Special Comment: The Worldwide Leader in Drivel

I'm not even a Cavalier, or NBA fan, and I am disappointed that LeBron was not able to make it to the finals and win a title. Why is that? Because we are about to undergo 2 months of unsufferable hell at the hands of the sports media. It has been about 24 hours since the Cavs were eliminated and already I am sick of all the talk. For God's sake; it was on NFL Live. N-F-L Live!!!! As bad as the Brett Favre saga was the past few seasons, it won't even measure up to the LeBron debacle. Cleveland is at the center of the sporting world for the next few months, for the wrong reasons, and it is going to be mindnumbing.

I have to complain some about the coverage provided by ESPN during the game last night. They keep speaking of a Cleveland Curse, where neither of their major sport teams have won a title since 1964 (ahem...Browns...ahem) and the curses that surround their approach to the titles (Red Right 88, Drive, Fumble, Jordan and Mesa) not to mention the other heartaches the city has endured (The Move, Cuyahoga River Fire). Cleveland is America's sports whipping boy because of the string of ring-less seasons, and deservedly so for that reason. The Drive happened in the 1986 season; Fumble in 1987. Get it right with your "crack" research staff. I think Schwab would have known that. I don't have any problem with bringing that stuff up, but when you are going to talk about it, get your information right.

ESPN is the leach on the underbelly of the sporting world. Already they have dozens of articles up prophetically quipping about where LeBron will end up (Heat, Knicks, Nets, Bulls, Cavs) and they all think they know what they are talking about. Avery Johnson knows, Mark Stein knows, Chris Broussard knows and this gives Bill Simmons another chance to bring his drivel upon us once again regarding the future of LeBron James (seriously, has anyone with less talent in writing been able to do so much with so little? If it wasn't so sad it would be a great story). Not to mention Mike & Mike, Cowherd, Van Pelt and all the talking heads in Bristol going non-stop saying why LeBron will do this and why he will do that. Just stop already; you don't know what he is going to do with his career. I know their East Coast bias makes them wish he ends up in New York or New Jersey so they can put him on TV about as much as the Yankess/Sox, but give it a rest. Talk about Tebow some more, or Favre for pete sake!!

Will it be sad for Cleveland is LeBron left? Of course it would. Their native son leaving his hometown because they weren't able to win a title during his career there. Basketball may die in Cleveland and never be the same again. One would think that your ties to home would be stronger than the pull of the national spotlight of playing in New York. To me, it would be more pivotal to LeBron's legacy if he were to stay in Cleveland and help the title starved town win, but I don't see the happy ending winding up that way. I am not going to speculate and blow a lot of hot air like other people seem to in regards to this matter. LeBron will play where he best sees fit, but until then, we have the pleasure of watching the talking heads on the Worldwide Leader wax poetically about where he should go or where he will end up. Lord knows I won't be watching.

Winners & Losers From Day 1 of the NFL Draft

With Day 1 in the books and Day 2 coming tonight, let's take a quick look at some Winners & Losers from the 1st Round of the NFL Draft.

WINNER - Detroit Lions

-All of us really like what the Lions did yesterday. They took the best player in the draft at #2 in Ndamukong Suh, and traded up a couple spots to grab Cal dynamite RB Javhid Best. Slowly but surely, the Lions are starting to accumulate impact players on both sides of the ball. In Matt Stafford's 2nd year, don't be surprised to see them improve to 5-7 wins.

LOSER - Jacksonville Jaguars

-The Jags made the reach of the draft with Tyson Alualu. Reports all over the league is that jaws were collectively dropped with this pick. Sure, he might end up as a good player, but the Jags could have traded down at least 10 spots and gotten something in return to help rebuild the team. Also, Alualu ain't causing a mass of people to get Jags season tickets.

LOSER - Jimmy Clausen/WINNER - Tim Tebow

-Who would have thought that JC QB would be taken before the Golden Boy himself? I'm really disappointed ESPN didn't have a picture in picture of Clausen throwing a temper tantrum at his home. With Tebow going before Clausen - it's obvious that character now means as much as any skill set on the field in the NFL. We saw it all night as players with even the slightest character questions slipped. Meanwhile, Tebow is the big winner not only by going in the first round, but by going to a coach in Josh McDaniels that wants to marry his future to him. As I said last night, Tim Tebow will start in this league by 2011.

