Hall of Fame day and silly football follies

Jeez, it’s early. Anyone here?

Welcome to, I guess, A Blog New World (sorry Aldous) that we presume will be much like the Old Blog World only up earlier in the morning and who needs sleep, anyway?

Not sure what’ll change, maybe the scope a wee bit, maybe the format gets tweaked a little bit, but we’re still going to be all over the map and once basketball gets back – as if! – we’ll still be pretty centred on it.

Guess what we want to do is to try to drive the agenda a wee bit, figure out what you’re talking about and talk about it, let you talk about it and see where it goes.

Now, I’m not going to do this as well as Cathal did or C Young did but figure they never did The Monkees, Francis Albert, favourite Law and Order characters and they never had Irregulars to talk to or Super Son to talk about. So I’m way ahead there.

Oh, yeah, the Tall Foreheads (and there are many) are hoping we get a boost in the hits along with more chatter, more comments and more everything so if you have any friends to tell …

Thanks.

Enjoy.

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So, today’s Hall of Fame day, I’m told.

For the pucks, that is. With Doug Gilmour (bless his Kingston heart), Joe Niewendyk, Ed Belfour and Mark Howe getting the big enshrinement thingy at the bun toss this evening.

Good for them, they’d sure seem to have the bonafides necessary for such an honour, long and distinguished careers, championships, an impact on the game that was significant.

But, tell me, what do you think makes a Hall of Famer? As we know, I’m a bit of a hard-ass when it comes to that particular honour, I think it’s too easy for too many players in too many sports to be put into a Hall of Fame and it really does diminish it at times.

It’s needs to a combination of all of those things I mentioned – maybe winning and longevity more than the others – to be put into such august company.

One thing that can’t be a factor?

Raw numbers.

Forget goals or wins or points or yards, the numbers have been skewed so much over the years that they’re really meaningless in a lot of cases.

Some guys get 500 goals or 25,000 points or 10,000 yards rushing simply because they last a long time, or play in a better system for their skills. The eras are so different, so impossible to compare that to say a guy should get Hall consideration just because he hits a number makes no sense at all.

That does leave some subjectivity to the process and that’s okay. Aren’t such honours all about discussion and dissecting the relative merits of each individual? Isn’t that what’s one of the great parts of sports? Had a guy once tell me no one could make a Hall of Fame unless you couldn’t write a history of his sport in his era without mentioning him, that makes a lot of sense. Another guy once told me that if someone didn’t at least play for a title – not necessarily win one – he shouldn’t get in.

I’m going back to my old boy Potter Stewart to put it this way:

“I may not know what a Hall of Famer is but I know one when I see one.”

And if that engenders discussion, great; it’s what sports is supposed to do.

So, as part of that discussion, and because we’re all about cross-promotion or something like that, head on over to Faceplant, er, Facebook and vote in our “which is the best Hall of Fame” thingy and tell me why. (And if you want to one of those "like" things there, that'd be sweet of you).

We’ll chat about it tomorrow maybe.

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Grunt’s Rule No. 1,320,021

If your team’s down 21 points in the second quarter and you score a touchdown, you should simply put the ball down on the ground. You should probably not make a spectacle of yourself involving your cheereleader girlfriend.

This was a tad over the top from Sunday’s Bills-Cowboys fiasco (we’re talking to you, Buffalonians), wasn’t it?

Dude scores, runs length of field, hugs sweetie, gives her the ball and then continues to watch his team get drilled?

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Grunt’s Rule No. 2,201,911

If you make a play that wins a ball game in one of the most dramatic moments imaginable and you’re a little school against a giant, by all means run into the stands to see your sweetheart.

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So I’m doing a little bit of a driving during the start of the Bills game Sunday and, of course, it’s on the radio because Psychedelic Sunday was kind of dry at time.

I tell ya, that’s one of the most over-sponsored broadcasts ever, isn’t it?

Coin toss sponsored.

Broadcast booth (even though it was road game) sponsored.

This play sponsored.

That play sponsored.

Timeouts sponsored.

Injury reports sponsored.

Big play brought to you by this company.

Solid hit brought to you by that company.

You hardly had time to listen to them over-analyse every play from scrimmage for all the deals. Can’t wait for the Bills to move to Toronto so we can see what companies here come up with what deals.

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And what did you do this weekend?

Yeah, about half done, I may have to cut down the 40-foot maple that still hasn’t shed a leaf yet just to make my life easier.

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Oh yeah, the NBA.

You get the latest?

The league holds some Twitterview Sunday night to allegedly answer legitimate questions about its latest, final, end-of-the-process offer and it, not surprisingly, devolves into something of a mess.

I understand entirely that social media has place in society these days but to try to make convoluted points about something as serious as a deal that could ultimately scuttle an entire season may not best be done in 140 characters or less.

But nothing ventured, nothing gained, I guess.

And to get you up to speed, here are a couple of must-reads ahead of the big union rep meeting today in New York courtesy of Mr. Berger and Mr. Beck, two of the stalwarts of the coverage so far.

I cannot pretend to figure out what may happen when the 30 reps get together, whether the proposal will get to the full union membership to vote or what. But I do believe we’re getting near the end game, which can’t come soon enough.

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So, how’d we do today?

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Comments

[Dave T (Ottawa)]

Hey Doug,

I was surprised when I clicked on the link early in the morning with no hope of having 7:15am coffee reading and look, here you were. Now, when I get to the office and take that first break from the drudgery what will I read?

