Perspective time

Sometimes I need to write.   And I love that only the ones that want to read it will.   Makes me feel less egotistical.

So we are still stuck in an uncertain world and there’s a lot of negativity around created by newly experienced restrictions that Americans aren’t used to, a concern and fear of the health of ourselves and our loved ones, and a political environment unlike any in modern times.

Quincy and I are alone in the apartment again.   I have a Jameson’s on the rocks next to me, Q has given up on his bone and has settled in on the couch.   The tv is on but I’m not watching.   I like the noise.   I was furloughed by WFAN so although I’ve considered a podcast I haven’t moved on it yet and I sort of wait as we all do for the “new normal.”  Connecticut is allowing golf so I hack when I can and enjoy the relationships I have with the group.

I guess I wanted to write tonight because I think it’s too easy to forget about how great most of us really have it.   I’m not near a high point in my life when grading on a curve, even without this pandemic;  but I feel like so many are so much better off than at any time in our nation’s history.   Our advances in technology and medicine and the promise of tomorrow has never been greater in my mind.      My pride in my children never quits and never wavers, and I admit, I can’t speak for everyone on that score, but God it provides solace for me.

Discipline will never go out of style.   Doing what you don’t want to do when you don’t want to do it….so you can do what you want to do when you want to do it; thats what my father said was discipline.   I wasn’t very good at it.  Too lazy.   Too smart for my own good.  But I get it.   We take freedom for granted because we’ve always had it.   It’s not a fault, it’s a fact.   Now we are forced to respect how valuable it is.   I think that is a silver lining.

I could write for a long time.   I won’t.  My point is you could have been born anywhere, at any time.   It’s random.   As so much of life is.   You’re here, now, and odds are you have more opportunity than any of the generations before you ever did.   You can mope.  Or you can hope.   I will hug again, and I will appreciate it more than ever.  Godspeed.

 

Read my stuff, it’s important

you know it isn’t, and more importantly I know it isn’t.   But I like sharing my thoughts and some of you enjoy reading/hearing them so off we go.

I’ve said so many times over my career that if you are into sports, really into it, then your life must be pretty good.   If there is nothing more pressing than who won the game last night, or did Alonso hit another one?, well, that day is a winner.

We’re not there now.   You can pretend if you’d like.   Whatever works I’m for.   But I can’t discuss so much unknown and embrace it.   When we get back to competition, there will be plenty of warm up time, for the organizations and the fans.

If nothing else in this unprecedented time globally, wow have  we learned just how sweet and worthy freedom is.   You’re imprisoned in many ways now, especially if, as I hope you do, you feel a responsibility to your fellow man.    Knowing how unpleasant this has been, and how uncertain you are as to the length of  this sentence we are all serving, we are really being tested.

If you’re healthy, and not working on the front lines everyday as so many of our real heroes are, then your sacrifice may seem trivial.   In many ways, perhaps it is, as comparison will always shine a light on those suffering more than we are.  But I’m here to share with you my belief that you’re doing a helluva job right now.   This is not how life was meant to be lived.    This is not how you ever thought you would live.   You don’t know when you’re getting out of this physical and mental jail you’ve been thrown into, and mixed messages are bombarding you from every angle every waking moment.  It’s an awful lot to process.   Maybe give yourself a break.   Dealing day to day is an accomplishment.   And showing your kids how to deal with unexpected prolonged disappointment is a lesson that only this virus gives you an opportunity to teach.

I’m a person who sometimes takes intangibles for granted, although less so than when I was younger.   A great song, a great piece of artwork, a great book, all are meaningful but I can’t really verbalize what about them satisfies me.   I just feel it.   Physical contact is now something that falls into that category.   A hug, a handshake, a high five, all sort of mundane until now.   I miss them.   I want them back.  I bet you do too.

I hope you are healthy.   I hope economically that you are not in such hardship that it overwhelms you.   I hope you can work your way through the  mixed messages and the noise and reach the conclusions that make sense for you.   And I hope that through it all, you’re still happy with the mirror.   If that guy’s giving it his best, even when he doesn’t feel like it, we have hope.   Thanks for reading.

writing to communicate.

Appreciate you reading, as we all struggle to keep from wasting too much time in an unprecedented period in our lives. Writing is part of coping for me I guess.   Maybe you should try it.     My WFAN shows are suspended for now,  as the station, like the rest of the country, struggles with business decisions.   One of the cathartic parts of being on the air in the format I’m in is being able to share my self with others and have them return the favor.   I feel I’ve built a trust with my audience that is very meaningful to me and if I’m off air for an extended period there will certainly be a void there.

