Left Shark Rules

My favorite meme to come out of the Katy Perry halftime Super Bowl performance is Left Shark. Left Shark has his own Twitter account.

Quote of the Day

“If the quaterback throws the ball in the endzone and the Wide Receiver catches it……. It’s a touchdown.”

John Madden

I'm glad John Madden cleared up that whole the receiver's job is the score touchdown nonsense for us.

Tea Party Nation Offers Tony Dungy PR Advice

Who better than Cap Black the Hood Conservative of Tea Party Nation to advise Tony Dungy on how to handle his PR disaster. Dungy made this statement, on openly gay NFL draft pick Michael Sam, to the Tampa Tribune.

“I wouldn’t have taken him,’’ said former Bucs and Colts coach Tony Dungy, now an analyst for NBC. “Not because I don’t believe Michael Sam should have a chance to play, but I wouldn’t want to deal with all of it.

“It’s not going to be totally smooth … things will happen.’’

I am not shocked by Dungy's statements. Taken at face value they are not offensive. Some people feel that Dungy's stature in the NFL will give teams cover not to draft gay players. I have never been a Dungy fan. Partly because I have never been a fan of the Bucs or the Colts. I am not the best person to comment on Dungy's stature. I also don't give a shit what Dungy has to say on any particular subject. I find the man painfully dull.

Here comes Cap Black the Hood Conservative (who makes these tea party names) to defend Dungy's honor.

CAP BLACK SAYS: " Dungy isn't required to prostrate himself at the secular altar of gay rights. He made a valid assessment and isn't a " coward " nor "bigot. " Black man are free NOT to be part of the Political Correctness choir. This seems more an issue of using this foot ball player to advance a majority White, progressive assault on traditional marriage and gender roles. Any Black man who speaks contrary to this trend must be demonized lest more of his people follow suit. "

Dungy has taken a stance on gay marriage. Dungy is against gay and lesbian couples marrying. Dungy even spoke to the anti-gay marriage group the Indiana Family Institute.

"We're not trying to downgrade anyone else. But we're trying to promote the family -- family values the Lord's way," Dungy said.

If that statement wasn't so sad it would be funny. I doubt Dungy has ever asked a gay couple if they would feel downgraded if they wouldn't be allowed to marry. I wish Dungy would.

Update: Nick Wagoner asked Michael Sam about Dungy's comments. Sam doesn't seem too worried.

Sam on Dungy's comments: "Thank God he wasn't the St. Louis Rams coach. (laughs) I have a lot of respect for Coach Dungy." (1 of 2)

— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) July 22, 2014

"And like everyone in America, everyone is entitled to their own opinions." (2 of 2)

— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) July 22, 2014

Update: Keith Olbermann rips the hypocrisy of Dungy.

Terry Bradshaw: National Security Expert

Fox News brought out their leading national security expect to discuss Benghazi. Yes, I'm talking about NFL Hall of Fame member Terry Bradshaw.

Bradshaw said this when asked if he trusts Hillary Clinton's version of the events after the Benghazi attack.

“Not really,” he grimaced. “Don’t particularly like her, never have. The best thing to do here because she’s selling a book — the only reason she’s on Fox is because she’s promoting books.”

“I always say this, if you tell the truth, you don’t have to worry about covering up some other story,” he continued. “The truth sets you free. Just tell the truth. And now you can hang it — you’ll never forget it, and it becomes your foundation.”

Political views aside, I have always liked Bradshaw. That doesn't mean Fox News should Bradshaw on to talk about Benghazi. Fox News could bring conservative political science professor Dan Drezner on the show. The problem is Drezner is too reasonable for Fox News. Fox News does not do reasonable.

Quote of the Day

Any NFL player who doesn't support @MikeSamFootball for religious reasons is VERY ignorant. You work on Sunday; that is a commandment. #RT

— Nicholas A. Ferroni (@NicholasFerroni) February 10, 2014

A fantastic point. Maybe these Christian football players believe that Jesus and the disciples played touch football.

Write A Caption: Peyton Manning

NFL For Hipsters

David Jenkins of Jobsite Theater posted this on Facebook. Artist David Rappoccio posted drawings of what if every NFL logo was designed by hipsters. The results are hysterical.

