mad stork sports

Spending Valentines Day With Jeremy Lin

2012-02-14T17:06:00.000-05:00

Courtesy: Yahoo Sports

The title of this post may be a little misleading, BUT
it is somewhat accurate. Tonight when my wife arrives
home from a long day at work, she will have an above
average meal on the table waiting for her, as well as
fresh baked dessert, and a Valentines card to mark the
occasion. Some of the remaining details will be kept
private of course, but what I can tell you is this, one
thing that probably would not have happened about a week
ago, us watching a Knicks game together, will.

Jeremy Lin fever has gripped the country, especially NY,
and the NBA. All for a bunch of reasons that are not
all wrong or right. One of the wrong ones includes his
being linked to Tim Tebow in some way, while one of the
better ones is that he has the Knicks moving in the right
direction once again, and is giving them a huge spark
with his energy and infectious play. The comparisons to
Steve Nash are flattering of course, but unfair to both
Nash and Lin. Lin still has a huge road to travel before
he can try on those shoes.

Tonight may be Valentines day for many people around the
world, but apparently the Raptors had some help from the
magic eight ball or something when they got the idea to
make this Asian Heritage night on their schedule. The high
flying division rival Knicks will be visiting with their
very own Asian sensation and it will be a packed house at
the Air Canada Center, which is bound to make any guy that
brought his basketball loving date to this game look like
a huge hero, and bound to get a big smooch to go along
with the evening.

Make no mistake about it, I will be spending Valentines
evening with my lovely wife, but Jeremy Lin is going to be
right there for both of us to watch instead of some RomCom
movie to cheese up the evening. It may not be your idea
of romance, but love has many faces, and tonight we will
be keeping one eye on Lin-derella.

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Ranting With Rizzo Podcast For 2-11-12

2012-02-14T00:40:00.000-05:00

If miss the show, then there's always the podcast
to help you keep up with you busy schedule and to
free up your weekends. This is a post football
season podcast, and we try and put a bow on things.
Enjoy the show !

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Lin, Love, And The NBA Chance To Grab Headlines

2012-02-12T22:21:00.000-05:00

Let's face it, after the NFL season ends a great
many of us go through the lull of trying to figure
out what sports we want to follow. After Baseball
and Football, only the diehard NBA & NHL fans can
continue on with no shakes or shivers of any kind.

This week though I was able to grab three things
that made me turn my attention to the NBA.

The Lakers worked out Gilbert Arenas to see if he
was worth signing. Wow, I didn't even realize that
he wasn't playing for anyone, kinda embarrassing
on my part really.

Then I saw the story on Yahoo Sports that said
something about Kevin Love of the Timberwolves
thinking that it would be a good idea if the NBA
took MLB's idea of making the All-Star game decide
home field advantage in the Finals. Is he nuts?
Doesn't he realize that they are trying to get rid
of that stupid idea? Maybe he's taken too many
rebounds to the head.

Third but not least is of course the Jeremy Lin story
out of New York with the Knicks. I don't know much,
but I have seen him finish the last two games that they
played, they won, and he plays hard from what I can see.
None of these things are things you can argue with, BUT,
apparently every Tom, Dick, and Harry that calls in to
the sports talk radio stations in New York has already
decided that they know how this is gonna turn out when
Carmelo and Amare return to the starting lineup.
Boy was I glad to hear what they had to say, I wouldn't
want to be kept in suspense or anything, and I'm sure
they saved Carmelo and Stoudamire a boatload of time
as well. All the same though, I think I will start
watching more now, and take my chances. I'm sure the
NBA is loving this, and they don't have to spend a
bunch of advertising dollars for this feel good story
that even has a crazy connection to Tim Tebow.
You can't beat that!

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Jeremy Lin, Tim Tebow Comparisons Way Off Base

2012-02-11T00:16:00.000-05:00

Getty Images

The sampling is way to small, and four games out of
about 66 are equal to only about 6% of the season
this year, but I already think that Jeremy Lin will
be a more established NBA player than Tim Tebow will
be an NFL player. So what?, and why compare the two?
Just because Lin said that he admired Tebow, and has
been a bit of an instant success, who may or may not
be a bit of a Jesus fan? Again, so what?

Everyone is looking for a link, Rich Cimini of ESPN NY
@RichCimini tweeted, "Year of The Undrafted Free Agent
in New York: Victor Cruz and Jeremy Lin.", Uh Cruz won
a Super Bowl the Knicks are under .500. Lin seems to
be a little bit of a Bible thumper, so he immediately
has to be compared to Tim Tebow? Well the stats don't
support that. In his last four games, the brunt of
this "Lin-sanity", Lin is averaging 28.5 PPG, 8 Assts,
and the Knicks are 4-0, and only three of those games
are starts. Those three stats alone dwarf anything
Tim Tebow did as an individual, even though it's true,
his team did win. All that said with that kind of
success and attention, there will come the hate too.
After the game Andrew Bynum said: "Today we just added
to his hype and probably kept him in the league for 10
years", hmmm, a little envy maybe?

I saw his post game interview after the Knicks, Laker
game at MSG, and at no time did he mention Jesus, Thank
God, or anything like that, but he did mention teammates,
and point out individuals. The only comparison I see so
far is that they are athletes, weren't expected to do
anything of any significance, and win. Not a bad combo.

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Mad Stork Sports Podcast 2-8-12

2012-02-09T23:53:00.003-05:00

In case you missed the show, here is the podcast of
it from the live show on Wednesday night. Here is
a chance to catch what you may have missed.
The discussion was Giants and Patriots aftermath,
Super Bowl XLVI breakdown and all the chatter about
it since. A little news from around the world of
sports is also included. Enjoy !

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Mad Stork Sports on ScatterRadio - Live 6PM Est

2012-02-08T15:52:00.003-05:00

Join me at 6PM eastern today as I break down what went
down with the Giants & Patriots, what this means for
Eli Manning and Tom Brady, and maybe we'll even spend
a minute or two on the halftime show and commercials.
Join Me !

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

For Manning Family Eli Provides A Little Payback For Peyton

2012-02-07T15:11:00.001-05:00

Courtesy BSO
It was never Eli Manning vs Tom Brady, just like it
was never Tom Brady vs Peyton Manning, but you can't
help but see the connection in latest defeat of Brady
that Eli and the NY Giants provided on Super Bowl
Sunday to the "Dynasty" that once was the Patriots.
As I mention in a previous radio show, this isn't like
Mike Piazza facing off against Roger Clemens, there is
no head to head encounter, football is quite different.

Year after year the Brady, Belichick and the Patriots
tortured big brother Peyton Manning in his quest to
win a Championship of his own, but the Patriots always
in some way, shape, or form stood in his way and in the
way of the Indianapolis Colts. By the time Peyton got
his trophy, the Pats had already won three, so though
their was the thrill of victory for Peyton, there were
also far many more tortured nights previous to that.

Now little brother Eli, the lesser talented QB of the
two according to the experts and most of the fans that
follow this great game we call football, had his chance
four years ago at Super Bowl XLII to bring down the well
oiled, undefeated machine that was destined to win once
again, and break a record that had stood nearly four
decades, an undefeated season and a Trophy to go with it.
It was an impossible task, but possible it became.
Now four years later those very same Pats, Brady, and
Belichick had their own chance at redemption just like
all those times Peyton looked for his and finally got it,
except they didn't. Tom, Bill, and even Robert(Kraft)
were once again turned away by Peyton's little brother Eli.
Their would be no redemption on Sunday night for the Pats
with a second chance against the team that ruined perfection
for the them and their fans, but perhaps a little for the
family Manning.

Eli and Tom didn't square off head to head, but Eli did
look like what Brady used to look like and Brady like what
folks thought Eli was, just not quite good enough.
I guarantee you that Eli did not have this in the forefront
of his mind, but in looking back he can, if he wishes to,
consider that he provided Tom Brady and company a little
payback for all the frustration big brother Peyton had to
endure oh so many years ago, and the little brother showed
everyone that even big brothers can use a hand now and then.

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Ranting With Rizzo Podcast For 2-4-12

2012-02-06T20:57:00.001-05:00

In case you missed the show prior to the "BIG" game
on Sunday here is the podcast. You get a chance to
see if any of what I said came true, and how close
it was to the truth. Enjoy the show !

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Stone Cold Lock(s) Super Bowl XLVI edition

2012-02-05T13:54:00.003-05:00

The Stone Cold Locks makes one last appearance for
the 2011 NFL Season, and I'm holding on with a
fairly healthy 50-9 record trying very hard to make
sure that I don't fall into double digit losses on
the last game of the year. I picked the Giants a
few weeks back to represent the NFC in the BIG
game, but I never made a pick for the AFC, nor did
I pick a Champion. This game is extremely close to
call, and a win by either team would not be a
surpise, but I have to make a choice, here it is:

New York Giants - I just have little to no faith
in the New England secondary, and think that Eli
Manning has crossed over into that group of QB's
that can get the job done. Brady is till better,
and a killer, but I'm afraid that without Rob
Gronkowski, he just won't have enough to do it
by himself. Gronkowski is not to be counted on
for this game, they will have to pull something
else out from their bag of tricks to win this if
the Patriots are going to do it at all.

Enjoy The Game !

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

2012 Football Hall Of Fame Members & The Disgusting Process That Got Them In

2012-02-05T01:12:00.000-05:00

Courtesy ESPN

First of all I wish to make sure that I don't
forget to congratulate the newest members of
the Pro Football Hall of Fame, they are a
deserving group and this piece should do next
to nothing to take away from their hard work
and dedication. Curtis Martin, Willie Roaf,
Dermontti Dawson, Chris Doleman, Cortez
Kennedy, and senior selection Jack Butler are
the 2012 inductees. That's the Good news.

The bad news is that the group who had the job
and honor of electing them in, are a bunch of
MORONS! Between the Jerks up in Cooperstown
and the almighty dipsh*ts that are given this
assignment, it is extremely hard to tell which
group tops the other for ineptitude. I wrote
a piece regarding this very same issue back in
August to make a case for Ray Guy who is without
question the best punter the game has ever seen,
and wrote a piece back in December about the
recent induction of Ron Santo into Cooperstown.
Time and time again the same question begs to be
answered when the likes of Santo in Baseball and
Jack Butler for the NFL today get inducted, What
makes them a Hall of Famer today, that didn't make
them one in _______(You fill in the year)?

Butler last played pro football back in 1959, and
today someone realized that he belonged in the
Hall of Fame? FORTY THREE YEARS later, Really ?
Are you kidding me??? What kind of sick joke is
this??? There have been far too many players
inducted in after their death, fortunately Butler
84 is still alive, but why did he have too wait
so long to get a chance to enjoy this honor?

Dick Stanfel is 84 and alive as well, but he
won't get that pleasure today, he was denied.
I don't know enough about Stanfel to make a case
for him, but I do know enough about the likes of
Bill Parcells, Charles Haley, and Tim Brown that
I can say they definitely deserve to be in, but
today they too were denied, as were Chris Carter,
Andre Reed, Kevin Greene, Aeneas Williams, and
Will Shields. The crappiest part about those that
didn't get in, is that some will, but NOT today.
This is a long and complicated process that the
list of men at the end of this article are trusted
to carry out and yet they seemingly toy with the
fate of the men who actually PLAYED he game.

As a Raider fan myself, I can stand atop a mountain
and scream out more names than you can imagine,
but the again I am all to used to this. If you look
at your favorite team you too will find a laundry
list of players that legitimately belong as well,
so I know that there I am not alone. I could also
go on for days at how corrupt this process has
become, and I feel like no one is listening.
It's just one more story for the water cooler.
I know that you might notice that I didn't mention
the NBA or NHL Hall of Fames, but I don't know
enough about their issues to state them here, I
just hope they are better, even if only a little.

Also please try to grasp this if you will as I wrap
this up, the biggest gripe is not that a player does
or doesn't get elected, but that it's become so
political, and writers hold these life long grudges
against players and organizations which then in turn
influence the way the vote. Whispers today had the
rejection of Bill Parcells come down to a matter of
not being well liked. Who cares, is it a popularity
contest? In using baseball again for a moment, I
ask this, why did Eddie Murray not get in on his 1st
year of eligibility? Oh yeah, he too was not well
liked. A player close to my heart like Ken Stabler
who came out of Alabama right after Joe Namath is
not in, but may get in later, and yet he has better
numbers than Namath, just as many Super Bowl rings,
a better winning percentage, & completion percentage,
and yet Namath is in, but Stabler is not.

I could really go on, and on with the likes of Tom
Flores, Cliff Branch, Lester Hayes, Tim Brown, Ray
Guy, etc., but I won't. I will always ask this one
question if they do eventually get elected in, as I
will with any other player who didn't get in, in the
first two or three years of eligibilty; Why is it
that without them playing one more play, coaching
one more player or deciding one more game, they are
in the Hall of Fame now? Why?

Here are the folks you can ask, if you wish to:
Ari Kent Somers, Arizona Republic
Atl Len Pasquarelli, The Sports Xchange
Bal Scott Garceau, WMAR-TV
Buf Mark Gaughan, Buffalo News
Car Darin Gantt, Rock Hill Herald
Chi Dan Pompei, Chicago Tribune
Cin Joe Reedy, Cincinnati Enquirer
Cle Tony Grossi, Cleveland Plain Dealer
Dal Rick Gosselin, Dallas Morning News
Den Jeff Legwold, Denver Post
GB Cliff Christl, Green Bay Press-Gazette
Hou John McClain, Houston Chronicle
Ind Mike Chappell, Indianapolis Star
Jac Sam Kouvaris, WJXT-TV
KC Bob Gretz, KCFootballReport.com
Mia Edwin Pope, Miami Herald
Min Sid Hartman, The Minneapolis Star-Tribune
NE Ron Borges, Boston Herald
NO Pete Finney, Times-Picayune
NYG Bob Glauber, Newsday
NYJ Gary Myers, New York Daily News
Oak Frank Cooney, The Sports Xchange
Phi Paul Domowitch, Philadelphia Daily News
Pit Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
StL Bernie Miklasz, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
SD Nick Canepa, San Diego Union Tribune
SF Nancy Gay, FoxSports.com
Sea Mike Sando, ESPN.com
Tam Ira Kaufman, Tampa Tribune
Ten David Climer, The Tennessean
Was David Elfin, AOL Fanhouse
Darryl Ledbetter Atlanta Journal-Constitution
At Large Howard Balzer, The Sports Xchange
At Large Jarrett Bell, USA Today
At Large John Clayton, ESPN/ESPN Magazine
At Large John Czarnecki, FOXSports.com
At Large Dave Goldberg, AOL Sports/Fanhouse
At Large Peter King, Sports Illustrated
At Large Ira Miller, The Sports Xchange
At Large Len Shapiro, Miami Herald
At Large Vito Stellino, Florida Times Union
At Large Jim Trotter, Sports Illustrated
At Large Charean Williams, Ft. Worth Star Telegram

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Mad Stork Sports Podcast 2-1-12

2012-02-03T13:54:00.002-05:00

The Podcast is here so if you missed the live show
on Wednesday night here is your chance to catch what
you may have missed. The discussion was Giants and
Patriots, comparison talk of Super Bowl and all time
quarterbacks, as well as some odd news from around
the globe in the world of sports. Enjoy !

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Peyton Manning Cleared To Play. Now What?

2012-02-02T23:33:00.001-05:00

(AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)

It's not my money and it's not my team. Heck I
don't even root for the Colts, but as far as I'm
concerned the answer is pretty easy. Keep Peyton
Manning and either draft Andrew Luck and tell him
to sit back, learn and STFU, or trade the pick for
the giant pirates booty it will probably be worth
to every owner and GM who's drooling over it like
their life depends on it.