These are difficult times for sure, but if you have someone to share it with, feel blessed.   I was divorced a few years ago after 31 years of marriage  so there has been an adjustment for sure long before this,  but so far the dog has not served any papers and as long as I keep the kibbles coming I’m pretty sure the Quince will stay true.    There are many like me, many who are living alone and isolated somewhat to begin with,  so I’m sharing this in part to reinforce that if you are one of them many recognize that you are not alone, even though physically you often are.

So here we sit.   Unchartered waters for sure, and the struggle between health, politics, wanting to take advantage of the spring weather and the undeniable fear of the unknown have created this imperfect storm, in which each of us has become the captain of our “outlook ship.”   We want to be positive, we want to look ahead, we want to plan, we want light at the end of this dark tunnel, but all of those goals appear to be a difficult barrier.    We’re challenged at every turn, being told what we can and can’t  do, watching our nest egg shrink, feeling powerless against the invisible plague, and having no oasis in which to wait out the storm.  Our income, our families, our plans, all in limbo.    We have never lived this way for an extended time.

I don’t have answers.  I’m not afraid to admit that or understand that.   I’m disgusted with the political environment of this oversized country and the inability of our “leaders” to put empathy over politics.   If challenges reveal our true governmental character then God help us.  Type A leadership, which in my opinion is what we require right now, does not need to be void of empathy.   Americans need hope mixed with reality.   They don’t need campaign promises or to believe that shared sacrifice isn’t necessary.    This sucks; it’s okay to admit what everyone already knows.

It would be tough to live on the planet if you didn’t think most people were inherently good natured.   I still believe that.   I hope you do.   Time will march on.   We will adapt.  We have no choice.   Try and find the good.   Grade yourself internally.   The man in the mirror.   I can do better.   So can you.    Godspeed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

JETS

I have no airtime til next week with all the playoff games etc so for those that are interested (and I appreciate that) I will share my thoughts about Gase, etc. and I need more than 280 characters I’m afraid.

Mike McCagnan has never been more than a director of college scouting prior to his ascent to the GM position here.   He never coached, never was a personnel director, presumably had very little interaction with coaches in his past positions.   He never had say in the hiring of a head coach before, and as far as I know, had little to do with any assistants being hired either.

Christopher Johnson was thrust into his role by the departure of his brother overseas.   His input in relation to his brothers’ is a mystery that is much like many in the closed door secretive world of pro sports ownership.  We must accept that there is much we will never know, because we don’t demand it.   We aren’t shareholders and we aren’t in a position to get answers.   They will do fine with us or without us, and they know it.

So to the coaching hire.   Adam Gase is probably as poor a choice as they could have made.  He is arrogant without having won, he makes excuses as quickly as he needs them, and he has no endorsements from former players other than quarterbacks.  I never look for endorsements from players while the guy is coaching.   They are worthless.   But when a guy leaves and no longer has say over you, the muzzle often comes off and you have a better chance at the truth.   Haven’t seen a lot of his former players claiming Jets hired a great leader here.  He may well accelerate the development of  the franchise qb, but there is no evidence that he can develop a football team, change a culture, or create cohesion.    I have no doubt that when things are good (and they may be with an early pick and $100m) he will have no problems.  But when hard times hit, and they inevitably do, I expect it to fall apart fast.   Leadership is the number one quality I want in my coach, and that includes picking a staff that reflects the boss’ vision.   The Jets have been very comfortable losing.  It’s another day at the office.   Gase’s style requires they buy in.  My way or the highway. And we all agree the Jets need some of that.   But the line is always fine, and betting on this guy to be able to walk it is foolish.   He crosses it and can’t get back.  You never can.

A word about Matt Rhule.   “The Jets” (presumably johnson and mcc) wanted say on who the young coach chose to be his assistants.   What makes them more qualified than any incoming coach to make these choices?   Why would McCagnan and Johnson know more about putting together a staff than an incoming coach?   Let’s face it, the guy under pressure once he gets the roster is the coach.   McCagnan will be gone if he screws up this offseason and or has a terrible draft.   No coach will save him.   And Johnson owns the team and rakes it in regardless of record.   No, the pressure is on the coach.   He is the front line of criticism.   He is the one  most likely to be run out of town.   Don’t you think he is more likely to be right about who his assistants should be than the other two?

In short, the chance at short term success is pretty good with a good young qb and the free agent money they have, but long term nothing’s changed.   If ownership doesn’t get it, the rest are hamsters on a wheel.   Ownership doesn’t get it.

Why Machado will find a buyer

Watching Manny Machado over this post season has left many wondering just who would sign this guy to a long term deal.   His talent has never been in question and he stays healthy, but his attitude, hustle and professionalism have all come in question more than enough times to make one wonder whether the risk is worth the potential reward.

Here’s the answer.   It’s worth it.   Now I don’t want my team (yankees) to sign him because I’ve watched Ellsbury, Texieira, Rodriguez, etc. drain the coffers without delivering the goods and I can’t  take it anymore.  And Giancarlo Stanton’s brief post season log makes you wonder if he will join the bust crowd.   But for many teams, the fact remains, if it goes south, it’s not the end of the world.

