Boxing has a quality, not a race, problem

DALLAS, Texas - With all due respect to veteran fight promoter Bob Arum, he is wrong. George Foreman is right.

Both were in Dallas on Thursday to promote a the World Featherweight Championship boxing match between Mikey Garcia and Juan Manuel Lopez, scheduled for June 15, 2013.

From the time Arum took the podium to the time he met individually with reporters, he trumped up the heritage of both fighters, and the widespread appeal this sport has on Latino and minority viewers.

I asked Bob why he felt there was a disconnect between the Anglo community and his sport.

"The Anglo market looks at this sport and unlike a team sport where it all blends into the team or the jersey so they can be a Mavericks fan or a Spurs fan but in boxing it's one against one," Arum told me. "And when they don't see people that don't look like themselves competing there is a disinterest."

Sorry, that's garbage. George Foreman has it right.

"You’ve got to instruct fighters now, no matter how good you think you are and what your promise is, you’ve got to compete," Foreman said. "People aren’t going to buy junk anymore. You’ve got to give them the best."

To Arum's point, the last time I checked Foreman, Roy Jones jr., Spinks, Ali, Holmes, Frazier, Sugar Ray, Boom Boom, Hearns, Duran, Hagler, Tyson, Holyfield et all were name fighters and absolutely none of them looked like me (although we all shared similar jabs).

To follow Arum's point, all white people would have loved Gerry Cooney or Randall "Tex" Cobb. Cooney sucked, and Cobb was better in "Fletch Lives" than he was in the ring.

Some of boxing's problem is that it is just a niche sport; in a fragmented sports culture, not every sport can be the NFL. Boxing suffers from a "glory days" syndrome when people of a certain age only remember Sugar Ray/Hagler and not the many forgettable nights every sport has. That has no solution.

Some of boxing's problems are fractured (corrupt?) leadership that can't agree which direction the sun rises.

Boxing's problem is quality. 

When boxing's biggest name, Floyd "Money" Mayweather, charges $70 on pay per view to watch his fight and then delivers Robert Guerrero as his opponent and a dull bout it inspires no one to watch again.

"It wasn't a good bang-for-your-buck night; people realized that going in," Arum said of Mayweather's last night. It should be noted Arum is no fan of Mayweather as the two have verbally sparred for years.

Showtime signed Mayweather to a massive, six-fight deal but the numbers were so bad for the first fight that even Mayweather may have to fight someone who could potentially beat him. Showtime is going to force his hand to fight a name.

No, not Manny Pacquiao. The way Arum talked Thursday it sounds as if that dream matchup will never occur for a variety of reasons.

The only fight that may inspire widespread interest is Floyd v. 22-year-old Canelo Alvarez, which right now is being discussed for a September date. Alvarez is going to have to be better than he was in his decision against Austin Trout in San Antonio last month, but he has the talent to defeat Mayweather.

"That would be a good attraction and the numbers would go up," Arum said. "Without the Hispanic fans, you can't do a big number. And Canelo connects with the Hispanic fans. And Canelo/Mayweather would do a very good number."

Arum may be right about Canelo connecting with the Hispanic fans, and that fight would generate massive international interest ... even among the fans who don't look like either fighter.

 

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Gerald Sensabaugh ... really?

Everything you need to know about the state of the Dallas Cowboys can be summed up with the press release to announce the ceremonial one-day signing of safety Gerald Sensabaugh so he could retire with the team.

Nice guy. A total pro who played hard, and would play hurt. A former fifth round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sensabaugh lasted eight years in a league where the vast majority of guys don't make it eight months. He played the last four years with the Cowboys. Sensabaugh made a bunch of money, and for eight years he was paid six to seven figures to play football. Not many people ever do that.

The end.

Here is the rub - did he make a single play you remember?

The ceremonial signing so-they-can-retire should be reserved "franchise" guys who played elsewhere but want their career to end with the team for which they made an eternal impression. Guys like Ronnie Lott with the San Francisco 49ers, Peyton Manning with the Indianapolis Colts, Emmitt Smith with the Dallas Cowboys.

When guys like Sensabaugh or right tackle Marc Colombo, who did this with the Cowboys, do this it diminishes the impact of the gesture.

Do their careers deserve to be celebrated? Sure. In their own home and with a party among family and friends.
Do their careers deserve to be celebrated the way we would an Emmitt, or Lott? 