Manning is the same guy that took a 5 year $90Mil
extension, when Jim Irsay wanted to give him $100Mil
for the same amount of years. Manning is the reason
the Colts even count as an NFL team. He is one of
the biggest contributing factors as to why the city
of Indianapolis is hosting a such a gigantic event
this week. Peyton Manning has been cleared to play
by the top doctor in the area that has ailed Manning
most, and another Doctor just for good measure.
The Colts went from 10-6 in 2010 with Peyton Manning
to 2-14 in 2011 without him, and the team didn't even
change any major parts.

If money is not the issue, and Irsay says it's not,
the answer is beyond clear. Take into account that
this year there will be a rookie salary cap, so
instead of having to pay Manning his $28Mil bonus,
and a rookie another $18Mil or so, to ride the bench,
the hit will be much less, and you can use that $10Mil
that Peyton didn't want to take from you to see how he
does. If he doesn't work out and you are in love with
Andrew Luck and draft him, he will have spent a full
season learning from one of the best QB's the game has
ever seen, be ready to take over. The would show a
little loyalty, and payback someone who deserves it.
Also keep in mind that you can probably trade the pick,
get a huge return, and still draft a QB just in case
there are any further issues, and yes you can probably
trade into a spot to get RG III, who I would much rather
have anyway.

The Andrew Luck media machine is no different than the
next hot quarterback parade that happens EVERY year.
Looking back in retrospect you might think that these
names are bad examples to use here, but I assure you
that at the time these guys were ready to get drafted,
someone had them up on the board as CANNOT MISS picks.
Akili Smith, Tim Couch, JaMarcus Russell, David Carr,
David Klingler, Joey Harrington, Andre Ware, Rick Mirer,
Heath Shuler, Ryan Leaf, sorry couldn't help myself.
Do any of those names ring a bell? Well I'm afraid
the list will only get longer every year, and I'm sorry
to have to throw this out there but, Tom Brady was a
6th round pick, Joe Montana was 3rd round pick, Roger
Staubach was a 10th round pick and Aaron Rodgers was
picked twenty three spots after Alex Smith.

I can't see how this is an issue, I just can't

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Manning, Rodgers, Brady & Montana

2012-01-31T23:58:00.000-05:00

Getty Images

Aaron Rodgers: There is an expression that goes something
like this: "he's getting too big for his britches", and
you can probably apply that to Aaron Rodgers who's gotta
still be feeling the effects of looking like Brett Favre
against the Giants in a home playoff loss at Lambeau.
I am all for making the Pro Bowl a better game, but when
you hear Rodgers say: "I was a little bit disappointed.
I felt like some of the guys on the NFC side embarrassed
themselves....", it makes you wonder if maybe his helmet
is on a little too tight. Loosen up Aaron.

Peyton Manning: Bart Hubbuch of the NY Post tweeted this
earlier: "Peyton Manning made no guarantees last week
about his health, then says this week that he expects to
be cleared. What changed in six days?", and I have to
agree, that is an excellent question, what changed?
You can find Burt at @NYPost_Hubbuch. I'm sure that this
off season will be a little more atomic than just Andrew
Luck, and RG III

Tom Brady & Joe Montana: Monte Poole of the Oakland Tribune
wrote a column and makes a case for Tom Brady being better
than Joe Montana. You buy it? He bring up great points,
but it seems almost sacrilege. Even though he makes a great
point at times I still feel like I would want Joe over Tom
if the chips were on the line. How about you?

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Ranting With Rizzo Podcast For 1-28-12

2012-01-30T22:52:00.001-05:00

In case you missed last weeks show, here it is.
The topics were multiple Championship winners in
towns in the same year or two window, Tin Thomas,
and a sneak peak at the upcoming matchup between
the Giants and Patriots. Enjoy the show !

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Pro Bowl Weekend & NFL's Rooney Rule Takes A Hit

2012-01-29T22:48:00.000-05:00

George Rose/Getty Images

With probably less that 10% of all real NFL fans
watching the Pro Bowl this weekend, the league
and it's players get a chance to enjoy themselves,
and not worry about about impressing anyone with
an event that means little to nothing the week
before an event that means everything to many.
Though I am not going to give you any sort of
plan to make the Pro Bowl a better than it is,
it's something that is certainly worth looking
in to.

What is flying under the radar even more than how
boring and uninteresting the Pro Bowl is, is the
fact that the "Rooney Rule" took a little bit of
a hit this past off season. Though I don't think
that it's in any jeopardy of being ignored or
pushed aside in the future, the numbers now that
all the coaches to replace fired coaches have been
hired, have produced a negative step back as opposed
to a status quo or minimal gain. Going into to
the 2011 season there were 8 minority head coaches
in the NFL, seven African American, and one Latino
American(Ron Rivera). Once the season ended, of
the seven coaches relieved of the duties, 3 were
minorities, all African American, and all seven
were replaced by non minority coaches. So where
there was once a 25% presence of minority head
coaches in the league that number is now just a
shade over 15%. The drop of 10% may not seem like
much, but it can't be ignored either, just think
how great a 10% pay raise for you would be, or how
much it would suck if your rent went from $1500 a
month to $1650 a month in just a couple of weeks.

I have never been a fan of the "Rooney Rule" and
neither have some minority groups. You shouldn't
need to force someone to do the right thing, and
by right thing I don't mean force someone to hire
a minority, but rather look at all the candidates
as equally as possible. The Oakland/LA Raiders
hired a Latino American Head Coach long before
this rule, Tom Flores, and he won 2 Super Bowls
for them. They Hired an African American Head
Coach before the rule too, Art Shell, and he had
a winning record throughout in his first stint as
Head Coach. And though the "Rooney Rule" covers
minorities, and not women the Raiders also hired
a female Executive VP who is still on the job today
before this rule was adopted, Amy Trask. A perfect
example of how all you need to do is just hire the
right people, rule or not. We are divided in way
too many ways, so maybe this is a good place to
start ignoring the divisions, and embrace the one
thing that brought us here, Football.

It is also worth noting that this year the Raiders
were one of the three teams that fired their African
American Head Coach, Hue Jackson, but it was done by
their newly hired African American GM Reggie Mckenzie
and that is one place where minorities did make a
gain the the NFL this year, the front office.

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

NY Mets Embrace Mediocrity And Induct John Franco

2012-01-28T22:58:00.002-05:00

AP Photo

This certainly is not meant to demean anyone or even
offend John Franco, but he is the latest former Met
to be inducted into the NY Mets Hall Of Fame. Wait,
What? Really? Is this the example the Mets want to
set? Inducting a guy who was 54-56 in his time with
you, had 276 saves over 14 years or 19.8 per season,
and managed to blow 64 save opportunities or 4.8 per
season(4 to 1 ratio), and say he is worthy of being
a member of your "Hall Of Fame"? What did I miss?

I have been a Mets fan my entire life, and a loyal
one at that. I like John Franco, and wish he was
better than he was, but please don't ask me to admit
that he is worthy of being a member of a group that
is fairly noteworthy. I looked at that list, and
though it isn't in numerical order of importance, I
can say this: If it were numbered first to last, you
would have to put Tom Seaver at #1, and John Franco
dead last, and there is NO question about those two
spots what so ever. And by the way, if you're going
to write in and tell me that he is the all time saves
leader among lefties, I don't want to hear it, it a
fluff stat that means little to nothing in the grand
scheme of things.

The NY Mets organization has now not only failed their
fans on the field, and in the office, but they have now
made us the laughing stock of intelligent baseball fans
everywhere. Yes even more than we already were.
I wish I had more words or facts for this piece, but it's
blatantly obvious that this is a bad move, I won't bother.

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Mad Stork Sports Podcast 1-26-12

2012-01-26T15:25:00.001-05:00

In case you missed the show Wednesday night, we
have all the festivities right here. Listen to
the Giants 49ers talk, my ripping into Tim Thomas
as well as my take on the Prince Fielder signing,
and of course other details that slip into the
conversation. Make sure to join us next week, so
you can participate for yourself.

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Joe Paterno Good Deeds Shouldn't Be Overshadowed

2012-01-26T07:43:00.003-05:00

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

The World lost an icon on Sunday, and no it wasn't
just the sports world that lost that icon, even though
in the end it was that taking away of sports that may
have finally done in Joe Paterno. You hear it all too
often, a person retires and soon there after they die.
It's all they know, and all they were, and with Joe
Paterno it seems as though nothing could be closer to
the truth.

I'm not here today to defend Joe Paterno, he doesn't
need that, and though I may be guilty of defending him
in the past, I don't think I did. What I was merely
saying is that he deserved to be heard. Then lawyers
get involved, and no one is allowed to talk, and sh*t
hits the fan. Though he did finally speak, and I am
sure it was against the advise of counsel, it still
didn't satisfy most, and that is fair. Too much was
left unanswered, too much evil was done,

There is NO BUT. What there is though, is the fact
that there was good done as well, not in that incident,
and not for Sandusky's victims, but for others.
In today's world of Twitter, and rapid fire reactions
it's hard to see or even understand it, and the fact
is that this incident will forever tarnish a legacy
that also had alot of good in it. These words however
will not help the victims of the most recent events,
not by a longshot. His good deeds did help some, and
when good is done it shouldn't be ignored, just like
when bad is done, that shouldn't be ignored either.

Let me leave you with this thought. We as a people
for the most part tend to be forgiving, I can list
a multitude of athletes that have wronged, drugs,
infidelity, etc., and though these crimes are not
for the most part not nearly as bad as Sandusky's,
they are given a second chance. When they do the
right thing and succeed with that second chance, we
are all happy that we gave them another opportunity.
Why shouldn't this be a sort of reverse situation?
By that I mean, if Paterno had been guilty of such
silence early in his career, and then given a second
chance, and made good with it the way he did prior
to this, isn't it fair that though we would always
remember his bad, we would also point to what he did
since then and say: see, he tried to make up for it?

Let's not forget his good deeds or good deeds in general
when they are genuine and real. Just a thought anyway.
R.I.P Joe

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Tim Thomas Falls On His Hockey Stick

2012-01-24T12:08:00.001-05:00

Courtesy: Outlaw Hockey

I couldn't find nicer words to describe such foolish
actions by this Boston Bruins Goaltender, and yet I
will try and keep this clean and civilized.

Yesterday Tim Thomas showed not just what a bad sport
he is, but also what bad judgement he decided to use
on such a grand stage. Having months to consider and
reconsider his actions he still decided to take the
world of politics and muddy the world of sports.

Keep in mind that I have no objections to his political
views, he is without question entitled to them, and
please spare me the freedom of speech rhetoric, no one,
myself included is trying to suppress his freedom to
speak. If that were the case then I would be among the
first to defend him, and it. As far as freedom of
speech, here's mine: He's an idiot for not being able
to draw a line between athletics and politics, and as
far as my congratulations to him earlier last year for
winning the Stanley Cup Finals MVP, and Stanley Cup is
concerned, I take it back, he doesn't deserve it.
Thomas is nothing short of a child and should not be
encouraged.

Whatever your political views are, embrace them, just
leave them at home when it comes to athletics, a time
when we should leave them at home and enjoy our freedom,
not find another arena to fight about them. Don't make
this another Soviet Olympic boycott, a mistake that
should have never happened, but can't be taken back.

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Ranting With Rizzo Podcast For 1-21-12

2012-01-23T23:18:00.000-05:00

In case you missed the Pre-Championship weekend
talk, and why I picked who I picked here's the
podcast for that and more. Enjoy !

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

49ers Fall To Giants & Their Fans Need To Get Grip

2012-01-23T17:09:00.002-05:00

49erFanForum

Just like the headline says: 49ers falls to Giants,
not Kyle Williams, "THE 49ers!". All the hate that
has come from a select few of their fans is petty,
and disgusting to put it mildly. The team was 6-10
last season, they were NOT supposed to be here.
The offense was 1-13 on 3rd down and yet they were
still in the game. You want to blame Kyle Williams?
Get a grip, PLEASE, get a grip, or get out! IDIOTS

Good to see that up to this point Ravens fans have
behaved with a little more style and class.
Nice Job Baltimore, Stay Classy

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

NFL Stone Cold Locks Championship Edition 2012

2012-01-22T10:34:00.000-05:00

Photographed by: Damian Strohmeyer/SI

The record improved to 48-9 after a perfect 3-0 weekend
which could have been filled with different results, but
thankfully wasn't. We are down to the last three games
and there is NO wiggle room, pick these or go home is
all I got. So here goes, as I try to make these count.

1. New England Patriots - An upset wouldn't surprise me
here, but Joe Flacco just isn't the guy to do it.

2. New York Giants - If there was one pick out of these
two I would have to change it would be this one, but
I love me a rematch of SuperBowl XLII.

Both these games should be very enjoyable, so unless you
are a fan of one of these four teams and are biting your
fingernails to the bone, you should be able to casually
enjoy them, so take advantage, we're near the end.

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Ranting With Rizzo - Live

2012-01-21T11:59:00.001-05:00

"Ranting with Rizzo" is on at 12 Noon and we
go over the list of playoff games that will
go on this weekend as well as the many moves
that have taken place this week.
Tune in to 1170AM WDIS and WDISAM.Com
Join the discussion. Rizzo@WDISAM.Com

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Mad Stork Sports Podcast 1-20-12

2012-01-20T13:20:00.000-05:00

In case you missed the podcast here it is.
We talk about the Giants & Packers, the
Saints & 49ers, and the upcoming games ahead.
We talk a little the legend of Tim Tebow, and
what he really means. Join me !

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Perez, Pelfrey, & Darvish Complete Overpaid Trifecta

2012-01-19T12:10:00.000-05:00

It's clear to see with this Trifecta of names how
the system is broken for everyone but the players,
and yet though we as fans are larger in numbers,
still allow it to continue.

I last wrote that the New York Mets were basically
throwing money out the window by signing pitcher
Mike Pelfrey to a $5.6Mil contract for the 2012
season, and this was coming off of the heels of
paying Oliver Perez $12Mil to do nothing in 2011.
Perez was cut by the Mets in Spring training and
paid to stay home rather than have him around and
ruin games. Since no other team picked him up for
even the veteran minimum, the Mets were on the
hook for the final year of his contract ridiculous
contract.

Now yesterday the Texas Ranger beat a 5PM deadline,
and agreed to a 6 year $60Mil deal with Japanese
phenom du jour Yu Darvish This is of course after
they paid $52mil to his team in Japan for exclusive
rights to negotiate with him. So this will cost the
Rangers $112Mil over 6 years, or roughly $18.7Mil a
year. Almost $19Mil a year to someone who has not
thrown ONE pitch on the Major League level, not ONE.

Am I the only one who is having a hard time wrapping
his mind around this, or should we all continue to
act like sheep and keep paying the high salaries of
these overbloated athletes(with our ticket purchases)?
I know this is a very weak example but there was once
a very popular league, albeit short lived, in the US
called the NASL (North American Soccer League), and
though I know it was a combination of factors, one
trait they shared with MLB, and other leagues, is that
on a very consistent basis spent like drunken sailors.
They no longer exist, and ticket purchases were at
least one factor. Maybe fans need to shy away for a
while and bring some of the owners and athletes back
down to earth. You can watch on TV! Though you may
say that they can make this revenue up on the TV
revenue, I suggest this: When Nielsen calls you up
to ask you if you watched the game last night, LIE.
Though I don't advocate lying, it may be time to
play dirty. It's your money they're overspending,
can't you see that?

