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10 Things about the 2008 season UPDATED
Sep 12, 2008 | 11:37AM | report this

I originally posted this on May 13th-tried to have some fun with the upcoming season. So far some of my predictions look good-others not so well. I was corrected on #8-Pittsburgh and Atlanta tied a couple of years ago. I think #3 was my biggest blunder, but the rest look pretty good. Check them out:

May 13, 2008

Edit | Delete

Here are 10 things that I predict will happen in the NFL this year:

1. A quarterback not named Manning will win the Super Bowl. Hey, this is only my first one-I need a gimme to get me going.

2. Ladainian Tomlinson will not lead the NFL in rushing. In fact, I predict a down season for LT and the Chargers. However, they have no competition from their division so they will still make the playoffs-maybe at 8-8 or 9-7.

3. Detroit will make the playoffs. Yes-I'm going out on a limb on this one, but if there was ever a year to win their division, it's this one. With the Bears still deciding on a QB, Green Bay still adjusting to LAF (Life after Favre), and the Vikings still without a QB, the Lions are ready to win the NFC Central. Remember where you heard it!

4. Dallas will win a playoff game for the first time since 1996. The NFL schedule makers made a horrible mistake by making the last regular season game in Texas Stadium a Saturday night game vs. the Ravens on NFL Network. So, Dallas will have to get home field advantage and say goodbye to their old digs in style.

5. Lane Kiffin will be out as coach of the Raiders. I don't know any Raider fans personally, but they must be beside themselves having your hopes ride on Jamarcus "I never met a buffet I didn't like" Russell. Trust me-I've seen this story before (i.e. Byron Leftwich in Jacksonville).

6. Vince Young will be replaced as starting QB in Tennessee. I think Titan fans are getting a little impatient with Vince. Look for a change around Halloween.

7. Buffalo will be back in the playoffs for the first time since 1999. This Bills team is very underrated and I think they will challenge the Patriots for the AFC East title.

8. There will be a tie this year. There hasn't been a tie in the NFL in many many years-I'm saying it's going to happen this year, and when it does people will be screaming for rules changes.

9. Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson tie the knot. I predict that they will marry on the Cowboys' bye week. Tony's best man will be T.O. (who will be crying as the ceremony is taking place), and Cowboys fans will forgive the blonde beauty as the Cowboys go deep in the playoffs.

10. Your 2008 NFL MVP is going to be .........

BEN ROETHLISBERGER!

1 Comment | Add a comment   categories: NFL, other
 
Average players that you never forget
Jul 03, 2008 | 1:19PM | report this

I was watching the Rangers play the Yankees last night when I started thinking of guys that were never really superstars that I will never forget for one reason or another. Let me give you a few examples:

1. Gregg Jefferies, Mets/Cardinals. In 1987, I began collecting baseball cards. When 1988 new sets rolled around, there was a buzz about this can't miss rookie prospect. I remember opening up those packs in 1988 hoping to score a Jefferies card. He didn't turn out to be much of a player-but my friend Dustin and I still laugh about "gettin' a Jefferies!".

2. Pete Incaviglia, Rangers/Phillies. This guy was just built funny-and I remember an announcer one time saying about him strolling around the bases after a home run that he was doing the "Inky Dinky Do". It's just something that I remember any time I see a baseball player with huge arms and chest getting in the box.

3. Bob Hamelin, Royals. This guy won AL rookie of the year and looked like my brother-in-law, also named Bob-who that same year married my sister. After his rookie season, Hamelin didn't do much and my sister's marriage wasn't working out either. I don't know if Hamelin retired before or after my sister's divorce, but it was close to the same time.