This Sensabaugh "announcement" does, however, set the stage for future Cowboys' press conferences to announce the one-day signing and retirements of Felix Jones, Mike Jenkins, Phil Costa, Igor Olshansky, Kyle Kosier and Doug Free.

 

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'13 LA Angels looking a lot like the '01 Texas Rangers

If baseball's postseason began today, which I wish it did, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim would not be in the playoffs.

The Anaheim Angels of Los Angeles keep losing. They are going to lose a series against the Double A Houston Astros, regardless of what happens in their three-game series finale tonight in Houston.

Continuing their season o' crap, starting ace Jared Weaver is not expected back from his non-pitching elbow ouchy for at least another two weeks.

Will manager Mike Scioscia be around by then?

There have been other high-dollar teams that flop around early, but the one that continues to spring to mind locally are the 2001 Texas Rangers, with one giant difference.

You may remember in '01 the Rangers brought in Alex Rodriguez, (10 years, $252 mil), as well as veterans Ken Caminiti, Andres Galarraga to complement a lineup that already had Rafael Palmeiro and Ivan Rodriguez. 

The team mascot was a giant syringe with a MLBPA logo.

On May 9, 2001 the Rangers lost at Detroit to drop to 12-21, and 12 games behind first-place Seattle.
The Rangers would eventually fall 44 games behind the Mariners that season, and just missed the playoffs.

It's May 9, 2013 and the Angels are 11-22, and 9.5 games behind the first-place Texas Rangers.

That '01 season, the Rangers had a team payroll of $88.5 million - so more than 25 percent of that went to one player. That worked out well. The Rangers ranked 7th in team payroll that season.

This season, the Angels' team payroll of $127.8 million ranks sixth. Three players comprise roughly one-third of their payroll: Josh Hamilton $17.4 million; Albert Pujols $16 million, Jared Weaver $16.2 million.

Now look at their production:
Hamilton: .205, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 132 AB, 40 K
Pujols: .240, 5 HR, 19 RBI, 125 AB
Weaver: 0-1, 4.91 ERA, 2 starts, 9 hits, 11 innings

Why the 2013 Angels are better off than the 2001 Rangers:
The Angels can still pitch. The '01 Rangers had one of the worst pitching staffs in baseball.
Weaver injured his non-throwing elbow, and his return should make an immediate difference to a team that needs a stopper.

The Angels can't continue to screw around and lose any series against the Astros, or they do risk falling too far behind to catch anybody.

When you're best players are all at least 30 and older, you just never know when they are going to get hurt again.

The inclusion of more wildcards, and the fact this team is loaded with established pros on offense on the mound gives reason to believe they aren't going to suck this bad for the entire season.

 

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Felix Jones & the Dallas Cowboys definition of a "productive" player

In case you had not heard, or you simply don't care, former Dallas Cowboys running back Felix Jones is on a tour of potential teams, including the New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, etc.

My advice? Sign with caution. IF IF IF he is in shape, and healthy, he can be productive.

The other former Cowboys "high profile" free agent to leave is corner Mike Jenkins, who is with the Oakland Raiders.

The San Diego Chargers signed tight end John Phillips as a free agent, and former defensive lineman Marcus Spears went to the Baltimore Ravens.

My advice? Keep expectations realistic. He can play, when healthy.

The Cowboys elected not to keep any of these players this offseason because the team felt they had better options already on the roster. But on their way out, Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones labeled Jenkins and Jones as "productive" while they were with the team.

The same for Martellus Bennett, who left two years ago to sign a one year deal with the New York Giants. The Giants liked Marty B so much they elected not to keep him, but the Chicago Bears entered the stupid party and gave him money.

Here is the rub: Technically, Stephen is right. But he's also very wrong. Given where these players were picked, and the guaranteed money the team gave the likes of Felix, Jenkins and Marty B they were not productive enough. 

The fact that all three were selected in the first and second round of the 2008 drafts, and none are with this team, is not good.

Look at the top 3 picks by the Cowboys of the 2008 draft and see how "productive" each was.

