Taking the morning/day off, conserving my strength for tomorrow night's 2nd Annual Super Bowl Live-Twitter Extravaganza. Enjoy the day.
-- D.S.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Friday 01/30 A.M. Quickie:
Cardinals, Magic, Gonzaga, All-Stars, More
Cardinals 20, Steelers 16. But I'm less concerned about the score than simply picking the Cardinals to win, which leads today's SN column.
Here's the thing: After last year's Super Bowl, there is simply no such thing as "upset" anymore. But the closest thing to it would be to utter the phrase "Cardinals: Super Bowl Champs."
I suspect that Pittsburgh's defense is going to be the toughest the Cards have faced this season. But I'm not sold on the Steelers' offense, and the Cards have been defying expectations all month.
For those of you who remember last year's experiment with Twitter (back before EVERYONE was doing it) during the Super Bowl -- it beats a live-blog! -- should check it out on Sunday night: twitter.com/danshanoff.
(I'm sure this year, there will be a ton more folks tweeting during the game. The more the merrier, I say. Following lots of people active during the game will just make your Twitter stream that much more fun and interesting.)
Meanwhile, other things you'll find in the column today:
*SB Ads preview: Coke FTW? Or sacrilege?
*Obama picks the Steelers: That's not change.
*Gonzaga beats St. Mary's: With a HUGE caveat.
*Magic beat Cavs: LeBron will get those calls in May.
*Nelson an All-Star: But not Rondo? Come on.
*Wells gripes about Torre: You don't say!
It's a fun-filled Friday before the Super Bowl. Check out the column. Check back here all weekend long. And, if you're not planning to come back until Monday, enjoy the game.
-- D.S.
Here's the thing: After last year's Super Bowl, there is simply no such thing as "upset" anymore. But the closest thing to it would be to utter the phrase "Cardinals: Super Bowl Champs."
I suspect that Pittsburgh's defense is going to be the toughest the Cards have faced this season. But I'm not sold on the Steelers' offense, and the Cards have been defying expectations all month.
For those of you who remember last year's experiment with Twitter (back before EVERYONE was doing it) during the Super Bowl -- it beats a live-blog! -- should check it out on Sunday night: twitter.com/danshanoff.
(I'm sure this year, there will be a ton more folks tweeting during the game. The more the merrier, I say. Following lots of people active during the game will just make your Twitter stream that much more fun and interesting.)
Meanwhile, other things you'll find in the column today:
*SB Ads preview: Coke FTW? Or sacrilege?
*Obama picks the Steelers: That's not change.
*Gonzaga beats St. Mary's: With a HUGE caveat.
*Magic beat Cavs: LeBron will get those calls in May.
*Nelson an All-Star: But not Rondo? Come on.
*Wells gripes about Torre: You don't say!
It's a fun-filled Friday before the Super Bowl. Check out the column. Check back here all weekend long. And, if you're not planning to come back until Monday, enjoy the game.
-- D.S.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Thursday 01/29 A.M. Quickie:
Wake, SB 43, Bonds, WRs, All-Stars
Recovery continues!
I'm torn between giving Wake all sorts of credit for beating Duke -- and remembering that Duke recently has been abysmal in the NCAA Tournament, so how much stock should I put into beating them?
Because right now, I'm inclined to think that Wake looks more like an NCAA champ than any other team -- size (depth of size), great defense, go-to scoring guard. I can't believe it's not a fully loaded bandwagon, though, which is more telling than, say beating Duke.
Meanwhile, I find the Big East to be ludicrously loaded -- Nova beats Pitt, Providence beats Syracuse, Georgetown is beaten by whomever.... I'll stick with my original pronouncement: This conference will get 8 or 9 teams in the NCAA Tournament; the acid test of its awesomeness is how many of those teams get to the Sweet 16 or even the Elite Eight.
Not sure if I can visualize how a Wake or a Duke or a UNC or an Oklahoma would do in the Big East, with the game-in-game-out punishment. When you look at Wake's remaining schedule, it seems fairly mild -- yeah, a game at Duke, but beyond that...what, exactly? You simply can't say that about the top teams in the Big East. You can't go more than a game or two without playing another team in the Top 25.
Super Bowl: Eh, Super Bowl week is so overrated. The lull on Wednesday and Thursday and Friday before the game is stupefying. The only fun is in making the pick on Friday -- mine is coming tomorrow.
NBA All-Star Reserves announced tonight: What I would like to see is less "same old stars" and more new guys whose play this season has merited inclusion (Danny Granger, Devin Harris, Jameer Nelson, Rajon Rondo) -- it's in the NBA's best interests to raise the profile of younger guys, rather than celebrate the longtime all-stars like Paul Pierce.
Complete SN column here. More later.
-- D.S.
I'm torn between giving Wake all sorts of credit for beating Duke -- and remembering that Duke recently has been abysmal in the NCAA Tournament, so how much stock should I put into beating them?
Because right now, I'm inclined to think that Wake looks more like an NCAA champ than any other team -- size (depth of size), great defense, go-to scoring guard. I can't believe it's not a fully loaded bandwagon, though, which is more telling than, say beating Duke.
Meanwhile, I find the Big East to be ludicrously loaded -- Nova beats Pitt, Providence beats Syracuse, Georgetown is beaten by whomever.... I'll stick with my original pronouncement: This conference will get 8 or 9 teams in the NCAA Tournament; the acid test of its awesomeness is how many of those teams get to the Sweet 16 or even the Elite Eight.
