On this HE SAID SHE SAID, we have decided to write a fictional conversation between the two of us concerning THE game on Sat. Of course I am talking about the Kentucky WildCats vs the Florida Gators. You, the reader, must decide if SHE SAID is closer to the truth or if HE SAID is more believable. This should really be fun! Hope you are ready!!
My Mother decided she wanted her attic emptied so guess who was called upon to assist her? Yep, her only daughter, ME! It was 8A.M. when I arrived home from taking my daughter to school. I walked to Mom’s house and worked until approximately 5P.M. I returned to my house tired, dirty and hungry!
I felt better after a long hot shower and thought I should check my caller I.D. before eating. One number appeared time after time after time! “OH NO!” It was Rev. As I dialed his number, I wondered if I had the energy for this call. You will understand why once you read the transcript of the dialog. I dial the dumber but before it could even ring, Rev Answers…
REV – “Hey! What’s up?” (breathing kind of heavy.)
BGL – “Hi, Dear. I saw where you had called several times and thought I better call you back!” (laughing.)
REV – “Sorry about stalking you…he he he. What do you want to do with HE SAID SHE SAID this week?”
BGL – “With the game between Kentucky and Florida coming up, I think we should do something on that. Don’t you?”
REV – “What will you be wearing?” (again, breathing kind of heavy.)
BGL – “REV!” (trying to ignore the statement I go on) “Last week we switched roles but it was obvious my heart wasn’t into it. So, let’s switch back this week. What do you think?”
REV – “Do you have different sundresses? Are you wearing one right now?”
BGL – “REV! Try to focus! Did you see the AP poll? That #### from ESPN, Craig James voted Kentucky 24th! Oh well, he played for SMU and that is in Texas…need I say more?” (laughing) “We could do a poll of our own for HSSS. We couldn’t do any worse than this guy!”
REV – “That sounds good! Do you want to be on top or the bottom?” (yep, you guessed it, heavy breathing)
BGL – “For now I would rank FL just above the Cats but after we beat you my Cats should move ahead of both the Gators and Tigers!”
REV – (cannot repeat)
BGL – “Remember, this is for HSSS? Kentucky leads the SEC in scoring at 42.7 points per game and total offense at 460.0 yards per game. Even so, did you know that the Gators are picked to win by a touch down?”
REV – “Yeah, I saw that. Know what else I saw?”
BGL – “What’s that?”
REV – “A cute little blue and white sundress! I thought about you when I saw it. I bet you have one don’t you? Being a WildCat!”
BGL – “Rev, what is it with you and sundresses?”
REV – “Why don’t you go put it on?”
BGL – “Now!?”
REV – “Yes, I’ll wait on the line!” (gasping for breath)
BGL – “Alright, hold on.”
At this point I laid the phone down. I had to eat, wash the dishes and do some laundry. Once this was done my daughter yelled at me to come watch “Wild Hogs” with her. We really enjoyed the movie and the couple hours of rest! I got ready for bed and decided to check my email real quick. That’s when I saw the phone laying beside my PC. OMG!! I forgot about Rev!!
BGL- “Rev? Are you still there?”
REV – “Do you have it on? (scary breathing)
BGL – “Good night Sweetie…love ya!”
REV – “I’ll admit Kentucky will beat Florida!!”
BGL – “You will?”
REV – “Sure!! Tebow is a wimp anyways! Everyone knows The WildCats are going to win. You guys have Woodson and you beat LSU, we couldn’t do that! So... are you wearing it?”
BGL – “Okay Rev. Yes, I have it on.” ( ;) I lied )
REV – “I’ll write it now! UK by 6.”
BGL – “Nite nite, Rev.”
REV – “WAIT! Can I use your avatar this time?”
CLICK…
Now it is up to you. Read HE SAID and make your decision. Whose conversation would be closer to reality? PLEASE leave your answers on both blogs so Rev can get the tally correct this time! Hope you all had as much fun as I did!!
It seems in sports we are always comparing players and debating the “best”. Whither it is Bird or Magic, Chamberlain or Russell, Koufax or Gibson or, in this HSSS debate, Smith or Sanders. In my opinion, Jim Brown was the best overall running back so I guess this argument will be who the best was during the 90’s or who the was best between the two; Emmitt Smith or Barry Sanders. Rev, being very biased, mistakenly chose Emmitt Smith. I, on the other hand, actually chose the best RB of the two and that is Barry Sanders. Special thanks to Hoit for this HSSS suggestion.! Let us know if you have any for us and we will look into it!!
"I was always someone who led by actions, not words," Barry Sanders
Barry Sanders was never a man that gave good quotes. He was a man of very few words. He was a man that never showed much emotion. You would never see Barry Sanders spike the ball after a touchdown. His actions spoke for themselves.
Sanders was one of the most electrifying runners to ever play the game. He spent his entire pro career with the Detroit Lions (1989-1998.) Each season with the Lions, Sanders rushed for more than 1,000 yards; the first running back to do so. Sanders best year came in 1997 when he rushed for over 2,000 yards. He became only the 3rd player to reach this plateau in a single season and the first since O. J. Simpson to rush for 2,000 yards in a span of 14 consecutive games.
Barry Sanders played for the Oklahoma State Cowboys from 1986 to 1988. He backed up All-American Thurman Thomas during his first 2 years but became the Cowboys starter his junior year once Thomas moved on to the NFL. That season has been called the greatest ever in college football history. Highlights of Sanders’ collegiate career:
*Set 34 NCAA records during his Heisman Campaign.
*Holds the college single-season rushing record with 2,628 rushing yards in 1988.
*In 1988, Sanders won the Heisman Trophy.
Sanders left for the NFL draft after his junior year and was selected by the Detroit Lions with their 1st-round pick (3rd overall) in 1989. Barry’s size while a concern was deceptive. He was too quick for defenders to hit consistently and way too strong to be brought down with arm tackles. His explosiveness and ability to reverse direction seemingly at will, often left defensive players tackling nothing but air. Sanders finished his first season 2nd in the NFL in rushing yards and touchdowns, and won the Rookie of the Year Award. Listed are highlights of Sanders pro career:
*15,269 career rushing yards *109 career touchdowns (99 rushing, 10 receiving) *76 100-yard rushing games *10 consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons (1989-1998) *Tied NFL record for total 1,000-yard rushing seasons *NFC Rookie of Year (1989) *2-time NFL Player of Year (1991,97) *10-time Pro Bowl selection (1989-1998) * Five-time NFC rushing leader (1989,90,94,96,97) * Four-time NFL rushing leader (1990,94,96,97) *Set NFL single-season records for most 100-yard rushing games and most consecutive 100-yard games (14 in 1997) *Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (2004)
At the age of 30, Sanders astonished fans when he announced his retirement from pro football. Barry left football still in his prime, having gained 15,269 rushing yards, 2,921 receiving yards, 118 kickoff return yards, and 109 touchdowns (99 rushing and 10 receiving). Upon retirement, he was so close to Walter Payton's career rushing mark of 16,726 yards. Only Payton and Emmitt Smith, who broke the record in 2002, have rushed for more yards than Sanders.
