The Barkan Dawg

Good Grief!

2007-12-05T11:00:00.000-05:00

Miles Decision Was Bottom Line Driven

2007-12-03T08:47:00.000-05:00

Do not mistake what happened this weekend with Les Miles. He can spin it anyway he wants, but the bottom line is that it was all about the Benjamin's.

Miles sounds great talking about his love for LSU and the people and life down in Baton Rouge, but I am not buying any of it for one second. While the Tigers backed in to the BCS title game versus Ohio State, when he looks across the sidelines, he sees the team he was born to loathe.

Miles and will always be a "Michigan Man." The problem is he would have had to take an almost $2 million dollar pay cut to go coach "Michigan Men." Plus he would have been stuck with Lloyd Carr's assistants for a few years and have Carr watching over him as an assistant athletic director.

Why would you want that when you can coach in the SEC, lose two games a year and still have your team be better than anyone in the Big Ten? Sure it would be great to have a cupcake schedule like Ohio State had - but in the end, Miles made the right call. His career and legacy in coaching will be a heck of a lot better at LSU than it would have been in Ann Arbor.

By the way, don't be surprised if Jon Tenuta from Georgia Tech ends up as LSU's next defensive coordinator now that Bo Pellini is in Nebraska.

Hey Lloyd, enjoy retirement, but before you go ... how about one more game this year versus the spread offense in the Florida Gators. Rut roh Astro!

Back to the BCS for a minute, if there are any Georgia fans complaining today, SHUT UP! All you had to do was beat Tennessee and you would have had a one game shot at LSU with the winner take all for the title game bid. Sad to hear coaches wining about the system. If you don't like it coaches, aren't you the ones with more power than us at home??? Fix the damn thing would you so that we don't get stuck watching Kansas - Va. Tech and Georgia - Hawaii.

And in case you were wondering, this may have been the craziest season in college football ever, but there's no way I would bet on Ohio State to cover, nevermind win the BCS title game.

Horrific Bowl Championship Choices

2007-12-02T20:50:00.000-05:00

This is just absurd. How can you look anyone in the eye with a straight face and tell me that Ohio State belongs in the BCS title game? Strength of schedule mean anything? Do we remember last year? Forget the fact that Ohio State is 0-8 versus the SEC in bowl games, who did they beat to deserve this? I think the two loss Oklahoma is a better team.

But go beyond it - look at the other match ups. Who in the hell wants to watch Kansas-Virginia Tech? Seriously are you staying up late to watch Georgia-Hawaii? How does Missouri get shutout of a BCS game, but Kansas gets in?

The BCS is BS and everyone knows it - no one wants to do anything about it. It is sad, but it won't change because the bowl system is better protected than Michael Corleone.

Did anyone notice that the Giants beat the Bears with two solid drives to end the game? Hey Bear fans... how did you blow that game? Just classic.

What Will It Take?

2007-11-30T11:44:00.000-05:00

For this clown on the back page of the NY Daily News to be fired???

Seriously??!!!!

Even Mitch Lawrence says he has to go after losing by 45 points. The Boston Globe's Dan Shaughnessy says that the "smoke signals loud and clear."

Isiah Thomas and James Dolan will go down in history as the dumbest duo to run a franchise into the ground. What I don't get is why are Knick fans paying 10 cents to watch this crap??? Why not burn your tickets like the Giants fans did years ago??

It honestly is the most insane thing in sports these days and that takes a lot of work to earn that title.

Holiday Entertaining With Seafood

2007-11-30T09:17:00.000-05:00

Can I tell you how much fun it is to work with the gang at Red Lobster. Check out our latest video on holiday entertaining.

Tip Of The Hat To Ya!

2007-11-27T10:56:00.000-05:00

Big Blue Mess Gets Worse

2007-11-26T09:20:00.000-05:00

OK - let's start with the obvious, Eli Manning couldn't have hit water if he fell out of a boat yesterday. Unless of course they were wearing Viking uniforms after a 41-17 loss at home.

He was awful. He was unmoved and as calm as he always is. Yesterday, I wanted to see him pissed off, but that ain't the way Eli is. He isn't and never will be Peyton and I am fine with it. What I am not fine with is that this team is now 1-2 in the last three games and are heading down the same path as the last few years.