4. Ken Landreaux, Dodgers. As a kid, going to Dodgertown in Vero Beach for spring training, there was this tall guy that played center field named Ken Landreaux. One day, I went to a game, and after the game was walking with my family to the car when I hear the sound of cleats running. I turned around and it was Landreaux. He was running to the batting cages up ahead. We decided to follow him. When he was done, he saw me watching and he walked over and gave me the bat he was using and signed my glove. Later that spring, they had a promotion and let kids on the field. Landreaux saw me on the field and asked me if I was using his bat. He said that he hadn't gotten a hit since he gave it to me and asked if he could have it back. I was shocked and said OK-then he just started laughing and said he was just playing. He was one of my favorite players-even though very few people know who he is.

5 Comments | Add a comment   categories: MLB, Other
 
Memories
Jun 26, 2008 | 8:44AM | report this

I'm going to share a couple of my favorite sports memories today. If you witnessed and remember them, I'd love to hear your thoughts. If these are new to you-I hope you enjoy!

1. Favorite moment at a live sporting event-Dec. 22, 1996, Atlanta Falcons at Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars were in their second season. After starting 4-7, the Jags won 4 in a row to set themselves up for a 'win and you're in' situation. Their opponent was the Atlanta Falcons, who were 3-12 and thought to have mailed it in for the season. The Jags got out to an early lead, but the Falcons hung tough and eventually took the lead. Jacksonville recaptured the lead at 19-17 with about 2:00 to go. The Falcons moved the ball down the field almost at will against the Jag defense. They got deep into Jacksonville territory and stopped the clock with 3 or 4 seconds. They brought on one of the best kickers ever to play in the NFL, Morten Andersen to try a chip shot 30 yard FG to win the game. While all this was happening, I was cringing in the stands-knowing that we probably blew our shot at the playoffs. I was already ready to watch the Falcons celebrate on our field. Then there was the snap, the kick, and the biggest roar I've ever heard. He missed!! Wide left!! Later I saw that he slipped when he went to plant. In the stands, every person was jumping up and down and hugging anybody that they could find. I don't think anybody left until about a half hour after the game because everybody was mentally exhausted. When we did leave, the hugs didn't stop-down the tunnels, in the parking lot, at Ruby Tuesday's after the game-it was THE most incredible feeling.

The Jaguars went on to the playoffs and upset Buffalo and Denver before losing to New England in the AFC Championship. The playoff wins were great too, but nothing was like that moment when Morten missed the kick.

2. Favorite baseball moment-October 1997, Game 7 of the World Series-Cleveland Indians at Florida Marlins. The Marlins were huge underdogs-they were the first Wild Card team to make it to the World Series. Let me start by saying that I was lucky enough to go to game 6, where I thought the Marlins would wrap it up. However, they were beat 4-1 to force Game 7. I couldn't get a ticket to game 7 so I had to watch on TV. I remember that the Indians went up 2-0 early and it seemed like the Marlins were just getting mowed down. Finally, in the seventh inning, Bobby Bonilla smacked a home run cutting the lead in half. But that was all the damage they could do. They held the Indians in the eighth, but didn't score in the 8th themselves. They again held the Indians in the 9th-with a great play at the plate from Charles Johnson-a gentleman that I went to high school and played Little League Baseball with. In the bottom of the ninth, Moises Alou singled to start off the inning. Then, after a flyout, Johnson hit a single to right field that advanced Alou to third base. Rookie second baseman Craig Counsell then came up and hit a sac fly scoring Alou to tie the game. The Marlins couldn't push the winning run across so they had to go extra innings. In the bottom of the 11th inning, Florida got the bases loaded with only one out. Devon White came to the plate. He was the Marlin leadoff hitter-and I was down on him for underachieving all year. But, now I was hoping he would throw it in my face. NOPE! He hit a ground ball and they got the out at home-so the bases were still loaded with 2 outs for Edgar Renteria-a young shortstop known more for his defense than his bat. Well, he smacked a line drive right up the middle scoring Counsell from 3rd base and I just remember running outside and yelling at the top of my lungs. It was after midnight but I didn't care. This was an awesome finish to an awesome season.

