"The (bullet riddled) Vest"

I wanted to wait a bit before posting again, but I just could help talking about THIS

In some way, "I told you so" doesn't quite do it justice. Perhaps, "He who lives in a glass house should not throw stones"? Eh, I don't know, not quite. You know what does work? An old Japanese proverb, "The reputation of a thousand years may be determined by the conduct of one hour." Or, wait wait, I got another one by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, "It takes less time to do the right thing than to explain why you did it wrong." You know where I got those last two quotes? Jim Tressel. (Pause)...(Smile)...You have got to be kidding me. I mean could it get any more terrible for one's reputation? Yes, actually it can, you can take your institutions reputation, throw it on the ground and burn it. Unfortunately for "The Vest" he did that too. And OSU is currently helping burn it's own reputation, so I don't feel one ounce of bad for them

Let me preface this with a small fun fact. I met Jim Tressel last winter during the recruiting of Seantrel Henderson in St. Paul. Coach Tress was at a local St. Paul establishment, Plums. Our staff was having a small lunch there and he was eating with his family (He's got family in the St. Paul area). He came over to our table after finding out who we were, and spoke for a while with us. He was cordial, he offered any of us younger coaches to come and coach at his camp, and dropped off this odd, kind of self serving informational card of himself and his career at OSU (which we all thought was weird). He knew all about the area and it's D3 football. He was very well put together and organized. Come to think about it, kind of like Tiger Woods was percieved prior to "hooker-gate". And, just like with Tiger Woods' reputation and career, it's all about to come tumbling down. He was able to get people to forget about being uncooperative with the NCAA while at Youngstown State. He swept the Maurice Clarett cheating scandal under the rug. He continued to preach "morality" and "doing the right thing". All the while staring down into the proverbial fire these "moral midwesterners" think the SEC and FSU, and USC, and Miami sit. On behalf of all those fans who really feel like saying it themselves, "Go Scratch"!

It takes some cajones, and perhaps more accurately losing touch with reality, to be as blatantly hypocritical as Coach Tress was last year...and for several years let's be honest. And let's blast OSU for a quick minute here. Their response is to suspend the coach for the first two games against Akron and Toledo...seriously? Oh wait, I forgot he gets fined $250K. He makes $3.5 million per year. That's a 7% pay cut. Is anyone laughing? Is this a joke? The players he tried to cover up for got 5 games by the NCAA and OSU thinks 2 games is appropriate? When asked if the coach may be fired the President of the University said, and I quote, "No, are you kidding me?" Gee said. "Let me be very clear. I'm just hoping the coach doesn't dismiss me."(espn.com, 2011). Way to take control Mr. Gee. Actually, thanks for the transparency for at least we now know who is running the show at OSU. Was there ever a doubt? The worst part was it was so light hearted, as if the question was invalid. Just disgusting. I can't stand the NCAA, but in this case I certainly can't wait for them to bring the hammer down on this charade.

As a Seminole, I've heard so many people over the years belittle their accomplishments. Sports Illustrated came out with a cover that included a FSU helmet and the title, "Tainted title" after the 1993 championship. That was regarding the story about several players getting free shoes from a local foot locker. It wasn't because the Head Football Coach knew, failed to act, lied, and covered up the whole story. When Coach Bowden got wins vacated while he was in the running for more wins than any D1 coach ever, it was because athletes from several sports cheated including football players. Coaches didn't know about it, and when they did they blew the whistle. I understand there are things out there that make that job EXTREMELY difficult, and often things happen out of your control that you need to take a whipping for. There are several underprivileged kids that feel they are invincible and look to get whatever they can. It's a tough situation, I get it. But guess what Valley? Allow me to piggy back on Colin Cowherd's assessment here, people who get paid $3.5 million a year are paid to manage difficult situations. they make that much money because of their ability to handle tough issues and make tough decisions. The oddest part is that Tressel didn't have a tough job to do in this case. Sure he risked losing players that were critical to his team's chances, and clearly Coach Tressel sold his soul, but all he had to do was take a trip over to compliance and inform them of the email he received from an attorney. Forward the email, and get that crap off your desk so you can continue coaching football. This is an explosion, and finally the masses know what I've known for a while: Screw your waspy institutional attitudes, they're all cheating. As a former athlete at the aforementioned Florida State University, I've seen the type of training and teaching that goes on to make sure administrators, tutors and athletes are all in compliance, but as recent as 3 years ago they were all cheating in classes. Poop happens, but when your head man is the source of the cheating, you better be ready to take the lashes. OSU, get ready for your lashes, because they are coming, you can bet that token penalty handed down won't stand.

