Friday, April 16, 2010
A Peeping Tom and Jerry
Technology is great, isn't it?
In a day and age when YouTube is the place to go to see the unthinkable, most people feel as though they have the right to post those "gotcha" moments. I'm speaking, of course, of the much-talked-about video of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who was chatting with a few fans when the conversation turned to Bill Parcells and Tim Tebow, among others.
Some clown (and that's an insult to working clowns across the world) broke out his cell phone and took a 47-second video (video not suitable for all because of language) of Jones saying that Tebow wouldn't "see the field" if he were drafted by the Cowboys, and that he hired Bill Parcells mainly to get the team's new stadium built.
While I have no problem with any Jones, who clearly had too many beverages, said, the video was all over the internet and being talked about by major news outlets everywhere. Neither the Cowboys, nor the league office would comment on the video, and the NFL said Jones wouldn't face disciplinary action. Nor should he.
If anything, this video proves that the general public simply is not responsible. Videos like this are shot all the time, and they often go to the highest bidder. This one was sent to Deadspin, a pathetic sports blog with no conscience.
While I think Jones should have chosen his words a little more carefully, is it newsworthy? In my eyes, no, but what makes news these days? Is it Jay Bruce playfully giving the double bird to teammates after getting out of an early season slump with a double (for which he apologized)? Is it Michael Phelps seen smoking marijuana? The answer, plain and simply, is sensationalism. People love it, and because of sites like Deadspin and TMZ, they have all they can handle.
The problem is that these athletes, coaches and owners are one day going to distance themselves from fans, only taking their money for ticket sales and jerseys. Had this video not surfaced, Jones likely would have chatted up a few more fans in the future, giving them their brush with fame.
Jones, Bruce and Phelps won't be the last to be caught in a "gotcha" moment, but because the everyday man can make a quick buck simply by pulling out a cell phone, I see them being more few and far between because they'll purposely be less accessible. Thanks guys.
Technology is great, isn't it?
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
'Loser' returning to Newport
When Rajeev Ram came to Newport last summer, he came as a virtually unknown. He left with the singles and doubles titles of the Campbell's Hall of Fame Championships.
He gained entry into the main draw as a lucky loser, and had quite a run, beating favorite Sam Querrey in the final. The Hall of Fame announced Wednesday that Ram, now ranked No. 85 in the world, will return to defend his title.
Querrey will also be back, as will Newport mainstay Mardy Fish and Taylor Dent. Ironically, Ram took the spot for Fish, who withdrew to join the U.S. Davis Cup team.
"Rajeev really put on a tremendous performance for the New England tennis fans last summer," said Mark Stenning, CEO of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. "We look forward to welcoming him back this year as part of a strong field of top Americans."
He gained entry into the main draw as a lucky loser, and had quite a run, beating favorite Sam Querrey in the final. The Hall of Fame announced Wednesday that Ram, now ranked No. 85 in the world, will return to defend his title.
Querrey will also be back, as will Newport mainstay Mardy Fish and Taylor Dent. Ironically, Ram took the spot for Fish, who withdrew to join the U.S. Davis Cup team.
"Rajeev really put on a tremendous performance for the New England tennis fans last summer," said Mark Stenning, CEO of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. "We look forward to welcoming him back this year as part of a strong field of top Americans."
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Don't bet against the Jets
Are any New England Patriots fans the slightest bit worried about the Jets next season? Granted, I’m a little biased, but I sure would be.
The Jets deserve some credit after reaching the AFC championship game in January. Many teams who get that far might have an inflated sense of self worth. Sometimes they assume they’re good enough to go further the next season without making many changes.
The J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS, on the other hand, seem to recognize that advancing to the conference title game was largely a fluke. The team that lost to the Colts a few months ago wasn’t nearly good enough to have a realistic shot of going that deep into the playoffs again.
So general manager Mike Tannenbaum made some potentially fantastic moves this offseason. The additions of former league MVP LaDainian Tomlinson and Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes very well could make New York a force with which to be reckoned.
Assuming Holmes — after his four-game suspension is over — and Braylon Edwards can stay out of trouble, the Jets will have one of the more talented pairs of receivers in the NFL.
And while Tomlinson obviously isn’t what he was three years ago, he should be a dangerous complement to Shonn Greene in the Jets’ multi-back system.
I realize that’s a lot of “ifs,” “coulds” and “shoulds,” but the Jets have a legitimate shot to be nasty in 2010.
The Jets deserve some credit after reaching the AFC championship game in January. Many teams who get that far might have an inflated sense of self worth. Sometimes they assume they’re good enough to go further the next season without making many changes.
The J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS, on the other hand, seem to recognize that advancing to the conference title game was largely a fluke. The team that lost to the Colts a few months ago wasn’t nearly good enough to have a realistic shot of going that deep into the playoffs again.
