The Draft: Don't Be Fooled by Theatrics

Last week’s NFL Draft dominated the headlines for the entire week.  Amateur general managers sat comfortably in their armchairs pontificating about the merits of trading down in the first round, taking multiple quarterbacks in one class, and selecting a punter in the third round.  All of those things happened between Thursday and Saturday last week for one team or another, and the armchairs rejoiced at their prophetic powers.  If you watched on Thursday night, you might have found yourself doing the same thing.

Considering myself one of these throned seers (at least for a week out of the year), the draft always excites.  To watch these 250+ college kids enter the NFL through a yard sale almost defies everything we know about sports.  In pro sports, nothing comes easy.  We revere those athletes who rise to the top through hard work and struggle through adversity to reach success.  So, it’s a little strange to look at 30ish ruddy-faced young men in the first round and immediately become attached to them as a fan.  Yet, the draft inspires confidence and hope in so many fan bases, it stands to reason the televised first round draws a huge viewership, easily on par with a late season game.

Lest we forget, however, the draft boils down to gambling.  Teams gamble with their futures on the backs of 7-13 young players each year, some of whom may never make the team and others who rise to stardom.  As a friend reminded me last week, those of us in DC can act like Heath Shuler, Patrick Ramsey, Michael Westbrook, and even Robert Griffin are “sure things.” But, there is no such thing in any prospect of the draft, even with all the first round picks I just mentioned (though RGIII is close).

An article recently published by Sporting News shows a lot of the draft’s true nature in a very stark reality.  In the last ten years before this year’s draft, only 31% of all first round picks made the Pro Bowl, with 17% making multiple teams.  Numbers never lie, so we should read this with an eye to a couple of factors.  The first of which: only one-third of the “sure thing” elite talents in the first round are likely to make an all-star team.  So team officials can harp all they want about the next big player, but every one of us should keep in mind that for every Tom Brady there are two of JaMarcus Russell.  We’re all guilty at one point or another of placing inordinate amounts of hope on a young skill player (DC fans more than most), but in the end it’s all a gamble, a roll of the dice to be a part of that one-third.

On the flip side, assume your team picks a one-third guy.  Over 50% of those first round picks who make one Pro Bowl make two.  The ratio looks much better all of a sudden, seemingly worth risking life and limb for the one player who can attain that kind of production on an annual basis.  On average, if the numbers are believed, about 5 first round draftees will make multiple Pro Bowls in each first round. 

Does a 10-20% justify the theatrics, the hugs from the commissioner, and the attention showered on Day 1 of the draft?  I would answer in the affirmative, only because the chance for many of these players to make big money and play well for their teams, even if they might not make Pro Bowls, deserves some attention.  If you consider Pro Bowls only as a return on investment, every investor in the world will take a shot if 32 randomly picked stocks will bring 10% return.  The comparison is not one to one, as no team can diversify and take all 32 players, but the concept stands.  It’s all a gamble, and for some of these players the embrace they received on Thursday from Roger Goodell will mark the high point of their NFL career (Bruce Irvin, I’m looking at you even though you didn’t get a hug).  Knowing that, as good college players they deserve their time in the spotlight to celebrate their past successes even if the future looks less certain.

So follow your team’s picks this year, but keep in mind the true realities of the draft.  Personally, I’m looking at the Jaguars with the worst draft of everyone, mainly because they took a punter in the third round.  Teams with that many holes need not make a luxury punter pick, no matter how talented the guy might be.  But, after the draft, only one thing is for certain about the Class of 2012: the NFL should have spent more time designing hats

Bit #1: Caps-Rangers comes down to one thing

Goaltending.  Game 1 proved both these teams can play defense extremely well, with the total shots between both teams reaching only 32.  And in those 32 shots, Braden Holtby must be better.  He could have stopped at least two of those goals and perhaps even all three.  A team like the Rangers, so sound defensively, needs to lose confidence early, making it imperative for the Caps to score first.  The big wins in Boston last series all started with a strong goaltending performance and an ability to stay in games.  The Caps cannot afford to fall down by two goals against a Rangers team that prides itself on shot-blocking and defensive acumen.  Expect goals to be at a premium during this series.  The best NHL series always feature great goalie battles and for the Caps to have any chance they must look to Braden Holtby as their savior.

Also expect Alex Ovechkin to continue his poor defensive showing.  While he might be supremely talented, Ovie continues to believe his cutesy toe drags and curls will score.  The NBC Sports team begged Ovechkin to shoot the puck multiple times on Saturday when he tried to dance through defenders, invariably turning the puck over.  In the playoffs, pucks to the net create rebounds and garbage goals.  The Caps have the bruisers to score those goals, they just need the chance to crash the net.

Bit #2: Might Boston be the worst fan base around?

For years I believed Philly sports fans held claim as the worst fan base from an ethical point of view.  Booing Santa, the Body Bag game, the Broad Street Bullies all channeled into a mindset of hatred for Philly fans.  Recently, however, Boston fans seems to lay claim to that crown.  Their teams have enjoyed success, with every major franchise winning a championship in the last 8 years, but I suggest their arrogance has gone a little too far.

How far?  Dare I say, to racism?  After Joel Ward, a black player for the Caps, scored the winning goal against the Bruins last week, some Bruins fans took to their Twitters, using racial epithets.  The link is provided here, though I warn you it isn’t pretty.  While I do not want to lump in all Bruins fans with these fools, Joel Ward played very well last year in the playoffs, scoring a series-clinching goal for the Nashville Predators.  Nowhere was such a backlash found among opposing fan groups.  Some may say those fans lack passion, but I’m fairly sure passionate racism and passionate fanhood are not the same thing.

