Taking Sides

In the most hyped game of the NFL Week 10, it's Peyton Manning (and 52 men dressed in Indianapolis Colts uniforms) versus Tom Brady (and 52 other men dressed in New England Patriots uniforms).

Remaining a strong proponent that football is a "team sport" and that by comparing only the quarterbacks ignores the essential components of each position and, therefore, the true outcome of a game, I mocked those who oppose that theory before these teams played in 2007. (Then, following the game in which I accurately predicted the final score, made a larger point to warn anyone before mistakenly believing that I'm able to make such accurate predictions.)

From All-Decade Team lists to yearly statistical comparisons, the mention of the 2 most successful quarterbacks of this era will continue to spur debate and especially the week prior to playing one another. The identical score of "3-1" can be used to argue for either side. Brady leads Manning by that margin in Super Bowl rings but Peyton is ahead of Tom by the same tally in NFL MVP Awards.

Brady once seemed positioned to make Manning the Kenny Stabler to his Terry Bradshaw, the Dan Marino to his Jim Kelly, the Jim Everett to his Joe Montana. He was able to close the argument with a simple mention of their head-to-head records. But after Brady was on the winning side in the first 6 games, Manning has won 3 of the past 4 games of their over-publicized duals.

With another chapter about to be written, the Great QB Debate of the 21st Century will continue but, at least for today, without me. Like that of Ali-Frazier, Bird-Magic, Palmer-Nicklaus, Connors-McEnroe, Earnhardt-Gordon, Minnesota Fats-Mosconi and other individual sports rivalries of yesteryear, let's leave the modern day Brady-Manning fight for the other, umm, sports blogs.

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Permanent Vacations

Aerosmith, arguably the greatest American rock band in history, is said to be looking for a new lead singer. Formed in the late 1960's and signed by Columbia Records in 1972, Aerosmith sold over 150-million albums worldwide and has been one of the top touring musical acts for decades. Their inside feuds and outside addictions caused band changes and a hiatus in the early 1980's but they re-established themselves as rock 'n roll legends with a 1987 comeback called Permanent Vacation.

Steven Tyler, who fronted the band for almost 40 years, has reportedly left his "toxic twin" (Joe Perry) and band mates in Aerosmith to pursue a solo career. If true, my suggestion for Steven would be to find a band in the same division so he can compete directly with them. This way he can show everyone who the real star was, including his former band, their management and the fans.

Oops, wrong front man.

Read more HERE

A Role Reversal for A-Rod

It's easy to hastily misjudge others and we've all been mistaken for doing so. But often, over time and with closer evaluation, we realize how easily we were duped.

That panhandler on the sidewalk with the track marks on his arms? He wasn't really asking for spare change so he could buy something to eat. That exotic dancer from the club whose most marketable assets being her long legs and deep intellect? She wasn't really saving the tip money to finish her law degree. But at the time I believed them mostly because I wanted it to be true.

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A Knee, a Foot and a Mouth

Today I had microscopic surgery on my left knee to repair a torn meniscus. Thanks to the injury, I learned a new word. Previously, I might have assumed that a meniscus was a creature that lived deep in the ocean or maybe an engine part for my car that would cost thousands to be replaced. Turns out it's the medical term for the cartilage found in the human knee.

The tear occurred while I was playing basketball at the gym, or maybe when playing softball in cleats. Then again, at this stage of my life, it could have happened while simply walking up a staircase.

Look closely at the top of the photo; they let me keep the hip, blue surgery socks!

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Sign Sign But Not Everywhere a Sign

While social networking is all the rage, it does have its limitations. Too many important messages go unnoticed because we can't be Facebook friends with everyone and the Twitter pages are jammed for anyone who follows Ashton Kutcher and his endless (and mindless) posts.

So what's a sports fan to do when they have a message for everyone to read? They create a sign. Or, better yet, pay for a large billboard.

But don't try to create a smaller, handheld message in our nation's capital. In a policy that began on Monday night, Washington Redskins fans can no longer bring signs to games at FedEx Field.

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Get it Right, Griese!

College football analyst Bob Griese made a gaffe last weekend during the Ohio State-Minnesota game. Griese, who along with Chris Spielman, was a color commentator for the Big Ten matchup

But in today's politically correct world of broadcasting... there is no COLOR in commentary!

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NFL Parity is a Parody

Is she a natural blonde?

