Hockey v. Superbowl: A Tale Of The Tape
February 3, 2008 by Schnookie
This is our first Superbowl Sunday as hockey bloggers, and we’re sort of at loose ends about what we’re supposed to do. Do we try diarizing the Big Game? Nah. That’s just stupid. Do we try talking about football at all? Nah, because all we have to say about the Pats/Giants matchup is that we don’t really care who wins. Do we try to think of something cohesive to say about the Devils? Dear God no, not with the way they’ve been playing lately. So… we’ve got nothing. In place of an interesting post, here’s a running list of reasons why hockey is better than the Superbowl.
– Hockey doesn’t have Joe Buck. Sure, it’s got Pierre McGuire, but believe it or not, we’d take McGuire over Buck any day of the week. In fact, we really liked whichever beer ad campaign it is that has the guy saying “Dude” in all kinds of settings up until they made one with Joe Buck. Joe Buck ruins everything he touches.
– Hockey doesn’t require an understanding of Roman numerals.
– Hockey doesn’t get us all excited for the thrills and chills of the Greatest Commercials Evah, only to leave us disappointed and ashamed for paying attention to putridly awful, stupidly self-congratulatory commercials that we would normally ignore. Or worse than that, putridly awful, stupidly self-congratulatory commercials that include Joe Buck.
– Hockey has the physicality of football but not the culture of lying on the field until a group of doctors run over with magic potions to bring the injured player back to life. The Superbowl grinds to a halt for the first commercial break while Buck cavalierly chirps, “Two guys down for New England!” Eh, just slap those guys on skates and have them glide back to the bench in pain so two more guys can jump on and keep the action going!
– 51 minutes into the Superbowl broadcast, we’re already bored. Hockey broadcasts normally take at least 53 minutes before losing us.
– We completely agree with the conventional wisdom that Tom Brady is a scrumptiously attractive man, but seriously, we can probably name no fewer than 25 NHLers we think are hotter.
– This game is boring enough that it’s making it hard to think of reasons hockey is better. Hockey is never so boring that we loose sight of why we love it. And we’re Devils fans!
– While we appreciate the “It’s so rough-and-tumble!” appeal of grass stains on uniforms that the Superbowl has, we hate when players get that awful white line paint crap on their arms. It makes our own arms feel dirty. With the exception of Rod Brind’Amour’s transparent-when-wet shorts, hockey’s got nothing like that.
– In 2004 we moved into our new house just before Superbowl Sunday and thus didn’t have our satellite hooked up. While everyone else was watching the Patriots beat the Panthers (oh yeah, and Janet Jackson doing something during Halftime) we were watching Diamonds Are Forever on DVD. While there have definitely been years we’ve forgone the Stanley Cups Finals (Calgary, Tampa, we’re looking at you) we’ve never opted to watch anything as ridiculously stupid as Diamonds Are Forever instead. The fact that it’s not even halftime and we’re eyeing our Bond DVDs hungrily means there’s something wrong with the Superbowl.
– Hockey does not have an army of volunteers running out onto the ice during intermission entertainment to act as a sea of “rockin’” fans for the middling performance. (That said, Prince rocked last year. And we have no actual beef with Tom Petty this year. We just hate the throngs running out onto the field.)
– Tom Coughlin stows his clipboard in his pants. Even Marc Crawford wouldn’t do that.
– We are informed that the Giants, who play their regular-season games at the Meadowlands, are having difficulty dealing with the humidity of a domed stadium in Phoenix. And now they all have to eat lots of bananas and get massages on the sidelines and Pam Oliver is building-in their excuse should they lose. Seriously. The humidity. In a domed stadium. In Phoenix.
– With 11 minutes left in the fourth quarter the score is 10-7, and the game is dreadfully boring. It just throws into stark relief that at least hockey, where the scores actually reflect how many times the teams have scored, is honest about when it’s low-scoring and dreadfully boring. If you made goals in hockey worth 7 points, it would look a lot more high-scoring, too.
– We will not deny that this game has gotten CRAZY exciting in the final moments, but when Fox shows the Lombardi trophy after the Giants touchdown, it does not inspire chills the way the Stanley Cup does.
– There is no denying that was an awesome finish. But here’s one last thing that hockey has over the Superbowl: single-game elimination? Really? Are you men or are you mice?
