Magic Heart, Warner's Eye, Football Weather

• Hey Magic, you surprised me. I thought you had no heart. You proved me wrong. Nice job.
• The question of the week: "What's wrong with Kurt Warner's eye?". Kurt says he was recently poked in the eye. It should be fine soon.
• LeBron Cavs fired Mike Brown. Winningest coach in the NBA can't keep his job. I actually understand too. He seems overmatched in the playoffs.
• NBA series take way too long. Several days between games? Stupid. Hard to get traction of interest.
• RIP Law & Order. You were good to us.
• "Lost" lost me a long time ago. Did it turn out to be purgatory? That was always my guess, but then I was raised Catholic.
• I hope NY/NJ gets the Super Bowl in 2014 (we find out Tuesday). Why shouldn't the big game be played in football weather? Most of the people in the stands are corporate types, not true blue fans anyway.
• The Blackhawks vs. Flyers. Nice. Two sweet jerseys too. Edge to the Blackhawks. Simply classic.
• I worked the Little League concession stand over the weekend. I remembered the most important thing: avoid the cash register. If you're new to Little League parental duties, don't forget this all important tip.
• We're still moving into our new HD house. Like any move, we're finding challenges, but overall, thanks to the hard work of a lot of people who understand stuff I don't, it's gone smoothly. We weren't all systems go for SoundOFF, but we appreciate your patience, understanding, and all the nice comments about the sweet new look. Thanks.

Photo Finish, Where's the Beef, Rant Writer

(Chris)

Great finish to the Goodyear Dealers of Iowa 200, Sunday night. Max Gresham nosed out Ty Dillon by .039 seconds to take the checkers. It's too bad Grimes resident Brett Moffitt wasn't in the mix at the end. The 17-year-old led 54 laps, fell back to 2nd, and then was spun into the wall with 5 laps to go. Afterwards he had this to say, to the Des Moines Register, about the wreck, "Just racing with idiots, that's what you're going to get." Now that's a kid speakin' his mind.

There's, definitely, something going on between Kurt Warner and Northern Iowa. He's such a nice guy. He makes all the right moves. He loves giving back to the people that helped him get his start. So why has it been 16 years since he's been back to his alma mater? He says it's because he's not the kind of guy that likes being in the spotlight. Isn't that exactly what he did at the Barnstormers game, Friday? Of course, it is.

The biggest question to come out of Warner's appearance was this: "What's wrong with his eye?" Answer: I don't know. I was at the press conference, but I couldn't muster up the courage to ask him why his right eye was swollen. Now that we're HD, that's all anyone noticed.

What a great year for the game of hockey. First, the US faces Canada, in the Gold Medal game. Now, the Blackhawks are in the Stanley Cup Finals! Okay, so I'm biased. But, no one can say they don't have one of the best jersey's in all of sports. If it was socially acceptable to wear a hockey sweater, in public, I'd have one. I may still get one, anyway. If Clark Griswold can pull it off, so can I.

Some are already complaining about the "hot" and steamy weather. Give me a break. Just be glad the winter coats won't be coming out of the closet for a few months.

The FDA is recalling several thousand cans of corned beef because of higher than acceptable levels of a drug used to treat cattle for parasites. Fortunately, no sane person has purchased a can of corned beef since prohibition.
 
What do Mike Tyson, Allen Iverson, and 'Broadway Joe', have in common? They all paid this guy his services: http://tiny.cc/omw3e ... they, also, like 'Modern Family'.

Flood Stage

There's no shortage of pun when discussing Katie Flood.  The Dowling senior was part of a historic female duo at the State Track Meet.  Flood, along with Dike-New Hartford senior Hannah Wilms, combined to win 25 state titles.  Unbelievable.  I always thought it would be cool to run fast, but I never could.  I won a green ribbon for finishing fourth in the sack race on track and field day back in 4th grade... that was pretty much the highlight of my sprinting career.

The I-Cubs have figured something out, and it's led to 11 wins in 12 games.  On Saturday, the I-Cubs beat Colorado Springs 1-0, which should re-ignite the "which sports is more boring... soccer or baseball?" debate.  Actually, the Menace outscored the I-Cubs on Saturday, beating St. Louis 2-1.

Finally this week, I took a passing glance at the NBA playoffs, and what I watched didn't hold my attention.  How does the Magic win eight straight games to start the playoffs and then forget how to play basketball?

I wish I could see more of the Stanley Cup playoffs.  Studid Dish Network.  Someone will inevitably respond to that statement by telling me how great Direct TV is, but it also has faults.  So does Mediacom.  It just depends where your viewing priorities lie.

Shawn

Record Flood, Floyd the Cheat, Poker Face

• Dowling Catholic's Katie Flood is amazing. Fastest high school 3000 meters in the nation. Flood's a nice role model for girls too. She's not an 85 pound stick; she looks athletic and healthy.
• Harrison Barnes finished fifth in the high jump (6'4"). Hey, can't win everything.
• Do you still believe Lance Armstrong's clean? Is it possible in the most corrupt doping sport in the world, the guy who was the best, was virtually the only one not cheating? I want to believe him, I really do.
• Tour De France winner Floyd Landis denied doping so emphatically, he convinced many skeptics he must be telling the truth. He wasn't. It took years, but Landis now admits he was cheating his butt off. It was just like Pete Rose, only insert doping for gambling.
• Love that Hall-of-Famers Andre Dawson and Tony Perez got right in Hanley Ramirez' face and told him he crossed the line. More legends need to do this. Fines don't work when a player makes $70 million.
• "Kurt Warner Night" should fill The Well Friday night. Not sure which has happened more, Barnstormers retiring Warner's 13, or Brett Favre unretiring, but both seem to work out.
• Warner will work the NFL Network broadcast booth with the guy Iowa recruited ahead of Warner back in the day, Paul Burmeister. You couldn't start a TV career next to a better guy than Paul, and Kurt will be a natural.
• Remember Butterbean? He's now an MMA promoter.
• Gale Sayers called out the Bears and Brian Urlacher didn't like it. Too bad. He's Gale Freaking Sayers.
• If the Lakers and Celtics both sweep, they'll wait a week and a half between games.
• 3-on-3 basketball could be come an Olympic sport. Really.
• World Cup odds: Spain, the favorite, at 5-1, Brazil 6-1, USA 75-1.
• Southwest Airlines sees a surge in business thanks to its "Bags Fly Free" campaign. Are you paying attention other airlines?
• Lost in all the Leno-bashing is the fact that since returning he's taken NBC back to #1 in late night, and easily outpaced Conan's ratings.
• Am I the only one who thinks it's ridiculous that poker players are allowed to wear sunglasses? Shouldn't a top tell come from someone's eyes? Dumb. Page Lady Gaga.
• Maybe you've heard... our newscasts are now in HD. As readers of this blog know, I try not to watch anything not in HD, so I'm happy we're able to deliver the local news, weather, and most importantly, SPORTS!, in high definition. Once you see the difference, it's hard to settle for anything less. We're even going high def on SoundOFF. That could be a mistake.

Shirts My Dad Wears, PR for HB, Erin Andrews Tweets

• I'm feeling another classic Celtics-Lakers match-up coming on. Man, I miss Bird vs. Magic.
• Craig Sager's TNT suit Monday night had to be a dare. Even by Sager's standards it was ridiculous. My dad wouldn't even wear that suit, and we have a Facebook site devoted to my father, "Shirts My Dad Wears". http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Shirts-My-Dad-Wears/171011848881?ref=ts
• Paddy O'Prado, Super Saver, and Lookin' At Lucky will all skip the Belmont. Most of us can go back to not caring about horse racing until the next Derby.
• Uh-oh. The Cubs gave Lou Piniella the dreaded vote of confidence. Actually, I think the Cubs will stick with Piniella through the rest of this lost season, but Ryne Sandberg better keep renting in Des Moines, just in case.
• Glad Chris Hassel was able to do a story on Harrison Barnes, track star. It's time Barnes finally received some media coverage.
• A package deal for John Calipari & LeBron James? Even if it were true, and I doubt it is, if I'm the Bulls, I pass.
• Erin Andrews is now tweeting the phone number to vote for her on Dancing with the Stars. Edward R. Murrow first did this in the 60s.
• I still haven't seen Iron Man 2. Do I need to make it a priority?
• I have two Friday Night Lights waiting in the DVR. I've got to catch up. I hear the new season is great, even with the budget cuts to the show.
• The worst part of my week is I can't get "We Built This City" out of my head. I blame Sioux City. And Starship.

World Cup, Brockmire, and Phone Tumors

(Chris)

Another ho-hum sports week is in the books. Andy Fales has learned that Paddy O'Prado won't race in the Belmont Stakes, in three weeks. That means Paddy's triple-crown career is over...and Andy's career as a horse racing reporter is likely over, as well.

The Cardinals fell out of 1st place in the NL Central for the first time since July 31, 2009. I'm guessing it won't last long. The Reds have it going, right now, but 4 1/2 months is a long time. I think the Cards will win the division by 8-12 games.

My favorite part of SoundOFF was, during FaceOFF, when Andy did his best FIFA World Cup promo. I must admit, he knocked the South African accent out of the studio. I'll try to get into the World Cup, but I'm afraid I'll have to stick to watching highlights of the one or two goals scored a game. I really want to like the sport, but when there's no scoring, there's no excitement. I loved playing soccer as a kid, but we would actually put the ball in the net.

I'm much more interested in the NHL playoffs than the NBA playoffs. I like them both, but hockey has it going on this year. And if you think hockey is anything like soccer, check yourself.

Shawn is right. 'America, the Story of US' is an amazing series on the History channel. I get goose bumps every time they roll the open. It's a must-see. Chances are, if it's on History, or Discovery, I'm going to love it.

If you have a sense of humor, and don't mind a few dirty words, google 'Jim Brockmire'. He's a broadcasting "legend" ... I've memorized the entire 4-minute video. Believe me, it's much better than 'We Built Sioux City'.

Guess what? An international study has found that cell phones don't cause brain-tumors. Did anyone actually believe that rumor, in the first place? The study also found that telling a lie does, indeed, give you white deposits on your fingernails. Fascinating.

Paddy, NBA, and The Story of Us.

I don't profess to be a horse racing expert, but Paddy O'Prado looked down-right disinterested down the home stretch at The Preakness Stakes.  At one point, it looked as though Paddy forgot he was in the middle of a race, as he nuzzled up to the horse to his right.  He rebounded to finish sixth, which is disappointing to his owners at Donegal Racing.  After all, Paddy finished third at the Kentucky Derby, a race with nearly twice as many entrants as The Preakness.

