I THOUGHT WE WERE FRIENDS by ST

For more than a decade I've been harping on the importance of sharing good information with each other. That includes sports, movies, great TV, comedy, all of it. Last night at 9pm I was goofing around with the tube on and a rerun of The Family Guy was on. I'd never seen it. It was their spoof on "Star Wars". I lost my mind laughing for an hour. Between my son and some of you, I'm very disappointed you didn't insist this was must see viewing. Absolutely brilliant. A bit insane for sure, but really clever and completely hysterical.
How New York Giants special teams coordinator Tom Quinn still has his job today is nothing short of water into wine miraculous. With the game tied and :12 left he allows his rookie punter Matt Dodge to kick the ball to DeSean Jackson. Perhaps not every NFL fan is aware of how stupid that is, but I know every Pac 10 fan and especially Oregon fans are in tune with the absolute horror that loomed. Naturally DJ took it to the house for the win. Literally you'd prefer the punter kick it backwards, sideways or take a knee. This was 7 1/2 minutes after the Gmen got caught napping on a "here it comes" onsides kick. Oh the horror!
I know it was on Friday, but the Oregon men getting beat at Virginia represents the cautionary tale of this season. Whether it be proper ball movement or outright accuracy, this team needs to shoot a good percentage because their lack of height will cause issues on the boards. The numbers were close to even, but 3 of 19 from three point land is nearly impossible to overcome. They also got to the free throw line just 9 times. Don't forget, the Cavs played without their best player Mike Scott who suddenly underwent arthroscopic surgery on his ankle and were coming off a 10 day layoff. I'm really encouraged by what we've seen from Dana Altman's charges, but there will be some rough nights for sure. Just gotta hang in and realize his capability of building something special.

PLEASE DEFINE "INSULT" by ST

I've been insulted. You've been insulted. For heaven's sake we've sat around knocking back cold ones and the entire conversation was based on cutting each other up. I don't recall offers of substantial dollars to play a game coming into play. San Francisco Giant's part time shortstop Edgar Rentaria says the team disrespected him by putting a million dollar, 1 year contract in front of him. We know he hit the go ahead homer in the deciding game against Texas this past October to win the world series. He's had a nice career. He missed 90 games. They signed the much more productive Miguel Tijada to play the position every day. The year before, 2009, he hit 5 homers, drove in 48 runs and batted a whopping .250. The Giants have paid him 18 million dollars over the past 2 seasons. He's earned more than 80-mill during his career. He's not the one who should be insulted.
The NFL's 3rd to last week of the regular season got rolling with a snoozer as the Chargers kept their post season hopes alive by punishing the 49ers. I thought Frisco was going to win the West and ridiculously, they still might, but they're a disappointment. I think coach Mike Singletary is gone. In the biggest game of the year, they could barely make a 1st down or make a defensive stop. Brutal. The Bolts could win out and still miss the post season at 10 & 6 and be the hottest team this side of the Patriots in the NFL.
Amazing story of the day. Tom Fenton lives just north of New York City. He coaches hockey. In 2009 he was a goalie who won one of his 14 starts at a small school in Massachusettes. Phoenix was in NY to play the Rangers. Their starter was hurt. They needed a back-up. His phone rang. On the other end was the Coyotes director of scouting who told Fenton they needed him to get to Madison Square Garden and suit up as their emergency netminder. He arrived, warmed up but never got in. Can't make this stuff up.
Bowl season begins tomorrow. Gotta admit, I'm kind of looking forward to catching some college action. Nice way to ease in, prep for the holidays and take our minds off the monster layoff before the BCS title game.
Very pumped for a Sunday chock full of NFL. Jags at Colts, Chiefs at Rams, Eagles at Giants, Saints at Baltimore. All 10 am games where both teams are in the playoff hunt. After last week's terrible slate, this is a beautiful thing. Enjoy your weekend.