9 Comments | Add a comment   categories: Other, MLB, NFL
 
Popularity of certain sports
Jun 19, 2008 | 7:56AM | report this

I went out last night and had a few brews at a local sports bar. On one of the screens, they had on a soccer game-from Euro 2008. It made me think about how soccer is so unpopular here but it is easily the most popular sport worldwide. Here are 2 reasons why Americans don't like soccer:

1. Little/no scoring. I say that, but yet when they do score, it's like the goalkeeper has no clue what he's doing. If they got rid of the offsides rule and narrowed the goal, I think there would be a little more scoring and the game would not have changed that much.

2. When someone gets bumped, they act like they've been shot-and they carry them off on a stretcher for a little shin bruise. Until soccer players man up, it will never be among the favorites in this country.

So then I thought, how come NASCAR is popular but IndyCar isn't? Personally I don't like either one.

How come golf is popular but bowling isn't? They both require a certain type of athletic ability to be good, but someone with no athletic talent could participate.

Here are my personal 10 favorite sports:

1. Football-love the NFL/college is fun but I hate the BCS.

2. Baseball-love going to the ballpark.

3. Basketball-this almost dropped below hockey for me.

4. Hockey-until I moved to Dallas, I wasn't a hockey fan.

5. Golf-love to play and appreciate the pros.

6. Bowling-great sport that has seen it's glory days come and go.

7. Volleyball-women in bikinis is never a bad thing.

8. Soccer-I actually played soccer in high school.

9. Softball-I enjoyed watching the college WS.

10. Tennis-I'd rather watch the ladies play but I mute them to get away from the grunts. 

5 Comments | Add a comment   category: Other
 
State of the franchise-NFC
Jun 04, 2008 | 1:07PM | report this

This is part 2 of a two part series. Yesterday I graded the AFC, today I'm grading the NFC. Let me recap what and how I'm grading.

Based on 5 things, I'm going to grade each franchise. If they are strong in one area, they will get a point. If they are so-so, they will get a half point, and if they are weak, they get no points. The categories are:

1) History

2) Winning % last 10 years

3) Championships (includes division, conference, and Super Bowl)

4) Stadium/Deal with stadium/Ownership

5) Attendance/Fan Base

Here is my grading scale:

F     0-1 points

D    1.5-2 points

C    2.5-3 points

B    3.5-4 points

A    4.5-5 points

Here we go:

NFC EAST

Dallas-A. One of the model franchises in the NFL. The only negative they have going for them is not winning a playoff game in 12 years.

Philadelphia-A. This franchise is on solid ground. Their biggest negative is lack of a Super Bowl win.

Washington-A. Another model franchise with a solid fan base and an owner willing to throw money around to win.

N.Y. Giants-A. Another of the model franchises. The NFC East is a division full of history and with these 4 teams, the future is bright.

NFC NORTH

Green Bay-B. Lambeau Field is a great place to visit-but the fact is that the stadium is old and it puts the Packers behind the rest of the league in that category. With the retirement of Favre, it will be interesting to see if the Pack will remain competitive for years to come.

Minnesota-C. I'm going to start off by saying that if they are getting a new stadium and I just don't know about it, then change this grade to a B. The Metrodome is awful-I went there for a week a few years ago and saw a Twins and a Vikings game. That building is falling apart and the lighting for games is terrible.

Chicago-A. The Bears didn't need to get a new stadium-they renovated old Soldier Field and it's now one of the best venues to watch a game. They are solid in every category on this list. Now if they could just find a quarterback....

Detroit-C. They get killed in the last ten years and the championships category. I just hope Detroit fans hang in there with this underachieving team.

NFC SOUTH

Tampa Bay-B. The history is more of a losing history than of winning. Also, Tampa fans can be fickle.

Carolina-B. They haven't developed a great history yet, but this franchise is solid.

New Orleans-D. I know people in The Big Easy don't want to hear this, but you were about 30 seconds away from being the San Antonio Saints. Now L.A. is on the horizon, scoping out to see if they can come in and pull the team out to the west coast. This story is to be continued....