Andy Fales reports no decision has been made about whether or not to enter the horse in the Belmont Stakes.  My guess is Paddy O'Prado will not run in New York in three weeks.

I can't get into the NBA playoffs.  Even the Lebron drama doesn't interest me.  Actually, I haven't watched much NBA since 1998.  The style of play, egos, and artificial arena noise are a total turn-off for me.  That being said, the Bulls of the Jordan era were the exception for me.  I never missed a game.

I love The History Channel, and America: The Story of Us is my latest obsession.  Check it out on Sunday nights.  It trumps The Pacific on HBO during the same time slot, and I never would have thought that a few months ago.

Shawn

Getting Your Preak On, Scratch Harass, Big 12 Wakes Up

• Andy Fales is in Baltimore "getting his Preak on". That's their slogan, not mine. It's meant to attract people back to the Preakness after not allowing fans to bring their own alcohol last year caused a huge attendance drop. This year, they're offering fans on the infield all they can drink for $20. This could be the next place we see a Taser used.
• Andy reports Iowa owned Paddy O'Prado looked the best in workouts. Then again I used to play with a guy in high school who never missed a shot at practice. Not sure he ever made one in a game.
• Famous race track announcer blooper, "Don't forget to scratch Harass".
• Big 12 Commissioner Dan Beebe finally shows some fight. Beebe told WHB radio in KC that Big 12 schools need to remember how strong the conference is in football. Beebe says he's ready to find out who's in, and who's out. Well, if Missouri has the chance to join the Big Ten, it's obvious Missouri is out, (of the Big 12) probably Nebraska too. Beebe and the Big 12 are playing catch-up after being asleep at the wheel. The Big Ten is acting, Big 12 reacting.
• NFL fans and writers just don't care about PEDs. Brian Cushing tests positive for a drug that masks steroid use, the AP asks for a re-vote of Cushing's defensive rookie of the year award, and he wins again. In baseball, no way that happens. Cushing denies cheating, but don't they all. He can't explain how the drug got in his system.
• Roller derby is blowing up again. I feel like I'm back in the 70's. I'll have to check it out.

Dr. J's Famous House Call, Red Socks on Red Sox, Booing Starlin Castro

• It's the 30th anniversary of Dr. J's mind-blowing up-and-under move in game 4 of the NBA finals. The Lakers went on to beat the 76ers in the series,  but let's not forget, the Doctor made many of the moves before Air Jordan did.
• The Atlanta Hawks should be ashamed of themselves. Our dog who sleeps 22 hours a day thinks the Hawks showed no effort.
• In the best quarterfinal series, I look forward to Cavs-Celtics 5. LeBron says he'll D-up Rajon Rondo on occasion. No one could stop Rondo in game 4.
• Props to Boston's Dustin Pedroia. At least one Red Sox player actually shows red socks. Enough with the stupid pajama bottoms.
• Ken Griffey Jr. needs to stay out of the locker room during games, and naps are definitely out of bounds, but you can't cut the greatest player in Mariners history. Fine him, talk him into "retiring", but you can't cut him---even with his .208 average.
• Didn't take Cubs fans long to boo Starlin Castro, but his effort going after the ball following his third error was inexcusable, and allowed the Marlins an extra base.
• I love Jamie Moyer pitching a shutout at age 47. Anytime an active player is still getting it done, and he's older than me, I feel I've got some game left somewhere. Once all players are younger, it will be harder for me to kid myself.
• USA Today has a front page story on I-Cubs manager Ryne Sandberg and the people who were named after him in the 80's. Here's another: Chris Ryne Hassel.
• I need more info, but at first blush, I like the AP re-opening the vote for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year after Brian Cushing tested positive for performance enhancers.
• UNI has called a news conference for Thursday at noon. Our friends at KWWL report Hawkeye assistant Doug Schwab will be announced as the next Panther wrestling coach.
• The one recreational sport that's recession proof: hunting. Sales are up 22%. Hard hit sports include water skiing -20%, snow skiing -12%, and golf -11%.
• I watched episode 9 of the Pacific on HBO last night. It was the hardest to watch yet. Brilliant, but joyless---which I'm sure is the point. Band of Brothers had more humor and male-bonding. Pacific makes the point, war is hell, and makes it as well as any production ever. Relentlessly.

What the Crap, Ed?! Upstaged on Mother's Day, Bono turns 50.

• Andy Fales has a new favorite athlete. Paddy O'Prado. Andy's following Paddy like Shawn Terrell follows Pearl Jam. Next stop: The Preakness Stakes (for Andy and Paddy, not Shawn and PJ).  I don't think the Preakness is even on Andy's bucket list, but after the great job he and photojournalist James Searls did at the Kentucky Derby, they were bound to get another assignment. Also headed to Baltimore, one of the country's premier writers on horse racing, Dan Johnson of the Des Moines Register. Not heading to Baltimore, a World Series.
• Greg McDermott went right to work on discipline. McD booted P'Allen Stinnett off the Creighton team. No surprise. Hopefully, P'Allen calls Mike Taylor and learns it can be a good thing.
• What the crap, Ed?! More yucky weather. The I-Cubs game Monday is rained out. Cubs don't return home until May 20th. Hopefully it will be at least 60 degrees by then.
• What a Mother's Day moment from Dallas Braden! The A's pitcher tosses a no-hitter in front of the grandmother who raised him after his mother died of cancer. Just awesome. Braden did it against a good team too, the Rays.
• I bought my mom that huge Oprah book by Kitty Kelly, and a chick flick DVD, "Definitely, Maybe". I was completely upstaged. My wife gave my mom one of her paintings, and this one should be titled "immediately forgetting Oprah book and whatever that DVD is called". It is a sweet painting.
• Is the Yankees-Red Sox game over yet? I had to go to bed at 2 a.m.
• A-Rod tied Frank Robinson for 7th on the all-time home run list with 586. Of all the many ways I despise what steroids have done to baseball, nothing makes me sadder, or madder, than a guy like A-Rod cheating his way to a once hallowed number like 586.
• Good to see West Des Moines' Tim McClelland run Yankees manager Joe Girardi. No additional comment. I just like seeing the Yankees manager tossed.
• You knew it was only a matter of time before the tasing went too far. Now a drunk fan is tased for heckling Tiger Woods? Giving Tiger an earful and running on the field (or course) are not the same thing. 
• Are you buying Tiger's neck injury? I don't doubt he's in pain---physical and emotional---but if Tiger were in contention, there is ZERO percent chance he withdraws. Suddenly passing Jack's 18 majors doesn't look like a lock. Tiger just isn't intimidating any longer.
• I'm getting into these NBA playoffs. Sunday was another great day. Rajon Rondo completely outplays LeBron James, a guy whose elbow only seems to be a problem when he's playing poorly. Over in San Antonio, the Suns swept away the Spurs, and the great Steve Nash looked like Rocky Balboa before Rock said, "You gotta cut me, Mick."
• Should newspapers cheerlead? The NY Daily News has a column aimed at LeBron and why he should sign with the Knicks.
•  Sunday night on SoundOFF, the 'Who's In Your 5" featured my favorite superheroes. At #3, I listed Superman. Our wonderful graphics artist, Jennifer Allison, who does an amazing job, used a picture of the late Christopher Reeve as Superman. We immediately received a fun email from Brandon Routh's parents asking why we didn't use the local guy. Love it.
• Our big ol' family went to Honey Creek Resort on Rathbun Lake for a couple days. We had a great time, as we always do, but this time there was something different: people! It was sold out, and when we tried to book a cabin for a week in the summer, those were full too. I'm really happy to see the place doing well. It's received some bad pub, and we've always had a positive experience with really nice local people working hard.
• At a cancer fundraiser Saturday night, the city of Albia presented me with a big petition to bring RVTV to the beautiful town square. Andy and I think it's time to retire RVTV, but if we're talked into it, Albia would be a perfect place to stop.
• I'm not sure why the Barnstormers don't have the buzz they did the past two years, but back-to-back crowds of 8,000 confirms it. It's surprising since the Stormers stepped up to a better league, and this week entered with a two game winning streak on a Saturday night with cold weather. I hope the crowds return with the warmer weather.
• It's not uncommon for refs to talk to soccer players about not playing dead to sell a penalty, but recently in Croatia, a player drew a yellow card for playing dead, and he was... dead. Heart attack.
• Bono is 50?! The man remains cool, and more relevant than ever. Justin Bieber, you have 36 years to keep up. Good luck.
• All weekend, I continued getting feedback on when it's appropriate for a grown man to wear a sports jersey. Lot of passion on this topic.

Perfecto, Ryno, O'Prado, Oh No

(Chris)

From no-name, to perfect game. Some dude with two first names threw the 19th no-hitter in Major League history, Sunday. Dallas Braden (or is it Braden Dallas?), had a career record of 16-23 when he took the mound against Rays who, right now, are the best team in baseball. A's fans will never forget him...all 72 of them.

The I-Cubs haven't played many perfect games this season. I've been to at least 10 of them and I'm usually lucky to see one run. Today, I was able to see three...in one inning! That's an offensive explosion for a team that's been struggling with the bats all season. Ryne Sandberg told us he hopes this is finally the end of the slump.

I was surprised to see all the empty seats in the lower bowl of Wells Fargo Arena at Saturday night's Barnstormers game. The announced crowd was just over 8,000, but I think the new AFL franchise wants to be doing a little better. Last year, they averaged 9,500, a game. And, after that 12,000-fan showing on opening night, I thought they'd be drawing no less than 9-10k a game. I was thinking, and hoping, there would be more 'buzz' surrounding the team.

I'm happy to see Paddy O'Prado will be given the chance to run at the 'Preakness', this Saturday, in Baltimore. The race is about a tenth of a mile shorter than the Kentucky Derby. As you may remember, Paddy faded fast on the final stretch, costing him a second-place finish. Perhaps the 1-3/16th mile track at Pimlico will be more to his liking. You can watch the race on Channel 13.

Tiger Woods picked up his ball, and went home. Some would say he 'quit'. Tiger says he left due to neck pain. He believes he might have a bulging disk (or disc). Not to be confused with a bulging...well...just listen for yourself:  http://www.tmz.com/2010/05/09/tiger-woods-tpc-players-championship-golf-bulging-disc-video/   It was inevitable.

I'm supposed to play in the Principal Charity Classic media event at Glen Oaks CC, Monday. The weather report calls for 47 degree temps, rain showers, and sustained 20 mph winds. I've already told myself I'm not going to cancel. I just hope, if the weather holds true, the fine folks at Glen Oaks cancel it for us. Insert Keith's "What the crap, Ed?!", here.

