Miller/Lucic Incident Haunts Sabres
Two years ago, Boston's Milan Lucic ran over Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller and there was no response from the Sabres. From that point on, the mantra from the Sabre high command was that they needed to get tougher. So Darcy Reiger went out and got Steve Ott and John Scott. These two, along with resident punk Patrick Kaleta, would form a threesome that would ensure that the Sabres would not be pushed around anymore. It was really comical last year when watching a Sabres game as whenever anyone got close to Miller, they were ready to punish the so-called intruder.
As resident Sabre gasbag Rob Ray would continually say, the Sabres were going to be tough to play against. Well, how did that plan work out for Reiger & Company? Out of the playoffs and a major rebuild on the horizon. I bring this all up because it explains what happened last Sunday at the Air Canada Center. The facts are as follows: Corey Tropp challenged James Devane to a fight. Devane, who is bigger, was the winner as he broke Tropp's jaw and dropping the Sabre to the ice in a pool of blood. Buffalo Coach Ron Rolston sends resident goon, John Scott out on to the ice to "send a message". Those are not my words, they were Scott's. Scott tells Maple Leafs star Phil Kessel that it looks like "they were going to have to go" and "it didn't matter who was out there he was going to take them on." Scott drops the gloves and goes at Kessel and a melee ensues.
Scott is sent out on the ice because the Sabres have to show the NHL that they are tough and they will take everyone to task if they get out of line. While there is nothing wrong with standing up for one's teammate, Scott's actions were out of line. If he wanted to stand up for Tropp, he should have waited for Devane to get out of the penalty box and then confronted him. Of course, one could not expect the cement head Scott to figure this out but what about Rolston? Maybe he has his marching orders that the Sabres aren't taking any crap from anyone and damn the torpedoes full steam ahead.
Living in Western New York, I have heard all of the nonsense being spewed by the local gasbags about how Kessel viciously attacked poor John Scott with his stick. How Tropp was jumped by the bigger Devane. But the one guy who got it right was Bucky Gleason of the Buffalo News. Gleason starts out correctly by pointing out, "the entire altercation - the whole thing - could have been avoided if Sabres coach Ron Rolston used a shred of common sense. He didn't have to take Scott off of the ice. He needed to make sure Scott didn't do anything moronic on the ice."
The most telling point Gleason says in his article goes to my point: "You can only conclude that Rolston intended to send a message - in an exhibition game, no less. In fact, Rolston did send a message. He showed that he's just as clueless as a few others in the organization. Scott was hired in the first place to address a lack of toughness when really, their pressing need was competitive toughness."
The local boneheads here don't want to hear it but Rolston and Scott were the cause of Sunday's embarrassment and Reiger needs to realize that having goons running around the ice acting like street thugs will not win hockey games. In fact, it will continue to perpetuate the perception that many have which is that the Sabres are a bush league organization.
It’s Time To End The Shoot Out
Kudos to Red Wings GM Ken Holland for raising the issue of dropping the ridiculous skills competition known as the NHL shootout. What other major sport uses a skills competition to decide the outcome of a team game. Just imagine NFL games decided by placekickers kicking field goals and the one who made it the furthest away from the goal posts wins the game. Or how about baseball having a home run derby to determine who wins a team game. It's totally a joke and another one of the outcomes of Gary Bettman's reign as Commissioner of the NHL.
Holland proposes that if a game is tied after the first 5 minutes of 4-on-4 overtime play, the two teams would play another 5 minutes 3-on-3. This proposal is much better than the current set-up but I want to take it two steps further. First, at the end of the first overtime, teams would change ends resulting in a longer line change which could certainly result in a goal being scored. Secondly, the team that wins in overtime gets two points the losing team gets zero. If after both periods of overtime the score is still tied then both teams would get a point.
