The Big Blue Daily Mail -- Farewell to Steve McNair
by Truzenzuzex on Jul 6, 2009 11:50 AM EDT
in News
33 comments
Obviously, the biggest story I have not reported on so far has been the apparent murder of former NFL quarterback Steve McNair. This is obviously a great tragedy and the unfortunate circumstances surrounding McNair's death make it doubly so.
I hope all of you will keep the McNair family in your prayers as they deal with this tragedy.
Now, for the rest of the news:
Top Stories
UK Basketball News
-
National Hoops Report: Just a Minute with Jeff Goodman of Fox Sports
Nice interview with The Loathsome Troll. TLT makes some very good points in this interview, though, although I really hate people that make allegations of cheating in sports and then provide no source for their claims. And then there is this:
Is Calipari and Kentucky the biggest storyline going into this college basketball season?
"No doubt about. Kansas is number one and no one is even talking about Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich coming back to school. All anyone wants to talk about is Kentucky, Calipari and that recruiting class. Obviously Kentucky fans are so rabid and that’s what the majority of the scene is filled with - Kentucky fans. I do think it’s funny how a perception of a coach can change so quickly. They hated John Calipari and I used to get the emails from Kentucky fans saying how much they hated him and how shady they thought he was. They have obviously changed their tune now that he is at Kentucky."
Did you hate Calipari before he came here? If so, and you've changed your tune, a mea culpa is in order, I think. -
Jodie Demling hitting the recruiting trail
I'm so jealous ... - A brief history of John Calipari
Heh. Very brief. -
What Are Patterson and Orton Doing With Hell's Trainer?
Blake Griffin would certainly serve as a great role model for any player wanting to maximize his potential at the next level, and if this guy can help you get there, it is no wonder Patterson and Orton are worshiping at his altar. -
Move Over Iverson, There is a New Crossover King
John Wall breaks a few ankles. -
Who is the very best among the basketball Wildcats?
Offered without comment. - John Clay's Big Blue Links.
-
CatsPause.com - Lamb talks unofficial visit to Kentucky
Doron Lamb talks about his recent unofficial visit to UK [subscription]:
"I think Coach Cal is just a good coach," Lamb said. "He makes professionals. And that's what I am trying to be."
I like the sound of that.
UK Football News
-
Spread gaining popularity
Tom Leach points us to a link that suggests the NFL is gaining interest in the spread option offense. -
Locke confident he’ll be back
I love his determination, and I think he will be back, and help us a lot this year. -
Can Hartline have a "Woodson-like" breakout
I think not. I like Hartline, he is a serviceable quarterback. But his lack of arm strength and inability to throw the ball deep will prevent him from being "the man" very long. I look for one of the freshmen QB's to challenge him next year for the starting spot. -
Football coaches must adapt to new generation of players
"They all come in believing they can play as freshmen," Brooks said. "They all come in believing that they're going to play in the NFL. And in reality that ain't going to happen. So dealing with those expectations, I think, takes a little bit more psychology than it used to in coaching."
Gotta love Papa Brooks. He tells it like it is. -
2009 SEC Football Preview - SEC Football Preview 2009
In this preview, even Vanderbilt surpasses us. Bogus. -
Seneca QB DaMarcus Smith catching a lot of interest
Kind of short for a QB in Brooks' system. I suspect he is being recruited more for his athletic ability, perhaps a Cobb-like player. -
Scout.com: Wildcats Have Long Road Ahead
How do you replace Micah Johnson? No idea. But we do need to shore up the offensive end spot if we can't get guys academics in order. -
Gatorsports.com's 25 best players in the Southeastern Conference
Some respect for Micah. Well earned.
Other UK Sports News
-
UK Places 53 on SEC Spring Academic Honor Roll
Great to see. -
McGinnis Wins Gold as Member of 4x100 Free Relay
Congratulations to Eric McGinnis and UK swimming.
NCAA Sports News
Other News of Interest
-
VOA News - Tiger Woods Wins AT&T Golf Crown
He's Baaaack! -
courier-journal.com | Eric Crawford | The Courier-Journal
Churchill downs drew 33,000+ to "Downs after dark" on Thursday. I was there. I have never, ever seen such a crowd. If they can't figure out how to make money after drawing crowds like that, I can't help them. -
U.S. stays perfect at under-19 worlds
Darius Miller added little.
The Daily Schadenfreude
-
A season of more questions for Hogs
Petrino had four good years in sub-par conferences.
The best any of his teams at Louisville would be 7-5 — maybe 8-4 with a break or two — in the SEC. Petrino is still very much unproven in the SEC.
