NFL Week 16, or the Bears second Preseason

The Bears beat the Lions. The D looked beatable. Mark Anderson keeps making plays. Greise came in with the Bears down. Surprisingly, he did not throw five touchdown passes. He did lead a game winning f.g. drive. Whatever. I could dwell on the negative, but I'll just chalk it up as a meaningless game, that they won, with little to play for. (crossing-fingers)

Everyone off the Romo/Cowboys bandwagon now? Way to get a trip to Hawaii out of it, Tony. Way to prove you don't deserve the trip, T.O.

I gotta think it sucks playing QB for Nick Saban. Cleo Lemon gives you the best chance to win, plus he quenches any thirst.

The ESPN Sportscenter: Monday Night crew, Wingo, Salisbury and Hodge. Are there three guy on sports t.v. clinging more pathetically to their receding hairline than these three? I keep waiting for Merrill Hodge's toupee to hold out for more money, (truthfully) claiming responsibility for Merrill's success.

I hate the stat, QB rating. This might need it's own post. It's useless, telling me nothing about the game I couldn't learn from a box score. I can't calculate it without assistance while reading the box score, so I don't really know what it means. The Titans have won six straight despite their QB, Vince Young, having a rating of 69.7. Sean Salisbury's career rating? 72.9. Who you taking?

Sports On T.V. Today. 12/25/06

National Games.

• NBA: L.A. Lakers vs. Miami, (ABC, 2:30 p.m.)

• NFL: Philadelphia at Dallas, (NBC, 5 p.m.); New York Jets at Miami, (ESPN, 8:30 p.m.)

Merry Christmas!!

The Gatorade Bath

A customer of mine wondered aloud last night, "Who invented the Gatorade bath?" I ventured to guess that the Giants had back in '86, (actually '87 was the year of their Superbowl, after the '86 season) that's the first time I remember seeing it.

After some quick googling, it turns out I was right. There is some dispute as to which player gave Parcels his first bath. The American Management Association website states that Jim Burt was first to splash the syrupy liquid on his coach. Most others claim it was Harry Carson. Without the video, I'm alittle sceptical about Carson given his grumpiness in interviews. But it takes two, so let's say they both had a hand in it.

I was surprised to see the amount of writing dedicated to this ritual. Some loving and exhaustive, most of it negative. Seems people are sick of it. They think it's cliche and juvenile. Bryant Gumbel, jerk-off circa '05, had this to say.

"I'm officially asking them to please...order your directors to stop shooting the old and tired, regularly executed, totally predictable, absolutely unfunny, Gatorade bath of the winning coach at game's end. When linebacker Harry Carson of the Giants started dousing Coach Bill Parcells it was cute and different. Now, 20 years later, it's a thrill only for those still into the macarena. It's simple really. You've already ordered your directors to ignore the jerks who leap from the stands onto the field. And you've clearly told them to avoid the cell phone nerds who wave at the cameras. So will you please now suggest they ignore the neanderthals who still think the Gatorade bit is clever. We all know that if you stop showing it, they'll stop doing it. You guys can phase a dated and tired gag out of existence. You have the power. Make this football season and those to come a lot more enjoyable, so please, at least think about it. In advance, gentleman, thank you for considering this one simple request. We'll talk about the stupid crowd shots another time."

Wow, Bryant, you compare the harmless fun of minor tradition, the coaches, fans and players to criminal trespassers, while also calling them "neanderthals" and "stupid." You'll never get a job calling games for the NFLNETWORK.

I started with a simple question. What I discovered was the integrity of my football championships were being threatened by this simple ritual. One the "neanderthal" players may have been dreaming about doing since they were children. Come to think of it, let's lose the roses at the Rose Bowl. I mean, how old is that anyway? And that tired bit when each player and coach on the NCAA Championship team climbs that ladder to cut off their piece of the net. How long does that take, really? Forever, I think. It's obviously disrespectful to the net, plus a waste of money. I would gladly go without seeing the joy on their faces as they do it. That's not what sports is all about.

