Spoiler alert: Super Bowl pick!; plus Super Blog Friday, Heat all-star selections, Dundee's last interview & more
[1) You can still vote in our grade-the-Hurricanes-recruiting-class poll in post directly below this latest entry. Results so far are clear. We agree. All things considered, Al Golden did great. 2) Join me on Twitter @gregcote]
SPOILER ALERT! PATRIOTS 31, GIANTS 27: Sorry to have spoiled the surprise for you by telling you who'll win Sunday's Super Bowl and by what score. Unless you're a bettor, in which case, you're welcome. A difficult game to pick, but the bottom line is that Tom Brady and his team are just a little better than Eli Manning and his. One caveat: Brady really, really needs Rob Gronkowski and his magic ankle to play and be at least close to full strength in order to take advantage of the Giants not defending tight ends particularly well. (Remember Vernon Davis in the NFC title game?) Click on Super Bowl Gem for my full prediction. I also offer a column today putting the Dolphins in the context of these two Super teams. Click on Close, And Yet Not for that column. The headline on the column -- 'Dolphins perhaps not that far from being Super' -- is much too rosy, misleadingly so. (I don't write the headlines for what I write, except in this blog). The column begins from a glass-half-full vantage, noting that Miami was very competitive in three games this season against the Pats and Giants, though losing all three. Then the column gets to the reality of all that separates the Dolphins from Super-status. That's mostly a comparative lack of talent, of playmakers. And most of that is that these teams have Brady and Manning, and our team is still trying to figure out what to do for a quarterback.
SUPER BLOG FRIDAY: HOMELAND SECURITY: U.S. Homeland Security secretary Janet Napolitano reports there will be "unprecedented" security measures at Sunday's Patriots-Giants game in Indianapolis, including metal detectors and pat-downs at all entrances. I don't wanna say Giants coach Tom Coughlin isn't real bright, but when he heard items prohibited inside the stadium would include bombs, he said, "OK, so we go with a shorter passing game." Two other quick thoughts for a Super Blog Friday: 1) Hut one, hut two, Madonna! SB halftime performer Madonna has released the video for her new single, "Give Me All Your Luvin," which you'll hear Sunday. The vid features Nicki Minaj, M.I.A. and a corny football theme. Click here to listen and see. The song is sugary-catchy, but is it better than the similarly titled classic by ZZ Top? Um, not on your life. 2) A T-shirt company is selling what is pictured: A shirt that appears to make you look not only shirtless, but shirtless and dorky enough to walk around with "Super Fan" painted on your chest and "#1!" on your back.
LEBRON? OF COURSE. D-WADE? WELL...: Predictable as sunrise, NBA fans voted the Heat's LeBron James and Dwyane Wade as Eastern Conference all-star starters for the Feb. 26 game in Orlando (along with Magic's Dwight Howard, Bulls' Derrick Rose and Knicks' Carmelo Anthony). LeBron is a no-brainer. He has MVP numbers with a 29.7 scoring average, 8.3 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 55.3 percent shooting. LBJ is having his best season, which is a little like saying Gershwin is writing his best song. Wade, though, has missed nine of 22 games injured and is averaging a below average (for him) 20.3 points. Still, I don't argue his selection. It doesn't bring me up onto a soapbox to rail against fans picking the starters. Even with his games missed, Wade is more an all-star than anybody not starting because of him. Deron Williams? Brandon Jennings? Please. One more thing: Chris Bosh absolutely had better make the team as a reserve. The giraffe-like dude is having a terrific season.
MOCK DRAFT HAS DE/OLB TO MIAMI: Newest mock draft from ESPN's Todd McShay has Dolphins at No. 8 selecting South Carolina DE-OLB Melvin Ingram. So there.
ANGELO DUNDEE IN ONE OF HIS FINAL INTERVIEWS: Click here to enjoy a YouTube video of the great boxing trainer in one of his final interviews before passing away this week at age 90. It will be 10 minutes well spent. Dundee's energy and enthusiasm shone through right 'til the end, as did his kindness and, well, appreciation. A remarkable man. A remarkable life.
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Grade Hurricanes' 2012 football recruiting class (with poll); plus Angelo Dundee, Super Blog Thursday (pray for Tommy), Matt Moore, LeBron, Cats & more
[1) Happy Groundhog Day! Although it was sad to hear about Punxsutawney Phil (pictured) being run over by that 18-wheeler. Hey that's just a rumor. Can't swear to it. 2) Join us on Twitter @gregcote]
UM WINS TRACY HOWARD SWEEPSTAKES, CLAIMS TOP-10 CLASS: Tracy Howard (pictured), the elite cornerback from the backyard, Miramar High, chose Miami over Florida and FSU in a nationally televised announcement this morning. Howard was the most prominent South Florida football player not yet committed and is a huge National Signing Day prize for the Canes -- one that elevated UM's 2012 recruiting class into the No. 10 spot nationally in ESPN's rankings. Howard's announcement came in his school auditorium, cheers erupting as he pulled on a UM cap and touched his thumbs together in the familar "U" sign. "Why not win in my city and my hometown?" Howard said. "Why not do it here?" A big, big victory for coach Al Golden and the Canes. Howard is the sixth Canes recruit rated in the ESPN Top 150, and the highest ranked at 18th. The others: RB/CB Duke Johnson, Miami Norland (35th); WR Angelo Jean-Louis, Palm Beach Central (41st); DE Tyriq McCord, Tampa Jefferson (96th); S Deon Bush, Miami Columbus (101st); and WR Malcolm Lewis, Miramar (145th). All in all, a big day for Miami considering the school was recruiting under the cloud of likely NCAA sanctions ahead. How do you feel about UM's new recruiting class? Hey, here's a poll! I know, I don't like instant grades, either. So just think of it as a statement of your level of excitement over this class, all things considered. Vote now.
