News and Mailbag from Calgary

NFL Comes to a solution …And now we can all go on with the NFL…Below, I chuckled as the story points out that Dallas is partly a high-revenue team because of “local radio rights”….Giggle…

The crux of the debate over the last few days has centered on revenue sharing and the disparity between high- and low-income teams. Low-income teams such as Buffalo, Cincinnati and Indianapolis say that high-revenue teams -- Dallas, Washington and Philadelphia, for instance -- should contribute proportionately to the player pool because they can earn far more in non-football income such as advertising and local radio rights.

Clemens to tease us further today ….don’t fall for it, people!

The guy the Rangers want to be the fifth member of their rotation makes his first appearance of camp today.

After all, what's a guy like Roger Clemens to do on Team USA's off day?
Clemens acknowledged Wednesday that he might visit the Rangers camp while in Arizona. A source with knowledge of Clemens' schedule confirmed the visit is planned for Thursday morning.

"We've talked about it," Clemens said of the possibility of visiting the Rangers, "and it may happen."

The Rangers would neither confirm nor deny the visit, but Rangers owner Tom Hicks, who has led the push to convince Clemens to pitch in Arlington, plans to return to camp today. He also plans to be in Scottsdale on Friday when Clemens and Team USA face South Africa.

Canada beats USA in WBC!!! …And get this: they did it without using the pitchers that they thought were their best! That’s right. Canada was almost conceding the game yesterday by pitching minor leaguers for the majority:

Canada roared out to an 8-0 lead against lefties Dontrelle Willis and then Al Leiter.

Jason Varitek hit a slam off Eric Cyr to make it 8-6, but then Cyr retired the next seven he faced in succession.

Minor leaguers Scott Mathieson and Steve Green closed out the game - Mathieson working a scoreless eighth and Green finishing the Americans in the ninth for the save.

"We thought we'd go with the kids," said manager Ernie Whitt, who saved his bullets (Jeff Francis, Chris Reitsma, Jesse Crain) for tonight. "When I was a player and I'd never seen a pitcher before, I always thought that the pitcher had the advantage.

And Now, The USA is on the brink of elimination! …

Canada, which strained to beat South Africa on Tuesday night, is 2-0. Team USA is 1-1. Mexico was 0-1 going into Wednesday night's game against South Africa.

The U.S. would be eliminated if Mexico beat South Africa on Wednesday night and then beat Canada on Thursday night by a score of 2-0, 2-1 or 1-0.

"Really?" Rodriguez said. "Even before we play on Friday? [Darn]."

It was a popular reaction.

Manager Buck Martinez shrugged and acknowledged "the perils of pool play," having to assume Friday's game against South Africa still would be meaningful.

If not, a first-round exit by the U.S. certainly would be the tournament's most startling upset and potentially dampen enthusiasm for the WBC's future.

Culpepper wants out of Minnesota …

In an e-mail sent to several media outlets Wednesday, the quarterback acknowledged for the first time that the Vikings have been shopping him and said if a trade does not happen, he wants to be released.

"Now that I have confirmed that the Vikings have been seeking to trade me, I have asked for permission to speak to the interested teams," wrote Culpepper, who fired longtime agent Mason Ashe in January and has been representing himself. "The Vikings have denied my request. If a trade does not happen, then I am asking the Vikings to terminate my contract as soon as possible."

Culpepper, in the fourth e-mail he has sent to the media since Feb. 5, added that if the team elects not to honor his request, he intends "to fulfill my contractual obligations to the Minnesota Vikings." That statement might have been included to limit the Vikings' options when it comes to disciplinary action.

The Vikings are scheduled to pay Culpepper a $6 million roster bonus this month -- the March 17 due date could be pushed back as many as seven days because of the NFL's decision to postpone the start of free agency -- but Culpepper stated his desire is freedom.

"I appreciate that the owner, Mr. [Zygi] Wilf, is willing to pay my March bonus," he wrote. "However, because of the fundamental differences I have with management regarding the approach to my personal and professional life, I think it is the best business decision for both parties to go our separate ways."

