AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2006 > October > 17 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USShame on Tyson, “The U.” and the Yankees
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
The Tuesday Countdown…
10: Bad news: Former Cane thug Lamar Thomas was fired for seemingly endorsing the brawl between Miami and FIU players during a broadcast. Good news: He was promoted to athletics director.
9: Seriously, I’m so glad to see that school president Donna Shalala is taking this seriously. So explain to me why FIU has dismissed more players than Miami (2-1) and given far more indefinite suspensions (16-1)?
8: This should be a real bonus for recruiting at “The U.” Turns out that the game at the Orange Bowl was “Salute to Florida High School Football” day, with thousands of players attending for free.
7: By the way, I heard Jeb Bush was really upset with the Miami Herald’s treatment of the Canes.
6: The Mike Tyson “I’m A Freaking Nut Job” World Tour kicks off Friday in Youngstown, Ohio. Tyson says he will fight a series of “exhibitions,” which I guess means he’s added two elephants and a clown to the act we’ve been seeing. Tyson also says he will fight a woman, Ann Wolfe. But please don’t think less of him. I mean, if he can knock out his ex-wife, Robin Givens, he certainly can punch a perfect stranger. What a yutz.
5: Spoke to Dan Reeves the other day. Said it looks to him like Michael Vick doesn’t have a lot of confidence in his receivers. “[Brian] Finneran and Mike are comfortable with each other. Why is that? And there’s a confidence between he and Alge [Crumpler]. It must be because they catch the ball and get open. If there’s not a No. 1 receiver on the team he has confidence in, what makes him want to throw it?”
4: Reeves, who is doing radio commentary for Westwood One, refrained from criticism of the Falcons and their coaches, saying with a laugh, “That’s your job.” He added: “I’ll say this — it’s a lot easier sitting in the press box. I see guys getting open all the time and I think, ‘Why can’t the quarterback see that?’”
3: So, I mean, who didn’t know Georgia Tech would be the shining light of Atlanta football this fall?
2: Cubs general manager Jim Hendry called Lou Piniella “absolutely the perfect choice as we move forward.” Was it the 285 losses in three years in Tampa Bay that confirmed his perfection?
1: The Yankees fail to reach the World Series again but keep Joe Torre. The A’s fail to reach the World Series again and fire Ken Macha. Must be the higher standards mandated by the Oakland media.
Permalink | Comments (31) | Post your comment | Categories: Jeff Schultz, Quick Hit
Comments
By Sal Licata
October 17, 2006 12:06 PM | Link to this
BRING BACK REEVES!!!!!!!!!!!! please.
By Zach
October 17, 2006 12:24 PM | Link to this
Wow! You finally admitted which team is the best! GO JACKETS!!!
By Greg from Marietta
October 17, 2006 12:30 PM | Link to this
1.Tyson fighting a woman…My money is on the woman.
2.Funny how Mora took the Falcons so far his first season, but didn’t Dan Reeves build that team? 3.Miami football - the party school for hooligans. 4.Georgia Tech, the little train that could!!
By Michael
October 17, 2006 12:32 PM | Link to this
Michael Jenkins is another Peerless Price — just stealing a paycheck.
By kelly
October 17, 2006 12:34 PM | Link to this
Jeb Bush points to the Pace Center for Girls and his daughter’s alleged rehab for the model for reforming the U. His anger at the Herald was only cursory, viewed by some as a political move.
Vick needs to take cues from Bush’s recent scramble in Pittsburgh (looming precursor), ducking into the closet (as Foley emerges)to avoid angry protestors. Seemed to work for the duhvnor.
By honest_abe
October 17, 2006 12:39 PM | Link to this
the grass ALWAYS looks greener on the other side… if the falcons get back reeves i give ATL fans 1 week before moaning about wanting mora again.. fickle, fickle, fickle…..
By Don
October 17, 2006 12:40 PM | Link to this
The pathetic wannabe thug Lamar Thomas is still looking to get even after he ran his mouth all week before the ‘93 Sugar Bowl about how the Alabama defensive backs weren’t good enough to play him man to man. In the subsequent beatdown of the Miami thugs by Alabama, Thomas was spectacularly humiliated by George Teague of Alabama. Thomas caught a pass behind the Alabama defense and was headed for the goal line. Teague ran him down from 10 yards behind, stripped the ball and face planted him in the turf before turning back upfield with the ball. Thomas was last seen in that game on the Miami bench with a towel over his head.
Anybody who hasn’t seen that play can find it via a search on You Tube.
Coincidentally, George Teague is also the guy who drilled Terrell Owens a few years ago when he ran out to midfield and started dancing on the Cowboys’ star after catching a 2 yard touchdown pass.
George Teague should be broadcasting games for somebody. Miami’s football program should be shut down. They are a disgrace to the ACC and to college football.
By honest_abe
October 17, 2006 12:40 PM | Link to this
oh yes…and i usually like your articles jeff.. but just because a coach got short with you (mora) doesn’t mean you have to make it your mission to take the coaches credibility away.. that’s quite low..and i expect better..