Purely putting the suggestion out there that some of the folks on the Boston bandwagon deserve to be kicked off the trail.  A few bad eggs won’t ruin a batch, but does leave a bad taste in my mouth, especially after reading those Tweets.

Bit #3: The Angels are out of it

Since my hotel in Baton Rouge does not carry NBC Sports, I’ve watched lots of the Texas Rangers on ESPN.  Much to the chagrin of Angels fans, this team is really good.  At 16-6 they are tied with the Dodgers for the best record in the majors, a model of consistency after reaching the World Series the last two Octobers.  Their chief rivals from a salary perspective, the Los Angeles Angels, find themselves 9 games back in the division with almost no production coming from Albert Pujols, allegedly worth $250 million.  While there will be a first for everything (even a Pujols 2012 home run), no team has won their division being this far back at the end of April in the modern era of baseball.  So maybe the Wild Card spots are in play, but I wouldn’t bet on it.

Bit #4: NBA playoff predictions

So I think Miami-Oklahoma City are all but guaranteed to make the Finals this year, especially after Derrick Rose’s injury and the Thunder’s Game 1 win.  More fun would be to figure out the final four teams left in the NBA.  To be honest to myself, I picked the Celtics to play the Heat in the conference finals before the Hawks won Game 1, but I’ll stick with that pick.  Chicago might have played well in the season without Rose, but when a player of that versatility goes missing, the team becomes more predictable and easier to beat in a best-of-seven series.  On the western side, the Spurs should meet the Thunder in the conference finals if their decrepit knees can hold up, but San Antonio played much better than most teams when presented with a few days rest during the regular season.  Should be a fun two months.

Bit #5: Why pick Cousins?

I like Kirk Cousins a lot.  As former QB of Michigan State, he brought esteem back to East Lansing for football, a big deal considering the many prestigious programs in the Big Ten.  The guy deserves a chance to win a job, based on his success and ability to pick up an offense.  For that reason, he must feel sick being picked by the Redskins.  He knows he has no shot to win the starting job in the next two years and must become the red-headed stepchild on the team, receiving less attention from coaches to develop his skill set.  All the focus will remain on RGIII and Cousins will suffer as a consequence.

From the team’s point of view, picking Cousins also does nothing, especially when the Skins need offensive linemen like Greece needs money.  This pick continues to worry me because while Griffin has undeniable talent, the organization must show a concerted effort to collect further talent around him.  If that’s the case, why pick a second QB in the fourth round when plenty of bargains are available at positions of higher need.  Makes no sense.

Bit #6: April 30, 1993 – Monica Seles stabbed on court

This could be the most bizarrely frightening moment in sports.  Monica Seles, a young tennis sensation in the early 90s, received a stab wound from a fan in Hamburg while playing a quarterfinal match.  The fan, obsessed with Steffi Graf, did not appreciate Seles’ domination of Graf the year before, winning the Australian Open over Graf.  Seles had also won 7 of the previous 8 Grand Slams she had entered.  While her physical injuries healed quickly, Seles did not return to tennis for two years, arguably robbing fans of one of the best players ever.  She obtained success after coming back, but nothing stayed the same.  The incident, a bit of an embarrassment for Germany, led to stricter security at Grand Slams.  The French Open now ends with an on-court presentation, where as previously the winner received the trophy in the middle of the stands.  Still, a scary moment for Seles, who played her last match in 2003.

BCS Change Should Be Simple

This week, NCAA commissioners and athletic directors will meet to determine what to do with the college football postseason.  In case you’ve watched paint dry the last ten years, the BCS system does nothing to crown the best team in college football.  Even if you agree Alabama was the best team last year, the BCS does not allow other one-loss (or undefeated) teams any title chance after the regular season’s end.  In the context of growing numbers of undefeated teams each year, the current format does nothing to give good teams a fair shot.  So, how should college football authorities figure out the new system?  It’s simple.

The Format

This should be the easiest aspect to figure out.  Four top teams play two semifinals with a national championship game.  Lots of ideas out there, but there’s no way a sport as steeped in tradition as college football will go from a 2 team playoff to an 8 team playoff, much less to a 16 team tournament.  Those who pine for a March Madness-style bracket should understand how much time such an idea would take, likely spanning into February.  So, a four team format.

The Teams

I love how certain conference commissioners three years ago hated the idea of a playoff but now act as if they had the idea to begin with.  The worst aspect of the BCS is the automatic qualifier status, which allows conference champions of the power conferences immediate access to a BCS bowl game and all the revenue associated with that.  While such madness now looks all but dead, the question remains how to pick the teams who go.

First, there are polls in college sports for a reason.  Using the extremely difficult mathematical concept of the average, the top four teams can be determined easily.  The NCAA also should consider, however, eliminating the coaches poll from the equation entirely.  While beat reporters might be biased towards their teams, coaches are guaranteed to be biased.  In addition, their vote counts more than that of a beat AP writer.  Perhaps the BCS formula should be kept.  Regardless, the determination of the top four teams has been easy since 1950.

Many wonder if only conference champions should go.  Another inane question considering how many teams in the past four years played well but did not win their conference.  Alabama last year springs to people’s minds, but Oklahoma also did so in 2003.  Commissioners should pick the best four teams, regardless of conference affiliation and championship.

