ESPN

TO: Owners of the NFL and NBA This is not the time to strike or lockout!

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Fryingpan Sports

TO: Owners of the NFL and NBA

This is not the time to strike or lockout!

By Bill Smith

There is a famous saying that those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. That is not correct in all cases. In the case of the NFL and the NBA that face expiration of player master contracts in the next couple of years, let me restate it.

“Those that fail to learn from history are just doomed!” Smith, 2009

Both the leagues must learn from the examples of the NHL and MLB how devastating strikes or lockouts can be to their survival.

The case of MLB in 1994

In 1993, MLB had a total attendance of 70,257,938 a 26 percent increase over 92 and the best in league history. In the 5 years from 83-88 the league had averaged an increase of 3.3 percent per year. From 89-93 the league enjoyed an average increase of 5.5 percent per year. Teams like Montreal that had struggled for years were starting to show improvement. The game seemed fine but according to both the players association and the owners the economics were not.

The owners had forced then … Read more at FryingPanSports

Mitch Albom—We're here and we're not leaving any time soon!

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Fryingpan Sports

Mitch Albom—We’re here and we’re not leaving any time soon!

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By Bill Smith

Let me say that generally I think Mitch Albom is one of the better sports journalists around. I like his work and appreciate his insight into the sports world. That aside, Thursday he was on ESPN radio talking about us—sports bloggers and editorialists like myself. He was complaining that he had a masters in journalism and he was worthy of readership while the blogosphere was characterized as a bunch of kids in Sponge Bob pajamas hacking away in their parents basements.

Mitch—not so much! I am over 60 and have been watching sports since Otto Graham was winning championships for the Browns. I have coached, refereed, and been the GM of teams in multiple sports. I have also done radio for both high school and college games. I am also a published author of both fiction and non-fiction. Many of the bloggers have similar backgrounds. We write because we care and we are not seeing our opinions expressed anywhere else.

I am not defending those that make personal attacks against players or others. But if that is what you think the majority of bloggers are … Read more at FryingPanSports

Nibblets from around the Net

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Fryingpan Sports

Nibblets from around the Net

By Bill Smith

Update: Has Kurt Warner punched his HOF ticket?

Warner in his 3rd Super Bowl threw for 300+ yards for a third time. In his 3 appearances, he has thrown for more yards than Joe Montana did in 4 starts, and John Elway in his 5 starts. Does anyone question the credentials of Montana or Elway for the Hall—no. So what is the problem now with Warner?

Well, the critics say—he only won 1 of the three games. Yea, and does anyone think that if Matt Lienart was the QB for the Cards they would have even made it to the Super Bowl, let alone be leading with 2 minutes to go? No. Remember that Warner took 2 teams from the outhouse to…well you know the saying. If he comes back in 09 he has a good chance to get to the playoffs again out of the weak NFC West. My advice: The Cards should beg him to come back for at least one more year.

Update: The NFL needs to take out the clowns wearing the stripes.

The Super Bowl officiating crew did not improve the overall rating of … Read more at FryingPanSports

Should the Eagles move beyond the McNabb/Reid era?

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Technorati Tags: Eagles, NFL, Draft, McNabb, Reid, Shanahan, Gruden, Arizona, Cardinals, Kolb, ESPN, Billick, salary cap, Jackson, Westbrook, Anderson, Losman, Plumber

Fryingpan Sports

Should the Eagles move beyond the McNabb/Reid era?

By Bill Smith

Before the Eagles went on a winning streak and got into the playoffs, there was a lot of talk about not bringing either head coach Andy Reid and QB Donovan McNabb back next year. When the Eagles won the playoff spot and then got to the NFC championship game, that talk went the way of the dinosaurs. After the Eagles were upset by the Cardinals the talk is back. Ownership has said that the pair will be back in an attempt to quash the speculation. However, talk radio indicates that the fans are not sold.

Eagle fans are famous for being among the toughest in the league. After all, they even threw snowballs at Santa. McNabb is no happier with the Eagles front office than the fans are with him. He learned that the Eagles used their first selection in the 07 draft (round 2) on QB Kevin Kolb on ESPN. He was not pleased. He has 2 years remaining on his contract but wants a … Read more at FryingPanSports