I hope some Louisville fans get to read this.
0 recs |
33 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
Certainly Sympathy For McNair's Family
But a 36-year-old married father of four really had no business dating a 20-year-old waitress.
Tragic ending but he is part of the reason for it.
by FortyYearCatFan on Jul 6, 2009 12:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yup......
$$$$$$$ don’t always equal invincibility.
I want to die while asleep like my grandfather,
not screaming in terror like the passengers in his car.
by bluecrip on Jul 6, 2009 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Eddie George isn't buying the murder-suicide theory
I don’t buy that.
If peeing your pants is cool, consider me Miles Davis.
by btcoop71 on Jul 6, 2009 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's a conspiracy
I tell ya!!!!
I want to die while asleep like my grandfather,
not screaming in terror like the passengers in his car.
by bluecrip on Jul 6, 2009 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't either
I don’t think anyone would go to that much trouble just to make it look like a murder-suicide. There are reports the girl bought the pistol two days before the shooting. I think maybe he was going to break it off with her and she went into a rage or something. Who knows. I just hope his wife at least KNEW about the affair, because this sure is one hell of a way to find out your spouse is screwing around.
He was one of my favorite QBs to watch in recent years. He wasn’t afraid to run the ball or take a hit.
I really feel for his wife and those 4 boys who will now grow up without their father.
by uk1982 on Jul 6, 2009 9:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
McNair Murdered
But the question is: By whom?
Aaron added: "Based on the evidence at the scene and based on what we know from witnesses thus far, you can lean certain ways in an investigation, but you can’t be close-minded in an investigation. No possibilities have been ruled out. All scenarios are still on the table."
"The prosperity of commerce is now perceived and acknowledged by all enlightened statesmen to be the most useful as well as the most productive source of national wealth, and has accordingly become a primary object of its political cares."
--Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 12, 27 November 1787
by Wild Weasel on Jul 6, 2009 10:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agree
Noone deserves to be killed but what an idiot when you are married
UL Football Fan/UK Basketball Fan ~ Shreveport Louisiana
by The White Mandingo on Jul 6, 2009 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Petrino
I agree with most of that Petrino article. All we needed at Louisville was a coach who could win consistently in the Big East, and Petrino proved he could do that. Of course, he wouldn’t have always had Louisville natives like Michael Bush and Brian Brohm to turn down bigger programs, but he could have at least competed in the Big East every year.
Now we’re stuck with a guy who has wrecked the program in record time. It would be hilarious if it was happening to anyone else.
And yes, I “hated” Calipari before he came to UK, but I’m not the right person to answer that question, I suppose.
Note: When I say “hated” I mean in a sports rivalry sense, not genuine hatred toward a human being. I don’t take any of this too seriously.
by don'tshootmei'macard on Jul 6, 2009 2:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Good points, all.
You’re a breath of fresh air, don’tshootmei’macard. Please continue to hang out here.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
by blbskue on Jul 6, 2009 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agree.
I agree about the post containing good points, and I would like to be the second to extend, don’tshootmei’macard the invitation to “hang out here”.
We are a pretty cool bunch, if I do say so myself, and you (don’tshootmei’macard) are a nice addition, IMO. : )
by BigSkyCat on Jul 6, 2009 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Do You Mind If I Call You DSMIAC?
Welcome but I must warn you that HozeKing will be hard to counterbalance — although you’re off to a good beginning. I would disagree on one point: Kragthorpe had considerable assistance in getting the Red program into its current state.
"The prosperity of commerce is now perceived and acknowledged by all enlightened statesmen to be the most useful as well as the most productive source of national wealth, and has accordingly become a primary object of its political cares."
--Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 12, 27 November 1787
by Wild Weasel on Jul 6, 2009 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kind of agree..
1. In retrospect I say good riddance to Petrino. He recruited marginal student-athletes and ran too loose of a program. I like winning but I like winning right more.
2. I can’t fault Kragthorpe…yet. I still say he is in the wake of cleaning up from the Petrino mess. Give in a couple of more years and I may change my mind.
3. I like the conference we are in…..great in basketball and so-so in football. I mean after all football is just football, we can compete in this conference unlike our brothers in the SEC.
4. Finally, another article that gives coaching far too much credit. I get the idea that recruiting is important and they play a huge role. Other than that, they don’t wear helmets and they don’t wear shorts. It isn’t Calipari v. Pitino. It isn’t Pitino v. Crum. It’s still games played by kids. I happen to remember rooting like crazy for the Griffiths, and the Ellison’s, and the Clarks during games. I can’t really remember ever rooting for a coach….or against one for that matter. Although this year may change :-).