Atlanta-D. Atlanta never has been a football hotbed. When I think of the history of the Falcons, I think of Steve Bartkowski and Deion Sanders-yet when I think of Deion, I think of the Cowboys. The whole Michael Vick thing has brought this franchise down to this level-but they are headed in the right direction.

NFC WEST

Seattle-B. Their history isn't as glorious as many teams, but this franchise is one of the premier franchises in the NFL today. They have been winning and made an appearance in the Super Bowl. Their fans are the loudest in the league and that strange looking stadium is a hit in the Pacific Northwest.

San Francisco-C. This is another team that needs a stadium-if one is coming and I just don't know about it, than change this grade to a B. This once proud franchise has been hurting for the last decade and the ownership hasn't exactly won over the fans. It will be interesting to see how the next 10 years go in the bay area.

St. Louis-B. This grade was hard to make. They went from awful to great to awful in about 10 years. Their history is mostly in L.A., but they have won a Super Bowl in St. Louis. They sell out every game, and their stadium seems adequate. I'll be interested to see what people say about this one.

Arizona-C. Before the Cards got their new stadium, they would have gotten an F. However, they have a shiny palace that the world got to see last year during the Super Bowl and they sold out every game last year-I think that's the first time in Arizona. If they could only start winning, this franchise would be in great shape.

21 Comments | Add a comment   categories: NFL, NFL Stadiums, Other
 
State of Franchises-AFC
Jun 03, 2008 | 2:06PM | report this

This topic is an interesting one when it comes to the NFL. How strong are the 32 franchises that make up the league? If there was one that was going to L.A., who would it be? I have those answers. Today I will look at the AFC. The NFC will be tomorrow.

Based on 5 things, I'm going to grade each franchise. If they are strong in one area, they will get a point. If they are so-so, they will get a half point, and if they are weak, they get no points. The categories are:

1) History

2) Winning % last 10 years

3) Championships (includes division, conference, and Super Bowl)

4) Stadium/Deal with stadium/Ownership

5) Attendance/Fan Base

Here is my grading scale:

F     0-1 points

D    1.5-2 points

C    2.5-3 points

B    3.5-4 points

A    4.5-5 points

AFC EAST

New England-A. Despite Spygate, they are solid in all categories.

N.Y. Jets-B. Their winning percentage lately and lack of championships hurt them. New stadium opening up takes care of their other weakness.

Miami-C. They have the history going for them and titles came early, but they haven't won a Super Bowl in 36 years. They haven't been to the Super Bowl in 24. They are on the decline.

Buffalo-D. This franchise may be the one to move to L.A. Buffalo fans are awesome, but their love of the team may not make up for the lack of a money making stadium.

AFC NORTH

Pittsburgh-A. They have it all. One of the model franchises in the league.

Cleveland-B. They have the history, nice new stadium, loyal fan base, but they haven't put up a championship since the 60's and their winning % lately brought them down.

Baltimore-C. The Ravens have the stadium, attendance, and titles taken care of-they just don't have a history and their recent lack of winning dragged them from a B to a C.

Cincinnati-D. It's a good thing that the Bengals have a new stadium or else they would already be the Los Angeles Bengals. Other than the stadium, what have the Bengals had to be happy about? Now their uniforms are even the ugliest in the league. Someone needs to go in there and clean house.

AFC SOUTH

Indianapolis-A. Thanks to Peyton Manning. Before Peyton, they probably would have a C or D. Now they are about to open a new park, they've won a Super Bowl, and people don't seem to slip up and call them the Baltimore Colts much anymore.

Jacksonville-C. Let me say as a Jaguar fan that I think I may be a little rough on the Jaguars. They don't have a history yet, and the attendance at the games scares me. They have a great stadium, and have put a winning product on the field-but no championships.

Tennessee-B. Their history includes that of the Houston Oilers, so they saved some points there. They always seem to be competitive even if they haven't won a championship.

Houston-D. Houston has a beautiful stadium. Not much else.

AFC WEST

San Diego-B. The lack of a championship and their stadium issues are the only things you can say negatively affect the Bolts.