T.V., you control so much of my life, please start exercising more control over these problems, as well as our sports viewing experience.

Sports On T.V. Today.

National Games

• College football: Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, Arizona State vs. Hawaii, ( ESPN, 8 p.m.)

• Golf: Wendy's 3 Tour Challenge, (ABC, 4 p.m.) (tape-delay)

• NFL: Regional coverage (Unless you got the package, Lucky Bastard.), (CBS, and Fox, 1 and 4 p.m.)

I Like To Be Disliked.

I Dislike Your Favorite Team, one of my favorite sports blogs and inspiration for this site, has given us a shout-out on their site. This is the best holiday gift we could have received. Well, except maybe Brett Favre setting the career interceptions record against the Bears. (Quinn, you'd like that to I'll bet.)

Thanks guys.

We only ask that you be gentle. We are in our infancy.

Without listing everyone, the links to the right are all of the highest quality sports writing I can find, so far. Read them.

Sports On T.V. Today.

National Games.

• College Football: PapaJohns.com Bowl, South Florida vs. East Carolina, (ESPN2, 1 p.m.); New Mexico Bowl, San Jose State vs. New Mexico, (ESPN, 4:30 p.m.); Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl, Tulsa vs. Utah, (ESPN, 8 p.m.)
• Men's College Hoops: Texas vs. Tennessee, (ESPN, 12 p.m.) Miami (Fla.) vs. Louisville, (ESPN, 2 p.m.) Ohio State at Florida, (CBS, 4 p.m.); Bucknell vs. Texas Tech, (ESPN2, 4:30 p.m.)
• Regional Coverage of Men's College Hoops: Boston College vs. Kansas or Michigan vs. UCLA, (CBS, 2 p.m.)
• Golf: Wendy's 3 Tour Challenge, at Henderson, Nev., (ABC, 4 p.m.) (tape-delay)

Local Games.

• NBA: Charlotte at Chicago, (WGN, 8:30 p.m.)

The General Ascendant. aka The Magnificent Bastard

Later this afternoon there is a very good chance that Bobby Knight will surpass Dean Smith's record for career victories with a Texas Tech win over Bucknell, and I don't know how I feel about that.

Dean Smith is a class act. Bobby Knight is a pain in the ass with a history of rude behavior toward students, fans, IU administrators, etc etc etc.... Dean Smith was a Civil Rights pioneer in the Chapel Hill, NC area. Bobby Knight, while clearly NOT racist, was once photographed whipping Calbert Chaney with a towel (Bad Call). Smith spawned a tightly knit North Carolina "family." Knight once blew off former star player and opposing coach Steve Alford over some perceived slight and has caused many a recruit to transfer.

All that being said... Bobby Knight is one hell of a basketball coach. His teams execute, play real defense, rebound, move without the ball, and are disciplined. I love watching a Knight coached team. The screens his players set, Jesus... textbook. And the press conferences, oh doctor the press conferences. Classic comedy. His players comport them selves with dignity and for the most part GRADUATE! How fing novel!

Once, while watching The Illini hang one on the Hoosiers in Champaign, my father pointed out that Knight had sat down on the bench, legs crossed, hands behind his head, after popping a couple Certs in to his mouth. Pop chuckled, "Christ, that man can make sucking on candy look arrogant... hell of a coach though." I think that sums up Knight perfectly for me.

No one is a saint. I'm sure Dean Smith was a prick at times, and at the end of the day all that matters is the scoreboard. So kudos to you General.... you magnificent bastard.

Ron Karkovice Fan Club has an excellent post breaking down the Bulls current success, their improvements since the circus road trip and the difficulties they have against quality defensive ball clubs. I agree with pretty much everything he says, as well as the comments by Hideki Matt Suey.

I think the Bulls top priority should be improving their low-post game. Obvious, I know. Most sports talking heads like to use the term, "go-to guy" when discussing Bulls needs. They usually mean Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, etc. But I don't think they need a franchise player, what they need is a low-post scorer.

The low-post scorer is to basketball, what the running game is in football. What a high O.B.P. lead off man is in baseball. It's about executing your game plan with low risk, high percentage plays. It sets up everything else.

