RealClearSports.com: Rodney Harrison Won't Shut Up about Favre

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com 

In a three-month period starting in late June, Rodney Harrison, the newly retired safety, described Brett Favre, the recently unretired quarterback, in terms ranging from selfish to destructive, leading us to believe Rodney may have something against Favre.

Harrison left the New England Patriots after last season and joined NBC's "Football Night in America," a program one can determine from the title is as impressed with itself as Harrison contends Favre is with himself. And we learn Harrison is with himself.

Not that egotism is a rare commodity among either athletes or entertainers.

Favre, with his departures and returns definitely has irritated people associated with the NFL, if only those in a peripheral capacity, such as journalists, fans or analysts on "Football Night in America."

But for all his faults, real or imagined, Favre was not suspended for violation of the league's drug policy, as happened two seasons ago to Harrison.

One is always suspicious when former jocks get into television or radio and start popping off. Stepping away from fields and courts, they often join the ranks of the anonymous, a difficult transition after years of fame or infamy. So they start telling it, not so much like it is but how it can be to get them a maximum of recognition.

No one is debating Harrison's skills or determination. In 15 seasons, the first nine with San Diego, he became the only player in history to total at least 30 sacks and 30 interceptions, and twice was named All-Pro. But once the career ends, what does he do to get noticed? Tear in to Brett Favre.

On June 24 he went on "The Dan Patrick Show" to say Favre was "pretty selfish.'' Now there's a revelation. Then Aug. 19, Harrison, on another talk show, "Mully & Hanley,'' implied Favre's vacillation over signing with the Vikings had tarnished Brett's legacy.

Oh yes, Harrison also explained that day, "I'm a guy that tries to avoid the spotlight and not put a lot of attention on myself.'' So then why doesn't he just stop babbling?

In the beginning of September, after Favre indeed had joined Minnesota, Harrison, on Sirius/XM, offered, "I don't think personally Brett is the answer. I think that move kind of sabotaged that locker room . . . He doesn't even come in and earn the position. He just comes in and takes over.''

Duh. That's why Minnesota, which had done more than whisper in Brett's ear, persuaded him to join the team, so he could take over. He's thrown for a zillion yards. He's been in two Super Bowls.

You think Kobe Bryant has to earn his way? Albert Pujols? David Letterman? Oprah Winfrey? Those people don't need tryouts. Neither does Brett Favre.

But a couple of days ago, Favre, and for this he should be held responsible, said the last few weeks of 2008, with the New York Jets, he played with a bicep injury the Jets concealed, never making disclosure on the weekly injury report.

The Jets' general manger Mike Tannenbaum and former coach Eric Mangini were fined a total of $125,000 for withholding details, so Patrick, who knew where to go, had another bout with Harrison, who knew what to say.

"Why bring all this stuff up now?'' wondered Harrison, which would be a legitimate question if Favre hadn't been persuaded to discuss an injury, which despite rest and treatment is still an issue.

Had it last year. Has it this year. But with two different teams.

"Everywhere he goes he craps on everybody,'' Harrison told Patrick, about Favre. "He goes to Green Bay, and he leaves them with a bunch of noise.''

This from a man who is making enough noise to blot out the sound of a 747 taking off. A bunch of noise? A few interceptions would be more accurate, but without Favre two years ago the Packers don't have the best record in the NFL and go into overtime in the NFC championship game before losing to the New York Giants.

"He goes to the Jets,'' Harrison said of Favre in 2008, "they give him a bunch of money . . . he plays bad, and he craps on them.'' Another misstated generalization. At one time the Jets had the best record in the league before slipping to 9-7. But the year before, without Favre, the Jets were 4-12.

Harrison is angry Favre was named Vikings captain after missing training camp, assuming head coach Brad Childress, the man who wanted Favre, made the call instead of having the players vote.

Enough already. Those who can, play; those who can't say a lot of stupid things about those who can. Seems like jealousy from a guy who wishes he still were in uniform.

As a reporter since 1960, Art Spander is a living treasure of sports history. A recipient of the Dick McCann Memorial Award -- given for his long and distinguished career covering professional football -- he has earned himself a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was recently honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the PGA of America for 2009.

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http://www.realclearsports.com/articles/2009/09/18/rodney_harrison_wont_shut_up_about_favre_96487.html
© RealClearSports 2009

RealClearSports.com: Patriots Restored Stability to a Shaky Sporting World

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

That Patriots win over the Bills on Monday night was reassuring, no matter what your rooting interests. We needed a favorite to do something, just to prove there's a reason to call them a favorite.

It had been a bad few weeks for the big guys, Tiger Woods going head-to-head the final round of a major, the PGA, with Y.E. Yang, the great nobody who became somebody, and finishing second.

