Notre Dame Needs a Date to the Dance

Posted May 17, 2010 by joelodanosky
Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: , ,

If it were normal, high school girls would go to their proms solo, it wouldn’t just be the girls unable to find a date saying that. If it were normal, all guys would have black nails and purple hair, as opposed to only the guys rocking such an appearance saying it.

I am not shooting down free thinkers and independent thinkers, I am pointing out the obvious. If it were cool to be independent, I would think that more than just 3 Universities that play Division I football would be with out a conference.

Obviously, Big Ten commissioner Jim Delaney is going to deny any official invites to join the conference which has a looming expansion. Delaney isn’t likely to ask the girl to the prom when she is going to turn him down in front of the whole class. No kidding Jim, but, you are certainly asking her friends what she is going to say.

Notre Dame hasn’t joined a conference for football for one reason and one reason only, NBC and the money generated from that TV deal. The Irish are the only college in the country that enjoys a national TV deal.

Anybody with any sense, understands, that money will be at the core of Delaney’s ultimate decision of who receives an invitation. Last week, Notre Dame, Rutgers, Missouri, and Nebraska, reportedly had unofficial inquiries of interest from the Big Ten.

Notre Dame is the prize, of the four and ND signing up would likely limit the Big Ten’s expansion to just 12 teams, as opposed to the conference leaning to super conference status expanding to as many as 14 or 16 teams.

The Fightin’ Irish are looking at this whole possibility the wrong way. The initial defense is the NBC deal. What is better than 1 TV deal? Without question two TV deals. The Big Ten has their own network and a deal in place with ESPN/ABC worth about $1 billion over the length of the deal. I couldn’t find the exact numbers, (don’t think they were ever released) but the consistent number mentioned is $9.5 million a year, what the NBC deal is allegedly worth annually.

Several sources that I found indicate that all 11 Big Ten teams receive north of $9 million a year from the Big Ten Network and some where in the neighborhood of $7.5 million a year each from the ESPN/ABC deal. Even this Communication major can do that math! That’s roughly $15 million a year even adding Notre Dame to the Big Ten pie.

Then there is the pride of being an independent, and just like in politics, independents in college football don’t win any thing either. I think what irks me most about Irish fans, is that ridiculous argument about schedules. If they joined a conference they could play Youngstown State too!

If Notre Dame were to accept Delaney’s invitation, Notre Dame would find themselves in the position to play for a national championship for the first time in the better part of 2 decades.

Comments: 1 Comment

PSR’s Tomlin Report – NFL Draft Edition featuring ESPN’s John Clayton‏

Posted April 20, 2010 by joelodanosky
Categories: Uncategorized

Pittsburgh Steelers

9-7 last season

NFL Draft Edition

By Kenneth Torgent

THE 75TH ANNUAL NFL DRAFT

First Round – Thursday, April 22 at 7:30 PM

Second and Third Rounds – Friday, April 23 at 6:00 PM

Rounds Four through Seven – Saturday, April 24 at 10:00 AM

*All three days of the draft will be broadcast on ESPN and NFL Network

OFFSEASON RECAP

· The coaching staff received a shake-up with the retirement of quarterbacks coach Ken Anderson, who had served in that role for the length of Mike Tomlin’s tenure. Other coaching changes included the dismissals of offensive line coach Larry Zierlein and special teams coordinator Bob Ligashesky and the departure of defensive quality control coach Lou Spanos.

· Randy Fichtner now assumes the role of quarterbacks coach after serving as the team’s wide receivers coach for the past three years. Scottie Montgomery will now be the new WR coach. Al Everest is the new special teams coordinator after filling the same role for the San Francisco 49ers last season. In addition, Sean Kugler was hired to be the new offensive line coach.

· The team signed a number of young, unproven free agents to compete in training camp including: TE Eugene Bright, NT Scott Paxson, RB Isaac Redman, WR Jason Chery, RB Justin Vincent, LB Johnny Williams, DT Steve McLendon, K Piotr Czech, S Tuff Harris, LB Derrick Dogget, P Adam Graessle, WR Brandon London, DB David Pittman, and WR Renauld Williams. Several of these players were invited to camp last season and a few spent significant portions of time on the team’s practice squad.

· The team re-signed a handful of their own unrestricted free agents, including NT Casey Hampton, DE Nick Eason, and S Ryan Clark. K Jeff Reed was tagged as the team’s franchise player. In addition, OT Willie Colon, P Daniel Sepulveda, TE Matt Spaeth and CB William Gay also signed one-year tenders as restricted free agents.

