Keith Olbermann:The New Rush?

Since Keith Olbermann is such a cunt and thinks his shit smells like roses I had to retaliate. I've thought the guy was pompous and overrated for years. Glad he left ESPN when he did and even more glad that Dan Patrick left his radio show because I wouldn't have to sit through an hour of both of them (why Patrick would put such a clown for a whole hour on his own show boggles my mind).

But back to Olbermann. He has a segment on the Sunday Night Football halftime show (you to Costas?) where he chooses the "Worst Guy in the NFL" or something to that effect. It's kinda lame but what would you expect. This week was Travis Johnson's incident with Trent Green. In typical fashion, Olbermann ranted on and on about how horrible Johnson's actions were and berated him like the step mother you never wanted.

I wish Olbermann could have been in Johnson's shoes for one second. He's blindsided by a player and taken out at the knees. It was a play that could have literally ended the guy's career. Naturally he was pissed and glad when he saw Trent Green still down. I'm guessing he probably didn't think they'd end up carting the guy off the field afterwards either. And when he said Green was a wuss he was right. I don't care how big a guy is, when he's not looking at you anyone can hit him in the shoulder or something and knock him upside down. The guy's NOT LOOKING. Green should have hit the guy like a man. If he did he never would have had the concussion. And his career might not be over.

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?