ODD CONCEPT by ST

30 years ago tonight I was watching Monday Night Football with the legendary crew of Frank Gifford, Howard Cosell and Dandy Don Meredith. Patriots & Dolphins, big AFC East battle. My 15 year old sister was supposedly asleep in her room, but she frequently kept her radio on. She came in, bleary eyed and said she thought she heard that John Lennon had been shot. What? It made no sense. Political figures or world leaders were assasinated, not rock stars. Then Howard Cosell stopped the action on ABC to verify the horrifying news. I still haven't wrapped my brain around it. Why this vermin we learned was Mark David Chapman would develop this violent obsession with the ultimate man of peace. What the hell kind of society breeds this kind of dirt? I'd say I'm just as angry on 12-8-2010 as I was on 12-8-1980. R.I.P John Winston Lennon.

QUESTIONS TO PONDER by ST

Listening to all the BCS coverage, NFL football, NBA, ect. and I'm wondering who folks think are the best and worst. No qualifications or limitations. If the broadcaster is national or network, they're fair game. They can do play by play, color commentary, radio, TV studio work, give me your 3 best and the trio you'd like to throw down with.
The firing of Josh McDaniels in Denver seems like the poster move for the modern, information age generation. An owner like Pat Bowlen who ran a very stable franchise, went outside the Bronco circle to pull in a Bill Belichick desciple. Didn't last 2 years. Too much at stake. Too many missteps? The days of a 3-4 or 5 year program are a distant memory. Gotta make a move now or you're history.
People are making too much of this Patriot dusting of the Jets. New York could very easily be 5 & 7. They won games late against the Browns, Lions, Texans and ironically the Broncos that don't happen in other seasons. New England is coming together with a very young defense and a cohesive offense. This is far from etched in stone, but I see the Steelers at Pats for the AFC title and the Dixie battle between the Saints and Falcons in the NFC.
How about the NBA. Think people jump to knee jerk conclusions? Heat are now 14 & 8 with Miami Thrice starting to gel. How folks hit the pro hoop panic button in November is nothing short of idiotic. The East is not great. The freaking Knicks are making a move. Talk to me on February 1st before you draw any serious thoughts about Lebron, Dwade & this team, especially as they heal up. Definitely keep an eye on the Bulls. Just got Carlos Boozer back and they just beat the excellent Oklahoma City team with CB putting up 29 pts & grabbing 12 boards. After a stop in Cleveland tomorrow they host the Lakers Friday night. Early season can't miss NBA.
Okay, time to give away some loot. E-mail the correct answer to stevetannen@live.com or text it to 653-3098. The Ducks have played in 2 BCS games, the win versus Colorado and last year's loss to Ohio State. Combined they've scored a total of 7 touchdowns. How many were via the run, how many via the pass? Good luck!

SO GOOD, SO RARE by ST

This is really sweet. I was crunching some numbers. The 1st BCS title was held in January of 99. Including the 2 participants from this year, that means 26 slots. Auburn and Oregon become the 13th and 14th programs to vie for the prize. It's a very repative, select club. Of the previous 12 to qualify, only Tennessee, Virginia Tech, Alabama and Nebraska have made one appearance. Of the rest, Texas, Miami, USC, LSU and Florida went twice. Florida State and thee Ohio State University made the biggie three times and Oklahoma four! It's one of those moments or accomplishments which seperates. We've spoken many times over the years about where Oregon football stands. The clear upgrade from the early 90's, through the Harrington years to where they are now. By making back to back BCS bowls the Ducks join conversations that once seemed unattainable.
How about Dana Altman and this basketball team? You don't want to get too far ahead of yourselves, but how can you not be encouraged? I was a huge supporter of the Kent regime and still feel he deserved a shot to open the new arena, but that doesn't mean Coach Altman isn't a terrific hire. They're very different people and with the multiple Elite 8 appearances, the bar is set pretty up there but this guy seems to be outstanding with those x's & o's. A knowledgable buddy of mine uses the phrase "nuts & bolts". I like how his offense gets the ball inside for high percentage shots and the players appear to be very willing to absorb what Altman is saying. My personal level of optimism has grown substantially in recent weeks.
On today's shows we continue the share the joy, take your calls, and of course culminate CrunchTime with another edition of "What Are You Doing?"

DESTINATION ETCHED IN STONE

THEY'RE GOING NATTY!