· The Steelers went back to the past in free agency, signing WR Antwaan Randle El and LB Larry Foote, both of whom played major roles on the 2005 Super Bowl squad. The team also brought in WR Arnaz Battle, S Will Allen and OT Jonathan Scott as free agents. Finally, the Steelers welcomed back quarterback Byron Leftwich, acquired from Tampa Bay for a seventh-round pick two days before the NFL Draft. The move to get Leftwich figures to provide insurance for Roethlisberger’s expected absence.

· Pittsburgh’s biggest offseason move was the trade that sent Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes to the New York Jets for a 5th round draft pick. Holmes’ contract was up after this season and he was facing a four-game suspension for violation of the league’s substance abuse policy.

· The team’s biggest offseason story, however, has been the ongoing saga of Ben Roethlisberger as he battles another allegation of sexual assault. Roethlisberger met with Commissioner Roger Goodell last week and may be facing a suspension (likely a game or two) from either the league or the Rooneys, who have expressed their displeasure with his actions. A ruling is expected on Wednesday.

BEHIND ENEMY LINES

A Look Around the AFC North

Cleveland (5-11) has a new team president in Mike Holmgren and he is already shaking up a roster that started 1-11 last season. This reshuffling was especially prevalent at the quarterback position. Last season, there was an open competition between Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson for the starting job. This season, both men are gone with Anderson being released and Quinn being traded to the Broncos for two late draft picks and FB Peyton Hillis. To fill the hole—at least for now—Cleveland signed Jake Delhomme and traded for Seneca Wallace.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Browns parted ways with power runner Jamal Lewis, as well as veteran center Hank Fraley and WR Donte Stallworth. The team brought in two offensive lineman, C Eric Ghiaciuc and OT Tony Pashos, as well as former Patriots TE Benjamin Watson (who, according to Football Outsiders, was the best tight end last season in value per play).

On defense, the team parted ways with DE Corey Williams, LB Alex Hall, and former first-round pick Kamerion Wimbley. However, Cleveland added to its defense with the signing of LB Scott Fujita (formerly of the world champion Saints) and the trade that netted them CB Lito Sheppard and LB Chris Gocong from the Eagles.

Cleveland will pick seventh in this year’s NFL Draft and currently owns three picks in the third round.

Baltimore (9-7) headed into the offseason looking to upgrade an offense led by emerging-QB Joe Flacco. To do that, the Ravens plucked WR Donte Stallworth from free agency, re-signed last year’s leading-receiver Derrick Mason, and traded third and fourth-round draft picks to the Arizona Cardinals for Pro Bowl WR Anquan Boldin— and then subsequently signed him to a new four-year deal.

Other than the additions at WR, it was a quiet offseason for Baltimore. The team kept most of its restricted free agents and added DT Cory Redding. The only notable losses so far have been CB Samari Rolle and TE Quinn Sypniewski. However, QB Troy Smith has expressed interest in being traded and the team may grant that wish sometime this offseason.

Baltimore will pick 25th in this year’s draft and, because of the Boldin trade, will not have a selection in the third or fourth rounds.

Cincinnati (10-6) had the quietest offseason of anyone in the AFC North. Their biggest change came at wide receiver where they cut last year’s free agent pickup, Laveranues Coles, and replaced him with free agent Antonio Bryant. The only other addition of note was troubled WR Matt Jones. Outside of Coles, the team’s only loss of note was former Chiefs RB Larry Johnson.

Cincinnati will pick 21st in this year’s draft and has six picks in the first four rounds.

MIKE LIKED…

The chance to get back together and evaluate his team, his new players, and the new members of his coaching staff.

2010 SCHEDULE

Sunday, Sept. 12 ATLANTA 1 p.m. (FOX)

Sunday, Sept. 19 at Tennessee 1 p.m. (CBS)

Sunday, Sept. 26 at Tampa Bay 1 p.m. (CBS)

Sunday, Oct. 3 BALTIMORE 1 p.m. (CBS)

Sunday, Oct. 10 Bye

Sunday, Oct. 17 CLEVELAND 1 p.m. (CBS)

Sunday, Oct. 24 at Miami 1 p.m. (CBS)

Sunday, Oct. 31 at New Orleans 8:20 p.m. (NBC)

Monday, Nov. 8 at Cincinnati 8:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Sunday, Nov. 14 NEW ENGLAND 8:20 p.m. (NBC)

