My Top 10 Color Analysts Of All-Time

My Top 10 Color Analysts Of All-Time
M.D. Wright
1.29.10


***EDITOR'S NOTE: As part of the continuing series of listing "Favorites" and sticking with the sports theme, I hereby submit my Personal Top 10 for Color Analysts in all sports.


This is a tough list to compose. I've been watching sports since late 1984 and been listening to the announcers pretty much the entire time. My list is personal and may reflect certain biases, but again, this is a dialogue-starter, not a column written in absolutes. It's all in fun and each one of these analysts have brought something different to the table that I have admired over the years.


Here's the list:


1. BILL RAFTERY.
Those of us who live in (ORIGINAL -- not this bloated BS that has Marquette, DePaul and Cincinnati involved somehow) Big East country know him well, as he was the coach at Seton Hall from 1970-1981. He has been the New Jersey Nets color analyst since then (until a couple of years ago) and predominantly does college basketball for ESPN during the regular year (mostly Big East Conference games, aka the best conference in the nation) and for CBS Sports during March Madness, which is when Raftery gets even better, if it were possible.


For me, it all started this night in January 1988 at Fitzgerald Field House. My dad and I were watching this game and I went absolute nuts. Other than Darryl Dawkins on a couple of occasions -- I hadn't seen anyone do what Jerome Lane did here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTn_9k-GBzQ

"SEND IT IN, JEROME!!!"


And I would be remiss if I didn't mention some of Raft's go-to phrases during games:
To begin all college games after the tip-off: 
"And Verne Lundquist... the Huskies go... MANTOMAN!!!"


To begin all Syracuse games where the Orange's opponents win the tip: 
"And Sean McDonough, Jay Bilas... Syracuse goes... with a little 2-3 zone... BUT WITH MANTOMAN PRINCIPLES!!!"


Whenever a big man throws down a great dunk:
"SEND IT IN _____________ !!!"


For a player who shows tremendous moxie and cool under pressure:
"A LITTLE... ONIONS!!!" ("A DOUBLE ORDER!!!" WHEN IT IS EXTRA CLUTCH)


When a player with a sweet shooting stroke gets going from deep:
"Get the puppies set... release... A LITTLE NYLONNNNN!!!"


(A Raftery classic) This refers to when players -- especially the old Big East players who used the window with adept dexterity on layups:
"A LITTLE KISS!" or "A SWEET SMOOCH OFF THE GLASS" (referring to the sound a fresh basketball makes with "English" spun with it as it hits a clean glass backboard).


ONLY RAFTERY.


There are tons more phrases that he uses, including the explanation of the origination of the term "ONIONS!" as explained by Ian Eagle, but I'll leave that to you to research ha.


Listening to Raftery call a game makes it 100 times more entertaining. Anyone who says otherwise should be subjected to listening to the worst possible DeathCore music on decibel level 200 until they lose their hearing.

2. JOHN MADDEN.

I learned most of what I know about offensive line play and X's and O's in football from John Madden. I listened to Madden call games from the time I began watching NFL football until he retired after the 2008 season. He was in his prime and at the top of the profession throughout the 80s and 90s. He was an excellent coach with still one of the greatest winning percentages of all time (something that 80% of Madden game players couldn't tell you).

He introduced to me and the rest of the world -- TURDUCKEN (which is actually quite tasty if you have the time to prepare it or have had the opportunity to feast on it elsewhere). His fond usage of onomatopoeia rekindled images of the Batman series. And while he may have inverted sentences, talked in circles, catered to the average Joe who popped open a few cold ones during a game with his dumbed-down style at times, Madden knows his football. 

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-preseason/09000d5d8120681c

And they're right, these clown kids nowadays don't even know Madden coached, and some don't even remember him when he called games in the 80s and early 90s.

Oh and yes, as Madden says in that video, he conceived the Madden Franchise game in 1989 (actually after the '85 Bears won the Super Bowl the original game was developed: as I had it on our old Commodore 64 -- along with Dr. J vs. Larry Bird ha) as a TEACHING TOOL and for those of us who LOVE the X's and O's of football and not like these numbskulls who don't know jack about football, but think they are authorities to speak about football because they're good at the video game *SIGH*.

That's the original game from '87. Madden is the man. Plain and simple.

3. HUBIE BROWN.
I love listening to Hubie. Makes me feel like I'm at 5 Star or ABCD and getting one on one instruction listening to him call games. Back in the late 80s and early 90s, my dad and I used to die when Hubie's voice would crack while on the call, but he knew his stuff. He's forgotten more basketball than some of these guys playing will ever know. I still enjoy listening to him to this day on ESPN broadcasts.


A Hubie Brown staple is speaking in second person, as if he is coaching a player from the broadcast booth -- using street vernacular (a nod to all the kids he's coached in the New York and New Jersey area in his camps over the years).


