The Rooney Rule ………..

The Rooney Rule

Commendable as it appears to be, I now have to wonder whether or not the intentions behind this all, is well worth it. Named after famed Pittsburgh Steelers’ owner Dan Rooney. The so called ‘Rooney Rule’s‘ intent was set to see that minorities are given the chance to interview for vacant head coach’s positions within the NFL. And considering that the very first minority to be a coach in the NFL was Frederick Douglas ‘Fritz’ Pollard in the 1920’s. One has to wonder why it was necessary to have this rule installed as mandate for all teams within the NFL. But it was apparent that with the racial tone of the league, minorities weren’t being afforded the chance of advancement from beyond the playing field and unto the sidelines as coaches, much less the chance of becoming an owner at the league’s inception.

Frederick Douglas 'Fritz'  Pollard , the  first minority  coach  of an  NFL  team.   Pollard is an  inductee  in  the  NFL  Football  Hall  of  Fame.
Frederick Douglas 'Fritz' Pollard , the first minority coach of an NFL team. Pollard is an inductee in the NFL Football Hall of Fame.


Minorities now make up 72% of the player personnel within the NFL and it appears to be generally acceptable within the league and to the fans. But how is it that the NFL while mandating for such a role, has essentially done little if anything to try and bring in a minority owner within its ranks ? By all accounts the lone occasion this attempted maneuver was made , due diligence was not taken by the league’s panel in their investigations. An an attempt was made by what we were informed was a prominent African American businessman , Reggie Fowler who was financially solvent. His attempt to purchase the Minnesota Vikings was met with a great deal of derision and skepticism. And it certainly didn’t help that this individual had the financial means but it was said could not provide the league with enough financial details for them to ensure that his ownership bid could be granted to become the league’s first and only prominent minority owner of an NFL franchise. In the end Fowler would become part of a consortium led by German businessman, Zygi Wilf, as the owner of the franchise. Wilf would become the principal partner in the ownership group of the Minnesota Vikings with a 60% stake in the organization. Fowler has a 20 % stake in the franchise, with the remaining 20 % split amongst the remaining partners of this limited partnership group. An owner in part but not a majority stake owner that would clarify the term “prominent ethnic owner” of an NFL franchise. While some facts are disputed as to Fowler’s supposed wealth , it appears from the outset that certain maneuvers were in place to deny him the success in an attempt to purchase the team, originally. As to who was behind this all , we will in fact never know. Suffice to say , that the image of the NFL was somewhat tarnished by the episode.

Ashburn, Va,. January 4th 2010. Washington Redskins General Manager Bruce Allen leaves after holding a press conference on the dismissal of Head Coach Jim Zorn at Redskins Park January 4, 2010 in Ashburn, Virginia. During the press conference Allen said, "Last place 2 years in a row is not Redskin football."  picture appeara courtesy of  Getty Images/  Win McNamee  .......

Washington Redskins’ General Manager Bruce Allen leaves after holding a press conference on the dismissal of Jim Zorn as Head Coach of the team. The press conference was held at Redskins’ Park the team’s headquarters and practice facility in Ashburn , Va, on 4th January 2010. picture appears courtesy of Getty Images/ Win McNamee ….

It wasn’t as if this investor was Robert L. ‘Bob’ Johnson, founder of BET and the prominent African American billionaire media mogul or famed NBA legend Magic Johnson. The latter of whom has branched out to become a commercial real estate mogul and business entrepreneur, with a believed estimated net worth approaching $750million. It appears that the NFL despite its image of being a charismatic and an all welcoming league.But as of yet the one vestige in showing the fans that minorities have finally arrived in terms of a majority ownership of a franchise, has yet to materialize or be realized.