NAMES THAT SURFACE by ST

A few days ago we learned Bob Feller had taken a turn for the worse. He's one of those guys who faced Gherig, was a peer of Dimaggio but was still around. His name would come up accompanied by grainy old film when the latest fireballer would make the show. Probably the most famous shot was his throwing a pitch with a motorcycle racing the ball which times out as the first to hit 100 miles per hour. In 1984 his mug appeared frequently as we were introduced to the Mets Dwight Gooden. Feller was the guy, like Ted Williams and others who actually lived the life John Wayne played in movies. A great athlete who put the glove down to serve during World War II. One of the more astonishing facts was his dominance as a kid. He made the bigs at age 17. He'd posted a 20 win season before the age of 21. 2 days after the bombs fell at Pearl Harbor he enlisted in the Navy. He was the first major leaguer to enlist! I always admired his hard line stance on Pete Rose. Feller had a screw him attitude. He will be missed.
Did you see the end of Knicks/Celtics last night. Four-tenths of a second left. Boston up by a deuce. Amare Stoudamire takes the inbound at the top of the 3 point circle. Actually takes the time to square up and launch the prayer. Makes it, but about a second after the final buzzer. What a moron! Dude, catch and release as quickly as possible. He needs a lesson with Derek Fisher.
After a very sluggish first half, the Blazers made a run but came up light at Dallas. No answer down the stretch for Dirk Nowitzki. Quick side note, I heard Mavs owner Mark Cuban on the radio today. Actually mentioned Dirk in the same breath as Larry Bird. Knucklehead! Not a dynamic finish for Andre Miller who coughed it up twice in the final minute and a half but Nowitzki was not to be denied draining 4 huge buckets the final 2 1/2 minutes. Portland now returns home for 3 starting with the Timberwolves tomorrow. Gotta get things moving in a positive direction.
By the way. Michael Vick says he'd like to own a dog someday. Why can't crazed, homicidal maniacs ever target someone like this? I'd chip in for the defense attorney's bill.

GETTING PAST THE LATEST OUTFIT by ST

Been taking a fair share of calls about Oregon's football uniforms. They've been called more Oakland Raider like than Duck like. Where are the school colors? I've heard it all and it's getting really boring. Let's get this straight, if you're older that 18 and not a possible recruit or current player no one cares about your opinion. The kids love the whole fashion show so deal with it! When I went to log onto my hotmail account this morning, the MSN page opened and halfway down the page was a link to a story where you could "see Oregon's uniforms for the BCS Title game"! You can't pay for that kind of publicity. The whole fuddy-duddy routine is boring. Whining about the Duck uniforms is now officially in the category of "turn down that rock and roll" or "I hate night games". You don't like the colors, don't buy the gear, go green and yellow. I was with you....like 3 years ago when I read about recruits overwhelmingly loving how the Ducks were decked out in different get-ups for just about every game. That's the trump card so do yourselves a favor and stop banging your head against the wall and move on! FYI, there is a story on Page 2 of ESPN's site by Paul Lukas that asks what you think of the UO unis that will be on display for the championship game against Auburn.
I just read that a brawl broke out during Hulk Hogan's wedding. It happened between a security guard and a member of the paparazzi. I could not help but be amazed that anyone still cared what happened to this clown. Still, would have been nice to see the loser with the camera body slammed!
Trailblazers at Dallas is the 2nd half of the ESPN double header this evening. Portland has suddenly become drama central. Are Brandon Roy and Andre Miller getting along? Has the team tuned out coach McMillian? Is it time to make a few moves and go back to the drawing board? Legit questions all. This team is a game below .500 and seems to get stuck in neutral offensively at the most inopportune times. They have 8 games left in calendar year 2010, 4 at home and 4 on the road. After the Mavs tonight, they have 3 in a row at the Rose Garden against the Twolves, Warriors and Bucks. In order these teams sport 1, 3 and 3 wins on the road. I think we'll learn alot about the direction of the Trailblazers during that stretch. Stay tuned.