Example:
"iight, you know that if you are Dallas, you want to make sure that Kobe Bryant does not get the ball here, okay? You also know that your best player, Dirk "No-witski" (always mispronounces it) has 5 fouls, iight? What you want to do is DENYYYYYYY Bryant the ball okay and you have a guy who is "atha-letic" like Josh Howard who can do this for you iight?"

It makes you feel like you're in the huddle and he's drawing on the clipboard ha. And the "Hubie Chortle" as my cousin Tonia calls it, never ceased to crack me up when he would laugh at something that seemingly wasn't funny, but somehow he found it so.


4. PHIL SIMMS.
Yes, I am a Giants fan. And yes, I love Phil Simms no homo, but his transition to the broadcast boot does wonders for the profession. With guys like John Madden retiring and the only other guys coming along are Madden copycats and castoff ex-coaches who are moonlighting until they get another coaching gig, Simms does justice to the booth. He doesn't talk down to viewers, offers SUPERB insight into games and doesn't mind calling guys out. I love it. If you manage to be someplace where you can hear Jim Nantz and Phil Simms on the call during Super Bowl XLIV next Sunday, tune in -- Simms is better now than he ever has been in the booth.

Oh, and I wouldn't let this go without pointing out something my sister brought to my attention a few years back; the Franklin Lakes, NJ resident's penchant for reverting to his backwoods accent at times during games -- pronouncing "eem" as if to say "him". Every time I hear it, I die, because I really hadn't noticed it in the 8 or 9 years that Simms had been in the booth at that point, but in the 6 or 7 years since, I hear it 10-15 times a game ha.


Example: "Well Mark Sanchez saw 'eem... but he couldn't get the ball to 'eem! Thankfully, that one fell to the ground, that's what I used to call a 'getback pass'" (his explanation being that it was one of those passes that he threw that immediately after passing it, he hoped it would land incomplete, so his team could "getback" the proverbial possession.




5. DOUG COLLINS.
Doug knows the game. What always flummoxed me was why it didn't translate to wins as a coach. He was moderately successful in that role, but he is an exceptional color analyst. He actually describes players' moves in great detail, he thinks like a coach, so he makes calls that coaches will make even before they make them and he was one of the first analysts to regularly point out the opportunity for a team to go "two for one if they want it" (meaning getting two shots off in the last 30-40 seconds of a quarter, maximizing possessions and getting easy points that may matter later in the game.

He also became adept at pointing out "point swings" (usually following a poor shot selection by one team, or a "gimme" missed opportunity that leads to points for the other team -- and how that can deflate and demoralize a team. These are the things color analysts are supposed to do. Not banter about nothingness (unless it's funny like Bill Walton -- more on that in a second).


6. JOHN "RED" KERR.
First off, RIP Red Kerr. His enthusiasm for his Chicago Bulls was infectious. Even if you weren't a Jordan/Bulls fan, you couldn't help but to be sucked in (pause) by WGN's telecasts featuring Jim Durham (and later, Wayne Larrivee) and Red Kerr -- unless you were a Pistons or Pacers fan. His primal screams whenever Michael Jordan did something spectacular, (which was almost nightly) are the stuff of legend and laughter at the same time.


You can hear Kerr screaming in the background as Michael Jordan made one of the biggest shots of his then-young career back in 1989. My dad and I were watching this one also:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-5G3OBKR3Y

7. WALT "CLYDE" FRAZIER.
CLYDE. When someone gives you a nickname like that, because you're SMOOTH, you know you better live up to it in everything else you do. Thankfully, he does it in the booth during Knicks' MSG telecasts. Whether the Knicks are "swishin' and dishin'" or "exhibiting great acumen at both ends" or " moving the ball with alacrity!" it is a joy to listen to Clyde do games. First, with Marv Albert for years and now with Mike Breen.


Viewers/listeners can learn a few words if they listen to Clyde long enough. If the near-20 years that I've watched him on MSG, I've learned a few myself.

8. TROY AIKMAN.
I didn't care for Aikman much as a Dallas Cowboy (and he still is one, openly rooting for them with his partner JOE BUCK on FOX nowadays), but he is an excellent color guy. He points out the non-obvious things, jokes when appropriate and is great in situational calls. I was worried about NFC coverage when Madden and Summerall left, and while everyone KNOWS I do not like Notorious Yankee and Giants Hater Joe Buck, Troy Aikman is the best of the NFC color analysts.

Oh, yeah -- my old homie Andre Smoot used to ask me at work "Mike, what day comes after Wednesday and before Friday?" I'd answer "Thursday???" with a pissed off look on my face... he would then go "Nah, 'THURZ-DEE' -- like Troy Aikman says it". I DIED. I hadn't really noticed it, but just like my sister did with Simms, once it was pointed out, I heard Aikman do that every week. WHAT ON EARTH IS MON-DEE, TUES-DEE, WINS-DEE, THURS-DEE, FRI-DEE, SAER-DEE, SUN-DEE HA?


