Rush Limbaugh Isn't the Only Problem

There is absolutely no way the NFL can allow Dave Checketts to own a team.

No, you read that right. True enough, there’s no way it can allow Rush Limbaugh to own a team, and that cannot be emphasized enough nor played down in any way. Actually, I don’t even believe that Limbaugh will ever get close to it. Just as I don’t believe Limbaugh represents as large a percentage of America’s views on anything as he and his proponents want us to think, I don’t believe three-fourths of the other NFL owners will be swayed by whatever money Limbaugh brings into the bid for the St. Louis Rams’ ownership, into overlooking the damage this resolutely dangerous man will do to their select group, their league, their sport and its reputation.

You think the resistance to Michael Vick’s return was noisy? Just wait and see what happens if Limbaugh ever gets that far with the NFL. It's even got players, normally content to speak only when trash-talked to first, prepared to revolt.

(Continue to The Steele Drum)

Sports' Babe Ruth of Billionaires

It was reported by Forbes Magazine last week that Tiger Woods is a billionaire.

I'll wait...

Hmmm, nothing.

OK, let me type that again...It was reported by Forbes Magazine last week that Tiger Woods is a billionaire...

Hmmm, still nothing. Guess I didn't think there would be. I'm betting your reaction is somewhere in the ballpark of, 'Yeah, so what, pally?'

Am I right?

(Continue to The Grill Room)

Future of Newspapers' Sports Section

Real Sports: Frank Deford, left, and correspondents

Photo: HBO

Frank Deford’s "Paper Cuts" piece that aired Sept. 15 on HBO on Bryant Gumbel’s "Real Sports" program should give vendors of sports journalism plenty to chew over.

It did that for me, a former sports-section reporter and editor, confirming some conclusions I had come to years ago.

Here was the description of Deford’s piece from the Real Sports Web site:

As newspapers across the country struggle to maintain circulation and clout in the volatile world of digital media, sports editors at virtually every daily newspaper have made difficult decisions to reduce staff and pages. The result has been a mass exodus of top writers from some of America's most prestigious sports sections, which has reshaped the reporting and consumption of sports news and opinion. In this REAL SPORTS/Sports Illustrated report, correspondent Frank Deford probes the decline of this great tradition and considers the prospects for newspaper sports sections in the new media environment.

(Continue to DMA 7-22 Sports)

Snead Next Up for Tide Beat Down

Jevan Snead, come on down. You’re the next highly regarded quarterback to take a crack at Alabama’s vaunted defense.

But first a word of warning: The other two took beat downs during their spin at the wheel.

Virginia Tech’s Tyrod Taylor completed only 9-of-20 passes for 91 yards and was sacked five times as the Tide spanked the Hokies 34-24 to open the season.

Arkansas sophomore Ryan Mallett was coming off a record-setting performance against Georgia – 408 yards passing and five touchdowns – and was the nation’s top passer when he went up against the Tide two weeks ago. Alabama treated him rudely, holding Mallett to only 12 completions in 35 attempts for 160 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He was sacked three times as the Tide rolled to a 35-7 victory.

(Continue to Rue's Rant)

KU Needs Big Win for Respect

How about a little less drama this year?

A year ago Todd Reesing and the Jayhawks put up 35 points on Iowa St. in the second half. That should have been enough for an easy blowout. Instead, KU escaped with a 35-33 victory after trailing 20-0 at halftime.

This weekend, save the drama for playoff baseball.

If the 'Hawks do anything but blowout the Cyclones from the start, KU fans will be nervous heading to Boulder next weekend. It doesn't matter that Colorado head coach Dan Hawkins might not reach his goal of 10 wins this year -- or next. Nevermind the fact KU has gone 14-4 in its last 18 games against Big XII North opponents. If the Jayhawks struggle against a team that lost to Kansas State, the restlessness will begin to show with the KU faithful.

(Continue to Inside Jayhawk Nation)

Notre Dame 'D' Hugely Overrated

Can't we all just see it -- Notre Dame goes 9-3, qualifies for a BCS game - because it's Notre Dame and 9-3 is good enough - and once again gets waxed by an SEC team (Auburn or LSU)?

Maybe the Irish are better off going 7-5. That way, they will get invited to a lesser bowl and actually have a chance to win (see Hawaii in last year's Hawaii Bowl).

With a 4-1 record and three straight dramatic victories, Notre Dame no doubt is feeling good about itself heading into the bye week.

However, we simply cannot take this team seriously when it continues to have one of the worst defenses in the country (despite the goal line stands last week against Washington).

(From Bob Birge's Irish Eyes Are Smiling)

No Rocking Chair for Chelios

Gordie Howe did it, so why not Chris Chelios?

Chelios, age 47, is hoping to continue his playing career with the hometown Chicago Wolves in the American Hockey League, possibly with the intention of eventually returning to the NHL.

Howe -- Mr. Hockey -- was 51 when he scored 15 goals in 80 games for the NHL's Hartford Whalers in 1979-80, so anything is possible.

To say that Chelios is a workhorse in the gym would be quite the understatement. He's still a rock solid 6-foot, 190 pounds and probably would embarrass plenty of players half his age when it comes to workouts.

(Continue to Through the 5 Hole)

U.S. vs. Honduras Preview

The United States findes itself in great position to officialy book a trip to South Africa for next summer's World Cup, but it will have a tough road this weekend if it hopes to achieve its goal.

That tough road begins tomorrow night in San Pedro Sula, as it faces off against Honduras in Estadio Olimpico. The United States currently leads the CONCACAF Hexagonal standings with a one-point advangate over Mexico. Honduras occupies the third and final automatic qualifying spot in the standings and is also three points back of the United States. Honduras needs a two-goal win on Saturday to shift the tiebreaker advantage against the US in its favor.

(Continue to Soccer 24-7)

Of Alligators and Gold Medals

There's always a few things you need to keep an eye out for on the golf course when it comes to personal safety.

The occassional golfer who does not know you are supposed to yell "FORE" when a ball is getting too close to another golfer, thus exposing you to an unexpected golf ball off the noggin. The occasional snake in the rough when you go searching for your wayward shot, especially in Texas and yes I speak from personal experience.

The other day I finished putting at my course's 13th hole, retrieved my ball and turned around to see an adult kit fox sitting on the green about 20 feet away. We spent about 30 seconds staring at each other before he decided to trot off, but it was a long 30 seconds as I was trying to remember if kit foxes liked to munch on humans or not.

(Continue to Par for the Course)