John Rooke - Thinking Out Loud

Saturday, October 08, 2011

John Rooke, GoLocalProv Sports Editor

Thinking Out Loud…while wondering if I should “buy” or “sell” my stock in the Big East Conference…

• The hits just keep on coming. I wonder if this is how punch drunk boxers feel after being hit in the head a few thousand times? How much more abuse must the Big East (and its fans and current member schools) take until something – or someone – says “enough!”

• Understand this, however. A lot of blame is being focused on Commissioner John Marinatto right now, and I don’t believe that’s entirely fair. His responsibility is to ALL members, not just the so-called football or basketball schools. The problem here is that this conglomerate is just so unwieldy, with schools that have vastly different missions and goals, that consensus among all members is virtually impossible. That’s why no one seems to have any trust in their partners, and why Pitt and Syracuse bolted. Right now, the Big East is a “house of cards…”

• There was a conference call among university presidents and athletic directors Friday, but no decisions are imminent. Why? Because too many people want or need more information on the schools being considered…

• Now, TCU is gone before they ever got here. I’m disappointed, and thought it was a brilliant stroke of marketing to bring the Horned Frogs into the Big East. But I completely understand why the Big 12 is more attractive to them. Having grown up in Fort Worth, TX just 5 minutes from that campus, and lived the culture…I get it…

• What’s next for the Providence-centric league? I just don’t know if there’s any real mix of available schools out there that can make up for the recent departures…additions that would keep current football schools in place. But – if it is decided that one more try at survival as a BCS entity should be undertaken, here’s what could/should happen…

• Invite Navy and Air Force as football-only members. Bring Temple back into the fold as an all-sports member (basketball would help the loss of Pitt and Syracuse), along with Houston, SMU and Central Florida. You have big markets, travel partners, programs that have solid history and current competitiveness, and cities easy to get into and out of for travel...this would bring the tally to 12 for football, 18 for all sports (then split hoops into two nine-team divisions)…

• Finally, force all members to buy into severe penalties for early withdrawal…just like your local banker does for your checking and savings accounts. But do it now – the league must seize the day, before it finally seizes them…

• West Virginia to the SEC? Louisville to the Big 12? UConn to the ACC? No, maybe…and no way. The only school in these rumors that makes any sense is Louisville, and if Missouri bolts to the SEC, then watch out. If WVU, UConn, Rutgers, USF and Cincinnati were really smart, they’d be leading the Big East solidarity parade, because it’s the only real option they have…

• As the saying goes, I got stories…

• Not for nuthin’…but I’d love to hear the stories that Terry Francona could probably tell about the Red Sox clubhouse right now, but won’t…

• What? Theo Epstein wasn’t named GM for Life? Wonder if the Cubs would let him spend money like John Henry did? Maybe Mr. Henry should make another offer to Billy Beane…

• The Yankees’ C.C. Sabathia doesn’t have a barrel chest, or a beer gut. He swallowed the whole keg…

• Misery loves company, right? Do a good deed today. Go hug a Yankee fan…

• Let me see if I can wrap my little mind around this – the NBA players won’t settle on a 50-50 revenue split with the owners? They insist on a majority share of a business that they were hired into? They actually had that, and the league is in financial turmoil. What’s 50% of zero?

• Can anyone, anywhere, picture themselves walking into your bosses’ office and demanding a majority share of company profits…before they’re actually earned?

• UConn’s national champion basketball team received their rings Thursday night, and coach Jim Calhoun says this year’s team has more overall talent than last year’s. Is this a motivational ploy, or is he bragging?

• Hmmm…does Brown have any math majors? Brown Stadium seats a bit less than 20,000, and it was well over half full last Saturday night with URI in tow. But Brown only announced 8500 in attendance. Is less actually more?

• Aren’t the Patriots playing the Jets this week? Where’s the trash talk? Does Rex Ryan have his foot in his mouth? Wait a minute…

• The fact that Wes Welker is actually on pace to shatter Jerry Rice’s single season receiving yards record says two things – one, that Welker may be the NFL MVP even if he isn’t most valuable on his team. And two – that Rice’s 1848 receiving yards in 1995, before the advances of today’s offenses, shows he was way ahead of his time…

• Will Welker get the chance to visit “Revis Island” on Sunday? Best guess is yes, but I don’t think he’ll be stranded…

• A friend of mine asked me “what does ‘thinking out loud’ really mean?” It’s actually very simple – these are the words that come out of my head while watching/reporting/reading/writing about sports. Ask my two boys at home. Sometimes it does get loud…

• It’s tempting to “sell” Big East stock right now, as the league looks to be on the verge of a total football collapse. I do believe the “basketball schools,” like PC, will be fine no matter the ultimate outcome. But the theory of “rising tides fill all boats” still applies. Pittsburgh and Syracuse are the culprits who drilled holes in the hull of the S.S. Big East. And, a conference is a family. Shouldn’t you love and support your family members, even when they screw up?

• This week’s mailbag question comes from Lukas in Paris, France: “I don’t agree on the Jets/Patriots rivalry…if you were to ask most fans who New England’s biggest rival is, all of them would say the Indianapolis Colts.” Lukas, the Colts have certainly been a rival – but because of the whole “New York-New England/Boston” thing (you know, like the Red Sox and Yankees?) I think most fans around here look to the Jets as the team they most love to beat. Hey, if I’m wrong…just let me know…

• Interested in having your questions on local RI sports (including the Patriots, Red Sox, Bruins and Celtics) answered in a somewhat timely fashion? Send ‘em to me! It’s your chance to “think out loud,” so send your questions and comments to [email protected]. We’ll share mailbag comments/Facebook posts/Tweets right here! Follow me on Twitter, too @jrooke0722…