Suh the N-Dominator, a Tag for Roethlisberger, Clausen’s Body Language, Big $$$ for Big Losing
Open Mike | by Mike O'Hara | 04.20.2010/9:49AM
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A nickname for Ndamukong Suh while awaitin’ on the NFL schedule later today, thoughts on the QBs in this week’s draft, big money for losing, Roethlisberger and Commissioner Goodell, and a fleeting observation on the Red Wings:
1. The N-Dominator: That’s my nickname for Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh—and I’m now 100-percent convinced—up from 99.99—that the Lions will take him second overall in Thursday night’s draft.
Suh, incidentally, got his degree in construction engineering from Nebraska. With the Lions, he’ll be a master in Destructive Engineering.
2. Prime Time Lions: I won’t be surprised if the Lions get a prime—time TV game when the NFL is released Tuesday evening. A possible candidate: Lions and Jets.
It makes sense on a number of fronts. There’s a matchup of Matthew Stafford and Mark Sanchez, the young QB guns of the 2009 draft. The Lions have had a positive buzz, with an expectation that they’ll draft Ndamukong Suh on the first round Thursday evening.
That would give the Lions two prime games. The other is on Thanksgiving Day, against the Patriots.
3. QB Body language: The ESPN quarterback special featuring Jon Gruden and the top four QB prospects in this draft was compelling. For me, it separated Jimmy Clausen of Notre Dame from Sam Bradford of Oklahoma, Colt McCoy of Texas and Tim Tebow of Florida. Those three were locked in with Gruden. They were engaged and made eye contact.
Not so with Clausen. His eyes continually drifted away, and he responded like a troubled student searching to give answers his counselor wanted to hear. Most revealing, to me, was when Clausen blamed a receiver for missing the signal on a pass route. He displayed a distinct lack of command and leadership – both vital qualities in a pro quarterback.
4. Money for losing: Athletes are roundly criticized for home much money they make when they fail. It gets broken down to hits per dollar, catches per dollar, goals scored per dollar.
What about coaches? Steve Mariucci, a studio commentator on the NFL Network, signed a five-year, $25-million contract to coach the Lions in 2003. He was gone after 11 games in 2005 in one of the most disappointing tenures of any coach of any sport in Detroit history.
Mariucci’s Lions won 15 games. That’s $1.667 million per win.
5 The Commish: Commissioner Roger Goodell is acutely aware of the value of the NFL’s partners, including the TV networks and other media entities. However, he does not automatically react to their schedule.
The impending decision on punish for Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger is an example. Goodell make that clear in an interview on ESPN’s Mike and Mike show Tuesday morning.
Goodell made it clear that he’ll announce a decision when he’s ready.
6. Roethlisberger: With two allegations – and no charges – of sexual allegations against Roethlisberger, I wonder if anyone in Pittsburgh has questioned whether Roethlisberger qualifies as a sex offender.
I wonder what reaction there’s been from women’s rights groups. Animal rights activists came out strongly against Michael Vick. I don’t advocate mistreating animals, but if I had to make a choice, I’d rather have someone mistreat my pet than my sister.
The fallout in Pittsburgh seems to be how Roethlisberger’s conduct has affected the Steelers and their image.
How does it affect the women?
7. Image: While I’m on this rant, I’ve always been put off by those who say someone who has acted badly has to work on his image.
Wrong. Work on your behavior first. Your image will follow.
8. The Red Wings: Yes, they’re in trouble in the first-round series with Phoenix, and the heat’s on goalie Jimmy Howard. As it should be. The heat’s always on the goalie, and it’s fair.
There should be no hesitation on coach Mike Babcock’s part to switch to Chris Osgood, if he thinks Howard is caving in to the pressure and Osgood gives them a better chance to win.
The Red Wings are not Jimmy Howard’s team. They’re not Chris Osgood’s team.
The Red Wings are the Red Wings’ team – every player on the roster. They all have an even stake in winning, regardless of their role, and nothing should matter other than the immediate well being of the team.
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