Cross-posted on www.devshirme.com
Howard Bryant's recent article on Michael Vick's return to the NFL (and perhaps respectability) is about as good as I have seen on this topic. A few of my thoughts:
-Most articles on Vick's return mention how exciting he will be playing in the Wildcat formation or somesuch thing. They also mention how Philly is a winning team that has superstars, so Vick will not be the big man in the locker room. But the genius of the Eagles (or the Pats or a handful of other teams) signing Vick is that if it doesn't work out and they cut him it is really no big deal. None of these teams would be dependent on him to win.
-Is Vick truly remorseful? Who knows? Byrant makes the very good point that Vick didn't regret stuff until he got caught. It will take years to know, if ever. I will not speculate further on this point, because then you get into philosophical points about if he wasn't remorseful but if the ads helped people understand cruelty to animals, does that make it ok, etc.
-I hope things work out for all parties involved. One of things that has come out of all this is how repulsive animal cruelty is.
-I say all of this, but I cannot but keep from flashing back to such repulsive words as hanging, drowning, and electrocuting - all things which happened to the fighting dogs under Vick's aegis. There is just something utterly reprehensible to all of this that makes it hard for me to see Vick and his situation objectively.
Check out Bryant's article here.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
Ryan, Ventura,...Winfield?
Cross-posted on www.devshirme.com
Phil Mushnick has an article today on the 16th anniversary of Robin Ventura charging the mound against Nolan Ryan (and getting pummeled). I remember watching this while on summer vacation from college. I think Mushnick leaves out the real context of the brawl - Ventura was the first guy since Dave Winfield in 1980 (!) to dare charge the mound against Ryan, who was an institution by the time Ventura did his thing. Interestingly, Mushnick, who truly is the voice of the average fan in showing how leagues and teams take advantage of fans, schedule games at times making it impossible for kids to watch, etc., mentions Winfield in another context later in the article. The long time between people charging Ryan was the main theme of Sportscenter that night, as I remember. I wrote the author an email on the subject - I am interested to see if he remembers this angle and/or thinks it was as significant as I remember.
Phil Mushnick has an article today on the 16th anniversary of Robin Ventura charging the mound against Nolan Ryan (and getting pummeled). I remember watching this while on summer vacation from college. I think Mushnick leaves out the real context of the brawl - Ventura was the first guy since Dave Winfield in 1980 (!) to dare charge the mound against Ryan, who was an institution by the time Ventura did his thing. Interestingly, Mushnick, who truly is the voice of the average fan in showing how leagues and teams take advantage of fans, schedule games at times making it impossible for kids to watch, etc., mentions Winfield in another context later in the article. The long time between people charging Ryan was the main theme of Sportscenter that night, as I remember. I wrote the author an email on the subject - I am interested to see if he remembers this angle and/or thinks it was as significant as I remember.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
First Place Tornadoes Drown Defenders
WORCESTER, MA--- Worcester’s fifth consecutive win 10-6, coupled with a Thursday night come from behind Brockton win over New Jersey, puts the Tornadoes in first place by one half game in front of the Jackals.
Ryan Lobban (8-3) notched his league leading eighth win, fourth in a row, on this night with six quality innings of three run baseball. Lobban coughed up three two out runs in the first before settling into a four-strikeout outing.
The Tornadoes scored in four of the first five innings en route to a ten run, thirteen hit ballgame. Chris Colabello knocked out his sixth long ball of the season with two outs in the fourth was one of four extra base hits, the others a triple from Vinny Pennell and a pair of doubles from Omar Pena.
New Hampshire staged a mini-come back in the seventh with two outs against Nick Conway with three straight hits from Angel Molina, Chris Kelly, and Jabe Bergeron, but it was too little too late for the camo clad Defenders. Eddie Pena got the last out of the seventh and tossed in three outs a piece for the eighth and ninth as well to close out the visitors.
Worcester will get a chance to lengthen their lead on New Jersey tomorrow night when the Jackals breeze into the HIP for a three game set. Guiseppe Granitto (0-3) will throw for NJ in his fourth start against the Tornadoes. Worcester counters with rookie Ryan Quinn (0-0) making his second professional start.
Ryan Lobban (8-3) notched his league leading eighth win, fourth in a row, on this night with six quality innings of three run baseball. Lobban coughed up three two out runs in the first before settling into a four-strikeout outing.
The Tornadoes scored in four of the first five innings en route to a ten run, thirteen hit ballgame. Chris Colabello knocked out his sixth long ball of the season with two outs in the fourth was one of four extra base hits, the others a triple from Vinny Pennell and a pair of doubles from Omar Pena.