The Sites

I find this the most interesting aspect of the debate.  There are multiple ideas on the table, so I’ll give you my ideal situation.

The national semifinals should be played at the traditional bowl sites in New Orleans, Miami, Los Angeles, and Tempe.  Those stadiums are huge and can support the hype and attendance for such games.  In addition, the NCAA could still call these “bowls,” preserving sponsorships and traditions.  The semifinals would rotate between the big bowls, two at a time, providing an opportunity to showcase teams on the outside in similarly marquee matchups.  Thus the Rose Bowl could keep its conference affiliation for sure every other year while still bringing in lots of revenue with a national semifinal in the other year (The Rose Bowl wants to maintain its conference affiliation as much as possible).  Consider if the Big Ten champ is a top four team but the Pac-12 champ is not.  That possibility looks very real and would create more controversy than the previous system if the Rose Bowl can keep its affiliation every year and still cash in on the party.

As to the final, I would treat it like the Super Bowl.  Allow cities to bid to host the game (don’t act like the NFL, who assumes championship football should only be played indoors or in 70-degree weather).  Might the big four bowls dominate this?  Perhaps, but the revenues that Detroit, Houston, Atlanta, or San Francisco would gain definitely brings other locales into play.  It would be fun to see teams win the Rose Bowl semifinal then go to Ford Field to play for the championship.  The sports world would focus on one city, a lot like it does on Super Bowl Sunday.

(What if they allowed college stadiums over 90,000 capacity to bid?  Probably would never happen, but the national championship in Michigan’s Big House, Ohio State’s Horseshoe, Florida’s Swamp, or LSU’s Tiger Stadium would only add to the tradition college football loves so much…)

The Schedule

The best part of this whole shift: we no longer need to watch the GMAC Bowl on January 5.  Nor do we need to risk a hangover on the Tuesday after the championship.  The consensus of commissioners is to take back New Year’s Day, placing the four big bowls on that day with the championship the closest Saturday between 7-13 days after the semifinals.  Thankfully, ESPN will have to play two bowls on each night between December 15 and December 31, giving us some respite from having to watch bad football for a solid two weeks.

As much as I would love an 8-team tournament, the bowl system has become so entrenched that any change to the status quo won’t look radical enough but will mark a huge difference from years past.  These changes would not start until 2014 but we should have a clear answer by the start of this year’s season.  Don’t believe every rumor you hear since the truth remains: most of what happens now is merely posturing, drawing out a truly simple process that would appease almost all parties.  Hopefully, the executives will learn that.

Bit #1: College coaches lack credibility

As if Bobby Petrino wasn’t bad enough, his replacement looks no better.  John L. Smith signed a 1 year contract with his former team at Arkansas, ditching the players at Weber State that he has coached for all of five months.  In basketball, Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan refused to let one of his players transfer to another Big Ten school, believing he had the ability to write up a short list.

Now, Smith and Ryan are not the worst examples of college coaches by any means.  But, their examples shatter the idolization many athletes and fans hold for coaches, personalities that guide younger players to higher levels.  What we forget until now is how human—and subsequently how petty—coaches can be in all sports.  Smith, after committing to a new job, left quickly to take a shot at a national championship with Arkansas, albeit for an essentially interim gig.  You might do that in your own job and risk career stagnation.  People should be opportunistic, but when impressionable youngsters look to you for guidance and leadership, don’t undermine yourself with this kind of stunt.

Bit #2: Empire failure

Remember when Luke tells Palpatine he has no desire to join him?  The Emperor, looking an awful lot like a pound of hogshead cheese, pumps him full of electricity.  While you feel sorry for Luke, there’s a kind of happiness that the guy with 20 pounds of make-up failed…

I felt the same happiness today when I learned Joel Pineda will not pitch for the Yankees this season.  The Yanks loved Pineda so much they traded Jesus Montero, the best hitter in their farm system, to Seattle for Pineda’s services over the summer.  Pretty high price for a rookie who went 9-10 last year and lost much of his velocity later in the season.  Added to that, Pineda showed up 20 pounds overweight to spring training.  Before long, his shoulder gave out, requiring surgery.  For Yankee fans, I’m not sorry.  While I can’t speak to GM Brian Cashman’s cosmetic habits, it’s good to see the Evil Empire fail so badly at talent evaluation every once in a while.

Bit #3: Worst Stanley Cup matchup?

In my life, few series excited me less than the Lightning-Flames finals in 2004.  While this might be premature, the early exits of traditional powerhouses like Detroit, Vancouver, and Chicago this weekend means we could see some truly unsavory Cup possibilities.  For instance, would you watch a Panthers-Coyotes matchup?  Or the Predators against anybody?  I would, but most casual fans would not.

On the flip side, the NHL could be salivating over the potential for a Kings-Rangers or Kings-Bruins final (thankfully no longer possible due to my team).  Imagine the two biggest media markets squaring off in late May?  Since Gretzky left, Kings fans are hard to find, gravitating towards the two other pro teams playing at Staples Center.  That kind of matchup, however, would be great for the game in general and create more buzz than hockey has had for a while.

Bit #4: Champions League surprise

Well I feel foolish.  My many predictions of Spanish final could not be more wrong.  Despite Barcelona and Madrid being the better sides in their respective semi-finals, Bayern Munich and Chelsea will meet later in May for the Champions League title.  Considering the chances both Spanish teams had, they will feel cheated of a title shot.  Messi hit two posts late in their game against the ten man Chelsea, for instance, tearing at the sports heartstrings for most of Catalan.  As to Madrid, they won their game but could not win on the always randomized penalty shootout to make up goal differential.  While you should not listen to my soccer predictions, Bayern Munich will beat Chelsea.  Not only is the game being played in Munich but Chelsea will be without captain John Terry and others on account of red and yellow cards.

