Back, Back, Back, Back, Goes....Roddick?

Well, our modern day evil empire, known as ESPN, has now gobbled up the US Open tennis championship. Is nothing sacred to this network which now carries the NBA, NFL and way too many RedSox/Yankee baseball games?

For 25 years our summers came to a close with the start of the US Open on USA Network. It was a fixture in households across America, particularly over the past 17 years with John McEnroe as their lead analyst. The best moments were always the ones under the lights. Tennis in Flushing, Queens with the rowdy New York crowd, as night fell, was and still is a thing of beauty. The energy in the old Louis Armstrong stadium carried over to the epic coliseum that is now Arthe Ashe Court. Ask guys like Andy Roddick, Andre Agassi and Jimmy Connors what impact the "hometown" crowd had on them in many-a-nights throughout their US Open career.

So when I read that ESPN had bought the rights to this sacred event which USA Network had covered with style and class, my first thought was, please don't let Chris Berman or Stuart Scott anywhere near this major championship event! Chris Fowler, the man with one of the best gigs in sports, has been covering tennis for ESPN of late and he's in a word, serviceable. He's definitely not Ted Robinson, the best voice in tennis today. (Come to think of it....are there "voices" in tennis today? I'll have to check on that one.) The only saving grace by ESPN was their hiring of John McEnroe to call their primtime men's matches. Good 'ol Johnny Mac will be paired with his brother Patrick in the booth. That's tolerable.

However, there was still nothing quite like laying awake in bed, well past midnight, watching a classic Roddick or Agassi five-setter. Ted Robinson and John McEnroe were the narrator's to those unscripted moments. Those moments might be duplicated this year, but the soundtrack won't be the same...

Big Mouth in The South

Sorry for the long time off between columns. I write to you this morning from my home in Atlanta. I mention this because I was suppose to be on a flight to Boston today, for a weekend of fun and Fenway. However, Hurricane Danny put a major damper on those plans. Trip cancelled, tickets wasted and frustration peaking!

In an effort to put that aggravation behind me, I wanted to talk about something completely different this morning. With the smell of college football in the air, school pride is about to invade offices all across America.

I work for a commercial real estate firm in the South. I went to school out West (USC). Being a Pac-10 guy in an office filled with SEC alums goes together about as well as Bobby Petrino and Falcons fans. I am the guy from the "soft" conference out West, with the pass-happy offenses and the cupcake schedule. Of course I disagree with that entire assessment, but that's a topic for another day. Conversely, I'm surrounded by SEC alumni and fans who mistake passion for performance. This passion can have quite the adverse effect on co-workers.

There is an old line how nobody in Atlanta is from Atlanta. There are plenty of guys in offices all around this 'transplant town' from New York, New Jersey or the Midwest. They moved down South with an open mind when it came to finding a local college team to root for on Saturdays. In Atlanta, the University of Georgia is the natural choice (over Georgia Tech). However, every office has one guy or three or ten, who is so over-the-top about Georgia football, that they make it almost impossible for the 'transplants' to root for their 'Dawgs. Instead, it has the reverse effect. Georgia fans can be so obnoxious and in-your-face about their program, that human nature takes over and you begin to wish failure upon their team. Mix in an Alabama alum or a Gator gusher, and suddenly college football in the South is about as easy to digest as a habanero stuffed burrito.

So brace yourself, as the office becomes a four-month long tailgate filled with Bulldogs, Gators and Tigers. Choose your side and run your mouth. After all, it's football season in the South!

Two Comebacks - One To Root For

It's been quite the eventful preseason for the NFL thus far. Over the past week we have seen the Eagles sign Michael Vick and now the Minnesota Vikings have officially signed Brett Favre.

I have to be honest, I'm rooting for the guy who just spent two years in prison over the guy who spent 2 years holding press conferences.

Michael Vick ran a dog fighting ring and did some horrible things to animals, however, he's apparently come out a reformed man and better person. Brett Favre ran Packer fans through the ringer the past 2 seasons and apparently he's come out a Minnesota Viking.

I can forgive Michael Vick. He paid his debt to society and learned from his mistakes. As a lifelong Packer fan, I can't forgive Brett Favre. He learned nothing from his mistakes with the Jets.

Vick wants to quietly blend back in with the Eagles and be 'one of the guys'. He doesn't want the spotlight and will accept the role Andy Reid provides him. Brett Favre doesn't care about "blending in" and certainly isn't in Minnesota to make friends.