If they do that, you can blame Eli all you want, but it's got to hang on Tom Coughlin at some point, doesn't it? At what point will the coaching staff actually help this team win and stop yelling and being disappointed?

Maybe the Giants are quitting on their coach to get him fired. I usually do not stand for that - but by all means boys, PLEASE... get it right!

I understand all the yelling about Eli - but I wonder what he can do with a REAL coaching staff???

Takes One To Know One

2007-11-22T11:20:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving all!

Was going to take the day off, but then I was reading the game story from last night's Thrashers-Caps game.

The Thrashers dominated the game and check out these three paragraphs from the AJC:

"Fire Hanlon," they chanted in unison, frustrated with the losses piling up
under coach Glen Hanlon.

From the perspective of Thrashers captain Bobby Holik, the Capitals
played like they agreed with the crowd.

"They played like they wanted to get their coach fired, but that's
another story," Holik said.

Oh my god, did Holik say that??? The same guy who is the captain of the team that quit on his coach and got him fired this season as well? Is this not just classic????

By the way, the Capitals did fire Hanlon this morning, but is Holik kidding me?

The Thrashers are now 11-4 since they fired Bob Hartley. So the question is this - were they that bad before? And if they did play to get their coach fired, can season ticket holders get their money back for the first games of the year when players who are paid VERY WELL to do their jobs, played like crap so they can get what they want??

When you want to know why the world is turned upside down remember, the most important people in the world, our children’s teachers, get paid horribly. While these whiny, spoiled athletes get rich off of us and then act like children when they don’t like their coaches.

And by the way, if Don Waddell wants to continue winning, I would trade Kari Lehtonen as soon as he gets healthy for a top line center or a power-play quarterback of a defensemen.

Vegas Turns Spotlight on Pole-Dancing Competition

2007-11-20T10:25:00.000-05:00

From the AP
LAS VEGAS — Clear evidence that pole dancing has made its way out of smoke-filled strip clubs and into the heart of America's playland: "Pole-A-Palooza" 2007.

The packed JET night club in the Mirage Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on Tuesday hosted 25 bikini-clad contestants who showed that it takes not only beauty but incredible strength to be a winner.

Each contestant got the chance to use legs, arms and torsos to climb up, down and around a metal pole in carefully choreographed routines.

The winner, who goes by the name Anika, won the top prize of $10,000

Great Coverage of Carr's Retirement

2007-11-20T09:55:00.000-05:00

Proving why they are one of the best, if not the best, sports sections in the country, the Detroit Free Press was awesome in its coverage in Lloyd Carr's retirement. The Ann Arbor News is solid as well, but check out the the stories from the Free Press and the writers.

To me - the only other papers to consider in the best sports departments are the Boston Globe, Washington Post and the Dallas Morning News.

Top to bottom - those folks get it done day in and day out like no one else in the business. And I know the business ain't what it used to be, but I am a newspaper junkie and will always be one.

As much as I love and embrace Digital Media, there's still nothing like newsprint to me. I can't travel anywhere without picking up the local rags and reading them cover to cover. Makes me a dinosaur to my pal and boss, Paul Walker, but hey what can I say. I am what I am.... or as Dennis Green once said, "We are who we thought they are!"

What papers do you love? Who's got the best sports sections?

Lowell Stays In Beantown!

2007-11-19T14:59:00.000-05:00

From 38 Pitches - Curt Schilling's blog...

SWEET!
Nov 19th, 2007 by Curt Schilling

Per ESPN Mikey Lowell is back. How cool is that? Leaving years and dollars on the table to come back here for three more years, good stuff. Pretty nice to think you are fans in a town that is now a desired destination for athletes across the major sports. Come a long way for sure.

Congrats to Mike and I’ve already spoken with a few guys on the team and suffice to say we’re all ectstatic. Now to get back to the FF beatings he’s been taking all year!

Shocking News From Vick Case

2007-11-19T14:53:00.000-05:00

Vick will begin prison term early

By Bill Rankin, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Suspended Atlanta Falcon Michael Vick has made arrangements to begin serving his prison sentence immediately so he can get out of prison as soon as possible.

