Video: What is Buzz Bissinger's Problem?

If you haven't heard by now, brilliant yet overly sanctimonious author Buzz Bissinger went all Hulk on Deadspin.com editor Will Leitch in Tuesday's episode of Costas Now. The argument emanated from blogs and how Bissinger thinks they are the "ROOT OF ALL EVIL."

Here's the Youtube video of the audio from Costas Now, with HBO prohibiting the actual video from being shown.



It bothers me to a certain extent to say this, because I've never met Bissinger personally, yet greatly admired "Friday Night Lights." But he sounds like an absolute moron when getting into arguments. This is the same guy who when I worked at 790 the Ticket, went on Boog Sciambi's radio show to attempt to tell him off about minor league pitchers(nobody knows more baseball than Boog), and while he's at it, throws a complete and total cheap shot at Sid Rosenberg. Suffice to say, it sounds like he has some serious anger management issues.

And on his comments from blogs, I can sympathize with his frustration over the extreme cynicism that seems to surround sports. Those of you that listen to my shows and read my work understand that I try not to be judgemental or stand on a soapbox, but rather approach an issue from all viewpoints and often times end up on the unpopular side of things.

But grouping blogs and bloggers in the guilty category is just as ignorant as the very same thing Bissinger is railing against. Yes, some blogs may exist in the uber-cynical category. But others provide the opposite. And some, like Deadspin, and like this one(and I love Deadspin), look to offer a balance between the lighter side of sports, while discussing the major issues in a light that not everyone chooses to see.

Three NBA Coaching Suggestions...

1. Suns Fire Mike D’Antoni, Hire Rick Carlisle- Should a coach who’s averaged 58 wins over the last four seasons lose his job? Not necessarily. But D’Antoni is quickly becoming the Rick Adelman of running his players into the ground prior to the playoffs, and with Steve Nash and the Big Fraud well into the Back Nine of their careers, Steve Kerr needs to put Phoenix in the best position to win immediately.

That means hiring the one perceived retread who’s not a retread. Rick Carlisle has shown an ability to mesh both an up-tempo, and an inside-out style offense, while bringing a defensive mindset that D’Antoni left in Europe. And while Nash may initially object, just ask Chauncey Billups what Carlisle did to his career.

2. Knicks Hire Mike D’Antoni- With every job I want to take away, there’s another I need to create. While Marc Jackson may eventually be the perfect guy for the job, wouldn’t you rather hire an experienced coach to pull the Knicks out of the abyss so they can only occasionally make David Letterman monologues?

D’Antoni is the perfect guy to do that. In between all of the Isiah/Dolan/Starbury soap operas, everyone forgets just how turgid it has been to watch the Knicks. You think high pick and roll basketball is boring? How about swinging it around the perimeter until Eddy Curry gets open for a two-foot jump hook? D’Antoni can at least produce 40 wins with New York’s talent, and make them exciting. Then, you hire Marc Jackson to teach youngsters “the game of basketball.”

3. Memo to Marc Cuban: Let Things Be For One More Year- If anyone should be on the hot seat, it’s Donnie Nelson. Why would you give up your best defender(Devin Harris) who’s an underrated point guard to bring in a guy(Jason Kidd) past his prime to run an offense set up for isolations to Dirk and Josh Howard? Not even Red Auerbach could instantly transform the offense to a championship level in mid-season.
That’s why, as much as I think this trade was a dumb idea, give it a full training camp and season before rendering final judgement.

Editors Note: I forgot how much Mark Cuban hates bloggers. No further explanation needed to why Avery is now unemployed.

Video: Peyton Goes Nuts.....

Thanks to Pro Football Talk, we've unearthed the angry side of Peyton Manning. Now don't get me wrong, I am a Tom Brady guy through and through. But I'm not stepping on the soapbox and railing at Peyton to not go "Let's go Insurance Adjuster" on teammates, it happens all the time.

However, it is pretty hillarious.

Video: Simon Cowell's Debut

I can't link the video, but click HERE to see an 80's Simon Cowell participate on some cheezy British game show "Sale of the Century." I seem to remember it airing on the USA afternoon sweep at one point....of course along side NO WHAMMIES, BIG BUCKS, NO WHAMMIES!

Video: The Downfall of John Daly

So if he had some of the 60 million dollars he allegedly lost, would John Daly have at least sported a wife beater?

Why I Hate Right Wing Fascists.....

Weird that that my political sensibilities burst out from a sports blog, but this Michigan show host's blog entry on seventh round pick Caleb Campbell picking football over the Army is downright offensive. Read this excerpt.

Caleb Campbell chose West Point. He was not forced to go there. If he wanted pro football then there are a ton of colleges where you can chase your dream.
The Army also is at fault for offering an opt-out for athletes. That sends the wrong message about character and leadership.

Men of character don't opt out.

Leaders lead by example.

Maybe Campbell should look at the stories of Tillman and Williamson to understand that when he entered West Point, duty, honor and country meant more than fame and fortune.

