ESPN always omit commenting on the Bengals. It's been obvious ever since I moved here in 1991. Guess Mike Brown won't pay them off to give them so air time. There's been disrespect coming from ESPN for a long time. I turn it on to see what coverage the Bengals got on Monday after a win...am lucky if I see a small clip of Joe throwing a pass into the end zone for a TD. On one hand, it makes me mad...but on the other, I think I like us not getting the coverage. Maybe it keeps a target off our back just a little longer. And who wants to hear those analysts pick our team apart. They'd rather spend the day talking about Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers. I've also noted their lack of coverage when Pittsburg loses. They've always shined a spotlight on them when Big Ben existed. But they have nothing to say about them now. But for us, maybe ignorance is bliss.
Sports and politics are always mixed. Stadium financing and construction, racial boundaries, tax breaks for owners, players running for office later in life, presidents throwing out the first pitch, choosing Olympic and World Cup sites; nothing will change it. The first marathon was a political event, a runner telling of war who gave up his life to deliver the message. We try to keep the competitions pure in sports, and they usually are, driven by some prehistoric survival need for us humans to see who is the best of the species when the rules are the same and the playing field even. But politics always lurks in the background, because sports do not exist in a vacuum. It's an unfortunate evil fact that the two will always be joined at the hip.
Doc, you are on top of the mountain and Peter King is still trying to be relevant. Anytime I hear him on those syndicated sports radio shows I change the dial. Hard to believe people still value his opinion. I am certain he didn’t have the World Cup pick today correct. Bravo sir, have another fine cigar and thanks for keeping us entertained!!
First off, Hugh Frazee is a recycled coach along the lines of Bruce Pearl, with a record of integrity to match. You cannot tell me there aren't 100 better coaches in the nation that they could have hired instead of that clown.
Shame on politics getting in the way of sports - especially WORLD (CUP) SPORTS. As you wrote Doc, the players just want to play. Well, with the exception of those players who want to use their sport(ing life) as a platform for expressing their own ... oh never mind, I was trying to Stick to Sports, but strayed. Shame on me too.
So, the Iranians read the book on “Whataboutism”, right? You just knew that old smoke screen would rear its ugly head sooner or later. Any word on how the Social Justice League is handling that? And just think, Adolph Hitler gets credit for starting the march to the coliseum from the state house. Makes perfect sense.
What do you suppose the bookies in Vegas are thinking the effect on point spreads will be? After three points for home field, they’ll have to decide if teams have more than winning on their mind, right? Imagine, some post-game interview where the QB blames the L on racism or homophobia or whatever. Makes perfect sense.
As for Hugh Frieze, he works successfully in an environment where prospective employers rant about capitalism’s excesses in class during the week and celebrate the riches it brings in TV money on weekends. Old Hugh knows what they’re smoking. Stick to sports is definitely dead.
Hugh Freeze is probably the finest offensive mind in the country. I think it’s a great hire for Auburn but, then again, I like Urban Meyer, Sean Miller, and the Zodiac Killer.
The University of Northern California, huh? Yeah, I've heard of them. That's the program that faded from the limelight when marijuana was legalized. Most of the players were from the Humboldt area and lost their summer jobs on the farms. They had to quit school to get real jobs.
Just so you know, I don’t want you to stick to sports. I may have written you one time after you wrote a political article where you were angry with whatever and I told you that I depended on you to offer better than the rest of the world was dishing at the time. But I never intended to ask you to “stick to sports”. Your commentary on all things that you deem interesting is what I want to read.
Tua for MVP - we will see? Tua has been very injury prone both in college and now in the NFL which is the reason I was glad that the Bengals were not tempted to draft him instead of Joe Burrow.
You hit the nail on the head re: Iran. And let's not forget China (look what's going there now) and Russia. America isn't perfect, but we're NOT China, Russia, or any Middle Eastern country. Is it a coincidence so many international sporting events have been held in these types of locales of late? Corruption knows no bounds.
I, too, read FMIA yesterday and couldn't believe the Bengals got nary a mention. Going in, it was the best game on the Sunday schedule by far. No Chase, no Mixon, yet Burrow goes on the road and beats a perennial division winner somewhat convincingly. Even if the FG stood, anyone that watched the game knew TN was NOT going to be able to march down the field and score a TD.
It's only one game, but the Bengals are going to be a live team going down the stretch, especially on the road.
ESPN always omit commenting on the Bengals. It's been obvious ever since I moved here in 1991. Guess Mike Brown won't pay them off to give them so air time. There's been disrespect coming from ESPN for a long time. I turn it on to see what coverage the Bengals got on Monday after a win...am lucky if I see a small clip of Joe throwing a pass into the end zone for a TD. On one hand, it makes me mad...but on the other, I think I like us not getting the coverage. Maybe it keeps a target off our back just a little longer. And who wants to hear those analysts pick our team apart. They'd rather spend the day talking about Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers. I've also noted their lack of coverage when Pittsburg loses. They've always shined a spotlight on them when Big Ben existed. But they have nothing to say about them now. But for us, maybe ignorance is bliss.