New Hampshire staged a mini-come back in the seventh with two outs against Nick Conway with three straight hits from Angel Molina, Chris Kelly, and Jabe Bergeron, but it was too little too late for the camo clad Defenders. Eddie Pena got the last out of the seventh and tossed in three outs a piece for the eighth and ninth as well to close out the visitors.
Worcester will get a chance to lengthen their lead on New Jersey tomorrow night when the Jackals breeze into the HIP for a three game set. Guiseppe Granitto (0-3) will throw for NJ in his fourth start against the Tornadoes. Worcester counters with rookie Ryan Quinn (0-0) making his second professional start.
Patriots Camp Notes ~ Thursday
By Paul Perillo, Patriots Football Weekly
The Patriots opened training camp with a rain and lightning-shortened practice at Gillette Stadium with Vince Wilfork present but Randy Moss, Shawn Springs, Joey Galloway and Jarvis Green were not.
He didn’t exactly guarantee it, but back in the spring during OTAs Vince Wilfork strongly suggested that he would be with his teammates on the field for the start of training camp. Consider him a man of his word.
Wilfork was indeed one of the 70 Patriots in uniform for the official start of training camp. He’s still without the contract extension he desires, and it doesn’t appear the sides are any closer to a resolution, but he said he wouldn’t let those distractions affect him in any way.
The news on the attendance front wasn’t all good, however. Randy Moss, Joey Galloway and Jarvis Green all were missing from practice. They joined Shawn Crable, Ty Warren, Darryl Richard, Rich Ohrnberger, Mark LeVoir, Shawn Springs and Brandon Tate on the sidelines. Tate and Springs opened camp on the active/non-football injury list while the other five all reside on the active/physically unable to perform list.
Bill Belichick wouldn’t specify the reason for any individual player’s absence, instead speaking about the group as a whole.
“We have a number of players not out there and they’re in different stages,” he said. “I’d expect them all to be back out there at some point but each case is taken on an individual basis.”
On Thursday, Wilfork took his spot up front in various alignments. He manned his normal nose tackle spot between Richard Seymour and Mike Wright, and he also lined up in four-man looks with rookie Ron Brace next to him. Some of the four-man fronts appeared to be part of scout team looks.
Unfortunately the heavy rains and lightning interrupted the morning practice and prevented normal media access and Wilfork wasn’t one of the handful of players the team made available for comment. Regardless, it doesn’t appear as if there’s a holdout in the big man’s immediate future.
Who likes Mike?
Former Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick's road back to the NFL is obviously a lot shorter now that Commissioner Roger Goodell has granted him a conditional return. Several national reports have listed the Patriots as a potential landing spot for Vick, and Belichick was asked about the possibility of the former Falcon being back in the NFL.
“Michael’s an outstanding player who hasn’t played in a couple of years,” Belichick said. “Right now my focus is on our team, our players, and trying to get the New England Patriots ready. He’s a tremendous athlete, where exactly he is right now, I don’t know.”
Who’s hot: Adalius Thomas – The Patriots may not have opened camp with loads of proven commodities at outside linebacker, but Thomas certainly is one. He was virtually unblockable Thursday morning, coming clean off the edge several times and delivering a big shoulder to Sammy Morris during a 9-on-7 running drill.
Who’s not: Shawn Crable – Crable is one of many of the unproven candidates to fill Mike Vrabel’s void on the outside and starting camp on the physically unable to perform list can’t be a good sign. While it’s unclear why Crable is on PUP, the reps he’s missing on the field will be tough to replace.
Play of the morning – As the deluge of rain swept through the practice fields, ball security became an issue. But one interception stood out and that was Jonathan Wilhite’s diving grab of a Kevin O’Connell pass intended for Ray Ventrone. The ball was slightly underthrown, but Wilhite’s diving catch was special.
Quote of the day: “I’m a lot friendlier.” – a smiling Belichick, when asked how he’d changed during his 10 years coaching the Patriots.
Paying respects
Belichick commented on the recent passing of Eagles defensive coordinator Jimmy Johnson, who died earlier this week after a battle with cancer.
“Jim’s probably as good a defensive coordinator as I’ve seen in the league,” Belichick said. “I respect his philosophy, his schemes and his ability to attack offenses. He’s got a real good football mind.
I’ve always had great respect for him. He’s a good friend and a real good football coach. Certainly on behalf of our team and football organization, our condolences go out to his family and the Eagles.”
