Thanks Mark, But Still No HOF For You

Mark McGwire came clean about ten years of steroid use today. This was a good thing to do for him and for MLB. However, it does not change the fact that his use of the substances was both illegal and wrong and that he should be precluded from entering the baseball Hall of Fame. He can explain it any way he likes by saying he did not think much of it at the time or that he was a walking MASH unit and needed them to heal. No matter what, it does not do me any good. He new it was wrong.

McGwire's admission today would have tainted his magnificent 1998 season in which he hit 70 home runs if his dreadful appearence in front of Congress in 2005 had not already done it in the first place. I know he claims that he wanted to come clean during that hearing but he did not. He lacked the courage and honor to do so.

The only reason he is coming clean now is because he has taken a position as batting coach with the St. Louis Cardinals and did not want to drag this stuff around. He probably also wanted to improve his chances of getting in the baseball Hall of Fame. Based on his stats he would have gotten in sans the steroid issue. However, the Hall voters have clearly penalized him. He is hoping that his admission will change the equation and improve his odds. I doubt it.

I was in middle school when McGwire started with the Oakland A's. I was a big fan. I cheered for him through his years with the Cardinals. I supported him in his home run chase in the big 1998 season. I appreciate that he came clean about his ten year's of steroid use. However in my opinion, he has not earned the right to be inducted in the Hall of Fame.

Seattle Seahawks Going After Pete Carroll

Shortly after the Seattle Seahawks fire Jim Mora, they are hot in pursuit of Pete Carroll. While Pete Carroll has been wildly successful as coach of the USC Trojans. His history as a Head Coach in the NFL is spotty at best. His 6-10 single season at the helm of the New York Jets in 1994 speaks for itself. The trend with the New England Patriots from 1997-1999, which saw the record decline from 10-6 to 9-7 to 8-8, certainly does not inspire confidence.

Yes, I understand that the success with USC was grand and that it was more recent. It was also in college football where recruiting is as important as coaching (perhaps even more so). So, I am not so certain the success will translate to the NFL. But what do I know? I just watch the game. I do not play it and I do not coach it.

The Billboard: Will Cowher Appreciate the Enthusiasm?

Buffalo Bills fans are planning to rent a billboard that lobbies for the hiring of Bill Cowher as the new head coach of the team (Rochester Democrat & Chronicle link). Patrick Moran put out the word and Buffalo Bills fans answered. The group raised the $1,125 necessary for an ad that reads,  “Dear Mr. Wilson, we want this guy,” with a picture of Bill Cowher. Mr. Moran is the same person who led the campaign to place a similar billboard up in Buffalo earlier this year. Last time it was about firing (Head Coach Dick Jauron and others) as opposed to hiring.

The tone of the billboard is positive. However, will it have any real impact? By most accounts, the Buffalo Bills have been making a major effort at trying to hire the former Pittsburgh Steelers coach. It is Mr. Cowher that has seemingly has not been particularly interested. Perhaps the billboard should read 'Mr. Cowher please help us! We Surely Need It.' After all, the Bills have been sorely lacking for many years now.

This raises the question, why is Mr. Cowher (and other big name coaches) luke warm when approached about the Bills job? I have trouble believing it is the city or even the cold weather. I believe it is a distrust of the ultimate future of the franchise. This is not about the team being moved the LA. this is about the longevity of any promises made by Ralph Wilson. Mr. Wilson is moving on in years. He has indicated that once he passes, the franchise will be sold. The fear of Cowher (and the others) is that they do not know who will own the team and if they keep to any promises made by Mr. Wilson. Unfortunately for the Bills fans, the team can make no guarantees in this area. To me, this makes the Bills a tough choice for a coach that will ultimately have planty of choices in 2011 and beyond.

Still, you can't fault the fans for trying.

Gilbert Arenas and His Guns

Washington has had an interesting week. On the upside, the Washington Redskins signed Mike Shanahan (they still have Dan Snyder to mess it up, though). On the downside, they have Gilbert Arenas on the Washington Wizards (now indefinitely suspended).

Mr. Arenas thought it a reasonable thing to bring three guns into the locker room. Then, alledgedly he pulled his gun in locker room dispute with another player. Having guns in the locker room is questionable in the first place. For that matter having guns in any workplace is questionable, unless of course you are in law enforcement or if you are Ted Nugent (who is always entitled to carry guns anywhere). Pulling guns on a teammate is even more absurd. David Stern and the NBA were just in suspending the Mr. Arenas indefinitely. Furthermore, it is very possible considering Washington's gone laws that he might end up doing a little time (see Plaxico Burris, formerly of the New York Giants).

My primary question is why did Gil find this to be a reasonable act? Was he just being a fool? Or was the symptom of a larger problem in the NBA. I would like to believe he was just being an idiot as it is frightening if this is commonplace behavior in NBA locker rooms. As Arenas was joking about the episode after the fact (and teammates were laughing), one certainly has to question NBA culture. Still, let us not run to accuse. Hopefully, other NBA players (or for that matter other athletes) can learn from this and take better judgement to the office instead of a gun.

Redskins Make it Official, Sign Shanahan

The Redskins have made it official ny signing. ESPN reports 5 years for $7 million per year.

Mike Shanahan. I have to say the move of signing Shanahan is probably a good one. He is a proven coach. Although, the bulk of the proof when he was with the Denver Broncos involved John Elway and Terrell Davis. Still, any great team has great players. So, you could make the 'he won because of the talent' argument for almost any winning coach. Frankly, talent without good coaching usually does not get anywhere anyway.

While I believe it was a good hire, ultimately quality management is most important to winning championships in any league. Dan Snyder's history is not exacltly stellar in this regard (see prior post). In any case, time will tell.

What I want to know is whether or not Mike Shanahan has a Dog? We all know Bill Cowher has one.

Can Shanny Make it Work With the Redskins? Doubt it.

Sports teams (NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL or whatever) are like any other company. Good top level management is key to success. In a sports team, the coach and the GM are not the top level. The owner is the top. Dan Snyder is tops with the Washington Redskins. This begs the question... Can Mike Shanahan can make it work with the Redskins despite the management skills of Dan Snyder who clearly has done a shoddy job to date? No doubt Shanny is a heavy hitting coach with two Super Bowl titles.

How have other coaches fared in recent history in DC?

Joe Gibbs - Gone
Norv Turner - Gone
Terry Robiskie - Gone (three games only)
Marty Schottenheimer - Gone
Steve Spurrier - Gone
Mike Shanahan - ?????

Good luck Mike!

Cowher News Runs Wild

Twitter seems to be going craze with Bill Cowher news today. Cowher to the Panthers. Cowher to the Bucs. Cowher to the Bears. Cowher to the Bills. Cowher is walking his dog. What type of dog does Bill Cowher have? Is Bill Cowher allergic to dogs? Does Ralph Wilson of the Buffalo Bills like the fact that Bill Cowher has a dog.

Let me put it on the record now. I do like dogs although I own cats (and fish).