His retirement was unexpected and controversial. Just two years earlier, Sanders had renewed his contract with the Lions for $35.4 million over six years with a signing bonus of $11 million. The Lions demanded he return $7.3 million of the bonus. When Sanders refused the franchise sued, eventually winning and Sanders was ordered to pay $5.5 million plus interest over the next 3 years.
At the time of his retirement Sanders owned almost every Lions’ rushing record along with numerous all-time NFL records. However, in the argument of who is the best between Sanders and Smith, numbers are really pointless. For example, Smith gained 10,160 yards in seven years with the Cowboys, an average of 1,451 yards per season. Sanders, over eight years, gained 11,725 yards, an average of 1,466 per season. See my point? Numbers don’t show the moves and stamina. They don’t record plays that start wide right and end up on the left side with every guy in the secondary scrambling to save his job.
Barry Sanders and Emmitt Smith have similarities. They both have the strong, thick legs which defied logic when they moved up and down and sideways all at the same time. Their legs changed the thinking of NFL personnel directors about RB with short stumpy bodies. Sanders and Smith proved that it is okay to be short; it just might be preferred.
"Here's what I see," Jim Brown says. "Emmitt is a great player in a great system, a system that suits him perfectly. He is a hell of a warrior, and he fits into the Dallas scheme better than anybody.” "I don't think Barry's ever been used properly, but that's a different story. If I had my pick of anybody in the league, and I was picking in terms of talent -- maybe not even winning and losing games, but just pure talent -- I'd take Barry. He's the most talented running back in the NFL."
Sanders' rare abilities go well beyond cerebral explanation. The human form just wasn’t meant to cope with endless runs on artificial turf, with stops so hard and fast the skin tears from underneath his toenails, turns so quick tendons and cartilage are expected to fly out of his knee and into the face of the defender. There is no explanation for the manner in which the upper half of his body charges along in one direction while the lower half whirls off in another. “Sander's body seems to change form when needed -- solid to liquid, liquid to gas.”
Gale Sayers, who played for the Chicago Bears and who is consider by some to be the best running back of all time was asked to compare Sanders with Smith. "I wish Barry had a better line to run behind. I'd like to see what would happen then. Many times when you see him, he's making moves behind the line of scrimmage, trying to get away. A lot of times Emmitt isn't touched until he's five yards past the line. When Barry's five yards into the secondary, he's gone. People talk about whether Barry can gain 2,000 yards in a season. Well, if he had Dallas' line, we'd be asking how many years he'd be gaining 2,000 yards. Look at his stats now: He's gaining 1,500 or 1,600 yards anyway. I think Emmitt is a good second-effort runner, a strong runner, but I go with Barry."
Emmitt Smith had an all pro offensive line with 2 potential Hall of Famers. Payton had one of the best as well in 1984. Barry Sanders had none. Emmitt Smith played with a hall of fame QB and WR Barry Sanders did not. Emmitt Smith didn’t have to carry his team’s burden. Barry Sanders did. He was all Detroit had. The fact that Sanders accomplished all that he did with the minimal support that he had is absolutely astonishing.
Every time Barry Sanders touched the ball, he was a threat to score. That cannot be said of Emmitt Smith. Smith benefited more from his surroundings than any of the all time rushers. Put him in a Lions uniform and you get very little. Put Sanders in a Cowboys' uniform and it’s scary. This is how I always compare great players. If they switched teams would they still be as dominate? Emmitt Smith would not. Barry Sanders would.
Rev had an idea about this week’s He Said She Said. It was that I argue the case the Florida Gators will beat my Kentucky WildCats in football this year and his debate will be the WildCats will beat his Gators. While I am a little scared, I agreed this could be a great approach especially for the debates we have on HSSS. It would be too easy and expected from me to fight….full out kicking and screaming that UK will beat FL in football and for Rev to, of course, take the Gator side. So, how shocking is this?
I didn’t realize all the feelings I was going to go through writing this and now actually posting it for others to read. It is like I am being unfaithful. I even asked Rev to come find my body along U.S. 119 because I know my WildCat brothers and sisters are going to kill me! I hope everyone, including Florida fans (because I am worried about Rev’s safety after this) will understand what we are doing. It is a different look at each other’s teams; a fresh view from another’s aspect of the game; AND I did get an adamant Gator fan to admit UK will beat FL in football this year….lmao I can’t wait to see what I can get him to do during basketball season!! I am joking! This is a wonderful idea and I have argued the case against my beloved Cats.
Tradition:an inherited pattern of thought or action.
Tradition is often overlooked or even snubbed for some reason these days. As a former basketball player I know how important believing you can win is to a team. A squad can have all the talent in the world but if they do not expect to defeat their opponent every time they step onto the court or field, they will lose. Don’t get me wrong, of course you need talent! However, you better have the mind-frame of a winner as well. The Florida Gators’ football program knows what I am talking about. This program is known and feared across the country. They have an inherited pattern of thought or action and that is winning.
Their first meeting with the University of Kentucky was in 1917. The game was played in Lexington, KY and the Cats came away with a 52-0 win. Since that time the Gators have met the Cats on a football field 56 times. FL owns the series with 39-wins, 17-losses and 0-ties. The last time UK beat FL was back in 1986 in Lexington with a score of 10-3. This year’s meeting takes place on Oct. 20th at Kentucky. But before we can take a look into the future, let’s glance into the past…
The Gators’ first snap was in 1906. Coach James Forsythe led the University to 3 winning seasons. During the 1910s the football squad acted as an independent team. In 1912, they became part of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association. In 1922, Florida joined the Southern Conference. They remained there until finding their permanent home with the SEC in 1933.
It would be in the 1960s before the world got a glimpse of what would become a long run of dominance. Head Coach Ray Graves swaggered with a team record of 70 wins. The 1966 team is considered one of the best teams in Florida history. They were led by Heisman Trophy winner, Steve Spurrier. 30 years later in 1996, the Gators won their first ever National Title. The quarterback from that championship team was Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel. During the title battle, Anthony Reidel set a record for the SEC player to score the most points -18, and touchdowns - 3, during a championship game.