Both players return with questions about their diminished skills. The big difference here is Michael Vick can still un-tap some of that athleticism in his 29 year old body. Brett Favre is 40 years old and the only thing he may be able to un-tap is that bottle of vicodin.

I will admit, both teams are better today than they were they day before they signed these guys. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if these teams crossed paths in the NFC playoffs. If they do, I'll be rooting for convicted felon not the convicted phony...

What Lies Ahead

Now that the shock and awe has worn off most of us, we can only now begin to wonder as to what lies ahead for Michael Vick and the Philadelphia Eagles.

It's not breaking news to say that the Eagles are taking a major risk with this signing. However, the risk is not a financial one or a question about skill-set, but rather a plain and simple 'distraction'. The Eagles can spin this anyway they want to, but the bottom line here is every player is going to be asked about Michael Vick all season long. We've already seen the sound bites from players being asked how he looked in his first practice. This is only the preseason.

What's going to happen at the Eagles home opener? Judging from the initial reaction from Eagles fans, it appears to be split down the middle in terms of support and opposition. Sadly, as we've seen in Atlanta, often this difference of opinion is divided by racial lines. I can't imagine what the atmosphere might be like in the stands at Lincoln Financial Field.

If the Eagles think there are distractions at home, wait until they go on the road. Imagine the game on October 18th in Oakland. Those fans aren't obedient when the boring, bad teams come to town, imagine the antics, the verbal assaults, the props we will see from Raider Nation when Vick and Eagles hit Oakland. December 13th at New York: I imagine Giants fans taking a different approach. They might go after McNabb with antagonizing expressions like, "Donovan, you're a bum! Vick will have your job by next season!"

And then their is the big one. The game on December 6th in Atlanta. This will be the most anticipated game of the season for Falcon fans and Michael Vick. The media storm in Philadelphia leading up to that game will be of epic proportion. That game is week 13 on the Eagles schedule. Their season will have taken so many twists and turns by the time they even arrive in Atlanta.

If McNabb has one awful game in Philadelphia prior to December 6th, Eagles fans will be calling for Vick to be their starter. There is the possibility of an injury to McNabb prior to week 13. Let's not forget, McNabb is 33 years old and it's not too far fetched to assume he could miss a start or three throughout this season.

Bottom line is every week there will be a new story line, a new distraction and a new set of reporters from an opposing team asking questions about Vick. McNabb will be looking over his shoulder waiting to hear weekly heckles from fans in the expensive seats, at home and on the road, calling for his benching.

It's rather ironic that we are right at the start of hurricane season, because, the "storm" surrounding this controversial signing is going to last for 17 weeks...

What If...

Performance enhancing drugs, sadly, has become part of the fabric of sports today. Whether it's steroids in baseball or an NBA player taking an over-the-counter substance that elevates his testosterone, drugs and sports seemingly go hand in hand.

As we head into the weekend of the PGA Championship, and Tiger Woods is going for his 15th major championship in golf, I began to wonder the ultimate, "What if?" What if the greatest golfer of our generation tested positive for 'performance enhancing drugs'? Would that not go down as one of the biggest scandals, and more importantly, ignite one of the greatest debates in sports history?

The burning question we would have to ask ourselves - did taking performance enhancing drugs, well, enhance his performance? Golf is certainly a little different sport when you talk about having a "competitive edge." In a game that relies so much on accuracy and finesse, is there even a drug out there that could improve your play? Aside from the obvious, which is having the ability to hit a longer tee shot by taking some form of human-growth-hormone (HGH)substance, I'm not sure there is any significant advantage. We've all seen John Daly in his prime, rip 300+ yard tee shots, but that didn't necessarily translate to success in in the sport.

The PGA just last year implemented an "anti-doping" drug policy for the tour. PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem, who also serves as chairman of the World Golf Foundation, said the policy includes a list of banned substances, and methods for each golf organization to carry them out. The list of banned substances includes anabolic agents, hormones, stimulants, narcotics, beta blockers and masking agents.

If it was discovered Tiger was taking a stimulant or some form of masking agent, what happens to the record books? Golf is a game of individual records and achievement. In team sports like baseball, when Manny Ramirez is found to have taken steroids, you can't really take away the RedSox World Series' titles. However, in an individual sport like golf (much like many Olympic events) you can certainly strip a player of his achievements.

