AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2006 > November > 14 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USDoling out love taps
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
THE TUESDAY COUNTDOWN…
10: Reason No. 5,437 why the decline of Western Civilization can be tied to ESPN: I watched the ESPN replay - make that replays - of Bobby Knight “slapping” one of his Texas Tech players during a timeout. The network showed it multiple times from multiple angles in succession. What is this? The Zapruder film?
9: No, this is not meant to be a defense of Knight, although it goes without saying this has and will receive far more attention because it involved Knight. But Godfrey Daniels! Judging by the reaction, you would have thought Knight threw a right hook, not lightly slapped a kid on the chin who wasn’t looking him in the eye during a lecture.
8: No, I don’t condone coaches slapping players. But players who signed with Texas Tech - and the parents who approved of the decision - knew what they were getting with Knight. If the kid doesn’t have a problem with it, and the parents don’t have a problem with it, I don’t have a problem with it.
7: Bobby Knight: Meet Greg Knapp.
6: Maybe there is hope. I read the other day that SI.com is one of the least viewed sports sites on the Internet. I went to it went Tuesday and found five separate links to swimsuit models on the front page, including one with a picture of a hot blonde - if you’re into that sort of thing - with the headline: “Take HER With YOU.” The link sends you to a page allowing you TO download cellphone wallpapers or videos of various Barbies. Also, you can instant message them. I can tell by the shot of “May Anderson daydreaming” she’s just waiting for a big strapping columnist to contact her.
5: Bobby Knight: slap me.
4: If I’m Arthur Blank, I’m guessing a team that’s 5-4 and dropping engine parts on the road is not a great backdrop for a campaign for a new stadium.
3: Saw a picture of Matthew Stafford in the paper on page five. His helmet already has 21 “dog bones” on it. I think Mark Richt gives them out when a player does something right. Does that include breathing?
2: Said it before: The Braves could do worse than bring back Tom Glavine. But don’t expect it to happen. Glavine’s rejection of an option year is to create negotiating leverage with the Mets. He’ll be back in New York, unless he really wants to sign for a massive discount so he can live year round in Alpharetta.
1: The Hawks are on a pace to finish 55-27. Then we can all ride our unicorns to the first playoff game. Slap me.
Permalink | Comments (16) | Post your comment | Categories: Jeff Schultz, Quick Hit
Comments
By Me
November 14, 2006 01:13 PM | Link to this
Jeff - La Shanah Tovah. Looking forward to Hannukah?
By Matthew Stafford
November 14, 2006 01:14 PM | Link to this
Well, I did pretty well on my basketball test last week. Jim Harrick tutored me. There are two halves in a game.
By Rutuger
November 14, 2006 02:37 PM | Link to this
Unicorns… that’s priceless!!!
By Chris McAndrew
November 14, 2006 03:00 PM | Link to this
Great stuff as usual Jeff.
By Chris McAndrew
November 14, 2006 03:03 PM | Link to this
Great stuff as usual Jeff.
By Buck Cochran in the NW
November 14, 2006 03:19 PM | Link to this
all of these different DAWG vents, posts etc. used getting a discounted price for SI for s yr. That’s exactly why I didn’t join the whole deal. Thanks for calling out SI, now, jump ESPN’s butt.
By DecaturTechFan
November 14, 2006 03:37 PM | Link to this
Number one reason why Falcons will never win SuperBowl…….Mike Vick.
By nick
November 14, 2006 04:16 PM | Link to this
Do you think we can take back that draft day trade with the chargers and get drew brees and ladanian tomlinson instead of mike vick?