Bit #5: Remember the Bobcats?

They are still horrible and are, in fact, much worse than my initial post two months ago ever contemplated.  At that time, the Bobcats flirted with bottom 10 in NBA history as far as winning percentage is concerned.  The way they are playing now, the Bobcats will likely set that record for the worst winning percentage ever, almost to the day the Bulls crowned the best statistical season ever in 1996.  They are on a 21 game losing streak with only 1 game remaining.  Michael Jordan, the worst executive ever, must consider how to turn things around in such a small market before the fan base abandons him entirely.

Bit #6: Stop voting for Madden cover

This might not be a Bit about the game itself, but the buffoons running the Madden franchise need to stop letting the Average Joe vote.  The current system allows cities to get out the vote so their flash in the pan players can grace the cover of a video game.  Peyton Hillis, the cover of Madden ’11, represents the best example, but the same happened for Shaun Alexander back in 2006.  And yes, he’s out of Cleveland by now.  I understand Cam Newton played a great season last year, but I do not think his body of work allows him to become a large face for the game.  If he performs this year like he did last year, I am all for it.  But, the video game cover should celebrate consistent greatness (Aaron Rodgers), not the grassroots abilities of NFL fan bases.

Bagful of Bits

Not a slow couple of days but nothing in the world of sports really makes for a good full length diatribe.  So, I’m just gonna overload you with Bits today.

Bit #1: NHL Finally Gets It Right…one week too late

My post last week about the lack of a Shea Weber suspension might have seemed academic to many, but the conduct in the NHL playoffs since that moment showed how far behind NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan was.  Since that moment, the rough stuff overshadowed the high quality of hockey in these playoffs.  Like most trends in life, the hammer needed to come down eventually to impede its progress.

Unfortunately it took a concussion for one of the best to make that hammer fall.  Coyotes forward Raffi Torres, perennial goon who chips in on the forecheck, squared up Blackhawks star Marian Hossa and decked him last week, leaving his feet and making contact with the head.  Hossa had to leave on a stretcher.  For Torres, Shanahan gave him a 25 game suspension, more than a fourth of a season.  On this, Shanahan finally came to his senses, realizing perennial offenders will not stop brutal hits if slapped on the wrist with a 3 game suspension, even in the playoffs.  While I can’t guarantee Torres will improve, Shanahan sends the clear message that dangerous hits will not be tolerated.

Bit #2: World Peace elbow clearly intentional

People can tell me all about how the Dirtbag Formerly Known as Ron Artest likes to celebrate big baskets by slapping his chest and swinging a little.  He’s a fiery dude and gets into his second quarter baskets like he’s winning the title right then.  This is the same dude who ran into the stands in Detroit and, for no reason at all, fought with Glenn Robinson, so I find it absurd to act as if his elbow to the head of Oklahoma City’s James Harden yesterday was unintentional. 

The replay clearly shows Artest feeling bodily contact and flailing his arm in the direction of that body.  Perhaps he didn’t mean to hit the head (the height difference helps explain a little) but Artest definitely wanted to get a shot into whomever he felt at his side.  Also, if your elbow hit another guy’s head, you would know it and probably turn around if you didn’t intend any contact whatsoever.  Artest, coincidentally, strode the other way to midcourt.

I’m not willing to offer a clear suspension suggestion, but he deserves at least 5 games, especially since Harden suffered an always-perilous concussion.  The real losers are the Thunder who now see the most reliable sixth man out for an extended period of time.  But, Artest cannot claim body of work to get out of this, and fans should not try to make that claim for him.

Bit #3: Difficult decision for Browns, but don’t have too much sympathy

Many wonder what the Browns will do with the fourth pick on Thursday in the NFL Draft.  Should they take Alabama RB Trent Richardson, a complete package of running back?  Or Justin Blackmon, the freakish wide receiver from Oklahoma State?  Perhaps Morris Claiborne, the LSU cornerback of elite status?

Those are the consensus options for the Browns, who find themselves out of any surefire QB but well within the range to obtain elite draft talent.  Sure, everyone feels bad for Cleveland, without a sports championship since the 1940s, but as great as a quarterback would be for this team adding skill players like Richardson would set the tone for obtaining a quarterback next year, or the year after.  The Browns boast arguably the best offensive tackle in Joe Thomas but start a kick returner as their top receiver.  Either Blackmon or Richardson would upgrade the Browns immensely.  Minnesota picked Adrian Peterson after a dismal season and, one good quarterback later, went to the NFC Championship.  The Browns need to make sure whoever they pick starts next year and can be reliable, because one good draft pick has a tendency to multiply.

Bit #4: What should the Penguins do?

My pick of Pittsburgh to win the East (a reluctant pick I should add) did not pan out, mainly because the Pens could not prove themselves against a bitter rival in the playoffs.  The team’s identity, often centered around offensive skill, good two-way play, and stellar goaltending, disintegrated in front of the grit shown by the Flyers in the series.  James Neal, a 40-goal scorer, spent more time running at Flyers than scoring.  And he wasn’t alone.  Malkin had one good game and, as I pointed out, Crosby could not hunker down to score goals, preferring to antagonize guys who ultimately played better than he did.