Sunday, Nov. 21* OAKLAND 1 p.m. (CBS)

Sunday, Nov. 28* at Buffalo 1 p.m. (CBS)

Sunday, Dec. 5* at Baltimore 8:20 p.m. (NBC)

Sunday, Dec. 12* CINCINNATI 1 p.m. (CBS)

Sunday, Dec. 19* NEW YORK JETS 4:15 p.m. (CBS)

Thursday, Dec. 23* CAROLINA 8:20 p.m. (NFL NETWORK)

Sunday, Jan. 2* at Cleveland 1 p.m. (CBS)

* Times and TV network may change due to flexible scheduling

** All times are Eastern

ACCORDING TO TOMLIN

“You know you we need another guy for competition. We’re optimistic about what the men we have here are capable of doing, but any opportunity to add to that pool of guys with confident, capable men is gonna strengthen us, and we’re open to that.” – On whether he plans to add a running back to complement Rashard Mendenhall, who took over as a starter last season and rushed for over 1,100 yards. The man he replaced, Willie Parker, signed with the Washington Redskins in the offseason.

“It is a business as usual approach in that football can be our sanctuary at times, particularly during the four hours that we’re in this building. We’re working at our craft. Whatever may be going on in our lives, noteworthy or otherwise, we leave in the parking lot.” – Discussing how the team has taken a “business as usual” approach despite the numerous off-field distractions.

COLBERT’S CONCERNS

“We won’t talk about specific players that may or may not be involved in trades, but I will say that our normal procedure is to contact every team. And we have done that and we’re continuing to do that, and that will include trading up and trading down. Whether you get into discussions about individual players, those will remain confidential. But as a normal procedure, we’ll contact every team.” – Answering whether he has fielded any offers for Ben Roethlisberger from any teams.

“We think it’s a deep draft, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Offensively, it’s good. It probably lacks the quantity of marquee players at the quarterback, running back and wide receiver positions, but again the overall depth is excellent.” – Discussing this year’s draft class. Most experts have considered this class one of the deepest in years.

“We haven’t changed our draft priorities at all.” – On whether Roethlisberger’s off-field issues or the Santonio Holmes’ trade has affected how he and his staff will approach this weekend’s draft.

“We will take some players off the board, yes. You’re definitely safe in assuming we will take players off.” – When asked whether he removes players from his draft board due to character concerns. He refused, however, to speak about any specific player.

“As we’re doing the evaluations, we’re evaluating every player that we think is a good player… be it at positions you know you’re gonna be interested in or may not be interested in. You have to still evaluate all of them, because you have to get them in a proper order, so that when you do pick the ones that you want, you’ve stacked them against the other players accordingly so that they’re placed properly.” – Discussing how he and the staff approach evaluating players at various positions, whether they be a team need or not.

“Defensive line is unusual. I said this last spring when we came out of our spring meetings, I’ve never seen so many defensive lineman rated. It’s an unusual group of big men who are very athletic and can play in a 3-4 defense, which is important because there’s up to 13 teams that run a 3-4 defense. In the past, we, more or less, had the pick of the litter because there were only three or four 3-4 teams. Now a lot of people are looking for that type of player and fortunately there’s a bunch this year.” – Discussing the impressive crop of defensive lineman in this year’s draft, headed by defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh and Gerald McCoy, who are both expected to be picked with two of the first three selections.

LOOK FOR…

Roethlisberger to receive some form of suspension for his repeated off-the-field actions.

SPLASH TALK

“It’s totally voluntary and Troy is a volunteer. He looked good. It’s good to have him back out there. Troy is, of course, a guy with great spirit. He loves the game of football. It’s good for him to be back out there with his teammates and he was excited to do it.” – Coach Tomlin on how Troy Polamalu looked on the field after suffering numerous lingering injuries last season and whether he coaxed Polamalu, who skipped the team’s off-season workout the last two seasons, into coming to these early workouts.

“Do I like a three-day format? No, cause it’s got me out of a comfort zone. But we’ll adjust.” – Kevin Colbert speaking on whether he likes the new three day format for the draft, which now airs in primetime starting Thursday night. In the past, the draft was spread across just two days starting on a Saturday.

“Don’t count on that.” – On whether he’d miss the playoff game between the Penguins and Senators scheduled for Thursday night.

THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO HMM…

Draft experts have generally focused on two positions for the Steelers to grab with their first and second round selections, cornerback and offensive line. The Steelers have only drafted two cornerbacks in the first two rounds in the past decade, Bryant McFadden and Ricardo Colclough. They have only drafted one offensive lineman in the first two rounds in the same time span, Kendall Simmons in the first round of the 2002 draft.