Saturday, May 8th 2010

The Barnstormers can't seem to sustain any momentum.  After two straight wins, the 'Stormer came home to face 1-3 Cleveland, but turnovers hamstrung the team.  What's more disconcerting, the crowd was pretty sparse by 'Stormer standards.  Officially, eight thousand and change showed up, but actually attendance was much lower.

Paddy O'Prado has a change of heart regarding The Preakness.  Paddy was originally going to skip the race, but now tells me (via a horse whisperer) that he plans to run at Pimlico.  Andy Fales is already angling for a trip to Baltimore.

There a running joke among I-Cubs staffers that anytime the weather takes a turn for the worse, the team must be returning from a road trip.  Another fine example of that this weekend.  I'm supposed to go to Principal Park (as a fan) tomorrow, but I'm strongly reconsidering.  Baseball isn't much fun to watch in person when there's a wind chill advisory.

Shawn

McCaffery Undefeated at Iowa, Teri Hatcher Spectacular, Middle-Aged Men in Jerseys

• Fran McCaffery has fired up Hawkeye fans more in three months than Todd Lickliter did in three years. Des Moines County I-Club fans gave McCaffery several standing ovations at their event Thursday night, and most hadn't heard of McCaffery before March. It was a record crowd, which again proves how hungry Hawk fans are to see some winning. McCaffery pushed all the right buttons, including saying Iowa won't play slow, which is another way of saying Iowa won't play Lickliter-style. All told, the night proved Iowa A.D. Gary Barta was right to make a change. Fans pay the bills.
• Who is the all-time NFL draft bust? Overall #1 Jamarcus Russell belongs in the conversation. Oakland ignored the buzz on Russell, that he was lazy and disinterested, and bet their immediate future on him. Well, he turned out to be lazy and disinterested. The constantly overweight and underprepared Russelly won seven games in 3 years, which means the Raiders paid more than $5 million per win. Bust.
• The Yankees and Red Sox resume the best rivalry in sports this weekend at glorious Fenway Park... but can they please SPEED UP! Good gosh, each pitch now takes longer than an at-bat used to. The games all push the four hour mark. That's too much, and they're losing the kids. The batter does not need to step out of the box and re-adjust his gloves, body armor, and cup every single pitch.
• The umpire ejected Ryne Sandberg for arguing balls and strikes Thursday night. Good job, Ryno. It's good to see that fire. The way the I-Cubs are playing, it won't be the last time Ryno's run. The Cubs return to Des Moines this weekend, but Ed says you may need a space heater and blanket at Principal Park. Always allow for a 10 degree drop on the river.
• Should off the field behavior cost you the Hall-of-Fame? Would you eject OJ and LT? I say no. Players are elected for what they did on the field, and their behavior while they represented the league. I've even flipped on Pete Rose over the years. I think it's time he was put in the Hall as a player, though I agree with Bob Costas: the plaque needs to tell how Rose was banned from baseball for gambling while managing the Reds.
• Teri Hatcher will play in this year's Principal Charity Classic. Line of the day goes to Today in Iowa anchor, Pat Dix: "Her swing is real, and it's spectacular". (Seinfeld fans feel me.) The Pro-Am is June 2nd at Glen Oaks in West Des Moines.
• Here's my ranking of the Pro-Am celebrities, the ones I remember, over the years in order of my personal "wow" reaction: 1) Michael J. Fox, icon. 2) Ron Livingston, an upset at #2, but when you've been in both Office Space and Band of Brothers, you're the man. 3) Rob Lowe, West Wing and About Last Night. 4) Teri Hatcher, Seinfeld guest. Don't care about the rest. 5) Jason Taylor. Football player. Yawn.
• Anyone catch the midnight show of Iron Man 2? I loved Iron Man. Robert Downey Jr. proved in Shelock Holmes he can make even an average movie seem better than it is (and who could forget him  heckling divers in Back to School). I expect Iron Man 2 is good, but will fall short of the original because they'll try to do more of everything. That's the sequel mistake.
• Taylor Swift sold out Wells Fargo Arena Thursday night. I'm interested to hear how the show was. She's a major talent, though her voice has sounded thin in many live television appearances. (By the way, Kanye was inexcusably rude, but also right. Beyonce's video was better and more influential.)
• Pella is a nice town right out of a simpler era, or is that just nostalgia tugging at me? I've only been to Tulip Time once, but I enjoyed it for a few minutes. I can't stare at flowers all day. Too cold this weekend. Hope the tulips survive the wind.
• Andy and I are debating how old a man can be and get away with wearing a jersey. I think a classic baseball jersey can be worn throughout life. Football and hockey jerseys are more tricky. In general, they don't fit well because they were designed to go with pads, and you better only wear it to a game, if then. For goodness sakes, make sure you don't put your last name on a 49ers 16 jersey... that's for Montana only. Basketball jerseys are simply a no. No one wants to see the hairy shoulders of a 40-year old man. If you have to wear Bird's 33 or Magic's 32, a t-shirt underneath is a must, but the Patrick Ewing look stinks anyway, so why bother. Agree? Disagree?
• We're moving into a new electronic home at channel 13. Within weeks, virtually everything you see coming out of our station will be in high definition, and if you read this blog on a regular basis, or watch SoundOFF, or listen to Murph & Andy, you know no one will be happier than me. I'm an HD snob. However, like anytime you renovate your home, or move into a new one, there is going to be some tinkering and troubleshooting. Please bear with us. Once our contruction is complete, you'll love your new HD news home.
• Where's the Barnstormer buzz? Two straight wins, let's see if the fans show up 10,000+ strong for Saturday night's game.
• Ever wonder what it's like to catch a home run at a Major League game? Wonder no more:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoKXw_zP6Gc&utm_source=Len+Berman+Sports+List&utm_campaign=8c7fbcceaf-LensTop5_0507105_7_2010&utm_medium=email

• Have a great weekend. Don't forget, Chris Hassel and I will be Albia Saturday night at the Skean Block, raising money for the Susan G. Komen foundation. Dinner at 6:30. Stop by if you can.

Marion Strikes Out, Orr Floor, Metro Football

• I expect to see Des Moines' Montell Marion wrestling at the NCAA championships again, but it won't be for the Iowa Hawkeyes. The University had no choice after Marion stepped it in again. I hope Montell finally learns. He's got an upside.
• Fred Couples just helped the Principal Charity Classic sell a few thousand tickets. Couples is the player to beat.
• Fran McCaffery keeps reminding Hawkeye fans of better times. That's smart. Hiring former star Ryan Bowen is the latest shrewd move by McCaffery.
• Fred Hoiberg now has 10 players! That will make scrimmaging easier.
• I'm told Iowa State is considering several different ways to honor the father of Hilton Magic, Johnny Orr, including the "Johnny Orr Floor". The Orr Floor is meeting surprising opposition from some influential people. Some boosters/alums/faculty think it's too much. Jamie Pollard met with Orr in January to discuss options.
• Whatever way of honoring Orr is chosen, the timing is perfect. Two of his favorite players are now on Iowa State's coaching staff: Hoiberg and Jeff Grayer, both Cyclone legends. Orr coached Michigan to the national championship game and took the Iowa State job the same year (for money). That was a shot of Cyclone self-esteem.
• There is no way to make someone who wasn't ever there understand what Hilton Magic was like in the 80's and 90's. Even mediocre Iowa State teams were virtually unbeatable at home, and the crowd could get so loud the rim would move and the floor would shake. Hilton Coliseum was one of the best home court advantages in America. Before Orr arrived, Hilton was empty, and ISU basketball had no identity. No wonder Hoiberg wants to bring back the Magic.
• Carver-Hawkeye Arena used to rock too---though it was hard to remember at this year's wakes. Like Hoiberg, McCaffery has made it a priority to bring the noise. He wants CHA loud and proud. "Let's Be Mad Again" notwithstanding, Iowa basketball is again showing a pulse.
• We had an interesting conversation on "Murph & Andy" with Des Moines Roosevelt football coach Guy Rosenberg and former Waterloo East coach, Mike Sheeley (who coached B-Ross). They're part of a group that started a Des Moines football league for junior high kids. Besides the kids having fun playing football, it's an effort to help the city schools catch up and keep up with the suburban schools. For more info, go to http://www.desmoinesrooseveltfootball.com/ and check under the Des Moines Metro Youth Football headline.
• I like the new lanes on Ingersoll. Seems more like a neighborhood and less like a highway.
• Lady Gaga tries too hard.
• Chris Hassel and I will be in Albia Saturday night at the Skean Block restaurant to help raise money for the Susan G. Komen fight against breast cancer. If you can, come see us.
• I'm using the appearance---with an assist from the grandparents---to take the kids to the Honey Creek Resort water park. They love it. It's a beautiful place.
• Don't forget Mother's Day. (this last note was to myself)

Wrestling with Mistakes, Shawn's Surprise, Taste the Taser

• Des Moines' Montell Marion can't seem to stay out of trouble. Public intox, vandalism, and now worst of all, OWI. As Marion wrestled his way to a second place finish at the NCAA wrestling championships in March, he told our Shawn Terrell he was ready to put childish mistakes behind him and get on with being a man. Drunk driving is not what Montell had in mind. The University of Iowa has a three strikes and you're out policy (more info in Wednesday's Register). It will be interesting to see if Marion is out. He was not arrested for the 2009 vandalism, though he did admit to doing it.
• Shawn Johnson knows how to make 8,000 screaming kids even louder: break news. Shawn announced at the Hy-Vee Hall "Exercise Your Character" rally that she's back to training at Chow's Gymnastics, and plans to compete in the 2012 Olympics in London. Good for her. It won't be easy. She's been away from competitive gymnastics for 20 months, she had reconstructive surgery on her knee a few months ago, and after growing several inches and aging two more years, she'll find the tumbling more challenging. Don't doubt her. Shawn's been so busy being a celebrity, we forget at one time she was the best gymnast on the planet, the world champ.
• I think beyond the physical challenge---gymnasts peak in their mid teens---it will be difficult to give up all those treats Shawn finally tasted after years of going without. I'm talking about everything from junk food to hanging with friends to just doing nothing. When you're training for the Olympics, it takes an incredible amount of discipline and dedication. I couldn't do it. Shawn can.
• Liang Chow is the man.
• Shawn, Lolo, Keely (possibly) all headed for London. We should probably start planning early. Boss, are you reading this? My Visa is up to date.
• Paddy O'Prado may not be a slacker after all. He says through an interpreter he's thinking of running in the Preakness. Way to go, Paddy! Now we have to wait and see if the Preakness is also on Andy's bucket list. Gosh, I hope not.
• I just watched American Idol. Frank Sinatra wants his songs back.
• Fans who run on the field in the middle of Major League Baseball games are fools who should feel the Taser if they're not quickly caught. I'll never forget seeing that Royals first base coach take a beating.
• It's 12:30 a.m. I've got to start finishing these sooner! I still have to watch Parenthood.