What do you think?? Let me know at tonytalkssportsblog or on twitter @tonytalkssports
NHL Realignment Proposal Needs Work
The proposed four division realignment plan that has 16 teams in the Eastern Conference and 14 teams in the Western Conference leaves a lot to be desired. The plan moves the Detroit Red Wings and the Columbus Blue Jackets into the Eastern Conference and Winnipeg into the Western Conference. The four divisions would breakdown like this:
Eastern Conference
Division 1: Carolina, Columbus, New Jersey, Philly, NYR, NYI, Pittsburgh and Washington
Division 2: Boston, Toronto, Montreal, Buffalo, Ottawa, Detroit, Florida and Tampa Bay
Western Conference
Division 3: Chicago, Dallas, Colorado, St.Louis, Minnesota, Nashville and Winnipeg
Division 4: Anaheim, Calgary, Edmonton, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Jose and Vancouver
The East has 16 teams and the West has 14 teams. The top three teams in each division and two wild card teams from the rest of the conference would make the playoffs. This is where the first problem crops up. There is an inequity as 2 wild card teams in the East would come from the 10 remaining teams while in the West 2 wild card teams would come from the 7 remaining teams.
The second problem is that what happens if Phoenix goes belly up? Quebec City or a second team in Toronto could not be added because they would create a bigger imbalance between the two conferences. It would appear that this would mean that Seattle would be the most likely fall back solution if the Coyotes need to head out of the desert.
Can Seattle support an NHL team? Maybe, as its close proximity to Vancouver could result in a similar situation as you have in Buffalo. However, there would be no question about the ability to support a team in Quebec City or a second team in Toronto.
Realignment should be the opportunity to strengthen the league and should result in an even amount of teams in each division. That would mean either adding two teams or contracting two teams. In my opinion, contraction is the answer. My plan would be the following:
* Move Phoenix to Seattle
* Contract the Florida Panthers and the New York Islanders
* Two 14 team Conferences: top 8 teams make the playoffs or 2 seven team divisions within each conference
Eastern Conference
Division 1: Boston, Buffalo, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Detroit and Columbus
Division 2: Philadelphia, NY Rangers, New Jersey, Washington, Carolina, Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay
Western Conference
Division 3: Chicago, St.Louis, Minnesota, Dallas, Nashville, Colorado and Winnipeg
Division 4: Anaheim, Los Angeles, Seattle, Vancouver, San Jose, Edmonton and Calgary
Contraction would strengthen teams and makes more sense than adding two teams. Each conference would be balanced. The loss of the Islanders would be a shame based on the team's history but that was almost 40 years ago and the ownership has done nothing to bring this club along. In fact, they have actually damaged the Islander brand. Will contraction happen?? Absolutely not. The owners and the players would never agree to it. But if they did what was right for the NHL that's what needs to happen. What do you think??
MLB: Accept It, Clean It or Shut It Down
With pitchers and catchers reporting this week, the 2013 Major League Baseball season is in its preliminary stages before it kicks off in about 6 weeks. Spring training is a time for hope for a good season and the possibility of some young phenom to make his mark. But this year what will be hovering over all of baseball is the suspicion of who is on some form of performance enhancing drug (PED). The report out of Miami that has linked several players, the biggest name being that of Alex Rodriguez, will dominate the spring just as much as who will be the favorite to win the World Series.
I have gotten to the point where all of the discussion and hand wringing is tiresome and needs to be boiled down to these three positions: 1.) accept the fact that players are using PEDs and move on, 2.) impose blood testing and if a player has been caught they should be banned for life and 3.) shut the season down until all users are identified and given the opportunity to clean themselves up.
Acceptance: Quite frankly this is where I am at. I really don't care anymore because, in my opinion, the teams and MLB don't care. It is hard to believe that in this day and age that the teams don't know what's going on. If the teams and/or MLB are not aware, then shame on them because they should be considering the amount of money that they have invested in these players. Of course, maybe they do know and feel that it is in their best interests to have a 38 year old star bounce back quickly from an injury.
Clean It: If MLB and the Players Association were truly concerned about the reputation of the game and its players, they would make mandatory blood drug testing. It should be done at the beginning of the season, randomly during the season and at the end of the season. Every player should be tested, from the superstar to the 25th man on the roster. In addition, MLB should fund testing throughout the minor league system. I'm tired of hearing about invasion of privacy. I don't want to hear about the costs. If MLB, its teams and the players are serious about repairing their image and cleaning up the game then just do it.