…SAID JOHN CLAYTON

PSR’s Ken Torgent sat down with ESPN’s John Clayton to discuss the Steelers’ free agent moves and the upcoming NFL Draft.

PSR: What are the team’s two biggest needs heading into the draft?

John Clayton: Obviously, they still need to get more defensive line help. Their top-five guys last year were over 30 years old. If [Jared] Odrick from Penn State is available, boy you’re talking a guy that just looks like he’s the new Aaron Smith. You know, their defense was not the same without Aaron. They still could use a nose tackle and this is a great defensive line draft. I mean, their options for d-line where they’re drafting is gonna be better than they’ve ever had in a long time. I have to think most likely it’s gonna be d-line, and then the next thing is a cornerback. Letting [Bryant] McFadden go to Arizona hurt more than helped because William Gay wasn’t ready. He struggled. He was not the starter, and so now they have a starting opening on the other side. Now obviously a rookie’s not going come in necessarily and start, but I think they now have to replace what they lost in McFadden. This is obviously going to be a defensive draft. They’re set at wide receiver and they might have to draft a running back in the mid-rounds, but I think overall they’ve got to come up with at least a defensive lineman and a corner for this to be a good draft.

PSR: So if, say, [Florida cornerback] Joe Haden were to slip down to the 18th pick, would they pick him up, or even [Boise State cornerback] Kyle Wilson if Haden’s off the board?

Clayton: Kyle might be a little bit too high for them. It might be a little bit high. Haden, I think, rebounded. When he came with a 4.59 [40-yard dash] at the combine, that could have dropped him down to 18th. But the best cornerback in the draft is not going to go 18th, and he’s still the best cornerback in the draft. He obviously is not that fast, even though he did in the 4.4’s [at Florida’s pro day], he’s probably a 4.5 cornerback and that hurts. But, if he’s there, that’s a better cornerback and you can get a better quality second-round defensive tackle, then you do it that way. I don’t think he’s gonna be at 18, do that’s why I think it’s going to be a d-lineman.

PSR: What about the offensive line. Do they still need help there or should they just keep plugging in bodies?

Clayton: They do. The one thing is that, say what you want, it’s not a great offensive line, but also they’re asked to pass block more than they’re used to. And they’re still younger. They made that little bit of a transition. What’s going to be interesting is if, all of the sudden, the Florida center [Markice Pouncey] is available, that guy’s a stud. If he’s there, you maybe have to revisit some things. Here’s a guy who can play center or guard, or you can have Justin Hartwig at center and move [Pouncey] to guard, or play Pouncey at center until you have some replacements. I think overall, the tackles are OK. Willie Colon is in the last year of his contract. He had a big year by the way. He may have been one of the better right tackles in the league last year.

PSR: Idaho guard Mike Iupati is another name that’s been rumored to come to the Steelers at the 18th pick. What do you think of him?

Clayton: I love him. I think he’s great because he’s physical, he’s nasty. Sometimes, he’ll hold and you get too many holding penalties. That could be a little bit of a concern. He’s gotta clean up some things there. But obviously, the coaching staff they can try to fix that up. It’s still a need but it’s not as desperate as getting a defensive lineman or a cornerback.

Comments: Be the first to comment

Unlikely Finish for Brian Davis

Posted April 19, 2010 by joelodanosky
Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: , , ,

Granted, most of you missed it because Tiger wasn’t playing yesterday. But what we saw in the first hole of the playoff yesterday afternoon is what is good, when it comes to sport, and the world for that matter. In an era cluttered with steroids, gun toting players, scandalized superstars, and overpaid under achieving athletes, what went down at Harbour Town was a breath of fresh air to say they least.

Brian Davis, in a playoff with Jim Furyk, called a 2 stroke penalty on himself, essentially handing the 1 Million dollar pay day to Furyk. Davis made contact with a loose impediment while in a hazard. If it wasn’t for his own acknowledgment of the penalty, it’s likely that he would have gotten away with it.

What makes it even more intriguing, is that a win yesterday at the Verizon Heritage, would have been a career first for Davis. Many are quick to say it is a “dumb rule” and has little impact on the outcome. It wasn’t like Furyk threw a challenge flag, or the PGA Tour called St. Petersburg for an official review. Consider other sports?