Denver-A. Another one of the league's model franchises. They can't afford this team to not stay competitive.

Kansas City-B. The Chiefs haven't won a title since Super Bowl IV, and their recent history are the only things you can say bad about this franchise.

Oakland-C. They definitely have history and titles. They need a new stadium, their record lately stinks. Through all this, they have a solid fan base.

14 Comments | Add a comment   categories: NFL, Other
 
NFL Uniforms-From Awesome to Yuck!
May 22, 2008 | 8:16AM | report this

NFL fans have seen a lot of changes in uniforms lately. Some changes were better, others were not. Here are the grades I give to each NFL team.

Patriots-B. The Patriots got it right on their second uniform change. The first change (the 2 tone blue/vertical striped jerseys were hideous. I'm glad to see they got rid of those.

Jets-C. Most people would disagree with my view on this, but the Jets' look in the 80's was much better looking than these. There was a reason they got rid of these uniforms before-can we put them to rest again? Also, don't wear those Titan uniforms again-they are horrible.

Dolphins-B. They've slightly changed their uniforms over the years, but haven't made any major changes. That is a good thing-they have a classic style-my only complaint are the numbers-the 3-D look is not a good one.

Bills-D. I'm not sure why they changed from their Super Bowl years, but these are hideous. Their throwback uniforms that they've worn lately are even worse. At least they haven't changed the helmet.

Steelers-B. They would have an A, except for those awful uniforms they brought out last year with the yellow helmets. Please scrap those for the traditional Steeler look.

Browns-C. They would be lower, except that they are the traditional uniform and I respect the fact that they haven't changed. They are ugly, but at least we know who that ugly team is.

Bengals-F. Worst uniforms in football. They had nice looking uniforms in the 90's. They were sharp-now they look like clowns out there with orange coming out of everything. At least their uniforms match their wide receiver.

Ravens-B. The Ravens haven't changed much-I'm glad they changed their helmet. They almost get an A.

Colts-A. The Colts are going with the classic look and it's a good look. There is no reason to change.

Jaguars-B. If the Jaguars would lose their black pants, they would get an A. Their colors go well together and they look sharp with their traditional white pants.

Titans-D. A few years ago, these were the ugliest uniforms in football. If you looked at their helmet, you thought that they were the "Flaming Thumbtacks". The shape of the numbers is awful and the 2-tone style jersey is very XFLish.

Texans-B. They have a good look and a good design. They almost got an A.

Chiefs-A. One of the best looking uniforms in the league. I hope they never change.

Raiders-A. Another one of the best looking uniforms. When they play the Chiefs, just seeing the jerseys and helmets meshing together-it looks like a natural rivalry.

Broncos-C. Their current uniforms are a step up from their Orange Crush days, but they still look like a circus team out there.

Chargers-F. These new uniforms look like they were designed by a kindergarten class. Their uniforms were great until last year-they need to go back-FAST!!

Cowboys-A. The Cowboys fiddled around with a couple new looks in the 90's-luckily the fans spoke up and didn't allow this great uniform design to be ruined.

Redskins-A. I'm giving them an A-but they need to stop wearing those hideous throwbacks. Just like the Raiders/Chiefs, when the Skins and Cowboys play, it just looks like a natural rivalry.

Eagles-A. I was hesitant when they changed from green to more of a hunter green. But, looking back-their old uniforms were pretty ugly. I think they should lose the black jersey though.

Giants-D. The Giants had cool uniforms when LT and Phil Simms were playing, but they went back to their past and shouldn't have. Their pants look like they've been playing in the mud and their shirts are just too plain. The white jerseys with red lettering? I thought the Giants were "Big Blue". When they wear their white, the only blue is on their helmet.

Packers-A. Classic style. There is no way they can change their jerseys now.

Lions-C. Lately, the Lions have made some subtle changes to their uniform that they shouldn't make. Go back to the Barry Sanders style.

Vikings-C. Their recent changes were bad. Also, they have to lose the purple pants.

