Blog @ MoreWhat.com

How often does an item from a PGA Tour website appear in a Google news listing? Who knows and who really cares? Today’s offering reveals more about American culture than most things related to the sport of chasing things around a highly manicured lawn. And, go figure, the topic is Tiger Woods. Who has chased more than his fair share of golf balls on and off the green.

Here’s the question that started the discussion. Which may or may not feature real people and genuine comments or opinions.

Tiger Woods returning to golf at the Masters, April 5-11. This will be most watched golf game this year, if not EVER. Will you be watching?

The answer from this blog….. a resounding ‘no.’ But the majority of responses from the linked ‘discussion’ suggest for most all is forgiven. It is okay to break the rules. It is okay to abandon principles, ignore the guidance of good judgment and face no consequences for bad behavior. And it is okay to use wealth as a marketing tool redefining bad behavior as some sort of bizarre medical condition. Ya, the devil made me do it. Or, I have an addiction. It’s not my fault. I couldn’t help it.

I’m getting help. I’ll be okay. It wasn’t my fault. Please allow me to keep making boat loads of money. Demonstrate by your continued financial support of my lucrative enterprise that the rules don’t matter. I can do anything I want and you will not express disapproval. This is after all how society should work. No rules, no consequences, offer a mea culpa and move on.

This not so tiny microcosm of American life explains where we are. Expanded to current events in matters of government and public policy it explains why there is a culture of corruption and why it has not been reduced or eliminated. It is due to insufficient public outrage about bad behavior.

But perhaps there is evidence of reaching a tipping point and that things may change. We need to return to principles and values that provided the strength and wisdom to form and maintain this republic. Sports, like other cultural characteristics, reflect the underlying value systems held by the public at large. When we observe troubling trends it is our duty to correct it.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

If you are a fan of either the New Orleans Saints or the Indianapolis Colts Sunday’s forty-fourth Superbowl undoubtedly had special meaning for you. Likewise if you are simply a big fan of professional sports the annual premiere pigskin competition gets your undivided attention. But as the case goes for most activities these days there are many ways to analyze this year’s football finale.

Certain aspects of the event receive the lion’s share of attention each year. From the half time entertainment to the big bucks offerings from commercials during the broadcast to commentary on the ‘elites’ on the field or those occupying spectator seating at the venue. But this year presented the almost obligatory injection of politics into the fray.

Move over Janet Jackson your wardrobe malfunction may no longer occupy first place for the absurd at a Superbowl. Fortunately there was no such problem with delivering the National Anthem. And Carrie Underwood’s performance of the Star-Spangled Banner eclipsed The Who’s halftime performance as well as finding the singer’s wardrobe choice a refreshing change of pace. But that’s not the politics. It is part of the usual appraisal.

In the run up to the event news reports or op-eds and other commentary raised an issue for some liberals about the planned advertising spot from Tim Tebow and his mother. Libs of course suggested there should be no political advertising during a sporting event. Their concern was the growing public sentiment against abortion. The ad was described as the Tebow pair presenting the fact that a difficult pregnancy was not aborted and the child born grew up to be a very successful quarterback.

If you saw the ad on Sunday you may be surprised at the uproar from the libs. It was well done and the libs probably raised more attention to it than if they had just let it be. But then liberals are nothing if not neurotic.

So if you want to raise a political issue with the Superbowl how about this? Courtesy of VOA News an opening paragraph from one article on Superbowl 44.

Just four years after Hurricane Katrina decimated the city of New Orleans, the Saints are the champions of the National Football League. The New Orleans Saints defeated the Indianapolis Colts, 31-17, Sunday night in Super Bowl XLIV.

And in the same article this statement:

Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who has dedicated himself to helping both the Saints and city of New Orleans recover from 2005’s Hurricane Katrina, was named the game’s most valuable player.

An otherwise interesting additional article from VOA News examining the possibility of this Superbowl being a ‘classic’ also included something of a political reference.

A victory for the Saints would complete the resurrection of the franchise, which finished 3-13 the season before Drew Brees came to New Orleans. It would also go a long way toward instilling pride in a city still working toward recovering from the horror and devastation of 2005’s Hurricane Katrina. Saints head coach Sean Payton says the team has a special relationship with the people of New Orleans.

