20 Most Hated People in Sports – 2006 Edition

People Dislike Althletes, Fans Shocked

20 Most Hated People in Sports – 2006 Edition

Thursday, December 21, 2006

This is the moment you’ve all been waiting for. Hell, this is the moment I’ve been waiting for. I am adding one little stipulation to my list, which is that I am adding a few people associated with sports, not just Athletes. It’s time for me to count down my 20 Most Hated People in Sports – 2006. Before we get started I should apologize to guys like Ty Cobb and Michael Irvin; but I’m trying to keep the list current. So without further adieu, here we go.


20) Stephon Marbury: Somebody’s gotta be # 20. Stop sulking and play like we know you can.
19) Scott Boras: You are everything that is wrong with professional sports.
18) Jeremy Shockey: I want to like this guy, I really do; but it seems like Shockey spends more time spouting off at the mouth than he does coming up big when the Giants need him.*
17) George Karl: Everyone knows you were trying to stick it to Isiah Thomas by having J.R. Reed & Melo still in the game, but by 19 with 90 seconds to play. Why don’t you call him a piece of shit again, that was really classy. The NBA gets honorable mention here for not fining Karl in this situation. In MLB or the NFL, Karl probably would have to watch his team’s games at home for a few days and forfeit a game check.
16) Peter Angelos: Amazing how one bull headed man can hamstring an entire franchise. For further insight, see the work of George Steinbrenner circa 1982 – 1993.
15) Drew Rosenhaus: See # 19.
14) Kobe Bryant: I stood up for Kobe a few years ago during the “unpleasantness” in Colorado, but every time he scores some good guy points, he has to make comments like he made about Gilbert Arenas the other night. Kobe, you are not allowed to talk about anyone else hogging the ball. You’re just not allowed.
13) Adam Morrison: That dirty mustache? The unnecessary bravado? The totally insane on-court behavior? The hype machine working so hard the wheels feel off during the Elite Eight? And what has Captain Crazy done since getting to Charlotte? Oh yeah that’s right, nothing.
12) Pedro Martinez: Just because he pitches for the Mets now doesn’t change the fact that he headhunted Jorge Posada and tossed Don Zimmer to the ground like a sack of moldy potatoes.
11) Lleyton Hewitt: Weird, I know, but I still haven’t gotten over his comments about James Blake at the US Open. At least Ty Cobb will have another racist to hang out with when they’re both in hell. Not to mention, he is one cocky little pri#k.
10) Jim Mora(Jr.): Here’s a guy who should’ve never had this job to begin with. He was a defensive coordinator for a bad 49ers team, hired to solve the Michael Vick problem. Mora took Dan Reeves table scraps to an 11 – 5 record his first season, went 8 – 8 the second, and it looks like another .500 season isn’t far behind. Oh, and Mike Vick? Yeah, he still doesn’t know how to play QB. Not to mention, joke or not, who lobbies for another coach’s job when the guy is still employed?
9) Todd Bertuzzi: The biggest thug in a sport full of them. This guy broke Steve Moore’s neck, was silent for over a year, then attempted to apologize; all while displaying faux remorse. Worst part is, he’s still allowed to play hockey while Moore will most likely never play hockey again.
8) Tony Romo: Seriously dude, this is the last time I’m going to say this…at least until Sunday or so. Wipe that ridiculous grin off your face and Show. Me. Something! Show me something against an actual secondary and learn to throw a ball further than 15 yards. Shows you the sorry state of affairs when a guy with 16 TD’s and 10 INT’s makes it to the Pro Bowl.
7) A. J. Pierzynski: All this guy does is run his mouth. I don’t even think White Sox fans were pissed when Michael Barrett leveled “Dr. P” back in July.
6) Shawne Merriman: Hey, he’s a cheater. He’s got to go on the list. He also has no business going to the Pro Bowl. What about the guy who’s numbers are slightly worse who he beat out, how does he feel? It’s just not right.
5) Curt Schilling: Schilling is another one who never shuts up. He’s got an opinion on everything and he doesn’t care whether you want to hear it or not, he’s going to let you know what’s on his mind. Mark my words, this guy is going to fight Karl Malone to see who becomes the next spokesman for the NRA.
4) Matt Millen: How is this man still employed? HOW?!?!!?! Since taking over the team in 2001 the Lions have gone an anemic 23 – 71. He makes horrible decisions, drafts players using a dartboard (at best) and the teams own fans don’t want him there. The Ford family answers these charges by giving Millen an extension. Honestly, the guy could drive to work in a Datsun and they’d keep him around.
3) Phil Mickelson: All this chubby bastard does is sulk when he’s not in contention and pouted his way through the end of last season after his MAMMOTH collapse at the US Open. Hey jerk, how about being gracious in defeat? How about not talking shit about Tiger every chance you get? How about doing a sit-up every now and then?
2) Terrell Owens: This was a tough one, since I could’ve easily put Fat Phil here, but in the end as much of a douchebag as Mickelson is, TO always outdoes himself in the jackass category. Oh yeah, stop having Jerry Jones leak information about your injured finger and catch the balls thrown to you. If you need help, there’s plenty of video on Marvin Harrison out there; a guy who catches the balls thrown to him and has gotten to 1,000 catches almost an entire season faster than Jerry Rice did.
1) David Ortiz: Oh c’mon, was there any doubt in your mind that the person coming in at Number 1 was not going to be a member of the Red Sox?