Felix Jones, RB, 22nd pick overall
64 games, 23 starts, 2,728 rushing yards, 4.8 ypc., 11 rushing TDs
128 receptions, 3 receiving TDs
64 kick returns, 24.0 avg., 1 TD
Why Stephen is right: Some of those numbers are good, especially the yards per carry. Felix could be effective.
Why Stephen is wrong: You can find a running back in your garage, and there is never a reason to go this high on backs unless he is super-duper, extra-extra special. A first round pick should always be worthy of a second contract with the team, and running backs never last that long to get that deal.

Mike Jenkins, CB, 25th overall pick
71 games, 48 starts, 8 ints., 1 td, 1 ff, 43 passes defended, 146 tkls. 1 Pro Bowl 
Why Stephen is right: For a short period, Jenkins was indeed a quality cover corner who made plays. He was a Pro Bowler.
Why Stephen is wrong: Jenkins fought injuries, and was not always the most eager tackler. Good corners are hard to find, and if Jenkins had been "productive" he would still be here and the team would never have had to sign Brandon Carr to a big contract.

Martellus Bennett, TE, 61st overall pick
60 games, 32 starts, 85 rec., 846 yds., 4 TD
Why Stephen is right: Martellus could block a tank, and the run game was better because of Marty B. No tight end was going to see a lot of catches because of Jason Witten's presence on this offense.
Why Stephen is wrong: Marty B could be so much more, and is one of the more aggrivating players this team has known in the last 10 years. There is a reason why the New York Giants did not re-sign him. 

All of this comes down to expectations - had these players been selected after the second round, they are each fantastic picks and no one could argue the "productive" player label.

Each had moments with this team, but they all three left leaving us feeling they should have been a bit more productive.

 

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Quote of the day

“Let us learn to show our friendship for a man when he is alive and not after he is dead.” 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Do you miss these Texas Rangers?

If this wasn't so much fun it would be sad, but the Los Angeles Angels are 11-21, and 8.5 games behind Texas for first place in the American League West.

Not that you haven't been following this yourself, but former Rangers fan favorite Josh Hamilton is now batting .202 with two HRs and 9 RBI in 129 at bats with the Angels. On the good side, he does lead the team with 40 strikeouts. So he has that going for him, which is nice.

Watching Josh whiff heplessly brings to mind a host of former Rangers who are now playing elsewhere, and whether it's a good thing they are gone.

Take a look

Cliff Lee, LHP, Philadelphia Phillies. 3-2, 3.26 ERA, 49.2 IP
Since he signed a five-year, $120 million deal with the Phillies in 2010 he has been durable and quality. He is 26-19 in 69 starts. The reason he may have been worth a seven year deal for the Rangers is the guy does not appear as if he will get hurt, and can eat innings.

Michael Young, 3B, Phiadelphia Phillies. .330, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 6 doubles, 115 at bats
There was no where to put him, and GM Jon Daniels was dying to deal him. People love to hate this guy, but there is no way around this, the guy can still hit.

C.J. Wilson, LHP, LAA Angels. 3-1, 3.86 ERA, 7 starts, 42 IP
The surfer boy attitude was wearing thin with the Rangers when he signed a five-year, $77.5 million deal with the Angels two two years ago. He is awfully durable and, from a numbers standpoint, probably be worth it for the Angels as long as he is the No. 2 or No. 3. He is 16-11 with the Angels in a little more than one full season.

Josh Hamilton, OF, LAA Angels. .202, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 40 Ks
Signed a five-year, $125 mil deal with the Angels in the offseason. Rangers decided he wasn't worth the talent.

Mike Napoli, C, Boston Red Sox. .260, 15 2B, 6 HR, 32 RBI, 131 ab
If his replacement, A.J. Pierzynski, wasn't off to such a good start there may be more noise about this. 

Chris Davis, 1B, Baltimore Orioles. .318, 9 HR, 30 RBI, 9 2B, 107 ab
Since he was dealt to the Orioles he has become one of the best power hitting first baseman in baseball. This one hurts.

Scott Feldman, P, Chicago Cubs. 3-3, 2.70 ERA, 6 starts
Decent pro, nice guy, but ... who can ever forget game Game 6? 

Justin Smoak, 1B, Seattle Mariners. .236, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 110 ab
Part of the deal that brought Cliff Lee to Texas. He has not matured into the type of hitter that scouts had projected.

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Oh, good ... college is a ripoff

It's never too early to throw out completely and totally depressing statistics, so along those lines here is some great news regarding the cost/benefit of college. Basically, it's not worth it with the exception of roughly 150 schools.