Not sure if I can visualize how a Wake or a Duke or a UNC or an Oklahoma would do in the Big East, with the game-in-game-out punishment. When you look at Wake's remaining schedule, it seems fairly mild -- yeah, a game at Duke, but beyond that...what, exactly? You simply can't say that about the top teams in the Big East. You can't go more than a game or two without playing another team in the Top 25.
Super Bowl: Eh, Super Bowl week is so overrated. The lull on Wednesday and Thursday and Friday before the game is stupefying. The only fun is in making the pick on Friday -- mine is coming tomorrow.
NBA All-Star Reserves announced tonight: What I would like to see is less "same old stars" and more new guys whose play this season has merited inclusion (Danny Granger, Devin Harris, Jameer Nelson, Rajon Rondo) -- it's in the NBA's best interests to raise the profile of younger guys, rather than celebrate the longtime all-stars like Paul Pierce.
Complete SN column here. More later.
-- D.S.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Jeff MacGregor on Media Day
MacGregor nails it. (Didn't know he was now full-time for ESPN.com and the Mag, but he is one of my all-time favorite sportswriters. I presume all of you have read "Sunday Money" by now.)
-- D.S.
-- D.S.
Wednesday 01/28 A.M. Quickie:
Wake, Duke, Media Day, Cavs, A-Rod, More
So Media Day was sort of a dud, I think.
I have been very excited about Wake-Duke tonight. Then I had a standard reality check: College basketball regular season games -- these "Game of the Year" candidates -- are entirely overrated.
So Duke wins? So Duke loses? So what? Everything in college basketball is back-loaded to the NCAA Tournament. If you are a "national" contender, it's all how you do in late March.
Duke's No. 1 ranking this week? A win over Wake? An ACC title? Hell, even a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament? Meaningless, unless Duke wins the national title.
(It's a bit more complicated for Duke: They have been so awful the last few Tournaments that even a Final Four appearance would be some kind of validation.)
Anyway, as I said in today's SN column, I'll definitely watch the game tonight -- but, as with every game I watch during CBB's regular season, it's with one eye on the TV and another on my bracket in March.
Complete SN column here. More later, although the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday before the Super Bowl are traditionally some of the slowest days of the sports year.
-- D.S.
I have been very excited about Wake-Duke tonight. Then I had a standard reality check: College basketball regular season games -- these "Game of the Year" candidates -- are entirely overrated.
So Duke wins? So Duke loses? So what? Everything in college basketball is back-loaded to the NCAA Tournament. If you are a "national" contender, it's all how you do in late March.
Duke's No. 1 ranking this week? A win over Wake? An ACC title? Hell, even a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament? Meaningless, unless Duke wins the national title.
(It's a bit more complicated for Duke: They have been so awful the last few Tournaments that even a Final Four appearance would be some kind of validation.)
Anyway, as I said in today's SN column, I'll definitely watch the game tonight -- but, as with every game I watch during CBB's regular season, it's with one eye on the TV and another on my bracket in March.
Complete SN column here. More later, although the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday before the Super Bowl are traditionally some of the slowest days of the sports year.
-- D.S.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Tuesday 01/27 A.M. Quickie:
Super Bowl Media Day, Marquette, Chris Paul, More
An annual tradition for me: Dinging Super Bowl Media Day, which leads today's SN column.
That said: I am intrigued to see what kind of impact that Twitter may have on the event. Media Day was already pretty stale -- in the 24/7 sports era, who needs "get all your quotes for the week in one place!"
I'm not holding my breath: Like blogs a few years ago, Twitter has been slow to catch on among mainstream sports media -- I know the political cycle lends itself to Twitter, but why do mainstream political reporters adapt to new media so much better than mainstream sports writers?
I'm hoping that there are enough progressive sports media types in the Media Day to make Twitter a go-to place for instant news and analysis.
Meanwhile: Is Marquette for real? Winning at ND suddenly isn't what it was a week ago, and Marquette's schedule is back-loaded -- see the column for their harrowing final 5 games.
A lot more in the column today. Check it out here. I'm still in recovery mode.
-- D.S.
That said: I am intrigued to see what kind of impact that Twitter may have on the event. Media Day was already pretty stale -- in the 24/7 sports era, who needs "get all your quotes for the week in one place!"
I'm not holding my breath: Like blogs a few years ago, Twitter has been slow to catch on among mainstream sports media -- I know the political cycle lends itself to Twitter, but why do mainstream political reporters adapt to new media so much better than mainstream sports writers?
I'm hoping that there are enough progressive sports media types in the Media Day to make Twitter a go-to place for instant news and analysis.
Meanwhile: Is Marquette for real? Winning at ND suddenly isn't what it was a week ago, and Marquette's schedule is back-loaded -- see the column for their harrowing final 5 games.
A lot more in the column today. Check it out here. I'm still in recovery mode.
-- D.S.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Monday 01/26 A.M. Quickie:
Super Bowl, 100-0, Torre, Louisvillle, Lakers
After a few days away from the column, I have to have my say about the "100-0" game, and I get a hook to do it in today's column because the school fired the coach, who seems entirely unrepentant.
Otherwise:
*It's Super Bowl week. (Much more tomorrow.)
*Joe Torre: Is A-Rod HIS fault?
*Duke No. 1? How about...Louisville?
*The Lakers still rule.
*More on Pat White.
Complete column here. More later, hopefully. I'm pretty laid out still.
-- D.S.
Otherwise:
*It's Super Bowl week. (Much more tomorrow.)