My advice to anyone in the bottom 10 (11 – 20) would be to start playing nice so you can make your way off the list. My advice to those in the top 10…hit a soup kitchen pronto.

* If Eli Manning didn’t act like a mute all the time, he’d probably take Jeremy’s place on this list.

Wednesday Morning Quarterback Special

Haters Ruin Otherwise Enjoyable Season

Wednesday Morning Quarterback Special

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Well, it only took about a month, but the Philadelphia 76ers, who haven’t won a game since the Regan Administration, finally traded Allen Iverson to the soon to be struggling Denver Nuggets. Soon to be struggling you ask? Yes, AI is a great addition to any team, but the guy has been hanging out with Coolio for the past month, there’s no way he’s going to be in playing shape until the New Year, at the earliest. But you know what, I realized something when I was writing this piece. I was hating on Allen Iverson, and the 76ers, and the Nuggets; but if I don’t hate on things who would? Honestly, lots of other people are just as interested, if not more so, in hating as I am, just ask Perez Hilton. This isn’t new, there are haters everywhere and today I’m going to discuss some things that I’m less than thrilled with, starting with football.
Haters have been running around the NFL with reckless abandon this season and just because we’re getting down to the wire in both the AFC and NFC (I think every team in the NFC is mathematically still alive for the playoffs except the Bucs). TO is spitting at people; Vince Young has been winning games and barely getting credit outside of Nashville and Houston; people were writing off the Colts after a tough 4-week stretch; Tom Brady dumped on his O-Line then got dumped himself; more Bengals got arrested; Matt Leinart threw Denis Green under the bus faster than Fed-Ex released rumors of his sex tape; Jim Mora, Jr. popped off at the mouth again, although that’s nothing new and Al Davis stopped feasting on the blood of innocents. Yeah, it’s been an interesting few months in the NFL and just knowing that there are still 2 more weeks left in the regular season makes me happy…and not just “happy” but happy like a 6-year old kid with chocolate cake all over his face.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has certainly been a busy man since taking over for Paul Tagliabue suspending and fining players with the abandon of a young David Stern. However, Rog isn’t limiting himself to just players, recently fining the Detroit Lions nude and drunk driving defensive line coach, Joe Cullen, $20,000 and suspending him for one game. All of this apparently started on August 24, when Joe decided that even though he was naked he really needed a Big Mac; so he went through the drive-through window, sans clothes; which must’ve been pretty funny when the cops showed up. “Sir, take your hands off the Breakfast Burrito and get out of the car…”
Pro Bowl selections were announced last night and although a guy who is certain not to play (Tommie Harris) was selected as a starter, another guy who’s only played the last 8 weeks was selected: Tony Romo. Now, I’ve made no secret of my hating on Tony Romo since he took over for the Stone-Footed One, but c’mon man, sending him to the Pro Bowl is like sending a guy to the MLB All Star Game who misses April and May, but has a really big June. I know the Cowboys are 6-and-8 with him at the helm, but the Titans are 7-and-2 with Vince Young as QB and I don’t see him getting a nod. Oh, it’s a numbers thing is it? Well Donovan McNabb, who has been injured for the past 4 weeks is still 3rd in the NFC in passer rating, has more yards passing than Romo and has a higher TD-to-INT Ratio (18-to-6 versus 16-to-10). I’ll tell you what I’m looking forward to is Christmas. Forget the presents, my present is going to be watching Jeremiah Trotter and Brian Dawkins treating Little Tony like their own personal hand puppet. Hey Tony, you want me to stop treating you like the statue to my pigeon? Show me something…show me something against a team that actually has a secondary.
While we’re on the subject of people smoking crack and then making sweeping generalizations about football players, can anyone explain what Jaws and the rest of the NFL Countdown crew have been huffing when they talk about how wonderful J.P. Losman is playing? Sure, he’s the 9th rated passer in the League (QB Rating: 88.5) but I can name at least 6 other QB’s I’d rather have on my team ahead of the Losmantacular Bayou Boy. Tom Brady, Steve McNair, Matt Hasselbeck, and these next 3 might blow your mind; Matt Leinart, Vince Young & Alex Smith. One more thing about our boy J.P., if the Bills were in the NFC, based on “numbers alone” he’d be in the Pro Bowl instead of Tony Romo. Actually, about half the AFC's QB's would be heading to Hawaii instead of Lil' Tony.
One thing I’d like to add is what business does Shawn Merriman have going to the Pro Bowl? Correct me if I’m wrong, but the guy has only played in 10 games this season and while some other players are on their way to the Pro Bowl not having played a full season, I’m pretty sure he’s the only one who decided to supplement his Creatine Powder with a little something extra. The guy not only served a 4-game suspension for steroids but also apologized; but not before he attempted to appeal. What, pray tell, are you apologizing for if you’re going to serve the suspension anyway? Last time I check, the only people who apologize for something are those people who’ve done something wrong. Seriously, what kind of message is the NFL sending when they send a Juicer to the Pro Bowl? That it’s okay to do steroids, just make sure you have a really “lights out” season? I don’t care if Merriman’s numbers are amazing having played in 4 less games than most of the other linebackers in the League. What I do care about is none of the other linebackers making travel arraignments for Hawaii have tested positive for steroids. Say what you will about Barry Bonds and Mark McGuire, but for all of McGuire’s evasiveness and Bonds’ grandstanding neither one of them has actually tested positive for steroids; that we know of. I guess what I’m trying to say is, I don’t think Merriman should get a free pass just because hey plays a sport with pads.