How often do you see a MLB outfielder trap a ball, but quickly rising to his feet in celebration as if he made the catch? Think about Sunday afternoons in the fall, catches, fumbles, and reviews. And of course, NASCAR crew chiefs with spacers in restrictor plates. The PGA Tour is quite different.

There a several PGA officials scattered about the property each and every week, but when it comes to penalties and rulings, it is the player that calls the infraction on himself.
Davis still took home a cool $615,600, but what he lost was exemptions from future Major Championships.

We as sports fans are enamored with TMZ like stories. Which happen in the wee hours of morning, but this story deserves much more attention then it will get. Maybe Davis called the penalty knowing that he wasn’t likely to get it up and down to extend the playoff, and he figured that penalty would garner him more attention then a win in Habour Town would ever get him. Who knows, but I am more likely to believe that it was the integrity of Davis that dictated his decision.

Guys like Tiger Woods and Ben Roethlisberger have been hammered on for lack of character and poor judgment. So here is to you Brian Davis for being an athlete demonstrating character and admirable judgment.

Comments: Be the first to comment

Things Back to Normal for Tiger

Posted April 9, 2010 by joelodanosky
Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: , , , , ,

Despite the 144 day lay off from professional golf everything is back to normal for Tiger Woods. He shoots an opening round 68 and looks to be in the hunt and the media forces us to pay attention to him. Like I said everything is back to normal for Tiger Woods.

Much like the 2009 British Open, which I already covered, http://thejlshow.com/2009/07/17/its-about-tom-not-tiger/ back on July 17, 2009, we have no choice but to follow Tiger blow by blow around Augusta National.

This morning’s papers should have read something like this “Back to the Future” not “Tiger’s Comeback…” Guys like Tom Watson, Fred Couples, and Sandy Lyle should be posing for pictures at the Leaderboard, not on the first page!

Granted, Lyle laid a pretty big egg today posting 86, but how about a little love to the AARP card holding guys that played pretty well on the opening day?

I am not a fan of Tiger Woods, but I have tremendous respect for his abilities on the links. There were how many guys that shot opening rounds of 68 or better? 11 if you are keeping score at home.

Ultimately, Woods is good for golf, the television ratings reflect that, but is golf really just about Tiger? I don’t think that it is. I think that a Major Championship like the Masters doesn’t need Tiger Woods to carry them.

Then why are we force fed all of the Tiger coverage? Maybe I am just too much of a fan of golf? Maybe there are people out there that need to have Tiger in contention to be interested? The post coverage analysis was even worse, guys like Andy North and Curtis Strange forced to rehash every one of Woods’ swings.

Watching it, I could see how much it pained Strange to pay so much attention to Woods, when the story lines of Watson and Couples were much more interesting. In most coverage, aside from checking out the Leaderboard, you wouldn’t even have know that Lyle shot 69.

In many respects I feel bad for the Woods family and all of the media hype that they have had to endure, but give me a break. After day one, the story isn’t about Tiger Woods, it is about guys 20 years removed from their prime sitting a top the Leaderboard of the Masters.

Comments: 2 Comments

Goodell Must Act Swiftly

Posted March 23, 2010 by joelodanosky
Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: ,

The higher you are on the food chain typically means one thing, the bigger the animal that enjoys you for lunch! Even Ben Roethlisberger has a predator to be concerned with, and that predator has Big Ben in his cites.

“We are concerned that Ben continues to put himself in this position. I have spoken to the Steelers. I have spoken to Art Rooney directly about it. And at the appropriate time I will be meeting with Ben,” NFL Commissioner Rodger Goodell.

People, specifically NFL players, until Goodell’s reign where not accustomed to suspensions without penalty from the legal system. Well cowboy, there is a new sheriff in town.

Goodell has been super aggressive when it comes to suspensions as a result of a player’s personal conduct off of the field. Roethlisberger is not any different and legally he may be completely innocent. However, in Goodell’s eyes, Roethlisberger has already been proven guilty of bad judgment and bringing bad publicity to the NFL and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Big Ben has certainly put Goodell and the Rooney’s in a really tight spot. First off, it isn’t fair to compare Jeff Reed’s or Vincent Jackson’s off field stuff to Roethlisberger. In a helmet league, Roethlisberger is one of the more than visible figures, not to mention a two time Super Bowl winning quarterback.

Despite what has recently happened with healthcare reform, I firmly believe that our society is not an entitlement society and Goodell has made it very clear to the NFL players, do not mess with the NFL image. NFL player or not, you aren’t entitled to disrespect the league, you are not entitled to preferential treatment; you screw up and you will be suspended, regardless of what a judge has to say about it.

