Replacement Refs

New NFL Officials Are a Joke

I am sure by now we have all seen or heard about the end of the Seahawks-Packers game on last night's Monday Night Football. I watched it as it was happening and could not believe how badly the refs messed up last night. I know they are "replacement" referees, but come on, how do you miss Golden Tate's blatant pass interference AND say there was simultaneous possession. They even reviewed it, and got it wrong again. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who I believe is awful at his job, really needs to understand the importance of getting the real refs back. I heard on the radio this morning that if the NFL paid the refs what they wanted, it would cost each team $100,000. That is pocket change for NFL franchise owners. The Cleveland Browns were recently sold for $1 Billion, so $100 K is not a big a deal to the NFL big whigs. Do something right for once Goodell and get my boy Ed Hochuli and the rest of the real refs back.

If you are like me and want to give Goodell a piece of your mind, his office number is: 212 450 2027

PNC Park vs. Yankee Stadium

Comparing Two of Baseball's Best Stadiums

On September 15, I went to Yankee Stadium with three of my friends to see the Rays vs. Yankees game. Prior to this, the only other current MLB stadium I had been to was PNC Park. They are both very nice stadiums, but I think I like Yankee Stadium a little more. Yankee fans are more into the game and seem more knowledgeable of baseball than Pirate fans. In my opinion, many of the people that attend Pirate games go just for fun, whereas many Yankee fans attend games to actually watch baseball. Don't get me wrong, both facilities and atmospheres are incredible, but Yankee Stadium is just a little bit better.

Conference Realignment: Not Cool

Notre Dame is Going to the ACC? (Besides for Football of Course)

Not too long ago, NCAA Division I conferences meant something. Everyone was from the same geographical area and played each other every year, promoting rivalries. These days, teams go whereever they want: West Virginia in the Big 12, Colorado in the Pac-12, and the lastest one is Notre Dame going to the ACC in all sport besides football.

I like Notre Dame but they are too arrogant with their football program. They have not won a national championship in decades, but I still get the impression they believe they are above everyone else-they do not belong to a conference for football because of their TV contract with NBC. There is no reason why they are not in the Big Ten with other midwest/eastern and equally academic school, such as: Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Nebraska (not great academics, but in the midwest), Wisconsin, Michigan State. Half of Notre Dame's football rivals are in the Big Ten too, Michigan, Michigan State, and Purdue. ACC? South Bend, Indiana is not even close to the coast. They simply want more money.

As more and more things happen in the college football solely because of money, I will continue to lose respect for the NCAA. Don't even get me started on the BCS...

Pitiful Pirates

Buccos Need to Pull it Together

As most of us know, the Pirates have not had a winning season since 1992. They have set the record for most consecutive losing seasons by a North American professional sports team. They have made poor draft decisions, refused to spend any money, fired multiple managers, and have looked downright atrocious on several occasions.

However, this season looked different. They were in first place at the All-Star break, have a legitimate MVP candidate, were buyers at the trade deadline, and were setting themselves up nicely for a playoff spot.

Then they decided to play like a completely different team. The pitching staff cannot get anyone out anymore and the offense abruptly got cold. The Pirates went from beating the top teams in the National League to losing series against the two worst teams in the division, the Astros and Cubs. Most importantly, they have lost their swag and no longer display the desire to win.

My solution: bench Barmes, Barajas and Gaby Sanchez. They are awful. Start McKenry everyday. Somehow, whether it is starting or coming off the bench, play Josh Harrison everyday (he hustles more than anyone in baseball). Also, Clint Hurdle, the team's manager, needs to get in everyone's face and light a fire under them. If a player does not respond, he knows where the bench is. This season has been too much fun to see them blow it the last two months of the season and not make the playoffs. And if they do not even finish above .500 this year, it will one of the worst collapses in Pirates history.