The Bulls might get this from Sweetney (after he delivers his baby) or perhaps Deng can grow into a reliable post player given some time and commitment from the coaches. It doesn't have to be Garnett, it could be Zach Randolph.

Well, maybe not Zach Randolph...

ANYWAY, think about it Scott.

Sports On T.V. Tonight.

National Games.

• NBA: Houston at San Antonio, (ESPN, 8 p.m.); Washington at Phoenix, (ESPN, 10:30 p.m.)
• College Football: The New Orleans Bowl Rice vs. Troy (ESPN2,7 p.m.)
  

Local Games.

• NBA: Bulls at Knicks (CSNCHI, 6:30 p.m.)
  
• Men's College Hoops: Indiana vs. IUPUI (WYIN, 7 p.m.)
• American Hockey League: Chicago Wolves vs. Houston Aeros (3 ILL-03, 7:30 p.m.)

Sports On T.V. Tonight.

National Games.

• NFL: Vikings vs. Packers (NFLNET, 8 p.m.)
  
• Men's College Hoops: Tulsa vs. Oklahoma (ESPN2, 4:30 p.m.); Pittsburgh vs. Oklahoma State (ESPN, 7 p.m.); Gonzaga vs. Duke (ESPN2, 9 p.m.)
  
• NBA: Pistons vs. Cavaliers (TNT, 8:15 p.m.); Wizards vs. Kings (TNT, 10:30 p.m.)
• College Football: Vegas Baby!! PureVision Baby!! The Pioneer PureVision Las Vegas Bowl BYU vs. Oregon (ESPN, 8 p.m.)
  

Local Games.

• Men's College Hoops: Idaho State vs. Illinois (WCIU, 7 p.m.)
• American Hockey League: Chicago Wolves vs. San Antonio Rampage (3 ILL-03)
  

You're Ruining It.

Thanks to With Leather for the heads-up on this story, and Lawrence.com for the images.

All I can say is, it used to be about the competition. It used to be about the sport. It used to be about, two hot (Or not so hot. Whatever.) women climbing into a tub, filled with twenty-pounds of instant mash potato's, wearing nothing but a bikini and seeing who's WANTS IT.

When I say IT, I mean our cheers and twenty drunken offers to, "help you get that off."

The point is, we respected them.

Padding my stats.

So, I've thrown so old posts on here. They appeared first at my other blog. Mainly, to increase the content of the site, but I also wanted to inflate the perception of my contributions. Like when you read Bill Simmons book and wonder where you read what you are reading before. Oh yeah, in his free column on Page 2 last year. (See, ripping Simmons in my first post makes it seem like I know what I'm doing. Like I've been doing this awhile.) I haven't been, but I hope to.

The Mighty Quinn is on board, so we must be doing something right. Shelto, Bren, Liz... Get on it.

Sports On T.V. Tonight.

• Men's College Hoops: Memphis at Arizona (FSN, 8:30 p.m.); Arkansas at Texas (ESPN2, 9 p.m.); LSU at Washington (FSN, 10:30 p.m.)
• NBA: Cleveland at New Jersey (ESPN, 8 p.m.); Dallas at Seattle (ESPN, 10:30 p.m.)

Is this thing on?

Howdy...

I'd like to say how pleased I am to become a blogger. I have read many blogs in my day, and I must say that I am excited to read/help write this one in particular. Now, that is not only due to the fact that I have been allowed to join by the blog's founder, Mr. Phil Hendricks, but the quality of the commentary I believe will occur. Mr. Hendricks is, as many of you know, an entertaining fellow with a tremendous amount of knowledge in many fields, and by the by, quite witty to boot. If you want to get a taste of what's in store for you check out the blog entitled, "God's Own Suburb." Delicious.....

Also, from what I have heard the other voices you'll experience here are second to none. It's an array of fans, key word there.. fans, that will offer up honest and frank opinion on sports, and hell, I think that there just might be a laugh or two along the way. So strap up, hunker down, and stretch. The fun has just begun....

