Jeff Flynt Blog

A Rush To Change The Golden Rule

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 13:52:00 GMT

An old adage, one my father taught me when I was a kid, was the "Golden Rule". That rule is whomever has the gold, makes the rules. While you can debate the absolute truth of that adage, it does lend a lot of credibility. How about this one...follow the money. Whenever something happens in our society that sounds particularly strange or askew, one needs to look no further for the primary reason than who stands to benefit from said action. Follow the money.

But this week, the NFL, its owners, players, fans, staff, gawkers and scallywags (EDITORS NOTE: I don't know if there's an exact spelling of scallywags, so you're just going to have to take my word for it) tossed in their two cents denouncing the possible ownership of the St. Louis Rams by conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh. The background to this is that a group of prospective buyers, led by current St. Louis Blues owner Dave Checketts, would purchase the Rams with the intent on keeping them in St. Louis. Limbaugh, it turns out, was part of that group.

As soon as the word got out that Limbaugh was a part of this group, players and the media were quick to chastise the radio talker, saying they'd never play for a Rush-owned team and the media making up quotes in which he's deemed a racist. Quotes by the way, according to ProFootballTalk.com, were retracted out of a St. Louis Post-Dispatch column by Bryan Burwell. Look, it's pretty pathetic when Rush is on the air for 3 hours a day, 5 days a week and there isn't one soundbite they can put together which remotely makes him sound like a racist. Sure there's things Limbaugh says which is controversial, outlandish and any other multi-letter adjective you can find, and not everyone agrees with him 100% of the time. I know I don't, and his short stint with ESPN's Countdown show several years ago in which he made strange and mis-informed comments about Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb serve as that prime example.

But since when are words (98% of which by now has not been proven he actually said) uttered the difference between being a part of a potential ownership group, and not. Turns out, if those words are from a conservative viewpoint, THAT's when it's the straw that broke the camel's back moment.

****

On his radio show Thursday, Limbaugh recounted his side of this story (including falsely indicating billionaire liberal George Soros was part of the same Checketts group). In it, he detailed the part of his telling Checketts that the storm was going to come as soon as it became public Rush was part of the group. He asked if Checketts cleared everything at the "highest level of the National Football League". Checketts said he had. And clearly he had not...

From Commissioner Roger Goodell, "We're all held to a high standard here and divisive comments are not what the NFL's all about," said Goodell. "I would not want to see those kind of comments from people who are in a responsible position in the NFL, no. Absolutely not."

Not to mention the firey media backlash which came. I for one am not surprised Checketts screwed this up...because he worked at Madison Square Garden for James Dolan. That's for another time, but let's just say Checketts didn't work for the best and the brightest.

Further on Thursday's program, Rush indicated that new NFL Players Association President DeMaurice Smith was a "puppet" of the Obama Administration. It was Smith who penned a letter to Goodell bad-mouthing him and scaring Goodell into not doing business with Limbaugh.

Whether or not De Smith is an Obama "operative" is not the issue. The issue is that most everyone seemed to bristle at the idea of Rush being a part-owner in the NFL. But why?

****

It's certainly not for lack of funds. Limbaugh is a fan of the NFL and is the #1 most listened to radio talk show host in the country. He has family living in and around the St. Louis area. Besides, he wouldn't be a Jerry Jones or Daniel Snyder, a sole owner who tries to turn a real franchise into their personal fantasy football team. Rush wouldn't be player personnel director, he doesn't have time for that.

It certainly can't be solely due to being a "polarizing" figure. There's plenty of those already owning NFL franchises. Shall we recall the story of Raiders owner Al Davis. The same Al Davis who took the NFL to court, won exactly one American dollar, and vowed to do everything in his power to destroy the good name of former commissioner Pete Rozell? What about the previously mentioned Jones or Snyder? How about the lineup of "famous" people buying small sections of the Miami Dolphins now? Fergie...there's a real winner of an owner. No problem there...it's only 1/150,000th or so of the franchise, but whatever helps sells tickets at Landshark right Mr. Ross??

Could it be failure to keep the team in St. Louis?? Please...Rush isn't buying the team and looking to move them to Mars. That's controversial. Or how about Robert Irsay, the man who in the middle of the night moved the Baltimore Colts on Mayflower trucks to Indianapolis. In 1984, it was the most outlandish Mayflower move since English settlers boarded the Mayflower to come to America. He chimes in on the anti-Rush movement and jumps on that most-likely of Mayflower bandwagons. The goal of the Checketts group is to keep the team in St. Louis. They know where they want to be, unlike the Spanos goofs who can't decide between L.A. and San Diego.