By Come-on Jeff
November 14, 2006 04:52 PM | Link to this
Worst column of the year nominee…
By Darrin "The Vent King"
November 14, 2006 04:58 PM | Link to this
To DecaturTechFan,
Even if Vick is the reason the Falcons will never reached the Superbowl as you stated, it would be status-quo around this town. You act like their was some rich tradition for him to live up to here. Why is everyone so upset about that or acting like it something new around for the Falcons (or any other sorry Atlanta franchise) to NOT do something. Don’t blame Vick, you could bring Peyton Manning, L. Tomilison, and Brian Urlacher, and some way somehow the owners and GM’s that run the franchises around here would find a way to screw it up like they always do. I’ll put it like this, if we had taken L. Tomilison instead of Vick back in the 2000 draft, Vick would be flourishing in San Diego, and LaDalian Tomilison would have been a bust here. It’s not Vick, it’s this town and the people running the franchises here. Look how many players came to the Braves or Hawks or Falcons and didn’t do squat, BUT the very 1st year they play somewhere else they do well and/or win championships. Let’s see there’s Boris Diaw, Kenny Lofton, Deion Sanders, Brett Boone, J.D. Drew, countless Braves pitchers, Gerald Riggs, Jason Terry, Jermaine Dye, Nazr Mohammed, Ryan Klesko, and so on and so on. I’ve been here since the 70’s and this happens ALL the time. I don’t know what it is about this town, but we absolutely kill careers here and unfortunately Vick is the next victim in line. He plays anywhere else and he probably becomes the most exalted athelete since Jordan.
By DC
November 14, 2006 05:28 PM | Link to this
The fact that Bobby Knight is a pariah to most of the people in our society today is a statement of where we have degenerated.
Most adults in this world are afraid to be in charge, to discipline, to say no, to demand certain standards of conduct, to establish “who is the boss” with teenagers. Consequently, these teenagers think they are in charge. What they think, what they want, and they want it now, lack of discipline, lack of respect for elders is a direct result of to few Bobby Knight’s in the world.
All Bobby Knight wants out of a player is 100% effort both physically and mentally. Most people in the world don’t know how to put forth that kind of effort let alone maintain it over a period of time. This may be the most difficult think for someone to learn.
If we had more Bobby Knight’s in the world to instill this kind of work ethic in us all we would be a more productive and respectful society.
If I had a son who could play D1 basketball I would be happy to send him to Texas Tech because he will learn the most important lesson-how to succeed in life.
DC
By DC
November 14, 2006 05:32 PM | Link to this
It is pause for thought when the rookie quarterback at Tampa Bay, whom nobody ever heard of, has a better quarterback rating than our own franchise saver…michael vick.
It is sad to note that the Falcons actually think they have a chance to win a championship with vick at quarterback. It is too bad our backup will never get a chance to play, even though he is a better quarterback.
DC
By G8R H8R
November 14, 2006 05:53 PM | Link to this
Hey Jeff,
Have you conveniently forgotten last weeks picks?
Exactly what does the word “roll” mean?
By Ryder
November 14, 2006 06:02 PM | Link to this
Amen Darrin! With the exception of you and a few others, the majority of Atlanta fans and front office personnel SUCKS!
That being said, I’m looking forward to being at M&T Bank Stadium for the Ravens game on Sunday. Hopefully Schaub will get in the game so I can see Ray Lewis crush him into the ground behind that sorry offensive line. Bart Scott, Terrell Suggs, Atlanta better get used to those names as they will be coming up close and personal.
If you guys think the beatdown Cleveland gave Atlanta was bad, wait until they come up here to Baltimore to play a real defense. I’m sure Chris McAllister & Ed Reed are taking bets as to who gets the most interceptions off Vick & Schaub. What’s left of Atlanta’s first unit better call in sick that day. Billick doesn’t play around and I bet they would kill to have him coach Atlanta instead of Mora.
By Najeh Davenpoop
November 14, 2006 06:41 PM | Link to this
For the record, for fans like Nick who seem to be a little confused, the Falcons did not trade Drew Brees and LaDainian Tomlinson for Michael Vick. Drew Brees was selected with the 1st pick of the 2nd round, which belonged to the Chargers to begin with. The Falcons traded the 5th overall pick (Tomlinson), the 5th pick in the 3rd round (Tay Cody, who is no longer in the league), and Tim Dwight (who is no longer with the Chargers) for the 1st overall pick (Vick).
And for all the talk of Tomlinson being better (and yeah, he is a better player than Vick, probably the best player in the league) the Chargers have had even less playoff success since the trade than the Falcons have. So I wouldn’t go so far as to say the Chargers have won that trade.
By Dorothy Kilgallen
November 14, 2006 07:50 PM | Link to this
Whoa’ wait just a goldarn minute. Are you telling me that there are more angles of Dealy Plaza on the Zapruder film and this has been kept from us??
It must be the Mob. This will blow the “lid” off of the case. Wait until I tell J.Edgar.