John Rooke - Thinking Out Loud
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Thinking Out Loud…while wondering if Rex Ryan will go out on a limb (or a foot, maybe?) to pick the Giants over the Patriots…
• I suspect the good Lord decided to take Joe Paterno quickly, not wanting him to suffer from his illness, or the ignominy from his dismissal at Penn State any longer. His son Scott said that his dad was “serenely calm” right to the end before he passed away last weekend, and that there was never any bitterness toward the school…
• Paterno’s career will be looked upon favorably, as it should be, once the scandal that has plagued the school and program comes to a conclusion. He is a man who made a difference for so many – in and out of athletics – for more than six decades, and I hope his alma mater (Brown) can honor him further in some fashion…
• Progress, or regress? Navy is apparently ready to enter the “big time,” by joining the Big East Conference for football starting in 2015. One more school will be added to bring the football membership to 12, in order to play a conference championship game. Could former Big East football member Temple be on its’ way back? It should be…in all sports…
• What goes around, comes around…Pitt’s announced move to the ACC has been followed by their football coach (Todd Graham) abandoning the program after only one year to go to Arizona State, and an eight-game losing streak for the once-invincible basketball team…gotta love that karma…
• There’s never really a perfect time to pull it off, but Greg Schiano’s leaving Rutgers for the Tampa Bay Bucs with less than a week to go before signing day is dangerously dumb. In fact, Schiano left several high profile recruits waiting for him earlier Thursday morning, while he was negotiating with Tampa. Without telling his assistants what he was doing. But that’s the lure of the NFL’s “bright lights…”
• It will never be easy, but the PC hoop schedule does lighten up somewhat over the next six games…with no currently ranked teams on the docket. Opportunity is the mother of invention…now, if the Friars could invent a way to keep teams from hitting threes, they might actually have something…
• Radio and web reports from the Baltimore/Washington area over the past couple of days are saying that two PC players may be transferring to Towson to play for former Friar assistant Pat Skerry after this season. When your rotation is only six or seven players deep, and you have a need for more - Ed Cooley has often said his priority is to "recruit" - this should not come as a surprise. But if true, It could certainly be a distraction for the current team...and how is that good?
• Oh, and I’m hearing the sound of ocean waves in the Friars’ future…
• I know the Patriots were lucky – very lucky – to beat Baltimore for the AFC title. But I also know that good teams, and teams of “destiny,” know how to manufacture their luck…
• Funniest post-game comment actually came the day after they lost, when Ravens’ linebacker Terrell Suggs told ESPN First Take’s Skip Bayless to not be a “d-bag” on the air. Yo, T-Sizzle. That’s kinda like telling ya’ boy Joe Flacco to not be mediocre…
• I will give Flacco his due, however. He outplayed Tom Brady on Sunday. But he doesn’t have Brady’s je ne sais quoi...
• Stupid is, as stupid does…Baltimore’s Bernard Pollard says he hopes the Giants “thrash” the Patriots in the Super Bowl, and that his reputation for injuring Pats’ players is “fine and dandy.” He hit Tom Brady and tore up his knee in ‘08, he was nearest to Wes Welker when Welker went down in ’09, and he put the hurt on Rob Gronkowski’s ankle last Sunday. Yo, Bernard. Watch ya’ back…
• I generally like San Francisco. But I seriously wonder where our culture is headed when some whacked out 49ers’ fans actually threatened kick returner Kyle Williams’ life, after his mistakes helped the New York Giants win the NFC title game…
• Not for nuthin’…but even though Super Bowl parties can be fun, I need to get away to actually WATCH the game (and the commercials). That’s sometimes tough to do with all of the talking, laughing, eating, drinking…wait a minute, what am I missing?
• Pro Bowl, anyone? Anyone? Buehller?