Don’t be surprised if the team makes some serious changes.  I expect someone like Chris Kunitz, a bad penalty magnet, to be released or traded for a younger, smarter guy to play alongside Crosby.  In addition, Jordan Staal, one of the best penalty killers on the team, might ask for his market worth in free agency, which would eliminate him from returning to Pittsburgh.  With talent like Pittsburgh has, the focus must be on the playoffs and if they can’t get it done, changes will be made.

Bit #5: Manchester City controls own destiny

About three weeks ago, I proclaimed the English Premiership all but handed to Manchester United.  Well, since that point, Man U has plummeting scoring less goals than there are hairs on Derek Holland’s upper lip.  Manchester City, on the other hand, stands three points behind Man U and, should they win their next four games, City will win the EPL.  While sometimes I feel foolish asking Americans to watch soccer, the last game of the season pits these two teams against each other.  Definitely worth your attention.

Bit #6: Don’t sleep on the Spurs

Miami-Oklahoma City was proclaimed early as the eventual Finals matchup in the NBA, but it looks like neither of those teams will have the best record in their respective conference.  While folks expected the Bulls, how many expected the boring as bark Spurs to hold the best record in the West with 4 games left, all while sitting their star Tim Duncan.  In his place, Manu Ginobili continues to prove more points come when you’re bald in the NBA.  Point guard Tony Parker should be in the MVP discussion, not to win but more to receive the proper attention from fans.  While the Spurs rarely raise a few heartbeats, they continue to play like the less flashy dynasty of the last ten years, rivaling the Lakers as far as perennial dominance.  I know it will pain you to watch them, but the Spurs might be around come June.

Bit #7: McNabb in the Hall of Fame?

All Redskins fans hopefully gnashed their teeth savagely at that title.  Last week, Donovan McNabb told a reporter that he felt he deserved he should be in the Hall of Fame.  From a numbers perspective, McNabb has a point.  On the all-time passing list, everyone around him, most notably Jim Kelly of the Bills, currently has a place in Canton.  His numbers are better than Y.A. Tittle, Troy Aikman, Steve Young, and Sonny Jurgensen, all Hall of Famers.  But, while McNabb played well over his career, he must understand the numbers will not garner him votes.  Jim Kelly might not have the best numbers, but he went to four Super Bowls (three of which I maintain he could not have won regardless) and played for one team his whole career, crafting a serious legacy.  McNabb left the game fairly disgraced, benched in consecutive years in favor of younger QBs.  If McNabb deserves to get in, Kerry Collins with more passing yards and six teams also deserves his space.  The truth, however, is every voter remembers their last impression of a player.  Maybe McNabb can use his numbers, but his Legacy of the Bounce Pass will not endear him to voters.

Bit #8: April 21, 1996 – Bulls win 72^nd game

In 1996, the basketball world saw the best professional team ever assembled.  The Bulls lost a total of ten games the entire season while winning the title.  Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman each made the All-NBA Defensive Team, the first time three teammates made the first team.  Jordan won his 8^th scoring title, the MVP and Finals MVP while Rodman contributed with the final lead in rebounds per game.  Phil Jackson was Coach of the Year and Toni Kukoc won Sixth Man of the Year.  Many loaded teams, including the Shaq-Kobe Lakers, were unable to match the 96 Bulls in their statistical ability and championship pedigree.

The Amazing Case of Pat Summitt

On Wednesday, arguably the best college basketball coach ever retired years too early.  I know American non-Olympic sports culture focuses on men’s sports almost exclusively, but Pat Summitt, the coach of the Tennessee Lady Vols, should be remembered as perhaps the most influential women’s sports figure in history.

First off, Summitt was extremely successful.  Thirty eight years on the bench gave Summitt 8 national championships and 1,098 games won, the most of any coach across both spheres of college basketball, along with an amazing 18 Final Four appearances.  She does not own the championship record (John Wooden with 10) but Summitt created a juggernaut in her sport.  Many women’s programs strive to emulate the style of Summitt’s program at Tennessee.  As to that style, Rocky Top nation owes Summitt individually for building the women’s basketball team into the most dominant college program since women’s basketball became a sanctioned-sport for the NCAA.  Her beginnings explain much of her personal resolve.

Summitt started as a graduate assistant, suddenly promoted to head coach in 1974 when her predecessor quit.  She made $200 and washed the player’s uniforms herself (the team used proceeds from a donut sale to buy those jerseys by the way).  Summitt devoted herself to the team even as she trained for the 1976 Olympics.  In 1976, Summitt started winning in buckets, directing two 20-win seasons and winning the Association for Intercollegiate Women’s Athletics championship, the top title in the country at that time.  From there, you know most of the story.  Tennessee began pumping money into the program, using Summitt’s success as a catalyst for recruits and revenue.  Needless to say, her hard work paid off.

Most important about Pat Summitt, however, is her contribution to college basketball by putting the women’s game on the map.  Certain programs come and go in all sports (Delta State and Chayney State both played very well in 1980s women’s basketball, for example) but Summitt created the stable program of women’s basketball.  My post a few weeks ago detailed the lack of parity in the sport as a whole, but do you think UConn or Baylor would invest in their programs without the template for success provided by Summitt at Tennessee?  Other coaches probably would have emerged, but a young talented coach like Summitt who climbed the mountain of success so quickly proved women’s basketball could work and work well.  Former Tennessee men’s coach and Summitt friend Bruce Pearl said today to ESPN that Summitt proved women’s basketball could be fun and stylish, regularly drawing in 20,000 spectators and, eventually, television executives.

