Clip Of The Week

The Carl Lewis video for his single "Break It Up". Pay close attention starting at the 2:00 mark until the duration. Things really start getting bizarre. As if a quasi-gay track start making a music video wasn't bizarre enough.

The Sound Of Empty Seats

So I've been pretty much out of the loop sports-wise lately (save for football) and I've missed much of the Astros GM search. Then I open my email and find out Ed Wade is the new Astros GM. The same Ed Wade that never made the playoffs in 8 years in Philadelphia. I mean if Drayton wanted that, then he should have just kept Purpura. Would have been cheaper too.

Here are some of the highlights from the Wade regime. He inherited Terry Francona and fired him after 3 seasons. Then he hired Larry Bowa (a retread coach no one wants to play for) and he proceeded to do nothing. Then he hired Charlie Manuel instead of Jim Leyland after Bowa was fired. Not the best moves managerially.

How about the personnel side? Well he let go of Scott Rolen and Curt Schilling for virtually nothing. He signed David Bell and Mike Lieberthal for ridiculous money. And he gave no trade clauses to Bobby Abreu and Jim Thome that bit him in the butt. Sure, he developed the young players that Philly has now. But what can he do once they get there?

I'll hope for the best and give the man his chance but my gut says otherwise. I give him 4 years and no playoff appearances before he gets the ax as well.

NBA Refs Not Named Donaghy In The News

It was announced today that Referee Joey Crawford has been reinstated as an active ref by the NBA. Crawford previously had been criticized as letting personal differences with players get in the way of objective officiating. While I cannot say I'm totally shocked, he was routinely graded by the NBA as one of the best, I was a bit surprised by the news. How can a few months bring about a transformation? Are we really sure the old Crawford won't return next year? What happens when the Spurs and Tim Duncan come back to town?

What I will say is I think this announcement was a way for the NBA to get media and fans to start talking about something else. To stop talking about refs fixing games and to start debating something else. And this was a perfect choice because there were two trains of thought in suspending Crawford. I don't think this will erase the cloud of negativity but it will push it back a bit. Just like the Vick case has taken a back seat to the NFL and particularly the Belichick issue, the NBA is hoping its worse fears go away.

Video-Patriots In The Act

Here is a copy of the video that FoxSports Jay Glazer obtained.

Clip Of The Week

Still one of the best soundbites ever. Watch it once for laughs. Then replay it and pay close attention to the guy behind Tyson cringing at each answer.

If God (or Allah) were to grant me one wish it would be for Mike to return to glory so we could get more of these interviews. Dude's money with a mic.

Anyhow, without further adieu.

Pats Saga Update

If things weren't bad enough, rumors are circulating that the Pats not only were taping calls but also putting mikes on defensive players. Supposedly, they would put microphones on defensive lineman in order to hear line calls and audibles. At halftime, players would be told what the audibles meant (a coach would hear the audible and chart what play/assignments were then ran) so they could adjust accordingly. If that wasn't a big enough advantage then listen to this one.

As most fans know, the QB for each team has a radio device in his helmet that allows the coach to communicate with him between plays. The communication shuts off at some point as the play clock winds down (I believe 15 seconds but I could be wrong). It allows him to call plays in without needing signals and/or players running in from the sidelines between plays. Well, the Pats are doing something similar on defense. I'm not sure which players, or how many have this, but they have a similar setup. And since this is illegal they presumably would be able to communicate at any time with said player.

So what next? Well, who knows how much more will come out or even if any of this is true. But the league definitely needs to do something about it. Reports of them stripping New England of draft picks is a good start. Make sure they are meaningful, first day picks. Also coaches should be suspended. It would be hard to ascertain who all was aware of the situation but surely Belichick should be suspended.

This is no Mike Vick/Tank Johnson situation. Belichick possibly stole championships. He makes the normal fan question the integrity of the league. And for that he needs to pay. Pete Rose received a lifetime ban for betting on baseball. Well, Belichick did just as bad a crime, if not worse. Mr. Goodell, the call is yours. Are you a David Stern or are you a Bud Selig?

