTeblog.com -- but when there's a decent national Tebow story, it would be intellectually dishonest for me not to bring it up (and many of you will likely appreciate the decrease in pure Tebow posts here, too!)
Anyway: The SEC Coaches came out with their preseason all-conference team... and one coach didn't put Tebow on the 1st team. Now, it wasn't Urban Meyer -- coaches can't vote for their own players. And it wasn't Houston Nutt -- he couldn't vote for Jevan Snead anyway. But someone presumably felt like Snead was better than Tebow -- I think Snead is very good (and he will likely be a higher NFL Draft pick than Tebow, too), but it is ludicrous to pick him ahead of Tebow.
The odds-on choice for the snub is, of course, Lane Kiffin, but I wouldn't be surprised if someone else did it. (Saban? Petrino? Spurrier?) This would all be resolved, of course, if coaches had to make their ballots public. This secret-ballot thing is ludicrous.
Complete SN column here. For those not checking the blog(s) this weekend, have an enjoyable one. For those staying in touch, more later -- across the entire "Shanoff network" of blogs.
-- D.S.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Thursday 07/16 Quickie: ESPYs
Phelps, Favre, MLB 2nd Half, Odom
How fortuitous that the day I launch a blog dedicated to coverage of Tim Tebow, he wins an ESPY as Best Male College Athlete.
But he wasn't the big winner at the ESPYs. That would be Michael Phelps, who cleaned up with 5, including Best Male Athlete -- an award owned by Tiger over the past few years.
Obviously, Phelps was the most deserving winner this year. As was Larry Fitzgerald as Best NFL Player -- one thing the ESPYs have over traditional sport awards? The playoffs count.
But the biggest differentiator -- and why I like the ESPYs and led today's SN column with them: It's the fans' vote. Call it a popularity contest if you want, but I'd rather have the fans voting than so-called "experts." (Even designating someone as "expert" is offensive, when most fans know just as much, if not more.)
So kudos to ESPN on having the ESPYs on the Slowest Sports Day of the Year. But why not run it live last night, when fans had nothing better to watch? By Sunday's broadcast, everyone knows who won.
More you'll find in today's column:
*Roy Halladay is MLB's biggest 2nd-half X-factor.
*If the Heat sign Odom and Boozer, Wade owes them a long-term commitment NOW.
*Summer-league star: Austin Daye
*Possible names for a new sitcom about fantasy football.
And a lot more.
Complete column here. More later.
-- D.S.
But he wasn't the big winner at the ESPYs. That would be Michael Phelps, who cleaned up with 5, including Best Male Athlete -- an award owned by Tiger over the past few years.
Obviously, Phelps was the most deserving winner this year. As was Larry Fitzgerald as Best NFL Player -- one thing the ESPYs have over traditional sport awards? The playoffs count.
But the biggest differentiator -- and why I like the ESPYs and led today's SN column with them: It's the fans' vote. Call it a popularity contest if you want, but I'd rather have the fans voting than so-called "experts." (Even designating someone as "expert" is offensive, when most fans know just as much, if not more.)
So kudos to ESPN on having the ESPYs on the Slowest Sports Day of the Year. But why not run it live last night, when fans had nothing better to watch? By Sunday's broadcast, everyone knows who won.
More you'll find in today's column:
*Roy Halladay is MLB's biggest 2nd-half X-factor.
*If the Heat sign Odom and Boozer, Wade owes them a long-term commitment NOW.
*Summer-league star: Austin Daye
*Possible names for a new sitcom about fantasy football.
And a lot more.
Complete column here. More later.
-- D.S.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Need A Fix During Today's Slow Sports Day?
Try VarsityDad.com or TimTeblog.com
So today might be the Slowest Sports Day of the Year. What better day to re-launch one blog... and launch another?
(1) Varsity Dad: If you have kids -- or will one day have kids, or remember how your relationship with either of your parents impacted your sports fandom -- I encourage you to check out the new-and-improved Varsity Dad, the ultimate site for the intersection of sports and parenting -- now with updates multiple times per day!
(2) TimTeblog.com: Would you look at that? Someone went out and launched a blog dedicated to...Tim Tebow! (Wow, seems pretty loaded with posts already -- this looks like the ultimate site for all things Tebow, but created with editorial credibility, not fanboyism, in mind.) Who would possibly have the reputable curation skills to go with the obsessive interest... aha!
(Are the blogs for everyone? No. But what blog is? But if either is for you: I hope you like them -- and check back often. And, if you would, pass along to any friends or colleagues who might like them.)
-- D.S.
(If you had "July 15" in the office pool for "When will Dan launch a Tim Tebow blog?" please collect your ample prize money.)
(1) Varsity Dad: If you have kids -- or will one day have kids, or remember how your relationship with either of your parents impacted your sports fandom -- I encourage you to check out the new-and-improved Varsity Dad, the ultimate site for the intersection of sports and parenting -- now with updates multiple times per day!
(2) TimTeblog.com: Would you look at that? Someone went out and launched a blog dedicated to...Tim Tebow! (Wow, seems pretty loaded with posts already -- this looks like the ultimate site for all things Tebow, but created with editorial credibility, not fanboyism, in mind.) Who would possibly have the reputable curation skills to go with the obsessive interest... aha!