I don't know the man past a small talk conversation, but I know this. He had the information and he lied. He did the wrong thing and now will find out EXACTLY what Longfellow meant, Rather than forward the quote to whoever helps him write his "comeback" book I suggest he internalizes his favorite quote and asks himself if there's any chance AT ALL that Yahoo! Sports could come and throw his nonsense out on the public street.

Valley, I'm done with that but had to get it off my vest...excuse me, chest :) On a brighter and cooler note I have a sweet video and story about a D3 hooper from Illinois College. He made a video to try and get into the NCAA Dunk Contest this year. His name is Jacob Tucker, and if you haven't heard about this youtube sensation, you have now. A couple more fact about this dude...he's white, 5'11", and has a 50 inch vertical jump.......yeah 50.

And lastly, like I promised last time, I'll share with you another Chicago Gem for food. it is D'agostinos Pizza. There are three of them around the city and it is very good pizza. lots of other food as well but the thincrust pizza is my favorite...EXCEPT FOR the "Cookie in a bowl" It is a giant chocolate chip cookie that you microwave for 90 seconds. Then put the ice cream they give you on top and pour the fudge and caramel sauce on top of that. It is about 1500 calories of absolute heaven!!

http://ogden.dagsdelivers.com/zgrid/themes/753/intro/index.jsp Yum!!

Out like that busted ass VEST

McQuillan

March on

Daps and hugs Valley, I hope all is awesome where you're at. It's March, and that means madness. College hoops, snow melting, and apparently union workers and their employers not getting along. I just want to start this whole thing off by pointing out that I have opinions, like everyone else. You may or may not agree with my opinions, but I always try to figure out the crux of the issue before having an opinion. You may say to yourself, "Yeah, I do that too", and I would say if you're ever any of the people I see posting comments on pages all over sports, news, and Facebook pages, you generally DO NOT. I hope and believe that the fine men and women that read this page are part of the 1% of people who are reasonable and logical, but in the end I know that's not the case since 99% of the people do not embrace those ideas. Where did I come up with that ratio? No need to worry about it, as a reasonable, logical fella, that always tries to make sure things are right, I had a talk with my good buddy Scott and we figured it out. Forget about it, the numbers are accurate. Let's move on.

I've heard a few times in the past couple weeks an argument trying to belittle the NFL Players union while defending teacher's unions due to the ongoing labor unrest in Wisconsin and in the NFL. At first I didn't really understand the turmoil in WI, I figured, "Okay, more teachers going on strike because they're mad about their pay and what not". Then I started reading and understanding and (here's the big one) applying what I understand to the way I interpret the real world. I feel that is fair, it's how I come to opinions. It's logical. It's not which way the Democrats think or along the line of the Republican philosophy. It's not rich or poor, big market small market, it's FRICKEN reasonable! And here's my reasonable and logical response regarding unions:

NFL union = good. Teachers unions = bad. Now I'll explain my thoughts. I have a lot of teacher friends, my mother is a retired high school teacher, my father is a college professor, and I value education a lot. Check that, I value good education. Oh yeah, and I voted for Obama. However, collectively bargaining for the taxpayer's money is not comparable to collectively bargaining because you are the product. The NFL players are directly responsible for generating NFL's revenue. Teachers unions collectively bargain for taxpayer money. And not just in salaries, the biggest costs are pensions and benefits. In many cases much better benefits and pensions than the average taxpayer. A buddy of mine told me that the average teacher in his district makes $60K. That's a pretty good living for working 9 months of the year. Yet, they threaten to walk out on the kids, the reason they do what they do, the future of our country because they can't squeeze their already broke state out of every benefit possible.