San Diego, Ca,. January 3rd 2010. Kris Dielman (#68), Dennis Norman (#64), and Nick Hardwick (#61) of the San Diego Chargers enter the field against the Washington Redskins during the Washington Redskins  v San Diego Chargers NFL Game on January 3, 2010 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Chargers won 23-20. picture appears  courtesy of Getty Images/ Doug Miraelle  .......
San Diego, Ca,. January 3rd 2010. Kris Dielman (#68), Dennis Norman (#64), and Nick Hardwick (#61) of the San Diego Chargers enter the field against the Washington Redskins during the Washington Redskins v San Diego Chargers NFL Game on January 3, 2010 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Chargers won 23-20. picture appears courtesy of Getty Images/ Doug Miraelle .......

Courtesy of Associated Press and Yahoo Sports

Redskins talking to coaches to replace fired Zorn

By Joseph White , AP Sports Writer

Ashburn, Va. (AP)—Jim Zorn was fired by the Washington Redskins early Monday, the first step in yet another team overhaul under owner Dan Snyder.

Zorn was informed of his dismissal shortly after the team returned to Redskins Park following Sunday’s season-ending 23-20 loss at San Diego.

“I just know that last place is not Redskins football,” general manager Bruce Allen said. “Last place two years in a row is not Redskins football.”

Zorn went 12-20 over two seasons, but he lost 18 of his past 24 games after a 6-2 start in 2008. The Redskins struggled early despite a weak schedule this season and finished 4-12, their worst record since 1994.

“No one in the organization is satisfied with our record over the last two years,” Snyder said in a statement released by the team, “and I am sure that Jim would concur with that statement. It has been painful for him, too. I certainly accept responsibility for mistakes that I have made. I am hopeful that our fans will accept my commitment and pledge to deliver a franchise that can compete in the NFC East every season.”

Zorn’s replacement will be Washington’s seventh coach since Snyder bought the team in 1999. Playing a role in the decision will be Allen, who was hired as the GM last month. Allen would not comment on former Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan, who is considered the favorite to get the job.

“We’re in the process of talking to people,” Allen said. “We have a good game plan of what we’re going to do.”

Neither Snyder nor Zorn were made available for comment.

Zorn’s dismissal had been expected for months. The front office stripped him of his play-calling duties in late October, and Snyder has interviewed assistant coach Jerry Gray for the job weeks ago, according to the Fritz Pollard Alliance, which monitors minority hiring in the NFL.

The new coach, Snyder and Allen will have a monumental task to rebuild a team with many roster deficiencies and major questions at offensive line, quarterback and running back.

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Washington Redskins head coach Jim Zorn looks on from the sideline against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on January 3, 2010 in San Diego, California. The Chargers defeated the Redskins 23-20.  picture appears courtesy of Getty Images/ Jeff Gross ............
Washington Redskins head coach Jim Zorn looks on from the sideline against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on January 3, 2010 in San Diego, California. The Chargers defeated the Redskins 23-20. picture appears courtesy of Getty Images/ Jeff Gross ............

The NBA and MLB seems to have done quite nicely for themselves, with minorities coveting and obtaining a ‘seat up at the big house’ at the dining table. Where the owners can feast upon the billions of dollars that annually finds its way into the NFL coffers. This might on the face of it appear to be racially insensitive and motivated. But I assure you, nothing could be further from the truth as I feel it only proper at this juncture to let you know that for in spite of its facade. The hierarchy of the NFL may well be the best organized , financially sound and ran of the four major sports in North America. And that at the end of the day is in essence what the NFL is all about. Any bye product from it all in terms of entertainment and plaudits from the fans, media and populace in general, is merely further proof of the game’s popularity.

Washington Redskins head coach Jim Zorn, left,  greeting team owner Dan Snyder before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, in Landover, Md. Zorn was fired by the Washington Redskins early Monday, Jan. 4, 2009, the first step in yet another team overhaul / Nick Wass .....
Washington Redskins head coach Jim Zorn, left, greeting team owner Dan Snyder before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, in Landover, Md. Zorn was fired by the Washington Redskins early Monday, Jan. 4, 2009, the first step in yet another team overhaul / Nick Wass .....