IT'S HERE by ST

So how high on the list is playing for the right to play for a national title in the sport that has become America's passion? And I'm talking in the history of the Pacific Northwest. Up there with the Blazers winning it all in 77 or making the NBA Finals in 90 & 92? Winning the Fiesta Bowl in 2001. Seattle has had minimal success. No World Series, one Super Bowl, one NBA title in 79. Do National Titles in sports like Track & Field or College Baseball rate? I'm thinking this rates with any of them. I'll be looking for your input on this when we crank it up for our two local shows starting at 3pm.
Absolutely must acknowledge the passing of longtime Cubbie 3rd baseman, Ron Santo. I've had issues with those who vote for baseball's Hall of Fame the past decade or so because ballotteers have become self righteous, Sabre-metric twits. Santo should be in no question. The numbers he put up must be properly evaluated and these morons have bricked for way, way too many years. The years he was driving in more than 100 and knocking out 30+dingers were during the most dominating pitching era since pre-Babe Ruth. It was so out of whack, that following the 1968 season they lowered the mound because Bob Gibson had a 1.12 era, a mediocre pitcher like Denny McClain won 31 games and Carl Yazstremski led the AL in batting with a .301 average. Santo led the league in walks 4 times, on base percentage twice and even paced the NL in triples in 1964. He was also a 9 time All Star and won 5 gold gloves at 3rd. Compare him to an undeserving, one dimensional hack like Jim Rice who couldn't catch a cold and played in the much more favorable mid 70's thru the 80's. It's a freaking disgrace!
Get in on our score prediction for the Civil War. The winner will get a $25 certificate to Tracktown Pizza on Franklin and Jung's Mongolian Grill on West 11th. Send your score to stevetannen@live.com or text it to 653-3098. Good luck.

NOT SO CIVIL by ST

I think it's an interesting coincidence Lebron James is returning to Cleveland for the 1st time since the ill-conceived "Decision", the same week as the biggest Civil War ever. Lot of talk about how he'll be treated. Some writers and media members calling on the Cavs fans to go easy and not spew so much venom. Hate to say it, but that ain't happening. Remember, for the most part this franchise is the Clippers or the Lions of their sport. Complete and total non-entities. Except for the period between 2003-04 and last year when James put them on the map and made them relevant. In the early 1990's they made the East finals with Mark Price, Craig Ehlo, Brad Daugherty and Larry Nance, but for the most part been a "who cares" team. Right now they're significant, but as of tomorrow morning, it's back to the back burner. That's why I see some serious fireworks on tonight's horizon. Last chance for people to pay attention. Hopefully it won't get ugly.
As for that other Civil War. I was thinking about the logic of Oregon State doing all they can to run the ball, and keep the Oregon offense on the sideline for as long as possible. Obviously that means getting Quizz Rodgers on track. The problem with that theory is what's gone down during this 2010 season. Against the 3 top opponents the Beavs have faced, TCU, Boise State and Stanford, Jacquizz has made a limited contribution at best. Never more than 75 yards. 1 TD versus the Froggies, 1 against the Broncos and he was kept from paydirt in last week's disaster down on the farm. I don't see him having a monster game at Reser which means Ryan Katz has to come up huge. I don't think there is a more important player on Saturday than the Beav's sophomore from Santa Monica.
Again, to get in on a shot for the $25 certificate to both Tracktown Pizza on Franklin and Jung's Mongolian Grill up West 11th, send me your score prediction to stevetannen@live.com or text it to 653-3098.

CHANNEL FOUR by ST

If you hang with a group of guys, co-workers, family members long enough, you'll develop a kind of personal language or means of communication. I knew a few knuckleheads I worked with maybe 28-29 years ago who would in the middle of the conversation yell "sweep"! That meant it was time to sweep what the outsider was saying under the rug. A favorite of my gang of misfits was "NBC" or "Channel 4". In the New York market, the NBC affiliate is on Channel 4. But to us idiots it means "No Body Cares". I'm hearing people on a national level talk about the early season problems of the Miami Heat like the security of America hangs in the balance. As I drive around and the subject surfaces my reaction is always "NBC" or "Channel 4". I hope my old pals appreciate this. Can even the most die hard NBA fan be that up in arms over anything that happens beyond a season ending injury in late November? Come on!
By the way, now day 3 of Civil War week and still have not heard one football reason to believe Oregon State has a legit shot at derailing the Duck express headed for Glendale. The joy of sports is the unknown. Miracle on Ice coach Herb Brooks expressed it brilliantly. 99 out of 100 nights that Soviet Red Army team is taking out Team U.S.A, just not that night. The 2010 Ducks and Beavs meet 20 times, gotta believe Oregon is winning 19. Will that one misstep be Saturday? Be curious to hear from the expert analysts out there to point me in another direction.
Gonna go easy on you folks the rest of the week. No Trivia. Just a prediciton for Saturday's Civil War. The winner gets a $25 gift certificate for Jung's Mongolian Grill on West 11th and Tracktown Pizza on Franklin. Sweet deal. E-mail your numbers to stevetannen@live.com or text it to 653 3098! Good luck.