*Joe Torre: Is A-Rod HIS fault?
*Duke No. 1? How about...Louisville?
*The Lakers still rule.
*More on Pat White.
Complete column here. More later, hopefully. I'm pretty laid out still.
-- D.S.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Sunday 01/25 (Very) Quickie
UConn drops Notre Dame in South Bend: Just one more big-time Big East battle, notable mostly for snapping ND's endless home win streak, which you could kind of see coming. But, like every Big East game this season, totally meaningless until we see how many of these 9 or 10 Big East top teams make it to the Sweet 16.
Duke No. 1? I watched the first half of the Duke-Maryland game, because I knew that the Terps always give Duke a game -- even at Cameron. Whoops: I came for the rivalry but I stayed to witness the carnage. I haven't seen a first-half beat-down like that in a long time.
So, yeah: I'm sure Duke will be crowned No. 1 this week, but I'm picking Wake on Wednesday.
(Washington beats UCLA: Don't sleep on how thoroughly competitive the Pac-10 is this season. It's like Big East Lite.)
Senior Bowl: Pat White Show. All week long, scouts had been ripping Pat White. In the game, he did what he does in every bowl game -- win. 95 yards passing and 2 scoring drives. Now, that doesn't mean he can play QB in the NFL, but he has a good future ahead as a Wildcat specialist.
RIP Kay Yow. A legend in women's basketball. Condolences to her many many friends, fans and admirers.
-- D.S.
Duke No. 1? I watched the first half of the Duke-Maryland game, because I knew that the Terps always give Duke a game -- even at Cameron. Whoops: I came for the rivalry but I stayed to witness the carnage. I haven't seen a first-half beat-down like that in a long time.
So, yeah: I'm sure Duke will be crowned No. 1 this week, but I'm picking Wake on Wednesday.
(Washington beats UCLA: Don't sleep on how thoroughly competitive the Pac-10 is this season. It's like Big East Lite.)
Senior Bowl: Pat White Show. All week long, scouts had been ripping Pat White. In the game, he did what he does in every bowl game -- win. 95 yards passing and 2 scoring drives. Now, that doesn't mean he can play QB in the NFL, but he has a good future ahead as a Wildcat specialist.
RIP Kay Yow. A legend in women's basketball. Condolences to her many many friends, fans and admirers.
-- D.S.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Saturday 01/24 (Very) Quickie: Catching Up!
So you have one unexpected appendectomy and you miss all sorts of good stuff...
Chiefs fire Herman Edwards: You knew this was coming, and you can't say he didn't deserve it. But with a new GM, there was no way Edwards was going to be retained.
So who replaces him? I don't think it will be Mike Shanahan, and the original reporting -- then retracting -- of the story indicates that they are going another way. I expect that Pioli doesn't want a re-tread. If he had only acted faster, he could have had Josh McDaniels. (But maybe he wants to go away from the Belichick coaching tree. Or will he go after Kirk Ferentz?)
LeBron hits a buzzer-beating game-winner: Of course he did. As the votes for "First-Half MVP" roll in, I have to believe James is going to win in a landslide.
(More intriguing: Eric Gordon had 41 last night in a Clippers win over the Thunder. Yes, it was the Thunder, but I'm convinced there aren't a TON of players in the NBA who can just go out and score 41, particularly as a rookie. Maybe 50 total? 100? No more than 30 percent of the league. But you just KNOW that OJ Mayo is saying: "Oh, I can totally beat that...")
UPDATE: I'm a total moron. Um, beyond Gordon's 41...how about Durant's 46? I guess in a loss (and the haze of post-op Vicodin) it gets lost.
Northwestern wins at Michigan State: You have to understand the historical (and recent) futility of NU hoops to recognize how massive this was. Top 3 regular-season win in the last 20 years ('88 vs. Indiana; '94 vs. Michigan... the '94 NIT win over DePaul doesn't count.)
No. 1 Wake Forest loses to Virginia Tech: Well, now I have NO idea what bandwagon to climb on. (Meanwhile: West Virginia beats Georgetown -- god, the Big East is so freaking amazing this season.)
Celtics clock the Magic: Obviously, Boston wanted to prove they were still tops in the East -- and wow did they ever. That was some textbook defense -- and why Orlando won't topple Boston this spring in the playoffs. The young Magic should consider acquiring a rotation player with deep playoff experience, if only to show them how to step up when it matters.
NBA All-Stars: The only intrigue was Amare. Otherwise: I'm glad Chris Paul earned the starting spot; I'm not sure Allen Iverson deserves it, unless he is the designated "just plain popular, if not deserving" spot. Which is totally fair -- it IS an exhibition, after all. Reserves should be more interesting.
Cubs get a new owner: I like that the guy is a Cubs fan. Used to live near Wrigley. Met his future wife at a Cubs game. Of the three qualities you want in a sports owner, they are: (1) Tons of money (and willing to spend it); (2) Smart enough to hire smart people to run the team; (3) A true fan of the team.
Lions hire Scott Linehan as Offensive Coordinator: Love this hire. Linehan couldn't head-coach his way out of a paper bag, but as an OC, there's no denying the guy is smart. And he joins up with a really smart H.C. in Jim Schwartz.
Jeff Kent retires: Not a nice guy, but his stats are undeniable. Haven't had a chance to see how the SABR-friendly folks have weighed in on him, so how else would I know what to think about it?