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Mets Sign Pelfrey For $5.6Mil & The Fans Pay

2012-01-17T21:02:00.001-05:00

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Though I had made the point many times before that the
reason many sports owners have no problem overpaying
over rated athletes before, is because it's your money
there spending and not theirs, that's not what I mean
in this particular instance. Though it is true that
in the end you, the Mets fans are going to foot the
bill, the other tab you happen to pay for time and
time again, is the emotional one.

I would love to say that this is a problem with just
the Mets, but unfortunately, as painful as it is Mets
fans, it's not just your team that rakes your feelings
through the mud like this, it's a feeling sports fans
around the globe are all too used to. Like our friend
Jerry Seinfeld once said: "we root for the laundry".
It doesn't matter who's name is on the back of that
team jersey, as long as he's playing for your team,
you still root for that team.

Today the Mets, and the baseball union helped you find
another reason to be disgusted with them. I bring the
union into this because in a way of sorts the Mets had
little choice, but they did have some. They could have
chosen not to sign Pelfrey, but because they did, it
wasn't very likely that he was going to get much less
than the $5.6Mil they gave him. Personally as a Mets
fan I would have been happy to give him $10 per year
if he was actually worth it, or even make the contract
TRIPLE that with a base of about $750,000, which is
just about all he's worth, and a boatload of incentives.
Instead the Mets chose to give a guy who has been
nothing short of a supreme disappointment a contract
that in reality should only be given to someone who has
actually accomplished something. Pelfrey was 7-13 in
2011 on a team that actually showed some spunk for the
majority of the year. A team that more than likely got
him those seven wins, as opposed him giving it those 13
extra loses in the loss column. His ERA was a woeful
4.74 in the NATIONAL LEAGUE, where the pitcher gets to
bat 2-3 times per game. His career numbers don't support
this type of a contract either, so it's not like it was
an off year or something bizarre like that.

His numbers clearly show that the League and Union reward
mediocrity. His career numbers are 50-54 with a 4.40 ERA,
a losing record, with losing numbers to go along with it,
and a $5.6Mil payday to go along with it, and that's just
for this year. Next year the Mets may move on, but someone
else will pay him, maybe not as much, maybe more. There
are examples of this all over the league, and today Mets
fans got theirs, and then some.

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Time To Give Eli Manning His Due

2012-01-16T18:15:00.002-05:00

AP Photo

I couldn't help but notice how many NFL analysts
and announcers were almost going out of there way
to proclaim Eli Manning as an Elite quarterback
yesterday. By that I don't mean that they were
saying he was a "GREAT" quarterback, I mean they were
all making it a point to use the word "ELITE".

To me this was a clear indication that the fact that
many of you, and even some of them didn't believe he
deserved that title, was a thought that was out there.
The ESPN Twitter feed even Tweeted this after the game:

Eli Manning’s Career Playoff Victims: Aaron Rodgers,
Matt Ryan, Tom Brady, Brett Favre, Tony Romo, Jeff Garcia

You can't help but notice that, that is quite the list,
and that "if" he wins the Super Bowl again this season
this he will either add Joe Flacco to that list or double
up on Tom Brady, and the latter is even more impressive.
For those of you who for years have been of the school
that Peyton is so much better than Eli, and I was one of
you, I will go on record as saying that is has reached the
point that Peyton is still better, but by very, little.
Thing is "if" he does go on to win that Super Bowl, he
will have two titles, and be two for two, whereas Peyton
will have just one, and be one for two.

I've said this before, and it's always worth repeating:
perception is reality, and since Eli does not come off
as one of the more cerebral players in the league, the
initial impression is that he's dumb, and he has clearly
shown that, that is the furthest thing form the truth.
No matter how much you try and avoid that sort of thinking
we are all guilty of it at some point. I guess that works
the other why too. It's probably why I think that Heisman
Trophy winner RG III is going to be a great pro. he is so
polished and well versed ion front of the camera, that he
leads you to believe that he is bright, in command, and
destined for success.

Anyway you want to slice this, he's earned it. I mentioned
in an earlier piece that I wasn't very impressed with the
breaking of Dan Marino's record by Drew Brees, as much as
I think he's a great Quarterback, because of how much both
Wide receivers and Quarterbacks receive these days as opposed
to when Marino broke the record, and yet in the same breath
I will tell you that he finished 67 yards shy of 5000 yards,
and 543 behind Brees, even though Brees had 68 more passing
attempts than Eli, about two games worth really of you figure
the typical QB throws about 34 passes per game. Just for fun
though, if you take that many attempts and multiply it by his
completion percentage, then Eli would have only finished a
mere 223 yards behind Brees, but that's all just speculation,
and theory. What isn't speculation and theory is that Eli is
still in this thing and Drew and that guy named Tebow are home
getting all healed up for next season. Time to step up, Eli
has more than arrived and Giants fans as well as fans around
the league need to now understand what they have.

Ranting With Rizzo Podcast For 1-14-12

2012-01-16T10:02:00.000-05:00

If you missed the show, here's the Podcast.
We went over the list of playoff games this
past weekend as well as the many moves that
took place over the past week. You also hear
what I thought of Tim Tebow's chances in
Foxboro and for the rest of his career.
Tune in to 1170AM WDIS and WDISAM.Com
Join the discussion. Rizzo@WDISAM.Com

NFL Divisonal Saturday Observations & Tim Tebow

2012-01-15T12:44:00.000-05:00

AP Photo/Jack Dempsey

In case you missed it, or even tried to ignore it
there were definitely other things going on, on
and off the field that get missed or overlooked,
their always are. Now some of these may seem
very obvious, but it occurs to me that they are
still worth mentioning.

Invisibles - That is not plural, it's actually one
to say invisible in Spanish, and one other way to
describe OchoCinco or EightFive or Chad Johnson
or whatever he wishes to called, but what the heck
are the Patriots doing holding on to this guy?
He was in for ONE snap in a blowout last night
and has barely seen the field at all this season.
We know they're not afraid to cut guys, so are they
just doing him a favor and trying to get him a ring?

Best Team Lost? - Don't get the wrong idea, BUT did
it seem that even though the 49ers came out on top,
that the Saints were still the better team? I mean
I picked the 49ers to win, but the Saints just look
better to me, they just need to learn to play away
from home. I assure you, the best thing the Niners
did to win that game is get the #2 seed, because if
that game was played in New Orleans, it would have
looked alot more like the Pats Broncos game, than
the miracle in Candlestick it was.

Busted From Within - I am a John Fox fan, but last
night it seemed that he was as responsible for the
blowout loss to the Pats as Tim Tebow or anyone else
on that team was. It just didn't seem he was on the
ball at all, and basically conceded defeat before the
end of the first quarter. His time management skills
at the end of the half were similar to a first time
head coach. It's really unfortunate, because even
though their was little belief if any that the Broncos
could actually pull out a win, they never got any help
from their coach on this one.

A Man Among Men - Win or Lose their is no doubt that
we need more athletes and people like Tim Tebow around.
I have gotten alot of criticism for saying how I don't
think he's a good quarterback, and I stand by that, but
I haven't said I don't like him, not once. He plays
hard, is a good sportsman, and honestly seems to care,
and I'd be happy have 53 Tim Tebow's on my team than
some of these so called overblown Superstars that take
center stage every night. he may have lost on the
scoreboard, but I will say it again and again until he
proves me wrong, he is a winner in LIFE.

Defense Wins Championships - That may typically be the
case, but the favorites right now, have lousy defenses,
by the numbers anyway. Defense won yesterday in the
Saints 49ers game, but in the Broncos Pats game it was
the team with the better offense that won, and I just
don't see the 49ers going to Lambeau and winning if it
comes to that. We'll see.

Establish The Run - Apparently the Saints don't adhere
to that school of thought, and thy didn't get Darren
Sproles for that either. Drew Brees threw the ball 63
times, and Sproles caught it a record 15 times, but he
THREE times. The Saints as a team only rushed it 14,
but one was Brees, which was probably a scramble, so
realistically 13 times. Handcuff the defensive backs,
and it becomes a passing league. Drew Brees is a great
QB, but I'm still not as impressed as many by his Marino
record breaker this year.

I'm sure today will hold alot more stories, it's inevitable.

NFL Stone Cold Locks Divisional Round Edition

2012-01-14T12:48:00.000-05:00

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Last week Stone Cold Locks got Tebowed, but I assure
you that the Steelers feel much more annoyed about
it than I do. Oh well. Though I'm sure that my
45-9 record is solid at 83.4%, it's not good enough
for me and at this point with nothing but tough games
left I have to try to go undefeated the rest of the
way. Easier said than done, but I'm up to the task,
so here goes:

1. Patriots - Putting my money where my mouth is

2. Ravens - Not GREAT, but better than the Texans

3. 49er's - They will take the air out of N.O. tires

Who you got?

Mad Stork Sports Podcast 1-13-12

2012-01-13T15:24:00.001-05:00

Happy Friday the 13th ! If you happened to miss the
show on ScatterRadio the Wednesday night, you missed
Tim Tebow/John Elway Bashing and defending, Jets &
Giants talk, NFL Playoff talk and stories from around
the world of sports, so be sure and have a listen and
voice your very own view this these very subjects.

Can The NHL Survive Life Without Sidney Crosby

2012-01-12T15:01:00.002-05:00

(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

I will write on the record immediately and state right
here that I am not one of the more knowledgeable hockey
fans, and yet I like and follow the sport. Here however
my opinion is more league based than X's and O's based,
so bear with me if you will as I try to look at this.

Sidney Crosby, without a doubt one of the most recognizable
names in sports, at least on the North American level, and
the NHL as far as major sports are concerned needs all the
attention it can get. I recently did a piece here on how
they were getting it right and that the Winter Classic event
was a perfect example of that. The thing is, Sidney Crosby
is one of two huge names in their league, Alex Ovechkin is
the other, and though I can hear die hard fans disagreeing
with me right now, and spitting out names I've either never
heard of before, or don't agree with, that's why I say two.
I am more of a casual fan than a die hard, if I know you then
you're famous, if I don't you're not. That's what separates
a Star from a SUPER Star. The Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby
rivalry was growing into the NBA version of Larry Bird vs
Magic Johnson rivalry for the NHL, but now that has taken a
hit, no pun intended. Sidney Crosby has not played since
December the 5th 2011, and there doesn't seem to be any sign
that he is coming back in the near future. I am no doctor
of course, but my point is that he was out for 11 months
before that, and as careful as they were with him then, if
that wasn't enough time, what is? Is this the end of the
line for a bright start than may have burned out to quickly.

The Penguins are not a terrible team without him, as a matter
a fact they are over five hundred at 21-17-4, and tied for the
final playoff spot in the Eastern conference. That is however
a problem for a team who in the past has had financial problems
and has been on the verge of folding and bankruptcy. Yes they
are not a terrible team without him, but the reason they wound
up with him is because they were, and then drafted 1st to get
him in the 2005 NHL Draft. Drafts are meant to help teams in
these types of ways, not always to save them from bankruptcy,
but to help make them good again, and in this case he may have
helped with both. He also helped the league regain some of its
popularity in the lower North American, where the $Money$ is.
make no mistake about it. Ovechkin has helped with that cause
as well, but how much fun would Bird vs _________ have been?
And Ovechkin is Russian, so having a North American vs the
"evil" Russian counterpart didn't hurt either.

All that being said, can the league survive if Crosby doesn't
return? I think so, but just imagine the NHL with no Gretzky
in it's recent history or the NBA without that Bird v Johnson
rivalry, or the Michael Jordan years. Would they still be here?
Yes Would they have had that same type of success? Probably not.
NHL fans would like to believe it isn't as big a deal as I am
making it out to be, but keep in mind that in the US baseball
was once KING, and now it's football. You need every edge you
can get, and Sidney Crosby is an edge the NHL and the Penguins
hope they won't have to live without too much longer

Break Up The New York Jets

2012-01-11T09:31:00.000-05:00

AP Photo

No, seriously, break up the Jets. I know that it's
an expression used for when a team is doing really
well, but in this case the Jets who are not doing
well, are not just being broken up, but are falling
apart and trying to reassemble.

If the expression is "defense wins championships",
then I have a new one for you, "offense gets the
blame". The Jets scored the 5th most points in the
AFC this season, 1 point less than the 12-4 Baltimore
Ravens, 11th most in the NFL, that's in the top half
of all teams. Their defense allowed the 6th most
in AFC, 13th most in the NFL, that's the bottom half
in the league. The defense even allowed more points
than the woefully bad New England Patriots defense,
and though I'm sure you can make the case some some of
the points allowed came from the offense, and some of
the points scored came from the defense, those numbers
are usually a wash.

This is all relevant because since the season ended
just 10 short days ago, the Jets have lost a very good
O-Line coach in Bill Callahan (to Dallas), their WR
Coach Henry Ellard, their Offensive Coordinator Brian
Schottenheimer ("resigned"), and Quarterbacks Coach
Matt Cavanaugh. The defense kinda stunk this season
and the offense is getting revamped, huh. I'll be the
first to tell you that their offense kinda looked inept
this season, but it has the previous 2 seasons as well
and as the Jets are quick to point out, they went to
the AFC Championship two years in a row, so why such a
fuss now?

Is it fan uproar? Is it a panic move?, or is it because
their coach is all about the defense, and they can't
blame him if they are keeping him around this season or
beyond? I think it's clear that the last option is much
more viable, but I will remove the "beyond" part.
If the Jets look like this again this time next year,
they will be breaking up the Jets alright, and it may
start with Rex, though I'm not sure that their GM is
really safe from what might be a total gutting, in a
heads will roll type of atmosphere, and this off season
is just a preview of what may come.

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

LSU - Alabama The Day After

2012-01-10T08:18:00.000-05:00

Now that most of the college football world outside of
the LSU Alabama folks are annoyed at the snooze fest
that was the BCS Championship game, is it time to turn
the page on this 13 year old experiment?

You can't say that we didn't give it a shot. I have
been a big proponent of an eight team playoff system,
but at the very least don't you think we should at
least do a four team playoff? BCS School or not, it's
time to level the playing field. Don't tell me it's
about money either. A playoff system would be a huge
windfall for college football and its teams.

While they're at it, it's also time for those policemen
known as the NCAA to make the schedules so that all the
whining, griping, complaining, and moaning can stop about
strength of schedule. Strength of schedule is an issue
in every league, sometimes the teams in your division are
stronger than the teams in other divisions, and you have
to play them at least twice as much, those are the breaks.
The Yankees are dealing with it right now, so did the
Philadelphia Eagles this year, and so on and so on.

Who won last night? I don't know and I don't care. Why?
Because unlike most people who did watch, I didn't have
enough faith in THIS system that the rematch was gonna be
anymore exciting than the original snooze fest.

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Monday Evening Quarterback

2012-01-09T21:22:00.001-05:00

The NFL's Wildcard weekend had other news and tidbits as
well, so I thought some might be worth mentioning.

The Schottenheimer effect: No this isn't me ragging on
the Schottenheimer family again, and talking about the
curse. It is interesting to note that Brain has a shot
at the Jacksonville job, while Marty is in the running
for the Tampa job with the Bucs, and with Jeff Fisher
close to turning down the Dolphins to take the Rams job,
there's a good chance the only way Florida sees a
Super Bowl is if they host it. Just sayin'

Giants at Green Bay Part II: No Brett Favre, but the
Giants come in as dogs again, and just for the record,
I picked the Giants to represent the NFC in the BIG
game a few weeks ago, so this is big.