That last paragraph means this: The Vikings don’t like a team leader and QB right in the middle of the “boat party” controversy…How could they ask so much of poor Daunte?

Amare still on the mend …

Amaré Stoudemire has a knee problem. No, the other knee. After a very strenuous workout on Thursday in Phoenix. Stoudemire has a fluid buildup in his right knee, likely from favoring it in workouts while shying away from pressuring his surgically repaired left knee.

He hasn’t worked out basketball-wise for three straight days, although he did some strengthening work before Sunday’s game with Dallas.

“I’m sure I’ve asked a little too much of it,” Stoudemire said, rubbing the knee before the game. “It’s just a little buildup, but it’s a warning to make sure I’m ready before making the next step.”

Stoudemire was hoping to scrimmage five-on-five when the team gets back to Phoenix this week, but that might be on hold until the latest complication subsides and he can again build up his stamina

What is the difference between a North American hockey fight vs European hockey fight?? Sticks!!! …Holy cow, boys. Drop your freaking sticks and fight like men!

In continuing, our coverage on Tim Horton’s Doughnuts, They move to the middle east …

Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan are getting their wish — Tim Hortons will be serving double-doubles and doughnuts soon enough.

After weeks of lobbying by the military, the chain agreed to set up a coffee shop to serve soldiers in Kandahar, said Ron Joyce, who co-founded the famous chain in Hamilton in 1964 with NHL player Tim Horton.

Becky is smart …

The Shield begins in Syndication! …Catch up now!

With book on Bonds, Giambi is back in the middle …

Ok, I promised a Hockey mailbag this morning, and I can not be held responsible for the caliber of the questions. Here they are, as received in the last 24 hours:

Question: were the guys up there just as hard on Tippett? Were there critiques on shifts or strategy? Did they ever communicate anything to him on the ice?

Answer: In the GM box, there was very little strategy second guessing, but they did discuss possible adjustments to be visited in intermissions. Up high, you can better see what is working and what is not. So, they offer advice to Tippett, and he can use it if he wants.

Question: Stars seem to have issues holding a lead in games. Is this a result of coaching or player failing to do their jobs?

Answer: I think it is a result of hockey. Leads are not easy to hold in this league, because the harder you try to sit on a lead, the more difficult it is to do it. This isn’t soccer. That is a sport that allows you to pack everyone in and hold a lead, but in hockey, you must simply “just keep playing”. You can crowd the nuetral zone and the blueline more, but other than that, you must keep playing hockey.

Questions from Fat Brad:
One question, Bob: at what time prior to the game does Tippett let the healthy scratches know they won't be suiting up, or does that duty get delegated and Rick Wilson has to let Niinimaa and Perrott know they will be watching the game from afar for the umpteenth day in a row? BTW, were Armstrong and Moog pleased with the officiating last night? The hitting looked pretty vicious on TV, and there were only 4 penalties called the whole night. That crew looked like they were pretty much in playoff mode and letting the teams have at ine another last night, the way it should be every night.

One last question: was the brass pleased that Ott didn't engage Staios in the first, or were they a bit miffed that Ott basically walked away from a scrap with a guy who was taking some liberties early in the game?

Answers: I think generally, the scratches know in the morning. They usually stay on the ice for further conditioning in the morning, so they must know the news. I will try to find out how they are notified and report back. The brass is never happy with the officials, I would suggest. Nor is anyone involved in the game at all. Either the refs are calling too many or not enough. A ref is a pretty thankless career choice.

As for the Ott-Staios situation, Ott was at the end of a shift, and it didn’t make any sense for a gassed player to fight a fresh one just for kicks. But, later in the game, when Jason Smith wanted a piece of Ott, It was noted in the box that this would be a fine trade for the Stars and that Ott should oblige him. Of course, Ott was worrying about the puck at that point and did not have time to check with his coaching staff in the blink of an eye.
---

Question: Bob, thank you for the well-written report on the doin's behind the Stars scene. I'm curious, was there any agreement w/ Armstrong and Moog that you would post this report? Did they make any requests/demands of you as a quid pro quo for letting you in?