Bears-A. Once again, I'm giving credit for the classic look. They can't change-ever!

Falcons-D. When Michael Vick was first drafted, they had one of the best looking uniforms-but they changed, and went to the different color sleeve look and the weird shaped numbers-they are just awful.

Buccaneers-B. I understand the change, but I was one of the few that liked the Bucs' old look.

Panthers-A. They haven't changed their look since coming into the league. They need to keep it that way.

Saints-B. I like the Saints uniforms a lot now-they've been tweaking them for years-if they keep this design for a while, they will be bumped to an A.

49ers-B. The 49ers uniforms have never been pretty-they went back to their classic style which I like, but I can't give uniforms this ugly an A.

Rams-C. They didn't change design-only their colors. I like the old colors much better. They stood out. Now it looks like they are trying to blend in.

Seahawks-F. I'm not sure what that blue/grey color is called, but that with neon green? Plus when you wear those pants with the matching shirt, it's just a train wreck.

Cardinals-D. See the Falcons-they did exactly what the Falcons did and they went from a sharp dressed team to a team that looks like their grandmother sewed their jerseys for them.

14 Comments | Add a comment   categories: NFL, Other
 
Gutsy players who did the most with limited talent
May 19, 2008 | 11:29AM | report this

Give me some names of some gutsy players-any sport. These are guys that made themselves a good career by hustle and want-to. I'll start the list with a few of my favorites:

1. Bill Bates, Dallas Cowboys: This guy was my hero. I can still see him running down on punt coverage ready to blow somebody up. He was never the fastest or strongest guy on the field, but he was always the hardest working and most willing to do whatever it took to get the job done. Football needs more guys like Bill Bates.

2. Lenny Dykstra, Mets/Phillies: When your nickname is "Nails", you know you're tough. This guy was a thrill to watch, even though I often rooted against him. This guy never left the field with a clean uniform.

3. Darrell Armstrong, Orlando Magic/other NBA teams: I didn't follow Darrell's career after he left Orlando, but when this team had Shaq and Penny Hardaway, this was the one guy who came in off the bench and disrupted everything that the other team tried to do. Charles Barkley once said that Armstrong reminded him of "a little peter gnat-you want to crush him but you can't see him, much less catch him".

These are my 3 favorites-there are many more who should be mentioned. Give me a story or two.

5 Comments | Add a comment   categories: Other, Bill Bates
 
Players Championship not the same without Tiger
May 08, 2008 | 11:34AM | report this

The Players Championship started today in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. This has been known for a while now as golf's "5th Major". The tournament draws the best players from around the world and has the biggest purse of the year. The island green-17th hole is still there making players shake in their spikes-but there's something not right. The PGA Tour pushed the tourney back from late March to May so it falls after the Masters-but that's not the reason why it feels different. The difference is the lack of the game's best player.

Right after the conclusion of the Masters, Tiger Woods had knee surgery. He scheduled this surgery so he would not miss a major. He will not play this week and it reminds me that Tiger IS golf. I'm not saying that the sport would not be successful without him, but his presence alone makes the place buzz. Fans want to see him turn a golf course into his personal canvas. When he's through, it's usually a masterpiece. I'm continually amazed by how dominant he is. The fact is, guys like Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh, Ernie Els, and Jim Furyk are incredible players, but their legacies may be diminished by playing at the same time as Tiger.

This year, they will crown another champion. That person will have survived bouts with the island green and held off an impressive field. I hope it's an exciting tournament-I'll be watching. That had me thinking-how many people will watch without Tiger in the field? How will his absence affect the way the tournament is covered and broadcasted? After this weekend, it will again be clear that Tiger Woods IS golf.