The Orange and Blue are known for winning a total of 8 SEC football conference championships. Only 7 are recorded because of NCAA violations, the Gators were officially stripped of their 1984 SEC championship. The 1985 and 1990 teams finished best in the SEC, they were not eligible to compete for the championship because of NCAA violations that previous coaching staff committed.
Florida holds a handful of SEC records. In 1996, Florida scored the most points with 45. In regular season games, the Gators hold the record for scoring the most touchdowns (nine vs. Central Michigan in 1997).
Before you can judge the 2007 team you must assess their leader. At the Helm of the 2007 Florida Gators is Urban Meyer, one of the most celebrated coaches in college football. His winning percentage of 83.1% is ranked 7th nationally among active coaches. Coach Meyer is the 3rd highest paid college coach with his current 6-year contract.
Before Urban Meyer came to take the reigns of the Florida program, he had already won the;
2001 Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year
2003 Sporting News National Coach of the Year
2003 and 2004 Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year
2004 Home Depot Coach of the Year Award
2004 George Munger Award for the Collegiate Coach of the Year
2004 Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year
2004 Pro Football Weekly National Coach of the Year
2004 Woody Hayes Trophy Award
2004 Victor Award
In just his first 2 seasons, Meyers led the Gators to finishes of 9-3 and 13-1, respectively. This, as we all know, took FL to a 2006 BCS National Championship victory over Ohio State.
There is a problem with winning college championships. That is you usually lose a lot of star talent to the pros the next season. The 2007 University of Florida Football Gators did just that. They lost star QB Chris Leak (free agent with the Bears) and a host of others. However, Coach Meyer did find a replacement for Leak. His name is Tim Tebow. Tebow IS the FL offense. It is essential he stay healthy and as much as he runs this is highly questionable by the time the Gators face the WildCats. This Heisman candidate just earned his second Offensive Player of the Week honor after last weeks win over Ole Miss. Tebow accounted for 427 yards of total offense (best in the SEC this year), including a school record 166 rushing yards by a quarterback. He also had career-highs in completions (20), attempts (34) and rushing attempts (27) while throwing for 261 yards and two touchdowns. Thus far, for the season, Tebow leads the SEC in passing efficiency, is 6th in rushing yards and leads the SEC in rushing touchdowns (7). Adding to this offense is WR Percy Harvin and RB Kestahn Moore. Harvin has 155 yds RUSH and 336 REC; a total of 491 yds offense after 4 games. Moore has netted 279 yds RUSH and 37 yds REC; a total 316 yds offense after 4 games.
The big question will be can the FL defense stop UK’s offense. After losing 9 defensive starters from last year’s National Championship team, the Gator defense is definitely in a rebuilding year. They do return pre-season, First Team, All-SEC selection, DL Derrick Harvey. But after 4 games the Gators D is led by sophomore LB Brandon Spikes. This young man has 21 solo tackles and assisted on 15 for a total of 36 tackles. With the loss of Marcus Thomas the Gators D has been solid but has not had the kind of success stopping the run that Thomas brought.
The Florida offense is averaging 44.5 points per game while their defense is holding opponents to 22.0 ppg. The Gators are scoring 2 or more touchdowns each quarter. The WildCats have a hard time dealing the run especially against QBs. This along with their slow starts and having to “come-back” in the 4th quarter will be their downfall. There is no answer for Tebow. His 358 yds RUSH and 1096 yds PASS says it all. I do believe the game will be tight, but Florida will hold with tradition and beat Kentucky 31-30.
"Baseball is simply a better game without the DH." Bob Costas
A designated hitter is a rule enforced by the American League allowing another player who is chosen at the start of the game to hit in place of another batter (usually the poorest hitter which tends to be the pitcher). The designated hitter doesn't field. This rule allows teams to keep hitters who aren't strong fielders in their lineup.
This He Said She Said debates the use of the designated hitter. I love baseball. It has given me numerous memories that I have shared with my children and plan to one day share with my grandchildren. Not only do I love the game, I am indebted to it. Baseball paid for my husband’s college education. He was a great 2nd baseman and was so much fun to watch. His arm kept him from going pro, but that’s okay. We are where we are supposed to be.
To me, baseball is the perfect sport; with one exception…the designated hitter rule imposed by the American League. The powers-that-be believed the fans cared more about offense thus the DH rule was developed. When the rule was implemented, Bowie Kuhn was the Commissioner of Major League Baseball. In 1968, the American League batting title went to Carl Yastrezemski, an outfielder who played for the Red Sox. At that time his batting average of .301 was the lowest average for a title winner in modern era. Because of the declining offense at the time, Kuhn liked the idea of the DH. It has also been said the DH rule was enforced in response to the declining ticket sales in the 70’s’; the more hits, the more exciting the game. The Baseball Almanac reports that Ron Blomberg of the New York Yankees was the first major league’s designated hitter. On April 6, 1973 he walked against Luis Tiant of the Boston Red Sox with the bases loaded. While the American League uses the DH rule, the National League does not. To this day, it remains a controversial rule.
Because they are not required to bat, this rule allows American League pitchers to throw at the opposing hitters with less repercussion than National League pitchers who must take their turn at bat. Isn’t it only fair that those who hurl a baseball reaching speeds 90 to 100 miles per hour have the opportunity to brave that same sensation? In the interest of fair play the pitcher should stand at the plate and face the heat.
Baseball has long been called a “thinking man’s game.” If the pitcher sits while another bats in his place this is no longer so. Managers need not manage. They can just send a DH to bat. However, if a pitcher bats, as he should, strategy is used due to rules put in to place long before the Designated Hitter rule. A great player, which some may call a “pro,” doesn’t need a DH. They do their job by playing the field and getting their chance at bat. The DH cheapens baseball. This person is given a bat, told to hit the ball, run the bases and then sits until his next at bat.
While other non-professional leagues do use the DH, they are playing for the pure passion and love of the game. MLB is a business. Designated Hitters are being paid ridiculous sums of money. A player making 6 million a year just to DH is a crime and should not be a part of major league baseball. If you bat then you should play the field. Pitchers are a part of the game, as a matter of fact, the most important position in the sport. The strategy of using the pitcher as a hitter is one of the most intriguing aspects of the game. Yes, it does enable veterans to continue playing. Pete Rose would have possibly played well into the 1990’s if the DH had been applied. I’m just not buying that! If you cannot take the field due to injuries then you don’t need to be just a hitter.
The DH position has evolved from this philosophy to the modern day designated hitter that represents all offense and no defense. Those who could never have made it to the pro leagues now find themselves a vital part of the American League teams. With the exciting young stars and new ballparks, the American League no longer needs gimmicks.
The loss of strategy and the over-emphasis on power at the expense of some of the game's finesse is too big of a price to pay for the advantages of the DH. Besides, anyone who has so short of an attention span with so little appreciation for baseball that he can't watch a pitcher bat has no business watching MLB anyways.