By BlindHomer
October 17, 2006 12:54 PM | Link to this
Falcons passing attack (using the term very loosely) has three weaknesses, O line can’t pass block, receivers drop balls, and Vick has limited accuracy and vision and no touch. All of that equals 32nd of 32 teams in passing offense with no relief in sight. I still think next year’s slogan will be EIGHT AND EIGHT IS GREAT!
By jarrodmon
October 17, 2006 12:54 PM | Link to this
kelly, shouldn’t you be over on Democratic Underground convincing each other that the president piloted the airplanes by remote control on 9/11 instead of here? This is a sports page.
By R.E H.
October 17, 2006 01:03 PM | Link to this
While not a Tech man it is really great to see them doing so well. FSU and Miami really really have something to worry about that is if there are enough Canes to continue the season. People always see the worst in an organization and it is unfortunate the people outside of college look at that and think all college ball is like that. Notre Dame was blessed to leave Atlanta unscathed. The Techsters must be dealt with!
By kelly
October 17, 2006 01:06 PM | Link to this
jarrodmon, shouldn’t you read the entire countdown before whining. that there was a light entry, dolt.
By EDT
October 17, 2006 01:38 PM | Link to this
FIU has FAR LESS to lose than Miami. Matter of fact, they could cancel their season and no one would care. However, if Miami cancelled theirs, half of the nation would rejoice because they despise them that much. Why? Because they win. I repeat, win. That is what others strive so hard to do. At least they are admitting that they are a football factory vs. UGA/Adams’ political garbage of “we have to compete” and hanging poor Dooley out there to dry. Tech (& everyone else) had better get their kicks in (no pun intended) this year because teams like Miami & UGA w/winning traditions always bounce back.
Feel free to go to www.espn.com and readily browse the number of unforgivable incidents that are making the front page at institutions across the land, regarding athletes. Oklahoma, Northern Colorado, Albany (NY), to name some….
The entire system needs to be overhauled.
By Mookie
October 17, 2006 01:43 PM | Link to this
Sounds like there is something personal going on between Schultz and Mora!
By TroyB
October 17, 2006 02:01 PM | Link to this
Why is it that when Vick got hit out of bounds by Antonio Pierce with only minutes remaining in the game, the Falcons surrounded Pierce by joining hands and singing Koom Buy Yah while only Coach Joe D had the ‘brass ones’ to go after Pierce!?
Many Falcons should have their MAN CARDS revoked!
By dustin
October 17, 2006 02:38 PM | Link to this
where well really miss dan reeves is in the playoffs! I like mora but keeping players in 2 long just makes no sence when u know youve already lost/won the game!! Moras offence might be more exciting to watch…but there was a reason Reeves has taken teams to the super bowl! He could manage a game much better than mora as well. GO Falcons…..i wish we had the bears schedule….how did they get so lucky?
By Darrin "The Vent King"
October 17, 2006 02:45 PM | Link to this
I can’t believe I miss Dan Reeves, but at least with him here I wouldn’t have to worry about that cut-blocking crap. He would employ a real O-line and I KNOW his tight end is going to be blocking, so Mike would survive the game. The Falcon’s F.O. need to cut out all this cut-blocking, gimmicky, West Coast crap. Asking Mike to play in this West coast mess is like telling Shaq not to post up and just shoot threes from now on. Square peg, round hole. They’re going to ruin # 7, like Philly did Cinnuningham if they keep this up.
By bad_ambition
October 17, 2006 03:20 PM | Link to this
Gee, CSS just now noticed that Lamar Thomas was a thug? They should be ashamed that they ever provided him a paycheck in the first place. Listening to his homiedowninthehood posturing babble during that on-field fight was disgusting. Guess he’ll have to go back to mugging and dealing drugs for a living.
And thanks for the recap of the George Teague play. I did jump over to YouTube, those clips made my day.
By BirdDawg
October 17, 2006 03:32 PM | Link to this
Wow, you have the balls to criticize the Yankees for keeping Torre, yet you are a sports writer for the AJC, who never, ever has criticized Bobby Cox for his massive postseason choke jobs, or even criticized the Braves for holding on to his overrated, wife-beating, drunken @$$.
What cajones you have, Jeff.
I hate the Yankees like everyone else, but it takes a hell of a hypocrite to criticize them, when you’ve never criticized the Braves for the same thing.
Guess what, the Yankees have made the postseason for 10 straight years under Torre, and have won their division 8 ot 9 straight years.
What makes him different from Cox?
Oh yeah, 4 World Series Titles. And don’t give me the money thing. Cox has taken the best team in baseball into the postseason 7 times in the last 15 years, and came away with one, count it, one title.
And the only reason why he won that title is because Mike Hargrove is even more of a choker than he is.
What cajones.
