I Didn't Mean All That Stuff I Said Sean

I have been hoping year after year for less frequent ridiculous screaming matches between Sean Salisbury and Mr.Mackey. I found out my wish was coming true Tuesday when news started spreading that Salisbury was done at ESPN. It's like they say though, careful what you wish for. I actually enjoyed Salisbury, and not just because he was a Viking. I certainly didn't enjoy that at all. In a semi-interesting twist the guy replacing him will be another Viking, Cris Carter.(He should be in HOF) Don't worry though ESPN remains the World Wide Leader, in back up quarterbacks. Thanks Sean King.

As a football player Salisbury did not have the physical skills to keep up with his knowledge of the game. After retiring he managedd to turn that knowledge into a succeful career at ESPN. It seems that he also thinks he did well.

"I'd grown tired of being punished for not being an NFL superstar. Analysts
who don't work as hard as me, don't prepare as hard as me, and don't have my
resume were making more than me just because of their ability to throw or catch
a football."

"Don't get me wrong, I appreciated the opportunity ESPN gave me, but
they had capped my ceiling. There was only so far I could go there."

"I'd done nothing wrong, and if you hear otherwise, it's not true. I did everything that
was asked of me."

"I have created a brand and it's time to expand into other
opportunities in TV, radio, Internet, publishing, movies and public speaking,
among others. My resume speaks for itself."

As much as I liked Salisbury, that brand comment'sa stretch. Dana Jacobsen has a brand "Vodka-Swilling Lush", Skip Bayless has a brand "Mountain-Dew Hyped Moron". Salisbury on the other hand isn't really indentifiable in any way. There is no signatue style or gimmick that I associate with him.

Apparently Fox and CBS disagree. According to Salisbury he already has offers from both.

Goodell Called Before Congress To Discuss Spygate

I despise the fact that congress got involved in steroids. I mean they have plenty to worry about. Even if they didn't it still isn't really in the scope of congress' job to oversee baseball.

While I have constantly held that position I have over the last few months been somewhat swayed by the argument that it's all about the kids. You can't deny that the example professional athletes set affect the youth of our country. It goes beyond that though, forget the example set for youth. The fact is one guy does it to make the league now the next guy has to do it to make the league.

So I am starting to come around to Congress' involvement. Then what do I see crawling across ESPN's Bottom line. Congress has called Roger Goodell before them to investigate the destruction of the tapes and the Spygate issues in general. I'm sorry, what!? Explain this one to me someone, who is this protecting. Are they going to look into the widespread allegations that every team does it. This is just the most blatant attempt to get around history. Look the Superbowl winners go to the White House every year. Congress, if you want to get around the NFL and it's players then invite them, they would probably show up. But abusing your position in Congress is just phenomenally weak to me.

ESPN's Around The Horn

For those of you who watch Around The Horn -



Is it me or have you noticed the Jay Mariotti has begun recently just blatantly sucking up to Tony Reali for points. I know that Tim Cowlishaw has always had this shtick of scoreboard watching, but that is what it is shtick. Mariotti actually is whining for points and throws in as many suck up to Reali compliments and blatant reaches of movie references to get points.


For those of you that fon't watch - Get a hold of your life




Since it is semi related here's a little extra post



JA Adande dropped the following gem regarding the fact that Jose Canseco telling all about steroids may have actually helped baseball



"Just because you're right, does not mean you're righteous"



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Winter X Games

I really can't explain this to you, just watch it is literally addicting. I still watch clips of all the past X games that I have on my iPod.

Today is the opening day of the winter X games. The Games will open up with the snowmobile speed and style as well as the ski superpipe men’s final.

Two new features of the games this year are the fact that the X games are going green (not surpising with the number of granola lovers in Colorado). Much more significant to me is the fact it will be in HD. The complete TV schedule is here.

What to watch for

I personally love the Snowboard events but that is partially personal preferances I am a snowboarder.

Some of the snowmobiling events are new and tweaked so I can't wait to see how that play's out.