Not too long after, Roger Federer, supposedly unbeatable, lost the U.S. Open final to Juan Martin del Potro, who fell flat on his back after the final point. There was some symbolism, tennis having been flipped upside down.

Upsets are supposed to be the lifeblood of sports, and society. They give us hope that anything can happen, keep us from getting bored, complacent or giving up. As kids we're preached the legend ofThe Little Engine That Could.

Hey, if a guy who by all rights should be playing basketball, the 6-foot-6, del Potro of Argentina, can drop the first set to the best tennis player in history and come back to beat him, anything's possible. Right?

Wrong. But it has the ring of authenticity.

Del Potro called his win a dream. We'll accept the proposal, but the reality is that even before his upcoming 21st birthday, he was already rated one of tennis' very best.

One of these days, the experts predicted, he was going to win a Grand Slam tournament. The day came Sunday. He wasn't dreaming.

It wasn't as if Walter Mitty, the fictional character of secret life who resided in reverie, stepped out of a cloud onto the court and stunned Mr. Federer. Del Potro had battled Roger to a fifth set in the French Open. The kid can play.

Still, as in the case of Yang v. Woods, the del Potro result was unexpected. Not impossible. Unexpected.

That's why they play the game, we've been told, because we don't know who's going to win, even though most of the time we do know.

As the late author Paul Gallico wrote, "The battle isn't always to the strong or the race to the swift, but that's the way to bet.''

A stunner is permitted now and then to keep us off-balance, but mainly sports demand a large dose of stability. We can't continually have Central Michigan upsetting Michigan State, although that was a spectacular onside kick. Or have Y.E. Yang overtaking Tiger Woods. It's too confusing.

How are judgments to be made? No less significantly, how are commercials to be made? Gillette is selling celebrity even more than it is close shaves, which is why Tiger, Federer and Derek Jeter are the chosen ones connected with the Fusion razor ads.

Sponsors want winners. Sponsors want recognition. They don't people who drop fly balls or lose five-set matches.

The New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Steelers provide a yardstick for excellence and fame, as compared at the moment to the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Pirates, although the Jets have this quarterback from Hollywood, or nearby, Mark Sanchez, who's already getting Namath-type attention.

Love the Yankees, hate the Yankees. There's not much difference as far as advertisers or television networks are concerned. The only trouble is if we ignore the Yankees, which virtually is impossible.

Because the Yankees won't allow themselves to be ignored.

Neither will the Dallas Cowboys. Or the Patriots. Or USC or Notre Dame. Or Tiger Woods or Roger Federer.

Sure we get excited about a Melanie Oudin or Kendry Morales, new faces, but it's familiar faces and familiar teams that hold our interest.

It isn't going to happen, not on our watch, but if, say, the Yankees and Red Sox, Tiger and Phil Mickelson, Serena Williams and Roger Federer all slipped into mediocrity the whole sporting scene would be a mess. We'd be clueless.

You sensed our bewilderment just when first Tiger, who never had lost a lead in a major, tumbled. And then a month later, Federer allows his streak of five straight Opens to be snatched away.

Oudin, the kid from Georgia, had "Believe'' on her shoes. But after Woods and Federer both fell on their faces, as opposed to del Potro who was on his back in celebration, we were wondering what to believe.

The Patriots provided the answer. They showed the way. They were favored, and they won, Not by much, a field goal, but they won. As they were supposed to win. Heartwarming.

As a reporter since 1960, Art Spander is a living treasure of sports history. A recipient of the Dick McCann Memorial Award -- given for his long and distinguished career covering professional football -- he has earned himself a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was recently honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the PGA of America for 2009.

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http://www1.realclearsports.com/articles/2009/09/15/patriots_restored_stability_to_a_shaky_sporting_world_96485.html© RealClearSports 2009

SF Examiner: Future looks bright for Bay Area sports teams

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

SAN FRANCISCO — The Niners’ offensive line is in trouble. The Giants are not going to catch the Rockies. The Raiders are still the Raiders, unable to beat the Chargers. Now, that’s out of the way.

It’s the nature of our business to complain, usually for good reason. But it isn’t that bad, people. The Niners are undefeated, and who cares if it’s one game and they’ll probably lose to Seattle. They’re undefeated.

The Giants remain in the pennant race. Surely after those constant water-torture defeats on the last road trip and then the bashing by the Dodgers — wasn’t San Francisco’s strength pitching? — they don’t have a legitimate chance. But they remain in the pennant race, and it’s the middle of September.

Who knows how to approach the Raiders, who again feel they were mishandled by the unofficial Conspiracy Committee the NFL created specifically to taunt them. Oakland is better than it was, if incrementally. So accept that and, as Serena Williams says, “Move on.”