I guess you can call me “old school” when it comes to sports, but I say let the game be played the way it was supposed to be. Professional sports should not have a major difference in its structure of play. Both leagues should follow the same rules. Pitchers pitch and pitchers bat. It is that plain and simple. Everyone takes the field and does their job on offense and defense. The National League plays a better and more interesting game. The American League should try it.
When my time on earth is gone, and my activities here are passed, I want they bury me upside down, and my critics can kiss my ####!
This time on HE SAID SHE SAID, we have picked a very controversial character. You either love or hate this man….there is no in-between. Would you allow your son to play college basketball for the infamous Bobby Knight? Those of you that know me know I am a college basketball freak so I am more than happy to debate anything that has to do with my passion. The problem is there is more bad news covering Coach Knight than there is good. We all know of the chair throwing incident or grabbing of players and of course deriding the press. So, where does one go to find the good in Bobby Knight? Believe it or not, I didn’t have to go very far. While I only have 2 daughters, would I allow my child or children to play for Bobby Knight? The answer is simple….yes, I would.
Robert Montgomery Knight was born on Oct 25th, 1940 in Massillon, Ohio. He grew up in nearby Orrville where he played basketball, football and baseball for the Orrville Red Riders. He played three seasons at Ohio State University (1960-1962) where he served as the sixth man on OSU’s National Championship team. After coaching high school basketball in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Knight joined the Army and coached the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
Knight developed his coaching antics while at West Point. Although he has a reputation for physical intimidation, he dictates more with an acid tongue. Knight was only 24 years old when he took the reigns at West Point. While there he took Army to the semifinals of the NIT three times. This may not seem like a great accomplishment until you consider that no player was over 6’6” because of West Points’ height requirements. Throughout the years, Knight has remained the consistent drill sergeant who fiercely taunts his players while demanding total obedience.
Bob Knight coached at Indiana University from 1971 to 2000 where he led the Hoosiers to 3 NCAA titles (1976, 1981, and 1987) as well as 11 Big Ten championships. He coached U.S. teams to gold in the 1979 Pan American Games and the 1984 Olympics. On Sept. 10th 2000 Bobby Knight was fired by IU president for a continuing pattern of “defiant and hostile” behavior. 3000 protesters marched to IU president’s house, Myles Brand, on campus and downtown Bloomington in reaction to his firing. Knight bid farewell during a rally held the next day to 8000 supporters. Coach Knight signed with Texas Tech on March 23, 2001. It was reported to have been a 5-year deal worth $1.25 million dollars with no extra behavior clauses in the contract. Knight surpassed Dean Smith on Jan. 1st, 2007 with 880 wins and became the winningest basketball coach in NCAA men’s division 1 history.
So what makes Bobby Knight, well, Bobby Knight? To me, it is the passion and love he has for the game of basketball. He is nicknamed “The General” and rightly so. His competitiveness reminds me of another famous General, George Patton. This commander also had a winning record and was known for coming close to destroying a lustrous career for slapping shell shocked soldiers in Army hospitals. Patton accepted no less from one soldier than he did from another. Bobby Knight can be described in the same manner. He expects high principles and demands not only from his players but from his coaching staff as well. However, Bobby Knight is first and foremost an educator. Every young man who has had the privilege of playing under Knight can take the lessons taught to them while playing ball and use them throughout their lives.
Coach Knight’s demand for excellence doesn’t exclude the classroom. While at IU Knight’s graduation rate was nearly 98 percent. Around 65 percent of college student/athletes will fail to graduate. Under the hard-love of Bobby Knight, Indiana University’s men’s basketball squad was an academic success. Only a handful of NCAA schools combine basketball excellence along with a high level of graduation among athletes. Knight has an ability to motivate, teach and push his kids to success. There are a number of assistant coaches and former players that have gone on to become successful head coaches. Perhaps the most famous is the current head coach of Duke, Mike Krzyzewski.
The General is a fiery coach who leads through discipline and intimidation. His in-your-face approach has been the subject of much criticism and sometimes rightly so. His passionate approach seems to follow generational lines. The younger generation sees Knight as a bully while the older generations say they do their best under strict guidance like that of Knight. In August of 2003 Knight was honored as the very first inductee in the Vince Lombardi Titletown Legends. This induction pays tribute to individuals that possess characteristics passed down by Vince Lombardi; these include dedication, teamwork, respect, love, family, and discipline.
Bobby Knight’s name is synonymous with greatness. His accomplishments far outnumber the mistakes he has made out of passion. His numbers speak for themselves and his integrity by not recruiting in the wrong way is very admirable especially in this day and age. If you have a son ready to leave home for work or school, you will not be there to protect or take care of him. If your child were good enough to play division 1 basketball you would want someone to take care of them in your absence. To that parent Bobby Knight represents everything you would want in a person shaping your son’s early adult life.
What would I want for my child in their college career?
I want discipline.
I want leadership.
I want knowledge.
I want them to be taught by the best.
I want academics.
I want someone who will be there for them during and after their college career.
"Without free speech no search for truth is possible... no discovery of truth is useful... Better a thousand fold abuse of free speech than denial of free speech. The abuse dies in a day, but the denial slays the life of the people, and entombs the hope of the race."
Charles BRADLAUGH British social reformer (1833-1891)
On August 1st minor league baseball took being politically correct to the field. The Lowell Spinners and the Brooklyn Cyclones played what some are calling the first ever P.C. baseball game. In the spirit of P.C.-ness, different positions were renamed. First, second and third basemen became “basepersons,” the batboy was a “batperson,” and perhaps the strangest of all, the shortstop was renamed to the “vertically challenged stop.” Errors were not announced to the fans so that the player who committed them would not be offended. Although losing could have given one of the teams a complex, the score was kept and Brooklyn won this odd game, 9-5.
I do believe one should censor themselves but the problem with the culture of P.C. or being political correct, is that it browbeats the general public into accepting certain judgments, values and opinions. Our society embraces these to the point of sacrificing an individual’s right of expression. This leads to contempt, malevolence, and hatred for anyone displaying an unpopular belief. Many deny themselves their freedom of speech for fear of humiliation, fear of appearing ignorant, and even fear of retaliation.
Several months ago shock jock, Don Imus, was fired because he referred to the Rutger Women’s basketball team as “nappy headed ####’s.” Now he faces a libel, slander and defamation lawsuit from Kia Vaughn, the star center for the women’s basketball squad. Please do not leave me messages accusing me of siding with Imus, I am not. His words were deplorable and he had a responsibility as a public figure to censor himself. However, freedom of speech means that an individual has rights to individual liberties. That liberty includes both the accepted and unaccepted of #### or written expression. This subsumes even bigoted speech no matter how repulsive you or I might find it.