“This is a city that really has been very close to this team through a lot of hard times. And after Katrina, when the Saints were able to get back and play in the Superdome there was certainly some symbolism that evening. I think playing good football and giving them something to be proud of is important,” he said.

The game has special meaning for Peyton Manning as well. He grew up in New Orleans, where his father Archie quarterbacked the Saints during 10 losing seasons.

There were more relevant references to NOLA that could have been made but the point is they were unnecessary. Anyone with a brain can make the connections without urging from the media. And if you are going to make an emotional case for a sad situation at least have the common courtesy to present a balanced appraisal. Like most of NOLA’s troubles are of their own making or neglect.

One title in news reports suggested someone might be making the case for balance.

Not everyone is happy for the Saints

It was really no shocker to find a sports report suggesting others in the sporting world may be unhappy with Sunday’s outcome. And in the opening the author wondered upon arriving in NOLA if he would observe a population hung over the Superbowl XLIV or ‘revving up’ for Mardi Gras then expecting both.

And President Obama hosted a Superbowl party in a week when he has renewed talk about bipartisanship in the wake of the failure of his flagship agenda item, ‘health’ reform. The lone member of the GOP invited was Joseph Cao of the LA-2 which includes most of NOLA.

It had nothing to do with the game or NOLA but a down payment on the purchase of Cao’s vote for the Demcare. Cao was the only Republican in the House to vote for it based on promises of help for NOLA from President Obama.

The point here is enough already with the wailing and gnashing of teeth about NOLA or Katrina. For about three hundred years the city has been below sea level. There is an abundance of reference material available to demonstrate the repeated failures of public officials and private interests to adequately deal with Katrina-like vulnerabilities for years. Some of that information is on this site and at this blog.

The final word on New Orleans and Katrina is get over it. Stop blaming others for problems of your own doing.

The past year has seen several dynasties reassert their dominance in U.S. sports. In this look back at 2009, the Los Angeles Lakers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Penguins, the New York Yankees and top college teams added more trophies to their collections.

The Pittsburgh Steelers made history when they won last February’s National Football League Super Bowl game played in Tampa, Florida. Their 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals gave the Steelers a record sixth Super Bowl championship, one more than the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers have won in the 43 seasons the game has been played.

Pittsburgh had finished the regular season with the second best record in the AFC at 12-4 while the Cardinals squeaked into the post-season from the NFC at 9-7.

The Cardinals looked on the verge of winning their first Super Bowl title when Steelers’ quarterback Ben Roethlisberger organized a drive capped by a touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes to win the game in the waning seconds.

Steelers’ coach Mike Tomlin said after the win that his team was prepared for whatever the Cardinals threw at them.

“So many times, football teams get caught up with the game not unfolding the way they envisioned it unfolding,” Tomlin said. “Or the way the media tells them it is going to unfold leading to the football game. We go into games with no preconceived notions.”

Gators clinch another title

In U.S. college football, the University of Florida Gators won the title for the second year in a row and the fourth since 1996 when they beat Oklahoma in the Bowl Championship Series game January 9.

Florida quarterback Tim Tebow completed 18 of 30 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns in the 24-14 victory. The Gators were 13-1 for the season, with only a loss to Mississippi preventing them from going undefeated.

Carolina wins another NCAA crown

In college basketball, the University of North Carolina won its fifth NCAA men’s Division One title by beating Michigan State, 89-72, in Detroit. The win was UNC Coach Roy Williams’ second national crown in five seasons at the university he attended as a student.

“Winning the second national championship for our Alma Mater is even sweeter,” Williams said. “They [the players] have been on a magical run and, as I said last night, they took me for a fantastic ride.”

U Conn trounces Louisville in Women’s NCAA finals

In women’s college basketball, the University of Connecticut went undefeated (39-0) and won the NCAA title with a 76-54 win over Louisville. The victory gave Huskies’ coach Geno Auriemma his sixth national title and his fifth since 2000.

Auriemma said he was glad he did not have to face the disappointment of losing after his team played so well during the regular season and the tournament.

“These kids deserve it, even if I don’t, which I don’t care if I do or not. But all I kept thinking about was ‘Man, I do not want to get up tomorrow morning with that feeling,’” he said.