Ben Sheets to the Rangers? That has to come with a huge "IF he's healthy..." caveat. Think he's willing to sign a deal that ties payment to his health? When healthy, a top 5 pitcher in the league. But he's hardly ever truly healthy.
Senior Bowl tonight: And the biggest winner was BJ Raji, the BC DT. And I'm so thrilled to see Derrick Williams have a great week and move himself into the first round. What a great player he is, right up there with Harvin and Maclin as the most dynamic and versatile WR talents in the country.)
Back tomorrow a.m. as usual.
-- D.S.
Chiefs fire Herman Edwards: You knew this was coming, and you can't say he didn't deserve it. But with a new GM, there was no way Edwards was going to be retained.
So who replaces him? I don't think it will be Mike Shanahan, and the original reporting -- then retracting -- of the story indicates that they are going another way. I expect that Pioli doesn't want a re-tread. If he had only acted faster, he could have had Josh McDaniels. (But maybe he wants to go away from the Belichick coaching tree. Or will he go after Kirk Ferentz?)
LeBron hits a buzzer-beating game-winner: Of course he did. As the votes for "First-Half MVP" roll in, I have to believe James is going to win in a landslide.
(More intriguing: Eric Gordon had 41 last night in a Clippers win over the Thunder. Yes, it was the Thunder, but I'm convinced there aren't a TON of players in the NBA who can just go out and score 41, particularly as a rookie. Maybe 50 total? 100? No more than 30 percent of the league. But you just KNOW that OJ Mayo is saying: "Oh, I can totally beat that...")
UPDATE: I'm a total moron. Um, beyond Gordon's 41...how about Durant's 46? I guess in a loss (and the haze of post-op Vicodin) it gets lost.
Northwestern wins at Michigan State: You have to understand the historical (and recent) futility of NU hoops to recognize how massive this was. Top 3 regular-season win in the last 20 years ('88 vs. Indiana; '94 vs. Michigan... the '94 NIT win over DePaul doesn't count.)
No. 1 Wake Forest loses to Virginia Tech: Well, now I have NO idea what bandwagon to climb on. (Meanwhile: West Virginia beats Georgetown -- god, the Big East is so freaking amazing this season.)
Celtics clock the Magic: Obviously, Boston wanted to prove they were still tops in the East -- and wow did they ever. That was some textbook defense -- and why Orlando won't topple Boston this spring in the playoffs. The young Magic should consider acquiring a rotation player with deep playoff experience, if only to show them how to step up when it matters.
NBA All-Stars: The only intrigue was Amare. Otherwise: I'm glad Chris Paul earned the starting spot; I'm not sure Allen Iverson deserves it, unless he is the designated "just plain popular, if not deserving" spot. Which is totally fair -- it IS an exhibition, after all. Reserves should be more interesting.
Cubs get a new owner: I like that the guy is a Cubs fan. Used to live near Wrigley. Met his future wife at a Cubs game. Of the three qualities you want in a sports owner, they are: (1) Tons of money (and willing to spend it); (2) Smart enough to hire smart people to run the team; (3) A true fan of the team.
Lions hire Scott Linehan as Offensive Coordinator: Love this hire. Linehan couldn't head-coach his way out of a paper bag, but as an OC, there's no denying the guy is smart. And he joins up with a really smart H.C. in Jim Schwartz.
Jeff Kent retires: Not a nice guy, but his stats are undeniable. Haven't had a chance to see how the SABR-friendly folks have weighed in on him, so how else would I know what to think about it?
Ben Sheets to the Rangers? That has to come with a huge "IF he's healthy..." caveat. Think he's willing to sign a deal that ties payment to his health? When healthy, a top 5 pitcher in the league. But he's hardly ever truly healthy.
Senior Bowl tonight: And the biggest winner was BJ Raji, the BC DT. And I'm so thrilled to see Derrick Williams have a great week and move himself into the first round. What a great player he is, right up there with Harvin and Maclin as the most dynamic and versatile WR talents in the country.)
Back tomorrow a.m. as usual.
-- D.S.
What's Wrong With Sports Journalism
The canard of no cheering in the press box, the absurdity of which won't be illustrated any better than Larry Fitzgerald's father. I say: Cheer away, Dad!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Obamaball: Sally Jenkins' Agenda for Sports
As usual, a provocative take from the Washington Post's Sally Jenkins -- laying out an agenda of sports reform for President Obama. I would call it hit-or-miss:
(1) Get rid of the BCS. Really? As the No. 1 priority? For a thoughtful sports thinker like Jenkins, this is ludicrous. (She is correct, however, that a simple threat of taking away college tax benefits would be a game-changer.)
(2) Declare freshman ineligible. Hate it. Only if it went hand-in-hand with insisting that the NFL and NBA got rid of their age minimums for draft eligibility. Forcing a pro-worthy player to toil in college for two years -- when they have no actual interest in college beyond its role as a stepping-stone to the pros -- is counter-productive.
(3) Dress more appropriately for golf. A bit prudish, but fair.
(4) Play Candace Parker 1-on-1 at the White House, to generate more support for women's basketball. I like the symbol, but it's pretty empty -- leagues must move the needle themselves.
(5) National Anthem played IN TUNE at all sports events. Fair, but here's a better idea: Ditch the Anthem for "America the Beautiful" or -- as witnessed Sunday -- "This Land Is Your Land."
(6) Save tennis. Eh. This is like saving the banking industry -- the sport did this to themselves.