ANGELO DUNDEE, R.I.P.: Legendary boxing trainer Angelo Dundee passed away at 90 in a Clearwater hospital last night after a heart attack, family at his side. Dundee shaped Muhammad Ali's career; they are pictured here way back when. Dundee stands with the fight doctor, Ferdie Pacheco, as kings of Miami's heydays in the sweet science, days when the 5th Street Gym reigned. Farewell, Angelo.
SUPER BLOG THURSDAY: PRAY FOR TOMMY: Supermodel and superwife Giselle Bundchen, a.k.a. Mrs. Tom Brady, sent an email to family and friends that became privvy to the nefarious media. "I feel Tommy really needs our prayer, our support and love at this time," it partly read. Tommy! Giselle is pictured. Should the Patriots lose Sunday, think of it as one of the better consolation prizes out there. Or perhaps two of the better consolation prizes. (I didn't just say that did I?) Two other quick Super Blog Thursday thoughts: 1) EA Sports' annual SB simulation, using Madden NFL '12, has the Giants winning, 27-24, so why play the actual game? 2) The National Chicken Council reports 1.25 billion wings will be eaten Sunday. And that's just by me!
SUPER BLOG WEDNESDAY: MADONNA, ELTON: Madonna, oldish but aging well, is Sunday's Super Bowl halftime performer and her setlist is revealed! Reportedly Madge's 12-minute show will find her lip syncing singing a new song, "Gimmie All Your Luvin," the classics "Ray Of Light and "Vogue," as well as samples of "Music" and Holiday." Meanwhile, the commercials are always a favorite part of the Super Bowl -- according to the people who produce Super Bowl commercials -- and among them Sunday will be a new Pepsi ad featuring Elton John as a king. This would be the same Elton whose feud with Madonna included him recently exhorting her to "lip sync good" on Sunday. Elton is pictured here in a still from the new ad. (Love your music, Sir, but you are one strange, strange man).
A LITTLE R-E-S-P-E-C-T FOR MATT MOORE, PLEASE?: I'm talkin' to you, Brandon Marshall. But not just to you. Click on Chopped Liver for the column by me (and thanks for making it the most-read thing on all of MiamiHerald.com today). See, the Dolphins' opportunities to upgrade their quarterback situation are few, and risky. They almost certainly won't trade up to draft Robert Griffin III. Peyton Manning is looking more and more doubtful for medical reasons. Matt Flynn stands as the likeliest path, but he is unproven with all of two career starts. The options after those three are marginal free agents and lower-ranked draftees. Don't write off Moore just yet. That's all.
MY BLOG READERS VS. STATEWIDE VOTERS: In my Republican primary poll (a few posts back), rounded results were Mitt Romney 48 percent, Ron Paul 25, Newt Gingrich 19, Rick Santorum 9. In Tuesday's statewide vote it was Romney 46, Gingrich 32, Santorum 13, Paul 7. The big difference: More Paulies here, fewer Newts. That's OK.
LEBRON AND HIS BICYCLE: Heat star LeBron James made big news for bicycling (pictured) the 40 minutes or so from his home to the downtown arena for the recent game vs. the Bulls. I'd be more impressed if he biked last night's game: Heat at Milwaukee. Postscript: LeBron scores 24 in first quarter, Heat lead by as many as 18, but somehow lose to Bucks. Miami forming a reputation for rising for the glamor opponents but sometimes coasting vs. the lesser foes. LeBron, though, has been consistent and consistently great. What a season he is having!
PANTHERS' PASS HUGE TEST: It was overshadowed by National Signing Day and the Heat playing, but the Florida Panthers' 4-2 home win over the Washington Capitals last night was the game of the year so far for the Cats -- one for first place in the NHL Southeast. Bulls-at-Heat the other day was billed as a big statement game but it was false drama; those teams will meet again in the playoffs and everybody knows it. With Caps-at-Cats, this was a truer declarative for the Panthers, who must win the division or risk continuing the club's long playoff drought.
TERRELL OWENS BROKE: Terrell Owens says he is broke (story here) after making more than $80 million in his NFL career. The national group, People Who Feel Sorry For T.O., will be meeting tonight at the Waffle House. Corner booth.
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Super Blog Tuesday: Coaches in dour-off, Mr. Quiggly; plus Cristobal, Gingrich, gnikaeps drawkcab & more
[It's Election Dayin Florida! Youcan still votein our blog'sRepublican primary inthe post directlybelow this newone. Poll hasn'tclosed but youcan see theresults as theyhappen. Sorry, Newt. 2) Join us on Twitter @gregcote]
SUPER BLOG TUESDAY: BELICHICK, COUGHLIN IN DOUR-OFF: In the Patriots' Bill Belichick and Giants' Tom Coughlin -- Coach Ebullience and Coach Vivacity are pictured -- this Super Bowl has the two NFL head coaches who were most apt to be off snarling grimly in the film room when God was handing out personality. A four-pack of other thoughts for Super Blog Tuesday: 1. Last year's Skechers Super Bowl commercial featured Kim Kardashian. This Sunday's Skechers ad will feature a French bulldog named Mr. Quiggly. Sounds like an upgrade. 2. Scouts Inc. ranks all 106 players in this SB and No. 106 is Giants defensive end Justin Trattou. So my money on Trattou-for-Super Bowl-MVP is not looking good. 3. Giants safety Antrel Rolle, the ex-Cane, said, "We are expecting to win this game Sunday" -- and in New York it got displayed like a guarantee. Gawd. What hath you wrought, Joe Willie? Nowadays in the buildup to a Super Bowl the most perfunctory expression of confidence is shot up with media steroids and vomited as an implied guarantee. 4. Rome called. They want their numerals back.
