Anti-Rush Bias Pathetic for NFL

First things first, I am going to do two things today which I have never done in my illustrious seven-month blogging career:

1. Post an entry pertaining solely to NFL football
2. Address a political issue

So, before launching into today's entry, and in the interest of full-disclosure, I must state that I am a conservative and a registered Republican. Although I have listened to Rush Limbaugh's program in the past, I do not count myself as a regular listener, or even a semi-regular listener, at that.

However, millions of Americans do listen to Limbaugh regularly. His audience is likely not accurately measured, but this piece from the Washington Post in March of this year suggests the figure is somewhere between 14.2-25M listeners (I wish I could be accurate with a range of 10.8M). He is undoubtedly the most influential conservative radio talk show host. Limbaugh is also handsomely-paid. His current contract with his syndicator is for $400M over 8 years.

Rush Limbaugh is also controversial, which comes with the territory in his line of work. Of course, to a Wisconsin football fan, I am probably controversial as well. But, when one watches the news, the words "conservative" and "controversial" will almost always appear in the piece. Given his medium, he is paid to opine upon and examine the important political issues of the day. He is also in the entertainment business, and having "controversial" positions on issues is good entertainment. If Rush simply parroted the facts of each issue as read from AP wires, his audience would be a tiny fraction of what it is. Simply put, although he may actually believe in the conservative values he espouses, he is paid to have controversial opinions because his audience finds it entertaining.

Limbaugh is also a passionate sports fan. He worked in public relations for the Kansas City Royals in the 1970s and worked as an NFL commentator on ESPN during the early part of this decade. It is from his ESPN stint that all the recent hubbub emanates.

You see, Limbaugh was reportedly part of a group planning on offering a bid for the St. Louis Rams in an effort to keep it in St. Louis. The Rams are currently controlled by the two children of the late owner Georgia Frontiere, who passed away in 2008. The children, Chip Rosenbloom and Lucia Rodriguez, own 60% of the team, and Stan Kroenke (who also owns the Colorado Avalanche and Denver Nuggets) owns the remaining 40%. The Frontiere children hired an investment bank to analyze the assets of Frontiere's estate, and it not certain whether or not the Rams are even for sale.

The group, headed by St. Louis Blues majority owner Dave Checketts, included Limbaugh and many other investors. Limbaugh would not have been the majority investor, nor would he likely have had a day-to-day role in the operation of the team. Yet, the Checketts/Limbaugh bid was deemed "DOA" by several sources, even before it has been formalized.

NFL Players Association head DeMaurice Smith issued a statement over the weekend opposing the bid, saying:

"I've spoken to the Commissioner [Roger Goddell] and I understand that this ownership consideration is in the early stages. But sport in American is at its best when it unifies, gives all of us a reason to cheer, and when it transcends. Our sport does exactly that when it overcomes division and rejects discrimination and hatred."

"Discrimination and hatred" is awful strong verbiage. The source of the angst is an opinion given by Limbaugh on "NFL Sunday Countdown" in 2003, speaking of Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb:

"I think what we've had here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well."

The quote caused a firestorm and forced Limbaugh to resign from ESPN.

Now, over six years later, the quote still resonates as evidence of racial bias unwelcome in the NFL. Whteher or not you agree with his opinion, it is not racist. Mainstream news outlets like CNN and MSNBC have piled on, focusing on the McNabb opinion as well as another quote in which Limbaugh supposedly equated slavery with safer streets in the South. This quote has been steadfastly denied by Limbaugh, saying that a single blogger perpetrated the misquote and that it ended up on his Wikipedia page. Still, that Limbaugh denied uttering the quote is not good enough for the media outlets who are, shall we say, hostile to Rush's political views. Quotes supposedly attributed to Limbaugh, including one in which he compares NFL teams to rival gangs, are now being re-examined repeatedly.

Also piling on, of course, are the usual suspects. The Revs. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson have come out against the bid. Commissioner Goodell backs Smith and the Players Association. Several current NFL players have gone on record saying they wouldn't play for St. Louis if Limbaugh is confirmed. Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay said earlier this week he would vote against any bid including Limbaugh.

Now, I will give Smith a pass, since he is protecting his players, even though his comments are a bid hyperbolic. Goodell is taking a political stance. Sharpton and Jackson are notorious race-baiters and shakedown artists to whom no attention should be paid. However, Irsay's comments are rich.