(7) Final Four back in arenas, not domes. Better idea: 75 percent of tickets must be ear-marked for fans. Even better idea: All major sports championships must earmark more tickets for fans than are given to corporate sponsors, and at reasonable rates.
(8) Equal pay for women's sports. I fully support it, but Jenkins cherry-picks the Pearl-Summitt comparison. When women's sports bring in the revenue of men's, it is a stronger argument. (See women's tennis, where pay inequity is a joke.) For women in the front office? Absolutely. And, while we're at it: More women and minorities in the front office.
(9) Pardon Marion Jones. You've got to be kidding me. I'm sorry that prosecutors haven't done a better job with the other steroid felons, but that doesn't mean Jones should get off. Her betrayal of sports and fans was one of the Top 3 worst of the 20th Century in American sports. She didn't seem particularly remorseful when she was collecting all those medals -- or collecting all those endorsement checks.
(10) Force Dan Snyder to hire a GM. Now THERE you go.
I would add a few others:
-Obliterate AAU and start over.
-Mandate any team relocating to give a substantial cash rebate to fans.
-Develop an unobtrusive test for HGH.
-Legalize sports gambling but tax the hell out of it.
-Name Tim Tebow to lead President's Council on Physical Fitness.
From the serious to the silly, do you have any other items on a sports to-do list for Obama?
-- D.S.
(1) Get rid of the BCS. Really? As the No. 1 priority? For a thoughtful sports thinker like Jenkins, this is ludicrous. (She is correct, however, that a simple threat of taking away college tax benefits would be a game-changer.)
(2) Declare freshman ineligible. Hate it. Only if it went hand-in-hand with insisting that the NFL and NBA got rid of their age minimums for draft eligibility. Forcing a pro-worthy player to toil in college for two years -- when they have no actual interest in college beyond its role as a stepping-stone to the pros -- is counter-productive.
(3) Dress more appropriately for golf. A bit prudish, but fair.
(4) Play Candace Parker 1-on-1 at the White House, to generate more support for women's basketball. I like the symbol, but it's pretty empty -- leagues must move the needle themselves.
(5) National Anthem played IN TUNE at all sports events. Fair, but here's a better idea: Ditch the Anthem for "America the Beautiful" or -- as witnessed Sunday -- "This Land Is Your Land."
(6) Save tennis. Eh. This is like saving the banking industry -- the sport did this to themselves.
(7) Final Four back in arenas, not domes. Better idea: 75 percent of tickets must be ear-marked for fans. Even better idea: All major sports championships must earmark more tickets for fans than are given to corporate sponsors, and at reasonable rates.
(8) Equal pay for women's sports. I fully support it, but Jenkins cherry-picks the Pearl-Summitt comparison. When women's sports bring in the revenue of men's, it is a stronger argument. (See women's tennis, where pay inequity is a joke.) For women in the front office? Absolutely. And, while we're at it: More women and minorities in the front office.
(9) Pardon Marion Jones. You've got to be kidding me. I'm sorry that prosecutors haven't done a better job with the other steroid felons, but that doesn't mean Jones should get off. Her betrayal of sports and fans was one of the Top 3 worst of the 20th Century in American sports. She didn't seem particularly remorseful when she was collecting all those medals -- or collecting all those endorsement checks.
(10) Force Dan Snyder to hire a GM. Now THERE you go.
I would add a few others:
-Obliterate AAU and start over.
-Mandate any team relocating to give a substantial cash rebate to fans.
-Develop an unobtrusive test for HGH.
-Legalize sports gambling but tax the hell out of it.
-Name Tim Tebow to lead President's Council on Physical Fitness.
From the serious to the silly, do you have any other items on a sports to-do list for Obama?
-- D.S.
Cool (Paid) Writing Opp About Fantasy MLB
My company is launching a comprehensive fantasy baseball preview, and I wanted to invite anyone interested to register at the site and take part. The individual preview articles (by position, team, category) are paid -- not a ton, but something -- and you will have an additional clip to point to. Plus, it should be fun; in the end, you're writing about baseball. The claims are going fast, so check it out. Sign up, go to the "Call for Content" area, look for the baseball assignments, claim them and get paid to publish about fantasy baseball. -- D.S.
Obamaball: Sox vs. Cubs At The C-in-C Ball:
Take Me Out To the (Inaugural) Ball Game
During the Commander-in-Chief Ball, did you see Obama's interview with all those military folks from Chicago?
Obama was like "White Sox or Cubs?" He's being televised on multiple networks live, and THAT is what he wants to ask them about. It's a question only a real fan cares about.
And they all (all but one) kept saying "Cubs," and you could see Obama was playfully miffed. "Terrible," he muttered. I love that.
-- D.S.
Obama was like "White Sox or Cubs?" He's being televised on multiple networks live, and THAT is what he wants to ask them about. It's a question only a real fan cares about.
And they all (all but one) kept saying "Cubs," and you could see Obama was playfully miffed. "Terrible," he muttered. I love that.
-- D.S.
Wednesday 01/21 A.M. Quickie:
Obama, Gruden, Parcells, Duke, More
OK, so back to work. Or get started working.
But it almost felt like the sports world -- along with everyone else -- came to a standstill yesterday for the Inauguration. (Leads today's SN column.)
No matter: No. 44 is at work, and the rest of us are, too.
Should Jon Gruden be at work...at Notre Dame? ND fans unhappy with Charlie Weis may see Gruden as a fun alternative, but pro-to-college coaches tend to...well...suck.
Bill Parcells is still at work for the Dolphins: And it sounds like he will be, at least for the next year.