• Thinking the unthinkable…what could the Celtics get for trading Paul Pierce? There are teams in the Western Conference (Houston, Utah) who could use his skills to help put them in a more-competitive position. It’s time to look to the future…
• I don’t have a problem with Bruins’ goalie Tim Thomas’ decision to not go to the White House. He has the right to do as he pleases, especially as an American citizen. I do have a problem with his decision taking away from what should be a “team” moment, not a “me” moment…
• Tim, did our government’s apparent failures wash away from your consciousness when President Obama honored you as just the second American ever to be recognized as the Stanley Cup Playoffs’ MVP? Just sayin’…
• You know political correctness has gone too far, with the story this week that Corner Canyon High School, a new school in Draper, UT rejected “Cougars” as their mascot on the grounds that it would be offensive to some middle-aged women…
• Jamie Moyer is currently ahead of Tim Wakefield to be baseball’s “Methuselah” this season. Moyer, 49, just signed a minor league deal with Colorado. Wakefield, a comparative pup at 45, has no current deal. But things could change…
• That sound you heard was the Red Sox’ lock clamping down on 3rd place in the AL East this year, with Prince Fielder heading to Detroit from Milwaukee…
• Between Fielder and Miguel Cabrera, the Tigers should be fun to watch. Can Prince hit 50 taters in a season like his daddy once did? Probably. The great Al Kaline said this week he remembers Prince hitting the ball OUT of Tiger Stadium as a 12-year-old kid…
• The Sox’ hot stove news this week…sending Marco Scutaro to Colorado for Clay Mortensen, who will probably start the season in Pawtucket? Picking up Cody Ross? YAWN…
• My buddy Statbeast sez the Sox need to wake the @#$% up, and make a move that counts…or at least ticks off Yankee fans…
• He guaranteed a Super Bowl win for his Jets, he predicted the Ravens would beat the Patriots. Now, Rex Ryan is (so far) refusing to honor the numerous requests for his “analysis” on the Giants-Patriots match up. Somebody offer the guy a cheeseburger, will ya?
• This week’s mailbag question comes from Tom in Windsor, VT via Facebook: “John, how do you think our guys (Pats OL) match up against this type of (Giants) D-Line in comparison to a smaller, purely athletic speed type of front?” Tom: Awesome question. And the honest answer is – not very well. The Giants have the rare combination of size, power and speed, as opposed to a smaller front like Denver’s which tries to out run you around the end. Smaller players are easier to keep in front of you. NY can just bull rush you with power, then spin away…leaving your tackles grasping at air. The most important plays for the Pats may be their line calls, and blocking assignments. I suspect this could be a problem come Super Sunday…
• Interested in having your questions on local RI sports (including the Patriots, Red Sox, Bruins and Celtics) answered in a somewhat timely fashion? Send ‘em to me! It’s your chance to “think out loud,” so send your questions and comments to jrooke@golocalprov.com. We’ll share mailbag comments/Facebook posts/Tweets right here! Follow me on Twitter, @jrooke0722…and on Facebook, www.facebook.com/john.rooke ...
Comments:
pearl fanch
2:58pm on Saturday, January 28, 2012
John, You're a sick, sick individual if you think Joe Paterno's career will be looked at favorably.
For over 10 years, he protected and covered up the fact that his assistant coach was a child molester. And better yet, the fact that the child molester started a camp for under privledged kids who he could feed off of.
This entire story will go down in history as one of the most disgusting scenarios ever conducted. And Joe Pa, that arrogant son of a bitch, covered it all up.
There's much more to life, than wins and losses.
pearl fanch
3:01pm on Saturday, January 28, 2012
Just saying, everyone talks about how lucky the patriots were to beat Baltimore. Sure they were.
How lucky were the giants to beat San Fran? Two blunders on special teams lead to a giants TD in regulation, and a game winning field goal in OT. That's not luck?
Of course a team has to be good to make it to the superbowl, but there's always some luck that has to come their way also.
This game will be decided by a field goal or less. Sit back and enjoy the game.
John Rooke
4:25pm on Saturday, January 28, 2012
Pearl - please don't judge me. You have no clue who I am, or what I actually stand for. Did you hear Phil Knight's comments during Joe Paterno's funeral? Take a listen...and no, I don't believe there was a cover up on JoePa's part. If there was a cover up, it came from higher up. His career will be looked upon favorably. Because it already is by much smarter folks than you or I...