U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson of Richmond, who will sentence Vick on Dec. 10, signed an order Monday to allow the U.S. Marshal's service to take Vick into custody as soon as he turns himself in.

Vick is to be put in custody "based solely on his desire to begin his period of incarceration prior to his sentencing hearing and not because of a violation of any condition of his bond," Hudson wrote.

Two media reports said Vick would begin serving his sentence today. The Richmond Times-Dispatch and ESPN both cited unnamed sources in their stories.

In August, Vick pleaded guilty to be a part of a dogfighting operation known as Bad Newz Kennels at his former property in Surry County, Va. Vick acknowledged financing the operation beginning in 2001 through this past spring. In a plea agreement, Vick admitted the operation involved the "victimization and killing of pit bull dogs."

Under federal sentencing guidelines, Vick faces between 12 and 18 months in prison, although Hudson could impose a sentence below or above that range if he sees fit.

Sad Day For All Charmin Users

2007-11-19T14:49:00.000-05:00

Actor Who Played Mr. Whipple Dies

By JEFF WILSON Associated Press Writer

LOS ANGELES — Dick Wilson, the actor and pitchman who played the uptight grocer begging customers "Please, don't squeeze the Charmin," died Monday. He was 91.

The man famous as TV's "Mr. Whipple" died of natural causes at the Motion Picture & Television Fund Hospital in Woodland Hills, said his daughter Melanie Wilson, who is known for her role as a flight attendant on the ABC sitcom "Perfect Strangers."

Over 21 years, Wilson made more than 500 commercials as Mr. George Whipple, a man consumed with keeping bubbly housewives from fondling the soft toilet paper. The punch line of most spots was that Whipple himself was a closeted Charmin-squeezer.

Wilson also played a drunk on several episodes of "Bewitched," as appeared as various characters on "Hogan's Heroes," "The Bob Newhart Show," and Walt Disney productions.
The first of his Charmin commercials aired in 1964 and by the time the campaign ended in 1985, the tag line and Wilson were pop culture touchstones.

"Everybody says, 'Where did they find you?' I say I was never lost. I've been an actor for 55 years," Wilson told the San Francisco Examiner in 1985.

Though Wilson said he initially resisted commercial work, he learned to appreciate its nuance.
"It's the hardest thing to do in the entire acting realm. You've got 24 seconds to introduce yourself, introduce the product, say something nice about it and get off gracefully."

Dennis Legault, Procter & Gamble's Charmin brand manager, said in a statement that Wilson deserves much of the credit for the product's success in the marketplace. He called the Mr. Whipple character "one of the most recognizable faces in the history of American advertising."

After Wilson retired, he continued to do occasional guest appearances for the brand and act on television. He declared himself not impressed with modern cinema.

"The kind of pictures they're making today, I'll stick with toilet paper," he told The Associated Press in 1985.

Procter & Gamble eventually replaced the Whipple ads with cartoon bears, but brought Wilson (as Whipple) back for an encore in 1999. The ad showed Wilson "coming out of retirement" against the advice of his golfing and poker buddies for one more chance to sell Charmin.

"He is part of the culture," his daughter said. "He was still funny to the very end. That's his legacy."

He was born in England in 1916, the son of a vaudeville entertainer and a singer. He moved to Canada as a child, serving in the Canadian Air Force during World War II, and became a U.S. citizen in 1954, he told the AP.

In addition to Melanie, Wilson is survived by his wife, Meg; a son, Stuart; and another daughter, Wendy

Sunday Thoughts - Police Rock Atlanta

2007-11-18T07:38:00.001-05:00

Went to see The Police at Philips Arena Saturday night and man were they incredible. For a bunch of guys in their 50s, they had the building hopping.

What was incredible was how great Stewart Copeland was on the drums. Most remember The Police for Sting and how he was the front man. I was reminded of why this band was awesome - Copeland's playing absolutely filled the arena and was the driving force. He has to be one of the best I have seen and heard.

Only thing I was upset with is that they didn't play Murder By Numbers ... but they nailed everything else and closed with Next To You. Just awesome.

Another crazy college football Saturday starting with Michigan's offense being held to 91 yards. Maybe Mike Hart and Chad Henne shouldn't have played as much as they did when neither one of them was up to snuff? Lloyd Carr has a press conference for Monday to announce he is retiring. He's legacy will be tarnished by the fact that he went 1-6 in his last seven versus Ohio State. I had the fortune to meet the man and talk to him and some of his players - he deserves to be recognized for more than that.

