jayhardwick.com

The Gamecocks, T.O., and Fake Football

A few random football thoughts as the weekend winds down...

1. The Ball Coach's fight for a winning culture means you're not satisfied to "just win."
Yes, the Gamecocks defeated the Kentucky Wildcats Saturday night in Lexington. Yes, it was the 4th straight SEC road victory for the Gamecocks. No, it was not impressive. After nearly squandering a 17-0 second half lead and giving the Cats a last second chance to tie or win, Spurrier refused to fistbump Syvelle Newton when the game was over and railed on players and coaches. Best quote: "We're still South Carolina. We still can't shake being a South Carolina team that doesn't know how to win. It's sad."

2. Terrell Owens is a cancer.
It doesn't matter what uniform he puts on. It doesn't matter who the coach is. It doesn't matter who the quarterback is. T.O. is T.O. and he will make any team he plays for worse. Watching him scream and yell at coaches and players today was worse than what happens when my 2 year old doesn't get what she wants. I don't care how good he is, he destroys any sense of team. But is he really that good?

3. My fantasy football team nearly pulled off the shocker of the year.
My top two RB's were on bye this week. I lucked up and picked up Travis Henry just before the Titans game with the Colts. But the guy I am playing this week had the Eagles D and their last INT returned for a TD put it out of reach...I think. I have Gates and Kaeding going tonight, but it looks like it's just not my time.

In Dusty We Trusty No More

Almost three years ago, Dusty Baker had the Loveable Losers within five outs of the World Series. Now, after Steve Bartman interference, an 8 run eighth inning, a Sammy Sosa corked bat, a bunch of Sammy Sosa steroids, a Nomar Garciaparra torn groin, a Kerry Wood jello elbow, a Mark Prior jello elbow, a Derrek Lee broken hand, a bunch of errors, a bunch of losses, and a few runs, the Dusty Baker era is over in Chicago.

I've been a Cubs fan all my life. The day Dusty Baker was introduced as the next manager of the Cubbies brought immediate visions of Andre Dawson, Leon Durham, Mark Grace and the greatest second baseman of all time, Ryne Sandberg. Baker had 10 successful years in San Francisco and was known all over the majors as a "player's manager." The front office was ready to spend the money, the farm system was producing the arms, and it was time. But, after the disaster of the '03 NLCS, the Cubs have been...well...the Cubs. This year: an NL worst 66-96 final record.

My suggestion for the next manager: Michael Jordan. He's a winner. He loves Chicago. He loves baseball. He's rich. Who wouldn't want to play for the guy? Sure, in his little baseball experiment during retirement number one, he played for the bad guys, but I can look past it. Consider this the launch of the "Hire MJ" campaign for the Cubbies.

Fun

Tiger's look says it all.  Once again, the Americans are getting smashed by the Europeans in the Ryder Cup.  All indications are that the US will lose for 5th time in the last 6 Ryder Cups.

If you follow golf, then you know that the top 3 players in the world (Woods, Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk) are Americans.  You may also know that the highest ranked European is Sergio Garcia at number 8 in the world.  Every Ryder Cup, the US is favored because of the star power, yet recent history says the smart pick is the European team.

How do the best players in the world succeed individually, yet fail miserably as a team.  Watch and you'll see.  Forget the scores.  Forget the rankings.  Forget the weather conditions.  Just watch and ask yourself, "Which team is having the most fun?"  The answer is obvious.  And it was obvious yesterday when play began.  The Europeans are having a blast while the Americans look like they're getting a root canal.

All kinds of applications for those of us who lead and are a part of teams.  I am convinced that having all-stars is not enough - leaders have to create a fun, creative, relational environment to get the most out of their teams.  It's okay to laugh and enjoy each other and the journey you're on together!

Thanks to the European team for the example.  Maybe one day the US team will catch on.

22 Days

There are five sporting events/seasons that require my undivided attention:

1. The Masters
2. The British Open
3. The Men's NCAA Basketball Tournament
4. The NFL (Go 'Phins)
5. And last, but most definitely not least...GAMECOCK FOOTBALL! Thankfully, these guys see things the way I do.  2006 has a chance to be a special year or it could be just as average as most all the others. I'm going with special, but not ridiculous! And it all starts in 22 days!  Predictions and logical explanations (I know, that's a new idea for Clemson and UGA fans) are forthcoming.