"I, myself, couldn't even consider voting for him. When there are comments that have been made and are inappropriate, incendiary, and insensitive.....our words do damage, and it's something we do not need."

So, actions do not speak louder than words, huh, Jim? Words and opinions are more harmful than actions? Limbaugh was brought on board by ESPN to be controversial, period. Why else would he have been hired? He was acting so when he uttered his comments about McNabb. Agree with them or disagree (I happen to agree that McNabb is over-rated, but it has nothing to do with race). When Limbaugh makes his comments on his radio show, he is acting as a controversial entertainer.

Irsay's father was one of the biggest louts to ever grace the NFL. He moved his team out of Baltimore in the middle of the night after showing up at a press conference half in the bag and proclaiming, "This is my goddamn team!" His own mother once referred to him as "The Devil on Earth." The Washington Redskins were segregated by owner George Preston Marshall until 1962, and Marshall is in the Hall of Fame. Several current players have had second chances in the league after their actions landed them in prison (see, Michael Vick, Leonard Little). Still, we're getting overly hung up on words and opinions. Also, the NFL is a business which hates controversy among its ownership circle (see Davis, Al).

I do not know if liberal talk show host Ed Schultz is a Vikings' fan or if he even likes football, but I do know that he has roots in North Dakota. If he decided to make a bid for the Vikings, I would imagine that the league would come out against him because his opinions are divisive to the other 50% who are not liberals. Of course, football fans would probably see that having someone with the resources and desire to invest in a football team hoping to win a championship is a good thing, regardless of ideology.

The NFL clearly decided to blackball Rush Limbaugh from the league, which they are wont to do. However, the reasons are spotty, at best, especially considering the guy wasn't even going to be a major investor.

It now looks like Dave Checketts has bowed to public pressure and will dump Limbaugh. Once again, actions are secondary to thoughts and deeds. Score another shakedown for team Jackson/Sharpton. Said Sharpton Wednesday night:

"It is a moral victory for all Americans -- especially the players that have been unfairly castigated by Rush Limbaugh...This decision will also uphold the unifying standards of other sports."

Thanks, Al, for being an authority on unification.

This is the End.....

The 2009 Twins baseball season ended Sunday night with a 4-1 loss to the New York Yankees. The loss ended the Twins' magical run to the AL Central Division title - the team's fifth in eight years under manager Ron Gardenhire - as well as 28 seasons of baseball at the Metrodome.

My Examiner homepage will continue to have an abundance of Twins-related coverage in the off-season, and it should be an eventful one for GM Bill Smith and his lieutenants. Continue to check that site out for all the latest. I will try to do some simultaneous posts here at DP to supplement the coverage, when necessary.

For now, remember the tremendously inspired baseball the beat-up squad played to overtake the Tigers. Also, remember the dramatic game #163, which will go down as one for the ages. It will help take the sting out of the finality of the disappointing three-game sweep at the hands of the Bronx Bombers.

With 1-3 inches of snow accumulating outside my window right now in suburban Minneapolis, it's going to be a long winter. Memories of the season's final three weeks will help keep things light this off-season.

A Big Win for the Gophers

I may have chosen some hyperbolic phraseology in my stating that Saturday's Gopher football homecoming game against Purdue was a "must-win," but it was if one looks at the schedule and sees trips to State College, PA and Columbus, OH as the next two games. With this in mind, the Gophers overcame a slow start and defeated Purdue 35-20.

It was a cold, windy, and generally miserable day at TCF Bank Stadium on Saturday, and it became apparent early on that all scoring must be done going from east-to-west. Of the game's 55 points, only three were scored against the wind. The wind hindered the passing game, which seemed to affect the Gophers more than the Boilermakers. QB Adam Weber attempted just 9 passes all game, completing 5 for a mere 74 yards and two picks. The difference in this game was turnovers and the Gophers' establishment of a running game in the second half.

Purdue dominated the first quarter and scored the game's first 10 points. A 14-play, 68-yard drive led to a Carson Wiggs 43 yard field goal to begin the scoring. After an interception of a Gopher pass, the Boilermakers capped a 59-yard drive with a TD pass from Joey Elliott to Aaron Valentin. The Gophers were looking like a team which would be blown out at home on their homecoming game.

However, the Gophers started moving the ball on the ground in the second quarter. DeLeon Eskridge had 1-yard TD runs on consecutive possessions, one set up by a long return of an interception by Gopher linebacker Lee Campbell, to give the local squad a 14-10 lead. A Wiggs field goal closed out the first half scoring with the Gophers leading by a mere point.

