Lots and lots here today. Probably enough for two postings. Call it Two for Tuesday!

More thoughts on the local stadium issues. One argument that is constantly heard is, “Come on, when you're a billionaire, why in the world do you need our money?”

Take Seattle sports team owner, Paul Allen. A few years ago, Seattle voted to raise $400 million to build a new stadium alongside new Seattle Mariners' Safeco Field. Those were some apprehensive times for Seattle Sports Fans.

As fans, it splits our thinking right down the middle, doesn't it? At the exact time that we are thinking, "Come on, if you've got a billion dollars, why can't you just kick in the rest?” we are also thinking, "We have to get that stadium built or we lose the team!”

The whine from opponents then continues, “What good is it to read Forbes magazine year in and year out, to find out how rich these guys are if they don't even want to finance their own deals?”

Look at it this way. Paul Allen paid approximately $500 million in capital gains tax last year. You mean to tell me that he and the government couldn't figure out some way to take his taxes, call it a special tax credit and put it with the money he already committed towards a stadium so he can build a stadium that would generate more local, state, and federal taxes?

Surely there is a way that local and federal government can figure out a way for a special tax credit for building a major public facility like a stadium. If the state government can have a "special election" with a "special tax item" on the ballot that goes into a "special account," to build a stadium, definitely the federal government can have a "special tax credit" that it works out with the state and local government for someone building a stadium. Could it be then that a tax credit give to the billionaire would appease those that oppose increasing taxes?

Nah, then they would just whine that the billionaires are receiving special treatment and that the money lost from the capital gains taxes should be going to schools, blah-blah-blah.

Oh well, I can dream.

Arizona: New Logo & New Stadium

Enough is enough when the lowly Arizona Cardinals get a new logo and are about to move into their new state-of-the-art stadium in Glendale for the 2006 NFL Season. It's a damn nice looking stadium also! They even have a live construction cam!

I cannot take anymore!!!! AAAAGGGGHHHHH!

Is anyone in the St. Paul capitol building watching this? Or are they just playing the fiddle while the Vikings payroll burns!!?!?!?!!

Whoops!

In case you missed it, there was a significant faux pas on the web site of former Eagles quarterback and ESPN host Ron Jaworski.

Jaws, obviously, is an NFL guru who spends his time following the league very carefully and breaking down film (or, at least, he voices that every time you see him on the air!).

So since Jaws is, supposedly, one of the leading voices regarding pro football, he surely knows how to get basic facts right regarding, you know, matters regarding the NFL.

In a segment on his personal web site regarding teams that could break out in 2005, Jaworski includes the New York Jets, for the following reasons:

"Hiring Scott Linehan as the new offensive coordinator is significant. In Minnesota, Linehan cultivated a big-play, quick-strike offense. He's got the talent to work with in New York to have that same kind of offense. With Chad Pennington at quarterback, Curtis Martin in the backfield and receivers like Santana Moss and Justin McCareins, the Jets have the tools.

"Now they need the philosophy. Linehan will provide that. The Jets should be an attacking offense, one that is capable of scoring from anywhere on the field."

Great analysis, Jaws. With one minor exception. Linehan isn't the new offensive coordinator. It's Mike Heimerdinger.

Whoa! Who's your editor Jaws? Might want to have a little talky-talk with that person. Quick!

(Note: They may actually realize their mistake and correct the site before you access the link provided above. Nonetheless, it was there!)

Who I Want

Imagine this next year. The 6-0 Vikings go into Lambeau Field to take on the 1-5 Packers. Randy Moss again lights up the Girlfriend backfield....

And lights up the Packers fans with yet another Moss Moon.

Then newly aquired safety Donovin Darius lays a heavy (clean!) hit on Brett Favre resulting in Darius fumble recovery that he takes to the house.

Darius remains the one free agent that I hope the Vikings take a good, hard look at. Peter King thinks so too.

And having over 60,000 Packer fans booing their lungs out kind of warms the cockles of my heart, as well. I don't think Madison can afford to post billboards for TWO Minnesota Vikings players!

But then, I always have my trusting spray paint and Madison isn't that far a drive...