'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'
by HozeKing on Jul 7, 2009 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cal then and now
I think that any conversion of the fans’ attitude toward Calipari mirrors the conversion on the part of the UK administration: before, taking rumors and insinuations at face value; after investigating, realizing there’s very little ‘there’ there with said rumors and innuendos.
by Mahatma on Jul 6, 2009 2:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Downs after Dark and profitability
Well… its one thing to draw that kind of a crowd for an “event.” Its another thing entirely to draw crowds like that on a regular basis when there is nothing special about the night.
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
by chirop1 on Jul 6, 2009 2:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Just so you know ...
… they did it three times over the course of the spring meet, and the smallest crowd they drew was 22,000+
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Truzenzuzex on Jul 6, 2009 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
DAD isn't really the issue.
They were special events that, if held regularly, will not continue to draw that kind of crowd. Also, i would guess at least 1/3 of that crowd didn’t even place a bet. They aren’t making their cash off of the $6 admission fee.
Unfortunately, the slots or some other type of gambling apparatus are necessary to keep up with the purses that other tracks are offering. i am sure CD isn’t going to go broke anytime soon. However, they would if they had to offer the $ like tracks in Ohio and WV can. Think about it, there is no way Churchill Downs should lose Graded Stakes to places like West Virginia, but that is what is happening. The big trainers, jockeys, and horses will go where they can win the most money. Eventually breeders follow as well.
i've been waiting for this moment all my life...but it's not quite right.
by small balls on Jul 6, 2009 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What's the consensus on Oaklawn Park
in Hot Springs?
I hear a lot about it living here in Arkansas but I wonder how many folks in the horsing world know it exist and what they think about it overall.
Any of you horse racing buffs know about it?
I want to die while asleep like my grandfather,
not screaming in terror like the passengers in his car.
by bluecrip on Jul 6, 2009 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oaklawn's introduction of slots
has done wonders for the purses and increased OTB. I went the other night for the fireworks show and they had a good crowd in the “casino” and in the OTB facility. Churchill may need to add the tacky slots if they want to stay relevant. I’d hate to see the twin spires slowly fade and end up being another Pimlico.
by hoboat33 on Jul 6, 2009 10:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Heh.
CD must’ve sold hundreds of thousands of beers, drinks, and hot dogs.
Maybe 1/3 of them didn’t bet, but I can tell you this from direct personal experience — I have never seen longer betting lines at any time except at the Derby when it had one of the largest crowds ever. I have been to every single Breeder’s Cup ever held at the Downs, and to several huge Oaks crowds. I was all the way up at the head of the stretch, and the betting lines were 7 minutes long with 13 minutes to go, and if you got in line with less than ten minutes before the race, you would be only 50/50 to get a bet down. The lines by the finish line must have been Derbyesque.
I’m thinking that CD made more money those three DAD nights than, in all likelihood, the rest of the meet put together after the Derby ran. And the night I was there, the races were shite. One race had only four horses, and maybe one had than eight or more.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Truzenzuzex on Jul 6, 2009 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree.
No, of course they cannot hold DAD every night. But if they do it 3 or 4 times during each meet, and draw 20,000+ each time, they’re making money.
Small balls, I’m not sure where you’re getting that at least 1/3 didn’t bet, but irregardless, they were all eating and drinking and paying admission. That = $$$, and more than 5,000 on a typical Saturday afternoon who may be betting more, but likely eating and drinking less.
I can’t remember the exact numbers or find the story, but I read over the weekend that each Downs After Dark earned more money (somewhere in the neighborhood of $1.5 to $2 million) than an entire week of racing under normal circumstances.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
by blbskue on Jul 6, 2009 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I should add
that I was there on Thursday, and didn’t see a person without a drink in their hand. The betting lines were packed, as were every other line you could get into. People were spending money constantly.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
by blbskue on Jul 6, 2009 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Indeed.
I have never seen longer betting lines except during the Derby. Never that long during Oaks, although there are many more personnel there during those times.
If more people didn’t bet, CD has only themselves to blame for not having more windows open.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Truzenzuzex on Jul 6, 2009 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Record
Thursday’s 33,481 attendance was the largest non-Derby and non-Oaks attendance in the track’s modern history.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
by blbskue on Jul 6, 2009 5:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Re: betting
“This spring, temporary lights expanded opportunities at Churchill Downs. Three night races attracted more fans in a single evening than an entire week of racing. The new and mostly younger crowd more than doubled on-track betting numbers. Bettors wagered more than $1.5 million on each of those nights, enough for Churchill Downs officials to take a serious look at the future of Downs after Dark.”
http://www.wave3.com/Global/story.asp?S=10646357
Read that again – the crowd “more than doubled on-track betting numbers.”
