John Rooke - Thinking Out Loud
Saturday, October 05, 2013
Thinking out loud…and wondering if the government shut down means I can tell Congress you’ll get my tax payments when you re-open for business…
• Here’s the thing…show some leadership. Stop whining and stomping your feet like a petulant child. Realize that you’ve put more than 800K of your hard working, tax-paying citizens out of work. Compromise, and get us going again. Then resign…
• If the shutdown isn’t the supreme example/reason that we should put term limits on EVERY politician in place, from the federal to the local level, I don’t know that we’ll ever get there. Or you just don’t care. And perhaps that’s part of the problem here. These people don’t have my interests at heart, and they don’t have yours. They have theirs. Some may try to feign “caring,” others can talk a good game. But they are largely frozen by fear, and silenced by stupidity. Give them two terms to do something right, and get out…
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST• Did anyone notice when University of Miami QB Stephen Morris called USF a “dirty team” last week after the Hurricanes blew past the Bulls? Um, pot…meet kettle…
• I mentioned last week about the documentary produced on the 1969 Texas-Arkansas football game…that ended up transcending the sport, and bringing big time college football, race relations and Vietnam-era politics firmly into our national conscience. James Street, the quarterback for that Texas team who embodied the term “great college QB,” died this week of a heart attack at age 65. Street was truly one of my childhood heroes. He wasn’t big, fast, or particularly strong-armed. In fact, even though he was also a great college baseball pitcher (made all-conference, and had a perfect game AND another no-hitter to his credit), his passing wasn’t particularly accurate. But he won. 20 straight as a starter for Texas over two seasons. And, he’s responsible for perhaps the greatest single play in the first 100 years of college football – his 4th down, 44-yard toss to Randy Peschel that helped #1 Texas come from behind to beat #2 Arkansas 15-14 and claim the ’69 national title…
• Some kids worshipped Johnny Unitas at QB…others Joe Kapp, Roman Gabriel, or maybe Darryl Lamonica or Bart Starr. Fran Tarkenton? A young Roger Staubach? Absolutely. But as a kid in ’69, I wanted to be James Street…
• YAWN. Wake me when Terrell Suggs is through throwing his darts at Tom Brady. C’mon T-Sizzle, your act is getting old. Don’t like his hair…that’s all you got?
• Not for nuthin’…but did Ben Volin of the Boston Globe get hung out to dry, or upset a travel partner last week? The paper’s Patriots’ beat reporter, while still relatively new on the job, committed quite the gaffe when he reported Rob Gronkowski and Danny Amendola would play against Atlanta. Well, neither player even made the trip. Just goes to show you, in this biz…trust your eyes, and your ears…but no one else’s…
• Aqib Talib IS a cover corner. He’s not Darrelle Revis, but he’s pretty good. And he’s playing his way into a massive payday next year, when he can become a free agent once again. Should the Patriots pay him, to keep him? Deep down, you know the answer to that one. Of course they should…but they probably won’t…
• Here’s a prediction for you. If the Patriots actually WIN the Super Bowl this season, Talib is a goner next year. He’ll take his ring, gladly. While the franchise tag could be an option, he’ll seek – and take – his money from someplace else…
• There is no replacing Vince Wilfork. I’ve heard many say that nose tackle is an overrated position, anyway. Sure it is. By whom? The two-and-sometimes-three blockers required to keep him out of the opposing offensive backfield?
• Don’t know whether to laugh at this one, or actually feel sorry for him…but former NFL QB Bernie Kosar actually told police officers, as he was pulled over for DUI and asked to perform a field sobriety test last week, that he couldn’t do what they asked because of bad knees and ankles, and “because his line couldn’t block.” Yup. Said that…
• Tweet of the Week I – from @ESPNStatsInfo: “This is the 2nd time the Pirates have hit at least 3 HR in a postseason home game. The other was Game 7 of 1960 World Series vs Yankees.” Referring to Tuesday night’s wild card win over Cincinnati. Pretty amazing. They followed that up with the first home playoff win in 21 years. When they won that game in ’92, a guy named Tim Wakefield was on their roster. Hard not to root for them…
• Really? Kate Upton is on the MLB playoffs preview cover for Sports Illustrated? Isn’t her appearance about four months too early? Just sayin’…
• Best record in the big leagues is great. Remarkable, really…coming on the heels of a 69-win season a year ago. That alone should be enough for Red Sox fans, no matter what happens in the playoffs. But we all know better, don’t we?