(Are the blogs for everyone? No. But what blog is? But if either is for you: I hope you like them -- and check back often. And, if you would, pass along to any friends or colleagues who might like them.)
-- D.S.
(If you had "July 15" in the office pool for "When will Dan launch a Tim Tebow blog?" please collect your ample prize money.)
Wednesday 07/15 Quickie:
The Slowest Day of the Sports Year?
Perhaps the Slowest Day of the Sports Year -- which today arguably is, per my SN column -- should be some sort of holiday among sports fans.
Either (a) discover something new and interesting online or (b) perhaps go outside, during the hours you'd normally be scouring the Web for sports news, fantasy management, etc.
I have two suggestions, coming shortly.
-- D.S.
Either (a) discover something new and interesting online or (b) perhaps go outside, during the hours you'd normally be scouring the Web for sports news, fantasy management, etc.
I have two suggestions, coming shortly.
-- D.S.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Tuesday 07/14 Quickie: More Pujols,
Prince, President Obama, Griffin, Meyer
I let Albert Pujols write the lead of today's SN column. No, seriously. (Well, not quite in the way that you think -- but everything he said yesterday lines up with your standard columnist structure.)
Otherwise, that HR Derby was a dud, wasn't it? I love the Nelson Cruz story, though. Breaking through at 29 after less than a full season's worth of career ABs -- you don't see that happen very often.
I'm betting President Obama grooves that first pitch tonight to Pujols -- then goes into the booth and puts out at least one pro-White Sox comment. I approve in advance of Joe Buck slurpery.
Blake Griffin -- yes, the real deal. But Tyreke Evans (33-9-8) continues to look like the most talented (highest ceiling) player in the draft class. And Stephen Curry shoots too much.
Urban Meyer isn't going to Notre Dame. "Ever." That's a pretty strong statement. He has a long career ahead of him, and even as a die-hard Florida fan, I don't expect him to stay at UF forever.
I expect him to win a bunch more national titles, then coach the Patriots as Bill Belichick's hand-picked successor. Then, when that no longer satisfies him -- let's call it the standard college god-coach NFL tenure of plus/minus 4 years -- he will have his choice of college jobs.
I guarantee you at that point that Notre Dame will fire whoever their coach is to hire Meyer, if he'll have them. The "Ever" statement implies that he would never even accept that job.
I am interpreting it as the idea that Urban Meyer would never "Ever" go to Notre Dame directly from Florida. (After all, consider the unlikelihood back in 2000 that Steve Spurrier would "Ever" coach another team in the SEC East.)
Still, I think it's fun that he is willing to address it head-on.
Watch this storyline: Delaware wants to be able to have fans bet on single NFL games, not just parlays. That could be huge for the state.
By the way, just in time for tomorrow's annual "Slowest Day of the Sports Year," I believe I will be ready to announce not one but TWO big pieces of news. One won't be THAT much of a surprise; the other? Hmm: Not a surprise, per se, but probably will trigger something like bemused shock.
Complete SN column here.
-- D.S.
Otherwise, that HR Derby was a dud, wasn't it? I love the Nelson Cruz story, though. Breaking through at 29 after less than a full season's worth of career ABs -- you don't see that happen very often.
I'm betting President Obama grooves that first pitch tonight to Pujols -- then goes into the booth and puts out at least one pro-White Sox comment. I approve in advance of Joe Buck slurpery.
Blake Griffin -- yes, the real deal. But Tyreke Evans (33-9-8) continues to look like the most talented (highest ceiling) player in the draft class. And Stephen Curry shoots too much.
Urban Meyer isn't going to Notre Dame. "Ever." That's a pretty strong statement. He has a long career ahead of him, and even as a die-hard Florida fan, I don't expect him to stay at UF forever.
I expect him to win a bunch more national titles, then coach the Patriots as Bill Belichick's hand-picked successor. Then, when that no longer satisfies him -- let's call it the standard college god-coach NFL tenure of plus/minus 4 years -- he will have his choice of college jobs.
I guarantee you at that point that Notre Dame will fire whoever their coach is to hire Meyer, if he'll have them. The "Ever" statement implies that he would never even accept that job.
I am interpreting it as the idea that Urban Meyer would never "Ever" go to Notre Dame directly from Florida. (After all, consider the unlikelihood back in 2000 that Steve Spurrier would "Ever" coach another team in the SEC East.)
Still, I think it's fun that he is willing to address it head-on.
Watch this storyline: Delaware wants to be able to have fans bet on single NFL games, not just parlays. That could be huge for the state.
By the way, just in time for tomorrow's annual "Slowest Day of the Sports Year," I believe I will be ready to announce not one but TWO big pieces of news. One won't be THAT much of a surprise; the other? Hmm: Not a surprise, per se, but probably will trigger something like bemused shock.
Complete SN column here.
-- D.S.
Monday, July 13, 2009
The Ultimate Varsity Dad Ad
I'm really trying not to mingle DanShanoff.com posts with Varsity Dad posts, but I just saw this ad during the Home Run Derby that probably captures the spirit of Varsity Dad better than anything. (State Farm: Call me!)