DOLPHINS: ON COACHING STAFF, SOLAI: One name among the new assistant coaches jumped out at me. You how great it would be if you could combine the talents of all-time Dolphin defensive greats Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor? Miami just did. The team's new assistant quarterbacks coach is Zac Taylor. Speaking of the Dolphins, somebody explain why Paul Soliai is a Pro Bowl defensive tackle in a 3-4 defense but apparently expendable if the team converts to a 4-3 alignment? Makes little sense. Talent is talent. In both systems you need a wideload to take up space and tackle people. If the Dolphs won't spend to keep him in free agency, fine. But don't let him walk and blame it on the new alignment.
ON CRISTOBAL STAYING (FOR NOW):Here is today's column by me on Mario Cristobal deciding to remain as FIU football coach. I am a bit harsh on him, perhaps. I just think recent dalliances with Pitt and Rutgers portray Cristobal as a coach willing to listen to outside offers and looking for his next stepping stone. No crime in that. But it's tough to preach loyalty when you are sort of wearing a 'For Hire' button on the lapel.
FLY ON THE WALL: GINGRICH STRATEGY SESSION: Chief advisor: "Newt, our poll numbers are trending down. We need to do something to verify to voters that you are presidential, measured, sound ... the common-sense candidate. Any ideas." [Long pause] Gingrich: "Moon colony!"
TEEN WITH ODD TNELAT: Click here to see and hear a teen girl instantly repeat any word backward. For instance, you say, "Congress," and she immediately says, "Ssergnoc." I find this girl's odd skill to at once be both evisserpmi and suolucidir.
R.I.P, WOMEN'S SOCCER: The Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) league has folded says it won't play in 2012. The Boca Raton-based and absurdly named magicJack franchise previously had disbanded. This was a team and a league studded with U.S. World Cup stars like Abby Wambach and Hope Solo. If this women's soccer league could make it in America, will any, ever?
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Cristobal staying at FIU; plus Super Blog Monday (prejudiced camel picks Giants), you pick-a-Republican (with poll), meaning of Heat-Bulls, Brandon Marshall & more
[1) Pat Burrell, the ex-Hurricane, has retired from baseball. Congrats on a nice career (292 career homers). Hall of Fame? No. But a very nice career. 2) You can still vote in our Miami's-top-5-biggest-sports-stars poll in blogpost right below this new one. 3) Join us on Twitter @gregcote]
MARIO CRISTOBAL STAYING AT FIU:Reported earlier in the day as headed for Rutgers, Mario Cristobal is now staying at FIU. Whose decision that was is presently unclear. In either case, whether Rutgers withdrew its interest or Cristobal changed his mind, it has become pretty clear Cristobal is open to entertain offers to leave FIU. This time it was Rutgers. In December it was Pitt. Who's next?
SUPER BLOG MONDAY: PREJUDICED, FRAUD-SEER CAMEL PICKS GIANTS: We christen Super Bowl Week by launching our Super Blog feature, daily updates here as the big game draws near. Today we report that Princess, a prognosticating camel (pictured), has foreseen a Giants victory over the Patriots by choosing its zookeeper's handful of graham crackers marked Giants. The dromedary's credentials: A 5-1 record in SB picks. Feel-good story, right? Uh uh. Sorry. Princess resides at Popcorn Park Zoo in Forked River, N.J. ... in the heart of Giants country. That's right. I am alleging this camel was predisposed to select the Giants, perhaps even to pay off a gambling debt owed to some "wise guys." Somewhere in a Boston-area zoo a forlornly anonymous camel not celebrated to star in an annual publicity stunt bitterly is thinking, "Like I wouldn't pick the Pats!? Go Brady!" I'm no camel but will add a Super Bowl prediction of my own: America is about to suffer an acute case of Manning Overload.
BEAT THE RUSH. PICK A REPUBLICAN WINNER: An ongoing steadfast pledge of mine is to make this more than just a typical sports blog, as loyal readers know. I risk the occasional "What's that go to do with sports!?!" outrage, but my bet is that, like me, most of you have interests beyond sports, including music, politics, food, reading, absurdity, whatever. In that spirit of variety I offer this poll in honor of Tuesday's Florida Republican primary. You needn't be a Republican to participate. Vote or don't (the poll is in alphabetical order), but I'll be curious how our subset of blog readers feel, and how this microcosm might compare or contrast with the statewide vote. I am not a Republican but if I were I'd probably vote for Mitt Romney as the most electable of the four. That Democrats hope Newt Gingrich is the nominee is a perception, I think, with substantive merit. Then again, I am occasionally wrong.