WINNERS - Al Davis & Jerry J0nes

-The two most notorious owners in the league actually both made excellent picks last night. Oakland went in an unorthodox direction by picking a great MLB in Rolando McClain instead of reaching for someone with potential. Jerry Jones got the steal of the draft with a motivated and angry Dez Bryant at the end of the first round. Two wise move from two crazy old guys.

LOSER - ESPN

-ESPN was way off their game last night. Case in point this video...

That wasn't the only screw up as far as coverage was concerned. Several times throughout the night there were botches with open mics, missed segues, graphics, and anything in between. Also, Steve Young needs to be pulled for talking way too much. It seemed like everyone on set was just begging him to shut up, and so were many at home. Chris Berman celebrated his new ESPN contract by making an @$$ of himself in the video above and professing his undying love for Brett Favre. Not a banner evening for the worldwide leader.

Best 5 Value Picks - Chiefs: Eric Berry, Seahawks: Russell Okung, Titans: Derrick Morgan, Cardinals: Dan Williams, Jets: Kyle Wilson

5 Wait and See Picks - Bills: CJ Spiller, Giants: Jason Pierre-Paul, Texans: Kareem Jackson, Broncos: Demariyus Thomas, Saints: Patrick Robinson

5 Teams That Did Good - 49ers (2 starting OL), Chargers (starting RB), Seattle (2 starters), Bengals (finally got a TE), Falcons (got the best OLB in the draft)

5 Teams That Did OK - Saints (surplus but talented pick at CB), Colts (Jerry Hughes doesn't see the field much with Freeney/Mathis), Eagles (had a bigger need and perhaps a better player with Earl Thomas over Brandon Graham), Browns (Haden is good, but could have moved down and gotten a CB or moved up for a more elite player), Packers (Bulaga is a good value pick, but isn't defense a bigger need for a team that allowed over 50 points in a playoff game)

2 Teams that Did Bad - Carolina and Chicago... for not having a 1st round pick (or 1 & 2 in Chicago's case) in the deepest draft in years.

One Bold Prediction - Someone will trade up to #33 for a QB. But, it will be the Browns moving up for Colt McCoy, not Jimmy Clausen. Clausen goes to neither Minnesota or Buffalo... but Kansas City where an old friend is waiting for him.

Special Comment: Tiger-Rama at Augusta

My friends, yesterday was a day of sheer anticipation, happiness, and yet, disapointment and befuddlement. One of sports greatest events got underway today and that is the Masters Tournament, held at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia. A course that has made names during the illustrious history of golf, greats such as Nicklaus, Palmer, Player, Faldo and the man of the decade, Tiger Woods. I will not go into detail of why Tiger was the focus of the tournament's attention because being a sports fan you already know. However, I felt there were some things done the past few days leading up to the tournament as well as the tournament itself that were either disapointing or slightly peeving.

1. Nike Commercial - To me this was a case of too soon for Nike to put Tiger out there in an ad campaign. The ad is in black and white showing Tiger just staring straight into the camera lens with audio of his father playing in the background. His dad, it seems, is lecturing Tiger about the healing process and mainly why he did the things he did with the allegations of marriage impropriety. However, I HIGHLY doubt that is the true intention of Earl's comments toward his son. Not only did Nike put Tiger out there too soon but they seemed to use Earl's comments, although with Tiger's approval, inappropriately and out of context. It was just too soon for Tiger, Nike and the allegations. At least Nike didn't say, "Just Do It."

Maybe this ad would have been more appropriate...

2. Billy Payne, Augusta National Golf Club Chairman - This was the part of the news leading up to the Masters that got me angry. Payne comes out and chastises Tiger for his actions and how he disapointed many who considered him a role model. Now I have waxed poetically in the past regarding the use of athletes as role models, where we are supposed to idolize them and think that they are uber-human and incapable of doing anything that is "human", such as make mistakes or bad decisions. For Payne to come out and publicly chastise Tiger, who has put golf back in the mainstream and brought golf back from the edge of obscurity (think about it, if there was no Tiger, golf may be on par [no pun intended] with MLS). Payne better re-think his statments about the skeletons in Tiger's closet because Augusta has a few of their own (racism, discrimination towards women, Hootie Johnson v. Martha Burk, etc..).

