SPORTS IS A BITCH THESE DAYS

"Shawn Laidlaw Says: September 18th, 2007 at 6:24 pmWhen black athletes or black people in general fail at anything then the race card comes out. It seems nowdays that anytime they face any kind of adversity they cry that white america is keeping them down. This is why they will always get scrutinized. Some day they will realize that your accountable for your own success or failure in life. No one gives you anything easy, no matter what color you are. It’s also tough to have symapthy for black athletes who make 10 million a year and can’t stop getting arrested. Who’s fault is that?" ~~Lifted from the "Morning Buzz" blog.~~

Ahhh the delicate little problem that is race in America. It used to be that the one place we could get away from all this racial talk was on the athletic field. But now, I am not so sure. Vick,O.J., Bonds, NFL players behaving badly, and even "5" calling out the fans in Philly and American sports fans in general, for viewing African American QB's a little differently than the more melanin challenged ones in their fraternity. The racial hits just keep coming in even the sports world now. Geez, what is America to do? If we can't use sports to escape our real issues---like this damn war for instance---where else are we going to turn? I mean, after all, we can only look at Paris Hilton's narrow behind for so long.

And did I mention Isiah? Yes, it seems "Zeke" (His nickname from his playing days) was sued recently by an African American sister for creating a hostile working environment for her. The sister alleges in her complaint, that Thomas constantly referred to her in private as a bitch and a hoe. Now as a result, she is seeking serious damages from the Knick executive, and his organization. If Thomas was ignorant and insensitive enough to do what this woman is alleging, well, then, I hope the sister breaks the bank. If he didn't....(I am thinking of a Kanye West song here) Apparently allot of nasty things have already came out in this trial, (I am hereby revoking Stephan Marbury's field Negro status for his little ep, in his Jeep with that intern) and I suspect there will be more to come. I saw clips of Isiah's deposition today, and his statements about white men calling African American bitches, as opposed to black men using the "B" word was rather...how do I say this kindly? Strange. I mean, on some levels I understand what he was saying, I am sure on just a gut level it would piss me off more if I saw or heard a white man call one of my sisters a bitch. (Too much history and pain there, so I know it would affect me) Now fortunately for me, and the person who would have said it, I have never witnessed such a thing, and I doubt it many real brothers have. ( You don't think there were any real brothers around in Durham that night do you?) But I have to take issue with Isiah for seeming to imply that it's cool for "us" to call our women bitches. By saying there is a different standard, he seems to be implying that some "bitch" calling is better than others. It's not.

But this has already become an issue in the white blogosphere, and with the usual suspects like FAKE NEWS. "Why is there a different standard for calling a woman a bitch? I swear these arrogant athletes, not only are they racist, but they are sexist as well."

I know one thing, I hope O.J. won't think all the people converging on Jena , Louisiana Thursday will be there to protest his latest arrest. Unfortunately, knowing O.J., he probably will.

[cross posted at the field Negro blog]

CHEATER!!

Is Roger Goodell a joke or what? The penalty he imposed on that cheater,Bill Belichick, and the New England Parrots is a joke. $500,000 and some stinking draft picks? Are you kidding me? The lose a first rounder if they make the playoffs, but guess what? They have two number one picks for 2008, so in essence, the lose nothing.

Can you imagine if these were players the league caught cheating? They would have been three and four game suspensions at least.

The Commissioner should be ashamed of himself, and I would say the same about Belichick, but he has no shame.

Speaking of having no shame; you gotta love what his happening to the Irish Nation. All I can say is; after what you did to that classy Ty Wllingham, you deserve every thing you get with this fraud of a team. I love it, 0-3 and counting, if there is a God, the Irish will lose every single game this year.

Hail to the Victors?

"Hail to the victors" my ass. Yes, I am just now getting around to posting this, and I really don't have much to say. I mean what could I possibly say that hasn't already been said?

Michigan, your performance was disgraceful, there is just no other way to put it. You just don't lose at home to Appalachian State, a program that is not even supposed to be playing with the big boys at the 1-A level. I don't care if they won ten national championships in Division 1-AA , they shouldn't be able to beat you at home, away, on the moon, wherever.

All I can say is Lloyd Carr is toast now. And not only because of this embarrassment (from number 5 in the AP poll, to not even being in the top 25) but also because he is 1-5 against Ohio State. That is just not supposed to happen in Wolverine Nation. I guarantee you that if Carr was 5-1 against the Buckeyes their wouldn't be cries for his scalp now.

