Category Archives: Sports
OTC: The Bo Show Embarrasses Nebraska & College Football
“Should be a pleasant week for Nebraska football. No pressure or anything. No hot debates about (allegedly) slanted officiating. Pass the cranberries, and cover up the little ones’ ears.”
Steve Sipple, columnist, Lincoln Journal Star
GH: If you’re a member of the media who has even a passing interest in covering or commentating on Nebraska football, the holidays got kicked off a bit early for you after Bo Pelini’s nationally televised out-of-control, embarrassing, f-bomb dripping, Martinez ripping, projectile spitting, referee hitting performance on the Nebraska sideline at Texas A&M on Saturday night.
OTC: Bowls Bite / Chiefs Need Win Over Cardinals
“For those who want a college football playoff, you have that right now in the Big 12 the next few weeks!”Gary Barnett, 810 AM
GH: Barnett is spinning fairytales but unfortunately neither Steven St. John or Nate Bukaty challenged his inane comment. Like most college football coaches, Barnett doesn’t want anything to do with a postseason tournament that would eliminate the need for the worthless bowls. The truth is, none of the Big 12 teams have a chance at winning the national title this season – and they haven’t since October. But a playoff would mean mediocre coaches couldn’t claim success with a six- or seven-win season and gaining the popular but worthless “bowl eligibility” label. Here is what the opening round of a 16-team single-elimination playoff might look like using the current BCS standings.
Oregon vs. Virginia Tech
TCU vs. Oklahoma
LSU vs. Michigan St.
Wisconsin vs. Oklahoma St.
Stanford vs. Alabama
Nebraska vs. Ohio St.
Boise St. vs. Arkansas
Auburn vs. Missouri
TCU vs. Oklahoma
LSU vs. Michigan St.
Wisconsin vs. Oklahoma St.
Stanford vs. Alabama
Nebraska vs. Ohio St.
Boise St. vs. Arkansas
Auburn vs. Missouri
Tell me again why we need the bowls?
OTC: Is Kansas State Hoops The Nation’s Best?
“He’s probably the best shooter in the college game today.”
Chris Dortch, editor of BlueRibbonInsider.com, on KSU’s Jacob Pullen, in an interview with Soren Petro, 810 AM
GH: Pullen let the nation in on just how good and clutch he is when he went viral in the NCAA tourney against Xavier last season to put his Cats in the Elite Eight. The sunrise to this college basketball season is just peaking over the shoe tops of the football season. We’re not quite ready for full-on hoops but with 5:00 PM darkness comes Big Monday. And next week the CBE brings Duke to Sprint Center. Football might have to jump in the backseat for a few nights.
OTC: Is Boxing Worthy Of Local Sports Talk Coverage?
“Let’s be honest, nobody talks about boxing but me and they want me down there (to watch the pay-per-view fights).”Steven St. John, on why he attended the Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito fight at a local venue, 810 AM
GH: I am not sure who SSJ is referring to when he says “they” but my guess is the area boxing fans. Read on.
“For those of you that say boxing is dead… YOU ARE F*CKING WRONG!!!! Look at that crowd!”
Steven St. John, on the crowd in Dallas for the Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito fight, Twitter
GH: Boxing might not dead but it’s barely breathing when it comes to popularity. Sure, a marquee fight light this will bring out a crowd and create some buzz but there is almost no media coverage of anything but the very elite fights. The once popular heavyweight division is all but expired. There are fans for every sport but minor sports like boxing don’t deserve air time on local sports radio shows.
OTC: Wright Pushing Haley/Weis Bickering Theory As Chiefs Ills
“It’s like a river. It just keeps running. All (Todd Haley and Charlie Weis) did all week was bicker over the (Denver) game plan and what they should do and how they should attack them.”Bill Maas, 610 AM
GH: Maas has been pushing this point that Haley and his new offensive coordinator are at constant odds over the offensive game plan and play calling. Is there truth to it? Is it overblown? Is it causing a rift between the staff that is filtering down to the players? Good questions. Read on.
“The most important moment of the (Denver) game for fans was finally seeing Haley bitch out Weis (on the headset). This is a major issue in the locker room.”
