This article is classic Shank. The quota of cheap shots has been met (Coach Belichick, starring as Flatline Bill, Robert & Jonathan Kraft, Curt Schiling, natch, and 'you Belichick toadies'), non-football references are made (1980's Celtics), and we are thankfully spared from lame song lyrics from the era when 8-track tapes ruled the land.
On to the highlights, as they were...
Nonetheless, it’s a shocker.
Surprising, maybe, but a shocker? A buddy and I were watching the ESPN announcement on this trade yesterday morning. The first thing he says: "it's doubtful the Pats were going to resign him next year, and at least we get a draft pick out of it. It's Oakland's draft pick, they suck, and Belichick will probably trade down and get two players out of it. It's a smart move."
Also, the average NFL career spans four years. You have 53 active roster spots, so on average you'll have about a fourth of your roster turn over every year. Yet Shank is shocked, shocked! at this trade? Do I detect some faux outrage here just to take shots at the Patriots? Nahhh, that would be too cynical...
More shocking that the retirements of Rodney Harrison and Tedy Bruschi.
Question for Bruce - is this the copy desk's fault?
Patriots fans, ever worshiping at the altar of Hoodie, are stuck with thousands of XXXL No. 93 jerseys.
This, from a scribe who once proclaimed "I write for the fans", now pisses on these same fans. Stay classy, Shank!
Is there any doubt that Bruschi retired because he was told he was going to be cut? Bruschi’s “decision’’ to step down enabled all parties to save facemask.
While that's plausible, I would think a columnist could, you know, make some phone calls and verify this? It's also plausible that Bruschi thought "it's been 13 years, I'm too old for this crap" and called it a career. This lack of inquiry simply allows Shank to take another shot at the Patriots.
The Patriots didn’t come across as thankless meanies, and the classy Bruschi got to leave on his own terms - looking downright senatorial (sorry, Curt).
You knew he was waiting to use that one all week, didn't you? And, somehow, I don't think it's the last one.
Woe is the pundit who questions any Coach Bill decision and, you have to admit, his track record is pretty good.
I wonder if Shank has ever considered the possibility that, on occasion, he has to admit this? This is also classic Shank - when things are good or positive, you'll see references to 'our Red Sox' or some such. When the spleen is being vented, it is now 'you', 'your' or some derivative.
So save some of your applause for Richard Seymour, you Belichick toadies. Seymour was a winner and a class act in our town for eight seasons, and the 2009 Patriots are going to miss him.
We can be thankful there's at least one class act around here, right?
7 comments:
looks like Shank is on his own...let's look at some other opinions......>>>>>>
Matt Williamson pans Raiders' trade
September 6, 2009 4:12 PM
Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson
The early word I was hearing around the league is that the many people thought the Raiders did not make a good trade for the long-term when they acquired standout defensive lineman Richard Seymour from New England on Sunday.
So, I went to Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. Williamson (no relation) is a top-notch talent evaluator who doesn’t pull punches. He’ll tell you what he feels. I’m still waiting for him to be wrong on an opinion.
That could be ominous for Oakland.
“I think it was highway robbery,” Williamson said. “I don’t get it from the Raiders standpoint. I don’t get it at all.”
Oakland gave up its top pick in 2011 for Seymour. That was the problem for Williamson. He said at this point, Seymour was worth a second-round pick, especially considering he is a free agent after this season.
Here is more of what Williamson had to say: “That could be the No. 1 pick in the 2011. The Raiders are a bad team and they will be a bad team next year. This will, at least, be a top-five pick. They could have gotten the best defensive lineman in that draft and he would be 22 years old. Seymour will be done by then. Seymour will be long gone by the time the Raiders are a good team. They are not one player away, not with all of their problems. This is a move a Super Bowl team makes, not the Raiders. Yes, he’s still a good player, but he’s not a great player anymore and he has an injury history. I don’t like it."
Hypocrite at Work (Again)!
From the Shank –
“Robert and Jonathan Kraft’s viselike grip on the NFL media (could we get a few more Patriot infomercials disguised as news on Channel 4 and sports radio?) makes it hard to find objective opinion on the team..”
Kind of reminds me of the Red Sox stranglehold on the local media options.
Doesn’t the Shank work for the Sox … wink wink to Lucchino and Henry.
g
Geez, if that crack football analyst known as The CHB is so against it, it just seems that much better of a deal for the Patriots.
Hey OB:
I'll say this slowly, okay, bunky?
I have no issue with Shank's vindictiveness, his pettiness, his ignorance of facts, his holding grudges.
I don't like Dan because — wait for it —
He. Is. Not. A. Good. Writer.
The simple act of linking sentences in an engaging, concise, cogent, and compelling manner is completely out of his grasp.
He. Can't. Write.
Okay, bunky?
Your pal,
Timmy
Oh, and g?
Dave M. was formidible.
Please. That implies respect. You sure as hell didn't show it here:
I've seen many columnists mail it in over the years. But now we're seeing a new phase of the New Media. (You know, the media that people who actually learned their trade and apprenticed under knowledgeable editors are said to be "jealous of")
Bloggers who mail it in.
And Blogger-comment-leavers who mail it in.
We're shoveling the same old complaints here, boys. Nitpicking the whimsical references. Decrying the "relentless criticism." Accusations of "petty jealousy."
Time to freshen up the act.
... or here:
If this bit of nicpickery is all you can come up with, why even bother? The Sox honored Auerbach, and his team produced championships from '57 to '86; players are part of the team and every roster in every sport changes fro year to year.
As for Schilling, the point is apt; he is his own pitching coach for the most part and his blog does tend to drone.
Coco Crisp and booing? Facts are facts.
It is indeed ironic that one can proclaim himself to "review" the work of another and turn in such a poor effort.
... or here:
"Dan diminishes the Sox victories by recapping the Yankees assorted injuries"
Clearly Shaughnessy should not be injecting a dose into reality into our trip to the land of sweets and joy and joyness.
Shun the nonbeliever! Shunnnnnnnnnn. Shhhhhhunnnnnnnnnnh.
Care to show me where you changed your tune?
One more for Bruce:
Roger's political agenda will make him easy pickings.
I haven't seen a lot of 'picking' recently. Are you going soft, or just braying?
Well, where is he??? We must find him, quickly!!!
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