Meanwhile, Pat Summit, the University of Tennessee women’s coach, won her 1,000th victory in 2009. In 35 seasons in Knoxville, Summit has amassed 1,005 wins, eight national titles and 14 Southeast Conference titles.

Lakers capture 15th title

In National Basketball Association play, the Los Angeles Lakers captured their 15th title in 2009, beating the Orlando Magic in the best-of-seven finals in five games. The Lakers’ win gave Coach Phil Jackson his 10th NBA title, including four with Los Angeles and six with the Chicago Bulls. Jackson said his players deserved all the credit.

“I’ve always felt as a coach that you have to push your team,” Jackson said. “And they pushed themselves and I really feel strongly that this is about them. However, having won 10 championships is a remarkable accomplishment, there’s no doubt about it.”

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant took home his fourth NBA crown and was voted the finals Most Valuable Player. Bryant said winning his first title without former teammate Shaquille O’Neal was a great relief.

“It felt like a big-ole monkey was off my back,” Bryant said. “It just felt so good to be able to have this moment. You know for this moment to finally be here and to reflect back on the series and the season and everything that you’ve been through, - it’s top of the list, man.”

Basketball Hall of Fame inducts Jordan

One of the men who contributed to Phil Jackson reaching his milestone - former Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan - was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.

Jordan said at his induction ceremony that he loves basketball, and his love for the game propelled him to his amazing career achievements.

“I don’t look at this moment as the defining end to my relationship with the game of basketball,” Jordan said. “It is simply a continuation of something I started a long time ago. One day you might look up and see me playing the game at 50, because limits like fears are often just an illusion.”

In other honors, Cleveland Cavaliers guard LeBron James was named the regular season Most Valuable Player for 2009.

Yankees win world series

In Major League Baseball, the year started poorly for Alex Rodriguez and the New York Yankees. Before spring training, Rodriguez admitted to using steroids while he played with the Texas Rangers in 2001-2003. Then a hip injury hindered the Yankees’ third baseman, but later he would emerge as one of the team’s leaders.

The Yankees won their 27th World Series title in November with a four games to two win over the defending champion Philadelphia Phillies. The title came in the first year of the Yankees’ new $1.6 billion ballpark.

Japan’s Hideki Matsui was voted the Series’ Most Valuable Player after he hit .615 (8 for 13) with three home runs and eight runs batted in (RBI), including a World Series record-tying 6-RBI performance in Game 6. He then became a free agent, and after seven years with the Yankees signed with the Los Angeles Angels.

The Yankees’ cross-town rivals, the New York Mets, also opened a new ballpark in 2009, the $900 million Citi Field.

Buehrle pitches perfect game

Elsewhere in the Major Leagues, Chicago White Sox left-handed pitcher Mark Buehrle threw the 18th perfect game in Major League history against the Tampa Bay Rays on July 23. Buehrle threw 116 pitches and had six strike outs in the 5-0 victory, the first perfect game since Randy Johnson threw one for Arizona in 2004.

The Chicago left hander said that he had a tough time grasping the significance of his achievement.

“Any time your name gets up there with some of the greats in the game, it obviously means a lot,” Buehrle admitted. “I think it’s another thing when you sit back and retire and you see how many perfect games have been thrown in history and your name is in there, I think that’s when I will sit back and kind of be surprised.”

Penguins win NHL title

The Pittsburgh Penguins won the National (ice) Hockey League title by beating perennial favorites the Detroit Red Wings in seven games. Sidney Crosby led the Penguins with 15 playoff goals, even though he had to sit out most of the deciding game with a knee injury. It was the Penguins’ third Stanley Cup and their first since 1992.

In U.S. auto racing, stock car driver Jimmie Johnson won the NASCAR Sprint Car Championship for a record fourth straight year. At the Indy 500 race in May, Helio Castroneves of Brazil took the checkered flag for the third time in his career, just weeks after a jury had cleared him of U.S. tax evasion charges.

No triple crown winner

In U.S. horse racing, there was no Triple Crown winner - again. Jockey Calvin Borel rode two of the three Triple Crown champions, but missed a personal Triple Crown at the Belmont.

Aboard 50-1 long shot “Mine That Bird,” Borel won the Kentucky Derby May second.

Tom Dirkin shared the amazement of others watching the race as Borel rode to victory.