I have always said that the Big Ten is too slow, and it showed last Saturday. That QB from Ap. State was runnning away from Michigan defenders like he stole Bo Schembechler's head stone.

But believe it or not, that wasn't the best thing that happened Saturday. No, it was watching Fat Charlie and his stinking domers get hosed by Georgia Tech at home. Charlie, no wonder you wouldn't name your starting QB, they all stunk. The freshman is the best of the bunch so you mighty as well go with him. Mmmm, all of a sudden you ain't looking like such a genius now are you? See what having good players can do Charlie? I hoped you enjoyed playing with all Tyrone Willingham's talent last year, because I am guessing that it could be awhile before you see that kind of talent again.

And finally, I have a request to make: Please America, no more Payton Manning!

A sad ending to a troubled life.

It was a sad day in Sharon Hill Pennsylvania yesterday. A bright star with a troubled past was put to rest.

Everyone has heard by now how former NBA player,Eddie Griffin, drove his SUV into a train in Houston Texas. An accident so horrific, that it took days to identify his six foot ten inch frame. There wasn't even any skid marks at the scene.

Griffin always had potential, but he had a troubled NBA career, bouncing from team to team, and struggling with substance abuse problems. The news always focused on Griffin's problems, such as his volatile temper which got him suspended from Roman Catholic High School, and a fight that got him kicked off his college basketball team at Seton Hall.

But there was a warm side to Griffin too, and many people here in Philly talk about a real good soft spoken kid with a big heart. I remember a buddy of mine watching the Philadelphia high school catholic league championship game a few years ago, and raving about how good Griffin was. But something bothered him about Griffin even then. Even though he was doing some serious balling on the court, his head didn't seem to be really in the game. And after the game, when his teammates were dancing around the court in jubilation, Griffin seemed disinterested and distant, and didn't even seem to want to participate in the celebrations. My buddy said it then: "Something isn't right with that kid" Boy was he right.

But it was a nice and fitting funeral. Former teammates (such as Kevin Garnett) coaches, family, and his former counselor, John Lucas, were all there. Everyone talked about the sad tragedy of a talented and kind young man who lost is life all too soon.

On a lighter note; I see Tyson Gay beat my man Asafa Powell in the 100 meters at the world championships in Japan. Congrats to the American for a nice win. Now let's see if my man Asafa, can get his shit together in time for the Olympics.

On the women's side; my home girl, Veronica Campbell, beat the American, Lauryn Williams in a very close race. Nice revenge for that 1993 win by Gail Devers over Merlene Ottey. (Yes I still haven't gotten over it) Devers beat Ottey by 001 seconds in that heart breaker.

Two Giants feuding; I love it!

"ALBANY, N.Y. - Tiki Barber wanted a more intense, fiery Eli Manning. The New York Giants quarterback gave Tiki what he wanted in a loud ripping voice on Tuesday.
Two days after being criticized on national television by Barber for a lack of strong leadership, Manning ripped his former teammate and current NBC football analyst for distracting the team last season with his early retirement announcement and his criticism of coach Tom Coughlin.
'I guess I'm just happy for Tiki that he's making a smooth transition into the TV world,' Manning said. "You know, I'll be interested to see if he has anything to say (about a team) besides the Giants, and what his comments will be on that."

Normally reserved and never one to criticize a coach or teammate, Manning seemed to enjoy going after Barber, the Giants' all-time leading rusher who retired after last season at age 31 to pursue a television career.
Speaking during the halftime show of the Sunday Night Football game between the Giants and Baltimore Ravens, Barber had said that Manning's attempt to lead an offensive meeting in the 12th week of the last season was "comical" at times.
Manning didn't find the comment funny.

'It's just one of those deals. I'm not going to lose any sleep about what Tiki has to say,' Manning said. "I guess I could have questioned his leadership skills last year with calling out the coach and having articles about him retiring in the middle of the season, and he's lost the heart (to play).

'As a quarterback you're reading that your running back has lost the heart to play the game and it's about the 10th week," Manning said. "I can see that a little bit at times. But I'm not going to get concerned. I'm going to go out there and play ball.'

Barber was not immediately available for comment.
Giants teammates came to Manning's defense on Tuesday.
Wide receiver Amani Toomer, who played his entire career with Barber, was stunned.
'I thought Tiki and Eli were pretty good friends,' Toomer said. "It's kind of strange to have him say something like that and to make a point of it like that. Maybe he had somebody else in his ear kind of coaxing him into saying stuff, because I don't believe he really believes that. I don't know why he'd say something like that.'