The Tebow Effect: No one has a thing to say when he throws
for 60 yards, a pick and his team puts three points up on
board in the regular season at home when they need the game
to get into the playoffs, but the Raiders lose, the Broncos
get in, and it was ALL TEBOW, and his pal upstairs of course.
I'm sure he got help from upstairs too, to make sure Ryan
Clark had Sickle Cell, so he wouldn't be able to play as well.

Coaching Carousel Hires 3 years later: If Todd Haley doesn't
get the OC gig with the Jets, he may return to Arizona for
the same job, he left behind in 08' to be HC of the Chiefs.
That would mean that two of the hot, more overblown Head Coach
prospects of 2008 would be back with their old team doing their
old job. Josh McDaniels is the other. Today Arizona fired
their QB coach, who probably got blamed for the ALMIGHTY Kevin
Kolb laying an overpriced egg.

Dirty Dirty Birds: Falcons D coordinator Brian VanGorder left the
Falcons to accept the same position at Auburn. Guess he realized
that the Falcons were over rated and weren't to get anywhere with
Matt Ryan as their QB. Who's next Chuck Pagano?

I could go on all day, but that's all for now.

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Ranting With Rizzo Podcast For 1-7-12

2012-01-09T15:47:00.000-05:00

Just before wildcard weekend we took a look at football
news in general, the upcoming match ups and a little
hockey and basketball was sprinkled in as well, so have
listen and give us your thoughts.

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

NFL Stone Cold Locks Playoff Edition

2012-01-07T14:44:00.000-05:00

Al Bello - Getty Images

The regular season record left me at 43-8, not bad
but certainly not good enough for me. As per my
tradition, I will allow the playoffs to count as
well, and try and improve on that 85% winning
percentage. Problem is, there are no easy games
in the playoffs, or at least there aren't supposed
to be, so here goes.

1. Pittsburgh - The Tebow legend starts to take a hit

2. New Orleans - Sorry, Detroit just not that good.

3. Giants - My pick to represent the NFC in the BIG game

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Post Al Davis Era, Raiders Get It Right

2012-01-06T21:57:00.002-05:00

AP File

Today was a tremendous day in Raider history, certainly
not bigger than the day Al Davis took over the Raider
franchise, but BIG. It makes the acquisition of Carson
Palmer earlier this season look like a 55th round pick
in the NFL draft, and yet much much smaller than Oct 8th
2011, when all that was Raider Nation changed for ever.

If you are reading this far down, there is a decent chance
you are a Raiders fan, and if you've been a Raiders fan
for more than 20 years then you understand that you cannot
be a Raider fan without being an Al Davis fan. It's like
being a Christian and not liking Christ, or claiming to be
a Scientologist and not believing in L. Ron Hubbard, it's
just not possible. These examples are extreme I know, but
they are as close to the truth as you can get. That being
said, if you hate the Raiders then you hate Al Davis, he is
the total embodiment of what they have become, make no
mistake about it.

Today his name was honored, today Reggie McKenzie was named
the first GM of the Raiders since Al Davis was GM of the
Raiders, but that's not the story, at least not in my eyes.
I have bled Silver and Black longer than most folks I know
have been football fans. You often hear terms like:
"The Cowboy way" or is has to be done "the Patriot way",
well this was done "THE RAIDER WAY", and I couldn't be more
happier with the process than if Al Davis himself came back
to life and approved it. That would be kinda scary though.

So many things happened that made this right. Ron Wolfe, a
long time Raider executive, and friend recommended McKenzie.
Ken Herrock, a former Raider player, and executive also went
on to recommended McKenzie. Mark Davis, Al's son was also
part of the interview process, and yet for me two big factors
were that McKenzie was a Raider, and John Madden assisted in
the interview. For me this was huge. Al Davis inducted John
Madden into the Hall of Fame, and John Madden inducted Davis
into the Hall of Fame, there is and was no one aside than
maybe Ron Wolfe that knew Al, and what he would have wanted
or that would have made me and scores of Raider fans happier
going forward.

McKenzie is a Raider, he has an impeccable reputation in the
league, and I trust that he knows exactly what the RAIDER
way is. When Davis passed I feared that my fandom would fade,
it has, but not enough to not care. I needed to see where the
family went with this, and thus far good steps have been taken.
It will NEVER be the same, change is inevitable, death is part
of life, and football is just a game, and yet we care.

The move today was good. The Raiders still have a chance, not
to be good, but to be "The Raiders", and that's a good thing,
and yet I can't help but think: THINGS WILL NEVER BE THE SAME

NBRHD

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Mad Stork Sports Podcast 1-6-12

2012-01-06T13:12:00.000-05:00

If you happened to miss the show on ScatterRadio the
other night, you missed the discussion on the College
Football Bowl season, and the ongoing coaching search
going on in the NFL as well as a smattering of other
topics, so be sure and have a listen and voice your
very own view this these very subjects. Enjoy !

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Brian Schottenheimer & Jeff Fisher: Pays To Have A Good Reputation

2012-01-05T17:43:00.001-05:00

AP Photo

Just like many other things in life, having a good
reputation is a very key. Build a good one and you're
bound to succeed, build a bad one and but a few will
take a second look at you.

The NFL coaching carousel spinning right now is really
not too much different. If we take a look at these two
hot names right now, they are perfect examples of a good
reputation. Look at Brian Schottenheimer, Jets fans for
the better part of his stay in NY have been dying to run
Brian out of town, and yet due to his reputation around
the league he remains a very hot coaching commodity.
As offensive coordinator for the NY Jets this year, his
offense scored the 5th most points in the AFC, but yet
they seemed so very in inept at times. Was it the QB or
was it Brian? As hot as his name as remains, it would
lead you to believe it was the weapons not the offensive
coordinator. A good reputation will do that for you.

Now let's look at another name that remains smoking hot
throughout the coaching circles in yet to be filled spots
so far this year. Jeff Fisher about to start a bidding
war between the St Louis Rams and the Miami Dolphins.
Both teams have owners with deep pockets and are desperate
to win NOW. Fisher's reputation as a good coach is about
to make one of those teams party very dearly. Now, I don't
dispute that Fisher is not just a good coach but a very good
coach, it's just that it's his reputation that is really
what's leading the way here.

Fisher has never won a Super Bowl as a head coach, he has
never appeared in more than one Super Bowl as a head coach,
and his 142 wins over 16 full seasons average out to about a
9 and 7 season, every season. As has been said many times,
before numbers don't lie. And though I am quite sure he's
going to make either the Dolphins or Rams a better team I
just wonder whether he's going to be worth the money that
they are going to be throwing at him.

The moral here without a doubt is: Maintain a good reputation
and you can get just about anything you want, at least if you
are an NFL head coach.

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Is Breaking The Marino Record Impressive?

2012-01-03T17:56:00.002-05:00

NFL.com Illustration

There is no question that the record broken by Drew
Brees for the single season passing yards established
by Dan Marino in 1984 is more than impressive.
However, the one thing that comes to mind when you
look at the fact that it was a broken not once but
twice this year and by 2 different quarterbacks and a
third was with in 40 yards of it is the question that
gets asked quite a bit about Quarterbacks these days:
Are they starting to put skirts on these quarterbacks?

In this particular instance when I say skirts I don't
mean just the fact that you can't hit a quarterback
below the knees, above the shoulders, at a certain time
of a day, but also the fact that cornerbacks can barely
even look at a wide receiver let alone defend them.
Make no mistake about it, What Brees, and Brady did this
year as well what Matthew Stafford almost did is still
very impressive. These are all very good quarterbacks,
but although I will wait before I say that Stafford is
ready to them in the elite status company, and yet it
is still impressive nonetheless.

The old saying goes "records are meant to be broken" and
usually when they are most of us are impressed, that being
said when three, or four guys are in line to break the same
record, you have to ask yourself is there something wrong
here? Has the playing field changed? I for one think it
has, and add another old saying goes on to say "defense wins
championships", and though points are sexy I myself would not
mind seeing a little defense once in awhile. I myself grew
up in an era were bump and run play was very prevalent, so
maybe it's not just time to take the skirts off of some of
these quarterbacks but to take them off of some of these wide
receivers as well. though you don't want see anybody get
seriously hurt or hospitalized, keep in mind that a hard hit
every once in a while is part of the game. I mean it is still
American football, right?

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

BCS & The College Bowl Games: What Happened?

2012-01-02T11:27:00.001-05:00

(Cartoon by Nick Anderson)

It's January the 2nd and if we scroll back the
calender about twenty years or so, all of the bowl
games would be done by now. For some people this
is day is a good day, for others, well, it's a
different. The BCS has made things very different
indeed. No more voting for the National Champ, or
isn't there? I mean they still vote, only thing is
the computer smooths out more votes from more voters
and adds a formula now, makes it kind of fancy and
all scientific and stuff.

Though it's always been about money, it is much more
so now. Seventy teams, play in thirty five bowls,
and most of them are just giant infomercials with a
game thrown in to keep you watching in the interim.
The Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl?, San Diego County Credit
Union Poinsettia Bowl?, The Meineke Car Care Bowl?,
The BBVA Compass Bowl, Really? So when do we get
The "Jimmy learns to tie his shoelaces Bowl"?, or
more realistically the "Eat at Tony's Pizza Bowl"?
What is this Pee Wee, where there are no losers, so
everyone has to play in a Bowl game so no one gets
there feelings hurt? I wish it were that easy.

My father in law still gripes about when Penn State
had to share a National Title with BYU because of
the split with the Coaches Poll and the AP Poll or
something like that. He wasn't entirely wrong, even
if I do disagree with him on some level, but I get
his point, but that is just another example of how
the NCAA has never, and still doesn't get it right
when it comes to the Football part of the equation.
Business wise it seems to be earning just fine, but
if the players try and make a nickel the schools all
of sudden start to hear the words "Death Penalty"
The season grows longer and longer, more "Bowl" games
are added, more sponsorships are obtained, but no
playoffs are added. Why? Because these are "Student
Athletes" that's why. But it's ok to make them play
deep into January, make the schools money with no
"real" compensation for them and banish them from
playing if the make a dime from the celebrity?

Time for me to sound like I'm 90 again, and tell you
about how I used to walk to school barefoot in the
snow uphill both ways when I was a kid, but the truth
of the matter is that I would rather go back to the
pre BCS days when all the Big games were played on
Dec 31st, January 1st, and you might, might have a
game on Jan 2nd due to scheduling, than the crap I
see today. Knowing that the Championship game is on
January 9th now only to find out that in another ten
years it will probably be scheduled around the last
week of January is just getting annoying. If the
NCAA wants football 11 months a year then they should
just say so, make EVERY game a bowl game, and don't
use a wins and loss column in the standings so no one
gets their feelings hurt. They should also makings
sure that all games a distinct sponsor attached to
them so that we know what we should buy beforehand.

As some unknown author once put it: "If you don't stand
up for something, you'll fall for anything."

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

NFL Stone Cold Locks Week 17

2012-01-01T11:05:00.003-05:00

Getty Images

Just like the guy in this photo, I sometimes feel that
even though I had a 3-0 week, the season total of 40-8
is not worthy of Stone Cold Lock status, but I have one
more week left in the regular season, and I will carry
this throughout the playoffs, and all the way to the
"BIG" game in February. Here are this weeks picks:

1. Philadelphia - Last chance to save face for the Birds

2. Pittsburgh - No let up, and possible #1 seed at stake

3. 49er's - Most dependable pick all season long for me

This is the most difficult week of all to pick.
You never know who's going to mail it in or not.

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Make 2012 A Great One !

2011-12-31T13:51:00.001-05:00

Allvoices

The Qtipping Mom

Data Church

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Mad Stork Sports with Nick Rizzo Replay 12-30-11

2011-12-30T19:13:00.001-05:00

In case you missed the show this week, we discussed
the Drew Brees Record breaker on Monday night against
the Falcons, the NFL Playoff scenarios going into this
weekend and much much more. Here is your podcast,
Enjoy !

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Who Are These Arkansas Paperbacks, errr Razorbacks?

2011-12-30T10:19:00.001-05:00

Photo by Wesley Hitt/Arkansas

In the 2008 NFL Draft the Arkansas Razorbacks had the
honor of having a trio of running backs drafted and
eventually start for three different NFL franchises.
Darren McFadden became the stud back for the Raiders,
Felix Jones was drafted by the Cowboys and has been a
starter for them as well, and Peyton Hillis who was
originally drafted by the Denver Broncos, and was
later traded to the Browns is currently their starter
and leading rusher.

Now to my headline. As previously mentioned, one or
all members of this trio are either the starter for
their team or at have been, but it isn't because of
performance that more often than not that they aren't
the starter. Coming in to 2011 all three were either
the feature back or soon became that, but they cant
stay on the field, they are constantly on the injury
report. In a combined 45 games so far this season,
these three backs have managed to play in a total of
30 of those games, a mere 67%. Darren McFadden is the
biggest culprit of all having missed the all but seven
this season and is listed as out this weekend against
the Chargers. Peyton Hillis has been out for such
things as Strep Throat, and advice from his agent to
not rush back too soon and get hurt. In the last game
Felix Jones had just four rushing attempts in what was
a blowout loss to the Eagles, and was kept out in order
to ensure he would be healthy for this weeks must win
game against the Giants. Three weeks ago he had just
six attempts against the Cardinals in another expensive
loss by the Cowboys.

Jones is a probable this week, Hillis should play in what
is now a meaningless season finale for the Browns, and
McFadden is all but out for sure in a game the Raiders
must have in order to ensure a possible playoff birth.

Going forward can these three be counted on? Hillis is
holding out hope that he will "get paid" this off season,
but how big an investment would you make in him if you
were the one paying? Felix Jones is actually in jeopardy
of eventually losing his starting job, and maybe even his
roster spot. One thing for sure in the NFL is that no one,
including Peyton Manning is beyond that sort of speculation.
You can't be the starter if you can't play. McFadden is
clearly the biggest fish here, and the safest to stay, but
after huge splashes of brilliance last year and a great
start to this season, can the Raiders depend on him to stay
on the field? All three of these backs are obviously very
talented, and lots of questions remain, but my question is
something more along the lines of: Was there something in
the water at Arkansas? NO, I am not implying PED's, though
no one is immune ti that. I just wonder what the heck has
gone wrong with these three.

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Drew Brees Knocks In Hall Of Fame Door

2011-12-27T23:13:00.000-05:00

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

In isn't too far of a stretch to say that the way
Drew Brees passed Dan Marino for the all time
single season record for passing yards was a
statement. With the Super Bowl ring on his finger,
five Pro Bowl selection, and a Super Bowl MVP he
is certainly making the San Diego Chargers regret
the day they gave up on him. The only question I
have is, with the game so clearly in hand against
the Falcons on Monday night, did he really need to
do it then, and score to boot? It wasn't the final
home game of the season, he'll most certainly see
snaps next week, no matter how few, and it was just
a case of running up the score at that point, so was
it necessary? I am not necessarily criticising the
decision, I'm just curious if it was the classiest of
decisions? Whether is was Sean Payton's play calling
or Brees just wanting put a bow on it, I don't know,
but I can assure you it isn't a clear cut answer.
It seems a little school yard, it seems a little much,
but whatever the case, it is what it is. I just wish
some of these athletes could show a little restraint
some time. I mean what harm could it do?

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Ranting With Rizzo Replay 12-26-11

2011-12-26T12:30:00.000-05:00

Ranting with Rizzo was on the air Christmas Eve
and in case you other stuff going on, and missed
the show, here is your podcast. Happy Holidays !

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Happy Holidays From Mad Stork Sports

2011-12-25T09:42:00.000-05:00

Zazzle

Thanks for the Support through out the year, and
regardless of what you celebrate during this
Holiday Season, be safe, and have a good one !