“Mine That Bird has come now to take the lead as they come down to the finish. And a spectacular upset! Mine That Bird has won the Kentucky Derby. An impossible result here!” the announcer exclaimed.

Borel then made the unprecedented move of changing mounts to ride “Rachel Alexandra” to the Preakness title two weeks later. However, in June’s Belmont Stakes, Borel missed a personal Triple Crown when “Summer Bird” won the New York race.

Untimely deaths

Tragedy also marked the past year in U.S. sports, as 22-year-old Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart died in a car crash April 9, just hours after he threw six scoreless innings against the Oakland A’s.

Former Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair was killed in a bizarre murder-suicide in July. The 36-year-old McNair was found dead in his apartment next to the body of his alleged mistress.

Former Detroit Pistons coach Chuck Daly also died in 2009. The 78-year-old Daly led Detroit to two NBA titles and coached the 1992 U.S. Olympic men’s “Dream Team” in Barcelona.

Other deaths of note in 2009 included Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver, former Boston Red Sox outfielder Dom DiMaggio and Philadelphia Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas.

The past year brought the first decade of the new millennium to a close with several long-time champions reasserting themselves. As the so-called 20-aughts (years with zeros) end, the Yankees, Lakers, Steelers and other perennial powers hope to continue their tradition of winning.

Question of the day: When have US athletes dominated in the sport of skiing?

Click the image to view the video and/or check out the one below.

And of course her cover on Sports Illustrated is being credited for starting a controversy.

related: Vonn Primed for Olympic Skiing History

How’s this for a sexy teaser?

OMG! ‘Gossip Girl’ star Blake Lively flaunts her assets with a plunging neckline on the red carpet

A successful stint on what appears to be a popular television program. A girl whose appearance is visually pleasing. Or put another way, yes, this qualifies as eye candy. OMG, sex, exploitation, perhaps a political agenda and the masses will rebel. NOT

No need to discuss all the possibilities for debate on what is presented here. Just ignore the natural inclination to weigh in and enjoy the view.

Speaking of views provides a handy transition to the next related item. OMG, controversy over one person’s, correction, two persons’ decision to make a statement about a topic apparently important to them. The piece below is spot on in its analysis.

Tim Tebow chose to take a stand about his beliefs.

It’s certainly his right. He and his mother, Pam, are scheduled to star in a Super Bowl commercial next Sunday night that advocates an anti-abortion message. It has created a firestorm among special-interest groups believing that the national communal experience that has become Super Sunday should be independent of political infiltration.

Those who disagree with their position can choose to take their television remote in hand when the ad appears on CBS and change the channel.

And finally let’s consider a story from a member of the Palin family that is not an attack piece from the MSM or lefty blogosphere.

Bristol Palin vows no more pre-marital sex - and says other women should follow her lead

Here’s a kid dealing with accepting consequences for her decisions. As they say, she chose life. And even with a great deal of support from family and friends that is no easy path. Some may continue to criticize, attack and bash the Palin’s including Bristol. But her ‘goal’ is not something to diss. In addition to what she faces for years to come, if using the media attraction to promote responsible living also comes from it she should get applause not criticism.

So that about wraps up this presentation of three sex stories. A story about an attractive young woman and her apparel which may seem tame these days. A young man and his Mom taking a stand on what they believe at some personal risk. And another attractive young woman dealing with the reality of life’s serious consequences. All of them deal with sex in some way. A topic that can use both serious and light-hearted attention. But one that we must give proper consideration to avoid serious damage and unnecessary setbacks.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

For a sports fan born and raised in northeast Wisconsin a special event took place this week. The University of Wisconsin - Green Bay Phoenix Men’s Basketball team (Horizon League) defeated their counterpart from the Big Ten, the Wisconsin Badgers. You can read the rest of the story at the link below.

Phoenix Drops Badgers, 88-84, in Overtime Thriller

Bryquis Perine (Milwaukee, Wis.) scored a career-high 22 points as Green Bay beat Wisconsin (No. 23 ESPN/USA Today, No. 20 AP) 88-84 in overtime on Wednesday night in front of a sellout crowd at the Resch Center. It was the second straight victory against a top-25 team (No. 11 Butler on Feb. 2, 2009) for the Phoenix and just the fourth ever for the Green Bay program.

