Break out the suitcase! Received my approval from the NFL and I will be covering my fourth Super Bowl in the last six years. No Florida or Arizona sun this time, though. But I'm not going there to work on my tan.
No, it's time for some football and this has all the makings of a great contest. The SB XLII comparisons will not cease until long after this game is completed but that in itself is a good sign. If this game can be even half as good as that classic, then the crowd at Lucas Oil Stadium is in store for a memorable evening.
So it will be more great experiences on Radio Row, at the Hall of Fame announcements , the big game and (hopefully) a SB party or two.
MuscleSport Mag
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Bryant Gumbel - A Misguided Sportscaster
What's the most puzzling thing about Bryant Gumbel's controversial race comments is that he has more intelligence and talent in his little finger than most sportscasters do in their entire body. ( I despise that saying but it actually fit here, so I was a complete douche and used it.)
He doesn't need to resort to inflammatory remarks because he wants to keep reminding us that he is in fact black. Gumbel reminds me of that skit years ago on "Saturday Night Live" when Eddie Murphy disguised himself as a white guy to see what goes on when no blacks are around. But Gumbel is the white, masquaraded version, not the real person.
Because he is so 'white,' if you will, Gumbel has to sling some mud to broaden his appeal. Listen, Bryant, you're a he'll of a broadcaster and have been for decades. Only when you began making an asshole out of yourself with controversial comments did people begin hating you.
Yeah, I know. Publicity is publicity, good or bad. But this guy could have possibly been one of the better that the industry has ever had and he loses all respect with his comments. In case you missed his latest on HBO's "Real Sports," he likened NBA commissioner David Stern to a modern day plantation owner.
For the record, "Real Sports" is one of my favorite shows on television and I will continue to watch it. Anyone who actually believes that boycotting a show will make a difference is dillusonal. I like it, it's entertaining and informative and I don't have to agree with everything I watch.
But Gumbel takes away from a great show by sounding as if he should have been holding the Rev. Al Sharpton's hand while protesting during one of the late 1980s "Day of Outrage" marches within New York City.
Hey, Bryant - you're a sportscaster, not a community activist. Stick with what you're good at. And this is coming from a true fan of yours.
He doesn't need to resort to inflammatory remarks because he wants to keep reminding us that he is in fact black. Gumbel reminds me of that skit years ago on "Saturday Night Live" when Eddie Murphy disguised himself as a white guy to see what goes on when no blacks are around. But Gumbel is the white, masquaraded version, not the real person.
Because he is so 'white,' if you will, Gumbel has to sling some mud to broaden his appeal. Listen, Bryant, you're a he'll of a broadcaster and have been for decades. Only when you began making an asshole out of yourself with controversial comments did people begin hating you.
Yeah, I know. Publicity is publicity, good or bad. But this guy could have possibly been one of the better that the industry has ever had and he loses all respect with his comments. In case you missed his latest on HBO's "Real Sports," he likened NBA commissioner David Stern to a modern day plantation owner.
For the record, "Real Sports" is one of my favorite shows on television and I will continue to watch it. Anyone who actually believes that boycotting a show will make a difference is dillusonal. I like it, it's entertaining and informative and I don't have to agree with everything I watch.
But Gumbel takes away from a great show by sounding as if he should have been holding the Rev. Al Sharpton's hand while protesting during one of the late 1980s "Day of Outrage" marches within New York City.
Hey, Bryant - you're a sportscaster, not a community activist. Stick with what you're good at. And this is coming from a true fan of yours.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
It's a Conspiracy - Women Drivers
Don't get me wrong. I would never make a broad statement such as all women are bad drivers. That's just not me. No, I have a theory and it certainly makes more sense this way. There is a large group of women in the Tri-state area who have conspired to follow me on every road, highway and side street. Even parking lots. And their mission is clear - get in his way and make every wrong move known to man - and woman, of course- behind the wheel.
Take this afternoon, for instance. I was driving in the left lane of the Grand Central Parkway headed west towards the city. You New Yorkers know the way well. Lucky for me, it was past rush hour and the traffic was moving fairly well. If you're doing 60 on the GCP, it's the Autobahn.