3. Tiger coverage - Thankfully I was too busy yesterday with commitments to watch the live coverage, otherwise I would have been sickened. ESPN was giving Tiger the Tebow/Duke/Tom Brady treatment; constant coverage even when Tiger was not involved. There was a "Tiger Tracker" on the side of the screen giving hole-by-hole updates. Really?! I also saw a breakdown on the ticker regarding Tiger's hole-by-hole performance, including past history on the holes (i.e Hole 2 - Birdie. 6 of the 7 past tournaments Tiger has birdied this hole in Round 1). NOBODY CARES!! At least Tom Rinaldi won't be there to give some sad, sobby story, much like Jimmy Roberts in ANYTHING NBC does!! The incredibly warm receptions throughout the day was just uncomfortable considering everything that has happened during Tiger's fall from grace. Focusing on the unanimously positive reactions while ignoring what precisely Tiger is "coming back" just makes ESPN look like the cheerleaders they usually are.

The Masters is one of sports great yearly rights of passage, and for me to say that I expected nothing different after Tiger's past year would make me clinically insane. But to have a "Tiger Ticker", coupled with the Nike Commercial and Billy Payne's dumba** comment have tarnished the greatness some. Therefore, I give a big "Shame On You" to Nike, Billy Payne and ESPN for their lackluster and inappropriate conduct. I only pray that CBS can reeclaim the greatness, decency and sensibility that the Masters stands for. Taking a page from Jim Nantz, "Goodbye, friends." Be careful out there.

RSS Through Balls 3/11/10

With continental competitions consummating around the globe, it's time to check in on the beautiful game (impressive alliteration, I know, that's why I'm an unpaid professional). Today we'll look at all the big stories both internationally and domestically with the World Cup Countdown now under 100 days! Let's roll!

CONCACAF CL

-We were at Crew Stadium on Tuesday Night to see Columbus draw Toluca 2-2 in the 1st Leg of the QF Round in the CONCACAF CL. The game was enthralling as local legend Stevie Lenhart scored 2 goals in the 2nd half much to the delight... of only 4,000 people. Readers around the world might wonder... 4k, for a Champions League game?? Are you serious? Well, a few factors emerge to the terrible crowd

-MLS is in preseason mode, so few might actually have been aware of a game being played
-US fans aren't used to seeing their team in two separate competitions, CONCACAF CL isn't SportsCenter material
-Promotion for the game by the league was absolutely atrocious
-The game wasn't a part of any ticket package, cheapest tix were $25

That's just a horrible job by the league. MLS fans talk about their league gaining respect worldwide, how about in your country and continent first? Get more than 4,000 fans to show up at the league's biggest club game. Give your fans some incentive to show up, or at least let them know that there's a game. But, then again, MLS isn't exactly known for its executive competence, which leads to...

MLS Strike?
-This report doesn't exactly bode well for there being an MLS season this year, or at least one that starts on time. In a World Cup year, with ESPN putting all of their promotional eggs in soccer's basket, it's pivotal to have MLS there to pick up on the inevitable rise in popularity for the beautiful game. Too bad the players are almost unanimously in favor of striking should no new CBA be reached. Frankly, the owners must at least allow free agency within MLS and give players basic rights that are afforded in other major pro league. The owners have much more to lose than the players, especially this year.

At some point, the league must take a risk if it wants to grow. The single entity structure has seen it survive till this point, but it can only take MLS so far on the world stage. Giving more to the players (free agency, more guaranteed $) along with some fiscal sanity, will encourage more foreign stars over and more importantly, American stars to stay home. If MLS is on strike during the World Cup, the league will be dead by 2012.