So now that I’ve gone on that little rant am I going to stop hating on teams and players? Not likely. What I’m probably going to do is start being more critical of the guys I’m hating on to see if they can get themselves off the soon-to-be-dreaded Most Hated Athlete List. From taking a quick look at some of my writing, it shouldn’t be tough to pick out the Top 10, but I’ll do you one better. Tomorrow, I will count down my 20 Most Hated Athletes and who knows, I might even give reasons why.

Random Observations:
Don't think I've forgotten about this weeks biggest hater. George Karl, come on down and take a bow.

Post-Hiatus NFL Wrap Up

According to Sportscasters, Romo to be Named MVP Any Day Now

Post-Hiatus NFL Wrap Up

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

I know it’s been quite a while since I’ve tackled the issues of the day here at the TMQB, but I’m back with renewed vigor; or maybe just a hangover from not having written in so long; and am ready to get back to it. My first order of business is to declare the New York Giants and Carolina Panthers the worst teams in the NFL…the Cardinals, Lions, Jaguars (more on them later), Texans and Vikings notwithstanding. I have officially lost all respect for Eli “The Bad One” Manning, Tom “I should just step down now, shouldn’t I?” Coughlin, and most of the rest of the Giants brain trust; as well as who ever is attempting to run the show down in Raleigh-Durham. Seriously, any team that is fighting for their playoff lives, and is playing at home, and is controlling their own destiny has no business losing. At least the Giants can say the Eagles are fighting for a playoff spot as well, or blame Eli, that seems to be the thing to do these days; but what’s the Panthers excuse? What are the Steelers playing for; a slightly worse draft pick? I was so upset watching the Giants I became more disinterested than Al Michaels sounds reading promos during commercial breaks on Sunday Night Football.
Speaking of Sunday Night Football, is everyone in the Junior Circuit trying to hand San Diego the AFC Title so Rivers can square off against Brees? I mean, Jesus, Philip Rivers was something like 6-of-20 passing midway through the 3rd Quarter and the Chiefs were only able to muster a measly 2 field goals at that point. In their defense, the Chiefs did get the Joan Collins Special on a blocked punt that clearly went off a defenders hand, then crossed the line of scrimmage, before being touched by another defender and finally “recovered” by the Chargers. I don’t want to start making proclamations like this, especially because I’d rather eat at a Long Island-area Taco Bell than watch the Chargers in the Super Bowl, but that play could be this year’s tuck rule. That one play would’ve given the Chiefs the ball on the Chargers 12 and although they probably would’ve pissed away the opportunity to score a TD, the score would’ve been 7-to-6 Chargers (had KC kicked a field goal) instead of 14-to-3 Chargers after Tomlinson broke the run he did on the very next play. I mean, c’mon NFL, Lamar Hunt just passed away and the Chargers were going to get into the playoffs anyway after amassing 11 wins over tough competition like the Raiders, 49ers, Browns, Broncos and Bills; throw the Chiefs a f-ing bone. When it was all said and done, the Chargers beat the Chiefs 20 – 9 further pissing me off the spread didn’t go to 11.5 on that game.