And while we’ve seen the success of Tony Dungy as the coach of the Indianapolis Colts, being the first African American NFL coach to win the Superbowl. And the ongoing success of his of successor, Jim Caldwell augurs well for the current situation. But other than Caldwell and Raheem Morris of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, there are no other African American coaches in the NFL. Furthermore, that situation is even hindered by the fact that assistant head coaches and coordinators aren’t always afforded the luxury of the required cursory interview as demanded by the league’s mandated policy. A team has to only say that they have a minority as a prospective candidate and essentially create the scenario that the process is being adhered to. An initial cursory interview may well be granted.

The Washington Redskins with a new general manager in place, with Bruce Allen now assuming the position formerly held by Vinny Cerrato. The Daniel Snyder owned team might just be the worst ran NFL franchise in the league at present. Their turnovers in coaches is line with consistency of the Oakland Raiders and their ‘revolving door policy’ when it comes to coaches. Success or lack of it thereof, seems to be the norm for both of these franchises. Jim Zorn is the current coach of the Redskins and the impending upheaval appears apparent that Zorn’s two year tenure as the coach seems about to come to an abrupt end.

Reggie Fowler, left, has agreed to buy the Minnesota Vikings from current owner Red McCombs, right. The deal, worth a reported $625 million,
Reggie Fowler, left, has agreed to buy the Minnesota Vikings from current owner Red McCombs, right. The deal, worth a reported $625 million. However, the deal fell through when the NFL panel entrusted to review the bid stated that Fowler's financial backing and finances wasn't all in place and met with their tacit test. The deal was torpedoed and Fowler would then become part of the consortium headed by Zygi Wilf that would be successful in their purchase of the team from then owner Red McCombs . picture appears courtesy of afp/reuters/ Paul Marshall .............. ,

Courtesy of NFL.com Wire reports

Zorn out after two seasons as Redskins’ coach; is Shanahan in ?

The Washington Redskins fired coach Jim Zorn early Monday, the first step in yet another team overhaul that appears likely to involve Mike Shanahan.

An unidentified official within the NFL informed The Associated Press that new Redskins general manager Bruce Allen talked to Shanahan by phone Monday, and league sources told NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora to expect an organizational overhaul by Thursday but maybe sooner. Shanahan, who won two Super Bowls in 14 seasons as the Denver Broncos’ coach, would take over as coach/team president and quickly bring in assistant coaches and front-office personnel.

Zorn was dismissed shortly after the team returned to Redskins Park following Sunday’s season-ending 23-20 loss at San Diego.

Zorn went 12-20 over two seasons, but he lost 18 of his last 24 games after a 6-2 start in 2008. The Redskins struggled early despite a weak schedule this season and finished 4-12, their worst record since 1994.

It was the second consecutive season that the Redskins finished in last place in the NFC East under Zorn.

Allen said in a news conference Monday that “last place is not Redskin football.” He also refused to speculate on who the next coach would be, but he repeatedly said that a “passion for football” would be a primary requirement. He added that “head coach in the NFL is the most demanding executive position in sports.”

Zorn’s replacement will be Washington’s seventh coach since Dan Snyder bought the team in 1999.

“This has been an extremely difficult season for our organization and for the fans,” Snyder said in a statement released by the team. “Bruce Allen spent many hours examining the football operations, and we are both determined to do whatever it takes to build a championship team. That process begins today

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They’ve eagerly pursued Mike Shanahan for the position. And after two initial interviews, it appears that Shanahan is the successor in waiting for the presumed vacancy. What might the most egregious maneuver in all of this has been the apparent move by the Redskins to interview one of their low tiered assistant coaches,Jerry Gray, assistant defensive coordinator, who happens to be an African American. Now if this is being done merely to adhere to the Rooney policy, instead of it being a valid interview for a viable candidate for the position. But it appears that this is nothing more than a ploy on the part of the Redskins. It remains to be seen whether or not the NFL hierarchy under Roger Goodell as the league’s commissioner will have anything at all to say about the situation. It will be very interesting to see whether or not they will watch with a great deal of close scrutiny as to whether or not the Washington Redskins will follow the league mandated policy. On the face of it, it looks as if the Redskins are following the policy. But if anything they are actually circumventing the policy by merely creating the appearance that the interviewee is a candidate for the position. And that if anything smacks of the insidious behavior expected of a franchise wherein the norm of segregation was said to be still in being from a coaching standpoint, albeit that the roster of the franchise is very much a diverse one in nature.