It is interesting that in the past one had to attend a Phoenix game to watch one. It is reasonable to state former coach Dick Bennett put the Phoenix on the map. During those years it was difficult to acquire tickets as they sold out regularly. On the flip side, one could view the Badgers on public TV until the inception of the Big Ten network. Unless you are amenable to the purchase of cable TV or satellite offerings your viewing options in this regard are limited.

This week’s victory by the Phoenix over the Badgers presents something of a payback beyond the local loyalty involved. Am I a Badger fan, yes.. Am I a Phoenix fan, absolutely!! Has my loyalty to the Badgers suffered from the greed of top tier college sports, yes. Has my loyalty to the Phoenix been bolstered, yes. And is all this angst trivial? No!!! Why?

It is again reminiscent of a program from HBO in years past entitled ‘ When It Was a Game.’ The title suggests what is important. Similar to ‘Field of Dreams.’ the sentiment is the same. There is a fundamental attribute to the competition of sports that engages the best of human qualities. Participants in the game itself aspire to reach their highest potential. The sense of community is reinforced for spectators who naturally support the local favorite. Positive outcomes are promoted by this activity. To render it a mere entertainment commodity through commercial deals destroys its purity.

The point here is this. At one time the Badgers were minus the serious contender status for men’s college basketball. No one watched then. When they became a contender one could watch their games on broadcast television. After being a contender for a time along with the rest of the Big Ten the money boys moved them to what is essentially pay TV.

The Phoenix have followed a similar trend but the time line lags. Once unattractive, later elevated and for some time on local broadcast. Will the Horizon League at some time go the way of the Big Ten and others. Just like professional sports will everything move to pay-per-view? And does it somehow diminish the best of what sports has to offer?

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

update to the broader theme of this post….

An interference call for college football by George F Will

Are you simply being a voyeur or surrendering to morbid curiosity by following the current Tiger Woods saga? Maybe. The real question that seems to be ignored in this story as well as those of John Edwards, Mark Sanford, Elliot Spitzer and others in similar situations is the other element in the equation. It takes two to tango. And the secondary consideration of ‘the other person’ rarely rates much commentary.

Understandably, a tryst involving well-known personalities or a ‘celebrity’ is rich fodder for all media sources. Especially when the celeb is married to someone else. Then comes the role model discussion and the righteous indignation from some corners of the public mindset. Whether Joanna Jagoda, Rachel Uchitel, Jaimee Grubbs or someone else in the Tiger story or the co-conspirator in other such stories the ‘other woman’ in these scandals is ‘exposed’ to little downside.

In Jaimee Grubbs Tiger is it a simple case of a gold digger of sorts exploiting the celebrity of Tiger Woods? No doubt Tiger Woods regrets this publicity. Who knows if he regrets the choices that brought it to bear? One thing seems certain. Someone like Jaimee Grubbs stands to benefit financially from the story. Some media sources pay well for the details. It feeds the frenzy. It prolongs the agony. And it really serves no worthwhile purpose.

The debate will continue on whether or not ‘celebs’ should be held to a different standard. How much privacy is a celeb entitled to after choosing the public spotlight as a career choice? But what about the creepy crawler whose only intention from the start may have been the chance for fame, fortune or other benefits at someone else’s expense? Not the least of which may be Tiger’s wife, children or other family members.

Save the righteous indignation. If it were someone obligated to honor the public trust as in elected or appointed officials in government the outrage is warranted. If you cheat on your spouse it raises other ethical questions about a public official. Perhaps that is the only time the standard should be applied. Celeb scandals may be propped up by this foolish notion that it matters only to serve the profit incentive of those who stand to gain by it.

Anyone can make a mistake. Anyone can have character less stellar than we perceive. We are all human and subject to failures. In this case, it may be righteous to give Tiger and his family a break. The same could not be said for Edwards, Sanford or Spitzer. Their professional lives involved a public trust beyond any personal obligations to others. That is a significant difference. Enough said.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Tiger Woods is an idiot (Michelle Malkin)

“I do realize that those types of things shouldn’t happen,” Adams said in that statement. “I need to specifically apologize to the Bills, their fans, our fans and the NFL.