His controversial past? I suppose that could be an issue, had felons not be allowed to return to the league. Wait...that's the players...never mind. So if you have money, but have legal problems, that in and of itself is a problem. But if you can "play" in this league, like Michael Vick, Plaxico Burress and Donte Stallworth, you'll do a little time and be welcomed back by the entire league. Ok check.

****

The bottom line on this is, give me a good reason why Rush Limbaugh SHOULDN'T be a part-owner in the National Football League. Rush I believe wanted to be part-owner of a NFL team because he's a fan. Everyone who's a fan dreams of one day owning the team. Or running the front office, or coaching on the sidelines. Why do you think we have so many fantasy football teams?

And as for publicity...ask yourself this...why would the talk show host, with between 15 and 20 million listeners every week, want to get publicity. He already has more than anyone could ask for. He speaks, it's controversial, and it's all over the news. No need for additives here.

This move sets a bad precedent for the NFL. I already fear for where this league is headed with the end of the collective barganing agreement afoot. This is just a bad omen. You don't like Rush, fine, but there are lots of people who don't like their owners, no matter the sport. But looks to me as the sole reason Rush isn't liked is because of his conservative ties in this increasingly liberal leaning society. At least in the golden rule maker movers and shakers that is.

Wild Week 3 Includes Stuff I'd Never Thought I'd See

Sun, 27 Sep 2009 20:53:00 GMT

What a wild 1st slate of games for Week 3. This is where DirecTV's Sunday Ticket would come in handy. However, being in my current predicament, I'm unable to endulge, so online is where it's at for checking out all the games one can when one is sans dish.

We'll start with the "game of the day" so far, which is the Minnesota Vikings' amazing come from behind 27-24 win over the San Francisco 49ers. I thought the Niners would win to begin with, and I was almost proven correct, if Brett Favre wasn't being Brett Favre. No timeouts, going 80 yards in 1:29 to win on a 32 yard dart to the back of the endzone, somehow caught by former Eagle WR Greg Lewis, who got both feet in against the end line, with 2 seconds remaining. Stunning. Never thought the old man had it in him...but I've been proven wrong. My hat's off to number 4.

More stuff I never thought I'd see...the Detroit Lions winning a football game. It came in a nail-biting (EDITORS NOTE: Would it be any other way?) 19-14 win over the very hapless Washington Redskins. For Detroit, Michigan, it's their first professional football victory since December 23, 2007. 19 game losing streak over. Good day from both RB Kevin Smith and rookie QB Matthew Stafford. Bad day for Jim Zorn. The Redskins coach is now seeing red, with his job most likely coming to an end. If the Redskins, who needed luck beyond reason to hold off the winless St. Louis Rams in D.C. last week, don't replace Zorn by the bye week, or during it, there's something strange going on. All reports hinting at the demise of the former Seattle Seahawk QB are true.

Speaking of coaches in the line of fire...the Green Bay Packers. Yes, I had a column ready to roll if the Packers fell to the St. Louis Rams. And well into the 3rd quarter, that was about ready to hit the web in this space. The logic was simple, a loss at home to the inferiorally talented Cincinnati Bengals last week, followed up by a loss to the worst team in football St. Louis, and you have yourself with both GM Ted Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy looking at the same color as Mr. Zorn. The Rams were one score down in the 3rd quarter with Kyle Boller (you remember him?) in for the injured Marc Bulger, moving the ball effectively against the Capers 3-4. The Packers offense, unable to do the same against the Ram defense, and it was starting to get weird. But the Packers started to make hay in the final stanza, and now the Packers are an uncomfortable 2-1 heading into next Monday's tilt in Minneapolis. The Green and Gold offensive line is a major weakness, unable to establish any sort of running game, and that will be the issue against a very stout Viking D. The target, for now, is off the backs of Thompson and McCarthy.

The 3-0 New York Jets. Wow. The Jets, who played about 8 or 9 minutes of quality football this afternoon, hold off the now 0-3 Tennessee Titans 24-17 at the Meadowlands. QB Mark Sanchez looked good in spots, poor in others. The Jets didn't effective run the ball. But they took advantage of turnovers by the Titans and certainly made it count. The Titans are strange and hard to figure. They're better than 0-3...but they go through some terrible spurts in each game they've played. Unlike last season when they could physically impose their will on opponents, they're not going on long, sustained drives, eating up a ton of clock. They're defense still has some heavy hitters, but they're not consistent in coverage, or in getting after the opposing QB. Coach Jeff Fisher has some work to do, because they can turn this season around, but HIS job may depend on if he can actually do it. Rex Ryan again pulls the right strings on defense and the Jets are literally flying high. But they can't too often perform like this and expect to win games against teams more prepared.