By the 2nd half, that was the only mystery left remaining in the Colts and Rams game

Watching Sunday's NFL Week 7 games made for some real drama and competitive finishes. In my fantasy football league, that is.
Total points scored by Sunday's winners - 406
Total points scored by Sunday's losers - 152
Average margin of victory in Sunday's Week 7 games - 21 points

Were you watching from the edge of your seat all day?

If so, might want to purchase some of this

(Because the football surely wasn't the cause)

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Whether Weather Matters

Thermal underwear, gloves, hat, parka, ski mask, tickets... got your wardrobe ready to attend a World Series game? With the Phillies in and Yankees in command, it looks like another fall classic will be played in some wintery conditions.

Like many, I've ridiculed for years the irony that the "Boys of Summer" must prepare to play in football-weather if they want to win a World Series. On the other hand, if you want to win an NFL Super Bowl, you'd better have your sunscreen ready (unless it's in a dome at Detroit, Minneapolis or, as in 2012, in Indianapolis).

I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, not exactly a paradise for those enjoy a nice climate. But I disagree anytime someone, aware of that fact, says on a frigid day, "You must be used to the cold".

Wrong. No one gets used to being cold. Just like you don't get used to feeling pain or experiencing hunger....I still get cold when temperatures drop.

Read more HERE

Dismember the Titans

For their Week 6 game in New England, the Tennessee Titans continued the NFL's 50th anniversary celebration of the eight original American Football League teams by wearing their throwback road uniforms. But even if it was the 1984 Houston Oilers (who began 0-10) that they chose to honor, they still may have went a little overboard.

59-0 was the final. The most lopsided shutout loss in Oilers (and Titans) history and tied for any game since the AFL-NFL merged in 1970. The 45-0 halftime lead was also the largest in league history.

For Tom Brady, the five 2nd Quarter TD passes are the most anyone has thrown in a quarter since 1950. For either the Boston Patriots or the New England Patriots, the 59 points scored and 619 total yards were both franchise records.

In the aftermath of a loss so humiliating, certainly many in the Titans organization were both saying and hearing many four-letter words today. But none hurts worse than QUIT.

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"Can't Help It..." Why no Rush to Block Fergie?

The NFL has approved Fergie (real name "Stacy Ann Ferguson") from the Black Eyed Peas as a limited owner of the Miami Dolphins. If Fergie proceeds with the move, she will join other A-list celebrities: Venus Williams and Serena Williams, Jimmy Buffett, Marc Anthony and Emilio and Gloria Estefan, as limited partners of the Dolphins franchise.

Meanwhile, conservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh waited for the NFL to approve his motion to make a bid on the St. Louis Rams. Throughout the process Limbaugh was left sitting like an addicted pill-popper outside of a convenient store hoping to meet his drug dealer. (So, in other words, he's been here before.)

Read more HERE

Missouri Loves Company

Despite my suggestion to the contrary, the Missouri Division of Tourism insists that this landmark is NOT actually half of a "W", buried upside-down.

While never having spent a great amount of time there, I've been told that St. Louis is a really good sports town. It makes logical sense to me being that it isn't a very transient city, but, rather, inhabited by generations of locals. It also doesn't hurt that the natives are well known to enjoy the taste of beer (a trait I've discovered is consistent with other great sports towns like Chicago and Philadelphia).

And after the past few days, any sports fans in St. Louis (and throughout Missouri) should be ready for more than just a few cold ones.

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Do Like Dave Did

It's been over a week since David Letterman made the public admission of sexual indiscretions with female members of his staff. The target of an extortion scheme for his affairs, Letterman first went to the authorities and then shared his salacious story to the rest of the world on his late night television show.

Since last Thursday (10/1/09), the scandal has become, well, less scandalous. While the investigation into the alleged extortion has accelerated, the story, itself, has been delegated further and further to the back of media reports. The size of Dave's audience hasn't been negatively affected by the size of his libido either. To the contrary, as Letterman this week has increased his ratings lead over his direct competition at NBC, Conan O'Brien.

Read more HERE

"Revenge is Like Cold Cuts"
(And Other Mistaken Quotes)

Tony Soprano, "Revenge is like cold cuts."
Dr. Melfi, "I think it's, revenge is a dish best served cold."
Tony, "What did I say?"

That's one of my favorite verbal exchanges from my favorite all-time television series, The Sopranos. It was classic dialogue from the fictional head of the New Jersey mob, Tony Soprano. He knew what he wanted to say, but just said it incorrectly.

So too mistaken are many of the NFL headlines following the Week 4 Monday Night Football game...