HEAT HOLD SERVE AT HOME, THAT'S ALL: Heat 97, Bulls 93. Nice win yesterday, but not a necessary or
particularly important win, despite the media-gravity of the matchup. This was the first of four duels between these Eastern Conference powers, and you know there will be four more (at least) in their all-but-inevitable playoff series to come. Miami fans crowing about a statement game must consider the statement includes the fact Chicago was without Luol Deng. If anything this result for me verified that the Heat -- as great and talented as they are -- will have a difficult road to the NBA championship. And perhaps even back to The Finals. Original post: Truthfully I'm not even sure if the result of Bulls at Heat today will even explain the hierarchy of the NBA's Eastern Conference or by extension how Miami's championship chances are looking. Some will see this as a "statement" game only bigger -- a declaration game! Miami, in perception if not reality, will assert itself today as the favorite for the crown, or invite doubts to creep in. Me, I see it as merely the first of four regular-season meetings between these conference powers, so let's withhold the broad assertions about what this result will "mean." Well, unless the Heat lose at home, of course. Then we all pop open the umbrellas against the rain of panic.
PRO BOWL SUCKS, BUT MARSHALL DIDN'T: Dolphin Brandon Marshall had a dream Pro Bowl with four TD catches among his six receptions for 176 yards. Hey, Brandon. Save it for the regular season. Original post: Ceremonially kicking off Super Bowl Week today in Hawaii is the pointless NFL all-star game known as the Pro Bowl, made up of AFC and NFC players, most of whom are replacements for guys who dropped out with sudden faked injuries because every player wants to makethe Pro Bowl but nobody seems to want to play in it. (Or watch it, for that matter). The score will be around 48-37, the lack of defense and effort masquerading as excitement, and a day later you'll forget who won if you ever cared to know. The NFL has never quite figured out how to make its all-star game matter. It is the glaring thing that baseball especially and even basketball do so much better. The good news for the Pro Bowl is that the NHL all-star game (also today) is even worse.
WHAT IS IT ABOUT JIMMY BUFFETT?: Did not attend last night's Jimmy Buffett show at the Heat palace but have seen him in concert at least eight or 10 times over the years and am a decades-long fan if not quite to Parrothead levels. And I still marvel (with admiration, not incredulity) how this man of limited voice has built such a super-loyal following. He is his own cottage industry. More power to him. He also has made some very good, overlooked music much more recently than his familiar chestnuts from the 1970s. Click on "Bama Breeze" for the YouTube video of my favorite cut from the 2006 CD, Take the Weather With You.
WHAT IS IT ABOUT COVERAGE OF THE ING MARATHON?: I don't get it. My newspaper today dedicated the equivalent of more than five full pages of coverage to the annual ING Marathon & Half Marathon, and was hardly alone in the media obsession with this event. Bulletin to my industry: Marathons interest only people who compete in them. Nobody outside of participants much cares that a guy from Kenya (surprise!) won yesterday's race. Then again, I am occasionally wrong.
LA COTE AT FONTAINEBLEAU: Belatedly it has been brought to my attention the Fontainebleau has a trendy restaurant called La Cote. Thank you, Fontainebleau, for naming a restaurant after me. It is an honor that could only be exceeded by an invitation for a free meal for myself and a guest. I am kidding, of course. Scruples would prevent me from ever accepting such a blatant gratuity, in case an important Herald editor happens to be reading this. :)
DAMNED !@#$ING SURVEY SAYS MIAMI IS A RUDE CITY: Readers of Travel & Leisure magazine have voted Miami No. 2 among America's rudest cities, trailing only New York City. Speaking for Miamians, I would say [bleep]ing Travel & Leisure can [censored] our [deleted]!
DEAR GREG...: "Your blog's OK but would be better if occasionally you would show a picture of a man making a call at a phone booth that looks like a giant chicken. Thank you." I'll see what I can do.
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Who are South Florida's 5 biggest current sports figures? (with poll); plus Wade answers doubters, Dolphins invade Herald, LeBron rumor, Paula Deen & more
[1) Pat Sajak admits he has been drunk on "Wheel of Fortune." No big deal. Occasionally I am drunk in this blog. 2) Musical treat: One of my heroes, Mavis Staples, sings "You Are Not Alone," accompanied only by Wilco's Jeff Tweedy on guitar. 3) Join us on Twitter @gregcote.
Herald hosts Philbin, Ireland: Dolphins coach Joe Philbin, GM Jeff Ireland and CEO Mike Dee visited The Miami Herald yesterday for an exclusive one-hour sit-down interview with a Herald contingent that included myself. The video of that session is now online, and begins with my question about Philbin's recent family tragedy.
WHO ARE SOUTH FLORIDA's BIGGEST CURRENT TEAM-SPORT STARS?: My poll includes 14 nominees from our four major pro teams, listed alphabetically. You get to pick your top FIVE (5). I have little doubt LeBron James and Dwyane Wade (or Wade and James) probably will rank 1-2, but to me the order after that is up for grabs among a pretty strong list. I don't have a "somebody else" category but you'll let me know if I left anyone deserving out. The "biggest star" criteria is your own, but I suggest you consider the question beyond a local vantage and view it from a national perspective: Who are the biggest current figures in Miami sports? Vote now and say why.
And remember: VOTE FOR AS MANY AS5!
Poll analysis: Two things. 1) The timing of this poll clearly favors the Heat. However I have no doubts LeBron James/Dwyane Wade would be 1-2 even if the poll were in the middle of Dolphins or Marlins seasons. The mild surprise is that Heat sweep top four spots, with Pat Riley a solid third and Chris Bosh in fourth just ahead of Reggie Bush as voting continues. 2) Bear in mind that with each voter allowed to vote for five different men, 20 percent would be the maximum total vote percentage presuming each voter completes a full ballot. In other words, James and Wade's percentages of 19 and change means they are being included in just about everyone's top 5. One would multiple each person's vote percentage by 5 for an approximation of the overall percentage of top-5's in which each man is being included. For example, Hanley Ramirez 's vote percentage of just under 5% means he is being included in roughly 25% of all top 5s.