Hoiberg's First Assist, Barnstormer Buzz, Mother's Day Mystery

• Fred Hoiberg made his first good coaching decision. He either encouraged Charles Boozer to transfer, or quickly accepted Boozer's decision. Either way, it was the right call. Hoiberg has enough goodwill built up that he could have suspended Boozer and still claimed character counts, but the police report on Boozer's arrest was ugly, and there's no place on Hoiberg's team for a player who (allegedly) pushed, slapped, and kicked a woman. Boozer says he'll seek treatment. I hope he does. Before Saturday, Charles had a stellar reputation.
• Jim Walden is wrong. Most coaches won't root against Fred Hoiberg suceeding. The unique circumstances that make Hoiberg a chance worth taking at Iowa State won't suddenly make coaching experience irrellevant, even if Fred wins championships.
• I'll be interested to see if the buzz returns for the Barnstormers after two straight wins. I thought the move up to the top level of arena football would have more people talking, and more fans in the stands.
• The Pacific on HBO is brilliant, but it's not always easy to watch.
• Mother's Day confuses me. I thought I needed to buy my mother a present. Now I'm hearing I need to buy my wife a present because she's a mother, my sister a present because she's a mother... where does it end?!

Boozer Arrested, Cubbies Streaking, Broken English

(Chris)

It didn't take long for that warm and fuzzy feeling to fade away from the Iowa State basketball program. Three days after Fred Hoiberg was introduced as head coach, he already has a player problem. ISU guard Charles Boozer was arrested, on Saturday, and charged with simple assault. We don't know what exactly happened in Ames, that afternoon. Coach Hoiberg doesn't either. He was in Minneapolis tying up some loose ends at his former job. He said he will meet with ISU administrators when he returns.

Remember the days when the I-Cubs would put up 8, 9, even 10 runs a game? Yeah, all those players are now in the majors. It's been a rough opening month for Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg. To make matters worse, one of Iowa's top hitters is heading to the shelf. Jason Dubois will spend the better part of two weeks rehabbing a bad back in Arizona.

The C-Cubs are streaking, again. Three wins, three losses, three wins...they're more inconsistent than Oprah's diet. If you're keeping track, the Cardinals at 4.5 games ahead of the Cubbies after one month of play.

David Zabriskie...the football player? Sounds crazy, but ISU's 2010 NCAA wrestling champion is trading in the headgear for a helmet. The Browns are giving him a chance to compete for a spot on the team at mini-camp this spring. Most invitees don't make it, but the would-be linebacker sure knows how to tackle.

Andy and photographer James Searls did a fantastic job at the Derby, last week. I'm glad I wasn't the only one to notice the strange sounds of an English track announcer, in Louisville....where they don't speak English.

Paddy's Day

Sure, everyone in Iowa would have loved to see Paddy O'Prado win the Kentucky Derby, but a third place finish is incredible.  Perspective helps.  Just a few months ago, Paddy was a long-shot just to qualify for the Derby.  Jerry Crawford, one of the owner's with Donegal Racing, said Paddy was knocked off his stride in the final turn, which may have prevented the horse from winning.  Either way, the Central Iowans that make up Donegal Racing made millions on Saturday.  Paddy won't run the Preakness, and the Belmont remains up in the air.  But at the very least, he'll command a sizeable stud fee for the rest of his life.  It's a charmed life (I'm talking about the horse, of course).

Fran McCaffrey landed a recruit on Saturday...again.  According to Hawkeyenation.com, Meslahn Basabe will sign with Iowa.  Basabe is a 6'7" forward out of New York.  He originally signed on to play for McCaffery at Siena, but was released from his letter of intent when McCaffery left for Iowa.

I'm headed to Kansas City on Monday to see Pearl Jam at the Sprint Center, and I'm bringing Mark Meisenheimer with me.  Mark has never seen PJ live, so I'm interested to see his reaction.  This will be my 18th show, for those of you scoring at home.  I can't wait to hear some of the songs off the new album live for the first time, and to hear "Even Flow" for the 18th time.

Peace out,

Shawn

A Horse of a Different Color.

I can't remember ever looking forward to the Kentucky Derby as much as I am this year.  Iowans love to root for other Iowans, even if the other Iowan is a horse.  Full disclosure, Paddy O'Prado has never set hoof in Iowa, but he's owned by a group of Iowans.

Andy Fales is having more fun at Churchill Downs than Clark W. Griswold did at Wally World.  Expect Andy to miss work the next couple of weeks as he undergoes a plastic surgery procedure to wipe the smile off his face.

Andy reports the odds on Paddy O'Prado have improved throughout the week.  There's at least a couple reasons for that... Paddy will start in the 10th position, which is ideal.  Also, the wet track conditions should favor the horse (his mudder was a mudder).

I survived "The Hangover II," but just barely.  Four days in Vegas for my brother's bachelor party led to antiboitics and eight days of recovery.  But it was worth it.  It might have been the best four days of my life.

Shawn

Bucket List, Hoiberg Hire, Little Big Dog

• I'm happy for my friend, Andy Fales. I don't think I've ever seen him look happier on the job than he does this week at Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby. Andy is covering the Iowa owned horse, Paddy O'Prado. Paddy is 20 to 1, but running from the best position---the 10---and he likes the mud. That could matter, a LOT, Saturday.
• Kentucky Derby tops Andy's sports bucket list. What's on yours? I'll start with the Masters, Wimbledon, and Notre Dame vs. USC football.
• Good first day on the job for Fred Hoiberg. I'm sure he had help, but a solid recruit right out of the gate makes already excited Cyclone fans downright giddy.
• The Hoiberg hire makes more sense to doubters the more they learn about the man and the plan. Still no lock, but then what hire would have been?
• I can't wait for some sunny weekend weather and an I-Cubs game. Might not be this weekend.
• My parents just showed up for a long visit. We love having them here. They make our lives easier, and they're fun. Each year it means more.
• We have a four pound dog, Maggie, who thinks she weighs 40. It's amusing to watch her try and intimidate dogs who could eat as a snack. I think they laugh.
• Shocker: early reviews for MacGruber are all positive. Several say the movie is hilarious. The movie must improve on the SNL skit. That almost never happens. Ladies Man anyone?

Right Said Fred

• Fred Hoiberg had a great news conference. No surprise. As Shawn Terrell said, Hoiberg seems like a guy who will succeed at whatever he does.
• Some of us who remember Fred in high school are shaking our heads that he's now the head coach at Iowa State. Time flies.
• We had Hoiberg on our radio show. He has a plan. He's confident. He knows why (some) people doubt him. I can't imagine anyone with no head coaching experience having a better shot at working out. Fred Hoiberg is not Clyde Drexler.
• Jamie Pollard told us every hire is a roll of the dice. (see Chizik, McDermott) Pollard believes Hoiberg is a safer bet than most. He might be right.
• Pollard sold some season tickets. Cyclone fans haven't been this excited about the basketball program since Larry Eustachy's prime.
• Johnny Orr, Jim Hallihan, and Gary Thompson all told me they have zero doubts Hoiberg will succeed.
• Bottom line: The Iowa State basketball program has a much brighter outlook than it did a week ago. It can't get much worse than fan apathy, bottom of the Big 12, and no Hilton Magic. Fans should be excited.

Hoiberg Hire: Inspired or Desperate?

Wow. That didn't take long.

Greg McDermott out. Fred Hoiberg in. Wait, did I just write, Fred Hoiberg in. Yes I did. He's the new men's head basketball coach at Iowa State.

Talk about making a splash. I talked to several Cyclone fans who are so excited, they can't contain it. Fred Hoiberg is a living legend, a Cyclone icon, a reminder of Hilton Magic. What he isn't is a head coach with any experience.

Anyone who says this is a great hire, or an awful one, is just flat out guessing. We don't know, and won't know for years. It's either inspired or desperate, but it's definintely a go for broke reach by Athletics Director Jamie Pollard. He's is either a visionary or short-sighted.

A big part of Pollard's job is to sell tickets, entice donors, and energize the fan base. Hiring Fred Hoiberg will do all three. Eventually, winning must follow. It's like building a new Major League Baseball stadium. For a few seasons, fans will sell it out no matter the product on the field. Sooner or later, if the team's not winning, fans stop coming. Just ask the Orioles.

I like it, but then I like Fred. I figure it can't get worse than the past four seasons. Iowa State's already ahead, and Creighton paid to make it happen.

I think Fred's experience as an NBA player and executive will help with the kind of egos and agendas McDermott could never figure out. It won't hurt that Fred can recruit by saying, "Want to get to the NBA? I know what it takes." Fred's love of Iowa State will help too, but nothing matters more than his staff. Retaining TJ Otzelberger is smart, he can recruit. Jeff Grayer could help too. He can get after players more than people realize. The other spots are key. Nick Nurse is out. Who's in? Hoiberg needs to add an assistant with extensive D1 experience. If he's been a head coach, even better. (A guy like Kirk Speraw, who just joined Fran McCaffery's staff at Iowa.)

The outlook for the 2010-2011 season just improved greatly. The years after that... who knows? Pollard knew from the jump who he wanted. He got him. I can't wait to find out if it works.

Win-Win-Win: Iowa State, McDermott, Creighton.

Cyclone fans aren't exactly celebrating, but I think most feel a sense of relief. For reasons McDermott supporters could never fully explain, Mac's four seasons in Iowa State just didn't work, and there was little reason to believe better days were ahead.

Some Cyclone fans feel jilted because McDermott broke up with Iowa State instead of the other way around. It's like a relationship you're in, you know it's not working, you're starting to not even like your girlfriend, but then she breaks up with you, and even though you wanted that to happen, it hurts. You feel cheated.

Iowa State is a better job than Creighton, even though Creighton is a great landing spot for a coach under fire. If McDermott were fully confident he'd get it done in Ames, I think he would have stayed. Mac never seemed to relate to Big 12 players. Most think they're NBA bound, even though most are not. In the MVC, it's a different mindset. For whatever reason, McDermott did not adjust, in the same way Rick Pitino, John Calipari and Tim Floyd flopped in the NBA despite being great college coaches.