'Vikings' Favre embarrasses Thompson, Packers' (FoxSports.com)

'Favre makes Packers pay' (CBC.ca)

'Favre gets revenge, or something like it' (ESPN.com)

True, Brett Favre led the Minnesota Vikings to a 30-23 victory over his former team, the Green Bay Packers. And Favre played very well, throwing for 271 yards and 3 touchdowns.

It's also accurate to say that in recent times I have been critical of the way Brett Favre has handled himself since his days of playing with the Packers. Okay, more than once. All right, more than twice!

But last night's Vikings victory doesn't mean that Brett Favre showed the Packers front office, coaches or quarterback (Aaron Rodgers) that he should still be the franchise player in Green Bay. This game, like so many, was determined in the trenches and not in the air.

Read more HERE

Wrong About the WNBA

It's tough being a man. We're easily threatened in many more ways that woman aren't. Have you ever heard of "Little Woman Syndrome"? Seen many advertisements targeting women when trying to sell products which prevent performance anxiety?

For me, and so many other dudes, it's difficult to admit you enjoy certain things in life without risking the revocation of your imaginary "man card". For years, due in part to a best-selling book, you couldn't find a man to admit he eats quiche. Or one who suggests taking baths as a way of relaxation.

Thanks to years around the music business, I have a large (that is, very large, ladies) collection of compact discs. And when I'm driving, it's not always the AC/DC, Van Halen or Metallica that's in my car player. However, when I do demonstrate my music diversity and pop in a disc from Supertramp, Elton John or Bon Jovi, I'm typically driving that day with all my windows up to protect my perceived masculinity for passing commuters.

Then again, perhaps I wasn't being as macho as I once thought when cranking music from these bands up to 10, either.

Read more HERE

Tonight's Top 10 'Things That Make NFL Fans Go....Huh?'

Before there was 'The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien', 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' or Jay Leno (whatever they call his show) at 10 PM, there were many late night talkers to entertain us. In the days between the transferring of the late night crown from Johnny Carson to David Letterman it seemed everyone (Chevy Chase, Pat Sajak and even 'Magic' Johnson) had their own nighttime television show.

Among the less memorable was 'The Arsenio Hall Show'. However, there was one rehabilitated woman (Paula Abdul) and one recurring bit ('Things That Make You Go Hmmm...') that Arsenio was notable for doing (and the latter even inspired a 1990 hit song from C +C Music Factory).

This past Sunday during Week 3 of the NFL season, Brett Favre led another improbable comeback. With only 2 seconds left in regulation, Favre connected with Greg Lewis for a 32 yard touchdown pass that give the Minnesota Vikings the lead (and the win) over the visiting San Francisco 49ers.

A come-from-behind win led by Brett Favre is hardly unbelievable. But what was surprising, at least to me, was learning that it was the first time Brett Favre has ever thrown a game-winning touchdown pass in the final 10 seconds of a 4th quarter.

Huh?

Read more HERE

Oh, Now I Can See It

No way, I thought this morning, could this potentially be tomorrow's headline in the New York Times newspaper.

The Tennessee Titans, who only lost 3 regular season games in all of 2008, cannot start 2009 with an 0-3 record. I can't see it.

The NY Jets, who already surprised so many (perhaps even themselves) with wins over the Patriots and at Houston, cannot begin Mark Sanchez's rookie season at 3-0. Nope, I still can't visualize it.

Oh, I know why. The Jets were to honor during the game the 50th anniversary of the American Football League by wearing their throwback New York Titans uniforms.
Wait, now I can see it.

Umm, yeah right.

If you believe that there's a bridge not far from the Meadowlands that you may be interested in purchasing.

Tomorrow's Headlines Today

None of us can accurately foresee the future. And when I say that, I mean, NO ONE. Otherwise, wouldn't psychics win the Power Ball Lottery each week?

The Chicago Tribune embarrassingly learned this lesson on November 3, 1948 when they erroneously reported that Thomas E. Dewey (Governor from New York) won the 1948 Presidential election over the incumbent, Harry S. Truman, in their newspaper's headline.

"Newspaper? What is that??" (Collectively heard by everyone reading this that isn't older than 17 years of age)

Settle down young ones, we're on the Internet and back to blogging now

Read more HERE

Great Player = Bad Coach

Wayne Gretzky resigned this week as head coach (and director of hockey operations) for the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes. During his four seasons as Coyotes coach, only the St. Louis Blues and Los Angeles Kings had a worse winning percentage than Gretzky had in Phoenix.