There’s always something out there to grasp, something to make us believe anything is possible. Didn’t Y.E. Yang beat Tiger Woods? Didn’t Juan Martin del Potro beat Roger Federer? Didn’t Cal beat Western Washington Central State, or whatever that poor little institution is called?

We’ve been informed the Niners are going to play ugly football this season. So be it. That billboard with Mike Singletary says, “I want winners,” not, “I want guys who are pleasing aesthetically.”

The Niners’ rhetoric is borrowed from our pal Al Davis. You know the line, “Just win, baby.” Not, “Just be artistic.” In Oakland, the problem the past six years — as in San Francisco — was not how the performance looked, but how the scoreboard looked. The Raiders are the guys who came up with the Immaculate Deception, a play that was as unattractive and effective as any ever subsequently banned by the league.

Things are turning. The Niners probably will get to .500 for the first time since 2002. That also was the last year the Raiders had a winning record, and while they’re probably not going reach that small pinnacle, they should be improved, which unquestionably the Giants are. Once again we reach back to March. It looked like a reheated version of recent seasons past, if more experienced. In spring training, the idea the Giants would be alive two weeks from the end of the season would have been cause for disbelief. Also for great rejoicing.

The great baseball axiom of what might have been will vex Giants fans through the winter if, as it appears now, the team will not make the postseason. Why not dwell on what was? And what may be?

In theory, the Giants were next year’s team. Suddenly, two months into the season they got a jump on the time schedule. They’re not as good as the Dodgers, not quite as good as the Rockies. But they’re better than most everyone predicted they would be.

What will the Niners and Raiders be? The forecasts are for mediocrity or worse. But the first weekend was encouraging. And if you need a reason to dream the impossible dream, there’s always that tennis player Juan Martin del Potro.

Art Spander has been covering Bay Area sports since 1965 and also writes on www.artspander.com and www.realclearsports.com. E-mail him at typoes@aol.com.

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http://www.sfexaminer.com/sports/Spander-Future-looks-bright-for-Bay-Area-sports-teams-59416577.html
Copyright 2009 SF Newspaper Company 

SF Examiner: Niners attempting to return to greatness

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

SAN FRANCISCO — They were the originals, the first major sports team in Northern California, created here, staying here, at times bumbling, at other times triumphant but at all times special.

The 49ers, who open another season Sunday, their 64th, are as much a regional treasure as a football team, as finally John York and son Jed figured out.

It never really mattered who owned them — the Morabitos, the DeBartolos, the Yorks. In effect, the 49ers belonged to the town, to the area, to the people.

The Giants came later. The Raiders came later. The Warriors came later. The A’s came later. The Sharks came much later. The Bay Area is chock-a-block with big-time pro franchises these days.

But from 1946 until the Giants arrived in 1958, there was just one franchise: the Niners.

Just one major pro team crossing the country in propeller planes.

Just one pro team playing the Cleveland Browns or Los Angeles Dons, and when the old All-America Football Conference merged into the NFL in 1950, the Los Angeles Rams and New York Giants.

Major League Baseball was a weekly television show. We sent Bill Russell and K.C. Jones to the NBA, but we didn’t see them in person for another five years. The 49ers were our link to the rest of America.

The sports world is different than it was 50 years ago. Now it’s all about sales and commercialization, about getting out a message, about persuading people to show up at the stadium or to watch telecasts.

So the Niners, the marketing department in particular, have leased that billboard along the Bayshore Freeway, at the entrance road to Candlestick, with huge photo of Mike Singletary with the words “I want winners.” As if that’s a unique concept.

Frankie Albert wanted winners. Jack Christiansen wanted winners. Dick Nolan wanted winners. But not until Bill Walsh became coach was the wish fulfilled and did the frustration end.

You had to be here on that Sunday in January 1982 when the Niners, the losers, at last became winners. When the silence was over. When The City blew its top.

By then the Raiders had won two championships, the A’s three championships, the Warriors an NBA title. And yet there was nothing like the day the Niners escaped their penance.

The group that labeled itself “The Faithful,” the fans who never believed it could happen, were as much dumbfounded as ecstatic. Finally, out of the wilderness.

Singletary is a football man. He’s also a Chicago man. He’s a three yards and a cloud of Walter Payton man. That’s never been San Francisco football.

The Niners, from Frankie Albert back in ’46, have thrown the ball. They did have Hugh McElhenny and Joe Perry, both of whom could run like mad. Yet the team’s fame, or infamy, was on the arms of Y.A. Tittle, John Brodie and eventually Joe Montana and Steve Young.