Jerry Gray, secondary's and  assistant  defensive  coordinat  of   the   Washington  Redskins
Jerry Gray, secondary's and assistant defensive coordinat of the Washington Redskins. Gray has been the lone minority candiate interviewed for the now vacant head coach's position. Former Broncos' head coach has twice been interviewed for the position , prior to the dismissal of Jim Zorn as head coach of the team. picture appears courtesy of TWP/ John McDonnell .....

Segregation in sports at the player personnel level is a thing of the past within the NFL. But from a coaching standpoint it looks likes it’s either at a standstill or about to indeed take a turn for the worse. But this situation just isn’t happening at the NFL level but also at the collegiate level. Of the 120 collegiate football positions at the Division 1 A level, there are less than a dozen coaches that are of African American origin or of any other minority for that matter. But at the collegiate level where the NCAA governs college athletics. There’s nothing that mandates the hiring policy when it comes to the hiring of a football coach. It’s not really so much of a dilemma that can’t be resolved. But for the NCAA it’s not something that is of an urgent priority for the organization or the various conferences. They’re not openly willing to discuss the situation and it appears neither are the NCAA. The Black Coaches Administrators (BCA) are the only ones who are pressing the colleges, the NCAA and NFL , on the issue of their hiring practices, as it concerns minorities at the college coaching level and amongst the professional ranks. And what success if any is almost mute on the part of the NCAA and how they view the situation.

Denver , October '06. Head coach Mike Shanahan of the Denver Broncos looks to call a play against the Baltimore Ravens during a cold rainy first quarter on October 9, 2006 at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado.  picture appears courtesy of Getty Images/ Brian Bahr  .......
Denver , October '06. Head coach Mike Shanahan of the Denver Broncos looks to call a play against the Baltimore Ravens during a cold rainy first quarter on October 9, 2006 at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. picture appears courtesy of Getty Images/ Brian Bahr .......

The aspirants for these positions more often than not, are qualified for those positions but even if they are not. How are they are going to know what qualities will be needed by them in order to make them better suited candidates ? Especially in the case where they’re being denied the opportunity to even interview for a vacant position. At the collegiate level there is no ‘Rooney Rule’ in place for the candidates seeking a vacant coach’s position. But this is something where questions are needed to be asked and answered concerning this very issue. As to whether or not we’ll never know what will be forthcoming in the terms of an answer remains to be seen. But somehow these question have to be posed and answered unequivocally. If only to allude to the fact that there is clear transparency when it comes to the hiring of minority coaches at the collegiate as well as at the NFL level of football.

The Rooney Rule was put in place for a reason but it appears that now the NFL may well be calling time on this particular mandate.. As to the NCAA, well they’ll just continue to march to the beat of their very own drum completely oblivious of the realities of the real world and how it exists ! With its immense power in terms of its governing of the collegiate athletics’ landscape, it goes unchallenged by the major conferences as well as the Federal Government. And the Federal Government at times, would rather chide the NCCA , rather than demand that the NCAA do what is right and morally acceptable.

Author: tophatal ...........

An avid sports' fans that's all !!!!!

26 thoughts on “The Rooney Rule ………..”

  1. The Rooney Rule, the NFL’s version of affirmative action, is in place for a reason. Coaches like Tony Dungy, Lovie Smith and Mike Tomlin have more than proven their worth.

    Race relations will continue to be a touchy issue for years to come but I do think there is some progress being made.