Varsity Dad Cross-Post: HR Derby
Check out Varsity Dad today for a breakdown of the Home Run Derby, one of the most Varsity Dad-friendly sports events of the year.
-- D.S.
-- D.S.
"I'm Not Going To Notre Dame. Ever"
"I'm Not Going to Notre Dame. Ever."
That's Urban Meyer, making things pretty clear about his future at Florida.
(Note he didn't say: "I'm not going to the New England Patriots. After Bill Belichick retires in a few years. And Belichick and Bob Kraft hand-pick me as his successor. With Tebow replacing Brady.")
Sorry, Notre Dame fans. (Keep telling yourselves that Charlie Weis has things looking up!)
-- D.S.
That's Urban Meyer, making things pretty clear about his future at Florida.
(Note he didn't say: "I'm not going to the New England Patriots. After Bill Belichick retires in a few years. And Belichick and Bob Kraft hand-pick me as his successor. With Tebow replacing Brady.")
Sorry, Notre Dame fans. (Keep telling yourselves that Charlie Weis has things looking up!)
-- D.S.
Monday 07/13 Quickie: Pujols,
Home Run Derby, Summer League, More
Aaand we're back.
I will present this statement (which leads today's SN column) with zero cynicism:
Albert Pujols has saved baseball this season.
It was hijacked in early spring by A-Rod, then again by Manny just after the season started. Now, let's set aside that -- as we know -- fans don't really care about PEDs or cheating.
But the media sure makes an issue out of it. And Pujols has been the antidote (again, hold your cynicism, please).
He is crushing the ball, affirming his place as (a) the best player in baseball, (b) the best player of the decade, (c) one of the greatest players of all-time, based on his first 9 seasons.
The Cardinals are a (mild) surprise to be leading the NL Central at the break (I believe I picked the Cards to win the division back in the spring.)
And St. Louis will host this year's All-Star Game -- and a more earnest bunch of fans you will not find anywhere else in baseball. They will politely cheer everyone.
And they will roar when Pujols steps up for the Home Run Derby tonight. He's a must-see -- in addition to the favorite. (I'm also intrigued to see Joe Mauer, the AL's version of Pujols.)
It has been the Summer of the Cardinals -- Pujols, First Place, All-Star Game -- and for that they can thank the best player in baseball.
More you'll find in today's column:
*I go through every NBA Vegas Summer League box score so you don't have to! (Short version: Anthony Randolph is killing it. Stephen Curry shoots a lot. DaJuan Summers is a pleasant surprise. DeJuan Blair's double-double is NO surprise. Rodrique Beaubois is the real deal.
*MLB Talking Points
*Favre update (ugh)
*UFC 100 as WWE
*More Wade mockery (and my vision that he ends up playing for...the Knicks!)
Complete column here. More later.
-- D.S.
I will present this statement (which leads today's SN column) with zero cynicism:
Albert Pujols has saved baseball this season.
It was hijacked in early spring by A-Rod, then again by Manny just after the season started. Now, let's set aside that -- as we know -- fans don't really care about PEDs or cheating.
But the media sure makes an issue out of it. And Pujols has been the antidote (again, hold your cynicism, please).
He is crushing the ball, affirming his place as (a) the best player in baseball, (b) the best player of the decade, (c) one of the greatest players of all-time, based on his first 9 seasons.
The Cardinals are a (mild) surprise to be leading the NL Central at the break (I believe I picked the Cards to win the division back in the spring.)
And St. Louis will host this year's All-Star Game -- and a more earnest bunch of fans you will not find anywhere else in baseball. They will politely cheer everyone.
And they will roar when Pujols steps up for the Home Run Derby tonight. He's a must-see -- in addition to the favorite. (I'm also intrigued to see Joe Mauer, the AL's version of Pujols.)
It has been the Summer of the Cardinals -- Pujols, First Place, All-Star Game -- and for that they can thank the best player in baseball.
More you'll find in today's column:
*I go through every NBA Vegas Summer League box score so you don't have to! (Short version: Anthony Randolph is killing it. Stephen Curry shoots a lot. DaJuan Summers is a pleasant surprise. DeJuan Blair's double-double is NO surprise. Rodrique Beaubois is the real deal.
*MLB Talking Points
*Favre update (ugh)
*UFC 100 as WWE
*More Wade mockery (and my vision that he ends up playing for...the Knicks!)
Complete column here. More later.
-- D.S.
Friday, July 10, 2009
MLB Midseason Awards: Mauer, Pujols Lead
Don't forget to put your own in the Comments.
AL MVP: Joe Mauer
AL Cy: Zack Greinke
AL Rookie: Andrew Bailey
AL Manager: Joe Maddon
AL Fantasy Surprise: Ben Zobrist*
NL MVP: Albert Pujols
NL Cy: Tim Lincecum
NL Rookie: Colby Rasmus
NL Manager: Tony LaRussa
NL Fantasy Surprise: Pablo Sandoval*
* - No surprise, both Zobrist and Sandoval are on MY fantasy roster, which is in playoff contention for the first time in my decade-long fantasy baseball GM career. Beyond their unexpected success, how can you not love the triple-position-eligibility? That has huge value.