Snapped up
Long snapper Jake Ingram signed a four-year deal and hit the practice field with the rest of his teammates for the first official day of training camp. The sixth-round pick did miss four days of work with his fellow rookies, who have been practicing since July 26, but his signing means the Patriots successfully inked deals with 11 of their 12 draft picks. The lone exception is linebacker Tyrone McKenzie, the third-round pick who tore his ACL during rookie mini-camp and is likely lost for the season. Obviously there’s no urgency to get his deal done. To make room for Ingram on the roster the team released defensive back Jamar Love.
Notes
Terrence Wheatley made a nice pass breakup on a Tom Brady pass intended for Terrence Nunn. Brady’s pass was underthrown and Nunn was forced to slow down, but Wheatley closed well and got enough of the ball to prevent the completion. … Ray Ventrone, who is usually busy enough filling his duties as a wide receiver, defensive back and special teams maven, worked out with the running backs during the morning session. … Five players worked returning kicks with Wes Welker, Kevin Faulk, Laurence Maroney, Greg Lewis and Terrence Nunn rotating through. ... Robert and Jonathan Kraft braved the weather and took in part of the morning session from field level. … The team will return to the field for the afternoon practice at 3:45 p.m.
The Patriots opened training camp with a rain and lightning-shortened practice at Gillette Stadium with Vince Wilfork present but Randy Moss, Shawn Springs, Joey Galloway and Jarvis Green were not.
He didn’t exactly guarantee it, but back in the spring during OTAs Vince Wilfork strongly suggested that he would be with his teammates on the field for the start of training camp. Consider him a man of his word.
Wilfork was indeed one of the 70 Patriots in uniform for the official start of training camp. He’s still without the contract extension he desires, and it doesn’t appear the sides are any closer to a resolution, but he said he wouldn’t let those distractions affect him in any way.
The news on the attendance front wasn’t all good, however. Randy Moss, Joey Galloway and Jarvis Green all were missing from practice. They joined Shawn Crable, Ty Warren, Darryl Richard, Rich Ohrnberger, Mark LeVoir, Shawn Springs and Brandon Tate on the sidelines. Tate and Springs opened camp on the active/non-football injury list while the other five all reside on the active/physically unable to perform list.
Bill Belichick wouldn’t specify the reason for any individual player’s absence, instead speaking about the group as a whole.
“We have a number of players not out there and they’re in different stages,” he said. “I’d expect them all to be back out there at some point but each case is taken on an individual basis.”
On Thursday, Wilfork took his spot up front in various alignments. He manned his normal nose tackle spot between Richard Seymour and Mike Wright, and he also lined up in four-man looks with rookie Ron Brace next to him. Some of the four-man fronts appeared to be part of scout team looks.
Unfortunately the heavy rains and lightning interrupted the morning practice and prevented normal media access and Wilfork wasn’t one of the handful of players the team made available for comment. Regardless, it doesn’t appear as if there’s a holdout in the big man’s immediate future.
Who likes Mike?
Former Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick's road back to the NFL is obviously a lot shorter now that Commissioner Roger Goodell has granted him a conditional return. Several national reports have listed the Patriots as a potential landing spot for Vick, and Belichick was asked about the possibility of the former Falcon being back in the NFL.
“Michael’s an outstanding player who hasn’t played in a couple of years,” Belichick said. “Right now my focus is on our team, our players, and trying to get the New England Patriots ready. He’s a tremendous athlete, where exactly he is right now, I don’t know.”
Who’s hot: Adalius Thomas – The Patriots may not have opened camp with loads of proven commodities at outside linebacker, but Thomas certainly is one. He was virtually unblockable Thursday morning, coming clean off the edge several times and delivering a big shoulder to Sammy Morris during a 9-on-7 running drill.
Who’s not: Shawn Crable – Crable is one of many of the unproven candidates to fill Mike Vrabel’s void on the outside and starting camp on the physically unable to perform list can’t be a good sign. While it’s unclear why Crable is on PUP, the reps he’s missing on the field will be tough to replace.
Play of the morning – As the deluge of rain swept through the practice fields, ball security became an issue. But one interception stood out and that was Jonathan Wilhite’s diving grab of a Kevin O’Connell pass intended for Ray Ventrone. The ball was slightly underthrown, but Wilhite’s diving catch was special.
Quote of the day: “I’m a lot friendlier.” – a smiling Belichick, when asked how he’d changed during his 10 years coaching the Patriots.
