Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Ozzie keeps it eal

The most annoying thing in sports is the retraction, the public apology. Time after time we see athletes, coaches, and management back track from "controversial" statements they made about one thing or another. The media has so much power...the power to manipulate our perceptions about people. If we are human, then so are the sponsors. No one wants to be attached to controversy and negative publicity. Even if your comments are your honest feelings, if it rubs the public the wrong way then you're toast. So I can understand why so many people do it (retract), even if we know it's just propaganda. That's why I have the utmost respect for (former) Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen. Like him or not ...ya boy keeps it 100% real. No warnings, no apologies. When asked why he would not be returning to the White Sox, Ozzie took it to a whole new level.

Most athletes hold out and say the predictable line..."I'm just gonna keep working out and leave that up to my agent." Not Ozzie. Mr. Guillen hit'em with "(Bleep) more years, I want more money. I'm going to die poor with the White Sox. Hell no." Ozzie went on to joke about his son Ozzie Jr having to stop drinking as much and his wife not being able to shop as much. And not only did he not retract or apologize....he really left to go sign with the Marlins. You gotta love it! This spin control world we live in is spinning out of control. So refreshing for someone to be honest, and not apologize for it.

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Monday, September 19, 2011

Unlikely tandem find redemption

Redemption. That feeling you get when you finally overcome, finally exercise that demon. To truly appreciate redemption, you must first go through something. Redemption was the theme in the Cowboys thrilling overtime victory over the 49ers. An unlikely tandem, an odd couple if you will, redeemed themselves on the same play.

Last Monday night Tony Romo was public enemy number one. Fresh off a two turnover fourth quarter meltdown against the Jets, fans and media alike called for Romo's head. With all of the talent that Jerry Jones acquired over the past few years, Romo seems to be the sole scape goat for why the Cowboys have not gotten over the hump. In fairness to his critics, Romo's resume did little to refute....until last Sunday. Romo left the game with what we now know is a cracked rib and punctured lung. After initially sitting out, Tony returned to the game and gutted out a 345 yard, 2 td performance. He also hooked up on a game winning pass to another who sought redemption.

Jesse Holley, you know, that guy who went to....wait....he played for?....no wait...that's Jesse Palmer. (you get my drift). A few short years ago Jesse Holley was selling cell phones for a living. His dream of playing professional football all but dead. It took the most fluke of all fluke scenarios to land a spot in the Cowboys training camp. You've got to give him credit though, he's busted his butt from day one and did whatever the Cowboys needed until he got his big chance. Holly had zero receptions in the nfl before his crucial catches to seal the game. Redemption for two different players in one play. How can you not love that. How bout dem Cowboys?

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Saturday, September 10, 2011

Manning injury could hurt coaches

This just in....Peyton Manning has a neck injury. He will not be playing Sunday or for the foreseeable future. With no Manning the afc south has become the nfc west, a bunch of mediocre teams and everyone has a shot. The division winner gets an automatic invite to the playoffs, no matter how terrible they are. This is an exciting time for fans of the Titans, Texans, and Jaguars. At least we can all go into week one thinking our team has a shot. But if you're the head coach of the Jags or Texans, Manning's injury could not have come at a worse time......

In a league that requires coaches to win now, Jack Del Rio of Jacksonville and Gary Kubiak of Houston consistently underachieve....and manage to keep their jobs! This year (like the last several) the Houston Texans are the sexy pick to make the playoffs. Gary Kubiak has a veteran qb, and arguably the best 1-2 combo at running back and wide receiver. They have a ton of high draft picks on defense but could never beat Manning when it counted. This year Houston (and Kubiak specifically) have NO excuse. If the Texans don't get it done Kubiak will most certainly be fired.

How Jack Del Rio has managed to keep his job is beyond belief. In his eight years as head coach he has two playoff appearances and no division titles. He cut his starting quarterback just under a week ago and the replacement quarterback has had zero nfl success. If Del Rio's plan backfires and they Jaguars miss the playoffs again he will get sent packing too. Peyton Manning will not be there as a built in excuse this year. follow @plcolter

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Karma signs Tiki Barber

Former nfl running back Tiki Barber wants another shot in the nfl. Barber's agent expressed his confusion on why no one invited his client to training camp. Really? I can think of several off the top of my head but lets just say that karma is a you know what.

The last time we saw Barber in an nfl uniform he was announcing his retirement...and it was the middle of the season! Talk about a distraction. Barber talked openly (after losses) about his plans to go into broadcasting after the season. On the way out of the door he threw the quarterback and head coach under the bus. The Giants won the super bowl the next year by the way.

Now let's not forget his attempts at broadcasting failed miserably, and Barber seems to land himself in one public relations nightmare after another. Who wants a 36 year old running back with all that baggage? Let's say your ex left you then hit rock bottom. Only after hitting rock bottom they ask you to come back... would you honestly be interested? Hell no! Hey Tiki, your age and time out of the league was probably the biggest factor....but the way you treated people and burned bridges got you no favors. It's not always what you do, it's how you do it. We all had to learn that lesson at some point in our lives. Hopefully Tiki Barber learns from this.

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Michigan's Hokekeeps it real

Michigan's new head coach Brady Hoke had an impressive debut as the Wolverines beat Western Michigan 34-10. More impressive was Hoke's post game comments. Anyone who just saw the score and highlights would have thought that Michigan dominated this game. Hoke cleared that up real quick.

When asked about the overall performance of his defense, one that forced three turnovers and returned two for touchdowns Hoke stated "We're a long way away from being any kind of defense that we want to represent Michigan with". Wow...but he's absolutely right. I watched the game, and Western Michigan marched up and down the field on Michigan. The Broncos bailed out the Wolverines by shooting themselves in the foot several times in the first half. A picked up block here, a made field goal there, and we would still be waiting on the game to resume from the weather delay. The Wolverines were fortunate and to their credit, capitalized on the Broncos' misfortunes. Saturday was a great start, but Brady Hoke is right, Michigan still has a ways to go.

Friday, September 2, 2011

Tressel's hiring stinks to high heaven

Ex Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel just got a job in the NFL? Jim Tressel, as in Terrelle Pryor's head coach? The same Terrelle Pryor that has to serve a five game suspension for something he did at Ohio State, with Jim Tressel? A blind man can see the hypocrisy! And you wonder why players spout such venom at commissioner Goodell. The whole suspension of Pryor made no sense, and the hiring of Tressel is even more mind boggling. Commissioner Goodell has preached this clean up the league banter for a while now, so I can't wait to hear his comment on the matter. When it all boils down, the players get the short end of the stick.

When I think about the Chris Webber's and Reggie Bush's of the world I realize that history continues to repeat itself. The Fab Five's record was erased and their final four banners taken down after revolutionizing the profile and marketability of Michigan. They also went to two straight ncaa finals, mostly because of Webber. Now he is just an afterthought in Ann Arbor, and that's a shame. Michigan's head coach went to the west coach and is continuing to coach. Reggie Bush brought a Heisman trophy and national championship to USC, but was thrown under the bus when his scandal broke. His coach, Pete Carrol, fled the scene and got a raise to coach the Seahawks. I ain't hatin on the coaches, but what about the players? It's not like these athletes are cheating on the field to our knowledge. These athletes earned those on field accolades with their own blood, sweat, and tears. Players, coaches, we're all human and we all make mistakes. So if the player is punished, how does the coach get a pass? Let's hear it Mr. Goodell.