Sports Blog

When I say “Jerry Rice”, what comes to mind? Superbowl Champion? Greatest Wide Receiver of all time? One of the most focused, classiest athletes there ever was? San Francisco 49er’s Golden Son?

What about when I say “Terrell Owens”? Here’s my take on what is going on in TO’s head these days – he is beginning to realize that for all the god-given talent he has (and he is talented), life is not turning out quite as he imagined. In his head, he should already have a Superbowl. He should be on the path to greatness. Instead, he is mired in self-doubt.

I’m sure you’ve read the Police Report from Tuesday Night available on The Smoking Gun. Now, reflect on the comments made by Publicist Kim Etheredge at the Press Conference yesterday. She is clearly the source referred to in the Police Report and her attempt to spin the facts on the day after is a desperate attempt to stop a runaway train. And it’s pretty feeble. Period. But, after all, it’s all about image, right? Do you believe her? I don’t – not for a moment. Talk about transparent.

Terrell Owens is an extremely fragile individual who has left destruction in his wake at every NFL stop.

This isn’t another end zone antic like the football signing after the touchdown on Monday Night Football, or the cell phone skit, or the attention-seeking controversial commercial he made with Nicollette Sheridan.

Terrell Owens overdosed Tuesday Night. He is a very troubled man who needs professional help. You can’t spin this. If the people around him really give a damn, including the Dallas Cowboys organization, they’ll end the circus before the circus hits the wall for good.

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To borrow a phrase from Joe Bowen, Toronto Maple Leaf TV and Radio Broadcaster, Bless You Boys!

How would you not get Goose Bumps as the Black and Gold came charging out of the tunnel last night. It is one of the defining moments of 2006 – and not just an emotional moment in sports – this team is good ---- really good.

The New Orleans Saints are going to make some noise this year. They have all the ingredients to make a run at the you-know-what.

I could say that the season is already a success – the Saints have already equaled their 2005 record of 3-13.

Yes, things are definitely looking up.

Any Predictions? I say no worse than 10-6 – maybe good enough for a wild card.

Do the math -- Parody + Emotion = Anything Can Happen

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What a story - Drew Brees and Reggie Bush vs Michael Vick and Warrick Dunn. Oh, and this isn’t even the story. The Story is New Orleans and the people of New Orleans. The Superdome stands almost in defiance to nature’s wrath. Not only is it still standing, it’s ready to welcome back the fans, the players and, yes, America.

We mustn’t let tonight’s festivities diminish the work still to be done in New Orleans. People have triumphed over some horrible conditions, but there is much work still to be done. We must also never forget the people who didn’t survive this tragedy.

Having said this, tonight is still an opportunity for the people of New Orleans to celebrate. This is their night. I have confidence that the National Football League will handle tonight’s game with dignity - not unlike the first games following 9/11.

I hope the good stories for New Orleans are only beginning to be written - from Reggie Bush’s donation of $86,000 for new turf so High School football could return at Ted Gormley Stadium in City Park, to the NFL’s $15 million contribution towards the $185 million repair costs to the Superdome.

New Orleans is first a community of people and these people are going to be smiling tonight - something not many of us thought possible a year ago. Because, on Tuesday, it’s back to reality and more struggles...until Sunday.

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I will be watching with great interest to see what happens to Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams, reporters for the San Francisco Chronicle. They may be facing jail sentences today for refusing to reveal their source(s) on their reporting of confidential grand jury testimony in which they exposed BALCO (Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative) and the use of performance-enhancing drugs by top U.S. athletes. Kudos also to the San Francisco Chronicle for having the guts to publish the leaks.

You may not know these 2 guys by name yet, but if it wasn’t for them, we would likely never have learned the identities of high profile athletes such as Jason Giambi and Tim Montgomery and their admitted steroid use. Barry Bonds, as you know, was also a central, key athlete subpoenaed by the Grand Jury. Based on his testimony, there is no doubt in my mind of Barry’s wide use of steroids – you, of course, can draw your own conclusions.

I could argue both sides here – witnesses who give grand testimony expect total confidentiality. Reporters routinely protect the anonymity of their stories. So here we are. Who’s right? Today’s outcome is pivotal to the news media and could potentially send shock ways through the justice system.