McDermott is a nice man. He has a nice family. I believe he's sincere when he says he wants to coach his son, Doug, who Greg didn't think was a good fit for the Big 12. Like father, like son. This could work out better for nearly everyone: McDermott, his son, Iowa State, Jamie Pollard, Cyclone fans, Creighton, etc.

Who pulled a bigger Houdini: McDermott or Chizik? I'd say Chizik. He parlayed two horribly mismanaged seasons and 10 straight losses into a prime SEC gig. Still, four straight losing basketball seasons and 0 post-season wins into a 10 year contract at a good basketball school isn't bad either.

Pollard has now misfired on two big hires in four years, but he bounced back from the Chizik debacle by hiring a coach who actually wanted to be at Iowa State, Paul Rhoads. Pollard showed McDermott loyalty, some would say too much, and that should help sell the job to someone else. Pollard has been under a lot of pressure, and knows he needs to get this one right.

I feel for Nick Nurse and Jeff Grayer, especially Grayer. Nurse tells me he has several options, including a return to the Iowa Energy. Grayer has wanted to join the Cyclone coaching staff for years. Hopefully the next coach has room for a legend who really wants the job.

Neck Hole, Paddy's Day, McDermott's Decision

(Chris)

I usually enjoy covering I-Cubs games, but today (50-degrees, windy, rainy) wasn't the least bit enjoyable. There were around 500 people in the seats for the 1:00pm start. I was surprised there were even that many. The good news is, every fan that came was able to snatch up a free blue catchers mitt. My best highlight in the 90 minutes I spent in the ballpark was a boy trying to find the neckhole in a poncho.

Iowa-owned Paddy O'Prado is a 25-1 favorite in Saturday's Kentucky Derby. For some perspective, the Cubs have a better chance to win the world series at 22-1. In other words, I wouldn't bet on it. I wouldn't bet on either.

Two more Hawkeyes and another Cyclone will get a shot in the NFL. Iowa WR Trey Stross signed a free-agent deal with the Texans. Hawkeye OL Dace Richardson has been granted a tryout with the Giants. And Cyclone punter Mike Brandtner inks with the Jaguars. As for the draftees...only 4 teams in the country had more than Iowa's six.

Three years ago, Steve Alford was feeling at heat Iowa and bolted for New Mexico. Now, some Cyclone fans believe Greg McDermott may be thinking about jumping ship to Creighton. Personally, I think it would be a good move for him to make. He's entering a lame-duck year at Iowa State. I find it hard to believe that this team is talented enough to post a winning season. The additions of Nurse and Grayer are great, but coaches don't play.

Andy bought a Twix out of the vending machine, today. He was crying about how they're making all the standard sized candy bars smaller. I didn't believe him, until he brought it over. They either shaved two inches off the regular bar, or they enhanced the fun size bar. Either way, Andy is none too happy about it.

45 straight, We need Lightning, Back to Iowa

(Chris)

The 101st edition of the Drake Relays is in the books and, for the 45th consecutive year, the final day was sold out. Lolo Jones ran a fast 100m hurdle race, but her season-best time of12.68 wasn't good enough to beat her friend. Damu Cherry broke Lolo's record in the event. Afterwards, in the post-race press conference, Lolo told Cherry that she wasn't going to let her come back, next season (tongue in cheek of course). We'll get to see Lolo race, again, in late June. That's when Drake hosts the USA Track & Field Championships.

Katie Flood's Drake Relays career might be over, but she'll be back for the state meet in a few weeks. Flood set two more records on Saturday, including the 1,500m, where she bested her previous relays record by 5 seconds.

To be honest, when I came to Des Moines three years ago, I wasn't a big fan of the relays. It seems as if I enjoy them a little more with each passing year. 2010 was the best yet. I was there, on Wednesday, when there were ten's of people in the stands for the beginning of the Heptathlon. It's really neat to see the stadium fill up, and the excitement build, with each passing day.

I returned to the sports office just in time to watch Usain Bolt in the Penn Relays on ESPN2. Drake pulls in its fair share of top-notch talent, but there isn't a track and field athlete in the world that compares to this freak of speed. 54-thousand fans watched Bolt run the anchor leg of a 4x100m relay. Jamaica won and, needless to say, it was a Penn Relays record. If Drake can, somehow, come up with the funds to get Bolt to our Relays...that would sure be something to watch.

For the first time since joining the AFL, the Barnstormers are a winner. Iowa beat Oklahoma City, on Saturday night, 68-60. The 'Stormers are now 1-2 on the year. That's the good news. The bad news is, the crowd of 8,312 was a bit lacking. It had some to do with the Drake Relays, and more to do with the fact that it started at 8:10pm. I know it's Saturday night, but the thing didn't end until 11:00. You could argue that the NFL Network actually hurt the team, Saturday. After all, I think you need to be an employee of the NFL to actually get the NFL Network.

One-fourth of Iowa's starters from a year ago are now in the NFL. In all, six Hawkeyes heard their names called. I'm just glad its over so ESPN can start running promos for next years draft. I didn't watch of a lick of it.

Speaking of not watching, I still haven't seen a single inning of Cubs baseball, this year. I see they're 3-1 since moving Big 'Z' to the bullpen. Problem solved!

The most common headline on Cubs.com over the last two seasons...? Take a guess. If you said "Samardzija to Iowa", you're correct. Here's to hoping the 87th time is a charm, Jeff.

Creighton basketball coach Dana Altman is heading to Oregon. He is expected to be introduced as the new head Duck on Monday. His return flight from Eugene to Omaha is scheduled for Tuesday morning at 6:00am.

Indianapolis Hawkeyes, Good Hires, Rain Go Away

• The Colts love them some Hawkeyes! Indianapolis takes linebacker Pat Angerer in the second round. Pat wasn't even watching the draft because he didn't expect his phone to ring until at least round four. The Colts know a football player when they see one.
• Angerer, Dallas Clark, Bob Sanders, Mitch King, Jim Caldwell, Tom Moore... why don't they just change the name to Hawkeyes.
• If Tony Moeaki stays healthy, the Chiefs stole a potential All-Pro tight end in the third round.
• The Lions take Iowa corner Amari Spievey in the third round. I guess Spievey was right to leave early. He said he thought he'd go in the first three rounds.
• Four Hawks in three rounds. Pretty impressive.
• I love the Fran McCaffery hire of Kirk Speraw. Speraw was the Head Coach at UCF for 17 seasons and led the Knights to four NCAA Tournaments. Speraw's been trying to work his way back to Iowa for years. He played for the Hawkeyes, coached alongside Lute Olson, and knows what Carver-Hawkeye Arena was like when basketball mattered. He'll help.
• I also like Greg McDermott adding Jeff Grayer to the staff. Johnny Orr has been trying to get an Iowa State coach to add Grayer for years. Arguably the greatest Cyclone player ever, Grayer brings NBA credibility, but more importantly he should help remind players what Hilton Magic once was, and what it could be again (to paraphrase Terrence Mann). Sure, there's PR in this hire, but it's still a good move.
• Iowa State needs to name the Hilton Coliseum court "Johnny Orr Floor". Grayer's return makes the timing perfect, and we don't know how much longer we'll have Orr around to honor.
• The Drake Relays is one of the best run events anywhere, but they can't control the weather. I love track and field, but I'm not sitting in the rain. I suspect I'm not alone.
• Tasty Tacos. Mmm.

Kyle Orton Doesn't Wear Tim Tebow Pajamas

• The NFL draft has gone from a VFW folding table with men sitting behind helmets and rotary phones to an over-the-top extravaganza that resembles the Golden Globes.
• I loved the legends being introduced, even though it was a little cheesy. Jim Brown finally looks old, but Barry Sanders looks like he could run for 100 this weekend.
• The Rams draft Sam Bradford at #1. My friend Paul Burmeister with the NFL Network thinks Bradford's the real deal. We'll find out. The NFL is littered with first round failures at QB.
• Three of the first four picks were Sooners. Does that mean Big Game Bob Stoops couldn't win a championship the past couple years with an NFL team?
• The Broncos take Tim Tebow in the FIRST ROUND! Wow. Kyle Orton doesn't wear Tim Tebow pajamas.
• Right before Tebow picked up the phone, the NFL honored our servicemen and women. Nice moment.
• Jimmy Klausen falls to the second round. I guess character counts. Dude can play though.
• Did you see all those Yellow Jackets in the first round... none looked too impressive in the Orange Bowl when the Hawkeyes took their lunch money.
• I wish I could watch the NFL Network, but since it's not on Mediacom, ESPN had the coverage. The draft has a lot of moving parts and the anchors struggled at times. They stepped all over each and other, and had several moments where they didn't realize their mics were hot. I've been there myself.
• Word before the draft was Iowa's Bryan Bulaga might slide out of the top 5, or 10, or even 20. Word was right. Bulaga fell to the Packers at 23. Perfect fit. Though Bulaga is not an "Iowa farm boy" as Chris Berman described, Bulaga does look like he'd drive to Lambeau Field on a John Deere tractor. It all worked out in the end.
• Greg McDermott hiring Nick Nurse as Associate Head Coach makes a lot of sense. Nurse knows how to work with NBA wannabes, he has overseas connections, and he brings new up-tempo ideas. I think it's also a sign no one at Iowa State is thinking McDermott is a lame duck coach.
• Dowling's Katie Flood makes running 3,000 meters in under 10 minutes look effortless.

Drake Predictions, Night-Hawks, Slugger sent to 'Pen

(Chris)

The 101st edition of Drake Relays gives us something the previous 100 couldn't...a 14-year-old competitor. Prior Lake, Minnesota's Shaina Burns is in 7th grade and she's competing against college and pro athletes in the Heptathlon. Impressive.

A few predictions for this weekends events:

1. Someone by the last name of "Flood" will win a race.
2. Lolo Jones will wear sun-glasses, rain or shine.
3. Andy will be spotted, off-duty, under a tent.
4. Keith will use the term "vapor trail" in a sportcast.
5. Keith will use the term "vapor trail" again...

The Hawkeye football team will play two more regular season night games in 2010. The Sept. 18th road game at Arizona, and the Oct. 2nd home game with Penn State will both be played under the lights. If you're wondering why the home game against Ohio State on November 20th will be played during the day, it's because the Big Ten's TV contract doesn't allow in-conference night games after Nov. 1st. Bogus.

Former Hawkeye offensive tackle, Bryan Bulaga, will go early in Thursday night's NFL Draft. The consensus is, he'll either go 5th to Kansas City, or 9th, to Buffalo. One draft guru has him slipping out of the top 20, but that's not going to happen.

