Day 3 - The Challenge

After two days of talking the beautiful game I realized if I really want a challenge and really want to have fun with this. I have to grow and expand in my writing. With that lets crack a Red Bull and see if we can figure out what the Redskins, a King, the Falcons, Jim Brown, a Russian tennis player, and a boot all have in common. The answer might just be their part in today's headlines. But before today had you ever heard of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga?

Starting in the NFL the Redskins continue in their attempt to interview every assistant coach in the league. Last night ESPN and Comcast SportsNet did their best to contradict each other for over 30-minutes as Comcast reported that the Skins were close to signing Jim Fassel as their head coach, meanwhile ESPN was reporting no such deal was close. The rumors continue today with more names being connected with Dan Snyder's deep pockets ranging from Steve Spagnuolo (Giant's Def. Coord.), Jim Zorn (Seahawak's QB. Coach), Monte Kiffin (Bucks Def. Coord.), and of course in house favorite Gregg Williams (Def. Coord.). Williams was considered the front-runner till Dan Snyder remembered that money is not an option and when you have options why not explore them. Dan Snyder seems to be treating Williams like that cute "just a friend" girl in all those 90's teen movies that the main character doesn't notice cause he wants the class hot chick. Skins fans will just have to hope that Williams' self-esteem is as low as those girls in the movies, and he won't realize he "can do better". The Atlanta Falcons hired Mike Smith as their head coach, making him their third in about three years. And finally in the NFL, the Patriots can't get enough attention as Tom Brady is pictured with a boot sparking speculation he's injured. The good news is Brian Belichick* is as smug as ever smirking is usual smirk as informed reporters "I don't have any comment on it. I don't have any comment on it.". At least he promised that the injury report would be in on time, next Wednesday.

Across the pond the guess who's boss this week continues in European football after the Toon army saw the return of their beloved King Kev in Newcastle. George Burley took the reigns of the Scottish National Team; at least they don't make them wear kilts at the press conference. That could be a bit awkward for any short members of the press, male or female. The only Boss who hasn't been replaced since about 29 B.C., Sir Alex Ferguson found a way to get him name in the papers mid-week even The Red Devils didn't play and were out of the Carling Cup. Fergie took a few shots at Liverpool owners Gillette and Hicks at their treatment of Liverpool boss Rafel Benitez. As much as I hate Fergie, he's right. A sign held by supporters read "Tom + George Thanks But No Yanks", the dislike for the still relatively new American owners is growing at a feverous rate and is not likely to stop anytime soon. The fact is that Gillette and Hicks might understand selling razors and making investments, respectively, but don't seem to quite have a grasp of European football and how to run a club. As a Red's fan I completely agree and can only hope and pray that Dubai International Capital can come up with enough money to save the club, which has struggled over the months under the uncertainty.

As we begin our wrap up Jim Brown has decided to step in for the surprisingly absent Rev. Al Shaprton asking Tiger Woods to step foreword and condemn television anchor Kelly Tilghman for her "lynch" comment on Golf Channel. I have debated this with friends for the past few weeks and continue stand by "its in the intention of the words". Tilghman meant it as a joke and if the world wasn't so politically correct it could be considered a compliment. Tilghman's words were not a call to action, rather an jest about how good Tiger Woods is as a golfer. I have to admit. I'm still surprised that Al Sharpton hasn't shown up for his 15 seconds of fame yet. Hope he's ok. People talk about equality and getting over America's dark, get it, history but that's not going to happen if we make every little racial comment a federal case. Apparently saying the word lynch isn't nearly as bad as putting the image of a noose on a magazine cover, sucks to be now former Golfweek Magazine editor Dave Seanor. Wow, I finished a paragraph about racism in America and Al Sharpton didn't show up. He must have the flu. I'm sure he'll pop up before the "Lynch Tiger" controversy is over.

Finally!!!, who is Jo-Wilfried Tsonga? And what about that Russian chick I promised?! That "Russian Chick" is Maria Sharapova and she seems determined to prove that you can be attractive and play tennis, very well. Unlike famed model/tennis/girlfriend of Enrique Iglesias ....Anna Kournikova, who never won a grad slam but some how got plenty of media attention. I think I know why, but then I could be wrong. Sharapova could win her third grand slam leaving Kournikova to be remembered as nothing more than "that blonde in the Latin guys video, not Ricky Martin, the other guy". And a drum roll please for Jo-Wilfried Tsonga!!!! The Frenchman who out played second ranked Spaniard Rafel Nadal to make it to the men's final at the Australian Open. He will have the honor of being Roger Federer's next victim. Federer has established himself as Zeus at this point in his career and could go down as one of the if not the greatest tennis players in history. You know you've made it when your shoulder to shoulder selling razors on TV with Thierry Herny and Tiger Woods. Proper congratulations are in order for Tsonga who was ranked highly as youth but then suffered a series of injuries placing him in relative obscurity. But don't fell bad I don't think this is the last time you'll hear the name of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga dispatching Nadal isn't an easy task and he did it 6-2 6-3 6-2. We'll I think I met my challenge today of taking on more than just football. But what will tomorrow bring...? We can only wonder.








*Note: I really really really hate that guy, ahem.