Would we have a record book filled with asterisks? Would the PGA go back and recognize the runner-up in each major that Tiger won, as the new "champion?" And what about those jugs? Tiger's name has been permanently inscribed on them! Oh, and how about the small issue that in golf, you are paid winnings based on what place you finish. Would Tiger have to give money back? Could runner-ups file a claim for earnings they were "cheated" out on?

You get the picture. Doping in the game of golf could be one big huge disaster, but again, ONLY if you agreed that these drugs had a direct impact on a player's success.

Fortunately, this is all one big "What if?" Tiger clearly doesn't need any performance enhancing drugs to win golf tournaments. He already has his competitive advantage and it's something you won't find over-the-counter or in a back alley - it's called mental toughness.



** Disclaimer - Please note I am not insinuating, nor do I have any information, that suggests Tiger Woods takes any performance enhancing drugs.

The Sun Came Up...The Yankees Won

As the the Yankees/RedSox series gets forced down our throats once again this weekend, it made me once again realize two things: (A) it's too easy to root for the Yankees and (B) it's too easy to hate the Yankees. Quite a unique dichotomy.

First off, if you aren't from New York, and you're a Yankee fan, you're a nothing more than a front runner. That being said, Yankee fans are rooting for a $200 million machine. Me, on the other hand, being a native of Milwaukee, is cheering for an $80 million, less impressive, machine. It's like going to a drag race, and one guy has a Ferrari and the other guy has a Dodge Charger. Sure at the beginning of the race, you feel a small glimmer of hope...the car looks like it has some muscle....but the reality is the Ferrari is going to leave it in the dust.

Welcome to the baseball standings. All the Ferrari's are in first place with their big payrolls: Yankees ($200 million) Tigers ($115 million) LA Angels ($113 million) Phillies ($113 million) Dodgers ($100 million) and finally in the NL Central, you have the gritty Dodge Charger named the St. Louis Cardinals clinging to a one game lead with their $77 million payroll. However, if they look in their rear view mirror, they will see that $134 million Ferrari called the Chicago Cubs.

I don't mean to single out the Yankees and pick on them (although as stated before, it's too easy), but should we really be impressed that the Yankees have the best record in the American League? Is that an accomplishment? When you go out to eat, doesn't the restaurant that has the bigger budget to buy fresher, quality ingredients, usually put out a better product? The Yankees went shopping at the grocery store last Winter and came home with some Teixeira, a side of Sabathia and a little Burnett for dessert. That's a hell of a meal!

Baseball is slowly going back to a league of the "haves" and "have nots." There are going to be a handfull of organizations that will out spend everyone else, and those are the fans that will still have hope past July 1st. At least in the NFL and NBA, small market teams like the Buffalo Bills and Sacramento Kings have the ability to be competitive. It's a level playing field, with everyone working off the same payroll budget.

Can you imagine if the NBA were like major league baseball with no salary cap? There is no question, Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, would have all the toys on his team. You're starting lineup for the Dallas Mavericks would be Chris Paul and Kobe Bryant, LeBron and Dirk, with Dwight Howard in the middle. Think about how ridiculous that would look. Now go watch the Yankees....

Too Quiet of An Exit...

Since I started this blog a few months ago, I thought long and hard if I wanted to write a column on this person. He's one of the NFL's Top 20 Rushers of All Time. He's been called the #1 "Good Guy" in sports by Sporting News magazine. He's been honored numerous times for his off the field charitable contributions (Homes for the Holidays Progam). More importantly, he's been one of my best friends over the past 10 years. His name is Warrick Dunn.

If you have paid any attention to the game of football over the past decade, I'm sure you are well aware of Warrick Dunn and what makes him uniquely special, on and off the field. Without going into too much detail, I met Warrick back in 1997 while in Tampa Bay on business. At the time I was working for Motown Records and he and I happen to both be at the same radio station down there. Warrick had some interest in the music industry so we decided to stay in touch. This business connection blossomed into a friendship that has been so important to my life.

As you know, Warrick lost his mother (a Baton Rouge police officer) back in 1993, in a tragic act of violence by a group of cowards. You never really understand how an event like this can impact one's world....until it happens to you. In 2002, I lost my mother to cancer. There is no blueprint in life for dealing with the loss of a loved one, however, there is comfort in having a friend to talk to, who can share with you their journey to recovery, and provide you with hope and encouragement, "You'll get through this. Keep your head up. She's in a better place." I was truly blessed to have Warrick in my corner at the right time in my life.