It sounds like Todd Lickliter, did, have a good incoming class for next season. South Dakota native Eric Larson asked out of his letter of intent when Fran McCaffery was hired. Today, he said he would sign with the Gators. Florida is a top-notch program. They've won a pair of national titles in the last 5 years.

Nick Nurse tells the Register he'll talk with Jamie Pollard, on Thursday, about the vacant top-assistant coaching position at ISU. I've heard people say that he would be taking a step down from D-League head coach, to D-I assistant coach. I think it's a lateral move, at worst, and somewhat of a step up. The only concerns I would have, is that he may be out (along with McDermott) after one season.

The Cubs moved Carlos Zambrano to the bullpen. They're now without an opening day starter, and their best hitter.

Big Ben gets a big suspension. Roethlisberger will have to sit out 4-6 games, to begin the 2010 season. Some say he may not be with the Steelers at the end of the week. I'd be surprised if they traded away a 28-year-old two-time Super Bowl MVP. He's a good decision-maker...........on the field.

Keith compared me to George Costanza in yesterday's blog. That's the best compliment I've ever gotten. All I've ever wanted in life is to drape myself in velvet, and naw on a block of cheese the size of a car battery.

New Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly was a finalist for the Iowa State head coaching position, a few years back. Gene Chizik ended up getting the job, and Kelly went to Cincinnati. Today, on the Dan Patrick Show, Kelly said he doesn't want ND to join the Big Ten because he doesn't want to have to take his players to Ames. We now know why Kelly didn't get the ISU job...he thinks the Cyclones are in the Big Ten.

Locust Avenue Vapor Trail, Hassel Costanza, Guilty Pleasure

• The Grand Blue Mile is another winner for the Drake Relays. I still can't belive a man ran through downtown Des Moines, 5,280 feet of it, in 3 minutes 54 seconds.
• The forecast for the Relays is a big bummer. Ed hopes he's wrong. Experience tells me he's not. Forecast calls for rain. And Pain.
• I'm glad we have the Iowa Energy, going to a game is a fun night out, but that was a small crowd for a win or go home game.
• Did I mention the Cubs aren't very good?
• MLB suspends Reds pitcher Edinson Volquez 50 games for testing positive for PED's, but since he's already on the DL, he's not playing anyway, yet those missed games count. Pathetic.
• Vikings at Saints to start the NFL season? I'm in.
• New shows worth watching: Justified, Parenthood, and Pacific.
• Guilty pleasure: Glee. Even my wife makes fun of me.
• Don't miss Chris Hassel in this week's "Juice". He looks like Bagger Vance, and sounds like George Costanza. Jannay Towne is the lovely cover lady.
• It's a clean sweep... USA Today names Ames Senior Harrison Barnes its boys basketball national high school player of the year. No surprise. Vance Downs is the coach of the year. (Thank you Des Moines Register.)
• Shawn Terrell is in Las Vegas for his brother's bachelor party. Have you seen the Hangover? This is the sequel.

Weekend in Wrigleyville, Full Moon, Pregnant Marathon Runner

• Props to the Des Moines Airport. Every time I fly somewhere else, I'm reminded how well run things are run back home.
• Flew to Chicago Friday. That's an easy flight on United. Took the train to our hotel, checked in, another train to Wrigleyville in plenty of time for lunch at the Cubby Bear, and first pitch at 1:20.
• Wrigley Field is not a nice ballpark by today's standards, but there's something magical about walking in the place, even when the ivy is still brown.
• The Cubs aren't very good this season. Alfonso Soriano serves as a microcosm for the the entire team. Great at times, awful at others, overall slightly above mediocre. And expensive.
• After spending a car payment for an afternoon of baseball, we headed to the Blackhawks playoff game. It was the first NHL playoff game for me. Awesome. 23,000 fans going bonkers, especially during the national anthem. The Blackhawks forgot to show up, but they can afford to add free agents in the off-season with what they charge for tickets, food, and drinks.
• Even though I know better, and I dressed in layers, I was still cold at Saturday's game. One thing to know about Wrigley in April and May is it can be very cold in the shade, even when it's nice and comfortable in the bleachers. We were behind home plate with the lake wind blowing straight at us. Brr.
• We ate a week's worth of calories at Gino's East. That deep dish pizza is ridiculous. They warn you when you order it will take 45 minutes to cook, and it's worth it.
• We hit the wall Saturday night and stayed in to watch a movie. Were we just tired, or is Mel Gibson's Edge of Darkness a convoluted mess?
• I am thankful for our annual "guys weekend". It's good for the soul to laugh so much. We even set aside five minutes to catch-up on family.
• Must have been a full moon for SoundOFF Sunday night. The callers were nuttier than squirrel turds.
• Congratulations to Chris Hassel and Shawn Terrell, Northwest Broadcast News Association Eric Sevareid award winners for outstanding sports reporting. Chris won first place, and Shawn an award of merit.
• I can't imagine running a marathon, let alone a marathon while I'm six months pregnant. Well, I can't imagine being six months pregnant either. Anyway, an Urbandale woman, Leah Newman, completed the Boston Marathon in 4 hours 21 minutes. She tells the Register's Bryce Miller she would have finished much sooner but she had to stop and pee all the time. Check Bryce's story here: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20100419/SPORTS13/100419032/1003/SPORTS/Urbandale-woman-six-months-pregnant-finishes-Boston-Marathon-in-4-21

Spring "game", Ferentz plays dumb, Rainy Relays

(Chris)

I was in Iowa City on Saturday, but I didn't attend the Hawkeye spring game; no one did. It's not a game, it's a practice...a practice that Ricky Stanzi, DJK, Marvin McNutt, Jewell Hampton, Adrian Clayborn, etc. didn't compete in. That being said, there was a football involved, so 23,500 Iowa fans showed up.

What did we learn? Well, DJK isn't allowed to talk to the media, for now. Big surprise. He's a great sound-bite, because he speaks his mind. That's exactly the reason Iowa doesn't want him to talk.

We also learned that Kirk Ferentz is well aware that the Hawks are pegged as a preseason top-10 team, even though he tries to play dumb. He told us he he happened to see that his team was ranked "somewhere" in the top-10 in SI (the sports mag has them 5th). One sentence later, he made a comment about his team not being the 5th best team in the country. He's crafty, and it works.

Jerome Tiller played better than Austen Arnaud at ISU's spring game. Keep in mind, however, that Tiller played against the extremely young and inexperienced second-team defense.

I'm glad to see that SEP walk-on Jeff Woody is making an impact in the backfield. He's a good, smart, player. However, I will be surprised if he really ends up grabbing the #2 spot on the depth chart as a RS freshman.

Is it me, or can Paul Rhoads grow a full goatee in less than a day?

Drake Relays week 'officially' begins with Monday's Beautiful Bulldog contest. The weather will be great, but the forecast for the main events on Friday and Saturday doesn't look good. Sound familiar?

A day after the Cardinals lost in 20 innings, the Cubs lost in 10. Are they better for only needing half the amount of innings to lose, or does that make them worse? It's going to be a long year on the north side, and for us miserable Cubs fans. Ryne Sandberg may be in Wrigley by next April.

Chris

Spring Football and The Hangover - Part Two.

I think I know less about the Iowa and Iowa State football teams than I did 24 hours ago.  Spring games/scrimmages are notoriously bland, and Saturday was no different.  I don't blame Kirk Ferentz and Paul Rhoads for keeping the games vanilla.  Compared with college football's elite teams, depth will always be a probem in Iowa City and Ames.  It doesn't make any sense to risk injuring starters in a game that doesn't count.  I think fans get it...most are just looking to cure their football fix on a nice spring day, and that was certainly accomplished on Saturday.

What a weird day in major league baseball.  The Rockies Ubaldo Jimenez walks six batters but still manages to throw the first no-hitter in franchise history.  And as I write this, they're about to sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" for the 3rd time at Busch Stadium.  The Cardinals and Mets are in the 20th inning.  My Cubs play a four-game series with the Mets starting Monday, so I'm glad to see NY's bullpen get taxed.

I'm off to Vegas for my brother's bachelor party tomorrow.  Needless to say, it should be a fun week.  I hope I don't run into Mike Tyson.

Shawn

The Barnstormers go to Milwaukee looking for a little revenge against Bob Landsee, but come home with a loss.  Iowa is now 0-2 on the season.

Ted Lilly pitched so well for the I-Cubs that he'll drop down to Single "A" Peoria for his final rehab start.  Seems like a good approach.  Next time I have a bad sportscast, I will attend an audio/visual class at Valley High School to get my confidence up.

Dallas Clark receives the Ray Pillar of Character Award, and he's deserving.  Other than one minor incident at a high school basketball game a few years back, Dallas has always set a positive example.

Austen Arnaud will be the face of the Iowa State football team in 2010.  What's encouraging for cyclone fans... Paul Rhoads says Arnaud is his most improved player this spring.

Spring football practice wraps up with games/public scrimmages in Ames, Iowa City and at Drake on Saturday.  I doubt any will be very exciting, but in April, fans are looking for any kind of football fix.

Shawn

Pollard Says Colvin Exit Part of a Larger Problem

• A source told me weeks ago Iowa State basketball player Chris Colvin was telling teammates and friends he'd made up his mind to transfer. At the same time, Cyclone head coach Greg McDermott felt Colvin had reassured him he was not leaving. Thursday, Iowa State confirmed what Cyclone fans had come to expect: Colvin is indeed gone.
• Colvin told our Shawn Terrell he just doesn't like McDermott's style of play, and wants to go somewhere he can run and gun. I'm not sure how McDermott's offensive strategy escaped Colvin during his recruitment, but Colvin never seemed happy at Iowa State. McDermott suspended Colvin for walking out of a team meeting, then made the questionable decision of reinstating him early due, in part, to Iowa State's depleted roster. Colvin showed flashes on the court, but mostly disappointed. He had bad body language, and never seemed to put the team first. 
• Cyclone fans run the spectrum from concerned to angry. Iowa State is proud of its basketball history, but it's been a bad five years. I can't overstate how much Greg McDermott is liked and respected throughout the Iowa State athletic offices, not to mention the coaching fraternity. I also know there's not a fan anywhere more frustrated or disappointed than McDermott himself, but Mac's record in Ames is getting harder to defend, and the defections are arming critics with more ammo.
• The Wesley Johnson transfer blindsided McDermott two years ago, Lucca Staiger was the mid-season surprise, Justin Hamilton the post. There have been many other departures, which Iowa State Athletics Director Jamie Pollard sees as more of a generational trend than an indictment of McDermott. Pollard remains a strong supporter of McDermott, and I believe Pollard is convinced McDermott is the right man for the job, but needs more time and better luck. Here's what Pollard is writing to Cyclone fans concerned about the defections:

Certainly we share your frustration, disappointment and even anger about the transfers in our men's and now even our women's basketball programs (women have now lost all four of their recruits from last year despite having Elite 8 and Sweet 16 teams). I can assure you both Coach McDermott and Coach Fennelly are concerned and trying to figure out how best to combat it. Part of Coach McDermott having two coaching vacancies is a direct result of his wanting to try and address the issue.


