So Rush Limbaugh was removed from the group that has interest in buying the Rams. Like no one saw that one coming. Checketts is a pretty smart guy and used the media to try and gauge the fan reaction and what they got was an uproar from players and a few owners. Although Limbaugh is a polarizing individual, should that keep him from being an owner? No. The sad part is he was never even given the opportunity to go through the whole process. Checketts brought him in because of his money, not his political views. As previously stated, I dont agree with everything he says but he should be afforded a fair opportunity to be an owner. If all men are created equal, Rush was not treated very fairly during this whole process and that's not the America I know.
Another fascinating fact to this story is how a few players actually took a political stance on something. My generation has grown up without athletes being politcally active. The closest has been Charles Barkley and his on and off again flirtation with being the govenor of Alabama. Bart Scott of the NY Jets and Mathias Kiwanuka of the NY Giants (Pictured on the left) both said they wouldn't play for the Rams if Limbaugh bought them. Their opinions as well as the players union head speaking out against Limbaugh is truly amazing to me. Most guys will give you all the cliches because they are afraid to speak their minds. Given todays intense media coverage, and TMZ world, guys give the same cookie cutter answer because they are afraid to be blasted 24/7 on ESPN or the web. Jackie Robinson, Jim Brown, Tommy Smith have to be proud of these guys for showing some kind of substance.
Josh McDaniels
Josh McDaniels and his Denver Broncos are 5-0 and boy is everyone starting to tout him as a really good head coach. He is becomaing a media darling, making his rounds on all the national shows and everyone is praising his work. I'm still a skeptic considering his rough offseason and who they have played. Also one person is not getting enough credit for the Broncos turnaround and that is Mike Nolan, the defensive coordinator ( more on him in a minute).
McDaniels started his job by running out the franchise QB, and alienating the franchise receiver. He came into the Bronco orginization acting like Bill Belichek, but he hadn't won anything!! This is what I know, when he was faced with adversity with Jay Cutler, instead of bringing him in to try and talk it out, McDaniels acted smug like qb's are a dime a dozen. Granted both parties could have acted a little more mature but McDaiels is the coach and should have been more forthcoming with Jay about what he wanted from him, not try and trade him behind his back. What I notice from all of Belichek's disciple's is how all of them appear very smug when speaking to the press or in interviews. Bill can do those thing because he won the championships. When things start to go sour we will really see what type of coach McDaniels is.
The real reason why the Broncos are 5-0 is the stellar play on defense. Mike Nolan brought in the 3-4 style and those guys are back to being the "Orange Crush". Nolan has always been a great defensive coach. His Ravens, and Niners teams were either at the top or in the top half of the league in most defenseive catergories. His problems as a head coach was drafting Alex Smith over Aaron Rodgers while in San Francisco. Nolan found out regardless of how good your defense is, you have to score points to survive in that league. The Broncos defense will really take off once they get more 3-4 guys in their scheme. I like Mike Nolan and I hope he succeeds despite people overlooking his work.
Good Guy Of The Week:
Every week I am going to post a good guy or girl in sports. Good people doing good in the community. First up, Tony Dungy.
Coach Dungy has prided himself on doing the Lord's work and doing it the Lord''s way even by coaching. Coach Dungy has a prison ministry that he started in Tampa and Indianapolis. He was appointed to the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation in 2007. He also has written two great books "Quiet Strength", "You Can Do It" (which is a children's book) and "Uncommon" all of which has been on the New York Best Seller's list. Dungy is one those guys that just makes you feel good about life. Here's to you Coach Dungy.
Though I think it's good players voiced their opinions I think in this situation it was kinda open season. Sometimes, when taken advantage of that can come back to bite you, won't be the case here.
ReplyDeleteDungy is a stand up guy, I always enjoy reading about him. He's not assuming or over bearing with his thoughts and beliefs like some can come off as, just straight up genuine.
I don't think Rush got a fair shake in this. Players can say what they want, but if you heap enough "respect"(aka money)toward them, they'll play anywhere. It's been proven too many times.
ReplyDeleteJay Cutler had a lot to do with him being traded. He got bent out of shape because McDaniel's tried to trade for a QB in which he was comfortable. When you don't return any calls or texts from your employer for three weeks, don't expect to stay employed with them much longer.
I don't think Dungy is done coaching. If the right situation came along, I think he would take the plunge again.
This Limbaugh situation was a real raw deal for everyone. I do believe that players would have played for the Rams if he were the owner. I believe all the drama was really unecessary. What it should always come down to if he has the money to invest. On Wall Street there is no political views involved when someone invests their money into a company
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