A lot people, mostly the NFL Players Association, find Goodell’s iron fist bothersome. I on the other hand applaud his efforts. Yes, Roethlisberger makes the NFL and Steelers a lot of money, but ultimately Goodell signs those paychecks. Like it or not, Goodell is the highest man on the food change when to comes the NFL.

We are still not sure if, when, and for how long Roethlisberger will be suspended, but I believe Roethlisberger should be made an example of. He is without question the most prominent, high profile player that has ever found themselves in this predicament. This is a real opportunity for the NFL to draw a much needed line in the sand.

This opinion might anger many Steeler fans, but think about your job. What would your boss do to you, if you had two very public allegations of sexual misconduct in one calendar year? Roethlisberger isn’t entitled to play in the NFL, he is one of a very small percentage that is fortunate enough to possess the skill set required to play in the NFL.

People, who live public lifestyles, don’t feel bad, have every opportunity to enjoy a lower profile occupation, must be more responsible, period. When your pay check is earned on national television, you are held in a little different regard than most.
I do believe that Goodell should suspend Roethlisberger for at least 2 regular season games.

Ben Roethlisberger and his fans must realize, Roethlisberger damaged a brand, what choice does Goodell really have?

Comments: 4 Comments

March Madness

Posted March 15, 2010 by joelodanosky
Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: , , , , , , ,

March Madness, or should I say things from March that have made me MAD!!!!

1. People stop complaining that West Virginia got hosed out of a #1 seed. Have you seen Ohio State play? Ever heard of Evan Turner? WVU is extremely talented, no bones about that, but as the 3 seed in the Big East Tournament they were the highest seeded team left. They needed 2 De’Sean Butler buzzer beaters to get by Cincinnati and Georgetown. OSU, behind 31 points and 11 boards from Turner, handled Minnesota 90-61 in the Big Ten Championship game. 3 of OSU’s 7 loses came with Turner out because of a broken back.

2. Duke… They are good, but a #1 seed? If Georgia Tech or Florida State compiled that resume, they would have been a 2 or 3 seed. Wasn’t Duke the only ranked team in the ACC the majority of the year? Great win over Gonzaga, got hammered by Georgetown, and slept walked through a very mediocre ACC tournament. A #1 seed, I don’t think so.

3. Didn’t the NCAA announce that Kansas was the overall top seed of the tournament? Did you happen to look their bracket? Does Bill Self have enemies or what? Only the Midwest, Kansas’s bracket, and South do not have Mid-Major in the Top 6 seeds. Just to pile on a little bit, March so often comes down to coaching. The Midwest, not including the top seeds, has two National Championship winning coaches, Tom Izzo at Michigan State and Gary Williams from Maryland. Not to mention, 3 Final Four coaches, Paul Hewitt from Georgia Tech, John Thompson from Georgetown, and Thad Motta at Ohio State. In terms of coaching experience only the South bracket comes close, with Rick Pitino and Nova’s Jay Wright. Overall, top seed, how about raw deal?

4. Changing gears… I am mad on behalf of Cleveland Browns fans everywhere! In 2007 Cleveland essentially traded Felix Jones for Brady Quinn. In 2010, Cleveland traded Quinn for fullback Peyton Hillis, a 2010 5th round selection, and a 2011 conditional pick. If that’s not bad enough, the Browns signed Jake Delhomme who threw 18 INT’s in 12 starts in 2009.

5. When will Alexander Ovechkin get the credit that he deserves? All this debate Ovechkin or Sidney Crosby, this one I am sure of. Ovechkin is without question the dirtiest player in the NHL. I am tired of hearing NBC announcers singing his praises. Not that the hit on Brian Campbell was that awful, it is just another one on the long list of questionable, injury causing hits by Ovechkin. Here is to you Alex, you dirty S.O.B!

Comments: Be the first to comment

Big East vs. Big Ten, Big Deal?

Posted March 8, 2010 by joelodanosky
Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: , , , ,

Lately, there has been all kinds of talk of Big Ten (11 and soon to be 12) expansion. Pitt has been at the epicenter of that discussion, although according to a report from the Chicago Tribune Pitt is 3rd on the Big Ten’s wish list behind Rutgers and Missouri.

I listen to sports talk radio and read newspapers from across the region. The average Pitt fan, and apparently Jamie Dixon as well, isn’t interesting in leaving the Big East for the Big Ten. I am fully aware of the recruiting pipeline established by Dixon, which includes New York and Philadelphia, historically Big East cities.