Anyone who witnessed "The Great One" during his playing career can serve witness to his legitimate title. No one looked more skilled on ice than Gretzky and, following his trade from the Edmonton Oilers to the Los Angeles Kings in 1988, his remarkable talents is still recognized today for introducing professional hockey to certain sunny cities (including Phoenix).

But like so many great athletes, he was a better player than he was a coach. Phil Esposito, Bryan Trottier, Denis Savard and Alex Delvecchio all were successful as players. Like Gretzky, they all failed as NHL coaches. Finally there is something the NHL has in common with the professional sports that, you know, Americans actually care about.

Read more HERE

"Oh Ricky You're So High..."

The Indianapolis Colts visit the Miami Dolphins on MNF from Land Shark Stadium tonight. The Colts are 1-0 in 2009 and hoping to extend their record streak with a 7th consecutive season with 12 or more wins. The Dolphins, meanwhile, are coming off the best one-year turnaround in NFL history improving from 1-15 in 2007 to 11-5 in 2008.

Some might say the Dolphins are flying high again.

Or, for some of their players, they have already been high for years.

Read more HERE

Must Win, What?

Well at least the fans had something new to say

It's week 3 of the college football season and things are already both looking and sounding familiar. Florida, Texas and Southern California are assuming their usual position atop the rankings and the commentators who preview the weekly games are already falling back on their usual takes and phrases.

The popularity of the sport has resulted in countless television, radio and Internet shows all trying to fill the public's insatiable need for opinions and information about the game. There is a lot to discuss but few different things to say.

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Look Who's NOT Talking

There is an old saying, "Children should be seen and not heard". (Actually, I hope this was a cliché' everywhere and not just in my home). But, anymore, it seems that once becoming an adult some feel they should be heard even when no one is asking. How I wish I could go back in time and show my grade school teachers how these grownup interruptions were far more intrusive than anything I ever blurted out as the class clown at Marzolf Elementary.

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Colts 16-0? It Could Happen!

As an athlete I hardly led my teammates to many championships. When I was 12 years old, my Braun-Jeffery Little League squad made the finals at a tournament in Morningside, PA, but, other than that, it was a lot mediocre teams and even less spectacular results.

As a broadcaster, however, my local presence has had a much more positive effect on the teams I've covered and reported for. For the first half of this decade I was in the bay area where the San Francisco Giants would win a pennant, the Oakland Raiders made a Super Bowl and the San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Athletics and even the San Jose Sharks were having playoff success. Not so much since (especially for those Raiders).

The White Sox ended an 86 year World Series drought and the Bears made their first Super Bowl in 21 years during my professional stay in Chicago. (The Chicago Cubs? Well, some curses are seemingly impossible to reverse.) And last season while anchoring the pregame and postgame broadcasts for the Atlanta Falcons Radio Network, the young team made the postseason just one year after their head coach quit and their franchise player went to prison.

With IndySportsNation.com and WXIN-TV, it's the Indianapolis Colts that I will follow and cover. But with an NFL record 6 consecutive seasons (and counting) with 12 or more wins, Peyton Manning and company don't need any good luck vibes from me. The Colts started 7-0 in 2007, 9-0 in 2006 and began the 2005 NFL season 13-0.

But maybe, just maybe, the 2009 Indianapolis Colts can be the 2nd team in NFL history to go undefeated. Don't laugh, it could happen.

Read more HERE

Remembering My Fab Four

Nine! Nine! Nine!

And all these years I thought Colonel Klink was shouting "No!" in German. Turns out he was getting an early start promoting the big day for Beatles fans. What visionaries they were on that sitcom.

Today (9/9/09) is the release of The Beatles: Rock Band and also new digitally remastered stereo tracks from the Fab Four. The box set includes over 206 songs from 13 original albums and the Beatles-themed video game will contain 45 tracks for fans to do today what Pete Best was once asked not to do - play along with John, Paul and George.

The video game includes only 45 tracks? Are these the same people who make available only 4 Sopranos episodes at a time on my cable television "On Demand"??

Like "Hogan's Heroes", I was born too late to appreciate The Beatles in their prime. My first recollection of the band was hearing "I Am the Walrus" while a strange smelling cigarette was being passed among my older brother and his friends.

But that doesn't mean that my childhood was void of my own 'Fab Four'. They existed and, in fact, they might even be considered 'Zaccagnini's Heroes' from back in the day.

Read more HERE

College Classes I Needed

Tommy, "You know a lot of people go to college for seven years."
Richard Hayden, "I know, they're called doctors."
[Tommy Boy, 1995]

D.J. Zaccagnini, "I graduated from Indiana University..."