Nick Wright, Twitter
OTC: Columbia Trib To Charge Web Readers
“We came to the realization free online access is hurting us.”Andy Waters, Columbia Tribune’s VP of interactive media, on the Tribune’s announcement to begin charging for unlimited online access on December 1st, ColumbiaTribune.com
GH: The Tribune will charge online-only customers $8/month or $96/year for each account. Online readers will be allowed to read 10 stories a month online at no charge. It is the Wild West in the newspaper biz right now. Do you die with your printing presses on or go down charging for online content? Read on.
OTC: Todd Haley Shows The NFL He’s A Spoiled Golf Brat
“After the Broncos’ 49-29 win Sunday against the Chiefs, Denver coach Josh McDaniels got a quick scolding, not a sportsmanship handshake, from Chiefs coach Todd Haley.”Mike Klis, writer, Denver Post
GH: After absorbing a 49-29 bitch-slap beating in Denver, Todd Haley just showed the NFL that the Chiefs have a spoiled golf brat as their head coach instead of the maturing professional we thought he was rounding into. His decision to point at and scold (threaten?) Denver’s Josh McDaniels instead of the traditional post-game hand shake was as bush and offensive as John Holmes circa 1972. Read on.
OTC: Haley Apologizes To McDaniels, Denver & Fans
“I do want to apologize for me not shaking Josh’s hand after the game. I do believe in doing what’s right. And that was not right. I let the emotions of the situations get to me too much and I apologize to the fans and to Denver and to Josh. So, any questions?”Todd Haley, in his opening remarks during his regularly scheduled Monday press conference
GH: Whether or not Haley was asked, told or forced to make a public apology, I like that he chose to do it in his opening remarks instead of waiting for the media to broach the subject.
OTC: Are Chiefs in Must-Win Situation In Denver?
“If they don’t win this game, I don’t think they win this division and I don’t think they make the playoffs.”Frank Boal, on the importance of the Chiefs game this Sunday in Denver, 810 AM
GH: The winds of the NFL change direction quickly – especially in November. Only a week ago the Chiefs were 5-2 with a 10-0 lead inside the Raiders’ 5-yard line. Poof. Now they head to Denver for a game Boal believes is a must win. Read on.
“Why do I get the disgusting, stinking feeling that San Diego’s going to win this division?”
Kevin Kietzman, 810 AM
OTC: DeJesus Trade Looks Good To Media But Sours Fans
“What else did you want back (for David DeJesus) angry Royals fan? No one has any love Kansas City for any of your players outside of Soria and Greinke. No one has any love for David DeJesus outside of this city!”
Shan Shariff, after the Royals traded the popular DeJesus for two young and inexpensive Oakland pitchers, 610 AM
GH: I have observed the various reactions to the Royals’ decision to trade DeJesus, and the opinions mostly fall into two camps; fans who are irate overly losing a good player and seamheads who understands the economics of baseball and are nonplussed over the move. I fall into a third category – apathetic over any and all moves the Royals make. Yeah, David Glass and his troops have pretty much killed the off-season Royals fan in me. Read on.
OTC: KU Comes Back From Dead / But Are They Still Terminal?
“I was knee deep in bean dip and guacamole dip by then.”Bob Fescoe, confessing that he bolted from Memorial Stadium at halftime Saturday with KU down 35-17, 610 AM
GH: I was driving back from the Missouri State CC meet in Jeff City Saturday afternoon and despite my wife’s constant glare, I listened to the second half of the KU radio broadcast. I had heard the halftime score so I was not expecting Bob Davis to be jumping up and down in our car’s front seat. Whatever was happening in Lawrence, Davis and his cohort, David Lawrence, were juiced – despite the three-touchdown deficit. I listened to the entire fourth quarter as the Jayhawks pulled off one for the ages. Read on.
OTC: How Did Mizzou Get So Bad So Fast?
“I think you guys were the ones that wanted me pulled. Everybody on my team wanted me out there. I wanted to be out there. Your guys’ opinions on who should get yanked, what should be called, really does not matter to us at all.”