So general manager Mike Tannenbaum made some potentially fantastic moves this offseason. The additions of former league MVP LaDainian Tomlinson and Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes very well could make New York a force with which to be reckoned.
Assuming Holmes — after his four-game suspension is over — and Braylon Edwards can stay out of trouble, the Jets will have one of the more talented pairs of receivers in the NFL.
And while Tomlinson obviously isn’t what he was three years ago, he should be a dangerous complement to Shonn Greene in the Jets’ multi-back system.
I realize that’s a lot of “ifs,” “coulds” and “shoulds,” but the Jets have a legitimate shot to be nasty in 2010.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Masters musings
A few thoughts on the greatest single day in sports behind the Super Bowl:
- I've always rooted for Phil Mickelson. Not in that fanboi kind of way, but quietly, because he's always been the little brother. Yes, he had won two green jackets already, and a few other majors, but you have to feel for the guy after all of his colossal late failures in those events.
Add the fact that he's coming off one of the hardest years in his life - with his wife and mother both diagnosed with breast cancer - and it makes for a great story. He looked like he was having fun out there. His shot on No. 13, when the world was collectively saying, "No Phil, don't do it!", he stuck to his guns, as he always does, and delivered the second most memorable shot I can remember seeing (behind Tiger Woods on No. 16 at the Masters in 2005).
Even better than Phil's performance on Sunday, which included no bogeys, Saturday's effort was even better. To have an eagle-eagle-birdie run like he did (that lowered his score from 7 under to 12 under and into the lead) was just remarkable.
- Speaking of Woods, I know the scrutiny surrounding the world's top-ranked golfer isn't going to end anytime soon, but it should. It's getting old. I understand that people don't like him for what he did, but those are the people who A) Don't watch or appreciate golf or B) Didn't like him before and now have a legitimate reason to hate him.
But to do what he did (a fourth-place finish) this past week is astounding. He hadn't played a competitive round of golf since early November, and he showed why he's ranked No. 1.
One more thing, when Woods said people were making too much of his emotional outbursts, he was spot on. I too played golf on Sunday, and you should have heard me when I three-putted on three straight holes. It's a frustrating game. But it's a gentlemen's game, detractors will say. So is soccer, although you'd never know it.
If you don't want to hear him spew expletives on live television, don't get the microphones so close.
- Anthony Kim is going to be a force to be reckoned with in coming years. Unlike Sergio Garcia, who never lived up his potential or hype, Kim is coming on strong. His putter was magical on the back nine on Sunday.
- CBS was laughing all the way to the bank this past week. On top of the Masters, which had viewers glued to their TVs throughout the weekend, the network also had the NCAA tournament final, which was one of the best I can remember.
- I've always rooted for Phil Mickelson. Not in that fanboi kind of way, but quietly, because he's always been the little brother. Yes, he had won two green jackets already, and a few other majors, but you have to feel for the guy after all of his colossal late failures in those events.
Add the fact that he's coming off one of the hardest years in his life - with his wife and mother both diagnosed with breast cancer - and it makes for a great story. He looked like he was having fun out there. His shot on No. 13, when the world was collectively saying, "No Phil, don't do it!", he stuck to his guns, as he always does, and delivered the second most memorable shot I can remember seeing (behind Tiger Woods on No. 16 at the Masters in 2005).
Even better than Phil's performance on Sunday, which included no bogeys, Saturday's effort was even better. To have an eagle-eagle-birdie run like he did (that lowered his score from 7 under to 12 under and into the lead) was just remarkable.
- Speaking of Woods, I know the scrutiny surrounding the world's top-ranked golfer isn't going to end anytime soon, but it should. It's getting old. I understand that people don't like him for what he did, but those are the people who A) Don't watch or appreciate golf or B) Didn't like him before and now have a legitimate reason to hate him.
But to do what he did (a fourth-place finish) this past week is astounding. He hadn't played a competitive round of golf since early November, and he showed why he's ranked No. 1.
One more thing, when Woods said people were making too much of his emotional outbursts, he was spot on. I too played golf on Sunday, and you should have heard me when I three-putted on three straight holes. It's a frustrating game. But it's a gentlemen's game, detractors will say. So is soccer, although you'd never know it.
If you don't want to hear him spew expletives on live television, don't get the microphones so close.
- Anthony Kim is going to be a force to be reckoned with in coming years. Unlike Sergio Garcia, who never lived up his potential or hype, Kim is coming on strong. His putter was magical on the back nine on Sunday.
- CBS was laughing all the way to the bank this past week. On top of the Masters, which had viewers glued to their TVs throughout the weekend, the network also had the NCAA tournament final, which was one of the best I can remember.
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