Recent Comments by Thisguy

Will Tank make the trip?

I just like that the punishment fits the crime. Got waaaay too many guns? Go play in the Super Bowl. Wait...maybe it's...Drugs and guns? Um...hold on...let me think about it. Yeah, the Super Bowl's the right place for you. I mean, doesn't denying someone their "dream job" emphasize the fact that they're operating outside of the bounds of society?

posted by Thisguy at 07:11 PM on January 23, 2007

It is what it is

I vote to add everything Madden says to the list. "That guy ran well because he kept his legs moving."

posted by Thisguy at 04:49 PM on January 03, 2007

Bengals' Thurman suspended for season

Some of these guys just don't understand until they're shot thrice by an off-duty cop..... Is that in poor taste?

posted by Thisguy at 04:17 PM on September 27, 2006

University of Phoenix gets naming rights to Cardinals stadium

Yeah, Pink Taco Stadium would have been way better.

posted by Thisguy at 12:38 PM on September 27, 2006

Is Branch worth a number 1 pick?

Wide Receivers Behaving Badly. Isn't that a FOX special?

posted by Thisguy at 04:21 PM on September 12, 2006

Lions' assistant coach arrested for driving in the buff, among other things.

Guess the players can't have ALL the fun, huh?

posted by Thisguy at 10:41 AM on September 07, 2006

Off-duty police officer shoots Chargers LB Foley

Now, I know I shouldn't even comment as most of the comments here are being berated by those on the other side of the argument, but I do feel there are a few items that remain left out of the equation. Such as, the idea that Foley was approaching the off-duty officer. Were I pulled over by a guy who says he's a cop, I'd politely ask to see his badge, and, ideally, request to call the cops myself. Most guys with a gun either fire right away for fun, or have to make a decision to fire when the situation gets out of control. If this guy turns out not to be a cop, then you're probably out a wallet and a car. Big deal. Maybe I'm a bit naive, but I like to take people at their word until they give me a reason not to. A guy identifies himself as a cop, brandishing a firearm...I'm not going to start walking toward him at all. I'm definitely not going to reach near my belt. I'm going to keep my hands where he can see them, and I'm going to request my rights and keep the situation calm. Maybe I'll end up in a bad situation this way, some day; but hopefully I can encourage the best to come from every situation until that time. This story, I think, brings up the question of what we want as fans, as well. I know we can support the athlete on the field, then distance ourselves when he's incarcerated; calling him "idiot," "fool," and several other degrading names. Don't we also badmouth the guys who are beneficial to society off the field? Oh, he can do that because he's rich. He's so stuck up. I'm of the opinion that we have to support (or not support) the whole athlete, not just the man on the field. Granted, it is a difficult thing to do with as minor an impact one fan can have in relation to one player. However, 100,000 letters to the NFL are hard to ignore.

posted by Thisguy at 12:30 PM on September 05, 2006

'Sunday Night Football' Goes Pink.

And start sexist debate.....now!

posted by Thisguy at 11:59 AM on August 31, 2006

Katrina strikes again

Thanks, SummersEve. That article gives a better idea of what actually happened apart from "the kids are crying." Basically, if the coaches had been smart and brought up all the kids that were being transferred to the school, they might not have gotten in trouble. I also think the definition of "kids" is interested. Juniors and Seniors. 16-18 years old, if I'm not mistaken. Granted, a hurricane isn't an easy thing to deal with, but you'd hope schools had been preparing them to take responsibility for their actions, as the "kids" can get a license to drive and are about to leave for college(or military, or working odd jobs and playing video games). It always seems we expect "kids" to suddenly at 18 (or 21) have a sudden explosion of responsibility appear when they've been sheltered from it their whole life. I'm all in favor of teaching kids to say, "Hold it, coach, that isn't right."

posted by Thisguy at 11:32 AM on August 31, 2006

Katrina strikes again

I'd love to see an article that actually states what's going on. It sounds as though a school was punished for letting New Orleans evacuees play on the team. It also seems to state that another school "told on them." I love that sports, being so emotional, are litigated nearly mercilessly by boards and associations "committed to excellence" or several other cliche slogans. /endsarcasm.

posted by Thisguy at 02:30 PM on August 29, 2006

Refereekonomics

Man, dviking, that's a great idea. An unbiased official....um....lemme think that oxymoron over again. I throw beer bottles at the refs these days, unfortunately I keep having to replace my tv afterwards.

posted by Thisguy at 01:06 PM on August 04, 2006

warren sapp

Seriously, frazer, judging a person by the color of his/her name on SpoFi. How could you?

posted by Thisguy at 03:12 PM on July 28, 2006

All American Football League to launch in 2007

Nice comment and Archon reference, grum. Wouldn't it be nice if the NFL and AAFL work together and demote the players who are underperforming?

posted by Thisguy at 04:20 PM on July 27, 2006

It's All About The Benjamins Baby

While drafted players do make the ultimate decisions on what they are going to do, I would stick a lot of the blame on the agents. The Rams drafted a RT last year, who would have been great for us, if he had gone to camp. The agent he had recommended he wait until the guy drafted beneath him got signed, then they'd know how much money to shoot for. I suspect he's not the only agent to play the "look how much I got this guy paid" game. These guys play differently in college than they will in the NFL; gotta figure the more time they spend prepping in the first few years the better careers they'll have.

posted by Thisguy at 12:41 PM on July 24, 2006

Stickball.