Shocker: Rick Scott Warming Up to Miami Dolphins Stadium Deal

It should come as no surprise that Gov. Rick Scott is leaning towards supporting the Miami Dolphins stadium deal.

I like the fact that the Dolphins are putting up a lot of [the club's] money up," he said Tuesday, the day after the football team inked an agreement with Miami-Dade County. "I like the fact they're committing to stay. I like the fact that there's a referendum. They're fulfilling those obligations. But I haven't seen the return-on-investment numbers, which of course is the biggest thing."

Study after study have found that sports stadiums do not have a major positive economic impact for local communities. A study by economists Brad Humphreys and Dennis Coates for the libertarian-leaning Cato Institute found the financial benefits of sports stadiums overrated.

Our conclusion, and that of nearly all academic economists studying the issue, is that professional sports generally have little, if any, positive effect on a city's economy," Humphreys and Coates wrote in a report issued last month by the Cato Institute in Washington, D.C.; The institute commissioned the professors to study the economic impact of a deal proposed by Anthony Williams, the mayor of Washington, D.C.; under terms of the agreement, Major League Baseball would move the Montreal Expos to the nation's capital in exchange for a new, city-built ballpark.

Economist Dean Baim found that taxpayers loss money on sports stadiums. The reason is simple. Taxpayers pay for the construction and upkeep of the sports venues. The owners of the sports franchises keep the profits. Cities do not get a return on their investment. Would you give money to let someone start a business and then let that business owner keep the profits? That is exactly the kind of deals elected officials negotiates with sports franchises.

Scott made the statement that the Miami Dolphins will put up money to pay for the stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner Malcolm Glazer promised to pay have the cost of the construction of Raymond James Stadium. Glazer later reneged on that promise. Don't count on Dolphins owner Stephen Ross to put up a penny for a new stadium.

Jim Harbaugh Reaction

In a matter of minutes there is a Jim Harbaugh gif to his reaction to the call in the 49ers-Falcons game. This will go viral fast.

The Liberal Media

I'm so glad the press pool took time to play some hard-hitting flag football with Mitt Romney's campaign staff. I look forward to Michelle Malkin expressing her outrage.

Comedy Hits Keep Coming From Tea Party Nation

Tim Nerenz of Tea Party Nation writes a long diatribe praising the top one percent and dissing the Occupy Wall Street protesters. (Remember when the tea party said the were protesting because they were against the bailout.) A member of Tea Party Nation supporting economic disparity is not surprising. What is surprising is this hysterical paragraph.

Packer linebacker Clay Matthews is another evil one-percenter. You want to talk injustice - how is it fair that one guy gets to be so handsome, rich, athletic, smart, and cool while the rest of us can’t see our shoes anymore and have to ask what fork to use? And what is Clay Mathews supposed to do about our man-crush envy - cut off a bicep so we can have one, too? Spread the hair around? Share some of his snaps with the unemployed and uncoordinated?

"Our man-crush envy"? At first I thought that Nerenz was referring to the former Cleveland Browns linebacker. I realized that Nerenz was writing about the elder Matthews' son. I haven't followed the career of the younger Matthews because I hate the Packers. Matthews is a very good player, but he isn't the most marketable player outside of Green Bay.

Seriously, does any straight male want to hear another man describe him as "so handsome, rich, athletic, smart, and cool"? Is this a conservative blog post or a Valentine Day's card. I have never heard anyone say they have a man-crush on Matthews. I'm sure Matthews will be happy to know some creepy old guy thinks he is hot.

Another Republican Ignorant on Constitutional Law

I hate to bash Jon Runyan. He was a good player for the Eagles. However, if he wants to run for Congress he should have some familiarity with the Supreme Court.

At a debate Tuesday night, Runyan's Democratic opponent, Rep. John Adler asked, "Jon, it's a different branch of government, but can you give me an example from the last 10 or 15 years of a Supreme Court decision in which you strongly disagree?"

"That I strongly disagree with?" Runyan clarified, pausing before considering his final answer.

"Dred Scott," Runyan responded, drawing laughter from the audience.