In the third quarter, it was all Minnesota. The Gophers had a nice drive after a Purdue punt to start the half, capped by a Weber rushing TD. After Purdue fumbled the kickoff, Kevin Whaley ran in from 1 yard out to give the Gophers a 28-13 lead. On the next drive, Purdue lined up a field goal, and it was blocked by Campbell and returned 47 yards by Traye Simmons for a TD. In a stunning turn of events, the Gophers had three quick TDs and held a 35-13 lead. A Purdue TD in the fourth quarter made it more interesting, but the Gophers were never really threatened.

The Gophers were out-gained offensively 402-281, but made good on both turnovers it forced. It turned a blocked field goal into a TD and a late interception by Simmons was returned deep into Purdue territory to salt away the victory. As a team, the Gophers ran 44 times for 207 yards. They used Whaley, Eskridge, and Duane Bennett in the rushing attack, and each responded admirably. The Gophers realized early on that the passing attack was not going to work in the elements, and made adjustments on the ground. Heck, they even did a little off-tackle rushing - especially with Whaley, shocking this columnist!

The Gophers are now 2-1 in the Big Ten and are 4-2 overall. They took care of business in a must-win game and now head to State College to take on the Penn State Nittany Lions in a real test. If we're looking for a signature victory for the Tim Brewster era, next week would be a nice opportunity. The Lions are coming off a 52-3 shellacking of Eastern Illinois this week, and enter next week 1-1 in the Big Ten and 5-1 overall.

The Gophers will have to play like they did in the second half to have even a remote chance next week. Of course, Glen Mason led a team into State College ten years ago and came away with an improbable victory, so one never knows.

A Must-Win Game in Early October?

The Gopher football team plays Purdue at home on Saturday. After the game, the team will hit the road for two games against #14 Penn State and #9 Ohio State. The season could easily get away from the 3-2 (1-1 Big Ten) Gophers if they don't defend their home turf on Saturday.

Purdue comes to Minneapolis with a new coach. Danny Hope replaced Joe Tiller before this season, ending Tiller's run which began in 1997. Tiller had the Gophers' number, and the Gophers' 17-6 win last season was the team's first victory in West Lafayette since 1990.

The 2009 season has started slowly for Purdue, which is off to a 1-4 start, losing its last four games, and lost its Big Ten opener to Northwestern last week. That's not to say the Boilermakers do not have talent on their roster, however.

QB Joey Elliott leads the Big Ten in passing yards with 1,276 through five games. The senior has notched 10 TDs against 7 interceptions. His ranking of 138.06 ranks fourth among Big Ten QBs. Against Northwestern last week, Elliott was 20-28 for 313 yards, threw 3 TDs and 1 INT. Sophomore RB Ralph Bolden is second in the Big Ten among rushers with 541 yards. Half of those yards came in the season's first game against Toledo, when he carried 21 times for 234 yards. After picking up 123 the next week against Oregon, Bolden has been held largely in check. Junior WR Keith Smith is third in the Big Ten among receivers, with 35 catches for 459 yards and 3 TD. The Achilles heel for Purdue has been the defense, which has surrendered 148 points in its five games this season.

The Gophers come into the game on the heels of a tough loss at home against Wisconsin. The team was significantly out-gained by the Badgers, but still had a chance to come away with the victory. WR Eric Decker continues to amaze, and is the Big Ten's (and the nation's) leading receiver with 43 catches for 639 yards and 5 TDs. QB Adam Weber is having a decent season thus far, going 91-159 for 1,150 yards and 6 TDs against 6 INTs. Still, his inconsistency has plagued the team all season long. The team's inability to establish a running attack is also puzzling. After committing to a power running style late in the 2008 season with Assistant Coach Tim Davis, the Gophers have not really tried to establish a run at any time in 2009, despite solid backs in DeLeon Eskridge and Duane Bennett. Also, the inability to work freshman QB Mar'Queis Gray into the offense is simply unacceptable. He gives the Gophers a different look on offense and has playmaking ability. A good use of Gray's ability may lie in working him into the team's third down package, where the Gophers have been inconsistent with Weber all season long.

Saturday's game has a must-win feel to it, with the tough tests ahead. The Gophers have winnable home games remaining against Purdue, Michigan State, and Illinois, but need to start that off with a win against the Boilermakers this coming Saturday. If they win out at home, the Gophers will be assured no worse than a 4-4 record within the conference, which is good considering the difficulty of the schedule.