• Tampa Bay is the team the Sox LEAST wanted to face, with their pitching...Friday's result nothwithstanding. As a fan, I have concern. As a reporter/analyst/bloviator, don’t be shocked if this still doesn’t turn out well for the home town team…
• It’s all over already, before it gets started anyway. The last time the government shut down? 1995. The last time the Atlanta Braves won the World Series? 1995…
• Are you aggravated at the slow poke in the left lane in front of you…and then find out they’re slow because they’re texting? The State of Illinois seems to be doing something about this. Judging by the number of people I see doing this very thing EVERY DAY on our roads, this might be a good way for Rhode Island to improve its financial status in fairly short order. Get to work, officers…
• Great. Just what I needed. KFC’s new “Go cups” are designed to fit 83% of all automobile cup holders. Survey says (in my best Richard Dawson impression)…53% of car owners aged 18 to 32 are more likely to eat food in their cars if the food would fit in the cup holder. That’s blatantly discriminatory. Or, I’m just younger than I realized. And it’s brilliant…
• How the mighty have fallen…in the latest radio ratings wars, 98.5 The Sports Hub outgained WEEI 2-to-1 during afternoon drive this summer. And that’s during baseball season, too. Ruh roh…
• I like Mike Salk, having worked with him in a previous incarnation at the former 890 ESPN in Boston. And Michael Holley is a talented writer who is probably better suited for the pen, rather than the microphone. Together…there’s just not much chemistry. It’s forced, and strained at times. Not a real recipe for success…but they’re trying…
• As for The Sports Hub…did you hear what Toucher and Rich did to Rick Pitino this week? On a media tour to promote his new book, and invited onto the show by the station, Pitino never even got the chance to respond to a moronic, single-digit IQ rant. He was sucker-punched. After welcoming him in, Fred Toucher let him have it. And then, the show – not Pitino – hung up. On Pitino. I know a lot of people in Boston and throughout New England consider Pitino’s tenure in Boston as nothing short of disastrous, but this was really low. And the station celebrated it. A stunt? A show “bit?” It had to come from the minds of 11-year-olds, and was incredibly classless…
• If they had half a brain, they would have let Jon Wallach – the guy with the actual sports knowledge on the show – ask the tough questions to see how he might have answered. But they never got that far before pulling a childhood stunt similar to ringing someone’s doorbell and then running away. Ooh, that’ll show him! If all they wanted to do was get noticed, they succeeded. But there are ways to achieve publicity without compromising professionalism. And respect. In reality, they made Pitino – if it’s possible – a somewhat sympathetic figure in Boston. Stupid is as stupid does…
• I’m fortunate that I live on a cranberry bog…which means that at this time of year, we get to appreciate the beauty of the harvesting – and the tasting – of those berries. Makes me really want to find some of those thigh-high waders that the Ocean Spray cranberry guys wear in those commercials…and end every sentence with “ay uh…”
• UConn fired football coach Paul Pasqualoni this past week, which may or may not come as a surprise to you. The Huskies are an inglorious 0-4 to start their season. What his firing reinforces is the simple fact that universities are now “brands,” like groceries on a supermarket shelf, there for prospective students, parents and alumni to support by their purchase. School reputations, outside of the Ivy League, are more and more dependent on their athletic prowess, and football success correlates with indicators toward academic success – particularly at FBS institutions. Win, alumni are happy, money comes in. Lose, fire the coach, so you don’t upset the money – er – alumni base…
• Football is first, basketball is second. Everything else is so much cannon fodder. Why is Louisville in the ACC, and UConn not? F-o-o-t-b-a-l-l…
• A great quote – and very telling – from former PC basketball coach and soon-to-be-retired Princeton athletic director Gary Walters, on our current crop of intercollegiate leaders: "Their ability to disguise self-interest in the name of any number of principles has been raised to an art form," Walters said, a former member of the NCAA basketball tournament's selection committee. "When you see the NCAA president making $1.7 million, and that all of the (major conference) commissioners, many of whom are friends of mine, are making $2 million, where your treasure lies, so shall your heart beat…"