Dred Scott was a slave who attempted to gain his freedom. He lost his case in the infamous Supreme Court decision Dred Scott v. Sandford on March 6, 1857. Needless to say, that Supreme Court decision was more than 15 years ago.

Runyan probably said Dred Scott because Republicans have used that has a code word to social conservatives against abortion. Here are some examples.

"Like Dred Scott, Roe has the potential to be overturned, given the right circumstances and the right make-up of the Supreme Court. Political rhetoric notwithstanding, we subscribe to that view. In his heart, we believe Senator Ashcroft thinks so, too."

Republican National Coalition for Life

"Roe v. Wade is not going to be the last word on American abortion law any more than Dred Scott v. Sanford was the last word on the rights of blacks."

Conservative columnist Jeff Jacoby

"I think, as many do, that Roe v. Wade was as big a travesty as the Supreme Court decision on Dred Scott, which in 1857 declared that descendants of slaves could not become U.S. citizens."

Peggy Noonan

I doubt Runyan even knows what the Dred Scott ruling was about. What we are seeing is more and more conservatives that think in talking points. These people do not have the intellectual curiosity to get into the policy weeds. Therefore no one should be suprised Runyan or Christine O'Donnell have no idea about constitutional law.

Rush Out of Rams Bid

ESPN reports the group vying to buy the St. Louis Rams is dropping conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh. St. Louis Blues owner Dave Checketts formed a group to raise the money to buy the Rams. Limbaugh has become toxic from past racist remarks made at black athletes.

Limbaugh was fired from ESPN's "Sunday NFL Countdown" for comments directed at Donovan McNabb.

"Sorry to say this, I don't think he's been that good from the get-go," Limbaugh said. "I think what we've had here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well. There is a little hope invested in McNabb, and he got a lot of credit for the performance of this team that he didn't deserve. The defense carried this team."

Limbaugh once refered to the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens as "the Crips and the Bloods." Several NFL players have said they do not want to play for a Limbaugh team. The NFL doesn't want a man convicted for illegally acquiring OxyContin. Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay publicly stated he would not vote for Limbaugh.

"I, myself, couldn't even consider voting for him," Irsay said at today's NFL owners meetings. "When there are comments that have been made that are inappropriate, incendiary and insensitive... our words do damage, and it's something we don't need."

Limbaugh refuses to take responsibility for his past comments. He takes to the airwaves and blames it all on the Left. The man with the $400 million radio contract is a powerless victim.

"This is not about the NFL, it's not about the St. Louis Rams, it's not about me," Limbaugh said. "This is about the ongoing effort by the left in this country, wherever you find them, in the media, the Democrat Party, or wherever, to destroy conservatism, to prevent the mainstreaming of anyone who is prominent as a conservative.

This is about the NFL not wanting a racist-spouting pundit and convicted drug addict to damage their reputation. The owners and players in the NFL are rich. The Center for Responsive Politics found NFL teams favor Republican candidates over Democrats, in terms of contributions. Oddly enough, the Rams' gave 98 percent of their contributions to Democrats.

Quote of the Day

"I think it's a really well-coached football team. We were prepared for all the blitzes, all the looks we'd get. Everything we saw, we knew we would get. Any time you put yourself in position to have double-teams on guys, and their guys make plays, it means they're a better football team, talentwise."

Raheem Morris, head coach of the 0-5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs have lost 4 of their five games by double-digit scores.

Brett Farve's Dirty Crackback Block

It is bad enough the Brett Farve can't decide if he will retire. Now he is throwing a dirty crackback block in a preseason game. The question is will the NFL fine Farve?

Side note: the flag went down immediately after the play. Farve didn't even appear surprised. That is a telltale sign Farve knew his block was aimed at safety Eugene Wilson's knees.

Lazeris of the NFL

News flash: Brett Farve hasn't retired. Farve is still working out and throwing footballs at Oak Grove High. His agent Bus Cook has left open the possibility of Farve playing this season. Cook said Farve might rejoin the Vikings or a team that is a contender.

Farve has become the NFL equivalent of the horror movie killer that won't stay dead. Not since K-Fed have I wanted someone to exit from the national spotlight. Will someone please put an end to this nonsense.