So there you go. The numbers don’t lie. In the head-to-head matchup between hockey and the Superbowl, hockey wins. With one hand tied behind its back.
UPDATED
–How could we have signed off on this tale of the tape before watching a trophy presentation on the field… where they gave the trophy to the team owners? There is NO QUESTION that hockey has it all over the Superbowl.
“Two guys down for New England!” Eh, just slap those guys on skates and have them glide back to the bench in pain so two more guys can jump on and keep the action going!
Word. I love Paul Posluszny (Poz!), but dude, you broke your arm. Get up and walk to the sideline. Why are we carting him off the field?
It’s EXCRUCIATINGLY difficult to use your legs when your arm is broken, Heather. I mean, it might swing a little, and that would hurt. (Maybe football players don’t take as many amphetamines before games, so they feel the pain of their injuries more?)
I can’t even compare the awesomeness of hockey to the lameness of the Super Bowl.
I can’t even compare the awesomeness of hockey to the lameness of the Super Bowl.
I know. This is way harder than we thought it would be.
It’s turning to be much harder than I thought it would be. I mean, it just hockey!
Yeah, and it just Superbowl.
Gosh football moves slow! It killing me. I do have rum though so meh. And that Teddy guy on the Giants is a cute little button.
I would like to note that Heather’s favorite hockey player has broken his arm not once, but twice, and on neither occasion did he need to be helped from the ice. Since, you know, she showed such admirable restraint.
Since, you know, she showed such admirable restraint.
We all knew she was thinking it, though. :P
This Super Bowl is so stupid. Dallas won the bid for the 2010 or 2012 Super Bowl and needless to say, I’m just thrilled about the throngs of people invading our city for lameness.
Why can’t hockey be on tonight? Hmph.
Also, if they put the Superbowl in Buffalo with our cold and lack of roof I might even watch the damn thing. Instead I’m going to the store to buy the necessary supplies for ice cream making.
needless to say, I’m just thrilled about the throngs of people invading our city for lameness.
That sounds, um, fantastic? I’ve got to say, when they led in talking about the Superbowl and TPC being in Phoenix this week, I was not at all sad that I’m back living in sleepy Princeton again.
Instead I’m going to the store to buy the necessary supplies for ice cream making.
Oooooh! AWESOME! What kind are you making?
Tom Coughlin stows his clipboard in his pants. Even Marc Crawford wouldn’t do that.
hahah, ahhhh
Whoops. Sorry, CKim! Didn’t see you standing there… Heh heh. (Seriously, does anyone like Crawford?)
haha, no problem. I just logged on! Umm…who likes Crawford…. his reflection in the mirror perhaps?
Well, if anybody wants a different emotional timbre for the evening…
…Did you guys know that Joe Sakic was in the Swift Current bus crash? And that Lindy had a younger brother who was killed in it?
‘Cause I didn’t.
(Don’t I always bring so much fun to the party? But the Globe and Mail article is also more interesting than the Super Bowl, which I am not watching.)
DS, ESPN.com had a very affecting article about the Swift Current bus crash earlier this year. I, um, don’t have it at my fingertips, but if you’re interested in reading more about it, as well as the emotional repercussions of Graham James’ involvement with the survivors on the team, you should look it up.
Perhaps pimpin Matt Niskanen’s Car?
http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/02/01/video-of-the-day-pimpin-matt-niskanens-ride/
Wes Welker is totally the Brian Gionta of football. He must be 3, 3 1/2 apples high.
I refuse to believe Marc Crawford has a reflection in any mirror.
haha, it’s not like he’s a vampire! He just needs to…I don’t even know…he’s been here far too long.
I refuse to believe Marc Crawford has a reflection in any mirror.
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
I have to agree with that!
Seconded!
Oh Marc Crawford. Kind of a nut job. He did have one good quote during a Vancouver play off run though
“The best thing is playoff sex.. er.. um.. I mean success”
Y’all aren’t watching the Mythbusters marathon?
I just tuned in, figuring it’d be about over and saw that it’s still the 3rd quarter. Are all of you really watching it? I’m impressed.
If I had to compare and contrast, I think my whole essay would be, basically:
Dude.
“The best thing is playoff sex.. er.. um.. I mean success”
:^::::::::::::::::::::::
Hmm, I just posted the link to the Swift Current thing but I think Senor Spam took exception. I’ll try again.