That may be. But the goofy NFL makes little sense in handing down this fine. $250,000 from an owner for flippin’ the bird. At least two players have been fined for the same ‘offense.’ One at $7,500 and one at $10,000.

The NFL fined former 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo $1 million after he pleaded guilty to a felony and suspended him for the 1999 season.

Since then, the biggest fine handed down by the NFL to an individual was $500,000 to New England coach Bill Belichick for the Spygate scandal. The league also fined the New York Jets and former coach Eric Mangini $125,000 in September for violating its rules on injury reporting with Brett Favre last season.

NFL logic apparently dictates one million for a felony, half a million for elaborate cheating, a quarter mil for flippin’ someone off and half that for breaking reporting rules.

This strategy does not seem to be working given all the ‘infractions.’ But then it’s just about the money. Nevermind the ‘bird’ infraction should not equal half of that for cheating or a quarter of what a felony raises for the league.

How much should the league be penalized for extorting the public for stadiums, overcharging for tickets and limiting viewing as they move to pay per view everything? And the college ranks are following suit. Unless you do it their way, you can watch any team but your own on traditional network broadcasts.

None of your tax dollars go to the schools featuring the college football teams, right?

The trends in sports programming combined with the feeble offerings in television overall allow one to drastically reduce if not eliminate old viewing habits. Eventually, only true couch potatoes who would watch anything as long as food and drink are available will be the revenue for the industry. But they probably know that already. Which is why they offer what they do…. too little for too much.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Perhaps one of the greatest benefits of October in America beyond the fact it is World Series time comes from the opportunity to disconnect for a moment. Remove yourself from all that otherwise dominates your life to absorb the pleasure of an annual ritual. The opening game of the 2009 World Series did not disappoint. Even a Yankees fan should be able to appreciate the performance this evening demonstrated by the picture below. Other characteristics of the event and its broadcast will be reserved for another post. Right now the idea is to relish uniquely American traditions and embrace the ideals they represent and foster.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com
(written just after game one)

The video above from local TV in Green Bay provides a reasonably balanced albeit timid account of fan reaction to Brett Favre facing his former team of 16 years wearing the uniform of a division rival. The Packer/Favre saga has been adequately documented in print and broadcast accounts but often fails to present the fact this one player is responsible for delivering more quality football in Green Bay, Wisconsin than had occurred in several decades before his arrival.

Mowed Down in the Showdown: Packers 23, Vikings 30
Aaron Rodgers was sacked eight times by the Vikings defense, while Brett Favre makes history as the only player to win against all 32 NFL teams.

Protecting the pocket is sure to be a major project for the Packers during the bye week, and so may be pressuring the quarterback. There were many times Favre wasn’t pressured at all. He was calm, cool, and exceedingly efficient.

In the first half of his last game before turning 40, Favre had a quarterback rating of 143.8 — 14-for-17, 154 yards, and two touchdowns. In the third quarter he was absolutely perfect, a QB rating of 158.3.

Sacking the current GB QB eight times sums up conditions in Titletown this season. In retrospect Favre’s departure from GB may be a blessing in disguise for the future Hall of Famer given his tenure and perhaps diminishing ability to absorb punishment from opposing defenses. But let’s not forget that Favre’s former protege did reasonably well given the lack of assistance he received from the team he was leading. Something Favre’s nemesis, Ted Thompson, may be hearing more about in the week(s) ahead.

Aaron Rodgers, who replaced Favre as Green Bay’s starting quarterback in 2008, threw for a career-best 384 yards. He went 26-of-37 with a pair of touchdowns and was picked off once.

Clay Matthews returned a fumble 42 yards for a touchdown and Jermichael Finley had six catches for 128 yards and a score for the Packers (2-2), who faltered thanks to Minnesota’s defense.

Jared Allen led the relentless attack with a career-high 4 1/2 sacks, one forced fumble and one safety. Minnesota had eight sacks of Rodgers, bringing the total times he’s been sacked to 20 this season.

Jared Allen, the one man wrecking crew, was absolutely on fire trashing the Packers’ hope to avoid embarrassment at the hands of their former field general who may have extracted extreme satisfaction to say the least with last night’s victory. Although it appeared the Vikings’ took the rest of the night off late in the game the Packers were unable get closer than 7 points by the end of regulation.