WADE ANSWERS THE DOUBTERS: Dwyane Wade returned from his ankle injury with a sharp 28 points in last night's Heat win over the Knicks, reminding us how much harder Miami is to defend when he is on the floor. The doubters who wonder if the Heat might somehow be better off without Wade -- they are wrong. Meanwhile the silly Knicks' only answer was to hoist an absurd 43 3-point shots. What an embarrassment for the NYK.
ANATOMY OF A RIDICULOUS LEBRON RUMOR: It was "being reported" this week that LeBron James is not thrilled with Pat Riley's disciplinary ways and that he might leave the Heat in free agency after the 2013-14 season. The story is baseless. It emanates from this fluff from one Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio. Sam writes "there is talk" based on his "sources in Miami." Translated, that means "there is talk I just generated" based on "the sources in my head." His further speculation is that James would rejoin the Cavaliers. Which makes sense except that club owner Dan Gilbert would not have LeBron back in a million years. Maybe two million. The truth: James truly loves playing with Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and company, and would not consider leaving as long as he feels he is legitimately chasing multiple championships here.
DOLPHINS 1-FOR-2 ON COORDINATOR UPGRADES: I like that new coach Joe Philbin is bringing in ex-Packers head coach Mike Sherman as his offensive coordinator. That can't but be seen as an upgrade over Brian Daboll. Not as sure about hiring Bengals DBs coach Kevin Coyle as defensive coordinator. He's a veteran, but does not seem like an upgrade over departed Mike Nolan.
SHANE BATTIER CHANNELS VANILLA ICE: Hear the Heat's Shane Battier, a karaoke guy, on YouTube sort of rapping the signature hit of Miami's own Vanilla Ice right here. Word to ya mutha.
SUPER BOWL PROP BETS: A few of the hundreds available, courtesy our friends at Bovada: MVP--Tom Brady 13-10, Eli Manning 9-4, Rob Gronkowski 8-1. Kelly Clarkson over/under on national anthem--1 minute 34 seconds. TV audience over/under--47.5 rating, 115 million viewers. Times Peyton Manning shown on TV--3 1/2. Color of Gatorade bath--Yellow 7-4.
PAULA DEEN'S LITTLE MESS: Food Network fans (like me) know Paula Deen is the Southern lady know for rich, caloric foods that pay little heed to health. Many also know she just revealed she was diagnosed three years ago with type-2 diabetes, yet continued to pimp her artery-clogging dishes. Never too much butter 'n sugar 'n cream, ya'll! Now she has partnered with a diabetes drug company to profit off her condition. Angry diabetics are calling her a hypocrite and Anthony Bourdain of Travel Channel's "No Reservations" continues his critical assault. I find the controversy, well, delicious. It is stunning how Deen has misplayed this to such a degree there is outrage where sympathy otherwise would be. If I were the Food Network I'd consider saying adios, Paula. And if I were that drug company, I'd pay close attention to the public backlash, especially from diabetics, and probably run from this woman as fast as I could.
RAY LEWIS, OF COURSE: ESPN finished its countdown of the top 20 current NFL players for its "Any Era" list and of course Ray Lewis was chosen No. 1. It was probably the most anticlimactic foregone conclusion since that time ESPN's best-planet list was topped by Earth.
HEADLINES YOU NEVER THOUGHT YOU'D SEE (one in a series): Click here. Note, a judiciously blurred video of her performance is included. Not sure if that's a good thing.
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Peyton Manning to Dolphins is plausible. Here's why; plus Tim Thomas, Prince Fielder, Barack Lincoln, Heat, Fart magazine & more
1) You can still vote in our pick-the-Dolphins-next-QB poll in blogpost directly below this latest one. 2) Best wishes to Mark Duper on his full recovery from kidney surgery. 3) Musical treat: Our friend Brendan Benson drops a new CD, What Kind Of World, on April 24. Click here to listen to the first single, "Bad For Me," courtesy Stereogum. 4) Join us on Twitter @gregcote.
Fore! Herald moving to Doral: The Miami Herald announcing its new corporate headquarters will be on a 15-acre lot in Doral, four miles west of the airport, beginning in May 2013. That's because the iconic current location off Biscayne Bay was sold, alas, to a group that is building a $3.8 billion casino resort. The move is not expected to affect Greg Cote, who never goes into the office anyway.
WHY PEYTON MANNING TO MIAMI IS PLAUSIBLE: Piece together all the little bits of circumstantial evidence and Peyton Manning ending up a Dolphin seems to make some sense. 1) The Colts intend to draft QB Andrew Luck No. 1 overall and would owe Manning a $28 million roster bonus on March 8 unless they release him before then. A columnist I like, Bob Kravitz of the Indianapolis Star, writes compellingly about Manning's awkward situation now in Indy from an exclusive and very candid interview with Manning this week. Click on Manning's Discomfort with Colts for the entire piece. "It's not a real good environment down there right now to say the least," Manning says. The candor upset Colts owner Jim Irsay. 2) Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland indicates very clearly from the Senior Bowl he thinks Miami needs an upgrade at QB. That leads to a strong supposition Miami is unlikely to stick with Matt Moore. (So is Miami unlikely to spend hugely for a major draft trade-up and a shot at Robert Griffin III. 3) Star-minded owner Stephen Ross wants a QB signing with the impact to sell tickets and build instant excitement or, as Ireland said, "Make a much bolder statement in South Florida." Manning would do that. Matt Flynn (of the two career starts) would not to nearly the same degree. 4) Manning as a free agent would have his choice of suitors. But Ross indicated with Jeff Fisher that money would not be an issue and likely would not be outbid for Manning. Miami has a solid offensive line, which would be important to an almost-36-year-old QB recovering from neck surgery. Oh, and the Dolphins have a unofficial lobbyist who would try to persuade Peyton to come here. They are close friends and golfing buddies. The name of the unofficial lobbyist-in-waiting is Dan Marino. In a poll in my previous blogpost I ask Dolfans what their QB choice would be for the team and by a narrow margin you all pick signing Flynn over signing Manning. I respectfully disagree. Manning -- if fully healthy, a critical caveat -- has at least a few prime seasons left and would make Miami an AFC contender the minute he stepped into the uniform. Manning to Miami at this stage in his career would not equal LeBron taking his talents to South Beach and the Heat. But it would be close. If owner Ross agrees, it could happen.
