Every Swingin’ Dick

I’m bitter at the NFL Network for being able to land the broadcast rights to NFL games, and especially to the Senior Bowl. I’m bitter because they aren’t carried on many cable systems. Like mine, for example.

Frankly, I can live with missing a couple of Thursday night NFL games, but I’m upset at missing the Senior Bowl. Especially after ESPN covered the hell out of it last year. Competition being what it is however, ESPN has barely mentioned the Senior Bowl. I’ve been recording NFL Live all week, and there was only one segment about it, and I think it was about three minutes long.

So shame on Comcast, ESPN, and NFL Network. Shame, shame, shame.

From January 15 issue of The Sporting News:

The Yankees signed 1B Doug Mientkiewicz, a slick defender who hits for average but not for power. (Emphasis mine.)

Doug’s last season that he hit for average was 2003′s .300, and since then he has averages of: .238, .240, and last year’s .283. I guess The Sporting News has a much different idea of what “hitting for average” is than I do.

Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame:

Cal Ripken Jr. – Cal could have hit .211 for his career, and the streak would have been enough to put him in the Hall. He was never as good an offensive player as his reputation would have you believe (career .340 OBP and .447 SLG) but was still great for a middle infielder. He didn’t have great range at SS, but positioned himself as well as just about anyone. Changed the way baseball people evaluated talent at SS.

Tony Gwynn – May be the best hitter I’ve ever seen. Unbelievable bat control. He could put the bat on the ball and fight off two strike pitches for what seemed an eternity. He is one of the few players I would have actually trusted to put the ball where he wanted too: right side, left side, bloop over the infield, etc. I can’t imagine what kind of player he would have been if he had kept his body in better shape, but his bad knees might have been a contributing factor there. Looking at him when he retired, it is hard to believe that he once stole 56 bases in a season.

I’d like to point out something completely ridiculous. Mark McGwire received only 23.5% of the votes, and is obviously being punished for his ALLEGED steroid use. Shawne Merriman tested positive for steroids, and he goes to the Pro Bowl. Someone explain that to me.

Indy / KC – Peyton throws picks left and right, and KC can’t run the ball. Just like we thought it would play out, huh?

Seattle / Dallas – Romo fumbles the snap on the FG attempt, and the Cowgirls lose. Brings to light one of my biggest football pet peeves–playing for the FG. Dallas actually didn’t do it, but Michaels and Madden were both going on and on like the FG was a given. Of course, AFTER the fumble Michaels lamely said something about “you never know” blah blah blah. You can NEVER assume points, and I just hate the idea of playing strategy instead of going for the throat. If you have to settle for the FG, fine. But don’t just hammer the ball into the line three times and then try to kick it. Both of these teams looked like crap, and I’m beginning to think the NFC shouldn’t have a representative in the Super Bowl. Chicago, New Orleans–prove me wrong.

I’m reposting a comment I left elsewhere RE: the Fiesta Bowl last night. Yes, I’m too damn lazy to reformat it into a complete post. Deal with it.

Frankly, I was surprised that it ended up being such a close game. Boise is the real deal. I don’t think they have the talent to hold up in a big conference for an entire season, but they have enough guys to matchup for a game or two. Add that to a proven offensive system and there you go. As far as the game goes, it was a tremendous finish. Best Statue of Liberty play I’ve seen in a while, but I think the hook & ladder on the 4th down was even more impressive. Balls.

While I’m at it, I’d like to give some dap to Paul Thompson. He stepped back under center after the Bohmer fiasco and helped OU to a pretty damn good season. Looks like if Stoops would have left him at QB last year and let him work through some problems they could have been a national title contender this year. At any rate, Thompson was screwed around, moved from QB to WR back to QB, and ended up playing pretty damn well.