    On the college level, the more we hear about cases like Mangino and Leach, the more opportunities will open up for qualified applicants, regardless of the color of their skin.

    Like

    1. Chris Humpherys

      It’s there for a reason but is it really being strictly adhered to ? It’s not even a fixture within the college system. And look at the situation concerning Charlie Strong before he was even hired ? Even well qualified minorities aren’t getting their due reward merely because of the ol’ boys’ network that’s still in place. And even you can’t deny that very fact !

      What chance does Jerry Gray stand of landing the Redskins’ job if Shanahan has already been interviewed twice ? The job is already Shanahan’s , bar the shouting. Bruce Allen and Snyder are now merely blowing smoke up everyone’s ass and you damn well know it.

      Alan Parkins

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      1. Chris Humpherys

        You’re overlooking a point here , if Shanahan gets the position would you say that he got on merit ? Or merely for the fact of the name recognition and thereby overlooking Jerry Gray as a so called legitimate candidate ? That’s the point I’m making here .

        Alan Parkins

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  2. Sports mirror what is really happening in the good ole US pf A. Whites, me included, resent ILLEGAL immigrants…primarily the Mexicans; we also stereotype those of Arab descent, even if they renounce Islam. There is a fear of anything Muslim…not without good cause…..but the fear is turning to abject hatred.
    It was the same for the Black peoples who started as slaves….anyone who has read and understood the history of the US of A….the resentment of “freed blacks” continued long after “Reconstuction” ended. It continues to this day, even though many things are no longer “lily white”. Seems that people even resent that a black athlete is usually much more in demand than a non-black in certain positions; are the black athletes better, physically, or is it because they strive far more to become better?
    Same for the other rules….I think the black populace should keep pushing…..education is the key.
    One thing I do object to is “give” a position to anyone, based on race…I have seen well qualified whites denied positions, by the same token have seen well qualified blacks denied positions….course what is now upset the people in the US are the illegals.
    One thing further….proof of the prejudice that is still viable and of concern: the many negative Obama blogs that appear over and over……some day I will tell y’all a true story about Northerners who far from welcomed the newly “freed” slaves…..from Andrew Carnegie, Henry Clay Frick to Henry Ford, Walter Chrysler and William Durant (founder of Gen Motors).

    Like

    1. al clements

      You’ve gone off on a complete tangent here as this has nothing whatsoever to do with regard to labor laws and unions or the automotive industry for that matter . It’s about striking a fair balance in the hiring practices by the NFL franchises of minorities into head coaching positions.

      If you want to complain about something egregious then look at the hiring practices of the Disney Corporation under that ‘overt racist’ Walt Disney ! For far too long minorities weren’t even considered worthy of employment within the corporation. Now in the latter part of 20th century they’re trying to right an egregious wrong.

      The ‘house’ that ‘Mickey built’ ain’t all it’s cracked up to be that’s for sure.

      Alan Parkins

      Like

    2. al clements

      These supposed paragons of US industry merely saw minorities as cheap forms of labor and in no way did they want them to be aspire to be anything more than that. That has been the fallacy all along concerning this whole subject as to blacks migrating to the North for a 'better way of life'. It just didn't really exist up there under the environment as it then stood.

      Alan Parkins

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  3. Ha, I guess we all knew this was coming! If Cable gets fired I wouldn’t put the Raiders out of the hunt for hiring him 🙂

    I don’t think the Rooney Rule matters all that much. Teams will hire whoever they want to. They’ll bring in the coaches the league wants them to interview, but they usually already know who they are going to pick, unless your name is Al Davis. He just picks the last guy that was in his office, because it’s the only guy he can remember…

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    1. chappy 81

      That’s where you’re wrong, as it (‘Rooney Rule’) matters a great deal . They have to have to have at least one ‘minority candidate’ interview for the position , if not then the league itself can actually level a punitive punishment against the team in question. Doesn’t anyone actually comprehend any of the bye-laws of the NFL ? Or are you all so wrapped up with what’s happening on the field all the time ?