Former Secretary of Education William Bennett has written a book, "Is College Worth It?" Click here for the link to the book on Amazon.com.

As our students rack up burdensome debt, the question is legit because no job can pay off the loans in a reasonable amount of time.

The way Bennett sees it, he thinks there are about 150 schools that are worth the cost. Here is a shock - they are nearly all private.

Even more depressing? Only four of his top 150 are in the great state a Texas.

1. Harvey Mudd College

Here is a look at the prominent schools in Texas and where they rank:
30. Rice
58. Texas A&M (in state tuition)
69. Texas A&M (out of state tuition) 
90. Texas-Austin (in state)
114. Texas-Austin (out of state)
147. SMU
156. Texas Tech (in state)
175. Texas Tech (out of state)
206. Trinity
223. Texas-Dallas (in state)
241. TCU
256. Texas-Dallas (out of state)
273. Baylor
390. Houston (in state)
414. Houston (out of state)
420. St. Mary's
448. Texas-Arlington (in state)
472. Texas-Arlington (out of state) 

Check out this link to PayScale.com that ranks the bang/buck for more than 1,200 colleges in this great country.

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Video: Galloway & Big Mac ponder the Cowboys rookie class

 

 

 

 

 

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Gary Patterson has mastered the art of the non-conference schedule

Show of hands who knew Minnesota has a football team?

TCU has announced it will play a home and home football series against the University of Minnesota beginning in 2014. 

Call it the Jim Wacker Series. The much-beloved deceased was the head coach at TCU from 1983 to '91, and then went to Minnesota where he was from 1992 to 1996.

This photo is from Wacker's days at TCU where he was asking this handsome young kicker why he kicked the ball out of bounds to start the game. I think.

TCU will host the Golden Gophers on Sept. 13, 2014. It will play at Minny on Sept. 3, 2015. 

(BTW - The Twin Cities are a perfect place to visit in the summer months. U of M is a great campus. There is a lot to do up there, and the weather is usually fantastic in September - the snow doesn't fall until around September 23rd.)

This series is another example of TCU head coach Gary Patterson doing what he does as well as anyone in the country - scheduling the fake "hard" game. All good coaches do it. At least the ones who want to keep their jobs.

Minnesota is an ideal non-conference opponent. The Gophers are not some MAC, Sun Belt or FCS dog. Season ticket holders won't complain that TCU is bringing in a bad non-conference opponent that they won't even leave the parking lot to enter the stadium to watch.

The Gophers can will be spun as a Big 10 opponent who have appeared in a bowl game nine times since the start of the century. All true.

The fine print won't include that this team has not won a bowl game in its last five appearances, and has been in a grand total of 15 bowl games since 1961.
The fine print on the Gophers won't include that they are 67-87 since 2000. They are 26-49 since 2007 and have one winning season in that stretch.

The way college football works for the BCS affiliated schools, there is minimal incentive to load up the non-conference schedule with challenges any greater than this.

Basically, this is like adding another Kansas to the schedule. 

As any good coach knows, you can never play Kansas enough.

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Dallas Stars could play a game in Cowboys Stadium

This concept is going to need one more season before it becomes a reality, but do not be surprised if in about one year the Dallas Stars announce they will play a home game at Cowboys Stadium. With the roof open, preferably.

The outdoor NHL game has become one of the league's signature events, but mostly those games have been confined to cold weather cities. With the Los Angeles Kings scheduled to play a game at Dodgers Stadium against the Anaheim Ducks, an outdoor game in a non-traditional market may become more frequent.

Talked to Dallas Stars president Jim Lites this morning and he said it's a concept that he has kicked around and believes can happen. Which means it will happen.

"We could do it at the Cotton Bowl but Cowboys Stadium makes more sense because of the cache of the building," Lites said. "You would do it in January or February, and open the roof. You can turn down the temperature of the ice to zero degrees. What we have at the time of year is not really a temperature issue but it's the rain. It's seldom humid at that time of year but it does rain."

The roof must be open. If not, it's just another indoor hockey game only with a giant TV set on top of the ice.

"It would take a lot of advance planning and really we are not in a position to do it this year," Lites said.

Lites said the amount of planning would be akin to hosting an NHL All-Star game, and would require several months of detailed work. 

"Two seasons," he said. "That would be about right."

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