The rest of Sunday was equally disappointing, mainly because the teams I picked to cover couldn’t get their shit together and made for a not so enjoyable afternoon (Read: one filled with heavy drinking and sailor-like cursing.) The Bears, who managed to open up a 20-point lead on the Bucs, comfortably covering by the way, let Tim “I was a Rodeo Cowboys Backup” Ratty throw for 3 TD’s in the second half and needed overtime and 2 field goal attempts to win. Meanwhile, the Vikings whose one saving grace had been their running game, left crap all over the sheets playing the same Jets team that was embarrassed by the Bills last week. By the way, the Vikings didn’t just lose, they were being shellacked in the first half and things got so bad Brad Childress had to pull Brad Johnson in favor of Tavaris Jackson. Just a word of advice to the current Vikes coach, who incidentally seems more clueless than Mike Tice: when you replace your starter with a rookie who seems to have a hot hand, don’t replace said hot-handed rookie with crappy playing veteran in the following game. I’m not saying the Vikings would’ve won if Jackson had started but c’mon, even the guys on the team don’t want Johnson starting. If that doesn’t tell Childress something, nothing will.
If that wasn’t enough, I had to sit and watch Miami lay a goose egg up in Buffalo; giving false hope to those goofy, hockey-loving Canadians with US passports. Not only did the Bills officially knock the Dolphins out of playoff contention (something we all knew was inevitable anyway, since it seems any Saban-coached Miami team is guaranteed to lose at least 6 of its first 8 games); but I had to listen to Jaws talking about the “emergence” of J.P. Losman as a good QB in this League. Yeah Jaws, you know who else played lights out football this week? Eli Manning and David Carr…please. This is the same guy who dumped all over Vince Young and was ready to name Jay Cutler Rookie of the Year before even taking a snap. Kinda like FOXNews, can’t accuse Jaws of not being fair and balanced…
The one bright spot of football came Monday night when the Colts Defense, which apparently has not been traveling with the team to games, showed up this week in Indy and held the Bengals to 16-points, their second-lowest total of the season. Carson Palmer was also held to his lowest output since the start of the season, while Rudi Johnson rushed for only 79 yards. Things are starting to look up for Indy, but the real test will be these next two weeks when they go on the road to Houston and then host Miami to close out the season. 2 more wins would mean, at the worst, 2nd seed in the Playoffs and the confidence to actually win a game in January.

Random Observations:
TO is appealing the $35,000 suspension he got from the League for spitting in the face of DeAngelo Hall? Hey jackass, didn’t you admit to spitting in his face? Just do some more sit-ups in your driveway, refuse to directly answer more questions and pay the damn fine.
God, I still can’t get over the Giants. The Eagles were literally giving the Giants opportunities to win that game, and nothing…absolutely nothing! Terrible.
Am I the only one who thinks the 15-game suspension of the Denver Nuggets Carmelo Anthony is just a little out of hand? The last time two players engaged in fisticuffs they got half as many games combined…8! Just because Melo is the Anti-Bron doesn’t mean he has to be penalized like he stole a Marble Rye from an old lady.

Tomorrow:
Yeah, that’s right, “Tomorrow.” More TMQB; although in this case WMQB, comin’ at ya!