We all know that the old saying, “give them an inch and they’ll take a mile” is very true. Let’s say for arguments sake that Vaughn wins her lawsuit. Now I want you to look to the future. During an NBA game one of the players takes his time getting down the floor to play defense – not a vision that is too hard to picture. One of the sports announcers spots this and says the player is slacking and lazy, hurting his team. Afterwards that “lazy” player finds out about the commentators remarks. Claiming the announcer hurt his chances of signing a major contract with someone like Nike for fitness wear, the player sues the announcer and the station carrying the game. And you know what? Using the Imus case as precedent, he will win. It is now coming to the point that any sport’s personality needs the advice of a lawyer before making any comment about a player, team or franchise. Other examples include Rush Limbaugh and John Rocker. Both made stupid remarks which were politically incorrect and both ended up losing their jobs due to this stupidity.
Many more sports figures have lost their job, been suspended or fined for exercising their freedom of speech. Many terms can be labeled as politically incorrect. I wonder which are P.C. and which are not. Who are the members of the “thought police” that make this determination and how do you join? One of the qualifications of being Politically Correct is that you must not only have correct thoughts at all times, you must also condemn those who display incorrect thoughts.
Team mascots are certainly not off limits to the searching eyes of the “thought-police.” The University of Illinois caved to political pressure and booted their mascot of 81 years. Will others soon follow suit for fear of being ostracized from the ranks of the Politically Correct? Will fear of economic consequences finally push owners to change the names of mascots that have represented them for what is for some, a lifetime?
Maybe we should do some good and help a few of these owners. I’m listing the names of each team in the MLB, NFL and NBA. I ask of you to come up with new names; names that are politically correct. Because this is my blog ;) , I will serve as the “thought police” and decide which are P.C. and which are not. As squads are renamed, I will add the new mascot beside the old along with the name of the clever person who thought of the P.C. mascot. Once a team has been renamed no other names will be taken for that particular one….no matter how brilliant they might be!
Do you find this silly? I hope you do. I also hope you find it a little disturbing. It is not only the liberties of Don Imus and others like him that I am debating for; it is for you. I fight for your right to agree with this piece but most importantly, I fight for your right to disagree and voice that opinion.
It does seem that mothers have now changed the old rhyme told to us long ago to Sticks and Stones may break my bones but call me names and I’ll sue you for millions.
MLB
Arizona Diamondbacks - Avsfreak24 thinks this mascot should be changed to; Arizona Golddiggers
Atlanta Braves
Chicago Cubs
Colorado Rockies - Apparently Rev agrees with me about Freedom of Speech. This is from him; Colorado Stoners
Cincinnati Reds
Florida Marlins
Houston Astros
Los Angeles Dodgers
Milwaukee Brewers
New York Mets - I thought this was funny. It also comes from AvsFreak24; New York Stepchildren
Philadelphia Phillies
Pittsburgh Pirates
San Diego Padres
San Francisco Giants
St. Louis Cardinals
Anaheim Angels
Baltimore Orioles
Boston Red Sox
Chicago White Sox
Cleveland Indians
Detroit Tigers
Kansas City Royals
Minnesota Twins
New York Yankees - Once again AvsFreak24 has a suggestion; New York Bankees
Oakland Athletics
Seattle Mariners
Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Texas Rangers
Toronto Blue Jays
Washington Nationals
NFL
Arizona Cardinals - From SwackDaddy; Arizona Roadrunners....The Cardinal is not indigunous to AZ, and They Have no passing game.
Atlanta Falcons - Practicing his FREEDOM of SPEECH, this one comes from Reverend Rhythm; Atlanta Dog-Executioners...I think this speaks for itself!
Baltimore Ravens
Buffalo Bills - Another good one from SwackDaddy; The Buffilo Williams
Carolina Panthers
Cincinnati Bengals
Chicago Bears
Cleveland Browns
Dallas Cowboys
Denver Broncos
Detroit Lions
Green Bay Packers - SwackDaddy strikes again!The Fudge Packersrofl
Houston Texans - Yet another name speaking against all P.C. comes from the Reverend; Houston BorderCrossers
Indianapolis Colts
Jacksonville Jaguars
Kansas City Chiefs
Miami Dolphins
Minnesota Vikings
New England Patriots
New Orleans Saints
New York Giants
New York Jets
Oakland Raiders - dehbashi suggested this one; Oakland Jailers
Philadelphia Eagles
Pittsburgh Steelers - Socratesofswat came up with this for my beloved Steelers; Pittsburgh BOOTY HUNTERS
San Diego Chargers
San Francisco 49ers - My favorite from Rev (although his "thought police" might arrest him!!); San Francisco (well, you know)
Seattle Seahawks
St. Louis Rams
Tampa Bay Buccanneers
Tennessee Titans
Washington Redskins - Suggested by bafongu; Washington Mocaskins
Around this time every year we, the fans, know it is time for pro-football when we hear Hank Williams, Jr. sing “Are You Ready for Some Football.” Apparently Hank is serenading the wrong crowd! He should aim his vocals towards the rookies drafted by the NFL months ago but who have yet to step foot on the field. Until recently approximately 20% of the first round draft picks had not signed their contracts. For a league as well run and as well respected as the NFL, this is absolutely ridiculous! It is time the NFL takes some advice from the NBA and enforces strict salary caps. Rev will try to persuade you this is a bad thing but I have listed just a few reasons enforcing a salary cap like that of the NBA would be good for the NFL.
ROOKIE HOLD_OUTS:
The Oakland Raiders knew long ago they would draft JaMarcus Russell as the #1 overall pick. The draft occurred back in April and Russell has yet to ink the agreement. Why? MONEY! Russell is holding out for more money. He is holding out for guarantees even though he hasn’t suited up for one game. Others that held out for bigger contracts include Calvin Johnson, Levi Brown, Darrelle Revis, Brady Quinn, Dewayne Bowe, and John Beason. A strict salary cap would all but eliminate rookie hold-outs.
DRAFT FOR NEED RATHER THAN AFFORDABILITY:
The top picks are eating away larger and larger portions of their prospective team’s salary. This leaves less for resigning veterans or adding free agents. The draft is supposed to assist the bottom teams from the previous year however it has become more o####amble than an investment. Remember Ryan Leaf? Russell could be signing what will be the largest contract in the history of the Oakland Raider’s. It is reported to be around $60 million dollars with $30 million of it guaranteed. If he turns out to be another “Leaf” the Raiders will have their hands tied for the next several years and efforts to better the team will be close to impossible. Russell is justifying this huge amount because it is a percentage increase from last years #1 draft pick. If future rookies continue to follow this logic by 2008 the overall #1 pick will be expecting $65 million and in 2015 the “chosen one” will be earning $100 million dollars! Teams would never be able to draft according to need but would have to try to improve the squad with who they can afford.