When someone first hears me mention my Alma mater, a gleam momentarily fills their eyes. Then I finish the school's name.

"...of Pennsylvania".

(Their excitement couldn't fade faster had it been kick-off for a Big Ten team to play one from the Pac-10. And expectations are erased quicker than the point spread will be when Ohio State plays Southern California next weekend.)

With a diploma that serves little professional purpose, I'd been better served by taking some different courses during my collegiate years. Not that by attending these classes (or any at all) back then could have furthered my professional career - since no employer has ever asked me once about that degree... NEVER - but they might help me when watching college football.

Read more HERE

Pittsburgh's Pitiful Pirates

That's my hometown. And the sign says it all.

With a 53-78 record today (9/2), the professional baseball team from 'Da Burgh' (as the natives call it) is all but assured a 17th consecutive losing season which will be a new record for any team in a major sport. But it wasn't the 11-5 defeat to the Reds last night the secured the inevitable new standard for futility, that was all but guaranteed in April when the Pirates took the field for opening day.

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Fantasies of the Fall Season

Being a typical guy, I tend to fantasize a lot. And recently I've had some amazing dreams. In them, I own a harem of famous stars and score big with them each and every week throughout this fall. But it's not Kate Moss, Sienna Miller or Catherine Zeta-Jones that are the object of my adult desires but, rather, it's Randy Moss, Heath Miller and Maurice Jones-Drew who have my attention.

Ah... it must be time again for my fantasy football draft.

Read more HERE

Rick Can't Handle the Truth

Rick Pitino spoke of his public sex scandal for the first time since two weeks ago when he apologized for his "indiscretion". Pitino had already admitted to authorities of a 2003 sexual encounter with Karen Sypher in a restaurant. Sypher is calling it an assault and when Louisville police Wednesday (8/26) released audio and video of her allegations, Pitino got pissed.

So Rick called a press conference. Not a wise thing to do for him but certainly a funny thing to do for us.

Read more HERE

No More Dallas Do-Overs

"Everything is bigger in Texas", they say, and apparently that's true even for the mistakes. Friday night (8/11/09) in Arlington, Texas, Cowboys Stadium was opened for its first professional football game. As the new home for the Dallas Cowboys, it's the largest domed stadium in the world, has a retractable roof, can seat as many as 100,000 football fans and, at $1.2 billion to build, it is one the most expensive sports venues ever built.

And already there is a big problem with the big stadium in the ‘Big D’.

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Dear John (and a Tale of 2 QB's)

Any NFL fan can attest to the 'Bromance' that former football commentator John Madden once relentlessly pursued with Brett Favre. During the 1990's and until he, err, John retired, the man-crush on #4 was thicker than John's makeup would later become following sales of HD-Televisions to the public sector. According to Madden, Brett Favre played the game with a passion like non-other and he represented everything that a football player should be.

So, John, which attribute of Favre do you admire most?

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Major Fall of Moneyball

Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game was released in 2003 and soon afterwards became a national bestseller.

The book was based on the Oakland A's organization and how their general manager, Billy Beane, utilizes a modernized and analytical approach to field a baseball team that can compete with richer, larger market organizations.

I bought the book. And I bought into the book.

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NFL Preseazzzon

Confession #1... I don't enjoy being in adult clubs.
Confession #2... I don't enjoy drinking non-alcoholic beer.
Confession #3... I don't enjoy watching NFL preseason games.

Upon reading the above admissions one might believe that it's the look of scantily-dressed ladies, the taste of beer and the game of football for which I declare to dislike. They'd be mistaken. In fact, it's because of how much I LOVE each that leaves me frustrated with anything that cheapens the original.

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Honoring the Dishonored

The NFL's Tennessee Titans will wear a #9 decal on their helmets this season in honor of their slain former quarterback, Steve McNair. This past Sunday night during the annual Hall of Fame Game, the team got to debut their tribute to McNair in the 21-18 preseason win over the Buffalo Bills.

Soon after the tragic death occurred and the funeral arrangements were completed, the Tennessee Titans franchise began discussing ways they could recognize the career and life of one of their most adored former players. McNair won more games at QB for the Titans than anyone in history, was the Co-MVP of the 2003 NFL season, led Tennessee to their only Super Bowl appearance and was inducted into the team's Ring of Honor in 2008.

He was also murdered by his much younger mistress while his wife and four kids were elsewhere. And, for that reason, not everyone is in support of this honorable recognition.

Read more HERE