Shut It Down: If MLB and its players refuse to do anything about the use of PEDs, then maybe the 2013 baseball season should be shutdown. No baseball. Maybe Congress could place the heat on Bud Selig and mandate blood testing or else they will remove the anti-trust exemption they enjoy and order the season canceled. There isn't a snowball's chance in hell of this happening but it's to the point that I am sick and tired of talking about PEDs in major league baseball.
Of the three, the only one I can control is acceptance. Of course, I guess there is one other thing I could do is just not follow baseball anymore. But being a fan, I know that that won't happen. Then again, with the possibility of the Stanley Cup Finals going into late June, the NBA Finals being in mid-June and NFL training camps opening in mid-July, maybe it wouldn't be that big of a deal. Hmmm...do you think Selig and company would really care??
My Take On The Manti Te’O Story
Late yesterday afternoon, a story broke from Deadspin indicating that the death of Manti Te'o's girl friend was a hoax. Deadspin reported that the girl never existed and that a source was 80% sure that Te'o was involved in perpetrating the fake story. The once most celebrated defensive college player was now being viewed as a self-promoting disgrace. Along with Te'o's reputation taking a hit, Notre Dame was getting slammed as it was being speculated as to whether or not the university was involved in the trumped up story or a cover-up.
The university held a press conference last night where Notre Dame Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick stated that Te'o informed the university on December 26th about a phone call that he received early in the month where he was told that the whole thing was a joke. Subsequently, Notre Dame hired private investigators to look into the situation and it was determined that Te'o was duped. Swarbrick also indicated that he believed that Te'o and his family will address the media possibly today or Friday.
To further complicate this story, a report from the Business Insider indicates that Reagan Maui'a knew Teo's girl friend and in fact she did exist. Maui'a is a fullback for the Arizona Cardinals and he indicated that he met the girl while doing charity work in American Samoa and that allegedly Pittsburgh Steelers star defensive back Troy Polamalu was also there.
As this story was being continually reported, as if it was a national emergency, the overriding question in my mind is if Te'o was involved in the hoax what did he have to gain?? The easy answer, as was being spewed by many in the media, was that it was a way to garner publicity which would advance the senior linebacker's chances for the Heisman Trophy, other awards and possible endorsements. I don't buy it.
Manti Te'o was the middle linebacker for the University of Notre Dame. He made a conscious decision to return for his senior year because he loved Notre Dame and wanted to be a part of bringing the football program back to national prominence. It has been verified that his grandmother did die before the Michigan game. Te'o was close to his grandmother and was deeply effected by her death. If the notion that he played despite personal grief was part of the so-called story, then was it really necessary on his part to supersize the grief by adding on a dead girl friend?? Te'o didn't need to create this story in order to get publicity.
Now many have said that Te'o must be pretty naive to fall for such a hoax but could he also be that naive to believe that if he was involved in the hoax that it wouldn't eventually come out?? Would he also be that naive to believe that if it did come out that his reputation would not take a major hit and possibly effect his status in the upcoming NFL Draft?? There is nothing that makes sense to me as to why Te'o would be a part of the commission of this joke. Moreover, the implication that the University of Notre Dame was somehow involved in this is completely ridiculous.
As the evening wore on and everyone was having their say on Twitter, talk radio and the television, it struck me that there are two reasons why this was such a big story: 1.) Te'o was the middle linebacker of Notre Dame and 2.) the media was duped. If Manti Te'o played for New Mexico State or Missouri, this would be a blip on the sports radar screen and certainly would not have made Anderson Cooper. In case you don't know it, there are many in the media who have an anti-Notre Dame bias. The haters are thriving on this and no matter what Te'o or Notre Dame says it will not be enough.