      Cable’s job is safe for now but at least he wasn’t used like dog , with the way Art Shell was in his second tenure as the team’s head coach !

      What was done to him by Al Davis was despicable as Shell wasn’t helped in any way whatsoever , in terms of assistance given in the placing of a competitive on field product. It just goes to show what a piss poor organization the Raiders were and still are !

      Alan Parkins

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  4. al clements

    And once the ‘blacks’ migrated North to work in the factories what were they met with at the end of the day ? Still the same damn racism and resentment . You’re just changing one particular type of ‘massa’ for another with a completely new environment altogether , albeit that they were being paid a ‘fair wage’ . I wonder what their WASP counterparts were thinking at the time ?

    Alan Parkins

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  5. That was my point in mentioning “labor” etc. Nutt’nt has changed, in my opinion. Matter of fact, prejudice, by and large, was heightened by “Affirmative Action”. That is why I brought the subject up….the NFL is mirroring things that occur in the populace at large.
    I think the ‘Rooney Rule’ is very viable….look at Dungy, Tomlin, Lovie, etal….course the interview doesn’t get them the job…but if they do become employed they have to “prove” their coaching talent, otherwise……..It is the same for “white” coaches, so mebbe it is a step in the right direction. Years and years of slavery, prejudice and outright murder….including that against the Indian populace is hard to overcome…..I have a very difficult time wondering why “some” whites consider themselves better than minorities.
    History will record this era of Obama either a complete disaster or a monumental change for the good……I just hope I am around to see the results.
    I’m waiting for the call by Steelers’ fans call for the firing of Tomlin…course you know the fans of whom I speak………….Not sure how my rambling came across, but……

    Like

    1. al clements

      The NFL wouldn’t have to mirror what the rest of society was doing if the hierarchy and owners were fair to begin with. How is that at the height of the twenties you had Fritz Pollard as the ‘lone minority’ as a coach and there after it’d take almost some forty odd years before Tom Flores of the Raiders ?

      As to the ‘sea of change’ it’s not so much about change as the very fact that most are still surprised that an intellectually intelligent minority was successful enough to aspire and win the Presidential election. That’s what has in large part pissed off the majority of Caucasians. It’s not a racial thing but the mere fact it happened and they didn’t consider that it’d ever happen within their life time.

      I mean Obama can’t do any worse than any of his predecessors now can he ? Especially the last one ?

      Alan Parkins

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  6. By the way…..Southern Blacks employed by Ford, etal, were not paid a “fair wage”….they were played less than the whites and were subject to much harassment by whites…both workers and supervisors. Even the black Northerners resented Southerners influx.
    AND…you do know that Henry Ford was highly anti-Jew, right….man was a real bigot, only looking for profit, much like our current companies…cheap labor equals huge profits…….Course NFL owners don’t pay cheap, do they?

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    1. al clements

      You’re preaching to the choir here as I know that Henry Ford was a douche-bag ! MBA grad and economics major in college -post military of course. But that asides those sort of disparities still continue to this day , not only along racial lines but also gender lines. So in essence nothing has at all really changed . It’s merely the technological landscape that has changed.

      I mean laws will be put in place but gradually over time they’ve found a way to rescind many of them through the judicial system of the Supreme Court. That’s a place that Sarah Palin really ought to visit if she as such has any ambitions to seek the highest political office in the land. She’s far too dumb not to realize what actually goes on there. But yet there she was in a tv interview being unable to name one piece of significant decision that took place there. WTF ? She makes ‘Dubya’ seem like an intellectual. And he was never viewed as the brightest of Presidents to begin with.

      You tell me would you vote for her ? Either if she was ‘the ticket’ or as a VP nominee ? She’s about as articulate as a drunk in a bar.
      Try and make sense of some of her statements on the economy and foreign policy and you know she’s as clueless as they come ! She’s the primary vestige of stupidity and she’s setting women back light years.