Finally one college note...kudos to the New Mexico State Aggies for their last minute win over the New Mexico Lobos Saturday night. QB Jeff Fleming, after losing the starting job during the week, off the bench in the 4th quarter to lead the Aggies to victory. NMSU, whose talent pales in comparison to everyone else in FBS (with the possible exception of UNM), needed this victory to boost their confidence. DeWayne Walker gets his first win over a FBS opponent and it happens to be a bitter, intrastate rival. Way to be coach, now lets roll that into a couple more before the season's out.

Oh and UTEP was on FSN Wisconsin Saturday. How bout that...

Inside The Michael Crabtree Problem

Sat, 19 Sep 2009 15:03:00 GMT

Amid all the hoopla around a proposed meeting between officials from the San Francisco 49ers and holdout WR Michael Crabtree, allow me to pull a Kanye West (or as our President and Chairman prefers, Jackass)...

Here's what you need to know. Crabtree and his agent Eugene Parker are insane. Much the same vein that Crazy Eddie hocking electronics in the NY Metro area for many years was "INNNNSAAAANNNNEEE".

Crabtree's argument (as well as Parker's) is well he needs to get paid because he should've been drafted higher. Really. I remember when Packers QB Aaron Rodgers thought he should get top of the round money when he was taken 24th by Green Bay. Because as we all remember, it was either Alex Smith or Rodgers going 1, so technically, he should've been taken 1 (EDITORS NOTE: By whom??? San Francisco of course). But Rodgers didn't hold out, he signed and got into camp. Look how well that's worked out so far.

Okay, so the Raiders to Maryland WR Darrius Heyward-Bey. So what, you're still gonna get paid. That was the original idea upon deciding to leave Texas Tech early wasn't it?? I'm sure Red Raider coach Mike Leach would've loved to have you hang around. Especially since they're playing in Austin tonight against #2 Texas. ESPN keeps replaying last year's classic from Lubbock. You know the game, when Crabtree hauls in the game winning TD with 1 second remaining. Lubbock goes crazy, like they've never gone crazy before. Don't remember if they lit any couches on fire, but it was crazy. I'm sick of it. I supposed if that's the game people remember Crabtree for, it's better than being the latest guy to sit out an entire NFL season and re-entering the 2010 Draft.

Let's recall the last guys who were forced to do that. No, not by choice, but by rule. Show of hands if you can remember the two knuckleheads who had sat on their butt (literally) for a calendar year before getting a shot at the NFL?? Maurice Clarett and Mike Williams. How'd that work out for them?? Clarett's in prison and Williams is, well, I'm not sure where he is, but he's not wearing an NFL uniform on Sundays. (EDITOR'S NOTE: Just in case, we'll put him on the side of a milk carton and try to find him).

Playing devil's advocate, because as well all know, Al Pacino is the devil...according to the Sacramento Bee, the average place of Michael Crabtree selected in the 2010 draft is between 20 and 32, well from ESPN's Todd McShay, but let's take his word for it. Even my shoddy New Mexico State University math reveals that Crabtree will get offered less money than he's getting right now. This second. Wonder what college Eugene Parker went to?

Speaking of Parker, I'm starting to figure that agents are like offensive lineman. If no one knows who a players' agent is, it's probably for the benefit of said player. All the agents Joe Q. Public can name off the top of their head, is usually not for a good reason. Parker, Drew Rosenhaus, Scott Boras, Tom Cruise. Moron, slimeball, scumbag, nuts. See what I mean.

Don't know who has the most say in Crabtree's misgivings. Is it Parker? Is it someone else, since Mike Leach called him a "loner". Lou Holtz. Holtz is old and he shows his age on a daily basis. He shows his age much the same way Terry Bradshaw shows his bald head...it's very obvious and can't be covered up by any hat, toupee or Curt Menefee nacho platter.

Here's the link to PFT...

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/09/19/his-crabtree-advice-proves-that-lou-holtz-has-lost-his-mind/

Holtz REALLY needs to go away. Remember, this is the same Nostradamus who picked Notre Dame to win the National Championship hands down. Just like Beano Cook should've been put on an iceberg and shoved off into the Arctic Ocean in the REAL future endeavored after saying Ron Powlus would win multiple Heisman's, Holtz should be on the next ice shelf leaving the North Pole.