ON TIM THOMAS' WHITE HOUSE SNUB: The Boston Bruins' star goalie was absent this week when his Stanley Cup champion team was honored by President Obama at the White House. It was a protest. Thomas wrote on Facebook he didn't participate because, "The Federal government has grown out of control, threatening the Rights, Liberties and Properties of the people." It sounds like Thomas was worried he'd be stopped from bringing his shotgun onto the grounds -- you know, the one you'll only get when you pry it from his cold dead hands? -- despite the Second Amendment. Dear Tim: The tea party screed is fine, but I think the biggest statement you made was one of simple disrespect, a statement with no nobility in it. However, you had every right to do what you did (or didn't do). You owe no apologies, but the other side of freedom is fair criticism for how one might choose to exercise those rights.
MIDFIELDER SIDELINED BY SEX: AC Milan star midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng is sidelined for a month with what the club calls a "muscular lesion on his left thigh" and could miss the team's Feb. 15 Champions League round-of-16 match. Girlfriend Melissa Satta tells Vanity Fair the injury was caused by the couple having sex "seven to 10 times a week." Satta is pictured for educational purposes.
PRINCE'S KINGLY SUM: Free-agent slugger Prince Fielder and his luxurious beard get a nine-year, $214 million deal from the Detroit Tigers, just a fraction less in average ($23.8M per) than Albert Pujols' recent 10-year, $240 mill deal from the L.A. Angels. It's silly money. Tigers owner Mike Ilitch, the pizza magnate, must be nuts. (In a related story, a Little Caesar's medium with pepperoni now costs $75). This deal will make anyone but a Detroit fan sort of hope Fielder immediately gains 70 pounds and hits .208. Or settles in on the D.L. with a back strain incurred bending over to pick up a dropped Twinkie.
NFL 'ANY-ERA' TEAM: Latest gimmickry from list-obsessed ESPN is to count down the current top 20 NFL "any era" players. The list so far: 20, future Dolphins QB Peyton Manning (I can dream); 19, Tim Tebow (oh Lord); 18, Ndamukong Suh (I guess stomping an opponent is fashionable in any era); then 17 to 5 in order are Dwight Freeney, Jared Allen, Darrelle Revis, Ray Rice, Ed Reed, DeMarcus Ware, Tom Brady, James Harrison, Aaron Rodgers, Hines Ward, Patrick Willis, Adrian Peterson and Brian Urlacher. Top four out Friday. I'd only bet every penny I have that Ray Lewis is No. 1.
FART MAGAZINE: Fart was a 1950s and '60s car magazine in Sweden, in whose language "fart" means "speed." The coincidence? Both types of fart involve gas. Somewhere in Goteberg, in 1961, a man who just finished the magazine remarked to his wife [translated], "I really enjoyed that Fart."
D-WADE'S ANKLE: Heat star Dwyane Wade missed a fifth straight game with his sore right ankle last night, and his eighth game this season overall. We caught up with Wade's ankle. "We're fine, getting close, maybe even give it a go tonight in Detroit," said Wade's ankle. "But from now do not approach me directly. Go through my agent or the team publicist, please."
PRO BOWL UPDATE: Because of fake injuries to every available player, I have been added to the AFC Pro Bowl team and so has your neighbor Ed.
ON JORGE POSADA: An L.A. Times blog has a poll asking if retired Yankees catcher Jorge Posada is a Hall of Famer. It's about like asking if I am a presidential candidate, moot in its absurdity. Short answer: No, no way, never, not even close.
DEAR GREG...: "Your blog's OK but would be better if occasionally you would show an artist's depiction of Barack Obama as Abraham Lincoln, especially since Obama referenced Lincoln in his State of the Union speech last night. Thank you." I'm sorry that won't be possible.
Click back. Will be updating and adding to this latest blogpost...
Pick Dolphins' next QB: Flynn, Griffin, Manning or Moore? (with poll); plus Heat, nightmare Super Bowl, Coker 2.0, Lomo, Steven Tyler & more
LIVE Q&A TODAY 1-2 P.M.: Click here to join us today/Wednesday at 1 or to post questions now!
1) Hope all our Chinese readers had a Happy New Year this week, and that all our American friends enjoyed a happy National Pie Day! 2) Who'll win Super Bowl? Vote in our poll in blogpost directly below this latest one. 4) Join us on Twitter @gregcote.