      Alan Parkins

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  7. Very well said. Equal pay for EQUAL work? Hah!
    No, I would not vote for Sarah darlin, although I was forced to when I voted for McCain. I thought he had better ideas than Obama’s crew……….
    With our present system…to which even McCain would have problems, it would still be the “good ole boys” network…the public be damned.
    Our government and lobbyists have worked relentlessly to line their pockets. They have even nosed their way into sports, definitely private enterprises. Course the bailouts were needed…but why? Cause the guvmint allowed mortgages that should have never been and “allowed” businesses to outsource just everything….people lost jobs cause the “factory” moved to China, Mexico, Pakistan, India and on and on….no job, no money, lose house….Course that is very oversimplified.
    What is next? Congressional hearings into the hiring of minorities in Sports? They only do this to show us they are “doing something”. Course I shouldn’t be holding forth like this, after all this is about the ‘Rooney Rule’.
    But the rule does fit in with what isn’t occuring throughout the USA. It “forces” teams to at least interview minorities, primarily blacks.
    I often think that people should take a lesson from how the Rooneys’ have operated for years. Might work.

    Like

    1. al clements

      The ‘Rooney Rule’ works when the teams choose to adhere to it. But look at what has just taken place with the Redskins ? They interviewed Jerry Gray as an obligation to comply with the rule when we all knew ahead that it was Mike Shanahan’s job for the taking. So said ,so done.

      And I just hope for Snyder’s sake he gets his money’s worth as he’s paid out in excess of $130 million in coach’s salaries since he’s taken over the franchise in 1999. That’s money that’s been well wasted to amount to not a slither of improvement the team’s play over that time.

      Shahanahan will be laughing all the way to the bank with his 5 year $35 million guaranteed contract.

      Obviously there will be jobs that men and women can do equally as well. So there I see no reason why they cannot be paid the equal pay. Especially if they’re both of equal experience and educational background. And I know that within the US military that may not be the case but how much do you think that the 1/2 dozen or so female generals , that there are in the US military are being paid when compared to their male counterparts ? They may not be on the ‘out and out’ battle front but they’re still doing a damn vital job in defending the country, whichever way you look at it !

      Alan Parkins

      Like

  8. <font face="palatino linotype" size="2"

    al clements

    Like it or not lobbyists will always be part and parcel of the DC culture on Capitol Hill. Don't be fooled by the bullshit that any congressman or senator states. They're only paying the subject lip service. Why do you think so many of them once they leave office end up with a lobbying firm or start one of their own ? They're a bunch of _ucking hypocrites ! As too are the likes of Hannity , Dobbs, O'Reilly , Beck , Poulter , Gergen and others who'll go there to feed from the trough and then come up with ideas that they say are their own knowing full well that they're being paid to espouse the views of lobbyists. It's all fuc_ed up but in large part the voters are far too dumb to realize that !

    Alan Parkins

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  9. Again, well said. Think there is a cure…..term limits and no BIG pensions. Ability easily recall idiot politicians, not able to become a lobbyist upon leaving Congress…forever, not as it stands now. Course the “voters” need to vote….too many feel their votes don’t count, so they don’t vote.
    Again….try running the guvmint like the Rooneys…best person for the job available. AND reduce the size of Congress, keep 2 Senators per, but reduce the House of Representatives by at least half. Ha Ha, never happen.
    All the best to you…stay warm.

    Like

    1. al clements

      First of that’s never going to happen and secondly the mindset in Washington will never change. Not as long as the lobbyists on K St are still there.

      There’s no member in Congress actually bright enough to think for themselves. Not Obama or for that matter McCain.
      They’re merely puppets of the lobbyists and it will always be that for eternity. The political system isn’t the best in the world nor is is the fairest.
      But it allegedly works for the few over the desires of the many.

      Unfortunately the populace are far too dumb to realize that. photogr sent me an e-mail about Bill Cosby’s ideas. The content of which was so asinine it was a joke. All he (Cosby) was doing was hearkening back to mentality of Ross Perot. Another flawed individual who made his wealth at the expense of the taxpayer by overcharging the federal government for work through his companies.