You’re all forgetting that Crow has Hitler as his assistant coach!
I HATE it that football players don’t squirt water into their own mouths!!! Are you THAT lame??
Dave Lewis!! hahaha, doesn’t he KNOW that he looks like Hitler??…terrible.
Yes, but it was even better when he had Sturm under him in Boston last year.
Oooooh! AWESOME! What kind are you making?
I’m going to start with plain vanilla. Not very ambitious, I know, but I’ve never done it before and the recipe requires me to scald the milk which I’ve also never done so I thought I’d start simple.
If I had to compare and contrast, I think my whole essay would be, basically:
Dude.
Nice, Patty! And so true.
Our TiVo is picking up the Mythbusters marathon. I’m doubtful there are any we haven’t seen yet. I wonder when the MacGyver one will finally air.
Are all of you really watching it? I’m impressed.
Define “watch”.
“Food coma”
At the beginning of the Super Bowl today, the threw up a graphic that said you could go to myspace and see all the Super Bowl ads. Isn’t that kind of defeating their purpose?
I guess they think that it’s a myth that some people watch it for the ads?
I wonder when the MacGyver one will finally air.
I’m watching for that one.
I’m going to start with plain vanilla. Not very ambitious, I know, but I’ve never done it before and the recipe requires me to scald the milk which I’ve also never done so I thought I’d start simple.
Hey, you shouldn’t pooh-pooh vanilla! A well-made vanilla ice cream is a beautiful thing! I can’t wait to here how it goes for you!
I guess they think that it’s a myth that some people watch it for the ads?
Heh. I’m not entirely sure WHY we’re watching it. I think I felt bad making Pookie and Boomer sit through more Sims 2: Castaways. That, and we want to see the new episode of House, and you never know when it’ll start when it’s following the Superbowl. At this rate, it’ll start some time around 1:30 a.m..
Jenlo and I went to Target during the Super Bowl. We left when there were about 9 minutes left in the second, and when we came back, there were 11 minutes left in the third. Football - the only sport that can stretch five minutes into thirty or more.
That said, I’m rooting for the Giants, because they are the underdog. Also, I hate the Patriots. Also, it would be hysterical if the one game the Patriots lose this season was the Super Bowl, the one that really counts.
Damn, I just looked at the score. They decided to make it extra-boring, huh? I’m going to have to turn it on at some point so I can catch House, but I’m putting it off.
I’m going to have to turn it on at some point so I can catch House, but I’m putting it off.
Meg, we’ll give a holler when House is starting, just so you don’t have to sit through this misery.
That would be awesome, Schnookie.
That commercial with the baby made me laugh.
We muted the commercial with the baby because the first commercial with the baby was so lame. :P
Can we compare the Red Wings to the Patriots, though?
Oh, and don’t look at the Three Stars for today. You’ll go blind.
Was it the same baby?
I’ve only been “watching” since the end of the third quarter.
Yes it was the same baby. I think the denizens of stately IPB Manor aren’t the target audience when people put together talking baby commercials! :)
I thought the voiceover was well-timed with the baby’s movements. Then he said he made so much money with blahblah.. that he decided to rent a clown. Then he said, “But I underestimated the creepiness.”
I can’t believe it’s only 9:40. I feel like it’s getting on toward midnight. This is BRUTAL!
That script sounds funnier than the first one, I’ll give you that, but the concept is still too much for me to get past. I mean, I’m supposed to want to be confident in my ability to invest because a baby can do it? Not cook, advertisers, not cook.
You know, when I was a teenager, I liked football. But I haven’t watched it in years, except for the odd Superbowl party where I was the stereotypical girl and didn’t care about the game.
So I was surprised and just a little horrified that they wear cribsheets on their arms! That’s so lame!
So I was surprised and just a little horrified that they wear cribsheets on their arms! That’s so lame!
Yeah, Boomer looked at that and said, “And they have speakers in their helmets?” *Shakes head sadly*
Don’t get me wrong — I think football is a perfectly cromulent sport. Some seasons I get really into it. This year has not been one of those seasons.
I mean, I’m supposed to want to be confident in my ability to invest because a baby can do it?
