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After two weeks in London and Paris with the family, it's good to be back in the good, old U-S of A. While I love to travel and explore new locales, the trip overseas only solidified my belief that we do live in the greatest country in the world....no doubt about it. Speaking of Paris, I have to admit that the place was much better than I anticipated. I was fully armed with all of my anti-French material, including a purchase of a new book of slangs and terms that could be used for the most snobbish and arrogant French attitudes during my stay......but I never had to use it. It's probably a good thing, since my drubbing of the French vocabulary would have been bad enough. Maybe the Frogs need our American dollars so badly, that they decided to put on a good face? Either way, the trip to France (and London) was fabulous. I did happen to catch the final stage of the Tour de France on Sunday, since it ends up where we spent so much time during our visit. It was kind of cool to see the place, after spending some time there just a few days previously. I laughed my ass off when the cycling officials declared that Lance Armstrong and his team were displaying "illegal uniforms" on the final day. Armstrong and his sponsor decided to wear new "28-black jerseys" in honor of the 28 million people that are battling cancer around the world. It was a touch of class....except that the Frenchies didn't approve. Armstrong and his entire team had to stop and change back to their "official jerseys", during the final stage of the race. I doubt that the folks in France would be outraged. After smelling the stench of body odor from the majority of the locals in Paris, there's no way they would be offended by a change in jerseys by Lance Armstrong and company. By the way, if I were in charge at Procter & Gamble, I would set up headquarters in Paris....I can only imagine how many cases of Old Spice deodorant could potentially be sold in the City of Lights. I guess the use of soap is at the discretion of every Parisian? Despite the aroma of 90 degree days....the city is incredible. Agents feasting on players on college campuses......no way? Apparently during my trip, there were a few schools and players in hot water with the NCAA......why should anybody be surprised? This has been going on for decades. I saw where Nick Saban, the Bama mastermind, ripped into the agents and their evil ways. He even mentioned that they are pimps and he has no respect for anybody that would try to ruin the careers of any college kids. I love Saban....the guy is an incredible coach....but he also lost sight that he left LSU for the NFL.....and then left the NFL to return to college. As far as this issue goes, everybody needs to take responsibility.....coaches, players, schools and even the agents. I think everybody has misread the solution to the problem. Some people want agents to lose their licenses if they get caught tempting a player with gifts/cash.....some folks want to put the schools on NCAA probation for breaking rules in which they have no control.....some folks want the players to be ruled ineligible for accepting the extra benefits. How about this scenario...... The NCAA and the schools should embrace the agents. You heard me.....embrace the "dark side". This argument reminds me of all the money and effort the USA has spent to stop drug trafficking. For every step forward, you take three steps backwards. You can't stop it.....but you can do some things to make life more manageable. The NCAA and the schools should mandate that every agent shows up and registers for on-campus visits. Any agent or agency that appears on campus or with a player that hasn't signed up, gets eliminated from the process. Since the coaches and schools can't keep up with every kid 24/7, then bring the agents to you. At least you can get a handle on what kids are being approached and that way there can at least be some sort of understanding of what's going on behind the scenes. Let's face it, a large number of kids are going to college to further their NFL career....so let's make it easier for everyone to understand what's taking place. The sooner the NCAA, the schools, coaches, players and agents can work together....the better off we'll all be in this debate. Otherwise, the investigations, the rumors, cover-ups and other under-the-table dealings will continue. Thank goodness the NFL camps open up this week. The Panthers get to work in balmy Spartanburg, and I can't wait to see the storylines that develop.....there should be a bunch, given all the new names and faces in camp. I read Terry Bradshaw's take on Jimmy Clausen. Wow....the old-timer ripped the Panther rookie a new one. In case you missed it, Bradshaw was being interviewed in Indiana and declared that he didn't care for Clausen at ND or now.....his delivery was suspect, and he thought the kid was slow. And for good measure, the ex-Steeler QB said he didn't know how many big games the kid has ever won. I don't know if Bradshaw was wearing his "Notre Dame Sucks" t-shirt during the exchange. Clausen will get a shot to prove his worth beginning this week. There's no doubt that Matt Moore is the starter, and rightfully so....but Clausen should get some looks in the August pre-season games. I'm pumped for the Panthers' season....it is loaded with unknowns....and sitting in my chair, that's a good thing. I'd like to welcome the Triad Sports Network to our broadcasting family. They started airing our radio show when I left for Europe. In the Triad, you can catch the show on WMFR-1230 AM, WCOG-1320 AM and WSML-1200 AM from 3-7pm weekdays. This will be the last week you'll be able to hear us on WBLO, 790 The Ball. I want to give a major thank-you to Susan Childress and Drew Davis for doing a fantastic job for us in the Triad. They have been true professionals and class acts from day one, and I'm going to miss working with them on a weekly basis. But hopefully our paths will cross again down the road. |
Packman
on Sports Commentary
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