SHOUTING OUT WITH G-LEE! by ST

So the Phillies sneak under the radar and grab Cliff Lee from the Rangers and the evil clutches of the Yankees. I was glad New York failed because this knee jerk reaction of always pursuing a big ticket free agent to solve problems doesn't guarantee anything. The recent run of success came via the mix. Draft picks, the occasional trade and sure, when you're filthy wealthy, sign a stud. I feel for Texas. This is not a franchise traditionally in the mix or even the post season and Lee was their big gun that gave them the edge in the West and made them a legit player in the AL. Plus I really like Nolan Ryan and what he's doing in Arlington. He, along with Orel Hersheiser are promoting the end of babying pitchers. We'll all hear ad-nauseum what this means for the Phils rotation and shot at returning to the World Series in 2011. No great teams in the NL. They're a huge favorite without a doubt.
Really like how the Oregon men just rolled over their opponent last night. Make no mistake, I had this vision leading up to the season of them struggling to put away lesser teams but they're better than expected. They shot well, but more than the percentage, it's the quality of shots they're getting. In the 1st half, 11 of their 15 buckets came via the assist which is a tremendous ratio signifying outstanding ball movement and decision making. Things get a bit more difficult at the John Paul Jones arena against ACC member Virginia. We'll have more Cavs/Ducks talk as the week moves along, but UVA at 6 & 3 has beaten #17 Minnesota and Oklahoma with losses to Pac 10 foes Washington and Stanford. Interesting.
If you want tickets to the Arizona State game on New Years day, get into our drawing by signing up to become a member of The Score Skybox Club on our website. Visit www.953thescore.com. We will announce a winner in the 5 o'clock hour today. Good luck!

NEEDING A BATH by ST

I doubt it, but I'm putting it out there anyway. Was I the only one who felt dirty watching the Heisman presentation Saturday night? For the record, I tuned in for the last 10-12 minutes only. When I first saw Cam Newton in front of the camera after his dazzling 2nd half performance to beat South Carolina the first time in late September I was impressed. Seemed at ease, let his play do the talking, great smile, hell of a player. Now I see him as a snake oil salesman. Let's play bottom line. I think he knew what daddy Cecil was up to and wanted the cash to play. I'm not naive to think he's unique, but I'm hopeful enough to wish he didn't represent the rule. The whole thing stinks to high heaven.
The Eagles beat the Cowboys in Sunday night football. After the final gun, Dallas running back Tashard Choice got an autograph for his nephew from the murdering scum bag Michael Vick. Not sure what's more nauseating, getting an opponents signature or passing along one from a psychopath evil pig to a child.
I have a theory about the NFL. I count the Ravens, Steelers, Patriots, Saints and maybe Atlanta as Super Bowl contenders. Look at what happened to the Bears yesterday and the Jets the past 2 weeks. Talk about frauds! You can have the other 27 teams and that includes Philly with a very suspect defense. A buddy and I caught the better part of most of yesterday's games and we shook our heads at the lack of snap or quality. Considering the departure of college football I was looking forward to some great pro action. What a DUD!
I'm starting to get excited about college basketball season. Tennessee winning at Pitt on Saturday was pretty entertaining. Compared to the NFL yesterday, it was Duke/Kentucky from 92!

PRAISE OR A SLAP? by ST

The Urban Meyer resignation has sent some shockwaves around football, both college and pro. When a substantial gig like the head coaching position at Florida opens up, someone is losing a coach. I'd be surprised if it wasn't Dan Mullen who worked for Meyer as Offensive Coordinator for 4 seasons before taking the Mississippi State job prior to 2009. That said, I'm getting really tired of guys like Meyer's using the "spend time with family" excuse. Am I alone? Those of us who bust our buns working and raising a family, find time to be a good husband or dad? We don't have the luxury of quitting with several million in the bank. I also don't want to hear about his responsibilities or time constraints. It's freaking football. Personally I'd vote for "Slap"!
I'm certainly not on the Brett Farve bandwagon, but I just heard Jenn Sterger's manager Phil Reese on the Dan Patrick show. Patrick asked how her career is going. Career? What career? Does she put "professional bimbo" on her resume. If Farve in fact sent those revealing texts, he's a pig and I hope his wife dumps him. He's a selfish, phony child anyway who should not be cavorting with a woman like that when he's married so his true character has been exposed either way. But no question, this is Sterger's 15 minutes.
The Oregon men's basketball team gets back at it Saturday night with Willamette at the Pit for a 7 o'clock tip off. We will speak with assistant Kevin McKenna tomorrow morning at 8:35 on KUGN's Ducktalk show at the Gateway I.H.O.P. If you want the chance to win tickets to see this and games all year long moving from Mac Court to Matt Knight Arena go to our website, www.953thescore.com and become a member of our Score Skybox Club. We will give away a pair of tickets on today's show for the Saturday game. Good luck.