It’s definitely not a great ad. One indication is that I don’t remember the company. I’m always telling my dad about commercials and I’ll say, “I just saw a great commercial. I can’t remember who it was for but it went like this.” And he says, “It’s not a great commercial if you don’t know who it’s for!!“
And he says, “It’s not a great commercial if you don’t know who it’s for!!“
Heh. And yeah, he’s right. But still. I like being entertained, and I LOVE not remembering what commercials are for. :D
How about the commercial with the parade balloons? That was cute, right?
So far they all seem to be trying way too hard. The Super Bowl commercial is a shell of its former self.
That’s exactly what I tell him, Schnookie! :D
You know, when I was a teenager, I liked football.
I loved football as a child. My fondest memories involve watching football with my dad in the living room when I was a kid. High school football was awesome (my freshman year, my high school won state!). Once I graduated, though, I kind of lost some interest. I still watch Cowboys games when I can - I almost always at least keep the NFL website up during the game to watch the play-by-play or whatever.
That said, I definitely did just take a half-hour-long Guitar Hero break from the Super Bowl.
How about the commercial with the parade balloons? That was cute, right?
Ummm… No. I didn’t think so, at least. The one I’ve liked best was the talking stain one. That was hilarious. And I liked the oboe-playing NFLer.
Patty, I’m very, very tough on commercials. The parade balloons just had me thinking of the Cat in the Hat balloon; I almost said, “It’s not too soon, I guess.” Then I decided I only remember that incident because I had friends who were balloon-walkers so… I don’t know what my point is.
The only ones I’ve really liked were the talking stain, the Charles Barkley one and the one with Alice Cooper and Richard Simmons.
Oh yeah! The Charles Barkley/Dwyane Wade one was really funny, and the Alice Cooper/Richard Simmons one was good.
I missed all those.
Wow. What a play!
Wow. What a play!
I can’t believe I’ve been watching for almost FOUR HOURS and that was the first interesting thing that happened.
Wow. WOW. GIANTS! YES! WOOO!
I really didn’t think I’d be this excited about it, either.
I think I came in at just the right time! It’s like the NBA. Just watch the last 10 minutes.
Heavens to Murgatroyd, I did not see that coming.
I wish they’d told me I could have kept playing Sims for three and three quarter hours before needing to tune in.
Heavens to Murgatroyd
Haha! Well said.
I wish they’d told me I could have kept playing Sims for three and three quarter hours before needing to tune in.
This makes me want to play the Sims real bad. I need to see how my little hockey neighborhood is doing.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!
I need to see how my little hockey neighborhood is doing.
My little hockey island is thriving along, although they were rudely interrupted by this football game. :P
They’re trying to spoil their celebration by making a deal about the one second left on the clock.
Way to kill the fun, NFL.
Well I may not have watched and I may not like either team, but I’m enjoying the schadenfreude of the ever-so-perfect Patriots losing.
Unbelievable.
I love it when stuff like that happens. Because all the blowhards on the radio tomorrow are going to simultaneously be dumbfounded and claim they predicted it.
Hee, also I can hear all the cheering from the bars on 1st Ave right now, which is often fun.
Really, Meg? From your house? That’s cook!
I’m tempted to play “Schadenfreude” right now!
Though some tiny part of me feels a little bad for New England.
…Meh. It’ll pass.
Meg, is Buffalo gonna have a parade? ;)
Adorable little Eli Manning! Awwwwwww.
Really, Meg? From your house? That’s cook!
Yeah. I live about half a block away and the East Village is pretty much bar central so that’s not really a surprise. It gets loud around the World Cup also, but that was in the afternoon most recently.
Meg, is Buffalo gonna have a parade? ;)
Maybe a we-hate-both-teams one. ;) I live in NYC, so that’s why there are so many Giants fans around.
WOOO! That one awesome play was maybe worth the 4 hours…maybe.
Eli Manning is a cute little button!
They look funny with t-shirts on over their pads.
That one awesome play was maybe worth the 4 hours…maybe.
It was a great ending… but I envy those of you who didn’t sit through the first four hours! :P
OK, I was a little sad about how this game ended because I discovered when it started that I wanted NE to win, but Boomer and Schnookie just reminded me why it’s awesome that the Giants won. When the words, “Your Superbowl MVP, ladies and gentlemen, Eli Manning!” I remarked, “That’s not what I was expecting to hear when this season started.” Schnookie: “You know who else wasn’t expecting that? Tiki Barber.” HA!