Blaine Gabbert, MU quarterback, responding to reporters on Monday about his play at Texas Tech, Kansas City Star
GH: I think Gabby might be 1-for-2 in his comments above. I’m pretty sure there were a few more MU fans calling for James Franklin than Gabbert knows. But as far as the media not having a say in who plays, that is a no brainer. What I am beginning to wonder is whether or not Gabbert has the brain power necessary to handle his role as Mizzou’s QB. Read on.
OTC: Raiders Turn Chiefs’ Hold On AFC West South
“There was some crazy stuff that was going on, on the field – especially between the big guys up front that hadn’t been happening all season. You could tell this was a playoff-type atmosphere out there.”
Matt Cassel, when asked by Steven St. John to discuss the uniqueness of the physical play of the Raiders’ game, 810 AM
GH: For four hours I was transfixed on my couch by this game that took place two time zones to the west. The zaniness, the fumble scrum, the overtime sudden-death finish, the sheer lunacy of the refs – all brought me back to Chiefs/Raiders circa the ‘60s. This one may have been one of the looniest in the history of the rivalry. Read on.
OTC: Are These Your Father’s Raiders?
“The Silver and Back.”
John Anderson, ESPN
GH: There are strong rumors that this Raiders’ squad is more formidable than forlorn. The Chiefs would be wise to buckle their bonnets as they head west.
GH: There are strong rumors that this Raiders’ squad is more formidable than forlorn. The Chiefs would be wise to buckle their bonnets as they head west.
“They’re waiting out there and they’re ready to unleash the dogs. And let me tell you, they’ve got dogs to unleash! I’ve watched those (Raiders’) games on tape and they’re legit. … I cannot wait for this game! I cannot wait!”
Mitch Holthus, on the Chiefs/Raiders game this Sunday at 3:15 (CT), 810 AM
GH: Another Sunday, another big game for the Chiefs. A win in Oakland puts the Chiefs as the hands-down favorite to win the AFC West. And as the division champ, our imaginations will be allowed to dream dreams we have not dreamt in quite some time. Come on, Sandman.
Mitch Holthus, on the Chiefs/Raiders game this Sunday at 3:15 (CT), 810 AM
GH: Another Sunday, another big game for the Chiefs. A win in Oakland puts the Chiefs as the hands-down favorite to win the AFC West. And as the division champ, our imaginations will be allowed to dream dreams we have not dreamt in quite some time. Come on, Sandman.
OTC: KU Football Now Irrelevant / KSU Hopes Not
.jpg)
“Progress (for KU football) is going to have to be measured in other ways (than wins) this year.”Nate Bukaty, 810 AM
GH: Yeah, that’ll go over well with the alums. Spend $50 million on upgrading your football facilities and then look for other ways to measure your success other than wins. Any wonder why KU continues to flounder in football?
“It’s not the losses; it’s the way things have looked on the (Kansas) sideline. The cleanest way I can say it is it’s a cluster. You see shots of Turner Gill and it looks like he’s staring into space.”
Bob Fescoe, from earlier this month, 610 AM
GH: I listened to Fescoe and Josh Klingler interview the rookie KU coach Thursday morning and heard none of the vitriol and sarcasm that Fescoe has been directing to toward Gill over the past month. If ever a head coach deserved to be grilled, it’s the highly-paid yet poorly performing Gill. Instead we got back-slap questions from the talent and textbook coach-speak from Gill. Awful radio.
Bob Fescoe, from earlier this month, 610 AM
GH: I listened to Fescoe and Josh Klingler interview the rookie KU coach Thursday morning and heard none of the vitriol and sarcasm that Fescoe has been directing to toward Gill over the past month. If ever a head coach deserved to be grilled, it’s the highly-paid yet poorly performing Gill. Instead we got back-slap questions from the talent and textbook coach-speak from Gill. Awful radio.
OTC: Chiefs / Raiders Once Again Making Two Rivals Relevant
It’s been a long time since the Chiefs have been very good. These teams sport no household names, at least not yet. And the last ongoing connection to their storied rivalry is Al Davis, apparently determined to go out with his boots on, while his team has surprisingly rebooted to the verge of contender status. Giving this coming Sunday’s matchup at The Coliseum a certain throwback flavor. The Raiders and Chiefs in a meaningful game – go figure. It’ll almost seem like old times.”