I also understand the hype surrounding the Big East Tournament played at Madison Square Garden.

What I don’t understand is the average Pitt fan saying that joining the Big Ten would be a step backwards in basketball. Any sensible Pitt fan would acknowledge that the jump would do nothing but help the football program. But a step backwards in hoops?

Both leagues have nice TV contracts, with conference games nationally televised on both ESPN and CBS. However, only one of those two conferences has their own network. According, to ESPN’s “Bracketology” expert Joe Lunardi, who is right like 99.9999% of the time, has 5 of the 11 Big Ten teams in the field of 65 and 7 of the 16 Big East teams in the field.

Percentage wise, .454% of the Big Ten is in the field, with .437% of the Big East teams making the big dance. So we will call that a wash. Maybe not the Big East superiority that most Big East fans would like to think.

Since 1980 the Big East has won 7 National Titles and just 4 for the Big Ten. In that same period of time, the Big Ten has put 20 teams in the Final Four, and 19 teams from the Big East have reached the Final Four. In the last thirty years, the Big Ten has had 9 #1 seeds, whereas the Big East has had 8 top seeds.

In late 2009, Sports Illustrated named Michigan State the team of the decade, not a team from the Big East. In the last decade, both UCONN and Syracuse have won National Titles for the Big East; Michigan State has the lone title for the Big Ten. However, the Big Ten has reached 8 Final Four’s and the Big East has made just 5 appearances.

The 90’s saw UCONN win a title in 1999, but Syracuse in 1996 and Cincinnati in ‘92 were the only other Big East teams to reach a Final Four. The Big Ten got 6 teams to the Final Four in the decade.

And well the 1980’s, were simply owned by the two conferences. The Big East won 4 Titles and the Big Ten won 3 Titles.

It is pretty obvious that the Big East is a great conference, but the Big Ten isn’t exactly the WAC. Big East basketball maybe more aesthetically pleasing, but the Big Ten can certainly hold it’s own. The move comes down to money, and well, quite frankly the Big Ten has more to offer. I know Pitt fans still hate Paterno, but in this day and age with the economy, University’s must look out for themselves. If Jamie Dixon doesn’t want to be part of the move, maybe this is his opportunity to go back to the west coast.

As for the average Pitt fan, please think about what you are saying the next time spout off about how much better the Big East is than the Big Ten.

Comments: 1 Comment

The Coonlley Defense

Posted February 25, 2010 by joelodanosky
Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: ,

As Mother Nature prepares to hammer on the Keystone state yet again, it is open season on the Pittsburgh Pirates front office. Specifically, Frank Coonlley the Pirates President.

Coonlley has been abused in the Steel City for the last 24 hours or so, sometimes a 24 hour news cycle is more vicious than the Nor’Easter we are waiting for.

Yesterday afternoon, Ron Cook kind of sort of beat up on Coonlley, as he appeared on the Vinnie and Cook Show on 93.7 The Fan, Pittsburgh’s newest all sports radio station. Ripping on the Pirates is just one of life’s guilty pleasures, we have all been guilty of this at some point in time.

Coonlley was on the show to defend his remarks, that 2010 is the start of the next Pirates dynasty. Poor word choice obviously, but the guy didn’t guarantee a World Series win or anything.

Look the Pirates are nothing shy of a laughing stock, but I think to a certain extent Coonlley might be on to something. I hold Bob Nutting with the same regard as swine flu, but there is without question a decent amount of talent waiting in the wings.

I can not emphasize enough, dynasty, yeah…. Not so much. Rhetoric like that should encourage drug testing in the front office. But some pieces maybe falling into place? I want the Buccos to spend money, but I don’t want them to waste money either.

After this season, the Pirates may have solidified the foundation of their team for the next 3 or 4 years. The financials come in when it is required to add a piece or two, to sure up the rotation or bull pen, you get what I am saying.

Maybe the Pirates should sell licenses for the year round open season that they are susceptible to? All kidding aside, guys like McCutchen, Brad Lincoln, Tabata, and Alvarez should give Pirates fans a real picture success. Potential is so dangerous, whether that potential develops into talent is a whole different story.

Look, we know two things to be true thus far in spring training…

1. The Pirates have stock piled potential.
2. Frank Coonlley needs a thesaurus.

I would much rather hear Frank Coonlley’s poor word choice in a Spring Training interview, then him telling us that the Pirates are going to suck and get ready for the 18th consecutive loosing season. If that were the case, what would Ron Cook have to say then?