9. BILL WALTON & STEVE "SNAPPER" JONES


These guys, mostly paired with Marv Albert -- but also with Tom Hammond -- were hilarious together. Bill Walton, for all of his hippie lingo and antics, KNOWS his basketball. Steve Jones was a very good player for years in the ABA and NBA. I loved it when Walton would say something and Jones didn't agree -- he'd do this ridiculously long laugh that would last until Marv interrupted them or a big play was taking place on the court. Absolute great television. Steve was the straight man, pointing out situations and mostly serious.

Walton would go off on tangents, waxing nostalgic about his days with the Celtics or at UCLA, you know, since he is a "UCLA LEGENDDDDD-UH" (as he says about WHOEVER went to UCLA) and all. For me, being an oddball of sorts myself, I loved it. I wish ESPN would put him back on games when he gets healthy. I loved how Walton had NO PROBLEM getting on players and calling guys out who loafed around. Some of my favorite Waltonisms include:


Walton: (to Play-By-Play lead Tom Hammond) "Tom, what's Mark Jackson DOINGGGGG-UH?" (as Jackson made an "X" sign with his arms, taunting Knicks' forward Larry Johnson, who was making "LJ" signs with his arms throughout the 1999 NBA Playoffs)


Hammond: (nervously) "Uhhhh I think it's an X!!!"


Walton: (sighing) "Ugh, why not just go out and PLAY BALLLLLL-UH? Quit SALUTING yourself with these ridiculous gestures, COME ON MARK, YOU ARE BETTER THAN THAT".


Me: FALLING OVER.


Walton: (usually while Shaquille O'Neal was slamming home a dunk) "THROW IT DOWN, BIG MAN, THROW IT DOWNNNNNNNN-UH!!!"


Walton: "WHAT. IS. A FOUL???"


Walton: "WHEN IS BRIAN CARDINAL GOING TO BE AN ALL-STAR?"

Walton is known for his extensive use of hyperbole. While, personally it amuses me and causes me to die of  laughter, some people (somehow) find it annoying. Here are some examples of that hyperbole:

"That was the worst execution of the fast break in the history of the Trail Blazer franchise"

-- Bill Walton, after the Blazers failed to convert a 3 on 1 fast break.  4.13.2003

"Stroke it, big man!"

--Bill Walton, referring to Arvydas Sabonis as he nails a jumper.  4.13.2003 

"What balance What on court-awareness!"

--Bill Walton, as Shaq tiptoes the baseline and saves the possession.  4.20.2003

"Maurice Cheeks has seen enough the inability to complete the simplest of plays."

--Bill Walton after Portland calls yet another timeout against Dallas.  4.25.2003

"You might wanna guard him..."

--Bill Walton, as Dirk Nowitzki nails another three point jumper.  4.25.2003

"Flip Saunders throws up his hands in exasperated dismay!"

--Bill Walton, after a phantom foul call against Wally Szczerbiak.  4.27.2003

"How long do these hockey games last?"

-- Bill Walton, because the basketball game is getting pre-empted by a hockey game going into a third overtime.  5.2.2003

"All Don Nelson can do is shake his head and ask what has happened to our once beautiful team?" --Bill Walton, as Portland dismantles Dallas.  5.2.2003

"What a palace this is."

-- Bill Walton, referring to the Rose Garden. 5.2.2003

"This Portland team is nothing more than a band of pranksters."

-- Bill Walton, as the Blazers are defeated in Game 7 of their playoff series.  5.4.2003

"Show some respect to this living legend, this hall of famer...Arvydas Sabonis."

--Bill Walton, as Sabonis makes a nice play.  5.4.2003

"Sabonis is the epitome of competitive greatness."

-- Bill Walton, on Arvydas Sabonis.  5.4.2003

"You're soft."

-- Bill Walton, to Tom Tolbert 5.4.2003

"A huge Chinese population here in... Houston."

-- Bill Walton, making a comment on Yao Ming 1.21.2004

"He had everything, he had... a doll."

-- Bill Walton, on Penny Hardaways fall from prominence 1.21.2004

"He even flew in his hairdresser, Celeste, so not only does Jermaine ONeal look pretty, hes looking to play pretty tonight."

-- Bill Walton, after Jermaine ONeal hits a jumper 1.23.2004

"Goodness gracious sakes alive." 

-- Bill Walton, after an apparent foul goes uncalled.  1.30.2004

"You tower over Allen Iverson yourself, you could post him up."

-- Bill Walton, to Brent Musberger.  2.1.2004

"He's been working out in the off-season, on that incredible computer generated body he has."

-- Bill Walton, on Kevin Garnett.  2.1.2004

"Jack up a three Spree!"