Minneapolis - After 16 years with the Packers and one with the New York Jets, Brett Favre got his wish and started the game tonight in Minneapolis for the Vikings against the Green Bay Packers, getting the 30-23 win.

After the Packers started with the football, and Aaron Rodgers completed five of his first six passes, the Packers current quarterback fumbled when sacked by the Vikings Jared Allen, bringing Brett Favre and the Vikings offense on the field. In a drive that included a fourth down conversion, Favre hit Visanthe Shiancoe from one yard out for the first score, giving the Vikings a 7-0 lead.

Above is the last excerpt presented from GB media sources and below is a regional account mirroring what seems the defacto conclusion in Packerland. Right now Brett Favre is doing better than those leading the Packers. There’s trouble in river city. And last night’s game makes a Viking/Packer rematch later this season more of a headache for some than others. At worst, Brett Favre insured the outcome will be no worse than a horse apiece. While his former team contemplates the consequence of a repeat result on their home turf.

Brett Favre extracted a smile this evening as the Vikings beat the Packers 30-23 but more importantly, Favre was brilliant. Revenge against Ted Thompson, according to Favre, it’s not about revenge but I’m sure Brett’s giggling inside at the thought of Ted and Mike McCarthy’s misery and the ire of the fans that they’re about to face.

There is no shortage of opinions either pro or con on matters involving Brett Favre especially those related to his departure from Green Bay. The view from here suggests the Packer organization is guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct for their handling of regime change with Favre and Rodgers. Favre certainly could have selected a better course of action in response. But again, the view from here credits most of the blame on Thompson and McCarthy. With all Brett Favre contributed in more than a decade and a half for this franchise for which he was more than adequately compensated financially better business decisions were available.

This Wisconsin resident, for one, took great pleasure from the game last night. This is not an isolated reaction. Some of us recall the legacy in Titletown is littered with less than stellar performance from the brain trust behind the organization known as The Green Bay Packers. Maybe the occasional load of dirty laundry is what caused the last 29-year drought in Superbowl appearances. And then there was the follow up loss shortly thereafter. Brett Favre was present for those games.. And after all these years, he’s still got it.

The frosting on the cake last night was the fact that Adrian Peterson was not the story as would have been expected. It was number four. You could almost hear a voice calling out Ted Thompson…..’how do you like me now’?

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Are you ready for some football? If yes, then you have to be ready for the whining, complaining, hype and tabloid treatment of teams and players usually reserved for the ‘celeb’ gossip columnists for Hollywood who make their living airing dirty laundry.

Two stories this week are on point. The continuing saga that is Brett Favre and a familiar episode from the college ranks illustrating ‘pro’ and ‘amateur’ are not that far apart.

This blogger’s viewpoint focuses on other topics in college and professional sports dealing with marketing and squeezing every last dollar out of the viewing public, otherwise known as fans, who seem to accept without even so much as a small debate, restricted viewing and the future of everything ‘pay=tv’ for their favorite venues. Sports programming, not unlike the ‘team’ organizations they present, have an obsession with the business model which largely ignores the primary purpose and loftier goals of athletic competition. For the purist as well as the ordinary spectator sport has lost some of its luster.

All the talk surrounding the first sports topic mentioned above, the Brett Favre saga, is full of fan opinions and sports writer analysis which comes in two forms as one might guess. Those who support and those who oppose the future hall of fame QB and his choices over the last couple of years. A piece from the online presence of radio station WTMJ 620 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin does a respectable job putting the story or stories in perspective.

He may not lead the Minnesota Vikings to the promised land. At his age, there’s always the chance he may not even finish the season.

But judging from his first real work of the preseason, the old guy with the aching ribs might have been well worth the wait for both the Vikings and their long suffering fans.

As long as he doesn’t try to block anyone, that is. Turns out there are some things you can’t teach old quarterbacks.

That’s a representative snippet from the report that covers most salient points regarding the former Green Bay Packer star QB. Everyone has an opinion. And this blogger will not bore you with another one. But assuming all remains as it is right now watching the next meeting between Green Bay and Minnesota should be quite entertaining. That impression may be shared by many as ticket sales have been a popular subject as well.