OK, I am getting closer to buying into the Flying Mangino's and Kansas. They have to beat Missouri and win the Big 12 title game, but they have set themselves up. Who would have thought when the season started that Kansas-Missouri would be this big? Heck College Gameday is going to be there. Usually basketball with those two - not football.

Oklahoma and Oregon took themselves out of contention this week with losses. I know this may be nuts, but Georgia is now up to seventh in the BCS rankings. If Tennessee loses to Kentucky, they play for the SEC title and have to play LSU. Anything can happen - we have learned that this year, haven't we?

And by the way, think it will be easy for Les Miles to have to answer all these questions about going back to coach his alma mater in Ann Arbor? There's no question he is gone - but man, this is going to be a wild month of questions for him.

Speaking of which - Michigan State won its seventh game in Mark Dantonio's first season. They could have beaten Michigan and Wisconsin as well. Great coaching job by Dantonio - can't wait to see what he can do when he gets his own guys in place.

Marty Brodeur won his 500th NHL game. Only Patrick Roy is ahead of him with 551 win. Two incredible goalies that have played a long time and Brodeur has done it with so many different guys in front of him that play incredible defense. But as good as his defense has been, he has been that much better.

No Modesty in Modesto....

2007-11-16T15:56:00.001-05:00

You HAVE to see this ... wild, crazy kids get in big trouble ... some folks need to lighten up.

http://videos.modbee.com/vmix_hosted_apps/video/1565333

Fear the Huskies!!!

2007-11-16T15:08:00.000-05:00

They have lost two games to Illinois by eight and Maryland in OT on the road by two. They should have won last night but were screwed by the ACC hometown refs. Total garbage. Way to go Huntington Hounds!!!

Maryland just gets by NU in OT - Associated Press / November 16, 2007

James Gist scored a career-high 27 points, including two free throws that put Maryland ahead for good in overtime, and the Terrapins survived a scare from Northeastern in a 74-72 victory last night in College Park, Md.

Gist's foul shots put Maryland up, 70-69, with 50 seconds left. After a Northeastern turnover, Eric Hayes made two free throws for the Terrapins, whose final 6 points came at the line.
Bambale Osby had 16 points, 13 rebounds, and 6 blocks for Maryland (3-0). He was 14 for 20 at the line and 1 of 9 from the field.

Matt Janning led the Huskies (0-2) with a career-high 26 points, Manny Adako scored 15, and Nkem Ojougboh added 13 rebounds.

After Northeastern closed to 60-58 with 28.7 seconds remaining in regulation, Landon Milbourne made one of two free throws for Maryland. Adako then nailed a 3-pointer from the corner with nine seconds left.

Story of the Day!!!

2007-11-16T14:17:00.001-05:00

Plane Headed to Las Vegas Diverted After Couple Tries to Join 'Mile High Club'

PORTLAND, Ore. — A Las Vegas bound plane was diverted to Portland International Airport Thursday afternoon when at least one passenger said a couple was trying to join the "mile high club," FOX 12 Oregon is reporting.

"The people across the aisle from us were fooling around in their seats and they decided to go to the bathroom and fool around and they threatened the flight attendant,” said passenger Jessica Smith, according to FOX 12 Oregon.

The couple was escorted off the plane, according FOX 12 Oregon.

ATV Safety

2007-11-16T10:46:00.000-05:00

I know the title is nuts for me - but I got this note from my pal, Jess Myers and wanted to share....

Friends,
When I was a kid of about 13, my friend Greg Knox and I would ride my father's ATV the mile or so to and from hockey practice nearly every night. In rural areas and small towns like the one where I was raised, ATVs are a pretty common mode of transportation for kids.

Greg and his wife Stephanie lost their seven-year-old son to an ATV accident while visiting our hometown this past May. While their recovery is a painful on-going process, and their faith and strength are amazing, Greg and Stephanie have recently had the courage to post their story on a web site called Concerned Families for ATV Safety.