If Te'o was naive to fall for this, so was the media and I'm not just talking about the South Bend Tribune. ESPN, Sports Illustrated, NBC and the New York Times all bought into it. Now doesn't this make all of these bastions of media intelligensia look foolish that they got punked or I guess the new term is catfished?? And you see the only thing worse than a woman scorned is that of a media type who has been made to be a fool.
In the end, whether Te'o was duped or not really makes no difference to me. The only person who gets hurt here is Manti Te'o. If he was involved in the hoax, then he has some serious character flaws that could impact his draft status. If he was duped, then he is viewed as a naive dope who will be the butt of jokes throughout his career. As a Notre Dame fan, I felt bad for his personal loss, but his performance on the field throughout the season is what I was interested in. But you can chalk this up to another a media generated news item that will be beaten to death until the NFL Draft and the ND haters will have a field day.
NHL Is Back & What’s Up With Kelly
I was going to write a post on the Yankees situation but obviously with the news overnight I will put that off for sometime this week. Let's start out with the news that the NHL & NHLPA have come to a tentative agreement which would ensure a 48 game season for this year. There is no bigger hockey fan than me. I love the game. It may be my favorite sport. However, while I'm happy they are going to play, for some reason my enthusiasm is dampened.
In my opinion, Commissioner Gary Bettman is an absolute failure. There is no doubt in my mind that he and the owners believed that they would break the union. Unfortunately, they ran into someone who is just as forceful (or stubborn) as they are and that person is Donald Fehr. Fehr is an expert in professional sports labor negotiations. He had plenty of experience representing the Major League Baseball Players Association. In the end, Bettman realized that he had to compromise to keep his job because another lost season would mean the end of his 20 year reign. In my opinion, this whole debacle should be cause for his dismissal but I'm sure it won't.
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It seems that Friday reports of Chip Kelly being the Cleveland Browns next head coach were grossly overstated. It seems that Kelly is mulling over an offer from the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles, who supposedly were focusing their attention elsewhere, met with Kelly for nine hours yesterday while the Browns and their attorneys sat and waited.
I'm beginning to wonder if Kelly and his agent haven't used the Browns to get a better deal from the Eagles or get something more from the University of Oregon. Quite frankly, if the Eagles keep Michael Vick then Kelly has his Quack Attack QB. Even if they don't have Vick, I would rather have Nick Foles than Brandon Weeden or Colt McCoy. Not to mention Jeremy Macklin, LeSean McCoy and Brent Celek. It has been reported by Chris Mortensen that Kelly knows that he will need another QB if he goes to Cleveland.
That leaves the Browns holding the bag. It will be interesting to see what the Dynamic Duo of Haslam & Banner will do if Kelly signs with Philadelphia. If they want to make a big splash they need to go to Jon Gruden and back up the same Brinks Truck they had for Kelly and give him what he wants. Otherwise, hire Ken Whisenhunt and lets move on. The next 24 hours will be interesting
The Deification Of Ray Lewis
On Wednesday it was announced that Ray Lewis would be retiring at the end of the Baltimore Ravens playoff-run. Yesterday, it was reported that ESPN has worked out a deal with Lewis to be on "Monday Night Countdown" next season. The accolades have poured in since Wednesday, some making the claim that Lewis was the greatest middle linebacker of all time. I also saw an article which proclaimed that Ray Lewis was the greatest leader in pro football.
You can't deny Lewis' on-the-field accomplishments. He has been to 13 Pro Bowls, selected All-Pro 10 times, named NFL Defensive Player of the Year twice and he was the MVP of Super Bowl XXXV. Such a career warrants a first ballot selection to the Hall of Fame. However, when it's all said and done, give me Mike Singletary over Ray Lewis any day of the week. You see to me you need to be the whole package in order to be consider a great leader and the greatest middle linebacker of all-time and in my mind Ray Lewis doesn't cut it.