Bob Costas, NBC
GH: Costas spent a few network minutes on a piece Sunday night discussing this upcoming battle between the AFC West rivals. The Chiefs are slowly creeping back into the outer reaches of NFL relevance. And so are the Raiders.
“I think they beat Oakland. I think the Chiefs pound the ball and control the clock. … The Seattle Seahawks scare me. The Chiefs aren’t a 13-3 team, I don’t think. Maybe 11-5.”
Tim Grunhard, 810 AM
“The Oakland Raiders. No doubt about it.”
Matt Cassel, when asked by Soren Petro to name the Chiefs’ biggest rival, 810 AM
Star’s Mike DeArmond Goes KK on Huskers
“(Nebraska fans) think the world revolves around them. They think that no one should possibly question their moral superiority. And anytime anybody beats Nebraska, it’s a good day!”Mike DeArmond, Mizzou beat writer for the Kansas City Star, Metro Sports
GH: DeArmond is not your conventional beat writer. He does not pretend to be impartial. Rather he revels in his partiality toward his beloved Missouri Tigers. With that fandom comes some hate for the team he would most like Mizzou to emulate. Read on.
“There are Cardinals baseball fans. There are Kansas basketball fans. And there are Nebraska football fans. They were all born of the same parent. They’re all inbred – separated at birth because they’re all just impossible to handle.”
Mike DeArmond, Metro Sports
GH: Okay. Where to begin. The three teams that apparently keep Mike up late at night all share one common attribute – they win. A lot. And his Missouri Tigers might be the most champion-starved university with a respected name and pedigree. So what is more insufferable – perennial winners like Nebraska, the Cardinals and KU hoops or shoulda, woulda, coulda but almost never do Mizzou?
Mike DeArmond, Metro Sports
GH: Okay. Where to begin. The three teams that apparently keep Mike up late at night all share one common attribute – they win. A lot. And his Missouri Tigers might be the most champion-starved university with a respected name and pedigree. So what is more insufferable – perennial winners like Nebraska, the Cardinals and KU hoops or shoulda, woulda, coulda but almost never do Mizzou?
OTC: Chiefs Score Scary OT Win Over Bills
A bye in the playoffs and then a home game at Arrowhead in January? That kind of heady talk should warm up even Jerry Mazer’s cardboard box.
OTC: Missouri At Nebraska One Final Time / And It’s For Everything!
“Missouri is going to go to Nebraska and Missouri is going to win. … People are treating Nebraska like it’s Nebraska in the mid-90s! It’s not! … Their most impressive games have been losses! What am I missing?”
Nick Wright, 610 AM
GH: The local flavor here in the Kansas City area is heavily slanted toward supporting Mizzou in this Big 12 North matchup of century-old rivals. Despite the fact Mizzou has won only once in Lincoln since 1978, people are seeing the trip to Lincoln as almost an asset rather than a liability. I think that’s a mistake. Read on.
“I was shocked to see Nebraska favored by as much as they were (against Missouri). I just don’t see it. The truth is, Nebraska’s been awful at home – and not just this season but for the past two years!”
Ed Cunningham, ABC color analyst who will be calling the game in Lincoln with Ron Franklin, 810 AM
GH: Losses the past two seasons at home to Iowa State (8 turnovers) and Texas (8 dropped passes and 5 fumbles) indicate that Nebraska plays a very sloppy brand of football at times in front of the famous Sea of Red. The uninspiring 17-3 win over South Dakota State earlier this year also lends credence to that thought. But I think Mizzou will need to play well (which they are very capable of doing) to win in Lincoln. Mizzou is not the only team that is improving as the season progresses.
“Nebraska is such a one-dimensional team. Martinez has been exposed as the fraud he is. There is no way (Nebraska’s) defense is gonna keep up! No way!”
Caller Lloyd, 610 AM
GH: Okay, so we have established that Nebraska isn’t the only school with a few idiot fans. Caller Lloyd sounds like he skipped a few classes while studying for his PHD in football.