In addition, Summitt worked her magic in her own professional way.  Even if you know nothing about the Tennessee regime, new head coach Holly Warlick assisted Summitt for 27 years straight.  That’s 27 different Hunger Games books and, ultimately, 5 more years than I have lived.  Given Tennessee’s success, Warlick must have had her own opportunities to take over other programs, but stuck with Summitt.  Such loyalty belies the relationship Summitt strives to establish with her colleagues and players.  It helps so many in the basketball world, from Dick Vitale to Coach K to Bob Knight all attest to Summitt’s incredible attitude and character.

That made it all the more sad when Summitt announced she had been diagnosed with early-onset dementia last year, a precursor to Alzheimer’s.  I watched her announcement via the internet and realized simultaneously at that point how well this woman performed for so many years and how little attention she received from the wider sports world while doing so.  How many folks knew Summitt won the most games of any college coach ever before today?  Her contributions to basketball are not meager by any stretch of the imagination and seem all the more incredible when the story of her first years comes out.  For many years, before the days of multiple powerhouse programs, Tennessee dominated the women’s basketball landscape, drawing any attention for women’s basketball to Knoxville.  And, most importantly, Summitt delivered in the limelight without scandal or compromise to her values.

Is she the best college coach ever?  Arguably, but I think probably not.  As I said three weeks ago, the lack of parity in the women’s game makes long-term success easier, so from a pure sports perspective someone like Coach K has the upper edge.  But don’t forget that every time you hear about women’s basketball, pro or college, Pat Summitt contributed to that.  She won all those games in a sport largely devoid spotlight or scrutiny for many years, and once that attention ramped up, she performed better.   A more aptly named persona might not exist in sports, and while we may not know it now, I bet more fans will miss Summitt in the coming years.

Bit #1: Early analysis of the Redskins schedule

The NFL released their official schedule on Wednesday night to the great pleasure of many.  For the Skins, however, the schedule looks awfully good for the first few weeks before degrading into a gauntlet for likely QB Robert Griffin III.  The first game against the Saints might sound awful, but given the penalties to the Saints coaches and likely suspensions for players, that and the Week 2 matchup against St. Louis look very winnable from here.  After that, however, the Skins will need to prove themselves.  The NFC East continues to be competitive, and add to that the perennially good Steelers and Falcons, the up and coming Panthers, the AFC North champs Baltimore Ravens, and the free agency winners Tampa Bay and that’s the Redskins schedule.  I’m already thankful for the matchup in Dallas on Thanksgiving, but considering they must play the Eagles, Cowboys, and Giants three weeks in a row, the season might be over around then for Washington.

Bit #2: Too much attention on Tannehill

I thought a while ago this year’s class of misfits of QBs would scratch some heads.  Last week, Ryan Tannehill of Texas A&M confused so many draft analysts that Mel Kiper and Todd McShay, draft analysts on ESPN, entered into a heated argument about how to evaluate Tannehill.  While I understand Tannehill seems to be vaulting up draft boards, I’m picking him as a draft bust in the NFL if taken in the top 15.  I have difficulty believing a former wide receiver could switch to quarterback in the NFL.  And yet, Brandon Weeden of Oklahoma State, a great athlete having played both baseball and football, continues to fly under the radar.  I understand the concern about Weeden’s ripe old age of 29, but he has won more than Tannehill over more years and clearly has the maturity necessary to lead a team on the field.

Bit #3: Champions League fun

The semifinals began this week in Munich and London and delivered highly taut matchups.  Bayern Munich scored in the 90^th minute to defeat Real Madrid, a very big deal considering Munich’s alleged talent deficiency in this matchup.  The next day, Chelsea held on for a 1-0 win over Barcelona in London despite being vastly outplayed.  For fans, these wins were exciting and also guarantee tense atmospheres for the second legs in Spain.  Both Spanish teams need to win the next games to advance, but given the unconvincing wins by Munich and Chelsea, Barca and Madrid still hold the upper hands and should meet in the Final.  Next Tuesday and Wednesday, 2:45 on ESPN for the second legs.

Bit #4: Not looking good for the Caps

The Caps did not do well to lose Game 3 after fighting through to tie the game late, only to take a bad penalty and then give up a goal.  The man who took that penalty was Niklas Backstrom, now suspended for Game 4 for a mislabeled match penalty.  Without Backstrom, the Caps falter, failing to break out of their own zone without fits, much less set up goals.  Nikkie has been the man for the Caps this postseason, winning Game 2 but also providing stability for coach Dale Hunter at center, moving many depth players to their natural positions behind Backstrom.  That said, the Caps played great defense during every game of this series and have the ability to hold leads (unlike anyone in the Pittsburgh-Philly series, which is now the highest scoring first 4 games in playoff history) so I have a little more optimism.

Bit #5: Most underappreciated deal in recent NBA

With Kentucky’s press conference this week, the NBA Draft raised its head as something to look forward to during the summer.  At the same time, the Memphis Grizzlies are the trendy pick to make serious noise in the playoffs, but I remembered this week just how good the Grizz could be with Kevin Love.  Why would I think that?  Because the Grizzlies picked Love fifth overall in 2008, only to trade him for O.J. Mayo, the third pick of the Timberwolves.  While Mayo has played well as the shooting guard for Memphis, his utility does not come close to Love’s ability as a franchise changing player.  Love averages a double-double in his career (17.1 PPG, 13.7 RPG) and creates an awful matchup for any big man in the league.  Imagine him alongside Zach Randolph or Marc Gasol?  That’s a fearsome frontcourt.  While the “what-if” scenarios remain fruitless, they sure are fun to think about.