AL MVP: Joe Mauer
AL Cy: Zack Greinke
AL Rookie: Andrew Bailey
AL Manager: Joe Maddon
AL Fantasy Surprise: Ben Zobrist*
NL MVP: Albert Pujols
NL Cy: Tim Lincecum
NL Rookie: Colby Rasmus
NL Manager: Tony LaRussa
NL Fantasy Surprise: Pablo Sandoval*
* - No surprise, both Zobrist and Sandoval are on MY fantasy roster, which is in playoff contention for the first time in my decade-long fantasy baseball GM career. Beyond their unexpected success, how can you not love the triple-position-eligibility? That has huge value.
Varsity Dad: 3-Year-Old Takes Soccer Class? Fine. But What About Mixed Martial Arts?
New post up at Varsity Dad: I introduce my kid to soccer class, find myself toeing the waters of "THAT soccer parent" and ask if MMA classes will ever trickle down to the 4T set.
Friday 07/10 Quickie: UFC 100
MLB Awards, Boozer, Lincecum, More
I am not an MMA fan. Not because I dislike it, but simply because I haven't really gotten into it.
However, I do respect MMA, highly. I respect it for its growth curve, for the way it has attracted full-time sports-media attention and for its business plan.
Though I know nothing about MMA (similar to the way I know very little -- but respect very much -- NASCAR and even the NHL), I led today's SN column with an homage to UFC 100.
"UFC 100": The name alone delivers some sort of gravitas, doesn't it? Hell, the Super Bowl is only up to the 40s. Air Jordans only made it to 23 before ending the numbering convention.
I see "UFC 100" as shorthand for everything that MMA has done right in its brief, meteoric history (at least version 2.0 since Dana White took over):
*UFC is the dominant organization.
*They have reached 100 mega-events.
*Don't look for it on broadcast TV or even cable. It's PPV, all the way.
What a strategy -- it's not unique (that's how boxing did it and still does it, to the extent that boxing matters anymore), but it is so effective.
I thought MMA on CBS primetime would be a hit; the mistake was going with some lower-tier MMA outfit, rather than UFC. It would be like signing up the UFL and expecting NFL numbers.
I don't mean to write around the event itself, but -- for me, a non-fan but an admirer from afar -- the IDEA of "UFC 100" is impressive enough.
Complete column here, including:
*MLB Midseason Awards
*Boozer to the Bulls? Would be a great move.
*Spurs win the NBA offseason.
*Orlando Summer League MVP: Tyler Hansbrough!
*Latest source for Favre info: Drew Magary
*Brazil prez talks soccer smack to Obama
And a lot more. Complete column here. A few more posts later, then I'm on the road all weekend. I'll try to post tomorrow and Sunday but will likely be filing via Twitter (on the right).
-- D.S.
However, I do respect MMA, highly. I respect it for its growth curve, for the way it has attracted full-time sports-media attention and for its business plan.
Though I know nothing about MMA (similar to the way I know very little -- but respect very much -- NASCAR and even the NHL), I led today's SN column with an homage to UFC 100.
"UFC 100": The name alone delivers some sort of gravitas, doesn't it? Hell, the Super Bowl is only up to the 40s. Air Jordans only made it to 23 before ending the numbering convention.
I see "UFC 100" as shorthand for everything that MMA has done right in its brief, meteoric history (at least version 2.0 since Dana White took over):
*UFC is the dominant organization.
*They have reached 100 mega-events.
*Don't look for it on broadcast TV or even cable. It's PPV, all the way.
What a strategy -- it's not unique (that's how boxing did it and still does it, to the extent that boxing matters anymore), but it is so effective.
I thought MMA on CBS primetime would be a hit; the mistake was going with some lower-tier MMA outfit, rather than UFC. It would be like signing up the UFL and expecting NFL numbers.
I don't mean to write around the event itself, but -- for me, a non-fan but an admirer from afar -- the IDEA of "UFC 100" is impressive enough.
Complete column here, including:
*MLB Midseason Awards
*Boozer to the Bulls? Would be a great move.
*Spurs win the NBA offseason.
*Orlando Summer League MVP: Tyler Hansbrough!
*Latest source for Favre info: Drew Magary
*Brazil prez talks soccer smack to Obama
And a lot more. Complete column here. A few more posts later, then I'm on the road all weekend. I'll try to post tomorrow and Sunday but will likely be filing via Twitter (on the right).
-- D.S.
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Varsity Dad: Best MLB Ballparks for Kids?
New post this week on Varsity Dad: What is your take on the best MLB ballparks to take your kid?
Which has the best transportation/parking? The best mid-game entertainment? The most convenient restrooms? The best prices? (Or are you better off forgetting MLB and sticking with minor-league games?)
Weigh in with a review of your favorite team's ballpark kid-friendliness.
-- D.S.
PS: There are a lot of new Varsity Dad posts to check out.
Which has the best transportation/parking? The best mid-game entertainment? The most convenient restrooms? The best prices? (Or are you better off forgetting MLB and sticking with minor-league games?)
