Category: Sports

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The Problem With the 2008 Summer Olympics is China

China will be hosting the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing and the main problem with the Olympics this year will be China itself.  The conflicts and controversy are already starting with the pollution, the conflict in Tibet, and the culpability with the Sudanese government.
In Beijing itself, the biggest challenge is the pollution in the city and how it is going to effect the outdoor sports.  The pollution in Beijing is one of the worst in the world and already caused problems with the Women’s World Cup last summer.

The Olympic Chief, Jaques Rogge, is even admitting it will be a problem.  “People are beginning to come to terms with the fact it could be a major issue. Rogge said that some of the endurance events may be postponed and that would be disaster for the organisers.”

The pollution stems from a tremendous number of new cars on the roads and from the coal factories fueling the growth in China’s economy.  They are doing their best to work on reducing the pollution by reducing vehicle traffic in Beijing and by curbing emissions from coal plants, but there hasn’t been much improvement. 

They tried to ban cars for four days in the city earlier this year and it did not work to reduce pollution. Continue reading “The Problem With the 2008 Summer Olympics is China”

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Both University of Idaho Basketball Coaches Deserve to be let go…

I just want to say that both University of Idaho basketball coaches deserve to be let go from their jobs. Their performance over the last couple of years has been horrible, if not embarrassing.
During my tenure at the University of Idaho, 1990-1993, Idaho was always at the top of the Big Sky, drawing huge crowds, and always competing against bigger schools.

I remember a couple games in the Kibbie Dome where the University of Idaho played Washington State University and there were over 8,000 people in the Dome to watch the game. It might have been closer to 10,000, but not sure. It was fun and what a college experience should be watching a college basketball game.

The Dome was so loud for the games against Boise State, that you couldn’t even hear your friends speak. It was great!

But the basketball programs have been horrid the past several years and since Idaho has moved up to the WAC, they haven’t been able to compete against the likes of Washington State, Boise State, & Gonzaga. They can’t blame it on location because Washington State has done quite well in the recruiting arena and they are only 8 miles away. Continue reading “Both University of Idaho Basketball Coaches Deserve to be let go…”

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Interesting Post on Blogging Without Accountability

Bob Costas made some interesting statements about blogging today at a dinner for the Make-A-Wish sports auction in south Florida.
I saw this article on a blog that the Spokesman-Review runs on various sports out of Spokane, Wash. Here is what I said in a comment section:

I just don’t think Costa’s gets it. People have something to say, they are going to say it. They just have a bigger audience and they don’t need something filtered through the mainstream media that pays Costas salary.

I think that the media is changing and the people who have been doing it through the traditional means are having a hard time with it and are resistant to it. I am finding better coverage and better news on blogs and citizen journalist sites than I am finding through mainstream sites. They just don’t have the time anymore to do the job that needs to be done because the staffs have been cut so much.

I can see Cuban restricting access to bloggers, but limiting a person who blogs with a major news outlet that covers your team is ridiculous. The Miami Dolphins seem to be doing it right, I just can’t believe they have that many fan sites.

The other interesting thing of this blog was that Mark Cuban, himself a blogger, banned blogger’s only from being credentialed at the Dallas Maverick games. I see his point, but they have banned a blogger from a major newspaper in Dallas. I don’t think that was cool.

I would be interested to hear what your thoughts and comments are.

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More Coverage of Rocky Mountain Rage and Colorado Eagles

I would like to call the local media on the carpet and would like to see more coverage of the Rocky Mountain Rage and Colorado Eagles. These two teams are fighting out for first place in the lead in the Northwest Division of the Central Hockey League and are playing some great hockey.
I know you say that they are only the minor leagues, but they are both putting an entertaining and quality product on the ice.

The Rage lost last night to the Eagles 4-1 to tie for the lead, but the Rage took that lead back this afternoon by beating the Eagles 7-1. I went with a couple friends and took the kids and we had a fun time. I’ll definitely be back.

It just would be nice to see some more coverage in the local media. Especially since the Denver Post had the time for today’s game wrong.

This is building into a pretty good rivalry and it will only get more intense as both teams fight for the division lead. Right now, it looks like these two teams will be fighting for that lead for the rest of the season.

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Some thoughts on the outcome of Super Bowl XLII

The one thought that I have had from Super Bowl XLII is how bad the New York media and fans have treated Eli Manning. All they did was put him down and call him out and he took it.
But now that that Eli Manning and the New York Giants have one Super Bowl 42 and Eli was named the MVP, they are praising him.

It is a sad state and those members of the media and fans should be ashamed of themselves. No one should have been treated that way.

And for Tiki Barber, glad you retired last year. You didn’t deserve to win a Super Bowl. You should also keep your mouth shut. They Giants and Manning have proved you wrong.

I am not a Giants fan and usually root against anything from New York, but this was a great story and a great Super Bowl that will be remembered as one for the ages.

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Woods – Sabbatini Still Frosty

Tiger Woods is still not happy that Sabbatini pulled out of the last round of Target World Challenge last year.  The crazy thing is that he still collected  his $170,000.
To make matters worse for Sabbatini is that Tiger does not want him back.  In fact, they have gone to the lengths to say that if he qualifies, he should turn down his invitation.