The other story this week from the college ranks raises similar talking points as does the Favre story. The short version is one player punches another player and the one landing the punch faces an uncertain future regarding a career in college or professional sports. Seems pretty much small potatoes when one considers other examples like the recent Michael Vick or Plexico Burris ’sagas’. And rather than hop on the holier than thou bandwagon of those suggesting extreme consequences for such outbursts of unnecessary action, it is worthwhile to suggest that public displays like this one by LeGarrette Blount is a reflection of current society at large. Road rage would be the societal example rather than the hyped political examples from this year’s August recess of the US Congress.

So LeGarrette Blount landed a ‘devastating punch’ to the jaw of Byron Hout at a Ducks/Broncos game. Right at this moment Byron Hout may be regretting the episode more than LeGarrette Blount. Nonetheless, college or pro, the macho stuff flares up from time to time. But it certainly would be appreciated by fans everywhere if we could get back to the ‘business’ of sports for competing participants and spectators alike in a fashion that elevates athletics to a place in which it once resided. A little more respect for what is really at stake in sports would improve the experience.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

What the hell took so long?

Following another dreadful start, the Brewers Saturday optioned left-hander Manny Parra to Class AAA Nashville.

Parra’s demotion was announced just hours after his worst outing of the season. He allowed six runs on six hits in just 1.2 innings of work in a 7-1 loss to the White Sox. It was just the latest in a poor stretch for Parra, who’s allowed 32 earned runs on 40 hits with 15 walks in 21.1 innings over his last five outings.

This Brewer fan just doesn’t get it. Wish the bosses I had were that patient.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

an aside: 1.2 innings? How about 1 2/3 or 1.67 innings or is that some kind of sports writer shorthand?

In the interest of full disclosure this blog supports the Wisconsin Badgers as well as other teams within the state. But as noted in an earlier post, when the team(s) in your state depart from an event like the March Madness it is not uncommon to root for any team(s) remaining from your team’s conference.

Such has been the case for Michigan State. The Big Ten is still in it. By most reports no one expected Izzo’s team to get this far. And certainly now that the Final Four has been reduced to the North Carolina Tar Heels versus the Michigan State Spartans on Monday night.

Conventional wisdom as well as the sports pundits and perhaps the stats and everything else indicate the Tar Heels should win this game. One betting line has them favored by 6.5 points. And a glimpse from the Tar Heels own website may point to the most relevant point with of course the requisite lack of respect. (below)

from Tar Heel Blue…..
The Spartans, located 90 miles up the road in East Lansing, will certainly have the crowd on their side. The talent gap, though? Eek. They’ll have to be at least 35 points better than they were in December when the teams met in this same building - a 98-63 UNC romp.

But then there is the ‘karma’, the underdog sentiment and a number of other details that suggest you shouldn’t count out the team from the Midwest, the coach or the players just yet. Besides victories over Robert Morris and USC the Spartans defeated notables Kansas, Louisville and Uconn to get to the championship game.

from the Spartan’s site…..
It’s Michigan State’s first appearance in the title game since 2000, when the Spartans won their second title.

How’s this for some karma? Johnson, Spartan-in-chief since leading Michigan State to its first title in 1979, will present the game ball before Monday’s title game along with Larry Bird.

“Detroit’s been unbelievable to us,” Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said. “We’ve had some great games here, and the best is yet to come.”

Flashbulbs were popping as the final seconds ticked down. The crowd of 72,456 was the largest-ever for a Final Four, and about two-thirds of it was wearing green.

“It was a memorable game that I won’t forget,” Izzo said. “Except we’ve got another one.”

from Fox Sports….
Just about four months ago to the day, Michigan State was blasted on this same court. The players walked off in disbelief after North Carolina ran them into the floor for a 35-point drubbing.

This time, it was UConn that left Ford Field in shock after Michigan State — in front of a Final Four-record 72,456 fans (most of them clad in Spartan green) — pulled away for an 82-73 victory to advance to Monday night’s championship game.

And so it goes. Michigan fans have little to cheer about these days. That fact was noted in some reports. They could use a lift from the outcome of this week’s NCAA final game. While that may not be reason enough for the ‘gods’ to smile on them it makes for a good story. But let’s not forget that the Tar Heels have put together an impressive season and are not likely to roll over on this one.

In any case it should certainly make for a memorable close to the Madness that is March.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com