I have a problem with Ray Lewis for two reasons. The first one has to do with the ridiculous pre-game performance that the NFL has endorsed. Lewis' primal screaming as he runs on the field is more befitting a rank amateur than a professional. In my mind, it's contrived and nothing more than an attempt to be an attention grabber which has worked out well for Lewis. It represents a thug-like culture which has pervaded the NFL for the last 10 to 15 years. Somehow I can't imagine Singletary, Dick Butkus, Harry Carson, Ray Nitschke or Jack Lambert coming onto the field screaming like a wild animal. Lewis' act represents the self-promoting nonsense that runs throughout all sports but is particularly frustrating to watch in the NFL especially when you see someone on defense celebrating like a mad dog when they have made a tackle or sack and their team is down by 20 points. It irritates me to no end.
The second problem that I have with Ray Lewis has to do with the murder of Jacith Baker and Richard Lollar 13 years ago outside of a nightclub in Alanta. These two men were murdered as a result of a brawl with Ray Lewis and his friends. Lewis fled with his buddies in a stretch limo where he also disposed of his blood stained suit somewhere along the way. He was initially indicted on a murder charge, then plead down to an obstruction of justice charge after agreeing to testify against his two friends, Reginald Oakley and Joseph Sweeting. Neither of them were convicted and Lewis eventually reached an undisclosed cash settlement with the victims' families. I wonder if the rage that is shown when Lewis comes out on the field was also exhibited that night in Atlanta. Is it part of his personality or is it all contrived?
My question is this: how is Ray Lewis' situation different than that of OJ Simpson's with respect to the murder of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. In fact, Simpson was found not guilty to those murders. He didn't take a plea. Like Lewis, there ended up being a cash settlement as a result of a civil lawsuit filed by the Brown and Goldman families. Simpson was persona non-grata. I didn't see OJ being offered a job by ESPN. In fact, Simpson was a pariah. Yet, Lewis takes a plea after he destroyed his blood stained clothes, is convicted of an obstruction of justice charge and is going to be given a job on ESPN. Baker and Lollar were allowed to bleed out and die outside that nightclub while Lewis and Company fled the scene. Some leader.
The NFL has a culture of violence. Commissioner Roger Goodell has tried to crackdown on some of it but his efforts have been no where near effective. Players carrying guns, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs and committing violence against wives or girl friends have marked the NFL for the last 15 years. But the NFL has no one to blame but itself. The league and its television partners have deified one of the biggest thugs around: Ray Lewis. Whether contrived or real, Lewis' act represents a violent culture as was borne out on that fateful night in Atlanta 13 years ago. Should Ray Lewis be in the NFL Hall of Fame: yes. But should he be considered the greatest linebacker ever: no. And he should never be considered a great leader because a leader doesn't run from his mistakes. He owns them and moves on. That's not what happened when Jacith Baker and Richard Lollar were allowed to bleed to death on the street in Atlanta 13 years ago.
2012 Ends, With Uncertainty For Yanks, Browns & Leafs
As 2012 ends, all 3 of my teams face the New Year with many questions. Of course, it remains to be seen whether the Toronto Maple Leafs will actually begin playing in January. As the two sides are supposed to meet today, it will be interesting to see where the Leafs will be from a salary cap standpoint once the new CBA is agreed upon. There had been plenty of rumors that Roberto Luongo would be heading to Toronto. If that doesn't happen, the Leafs will head into a shortened season with James Reimer and Ben Scrivens in goal.
If the season is saved, a shortened training camp would seem to hinder Leaf Head Coach Randy Carlyle in trying to fully institute his system. The big questions facing the Leafs: Will Luongo be in the Blue and White?, will Tyler Bozak be the center for Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul?, will Nikolai Kulemin have a bounce back season?, and will Nazem Kadri finally exhibit the skills that made him the Leafs first round pick a couple of years ago? Oh, and the biggest question: will the Leafs make the playoffs?
The New York Yankees will head into the 2013 Major League Baseball season as one of the oldest teams in the sport. Hal Steinbrenner's edict to get under the salary cap in 2014 has left open many questions particularly since the Yankee farm system is no where near ready to fill the team's major league roster. The big questions facing the Yankees: Who will be the Yankees' starting catcher come April?, who will be the right-handed hitting outfielder?, will Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter be able to bounce back from injuries?, will ARod be playing in 2013 and at what level?, will Andy Pettite, Hiroki Kuroda and CC Sabathia remain healthy for the entire season and will Kevin Youkilis fit in as a Yankee? The biggest question: Will the Yankees make the playoffs?