Weigh in with a review of your favorite team's ballpark kid-friendliness.
-- D.S.
PS: There are a lot of new Varsity Dad posts to check out.
Mountain West: No Playoff, Just Payoff
And that color is green.
My favorite part of the latest BCS Mess news is the delicious irony that the same week the MWC goes crying to Congress about the unfairness of the BCS, they take the check from ESPN to remain in their subordinate state. Way to stand up for what you think is right!
If the Mountain West wanted to make a real stand -- and I mean get some serious traction -- they would secede from the BCS and say "If you won't have us, then we'll make our own championship."
It might sound ludicrous now, but it would get them more coverage -- and more positive press -- than they could ever get by trying to force change from within the system. (Like a BCS bowl would ignore an undefeated MWC champ.*)
But, of course, the MWC is as greedy as your average BCS conference.
(That's why their proposed "playoff" plan was hubbed around one cynical component: Letting the Mountain West into the BCS cabal. They don't hate the BCS; they resent the money they're losing by being left out of it.)
As yesterday's announcement showed, the Mountain West doesn't care about a playoff as much as it does a payoff.
-- D.S.
(* - From at least one standpoint, the Mountain West IS in the BCS: If a MWC team goes unbeaten, it would surely be selected for a BCS bowl -- in fact, that is stipulated in the BCS bowl-selection deal. And with Utah's success, it is what fans want to see. And if a MWC team can't go undefeated? Well, they probably didn't deserve to be in a BCS bowl anyway. And there are plenty of other conferences -- say,BYU Boise St out of the WAC -- whose unbeaten champ would deserve a BCS spot ahead of a beaten MWC champ. And yet the MWC would like an automatic BCS bid.)
My favorite part of the latest BCS Mess news is the delicious irony that the same week the MWC goes crying to Congress about the unfairness of the BCS, they take the check from ESPN to remain in their subordinate state. Way to stand up for what you think is right!
If the Mountain West wanted to make a real stand -- and I mean get some serious traction -- they would secede from the BCS and say "If you won't have us, then we'll make our own championship."
It might sound ludicrous now, but it would get them more coverage -- and more positive press -- than they could ever get by trying to force change from within the system. (Like a BCS bowl would ignore an undefeated MWC champ.*)
But, of course, the MWC is as greedy as your average BCS conference.
(That's why their proposed "playoff" plan was hubbed around one cynical component: Letting the Mountain West into the BCS cabal. They don't hate the BCS; they resent the money they're losing by being left out of it.)
As yesterday's announcement showed, the Mountain West doesn't care about a playoff as much as it does a payoff.
-- D.S.
(* - From at least one standpoint, the Mountain West IS in the BCS: If a MWC team goes unbeaten, it would surely be selected for a BCS bowl -- in fact, that is stipulated in the BCS bowl-selection deal. And with Utah's success, it is what fans want to see. And if a MWC team can't go undefeated? Well, they probably didn't deserve to be in a BCS bowl anyway. And there are plenty of other conferences -- say,
My First (And Possibly Last) Cover Story
Is there a topic I might be remotely qualified to write as the cover story for a MAJOR NATIONAL BOOK RELEASE?
Why, yes. Yes, there is: Tim Tebow's place among all-time great college QBs.
I will not ruin the surprise ending, but I will note that this book -- like the editions for fans of Texas, Ohio State, Notre Dame and others -- is geared for a partisan audience.
That said: Spencer Hall (aka Orson Swindle of Every Day Should Be Saturday) has done a phenomenal job lining up contributors far more value-adding than me.
But only one got to make the case that, under the right conditions, Tim Tebow ends his career as the greatest QB in college football history.
Florida fans: Purchasing details here. The rest of you may now go rinse out your mouths, because that acid reflux taste must feel kind of gross right now.
-- D.S.
Why, yes. Yes, there is: Tim Tebow's place among all-time great college QBs.
I will not ruin the surprise ending, but I will note that this book -- like the editions for fans of Texas, Ohio State, Notre Dame and others -- is geared for a partisan audience.
That said: Spencer Hall (aka Orson Swindle of Every Day Should Be Saturday) has done a phenomenal job lining up contributors far more value-adding than me.
But only one got to make the case that, under the right conditions, Tim Tebow ends his career as the greatest QB in college football history.
Florida fans: Purchasing details here. The rest of you may now go rinse out your mouths, because that acid reflux taste must feel kind of gross right now.
-- D.S.
Thursday 07/09 Quickie: MLB Midseason,
LeBron, Marion, Zobrist, BCS, More
More new posts coming at 11 am, 1 pm and 3. Check back.
The annual baseball "midseason" stuff is always a bit of a moving target: Do you do it when most teams generally get to 81 games played? Do you do it the Friday before the All-Star Break? DURING the All-Star Break? You don't want to be premature; you don't want to be too late.
So I split the difference -- taking advantage of a relatively slow news morning -- and posted my Top 3 Storylines of MLB's 2nd Half as the lead of today's SN column. Here's the shorthand:
(1) AL East menage a WTF.