Ultimately we don't know what will happen. Crabtree could sign tomorrow, he could be traded, he may sit out. The 49ers failed miserably by picking Crabtree if they weren't sure he would sign, but the one who will hurt the most will be Crabtree. If he doesn't want the Niners money, I'm always available to accept free scratch. Just sayin'...

The Episode Where One Judge Save Playoff Hopes For 2 NFL Teams

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 14:22:00 GMT

Ever want to know the story about Starcaps? How this affects not one, but two teams? Or just what the hell is a Starcap? Story follows the jump...

Super Bowl XLIV Prediction

Sat, 08 Aug 2009 15:04:00 GMT

Long awaited and most-likely not duplicated...who do I predict to win Super Bowl XLIV in South Florida??

2009 AFC Preview and Predictions

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 03:53:00 GMT

This is a quick preview and prediction of the 2009 NFL season. Now it's the AFC. Predictions are at the end of each team, broken down by division. Resources used included (i.e. I'd like to thank) PFT, PFW, NFP, and NFL.com. The Super Bowl Prediction will be posted later.

2009 NFC Preview and Predictions

Sat, 01 Aug 2009 22:53:00 GMT

This is a quick preview and prediction of the 2009 NFL season. Today we'll start with the NFC. Predictions are at the end of each team, broken down by division. Resources used included (i.e. I'd like to thank) PFT, PFW, NFP, and NFL.com. The AFC Predictions will be posted later.

TV Legend Dies

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 17:32:00 GMT

It figures this story would be at the top of the El Paso Times website...

"Chihuahua from Taco Bell commercials dies"

http://www.elpasotimes.com/newupdated/ci_12890832

Truly a sad day. Great name though...I wouldn't have thought or guessed the dog's name as "Gidget".

Random Acts Of Discomfort and Coming Full Circle

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 14:33:00 GMT

Last week was off for a wedding out of town. I could write a novel on just that night, but instead I'll focus on things I know readers like...random stuff.

****

I'd be remissed if I didn't acknowledge the passing of Walter Cronkite. Following a long illness, Cronkite died at his New York home surrounded by family. Known for his steady and straightforward delivery, his trim moustache, and his iconic sign-off line "That’s the way it is". He was 92.

As a journalist, Cronkite didn't set the standard, he WAS the standard. That gets lost sometimes when your in the throes of the job. It's not about Katie Couric, Brian Williams, Shepard Smith or Anderson Cooper. It's about Cronkite. It will and should always be that way.

****

Weeks back I mentioned the idea of the Milwaukee Brewers making a trade for a pitcher or two. Since then, their pitching hasn't been tremendous, just okay, but now it's a matter of keeping pace with the St. Louis Cardinals. Meanwhile, I brought up the name of Mariners LHP Jarrod Washburn. Now, a prominent blog in the northwest says there's a chance something could be "brewin'"... here's the skinny from my friend Dan O'Donnell...

http://www.620wtmj.com/shows/danodonnell/51037362.html

****

I was amazed before the wedding last weekend about a story. The latest trend in the restaurant business is meat. Meat is in...and there are chefs who are leaving the restaurant and opening up...butcher shops. Wow. It's strange how when you wait long enough, what's old...becomes new again. Or in other words, the world, culinarily speaking, has come full circle.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/08/dining/08butch.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Butchers&st=cse

I spoke with a butcher here in the Green Bay area who was fairly surprised, to say the least, about this story. He, first off, doesn't consider himself a rock star nor a sex symbol. Just a guy who grew up butchering and hacking apart cattle, pigs and deer. He says up north here, it's all in your upbringing. You either did it as a kid with your grandparents and parents (like him) or you just sat back and enjoyed the meat and never thought about picking up a cleaver.

A bit of full disclosure...it's been about 5 years since I was learning to become a chef. My class had just missed the cutoff (no pun intended) of taking meat fabrication as a class. The school's reason for dropping it from the curriculum is that no one in the restaurant biz really does that anymore, you can just order the particular cuts of beef, pork, etc. from your purveyor and it saves time. Not money...but time. The butcher shop of yesteryear was on life support...and in some regard could've been declared DOA.