However, it also helps to keep our transfers in perspective. My peers and I continually discuss the epidemic around the country in the sport of basketball. In the past two years over 500 men's basketball players have transferred from a Division I team to another program. That number is absolutely amazing. Unfortunately if a kid's world is not absolutely perfect (in their mind), they run from the problem rather than deal with it. Makes you wonder if it is the first signs of our society's change in our early education program (no longer give kids grades - everybody passes; can't keep score, everybody has to win; if you do not like something, have mom or dad complain on your behalf). Personally I wonder how that generation is going to survive in the real world when mom or dad or AAU coach are not there for them during their first job interview or first job evaluation. The bottom line is life is not a video game, you can't just hit reset if you do not like your initial score.

Here are several links that clearly help put our transfers in perspective. Doesn't solve the issue but perspective on this issue is important.

First Link (SEC Transfers)

http://www.gatorsports.com/article/20100414/ARTICLES/100419770/1136?p=all&tc=pgall

Second Link (List of over 300 transfers in 2008)

http://collegebasketball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=667122

Third Link (more on 2008 transfers)

http://collegebasketball.rivals.com/content.asp?SID=1146&CID=942701

Thanks again for your support. One way or the other, we will get basketball fixed.

Go Cyclones!

Jamie Pollard

• McDermott is fortunate to have a boss who  has his back the way Pollard does. And Pollard is right, players are transferring everywhere, they are more entitled than ever, and the reset culture is troubling, but I doubt this makes Cyclone fans feel better. All coaches and schools are dealing with this reality; however, most aren't struggling the way Iowa State is. Successful coaches in the power conferences have to massage egos, recover from inevitable defections, and get everyone working toward the same goal. In that way, the college game is becoming more like the NBA.
• Greg McDermott and Todd Lickliter both proved a long time ago they can coach, but at a different level. Remember succesfull college coaches John Calipari, Rick Pitino, and Tim Floyd all failed miserably when they tried the NBA. In 2010 you have to find a way to relate to all your players, and for reasons I don't understand, that's where McDermott and Lickliter apparently struggle.
• I like Greg. I sincerely hope he finds a way to make it work in year five. It's hard to imagine right now, but it would make for a hell of a story.

Lilly's Temporary Pad, Minnesota Rain, UFO's Over Iowa

• Ted Lilly looked solid for Iowa Wednesday night. He's headed back to Chicago Thursday.
• Another perfect April night for I-Cubs baseball. Between Ryno managing, and this unbelievable weather, Iowa should make a run at the attendance record.
• The big Cubs won with a sweet comeback. Won't be long before the faithful start believing again.
• Did you see Twins fans trying to figure out what that wet stuff was falling down during the game? It's worth it to be out of the awful dome.
• Drake Relays Director Brian Brown went hard after Usain Bolt. Didn't land the big fish, but how cool would that have been. Keep trying, Brian.
• Our phones exploded during the newcast with viewers reporting bright lights they saw streaking across the sky. A logical explanation usually follows, but we're still waiting. I'm going home to watch Close Encounters.

The Norm, The Ridgemont, and the Lilly Pad.

To put a new spin on an old Seinfield line, "What's the deal with guys named Norm?"  Every Norm I know is colorful, charasmatic, and a little on the portly side.  Norm Parker has all three of those characteristics.  Iowa's defensive coordinator only speaks with the media two or three times a year, but it's always a treat.  Norm is 69 and continues to battle complications from diabetes so, when he does meet the media, he's inevitably asked how long he plans to keep coaching.  The answer is generally always the same, but Norm always finds a way to put a new spin on it.  Tuesday's retort: "I'll probably croak right on the field someday, you know?  I hope we're ahead when I do it."  Classic Norm.

Now that former Iowa State forward Justin Hamilton has transferred to a school (LSU) closer to to his home in Utah, we can move on.  That's good for me, because everytime I hear the name "Hamilton" I'm reminded of Judge Reinhold's character in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Brad Hamilton.  "Hamilton!  You're going over there as a representative of 'Captain Hook Fish and Chips.'  Part of our image, part of our appeal is that uniform.  You know that."  I wish Justin well in Baton Rouge, and I hope he pays a little more attention in his geography class at LSU than he did at ISU.

Due to schedule conflicts (and Keith's month-long vacation) I have yet to catch an I-Cubs game this season.  That changes on Wednesday.  Ted Lilly (pad) is scheduled to make a rehab start after getting scratched last Friday and on Sunday.  I can't wait.

Shawn

Fire Marshall Bill, Twins Heaven, Hawkeye Worries

• Back from a quick vacation in Belize, and my nose may fall off. I wore SPF 70, like the Irishman that I am, but a day at sea snorkeling has turned me into Fire Marshall Bill.

• This was the view off our deck. (I should have spent more time there.)

• I vowed to unplug for five days, and I really did. No email, texts, TV, Facebook, Twitter, radio, Blackberry or newspapers. I did it, and highly recommend it, though I'm glad to have all my toys back. It's only good to be oblivious for so long. (Insert joke here.)

• Congratulations to the Des Moines Register and photographer Mary Chind. The above River Rescue photo won a Pulitzer Prize.

• The Minnesota Twins no longer have to play in the worst baseball stadium in the history of the world. Congrats Twins fans. Target Field looks awesome.

• Wesley Johnson didn't last long at Syracuse either. The move sure worked well for him though.
• I know it's easy for Hawkeye fans to worry about another Iowa recruit backing out, but this almost always happens. Players generally commit to coaches, not schools. Fran McCaffery deserves time and patience. It can't get worse.
• I need to go apply more aloe.

We're not just watching TV

(Chris)

Continuing with Shawn's theme of a "glimpse behind the curtain", I'd like to dispel a common belief that all sports anchors do is watch TV. While we, often, do work with as many 5 TV's on in the background, we are rarely able to sit down and enjoy, say...The Masters.

On Sunday I anchored the 5pm and 9pm sportscasts. I arrived at the station at noon, set my rundown, and headed over to Principal Park for the I-Cubs game. Yes, we shoot our own video as well. Unless its a big, meaningful, game we don't stay for all 9 innings. Thankfully, Jason Dubois hit a homer, and a girl in front of me was eating a huge pickle. Those two shots, along with a strikeout, here and there, were good enough for me.

I then returned to the sports office to edit and write the I-Cubs video, including a couple of other local and national stories. By 4pm, I was in good shape...and then I had to leave, again.

The Energy played at home in a deciding 1st-round playoff game. I shot the first half of the first quarter and high-tailed it back to the sports office. As I walked in Andy, who had just arrived, was screaming over a shot Phil Mickelson had just made, and I had just missed.

After anchoring the 5, there was nothing more to shoot. I spent the majority of the rest of the night helping Mr. Fales put together his Tiger Nike ad spoof. By 11:15pm I was home playing my new Tiger Woods '10 ps3 game. When I was done playing, I went to bed. That was at 4am.

Another glorious day as a sports reporter.

Happy Monday,
Chris

What's a gelding?

My thoroughbred racing knowledge is pretty limited, but it's pretty cool that a colt owned by a group of Central Iowans will run in the Kentucky Derby.  Congratulations to Donegal Racing, and Paddy O'Prado.  I've already volunteered to go to Churchill Downs to cover the race.

Saturday's 3rd round of The Masters was the second-most entertaining round of golf I've ever watched.  It's hard to top the final round at Augusta in 2004 when Lefty caught Ernie Els.  If I remember correctly, there was also a hole-in-one down the stretch in '04 as well.

Nick Nurse sounds interested in joining Greg McDermott's staff (see video at whotv.com).  I know Nurse can coach, and I know he can shoot. But Nurse hasn't been around the college game in more than a decade, so he seems like a risky hire.

The Ryne Sandberg era is off to a great start, if you don't take into account the I-Cubs record.

And yes, I know what a gelding is. 

Shawn

Frenetic Friday

One of the questions I often get from both friends and strangers alike... "Who decides what stories you put in the sportscast?"  Answer:  99 percent of the time, Keith, Chris and I do. Whoever is anchoring on a given day has a three minute canvas... we get to paint it any way we choose.

Most days, we have a pretty good idea how we're going to fill that three minutes before we ever get to work at 2 p.m. We have a calendar in the sports office that we use to keep tabs on games, news conferences, etc.  On top of that, we read the paper, watch TV, listen to the radio, and check the internet in the a.m. to find out what else is happening in the world of sports.

But there are also days like Friday when unexpected stories pop up.  These are the fun days (sarcasm).  For example, at 5:15 on Friday, The University of Iowa sent out a news release confirming that Aaron Fuller was transferring and that incoming recruit Cody Larson had been granted a release from his letter of intent.  Also around that time, a Houston television station reported on its website that ISU assistant basketball coach Daniyal Robinson had accepted a similar position at the University of Houston.  At 5:30, I got a phone call from Charles Zanders confirming a tip I received last week... that he would be named the new head men's basketball coach at Simpson College.   Needless to say, I had to re-shuffle my sportscast.  All three stories were more newsworthy than anything else I planned on putting in the sportscast.  So the challenge becomes figuring out a way to make all these new "pieces" fit into our three minute "puzzle."  It's actually fun... in a weird sort of way.  Long story short, when I went on the air at 6:20, my sportscast looked nothing like I thought it would at 5:20.

Another glimpse behind the curtain...

Shawn

It's complicated.

I've always had a hard time explaining exactly how I feel about Tiger Woods, and the shenanigans that have come to light over the last five months only complicate my feelings.  Part of me despises the guy, while part of me can't help but cheer for him. 