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

NFL Stone Cold Locks Week 16

2011-12-24T12:25:00.000-05:00

AP Photo/Bill Kostroun

The Stone Cold Locks have cooled off a bit, but last week
I'm sure everyone had the Packers, and we all lost, but
nonetheless I lost, and the record stands at 37-8.
With two regular season weeks left and the playoffs, my
only goal to stay stay undefeated the rest of the way,
let's see how this week goes.

1. Baltimore - They're at home, I should be safe

2. Pittsburgh - Tomlin won't allow a 2nd straight loss

3. New Orleans - Like taking candy from a baby

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Mad Stork Sports with Nick Rizzo Replay 12-23-11

2011-12-23T15:34:00.001-05:00

The Podcast is ready for download, so if you missed our
show on Wednesday night you can catch up to the still
fresh items right hear. The talk for this show involves
the upcoming NFL week as well as the past week. Another
scandal with ties to the sports world, and a little bit
of everything else as we gear up for the Holidays.

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Colts Win Again, and The Andrew Luck Plot Thickens

2011-12-23T08:54:00.004-05:00

Colts Owner Jim Irsay (Nam Y. Huh, AP)

So the Indianapolis Colts last night won their second
game of the season and after starting off 0-13 did
almost the same thing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers did in
1977 when they started 0-12 and won their last 2 games
off the season (16 game schedule began in 1978).
Difference here is that the Buccaneers were dying for
victories, and these Colts, or at least their ownership
would rather not win again, so that they could be in the
drivers seat in the April draft and either draft Andrew
Luck, or at least be able to command a Kings ransom for
him if they decide they don't want him after all.

Though I don't have all the tiebreaker scenarios ready to
shoot at you, should this remain a three way tie at the
end of the season like it is now, between the Vikings,
Rams, and Colts, ESPN'S Adam Schefter did Tweet that as
of right now the Colts still pick first if they are all
at 2 wins after 15 games.

Like the Colts, unless the Rams have given up on Sam
Bradford like Jim Irsay may be ready to cut ties with
Peyton Manning, the Rams have their QB of the future.
Yet since it has not been as rosy in St. Louis as many
thought it would be by now with the Rams, Spagnuolo,
and Bradford, myself included, it is possible that the
Rams move on from Bradford and take Luck if they are in
a position to do so. If this is indeed the case, the
Rams can get quite a bit for Bradford, as the Colts might
hope to get for Manning, if indeed they are in a position
to do so. Then of course there's the Vikings. They too
may be able to pass, if they truly believe in Christian
Ponder that is. Confused yet? The NFL hopes so. All of
this intrigue is what drives the league to an unbridled by
it's fans.

The Vikings still have two games left, at Washington on
12/24, which is a winnable game, depending on which Skins
team shows up, and home to the Bears on 1/1, also winnable,
but not as much if Cutler plays, and the Bears are still
alive. Of course with the new rookie friendly salary cap
numbers that came with the new CBA that was just signed,
ownership of these teams don't necessarily want to win
these games, but don't tell the players that. They have
Christian Ponder, did they see enough this year to make
them believe he is the quarterback of the future for
them?

The Rams are at Pittsburgh on 12/24, so ownership doesn't
have to wish to hard for a loss their, and the finish at
home against the 49er's, but since the 49er's may not
have too much to play for at that point, the Rams may just
fall into a victory in that one.

The Colts are in the best position of all, unless they win
that is. They currently hold the tiebreaker as of right
now, and are on the road for the final game of the season
against a Jacksonville team that will want it more than
they do for various reasons, so they may not have a choice
but lose.

At the end of the day, this is over and done with yet, and
until all the games are played, the plot will remain thick.

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

NHL Scores BIG With Rangers Flyers Winter Classic

2011-12-21T15:01:00.002-05:00

It's pretty rare that I write about hockey, but make no
mistake about it, I am a hockey fan. As a matter of
fact I am a New York Rangers fan. A Rangers fan that
clearly remembers the night that the chant 1940 was no
longer relevant to the opposition. That being said,
as much as I love the Rangers, I'm not as well read on
the game as I wish I was. Just don't let that fool you
into thinking that I don't enjoy the game.

This year the NHL Winter Classic comes to NY, well sort
of. Realistically it involves New York, but takes place
in Philadelphia, and how could anyone ask for a better
match up than the Rangers and the Flyers to kick of the
2012 part of the NHL season? One of the original six,
and a deep seeded rivalry to boot, WOW.

The NHL often takes a backseat to the NFL, and MLB, and
in the US that is to be expected. Depending on who you
ask, it also takes a little nudge back to the NBA, and
even MLS at times, deserved or not. On this day however
in really moves to the front of the line. The Winter
Classic not only gives the NHL the attention it needs,
and rightfully deserves, but it's been done so well, that
it actually draws National, and Continental attention.
Every match up it's it's short, but successful history
just gets better, and better. Having it appear at such
historical places as Wrigley field in Chicago, and Fenway
Park in Boston only adds to its allure, and the Alumni
game is just a special added bonus.

What drove me to write about this is not just that I
think this is a great idea, but unlike Inter League
play in Baseball, no one is grumbling about it.
The NHL goes on to make the event even better and quite
more interesting by throwing in the Alumni game a couple
of days before the game itself takes place and with two
teams like the Rangers, and Flyers you get such notable
names as, Bobby Clarke, Eric Lindros, Jeremy Roenick,
Rick Tocchet, and Bernie Parent(Ambassador) for the
Flyers and John Vanbiesbrouck, Ron Greschner, Brian Leetch,
Dave Maloney, Ron Duguay, Nick Fotiu, Mike Gartner, Adam
Graves..............the list goes on and on. The Rangers
were even smart enough to invite back Mike Keenan to coach.
It may be alot of fun out there, but I assure you that some
sparks will be flying as well, no matter how many senior
moments you might get.

I can't stress enough what a great event this has turned
out to be, and as a sports fan you owe it to yourself to
take a peak at the very least. This game embodies what it
felt like to be young and hit the streets to play ball
of any sort, no matter the weather, or conditions. It is
sure to bring out the kid in all of us, and might even fool
us into thinking that trying it one more time won't tear
a hamstring or groin, but don't try this at home, they are
of course paid professionals.

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Kobe Bryant, Deion Sanders Divorces: Is This Sports?

2011-12-20T16:45:00.000-05:00

Courtesy: Myspace/Prissy

The talk seemingly gets louder whenever these types of
names make the news, whether it's Kris Humphries and
Kim Kardashian, or Tiger, or anyone of these Mega Super
Stars, but just because they are athletes or players of
sorts, is this "Sports" news? It seems that the guys
who want to talk about this are becoming worse than the
women they are with at the supermarket checking out the
tabloids at the checkout line. Quick disclaimer: I am
not calling Kris Humphries a Mega Super Star, I meant
Kim.

I am often left not understanding how these stories make
headlines on sports websites. I understand that they
make the news, they are of course celebrities, but is it
the demand of the sports fan that is getting this so much
attention? We talked about the Tiger fiasco for what was
seemingly forever, and it took up huge chunks of time on
the sports talk radio stations as well as the 24 hour
sports networks. It was news for sure, but was it sports
news? I guess you could make a case that that may be the
only one since it affected his game so much. Deion is
retired, is that sports news? Kobe's game hasn't been
affected at all so far, so should we assume it will?
After all this is the same guy that was on trial for rape,
does it get too much bigger than that? Kris Humphries?
C'mon, really? He married a girl who's only real claim to
fame is that she had sex in front of a camera. Let the
gossip mongers follow that one, but how is this sports news
news worthy. Do we talk about the Dow Jones or stock market
in between highlights?

I guess I just don't get it? How much do you think we will
be talking about this Kobe or Deion thing? I'm done, what
about you?

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Texas Rangers Win Right To Overpay Yu Darvish, Fans Lose

2011-12-20T00:28:00.001-05:00

AP Photo

The old saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Well it's broke, so why isn't anybody fixing it?
I don't understand how we have gotten to this point.
You would think that after all that has transpired with
Japanese pitchers like Hideki Irabu(RIP), Kai Igawa,
Daisuke Matsuzaka, etc. we might have learned a thing
or two. Trust me, I am by no means saying, don't sign
them, but $51.7 to negotiate a contract and then in
turn pay the pitcher another $40-$80 million more.
That's nuts, insane and just plain stupid, but it gets
done over and over again for one main reason, it's your
money.

The argument is already being made that Darvish is the
best Japanese pitcher to come from Japan since Matsuzaka.
Well Matsuzaka cost the Red Sox $103 Million between
posting fee(51.1M) and contract(6 years for 52M) and his
record after five years he is 49-30 with 4.25ERA with a
very good team. This is not worthy of investing $17Mil+
per year on a pitcher that averages 3.9 games over .500
per year. Would you pay an American pitcher $17Mil if
he would be 10-6 every year? That's what he's averaging.

Yu Darvish has gaudy pitching numbers, but his numbers
hold the ultimate ***asterisk***. He pitches in Japan!
Smaller ballpark, smaller ball, smaller players, six
man rotation = pitching once per week. Do you know who
Tuffy Rhodes is? Rhodes was an American baseball player
who is the all-time leader for foreign-born players, and
tied for 10th overall, with 474 home runs in Japan.*
Do you know what his numbers are in the US? Six seasons,
13 Home Runs, .224 batting average. Get it?

My issue here is clearly not with Darvish, or even the
fact that he is half Iranian. I would never hold that
against him. My issue here is with the posting fee.
It's bad business that eventually only trickles down to
the fans, win or lose. It's broken, and needs to be fixed !

*Wikipedia

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Ranting With Rizzo Replay 12-19-11

2011-12-19T08:52:00.000-05:00

The talk was about "Elite" NFL QB's & the matchup
of Tim Tebow higher power vs the defensive mind of
Bill Belichick, some chatter regarding the Sandusky
hearings and the Sam Hurd drug charges. Enjoy

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Stone Cold Locks NFL Week 15

2011-12-18T09:26:00.000-05:00

Ronald Martinez - Getty Images

The record stands at 35-7, and to me that is pretty
mediocre for a Stone Cold Lock type of picks segment,
so I will try and finish the season strong, but I
think I just need a little cooperation from the teams
that are supposed to win. Let's see what happens.

1. New England - I've been talking trash all week

2. Arizona - Imagine seeing them here, weird

3. Packers - KC too prone to blowouts this year

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Follow Up: Tim Tebow Not The Answer In 2012

2011-12-17T15:20:00.000-05:00

Getty Images

I have gone on the air more than once this week, and
said that not John Elway, nor John Fox should be
trusted when they espouse their support of Tim Tebow.
That sentiment has been supported even today in a
story by Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, and quotes
from Broncos head coach John Fox. Fox replied to Jim
Rome during an appearance on his show when asked if
Tebow was the QB for the Broncos for 2012 by saying:

We get that question a lot, whether it’s John Elway or
myself, We’re both his biggest fans. I mean, we love
him. How would you not at 7-1? I think right now, all
our focus is, let’s get this season done. We love him,
he’s great, we’re pulling for him, and you know, we’ll
make those decisions when this season is over and not
worry about next season at this point.

This may be prudent as a head coach, but it also speaks
to how Tebow is truly viewed within the organization,
he is loved, respected, and even admired, but not
necessarily trusted to take them to the promise land.
As long as he keeps winning, they ride the Tebow train,
once the hiccups start, it's time to look in a different
direction. I expected nothing less, and neither should
Broncos fans. Question is will Lindsey Vonn still be
interested in a guy who lost his starting QB job?

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

College Bowl Season Underway With A Few Cupcakes

2011-12-17T12:25:00.003-05:00

(AP Photo/Andy Carpenean)

If you've been missing your college football, chances
are today is a good day for you, but if you have other
things on your plate and enjoy college football casually,
today is a little bit of a warmup of sorts.

Temple vs Wyoming kick things off at 2:00pm ET in the
Idaho Potato Bowl, at 5:30pm ET Ohio & Utah St try to
spice things up a little, and finally the New Orleans
Bowl features San Diego St against LA Lafayette.
Now these games aren't exactly a who's who of what
college football has to offer, but there are always
bound to be a few diamonds in the rough here that will
wind up on someones NFL roster, and might even play a
huge part next year.

This is only the beginning as the rest of the week will
have more interesting games for some, as the end of the
year starts to come to a close, but it will be mostly
like this until about the last week of the year.
The next one I'm looking forward to won't happen until
Notre Dame meets up with Florida St on the 29th.
Seventy teams in 35 games, that's 58% of all the teams
that play in the first division compared to 37.5% for
the NFL playoff format, but there aren't any playoffs,
so that's why it gets diluted sometimes. Enjoy!

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Mad Stork Sports with Nick Rizzo Replay 12-16-11

2011-12-16T09:37:00.001-05:00

If you missed the show, you can get the podcast here,
and listen to the Tebow chatter, as well as what is
up with the Ryan Braun situation, Deidre Pujols tries
to explain why Albert left St. Louis, and why Derek
Jeter has been handing out gift baskets. Click away
and listen to what you may have missed.

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Genius Alert: Chicago Bears Sam Hurd Arrested For Drugs

2011-12-15T23:03:00.002-05:00

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

Every once in a while we get a story like this one that
makes you scratch your head so hard it leaves a bruise.
Here's a guy who was earning a base salary of over
$650,000 this year, and since it's his sixth year in
the league, it's safe to say that if he is the guy
everyone thought he was, could have a million or two
stashed away for a rainy day, all the while still living
a decent life. Sam Hurd today joined the list of
geniuses in the NFL that don't think it's enough, he
wanted more. Now he may reach the point were he won't
even be getting that base salary anymore, and he will
NEED more.

Is it really to many shots to the head?,Or perhaps the
basket weaving classes he took in college in order to
stay academically eligible to play football that failed
to educate him enough to not make theses types of foolish
moves? What is it about GREED that makes some one who
is at the pinnacle of his profession to do such stupid and
bone headed things? I am truly at a loss. By the way,
forget about that 650k+ base salary. The deal he signed
earlier this year was worth $5.1 million and all he had
to do was play three years for that. Now not only may he
lose that, but he may be asked to give back part of the
$1.35 million in signing bonus. A great example of why
NFL salaries are not guaranteed, and you thought is was
injuries.

The best or worst part of this story, depending on how you
wish to view it is still to come. According to a report
from 670 The Score in Chicago, Bears WR Sam Hurd supplied
drugs to NFL players numbering in the "double digits."*
Roger Goodell is gonna love this, well, not really.
It won't make a difference what Goodell thinks, Hurd's
career is over. The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Hurd
was looking to buy "5 to 10 kilograms of cocaine and 1,000
pounds of marijuana per week for distribution in the Chicago
area."* A real community guy, huh? Sam Hurd faces up to
40 years in prison. I can't wait to see who the next member
of this genius club is going to be.

*CBS Chicago

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

If Colts Fire Jim Caldwell It Would Make Me 4 For 4

2011-12-14T23:17:00.001-05:00

Back on October 17th I wrote a piece detailing which NFL
coaches were on the "HOT Seat", and as of yesterday the
first three on that list were gone, not in order, but
gone. Now comes word from Jason LaConfora at NFL.com
that if the Colts finish 0-16, Jim Caldwell is likely
gone. Well punch his ticket, he's done. The Colts next
three opponents are at home against Houston & Tennessee,
games both those teams will need, and at Jacksonville.
The last game is the only real game they have a shot at,
but I don't think the Jags are going to roll over as was
evidenced this past Sunday when they fell behind 14-0,
and came back to win 41-14 by scoring the next 41.