I tell you what, I'm all for doubling the salaries of teachers, good teachers. I would LOVE that as long as we got to fire the bad ones like every other job most every one of us works. Our education system is not even close to the best in the world right now, and I would be 100% for rewarding the teachers that helped pick us back up. It's called production. Instead of worrying about where to send crappy teachers where they can just sit around all day and not screw any kids up, we could focus on finding teachers to kick ass. But, even doubling salaries wouldn't put them on the same scale as the average NFL football player, I understand that. But, these NFL careers we're talking about average 3.5 years, contracts don't even need to be fully honored, and they ARE the best in the world at what they do. Their bosses are not states with budget deficits, their bosses are billionaires. A union is necessary and fair when trying to bargain for the money they earned, literally.

People, there is little to compare. They are completely different animals. One job is much more important to our country's fabric and perhaps teachers are underpaid, but that's in part because of all the crap they're pulling along and paying because of the union. Lastly, let's remember why the players in the NFL get paid so much...because we pay them. Not with our tax money, but by choice with our hard earned money. We choose to buy merchandise, tickets, and nachos at the game. We could solve this real quick. Everybody put their money in savings and stop going to games. if nobody filled the stadiums they wouldn't be paid very much, that I promise. AND, everyone would have less to bitch about because they would have saved a lot more money. how does that sound?

From a business perspective I'll now explain why the NFL would be idiots to lock out the players. Today's consumer has a lot of choices, more choices than ever before from a sports and recreation standpoint. They do not want to lose their seat on the throne, but their unwillingness to be transparent shows a lack of good faith in their negotiations. Then we find out how they've been planning this for the last 2 years all the while extorting TV networks for a "war chest" of money to protect against lost revenue during work stoppage...the work stoppage provision. Thank God for Judge Doty and his 8th Circuit ruling the the case and that matters of NFL CBA fall under his jurisdiction. That ruling a couple days back finding that the league did not act in good faith may pave the way to an agreement. For all of those whining about millionaires wanting more money, take some time to understand what you're yapping about. The players are going to take a large pay cut. Under the recently expired CBA the players were getting approx 60% of the total revenue, and in the owners most recent proposal they offered 42% to the players. You'd be angry too if you were asked to take a pay cut of close to 20%. Then you found out that your bosses were making more money than any professional sport organization in the country. It is a lot different than walking out of your job because you can't bargain for better benefits and packages than the people paying for them...the same people and state with a multi-billion dollar deficit.

Come on, let's be reasonable. And for all those teachers out there teaching, do work. You only get 9 months a year in this country to do it, so make it count PLEASE!

NFL, you guys make a lot of money to play a sweet game. I know there are a lot of serious issues to work through, but just do it and play so people can keep wasting their money on your jerseys.

And for my newest addition to the blog I'm going to add places I'm going to eat or have eaten recently. Since I live in Chicago, one of the best restaurant cities in the country, I feel a sense of duty. Tonight, I'm going on a date with my hunny to:

http://www.mercaditorestaurants.com/chicago/index.php

Out like me on the town...

McQuillan

Be My Valentine!!

Well hello Valley! I'm so in love to be back with you all on this gorgeous 37 degree AND partly sunny Chicago day! It's the softest, most mushy, completely orchestrated love day of the year...lets celebrate! So, in that spirit, let me orchestrate something halfway as awesome as that big kiss you'll get after you hand her that heart shaped candy box tonight...

1. I love that St. Patty's day is less than a month away. Do I really need to elaborate on this? I live in Chicago, it is arguably the baddest St. Patty's day celebration (weekend before) in the world, I'm Irish (among other things), and I get to join the Maxim's party downtown in the loop with some of the coolest people around.

2. I love that Florida State had the #1 recruiting class in the nation this year. Of course it is subjective, and it doesn't necessarily mean those top ranked kids will translate, pass their classes, or stay out of jail, but it a sign. It's a sign that FSU is getting back to where it should be...the top. In all I've read about the program since Coach Bowden, I've been impressed. For as much as we Seminoles love Coach Bowden and what he did at FSU, the fact is he lost his ability to run a successful program. Or, at the very least, he couldn't figure out how to keep his program evolving with the times. He didn't coordinate, he didn't hire quality coordinators when he lost others, and he lost his elite status as a recruiter. Add the continuous off field issues, including the academic cheating scandal that led him to lose several wins from his record, and it was time to go. Seminole fans are spoiled, I get it. We've never really struggled from the time FSU hit the big time. This was the first rough patch, and I believe the 10 win season mixed with the #1 recruiting class shows that the 'Noles are back on the warpath. We shall certainly see just how far they've come early next year as the Sooners head over to Tallahassee for a little rematch from 2010's disaster. Go 'Noles!