College seniors are looking for NFL work at the Senior Bowl: Is Pat White auditioning as a QB or a Wildcat specialist that every team will want/need next season?
(And will Oklahoma exile Rhett Bomar pull off the Comeback of the Year in college football?)
Gerald Henderson is hard at work for Duke: I don't expect Coach K to tell Singler and Scheyer and Paulus to defer to Henderson, but they should -- he is the best player on the team.
Bill Self might be working a little TOO hard: John Wall IS awesome, but Self knew better than to talk with him -- he even said so when he talked with him.
Can we get Theo Epstein in the new administration in some capacity? His ability to avoid arbitration shows that he can generate consensus and results. (It's not like Papelbon got the short end: From $800K to $6.25M.)
Does Ryan Howard's work in '08 deserve a huge raise in '09? He made $10M in arbitration before the '08 season; then he had another monster season. Does that qualify him for a raise to $18M? Maybe on the open market, but probably not in arbitration if the Phillies do the right thing and at least offer him a raise into the mid-teens.
Complete SN column here. More later. Back to work, everyone.
-- D.S.
But it almost felt like the sports world -- along with everyone else -- came to a standstill yesterday for the Inauguration. (Leads today's SN column.)
No matter: No. 44 is at work, and the rest of us are, too.
Should Jon Gruden be at work...at Notre Dame? ND fans unhappy with Charlie Weis may see Gruden as a fun alternative, but pro-to-college coaches tend to...well...suck.
Bill Parcells is still at work for the Dolphins: And it sounds like he will be, at least for the next year.
College seniors are looking for NFL work at the Senior Bowl: Is Pat White auditioning as a QB or a Wildcat specialist that every team will want/need next season?
(And will Oklahoma exile Rhett Bomar pull off the Comeback of the Year in college football?)
Gerald Henderson is hard at work for Duke: I don't expect Coach K to tell Singler and Scheyer and Paulus to defer to Henderson, but they should -- he is the best player on the team.
Bill Self might be working a little TOO hard: John Wall IS awesome, but Self knew better than to talk with him -- he even said so when he talked with him.
Can we get Theo Epstein in the new administration in some capacity? His ability to avoid arbitration shows that he can generate consensus and results. (It's not like Papelbon got the short end: From $800K to $6.25M.)
Does Ryan Howard's work in '08 deserve a huge raise in '09? He made $10M in arbitration before the '08 season; then he had another monster season. Does that qualify him for a raise to $18M? Maybe on the open market, but probably not in arbitration if the Phillies do the right thing and at least offer him a raise into the mid-teens.
Complete SN column here. More later. Back to work, everyone.
-- D.S.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
TrueHoop Network Pwns NBA Coverage
News broke yesterday of ESPN.com's new blog network of NBA team bloggers. Henry Abbott announced it today, quite skillfully and comprehensively. And it's a very smart idea.
The benefit to ESPN is obvious: They substantially increase their depth of coverage on a team-by-team basis; they earn a lot of "blog cred"; and they now own all that blog traffic.
The benefit to the bloggers is obvious: Their sites are put in front of a vastly larger audience; they get to align themselves with the mainstream legitimacy of ESPN; they keep editorial control.
Feeling the brunt: Local newspaper NBA coverage. Oh, there is a critical role for the beat reporter; the best bloggers lean on (and credit) local beat folks.
But with the ESPN imprimateur, these bloggers -- the savviest ones, at least -- are one step from being solvent enough to expand their coverage to include beat reporting.
(Makes you wonder: Where is the loose confederation of newspapers that pay for NBA beat coverage, coming together and creating their own network of online content?)
Things I would like to see:
ESPN aggressively integrate the blogger content into their daily NBA coverage -- not just top stories, but into features, analysis, game recaps and more.
The bloggers take advantage of the affiliation with ESPN -- which team media relations departments can't help but respect -- to expand their coverage innovatively.
This has been hanging out there as an opportunity for every major sports-media site out there -- for years (even with SB Nation corralling some of the best into their network).
Kudos to Henry and ESPN for making this happen. They would be smart to do something similar in the other sports, too; THIS is what a "blog network" should be.
-- D.S.
The benefit to ESPN is obvious: They substantially increase their depth of coverage on a team-by-team basis; they earn a lot of "blog cred"; and they now own all that blog traffic.
The benefit to the bloggers is obvious: Their sites are put in front of a vastly larger audience; they get to align themselves with the mainstream legitimacy of ESPN; they keep editorial control.
Feeling the brunt: Local newspaper NBA coverage. Oh, there is a critical role for the beat reporter; the best bloggers lean on (and credit) local beat folks.
But with the ESPN imprimateur, these bloggers -- the savviest ones, at least -- are one step from being solvent enough to expand their coverage to include beat reporting.
(Makes you wonder: Where is the loose confederation of newspapers that pay for NBA beat coverage, coming together and creating their own network of online content?)
Things I would like to see:
ESPN aggressively integrate the blogger content into their daily NBA coverage -- not just top stories, but into features, analysis, game recaps and more.
The bloggers take advantage of the affiliation with ESPN -- which team media relations departments can't help but respect -- to expand their coverage innovatively.
This has been hanging out there as an opportunity for every major sports-media site out there -- for years (even with SB Nation corralling some of the best into their network).
Kudos to Henry and ESPN for making this happen. They would be smart to do something similar in the other sports, too; THIS is what a "blog network" should be.
-- D.S.
