John Rooke - Thinking Out Loud
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Thinking out loud…and wondering if there’s a true “off-season” in any sport these days…
• Another piece of childhood falling away…with the passing this week of TV stars Sherman Hemsley (George Jefferson) and Chad Everett (Dr. Joe Gannon, Medical Center on CBS). Hemsley’s role, which began on the series “All in the Family” in the ‘70’s, was eventually spun-off into his own show “The Jeffersons.” Spin-offs of original shows and movies are common place today – his was one of the first true hits…
• Ok. We’re all in agreement that Josh Beckett needs to go. But just where do you think he’s going? And why would any contending team, in their right minds, want someone like Beckett in their clubhouse during the pennant chase? Just sayin’…
• Don’t know if you missed it, but the Friars’ first opponent in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off this November will be UMass. So let me get this straight…we’ve got to go more than 2000 miles to play an opponent literally in our back yard? Is that about right? No complaints here…
• Ricky Ledo’s fate for this fall (and beyond?) is now in the hands of the NCAA Clearinghouse. He’s done what he was supposed to do, by all accounts. Now, will the Clearinghouse do what it should, and let him play? PC’s ultimate success this season could be riding on the outcome…
• I’ve had some time now to consider the Penn State sanctions, and here is the feeling I’m left with – confusion. The University presidents that empowered NCAA prez Mark Emmert to do what he did are speaking out of both sides of their mouths. On one side, they want to punish those who should be punished. On another, there but for the grace of God they go…which means monetarily, they would never want to face sanctions like these themselves. Enter a compromise, which allows PSU to continue playing…on television, as per the terms of current contracts. Otherwise, their schools don’t get paid…
• But how does continuing to play punish those who are guilty? It doesn’t. Then why punish the school to begin with? They shouldn’t. Emmert’s decision is the modern-day equivalent of a dictator’s heavy-hand coming down hard on his subjects…only because he feels compelled to do something. Collateral-damage-be-damned. Stupid is as stupid does…
• It pains me to think that one Brown alumnus will probably forever have his legacy stained, as is the case with Joe Paterno. But after hearing what Bill O’Brien had to say this week in the aftermath of the NCAA’s smack down of the Nittany Lions’ program, let’s give him the chance to make his own mark, and create his own legacy. Brown alumni will be proud again…
• It’s admirable that the majority of those Penn State players want to stay together, and it’s appropriate that O’Brien has an automatic contract extension that takes him to 2020…and he’ll need every minute. I covered the SMU scandal in the ‘80’s, and as you are probably aware, they still have not completely recovered from their one-year sentence – that became two years. SMU, by the way, joins the Big East Conference in 2013…
• If you’re looking for a college football fix, Big East media day is in Newport Tuesday, July 31. Pete Brock (the former Patriot center) and I will anchor four hours of live, exclusive coverage on www.bigeast.org, starting just before 9:00 am. And the two of us will provide play-by-play of the Big East/IMG Game of the Week again this season, beginning September 2nd with Kentucky at Louisville…
• Can’t wait for that Boise State @ San Diego State conference game next season. I’m bringin’ the suntan lotion for that one…
• Not for nuthin’…but the Olympics just don’t seem the same. Sure, I love the international pomp-and-circumstance of the opening ceremonies, and my favorite events are track-and-field and swimming…if only because it’s the only time in a four-year period that we pay any attention to those sports. I believe, however, that commercialism has caused overkill – and taken away some of that international brotherly love…
• As I’ve said here before, I worked for the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee in 1984, under the guidance of Peter Ueberroth, and those certainly turned out to be the most successful games – financially – in modern times…even without the Russians competing back then. People will buy” international brotherhood”…the Chinese bought that in ’84, and they still do today. China is more of an athletic powerhouse now, and the USA’s chief athletic threat in the medal count. A billion Chinese can’t be wrong…
• As much as I would love to see the Red Sox get things together, I simply don’t think they can this year. Therefore, I would be a seller, not a buyer, as the trading deadline approaches, Chalk the year up to a learning experience…and don’t sell the farm system down the road for any short term fix…
• That being said…if Felix Hernandez can be had, you probably should consider that deal…
• My original prediction for the Sox this season was 84-78. That might be generous, but if they can hit that mark, they should still be in the hunt for the second wild card spot up until the last week of the season. Is this a good thing, or bad?
