What's up cyber sports fans? Spent the past week getting used to my new schedule as a regular columnist for Metro here in Vancouver, but now that I know the ropes, I'm good to fit it all in on a regular basis. Here's what's on my mind these days:
1) Michael Vick came across as being fairly genuine at his press conference today, but it's going to take some time before he can convince me and the rest of the general public that he's actually sorry. Time heals all wounds, and Vick had better use that time (most likely in the slammer) to actually UNDERSTAND what he did wrong. Right now, most of us just think you're sorry you got caught, Mike. That can change, but not overnight. Start thinking about what you want to represent when you get out of prison while you hammer out those license plates.
2) I love the CFL. But only in the Canadian Football League would a team honor two guys that were cut in training camp just three months earlier. That's the case with former Ti-Cats Mike Morreale and Rob Hitchcock, who will be saluted during this weekend's Labour Day game at Ivor Wynne. What's the message here? "Guys, you're not good enough to play on this team, but damn, you used to be good!" Here's an idea: don't bring them to camp. If you're really not sure that these "all-time greats" can even make the roster, do the right thing by telling them before they get the axe. If one of the other 7 teams really believes they can still play, they'll find a camp to go to. And to honor them just three months later seems way too weird.
3) People are already complaining about the Canucks' new look before the jersey unveiling on Wednesday. They're upset that Johnny Canuck wasn't used and that the Orca logo is still involved instead of the stick in the rink. They're more focussed on the logo than the overall look of the jersey. Have you seen the jerseys the Canucks have worn for most of their existence? Their yellow jerseys were some of the worst in the history of sports. This team had a third jersey that appeared to be salmon in colour. And the most recent ones were passable, but barely. Canucks' fans should just thank their lucky stars that management decided to use the blue, green and white colour scheme. To me, the logo isn't that big of a deal if you've got good colours, as long as it isn't so offside that it draws all of the attention (and this one doesn't). And as for those who can't believe that the stick-in-the-rink isn't the primary logo, are you looking at the same thing I am? I'm all about simplicity, but it's just not a great logo.
That's it for now, I'll check in with you later in the week. By the way, the movie Superbad is Super Good. Not really suitable for the minors in crowd, but I laughed out loud too many times to count.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Those Taking Ames are Way off Target
Am I the only one who can't believe all of the uproar about Mike Weir's selection to the President's Cup team? I know they're celebrating out East, but why is everyone in the West bitching about Stephen Ames not getting the nod ahead of Weir?
International captain Gary Player made the choice, saying he was basing it on history, not just recent history. He cited Weir's performance at the past 3 President's Cups, the fact that he has won 7 times on tour and there's that major that Weir won as well. I think they call it the Masters.
But all day today I hear people whining about the fact that Ames isn't on the squad. They throw out all of the stats from this year; the money list, the world rankings, the comparative performance in the majors and scream, "INJUSTICE!!".
But this is anything but a penalty stroke on Player's part. The bottom line is this: both Weir and Ames had an opportunity to play themselves onto this team and neither did it. The top 10 international players automatically qualify, and both finished well out of the top 10. Ames was 16th while Weir was 20th. So if you want to complain that Weir hasn't played well enough to tee it up in Montreal this Fall, then use the same argument for Ames. I don't hear anybody in Canada talking about Andres Romero, the kid from Argentina who nearly won the British Open and was the 12th ranked player among internationals. If you want to cry about Weir being on the team, use Romero as your poster boy for getting screwed, not Ames.
And you actually believe that "Eastern bias" or marketing of the event came into account, you're on the pipe. Gary Player isn't from Toronto, he's from South Africa. And as for ticket sales, Tiger Woods was going to pack the place even if there wasn't a Canadian competing. Get real.
I would have been fine with Ames getting picked just as I'm fine with Weir. Personally, I actually am more partial to Ames than Weir as a person. But this is the reason the captain has some discretion. So that his hands aren't tied after the top 10 and he can take whatever factors he feels are important into account.
Gary Player had a choice to make and he made it. I'm pretty sure he's more concerned about winning this tournament more than selling tickets. Canada should be happy that there's a Canadian on the team, not complaining about the Canuck that was selected.