4 Comments | Add a comment   categories: Tiger Woods, Golf, Players Championship, PGA Tour, Phil Mickelson, Other
 
The Fall of the Sport of Bowling
May 07, 2008 | 7:59AM | report this

There is a sport that has been around for over 100 years that was once one of the most watched sports in America. Saturday afternoons on ABC would have the PBA Tour followed by the Wide World of Sports. Every Saturday, my dad would turn on bowling and we would sit there and watch this before going outside to play. Often, we would get done watching the telecast and go set up things that looked like pins and we would "bowl" with a basketball. The bowlers' were famous-there was D. Weber (it won't let me put his first name) and his son Pete, Earl Anthony, Mike Aulby, Don Johnson, Walter Ray Williams Jr., and Mark Roth-just to name a few. These men enjoyed stardom that many of today's athletes enjoy, but they never had the huge paydays. In the late 1980's, ABC changed their programming and got rid of the PBA and significantly changed the sport forever.

Bowling's popularity since ABC dropped the PBA from it's Saturday lineup has had a steady decline. This is true in ratings for the PBA telecasts (now on ESPN) and participation in the sport. It used to be that a bowling center would be full every night with leagues. Today, bowling centers have to come up with creative things like 'glow bowling' to produce revenue.

The professional game is hurting the most. Today's top professional bowlers are not well known outside of a bowling center. In fact, now they even wear their name on the back of their shirts when they compete just so people know who they are. The prize money hasn't gotten better either. Except for their 'majors', they bowl for a $25,000 top prize. Only the top eleven pros topped the $100,000 mark this past season. Yes, that's 100K-think of that the next time you watch a golf tournament where the winner gets $1.1 million! Besides the low totals, bowlers have to factor in entry fees and travel costs. In fact, many bowlers who have had success on the pro tour are now 'amateurs', because they can make more money bowling in tournaments that do not allow pros. Many more have gone on to different careers.

I hope the sport will regain some of the popularity that it once had. I don't think that will be the case because the popularity of extreme sports are changing the way people look at sports-to most people, bowling is just too boring to watch.

1 Comment | Add a comment   categories: PBA, Bowling, Other, Pete Weber
 
Enough poker on TV already!
May 06, 2008 | 1:48PM | report this

Texas Hold'Em. 7 Card Stud. Razz. Omaha 8. No Limit. All-In.

These are all phrases that I've known since I made my first trip to Reno back in 1995. I fell in love with poker. Everything about it just made me want to play more. I made trips to Las Vegas, Reno, and Mississippi to play poker in the late nineties. One day, I was in a sports bar and looked up and they were playing poker on TV. It was the World Series of Poker. I laughed, thinking that ESPN had finally run out of sports to air. The next day, it was on again, only this time I was watching. I couldn't get enough of it. Then came the World Poker Tour. This was on every Wednesday night and it was the one show that I would not miss. I loved seeing these guys make bluffs with hundreds of thousands of dollars at stake. Then, something went wrong-poker became part of mainstream America!

All of a sudden, everybody was a poker player. There was this new thing where players were calling other players donkeys or fish and sportsmanship went out the window. These people were now trash talking like they were about to break into a "Oh yeah, well your mama's so ......" It's gotten so bad that every time somebody gets knocked out of a tournament, they tell the person that beat them how bad of a player that they are. HUH?? When Greg Maddux strikes out Albert Pujols, I'm sure Pujols doesn't say to Maddux that he stinks or that he's the worst pitcher he's ever seen! The game once comprised of gentlemen has been lost to the Jerry Springer generation.

The worst part is that poker is everywhere now. Fox, NBC, FSN, ESPN, Game Show Network, and the Travel Channel are the main culprits, but even BET had a celebrity game the other night with a few people including one member of the Wu-Tang Clan. Professional poker players are now making appearances on talk shows or game shows. It's gotten too big for it's own good. I still watch the World Series of Poker because I like the coverage that is provided and I still like the game despite the dumbing down of the players and the overexposure. All I'm saying is "Enough is enough already!!"

16 Comments | Add a comment   categories: Poker, WSOP, Other
 
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ABOUT ME


jaguarjoe72
I am a 36 year old guy living in Dallas that is very passionate about sports.
Time stamping is done in Pacific Time.