Links and Tidbits

----Rob Brzezinski is among more than a dozen people under consideration for the Seattle Seahawks' open team president job, it was learned Monday.

----Joe Juranitch could have used Ragnar's battle ax when the Vikings lost in Philly. Read how the classless Beagles fans treated the Vikings mascot.

----Look for future Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith to announce today his retirement from the Arizona Cardinals to join Reggie Fowler's investment group that is trying to buy the Vikings. Fowler's group also includes local automobile dealer Denny Hecker.

----Insiders say there are just four major investors, including Glen Taylor, in the Timberwolves owner's group to buy the Vikings, and one of them initially considered becoming general partner of his own group. But at the NFL's suggestion, that investor has joined Taylor. Taylor is considering adding a block of investors to his group for those who want to be part of the package, but for a much lower percentage. An objective view of the Vikings' value would be about $544 million, which would seem a fair price for whomever ends up buying the team. Red McCombs bought the Vikings in 1998 for $210 million plus $36 million in tax considerations. Teams with stadium leases similar to that of the Vikings have risen in value about 12 percent annually. That would make the Vikings' value $543.8 million.

----Why women should not be owners and/or coaches of men's sporting programs.

----Will the dollar be deposed as the world's reserve currency? Scary stuff. My kid could be working in a 2nd rate country!

----We have sports owners (Red McCombs, Carl Pohlad) who can't get the legislature to discuss the subject. But it could be worse, we could be living in New Orleans.

----The land for a possible new Jets new stadium could cost as much as $300 million. Land and infrastructure will be big topics here (as soon as Hell freezes over and the legislature gets off its big fat pork-laden butt). It'll be good to see how other areas get around these issues.

From the Sidelines

Yes, I love the Blues. And the Blues artists all have cool names. So, what's your Blues name? Follow the instructions below to get your genuine Blues name.
Then experience that legendary blues thrill.

1. From the first list, take the name using the first initial of your first name.

2. From the second list, do the same with your middle name.

3. From the third list, take the name using the initial of your last name.

First List - for your first name:

A=Fat; B=Muddy; C=Crippled; D=Old; E=Texas; F=Hollerin';

G=Ugly; H=Brown; I=Happy; J=Boney; K=Curly; L=Pretty;

M=Jailhouse; N=Peg Leg; O=Red; P=Sleepy; Q=Bald; R=Skinny;

S=Blind; T=Big; U=Yella; V=Toothless; W=Screamin'; X=Fat Boy;

Y=Washboard; Z=Steel-Eye

Second List - your middle name:

A=Bones; B=Money; C=Harp; D=Legs; E=Eyes; F=Lemon; G=Killer;

H=Hips; I=Lips; J=Fingers; K=Boy; L=Liver; M=Gumbo; N=Foot;

O=Mama; P=Back; Q=Duke; R=Dog; S=Bad Boy; T=Baby; U=Chicken; V=Pickles; W=Sugar; X=Cracker; Y=Tooth; Z=Smoke

Third List - your last name:

A=Jackson; B=McGee; C=Hopkins; D=Dupree; E=Green; F=Brown;

G=Jones; H=Rivers; I=Malone; J=Washington; K=Smith; L=Parker;

M=Lee; N=Thompkins; O=King; P=Bradley; Q=Hawkins; R=Jefferson;

S=Davis; T=Franklin; U=White; V=Jenkins; W=Bailey; X=Johnson;

Y=Blue; Z=Dixon

Me? I'm Muddy Boy Lee. Please address me as such in the future. My son turns out to be Ugly Boy Lee. My wife (Boney Boy Lee) might have something to say about that.

What is yours?

Photos of the Day

A huge mountain of cow manure is seen smoldering at a feedlot near Milford, Neb., Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2005. The estimated 2,000-ton pile of burning cow manure spontaneously combusted about two months ago and continues to smolder despite attempts to douse it.

Diew, a five year-old Thai elephant, demonstrates how to use and flush a toilet at an elephant camp in Chiang Mai province, in northern Thailand.

Posted by maasx003 at January 31, 2005 12:56 PM | TrackBack