-- Bill Walton, as Latrell Sprewell passes the ball off in the midst of a TWolves run. 2.1.2004

"Look at Horace's shoes, arent they a thing of beauty?"

-- Bill Walton, on Horace Grants multi-colored sneakers.  2.4.2004

"Shaq with the monster throwdown, the basket just reverberating."

-- Bill Walton, after a big Shaq dunk.  2.4.2004

"Never let your legends go."

-- Bill Walton, on Shaquille ONeal, whose Lakers beat the Magic earlier in the day. 2.8.2004

"The only thing he is worth is another teams mistake.  This guy has ruined every situation he has been in.  This is a classic underachiever."

-- Bill Walton, on Rasheed Wallace.  2.8.2004

"You look at Vladimir Radmanovic, this guy is cut from stone.  As if Michelangelo was reading and a lightening bolt flashed before him."

-- Bill Walton, 2.8.2004

"Yeah now that's basketball there, jack up a three in transition!"

-- Bill Walton, as the Blazers and Sonics exchange missed three point shot attempts. 2.8.2004

"It does'nt get any better than that!"

-- Bill Walton, after a confused Trail Blazers team throws up a wild shot to end the first half.  2.8.2004

"Not a critic, just a reporter of facts"

-- Bill Walton, after Brent Musberger teased him about his criticism of Rasheed Wallace. 2.8.2004 

"Its a critical game, the battle for 10th place!"

-- Bill Walton, on the Portland-Seattle game.  2.8.2004

"Jeff Van Gundy cannot believe this!"

-- Bill Walton, then a camera immediately catches a shot of a relaxed Van Gundy. 2.11.2004

"You talk about Shaq as a ballerina, what a pirouette from Yao!"

-- Bill Walton, as Ming twists in the lane.  2.11.2004

10. FRANK GIFFORD.
One of the best to ever do it, especially in the bright lights and national audience during Monday Night Football for over 25 years. His insight and tell-it-like-it is approach will always be appreciated around these parts. Below is a photograph from one of the first MNF booths (Gifford is to the right of Howard Cosell).

HONORABLE MENTION:
-- MERLIN OLSEN
-- DAN DIERDORF
-- MIKE "THE CZAR OF THE TELESTRATOR" FRATELLO
-- MATT GOUKAS
-- DICK VITALE
-- GARY DANIELSON
-- BOB GRIESE
-- PAUL MAGUIRE


UP AND COMING STARS:
-- CLARK KELLOGG
-- DORIS BURKE
-- MARK JACKSON & "JVG" JEFF VAN GUNDY


LET'S SEE YOUR LISTS -- DISCUSS>>>

My Top 5 Play-By-Play Announcers Of All-Time

My Top 5 Play-By-Play Announcers Of All-Time
M.D. Wright
1.29.10


***EDITOR'S NOTE: New series of favorites -- as we move up to the broadcast booth and pick the favorites there.


Mind you, I am not excluding the Tom Brookshires and Don Criquis of the world, but I can only speak on the 25+ years that I have been watching sports. So I will stick with what I know and not who I've only HEARD ABOUT.


Without further adieu, here is my Top 5 Favorite Play-By-Play Announcers of All-Time (that is, 1979-Present ha). Also, this list is about guys I've actually listened to regularly or nearly daily on local stations or during network TV. Guys like Vin Scully, who I've only heard call 30+ games and other legends like that are not being ignored, I am doing this for the purposes of highlighting the guys who I actually hear most -- and not agreeing with everyone who likes to do a Who's Who list of icons and legends in the broadcasting booth.


1. MARV ALBERT.
Marv LITERALLY does it all. Basketball, football, baseball, hockey, boxing, Late Night TV, you name it, Marv has done it. He has the great, nasal, raspy tone that he has world renown for. And of course, his NBA coverage with the Knicks endeared him to three generation of fellow New Yorkers and Knick/Rangers fans as he called games for the Madison Square Garden network.


Who DIDN'T utter the phrase "YESSSSS!!! AND... THE... FOULLLLLLL!!!" imitating Marv growing up?

I could post a litany of Albert's best calls, but I will just link to a few, as they stand out best to me:


1992 NBA Finals: Game 1 -- Michael Jordan Hits 6 Three Pointers (Which was unheard from him at that time with his game not including the deep touch).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZCugyCT5lo

Marv's call: "Here's Jordan for three... YESSSSSSSSSSS!!! DID YOU SEE THAT LOOK? MICHAEL... INDICATING... HE CAN'T BELIEVE IT!"


1991 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals
Michael Jordan Dunks On Patrick Ewing
Marv Albert: "OH, WHAT A MOVE BY JORDAN... IT COUNTS... AND THE FOUL!!!"


