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Saturday, March 27, 2010

Florida coach is a bully

By Chad Garner
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
Florida football coach Urban Meyer needs to be cut down to size. Or cut-blocked, in football terms.
The hot-headed Mr.-Know-It-All coach verbally assaulted a member of the media and actually threatened him while at spring practice.
Apparently, Orlando Sentinel's Jeremy Fowler wrote an article, quoting Florida WR Deonte Thompson who called QB John Brantley a "real quarterback."
I guess it was a shot at former Florida QB Tim Tebow (who I still think is going to be a bust at quarterback in the NFL -- keep reading Fan Fanatic Sports for more opinion on Tebow as the NFL Draft approaches in late April). Remember, Tebow and Meyer had a father-son relationship during Tebow's career with the Gators.
I guess Thompson really didn't take a shot at Tebow, but instead meant that Brantley is more of a prototypical QB that Tebow.
But the written word can be interpreted in so many different ways.
Whatever.
The journalist was doing his job, however. He quoted an athlete. It's not his fault that people that read his article thought Thompson was attacking Tebow.
So for Meyer to confront the reporter on the sideline and try to intimidate him and make his look like a fool in front of everyone, sort of gives you a sneak peek into Meyer's character.
Meyer obviously used his power as the king gator to try to minimize and bully the reporter.
Obviously, Fowler did nothing wrong. He wrote what was said. Yes, he did his job. It's not his fault that people read things different ways.
What really bothers me is that Meyer lashed out and told Fowler, "If that was my son, we'd be going at it right now."
Now that's a threat and totally uncalled for.
But wait. Everything's OK now, Meyer later requested a meeting with Fowler and I guess Fowler said everything is fine between the two now.
Reporter's view: Say everything is fine, considering you have to cover Meyer's team all season and need access to the coach and players throughout the season in order to do your job.
Yes, Meyer flew off the handle. I get it, he was sticking up for his player.
But he went about it the wrong way. He tried to bully a reporter, threaten him mind you.
It's totally uncalled for.
I've never been a fan of Meyer before -- he's always rubbed me the wrong way -- and you can bet he's lost more fans -- maybe not in brainwashed Gatorland -- in the country.
It would be real nice to see Meyer got on ESPN and say sorry to Fowler on national television. But I'm willing to bet that won't happen.
Like most coaches, they like positive press but scurry or try to sweep things under the rug when it's negative.
No hiding from this Urban, what you did was classless, uncalled for and it makes me sick.

Health far more important than a game

By Chad Garner
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
I got a text today from a friend, and he basically said that Boston Bruins star forward Marc Savard was a wimp (actually he called him something else).
I couldn't believe it, calling a guy out because he's got a severe head injury.
Ya, shake it off, it's only a concussion. Right!
Head injuries are serious business, it's not something you can shake off in a blink of an eye. They heal up when they want, some quicker and some take longer. It's scary either way.
So to call out Savard like he should just suit up and play since his club is fighting for their playoff lives, I think that is absolutely a joke.
I'm a Bruins fan, but I don't blame Savard one bit for sitting out.
First, he's battling headaches constantly and he also has had troubles sleeping at night. And secondly, his heath is way more important than playing a game.
Yes, hockey is his job but you need to be healthy in order to play it. If Savard did play, he could take another vicious hit (it doesn't even have to be a big blow) and be a vegetable for life.
Heath and family are more important that sports. Yes, I said it.
Sometimes people get too wrapped up in the game and forget that these players are also human.
Yes, we all wish Savard was back on the ice scoring and being the top playmaker for the Bruins, but it isn't going to happen this year. He's done for the season, and we all must accept it.
Don't hate Savard because he can't play.
Trust me, I bet he'd do anything to be with his teammates and wearing the Bruins jersey right about now.
Actually, Savard isn't a wimp -- he's a very smart hockey player.

I'm impressed with underdog Butler and its coach

By Chad Garner
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
I know, I don't like the underdog in the NCAA Tournament.
But does a No. 5 seed count as an underdog?
It sure does, especially when talking about little-known Butler.
The mid-major monster is picking teams off at a rapid clip, including No. 1 Syracuse and most recently No. 2 Kansas State to advance to their first Final Four in school history.
Yes, they are no-namers on this Bulldogs squad, but they are obviously making a name for themselves now. They've definitely put Butler (from Indianapolis) on the map.
This club might be a mid-major, but their coach is a major superstar.
His name is Brad Stevens and I hope he's making a boatload of cash, which he probably isn't because he's a mid-major coach. But there's no doubt in my mind that he could lead a power conference program, and perhaps he'll get a shot at a big time school and make big time money after showcasing to the world that he can take a virtually unknown bunch of players from a small school and beat down some of the finer basketball programs in the country.
Stevens, you're legit in my book.
While I'm still not all tingly about a Cinderella story like Butler, I'm buying coach Stevens and I'm actually going to put aside my dislike for the underdog and root for these Butler Bulldogs in the Final Four.
They are fun to watch, they actually play defense, they've got an outstanding young coach, and they play as a team, play for each other and the name of their jersey.
Seriously, what's not to like about Butler?

No Fan of Calipari Here

By Dan Shouse
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

On ESPN recently, college basketball analyst Steve Lavin lauded University of Kentucky head coach John Calipari for being one of the best coaches in the NCAA.

For Lavin, the reason Calipari deserved this much credit was simple - Calipari was about to lead his third different basketball program to an NCAA Final Four.

This is where Lavin was dead wrong however. Yes, UMass and the Memphis both played in the Final Four under Calipari, but according to the history books, the appearances for UMass and Memphis never happened. They were both wiped out due to violations of NCAA rules - violations that occurred under the watch of Calipari.

So technically, Lavin was incorrect. Lavin should have said that Calipari was ready to appear in his first Final Four.

I realize that Calipari was never cited for any wrong doings at UMass or Memphis, but I have to agree, for the most part, with what Bob Knight said earlier in the season. Knight stated a few months back that he was surprised that Calipari was able to waltz into one of best jobs in college sports, after leaving his two previous stops in the NCAA in ruins. UMass and Memphis had to pay for the violations, while Calipari got a promotion.

I will not go as far as Bob Knight and say that Calipari should not be allowed to coach, but it seems only fair that he should have been forced to sit out a year, or have to rebuild his resume at a smaller school and work his way back. The fans of UMass and Memphis at least deserve that much.

Sorry Kentucky, but I fear that once there is the slightest hint of possible violations in your basketball program, Calipari will walk away from the table and stick you with the bill. He has done it before, and lets hope for the sake of the Wildcats, he doesn't do it again.