DOLPHINS CHECKLIST: NEW COACH? DONE. NEW QB? HMM...: Dolphins management and new coach Joe Philbin face very interesting decisions in the coming weeks if Peyton Manning and Matt Flynn become free agents as expected. To me the ideal scenario would be to acquire Manning -- if the price is right and in his case if his health is sound -- and then have a few years to develop his eventual replacement. But options abound, all of them pretty good. Take a dip in our poll and tell the Dolphins what you would like to see as their QB strategy. Weigh each man's positives and negatives below (listed alphabetically), then cast your vote and say why.
Sign Matt Flynn: Packers' backup will be free agent unless Green Bay applies its franchise tag, which is unlikely. Positives -- Flynn is only 26, has worked closely with Philbin, and in two career NFL starts has passed for 731 yards and nine TDs. Negatives -- "In two career NFL starts." Flynn was a 7th-round draft pick. Could be a leap of faith based on little evidence that he'll be a franchise-type QB.
Trade-up to draft Robert Griffin III: Miami won't get the Baylor star sticking with the 8th or 9th pick and might have to trade all the way to No. 2. Positives -- Griffin is a dual-threat Heisman winner who could be to his team what Cam Newton is in Carolina, a true franchise cornerstone. Negatives -- It would cost a ton to trade up that far, and no rookie QB comes with a guarantee.
Sign Peyton Manning: Speculation is Manning will become free agent before March 8, when Indianapolis would owe him a $28 million roster bonus. Positives -- Where to begin? Manning is one of greatest, most prolific passers of all time and if healthy could have at least a few prime seasons left. Negatives -- Turns 36 in March and is coming off a season missed due to neck surgery.
Stick with Matt Moore: Dolphins' incumbent starter went 6-6 with solid 87.1 passer rating in 12 starts. Positives -- Moore is only 27, had 16 TDs vs. only nine picks in 2011 and his rating ranked fifth in the AFC. Negatives -- Is Moore good enough to carry a team or is he better suited as a solid backup or stopgap starter?
Something else...: This category could include giving Chad Henne another shot, signing a free agent less costly than Manning or Flynn, or drafting a QB who is more of a developmental guy like Texas A&M's Ryan Tannehill or Arizona's Nick Foles.
JOE PHILBIN: LARRY COKER 2.0?: Has anyone else noticed an eerie resemblance between the new Dolphins coach, Philbin, and former Miami Hurricanes coach Larry Coker? Look and decide. The similarity had not occurred to me but was mentioned in an email by Jim Martz. Longtime readers may recall that name. Jim was an excellent Herald sports writer for years (covering UM, tennis and more) and actually was my first boss and the man who hired me. (So blame him!) Philbin is at left and Coker in the middle here. I added Dolphins CEO Mike Dee, far right, just because.
LOMO BEING LOMO: Logan Morrison is pictured here, far right, enjoying a glass of wine in a hot tub with fellow Marlins outfielder Bryan Peterson. The men appear to be naked. The hot tub appears to be small. I don't even wanna know where Morrison's left foot is going. Morrison later Tweeted, "nohomojustlomo." Evidently Morrison is such an established "free spirit" that he can say "homo" and everybody just grins and says with a wink, "That's Lomo!"
ROMNEY VS. GINGRICH IN FLORIDA: Mitt vs. Newt. Whatever happened to guys named John and Ed? (Or Joe and Larry?)
STINKING HEAT: The Heat stunk last night about as badly as the Heat can stink. Pinch your nose and move one. Return of D-Wade imminent.
THE NIGHTMARE SUPER BOWL: From a Dolfan perspective the worst would be the Jets in the Super Bowl. But Patriots vs. Giants is pretty close. You have the rival/nemesis Patriots of pretty boy Tom Brady and scowling Bill Belichick reminding Miami how steep the climb is in the AFC East. And you have the Giants allowing the transplanted New York fans among us to be even cockier and more obnoxious than usual. The good news? It beats a Ravens-49ers matchup in terms of overall interest and also to prevent two weeks of nonstop feel-good media schmaltz about brothers Jim Harbaugh and John Harbaugh in the "HarBowl." Both bros were denied and I have one word for that: Harbaawww.
ON STEVEN TYLER: I like Steven Tyler (of Aerosmith) and that great rock voice of his. I love my country and its national anthem. May the two of them never, ever intersect again. Please? Seriously. Tyler (pictured here screeching the anthem Sunday) was no match for the song's high notes prior to the Ravens-at-Patriots game. I don't think he was disrespecting the song; he just wasn't up to its challenges. One other thing about Tyler. I watch American Idol (guilty pleasure) and Tyler -- a judge along with Randy Jackson and Dolphins part owner Jennifer Lopez -- is taking the rock-star/sex-symbol persona to cartoonish extremes. Dude, you'll be 64 in March. Dial it back a notch.
PATERNO AND MIAMI: The great, late Joe Paterno didn't impact the University of Miami much over the years but did profoundly, once. It was Penn State's 14-10 victory over the Canes in the 1986 Fiesta Bowl -- the game for the national championship -- on Jan. 2, 1987. I was there. And a quarter century later I still have never seen any coach in any sport as devastated by any loss as Jimmy Johnson was then.
HERMAIN CAIN, SINGING: I guess the headline about says it all. Click here. The defrocked Republican presidential candidate start crooning at about the 1:45 mark.
ONLY IN MIAMI... (One in a series): Click here. Yet more from real-life Miami that reads like a chapter in a zany Carl Hiaasen novel. The difference: Hiaasen's bats would have been bred and colonized by the deranged homeowner.
Click back. Will be adding more stuff to this latest blogpost...