(2) Pujols vs. Maris (vs. Bonds/Sosa)
(3) Almost everyone's a contender in the NL
You can get the full work-up in the column, although I'd love to get your own 2nd Half Storylines to Watch in the Comments.
Meanwhile:
*McNair Murder: I guess that's closure, and Occam's Razor is in effect -- the most obvious answer to the mystery was the right answer. Doesn't make it any less sad.
*LeBron/"No Witness": For someone as media savvy as LeBron (and Nike), they really blew this one. They could have let the video go viral -- it would have humanized LeBron. Instead, the story is their control-freakishness and lack of transparency.
My first thought was that Nike would come to its senses and use the tape -- now in their possession -- to create their own ad, releasing the images from it but spinning it to LeBron's ultimate advantage. Now it seems like they're simply saying, contrary to original reports, "No one was supposed to be taping!" Everyone knows that is b.s. Where are Nike's marketing ninjas?
*Mavs get Matrix: If you read my "Two NBAs" post -- my unifying theory of the state of the NBA -- you know that I will think very highly of the Mavericks (part of the NBA that is playing to win a title NOW) making the moves to keep up with the top contenders. I wasn't all that high on the Kidd re-signing, but combined with bringing in Shawn Marion and the Mavs have as good of a quintet (Dirk, Kidd, Marion, Howard, Terry) as there is in the NBA.
*MLB Last Night: Zobrist! That is all.
Complete column here. More later.
-- D.S.
The annual baseball "midseason" stuff is always a bit of a moving target: Do you do it when most teams generally get to 81 games played? Do you do it the Friday before the All-Star Break? DURING the All-Star Break? You don't want to be premature; you don't want to be too late.
So I split the difference -- taking advantage of a relatively slow news morning -- and posted my Top 3 Storylines of MLB's 2nd Half as the lead of today's SN column. Here's the shorthand:
(1) AL East menage a WTF.
(2) Pujols vs. Maris (vs. Bonds/Sosa)
(3) Almost everyone's a contender in the NL
You can get the full work-up in the column, although I'd love to get your own 2nd Half Storylines to Watch in the Comments.
Meanwhile:
*McNair Murder: I guess that's closure, and Occam's Razor is in effect -- the most obvious answer to the mystery was the right answer. Doesn't make it any less sad.
*LeBron/"No Witness": For someone as media savvy as LeBron (and Nike), they really blew this one. They could have let the video go viral -- it would have humanized LeBron. Instead, the story is their control-freakishness and lack of transparency.
My first thought was that Nike would come to its senses and use the tape -- now in their possession -- to create their own ad, releasing the images from it but spinning it to LeBron's ultimate advantage. Now it seems like they're simply saying, contrary to original reports, "No one was supposed to be taping!" Everyone knows that is b.s. Where are Nike's marketing ninjas?
*Mavs get Matrix: If you read my "Two NBAs" post -- my unifying theory of the state of the NBA -- you know that I will think very highly of the Mavericks (part of the NBA that is playing to win a title NOW) making the moves to keep up with the top contenders. I wasn't all that high on the Kidd re-signing, but combined with bringing in Shawn Marion and the Mavs have as good of a quintet (Dirk, Kidd, Marion, Howard, Terry) as there is in the NBA.
*MLB Last Night: Zobrist! That is all.
Complete column here. More later.
-- D.S.
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
UFL Update: Leagues New Rules Lacking
So the UFL is trying to spice up its league by relaxing many of the starchy rules the NFL has in place.
OK, this is where I will say it YET AGAIN:
There is only one NFL "rule" that the UFL has to change that will guarantee (a) tons of attention, (b) tons of NFL-level talent and (c) defensible market position as a true "minor" league:
Allow in any player with at least one year of college football experience.
That means the UFL could draft players after their freshman year or sophomore year -- because the NFL won't let them in. Even if those players are clearly NFL-ready or NFL-worthy.
It's so simple. It's so freaking simple.
At the very least, I wish someone in the league would at least explain to me why they WON'T do it. At least show me that they have evaluated the idea -- but (inanely) rejected it.
-- D.S.
OK, this is where I will say it YET AGAIN:
There is only one NFL "rule" that the UFL has to change that will guarantee (a) tons of attention, (b) tons of NFL-level talent and (c) defensible market position as a true "minor" league:
Allow in any player with at least one year of college football experience.
That means the UFL could draft players after their freshman year or sophomore year -- because the NFL won't let them in. Even if those players are clearly NFL-ready or NFL-worthy.
It's so simple. It's so freaking simple.
At the very least, I wish someone in the league would at least explain to me why they WON'T do it. At least show me that they have evaluated the idea -- but (inanely) rejected it.
-- D.S.
Wednesday 07/08 Quickie:
More Wade, Coach K, Manny, Halladay
How is Dwyane Wade like Sarah Palin? Lots to cover in today's SN column, including a follow-up to yesterday's argument about how LeBron and Wade are screwing over their fans, either by not signing or declaring their intention to leave.
Here is a snippet of today's lead argument:
*Mets fans hate Mets more than Manny.
*Coach K likes Team USA more than Duke.