The Gophers must take advantage of Purdue's defensive weaknesses. The Boilermakers will likely rack up a bunch of yards through the air, but if the Gophers are able to put pressure on Elliott (something they weren't able to do with consistency last week against Wisconsin's Scott Tolzien), they improve their chances. On the other side of the ball, the Gophers should try to establish a running attack early on and work Gray into the mix. This should open up the field for Decker and others like Brandon Green.

Prediction: Gophers 31, Purdue 21.

Yes!

A truly epic game at the Metrodome Tuesday night to decide the AL Central Division. It has to rank up there with the 1991 World Series Games 6 and 7.

My Examiner story about the game is here. Check my Twins home page this afternoon for a Twins/Yanks Game 1 ALDS preview.

Also, I will be on the nationally-syndicated "Papa Joe Chevalier Show" this afternoon to talk Twins and preview the ALDS. Listed in online and make fun of me afterward. I always thought I had a face for radio, anyway!

Axe Falls on Gopher Football, Again

The University of Minnesota Gopher football team did something on Saturday it has become accustomed to doing.....losing to the University of Wisconsin.

The Badgers pounded out 295 rushing yards, led by RB John Clay's 184 yards on 32 carries - 159 in the second half - and beat the Gophers 31-28.

As was the case with Minnesota's loss to Cal in week two, the Gophers had several chances to take Paul Bunyan's Axe in this one. However, mistakes cost them dearly, namely:

• The Badgers converted two of three Minnesota turnovers into TDs
• Minnesota went into the red zone three times in the first half and came away with only two field goals. The third was a Weber interception
• Minnesota was whistled for nine penalties for 75 total yards
• The rushing game hurt the Gophers again, as they ran 28 times for 57 yards (2 yards per carry)
• The Badgers dominated time of possession, 34:41 to 25:19

In the end, it was the inability to stop the run in the second half which did in the Gophers. The defense had no answer for Clay. However, to their credit, the offense did absolutely nothing to ease the pressure on the defense, holding the ball for less than 10 minutes total in the second half. After holding a total yardage advantage of 189-142 at halftime, the Gophers ran a total of 9 plays for 23 yards in the third quarter, and were out-gained by Wisconsin 187-23 in that quarter alone. The final total yardage margin was 454-328 for Wisconsin.

QB Adam Weber had an up-and-down day. He was 16-30 for 271 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. However, his inability to convert on third downs was one factor which cost the team. WR Eric Decker had another huge day, catching 8 balls for 140 yards and a TD.

Wisconsin tried hard to give the Gophers a chance to win. Leading 24-13, Clay fumbled inside the Minnesota 20, and Marcus Sherels picked up the fumble and raced 88 yards for the touchdown. A two-point conversion made the score 24-21 with 6:50 to play. The Badgers raced the length of the field to extend the score to 31-21, but Minnesota struck quickly for a TD, going 79 yards in three plays. After a failed onside kick with 2:13 remaining, Wisconsin ran two rushing plays, forcing the Gophers to take their last timeout. Facing 3rd and 8 to go just outside midfield, Wisconsin inexplicably threw the ball, and it was nearly picked off by Sherels. Instead of running into the line and burning another 40 seconds off the clock, Wisconsin gave the Gophers the ball with 2 minutes left. However, punter Brad Nortman's kick was partially blocked, but took a Wisconsin bounce, and put the Gophers in jail. An Adam Weber fumble under extreme duress sealed the fate.

Wisconsin has now won six meetings in a row. Since Minnesota won back-to-back Axes in 1993 and 1994, Wisconsin has won 13 of 15 meetings.

The Gophers dropped to 3-2 and 1-1 in the Big Ten.

Next up for the Gophers is Purdue for a homecoming meeting at TCF Bank Stadium. The Boilermakers were 27-21 losers to Northwestern on Saturday, and are 1-4 (0-1 Big Ten) in coach Danny Hope's first year in West Lafayette.

The Gophers should win next week against Purdue. If they don't take care of their home field, they are in trouble, as the next two contests are road games at Penn State and Ohio State. The 2009 season could be a lost cause if a victory over Purdue is not attained next weekend.

We'll be back Thursday with a Gopher/Purdue preview.