Get the ball to R.C. Owens, to Gene Washington, to Dwight Clark, to Jerry Rice.

Now the Niners, after six straight losing seasons, more than anything need to get wins, no matter who gets the ball.

History. It’s great, but a new generation of fans would trade it all for a place in the playoffs.

Art Spander has been covering Bay Area sports since 1965 and also writes on www.artspander.com and www.realclearsports.com. E-mail him at typoes@aol.com.

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http://www.sfexaminer.com/sports/Spander-Niners-attempting-to-return-to-greatness-57952527.html
Copyright 2009 SF Newspaper Company 

Raiders coach: 'I did a bad job'

OAKLAND -- This was the third preseason game, the one teams play to prove they are ready. After watching what happened to the Oakland Raiders on Saturday, one must wonder: ready for what?

All the Raiders’ failings, real or presumed, were on display at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, the inability to stop the other team -- in this case, the New Orleans Saints -- the inability to do anything on offense (although when you don’t have the ball, that’s understood) and the continuing agony of repetitive penalties.

The final score, if incidental, was New Orleans 45, Oakland 7.

That after the Saints led 31- 0 in the first half.

After the Saints outgained the Raiders 344 yards to 60 in the first half.

After the Raiders had only 1 yard net rushing in the first half.

“This was embarrassing,’’ agreed Raiders coach Tom Cable.  “We’re all in it together. I did a bad job.’’

It was the belief of the great John Madden, who coached the Raiders before he became an icon, given a one-sided exhibition game it was better to be on the losing end so the team might pay attention to the advice and warnings that the staff would issue.

This was as one-sided as they come, but when a team has had six consecutive losing seasons, as have the Raiders, it may be difficult to find any comfort in the Madden theory.

In truth this one, played before a crowd announced as 32,585 and in a temperature that was above 100 degrees on the field, had virtually no redeeming social or athletic importance for Oakland and was terribly discomforting.

The Raiders were helpless on defense and offense.

The only time the Saints didn’t go anywhere was when they were in already the end zone.

The Saints were on offense 39 minutes 27 seconds, basically two-thirds of the game.

The Saints gained 536 yards -- 304 passing, 232 rushing -- vs. the Raiders’ 289 yards.

No, the game doesn’t count when the NFL schedule begins in two weeks, but it certainly counts emotionally for a franchise wandering in the mire since that Super Bowl year of 2002.

Now, as always, the Raiders, management that is, are calling themselves the Team of the Decades. But the last few seasons, they look more like the Team of Disaster. This game did nothing to dispel the idea.

Cable became head coach early last season when Raiders owner Al Davis dispensed with Lane Kiffin, and if nothing else it appeared Cable, a gruff, physical  sort, had the players mentally sharp.

But Saturday they collapsed, and Cable didn’t have a legitimate explanation.

“Obviously,’’ he said, “it was not a very good effort. We couldn’t get off the field on defense. And our offense was hurt by sacks and fumbles.’’

The team that led the NFL in offense last season, the Saints took the opening kickoff on Saturday and in 5 minutes 31 seconds went 80 yards for a touchdown. OK, now it was Oakland’s turn.

JaMarcus Russell completed a 12-yard pass to this year’s No. 1 pick, Darrius Heyward-Bey. Then he hit Zach Miller, and the play gained them 35 yards. Maybe the Raiders could do something. Unfortunately, what they did was fumble, when the next play JaMarcus was sacked.

The Saints recovered.  In another 10 minutes 38 seconds, the score was was 14-0. Eventually it was 47-0 before backup Jeff Garcia threw a 43-yard touchdown pass for a meaningless touchdown with six minutes remaining.

“Our biggest issue,’’ said Cable, “was we were a team without a lot of zip. On offense, we couldn’t get into a rhythm. Ball security was another issue.’’

To complete the misery, cornerback Nnamdi Ashomugha, arguably the Raiders’ best player, incurred a chipped one in his wrist. He’ll be all right. But will the Raiders?

They are supposed to be improved over last season, more efficient, more effective, and yet they certainly looked like the same Raiders we’ve come to know and not love. Somebody always screws up.

“As a football team,’’ said Cable, implying that’s what the Raiders are, “we lack attention to detail.’’

That problem is supposed to fixed by the coaches, but let us not be too harsh.

“We’ll get it corrected,’’ said tight end Zach Miller, who caught three balls for 16 yards. “I’m glad it happened in a preseason game. But I’ve never felt so lousy after any game. This was embarrassing.’’

That word kept reappearing throughout the locker room, and for good reason.

“We’ll stay the course,’’ said the coach. “This is very embarrassing to me, but we’ll stay the course.’’

Persistence is fine. A little competence wouldn’t hurt either.