It’s not the end of the world for one ugly reason.   These teams are successful regardless of their records.  Money is everywhere, and if they’re wrong, and Machado disappoints, they can just claim they did their best to get a great player but it didn’t work out.   The disconnect with fans is that winning is great, but losing is fine too.   You don’t believe that, they owners of your favorite teams generally do.   They know the odds are they are not going to win a championship, only one team each year will.   What they do know is talent is hard to find, and since it’s heads we win, tails we win in terms of revenue, the risk isn’t real.   No one argues Machado’s talent, and you win with talent.  But if you just want a participation ribbon, and not a championship, the risk isn’t real.   Many of these owners just want that ribbon.

 

Higher Standards

Look, I’ve been tough on Bowles.  His in game management and ability to run a ballgame when the outcome matters is at best unproven.   All of a sudden everyone wants this guy to get an extension because this team has outperformed expectations.    They have beaten one team that currently has a winning record (Jags) and are playing with house money.   It’s not his fault he can’t prove himself under these conditions but it also is a fact that he is unable to prove his worth with this squad.   This isn’t high school or college.  It’s never a bad thing to get the most out of your players but that doesn’t mean that when you have the contending pieces you’ll be able to prove you know what to do with them.   I have no indication he will.   The Wilkerson/Lee stuff this past weekend was handled well but why did it happen in the first place?    Bowles best quality right now is that  exciting candidates are few and far between.

why they get it wrong…..

If every decision you made had no consequence how good would you be at making decisions?   Pretty much an impossible question to answer since it is so far from the world most of us live in, but not so for those that run major sports leagues and teams.

Every suspension handed out by every major sports league, including the NCAA, are met with criticism and analysis about the relative fairness regarding treatment of a player, team or program.   And while opinions are natural and make for good filler for your sports day, the end result of Brady getting no games or two years is that the bottom line for the league meting out the punishment is this:   life goes on.

Sure, the individual teams and their fans are either relieved or outraged at the relative strength of the punishment, the uninvolved, usually 95 plus percent of the overall fan base, shrugs and moves on.   Harper and Strickland get 5 games or 50, what does it mean to major league baseball?   Now in Harper’s case, there is at least a caveat that he is a star and his prolonged absence might cost team’s money in opposing ballparks and perhaps in tv ratings, but those concerns are rare in the suspension world.

No one misses Ray Rice, and no one would still hold a grudge were he playing now.   We tolerate pretty much everything and are outraged by virtually nothing.   Sports is not our business it’s our hobby, and we treat it as such.   There’s no voting, no competition for your sports viewing business, and no real manner to express your displeasure except to walk away, and we both know you’re not doing that.

They do what they want because they can, and have no fear that it will make a dent in their bottom line.   They make many poor decisions because there is no way for them to learn from their “mistakes” when financially, they’re not mistakes at all.   They can sit in a room and say “what difference does it make?”, and truthfully answer, “none.”   And this discussion stretches and dovetails to officiating as well.   Get as angry as you’d like, they have no fear of you walking away.

 

why they get it wrong…..

If every decision you made had no consequence how good would you be at making decisions?   Pretty much an impossible question to answer since it is so far from the world most of us live in, but not so for those that run major sports leagues and teams.

Every suspension handed out by every major sports league, including the NCAA, are met with criticism and analysis about the relative fairness regarding treatment of a player, team or program.   And while opinions are natural and make for good filler for your sports day, the end result of Brady getting no games or two years is that the bottom line for the league meting out the punishment is this:   life goes on.

Sure, the individual teams and their fans are either relieved or outraged at the relative strength of the punishment, the uninvolved, usually 95 plus percent of the overall fan base, shrugs and moves on.   Harper and Strickland get 5 games or 50, what does it mean to major league baseball?   Now in Harper’s case, there is at least a caveat that he is a star and his prolonged absence might cost team’s money in opposing ballparks and perhaps in tv ratings, but those concerns are rare in the suspension world.

No one misses Ray Rice, and no one would still hold a grudge were he playing now.   We tolerate pretty much everything and are outraged by virtually nothing.   Sports is not our business it’s our hobby, and we treat it as such.   There’s no voting, no competition for your sports viewing business, and no real manner to express your displeasure except to walk away, and we both know you’re not doing that.

They do what they want because they can, and have no fear that it will make a dent in their bottom line.   They make many poor decisions because there is no way for them to learn from their “mistakes” when financially, they’re not mistakes at all.   They can sit in a room and say “what difference does it make?”, and truthfully answer, “none.”   And this discussion stretches and dovetails to officiating as well.   Get as angry as you’d like, they have no fear of you walking away.

 

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