From the Golf Channel’s Brian Hewitt in a conversation with Greg McLaughlin, President of Tiger’s foundation, “he confirmed the dim view the tournament took of Sabbatini’s pullout, and he said, ‘if Sabbatini chose not to play in this year’s Target tournament officials would not be unhappy.”

For me, Sabbatini has ruined any chances of improving his reputation.  It is completely in the dumps and his offer of donating his check from the Target World Challenge to charity will do nothing to improve.

It will take a long time, if ever, for him to get his reputation back.

Thanks to AOL Sports for contributing to this post.

You can see my previous post on this subject, Rory Sabbatini show his true colors at Target World Challenge and another post on Sabbatini.

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Spokesman-Review Censors Blog, Removes Post That Had Negative Comments

The Spokesman-Review in Spokane, Wash., runs a blog that discusses sports in the region. The have entries for the Washington State Cougars, Idaho Vandals, Eastern Washington Eagles, Spokane Chiefs, and local high school sports. It is called Sportslink.
Last week prior to the University of Idaho/Boise State men’s basketball game, after not having any posts about the Idaho Vandals for some time, writer Greg Lee responded to a comment in the post describing the Vandals previous game. The comment was wondering what had happened to the Vandal coverage.

His response: Continue reading “Spokesman-Review Censors Blog, Removes Post That Had Negative Comments”

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Bobby Bowden should be fired

You can see what type of football program that Bobby Bowden is running at Florida State. One that is full of selfish players who only care about themselves and not the team or the game.
First of all, there is the cheating scandal and 36 players not traveling to the Music City Bowl in Nashville. Most of those players not traveling were from the cheating scandal.

Then during the first-half tonight, FSU intercepted a ball and ran it back for a touchdown. But instead of running it in for a touchdown, he decided to flip into the endzone. This is just plain stupid and dangerous.

And it is an automatic 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty. To make matters worse, a Florida State player threw the flag back at the official. Another 15-yard penalty. So instead of kicking-off from the 30-yard line, they kicked off from the 7.5 yard line.

This has been indicative of Florida State Football for quite some time. It has finally caught up with Florida State.

I hope they get killed by Kentucky in the second half and their long-term decline continues.

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Rory Sabbatini shows his true colors at Target World Challenge

At a charity event hosted by Tiger Woods, Target World Challenge, Rory Sabbatini showed his true colors and withdrew from the event. The problem with this is that he still collected $170,000 for his efforts.
Rory’s withdrawal may not be that above board. He told his agent that he has shin splints and he worked with them all night and couldn’t go today. The problem is that he cleared out his locker on Saturday night and was checking out of his hotel and trying to get a limo to the airport to catch a flight to Maui where he spends Christmas.

He didn’t even inform the tournament director to 8:30 AM on Sunday morning.

I don’t really think that he had shin splints. I think what the real problem is that he was 28 shots behind following the third round.

This is a charity event and he needs to put his best effort for the fans who are coming to watch the event. If he isn’t in to do that, he shouldn’t show up. And he shouldn’t take the $170,000 that he was provided for showing up. He doesn’t win here, the charity does.

I think Fred Couples said it best, “He should give (the money) back to the foundation,” Couples said. “…he’s messing with the wrong guy.”

Suffice to say, I doubt that Rory will be back.

Source: ESPN, Agent: Last-place Sabbatini withdraws due to shin splints

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Crawford ordered attack on Moore according to reports

SADOWSKI: Crawford ordered attack on Moore according to reports : The Rocky Mountain News
According to a report by CBC, Marc Crawford ordered the attack on Steve Moore that ended his hockey career.  Bertuzzi cowardly attacked Moore from behind in a game where his Vancouver Canucks were losing badly to Moore’s Avalanche.

According to the reports, in between the second and third period, Crawford pointed to the white board and said “he must pay the price,” referring to Moore.  Crawford was upset by a legal hit Moore had on Markus Naslund.

According to the column in the Rocky Mountain News, “These words directing vigilante retaliation to be executed against Steve Moore went well beyond the earlier ‘calling-out’ in the media by (then-Canucks GM Brian) Burke and Crawford. Bertuzzi knew exactly what was expected of him by his superiors and the consequences to him if he did not deliver.”

Bertuzzi was suspended 13 games and the Stanley Cup Playoffs and was not allowed to play internationally during the NHL players strike.  He was reinstated the following the conclusion of the strike.  Moore has yet to play hockey again after suffering a severe concussion and broken neck.

In my opinion, Bertuzzi should never have been allowed to return to hockey.  NO suspension would have been severe enough.  He should have been banned.  You never do that to an opposing player, NEVER!  If Moore could not have played again, he shouldn’t.

With these reports now, Crawford should be banned from the sport also.  That is inexcusable for a coach to do that.  You never go out and try to intentionally hurt a player.  He should never be allowed to coach again.

When the Anaheim Ducks come into Pepsi Center the next time.  Crawford and Bertuzzi are not going to have a pleasant reception.  It is kinda ironic that they are back together again.  Two goons taking care of each other.

The NHL has done a dis-service to the wonderful game of hockey.  The only way to rectify it is to ban both Crawford and Bertuzzi for life!