First The NBA Cheats And Now The NFL Does

While it hasn't received a lot of notoriety, the Patriots have been accused of videotaping opposing defensive coaches signals in to their defense. Supposedly, Roger Goodell called Coach Bill Belichick into his office and will strip the Pats of multiple draft picks.

This begs several questions. First, what exactly are they gaining by videotaping the defensive signals? Do they know the signals in advance and then tell someone in the Pats coaching staff what play is being called, who then relays the info to the QB? Could be one reason QB Tom Brady has been so successful with seamingly so few weapons. Not sure of the actual reasoning for the taping but obviously it was severe enough for the Commish to reportedly take away draft picks.

Second question is how long has this been going on for? Championships are obviously involved and once you have a ring, you have the ring. Steroids haven't tarnished the Steelers rings and this won't tarnish the Pats rings either. Hell, I'd do it too if I could guarantee a Championship. It's curious that the Jets of all teams were the ones to rat out New England. Coach Eric Mangini was previously with the Pats before accepting the post last season. More curious, is that if Mangini knew of these practices, why did he wait until this year to say something? Surely he could have acquired the needed proof since they play twice a year.

While it's doubtful anyone will ever hear the nitty gritty behind the story, one thing is clear. Goodell has more balls than any other commissioner. And that the Patriots are good cheats if it took them this long to get caught.

ROI

Mario Williams had 2 sacks, a fumbe recovery and run for touchdown. He scored more TD's than Reggie Bush and ran for more yards than VY. No wonder that the Texans had one of their most impressive victories in franchise history.

Clip of the Week

I was probably the last guy in the world to watch this one. But in case you forgot this clip or perhaps you too have been under a rock for the last few years.

1560 The Best In The Game

It's been a couple weeks now and I've got to say 1560 The Game is the best sports talk station on the air. Despite the poor reception near my home off 610, it's a must listen all day long.

John Granato in the morning is pretty much what anyone would expect. One good thing is he books a lot of guests to keep the conversations flowing. The Richard Justice show from 10-12 is probably the most informative show on the Houston airwaves. He shares more insider information than any other host. When he is by himself his transitions are a bit shaky but his interviews are fantastic. He asks the tough questions that few others ask, other than Jim Rome.

Next up is 1560's curveball and I must say it's my new favorite show. Ken Hoffman, the Chron's do it all entertainment columnist, is wonderful in this extended role. I've read his articles for years now and his insight and storytelling are a joy to listen to. To top it off, he's unafraid to ask any question to any guest, be it sexual or just plain extremely personal. His candor is a huge relief and one reason he's the best writer in Houston. Definitely a must listen.

Sean the Cablanasian and College Football expert John Harris bring the station home in the afternoon drivetime slot. This show is probably the weakest of them all but it seems as if it's both hosts first shot on the air. Give them a few months and I'm sure things will flow much better. Harris is still the best for college football knowledge and is no slouch on pro football either. I've got my fingers crossed that Seanie can be as good as he is on the Jim Rome show. This is really the only slot you may want to turn the dial.

All in all, 1560 is already the best station on the air. And I haven't mentioned that they have less commercials than any other station too. If Lance Zierlein joins Granato in the morning when his contract is up come November, it will only be that much better. Look for them to take a huge chunk of the 610 listenership anytime now.

The Story That Never Was

When will the media learn its lesson?

It's become popular the last few years to blame the media, etc for the steroids deal in baseball. Supposedly, they lent a blind eye towards the entire thing. Well, it appears as if it's happening again. In the NFL.

Steroids, HGH, whatever you want to call it; performance enhancers have become big in every sport. The NFL has had a few scattered cases over the last few years. Amazingly, no one has thought to investigate the league further. Now there is word that a clinic in Florida was supplying HGH to many NFL players (though only Rodney Harrison and Coach Wade Wilson have been identified). But have you heard this story? Probably not. Do a google search. See how how little you find on it.

Fans wonder how so many could have missed the MLB drug scandal. Well, here's the next big one and no one is mentioning it. You'd think the media would have learned its lesson by now but guess again. If you think about it, they're no better than the athletes they repeatedly chastise for failing to live up to the media's standards. Get a clue people, the NFL has just as many cheaters as MLB, probably more.