Champ Sunday in NFL: Giants, Patriots advance to Super Bowl! Who'll win? (with poll)
[1) R.I.P., Joe Pa. 2) Dolfans may still vote in our reaction poll to the Joe Philbin hiring in blogpost immediately below this new one. 3) Join us on Twitter @gregcote]
GOATS ON PARADE! BONEHEAD PLAYS = PATRIOTS-GIANTS SUPER BOWL: The Super Bowl -- you know, that thing Miami last won 38 years ago? -- is Feb. 5 in Indianapolis, and that fair city tonight learned it will host a Patriots-Giants rematch game. A missed 32-yard field goal by Baltimore's Billy Cundiff and a muffed punt in overtime by San Fran's Kyle Williams proved the difference. New England will be favored (I'd guess by 4 points). Who do you think will win? Not who you want to win, but who you think will? And why?
AFC Championship: Patriots 23, Ravens 20 -- Good lord! Ravens miss a tying 32-yard field goal in final seconds and Patriots escape. Had New England winning but missed it against the spread. I do think the better team won, even if it did need some luck. Most impressive: That the Pats are good enough to win even when star Tom Brady has a poor game. "I sucked," Brady said afterward. He pretty much did, and yet NE is Indy-bound anyway. ..... Original post: There is nothing I am more sure of in either of these games than simply Tom Brady's ability, at home, to outscore the other team today. Also think Bill Belichick's blitz package will rattle Joe Flacco into a couple of turnovers and that New England's defense lately has been better than earlier in the season. See Pats covering the 7-point line as well. Pick: Patriots, 27-17.
NFC Championship: Giants 20, 49ers 17 (OT)(Underway) Defensive puntfest ends with winning 31-yard field goal after a muffed punt. I called the upset. Kyle Williams' turnover on punt return is the difference. ..... Original post: With some trepidation I think the hot Giants will be a road-'dog upset winner at Candlestick tonight. San Fran is a very solid team (and favored by 2 1/2 points) but NYG is chugging on all cylinders now. Eli Manning takes aim at the best threesome of wide receivers in football, and I think the Biggies' nearly awesome defensive line will really disrupt the Niners offense. Pick: Giants, 24-20.
Joe Paterno dies at 85: Longtime Penn State football coach and tarnished legend Joe Paterno has died at 85. Paterno was beloved in Happy Valley as a coach and icon but unfortunately his career ended badly and not of his choosing in the wake of his inaction in the Jerry Sandusky scandal. I hope time will allow the profoundly good of his life to vastly overshadow the controversy and sorrow at the end. Rest in peace, Joe Pa.
On Dwyane Wade: A post I wrote -- "Is Heat better off without Wade?" -- was immediately overshadowed by the Dolphins' coach hiring. The Wade post is still there right below this but is lonely. Won't you support America by voting in our Wade poll?
Click on A Man And a Franchise In Need of Healing for my column on the Dolphins' hiring of Joe Philbin as head coach, now online after appearing on page 1A of the pulp editions.
DOLPHINS CHOOSE PHILBIN: ESPN first reported and then everybody did that Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin, 50, is the new head coach of the Miami Dolphins -- the eighth in the franchise's 46-year history (10 if you count interim guys). Philbin was chosen over two other finalists: Broncos OC Mike McCoy (who seemed the frontrunner earlier in the day) and Dolphins interim coach Todd Bowles. Philbin game-planned but did not call plays for one of the NFL's elite offenses, helped immeasurably of course by quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Negative in the hire is that Philbin has no head-coaching experience and Miami is rolling dice and offering itself as a proving ground for an inexperienced guy who'll have on training wheels for the task at hand. The Dolphins sought the opposite (experience and a proven head-coaching record) in Jeff Fisher but were rebuffed, and now settle for their second choice. But enough of my rambling. What is your gut reaction to the Philbin hiring?
Stop it! Enough with the trade-Wade nonsense! (with poll)
[1) While waiting (and waiting, and...) for a Dolphins head-coaching decision to reveal itself, life marches on. I would assume at this point it's going to be Mike McCoy, but you remember what happens to those who assume! Meantime you can still cast your vote from among the three finalists in the blogpost directly below this new one. 2) Join us on Twitter @gregcote]
WOULD THE HEAT BE BETTER OFF WITHOUT DWYANE WADE? : The far-fetched notion bloomed today (bloomed like a rash) on local sports-talk radio, where much aural nonsense is uttered before evaporating none too soon into the ether. In this case knee-jerking Heat fans were reacting to LeBron James' big game last night against the Lakers, a result that left Miami 5-0 with Dwyane Wade out injured this season. The theory is that James is free to be himself when unencumbered by Wade. First, the opposite would be true, too; Wade naturally would score and shine more if James were the one out. Second, the Big 3 came within two wins of an NBA title in Year 1, when this truly was an experiment, something being figured out. Now much of the figuring out is accomplished. It is astonishing that some Heat fans do not know that Miami is a better, more exciting, scarier to defend team with James and Wade than with either but not both. Wade himself had to smile at the better-without-Wade notion, Tweeting late this afternoon: "It is projected to be a cold day outside but #WithoutWade the weather is quite amazing. L2MS" -- the latter Tweetspeak for "laugh to myself." He knows the talk is ludicrous. I do. Do you? Or do you see credence in the notion. I will admit a straight-up trade with Orlando for Dwight Howard is something I'd at least consider, but I don't think I'd do it. I think James and Wade are the best 1-2 punch in the NBA and can't imagine tearing that dream ticket up. Your thoughts welcome. Take a dip in our poll and say why.
Click back. Will be adding more to this latest blogpost...