Tuesday 01/20 A.M. Quickie:
Obama, Obama, Obama
Today is the biggest, proudest, most momentous day of my lifetime, at least my lifetime as an American.
That said, the moment defies superlative, defies hyperbole.
It is impossible for me to do it any justice. (Just watching the pundits on the morning news shows, you see how absurd it is to even try.)
There are the obvious sports tie-ins -- Obama as Fan-in-Chief (today's SN lead item), the tie-ins to the No. 44 (I have my own tribute).
The sports angle is cutesy, but I am far more heartened that we are entering a new era where smart is cool, competence is valued, execution is everything.
Otherwise, it largely defies description. It is just something to marvel at, to wonder at -- collectively -- like those images of the crowds on the Mall right now.
The moment is simultaneously intensely personal and entirely national. I'm left with the utterly inadequate: Wow.
-- D.S.
That said, the moment defies superlative, defies hyperbole.
It is impossible for me to do it any justice. (Just watching the pundits on the morning news shows, you see how absurd it is to even try.)
There are the obvious sports tie-ins -- Obama as Fan-in-Chief (today's SN lead item), the tie-ins to the No. 44 (I have my own tribute).
The sports angle is cutesy, but I am far more heartened that we are entering a new era where smart is cool, competence is valued, execution is everything.
Otherwise, it largely defies description. It is just something to marvel at, to wonder at -- collectively -- like those images of the crowds on the Mall right now.
The moment is simultaneously intensely personal and entirely national. I'm left with the utterly inadequate: Wow.
-- D.S.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Monday 01/19 A.M. Quickie:
Cardinals, Steelers, Fitzgerald, ACC
As praised in today's SN column (though not quite in this way), the Cardinals' run to the Super Bowl is amazing on at least two levels:
To start, simply the fact that the Cardinals is going to the Super Bowl is huge on its face. (The Cardinals! The worst franchise in NFL history!)
But add on top of that, it's not like they were dominant this season or destined for the Super Bowl, like Kurt Warner's 1999 Rams team, which went from chump-ish to champs on a rail.
No, each and every week of these playoffs, the Cards have been discounted -- or counted out entirely. First round at home? Underdogs. Division round on the road? Underdogs. NFC Title Game at home? Underdogs. Meanwhile: Win, win, win. And decisively, each time.
It's a neat bit of judo: They are taking your expectations -- which couldn't be lower -- and using them to make their own accomplishments all the more incredible. If we EXPECTED them to win each week, it wouldn't nearly be as sweet as it is now.
For decades, the Cardinals were worse than losers -- they were irrelevant. Now: They are the latest incarnation of America's Team -- how can you root against them now?
But, please: Pick against them one more time.
Meanwhile, other things you'll find in today's SN column:
*Larry Fitzgerald has been elevated to NFL God status.
*Kurt Warner makes Tim Tebow look like an atheist.
*The McNabb Era is over in Philadelphia?
*The McGahee Era is over in Baltimore?
*Steve Spagnuolo will do more with less than Rex Ryan will do more with more.
*LeBron in a Browns jersey IS kind of awesome.
*Wake and Duke may be 1-2, but the Big East still rules.
Complete column here. More later. Enjoy your MLK Day -- the way the NBA treats it (with plenty of afternoon games and a marquee event -- Cavs-Lakers -- tonight) is kind of awesome.
-- D.S.
To start, simply the fact that the Cardinals is going to the Super Bowl is huge on its face. (The Cardinals! The worst franchise in NFL history!)
But add on top of that, it's not like they were dominant this season or destined for the Super Bowl, like Kurt Warner's 1999 Rams team, which went from chump-ish to champs on a rail.
No, each and every week of these playoffs, the Cards have been discounted -- or counted out entirely. First round at home? Underdogs. Division round on the road? Underdogs. NFC Title Game at home? Underdogs. Meanwhile: Win, win, win. And decisively, each time.
It's a neat bit of judo: They are taking your expectations -- which couldn't be lower -- and using them to make their own accomplishments all the more incredible. If we EXPECTED them to win each week, it wouldn't nearly be as sweet as it is now.
For decades, the Cardinals were worse than losers -- they were irrelevant. Now: They are the latest incarnation of America's Team -- how can you root against them now?
But, please: Pick against them one more time.
Meanwhile, other things you'll find in today's SN column:
*Larry Fitzgerald has been elevated to NFL God status.
*Kurt Warner makes Tim Tebow look like an atheist.
*The McNabb Era is over in Philadelphia?
*The McGahee Era is over in Baltimore?
*Steve Spagnuolo will do more with less than Rex Ryan will do more with more.
*LeBron in a Browns jersey IS kind of awesome.
*Wake and Duke may be 1-2, but the Big East still rules.
Complete column here. More later. Enjoy your MLK Day -- the way the NBA treats it (with plenty of afternoon games and a marquee event -- Cavs-Lakers -- tonight) is kind of awesome.
-- D.S.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Sunday 01/18 (Very) Quickie
Countdown to NFL conf-title games...
So, with Pitt losing at Louisville (with the way the Big East is this year and the way Louisville is playing in Big East play, that's hardly a scarring mark for Pitt), who should be No. 1?
It's down to either Duke or Wake.
Duke handled Georgetown impressively/aggravatingly enough, but they did it at home. At a neutral site or on the road, I'm not sure they beat the Hoyas.
Meanwhile, Wake won at Clemson -- you can say that Clemson was overrated/product of cupcake schedule/etc., but it was a rocking environment, and Wake handled it.