The Shaun White show, with all his over the top everything is gonna be great

Albert Pujols takes his ball and goes home

According to an ESPN report Pujols was upset that A St. Louis television station, KTVI, had reported that he was a part of the Mitchell report in error. Pujols had the cameraman and reporter removed from a press conference Monday

Seriously!?, are you a 5-year-old. How long do you get put in the corner for throwing a tantrum like that. Why didn't you just shout "I am taking my ball, and going home" that's how the little kids did it in my nieghborhood, I mean until they hit about 7 and grew up.

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Tom Brady in cast

I was going to roll out a paragraph or two about Tom Brady’s demeanor, in my piece on the New England Patriots. Looks like we might have an explanation. You know I got to TMZ for my sports news. And ESPN reports the entertainment gossip sight has a video of Tom Brady in a walking cast on Monday.

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Skip Bayless should be a man

Skip Bayless, who is one of the talking heads on ESPN, is killing me. A few weeks ago Bayless said that Tom Coughlin made "the dumbest coaching decision" ever. He was referring to the decision to play all his players in a "meaningless" final regular season game.
This morning when the clip was played back so he could acknowledge the mistake. What does Bayless, Captain "I am never wrong" do. Bangs his hand on the table and continues to refer to the move as "the dumbest coaching decision" ever.
How can you continue to say it was a bad move. I don't think anyone actually believes at this point, that without the momentum and confidence(especially Eli's confidence) they would be where thay are.
Be a man admit you were wrong. It is so simple. I would have so much more respect for him and his opinion down the road if he would admit that he is wrong.
I would also have more respect for him if he didn't use more hair product then Jimmy Johnson but that is another rant

A prayer to the great and powerful NFL

This Article by Chris Mortensen of ESPN prompted me to offer up this prayer.

Oh great and powerful NFL, I am a simple peasant of the nation known as fanhood, I seek the benefit of your wisdom and intelligence.

I am sure the good people of Canada love their football, eh. I imagine the people of London will show you chaps a right food turnout. I am certainly not knocking them. What I just can't get my mind around, is why you are mad at those of us who live in LA, Orange County even. You gave us AL Davis and Carroll Rosenbloom. We blame you completely for Al Davis. Is there no psych eval when you apply to own a team (give it some consideration). As for Rosenbloom, I'd thank you for him, but I really think that right after the Psych eval should come an evaluation of the personal life and possible heirs (look, I wouldn't have thought of it before either but you have to admit we have a pretty good model for crazed inheritance). Even after all that we want you back.

Your preference for warm weather stadiums is known. We are doing our part, we contribute all we can to global warming. and still nothing from you. Oh is that it. It's the Stadium. Look I can't do anything about that. It's not me, I mean I have a nice lot right by my house and you are welcome to play there. Oh, you want something a little larger. I understand that I guess. But I am not asking for a team, I just want one game. I mean the stadium issue is about money right. How much do you think you could get for the seats at the one LA game of the year. Enough to cover the shortage of luxury boxes and capacity.

I mean really, you are never gonna put a team in London quit fooling with it. Even if you want to keep this charade going, at least admit the LA is more likely. By that logic, we should get the occasional exhibition instead of oh, I don't know the country we walked out on.

As for Toronto they for sure aren't getting a team. The Bills aren't moving and the league isn't going to put another team in the same neighborhood as all the other northeast franchises. So again, why not go with the more likely prospect.

So again great and powerful NFL I plead to you, I beg of you, I can only close with. I am ready for some football

Under an Hour til the AFC Championship Game

So we are under an hour now til the AFC championship game. The talking heads have finally run out of things to say about the Patriots, the hype is growing like a a creature in a horror flick. I mean I just saw the ESPN piece where they covered his little known part in the Brady bunch television series. Now they are covering, what is the part of Tom Brady that is under the radar.
WHAT!?
Nothing, nothing goes under the radar, with him. You can't have anything go under the radar the guy gets more press than an OJ getting loaded with Lindsay Lohan stabbing and Paris Hilton, while he's babysitting Britney's kids. What is amazing to me is this need to sell it, I mean we are all watching, everyone who has the most marginal interest is tuned in. You've got the potential for an undefeated season on the line. Save those intersting pieces for midway through the game when the Patriots are hammering them.
Enjoy the game, if I think it is worthwhile I'll fire up some posts mid-game.