Answer: They had no idea I was writing an essay on this experience. There were times this week where Doug would say this is “off the record”, but for the most part, I am just using my head. If I think it would bother him for me to reveal a competitive secret, then I don’t do it as a professional courtesy. This allows for future access. If I spill the beans of everything I observed, then that will be the last time I am invited, I am sure.

Question: A brief question for you....while watching the game with Moog, does he ever talk smack under his breath about Turco? I imagine that it's like a hot girl that talks some trash to her friends about the hot(ter) girl that just entered the room and is dressed a little better than her. Did he ever say anything like, "I would have made that save," or "I would NEVER have let that guy abuse me like that?" Please tell me that this kind of thing happens.

Answer: Nope. Moog is a professional coach. His major job is to make Turco a Stanley Cup winning goaltender, just like Moog was. That occupies all of his time these days.

Questions: I love hockey. Raised on Football, converted forever when the Stars arrived and haven't looked back. I want it to be more loved. It almost makes me crazy that it hasn't caught on. It will never be the NFL (nor do I want that). Just appreciated. What can be done? What is the "mood in the room?" I understand where the nay-sayers are coming from. Sometimes the game on the TV looks grainy and can be hard to follow. Does HD help that? Also, I think one thing that could help is what Ralph suggested a few years ago: games built around weekends, against the same teams. It would be hard to schedule, but can be done. We aren't asking for makeup for the pig. This is a great game. What can be done?

P.S. It is obvious why the Stars brought you guys along. I think they (or someone) should organize trips like that. Taking fans on swings through hockey country could really raise our appreciation for the game. Selling it to the wife...

keep your bald baby arms harder,
frustrated warren, dallas

Answer: A very complicated question that has a complicated answer. This is all about a number of things that will contribute to the popularity of hockey. New rules, High Definition, young personalities that are interesting to the public, and many other things will all help hockey move in the right direction. Will it ever catch baseball, football, and basketball? Not likely in the South, but that is ok. Those of us who love this sport should only be concerned that hockey is being all that it can be. Whether Jim in Alabama will ever like it is not very important to me.

Question: Just kind of curious what your gut feeling is. Do you think the Stars will make a significant move at the deadline. I personally think one is needed. This PP and PK have been very average this year, and lately it has been horrific. If we add anything I think it needs to be someone who can help in those areas.

Answer: Significant? Not really. But, I do think it is reasonable to assume they are looking for one more character guy to put on their 3rd or 4th line to help them along. They are still very short of depth if injuries hit, and if you could get a guy like Dallas Drake for a reasonable price, I think they would like to do that. The Power play is not successful from lack of talent. They just need to click here down the stretch.

Question: Bob, I think they need to take another run at changing the goal song. I think if they find an established song and don't try to trick something up that shows them to be northerners trying to look Texan, the fans would be okay with it.

But after Gary Glitter is convicted AGAIN of child molestation, basically funded by the residuals from arenas playing that song, it creeps me out more and more.

See if you can bring that up again. Sure, the last time it didn't work out, but that doesn't mean it wasn't a good idea. Plus, they should give it more than a one-game tryout before they cave.

Love you (and the Stars),
Patty

Answer: There is plenty I would change about the Stars game presentation. I know those who work on it do their very best job, but I just have a strong opinion on how hockey games should feel, and I think the Dallas version of it is not very “hockey”. I support the hockey organ, I support hockey music (not Kiss FM music), and I support keeping things fresh. Gary Glitter when we score and “Darkness music” when the opponent score is the polar opposite of fresh.

Question: Bob,
'ockey question
no fights during power plays - why?
tell dan hey from gussie

Answer: There are many reasons there are no fights during a power play, with the most reasonable explanation being that there are almost no fights in the entire game, but also the players are not in positions that cause contact on the PP. Contact leads to fights. And on the power play, players are usually a fair distance from eachother. Another reason is personnel. Usually, your PP specialists are not your players who enjoy to throw punches. And yet another reason is that on the PP or PK, the players on the ice are really focused on that little black puck.
Hope this was sort of enjoyable. Another mailbag will be down the road.
Calgary tonight. A very big hornets nest, and a tough place to play.