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
by blbskue on Jul 6, 2009 5:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
"... take a serious look?"
Are they “serious?” Any business person who doesn’t tap a new market like that should be fired for utter, abject incompetence.
DAD will be back, more and bigger. Or CD deserves to crumble into the dust from sheer stupidity. This just proves for good and all that there is more than one way to skin a cat, and VLT’s aren’t the only way to get that job done. I personally don’t care if they have them or not, but what CD should be doing is figuring out how to do a lot more night racing.
I don’t know why this is such a mystery. We used to go to Louisville Downs all the time to watch the trotters at night, and it was great, and usually pretty packed.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Truzenzuzex on Jul 6, 2009 6:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
I think I am one of the lonely few people in the horse industry (owner) who doesn’t really want to see VLTs come to Kentucky (or any other, for that matter) tracks. The industry needs to focus on promoting and growing the sport, not hitching its star to whatever form of degenerate gambling is en vogue at the time. When the public turns on gambling (which they will, these things are all cyclical), I don’t want horse racing to be the baby that is thrown out with the bathwater.
Industry leaders need to focus on promoting the sport itself, not try to save it by bringing in another (only tangetially at best related) revenue stream. DAD is a great start; I was out at Belmont this past Wednesday, and there was a good crowd there too, including a lot of kids – getting that next generation interested will be key.
There are lots of ways to do this; people just need the courage to do the hard work and fix what is broken, not look for some magical savior in the form of VLTs.
The King is dead! Long live the King!
by NYCCats on Jul 7, 2009 8:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A very compelling argument.
I have never been a proponent of VLT’s, but I am somewhat indifferent to them. The problem I see is that they do nothing to promote horse racing, or parimutuel wagering. Night racing, on the other hand, provides an alternative to traditional night life and another fun thing to do. I would attend CD much more often if they race at night just because my wife can’t attend daytime races. She loves racing more than I do.
The horse-racing industry may be guilty of just embracing the easy fix, rather than trying to do the hard work to make the industry more competitive. Why are casinos so popular? One reason is because you can go to them after work, unlike horse racing (until now).
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Truzenzuzex on Jul 7, 2009 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree mostly. If there was a way to "fix" the industry without VLTs, I'm all for it,
but unfortunately, and this is speaking from experience doing legal work for the horse-racing industry, I’m not sure events like DAD are enough in the long run. The situation is really as dire, if not more, than the media reports. It’s really bad nationwide, but especially so at Churchill. Keeneland has weathered things pretty well because of the blueblood loyals, the sales side of things, and the shorter racing season.
The real only way to “fix” the industry is to completely overhaul the upside down/rather unfair business model by which everyone gets paid. There are some groups pushing for this, but if it ever happens, if won’t be for a long time. Tracks like Chuchill may need both events like DAD and VLTs if they’re to weather the storm.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
by blbskue on Jul 7, 2009 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No question it is a thorny problem
I think you might have hit on (perhaps inadvertantly) one of the main issues – there is an oversupply of horse racing in the market. Too many races, too long meets, and too few races with compelling betting angles (read: more than 4 horses in the race). Does that mean some tracks may have to close/shorten meets? Yeah, maybe. But that may be better than the alternative of a diluted product limping along.
And I agree that DAD is only one (small) part of the solution. But it is these innovative (loosely defined) solutions that add up. For example, why doesn’t the KY Lottery do something that links a payout on one of its games to the result of a specific race at Churchill for that week? Say, create a big race that can attract a large number of horses, and have the winner “activate” the scratch off cards that people have purchased with that horse number – your horse wins, your card is a potential winner. I’d bet there would be a lot of interest in that race (and the purse would reflect it). Not saying this particular solution gets anywhere, but there seems to be a dearth of creative thinking in the industry.
The King is dead! Long live the King!
by NYCCats on Jul 7, 2009 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pass a low allowing casinos to be built
Instead of sending millions to Indiana and West Virginia (and soon to Ohio).
If peeing your pants is cool, consider me Miles Davis.
by btcoop71 on Jul 7, 2009 10:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hey, I agree with that.
Places like West Baden/French Lick and it looks like soon to be the Greenbriar show that it can be done with class.
Consider this – putting a resort-eqse place with a casino somehere around Lake Cumberland, and people would travel from all over for vacation, gambling, lake stuff, resort stuff. $$$
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
by blbskue on Jul 8, 2009 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Community Guidelines
[UPDATED 3/13/2010]
Related FanPosts on A Sea Of Blue
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