I've never met Tiger Woods, so my opinion of him is completely based on his behavior on the golf course and during interviews.  And his behavior has always bugged the crap out of me.  First of all, the guy has always acted like a whiner and an entitled brat on the course... whether it's swearing, slamming clubs, or scowling after a bad shot. Tiger has always left me with the impression that he thinks it's the fault of the ball, the club, the lie, or the spike mark when a shot doesn't end up in the fairway, on the green, or in the hole.  He could never accept that it was (sarcastic gasp) his fault.  His defenders will point to his extreme competitive nature.  That's a cop out.  Other golfers are just as competitive, and the most don't behave that way.  Other Wood's apologists will imply that because the camera follows his every move, his outbursts stand out more compared to less notable golfers.  Again, I don't buy it.  On Monday, Tiger vowed to tone down his on-course antics, but I didn't see a noticable improvement during the first round of the Masters.

As for Tiger's recent off the course exploits, they bother me. But not for the reasons they bother most.  I'm not a moralist.  I'm not going to judge the way others live their life.  On top of that, I've covered sports long enough to know that a large percentage of professional athletes, if not a majority, cheat on their wives and girlfriends. What bothered me most about Tiger's sex scandal was the hypocracy of it all.  Tiger worked very hard to cultivate an imaged that portrayed himself as buttoned-down, morally-sound family man.  He was the exact opposite.  He was a phony. And I don't buy that he's a sex addict.  Again I'll preface, I don't know the man.  But I think Tiger sought sex rehabilitation mostly to expediate the rebuilding of his image.  It's much easier for the public to forgive someone that claims to be an addict.  Addiction implies the subject can't control his/her actions.  And it sounds better p.r.-wise compared to the alternative conclusion... that Tiger is just another sex-crazed male with power.  Chris Rock said it best... a man is basically as faithful as his options.

I'll give Tiger this... he's paid a steep price.  He's acted genuinely remorseful and appears to accept responsibility for his actions.  Still, the reception Tiger received at Augusta on Thursday was a little too warm for my taste.  He was applauded not just warmly, but as loudly as ever.  I wish it would have been a little more icier, if you will. I didn't want, or expect, people to jeer or boo.  But it just seemed like he eased right back into his comfort zone amongst the fans a little too easy.  It wasn't much of a pennance, considering the huge distraction he's become for the game of golf.

But here's the strange part.  Having said all that, I root for the guy on the course.  I can't help but be amazed when he hits a great shot.  I couldn't wait to see Tiger's first tee shot at Augusta.  Maybe it's just because I like to see golf played well, and tournaments are so much more interesting when Tiger is in contention.

Like I said, it's complicated.

Shawn

Best Week Ever 2

(Chris)

Shawn's post about the best sports week got me all fired up. I'm the biggest college football fan out there, but Capital One Bowl Week isn't a week...it's a season! The thing lasts about 23 days...so that's out.

On the national scene, it's hard to beat a week featuring the NCAA title game, MLB opening day, and The Masters. But there's nothing local about that, unless we're talking I-Cubs.

The best day of the year, is the Thursday opening round of the NCAA tournament. But, the best week of the year, is the first week in September. Nothing beats the start of college football. Bowl games are fun, but lets be honest, most of them are meaningless. Get back to me when they rename it Capital One Playoff Week.

We're without the best sport on earth for 8 long months. The good news is, we only have 5 months left to kill.

Chris

Best Week Ever?

It's Shawn.

Hopefully, VHI won't order "Murphy's Law" to cease and desist for copyright infringement.  The point being, this week is a great week for sports fans.  The Final Four, opening day in Major League Baseball, and The Masters.  It's the convergence of three great sports.  While I always enjoy this week, it's not my favorite week of the sports year.  Many of my friends and collegues disagree.

First, I love the Final Four.  But for me, it doesn't compare to the excitement and wall to wall basketball that accompanies the first two days of the NCAA tournament.  Opening Day in MLB is a great day, but I never get truly excited about baseball until at least Memorial Day.  And while I love golf, and The Masters is my favorite golf tournament, I refuse to get caught up in the four day drool-a-thon over Amen Corner and Butler Cabin.

Give me Capital One Bowl Week any week of the year.  Is it college football season yet?

Shawn

"Let's Be Mad Again"?, Barnstormers Wide Awake, Dragon Training.

• The Eagles trade Donovan McNabb. Saw that coming. But they traded McNabb to the Redkins! Bold. McNabb will try to make the 'Skins pay twice a season, and Mike Shanahan now has the quarterback he needs.
• "Let's Be Mad Again"? Nice effort. Bad idea. Anytime you have to explain a slogan, the slogan doesn't work.
• I can't remember a Final Four with less buzz. I still think it has a lot to do with busted brackets. When fringe fans no longer have a rooting interest, they need a contending office pool bracket to keep them engaged. Most of us were out when UNI punked KU. What will happen to office pools when the NCAA Tournament expands to 96 teams. Two sheets? First round byes? If people don't play pools, it will impact interest from the casual fan.
• I'd love to see Butler win, but can't see it happening. Prove me wrong, Bulldogs!
• Butler reaching the championship game does provide new hope for Hawkeye fans. Maybe Iowa can also play for a title three years after Lickliter leaves.
• Surreal to see the President on TV, he only mentions one winning team from the NCAA tourney, and it's UNI.
• UConn vs Stanford in the NCAA Women's basketball final. Who saw that coming? Oh yeah, right, everybody.
• Great to see baseball back. The Yankees & Red Sox started it off with a good, see-saw game. Growing up in New England, I'm always happy when the season starts with a Red Sox win, and a Yankees loss.
•  I can't believe ESPN picked the Yanks & Sox. Shocking.
• Former Hawkeye QB and KWWL sports anchor Paul Burmeister is a great success story. He's now a major player at the NFL Network, and it couldn't happen to a nicer guy.
• Boy, the Barnstormers got a wake-up call. This isn't af2.
• I loved "How To Train Your Dragon". It's a great movie for kids, or anyone who was ever a kid. I went with my two boys, and it was good for bonding. Fun.

The Butler did it

It's Shawn.

I'm sure every newspaper in America will adopt that pun-induced headline on Tuesday if the Bulldogs can pull off the upset against Duke.  While the Butler-Michigan St. slugfest did make me long for the up-tempo days when teams like Loyola-Marymount and UNLV would regularly eclipse the century mark, I am pulling for the Bulldogs.

The West Virginia-Duke semifinal was a dog, although I was taken aback twice while watching the game.  First, I learned Bob Huggins was twice an Academic All-American during his playing days at West Virginia. That's not what most would expect, considering Huggins' track record of recruiting poor students during his tenure at Cincinnati.  Although to be fair, Huggins roster at WV features some players that are very good students.  I digress. The other surreal moment occured when Huggins came to the aid of injured player Da'Sean Butler.  Huggins got down on the floor and straddled Butler for what seemed like an hour, and whisperered to his player.  Huggins face was literally two centimeters from Butler's face.  I honestly thought he was going to kiss him.  I understand how close the bond can be between players and coaches, but Huggins took it to another level.  Weird.

Until next time..

Shawn

Barnstormers, Twins, and it's all about the benjamins.

It's Shawn.

Everything about the Barnstormers return to the AFL was electric... except the team's play on the field.  Actually, Iowa didn't play that bad.  But falling behind 17-0 in the AFL is akin to falling behind 35-0 in the NFL, and the Barnstormers don't have Frank Reich on their roster.

Speaking of the Barnstormers roster, it might benefit from a few free agent signings.  I blogged earlier in the week that the lack of AFL-caliber talent concerns me, and Friday's game did nothing to change my mind.  To be fair, Chicago is expected to be one of the top teams in the league.  But I don't think the Iowa will make the playoffs with the roster it has right now.

The Twins opened up Target Field with an exhibition loss to the Cardinals on Friday.  I only caught a couple innings of the game, so don't ask me for a rundown of Target Field's sweet amenities.  But anything is better than baseball in the Metrodome.

With a new stadium in tow, I'm a little confused why Major League Baseball would schedule the Twins to play their first seven games of the season on the road.  Wouldn't it be better for the Twins to show off their new digs on opening day?  Then again, MLB might have been playing the percentages.  Target Field does not have a retractable roof.  On average, I'm guessing the second week of April in Minneapolis is warmer than the first.

I have yet to hear anyone (friends, collegues, or members of the media) applaud the idea of expanding the NCAA tournament to 96 teams.  The only people that seem to be in favor of expansion are the NCAA talking heads.  It's obvious the proposed expansion is all about money which, on the surface, seems selfish.  But consider this... According to a recent USA Today article, only 14 Division I schools (including Iowa) had self-sufficient athletic departements last year.... meaning more than 300 Division I schools rely, in part, on tax dollars and student fees.  As more and more pressure is put on institutions to stop using tax dollars to support college athletics, maybe generating more television revenue for more schools isn't a bad idea. 

I just wish the NCAA would call a spade a spade.  Don't patronize us by selling the 96 team tournament as a way to enrich the athletic experience for more student-athletes.  Just come out and say the bigger tournament is all about money.   Remember, this is the same institution with the same conference commissioners that continue to shoot down an eight team playoff for college football because it would have a negative affect on football players classroom attendance.  But in college basketball, it's okay for student-athletes to (hypothetically, worst-case scenario) miss three straight weeks of class?  BS.  A 96 team field in college basketball and the current college football bowl system are the best way to maximize ticket sales and television revenue.  And as I indicated above, that's not my biggest issue.  My biggest problem is with the NCAA's sales pitch.  We're not fools.

I feel much better.

Shawn

No Barnes, Bracket Busted for Good, Packers of the AFL

• Nice job raising money for Coaches vs. Cancer. The First Annual Senior All-Star showcased many of the CIML's best basketball players, though there was one notable absence: the top recruit in the nation, Ames Senior Harrison Barnes. Have to cut Barnes a break though, he was in the McDonald's All-America game the night before.
• The WNBA invites its first Cyclone to the draft. Congrats Alison Lacey. Lacey didn't dream that big while growing up in Australia.
• Ali Farokhmanesh couldn't find the magic in the 3-point shooting contest either. That's okay. He'll always have Kansas. And UNLV.
• I'll still watch the Final Four, but it's a lot less interesting when my bracket's been completely blown up. I'll bet I'm not alone, and the NCAA should think about that before going through with the obvious cash grab of expanding the tourney. How many fewer brackets will people fill out when it's two sheets and 96 teams?
• Nice article on Marshalltown's Jeff Clement in USA Today. Jeff's one of the good guys. I had forgotten for a moment he's now a Pirate. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/nl/pirates/2010-03-31-clement-breakout-player_N.htm
• The weekend means making good on my promise: "How To Train Your Dragon". Anyone see this?
• The Barnstormers are the Packers of the AFL. Look for a record crowd Friday night. If you're not on Mediacom, and you get the NFL Network, you can watch and hear former Hawkeye QB Paul Burmeister on play-by-play.