The use of steroids by amateur and professional athletes is finally out in the open in a big way. Now the big question – Does the First Amendment trump the Federal Justice System?

….I’ll be watching…

September. The kids go back to school and Maple Leaf fans flock back to the rink in anticipation of the Leaf’s quest for Lord Stanley. What else can I rely on? Leaf Fans whining about ticket prices. Save your breath. You are your own worst enemy. I hear the excuse all the time from season ticket holders - “I’ve had tickets for “x” number of years and as soon as “I” give them up, the Leafs will win the Cup”!

You see, here is the dirty little secret – the folks in Leaf Land know this. Their goal is to ring every blessed cent from you. So, rant all you want. With a cap in place, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) will continue to make gobs of money and you idiots will show up no matter what kind of product hits the ice. I hope they win the Cup too – I also hope they do it in my lifetime.

In the meantime – I’ll take a ride down the 401 to Ottawa and watch my Leafs at the away games – lots of seats – reasonably priced too!

Did anyone catch the story in the New York Daily News about Pete Rose and the autographed baseballs “I’m sorry I bet on baseball – Pete Rose”. Apparently, these were signed back in 2004 around the time his autobiography came out. Well, it seems 30 of these baseballs may soon be auctioned off by the family of the late Barry Halper, a sports memorabilia collector. The price? $1000 each. What next? Of should I say – Who is next? Why are fans so willing to create such a revenue stream for sports celebs who lie, cheat and laugh their way to the bank? And if you believe that none of the profits will make their way back to Pete Rose, you are kidding yourself.

Just once, I’d like to see sports fans send a message to sports stars who cross the line.

And who will be next? Well, Barry Bonds – step up please and grab as much cash as you can. Never mind that you are an arrogant, self-serving, egotistical jerk. And now that many of us believe your records are tainted – will it really matter when it’s all said and done?

How will history treat Pete Rose and Barry Bonds? At least Bud Selig had the guts not to reinstate Pete Rose. What will Barry Bonds fate be? Will his name go down in the record books without an asterisk? And will fans be lining up for signed baseballs long after he hangs up his bat? Of course they will.

Have you had a look at the new Sabres Jerseys? The NHL Buffalo Sabres are still a relatively young franchise – at least, they are if you’re a Leafs fan!

According to Frank Cravotta, Director of Creative Services, “It was easier to start from scratch. When your old logo is such an icon, it's hard to redo it”. Here’s a thought – why re-do it at all? It’s ok to tinker with the Jersey, but when the new model is unrecognizable to your existing fan base, what are you trying to accomplish? If the intention is to generate discussion among your fans, then mission accomplished!

There will always be Sabres fans who identify with the original classic blue and gold jersey complete with the swords. I’m personally looking forward to seeing this Jersey resurrected during 15 Home Games this year – rather nice memories from the days of the French Connection.

Well, Sabres Fans – ultimately, it is up to you. Speak up! It’s interesting – Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, Boston Bruins, New York – none of these franchises would consider changing their logos – why? Because you don’t mess with tradition.

Ever wonder why there are never any vacancies on the International Olympic Committee (IOC)? What a gig. You travel all over the world sponging off any city that will have you. You are wined and dined. Everyone is out to impress you. And why? Because every 4 years, cities fall all over each other, trying to “win” the coveted role of Olympic Host.

The latest controversy has flared up in Vancouver, Canada, where – surprise surprise – the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Committee (VANOC) is reporting venue construction costs have leaped up an additional $110 million – the new venue price tag is now $580 million. And where is VANOC heading now? Straight to the various levels of government – a mere stopover en route to the average citizen’s wallet. Remember, the total budget for the 2010 Winter Games is (was) a mere $2 billion.

It is criminal the amount of money wasted on the Olympic Games. Every 4 years, it’s the same story. Each country boasts about how many medals it will win. We enjoy the couple of weeks of events and then forget about the athletes for another 4 years. While the host city spends the next who knows how many years paying off the debt, a bunch more world city politicians fall all over the IOC for the honor of being the next sucker. What a racket.

Here’s a thought – stop wasting money on Olympic bids and sites. The security costs alone are prohibitive. Put this money into training facilities only. Then send the athletes to the 2-week party hosted by the “winner”. It will still be a fraction of the money poured down the Olympic drain.