The next few on that list are not very likely to go, but
Leslie Frazier, and Steve Spagnuolo deserve to be looked
at for dismissal, while Ken Whizenhunt, Lovie Smith,
Tom Coughlin, and Rex Ryan should be safe. So who is
going to be the lucky referee in the war of the Roses
between Andrew Luck and Peyton Manning?

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Steelers James Harrison Is No Ndamukong Suh, But...

2011-12-14T07:52:00.003-05:00

Associated Press

I'm not going to sit here and write anything that would
compare what James Harrison does on Sundays and say that
it even comes close to what we saw Ndamukong Suh do on
national TV on Thanksgiving day, but he is far from an
altar boy when it comes to dealing out punishment.

What Suh did was dirty, but that's only because it had
nothing to do with the play on the field, was after the
whistle, and he went on to blatantly lie about it after
we all saw it on slow motion replay, not that slow mo
necessary.

I am a huge fan of dishing out hits on QB's and receivers,
make them think twice. The quarterback must go down, and
he must go down hard*, but don't cry to me about it when
your caught going a little too far and you get fined for
it. This is the same guy that a couple of seasons ago
threatened to retire over these fines. As I often ask,
REALLY?, Give up nine figures because you got fined five,
and the other guy is still picking up his teeth, REALLY?
I understand you want to plead your case, and I am
totally with when you say the the rules on hitting may
seem a little strict, but look at it from the other side.
The rules are there to make sure the other guy doesn't
need a colostomy bag the rest of his life, so stop
F@#king crying over your fines when you have already had
the luxury to out earn about 98% of the people who cheer
you on. What really gets me about these rules is that
they call them in the wrong fashion, but like I've said
time and time again: I want the opponent to get carted
off the field, but when the game is over I hope that the
injury is only a stinger and that he feels and is GREAT.

James what you need to clear your head with is, do you
want to retire over these fines and find out what it might
be like to earn a normal living once again? Do you think
you might be interested in feeling the crippling pain that
is the result of one of your hits?, or should you just be
thankful that you haven't paralyzed anyone, and haven't
been paralyzed yourself? Go out there, be the stud defender
we all know you are, and stop whining when it's clear you
crossed that line, it is now a byproduct of the game, and
hopefully a deterrent to some to not accidentally kill
another player by mistake

*Al Davis

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Chicago Bears Sack Tebow, But Is It Fair?

2011-12-13T23:19:00.001-05:00

Jack Dempsey - AP

Yahoo sports had a story regarding some of the comments
made by frustrated Bears players following another death
defying comeback by Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos,
and if you were them you might feel the exact same way,
but were those comments fair? Let's look at the ones
pointed out in the story shall we.

Brian Urlacher said: "He's a good running back.", well
he's probably right. Everyone is quick to point out that
Tebow has an excellent Touchdown to Interception ratio,
but he should, he throws much less than he runs, and even
though he's thrown more some weeks than he should, when
he's off the mark it's so bad even defenders can't catch
it. Tim Tebow is no QB.

Julius Peppers said: "It wasn't anything special that he
did" Correct. If it wasn't for Marion Barber failing to
stay in bounds when he went out of bounds, and later
fumbling to give Denver great field position, not Tebow
nor any QB on that team would have had a chance to win
that game.

Lance Briggs said: "He played hard. I respect a guy that
plays hard, him and all the other 10 guys on that field for
the Broncos." Hmmm, I don't see anything wrong with that,
do you?

Folks just want to make this streak he's on to be something
bigger than it is. This will NOT last, and the Bears and
most of his opponents know this, but they hate the fact that
they fell victim to it. The Bears are now losers of three in
a row, one on a Hail Mary pass at the end of the first half,
and another to the "Mile High Messiah", one of which was
about Denver's defense, and the other about Chicago's inept
offensive production, and injuries.

Steve Young of course chimed in with this: "To me … he did it
to you. He Tebowed you. Just take it like a man and walk away.
You lost your shot." this also from a story in Yahoo sports.
But what else is Young going to say? This makes for great
ratings, talk and, controversy. Please let's be real for
a second, if you were on the other side of that line of
scrimmage, would you want to hear any of this? Would you
really believe that the reason you lost is because Jesus
was pulling strings against you or for Tebow? If that were
the case wouldn't he be the one averaging 35 points per game
instead of the Packers? Wouldn't GOD be able to fix his lack
of accuracy? Of course he would.

The Bears were frustrated, annoyed, defeated, and it will
pass, just like this phenomenon in Denver. Denver may not be
able to draft high in the first round, but trust me, no matter
what John Elway is trying to sugar coat you with, they will
draft a QB or bring in a veteran, or they know that eventually
Brady Quinn will be ready to take over as QB, period.
I don't think the comments were unfair, but they do come off
as bad losers, and when things are going bad for you, it's
easy to sound that way. Watch Tebow this week and then line
up the excuses right here.

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Elite NFL QB's: Not Such A Long List

2011-12-13T11:47:00.002-05:00

Getty Images(3)

Depending on the results you get every Sunday the
chatter is constantly changing for a handful of so
called "Elite" Quarterbacks, but after taking a
close look at the starting QB's at present in the
NFL today, the fact remains that there is NO top
ten. Not if you want elites. If you just want to
round off your list, well that's a different story,
but if you want a list of QB's that you would feel
could win you a game if you needed it, then here
they are, and keep in mind that they are NOT in any
particular order, because the truth is that we all
differ in our point of view, but here's a list that
I doubt anyone could question.

1. Tom Brady
1. Ben Roethlisberger
1. Peyton Manning
1. Philip Rivers*
1. Eli Manning
1. Aaron Rodgers
1. Drew Brees

* No Super Bowl Ring

That's it ! No one else! There isn't a single solitary
name worthy of making this list that isn't already on here.
Wanna feel better that your guy wasn't left out, well below
is a list of honorable mentions, but they are NOT elite.
Cry, moan and groan, all you want, but the fact remains
that if your life was on the line, you wouldn't want any
of these guys slinging the rock for you. You're welcome to
disagree. In case you lost track of all the one's I put
there, remember no particular order, you can have fun doing
that yourself, there are SEVEN on that list, 21.875%

32. Matt Schaub **
32. Carson Palmer **
32. Tony Romo **
32. Michael Vick **
32. Jay Cutler **
32. Matt Ryan **

** Not even a Super Bowl appearance

If you combine both lists, you get a total of 13 QB's or
less than 50% of the league, which means that the rest of
the league is playing with a QB that is clearly less than
all that. Yes, there are a few winning QB's off that list,
but just because your team is winning games, it doesn't
mean you can be depended on when the game is in your hands.

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Chris Paul To The Clippers Is News You Can't Buy

2011-12-13T08:22:00.001-05:00

AP Photo: Donald Sterling, Owner, Los Angeles Clippers

I remember someone once saying to me that there is
no such thing as bad publicity, and though I don't
necessarily agree with that exact sentiment, I knew
what they meant. The sentiment there is that if you
are in the news, good or bad it's free advertising,
and though we can easily agree that you don't want
to be involved in any super negative scandal, most
other stuff is easy enough to get by.

When was the last time you heard this much about the
LA Clippers that didn't involve their yearly trip to
the NBA lottery drawing event, or wasn't at the end
of a really bad score? Chances are that before Blake
Griffin hit the scene for them, that was there only
chance of making any headlines, otherwise they
literally had to pay for the honor of having they
name spoken this often and it not be involved in a
punchline of any kind.

The on again off again trade for Chris Paul has been
going on for days now, and there is now real reason to
believe that it will definitely get done or not, but
the Clippers have made headlines like never before in
there history, and it has even made them brash enough
to bid in a claim for recently waived Chauncey Billups.
Before you know it, they may even pretend to be serious
suitors for Dwight Howard. Wouldn't that be a kick in
the Laker rear?

Maybe this new CBA has leveled the playing field, or just
maybe longtime owner Donald Sterling is being played with
like a weekend at Bernies skit, but no matter what comes
of this, they can't say it cost them anything.

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Todd Haley Fired In KC

2011-12-12T11:41:00.001-05:00

AP/Photo

I wrote about it earlier in the year, and listed Haley
at number three. Candidate number one is a Dead Man"
Walking", Tony Sparano. Number two on that list has
already been let go, Jack DelRio, and number three is
now gone ass well. The writing was on the wall, and
now Todd Haley is gone, and I suspect it will be awhile
before anyone else is ready to give Haley a chance at
running their team again. The Chiefs were never really
scaring anyone, and their first two games where they were
outscored 97-10 to start the season 0-2 was more than
management in KC needed to know to make their decision.

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Ranting With Rizzo Replay 12-12-11

2011-12-12T09:09:00.001-05:00

Miss the show? Well here's the podcast for you.
We talk about, the Heisman and the order I voted,
a little NBA, yes a little. Bernie Fine, & Jerry
Sandusky the two dirtbags that won't leave the
headlines, and some MLB winter meetings, free
agency chatter. Check it out.

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

More On: Who's Responsible For The Success Of Tebow.......

2011-12-12T03:09:00.002-05:00

Courtesy: Rocky Mountain News

My earlier story below has been further corroborated by
this latest tidbit here:

One high-level league executive tells NFL.com that the Broncos'
original plan with Tim Tebow was to play him for "a few weeks"
to appease fans, and then initiate a rebuilding movement.
The Broncos reportedly "wanted to move on" and "wanted nothing
to do with the (Josh) McDaniels regime," which drafted Tebow in
the first round of 2010. NFL.com's Mike Lombardi now believes
Tebow has made VP of Football Operations John Elway "a believer.
" The Broncos are leading the AFC West, and after winning so
many games, out of position to draft an elite quarterback in
2012.
Source: NFL.com & Rotoworld

Many folks are going to have trouble coming to grips with
this, and the answers are going to range from Fox to Meyer,
and from Jesus to Elway, and though there is no doubt that
if you believe in the latter this isn't even a question,
there is an additional answer to this equation. Ready?
Josh McDaniels, yup, you read right, the EX coach of the
Denver Broncos.

He ran Jay Cutler out of town, banished Brandon Marshall,
practically gave away Tony Scheffler, and I am sure I have
missed a few more names along the way, but without getting
too melodramatic or tripping the light fantastic with big
words I can't pronounce, Denver Broncos fans have Ex-Head
Coach Josh McDaniels to thank for Tim Tebow. McDaniels
started off his inaugural season 6-0 and then stunk up the
joint. He even beat his mentor and guru Bill Belichick in
that span, but couldn't to a thing worthy of his title after
that, and he too was eventually banished from the Mile High
city. He did however draft Tim Tebow and inadvertently
started a fad known as Tebow mania, and he didn't even know
it. Yes I called it a fad. I'm a nay sayer. I do not
expect it to last, but if you have been reading any of my
stuff here, or listen to any of my shows, you would know
that. No matter though, what I think is of no consequence
at this time.

Right now Denver broncos fans are enjoying football like no
other time since they were Super Bowl champs, and Elway was
on the field instead of behind a desk for the Broncos.
It's fun and there is no telling how long it will last, but
remember this: John Fox started Kyle Orton, John Elway pretty
much intimated that he didn't feel that Tebow could succeed
with his style, and yet they continue to win. They are no
fools, they will take the success until Tebow either flops on
his face, and they can give the fans an "I told you so" or
win a Super Bowl, a win win either way. Fans and supporters
of Tebow should enjoy this to the fullest, but when and if
it's over remember to say a nice "Thank You" to Josh McDaniels,
who drafted that QB no one thought was a QB, and even though
he is mired as the offensive coordinator of the 2-10 Rams,
he is still the one stubborn enough to make that pick when
everyone else thought he shouldn't

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

NFL Stone Cold Frigid Locks

2011-12-11T10:55:00.000-05:00

Photo: Dennis Grombkowski/GETTY IMAGES

I included the word frigid to my title this week
because I feel as though my picks have been more
cold, and frigid, than locks, as in guarantees.
Of course there are no sure things in life, but
some of these losses have been a little silly to
be fair, and I hope to end the season with better
luck, if there is such a thing, so here goes:

1. Ravens - Gotta ride the Andrew Luck Express

2. Lions - They Su-h-re need this

3. New England - Just another business trip for Brady

Upset Alert: I got a funny feeling the Raiders take
down the Packers today. Either that or I got gas.

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Ryan Braun A Cheat? Who's Next Albert Pujols?

2011-12-11T08:55:00.002-05:00

Jeff Roberson -- Associated Press

I can say with total honesty that I would have gone out
of my way to tell you that before A-Rod was outed for
taking any sort of performance enhancing drugs, I was
beyond certain he was clean. I was wrong.

When Manny was being Manny, and got caught for PED's
I once again was a fool for feeling that in no way
could Manny have cheated like that, no way. Yes way,
I was wrong yet again. Well there's an old expression
that goes like this: "Fool me once shame on you, fool
me twice, shame on me". Well I let it get too far,
and I'm sure that many of you feel just about the same
way: No ONE is above suspicion, NO ONE.

Small market, large market, no matter, and Ryan Braun
is a gleaming example of that. How many MVP's in the
last 25 years have had their names shamed in this way?
The answer, far too many. Even one is far too many.
The Ryan Braun is just a nice Jewish kid who didn't
know what he was taking is what Spin Doctors will be
working overtime will say in order to try and get this
under control, but what I will say to you is just this:
Ryan Braun will either get caught again, like Manny, or
his numbers will fall off a cliff, not too much unlike
A-Rod's.

And now to my headline, who's next Albert Pujols?
Let me put it to you this way, I know nothing, have no
facts, and am making no accusations, but would not be
the least bit surprised if Pujols is caught or oughted
sooner rather than later. Not the least bit surprised.
One thing that this latest cheater made me consider is
that if Albert Pujols was totally and unequivocally
clean, he would have stayed in St. Louis. Theory? Yes.
What do I mean by that? He was hell bent on a 10 year
deal. He was adamant on a full no trade, and to me
money isn't always the answer to guys like Pujols.
Guys like him stay where they have the most comfort,
even for a little less money. The difference was only
$32 million dollars, money that he could have easily
made up in some other way in St. Louis. Being the
villain in St. Louis was a chance he can't take, with
the Angels there is no loyalty, so less shame. Now
this is all theory, nothing more, but I'm willing to
bet that Pujols isn't the only STAR that has a shot
at being caught. It finally looks like MLB might just
be getting it right. Now let's see if they are willing
to take down a really BIG fish, not just a small town
MVP. That is if their guilty of course.

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Pujols, LaRussa, The Packers & More Random Thoughts

2011-12-10T14:16:00.002-05:00

AP/Photo

Usually this posting on Saturday has alot to do with
the college football games on tap for the day, but
today there is only one game, as it should be.
Army - Navy, and these men and women deserve to be
center stage. Let's Support them, thank them, and
show them that we appreciate our freedom thanks to
THEM. Here are some more random thoughts from around
the world of sports this week.

Only Mike Scioscia is capable of not being involved in
any rumors that Tony LaRussa would eventually come out
of retirement if the Angels hiccup this year now that
Albert Pujols is on the team. Scioscia isn't going
anywhere.

Octavio Dotel just signed a free agent contract with
the Detroit Tigers. This is his 13th team !, talk
about frequent flier program.

How soon before some attaches any sort of Dream Team
moniker to either the Angels or Marlins?

Early pick for NFC representative in the Super Bowl
this year: NY Giants, yup I'm nuts, but I feel it

My vote for the Heisman tonight, and no it's not an
official vote, I don't have that level of importance
yet. Robert Griffin III, or RG3 if you prefer, the
kid is impressive, and If I had a ballot it would go
like this: 1. RG3 2. Monte Ball 3. Andrew Luck
Just Sayon'

Jim Mora Jr to coach UCLA is a bad choice, Tom Cable
would have been a better choice.