• Jon Lester, what the heck happened, man?
• The Phillies gave Cole Hamels $144 million over six years? They were ready to dump him a week ago. That might be a record for repairing a relationship. Or, Philly discovered no one was willing to fork over what they were looking for. Probably a bit of both…
• Did you see where the Celtics will be opening up next season in Miami – against Ray Allen and the Heat? Justice will be served, or revenge will be cold…
• Twelve thousand fans showed up at the opening day of Patriots camp in Foxboro Thursday. Bye-bye, baseball…
• An early indication that the Patriots are ALL business in training camp this year…running back Joseph Addai failing his physical – and getting his release. Don’t know why they would have signed him in the first place, if they didn’t think he could help…
• Doesn’t it seem like Josh McDaniels has been around awhile? He’s 36 years old. Several observers believe he’s the 2nd smartest guy on the field for the Pats, behind Bill Belichick, of course. Despite his shortcomings in Denver…the phrase “heir apparent” is still being thrown around…
• You want a Pats prediction for this season? Let’s put it this way…I’m bullish on the market…
• It’s tough to say who might be impressing during these very early days of camp…but I will say this – there’s a lot of attention being paid to the offensive line, where Brian Waters’ absence is notable…and the defensive backfield, where questions remain on the corners…
• Versatility is the key. When it comes to considering who you think might make this loaded roster, and who might not, consider whether the player can perform multiple tasks. They’ll have the inside track, barring injury of course…
• My buddy Statbeast loves versatility. He sez Mrs. Statbeast is the most versatile person he knows – she cooks and cleans…AND attends the MLB all-star game with him every year. She’s a keeper…
• Deion Branch vs. Donte Stallworth…it might come to that for a spot at receiver. My money is on Branch…
• Even though he’s only been a pro for a year, QB Ryan Mallett has a definite poise to his game early in camp. He’s been accurate, his throws have a Brady-like softness to them, and his knowledge of the offense certainly seems sharper. Don’t be stunned if he moves up as Brady’s #2…and Brian Hoyer is shopped around…
• Gotta admit – love the pickup of Visanthe Shiancoe at tight end, even though the Pats are already loaded at the spot. And I’m not as concerned as some about the offensive line…Waters will probably show up at some point. If he were going to retire, why wouldn’t that have already happened?
• Aaron Hernandez has had a great start to camp. Expect the Patriots to line him up at any one of several positions this fall – tight end, wide, in the slot or in the backfield. His athleticism simply shines through, and he’s a huge mismatch for the secondary…
• Pro football begins training camp in July, and the season runs through the first week of February. With mini camps, rookie camps, OTA’s, the draft, the combine…I can peg the month of March as about the only “off-season” time for pro football. The other pro sports are pretty much the same way, with very little down time following the completion of their respective seasons. Is “more” more, or is “less” more? Even in this instant digital age we live in, there still seems to be an insatiable desire for news and information on your favorite teams. And for the players, it’s a full time job, to be sure – unlike it might have been for them 25-40 years ago where training camp was held to get in shape for the season. I’m curious, though. Have you reached your saturation point with any sport, any team or league? Love to hear your thoughts on this…I’ll post some of your comments over the next few weeks, so fire away!
• Our mailbag question/comment this week comes from John in New Canaan, CT: " I have read thru all the NCAA comments and did not see any mention
of sanctions on Individual Awards. (Penn State's) Silas Redd is a great running back, will he be held out of the Heisman Trophy Voting?" John: Whether Redd decides to transfer to USC (the current rumor) or not, if he plays at all this year...Redd would not only be eligible for the Heisman, but any other award this season. Any Penn State player who wishes to transfer will be allowed to do so, without having to sit out a year under normal terms.
• 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 ...
• And you’re up early anyway…don’t forget to join us for GoLocal Sports on 103.7 FM, every Saturday from 7:00-9:00 am! Call in (401) 737-1287, or text 850850…and send email to the show - golocal@weei.com.
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