General Complaining - NFL

I haven't dedicated an entire post to complaining about the NFL in quite a while so I figured it was time. I did recently mention something about rookie salaries and occasionally take a shot at the NFL Network but have otherwise left football alone for several months. With that...

Yeah, rookie salaries...I must harp on that again. I really get tired of hearing these divas (yes, they ARE divas) believe that they are worth millions of dollars before they even step on the professional field. It reminds me a little bit of the job market right now. There are a crop of fresh college grads that believe they should be making 80K plus even though they have no experience. I must be getting old or something because all 18-24 year olds seem to think they are the most clever and deserving bunch to me. What happened to gaining experience and proving yourself? We've all had to do it - NFL or business world.

Next whine - the Bucs...I still can't get over the choice that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers made for their new head coach to replace Gruden. Maybe this guy is well liked and knows the team but wasn't Mike Shanahan or someone else that has won a Super Bowl or two available?

And to beat a dead horse even further...what the heck is up with the NFL Network? Does anyone else find it nearly unwatchable for 23.5 out of the 24 hours it is on every day? I know hubby is even tired of the incessant kissing up the hosts to to each other and the guests. It seems like some of the guys nearly break their arms patting themselves on the back. Yes, we get that you have one of the best jobs in broadcasting. How long do you think you can keep it if you bore the viewers to tears?

Finally, I must send my condolences to the family of Steve McNair. His wife and four children have quite a bit to deal with in this mess surrounding his death.

Wild World of Wednesday - April 22, 2009

Technical Difficulties: The Women's Sports Roundtable that should have been broadcast this past Saturday experienced technical difficulties and cut out early. The episode is now on demand and can be listened to if you click here.

It Costs More Everywhere: Even though the entire world isn't doing so well financially the powers that be still raise ticket prices. I often complain about the rising cost of venues here but caught a piece about how the Man U fans at Old Trafford will be given a ticket price increase next term. Many football clubs in the area lowered prices for their fans but this organization did the opposite. I don't think it will affect attendance given their popularity but still - why raise at all? I guess they are capitalizing on the fact that there is still over 5,000 fans per game that are turned away at every game. Greedy, eh? The message isn't so kind and sure doesn't make them seem like the "good guys" in this time where everyone is tightening the belt.

Yes, We Know: The NFL Draft starts on Saturday. Although I am always interested in who gets picked in the beginning, the overexposure of this event in the last few years is tiring. The NFL Network beats it to death, of course, but ESPN sure does a good share of it as well. I'm just not a big fan of the shoulda/coulda/woulda/what if. Oh, and don't get me wrong - I'd love to be one of the people that gets paid to sit there and analyze and run statistics about who will be picked when. However, I think those are the only people that the scenarios are fun for. For the rest of us - it is as exciting as watching paint dry. The actual event is what I'm interested in.

Today In Sports History

1947 - First NBA Championship: Philadelphia Warriors beat Chicago Stags by 4 games to 2

1981 - Dodgers rookie pitcher Fernando Valenzuela tosses his 3rd shutout in 4 starts

Wild World of Wednesday - April 1, 2009

March Madness: My women's bracket has no chance of survival. It was on life support and has completely died. I was going against the popular UConn pick and that sure didn't work. As for the men's bracket - who woulda thought Michigan State? The only person I know that picked them was because they are an alum.

Narcissist Of The Day: Yeah, you know who I'm talking about - your favorite tragic hero and mine - Terrell Owens. I woke up to his smiling face on the NFL Network talking about his favorite subject - himself. Warren Sapp claims that Keyshawn Johnson is worse. I'm happy that I don't work with either. I did find this funny shirt with T.O.'s favorite expression.

I Still Can't: No, I still am not on Twitter. I know, I know...


Today in Sports History

1972 - Major League Baseball players stage first collective strike

1990 - The 9th NCAA Women's Basketball Championship plays out - Stanford defeats Auburn 88-81