Ask the people of Montreal, Canada what they think of the Olympics. They hosted the 1976 Summer Olympics – the red ink will finally be gone this year!

Any predictions on the final price tag for the 2010 Winter Games? I say at least double it. All for a handful of medals. The only winners in the Olympic Games are the one or two athletes that shine so brightly that they receive solid gold endorsements – and the city that hosted the games will never see a dime.

I know what you are going to say – both the 1988 Calgary Olympics and 2002 Salt Lake Games made a small profit. Big deal.

Ah – Hockey Season! Right about this time last year, some of us were still a bit bruised over the lockout. Others were quick to forgive and get on with it. I fit into the latter category. I love the instituted changes – we’ll talk about them another day. With the lockout still visible in the rearview mirror, stand up if you were expecting a signing remotely in the neighbourhood of Charles Wong’s latest debacle - Rick DiPietro? - 15 Years? $67.5 million? The New York Islanders resemble a runaway train. Who in their right mind signs a player to a 15-year contract in a league with a hard cap? Why would any organization put itself in a 15-year straightjacket? This may be the only way to top the catastrophe of the Alexei Yashin deal. Isn’t 10 years for $87.5 million enough of a disaster for the Islanders? And when did a player with a season 3.02 goals against average become franchise material anyway? This deal is financial suicide. And I haven’t even mentioned the potential impact of this deal on other Islander players. Will retiring on the Island continue to give Rick DiPetro a warm and fuzzy feeling if he can’t live up to expectations?

Neil Smith is probably breathing a sigh of relief that he escaped the Long Island Zoo. This is one contract I wouldn’t want attached in any way to my GM resume.

In baseball, you know that theYankees and Red Sox will always have a shot to go the distance. Life in the NFL is never that certain – at least my crystal ball wasn’t working yesterday. So many moments worth comment. OK, I didn’t expect the Packers to beat the Bears, but I also didn’t expect a shutout. If things continue, we will see a changing of the guard in Green Bay sooner than later. Next week, it’s the New Orlean Saints and the Drew Brees/Reggie Bush show. Brett, it’s time to step aside – your season will be better spent mentoring Aaron Rodgers – then, if he can’t do the job, at least Green Bay can go to the well in April for another QB. If you are a Bills fan, you have to be pleased with the descent performance against the Pats. No victory, but at least you have no choice – it’s JP or nothing. Get in line behind Green Bay at the well. Now to the team that I can’t wait to see more of – the Ravens. If Steve McNair remains healthy, his methodical play and Baltimore defense will wreak havoc and give teams fits this year. Wouldn’t you have loved to be a fly on the wall in the Tampa dressing room after that one! How are things in Jets Land today? Pretty rosy I think. Chad Pennington is off to a great start. Next week, they welcome the Pats to their friendly confines. I can’t wait. I know it’s still early, but there are so many storylines this year – the veterans and the rookies. How many wins will it take the win the NFC East this year? Dallas fans are already crunching the numbers – they’ll be glued to the tube tonight – the Skins should walk all over the Vikings - but as week one has shown us, the fans in Carolina are still shaking their heads. Monday morning may be the start of a new work week, but without it, we wouldn’t have Monday Night! Enjoy.

One of the smartest moves the NFL has ever made was creating an Opening Day and showcasing the Superbowl Champs. After a long, hot summer, football season is finally here. It’s my Christmas Day! All teams are on an equal footing. Every team has the same chance, the same sense of hope and the same goal. Sixteen Games and no one wants to get off to an 0-2 start. If you’re like me, you’ve already carefully scanned your team’s schedule. You’ve already determined how many wins it will take to win the division or just grab a wild card spot. You know which teams are going to give you grief. You hope your quarterback stays healthy. You hope that franchise player who missed most or all of last season comes back true to form. You can’t wait to see how the class of 2006 performs. Who will successfully make the jump from College to the Big Show? No matter what happens, we all know it rarely turns out as predicted by all the experts. I’m no expert, but I’m passionate about sports – and this is NFL Opening Day. A day like no other. Enjoy the ride – like summer, the season will be over way to soon…