World Cup News

-There was some controversy over ESPN's play-by-play choices for the World Cup. Martin Tyler (above), one of the best announcers in the history of the universe, is the home run choice... but 3 other Brits? Bristolites Derek Rae and Adrian Healey are joined by EPL commentator Ian Darke as the voices of South Africa 2010. Some folks are bothered that no American voice will be bringing the WC to an American audience. In an increasingly globalized world, I don't think people will care as long as the best are bringing us the action, unlike 4 years ago... cough, Dave O'Brien and Marcelo Balboa, cough... nobody wants that nightmare again. If there is one complaint, it's that veteran JP Dellacamera is left out. Healey is perhaps a little corny at times, but does a fine job. It would be nice to have Dellacamera call the US games, but if the nationality of announcers bothers you, you need a reality check. Have a listen to the best of the best and see if you would want anything else...

In other international news, the US didn't look great in Holland, but the return of Oguchi Onyewu, Clint Dempsey, and a miraculous recovery by Charlie Davies would boost our hopes. One underrated item is that Guus Hiddink might be in line to coach Cote D'Ivoire at the World Cup. Ivory Coast is perhaps the most talented African team in the tournament, and the Dutch genius who was last seen coaching Russia and Chelsea could be the man to lead them through the Group of Death and beyond.

Madrid Meltdown and Liverpool Lose... Again

-In Euro news, Real Madrid's hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars saw them knocked out in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League for the 6th year in a row. Yipes. The sky is falling in Madrid after their home failure to Lyon, but at least they aren't Liverpool... who now take a 1-0 deficit after suffering an embarrassing loss at Lille. Every time the Reds look like coming back, they have a hideous result - see Wigan Athletic last week. Now, it looks like either a Europa League triumph and a Top 4 spot might be out of reach. Maybe it's time for Liverpool to blow it up and start over, time is ticking Rafa.

Rooooooooooooney

-Wayne Rooney scored 2 goals to sink AC Milan in their CL tie and now has 30 on the season in 35 games. Plenty of skeptics wondered how United would replace Ronaldo, but Rooney has done that and then some. With Ronaldo and Messi not having the typical awe-inspiring years, Rooney is the frontrunner for World Player of the Year. If he continues this form to South Africa, England will be a legit threat. Here's his 2nd goal, bonus pts if you can tell us what language this is...

The Handshake Snub Heard Round The World

-Finally, we couldn't have a soccer roundup without one of the greatest videos to ever grace the web. If only Wayne Bridge would've shaken his hand and then punched him in the face Vince McMahon style could this have been any better.

ESPN's MNF Postgame Wants To Make Me Drive Flaming Poison Darts Into My Eyes And Ears

My God this is unbearable.

I'm currently watching Karl Ravech, Scott Van Pelt, and Trent Dilfer psychoanalyze, make excuses for, and try and sugarcoat the Vikings' loss to the Bears on Monday Night Football. I think what I'm really watching is three Vikings fans sitting around a bar in Duluth, MN try to rationalize what happened tonight. I think what I'm watching is a network in shock that their favorite son couldn't pull out a heroic victory. I think what I'm really watching is ESPN trying to spin this Vikings loss like Fox News spun a George W press conference.

Let me fill you in to what really happened: the Vikings.... and Brett Favre.... lost... to the crappy Bears!

They blew a chance at the #1 seed.

They blew a chance to have a 1st Round Bye in their hands.

They let Jay Cutler throw 4, yes 4, Touchdowns!

But, watching this postgame coverage, you would have never guessed that in a million years. There were so many positives to take from this game for Minnesota. And boy, these full postgame press conferences from Favre and Childress are compelling. This love affair with Favre and the media has been the scorn of this blog and many sports fans across the country - but this may be the most excruciating night for those of us sensible, level-headed sports fans, who don't wake up every morning, face to the north, and pray to the almighty Brett.

This isn't even mentioning the three cheerleaders in the booth that announced the game for cripe's sake. Wow, I'm glad I only caught the last 2 minutes and overtime (although you can see from the tweets at the upper right that my brother had to suffer through it all, thank God for me the Bears actually won).

Please, after the sleepwalking press conference, give me some brilliant insight Karl Ravech. "You can't win when you allow more than you score." Wow. Thanks Karl. Go back into your hole with Tim Kurkjan until Baseball Tonight begins.