And Johnny "Hoops" Andariese in with his legendary analysis afterward. Even as a Knick fan I was a huge Jordan fan and this was always a bittersweet thing for me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sS-N49j5Oos


Marv gets you with the dramatic pauses when he is on the call, for effect "And the Lakers lead 34....................... to 28. And Phil Jackson wants to talk it over"
. It builds the drama to a climax during important playoff games, and the NBA on NBC games are forever etched in my memory.


2. PAT SUMMERALL.
He had a simplistic style of calling games. I loved it, though. He let the crowd roar and tell you what was going on, he didn't talk 100 words a minute about gibberish. I loved his intros when he was with CBS Sports, as the camera would pan across the stadium and they'd show clips from previous games in NFL Films Slo-Mo fashion. He almost sounded like he was building up to force out words in dramatic nature (as he did with the end of the clip below)


"WELCOMMMMMME TO GIANTS STADIUMMMMMM WHERE THE NEW YORK GIANTS TAKE ON... THE DALLAS COWBOYS IN THIS PIVOTAL, NFC EAST MATCHUP!"


Here's an example of some of Pat's best work -- the 1990 NFC Championship. I nearly died this day, before Bahr made that field goal to win it for us ha.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buGkq9wEU2A

Here is another from the 1992 NFC Championship, which was EPIC:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxkii-_hsG0


3. BRENT MUSBERGER.
Old Man Musberger. He of the "Alright, folks, the Canes are looking to take the lead here on this important drive, STAY TUNED!" or "Okay partner (usually Bob Griese or Gary Danielson), we're in for a good one today". Also his intros are legendary for games. He is the voice of College Football for this generation -- as Keith Jackson was for the generation previous. His knack for referring to freshmen players in both college football and basketball is hilarious to me and has made its way into my everyday vernacular -- as I refer to many of my friends as "Young" as a nod to Musberger.  He OD'ed with it during the 2010 National Championship -- repeatedly referring to University of Texas QB Garrett Gilbert as "YOUNG GILBERT". I was dying, as I'm sure a few other people who like Musberger were.


Previous to his current stint in college sports, Musberger hosted the pre-game shows in the NBA, MLB and NFL and has done studio work and was always in on an important call since the late 1970s.


And of course his CLASSIC intro:
"YOU ARE LOOKING LIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVE AT ____________ STADIUM..."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2rBAvruTX0

4. AL MICHAELS.

Forget the 1980 USA win over Russia and that "Do you believe in miracles? YESSS!!!" call. I don't care about that and it pre-dates my memory. But Al Michaels has been the lead voice for Monday Night Football since Howard Cosell retired in 1986 and that's that. 

He is synonymous with this VINTAGE MNF intro http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZtEci3NUQ4 that still gets my blood pumping and causes goosebumps in many NFL nostalgics. When you heard that tune, Al was coming in with what seemed like (to us NFL junkies) groundbreaking news as we had our Monday Night Football for the evening. 

Al is apparently a degenerate gambler, which is fine with me. I used to be one. I know a couple of them right now ha. But hearing him drop very subtle gambling hints and always talking about over/unders, blackjack tables and horse racing is hilarious to me, knowing gambling lingo. If, you know, gambling were legal, that is.

5. VERNE LUNDQUIST.

OLD MAN LUNDQUIST. He is a personal favorite of mine, because he called some pretty memorable NFL games in the late 80s/early 90s, which were the HALCYON DAYS of the NFL if you ask me and anyone else 30 and over. I also love him on his calls with Bill Raftery during the NCAA tournament. They call Verne "The Golden Throat" and his calls are definitely perfect for NFL football and MARCH MADNESS.

HONORABLE MENTION:

-- Ken "Hawk" Harrelson

-- Ian Eagle

-- Dan Shulman

-- Sean McDonough

-- Jim Nantz

-- Kevin Harlan

-- Kenny Albert

GUYS WHO ARE RELATIVELY YOUNG BUT WILL BE LEGENDS BEFORE IT'S OVER:

-- Gus Johnson

IN A LEAGUE BY HIMSELF. Gus is the MAN in these parts, BTW.

Feel free to disagree, this list is personal. But I'd like to see everyone else's list no homo.

DISCUSS>>>

Responsible Adults? What OF This?

Responsible Adults? What OF This?
M.D. Wright
1.28.10


***EDITOR'S NOTE: Well, there is no note, this column entry is self-explanatory ha.


I want to make this as clear as possible: I am NOT judging anyone, nor calling anyone out specifically -- no need for private messages and inbox emails asking for the drop on someone ha.


But I think most of us grew up hearing this phrase "Responsible Adult" -- however, what does it entail? Is it purely a values judgment, or is there a criterion involved? WHAT OF THIS?