3. I love red wine, a lot. XOXO

4. I love that I don't have food poisoning today, because yesterday I certainly did. For those that have had it, it's 24 hours of misery. A good piece of advice I got is to drink water one drink at a time so you can keep it down. Too much at once means you're fixin' to see that water again soon on the way back up. But you know, at one point yesterday I was laying on the couch and I was thinking, what if I had to actually do something active today? I mean, I did walk to the grocery and back, but I mean actually active. I was thinking specifically like Game 5 of the NBA finals. You owe it to yourself to watch this video, I don't care how many times you've seen the highlights. Most that know me would agree that I'm about as competitive as they come, but then I watch this, and my lord. A guy with all the talent is special, we see a lot of them. But you add the mental toughness and the heart that MJ had, and it is nothing but inspiring to watch and remember...

5. I love that The NFL and the NFLPA negotiate so effectively...or, actually I meant I don't love that. The NFL just filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) today asserting that the NFLPA is stalling and not trying to reach a deal so it can decertify as a union and file an antitrust lawsuit. Okay, I get it, finding legal loopholes to get everything you can. And if you're a nobody, with no money and nothing to lose, I may even agree with that tactic. The problem here is that there is a solution. There are approx 9 billion in revenues each year in the NFL. There enough wiggle room there to get a damn deal done. Each side have exhibited major flaws, in my opinion. While I do not like DeMaurice Smith as a leader for the Union, I do think he has the most valid argument. He has said the players are willing to negotiate and give if it is needed to help the league, and has asked to see the NFL owners' financial books. Transparency seems to be a term en vogue these days with our country's recent economic issues. I think it's fair to ask to see that. The problem is if those records become public and we all see how much money those billionaire owners are trying to hoard, they lose big time in the court of public opinion, and lose leverage in negotiations. Either way, if all of this is posturing to get the best deal on each side, I'm fine with that. But the outlook is getting worse and worse even from some of the more optimistic media outlets. It would be an absolute ridiculous blunder to not come to an agreement.

6. Lastly, I love that I get to spend this Valentine's day with my beautiful girlfriend Adrienne. it is going to be a splendid dinner at our place tonight. I don't mean to rub it in for those of you that are feeling the relationship blues, so I have some love to pass to you too. And this is something you could probably use to woo your next would be lover, so listen up. It's called pulled pork. And, below is the easiest recipe on earth:

-2 lb pork tenderloin

-12 oz bottle of root beer

-18 oz bottle of your favorite bbq sauce.

*Put the pork in the slow cooker, pour the root beer over the pork, and turn the cooker to low. Cook 6 hours, strain, and pull the pork apart, it should just fall a part. add the bbq sauce and put back in the cooker on low for about an hour...taste test until you're in love with it, put it on a bun, eat it with some coleslaw, or just use it as finger food, it's all good.

And now, I'll leave you with this youtube beauty, Happy Valentine's Day, Valley!

Love,

McQuillan

Back like Jordan wearing the 4-5...

Valley. Let me take this opportunity to say that my 2 year(ish) hiatus is over. I don't have any excuses other than the usual: I was busy, writers block, my dog died (I don't have a dog, but Michael Vick did). But in the end actually the beginning, I've come back. I've moved back to Chicago with a new resume and some new ammo ready to get into all kinds of mess. I'm Currently working to find a spot to call my job, collecting wine, and hoping Adrienne decides where to put the artwork around the apartment because I'm sick of it sitting on the floor! Things are good and only getting better. I'm going to get back to the roots and talk about the sports we love and how it/they make me feel.

All me to reintroduce my self my name is McQuillan.....

Gimme some love Valley, holler at you soon....