Low these 5 years hence...it's all the rage in places like New York, San Francisco and New Orleans. Foodies in those places not only frequent, they take classes on how to hack up whole or half animals and taste off cuts like roasted pork head. Life is strange sometimes...but the concept of having something like this, which became accepted as finished, comes roaring back. Next thing you know, the latest dance craze from some broad like Lady Gaga will be the Charleston.

****

It does get strange up here in NE Wisconsin...I'm sure this isn't how Oscar Meyer wanted to be remembered...

http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/news_wienermobile_mount_pleasant_20090717855_rev1

****

Speaking of strange here...2009 may be remembered as the "Year Without A Summer". Friday the high was 63...yes...63 degrees. That set a record, the previous day in Madison was the coldest since 1900. In fact today it's only supposed to be 68.

I can count the number of hot days on one hand so far...and we're most of the way through July. I don't know how hot August is going to be, but the question now becomes, what the hell will Winter look like. The previous 2 winters have ranked in the Top 4 snowiest winters since they decided to keep records of stuff like this.

I think I'm safe to say I'm still glad it's not 100 degrees...and I possibly forget what 100 feels like.

****

Does anyone's voice count when it comes to dissenting on the idea of Obamacare??

http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=5&docID=news-000003168293

I guess it's not important who you are or what evidence you present...what's important is you follow the chairman's orders and don't ask questions. Here's a question to ponder...what's it going to cost for you? Here's a hint...

http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2009/07/17/the-high-cost-of-u-s-healthcare-a-60-tax-rate.aspx

I don't have high hopes for this health care "reform" to fail...but all I know is I'll probably lose my health care coverage at work, since it'll be too expensive for the company to pay for...and since it's radio, just make the cut. Now, I'll wait in line for anything. Who does?? When your sick or injured, in need of surgery, which could save your life, how patient of a patient are you willing to be???

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,533343,00.html

Yeah I didn't think so. Just sayin'...

The Episode Where Too Much Happens, Too Fast, 2 Furiously

Sun, 05 Jul 2009 14:21:00 GMT

It's not enough that Sarah Palin makes a "momentus" decision, it's July 4th weekend, then I find out that former Oiliers/Titans and Ravens QB Steve McNair is found dead of multiple gunshot wounds in a downtown Nashville, TN condo.

The other night I was watching Lewis Black (EDITORS NOTE: the comedian, do you know any other Lewis Black's) and he was lamenting about too much stuff happening at one time. And it's true...I can't think of one thing to blog about, and seven other things happen. It's unbelieveable...it makes me think something big is about to happen. And I mean BIG...EA BIG...HUGE...John Pinette (EDITORS NOTE: Another comedian) HUGE...but that's for another blog.

****

McNair, 36, was found with multiple gunshot wounds, slumped on a couch in a downtown Nashville, TN condo Saturday afternoon. His alleged girlfriend, 20-year-old Sahel Kazemi was found on the floor of the condo with a single gunshot wound to her head and a pistol nearby, according to the Tennessean. Both the Nashville paper and the New York Daily News are calling it a murder-suicide. Police are not, "actively looking for suspects".

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090704/SPORTS01/90704013

There's also the DUI bust two nights prior in the Cadillac Escalade which was registered under both McNair's and Kazemi's names. Reportedly, McNair's wife hadn't heard from him for several days. Also, there's a second 20-year-old who allegedly threatened McNair for putting a "roofy" in her drink and her boyfriend was going to kill him.

http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/city-news/details-shed-new-light-mcnairs-death

It's a sordid set of details surrounding the life of someone who everyone, including McNair's wife, thought they knew.

McNair was an amazing quarterback, no one can take away his accomplishments on the field and his charity work off the field. But how many close teammates and friends knew of what's building to be a 2nd life involving Steve McNair.

****

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin will not only avoid re-election in 2010, but is resigning by the end of July. This came as a shock to everyone, including some media members, who couldn't get the direct mainland to Wasilla direct flight to cover this event.

There's a lot of schools of thought on Palin's decision. She's stepping aside because there's a major scandal about to break involving Palin. I don't know about that...she's by now seasoned when it comes to scandal (see David Letterman) and numerous ethics violation complaints. The Vanity Fair article is nothing more than ex-McCain staffers getting shots in to Palin.

Here's where I stand on Palin...I didn't know who she was when it was announced she would be the Arizona Senator's running mate in 2008. Heck, Palin may even have been taken aback by the nod. She did have a lot to get caught up on that media and American's would grill her about. I'm not the biggest Palin supporter, but she sure as hell doesn't deserve the constant flack she gets even to this day. As one person I've heard put it, "Jesus Christ himself couldn't help John McCain win the election."