Here's what I have to say to you Mr. Simonson. How INSENSITIVE of you to suggest following Pat Tillman's footsteps of "honoring his country" when Tillman DIED, followed by the United States government massively covering up the way he died.

Are you suggesting that Pat Tillman would have made the same choice if he knew he would be gunned down by friendly fire? Or that the Tillman family would have signed off on it, had they known the ramifications? If so, you need to get your head examined.

It's people like this that make me sick.

Random Draft Notes.....

Quickly going through the other 31 NFL clubs, in a non-Mel Kiper kind of way....

AFC East

Buffalo- See what happens when Marv Levy's AARP card has been revoked? You don't reach for a receiver.
New England- How many positions can Jerod Mayo play? And while everyone raised their eyebrows at QB Kevin O'Connell in Round 3, he will probably end up as a monster tight end/special teams player.
Jets- I love the fact that the unanimous "boom or bust" player is a Jet. Hellooooo Mike Mamula!

AFC South
Houston-How did Steve Slaton slip into the third round?
Indianapolis- The 1st round wouldn't have been recieverless if Indy had a pick. And it would have been a good one because of that Peyton Manning guy.
Jacksonville- Trading up 18 spots for Derrick Harvey was dumb. But not as dumb as Baltimore not snaring an '09 1st or 2nd round pick in return.
Tennessee- This may be the time where you hear Sal Palontonio drum up the brigade of "Jeff Fisher is overrated" pundits.

AFC North
Baltimore-Joe Flacco No. 18? The guy who Wannstedt ran out of Pittsburgh? Oh yeah, there offensive coordinator has him thumb pointed THIS WAY! And see Jacksonville.
Cincinatti- Perhaps the draft room explains why Marvin Lewis hasn't been fired. And that makes the decision not to trade Chad Johnson that much more indefensible.
Cleveland- Their real draft was Brady Quinn, Corey Williams, and Shaun Rodgers. And that could make them one of the winners.
Pittsburgh- I don't know where the fibula is, but apparently its a motherbleeper of an injury to take Rashard Mendenhall.

AFC West
Denver- Not a bad draft, but this seems to be the team ready to really bottom out pretty soon.
Kansas City- The annual winner of the "Let's not start bleeping each others bleep yet." Keep in mind Jared Allen is gone, and there is no quarterback to challenge Brodie Croyle before you fawn all over Carl Peterson.
Oakland- Cannot tell you how much I love the Run DMC pick. He may be what makes JeMarcus Russell's career.
San Diego- The Chargers always seem to get burned by their corners, so adding one in the first round makes sense. Knock it down Cason!

NFC East
Dallas- Felix Jones yes, but why Tashard Choice who has NFL potential? Either way, the Cowboys weekend boils down to not trading for McFadden and the punk they picked up from Tennessee.
Giants- We will know immediately whether Kenny Phillips is the real deal or not. Because I'd love to see him bring the '07 attitude to Drill Sgt. Coughlin.
Philadelphia- Did you ever think we'd say the Eagles are clearly the worst team in the NFC East? I just did.
Washington- Santana Moss and Antwan Randal-El are receivers. They are not top-notch weapons. But Malcolm Kelly could be.

NFC South
Atlanta- Don't like Arthur Blank making the pick when you bring in a Pats personnel guy. But Matt Ryan makes all the sense in the world for a franchise that NEEDS to turn the page from Ron Mexico.
Carolina- If Jonathan Stewart turns D'Angelo Williams into a change of pace back, doesn't that make Williams a bad pick?
New Orleans- Seem ready to contend again now that they are actually addressing the D and should be healthy. And don't bother trading for Shockey, you don't need him.
Tampa Bay- It's a B minus/C plus draft because of the lack of another pass rusher. If they acquire Jason Taylor, make that an A draft. Even with 97 quarterbacks.


NFC North
Chicago- Great job not drafting a quarterback, Jerry Angelo. Even Kyle Wright in Round 7 would have been something.
Detroit- Just when you think Matt Millen actually can pat himself on the back, most scouts say there were better O-Linemen on the board than Gosder Cherilus at 17. Wah-wah-wah.
Green Bay- Jordy Nelson is primed to join the best receiving corps in the NFL. And Brian Brohm will be throwing them the ball by midseason.
Minnesota- The most interesting team in the NFL. Could be a Super Bowl contender(explosive offensive skill players, great O-Line, Williams boys and Jared Allen beefing up D) or can be the bust of the year(no QB, suspect secondary).

NFC West
Arizona- So much for the Ken Whisenhunt is going to sack Matt Leinart talk. Nice move going defense early.
St Louis- My rationale for the Dolphins not targeting a D-Lineman No. 1 doesn't extend to the Rams. They score points.
San Francisco- I hope Joe Staley is working out for you Mike Nolan. That and the 75 dollar SYMS suits.
Seattle- If they are the most obscure team in the NFL, it's only fitting they have the most obscure draft.