By the way: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!
Boomer: “You know who else wasn’t expecting that? Tiki Barber.” HA!
Haha!
And Jeremy Shockey, probably.
Now let’s play some hockey.
Pookie went back and corrected it, but I want it stated for the record that I was the one who said that about Tiki Barber! :D
“Boomer: “You know who else wasn’t expecting that? Tiki Barber.” HA!“
Hee!
Now let’s play some hockey.
SERIOUSLY. (Or, in lieu of that, how about some House?)
“Now let’s play some hockey.“
WOOO! hockey! How I love thee. Get ready to lose Stars! Or you know…win…because my team doesn`t know how to win.
SERIOUSLY. (Or, in lieu of that, how about some House?)
Either hockey or House will be fine with me.
I admit, I got a little misty-eyed when I watched the Giants celebrate after winning. I was hoping it would be my Cowboys. *sniffle*
Now let’s play some hockey.
You sure you want to do that, New Jersey? ;)
Out of respect for poor Cat, I won’t bring up the schadenfreude I felt about the Cowboys.
Heh. Sabres don’t play tomorrow anyway. Which gives us a break before playing important yet incredibly tedious games against Boston.
Get ready to lose Stars!
I’m hoping that the Canucks will be totally thrown off their game by the fact that it’s supposed be 75 degrees that day.
You sure you want to do that, New Jersey? ;)
Well, we did score 6 goals in a win last night, so right now, at this instant, sure!
You sure you want to do that, New Jersey? ;)
Hey, Pando’s coming back this week. That’s all I care about hockey-wise these days. :D
I’m happy for you, Schookie. But I’m going to be sitting at the “favorite player is injured” table all by myself.
I think what I’m looking forward to most about this Super Bowl aftermath is the Onion headlines. *speaking of which, goes to check*
Sorry, SchNookie.
*coughs at Patty*
MEG! HOUSE IS ON IN :48 SECONDS!
But I’m going to be sitting at the “favorite player is injured” table all by myself.
Aw, Patty, I’m so sorry! (And I answer to “Schookie”, too. :D)
MEG, HOUSE IS ON NOW!!!
I’m on Fox and I have the news! Has House been preempted because I’m in New York? Not cool.
Hmm . . . now I have a scroll at the bottom of the screen saying it’s just “minutes away.”
I’m on Fox and I have the news! Has House been preempted because I’m in New York? Not cool.
That’s terrible! I mean, he’s RISKING A PATIENT’S LIFE! :P
Sorry, DS!
(Who’s your favorite?) We can still have fun even if we’re the only ones left when Schnookie leaves.
Well, considering that I felt physically sick when Sid went down, that probably tells me something.
(Though I can sit at the table with you and use two hands to count all the Penguins who are out right now, so I’ll be there a while.)
I think I’ve just adapted/compensated over the course of injuryblog by just feeling and warm and fuzzy about the whole team.
It doesn’t hurt that they’ve played better injured than healthy. ;)
Minutes was such a lie. It’s still stupid post game stuff. ::stews::
Sorry, DS. That is a bummer about Sid. I don’t like that he’s down, either.
Someday we’ll all be watching our faves play.
Go Pando!
“I’m hoping that the Canucks will be totally thrown off their game by the fact that it’s supposed be 75 degrees that day.”
That’s like around 24 degrees C right? Man! Can I come hang out in Texas for a few days? It’s snowing again and -19 here.
Considering a spring breeze throws the Canucks off their game these days (or injures another D man) I wouldn`t be too worried.
You know who won the Superbowl?
Me and the Devils, because I watched the 2003 Stanley Cup DVD for the 753,498,021st time instead of the game.
Considering a spring breeze throws the Canucks off their game these days (or injures another D man) I wouldn`t be too worried.
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::;;;
Poor tissue-paper d-men.
Me and the Devils, because I watched the 2003 Stanley Cup DVD for the 753,498,021st time instead of the game.
You mean the 753,498,021st, 753,498,022nd, 753,498,023rd, and 753,498,024th times, right? :P
Hee. Tissue-paper indeed. Apparently Bieksa skated for the first time though, so yay! Maybe we`ll get them all back eventually.
Mara, the game may have been four hours of boredom but the final two minutes were totally worth it! Not that the 2003 Stanley Cup DVD isn’t awesome, of course.