If you have children, or if you someday may have children, or if you have friends with children, I hope you'll take a few minutes and read, and share, the words they have written about their son Wade.

http://www.atvsafetynet.org/stories.php?page=wade

It's an eye-opening reminder of how fragile children are, and how these powerful machines, designed for adults, are simply not safe in the hands of children under 16. It's stunning to read not only Wade's story, but dozens of other, similarly tragic stories of accidents that happen nearly every month in every part of the country.

The hope is that sharing a story like this one can help save more children from becoming the subjects of similarly tragic stories.

Thanks for listening,
Jess

Shocker From Thrash Land

2007-11-15T15:42:00.000-05:00

The Atlanta Journal Constitution is reporting that the Thrashers won't go outside the organization for a coach this season.

Not shocking considering the issues the Atlanta Spirit are having financially. Heck, they even cut the intern program things were so bad. Still that little issue between the Spirit and former partner, Steve Belkin, going on. Doesn't look like it's going away any time soon.

So that means either Don Waddell or Brad McCrimmon will coach the team the rest of the season. If Don wanted to name Chicago Wolves coach John Anderson the team's coach - he would have done it by now. Something there between the two men that has never really sat well, so I don't see it happening.

Heck, if the team doesn't make the playoffs this year, the whole staff might be out anyway so it's easier to look for a new general manager and then have him find his coach.

By the way, it's weird that Les Jackson and Brett Hull are co-general mangers in Dallas, but I am happy for Les. He's a good man who has waited a long time and I hope he get s a fair chance to do what he needs to do to get that franchise back on track.

Ho-Ho-Holy Cow

2007-11-15T09:35:00.000-05:00

Just how messed up is the world we live in? Here's a story that is just unbelievably stupid.

Santas warned 'ho ho ho' offensive to women

SYDNEY (AFP) - Santas in Australia's largest city have been told not to use Father Christmas's traditional "ho ho ho" greeting because it may be offensive to women, it was reported Thursday.

Sydney's Santa Clauses have instead been instructed to say "ha ha ha" instead, the Daily Telegraph reported.

One disgruntled Santa told the newspaper a recruitment firm warned him not to use "ho ho ho" because it could frighten children and was too close to "ho", a US slang term for prostitute.

"Gimme a break," said Julie Gale, who runs the campaign against sexualising children called Kids Free 2B Kids.

"We are talking about little kids who do not understand that "ho, ho, ho" has any other connotation and nor should they," she told the Telegraph.

"Leave Santa alone."

A local spokesman for the U.S.-based Westaff recruitment firm said it was "misleading" to say the company had banned Santa's traditional greeting and it was being left up to the discretion of the individual Santa himself.

Another Fine Mess For The Knicks

2007-11-14T16:50:00.000-05:00

As most of my friends know, I have little to no use for the product they call the NBA these days.

Most of the reasons can be summed up in a situation going on right now with Stephon Marbury and Isiah Thomas. How either one has a job is beyond me. Oh, I forgot, James Dolan is in charge, silly me for forgetting that.

Ian O'Conner of the Bergen Record (the paper of record in my hometown of Ft. Lee) had a great column today on the buffoonery of the two men and what happened in mid-flight on their way to Phoenix.

Hey David Stern, you awake? Paying attention at all?

The Cheerleading Teacher

2007-11-14T16:22:00.001-05:00

Obviously someone didn't like her routine ... she was fired!

usa vs russia u17 brawl

2007-11-13T15:22:00.001-05:00

Just got this from a friend of mine that works at USA Hockey and was there.... wow.

Bet on Blue

2007-11-13T11:30:00.000-05:00

If you are a fan of the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry, you would know that Jim Tressel owns Lloyd Carr.

But the time might be right to gamble on the boys from Ann Arbor as there is a rumor that Carr will announce his retirement after the game. If he does that, be sure he will let his team know beforehand and they will come out with a purpose to win this for the coach.

Then the rumor mill will start, and I think will end, in Baton Rouge as the time is right for Les Miles to return to his roots. I think he goes whether he wins the title or not. This is his dream job and he's one of Bo's guys.

Google May Eye Sprint

2007-11-13T11:28:00.000-05:00

Check out this idea from GigaOM about an incredible merger opportunity for Google. Man would that be an interesting challenge then with iPhone and ATT. Stayed tuned.