Today is probably the day that the Cleveland Browns relieve Tom Heckert and Pat Shurmur of their duties as General Manager and Head Coach respectively. New Browns owner Jimmy Haslam has vowed to return this once proud franchise back to NFL prominence. The big questions facing the Browns: Who will be the new head coach?, will it be someone with NFL experience or will it be a hot shot college coach?, will the new management structure with Joe Banner being in charge really work?, who will be the Browns' starting quarterback next season?, and will Joshua Cribbs and Phil Dawson be back with the team next season? The biggest question: Will the Browns go 8-8 in 2013?
Well, it looks like it will be an interesting year for all three teams. Fortunately, due to the NHL lockout, I have been re-connected to the New York Knicks who seem to have a real shot to make some noise in the NBA. Otherwise, 2013 could be another year of sports agony for me. Oh well, Happy 2013 and be safe this evening.
Tomorrow, the first 2013 Tuesdays Thoughts will be posted. Make sure you check it out.
Pro Bowl Selections: Who Cares??
Yesterday the AFC and NFC Pro Bowl rosters were announced. Joe Thomas made his 6th Pro Bowl and Phil Dawson was selected for the first time. While I was happy for Dawson, as a Browns fan does it really matter to me?? Am I suppose to get some gratification out of the fact that these two players made the AFC team and Josh Cribbs is a first alternate??
As a kid, I used to take pride when a member or members of my favorite team made their respective all-star teams. However, as I grew older and the all-star games lost their appeal, I could really care less how many Yankees, Browns or Maple Leafs make the all-star team. As a fan, I'm more concerned about how many wins my team has and whether or not I'm going to the post season.
The Browns are 5-10 and getting ready to play Pittsburgh with Thad Lewis at quarterback. Their facing an off season where there will be a new coach, new system and new management team. Team Upheaval on Lake Erie once again. With all of that going on I'm suppose to be happy and proud that Joe Thomas and Phil Dawson made the AFC Pro Bowl team?? Hardly.
Open Letter To Gary Bettman
Dear Mr. Bettman:
I have followed the NHL for 45 years. Living on the Canadian border in Western New York, watching my beloved Toronto Maple Leafs on Hockey Night In Canada has become a Saturday night tradition. With the NHL Center Ice television package, I now have the ability to watch every single Leaf game. I consider myself a die-hard Leaf fan but even when the Leafs are not playing I love watching an NHL game on Center Ice or NBC. Hockey is my favorite sport and it was my hope that the 2012-2013 season could be saved. However, it appears more likely that this will not happen and that is why I'm asking you to have the courage and come out right now and cancel the season.
You see I don't believe that there is a desire on the part of you and the owners to settle this dispute unless the NHLPA capitulates to your demands. From where I sit, the players have agreed to a 50-50 split. They have acknowledged that there is the need for a limit on the length of contracts and a longer term for the CBA. Yet, you have said that the players must accept your package in total or else no deal. You see Mr. Bettman I agree with Donald Fehr that both sides are close. The problem is that I believe that the goal of the NHL is to bust the union.
To have a position in negotiations of "take it or leave it" is arrogance at the highest level. It only leads me to believe that you want to embarrass Donald Fehr and break the union at the expense of the 2012-2013 season. Negotiations means give and take and I don't believe you are interested in that at all.
Mr. Bettman, your record is that of 3 lockouts, the expansion of franchises in non-traditional hockey markets that are losing money and the loss of ESPN as a television outlet. It is evident that the owners are happy with this record. It is evident that they were satisfied with the cancellation of the 2004-2005 season. So I ask you, why not make it 2 cancellations in your 20 years. That's what you and your bosses want. Put us out of our misery and come out this afternoon and tell us that the 2012-2013 season is cancelled and then you can add to your "stellar" record of relegating the NHL to the laughingstock of professional sports in North American.
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