Bouche has got to be pretty close, eh, Patty? It seems like it`s been forevah.
Awww, the Canucks did a tribute video about the fans because they had a sell out at GM Place for the 200th consecutive game, and Matty had the cutest smile ever in his tribute!
Plus he totally looked at the camera and said “You`re the hottest fan Alix“ :p
Bouche has got to be pretty close, eh, Patty? It seems like it`s been forevah.
You’re telling us. I miss Bouche so much.
I don’t think it’s very close, but it’s relative. Probably not until March.
Plus he totally looked at the camera and said “You`re the hottest fan Alix“ :p
When I saw that, I thought, “Hey! I know that girl!” :P
March, eh? Wow. Poor Bouche`s shoulder must have been wrecked. I can`t wait for March. That`s when B-Mo and Bieksa and Mitchell should be back.
“When I saw that, I thought, “Hey! I know that girl!” :P“
Hee!
I’m happy for you, Schookie. But I’m going to be sitting at the “favorite player is injured” table all by myself.
Hey! I’m standing RIGHT HERE! :D
Oh, hey Caitlin! Didn’t see you there!
Actually, I’m assuming Zubie will be back in a week or so. I could be way off on that, though.
Oh, hey Caitlin! Didn’t see you there!
Actually, I’m assuming Zubie will be back in a week or so. I could be way off on that, though.
Let’s hope! (I dearly miss Bouche, too, though. It’s just not the same without Bouche!)
I feel like upgrading to a Level 4 here, just for the hell of it.
I think I might have to be at a Level 4 just in general until the Canucks win again :p
Have I mentioned how awesome Ryan Kesler is? Some reporter asked him about the constant speculation that Nazzy`s not contributing enough,
Kes “That`s a bunch of shit.“
Finally clear-headed enough to pull a few thoughts together.
1) WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
2) Boring? That was one of the most exciting SuperBowls I remember since the early 90’s. Granted, the offensive game was not chilling, but the defense on both sides was excellent.
3) WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
4) Lombardi < Stanley. Oh, and a Lombardi would look silly held aloft in Ray Bourque’s hands.
5) 18 and 1!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
And we have no actual beef with Tom Petty this year.
My only beef was that his voice sounded really weak on “American Girl,” and I love that song, so I was particularly disappointed. But he did pick it up for the remainder of the performance, so I guess I can overlook that.
But here’s one last thing that hockey has over the Superbowl: single-game elimination?
I don’t think Tom Brady would have made it through a Pats/Giants series alive. He was getting tossed around like a rag doll out there.
Lombardi < Stanley. Oh, and a Lombardi would look silly held aloft in Ray Bourque’s hands.
And, a new Lombardi trophy is made every year. There’s no history behind it. Stanley contains the memories (blood, sweat, tears and booze) of all those that won it before. That’s what makes it cooler than almost any other trophy.
Morning everyone! For some odd reason logging into WordPress isn’t allowed on my computer this morning because of some incorrect setting in my company’s filtering policy. Booo! I miss my avatar already!
The Lombardi trophy never fails to surprise me in how teensy and insignificant it looks when it’s brought out onto the field. I think it’s pretty snazzy looking as a mantle ornament, but as a championship trophy? WTF? It’s easily held in one hand! What’s the point of playing for a trophy that doesn’t require two hands to lift? WHAT’S THE POINT?!?!
Holy unsung hero, Batman! Check this out (from Tom Gulitti at Bergen Record, Feb 4):
As Jay Pandolfo sat in Prudential Center’s press box Saturday night, watching his teammates play a game without him for what he hopes was the last time this season, the Devils’ left wing was asked if he was ready for the big game Sunday night.
“We don’t have a game [Sunday] night,” Pandolfo replied, thinking, as usual, about his team first.
“We don’t have a game [Sunday] night,” Pandolfo replied
Good for you, Pando! (Does this mean I can sign up for PandoNation now? :D)
And, a new Lombardi trophy is made every year.
Doesn’t the team/team owner get to keep it as well? That’s so ridiculous. Stupid Lombardi Trophy.
“We don’t have a game [Sunday] night,” Pandolfo replied, thinking, as usual, about his team first.
Awww, that is darling.
I would like to note that Heather’s favorite hockey player has broken his arm not once, but twice, and on neither occasion did he need to be helped from the ice. Since, you know, she showed such admirable restraint.