By Rock Preston
October 17, 2006 03:35 PM | Link to this
The Falcons O-line is designed to protect the quarterback for about 3 to 4 secs while the quarterback makes quick reads to get the ball out. Sound like the west coast offense? Well, Mike Vick can’t go thru his progressions that quickly, which in turn makes him hold on to the ball to long, which makes him vulnerable to sacks and fumbles, which is why he looks at read 1 and takes off. HE CAN’T READ DEFENSES!
By Roswell Ed
October 17, 2006 03:41 PM | Link to this
You can take the football player out of Miami but you can’t take the Miami out of the football player.
Thanks Lamar!!
By BirdDawg
October 17, 2006 03:52 PM | Link to this
Rock, you are a damn rock.
When did Vick have 3 to 4 seconds at all, or when does he ever have that long?
You do realize that half the time, on a 3 step drop, Matt Lehr lets someone blow right past his is untalented @$$ and they’re on Vick by his second step, right?
You really are an idiot, Rock. How about you actually know something about football before you open your damn mouth.
By Rock Preston
October 17, 2006 04:05 PM | Link to this
Dawg Bird, you’re the idiot. Why is it that they run block SO WELL, but “can’t” pass block. It’s all about the scheme in place, which puts a premium on the quarterback getting the ball out quicker with touch. Ocassionally, there will be a breakdown in protection (insert Matt Lehr), but when Vick does have time, he won’t go past the 1st read and will decide to take off. For your info, I did play football at Florida State with Warrick Dunn in the 90’s, so WHAT DO YOU KNOW…IDIOT
By Nick
October 17, 2006 04:33 PM | Link to this
Pretty typical of Miami to act that way. A real class act program down there. Of course FIU is just 9 miles away from “The U” so don’t expect much out of them either. Sad to say that you sort of expect that behavior from Miami, a team filled with thugs. That fight looked like a gang fight, and I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a gang connection.
By BirdDawg
October 17, 2006 04:35 PM | Link to this
No, you idiot.
Yes, the WCO is supposed to be a quick timing route system.
But this offensive line cannot even give Vick 3 seconds to make any progressions.
God, you are an idiot child if you think run blocking has anything to do with pass blocking.
Especially with how the Falcons run block. You do realize that when the Falcons run block, it takes no skill whatsoever. That’s why they can have the cheapest O-line in the league with washouts like McClure and Lehr on the line because all they do is cut-block.
You’re an idiot because you have no clue that in pass blocking, you have to man up and actually have some technique and talent. It takes strength and skill. Your momma can cut a grown man at the knees and open up a hole for Dunn or whomever. But this line cannot even give Vick 3 steps, they’re letting the D-line through in 2 steps.
Like I said, idiot, know something about football before you open you damn mouth.
By bmullis
October 17, 2006 05:39 PM | Link to this
Mora and the gang are not yet ready for prime time. They make Dan Reeves look like Einstien.
Wonder if Uncle Artie is suffering from any regret for his firing of a respected coach that has played and coached in super bowls.
Losing Finneran is looming LARGE! I’m gone.
By jarrodmon
October 17, 2006 10:43 PM | Link to this
Dolt?!? I would agree it was a light entry. Light headed mostly.
By batrol
October 18, 2006 05:48 AM | Link to this
Anybody else wonder why Terence Moore doesn’t chime in about things like the thuggery at the “U?” Maybe because he can’t put a racist spin on things like that?
By Russ Brock
October 18, 2006 08:30 AM | Link to this
Georgia Tech will get a dose or reality after Clemson rolls over them in Death Valley. The Falcons will never get a dose of reality until Vick gets knocked out for a few games so we can finally see how they can perform with a real NFL quarterback for a change. Why is that Joe Cox who led the Dawgs to a comeback victory has been all but forgotten? Cox deserves another shot.
By BirdDawg
October 18, 2006 09:38 AM | Link to this
Russ, did you see Cox play against Ole’ Miss?
If you did, you’d never say he deserved another shot.
More like a one hit wonder.
By Reggie
October 18, 2006 11:20 AM | Link to this
Vick will never become a better passer until someone musters the guts (Daddy WarBlank? Psycho Jim? G’day McKay? Pops the towel guy?) to tell his Royal Arrogance that his passing stinks from the way he bounces up and down before he throws to the way his legs are usually four feet apart when he throws to the way he just slings the ball in the general direction of a receiver. Finneran caught a lot of balls because he is eight feet tall! After so many throws that are five feet over their head or six feet wide either way or ten feet short of the target, I think it shocks the daylights out of the pass catcher when one actually comes within catching range that they end of dropping it. I don’t begrudge any athlete the money they make, Lord knows I’d like to be in their tax bracket, but we are just not getting our $130,000,000 worth out of this guy. Yes, there are blocking issues but Vick should have spent this past season and should spend the next off season learning how to properly and accurately deliver a forward pass. If he were Arthur’s CEO, he would have fired him by now and they both know it. Make him learn the proper technique and make him throw 200 balls a day, I’ll even volunteer my services as a receiving dummy, special emphasis on the dummy part. But please, I’ve watched football for forty years, I’ve seen great, good, average, overrated, underrated, mediocre and horrendous. He can get better if he wants to and if he’s made to.