After a week of containing my inner blogger, I have to unburden myself by sharing a few thoughts for discussion.1) Jimmy Johnson joining Survivor: Nicaragua - I think it's time for the famous-people-joining-reality-tv fad to end. I did not even realize Survivor continued to chug along. I only watched one season, which was mildly entertaining at best. Although I can't deny that there aren't some interesting possibilities here. Does Jimmy become the leader, considering his coaching experience? Or does he simply tread water, callously commenting on other behind their backs as he does as an NFL analyst on FOX. More importantly, does anyone on the island even recognize him?
2) SI releases Top 50 richest athletes - Somehow Floyd Mayweather Jr. finds his way into the top 5 for refusing to fight. This is why people are so turned off boxing: good fighters don't want to fight for fear of losing. That and there are a grand total of 2 good fighters left.
Lefty at #2? He's not even the best at his sport. Although that cannot compete with Tiger, who managed to maintain his top spot by a significant margin through cheating on his wife and losing quite a few sponsors. For a sports who's strongest demographic is the 50+ range, I still do not understand how they have enough money to continue. I'll say it now. In 20 years, golf will turn into boxing.
Other quality people on the list: Matt Stafford (11), Darius Heyward-Bey (28). If there were ever an explanation for the flaws of NFL Rookie contracts, this has to be the best one.
3) Ilya Kovalchuk signs a 17 year deal - I know this is old news. But props to the NHL for rejecting the deal. I can't decide if this deal says more about the NHL or the Devils. Either NHL must be praised for flexing its muscles and deciding to halt this absurd deal, or we must disparage the Devils for having a deal rejected. Someone please tell me the last time this happened.
From what I can gather, the only reason the NHL revoked the Kovalchuk deal was that the back end of the contract was a sharp dropoff in base salary, which the league deemed to manipulate the salary cap. I do agree that it was a ridiculous but, at the same time, shrewd one. Then again, Chicago's Marian Hossa has a 12 year deal taking him into his 40's...makes one wonder what GM's are thinking.
ReplyDeleteI compliment the Devils and the many other teams who have front loaded long term contracts to manipulate the cap, but the Devils knew the deal was being rejected before the press conference. Thats what I don't get. There definitely needs to be a max deal restriction as exists in the NBA.
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