Thanks, Meg :D
“We don’t have a game [Sunday] night,” Pandolfo replied, thinking, as usual, about his team first.
Aww, Pando.
Doesn’t the team/team owner get to keep it as well?
Yup.
Doesn’t the team/team owner get to keep it as well?
Yup.
Well, Jerry Jones must have a shrine built in his house, or something. I can imagine Jerry giving guided tours of the Lombardi Trophies and having the maid dust the sad, empty, lonely spot he had saved for this year’s Lombardi Trophy. (Which, ha.)
Yeah, probably my least favorite thing about the Super Bowl trophy is how it gets presented to the owner. Who the heck wants to see that? I want to see the PLAYERS!
Yeah, probably my least favorite thing about the Super Bowl trophy is how it gets presented to the owner.
I agree, whole-heartedly. Every year I’m shocked at seeing the owners. It makes me feel so low as a sports fan. I don’t like to think that the team I live and die with is just some rich person’s tax shelter, you know?
Yeah, probably my least favorite thing about the Super Bowl trophy is how it gets presented to the owner. Who the heck wants to see that? I want to see the PLAYERS!
I think at one point last night, Terry Bradshaw told Michael Strahan to take the trophy on a lap around the stadium for the fans. When he descended the platform, there were security people everywhere and the podium was roped off. I don’t think he could have lapped the stadium even if he tried.
Every year I’m shocked at seeing the owners. It makes me feel so low as a sports fan.
I thought it was funny that the older woman owner of the Giants kept trying to grab the trophy before it was officially presented.
I don’t like to think that the team I live and die with is just some rich person’s tax shelter, you know?
Yeah, ask the average Bills fan how he’s feeling about owner Ralp Wilson these days. You won’t get a very nice answer.
I don’t like to think that the team I live and die with is just some rich person’s tax shelter, you know?
I will say this, I’ve always gotten the feeling that at least Jerry Jones genuinely cares about football and the Cowboys. He’s a very die-hard owner, but then again, that works against the Cowboys a lot - he’s got his hands in everything, and it’s my understanding that Jones’ meddling is what forced Jimmy Johnston out the door.
That being said, Jerry Jones acts like the Cowboys are THE ONLY THING TO EVER LIVE FOR, which drives me nuts. Dude, there are other sports teams out there. It’s one of the reasons why I think people in Dallas latched on to Mark Cuban so readily; he was more bombastic than Jones, but altogether different, and he was the face for a lot of Dallasites for a much, much improved Mavericks team.
I want Mark Cuban to buy the Sabres. I keep meaning to write about that on my blog but it sounds ridiculous. But it’s true, I want it to happen.
I want Mark Cuban to buy the Sabres. I keep meaning to write about that on my blog but it sounds ridiculous. But it’s true, I want it to happen.
You never know; it could happen! When the Pens were heavily floundering, Cuban expressed an extreme interest in buying the Penguins.
I personally really like Mark Cuban, so if he bought the Sabres, that would be pretty cool in my book!
Boring? That was one of the most exciting SuperBowls I remember since the early 90’s. Granted, the offensive game was not chilling, but the defense on both sides was excellent.
Says the die-hard Giants fan. From where I was sitting, as a casual observer (it would be overstating the case to call me a fan), that was four hours of sheer boredom followed by five minutes of sheer excitement. In hindsight it was a great game. In the moment, in a running tale-of-the-tape in which I was trying to find fault in the game, it was profoundly dull. :D
So if it was at all possible for me to love Pando more than I already did, that quote from him about not having a game on Sunday would have put me over the top. Aw, Pando. *Happy sigh*
Speaking of football team owners, a friend of ours emailed last week to tell us of this exchange she had with one of her coworkers:
Friend: “So, what are you doing this weekend?”
Friend’s coworker: “I’m going to Arizona for the Superbowl.”
Friend (not a sports fan): “Oh. Do you have good seats?”
Coworker (shrugging): “I don’t know where we’re sitting yet.”
Friend: “Uh… so, are you a big football fan?”
Coworker: “My family owns the Giants.”
Friend: “…”
I want Mark Cuban to buy the Sabres. I keep meaning to write about that on my blog but it sounds ridiculous. But it’s true, I want it to happen.