Eagles Win

The Eagles are going to the NFC championship. The bad news is they are facing Kurt Warner. Warner has the best three-step-drop release in history. Expect to see a lot of zone coverage by the Eagles. I hope Andy Reid doesn't try playing the Cardinal receivers man to man.

The Eagles need to get their pass rush going. Darren Howard and and Trent Cole need to have career games. Brian Dawkins has to be a disruptive presence in the secondary. The game is over, if the Eagles put no pressure on Warner.

The Eagles offense played poorly in the first half of the Giants game. Westbrook should have more success running against the Rams. McNabb threw a lot of underneath passes. The Eagles receivers need to get open downfield.

I am an Eagles fan. I don't feel good about the Eagles chances. The Cardinals' defense is playing their best football. The Cardinals held a very good Carolina Panthers team to 13 points. I hope I am wrong. I predict the Cardinals will win.

The Anwar Richardson School of Economics Award

"It's actually gonna pump some money into this economy. Especially, in the Tampa Bay economy."

Tampa Tribune sports writer Anwar Richardson, on Brett Favre becoming the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback. Bucs General Manager Bruce Allen told the St. Petersburg Times there was never going to be a Farve deal.

“”There was no negotiations,” Allen said. “There was never any substantive talk about what they would take to trade him. So all of that was speculation. From the beginning, I think it was clear it was a bad situation in Green Bay and they had to deal with it any way they could.

“Green Bay never told us what they were even interested in trading him for,” Allen said.

That didn't stop the Tampa Tribune from constantly reporting that Farve was coming to Tampa. Creative Loafing's Wayne Garcia breaks down how the Tribune did this without even citing anonymous sources. Truly hysterical.

I have written blog posts on how stadiums do not boost local economies. My question is what economic data did Anwar Richardson use to know that Favre would help the economies of Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. That is the Tampa Bay area. Richardson did not offer an opinion. He made a declarative statement. Does Richardson have a Brett Farve economic impact study? I would love for Richardson to write about that study in his column. Did Richardson use the same research methods for his economic statement; that he used to report the possibility that Brian Griese might be traded to Green Bay?

Many started to speculate Griese could be shipped out of Tampa after he missed Monday afternoon’s practice, but the quarterback said he was given that time off. Bucs Coach Jon Gruden routinely gives veteran players the afternoon off and Griese’s respite was yesterday.

Richardson doesn't tell us who speculated? A quarterback automatically becomes trade bait because his coach gave him the afternoon off. Investigative journalism at it's finest.

I have the Joel Award for people that say something stupid and deny making the statement. We now have the Anwar Richardson School of Economics Award. This is given to people that make economic claims that have no basis in reality. Much like Richardson's Brett Favre reporting.

Anwar Richardson: we salute you.

Steel Curtain

“Once my condition had stabilized, my interrogators resumed their work. Demands for military information were accompanied by threats to terminate my medical treatment if I did not cooperate. Eventually, I gave them my ship’s name and squadron number, and confirmed that my target had been the power plant. Pressed for more useful information, I gave the names of the Green Bay Packers offensive line, and said they were members of my squadron. When asked to identify future targets, I simply recited the names of a number of North Vietnamese cities that had already been bombed.”

John McCain, from his 1999 book Faith of My Fathers.

The Packers were an NFL elite team in the sixties. Which makes me wonder why a Northern Virginia native would be a fan of the horrible Steelers. The sixties version of the Steel Curtain looked more like bad drapes. The Steelers suffered 6 losing seasons.

The Straight Talker told Pittsburgh station, KDKA-TV, that he told his North Vietnamese captors the names of the Steelers offensive line. Could Steeler fans pick Ken Kortas, Chuck Hinton, Ben McGee and Lloyd Voss out of a lineup? Steeler fans are ripping the Maverick on message boards.

Why do pols pander like this? They always get burned. Hillary Clinton jokingly said she would have to altenate between rooting for the Cubs and Yankees. She got burned off of making joke in a debate. McCain flat out lied and expected the media not to crucify him. McCain's media friends will give him a pass on economics or bad statements about the Iraq war. They aren't going to let a serious journalism story like the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line pass.

Write A Caption: Super Bowl

I'm sure Tas is crying his eyes out that his Patriots lost.