The Kind-Hearted Smart Aleck

Podcast: I Feel Snitty Episode 196: Stick to the Sports Premiere Date: 6/14/2022 Length: 5:07 (869 words) Link: https://ifeelsnitty.podbean.com/e/stick-to-the-sports/ Transcript:  Welcome to I Feel Snitty , episode 196, entitled, “Stick to the Sports.” I’m your host, Craig Rozniecki.   While I typically stand up for celebrities’ rights to speak freely without the fear of repercussion, there are occasions when the dumb-jock stereotype rings true and it’d probably be best for said athletes to just stick to the sports. The two latest cases? Washington Commanders defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio and Tampa Bay Devil Rays pitcher Jason Adam.   Let’s start with Del Rio, who recently compared the January 6 th Capitol attack to the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, saying, “People’s livelihoods are being destroyed, businesses are being burned down – no problem. And then we have a dust-up at the Capitol, nothing burned down – and we’re gonna make a major deal?” Del Rio...

The latest episode of my podcast ("I Feel Snitty"), entitled, "Stick to the Sports," is now available! Here's a brief description of it: What do Washington Commanders defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio and Tampa Bay Devil Rays pitcher Jason Adam have in common? They lend credence to the dumb-jock stereotype. In this episode, I snarkily dissect a couple of their recent such comments. The episode can be heard here. - https://ifeelsnitty.podbean.com/e/stick-to-the-sports/

It seems that much of the talk this week surrounding the NFL has been with regard to coaches. So, I thought I'd put in my two cents on the hot topics of the week: 1) Is Bill Belichick and Tom Brady's successful run over? After the New England Patriots were dominated on Monday night against the Kansas City Chiefs, falling 41-14, which dropped them to 2-2 on the season, I can't tell you how many times analysts asked the question, "Is that it?" My response? Let's not jump the gun quite yet. While it's true that the Patriots have looked like anything but their old selves this season, they do play in the AFC (L)East and are currently tied for the division lead, alongside Buffalo and Miami. To start the year last season, while New England was 2-0, they had beaten the Buffalo Bills (who went on to be 6-10) and the New York Jets (8-8) by the combined score of 36-31 (average of 18.0 - 15.5), and many people were asking, "Is that it for Tom Brady and the...

Rumor has it that Michigan head football coach Brady Hoke and Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz were out partying all weekend. That may be the only possible excuse they could give for the pair of bonehead decisions they made toward the tail-end of their games this past weekend. Down 9-6 to Northwestern late in the 4th quarter on Saturday, Brady Hoke decided to go for it on a 4th-and-2 inside the Northwestern 10-yard line. Quarterback Devon Gardner ran to the outside, only to be stopped short of a first down - handing the ball back over to the Wildcats. Luckily for Hoke, Michigan was able to pull off a miracle field goal with no time remaining to send the game to overtime, only to win 27-19 in triple overtime. I'm curious what Hoke was thinking. His offense has struggled immensely this season, especially of late. The game had not featured a single touchdown to that point in the game. The chip-shot field goal would have been almost automatic, tied the game, and likely sent it to ove...

Earlier today, Forbes.com  released the results of a survey conducted by E-Poll Market Research on the most disliked players in the NFL. Here are the results: 1. Michael Vick (quarterback - Philadelphia): 53% (said they disliked him) 2. Manti Te'o (linebacker - San Diego): 48% 3. Ndamukong Suh (defensive lineman - Detroit): 43% 4. Ben Roethlisberger (quarterback - Pittsburgh): 40% 5. Mark Sanchez (quarterback - NY Jets): 40% 6. Jay Cutler (quarterback - Chicago): 33% 7. Tony Romo (quarterback - Dallas): 32% 8. Tom Brady (quarterback - New England): 25% 9. Carson Palmer (quarterback - Arizona): 24% 10. Reggie Bush (running back - Detroit): 22% While some of these names don't surprise me, others do, as do the rankings at times. For one, it doesn't surprise me in the least bit to see Michael Vick's name at or near the top due to his dogfighting crimes, however why is it he's at #1 while Ben Roethlisberger and his rape allegations places him at #4?...

Like with Boston Bruins' goaltender Tim Thomas skipping the White House visit after his team won the Stanley Cup last year due to politics, center for the 2012-2013 Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens - Matt Birk - did likewise. I wrote a blog about Thomas' action and I will just copy and paste the tail end of that for this occasion: "I thought about Thomas' actions for a few minutes. I'm all for a person expressing his or her opinion, for making a political statement (so long as it's non-violent), but don't support his decision here. I may not agree with Thomas' politics, but that isn't the reason I feel this way. He can believe whatever he wants to believe. That's his right. The reason I feel this way is because I think it was a selfish gesture on Thomas' behalf to both his teammates and the organization. Instead of the media's focus being on the Bruins' celebrating their Stanley Cup Trophy at the White House, it wa...

I've had a few days to think about the Penn State ruling and I'm still uncertain about what I think. Due to the horrendous things that occurred, the team/coaches have to be punished, right? Yet at the same time, most everyone whom was involved in this scandal are either no longer with the team or dead, so why must the students whom had nothing to do with it be punished as well? Then again, this happens with regard to all penalties/probation. When a scandal brews, the coach gets let go and the incoming coach and players whom had nothing to do with it feel the brunt of the punishment. It's not fair to them, but then what's to be done for the NCAA to set an example by punishing teams/schools for such infractions? In the end, I think I feel bad for the students (and new coaches) there, yet also think it was probably the right thing to do. I don't wish anything negative upon Penn State. I hope that, in the end, the coaches, players, team and university can be strengthene...

So, I'm sitting here, reading some articles while listening to ESPN Sunday NFL Countdown and a decent-sized chunk of the program has been centered around Philadelphia Eagles' starting quarterback, Michael Vick, his two injuries in two weeks (concussion and bruised right hand) and how to better protect him. Trent Dilfer, Keyshawn Johnson and Mike Ditka all made good points - Dilfer suggesting Philly goes into more empty sets and give Vick quick pass options, Johnson and Ditka both agreeing that the Eagles should utilize their strong ground game to make for a more effective play action game and to move Vick outside of the pocket with bootlegs and waggles. Cris Carter then said something along the lines of, "It's not the coaches responsibility to protect Michael Vick. It's not the league's responsibility. It's not the offensive line's responsibility. The only person responsible is Michael Vick. The Eagles didn't sign him to a $100 million contract beca...