ROOKIES WOULD HAVE TO PROVE THEIR WORTH:
How many teams have invested huge lumps of money towards their futures only to have their choices bomb? The Chargers drafted Ryan Leaf as the #2 pick overall. Tim Couch was drafted #1 overall by the Cleveland Browns. Both teams gambled millions of dollars only to lose. Neither Leaf nor Couch ever lived up to their huge salaries and those teams are still paying for their mistakes. The Browns have never been able to overcome the drafting of Couch. Some rookies start out making more than many of veteran players will receive during their entire career without having stepped one foot on the field. The salary cap would make rookies prove themselves for the first couple of years thereby preventing hold-outs and the gambles teams are forced to make.
GOOD FOR OWNERS, VETERAN PLAYERS AND COACHES:
General Managers and Coaches have to have control of the money in order to build their teams and complete the roster. The more control they have over the money, the more creative they can be in building towards the future. Owners would no longer be taking a big gamble with their team’s futures by signing an untested player and overloading their future salary cap. As it stands now, owners must debate with greedy agents rather than know exactly what they would be spending. This takes the control of one’s team completely out of their hands and ultimately out of the hands of the coach. Only a few players take up the bulk of the salary cap and these are often recently drafted rookies rather than proven veterans. This makes no sense. Proven veteran players should be taken care of first and foremost. Agents would, of course, object to a strict salary cap because they would no longer be able to use kids just out of college to fatten their pocket and egos.
Huge rookie contracts should not be the norm for the NFL but they are. Because more and more rookies cannot come to an agreement on their contracts, more and more are reporting late for training camp. The NFL should give the NBA a call. Greg Oden signed with the Portland Trail Blazers almost immediately because the pro basketball league dictates how much money each rookie will make. Oden will start out at around #4 million a year. Unlike Russell, Oden will not be the highest paid player in the NBA; this is saved for the veterans of the game. There are no hold-outs or heated debates about money. The rookie player can focus on his new career as a pro.
I am not saying that players like JaMarcus Russell don’t deserve to get rich, but his pay demonstrates just how seriously insane the salary structure is of the NFL. The salary cap should remain at the same level with a smaller slice going to rookies and the bigger portion awarded to proven veterans; in other words, a strict rookie salary cap. In a few years Russell just might be worth the $30 million dollar payday. Until then, the NFL needs to reserve that kind of money for the players that have proven their worth on the field. The NFL might be the top sport in the country but would someone tell them to put the lid down before they flush more money down the toilet!
I was running blindly, in a panic….searching for something but didn’t know what. My heart was filled with sadness as I ran towards nothing yet feeling something important behind me; something I could never turn back towards. Suddenly, there was what I was looking for. I knew it as soon as I lay eyes on it. It was a sports’ arena. As I entered, the scenes changed before my very eyes - one minute it was a gym, the next a baseball diamond and then a football field. There was destruction in each; cobwebs and dust filled the air and clouded my vision as I looked around. There were tattered banners hanging from the rafters while moonlight shone through giant holes in the ceiling. Goals and scoreboards lay shattered and broken. Bleachers were lop-sided with many completely missing. Sounds from the past were deafening in the stillness consuming me. I was surrounded by ghosts; of fans who once believed in the game, coaches screaming change-ups in their D from sidelines long gone, and players who played their sports for the pure love they felt for the game. They whispered to me, “We were the WildCats, the Steelers, the Celtics. We were the Gators, the Yankees, the Bulls. We were all sports. We exist no more.” As I began to weep, I realized I was standing in a cemetery, a cemetery of sports that was, sports that is and sports that will never be.
When I awoke, I was sitting straight up in bed with real tears streaming down my face. I looked around and knew I was safe. “It was only a dream,” I told myself. “Only a dream.” …really?
There are those that predict a future without sports. With all the scandals surrounding sports they just might have a point. Are fans getting to the point they don’t care anymore or are indifferent to cheating which is infiltrating every single sport? If the numbers of the last NBA playoff games are any indication of what is happening with the fan base then the future of sports looks bleak. During game 1 of the Cleveland Cavs VS the Spurs the 6.3 rating amounted to a 19% drop from last year, setting a record low for an NBA Finals opening game in primetime. Game 2 faired no better as the earned a 5.6 national rating and a 10 share Sunday night. They sank 30% from numbers of 8.0 and a 14 draw in the finals of the previous year.
What’s going on and what is the mentality of the sports’ fan? Let’s take a look at the different areas of cheating and different outlooks of fans.
* Built up a tolerance to cheating: We have athletes who are ####s, murderers, drug dealers, addicts – cheating just doesn’t seem that bad anymore. Who cares!! All of this happens in every aspect of life. We are taught from an early age that if you see something you want, GO FOR IT!! And if genetics stands in the way of your success…cheat. Win at all costs. Isn’t this what society tells us to do? Do the majority of fans care if Bonds is taking steroids? No! They pay to see him hit homeruns. What goes on between the lines will make you forget what happens outside the lines.
* Cheating has always been around. It is just a part of sports: Yes, cheating is a part of human nature. Everyone wants to get a head of the “Jones” and to have their slice of the American Dream. If someone offered a janitor a way to become the boss and make millions and all it took for him was a little pill. What do you think he would do? When people see a way, they will take advantage. We Americans love a shot-cut to the top. Taking HGH could make a difference between being a practice dummy and making millions per year. Athletes have million-dollar incentives to cheat and scientist readily available to help them beat drug screens. Sports will never be drug-free. Athletic endowments far out way humanity. How many of our records are held by players who cheated? Will we ever know? Do we REALLY want to?
*Head in the sand – if we don’t see it then it doesn’t exist: Why care if the game is decided by forces we cannot see? Fans watch sports to be entertained. If this is so, why make a distinction between athletes who do or who do not use drugs? Roids mean more balls knocked out of the park. Now THAT’S entertainment!!
*So many ways to influence the outcome o####ame: Sometimes it isn’t about winning or losing, it is about the point spread. Players, coaches, the media, game officials and boosters can make things happen…things we may never discover. Let me ask you a question. If you are a member seeding the NCAA college basketball championship, would a teams’ fan base play a factor in your decision? Of course it would! Neither you nor the media want to show a game with very few fans in the stands!