International captain Gary Player made the choice, saying he was basing it on history, not just recent history. He cited Weir's performance at the past 3 President's Cups, the fact that he has won 7 times on tour and there's that major that Weir won as well. I think they call it the Masters.
But all day today I hear people whining about the fact that Ames isn't on the squad. They throw out all of the stats from this year; the money list, the world rankings, the comparative performance in the majors and scream, "INJUSTICE!!".
But this is anything but a penalty stroke on Player's part. The bottom line is this: both Weir and Ames had an opportunity to play themselves onto this team and neither did it. The top 10 international players automatically qualify, and both finished well out of the top 10. Ames was 16th while Weir was 20th. So if you want to complain that Weir hasn't played well enough to tee it up in Montreal this Fall, then use the same argument for Ames. I don't hear anybody in Canada talking about Andres Romero, the kid from Argentina who nearly won the British Open and was the 12th ranked player among internationals. If you want to cry about Weir being on the team, use Romero as your poster boy for getting screwed, not Ames.
And you actually believe that "Eastern bias" or marketing of the event came into account, you're on the pipe. Gary Player isn't from Toronto, he's from South Africa. And as for ticket sales, Tiger Woods was going to pack the place even if there wasn't a Canadian competing. Get real.
I would have been fine with Ames getting picked just as I'm fine with Weir. Personally, I actually am more partial to Ames than Weir as a person. But this is the reason the captain has some discretion. So that his hands aren't tied after the top 10 and he can take whatever factors he feels are important into account.
Gary Player had a choice to make and he made it. I'm pretty sure he's more concerned about winning this tournament more than selling tickets. Canada should be happy that there's a Canadian on the team, not complaining about the Canuck that was selected.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
What I Think I Know...
Man, mix a busy week with the Lions with a vacationing co-host, and you quickly realize there's not much time to blog! Sorry for the two-week hiatus, but here's what I think know right now:
1) If last week's loss was as bad as the BC Lions are going to look all year, the rest of the CFL is in trouble. The Roughriders have been the next best team in the league to the Leos thus far, but could only manage a 21-9 win at BC Place. Hey, I know that a win is a win, but the Lions had 2 QB's, their top run-stopping linebacker, 2 starters in the secondary and a starting slotback on the shelf. And they were still in this game until the final minutes. Watch out if they get healthy - especially if they get Dave Dickenson back. The Leos are still a league-best 5-1 out of the gate...
2) I'm sick of the yearly Holdout Harem in the NFL. Brady Quinn finally signed a contract today after missing 10 days of training camp. Am I the only one who watched him free-fall on draft day? Why would he not get his a$$ to training camp ASAP and prove that he was overlooked instead of busting bicep curls in the gym? Jamarcus Russell continues to play hardball with Al Davis even though Daunte Culpepper just swiped his gig as opening day starter in Oakland. Hey, I know these guys (and the other holdouts) had great college stats and combine scores. But we've seen "can't miss" prospects implode numerous times before. Maybe instead of trying to nail down another $50K in your ROOKIE CONTRACT, these guys should bust a call to Ryan Leaf, Akili Smith or Tim Couch and try to figure out what went wrong for them. If you're as good as you think you are, prove it.
3) Hate him if you want, but Rory Sabbatini is good for golf. Sure he's called out Tiger on a couple of occasions this year and been put in his place (including getting smoked on the weekend at the Bridgestone), but that smacktalk is the only thing that's brought out the best in Tiger all year. Face it - Tiger Woods is at a point in his career where NOBODY presents a consistent challenge for him. When Phil Mickelson is at his best (which is seemingly NEVER in the past year), he might be the only guy with enough talent to give Tiger a run for his money. But dominance can very easily lead to complacency; if there's no one there to push you (OR PUSH YOUR BUTTONS), you don't push yourself as hard. I hope Sabbatini continues to spout off. It stirs up the PGA which is far too vanilla on most occasions, and it might be the only thing that pushes Tiger to amaze us in the near future.