This young lady, perhaps a 40-something like myself- was ahead of me but in the middle lane. I can see that she is ever so slowly inching her way into the lane I am already occupying and not signaling or slowing down to see if it is clear or not.
As I am about mid-vehicle smack next to her, she makes the move to the left, leaving me no choice but to hop the curb and ride the skinny shoulder before the guard rail. I blow my horn and hope that this idiot notices me before blasting into me and squashing my car.
Luckily she wasn't texting or doing her make-up and she swerved back to where she belonged. I probably scared the shit out of her. But it want exactly all shits and giggles for me, either.
No I'm pissed off, as I should be. It's been a pretty good year with the business (part of which you're reading now) ands I finally have a car I can be proud of. It's not a Maserati but certainly up there and better than the Honda I had before it. So I intend on keeping it looking nice, thank you.
As we pass one another, she has the balls to give me a dirty look and have an attitude. Listen, mirror breaker. You almost caused a real shitty pile up at high speed and I'm getting crap from you?
So please, help me out in this diabolical plan. A lone male is helpless against an army of females armed with heavy machinery, cell phones and eye liner.
Take this afternoon, for instance. I was driving in the left lane of the Grand Central Parkway headed west towards the city. You New Yorkers know the way well. Lucky for me, it was past rush hour and the traffic was moving fairly well. If you're doing 60 on the GCP, it's the Autobahn.
This young lady, perhaps a 40-something like myself- was ahead of me but in the middle lane. I can see that she is ever so slowly inching her way into the lane I am already occupying and not signaling or slowing down to see if it is clear or not.
As I am about mid-vehicle smack next to her, she makes the move to the left, leaving me no choice but to hop the curb and ride the skinny shoulder before the guard rail. I blow my horn and hope that this idiot notices me before blasting into me and squashing my car.
Luckily she wasn't texting or doing her make-up and she swerved back to where she belonged. I probably scared the shit out of her. But it want exactly all shits and giggles for me, either.
No I'm pissed off, as I should be. It's been a pretty good year with the business (part of which you're reading now) ands I finally have a car I can be proud of. It's not a Maserati but certainly up there and better than the Honda I had before it. So I intend on keeping it looking nice, thank you.
As we pass one another, she has the balls to give me a dirty look and have an attitude. Listen, mirror breaker. You almost caused a real shitty pile up at high speed and I'm getting crap from you?
So please, help me out in this diabolical plan. A lone male is helpless against an army of females armed with heavy machinery, cell phones and eye liner.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Our Prejudging Olympia Predictions on the Money
Once the men's open prejudging was wrapped up, we called the top six in the exact order they finished in. Yes, Phil heath deserved the win and even the defending champion said as much as he congratulated his best friend on the stage.
Jay Cutler showed a great amount of class as he gave kudos to "The Gift" and was fully entrenched in the runner-up spot. Kai Greene looked better than he had before in his previous two appearances at the O, but still was a bit on the bloated and softer side. Either way, a third place finish for "The Predator" is a great step in the right direction.
Some folks felt that Dennis Wolf deserved fourth, but we felt that Victor Martinez looked a hair better than the big German. Dexter Jackson has gone from first to sixth in just three years, but he is still one of the best conditioned athletes on the stage year in and year out.
Places seven through 10 finished a little different than we expected, but the names were the same. We had called as far back as our Olympia preview in the Summer 2011 issue of MuscleSport Magazine that Ronny Rockel would not make the top six, but ninth was a further drop off than we expected for him.
Toney Freeman keeps going strong at 45 and seventh is a good placing for the X-Man. Brandon Curry followed up an impressive New York Pro with an even better look here and deserved eighth. Rounding out the top 10 was Hidetada Yamagishi, who had a great posing routine.
Jay Cutler showed a great amount of class as he gave kudos to "The Gift" and was fully entrenched in the runner-up spot. Kai Greene looked better than he had before in his previous two appearances at the O, but still was a bit on the bloated and softer side. Either way, a third place finish for "The Predator" is a great step in the right direction.