Plus, Wake has that win over UNC, which Duke doesn't have (yet), so I would give my No. 1 vote to Wake -- not that being No. 1 in any given week in college hoops means anything.
(Re: Duke, they need to make Henderson the focal point of the offense; he is their most potent offensive threat -- although he really needs to shave his head, because that widow's peak balding situation isn't intimidating at all.)
Also: Very impressive wins by Syracuse (over ND) and Arizona State (over UCLA, at UCLA)
Rams hire Giants DC Steve Spagnuolo: The Rams are a mess, but -- in line with my comment about Schwartz and the Lions -- this is the best thing to happen to the Rams franchise since they won the Super Bowl.
Spagnuolo is one of the top minds in the NFL, and should accelerate the turnaround. As they are saying around Washington this week: Smart is the new cool and youth is the new cool. Hires like Schwartz and Spagnuolo and McDaniels and Morris underscore that.
NBA: Magic keep rolling through the Western Conference, this time toppling the Nuggets.
Hot Stove: Phillies sign Hamels to 3Y/$20.5M deal. Seems like a bargain, given the money being thrown around at guys like Sabathia -- in the next year, Hamels will emerge as his superior.
--
Saw Slumdog Millionaire last night. I have seen all of 2 movies in the theaters in the last year (Slumdog and Dark Knight), but Slumdog was one of the Top 10 or 20 best movies I have ever seen. Really enjoyed it. Hope it wins a Best Picture Oscar.
-- D.S.
So, with Pitt losing at Louisville (with the way the Big East is this year and the way Louisville is playing in Big East play, that's hardly a scarring mark for Pitt), who should be No. 1?
It's down to either Duke or Wake.
Duke handled Georgetown impressively/aggravatingly enough, but they did it at home. At a neutral site or on the road, I'm not sure they beat the Hoyas.
Meanwhile, Wake won at Clemson -- you can say that Clemson was overrated/product of cupcake schedule/etc., but it was a rocking environment, and Wake handled it.
Plus, Wake has that win over UNC, which Duke doesn't have (yet), so I would give my No. 1 vote to Wake -- not that being No. 1 in any given week in college hoops means anything.
(Re: Duke, they need to make Henderson the focal point of the offense; he is their most potent offensive threat -- although he really needs to shave his head, because that widow's peak balding situation isn't intimidating at all.)
Also: Very impressive wins by Syracuse (over ND) and Arizona State (over UCLA, at UCLA)
Rams hire Giants DC Steve Spagnuolo: The Rams are a mess, but -- in line with my comment about Schwartz and the Lions -- this is the best thing to happen to the Rams franchise since they won the Super Bowl.
Spagnuolo is one of the top minds in the NFL, and should accelerate the turnaround. As they are saying around Washington this week: Smart is the new cool and youth is the new cool. Hires like Schwartz and Spagnuolo and McDaniels and Morris underscore that.
NBA: Magic keep rolling through the Western Conference, this time toppling the Nuggets.
Hot Stove: Phillies sign Hamels to 3Y/$20.5M deal. Seems like a bargain, given the money being thrown around at guys like Sabathia -- in the next year, Hamels will emerge as his superior.
--
Saw Slumdog Millionaire last night. I have seen all of 2 movies in the theaters in the last year (Slumdog and Dark Knight), but Slumdog was one of the Top 10 or 20 best movies I have ever seen. Really enjoyed it. Hope it wins a Best Picture Oscar.
-- D.S.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Saturday 01/17 (Very) Quickie
Twitter-style: What are you doing?
Getting ready for a fantastic afternoon and evening of college hoops. I would say I am most intrigued by Georgetown at Duke, but followed closely by Wake-Clemson and Pitt-L'ville.
Bucs fire Jon Gruden: Now that was a bit unexpected. They must have seen a lot more potential in D.C. Raheem Morris (maybe because the Broncos did first?) than Gruden, who will undoubtedly land somewhere by next season -- but who now officially becomes a coaching retread. Meanwhile, between the 32-year-old Morris and the 32-year-old Josh McDaniels, the trend is definitely for the younger promising head coaches with less of a resume than the...ahem...retreads.
The Magic are on fire: They beat the Lakers last night (despite Kobe's triple-double...in large part thanks to Dwight Howard's 30th double-double and the continued scorching play of should-be All-Star Jameer Nelson -- I'll admit I was a draft-night doubter about him, but he has turned into a sensational NBA player (undoubtedly benefiting from the right context).
Cripes: It is WAY too cold out.
-- D.S.
Getting ready for a fantastic afternoon and evening of college hoops. I would say I am most intrigued by Georgetown at Duke, but followed closely by Wake-Clemson and Pitt-L'ville.
Bucs fire Jon Gruden: Now that was a bit unexpected. They must have seen a lot more potential in D.C. Raheem Morris (maybe because the Broncos did first?) than Gruden, who will undoubtedly land somewhere by next season -- but who now officially becomes a coaching retread. Meanwhile, between the 32-year-old Morris and the 32-year-old Josh McDaniels, the trend is definitely for the younger promising head coaches with less of a resume than the...ahem...retreads.
The Magic are on fire: They beat the Lakers last night (despite Kobe's triple-double...in large part thanks to Dwight Howard's 30th double-double and the continued scorching play of should-be All-Star Jameer Nelson -- I'll admit I was a draft-night doubter about him, but he has turned into a sensational NBA player (undoubtedly benefiting from the right context).
Cripes: It is WAY too cold out.
-- D.S.
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