“Forget” Peter King. He couldn’t carry your iPad, Doc.
I think the term has to be “so-called Iranian journalist.”
Sports and politics are always mixed. Stadium financing and construction, racial boundaries, tax breaks for owners, players running for office later in life, presidents throwing out the first pitch, choosing Olympic and World Cup sites; nothing will change it. The first marathon was a political event, a runner telling of war who gave up his life to deliver the message. We try to keep the competitions pure in sports, and they usually are, driven by some prehistoric survival need for us humans to see who is the best of the species when the rules are the same and the playing field even. But politics always lurks in the background, because sports do not exist in a vacuum. It's an unfortunate evil fact that the two will always be joined at the hip.
Doc, you are on top of the mountain and Peter King is still trying to be relevant. Anytime I hear him on those syndicated sports radio shows I change the dial. Hard to believe people still value his opinion. I am certain he didn’t have the World Cup pick today correct. Bravo sir, have another fine cigar and thanks for keeping us entertained!!
“That said, all of us will be rooting very hard for the Americans to win big today. You know, 1-nil.”
Doc, you can add soccer savant to your pick ‘em gig.
From a flagellant’s viewpoint, the last 19 1/2 minutes were the most thrilling sports moments I have ever seen.
First off, Hugh Frazee is a recycled coach along the lines of Bruce Pearl, with a record of integrity to match. You cannot tell me there aren't 100 better coaches in the nation that they could have hired instead of that clown.
Secondly, here is another David Blue song for you Doc (he wrote "Outlaw Man": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dx0NOKcciS8
Thirdly, FIFA is a horrid organization to even be having the World Cup in Qatar.
Finally, I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving.
I’d have Ted Karras respond to that Iranian journalist ... 😉
Shame on politics getting in the way of sports - especially WORLD (CUP) SPORTS. As you wrote Doc, the players just want to play. Well, with the exception of those players who want to use their sport(ing life) as a platform for expressing their own ... oh never mind, I was trying to Stick to Sports, but strayed. Shame on me too.
So, the Iranians read the book on “Whataboutism”, right? You just knew that old smoke screen would rear its ugly head sooner or later. Any word on how the Social Justice League is handling that? And just think, Adolph Hitler gets credit for starting the march to the coliseum from the state house. Makes perfect sense.
What do you suppose the bookies in Vegas are thinking the effect on point spreads will be? After three points for home field, they’ll have to decide if teams have more than winning on their mind, right? Imagine, some post-game interview where the QB blames the L on racism or homophobia or whatever. Makes perfect sense.
As for Hugh Frieze, he works successfully in an environment where prospective employers rant about capitalism’s excesses in class during the week and celebrate the riches it brings in TV money on weekends. Old Hugh knows what they’re smoking. Stick to sports is definitely dead.
Hugh Freeze is probably the finest offensive mind in the country. I think it’s a great hire for Auburn but, then again, I like Urban Meyer, Sean Miller, and the Zodiac Killer.
I've never heard of Zodiac Killer. Where did he coach?
Northern California. 1960’s.
The University of Northern California, huh? Yeah, I've heard of them. That's the program that faded from the limelight when marijuana was legalized. Most of the players were from the Humboldt area and lost their summer jobs on the farms. They had to quit school to get real jobs.
Just so you know, I don’t want you to stick to sports. I may have written you one time after you wrote a political article where you were angry with whatever and I told you that I depended on you to offer better than the rest of the world was dishing at the time. But I never intended to ask you to “stick to sports”. Your commentary on all things that you deem interesting is what I want to read.
Tua for MVP - we will see? Tua has been very injury prone both in college and now in the NFL which is the reason I was glad that the Bengals were not tempted to draft him instead of Joe Burrow.
My favorite columns of Doc's over the years is when he DOESN'T stick to sports.
Always a pleasure to see TML in my inbox!
You hit the nail on the head re: Iran. And let's not forget China (look what's going there now) and Russia. America isn't perfect, but we're NOT China, Russia, or any Middle Eastern country. Is it a coincidence so many international sporting events have been held in these types of locales of late? Corruption knows no bounds.
I, too, read FMIA yesterday and couldn't believe the Bengals got nary a mention. Going in, it was the best game on the Sunday schedule by far. No Chase, no Mixon, yet Burrow goes on the road and beats a perennial division winner somewhat convincingly. Even if the FG stood, anyone that watched the game knew TN was NOT going to be able to march down the field and score a TD.
It's only one game, but the Bengals are going to be a live team going down the stretch, especially on the road.