Some folks felt that Dennis Wolf deserved fourth, but we felt that Victor Martinez looked a hair better than the big German. Dexter Jackson has gone from first to sixth in just three years, but he is still one of the best conditioned athletes on the stage year in and year out.
Places seven through 10 finished a little different than we expected, but the names were the same. We had called as far back as our Olympia preview in the Summer 2011 issue of MuscleSport Magazine that Ronny Rockel would not make the top six, but ninth was a further drop off than we expected for him.
Toney Freeman keeps going strong at 45 and seventh is a good placing for the X-Man. Brandon Curry followed up an impressive New York Pro with an even better look here and deserved eighth. Rounding out the top 10 was Hidetada Yamagishi, who had a great posing routine.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Tough Break for Branch Warren
It appeared as if Branch Warren was going to have a legitimate shot at winning the Sandow after dominating at the Arnold Classic a few short months ago. But the quad tear he suffered from a freak accident and subsequent surgery will put the Texan on the shelf for the remainder of the year.
With the massive wheels he possesses, Warren should recover well and pick up right where he left off. But that still will not make up for a golden opportunity that he will miss next month in Las Vegas. If defending champion Jay Cutler comes in even a little bit off, then a mass monster like Warren would be in line (along with Phil Heath and possibly a guy like Kai Greene) to take advantage of that.
We will never know what may have been, but a fan favorite like Warren having to sit out his second Olympia in four years due to injury will make the line-up seem a little scant.
With the massive wheels he possesses, Warren should recover well and pick up right where he left off. But that still will not make up for a golden opportunity that he will miss next month in Las Vegas. If defending champion Jay Cutler comes in even a little bit off, then a mass monster like Warren would be in line (along with Phil Heath and possibly a guy like Kai Greene) to take advantage of that.
We will never know what may have been, but a fan favorite like Warren having to sit out his second Olympia in four years due to injury will make the line-up seem a little scant.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Some Thoughts, Post-NFL Lockout
*The Seattle Seahawks will take a step back, not that 7-9 was anything to brag about, anyway. But even in the weal NFC West, they will struggle with T. Jax as their new QB. Sure, Rice is nice and all that, but the 'Hawks were better off with Hasselback.
*Philly comes out looking great with all their moves, but our favorite was getting Rodgers-Cromartie and a number two for a back-up QB that wasn't in their long-term plans, anyway. The Eagles picked up Vince Young to hold the clipboard and he'll learn some valuable life lessons from Michael Vick, who knows a thing or two about being the bad guy and silencing the critics.
*Philly comes out looking great with all their moves, but our favorite was getting Rodgers-Cromartie and a number two for a back-up QB that wasn't in their long-term plans, anyway. The Eagles picked up Vince Young to hold the clipboard and he'll learn some valuable life lessons from Michael Vick, who knows a thing or two about being the bad guy and silencing the critics.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Pre-Season Football Would Look Good Right Now
With the announcement that the NFL lockout has claimed its first casualty with the cancellation of the Hall of Fame Game, we here at MuscleSport Mag promise to never complain about pre-season games again. Most NFL fans can do without the four exhibition contests held in August that showcase the starters for a few series and then are played between guys that will probably be cut before the next game.
With the future of training camps and possibly the entire pre-season hanging in the balance of a vote by the players, we can only hope that business does not get in the way. Sure, we all realize that it comes down to dollars and cents, but America's Game is way too important to not be played on Sundays.
What we would give to see those fifth-stringers getting some PT in the fourth quarter on a sweltering weeknight in a tied game.
Get this shit done already!
With the future of training camps and possibly the entire pre-season hanging in the balance of a vote by the players, we can only hope that business does not get in the way. Sure, we all realize that it comes down to dollars and cents, but America's Game is way too important to not be played on Sundays.
What we would give to see those fifth-stringers getting some PT in the fourth quarter on a sweltering weeknight in a tied game.
Get this shit done already!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)