Bit #6: April 17, 1983 – Gretzky scores 7

On a night when the Penguins team scored 10 goals in a playoff game, Wayne Gretzky scored 7 goals by himself in one playoff game.  I normally wouldn’t post about this since I’ve already explained to you how good Gretzky was, but considering the “goaltending optional” series between the Pens and Flyers, it’s tough to believe one player existed who was able to score seemingly at will.  As an added benefit, go to this Wikipedia site and take a look at his many records.

Bit #7: April 18, 1966 – Bill Russell first black coach in basketball

That’s right one more Bit.  Bill Russell as a player was the greatest champion the NBA has ever known.  He dominated the boards, pulling down many rebounds and eventually grew the best old man beard in sports.  But Russell’s penetration into the coaching ranks of the NBA marked a demographic turning point for the league.  At about the same time Texas Western won the NCAA championship with five black players, Russell revolutionized the game of professional basketball, proving to many African-Americans that despite societal pressures they could find success in basketball.  The NBA has enjoyed the highest percentage of minority coaches compared to other pro sports and much of that starts with Russell.

Where the NHL Gets It Wrong

I dearly hope many of you are watching the NHL playoffs on NBC.  Thus far, there have been two double overtime games and more than a handful of overtime endings.  The competition level remains high (unless you’re the Penguins) and overall the teams have done well combining skill with the necessary grit for these playoffs.

My love for hockey extends to every facet of the game, including fighting.  While that debate continues to rage amidst new concerns over concussions, the truth remains that as long as checking comes in the natural flow of the game, fighting will as well, simply because players must police the game to ensure malicious hits do not perpetuate.  Any big hit on a star player will receive payment in kind, with retribution ratcheting up depending on the nature of the offending hit or conduct.  If teams want the Bruins Brad Marchand to quit going low on opponents, they will need to rough him up, especially if referees do not call those penalties.  In addition to individuals, the league also has a responsibility to mete out suspensions or fines to discourage any kind of violent behavior.

But the league will not discourage those acts enough as long as their current system remains in place.  The acts of Nashville Predators defenseman Shea Weber at the end of Game 1 against the Red Wings threw the injustice of this system into stark contrast.  Weber pounded Zetterberg’s head multiple times into the boards as time expired, leaving the Detroit star sprawled but thankfully uninjured on the ice for a few minutes.  Watch the video then ask yourself what the proper punishment might be…if you came up with a fine of $2500, the league agrees with you.

$2500 represents a lot of money to almost everyone, but for a guy like Weber making close to $7.5 million a year, the fine seems like small potatoes.  Amazingly, however, the newest collective bargaining agreement with the players’ association stipulates a max fine for any conduct to be $2500.  That might seem wholly logical until we see a play like Weber’s: a malicious act of violence that falls well outside the expectations for most players who skate onto the ice.  I’m not quibbling about a little scrum here, but rather the slamming of another player’s head into a pane of reinforced glass….twice.

The league must determine what kind of behavior merits a suspension.  I find it ridiculous Weber received such a paltry fine when Matt Carkner will likely face some missed gametime for going after Brian Boyle in Saturday’s Game 2.  Are we to believe Weber deserves less punishment for keeping his gloves on, even though the actions are basically the same?  One saving grace of the system now brands Weber as a repeat offender, so any further mistakes will draw higher fines and suspensions, but even that system fails often.  Not to be a homer, but Alex Ovechkin missed three games for leaving his feet on a hit to Penguins player Zbynek Michalek earlier this season, after being a repeat offender.  It takes a strong intellectual leap to equate the two plays, much less to give a smaller punishment to Weber.  The repeat system works fine for smaller offenses like kneeing or charging, but to act as if Weber’s conduct lives on the same field as an initial checking offense defies the imagination.  That kind of a play, so dangerous and violent, deserves a suspension, no questions asked.  In a perfect world, Weber would be suspended and be labeled a repeat offender, much like what happened to Penguins winger Matt Cooke.

But Cooke isn’t a star like Weber, drawing out another inconsistency with the system.  Byron Bitz of the Canucks, a role player, checked a Kings player from behind in Game 1, drawing a two game suspension.  Weber represents a big name for hockey and, as good as Zetterberg might be, I doubt the NHL relies on him for ratings.  What would happen if Weber did this to Crosby or Malkin?  The Penguins would whine like they always do and I guarantee suspension time in that scenario.  On the other hand, if a role player does this to Zetterberg, he gets suspended as well, just like Clifford.  The double standard exists in that whether offender or victim, superstars play by a different set of rules in the NHL.

We must also ask how the NHL plans to eliminate this kind of stuff from the game if offenders receive smaller fines than NFL players who wear improper socks ($5000 in case you want to find ludicrous sports punishments).  A swift punch to the face, especially in a playoff series, would make an opposing team much happier than a $2500 fine.  That might be a blanket statement, but if the league allows a guy to play after slamming your star’s head into the boards, the way to discontinue that kind of conduct can only come from fisticuffs.  Concussions, with further research, will continue to worry NHL officials going forward, but if the league is serious, Weber should have lost multiple games.

