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“No Fun League” Strikes Again

November 3, 2006 / Anthony Stalter

The NFL has decided to fine Cincinnati Bengals wide out Chad Johnson $5,000 for his Velcro nameplate: “Ocho Cinco”, that he wore in pregame against the Atlanta Falcons last Sunday.

While I think the NFL is being extreme in this case (he only wore it in pregame) and normally laugh at Johnson’s antics, I think the league is right to do this. Call me traditional, but I’ve always liked when athletes acted professional both on and off the field. I like Barry Sanders’ touchdown celebration of just handing the ball to the ref. And I like the fact that the NFL is not trying to act nothing like WWF or NWA or whatever that male soap opera is calling itself these days.

While I don’t think the “Ocho Cinco” act was malicious (goofy yes, but malicious no), the NFL is such a copycat league and who knows what these players will do to one up each other next. Joe Horn pulls a cell phone from under the goal post, followed by T.O.’s cheerleader act and Steve Smith’s baby wipe dance.

Leave it at home fellas – the game is fun enough as is.

NFL

Is Bonds worth the trouble?

November 2, 2006 / Anthony Stalter

Barry Bonds’ agent, Jeff Borris, has told the Mercury News.com that several ball clubs in both the American and National League have expressed interest in the seven-time All-Star. If this is true – is Bonds worth the trouble?

In my opinion, yes…and no.

I don’t see how any team in the NL would want to take this guy on for even one season. His play in left field has become laughable and he can’t play a day game that follows a night contest. So, not only do you have to take on a hefty salary for one year (probably in the range of $15 million per season), his awful attitude, his four reclining chairs that piss off teammates and not to mention his overall distaste for life. But you also have to have a decent backup for when he can’t play.

On the flip side – the guy would be great for an AL club. Bonds can still hit for power and he would be relegated to DH, so his body would save on the ware and tear from not playing in the field. Then again, the team would still have to deal with a hefty salary for one year, his awful attitude, his four reclining chairs that piss off teammates and not to mention his overall distaste for life.

Most likely scenario? Bonds ends up back in San Francisco. The Giants are in flux and seem destined for the bottom of the NL West with so many holes to fill. So, with the All-Star game being in San Fran this year and Bonds still chasing the home run record, the Giants can use Bonds as their cash cow for one more season.

I’m not saying it’s the right thing to do – just the most likely.

MLB

College Football Wrap: Louisville 44, West Virginia 34

November 2, 2006 / Anthony Stalter

This game lived up to the scoring hype, but man, I never thought I would be craving for a little defense more than I am right now.

The game turned on its head early in the third quarter. Hands down, Malik Jackson’s touchdown return on a Steve Slaton (156 yards and a TD) fumble and Trent Guy’s 26-yard punt return for a TD sparked this win for the Cardinals. After that, West Virginia was cooked – even with Pat White turning in one of the most incredible performances I’ve seen from a college football player (222 passing, 125 rushing and four TDs). Brian Brohm was fantastic as well for Louisville. Brohm threw for 353 yards and one score while hitting Harry Douglas (6 rec. 116 yards) and Mario Urrutia (6 rec. 113 yards and one TD) for first down after first down. I can’t believe how the Mountaineers defense allowed Douglas and Urrutia to take up real estate in the secondary all night long. The Cardinals did whatever they wanted to offensively in the second half.

Both White and Slaton were marvelous again for West Virginia, but turnovers sunk this team in the end. You just can’t give an offense like Louisville extra possessions – especially when your defense is playing with only four guys (WV’s defense was short handed tonight right? I swear it was with how open everybody was for Louisville).

Now of course, the topic of if Louisville is a deserving enough squad to be considered worthy of a National Championship appearance will be in full force. My opinion? Hell no. Are they good? Yes. Are they fun to watch? Absolutely. But watching the way West Virginia and these Big East teams play defense, there is no way that Louisville (or West Virginia for that matter) goes into a title game with Ohio State, Michigan or any stout SEC team and scores 44 points. You see, the Big Ten and the SEC have that little thing called: playing defense.

Fun game, I would do it again in a heartbeat. But don’t tell me either of these two offensive circus acts is better than the top dogs in the Big Ten or SEC.

College Football

Out of the box

November 2, 2006 / John Paulsen

Cleveland held off Washington in a rematch of the first round series last spring. Gilbert Arenas had an off night shooting (2-12) and finished with only 7 points, while LeBron James went for 26/10/5. But Larry Hughes was the difference, finishing with 27/9/5 against his old team. The Cavs are going to need him to play like that if they’re going to hold off Chicago in the Central…The Knicks/Grizzlies game went into triple OT, but Isiah Thomas escaped with a victory. Surprisingly, Quentin Richardson scored 31 to lead all scorers. He played a mind-boggling 56 minutes in the game. I bet he’ll be sore tomorrow…Orlando wasn’t impressed with the Bulls’ win in Miami. The Magic was led by Dwight Howard’s 27/11 en route to a 15-point victory. More importantly, he went 9-10 from the free throw line…The Bucks surprised the Pistons, who may find the going tougher without Ben Wallace anchoring the middle. Andrew Bogut started, going for 16/9 despite reports that he was going to miss up to a month with a leg injury. Michael Redd led all scorers with 37. Watch out for the Bucks…The Suns bounced back from last night’s miserable defeat to the Lakers by beating the Clippers at home. Steve Nash (20 points, 11 assists) and Shawn Marion (27 points, 10 boards) led the way. Amare Stoudemire looked better (15/4) than he did last night, which is encouraging since tonight’s game was the second in a back-to-back.

NBA

John L. Smith done at Michigan State

November 1, 2006 / Anthony Stalter

The Detroit Free Press is reporting that Michigan State University has decided to part ways with head coach John L. Smith. According to MSU athletic director, Ron Mason, Smith will remain the Spartans head coach through the rest of the ’06 season.

The firing should not come as a surprise, but the timing of it sure does. However, I actually applaud MSU for coming out with the decision now. Here’s why, everybody in East Lansing knew this guy was as good as gone at the end of the year. So, instead of trying to negotiate with new coaches behind Smith’s back, MSU just decided to make it public and give Smith the option of finishing out the season. Too many times do we see a coach’s head on the chopping block, yet the college or professional program continues to act like the general public is stupid. If a coach is not your guy anymore, part ways, period. And give Smith credit – while his career at MSU was awful (to say the least) he remained a professional throughout this announcement and will continue to be until this dreadful season is over for MSU.

Possible candidates as replacements for Smith have surfaced and they are as follows: former Cleveland Browns and University of Miami head coach Butch Davis, former San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions head coach Steve Mariucci, former University of Washington and current quarterback coach for the Baltimore Ravens Rick Neuishal and Central Michigan head coach Brian Kelly.