*All cheating is not equal: There’s real cheating and then there’s “dirty” play. For example, stepping on a player’s foot during their lay-up is cheating but would be considered dirty. After all, isn’t that the Ref’s job? In former UNLV coach Jerry Tarkanian's 2005 memoir, Runnin' Rebel, he wrote, "In major college basketball, nine out of 10 teams break the rules. The other one is in last place." We live in a world of “What have you done for me lately.” Winning means bigger and better contracts….losing means finding a new job.
*Does “Best Recruiter” = “Best Cheater?”:The NCAA's Division I Manual is 427 pages long, very complicated, and yet still inadequate at controlling the recruiting scene. "Believe me," said one current D-I assistant who requested anonymity, "Coaches will talk publicly about the rules being excessive and hard to understand, but all the good ones are fully aware of how to exploit every loophole in the book." There is a thin line between cheating and not cheating. I have listed five examples from college basketball below:
1a) CHEATING: Excessive phone calls to recruits.
1b) NOT CHEATING (yet): Sending excessive text messages to recruits.
Rev. As I dialed his number, I wondered if I had the energy for this call. You will understand why once you read the transcript of the dialog. I dial the dumber but before it could even ring, Rev Answers… 
words. He was a man that never showed much emotion. You would never see Barry Sanders spike the ball after a touchdown. His actions spoke for themselves.
Lions with their 1st-round pick (3rd overall) in 1989. Barry’s size while a concern was deceptive. He was too quick for defenders to hit consistently and way too strong to be brought down with arm tackles. His explosiveness and ability to reverse direction seemingly at will, often left defensive players tackling nothing but air. Sanders finished his first season 2nd in the NFL in rushing yards and touchdowns, and won the Rookie of the Year Award. Listed are highlights of Sanders pro career: 
yards, 2,921 receiving yards, 118 kickoff return yards, and 109 touchdowns (99 rushing and 10 receiving). Upon retirement, he was so close to Walter Payton's career rushing mark of 16,726 yards. Only Payton and Emmitt Smith, who broke the record in 2002, have rushed for more yards than Sanders.
scheme better than anybody.” "I don't think Barry's ever been used properly, but that's a different story. If I had my pick of anybody in the league, and I was picking in terms of talent -- maybe not even winning and losing games, but just pure talent -- I'd take Barry. He's the most talented running back in the NFL."
with a hall of fame QB and WR Barry Sanders did not. Emmitt Smith didn’t have to carry his team’s burden. Barry Sanders did. He was all Detroit had. The fact that Sanders accomplished all that he did with the minimal support that he had is absolutely astonishing.
team. A squad can have all the talent in the world but if they do not expect to defeat their opponent every time they step onto the court or field, they will lose. Don’t get me wrong, of course you need talent! However, you better have the mind-frame of a winner as well. The Florida Gators’ football program knows what I am talking about. This program is known and feared across the country. They have an inherited pattern of thought or action and that is winning. 
the 2007 Florida Gators is Urban Meyer, one of the most celebrated coaches in college football. His winning percentage of 83.1% is ranked 7th nationally among active coaches. Coach Meyer is the 3rd highest paid college coach with his current 6-year contract. 
In just his first 2 seasons, Meyers led the Gators to finishes of 9-3 and 13-1, respectively. This, as we all know, took FL to a 2006 BCS National Championship victory over Ohio State. 
Tebow IS the FL offense. It is essential he stay healthy and as much as he runs this is highly questionable by the time the Gators face the WildCats. This Heisman candidate just earned his second Offensive Player of the Week honor after last weeks win over Ole Miss. Tebow accounted for 427 yards of total offense (best in the SEC this year), including a school record 166 rushing yards by a quarterback. He also had career-highs in completions (20), attempts (34) and rushing attempts (27) while throwing for 261 yards and two touchdowns. Thus far, for the season, Tebow leads the SEC in passing efficiency, is 6th in rushing yards and leads the SEC in rushing touchdowns (7). Adding to this offense is WR Percy Harvin and RB Kestahn Moore. Harvin has 155 yds RUSH and 336 REC; a total of 491 yds offense after 4 games. Moore has netted 279 yds RUSH and 37 yds REC; a total 316 yds offense after 4 games.
defensive starters from last year’s National Championship team, the Gator defense is definitely in a rebuilding year. They do return pre-season, First Team, All-SEC selection, DL Derrick Harvey. But after 4 games the Gators D is led by sophomore LB Brandon Spikes. This young man has 21 solo tackles and assisted on 15 for a total of 36 tackles. With the loss of Marcus Thomas the Gators D has been solid but has not had the kind of success stopping the run that Thomas brought. 
opponents to 22.0 ppg. The Gators are scoring 2 or more touchdowns each quarter. The WildCats have a hard time dealing the run especially against QBs. This along with their slow starts and having to “come-back” in the 4th quarter will be their downfall. There is no answer for Tebow. His 358 yds RUSH and 1096 yds PASS says it all. I do believe the game will be tight, but Florida will hold with tradition and beat Kentucky 31-30.
allowing another player who is chosen at the start of the game to hit in place of another batter (usually the poorest hitter which tends to be the pitcher). The designated hitter doesn't field. This rule allows teams to keep hitters who aren't strong fielders in their lineup. 
was developed. When the rule was implemented, Bowie Kuhn was the Commissioner of Major League Baseball. In 1968, the American League batting title went to Carl Yastrezemski, an outfielder who played for the Red Sox. At that time his batting average of .301 was the lowest average for a title winner in modern era. Because of the declining offense at the time, Kuhn liked the idea of the DH. It has also been said the DH rule was enforced in response to the declining ticket sales in the 70’s’; the more hits, the more exciting the game. The Baseball Almanac reports that Ron Blomberg of the New York Yankees was the first major league’s designated hitter. On April 6, 1973 he walked against Luis Tiant of the Boston Red Sox with the bases loaded. While the American League uses the DH rule, the National League does not. To this day, it remains a controversial rule.
paid ridiculous sums of money. A player making 6 million a year just to DH is a crime and should not be a part of major league baseball. If you bat then you should play the field. Pitchers are a part of the game, as a matter of fact, the most important position in the sport. The strategy of using the pitcher as a hitter is one of the most intriguing aspects of the game. Yes, it does enable veterans to continue playing. Pete Rose would have possibly played well into the 1990’s if the DH had been applied. I’m just not buying that! If you cannot take the field due to injuries then you don’t need to be just a hitter. 
for baseball that he can't watch a pitcher bat has no business watching MLB anyways.
character. You either love or hate this man….there is no in-between. Would you allow your son to play college basketball for the infamous Bobby Knight? Those of you that know me know I am a college basketball freak so I am more than happy to debate anything that has to do with my passion. The problem is there is more bad news covering Coach Knight than there is good. We all know of the chair throwing incident or grabbing of players and of course deriding the press. So, where does one go to find the good in Bobby Knight? Believe it or not, I didn’t have to go very far. While I only have 2 daughters, would I allow my child or children to play for Bobby Knight? The answer is simple….yes, I would. 
grew up in nearby Orrville where he played basketball, football and baseball for the Orrville Red Riders. He played three seasons at Ohio State University (1960-1962) where he served as the sixth man on OSU’s National Championship team. After coaching high school basketball in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Knight joined the Army and coached the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. 
reputation for physical intimidation, he dictates more with an acid tongue. Knight was only 24 years old when he took the reigns at West Point. While there he took Army to the semifinals of the NIT three times. This may not seem like a great accomplishment until you consider that no player was over 6’6” because of West Points’ height requirements. Throughout the years, Knight has remained the consistent drill sergeant who fiercely taunts his players while demanding total obedience. 