Personally, I have my own parameters that define what an adult is, and furthermore a responsible one. As I promised from the onset of 2010, I am making my columns and blogs interactive. I'm not a lecturer (until I get my Ph.D. ha), so I'd rather hear from you, rather than speak in absolutes.


I will say this about responsible adults --


1. They do what they say they will do, extenuating circumstances aside.
2. They are motivated to get up and work/look for a job, provide for themselves and/or a family if they have one.
3. They pay their bills -- ON TIME, again, extenuating circumstances aside (and no, those don't mean robbing Peter to pay Paul because you decided to max out your Visa at Bergdorf and want to use your grace periods every month or worse yet, allowing them to lapse).
4. (SEGUE) Aside from business losses and casualties that were unavoidable, they don't max out a dozen credit cards when they only earn $32,000 a year. WHERE THEY DO THAT AT?
5. They return phone calls.
6. They are organized.
7. They wash their dishes, don't allow their wash to pile up for a month, they don't invite people over to a nasty house (or worse yet, offer to allow them to spend the night(s) there when you might be susceptible to rats crawling across your beard -- and yes, beard goes for both men AND women ha -- at night) and there's rotten food in the fridge and dishes stacked high like that episode of Tom & Jerry where Tom was going to get killed by the mammy lady if they broke ha).


I could go on and on, but like Harry Caray used to say during the 7th Inning Stretch, "LEMME HEAR YA!!!"


DISCUSS>>>

Sports & Music

Sports & Music
M.D. Wright
1.28.10


***EDITOR'S NOTE: Continuing the "Favorites" theme, this post is about a few random thoughts -- the connection and interaction between music and sports.


You all know me. I am the Sports Guy. I am a walking music almanac, having been collecting music since 1985 and having a database of 70,000 records across all genres (literally). Some of you go as far back as 6th grade with me, when I began keeping my "Stat Book" (this was pre-internet, you know, when you actually had to do some serious reading, research and compiling to get your information into a binder -- 1990, 1991, etc.) Guys like Antonio Townsend and Rod Glover remember, as Tony kept a stat book also back then. I'm the same way with music. I am a geek, especially when it comes to the business and legal side of the music industry. I learned about the importance of reading liner notes, understanding the significance of publishing, royalties, getting "points" on a record and the benefits of executive producing a record (even if you have no real input on it -- as some big wigs that I won't name currently do).


But one thing that will ALWAYS strike a chord with me is when some of my favorite rappers or even singers mention sports figures in their rhymes. I can name lyrics all day (literally) and I think almost more than anything else, those sports-tinged lyrics stand out to me more than anything else.


Here's one of my all-time favorites by Cam'ron:


"We like Bird, Parish, Kevin McHale... Scott, Worthy, Jabbar and Magic... oh my God, it's magic... Isiah, Dumars, I will carve your casket... Phil, Scottie and Mike... Phil, Shaq and Kobe... my gats will detach you homie..." -- from "We Are The Champions", Diplomats, Vol. III Mixtape. Fitting title.


But rather than me name lyrics all day, give me some feedback: take a gander at this post, no matter the genre, think of some songs with sports-influenced lyrics and post them here for me. Let's have fun with this one.


DISCUSS>>>

Pet Peeve Phrase Of The Day: 1.28.10

Pet Peeve Phrase Of The Day: 1.28.10
M.D. Wright
1.28.10


***EDITOR'S NOTE: Continuation of the Pet Peeve Series.


Quick hit for today --


Everyone knows this person. I know him/her. You know him/her. We have classes with them. We work with one. We see one who always has to sit on the front pew at church. We may even LIVE with him/her. And that person I'm talking about is the one who always has to utter:


"YEAH, BUT..." to everything you say. They seem to always be ready with a rebuttal to whatever you say, no matter how pertinent, contextual and accurate what you say may be. In the back of your mind you have to wonder what makes such a person tick, that they get off by always trying to refute what you say.


The other type of person who says that seems to always want to be right or sound "better" than you -- or have that "one-up" mentality. Personally, nothing drives me nuts more than this (if I have to be around such a person on a daily/regular basis). I can deal if I'm pretty sure I'll never see them again, but if it is someone who I am related to, work with, have class with or what have you... DEAR GOD.


DISCUSS>>>

Favorites Spree

Favorites Spree
M.D. Wright
1.25.10


***EDITOR'S NOTE: As a spinoff to my Pet Peeves of the Day, I am also compiling a Favorites Spree on a semi-daily basis. With this issue, I will be listing some of my favorite words that have entered my vernacular over the past 15 years. The use of archaic wordage and unique verbiage is amusing to me because there are so many ways to express yourself using the English language.


As a wordsmith and as someone who literally studied the dictionary in elementary, middle and high school and parts of college, I have stumbled across words that just stick with me for whatever reason. Some of them are hilarious when pronounced phonetically. Some just look funny in script. Either way, here is a quick rundown of my favorites and why they made the list.