Well, that's it for now... I must go prepare for the Braggin' Rights game.... That's Mizzou v. U. of I... Blood feud you know.... ILL... INI...

Stuck on 25.

Taking our eyes off the national elections and turning them to some local news. Joe Newton has been suspended by the IHSA for violating the maximum amount of contact days, 25, with athletes during the off-season. The violation occurred during his off-season camp, which lasts 35 days. The suspension also includes assistant coach Charlie Kern. The York boys cross country team they coached won the IHSA class AA State Finals on Nov. 4th. It was their fifth straight year winning and the 26th in school history, but neither of them will be listed as coaches on the team this year.

Joe Newton is the John Wooden of Illinois high school cross country. 25 state titles in 50 years; he was also a coach at the Seoul Olympics. I never ran for Coach Newton, but both my brother's did.

Here is the transcript for an interview I conducted this morning via email with Tim Hendricks, my youngest brother and Godfather of Patrick. He's a former Elmhurst resident, and strangely, still registered to vote here.

Timmy, what years did you attend York HS? 1992-1996

What teams were you on that he coached? I was on the track team 1994, 1995, 1996, sophomore to senior years and Cross Country team in 1994 and 1995, junior and senior years.

What titles or accomplishments did you or the team have? The cross country team won the state meet in 1994 and placed second in 1995, breaking our streak of 6 straight state titles. In 1995, I ran on two all-state relays, placing 6th in the 800 meter relay and 5th in the mile relay. The track team placed 3rd in state in 1996

How would you describe him as a coach? He is a motivator that demands a lot from his runners. He expected a lot from his runners and he let you and every one on the team know when you weren't performing to his expectations. He knew everyone's name on the teams, and we always had more than 100 kids on both the Track and Cross Country teams, and everyone had the same rules.

Where you taught by him outside of being coached? Gym class? I never had him in gym class.

If so, how would you describe him as a teacher? From what I witnessed of him while teaching gym he was more relaxed and he didn't really care what you did as long as you treated him with respect.

Can you describe a difference between; Joe Newton the Coach and Joe Newton the Teacher? Joe Newton the coach yelled a lot more and expected greatness from his runners. It didn't appear he expected much from his students except again to treat him with respect and in turn he would treat the students with respect.

How would you describe him as a man? He is a willful person that is driven to be the best at whatever he puts his mind to.

Was he strong? In what way? Yes, he is a very strong person. He was in his late 60's when he coached me 10 years ago and he got up early every morning to run until he was physically unable to. So when running was to hard on his body he got up every morning to work out in the pool.

Could you take him in a fight? I doubt it, while I was running for him. Maybe now.

What nickname did Joe Newton give you? Mother Hen. The same as my older brother. (Our middle brother, Danny.) His nicknames were not always original but every one had one. (This blogger never received a nickname. I was merely, Hendricks.)

Has Joe Newton ever tried to kiss you? No.

Do you have any opinion about this suspension? I don't have any real strong opinions on the matter, I have thoughts. I think that there is to much scrutiny on amateur athletes, rules that apply to the very few and make it hard on the average athlete, who is competing because they enjoy the sport. High School Athletes can be suspended if they are found to be competing in other organizations outside the IHSA. However, rules are rules and Mr. Newton violated one. This rule I tend to agree with. I believe it is in place to protect the students from over ambitious coaches. High school athletes are not pros, they are not even college athletes, and sometimes coaches need to be reminded that their sport is not the only thing in a students life. This rule protects students from coaches demanding their players be in attendance more than they probably should be. After all, the great majority of High School athletes do not participate past the high school level and even though off- season work-outs can not be required by coaches, and are voluntary, we all know that is not the case for the best athletes.

Do I think 35 days instead of 25 days over the summer is a big deal, No. But that is the number of days the IHSA has decided on. I feel bad for Coach Kern who now has to miss the track season for the violation.

Timmy, have you ever tried to kiss Joe Newton? No.

And finally Tim, why does your fantasy football team suck so bad? Your team sucks.