I felt the background on our friendship was important to this column. I wanted to give full disclosure to the bias commentary I'm about to share with you:

With training camps well underway, I began to wonder how many people even realize that #28 Warrick Dunn is not on the practice field with any of the 32 teams around the league. Warrick is 34 years old. If he decides to play another season, he would be the oldest running back in the league. I told him the other day, "If you choose not to play again and retire, you need to make a big 'to-do' about it. I want to see you on ESPN, holding a live press conference crying." Unfortunately, that's not Warrick's style.

For a man who spent so much of his professional career giving back to others, I can only hope for one afternoon this Fall, the league, the media, the Buccaneers and the Falcons give something back to him -- respect and recognition.

We may never see another 5 foot 8 inch running back endure 12 years in the NFL and finish in the Top20 in Career Rushing Yards (10,967 to be exact). Warrick was a 3-time Pro Bowl selection and in 2004 won the Walter Payton Man of The Year Award, for his work off the field. Again, call me biased, but this looks and feels like a Hall of Fame career to me. So it really pains me to see him bow out so quietly. He deserves better than this. He deserves more than ending up on the scroll across the bottom of a Sportscenter telecast.

If Warrick decides to officially notify the league office he has retired, it will probably be done from his cell phone while he's on a golf course somewhere in Georgia or Florida. There will be no no media, no former teammates, no spotlight and no tears. No one will be around at that moment to show their respect for his remarkable career and thats a crying' shame....

Beer, Pizza and "The Game"

It's been an interesting week in sports, primarily in the baseball world. I was going to write a column on steroids in baseball, tainted world series games, and just my overall thoughts on what's considered "cheating" in America's past time. However, I think steroids have become so common in baseball that it's not really a compelling story anymore. Instead, I've decided to vent about something that happened to me last weekend in downtown Atlanta.

I went to this new pizza place with some friends to have, what else, beer and pizza. When it comes to food, there isn't a more classic "guys night out" than beer and pizza. However, there is one other component that typically makes the "beer and pizza" experience perfect -- watching "the game."

My buddies and I pack into a booth, order our food and I immediately look over to the bar and noticed, of the two flat screen TV's in this fine establishment, NEITHER of them had the Braves game on. So.....I politely ask the hostess, "can you have them turn the Braves game on?" She said, "no problem." 5 minutes later, nothing. I ask our waiter, "can you see if the bartender can put the Braves game on?" Waiter says, "sure bro." 5 minutes later, nothing again. Mind you, the Braves are playing the team I grew up following, the Milwaukee Brewers. It's after 8:00pm, and I've already missed some of this epic battle (Ok, I'm embellishing the story...it wasn't that epic). By now I'm getting a little annoyed. I decided to approach the bartender, "excuse me, can you throw the Braves game on one of the TVs? It's either on Channel 17, 646, or 649." You see what I did there - I tried to make his life a lot easier. The less complicated for him, the better for me. We've all been there: there is nothing worse than watching a bartender (who doesn't follow sports) scroll through all 500 channels trying to find the game you want. Occasionally, they will stop on a channel that is the same sport and turn to you, "is this is?" (As the TV displays women's college softball.) Unless Chipper Jones is taking the female hormone drugs Manny was on and grew a ponytail.....NO, THAT'S NOT IT!!!

This particular bartender had to use some sort of Bat-phone to apparently get clearance on changing the channel. Finally, 3 minutes later - victory. The Braves-Brewers game was on the TV above the bar, as I devour my beer and pizza.

With that tragic story as the backdrop, here is my gripe: if Atlanta wants to be taken serious as a "sports town" - I should not be able to walk into a pizza joint on a Friday night, downtown, and have to ask for the bartender to put on the Braves game (three times!). This is the difference between the South and Northeast and even the Midwest. If I were at a pizza joint in Boston, New York, Chicago, or Philly, there would be no doubt that all TV's would be set on "the game."

Which by the way, that's another difference between Atlanta and Northern sports towns. I had to clarify with the bartender, "can you put on the BRAVES game?" In cities up North, it's just "Hey Tony, throw the game on!"

Atlanta is a town of over 5 million people now. It has all four major sports franchises, an ACC school in Georgia Tech and an SEC school in University of Georgia. There should not be a pizza joint, bar, pool hall, pub, burger spot without a game on a television after 7pm on a Friday night.

The city "too busy to hate" need not become, "the city too busy to change the channel."