1. FLUMMOX.
Meaning:
To confound, confuse, to cause one to be at a loss.


Usage: "Brad Childress' stubborn play-calling and Brett Favre Worship, even after his continued misguided gunslinging still flummox me to this day."


I just love how it sounds, especially with someone who has a lisp ha. But even writing it is hilarious. Some people see it and say "WHAT ON EARTH???" and I go, "Exactly" ha.


2. VERBIAGE.
Meaning:
Active use of verbs and verb tenses in a phrase.


Usage: "The Bears don't use complex verbiage in their cadence, they just line up and go at the other team."


You know what my first encounter with this word was? Not in high school English. Not in college, but listening to a NFL broadcaster call a game and describing a Quarterback's hard count back in the late 80s. I kind of had an idea of what the word meant back then, but now it is part of my everyday vernacular.


SEGUE.


3. VERNACULAR.
Meaning:
Means by which one speaks and expresses one's self with words.


Usage: "This is a typical example of my everyday vernacular."


It just seems like a whole lot to say very little. Sort of like listening to certain foreign languages only to find out "THAT'S ALL THEY SAID??? SHEESH. I heard 5 sentences worth of chatter!"


SEGUE II


4. SEGUE
Meaning:
A transition from one thought or process to another; a seamless connection.


Usage: "This is a perfect segue for my story, thanks for the idea!"


Again, my first encounter with this word came from the sports world. I want to say Dan Patrick used it when he hosted SportsCenter on ESPN back in the late 80s or so who knows?


5. ASSUAGE.
Meaning:
To coddle, massage, cater to one's whims and desires.


Usage: "Surely you don't expect me to stand here and assuage your guilt. Own up to your mistakes and move forward."


I love certain words that, to the common listener or reader, seem not to have any meaning connection to the phrase and context in which they are being used. This is certainly one of those words. Plus I just love saying it, particularly when someone thinks they've out-witted me.

New York Football Giants 2010 NFL Draft Needs Assessment

New York Football Giants 2010 NFL Draft Needs Assessment
M.D. Wright
1.25.10


***EDITOR'S NOTE: The 2010 NFL Draft is April 22-24, 2010 in New York City. The Giants have the 15th pick in the 1st Round of the upcoming draft.


The Giants weren't as bad as they appeared (defensively -- the offense was just fine minus terrible situational play-calling at times by Offensive Coordinator Kevin Killdrive *ehem* Gilbride), but there are always needs that must be filled as players age (Fred Robbins), get out of shape and aren't nearly as productive as they once were (Antonio Pierce) and quite simply don't cut it for the scheme that the Giants like to run (Danny Clark). Those are the glaring holes. The Giants still have a few small moves that can be made in the draft that can shore up their future for the next 3-5 years at least.


Pick #1. The major issue is the linebacking corps.
The first pick should be used on a Mike or Wheel. These are Pierce and Clark's positions, respectively. Pierce appears to be 7 months pregnant these days and can't run middle-of-the-field to sideline, much less the "sideline-to-sideline" that he was touted for when the Giants signed him as a free agent after leaving Washington.


Clark is a good run defender, but with Osi Umenyiora in front of him (playing poorly against the run; serving more like a swinging gate before being benched due to his lack of production against the run all season late in the season), it wasn't all on Clark. Plus the scheme employed by former Defensive Coordinator Bill Sheridan left the LBs in coverage (a major weakness for Pierce and Clark because they no longer have the speed to run downfield against the better Tight Ends and Wide Receivers who ran into their zones). Strongside linebacker Michael Boley is a speed linebacker who is decent in coverage, but even he had a hard time when he finally did get back into the lineup and played consistent games after injury early.


Good Pick:
MLB/ILB/OLB


1. Brandon Spikes, Florida
2. Sergio Kingle, Texas
3. Rolando McClain, Alabama


Pick #2. The Giants' defensive line strength is somewhat overstated. Although GM Jerry Reese signed several players to bolster the depth, they were just bodies all season. DT Rocky Bernard did next to nothing all season. DT/DE Chris Canty lacks leverage to get to the QB, especially standing 6'7" and being relatively light in the legs. DE Justin Tuck was injured all season and played like a warrior, but a healthy year for Tuck yields 12-15 sacks. He only had 7. Likewise with DE Osi Umenyiora. It was obvious he lacked the burst he normally has coming off ACL surgery, and most of us sports guys have watched enough guys come back from that injury to know it takes a year and a half (or a second season after surgery) to get close to where the player once was. The thing with Umenyiora is that he's torn the knee ligament before. There were questions about his drive this season, especially with his total disregard for defending the running game. He got after the quarterback all year, had 6 sacks (7, depending on who you ask) and several forced fumbles and recoveries, but the Giants were gashed all season when teams ran to their left side (the Giants' right side -- Umenyiora, Cofield and Clark) and most of that was off the edge -- at Umenyiora. As previously stated, he was benched late because of this; although Kiwanuka was no better, given that he couldn't even break engagement with the opposing teams' LT when he became starter and was no better against the run.