Arizona St fans making of a stink about the hiring of
June Jones made an even worse choice by making sure the
never went through with it. You could have actually
won some games for a change.

Charlie Weiss to coach at Kansas is a good choice.
Low expectations, but they will get a bigger return,
and this is Notre Dame, so the rules on academics may
be a little lighter, maybe.

I agree with Alan Hahn of NY Newsday on his Tweet earlier
today: "He (Tyson Chandler) and Amar'e may be the fittest
PF/C combo in NBA", I also think they may be the best trio
hen you add Carmelo as well. Now they need a PG, lol

Brandon Roy retiring is a shame, but bad knees are bad news.
Portland loses a good one, a real good one.

Did Dwight Howard really say he wanted to go to the NJ Nets?
Wow, Brooklyn Baby !

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

A Post Lockout NBA, Still Broken After CP3 Trade Dies

2011-12-09T14:41:00.000-05:00

(Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)

If you are one the the people who is upset that the trade
for Chris Paul to the Lakers was rejected by the league
who incidentally is technically CP3's boss, then I have a
message for you: Stop your crying, moaning, groaning, and
ya be-atching, it was the right thing to do. As a matter of
fact, as a NY Knicks fan I will go on record as saying that
he shouldn't be traded until the new owner comes in and
has a say about it, not to the Knicks, and not to anyone.
Either that or the Hornets need to be overpaid in the
compensation they receive for trading CP3.

If you were the next prospective owner of the New Orleans
Hornets, what incentive would there be for you to buy this
team if the best player was gone before you got there, or
were even given a chance to make a decision. Trading Paul
would probably hinder the sale of the team, and let's face
it, it's not good for the NBA or their fans if the league
holds on to this team for too long. Sell ASAP, otherwise
questions like this will continuously pop up every time
the team needs to make a move. Even if the GM is operating
independent of league meddling, the question of favoritism
or even reverse favoritism will constantly be brought up.

Making the Lakers an even bigger powerhouse than the Miami
Heat was supposed to be is not good, unless the trade is
made with independent ownership at the helm, and then we
can all criticize them for being dolts and not knowing how
to run a team. Otherwise we will as fans, and media see it
as the league just trying to fatten up their big media
markets, i.e. NY, LA, Miami, etc..

Time is of the essence Mr Stern, perhaps you can take a page
out Bud Selig's book, and that should be done rarely if ever.
MLB offered the new owner of the Houston Astros a huge price,
and approval to buy the team if he agreed to change divisions
and move to the AL West. A dumb move, I know, but it served
his and ML Baseballs purpose. Perhaps you can offer any
prospective buyer some kind of a price break of sorts in order
to get this mess off your hands as quickly as possible.
Just a thought.

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

MLB & The LA Anaheim Angels Get Their First $30 Million Player

2011-12-08T23:46:00.004-05:00

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Yes, you read correctly, Thirty Million Dollars, and if
you do the math you will be quick to say that a 10 year
$260 million contract only works out to $26 million per
year. Yes I know that too, but you need to do the hidden
math when looking at deals like this, and then you will
see that if Albert Pujols does not retire before the end
of this monster deal, it will be worth thirty million per
year to him.

Albert Pujols will be 32 at the start of this contract,
and no matter how great a hitter you want to tell me or
anyone else he his, just look at him. He has no foot
speed, he used to have "some". He looks like he limps
most of the time, and don't tell me it's because his
legs are soooooo muscular. There is no way that even
in a DH friendly American League Albert Pujols is
going to be the player he was last year at the age of
42, but with at least 2-3 years remaining when he will
truly start to hit the wall of his productivity, do you
think he's going to retire? With almost $100 million
at stake would you? This is essentially a 7 year
contract if everything breaks well for the Angels, and
I mean everything. Now if you break down the contract
and say $260 million over 7 good years, that works out
to $37,142,857.00 per year, remove the excess over the
30 million, and he gets more than he will be worth for
the last three years of his contract $49,999,999.99 or
almost $17 million per year to hit about 17hrs per year,
drive in about 75 runs and maybe appear in 135 games at
the most if he isn't on the DL too often.

Make no mistake, the Angels did their homework here,
this wasn't an impulsive decision. Again do the math,
if you take into account that ten years ago $20 million
was worth what about $25.5 is worth today, then there
you have a similar contract to the one that A-Rod signed.
More? Yes, but similar, and "LA"/Anaheim is a much bigger
market than Arlington, Texas was. So do you overpay to
get the prize free agent? Who doesn't? Pujols will be
able to DH in his senior years, which I will go on record
as to say that they will happen sooner rather than later.
The Angels will market the crap out of him and get back
most of their investment as well as probably see a World
Series appearance at least within the next fives years,
and make wonderful PR headlines all the while.

By the time this contract is over, we may even get to
find out if he is 32 in 2012 or he is 35, but hey,
today they made headlines, so why would anyone think that
this will be the end of that. It's all in the numbers.

Don't Believe In Plays, Believe In Players - Al Davis

Big EAST?, Who Are They Kidding?

2011-12-07T23:57:00.004-05:00

Courtesy: Orlando Sentinel

I know it sounds like I might be nitpicking a little bit,
but when did San Diego, Boise, Idaho, or even Texas get
categorized as "East"? Yes you can go ahead and tell me
that in the NFL the Dallas Cowboys are in the NFC East,
but that is a completely different scenario. I also
won't be too harsh on the "BIG EAST" conference because
this news is still fresh, and won't blame them for taking
these schools on either. I mean who can pass at the chance
of some BCS Bowl money when you see how consistently good
Boise State is year after year. I also won't bee too harsh
because they were pretty much pushed to make this move in
light of all the teams that left the conference and went
elsewhere, but can we please work on a new name?
I know, I know, Conference USA would be the perfect name,
but unfortunately it's already taken, as is the American
Football Conference (AFC), and so is the National Football
Conference (NFC), but how about the "Coast to Coast"
conference? or the "Come One Come All" Conference?
Maybe they can put an exploratory committee together and
research it a little bit.

Teams have changed conference this year more often than some
call girls change undergarments, but this is the NCAA's fault
just like everything else. Instead of being only concerned
with how much punishment to dish out for whatever infraction
they inappropriate, why don't they divide these teams up
geographically, and find some fair to share those Trillions?
Oh wait, they haven't figured out how to solve this whole
BCS bowl thing yet, have they?

Well, at least Boise State, Houston, and SMU will provide a
little football excitement to a usually dull and boring
Big East football conference.

Thank You Al Davis !

Mad Stork Sports with Nick Rizzo - Live

2011-12-07T17:49:00.000-05:00

More on the Syracuse Saga, and there are lots of
other things going on in the world of sports as
well, so join me for a fun filled hour of banter
on Mad Stork Sports with Nick Rizzo live
tonight and every Wednesday on Scatterradio.
Call in and be a part of the show.

Thank You Al Davis !

Ron Santo Enter Hall Of Fame, What A Shame

2011-12-05T21:41:00.003-05:00

Stephen J. Carrera - AP

The story title may mislead many of you, but it annoys
the absolute cr@p out of me. One year and two days
after Ron Santo died those dictators that hold a man's
dignity in their claws decided that it was time to let
Ron Santo into the Baseball Hall of Fame. What a load
of cr@p, really, what BS.

Their were very few humans associated with the Cubs
organization that were more beloved than Ron Santo.
I never had the pleasure of seeing him play, and I
have no personal stake in this fight, but what a joke.
What? He is a Hall of Famer today, but he wasn't
yesterday, or last week, or last year? These voters
make me sick. I am the biggest Pete Rose detractor
there is out there, but even I can tell you that that
degenerate gambler belongs in the Hall of Fame.
The MLB, and NFL Hall of Fame voters are the most
pompous, arrogant, self centered individuals in all of
sports. They make some of those money grubbing players
that we complain about seem like humble saints.

I don't know his stats well enough to say whether or
not he deserves to be in the HOF or not, but that is
truly irrelevant here. The man died at the age of 70,
he was a cripple for all intent and purposes, and had
more than half his legs amputated, and they couldn't
give one of the most happy go lucky people ever to wear
a Cubs uniform 2 minutes of pleasure? Are you friggin'
kidding me?!

On a side note keep in mind that Pro Football has been
around more than 100 years, and yet the Pro Football
Hall of Fame, Not The NFL Hall of Fame(Doesn't exist)
has one kicker, and no punters in the HOF. They have
one quasi punter, but no true punter, and yet you
don't play game without one. Think these voters are
not worse than most New York City Co-Op Boards?
Then you have not been paying attention.

Thank You Al Davis !

Ranting With Rizzo Replay 12-5-11

2011-12-05T15:36:00.000-05:00

Last weeks show spoke about whether Peyton Manning
should be considered an MVP candidate this year,
how the Pats and Colts matchup this year is so much
different, and we took a look at the Syracuse Penn
State differences amongst other things.
Enjoy the Podcast!

Thank You Al Davis !

Jose Reyes Gone, Mets Not To Blame

2011-12-05T09:41:00.001-05:00

Krupa/AP

I am speaking as a Jose Reyes fan who lobbied for
the Mets to keep him all year, and still wish they
had, but at this price, I can't agree. The Miami
Marlins made a play that they are not going to be
able to handle. They are attempting to spend like
drunken sailors, and it won't work for them, you
will see this come to fruition sooner rather than
later. Jose gets hurt too often, Ozzie Guillen
will eventually run out of patience for that, and
Guillen and owner Jeffrey Luria will be at each
others necks before you know it. Expect Reyes
to be on the trade block no later than the third
year of his six year deal, and expect Guillen to
be out in Miami at about the same time or sooner.

New Stadium does not equal instant success, it
just doesn't, and this concoction of new players,
plus current players, plus new manager, and
owner will show that soon enough. I love Jose
and the way he plays, but he has his downfalls,
and they aren't worth close to $20Mil per year.

Thank You Al Davis !

NFL Stone Cold Locks Week 13

2011-12-04T12:56:00.001-05:00

Last week I made the mistake of laying the "Stone
Cold Lock" eggs in the Seahawks nest, and they
promptly ate them so instead of going 3-0 in week
12, I went 2-1. Lime I said that was the first
and last time you would see me pick the Seahawks
this year. Now on to more reliable picks for what
I hope will turn into a 3-0 week in a 30-6 season.

1. New England - It's called a no brainer

2. Chicago - They have the better backup QB

3. San Francisco - A frequent flier Stone Cold Locks

Thank You Al Davis !

BCS Bowl Bonanza Kicks Into Full Gear

2011-12-03T09:45:00.001-05:00

Football, football, and more football, was the theme
last week, and yet again not all these games are worth
tuning into, but we have a few that are definitely
worth a look to say the least. Here goes:

1. Southern Miss vs Houston
This ranked opponent can give Houston a tiny BCS boost

2. Iowa St vs Kansas St
K St can't afford another flop in a BIG spot at home

3. Texas vs Baylor
Can Baylor assert there hold on the state of Texas here?

4. Georgia vs LSU
Experts don't give Georgia a chance, I hope they're wrong

5. Oklahoma vs Oklahoma St.
Is there enough room for the both of them in that state?

6. Wisconsin vs Michigan St
Wisconsin has been waiting for a little payback

Thank You Al Davis !

Mad Stork Sports with Nick Rizzo Replay 12-2-11

2011-12-02T16:20:00.000-05:00

Find out out you can still win some cash from Mad Stork
Sports, and listen in as we discuss the Peyton Manning
trade talk, going 0-16, Bernie Fine, Ndamukong Suh's
suspension, coaching changes and everything else that's
happening in the sports world.

Thank You Al Davis !

The Shortsightedness Of The Tim Tebow Phenomenon

2011-12-01T15:59:00.001-05:00

Chris Schneider/Associated Press

I'm ready for the hate mail, if you know how to write.
I'm ready for the arguments, assuming you can put one
together, and I'm ready to be told how I can't carry
Tim Tebow's jock strap, assuming it is within his
religious beliefs to wear one, but you can't make me
believe that he is going to win anything on a major
stage.

As the saying goes "Numbers Don't Lie", and though
it's true that many times they are deceiving, in this
case they are not. Hang on, want a deceiving number?
5-1, that's Tim Tebow's record as starter this year.
Didn't like that one? Then you are gonna like these
numbers even less. Tebow completes less than 50% of
his passes, both this year and for his career.
For the 2011 season he is averaging less than 95
passing yards per game! In the Broncos five wins over
that 5-1 span the defense is only giving up 15 points
per game, after starting the season giving up 28ppg
in their first five games. Are you going tell me that
Tim Tebow won a National Championship at Florida?
That's College, NOT Pro Football. JaMarcus Russell
won a National Championship too, where is he now?
The truth is quite simply this, he can't live on his
legs alone unless he decides that "GOD" told him he
should switch to running back, wide receiver, or tight
end. If he wants to be a quarterback then he needs
to start playing like a quarterback. Most QB hybrids
just don't have that great a success. This may be a
small sample, but tell me what Vince Young, Michael
Vick, and Donovan McNabb have done in the recent past?,
and they all have better arms and accuracy than Tebow
does. Want to tell me that 5-1 makes him a winner,
fine. Wake me when he wins a Superbowl!

Tim Tebow may be a winner in life, that I will not
argue, but please don't pull a Reggie White on me
and tell me that this is GOD's plan. GOD does not
root for the Denver Broncos, just like he didn't
root for the Green Bay Packers when White played
for them. Do you understand how ridiculous it is
to believe that he would? That means that GOD is
"rooting" against the other team. If White were
alive, younger and playing for the Packers today,
would the game between the Broncos and the Packers
on October the 2nd have ended in a tie instead of
a 49-23 Packers blowout, or would GOD have rooted
for one over the other? I guess the answer changes
whether your a Bronco/Tebow fan or a Packer/White
fan, yes?

Tim Tebow may and already is a winner in life, but
football has nothing to do with it, and it doesn't
need to either.

Thank You Al Davis !

Ranting With Rizzo Replay 11-29-11

2011-11-29T23:52:00.000-05:00

The Podcast is ready for you, are you ready?

Thank You Al Davis !

Urban Meyer Begins His Career With Ohio St. A Liar

2011-11-28T22:07:00.001-05:00

Getty Images

Now you may find this headline a bit extreme, and
you may even go as far to say that I'm exaggerating
or even that everyone does it, but nonetheless it's
true, Urban Meyer is a LIAR! I would also love to
hear how he would rationalize this to a player or
recruit when asked about it or when it's done to
him in a similar way.

Urban Meyer through ESPN statements, representatives,
his agent or whatever said that he had not been
offered, nor had he accepted a job as Head Coach of
the Ohio State football team. Call me naive, but I
find it hard to believe that that offer, acceptance,
details, and everything else involved took all but a
few minutes to take place. Again, you may find this
to be trivial, and point out numerous head coaches
both college and pro that do this, yet the fact still
remains that he LIED. Everyone does it? If everyone
jumped off the Brooklyn Bridge would Urban Meyer jump
off the Brooklyn Bridge?

I will not sit here and tell you that you're wrong in
your belief that this happens more often than not, but
a simple no comment could have been used as well.
I'm not silly enough to believe that this is more the
norm than the exception, but I will say that when you
are Urban Meyer and you portray yourself with this I'm
so mush better attitude, then perhaps you should attempt
to lead by example, or you shouldn't expect the same
from you players, recruits, their families, or anyone
else for that matter. Heck, what would Tim Tebow think
of your lying ways Dad, err, Coach?