Joe Brasco
9:28pm on Saturday, January 28, 2012
John your really disappointing me with your views on Paterno. How anyone can read the full Grand Jury Report and come to the conclusion that Paterno deserved anything more than a jail cell before his departure to hell is beyond me. I'm going to give u a pass John since I know u didn't read the full report. Here is the full report(http://www.scribd.com/doc/72061109/Grand-Jury-Report-on-Penn-State-Sex-Abuse-Scandal)
Joe Brasco
9:41pm on Saturday, January 28, 2012
John how come I'm guessing you don't have kids?
John Rooke
1:36am on Sunday, January 29, 2012
Joe - I do have kids. What does that have to do with this? Does that make me criminal? Does that mean I condone what happened? There's just more to this. I don't feel the need to defend Paterno, but I do feel the need to point out he put in 60 years and helped hundreds - thousands - of students and athletes. Did he err in judgement? I won't argue that. But the man did what he thought he was supposed to do. Period. And I don't believe everything I hear, read or see. You do? You're entitled to your opinion. And I am entitled to mine.
pearl fanch
10:58am on Sunday, January 29, 2012
So John, I'm guessing that you feel the same way about the catholic priests, who dedicated their lives to God, helped thousands, hundreds of thousands (who really knows) and ONLY molested a boy or two. That makes it ok, right?
You're right, I don't know you. I'm not judging you as a person. I'm judging your decision on THIS issue alone. Everyone's got their own opinion.
John Rooke
11:36am on Sunday, January 29, 2012
Pearl, please stop this nonsense. We allow you to comment on these stories so they can be discussed...not so agendas like yours can be furthered. I judge every case individually, as we all should. You are judging me by my comments, and indicting my beliefs based on yours. That is ridiculous, and overly simplistic. You say you're not judging me as a person, but then you compare my comments to approving of catholic priests molesting boys. That's insulting, and shows ignorance.
This shouldn't be anything other than a comment on Paterno's passing. It's not an indictment on molestation or anything else - which he did not commit. But you are treating him - and his reaction to the Penn State tragedy - like he did.
Ever made any mistakes yourself, Pearl? No? Your comparison of Paterno to the shameful acts committed by some catholic priests is a real reach at best...and disgraceful, at worst...and that's your first mistake.
Joe Brasco
3:21pm on Sunday, January 29, 2012
John I'm not saying that the man didn't do no good during his time there but that still doesn't erase what he DIDN'T DO.
He could of been a hero for hundreds(maybe thousands) of kids......think about that John
John Rooke
1:57am on Monday, January 30, 2012
People - walk a mile in his shoes. When you do, then come back here to preach.
pearl fanch
8:43am on Monday, January 30, 2012
Joe, I think it's obviously clear. We're not allowed to disagree with anything John says.
He knows all, and his word is final.
pearl fanch
8:49am on Monday, January 30, 2012
John, I understand that Paterno was a great coach. Nobody is disputing that. What I'm disputing is what he will, and should be remembered for.
For over 10 years, he knew about, and covered up the molestation of not one boy, not two boys, but several boys. You say he told his superiors, so therefore he did what he was supposed to do.
Joe Paterno has no superiors at Penn State. He WAS Penn State. He knew about it and did nothing. To him, Winning was all that mattered.
That's what I'm upset about. Anyone who would agree that his 600+ wins was more important than those boys that were abused.
Of course Sandusky was the real monster, but Joe covered it up.
John Rooke
2:11am on Thursday, February 02, 2012
Pearl, you're just flat out wrong. Joe had superiors, and he was merely following his protocol as he was instructed to do. So we're not going to agree. What you're not allowed to do - Pearl, if that's your real name - is accuse me or anyone else of deviant thinking in a public forum. You're allowed to give your opinion, that's why we have this option. But you're asked to keep it civil. I suggest, in the future, you watch what you say to people, or about people - whether it's me or someone else. They might not be as nice as me...