Must admit I've been getting home after SportsTalk in the new time slot & completely forgetting my blog duties. I said duty! Great talk today about "Those Guys", meaning the role or lesser profile players on your favorite teams. Some brought up great Ducks from the past like Joe Reitzig or Tony Hartley. We had a Dwight Evans mention from the 1980's Red Sox. From my chair this is what makes being a fan so great. It's personal. Who isn't aware Reggie Jackson and Thurman Munson were a part of the 1977 Yankee World Series winners? How many would guess Don Gullet contributed 14 victories to the effort? It's a beautiful thing.
In the wake of the Tim Donaghy mess, the NBA has taken what I consider a pretty pro-active, progressive move and hired recently retired Army General Ronald L Johnson into the new position of senior vice president for referee operations. This means in essence an outside source can oversee the knucklehead officials. I agree with Dallas owner Mark Cuban who says it's the immediate right move.
Earlier this week, NFL commish Roger Goodell said cases of major rookie contracts had to be stopped for the economic good of the game. I've been a big supporter of this guy since he took the reigns from Paul Tagliabue, but he's bricked badly here, especially when he compared the issue to the NBA. The NBA pays kids big bucks and actually has a salary cap for rookies. The following were all among the top 7 picks and they're all 19 years old. Derrick Rose, Mike Beasley, Kevin Love, Danillo Gallinari and Eric Gordon. OJ Mayo is one of the elder statesmen. Plus these guys are one season removed from high school. Let's run some NFL numbers. The top 3, Jake Long of the Dolphins, Chris Long of the Rams and Atlanta's Matt Ryan are all 23 and have been out of high school 5 years, not to mentioned playing at least 3 full seasons at the highest level of college ball. It's apples & oranges. The money is nuts, but if you're going to write a check, who would you put more trust in. Goodell is way off base here.
1 comment:
I listen every day, but I can't call in during your show Steve, as I'm driving around for work, but as a long time Blazer fan (from the beginning) I've got to add Lloyd Neal and Larry Steele as my two unsung heroes (both are certainly in my top ten fave Blazers of all time).
The good defense and hustle of those two was certainly repaid in kind in that magical championship season, though it was near the end of Neal's career due to injuries by that point in his career.
Some may have always wondered why role players such as Neal and Steele have had their numbers retired by the organization, I'd certainly venture to say that such recognition is not just for the championship season, but for their body of work for a team when not many outside the state even knew who those guys were.
Also can't forget Bobby Gross for doing as good a defensive job on Dr. J as could be expected, while managing to score enough points to take the pressure off of Walton, Lucas and Hollins.
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