Now that I am of out of the “Support the NFL” business, it is seems to be easier to find that stupidity is not just limited to pro football. Let’s take the Ryder Cup for instance.
It’s the golf tournament that features a team of golfers from the United States and European players from playing each other in weekend play in various formats. It’s one of the oldest trophies competed for in golf and brings great prestige and certainly bragging rights. Recently the Europeans have been wearing the Americans out; it’s almost come down to what’s the point in playing?
The same was in play this past weekend where the Americans were trounced again, only this time there was an American team member that forgot this is a “team” competition. Phil Mickelson showed why he is the most underachieving, selfish golfer America has to offer, as he was benched by team captain Tom Watson. Phil went on to openly criticize and question Watson’s motives. Nice going, Phil.
Mickelson has always been the guy who said what was on his mind and not really cared, but again he showed why he is a second-rate pro golfer with a wealth of talent who never lived up to what he could have been. No, he would never be Tiger, but he surely could have been better on the course – and now he shows he needs work off the course.
While the Ryder Cup is still about individuals playing golf, the team element does come into play here. You win and lose as one, and obviously Mickelson did read that memo.
I am not surprised, though, as the game of golf is going the route of tennis where it’s now about the check and not the wins. American golfers start earlier and earlier with the pressure of winning being deemphasized in place of being paid on potential. Many of these golfers have made a few million off what Nike, Titleist and the likes think is going to happen. Sad but true, hence the lack of urgency to win.
Say hello to the poster guy Phil Mickelson, who has lived by this code for so long that when it does not work for him in the first two rounds, he pulls up lame and checks out. Mickelson’s actions were unprofessional no matter how you look at it. His supporters will tell you that he is telling it like it is, and while there may be some truth to that I wonder if he would have shared his thought with the world had he been playing and lost?
Here we go again
Yes, post-season for the Cardinals is upon us again. It has become almost an annual tradition over the last few years, no matter who the manager is. With that said, we should all understand this is the most unique sports experience sports fans in St. Louis have EVER experienced with a local team on such a run in a sport where half the teams are not in the playoffs.
The Cardinals have figured this thing out. They are the envy of baseball, as many teams are in search of the template. How can this run last? There is really no telling, as there is more than ample talent in the minor leagues that will be ready to contribute in a variety of ways, be it on this roster or in a trade to acquire more finished talent.
It’s always fun to be in the post-season. The challenge is being the last team standing. The quest begins tomorrow in Los Angeles against the Dodgers. The Dodgers will be a handful as they have pitching and offense, much like they had last year when the Cardinals won. This will be harder, as it is a short, best-of-five game series and the Dodgers, unlike last year, have the home field advantage. Here we go.
Real deal
For those of you who were wondering about the Missouri Tigers hanging in the SEC, I think we can put that to rest as the Tigers have shown they can play anytime, anywhere, when they want to.
Yes, the Indiana loss stings a great deal, but to roll into South Carolina and win there says a lot once again about what this team is all about. National championship? A lot has to happen. Getting back to the SEC, the championship game is a real possibility should they run the table. In the meantime, I can’t wait for this schedule to shake out. Can you hear me, Arkansas? Hopefully you will have a chance to back up the talk at SEC media day.
Comparing generations
While I am done with the NFL for awhile, I started to wonder about a few things with respect to the game. At times it can be unfair to make comparison of one generation to another, but here goes.
I have determined that if you give me a Cowboy-49er Super Bowl team of the ‘90s, Rams’ “Greatest show on turf” team or the early Baltimore Ravens teams, they would destroy any team the NFL has fielded from at least the last 10 years. The rules of yesteryear or the rules of today, makes no difference. Do the math and the comparison and let me know where these teams have a chance? I’m waiting.