Don’t lose track of this debate, because I guarantee with the recent NFL bounty scandal the NHL will find itself under increased scrutiny to establish a uniform punishment rubric for acts like Weber’s.  Everyone loves the nastiness of playoff hockey and refs should continue to largely keep the whistle in their pocket come April, but a violent act like Weber’s deserves swift discipline if hockey wishes to keep fighting while working towards a better solution to player safety and concussions in particular.

Bit #1: Redskins front office follows through

Being a longtime Skins fan, I expected the front office to make the egregious mistake of not signing London Fletcher.  Almost a month ago I used this blog to chastise Redskins officials for not providing the defensive captain enough money.  Thankfully, he announced a two year deal on Friday afternoon, ensuring the defense will bring back excellent tackling and veteran leadership, all packaged in one guy.  Fletcher, since debuting with the Rams in 1998, has not missed a single game and has led the league in tackles multiple times, defying his age of 37.  Skins fans should take heart at this offseason, but this move in particular reinforces the notion that Washington will not suffer from poor front office leadership like it has in the past.  I applaud GM Bruce Allen for not making Vinny Cerrato mistakes and re-signing players who not only want to be here but also provide intangible as well as tangible benefits.

Bit #2: Opposite futures for NBA franchises

New Orleans Hornets fans (if they even exist) must have greeted the news of the team’s sale to Saints owner Tom Benson with great relish since the team will now stay in the Big Easy for a while.  Benson, who has guided the Saints to the top of the NFL heap, will have his work cut out for him but the team will benefit without David Stern as de facto GM.  Unfortunately the sale came too late to save Chris Paul, but Benson has success on his record.

In Sacramento, however, the owners of the Kings and city officials are bending over backwards to profess their distaste for one another.  On Sunday, one municipal authority characterized dealings with the Madoofs as “like negotiating with North Korea.”  Let’s hope for the sake of Sacramento both sides dispense with the brinksmanship inherent in that statement, but regardless of conclusion I expect the deal to get done for a new arena.  The Kings are a long way from the heady days of Divac, Christie, and Bibby, but the fan base remains strong, especially as younger talent starts filtering in.  The best viable option outside of Sacramento would be Anaheim, which would improbably give Anaheim three of the four major sports, a fact I’m sure very few predicted 25 years ago might ever happen.  Thank you, Disney.

Bit #3: Isiah Thomas must think he’s a good coach

Recently, Florida International fired Isiah Thomas as head coach of its basketball team after a 26-65 record.  If you won a little more than a quarter of your games, you’d expect to be fired right?  Well Thomas couldn’t believe it, saying it was the first time he had been fired for basketball reasons in his front office career.  Don’t get me wrong, Thomas was a great player but he needs to leave basketball behind.  His sense of denial about his abilities astounds many because Thomas has not proved himself since retiring as a player.

This episode is very tame compared to Thomas’ previous incidents.  His only coaching success came as coach of the Pacers in 2000-03, but his team lost in the first round every year he coached there.  Sports paparazzi will remember the show he put on in New York, somehow obtaining the keys to the entire Knicks organization only to host illegal pre-draft workouts and frustrate New York for three years.  One of the saddest theme is sports is the guy who can’t accept he’s not good at a certain function.  For Thomas, he should learn to contribute to the game some other way.

Bit #4: April 15, 1947 – Debut of Jackie Robinson

Tough to believe this was 64 years ago, but today marks a huge anniversary for the black and baseball communities.  Robinson broke the color barrier in baseball, being the first African-American to play in the majors, joining the Brooklyn Dodgers.  More significantly, Robinson did much to quicken the tide of integration by presenting a talented black presence in the  American pastime.  Often lost are Robinson’s baseball achievements, winning the 1949 NL MVP, attending six All-Star games, and winning the 1955 World Series.  Today baseball marked the date with Jackie Robinson Day and continues to pay tribute to Robinson’s legacy by retiring his number 42 for all franchises.  His impact transcended baseball and represents a great example of how sports figures can change not just the game but society in general.


Bit #5: Pittsburgh disgraces the game of hockey


I hate both teams in this series, but it gives me pleasure to watch the Penguins play this way because now no one can defend them as squeaky clean.  I understand emotions in sports run high and that's understandable, but knocking some dude's glove away as he tries to pick it up and then grabbing another player looks an awful lot like Crosby's best Rob Ray tribute.  Needless to say, Crosby lacks the toughness and necessary stature to be Rob Ray, but his newfound instigator act should land him into trouble.  If his team continues to hit high on formerly concussed stars like Giroux, other teams will find it much easier to do so against Crosby, which would be a real shame in the event of a crazy injury.


The rest of his team is no better.  Arron Asham drew a match penalty (given for trying to injure another player) when he cross-checked Brayden Schenn to the throat after what looked to me like a clean hit.  Asham has always been a rabble-rouser, making his living in sucker punches, but to cross-check high seems a little extreme even for him.  Don't get me started on James Neal, a 40-goal scorer who left his feet on high hits against Logan Couturier and Claude Giroux, but likely won't face much action since he's a star and plays for the Penguins.


The worst aspect is that Pittsburgh should be able to win this series.  The Flyers scored in bunches but the Penguin penalty kill and power play were both top 10 in the league this year, not to mention goalie Marc-Andre Fleury's best season as a goalie.  The Pens scored 12 goals in the first three games, a great average until you realize the Flyers scored 20.  I picked the Pens to get to the Finals, mainly because all their pieces were back and firing on all cylinders just at the right time.  This style of play didn't vault them to consecutive Finals appearances in 2008 and 2009.  This series will end tomorrow night and don't be surprised to see tough guy Jody Shelley skating for Philly.