I would rather take a bubble bath in sulphuric acid then have to sit through another season of Brett Favre playing NFL football and listen to the collective sports media gravel at his feet. At this point, it's not even about Favre himself. Yes, he's ego-driven and incredibly selfish. But the coverage of him is 1,000 times more embarrassing and frustrating. Please, let the Vikings lose in their first playoff game, and let Brett Favre go away for good - before I have to boycott all sports for the next 10 years.

If you're a jubilant Bears fan - you've come to the wrong place if you want to hear about Jay Cutler's great MNF performance. You've come to the wrong place for analysis of whether this win saved Lovie Smith's job. You've come to the wrong place if you want a look at the big picture and how this affects the Saints, Eagles, Cowboys, and Cardinals. If you are a fan of football that is looking for impartial coverage of a Monday Night classic - you've come to the wrong place. If you have 17 Brett Favre and Minnesota Vikings fathead posters on your wall - well, enjoy the rest of the evening.

You know, maybe I'm being too hard, maybe I should give them a chance when they come back from commercial. Let's see what they have to say going into the break...

"The non-Viking part of the program will actually involve more about the Vikings."

Now where do I keep those flaming, poison darts again...

Quick Hits: The World Cup Draw

Now that the World Cup draw is finally in the books, let's share some quick hits about what we saw today, and what we'll see in June!

The Big Story: USA! USA! USA!

-The Americans could not have asked for a better draw. When Y2 asked me for an ideal draw I said Algeria and Slovenia from pots 3 and 4. So it shall be said, so it shall be done. Granted, those teams got through tough playoffs to get in, but the US will be heavily favored to advance from Group C along with England. And, as Grant Wahl astutely pointed out, the Top 4 in the FIFA world rankings are on the other side of the draw. A win over either England or Group D fav Germany could mean the best World Cup ever for the US.

The Big Matchup: England v USA

-You've got to figure this is what everyone at ESPN was rooting for, and quite frankly, the American soccer public. With a big English fanbase here in the states, and the English Premier League the league du jour here in the US, this is a dream matchup. Think of all the storylines: the 1950 US upset, Donovan v Beckham, the battle for respect, oh, and there was that whole Revolutionary War thing... it should be a mouth-watering wait until June.

Group of Death: Group D

-While all of the pundits draw their eyes towards Group G (Brazil, Ivory Coast, Portugal, N Korea), I look towards Group D because any 2 of 4 teams can make it out. This German team is not strong, Australia has performed very well on the world stage, Serbia easily dispatched of France in qualifying, and Ghana is the strongest African team. Everyone wants to give this one to Germany, but Group D is wide open.

Luckiest Team: France

-They are the lottery winners to get South Africa in Group A along with Mexico and Uruguay. After getting to South Africa in controversial fashion, they should skate through to the knockout rounds. Of course, with worst manager in the world Raymond Domenech in charge, nothing is certain.

Random Thoughts:

-Great opening act by ESPN. We criticize them quite a bit on this website, but they look to be off on a great foot with their World Cup coverage. The studio guys today were lively and informative, especially John Harkes (although picking Uruguay in the Semis is nuts). Also, Bob Ley is perfect to captain the squad (he's easily the most professional journalist at ESPN). But, having the voice of soccer, Martin Tyler, as the main attraction of ESPN's coverage is the leader's best move. Having him on the draw show today lifted the show greatly. It seems like the days of Dave O'Brien and Marcelo Balboa are a looong time ago, thank God.

-On the negative side, the actual draw might have been the most awkward thing I've ever seen. How 'bout that opening kiss between the FIFA suit and Charlize Theron? Where was Adam Lambert at? The whole over production was just awful. Just pick the teams and move on...

-By the way, the whole "orchestration" of the draw, as Efan Ekoku called it, by FIFA is shameless. The regional separation is really unnecessary, and just the overall manipulation of the seeds makes the IOC look transparent.

-I think that this will be an especially strong tournament for the African teams. Not only playing the WC on the continent for the first time, but there are some very good African teams that will be ready for 2010.

Predictions: Here's how I think it'll play out from the quarters on, of course, these are subject to change in the next 6 months, but it's not like I'll actually be right or anything...

QF: England over Nigeria, Holland over Brazil, Ghana over Argentina, Spain over Italy

SF: England over Holland, Spain over Ghana

Final: Spain over England

I can not wait until June. Get juiced world!