An owner that’s involved with the team, attends games, and communicates with the fans via the internet and e-mail? Where do we sign up?
You never know; it could happen! When the Pens were heavily floundering, Cuban expressed an extreme interest in buying the Penguins.
I know, that’s what made me think about it!
I figure this would solve a few important things:
1. He’d really care about the team winning. If that meant spending money, he’d spend money.
2. He’d let his hockey guys do their job without interfering with every little thing. He might want to know what’s going on but he’s going to have some level of trust in them.
3. He wouldn’t avoid local sportswriters phone calls. In fact, they’d probably wish HE’D stop bothering THEM. Bucky Gleason wouldn’t know what hit him.
4. He’d drive Gary Bettman up the effin’ wall.
5. Who wouldn’t want to see Mark Cuban hauling himself over the glass to slide across the ice and yell at the linesman? ESPN would be all over that!
Oh, yes, Amy’s right
6. He’d care about the fans. He may not bend to their every whim but he’s going to listen to them and answer to them in some fashion.
5. Who wouldn’t want to see Mark Cuban hauling himself over the glass to slide across the ice and yell at the linesman? ESPN would be all over that!
This is the #1 reason I want Mark Cuban to own an NHL team. Any NHL team.
This is the #1 reason I want Mark Cuban to own an NHL team. Any NHL team.
I often wish Cuban would swoop in and rescue the Stars from Tom Hicks. It’s not that Hicks is a “terrible” owner, I just don’t think he knows the first thing about any of the sports teams he owns. For god’s sakes, he owns Liverpool FC and I seriously doubt Hicks has ever attended one single match. The amount of debt the Stars are carrying is…well, depressing.
5. Who wouldn’t want to see Mark Cuban hauling himself over the glass to slide across the ice and yell at the linesman? ESPN would be all over that!
Word! Cuban would always have glass seats, not a box. Gary Bettman would have no idea how to handle that madness at all. One of the reasons why Cuban needs to own an NHL team is that from the moment Cuban’s signature was drying on the contract, it would renew interest in the sport like crazy, I bet.
I’m going to put this on my blog right now before someone else claims him! Surely that’ll convince him! :D
Cuban would always have glass seats, not a box. Gary Bettman would have no idea how to handle that madness at all.
Not to mention that Cuban would probably be wearing a jersey and jeans while in those seats, not the usual business casual attire of the box crowd.
Not to mention that Cuban would probably be wearing a jersey and jeans while in those seats, not the usual business casual attire of the box crowd.
No kidding! I have oft wanted to go to a Mavs game when Cuban’s there just for the courtside show!
In the moment, in a running tale-of-the-tape in which I was trying to find fault in the game, it was profoundly dull. :D
Ok, so maybe I was just all wrapped up in watching Brady get creamed over and over and over and….
He’s a very die-hard owner, but then again, that works against the Cowboys a lot - he’s got his hands in everything, and it’s my understanding that Jones’ meddling is what forced Jimmy Johnston out the door.
The problem with Jones is that he is the kind of guy that wants everybody in his organization intimidated. He can’t handle having somebody talk back to him, let alone do it in front of people. That’s why he booted poor Jimmy. =(
The problem with Jones is that he is the kind of guy that wants everybody in his organization intimidated. He can’t handle having somebody talk back to him, let alone do it in front of people. That’s why he booted poor Jimmy. =(
Well, and it’s why the Cowboys have had this revolving door of coaches going on. He was constantly looking for a good coach who would let him call the shots and so far that’s never happened. As reviled as Switzer is around here, I genuinely think that a lot of Switzer’s problems stemmed from Jerry Jones.
I genuinely think that a lot of Switzer’s problems stemmed from Jerry Jones.
Agreed!
I’m going to put this on my blog right now before someone else claims him! Surely that’ll convince him! :D
Ugh. Please take him. I can’t stand that guy. I had to stop watching Mavs games because they showed him so much.
He wouldn’t just have any glass seats, he’d have them right behind the bench and have a little photographer’s hole cut in the glass so he could tell Tippett what to do.
2. He’d let his hockey guys do their job without interfering with every little thing. He might want to know what’s going on but he’s going to have some level of trust in them.
You might want to ask Don Nelson if he lets the guys do their job without interfering.
(He is a basketball fanatic, so he might leave hockey guys alone, but I wouldn’t risk it.)