Hooray for McCarthy, teaching it right. And hooray for NPR for telling the story.

posted by Thisguy at 03:59 PM on July 06, 2006

Prefer a language you don't understand over Dave O'Brien?

I'm sorry, terrapin, I didn't intend to reference Dennis Miller at all when I said intellectualize. In fact, I think that's an oxymoron. Sadly, I think I would prefer Madden over Miller any day. Sigh. I am with you on the field sound. I used to turn on the local radio broadcast of the football game and mute my tv. Probably will again this season.

posted by Thisguy at 01:37 PM on June 28, 2006

Prefer a language you don't understand over Dave O'Brien?

We can claim to be insulted, but when they keep releasing studies that half of our HS graduates can't find Kansas, maybe it's time to start talking down to the slow kids with the big continent. But, Lost, isn't that the problem, don't we talk down to them and leave them in the ditch in which they've found themselves? What if we talked up to people encouraging them to reach a higher level of understanding? (i.e. Challenging them to understand the rules of soccer) Granted, I'm a videofilm guy, so I think in some part media is a reflection of society, but at the same time, I think it can be an influence as well. Now, we all need to write letters to the networks appealing to them to intellectualize their sports programming.

posted by Thisguy at 12:29 PM on June 28, 2006

Prefer a language you don't understand over Dave O'Brien?

Ah...the pace of the game. Maybe the first thing that should be considered when doing any sportscasting. Baseball has a lot of time to talk about obscure statistics and the last time this guy hit a pitch by this guy and was grounded out on the third base line by this other guy who has been playing since this time and such and such. And a swing.......And a hit. Doesn't really work for soccer. I understand the idea that they want everyone watching to understand what's going on, but isn't it easier for people to watch together and explain rules to each other? I mean, sure, it's better that my wife asks me about american football when my team's winning, but I still try to answer her questions anyway. When are the guys at the top of the networks going to figure out that every audience is a niche audience?

posted by Thisguy at 03:46 PM on June 27, 2006

88 year old trains for triathlon

I hear ya, cody. I've got about 60 more years to go, and I'm already practicing for my front porch. That Sippin' Scotch award has my name all over it.

posted by Thisguy at 11:28 AM on June 27, 2006

Minor League Manager Goes Berserk

I'm glad I wasn't the ump. I'm not sure I could maintain my composure. I'd laugh right in his face, especially after that base pounce. He should have practiced pulling the base out of the dirt more, I think that was the weak point of his performance.

posted by Thisguy at 12:04 PM on June 26, 2006

Phillies pitcher charged with hitting wife

Hey...I know that guy.

posted by Thisguy at 03:26 PM on June 23, 2006

Phillies pitcher charged with hitting wife

Yeah, but I think we all expect that from the City of Brotherly Shut Your Face. I like the plug for the midwest in that article. I've always thought we were classy fans.

posted by Thisguy at 03:12 PM on June 23, 2006

Umpire gets physical

I appreciate your perspective, Howard. Is it possible to nominate you to become an MLB ump?

posted by Thisguy at 02:31 PM on June 08, 2006

Umpire gets physical

I think it's pretty diplomatic of Hurdle to answer that way. How professional is it to start an all out media war between the umps and the teams? I'm all for sending the umps to the showers, too. Especially after seeing the Cards v. the Astros in Game 2 or 3 or 4 of the NLCS last year. I was so heated at the fluctuating strike zone that I don't remember which game it was. LaRussa, of course, got thrown out, after which Houston agreed that the calling was inconsistent. Edmonds got thrown out as well for commenting a bit later, as the problem didn't seem to be fixed. I'd think that MLB would get it in the umps' heads that they're there to officiate the game, not to get inflated egos about being able to throw guys out of the game. Don't get me wrong, if I ever got the opportunity to throw a multimillionaire out on his ear, I'd do it, but not during a game without just cause. I'd love to see an investigation by the MLB calling in all of the first few rows of the stadium as witnesses.

posted by Thisguy at 11:29 AM on June 08, 2006

New 'MNF' team buckles up

After listening for years to Madden commenting on how "that guy runs well because he keeps his legs moving," I'm ready for some kind of change. Better or worse.

posted by Thisguy at 11:05 AM on May 29, 2006

Who cares about 714. . .will Albert hit 80?

It's not like the Cardinals have a hugely formidable line-up this year. Not home run formidable, but they're all pretty good hitters. Fortunately, baseball's not always won through home runs. Whenever I hear talk of Bonds, I think of the Bob and Tom radio show where they mentioned that there was a charity event which would allow ticket purchasers to spend a guaranteed 5 minute chance to talk with each celebrity there, including Barry. They "joked" that the rest of the Giants were going to buy the tickets so that he'd talk to them. Go Cards.

posted by Thisguy at 11:26 AM on May 21, 2006