There's the idea that it's a ploy to prepare herself for a Presidential run in 2012. It could be. Look, as I've said above, and most critics will tell you, she does need to earn more experience in both national and world politics, and the only way to do that is not look at from Alaska (okay joke), but get her hands in it and meet and share ideas. She could get more supporters, not have to worry about just Alaskan issues, possibly write a book and make a full-on push for the Republican nomination.

Or there's this...we take Palin at her word and she's just going to disappear from the media spotlight forever. If you're in a position that Palin's in, someone who can't duck the media any longer, national media salivating for the next screw-up or scandal to go, "Ah Ha...I knew it...she sucks and I can't wait to verbally beat her up six ways from Sunday."

She has five kids, the youngest with down syndrome, lots of attorney's fees to pay for from fighting constant ethics violations charges and someone who truly believes in the family dynamic. Sarah Palin may just want to disappear and get back to what's important to her...and that's family. NBC's Andrea Mitchell reports that, "she has told some of her biggest backers in the national Republican Party that they are free to choose other candidates for 2012.”

Take all these scenarios for what they're worth. My opinion is I would be shocked if we didn't hear from Mrs. Palin again. Whether or not she'll run for President in 2012 is unknown at this time, but I have a feeling that she'll throw her hat into that ring when the time comes.

****

Have you ever noticed that elderly people are VERY interested in talking about death? And I don't mean just, "Did you hear Joey died? Oh that's sad..." no, I mean the details surrounding his death. The person could be 70, 80, 90, even 100 years old, and they'd be wanting to know EXACTLY what it was that did them in??

Why is that?? I have to do more research into the topic. In church yesterday, my wife and I sat in a pew in front of a nice elderly woman, who was talking to someone next to her, pretty loudly I might add, about, "I heard so and so died, but the paper didn't say what it was. I know so and so had this, but his doctor's told him he'd be fine, I wonder if that's what killed him or if it was something else, I saw him just the other day and he looked good, but said he was this and that..and blah..."

In church mind you. I know at some point people's first page they turn to in the newspaper each day is the obituary to see who died. But at what point do they want to become Medical Examiner Doris and have to definitely determine exact cause of death??

Discuss...

****

An ESPN The Magazine poll recently determined the Milwaukee Brewers are more popular than the Green Bay Packers. Really??

This year, the Brewers ranked No. 7 overall, the highest rating the team has received since the magazine began the ranking in 2003. Last year, the Brewers ranked No. 13, so they have climbed six slots. The Packers ranked No. 13 overall, down nine spots from last year, when they were No. 4.

The categories were weighted, depending on how important fans thought they were: Fan relations (20.1%), Players (16.3%), Affordability (12.3%), Ownership (10.6%), Stadium Experience (9.6%), Title Track (5.3%) and Coaching (4.6%). Title Track is championships already won or expected in the lifetime of current fans. An eighth category, Bang for the Buck (21.2%) is a measure of how efficiently fans' money winds up in team victories. Fans' costs were calculated by researchers at the Warsaw Sports Marketing Center at the University of Oregon. The sample size in this poll was revealed to be "more than 50,000".

I believe this poll is bogus. First off, Bang for the Buck, if you can find Packers tickets, you pay for one out of eight home games, the Crew play 81, and there's so many deals to earn yourself buy one get one free, or cheap tickets.

Fan relations, more Packers gear and community involvement is high on both sides, but still the Green and Gold outdoes the Brewers. Ownership?? Mark Attanasio is great...but how exactly do the fans vote against a team owned by...you know...the fans!? Stadium experience...Lambeau ranked first overall, title track, the Brewers have made the playoffs once since 1983, last year, even with the inception of the Wild Card. Coaching?? Mike McCarthy may have detractors...but the Brewers had 2 managers last year, and Dale Sveum didn't lose the interim tag...that was given to Ken Macha. How'd THAT work??

The ESPN The Mag poll is bogus. Anyone in Wisconsin will tell you that even if the Brewers were in first place in September and playing the Cardinals at Miller Park, if the Packers are playing, more people will watch the Packers than the Brewers. That's just how it goes.

****

Finally, good to see my friend Steve Kaplowitz hopping back on the blogging bandwagon. Kappy, James Brown has nothing on you when it comes to the "Hardest Working Man In Show Business" title...because you know...he's not working anymore.

Just sayin'...