*Orrin Hatch likes the BCS more than America.
*Jays like saving more than Roy Halladay.
Lot more where that came from. Complete column here. More later.
-- D.S.
Here is a snippet of today's lead argument:
I'm sure fans in Miami are thrilled that Dywane Wade signed his lucrative long-term contract extension with the Heat in the very first moments after midnight last night, the earliest he possibly could.More you'll find in today's column:
What a terrific signal to send to his fans and his franchise that he is committed to bringing a title back to Miami -- that it might not happen in 2010, but with him in place as the cornerstone, they can make a run at several of them.
And what a relief that he dropped the Palinesque "only quitters stick around" talking point that he wouldn't sign unless the team built a title contender around him right now, even though he previously hadn't committed to the team to staying around beyond next year.
Heat fans now avoid the rest of us snickering at them as they attempt to justify their cheering all next season for a player who so obviously would have disrespected and dismissed them by not declaring his reciprocal allegiance as soon as he could.
How awkward would it have been had Wade NOT signed last night, and spent the next season as some kind of lame-duck -- with fans cheering for him half-heartedly, knowing that NOT signing with the Heat sends the strongest signal he almost surely will be bolting for another city next summer.
Wow, it sure is great that Wade cleared that up.
*Mets fans hate Mets more than Manny.
*Coach K likes Team USA more than Duke.
*Orrin Hatch likes the BCS more than America.
*Jays like saving more than Roy Halladay.
Lot more where that came from. Complete column here. More later.
-- D.S.
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Losing Is The New Winning
Adapted from the "Last Word" section of my SN column this morning:
Losing is the new winning, if you believe the buzz about Andy Roddick's almost-win against Roger Federer (note: not the same as winning), which many are hailing as the best match Roddick has ever played -- and turning his rep around from bratty underachiever to lovable underdog.
This same past weekend, we have the approval of Anthony Kim for nearly beating Tiger Woods at Tiger's tournament in DC this weekend.
And that follows up the general approval of the Magic's "Hey-At-Least-They-Made-It-This-Far" run to the NBA Finals and the Cardinals' "Hey-Look!-It's-The-CARDS!-In-The-SUPER-BOWL!" near-miss in the Super Bowl.
And that was preceded by the Rays' Cinderella run to the World Series -- They didn't win? Who cares? They ALMOST won!
I'm not saying this is a bad thing. If the only people who enjoyed a season was the league champs, sports would dissolve in fan frustration.
It's all about expectations. If you exceed expectations -- see Roddick or the Magic or the Cards or the Rays or the never-thought-we'd-make-it Final Four team -- the season is a huge success. Maybe expectations are adjusted for the next season, but still: It is expectations-based.
There is one sport left where "Hey, good try!" just doesn't cut it at the championship level: College football.
Oklahoma's great season was RUINED by their loss to Florida, just as Ohio State's season was ruined in the two seasons before that, just as the Buckeyes ruined Miami's season in 2002.
If you have championship aspirations in college football, anything less than a title is a failed season.
Or, alternatively, you could be Andy Roddick -- happy to claim the youth-league "Everyone's-a-winner!" trophy for almost beating Federer. Against the GOAT, 2nd place ain't bad at all.
-- D.S.
Losing is the new winning, if you believe the buzz about Andy Roddick's almost-win against Roger Federer (note: not the same as winning), which many are hailing as the best match Roddick has ever played -- and turning his rep around from bratty underachiever to lovable underdog.
This same past weekend, we have the approval of Anthony Kim for nearly beating Tiger Woods at Tiger's tournament in DC this weekend.
And that follows up the general approval of the Magic's "Hey-At-Least-They-Made-It-This-Far" run to the NBA Finals and the Cardinals' "Hey-Look!-It's-The-CARDS!-In-The-SUPER-BOWL!" near-miss in the Super Bowl.
And that was preceded by the Rays' Cinderella run to the World Series -- They didn't win? Who cares? They ALMOST won!
I'm not saying this is a bad thing. If the only people who enjoyed a season was the league champs, sports would dissolve in fan frustration.
It's all about expectations. If you exceed expectations -- see Roddick or the Magic or the Cards or the Rays or the never-thought-we'd-make-it Final Four team -- the season is a huge success. Maybe expectations are adjusted for the next season, but still: It is expectations-based.
There is one sport left where "Hey, good try!" just doesn't cut it at the championship level: College football.
Oklahoma's great season was RUINED by their loss to Florida, just as Ohio State's season was ruined in the two seasons before that, just as the Buckeyes ruined Miami's season in 2002.
If you have championship aspirations in college football, anything less than a title is a failed season.
Or, alternatively, you could be Andy Roddick -- happy to claim the youth-league "Everyone's-a-winner!" trophy for almost beating Federer. Against the GOAT, 2nd place ain't bad at all.
-- D.S.
Mediaite Launches: The Sports Rankings
Peter King: The 7th most influential columnist in print or online -- sports or otherwise? Bill Simmons: No. 21? Jason Whitlock ranked behind Will Leitch? Jason won't like that at all...