Comments: Be the first to comment

Tiger….

Posted February 20, 2010 by joelodanosky
Categories: Uncategorized

“I knew my actions were wrong, but I convinced myself that normal rules didn’t apply. I never thought about who I was hurting. Instead, I thought only about myself. I ran straight through the boundaries that a married couple should live by. I thought I could get away with whatever I wanted to. I felt that I had worked hard my entire life and deserved to enjoy all the temptations around me. I felt I was entitled.”

Tiger Woods

I am aware of the high regard that Tiger was held in, not only as an athlete, but as a role model to children. However, there is an issue much more significant then Mr. Woods stepping out on Mrs. Woods.

For years, people have held athletes on a pedestal, but yesterday I heard audio that reaffirmed a much larger issue. Not only do we think professional athletes are above us, they do too. Far too often athletes are given a pass because of who they are.

No, Tiger didn’t commit any crime, but he came right out and said that since I am Tiger Woods normal rules don’t apply and I deserve more. Granted, Tiger has almost perfected the game of golf on a Sunday afternoon at a Major, but why should he feel any more entitled than the single mom from Detroit that has worked three jobs to send her two children to college?

I am not picking on Tiger for his missteps, I am pointing out a social misconception that, we as a society, have just come to accept. I have no problem admiring a person for excelling in their field, nor that skill has opened doors, but those skills shouldn’t enable athletes to get around the law. I repeat, Tiger didn’t commit any crime, but he made a statement that opened up an issue that is much larger than two dozen New York call girls.

I could name a laundry list of professional athletes who have had legal and moral miscues that would have significantly damaged the careers of 99.9% of people you know, but they got away or around any hot water because of who they are.

Many of you might think I am an idiot, I am not, and I completely understand that life isn’t about what you know; it is about who you know or who you are. I just have a problem when you come right out and tell me that you are better than I am because of who you are!

complete transcript http://www.pga.com/2010/news/pgatour/02/19/tiger.transcript/index.html

Comments: 1 Comment

The Buccos, Baseball or Boardroom

Posted February 17, 2010 by joelodanosky
Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: ,

Today the Pittsburgh Pirates pitchers and catchers reported to spring training in Bradenton, Fla. So I guess this marks the official start of the countdown to the Steelers reporting to training camp?

I am not, nor was I ever really a baseball “fan”, but that being said, I am a sports fan.

In an era which the government has its hand in the car industry and the financial sector, and is desperately trying to get involved with healthcare, maybe it is time to get involved with Major League Baseball.

The Pittsburgh Pirates, specifically Bob Nutting, are nothing shy of Bernie Madoff or Kenneth Lay (Enron’s CEO and Chairman), corporate frauds and criminals.

I understand the argument, that Nutting is a businessman and can do with his team as he likes. I am a fundamental Libertarian and les a faire when it comes to business, but Nutting doesn’t own his own business when it comes to the Pirates.

The Pirates are a franchise of Major League Baseball. The same principles as if you or I owned a McDonalds or Wendy’s. How long do you think it would take for corporate officials of McDonalds to step in if you were trying to sell fried chicken and jell-o under the Golden Arches? The answer is seconds.

Mr. Nutting has only had control of the Buccos since January of 2007, he really hasn’t done much to make one think it will be any different then the last 17 years. 1992 was the last year the Pirates had a winning record, also the first year of Bill Clinton’s Presidency.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are a franchise of Major League Baseball and it is time that Major League Baseball steps in and forces Nutting’s hand one way or the other. There are rumors swirling that Mario is an interested buyer, but so was Mark Cuban. In either case it would be a welcomed change of pace.

The Pirates receive millions in revenue sharing from Major League Baseball annually, which leads me to believe that MLB has somewhat of a vested interest in the Pirates.

Something needs to happen. It scares the hell out of me to say that MLB or the government forces the sale of the Pirates, but I would have no problem with MLB going NATO on the Buccos and imposing economic sanctions.

Mr. Nutting, you open your books and start spending money like Paris Hilton, or no revenue sharing for the Pirates for 3 years. During that time you could sell, but don’t even think about moving because we wouldn’t allow that to happen.

Some sort change must happen. Some sort of sanction or pressure from MLB must happen. I sure bet Seven Springs is wonderful this time of year with all this snow. There is no end in sight and as it stands now, there is no reason for it to end.

Comments: Be the first to comment

« Older Entries