Friday Fillers

This is one of the biggest weekends for Minnesota sports in a long, long, time. Consider the following:

• The Twins have a meaningful (for now, at least) series at home against the Royals. If any combination of Detroit wins and Twins' losses equals 2, then the Tigers win the division. If the Twins sweep KC and the Tigers lose 2 of 3 to the White Sox, there will be a one-game playoff at the Dome on Tuesday. If the Twins sweep and the Tigers get swept, the Twins win the division.
• The Gopher football team plays its first conference game at TCF Bank Stadium against the Wisconsin Badgers. The forecast is for rain and 56 degrees. People will be whining for the Dome by the end of the first quarter.
• Sunday marks the final regular season game in the Metrodome for the Twins. I penned my ode to the old teflon dump for the Examiner Friday morning, attached here. My Top 10 Metrodome Twins' moments are here and here.
• The Todd Richards era for the Minnesota Wild regular season begins Saturday in Columbus against the Blue Jackets. The first home game is Tuesday night against Anaheim.
• The Gopher hockey team opens its 2009-10 season with an exhibition game against British Columbia on Sunday afternoon. My Examiner season preview for Gopher Puck is here.
• The ridiculously-long NBA preseason gets underway for the Minnesota Timberwolves Sunday night in Mankato against the Milwaukee Bucks.
• The Vikings play the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football at the Dome. I heard the Vikings' QB used to play for the Packers?

That's quite a weekend, no?

• We've been busy at my Examiner WCHA home page over the past week. My final two season previews for St. Cloud State and Wisconsin hit the wire mid-week, followed by my pre-season picks on Thursday. Friday morning, the first of the weekend preview editions appeared, which will become regular features all season long. This weekend is but a warm-up for the WCHA members, as they all play exhibition games. Next weekend, 8 of 10 teams are in action against NCAA teams. It's hard to believe hockey season is upon us!
• Gopher hockey-specific, as my preview edition states, I believe this year's squad will be much-improved over the past two seasons. This year's team is perhaps the most talented team coach Don Lucia has had since his arrival on campus in 1999-2000. The key is Alex Kangas in goal. If he plays like he did in 2007-08, the Gophers will be tough to beat. Denver, North Dakota, and Wisconsin will also be in the mix, and the league is wide-open. However, the Gophers' experience in goal and talent up front should put them in contention.
• The coaches and media polls came out this past week for the WCHA, and the Gophers are projected to be #4 in both polls. For the record, I have the Gophers second. In the USA Today national preseason poll, the Gophers are ranked #6. Denver is #2 (behind #1 Miami), North Dakota is #8, St. Cloud State is #13, and Wisconsin is #14.
• The Timberwolves opened their training camp this past week and even get some preseason action this coming weekend. The roster has been completely transformed from the squad which finished the 2008-09 season, with third-year man Corey Brewer being the longest-tenured Wolf. Star Tribune beat writer Jerry Zgoda had a long one-on-one with President of Basketball Operations David Kahn this week, and the Meerkat expands on his philosophy for the upcoming season. It is going to be a long season at "Meerkat Manor" this year. However, there is reason to be optimistic for the future, and the hope is that the young nucleus of Al Jefferson, Kevin Love, Jonny Flynn, and Brewer can get valuable experience and come together as a squad.
• The Wolves also restructured their front office this week, promoting Assistant GM Fred Hoiberg to VP of Basketball Operations. This is the title held by Kevin McHale in past years, but the duties are more limited, as Kahn has the final say in personnel matters. Former GM Jim Stack was moved to a scouting role, along with former assistants Jerry Sichting and Dean Cooper. Former Assistant GM Rob Babcock will oversee the scouting department. The beefing-up of the scouting activities was presumably done in advance of what promises to be a ripe free agent class of 2010.
• In Seth Stohs's "Expert NFL Picks Pool," I have managed to sandwich a 9-7 week 2 between 14-2 weeks 1 and 3 to move into a four-way tie for third place. I went for some upsets this week, so we'll see how it goes.
• Be sure to check out my Examiner pages for the Twins and WCHA over the next busy week. I'll be out of town next Thursday and Friday. so we'll be back here on DP for a Gopher football recap early next week. I think I'll skp recapping the hockey team's exhibition against UBC!
• Finally, one more RIP for Twins' baseball in the Metrodome! The place was a dump, but it was OUR dump. A lot of great Twins' moments took place in that place, and the roar of the '87 and '91 post-seasons will not be forgotten by this humble blogger. For that, it will be missed. In the name of progress and long-term survival of this franchise, Target Field will be highly-anticipated, and if the pictures are any indication, it will deliver.