The new media-industry news-and-analysis site Mediaite launched yesterday, and by far its most buzz-worthy (and brilliant) feature is the "Power Grid," which ranks hundreds of people in media, based on category.
The rankings are algorithmically derived, based on things like audience size, Google Buzz, Twitter followers and more. For navel-gazey media types, this is basically like crack.
Of course, the first thing I looked for in the Power Grid was the sports-media folks on the list. (No, that's not true. The very first thing I did, of course, was look for my own name. Not there. D'oh!)
In the Top 100 of the grid for "Print/Online Columnists," here are your top-ranked names:
7. Peter King
"Coffeenerdness" was part of algorithm?
21. Bill Simmons
"Dunleavy Treatment" for 20 ahead of him?
35. Jon Heyman
43. Will Leitch
56. Rick Reilly
That's $60,000 per slot.
63. Joel Sherman
67. Selena Roberts
Bright side of 3 months of negative publicity!
74. Michael Wilbon
79. Jason Whitlock
Still hates Will Leitch. But ahead of Lupica!
87. Bob Ryan
92. Gary Smith
Columnist? Not quite.
93. Mike Lupica
Curses Whitlock. Curses them all!
98. Frank Deford
If "Print/Online" means "Radio/Pay Cable"
105. John Feinstein
110. Bill Plaschke
Renounces this list because it is based on an algorithm.
122. JA Adande
132. Sally Jenkins
142. Woody Paige
Oh, come on: List him under "TV Pundit!"
153. Mike Vaccaro
155. Mike Downey
156. Bill Madden
159. John Buccigross
Who says hockey doesn't sell?
162. "Mike" Wilbon
So big he's listed TWICE.
168. Ray Ratto
177. Patrick Hruby
Rare appearance for online-only writer.
180. Jackie MacMullen
185. William Rhoden
There were a handful of sports-media folks categorized under "Print/Online Reporter," although some of these folks are clearly columnists:
45. Dashiell Bennett
60. Dan Shaughnessy
Really?
107. Drew Magary
118. Tommy Craggs
One more data point he's killing it at Deadspin.
131. Ron Borges
133. Roger Angell
Can hear Drew now: "Suck it, Angell!"
161. Tony Massarotti
166. Bill Dwyre
186. Joe Drape
As you can see, the list is VERY heavy on print/"traditional media" folks, although the print folks' online presences are undoubtedly helping in the algorithm.
No, I'm not going to recheck the list every week for sports types -- well, maybe to see if I (finally) crack the list someday.
Otherwise, the rest of you may continue clicking through this page-view-driving engine to see who ranks where.
-- D.S.
The new media-industry news-and-analysis site Mediaite launched yesterday, and by far its most buzz-worthy (and brilliant) feature is the "Power Grid," which ranks hundreds of people in media, based on category.
The rankings are algorithmically derived, based on things like audience size, Google Buzz, Twitter followers and more. For navel-gazey media types, this is basically like crack.
Of course, the first thing I looked for in the Power Grid was the sports-media folks on the list. (No, that's not true. The very first thing I did, of course, was look for my own name. Not there. D'oh!)
In the Top 100 of the grid for "Print/Online Columnists," here are your top-ranked names:
7. Peter King
"Coffeenerdness" was part of algorithm?
21. Bill Simmons
"Dunleavy Treatment" for 20 ahead of him?
35. Jon Heyman
43. Will Leitch
56. Rick Reilly
That's $60,000 per slot.
63. Joel Sherman
67. Selena Roberts
Bright side of 3 months of negative publicity!
74. Michael Wilbon
79. Jason Whitlock
Still hates Will Leitch. But ahead of Lupica!
87. Bob Ryan
92. Gary Smith
Columnist? Not quite.
93. Mike Lupica
Curses Whitlock. Curses them all!
98. Frank Deford
If "Print/Online" means "Radio/Pay Cable"
105. John Feinstein
110. Bill Plaschke
Renounces this list because it is based on an algorithm.
122. JA Adande
132. Sally Jenkins
142. Woody Paige
Oh, come on: List him under "TV Pundit!"
153. Mike Vaccaro
155. Mike Downey
156. Bill Madden
159. John Buccigross
Who says hockey doesn't sell?
162. "Mike" Wilbon
So big he's listed TWICE.
168. Ray Ratto
177. Patrick Hruby
Rare appearance for online-only writer.
180. Jackie MacMullen
185. William Rhoden
There were a handful of sports-media folks categorized under "Print/Online Reporter," although some of these folks are clearly columnists:
45. Dashiell Bennett
60. Dan Shaughnessy
Really?
107. Drew Magary
118. Tommy Craggs
One more data point he's killing it at Deadspin.
131. Ron Borges
133. Roger Angell
Can hear Drew now: "Suck it, Angell!"
161. Tony Massarotti
166. Bill Dwyre
186. Joe Drape
As you can see, the list is VERY heavy on print/"traditional media" folks, although the print folks' online presences are undoubtedly helping in the algorithm.
No, I'm not going to recheck the list every week for sports types -- well, maybe to see if I (finally) crack the list someday.
Otherwise, the rest of you may continue clicking through this page-view-driving engine to see who ranks where.
-- D.S.
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