Paying respects
Belichick commented on the recent passing of Eagles defensive coordinator Jimmy Johnson, who died earlier this week after a battle with cancer.
“Jim’s probably as good a defensive coordinator as I’ve seen in the league,” Belichick said. “I respect his philosophy, his schemes and his ability to attack offenses. He’s got a real good football mind.
I’ve always had great respect for him. He’s a good friend and a real good football coach. Certainly on behalf of our team and football organization, our condolences go out to his family and the Eagles.”
Snapped up
Long snapper Jake Ingram signed a four-year deal and hit the practice field with the rest of his teammates for the first official day of training camp. The sixth-round pick did miss four days of work with his fellow rookies, who have been practicing since July 26, but his signing means the Patriots successfully inked deals with 11 of their 12 draft picks. The lone exception is linebacker Tyrone McKenzie, the third-round pick who tore his ACL during rookie mini-camp and is likely lost for the season. Obviously there’s no urgency to get his deal done. To make room for Ingram on the roster the team released defensive back Jamar Love.
Notes
Terrence Wheatley made a nice pass breakup on a Tom Brady pass intended for Terrence Nunn. Brady’s pass was underthrown and Nunn was forced to slow down, but Wheatley closed well and got enough of the ball to prevent the completion. … Ray Ventrone, who is usually busy enough filling his duties as a wide receiver, defensive back and special teams maven, worked out with the running backs during the morning session. … Five players worked returning kicks with Wes Welker, Kevin Faulk, Laurence Maroney, Greg Lewis and Terrence Nunn rotating through. ... Robert and Jonathan Kraft braved the weather and took in part of the morning session from field level. … The team will return to the field for the afternoon practice at 3:45 p.m.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Mick The Quick
Thurman Munson is generally considered the heart and soul of the Yankees teams of the late 70s, but there is something to be said for Mickey Rivers. I thought of him today when I read this interview. His numbers are here. If you spool down you can see his transaction history - I can't believe he was traded for Hoyt Wilhelm! I don't know why the Yanks ever got rid of him but they did get Oscar Gamble in the trade, and he was a good (and entertaining) player as well.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Rude People Make Me Wanna Puke
Cross Posted from www.wesomorning.com
Tonight I am writing this from the Press Box at the Worcester Tornadoes game at Fitton Field in Worcester, Massachusetts. The Tornadoes belong to the Canadian American Independent League of baseball and a great team in this great city.
At the start of the game, as they do at most sporting events, they play the National Anthem. The announcer asks everyone to stand, and remove their caps for the playing of the National Anthem. Whilst the Anthem was playing I was scanning the crowd and low and behold, right in front of the Box was this (I wish I could use the word I ant to use) let's just call him a dope standing there with his hat on, beer in hand, and the other hand in his pocket. I had all I could do to refrain from screaming at this fine American! The kicker of the thing is his son was standing beside him with his hat off and over his heart and actually singing!
This really gets my goat. I cannot explain what this does to me to see disrespect like this. Earlier today I wrote a blog post about Shifty Powers of Band of Brothers fame and how he died in June and no one knew or or for that matter cared about it. Then I come to America's Game and see this PUTZ (I hope I spelled that right) disrespecting everything that we fought for. Well I guess he fought for the right for this dope to stand there with his hands in his pocket.
The utter disrespect we now see in this country is amazing. Just the fact that the announcer had to tell people to stand up and remove their caps should be enough... I don't know what to do about but rest assured I will make this my mission in life!
At the start of the game, as they do at most sporting events, they play the National Anthem. The announcer asks everyone to stand, and remove their caps for the playing of the National Anthem. Whilst the Anthem was playing I was scanning the crowd and low and behold, right in front of the Box was this (I wish I could use the word I ant to use) let's just call him a dope standing there with his hat on, beer in hand, and the other hand in his pocket. I had all I could do to refrain from screaming at this fine American! The kicker of the thing is his son was standing beside him with his hat off and over his heart and actually singing!
This really gets my goat. I cannot explain what this does to me to see disrespect like this. Earlier today I wrote a blog post about Shifty Powers of Band of Brothers fame and how he died in June and no one knew or or for that matter cared about it. Then I come to America's Game and see this PUTZ (I hope I spelled that right) disrespecting everything that we fought for. Well I guess he fought for the right for this dope to stand there with his hands in his pocket.
The utter disrespect we now see in this country is amazing. Just the fact that the announcer had to tell people to stand up and remove their caps should be enough... I don't know what to do about but rest assured I will make this my mission in life!
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