Manning's father, Archie, said at a charity bowling event in Indianapolis for his other son, Super Bowl MVP Peyton, that he had not counseled the Giants quarterback on how to handle the situation.

'He talked to me a while ago and said Tiki got after him a little bit the other night, and he said it's not a big deal," Archie Manning said. ' He told me a whole lot of people in the Giants organization were proud of what he said.

'Eli's not a controversial guy and he's not going to be. I feel like if Eli did something like that, it would come from his heart.'
Center Shaun O'Hara said that Manning is progressing as a leader, especially for a fourth-year player. 'I don't have any problems with Eli's leadership and the way he does it,' O'Hara said. 'He's doing it his way. I think players appreciate that. It's a shame everybody wants Eli to be somebody they think he should be instead of just letting him be himself.'

O'Hara noted that Manning might be under the microscope more than most young quarterbacks because he is the brother of Peyton Manning. 'For me, you can be Johnny Rah-Rah, but if you're not doing your job, if you're not pulling your weight, it doesn't matter what you say," O'Hara said. "Being loud, that doesn't make you a great leader.'

Tackle David Diehl said Manning showed his leadership Sunday night, getting the offensive lined up right when the Ravens threw a couple of new looks at them on defense.
Giants new quarterback coach Chris Palmer added that Manning does everything a coach wants.
'Everybody leads in a different way," Palmer said. 'If you buy any business books, there are 101 ways to lead. He'll lead in his own particular fashion.'

While Barber praised Manning at times for his play, he also questioned whether he could be a leader of men and make plays when the chips were down.
'His personality hasn't been so that he can step up, make a strong statement and have people believe that it's coming from his heart,' Barber said on the show.
Barber then told the story about Manning being uncomfortable talking to the offense in Week 12.

'He didn't feel like his voice was going to be strong enough and it showed,' Barber said. 'Sometimes it was almost comical the way that he would say things.'
While Barber rushed for 1,662 yards last season, the second highest single-season total in Giants history, he also was a distraction in an 8-8 season that saw the Giants make the playoffs.
He went on record in early October saying that the 2006 season would probably be his last. He also created problems for Coughlin when he criticized him for pulling away from the running game too soon in a loss to Jacksonville in November.
It was the second time he went after his head coach.

After a playoff loss to Carolina in 2005, Barber said Coughlin was outcoached by Panther coach John Fox, a former Giants assistant. While Coughlin refused to get involved in the controversy, he was happy Manning defended himself.

'Well, he thought about what he was going to do, and he decided he would say exactly what he felt," Coughlin said. "More power to him.' "

I would like to thank the AP for the above story. I love it when two Giants are fighting. (God I hate the Giants!)

As an Eagles fan, this is a sad day for me, because the Trot man-Jeremiah Trotter-was given his release today. OK, that's a nice way of saying he was cut.

I sure hope the birds know what they are doing. From all accounts had lost more than a few steps, and teams were exploiting him when he was on the field. But the guy was a real leader in the locker room, and was a pretty good run stopper against North and South runners.

So Andy, I hope you know what you are doing, and I hope Omar Gaither will be able to step in. If not, I am afraid that those stinking Giants up the turn pike will have the last laugh.

Man he is good!

So Tiger hangs on to win his 13th major in 100 degree heat. The guy was just making pars all day and it was still enough to win. The more I watch Woods, the more I have to wonder if there aren't guys on the tour with just as much talent. The problem is, no one has that laser like focus and the determination that he does.

Do you see what usually happens to guys that play with him when he is in contention on a Sunday? They fold like a dress shirt in a Macy's display. Today some poor Canadian guy had to take his lumps under the scrutiny, and it was sad to watch. "Big Easy" (Ernie Els) made it fun for a minute, but you just knew it was Wood's day all along.

Nice to see that Roger Federer is human too. He finally lost a tournament today in Montreal to a guy with a name I can't even remember. Still, he is my favorite to win the U.S. Open.

Can anyone stop the Yankees? I promise you that if you asked people in Boston right now, if they would be happy just to make the playoffs as a wild card team, they would say yes. Why, because everyone in Beantown knows that the Yankees will catch them and take the division, that's why. Then they will have to hold off Seattle, Detroit, or Cleveland just to make the playoffs.

It should be a fun September.