      Doesn’t anyone have a mindset of their own or do they just follow this bull_hit like sheep ?

      Alan Parkins

      Like

  10. Ahhhh, ain’t this a great country?? One can lie and cheat to make as much money dishonestly as they can….be they politicians or CEO’s.

    Hey Pittsburgh fired O line coach and the Special teams coach….Keeping Ariens….prolly a good move since Ben had his best year by stats (even though they didn’t matter….much)

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  11. al clements

    The messed up thing is the electorate still vote these ‘bums’ back into office repeatedly more often than not.

    As for the Steelers what clearly ails them is that they haven’t a ‘real vocal leader’ on the field of play.
    They play tough at times but essentially they’re ‘mentally soft’. If you’re like that then there’s no way in hell you can overcome real adversity when it’s thrown in your face !

    Alan Parkins

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  12. Steelers…..one of our respected “Sports’ Journalists” who retired after many years at KDKA TV writes a Sunday column that I read “religiously”.
    He reported that while Ben was voted Steelers’ MVP this year, the team was kinda forced into it (finally & was deserved a few other times),,,,for “many of the team do not like him”. Says something about what is going on that people do not know.
    Ben is probably “full of himself” at times, but damn! If it wasn’t for him, where do these guys think they would be?? Offense didn’t do as well scoring in the 5 losses, but I believe the Defense did not hold up its end….and Special Teams?? Very poor play thruout the season with only flashes of excellence.

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    1. al clements

      What was that journalist snorting ? Roethlisberger is ‘ no more a leader’ than Mitt Romney is said to be an articulate oralist. That’s the biggest crock of fecal matter that I’ve heard or read in long time ! Guys like that give sport’s journalism a ‘really bad rap ‘.

      ‘Guys they’re giving me the come on, do you think I’ll get laid tonight’ ? He’s not out of the woods yet concerning the rape allegations , now is he ?

      The defense is pretty solid and your pass offense is good. But there’s overall inconsistency in the team’s running attack pass defense.

      Alan Parkins

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  13. Maybe so, but John happens to be well repected within the Sports Reporting communtiy. He has always been on to the pulse of the Steeler organization……the players have always reponded to him honestly and candidly (even on camera).
    True enough the Steelers failed to use running plays enough, but most times it was not effective as years past.
    The problem, I feel, was that while they could put points on the board, the “quick scores” allowed opponents time to mount a run for winning scores. Steelers’ best offense has been always “running out the clock” after scoring….ahh well, next year!

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  14. al clements

    If he’s that much on the pulse then surely he’d recognize many of the inherent problems that the Steelers have had all throughout the season ? The inconsistent play and the defensive woes. Not something that he mentions with any regularity in his pieces. He’s essentially cherry picked from one week to the next, when a lot of the problems were plain to see.

    I see that the Seahawks have fired Jim Mora Jr and are now going after Pete Carroll of USC ? A bed move as Carroll’s previous experience in the NFL was woefully abysmal and is liable to be the same again . He’s a good college football coach but far from even being average NFL coach for that matter. He ought to stick to the college circuit ,as he’s king of his domain there in Southern California.

    Alan Parkins

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  15. With that about Carroll is right……College level coaches don’t seem to have much success in the pros…at least from what I have seen. Seems they are more into molding young men and motivating them…seems pros are already “molded” and …….
    I think the reverse is true….pro coaches perhaps do not do well in college circles? Weiss of Notre Dame is the one I have in mind….I know there got to be others

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  16. al clements

    Paul Allen is merely looking for a quick fix rather than seeking a coach with the mindset to get the job done right. He’s of the opinion ‘money is of no option if it’s tied to a big named coach’. In today’s NFL that no longer works.

    The Seahawks’ problems stems from ‘an aging roster’ and a complete lack of depth in many of top areas needed to make them a competitive team and a contender in NFC as well as the NFL as a whole !

    Alan Parkins

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