From the sports desk
April 27, 2009 by William K. Wolfrum
Thoughts from an occasional sports writer …
The Lingerie Football League - It’s official, we’re the Roman Empire. Didn’t follow the NFL Draft as much as I usually do. No problem, I’m sure at least three of the Steelers’ draft picks will be strong contributors withing two years or less. Cruzeiro destroyed “rival” Atletico-MG, 5-0 (again) to assure they’d win the Minas Gerais State Championship. The Raposa haven’t lost to Galo in 13 games. Yeah, sure you don’t care, but I do. Puerto Rican Juan Manual Lopez pummeled tough veteran Gerry Penalosa to keep one of the bantamweight titles. Here’s thinking the alphabet titles won’t matter to Lopez as he works his way up the pound-for-pound rankings. I couldn’t help thinking he was a left-handed Julio Cesar Chavez. And yes, I’m anxiously awaiting Ricky Hatton-Manny Pacquiao. I think Pac-Man has too much speed for Hatton and could outright dominate. But Hatton has a lot to prove and is not one who should be underestimated. That’s why it’s a great match-up. Dear NBA Playoffs- call me when Lebron and Kobe face off in the finals. Bayern Munich sack coach Jurgen Klinsmann. I thought they were going to wait until he had led them to relegation. It’s Champions League semi-final week. I know you don’t care, but everyone outside the U.S. does.
-WKW
Hmmm … confidence in the ability of one’s team to exercise sound judgment in the pursuit of continued success … what a novel concept.
[Excuses self to go wash Cleveland Browns "This Year is Our Year" T-shirt, beat head repeatedly against wall.]
what a novel concept
Hey, what can I say. I think a good argument could be made that the Steelers have historically drafted better than anyone else.
Maybe their worst pick in a while was Plaxico, and he actually contributed and was a solid citizen for Pittsburgh. It was in NY that he came apart
Oh, as much as I would like to, I wasn’t casting aspersions upon the abilities of the Stillers’ braintrust.
Though New England seems to be the “sexy” pick when media folks laud expertise in franchise management, P-Town is, in my opinion, the absolute gold standard.
Having grown up near the PA/Ohio border, about 1/2way betwixt Pittsburgh & Cleveland, I somehow fell in with the Brown & Orange crowd — & thus have spent the entirety of my sports-fandom to date with my nose pressed up against the proverbial glass.
[/end self-pity]
Go, Lebron!
One final point on this topic: Two of the greatest coaches of this generation — Messrs. Belichick & Cowher — started their coaching careers in the Orange & Brown, but I’m guessin’ they’ll be better remembered for successes they enjoyed in other cities …
Sigh …
I was lucky enough to have parents born in Pittsburgh. If they were born in, say, Detroit, I’d be a much moodier person.