4) Gary Bettman officially hates Jim Balsillie. How else do you explain the quick and tidy purchase of the Tampa Bay Lightning by a group headed up by Doug Maclean? As far as the public knew, the Lightning weren't for sale (the Preds are), there weren't multiple offers (there are for the Preds) and the sale appears to be smooth and easy for less money than Balsillie was offering for the Nashville franchise. Yes, you'd better drink the Kool-Aid the NHL is serving up because Bettman isn't about to lend a helping hand to those that aren't using theirs to pat him on the back.
5) Tom Brady continues to lead the list of athletes I'd want to change places with for a month or two. He just turned 30 the other day and check this out:
- He's already won 3 Super Bowl (and 2 Super Bowl MVP's)
- His past and present girlfriends include actress Bridget Monahan and supermodel Gisele
- He's just been named World's Best Dressed Man by Esquire Magazine
Throw in the fact that he plays the most challenging position in all of sports in a great city like Boston, and what else do you want?
That's it for now, but you know there's still more stuff I think I know... I just don't know it yet.
1) If last week's loss was as bad as the BC Lions are going to look all year, the rest of the CFL is in trouble. The Roughriders have been the next best team in the league to the Leos thus far, but could only manage a 21-9 win at BC Place. Hey, I know that a win is a win, but the Lions had 2 QB's, their top run-stopping linebacker, 2 starters in the secondary and a starting slotback on the shelf. And they were still in this game until the final minutes. Watch out if they get healthy - especially if they get Dave Dickenson back. The Leos are still a league-best 5-1 out of the gate...
2) I'm sick of the yearly Holdout Harem in the NFL. Brady Quinn finally signed a contract today after missing 10 days of training camp. Am I the only one who watched him free-fall on draft day? Why would he not get his a$$ to training camp ASAP and prove that he was overlooked instead of busting bicep curls in the gym? Jamarcus Russell continues to play hardball with Al Davis even though Daunte Culpepper just swiped his gig as opening day starter in Oakland. Hey, I know these guys (and the other holdouts) had great college stats and combine scores. But we've seen "can't miss" prospects implode numerous times before. Maybe instead of trying to nail down another $50K in your ROOKIE CONTRACT, these guys should bust a call to Ryan Leaf, Akili Smith or Tim Couch and try to figure out what went wrong for them. If you're as good as you think you are, prove it.
3) Hate him if you want, but Rory Sabbatini is good for golf. Sure he's called out Tiger on a couple of occasions this year and been put in his place (including getting smoked on the weekend at the Bridgestone), but that smacktalk is the only thing that's brought out the best in Tiger all year. Face it - Tiger Woods is at a point in his career where NOBODY presents a consistent challenge for him. When Phil Mickelson is at his best (which is seemingly NEVER in the past year), he might be the only guy with enough talent to give Tiger a run for his money. But dominance can very easily lead to complacency; if there's no one there to push you (OR PUSH YOUR BUTTONS), you don't push yourself as hard. I hope Sabbatini continues to spout off. It stirs up the PGA which is far too vanilla on most occasions, and it might be the only thing that pushes Tiger to amaze us in the near future.
4) Gary Bettman officially hates Jim Balsillie. How else do you explain the quick and tidy purchase of the Tampa Bay Lightning by a group headed up by Doug Maclean? As far as the public knew, the Lightning weren't for sale (the Preds are), there weren't multiple offers (there are for the Preds) and the sale appears to be smooth and easy for less money than Balsillie was offering for the Nashville franchise. Yes, you'd better drink the Kool-Aid the NHL is serving up because Bettman isn't about to lend a helping hand to those that aren't using theirs to pat him on the back.
5) Tom Brady continues to lead the list of athletes I'd want to change places with for a month or two. He just turned 30 the other day and check this out:
- He's already won 3 Super Bowl (and 2 Super Bowl MVP's)
- His past and present girlfriends include actress Bridget Monahan and supermodel Gisele
- He's just been named World's Best Dressed Man by Esquire Magazine
Throw in the fact that he plays the most challenging position in all of sports in a great city like Boston, and what else do you want?
That's it for now, but you know there's still more stuff I think I know... I just don't know it yet.
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