Thank You Al Davis !

Eagles & Chargers Should Meet In Toilet Bowl

2011-11-28T00:50:00.003-05:00

AP Photo/Denis Poroy

Depending on who you spoke to this year, the "Dream
Team" Philadelphia Eagles were probably going to go
to the Super Bowl. Many so called experts may not
have picked the Eagles out of the NFC, but they sure
did go with the San Diego Chargers to represent the
AFC in the BIG Game.

After this past Sunday's games it is beyond clear
that neither of these two teams deserves anything
other than to perhaps face each other in the so
called "Toilet Bowl". After all we are approaching
"Bowl Season", and since they aren't in any danger
of ruining their playoff chances, then perhaps they
should duke it out to see which of the two is better,
or, err, worse. I have never seen not one, but two
teams with so much talent, and promise in the same
year look so bad. It's fair to say that they will
probably go in a different direction in San Diego
as far as head coaches go, but Andy Reid may be
sparred that fate, at least for now, but not if he
has a repeat type performance in 2012.

Before you run to look at their schedules, no they
don't meet in 2011, but maybe the NFL can make an
exception for charity or something.

Thank You Al Davis !

NFL Stone Cold Locks Week 12

2011-11-27T08:45:00.003-05:00

Doug Benc/Getty Images

3- 0 last week drives the record to 28-5 for the year, but
it still sees a title disappointingconsidering what it
should be if teams had played up to their level of talent.
This weeks winners are as follows:

1. Atlanta - Time to start living up to the championship hype

2. Seattle - First and last time you will see it this year

3. Pittsburgh - C'mon, the Chiefs are That BAD

Thank You Al Davis !

Never Ending Weekend Of College Football Continues

2011-11-26T11:00:00.001-05:00

Photo Credit: Getty Images, By: Christian Petersen

LSU showed Arkansas that they clearly do not belong
in the hunt for the BCS Championship, so today it's
Alabama's turn to tell Auburn that the Tide does.
The annual Iron Bowl game between Auburn and Alabama
is just the tip of an iceberg for what should prove
to be a great day of Thanksgiving Saturday College
football, so here is a guide of what games you should
keep an eye on for a variety of reasons.

1. Rutgers v UCONN - Could be a nine win season for
what may prove to be Penn St next head coach

2. Ohio St v Michigan - Make no mistake this game means
alot to these two, and Urban Meyer will be watching.

3. Michigan St v Northwestern - Northwestern can mess
with Michigan State just like when they went to Nebraska

4. Georgia v Georgia Tech - HUGE game for #13 Georgia,
winners of 9 straight, and matched up vs LSU next

5. Alabama v Auburn - When Conference foes meet, throw
the records out the window. Should be a good one.

6. Virgina v Virginia Tech - #6 Virginia Tech can benefit
win the Arkansas loss, a win and who knows who else losses.

7. Penn St v Wisconsin - The Badgers can't afford to lay
an egg, and a shot at the Big 10 Trophy is at stake here

8. Notre Dame v Standford - Means alot to Notre Dame, but
could mean a shot at the BCS Championship for Standford

9. Clemson v S Carolina - Alot of pride on the line here
and some positioning for a better Bowl bid for the winner

10. UCLA v USC - Sorta like the Alphabet Bowl, and the only
bowl for USC this year. Neuheisel needs this to save his job

This ought to stuff your football appetite as good if not
better than the Thanksgiving Turkey feast you had this week.
Enjoy !

Thank You Al Davis !

BCS Games & Non BCS Games Worth Tuning In To

2011-11-25T08:32:00.001-05:00

By David Minton, Denton Record-Chronicle via AP

Football, football, and more football, and yet not all
these games on Thanksgiving Friday are worth tuning
into, but these games are definitely worth a glance
at the very very least.

1. Houston v Tulsa - at #8 Houston is still flying under
the radar at can improve their position if anyone falls

2. Nebraska v Iowa - Iowa can really put a nice cap on
their season. Nebraska has been fairly disappointing

3. Arkansas v LSU - This one can be an instant classic,
or a real dud if the Razorbacks don't show up for this.

Saturday is sure to hold some more gems, but let's start
with these to wet our appetite.

Thank You Al Davis !

Detroit Lions Ndamukong Suh Turkey Trot

2011-11-24T21:29:00.007-05:00

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

I am a fan of Lions defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh,
but the more I saw the replay of his personal foul
today against the Packers the less I could find any
reason whatsoever to defend his actions.
Suh made things worse if that's at all possible by
saying he was doing it to regain his balance, wow.
His actions were inexcusable, his explanation too
much for the mind to process. I think a suspension
is now in order. Fining someone who makes that much
money will never deter him from doing it again, so
it's time he gets what Albert Haynesworth got when
he behaved the same. It's the only thing left to do.

Thank You Al Davis !

A College & NFL FOOTBALL Feast

2011-11-24T18:58:00.002-05:00

Courtesy: Turf Show Times

Green Bay and Detroit started out your Thanksgiving day
pigskin bonanza, and though that was soon thereafter
to be followed by Dallas and Miami it certainly wasn't
all there was. The Harbaugh bowl later took center
stage to cap off the evening and again this wasn't all.
College football fans also had a Texas Texas A&M battle
that could very well be there last for a long time, and
again this was to be just the beginning of what is and
was to be a weekend of football that seems never-ending.

College football on Friday had a huge tilt that would
see Arkansas and LSU with Alabama and Auburn to follow
Saturday, and then back to the NFL again on Sunday and
Monday. This certainly was not a weekend for Turkeys,
but rather just the right amount of football to keep
you craving the Bowls, and the NFL playoffs that follow.
If you're a football fan you are clearly in your element
this weekend and the bigger the upset, or the more a
team gets wronged in the BCS polls as far as your
concerned the deeper your passion for this is bound to
grow for more. Good food, good football, and if you're
lucky, good times with family and friends, WOW, what
else could you ask for?

So how long before football is truly year round?

Thank You Al Davis !

Rex Ryan, MLB, NBA, Random Thoughts

2011-11-23T22:13:00.002-05:00

Courtesy: NY Post

It shouldn't surprise anyone that Rex was as vocal
as he was towards that fan, whether he used any
profanity or not, but he put that on himself.
When your mouth writes checks you can't cash,
people tend to make sure they get two cents in.

Quite a few sports fans had alot to say when Justin
Verlander was named AL MVP, and I get it, but like
I said earlier: Most times i agree tat a pitcher
should be eligible for MVP, but he was so dominant,
and after his first seven starts he went 22-2, and
one of those two loses was a 1-0 decision to Jered
Weaver. Not MOST valuable Player? Where would the
Tigers have been without him?

First Penn State, then Syracuse, but have you noticed
the difference? Syracuse is getting alot less press,
and I think alot of it has to do with the fact that
the man in charge Jim Boeheim came out right away and
said something. I love Joe Paterno, but I'm still
waiting for a decent explanation, and I'm afraid I
may never get it. Booo

I don't know about you, but I wasn't surprised at all
when I heard that their may be allegations form a
family member in the Jerry Sandusky accusations.
I mean come on, didn't it raise a red flag to you when
you first heard about this and then heard that ALL of
his kids were adopted, and there were foster kids too.
I was saying it privately to friends, but I was hoping
I was wrong. It seems I may not be.

And By The Way: Didn't Mrs. Sandusky ever think that
her husbands constant disappearance into the basement
whenever young male boys slept over was strange?
Is she a victim or just as guilty as the Penn State
people who looked the other way?

Back to MLB: So they agree on HGH testing in their
new CBA before the NFL who signed theirs months ago
did, but it seems that the players all do it in spring
training, so they all know it's coming and then only
if a player is suspected and the players union consents.
How likely do you think that's gonna be? Not very.

MLB did however agree to a new deal in principle with
their players, and no strike, no lockout. Maybe they
should takeover the NBA talks. NBA? What NBA?

Lots of good college football this weekend, so enjoy
the Turkey, drive safe and sober, and let's hope that
Arkansas or Auburn can throw a monkey wrench into this
whole BCS thing so we don't have to watch another LSU
Alabama field goal fest again.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING !

Thank You Al Davis !

Sports News Ripped From The Headlines

2011-11-21T23:39:00.000-05:00

Courtesy: KSFY

Rich Rodriguez named head coach at Arizona.
Good move by him and the University of Arizona.
Don't be surprised if he succeeds there, much less
pressure at a school who has never succeeded on the
football field, a win win situation for both of them.

Justin Verlander wind both MVP and Cy Young Awards.
Normally I would be totally against this, but if there
was someone who deserved it it was Verlander, and
honestly was there anyone that was a "clear cut" MVP
that wasn't a pitcher in the AL this Year?

Jay Cutler is probably out for the rest of the
regular season at least
Now haters in Chicago will see how valuable he is
to the Bears. Still think he's soft? He finished
the game with that injury and got it chasing down
an interception return that could have been a pick
six, and wasn't even his fault. Can't be that soft

Vince Young wins in Michael Vicks absence
Don't get too excited Philadelphia, chance are the
Bears have a better chance of winning with Backup
QB Caleb Hanie than the Eagles do with Vince Young
if he hasn't shed some of the habits that got him
run out of Tennessee

First Lady Michelle Obama and Second Lady Jill
Biden Booed at a NASCAR in Florida yesterday.
Really? Whatever happened to supporting your
President? If you don't like what he's doing vote
against him on election day and stop whining!

Thank You Al Davis !

Ranting With Rizzo Replay 11-21-11

2011-11-21T23:09:00.000-05:00

With all the talk of improprieties going on at
some of our best and worst schools, the show
tried to put some of this in perspective and
addressed their sudden appearance. We also
took a look at the NFL and college football.
Have a listen to the podcast.

Thank You Al Davis !

NFL Week 11: Interesting Nuggets To This Point

2011-11-21T01:43:00.000-05:00

Courtesy: Sports Illustrated/CNN

Still think the 3-7 Dolphins aren't that good?
Even though they have only scored a total
of 19.3 points per game they have still
managed to outscor their opponents by a
total of SEVEN points.

Just Win! The Raiders lead the AFC West
with a 6-4 record and yet have been outscored
by their opponents by at total of 19 points.

Defense wins Championships?
That theory will definitely be put to the test
once again. The Green Bay Packers score an
average of over 35 points per game.

Can you find the expert who said this?
The San Francisco 49er's will be 9-1 after ten
games under first year head coach Jim Harbaugh?

Can you find the expert who said this? Part Deux
Jim Harbaugh's team will have a better record
than his brother John's Baltimore Ravens team
when they meet on Thanksgiving night

Hard LUCK, Bad LUCK, or Good LUCK?
Do you realize that because of the new rookie cap
friendly CBA agreed to this past summer the Colts
could have both Peyton Manning, and Andrew Luck,
or even Matt Barkley on their roster next season?

Say it ain't so! How many fans would have believed
that the Chicago Bears losing Jay Cutler would be
a bad thing?

Even after TEN games: The 49ers have as many wins
as the remaining three teams in their division(9)

Wild Weird West: No one in the AFC West has scored
more points than their opponents.

Did I miss anything? Let me know.

Thank You Al Davis !

NFL Stone Cold Locks Week 11

2011-11-20T10:07:00.000-05:00

Last weeks losses were an embarrassment, but more so
they should be to the Eagles, and Ravens who managed
to lose to teams that they should have easily handled.
my record is now 25-5, and that has rally put a
major cramp in my plans for an almost flawless record.
Without further adieu here are this weeks winners:

1. San Francisco - Haven't let me known yet

2. New England - KC doesn't deserve to be in this game

3. Detroit - A bit of a stretch, but little choice

Thank You Al Davis !

Not Everything Is Fine At Syracuse

2011-11-19T15:07:00.001-05:00

William Perlman/The Star-Ledger

It's bad enough when victims of abuse, bullying and
other personal crimes are afraid to come forward,
because of shame or fear, but the problem gets even
more painful when there is doubt involved. We have
just been through a couple of weeks were some very
big names have been shamed, whether through they own
doing or lack of doing, and now comes another.

Syracuse University has been dragged into the muck
much like Penn State was this week, and in the interim
there have been other schools and institutions that
have been exposed. Even the Citadel recently admitted
that they may have handled a previous issue of sexual
misconduct improperly, and there are countless others
that don't even make national headlines when something
like the Penn St story isn't floating around. Just
last week I read a story that I had never heard of
before until Jeff Passan of Yahoo sports did a piece on
it, and it involved the Boston Red Sox. According to
Passan it was only news in Massachusetts and Florida
where the child abuse occurred, hardly a national stage.

Syracuse much like Penn State is not located in a big
city, and the Basketball coach much like Penn State's
Football coach is almost God like, in that they have
been there for what seems like forever, have squeaky
clean reputations, and are winners on and off the field.
That may be where the similarities regarding the recent
news ends though. Boeheim unlike Paterno has come out
very loud and very vehemently denying all charges.
Boeheim even went as far to say "I am not Joe Peterno..."
in a statement, when going on to say that if he knew,
he would have said something, and that this is a pack
of "...a thousand lies". I admire Boeheim for this,
especially if he's telling the truth, and I believe he
is. I've been waiting for Paterno to do the same, but
every case is different and I believe there is alot more
muck involved in the Sandusky case than there is in the
Bernie Fine case, and yet, I like you sometimes don't
know what to believe. I saw the "Outside the Lines"
video interviewing both the accuser and the his step
brother who claims that there was some abuse with him
as well, but he stopped it much sooner. I also give
Jim Boheim credit for something else in his statement,
he said that right now he doesn't have any reason not to
support Bernie Fine, if he had reason to not support him,
he wouldn't support him, he also goes on to say that if
he saw something he would have reported it. He has been
strong and adamant in his statements, and unless he is
being duped as well, which is very well possible, then
someone is being very wronged here, victim or accused,
very wronged.

Watch the video, see for yourself. I'm no expert, but as
I stated earlier in my radio show: "these guys are either
real good liars, crazy, or they're telling the truth",
I just don't know, but this is getting ugly and I hope it
doesn't keep real victims from coming forward or real
abusers from being caught.

Thank You Al Davis !

College Football Worth Keeping In Mind

2011-11-19T11:50:00.000-05:00

Courtesy of University of Michigan

This feature here that has College Football games
I think are worth a look can sometimes offer a
few interesting nuggets, especially since the
season is starting to wind down. Last week the
Nebraska Penn State game was all the buzz, here
are some that you may find interesting this week.

1. Wisconsin vs Illinois
The Illini were once 6-0, now 6-4, Badgers need this
2. Nebraska vs Michigan St
Can Nebraska win tough back to back road games?
3. Penn St vs Ohio St
Two once proud programs face off to forget
4. Boston College vs Notre Dame
A holy war of sorts that ND needs to stay on course
5. USC vs Oregon
Could be huge, and the Ducks are still in the hunt
6. Cal vs Stanford
Interstate rivalry that means more than their records

BONUS: How did Alabama, South Carolina, and Florida
wind up with three cupcakes like Georgia Southern,
The Citadel, and Furman this late in the season?

Thank You Al Davis !

Mad Stork Sports with Nick Rizzo Replay 11-17-11

2011-11-17T23:39:00.002-05:00

If you missed the show, the you missed that there
is still lots of talk regarding the emerging news
out Penn St, and the dozens of skeletons people
there have been hiding. The audio got off to a
rough start, but after that we also took a look
around the NFL, and the world as the sports world
always manages to offer us some entertainment.
The podcast is ready for your listening pleasure,
Enjoy !

Thank You Al Davis !