• Let the arms race begin…as if it hasn’t already…UConn’s board of trustees recently approved a final construction budget for their new basketball-only training facility – at $33.3 million. As we reported a few weeks ago, PC’s plans are in the formative stages…but are a definite “go.” These are the times in which we live, and compete…
• Hey Friar fans. Interested? It’s been awhile, so I thought you might want to get reacquainted with the NCAA ticketing process…
• There is reason for optimism surrounding the PC basketball program on several fronts…not the least of which would be in recruiting, especially after the verbal commitment received from 6-8 power forward Ben Bentil last week. Three Top 100’s, plus a transfer that had high-major interest when he was recruited, will put this class somewhere in the national Top 10-15. Potentially, there are two spots remaining for 2014. Ed Cooley and staff will fill them if they can, even during the upcoming November signing period, but they’re in no hurry to do so. Love to get another shooter…
• The culmination of a decade-long process to improve facilities at Providence College is finally coming into focus…as the Friars celebrated the re-opening of Schneider Arena and debuted the brand-new Ray Treacy Track, located on the site of the former Hendricken Field for baseball. The process began in 2005 with the Lennon Family Field (field hockey, lacrosse) artificial turf surface, the Concannon Fitness Center, and the renovation of Alumni Hall and Joe Mullaney Gym. On the agenda – a lacrosse/soccer stadium (Chapey Field), a new softball complex and tennis courts…and the basketball training facility…
• If you’re wondering…and I was…URI’s annual “Rhody Madness” is scheduled for October 17 at 9pm, at Keaney Gym. Free for students, and fans…
• While the 2013-14 version of the Celtics spent the past week training at Salve Regina in Newport, the on-air presentation got quite the shake-up at CSNNE. Gary Tanguay is out as studio host, replaced by Kyle Draper. Studio analysts will rotate, like they do on NESN for Red Sox baseball, rather than rely primarily on former UConn star Donny Marshall, and include former PC coach Tim Welsh. Greg Dickerson is out from his sideline gig, Abby Chin is in. Mike Gorman stays on as play-by-play voice, and Tommy Heinsohn joins him at home. On the road, it will vary…including an appearance or two from Danny Ainge. Will the revamped line-up improve the picture? Um, no…
• You may know that recently, Celtics and Holy Cross legend Bob Cousy lost his wife of 63 years, Missie. What you may not know, is that Cousy largely spent the past dozen years or so caring for his wife, who suffered from dementia. A heartbreaking tale, to be sure…but it shows Cousy today as he has been for most of his 85 years – the master of the assist…
• Tweet of the Week II – from @NFLONFOX: “A Houston restaurant is serving the “Matt Schaub special” – you get to “pick 6” burger toppings & “pay dearly for it…”
• Ever wanted to REALLY get inside for the scoop from your favorite team? This is a heck of an idea, and promotion, by the Dallas Cowboys. And a bargain, really, at $5 bucks…
• Fans of Jack Ryan novels will be saddened to know author Tom Clancy died this week, at age 66. Almost becoming an owner of the Minnesota Vikings in the late ‘90’s, Clancy’s storytelling involving military intricacies and tactics were often spell-binding. His 1994 novel “Debt of Honor” told the story of a rogue pilot crashing his plane into the US Capitol during a Presidential joint session of Congress…but he later said he “never saw 9/11 coming…I couldn’t stretch my brain that far…”
• The GEICO camel is back…since his “Guess What Day It Is” commercial is one of the most viewed on YouTube. He’s become a TV star…and now, taking his talents to the big screen…
• Tweet of the Week III – from @PeteRose_14: “On this day 1969 (Wednesday) I had a bunt single in my last AB vs #Braves to win my 2nd consec. Batting title, #Pirates Roberto Clemente finished 2nd.” Baseball writers, the man has done his penance. He belongs in the Hall…
• Bonus Tweet – from CBS Sports college hoop analyst Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein): “Amazing how few people are talking about Providence. Friars are officially the sleeper in the Big East. Strong starting five + improved depth…”
• Zen question of the week: So if 800,000 government employees are staying home, how come the traffic around here, and in Boston, still stinks?