Hoosiers to 3 NCAA titles (1976, 1981, and 1987) as well as 11 Big Ten championships. He coached U.S. teams to gold in the 1979 Pan American Games and the 1984 Olympics. On Sept. 10th 2000 Bobby Knight was fired by IU president for a continuing pattern of “defiant and hostile” behavior. 3000 protesters marched to IU president’s house, Myles Brand, on campus and downtown Bloomington in reaction to his firing. Knight bid farewell during a rally held the next day to 8000 supporters. Coach Knight signed with Texas Tech on March 23, 2001. It was reported to have been a 5-year deal worth $1.25 million dollars with no extra behavior clauses in the contract. Knight surpassed Dean Smith on Jan. 1st, 2007 with 880 wins and became the winningest basketball coach in NCAA men’s division 1 history. 
love he has for the game of basketball. He is nicknamed “The General” and rightly so. His competitiveness reminds me of another famous General, George Patton. This commander also had a winning record and was known for coming close to destroying a lustrous career for slapping shell shocked soldiers in Army hospitals. Patton accepted no less from one soldier than he did from another. Bobby Knight can be described in the same manner. He expects high principles and demands not only from his players but from his coaching staff as well. However, Bobby Knight is first and foremost an educator. Every young man who has had the privilege of playing under Knight can take the lessons taught to them while playing ball and use them throughout their lives. 
Knight’s graduation rate was nearly 98 percent. Around 65 percent of college student/athletes will fail to graduate. Under the hard-love of Bobby Knight, Indiana University’s men’s basketball squad was an academic success. Only a handful of NCAA schools combine basketball excellence along with a high level of graduation among athletes. Knight has an ability to motivate, teach and push his kids to success. There are a number of assistant coaches and former players that have gone on to become successful head coaches. Perhaps the most famous is the current head coach of Duke, Mike Krzyzewski. 
your-face approach has been the subject of much criticism and sometimes rightly so. His passionate approach seems to follow generational lines. The younger generation sees Knight as a bully while the older generations say they do their best under strict guidance like that of Knight. In August of 2003 Knight was honored as the very first inductee in the Vince Lombardi Titletown Legends. This induction pays tribute to individuals that possess characteristics passed down by Vince Lombardi; these include dedication, teamwork, respect, love, family, and discipline. 
outnumber the mistakes he has made out of passion. His numbers speak for themselves and his integrity by not recruiting in the wrong way is very admirable especially in this day and age. If you have a son ready to leave home for work or school, you will not be there to protect or take care of him. If your child were good enough to play division 1 basketball you would want someone to take care of them in your absence. To that parent Bobby Knight represents everything you would want in a person shaping your son’s early adult life. 
Rutger Women’s basketball team as “nappy headed 
down the floor to play defense – not a vision that is too hard to picture. One of the sports announcers spots this and says the player is slacking and lazy, hurting his team. Afterwards that “lazy” player finds out about the commentators remarks. Claiming the announcer hurt his chances of signing a major contract with someone like Nike for fitness wear, the player sues the announcer and the station carrying the game. And you know what? Using the Imus case as precedent, he will win. It is now coming to the point that any sport’s personality needs the advice of a lawyer before making any comment about a player, team or franchise. Other examples include Rush Limbaugh and John Rocker. Both made stupid remarks which were politically incorrect and both ended up losing their jobs due to this stupidity.
police.” The University of Illinois caved to political pressure and booted their mascot of 81 years. Will others soon follow suit for fear of being ostracized from the ranks of the Politically Correct? Will fear of economic consequences finally push owners to change the names of mascots that have represented them for what is for some, a lifetime?
not only the liberties of Don Imus and others like him that I am debating for; it is for you. I fight for your right to agree with this piece but most importantly, I fight for your right to disagree and voice that opinion.
Hank is serenading the wrong crowd! He should aim his vocals towards the rookies drafted by the NFL months ago but who have yet to step foot on the field. Until recently approximately 20% of the first round draft picks had not signed their contracts. For a league as well run and as well respected as the NFL, this is absolutely ridiculous! It is time the NFL takes some advice from the NBA and enforces strict salary caps. Rev will try to persuade you this is a bad thing but I have listed just a few reasons enforcing a salary cap like that of the NBA would be good for the NFL.
draft is supposed to assist the bottom teams from the previous year however it has become more o
have their choices bomb? The Chargers drafted Ryan Leaf as the #2 pick overall. Tim Couch was drafted #1 overall by the Cleveland Browns. Both teams gambled millions of dollars only to lose. Neither Leaf nor Couch ever lived up to their huge salaries and those teams are still paying for their mistakes. The Browns have never been able to overcome the drafting of Couch. Some rookies start out making more than many of veteran players will receive during their entire career without having stepped one foot on the field. The salary cap would make rookies prove themselves for the first couple of years thereby preventing hold-outs and the gambles teams are forced to make. 
more and more rookies cannot come to an agreement on their contracts, more and more are reporting late for training camp. The NFL should give the NBA a call. Greg Oden signed with the Portland Trail Blazers almost immediately because the pro basketball league dictates how much money each rookie will make. Oden will start out at around #4 million a year. Unlike Russell, Oden will not be the highest paid player in the NBA; this is saved for the veterans of the game. There are no hold-outs or heated debates about money. The rookie player can focus on his new career as a pro. 
pay demonstrates just how seriously insane the salary structure is of the NFL. The salary cap should remain at the same level with a smaller slice going to rookies and the bigger portion awarded to proven veterans; in other words, a strict rookie salary cap. In a few years Russell just might be worth the $30 million dollar payday. Until then, the NFL needs to reserve that kind of money for the players that have proven their worth on the field. The NFL might be the top sport in the country but would someone tell them to put the lid down before they flush more money down the toilet!