The blog today was good, maybe a higher word count and earlier posting, some of the same familiar content and moved around to the major sports. I hope that Doug Smith's Sports blog continues to highlight the Raps first and foremost (NBA secondmost and all other sports -- well, maybe not pucks -- come next), supposing that there is Raps news to highlight.

Many thanks, as always!

-David

Blogger's note: Oh yeah, we'll be all over the Raptors, the lockout-willing. Not to worry

[Lorie]

Well Extra Early Good Morning, Doug!
You know, my first thought on that smarmy Buffalo Bill Ball Bestowing thingy was how...ahhh...shortchanged his girlfriend must feel. Like, how embarrassing! A measly three foot play? Not even a solid 30 ft catch and run it in? Or a 110 dash down the field? Not to mention a Miraculous Hail Mary to win the game (or...sigh...an Immaculate Reception)? C'mon, Sister: where's your self-respect? Your dignity? Your pom-pom pride? With this guy, I'd be checking that any forthcoming jewellry didn't come from the bottom of a box of Cracker Jacks. And I'd be demanding that bling pretty darn soon, 'cause diamonds may be forever, but the Bills' Glory Days apparently are not! Cheers!

[Art H]

Good morning Doug - I have to admit that I am not a fan of facebook and don't tweet, but have been with your IGBT since day one and have morning coffee with your blog.
It is affirming to hear other people "of a certain age" with similar takes on life. Keep it going.

[Mike D.]

@Lorie, there's no doubt the young lady in question had that "I'm smiling now, but MAN are you going to hear about this the next time we're alone" look on her face, and it's also my completely unbiased view that women generally should be much more smitten with stalwart defensive types than pretty-boy offensive skill players. In fairness, though, I think she should try to keep this in perspective. The football from a short touchdown is still probably blingier than anything she might receive if she were dating a defensive lineman ("Look, sweetie, I brought you the helmet of the opposing QB - and his head's still in it!").

Doug, it's all good and the earlier posting time is great for me. I just want to know whether the uncooperative 40-foot maple is going to be referred to as Super Tree.

Blogger's note: If if were to rake, bag and put out its own leaves, yes

[marc in panama]

Hola Doug,

I find how both sides are using social media services to communicate their "side" of this ridiculous fight to be interesting, especially the League opening up to the Twitterverse to make this last best deal more palatable to all of the players. As guy who is increasing his reach to the masses, by building out his brand on various platforms (the blog, Facebook, Twitter --on which you could do more than announce the blog is up, if I might say) how effective do you see the sides using social media to get it's message out?

Cheers amigo,

marc in panama

Blogger's note: For now, I'll just say I think most people see it for what it is: A thinly-veiled attempt to curry favour without a whole lot of substance. Makes for fun reading, sometimes.

[jimt]

hey tall foreheads,please send Mr Smith on a dinosaur hunt as i would like to see where Demar,Davis,etc... live and how they are handling the lockout.:)

[Cluck Kent]

Tell my friends? I don't have any basketball friends - that's why I come here.

So now you've resorted to using pictures of pretty girls to attract readers, eh? Well, it works for me, though I'd never admit it. Was that the tall foreheads recommendation?

Hall of Fame? You know how I feel about that.

I didn't see much difference in the blog today but I like it.

Nice Huxley reference, BTW

[Allen]

Lighten up, Doug!

Dave Nelson didn't run the length of the field, he ran along the sidelines. And considering that he didn't celebrate the score with some cliche dance, I hardly think he made a spectacle of himself.

And considering this is the NFL where seemingly every play is followed by some chest pounding, I'd say Jones' gesture was refreshingly candid.

[Colin]

Morning Doug, I have to say that I am a bit disappointed in the state of that basketball hoop outside your house. You would think any self respecting basketball grunt would want his backboard and hoop to be the envy of the neighborhood. Good luck with the new blog.

[The J]

You know, I would say part of the thing I didn't like about the celebration, is that it was an opposing cheerleader. I'm not saying he shouldn't be able to date an opposing cheerleader, not at all, he should be free to date anyone he wants. But he definetly should not be celebrating with an opposing cheerleader. Think of the position he put her in, she supposed to be supporting the Cowboys, cheering them on, and revving up the crowd. Instead she's hugging the opposition, and taking their touchdown ball. On some level I think she should have given him the Wrigley field treatment and thrown the ball back.

I kinda wonder the real reasone he was celebrating with her, was less as an expression of love, and more of a way to say to the world: "Guess what? I'm dating a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader!". Suppose I couldn't fault him for that.

Funny with an interesting topic like who's worthy of the HOF, were mainly taking about this debacle. I guess I learned something, apparently sports fans like skimpy-clothed wearing, pom-pom waving women. Learn something new every day.

[Nick M]

@Colin,

The state of the hoop was the first thing I noticed, too. But I assumed the lean on it was some combination of Doug's oft spoke of 'Grunt' physique and the fact the rim seems to be set at 'Grunt' dunk height!

[Ross MacDonald]

Watered down Halls of Fame now exist for only reason -- to bring the paying customer through the door. Every questionable inductee brings with it more paying customers -- that inductee's fans. Case in point: Madonna's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

[Lee]

And that's all she wrote.
Players have rejected NBA proposal.
File Disclaimer to Decertify.
So the hockey team is called the Leaves?

[Mike kovacs]

So the players have said 'NO'. The floodgate of draft questions is about to spill open!

[larry lukeeborg]

if i were her boyfriend, i'd give it to her too.