Tuck should be fine, Robbins will be 33 and was injured also most of the season. Umenyiora has unofficially said that he may not come back to the Giants next year. Who knows? New Defensive Coordinator Perry Fewell will be catering to the Giants' previous strength -- blitzing, attacking the QB with just their front four and allowing the back seven to make plays. We shall see.


Good Pick:
DE/DT


1. Best available at pick #46.


Pick #3. You can never have enough good cornerbacks. The Giants have two, but they were both banged up all year (Ross) or slowed and only played in parts of 13 games (Webster). The other healthy CBs are nickel CBs at best right now; although CB Terrell Thomas will be a starter next year, particularly if Ross does not get back to full strength. That hamstring injury was dubious, because no one spends 4 months recovering from a hammy.


The current CB depth chart consists of:
1. Corey Webster (C)
2. Aaron Ross (C-)
3. Terrell Thomas (A-)
4. Kevin Dockery (C)
5. Bruce Johnson (C)
6. DJ Johnson (INC)


That's not convincing, healthy or not.
Don't be surprised if the Giants go 2nd or 3rd round with a CB pick.


Good Pick:
CB


Pick #4. This is a toss-up, because the draft turns from best player to best value while addressing the rest of your needs. The Giants could use some depth along the offensive line, but it is not PARAMOUNT at this point. The bigger concern, at least at this pick, is SAFETY. There are never more than 4 or 5 NFL-ready safeties in the draft, so finding one in the 100s range is going to require some serious scouting. Nonetheless, there are two major issues with the Giants' secondary. Starting FS Kenny Phillips has a chronic and degenerative condition called patellaosteoarthritis in his knee. It is the reason he was benched after the Week 2 win vs. Dallas in the 2009 season. He could've played through it, as he admitted the day after being informed he was placed on IR on Sept. 24. Considering how the FS position was a veritable sieve and left the Giants playing virtually 10 on 11 all season, one has to question the wisdom of placing Phillips on IR when his play was not negatively affected by the condition. Especially given the fact he has not had surgery yet and probably won't. What was the point of placing him on IR if he could have played and still has not had surgery. That condition is very serious, however; because it may not ever get better and it will cause bone-on-bone pain for young Kenny; and in football that is never good.


The other issue is lack of depth. With Phillips out, the Giants were playing with high school talent. Michael Johnson plays hard, but he just does not have the instincts nor the range necessary to play consistently at the NFL level nor is that range sufficient to make up for average instincts. CC Brown is a sick joke of an NFL player, I will not waste words on him. He's good on special teams and occasionally stacking the box, but in coverage, he is a Giants fan's nightmare. Reminders of CB Elvis "TOAST" Patterson from the early 80s.


Aaron Rouse came in and was a decent stopgap, but he got beat quite a bit as well. His takes were often sloppy and having played the secondary myself, I watch their technique all the time -- his angles were pitiful and he's not a big hitter, even though he's 6'4" and 230 lbs. Go figure.


The Giants only have rookie Sha'reff Johnson who they drafted in '09 in the secondary.


Don't be surprised if the Giants go SAFETY in the 3rd round, but for now, I'm predicting 4th Round, because LB, DT/DE and CB may be more pressing.


Good pick:
Best available.


#5 Pick. At this point in the draft, you just want a hard worker and a value pick. There are usually good finds with linemen on both sides of the ball and a nickel corner/potential special teams star to be had here. WR Sinorice Moss may not return, so the Giants may look at one of those smallish WRs who is a spark plug who can return kicks or serve on the coverage team. They may also be looking at RB, but a backup only; as Andre Brown will be returning (non Giants fans and even those Giants fans who don't fervently follow the team forget he was a steal in the '09 Draft and ran very well at NC State).
Good pick:
RB/WR/ST player


#6 Pick. Most likely a lineman. The Giants had a very good 2009 Draft. WR Ramses Barden will see the field more in 2010 and LB Clint Sintim may move into the Wheel LB spot should Danny Clark leave this year. David Carr is almost sure to leave with 5 or 6 starting QB (6, if Favre finally DOES retire now that the Vikings have been eliminated from the NFL Playoffs for 2009) positions up for grabs in 2010.


Good pick:
Best available/OLB/Backup QB


#7 Pick. No one really cares, but you can never have enough CBs. The Giants do not know if P Jeff Feagles will retire or not, so they may either resort to drafting a guy off the street (bring back Rodney Williams ha?) or maybe letting me try out for the position. I can punt 45-50 yards in the air!


See you for the 2010 NFL Draft -- April 22-24, 2010 here in New York City.