• A-Fraud said this week he had no idea what he was taking? And now his “defense team” is denying he said this? Cue the calliope music…the circus is still in town…
• Laugh Out Loud…I share the pain and frustration of announcers everywhere over pronunciations, but this hockey analyst seems to have forgotten there might actually be people listening to him…
• Reminds me of my first broadcast gaffe (yes, the first of many)…in 1981 while televising high school football in Central Texas. Pre-taping our intro on the field, I stumbled and bumbled getting tongue-tied with a name, so I said “!#%&, let’s do that again?” We did. But the “!#%&” part made it on the air the next night. As I recall, there weren’t many complaints to the switchboard…which should probably tell you how serious viewers were about their high school football…
• Thought this was a bit funny…Syracuse’s Jim Boeheim was asked this week at a NY State Associated Press symposium about “paying players,” and not surprisingly, he came down against it. Would that be because right now it’s illegal to do so, that the cost of the scholarship is enough…or because paying them more than what your budget calls for is getting to be a pain in the butt? Anyone?
• Boeheim’s an easy target here. The same question could be posed to just about any high-major program coach in America. Consider track records and the “student-athletes” that have gone through these programs in the past…and you tell me. Don’t the alleged “dirty ones” stand out?
• Which reminds me of an anonymous quote I heard years ago covering football in the old Southwest Conference: “Good programs cheat…great programs don’t get caught.”
• My buddy Statbeast sez he’s hoping the government shutdown means he won’t get any more parking tickets…
• Frankly, I’m a little surprised at the public outcry over the shutdown. Considering the voter apathy we have during election years…and the fact those that DO take part keep re-electing the same self-serving, special-interest catering, public-interest ignoring knuckleheads into office. Seems like the last time America actually cared about anything was when the Twinkie factories shut down…
• From the mailbag this week – Nilay from San Ramon, CA writes via Facebook: “I know (Patriots’ TE Zach) Sudfeld was the subject of some discussion. Did you expect him to be released this early?” Nilay: No, I didn’t. Perhaps the move is a precursor to another roster move soon-to-be-made. It could also be a message sent to the entire team, that attention to detail must be part of your job…seeing that Sudfeld has had a hard time holding onto the football. He’s a free-agent rookie with some potential, and has practice squad eligibility, but he was picked up by the Jets Friday night…
• 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 [email protected]. We’ll share mailbag comments/Facebook posts/Tweets right here! Follow me on Twitter, @JRbroadcaster…and on Facebook, www.facebook.com/john.rooke ...
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• You'll notice a couple of new names on our pages in the coming days...please welcome and read Matt LaPan, who will write primarily for GoLocalWorcester...and Jack Andrade, a Cumberland guy who hits the high school beat for GoLocalProv this week. In the coming weeks, we'll be ramping up coverage of recruiting...and may welcome back a familiar name to the RI sports scene. Stay tuned...
• The recently released “Rhode Island Radio” from Arcadia Publishing is available for sale, and the book tells the story of the 91-year history of radio in our state through photographs, clippings and memories from many of the personalities who have graced our airwaves. If you’re in search of the gift that says “Rhode Island,” you’ve found it. Or, find it in local bookstores and online right here…